Movable Curtain Track Gate for Privacy Around Overhead Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curtain tracks in hospital wards often require multiple curtains to create a partition due to permanent gaps for overhead systems, leading to incomplete screens and reduced patient privacy, as well as difficulty in neatly drawing curtains back.
Innovation Solution
A track with a moveable gate portion that allows for an open configuration to accommodate overhead systems, featuring biasing means for self-closure and adjustable curtain connection elements with rollers for smooth movement, enabling a single curtain to provide a complete partition and allowing multiple curtains to be drawn back neatly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a permanent gap is provided in the track to allow overhead suspension systems to move between cubicles, then the overhead system can be moved from one side of the track to the other, but the curtains do not meet and patient privacy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gate portion is made movable relative to the first and second portions of the track, allowing it to be in a retracted position to facilitate movement of overhead suspension systems and in a forward position to close the gap for complete curtain coverage and patient privacy
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the gate portion is changed between retracted and forward positions depending on operational requirements, enabling the track to adapt between allowing overhead system movement and providing complete curtain coverage for privacy
2Adaptability or versatility
If a permanent gap is provided in the track, then overhead suspension systems can pass through, but multiple curtains are required to provide a partition and they cannot be drawn back neatly
Solution Approach 1:
The movable gate portion allows a single curtain to continuously engage with the track by temporarily creating a gap only when needed, eliminating the need for multiple curtains and enabling neat storage of the single curtain when drawn back
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the gate portion is made movable to close the gap, then a single curtain can provide complete coverage, but the track structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The track is segmented into a first portion, a movable gate portion, and a second portion, allowing the gate to be independently positioned to close gaps while maintaining the overall track structure for curtain engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The gate portion serves multiple functions: it closes the gap for complete curtain coverage, allows overhead systems to pass when retracted, and maintains structural continuity of the track, thereby reducing the need for additional components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The track enables a single curtain to create a complete partition, ensuring patient privacy and allowing multiple curtains to be drawn back in a space-saving manner, while the adjustable connection system ensures smooth operation and easy installation.
Implementation Method 1
The track includes biasing means to bias the gate portion towards the closed configuration
Implementation Method 2
The curtain connection element typically includes a hook for threading through an eyelet in a curtain. The track may engage the curtain connection element by means of a channel capturing a portion of the connection element
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is concerned with a curtain track (2). The track (2) has a gate portion (8), which may be opened to provide a temporary gap to allow, e.g., an overhead suspension system to be moved from one side of the track (2) to the other. The track (2) may then be returned to its closed configuration. A biasing means (42) is provided to bias the gate closed. By providing a track that may be opened and closed by means of the gate portion, it is possible to suspend a curtain from the track, so as to provide a single partitioning screen, e.g., for a cubicle in a hospital ward.