Drapery track system

Abstract

A drapery track system is provided that includes one or more drapes, a motor adapted to spin a shaft in both a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, and a track system. The track system includes at least one track length secured to a fixed surface via a track securing mechanism, and a gearing assembly adapted to interface with the motor to translate the clockwise spin direction and counterclockwise spin direction to first and second movements, respectively, of the drapes. The track length also includes a carrier channel and a guide wheel channel, and the gearing assembly includes a timing belt adapted to be rotated by said motor. The track system further includes at least one track carrier adapted to be attached to the timing belt such that the drapes can be moved by the track carrier. The track carrier includes a plurality of independently mounted track carrier wheel assemblies adapted to rotate independently of each other within the carrier channel such that if one of the independently mounted wheel assemblies binds, the remaining independently mounted wheel assemblies can rotate freely. The track carrier further includes at least one guide wheel assembly located at a first end of the track carrier, the guide wheel assembly adapted to freely rotate within the guide wheel channel of the track length. The system further includes a drape truck assembly adapted to be removably secured to the drapes, and which includes at least two independently rotating truck wheels adapted to freely rotate within the carrier channel of the track length such that the one or more drapes can be moved by the motor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drapery track system, comprising:
 one or more drapes;   a motor adapted to be operable to spin a shaft in both a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, wherein
 said clockwise spin direction of said shaft creates a first movement of said one or more drapes in a first direction, and wherein said 
 counterclockwise spin direction of said shaft creates a second movement of said one or more drapes in a second direction opposite to said first direction; 
   a track system that includes
 at least one track length secured to a fixed surface via a track securing mechanism, and 
 a gearing assembly adapted to interface with said motor and to translate said clockwise spin direction and counterclockwise spin direction to said first and second movements, respectively, of said one or more drapes, and wherein
 said at least one track length includes a carrier channel and a guide wheel channel, and wherein said gearing assembly includes a timing belt adapted to be rotated by said motor, and wherein 
 
 said track system further includes at least one track carrier adapted to be attached to said timing belt such that said one or more drapes can be moved by said at least one track carrier that is moved by said timing belt that is moved by said motor, and wherein
 said track carrier includes
 at least a first and second independently mounted track carrier wheel assembly, each of which are adapted to rotate independently of each other within said carrier channel such that if one of said independently mounted wheel assembly binds the other independently mounted wheel assembly can freely rotate, and wherein 
 
 said track carrier further includes
 a first and second guide wheel assembly, said first and second guide wheel assemblies each comprising respective guide wheels adapted to freely rotate about a respective axis of rotation, wherein 
 
 
 said first guide wheel assembly is located at a first extreme end of said track carrier and near a first track carrier wheel assembly that is located near the first extreme end of said track carrier, but wherein said first guide wheel assembly is closer to the first extreme end then the first track carrier wheel assembly, and further wherein 
 said second guide wheel assembly is located at a second, opposite extreme end of said track carrier than the first extreme end of said track carrier and near a second track carrier wheel assembly that is located near the second extreme end of said track carrier, but wherein said second guide wheel assembly is closer to the second extreme end then the second track carrier wheel assembly, and wherein said first and second guide wheel assemblies are adapted to substantially prevent rotation and binding of said track carrier within said carrier channel; and 
   a drape truck assembly adapted to be removably secured to said one or more drapes, and wherein said drape truck assembly includes at least two independently rotating truck wheels adapted to freely rotate within said carrier channel of said track length such that said one or more drapes can be moved by said motor.   
     
     
         2 . The drapery track system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said guide wheel assemblies comprises:
 a guide wheel rim adapted to rotate about a first axis perpendicular to a direction of travel of said track carrier; and   a first outer tire portion located over said guide wheel rim, said first outer tire portion made of a substantially softer, higher frictional material than a material that said guide wheel rim is made of, such that said guide wheel assembly is adapted to rotate substantially freely about the first axis, but is frictionally resistant to movement in any direction other than the direction of rotation.   
     
     
         3 . The drapery track system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of independently mounted track carrier wheel assemblies are independently rotatable from each other, and wherein each of the track carrier wheel assemblies comprises:
 a track wheel rim that is independently rotatable of said other truck wheel rims attached to a track carrier body portion of said track carrier, and wherein said track wheel rim is adapted to rotate about a second axis perpendicular to a direction of travel of said track carrier; and   a track wheel tire located over said track wheel rim, said track wheel tire made of a substantially softer, higher frictional material than a material that said track wheel rim is made of, such that each of said independent mounted truck carrier wheel assemblies are adapted to rotate substantially freely about said second axis, but is frictionally resistant to movement in any direction other than the direction of rotation, and wherein each of the track carrier wheel assemblies are adapted to rotate about an axis perpendicular to a direction of travel of said track carrier.   
     
     
         4 . The drapery track system according to  claim 1 , wherein said carrier channel comprises:
 a plurality of track carrier wheel guides located at a bottom of said carrier channel, and wherein
 each of said plurality of track carrier wheel guides are adapted to retain a respective one of said plurality of track carrier wheel assemblies when rotating, such that lateral movement of said track carrier is substantially prevented. 
   
     
     
         5 . The drapery track system according to  claim 1 , wherein said track securing mechanism comprises:
 a substantially centrally located track retention channel, located within an upper interior surface of said track length track carrier channel, wherein said substantially centrally located track retention channel runs a length of said track length;   a reinforced area of track length material located about said substantially centrally located track retention channel adapted to strengthen said track length in a location of said substantially centrally located track retention channel;   a first plurality of track mounting holes located along a scribe line that is substantially centrally located within said substantially centrally located track retention channel; and   a second plurality of track securing apparatuses, each of which is adapted to be placed within a respective one of said first plurality of track mounting holes and secured to said fixed surface.   
     
     
         6 . The drapery track system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one other track length, wherein each track length includes
 two or more dowel pin holes correspondingly located on both ends of said track length such that a first dowel pin hole of a first track length at a first end of said first track length is in substantial alignment with a second dowel pin hole located on a second track length at a second end of said second track length; and 
   a plurality of finned dowel pins, each of said plurality of finned dowel pins includes one or more fins adapted to be inserted into either of a first or second dowel pin hole of a first track length, and then to be inserted into a respective dowel pin hole of a second track length, thereby joining two track lengths together in substantial alignment.   
     
     
         7 . The drapery track system according to  claim 6 , wherein each of said fins comprises:
 a first portion that is substantially perpendicular from an outer surface of the dowel pin, wherein the first portion is substantially triangularly shaped in cross-section, such that the first portion is wider at a base that is located at the outer surface of the dowel pin, than the top-most portion that has a relatively small radius, such that the top-most portion is relatively sharp, and is therefore adapted to cut into a material that the track length is fabricated from.   
     
     
         8 . The fin according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a first angled portion at a first end of the fin, formed at a first angle with respect to the outer surface of the dowel pin; and   a second angled portion at a second end of the fin, formed at a second angle with respect to the outer surface of the dowel pin.   
     
     
         9 . The drapery track system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a timing belt adapted to be moved by said motor to move said drapes, and wherein said at least one track length further includes   a first and second timing belt channel, wherein each of said timing belt channels are formed by a timing belt channel inner wall and a timing belt channel outer wall, and wherein,
 each of said timing belt channel outer walls has an exterior surface that forms an outer layer surface of said at least one track length, and an inner surface, and wherein 
 each of said inner surface of said timing belt channel outer walls includes a plurality of substantially rounded striations of a first predetermined radius, said striations adapted to provide a substantially frictionless surface with respect to said timing belt. 
   
     
     
         10 . The drapery system according to  claim 1 , wherein said drape truck assembly further comprises:
 a truck wheel carriage adapted to mate with said least two independently rotating truck wheels;   a truck height adjustment piece received by a bottom, lowest hanging portion of said truck wheel carriage, and adapted to removably secure said one or more drapes to said truck wheel carriage, and further wherein said truck height adjustment piece is adapted to be substantially continuously adjustable in height with respect said bottom, lower hanging portion of said truck wheel carriage, from between a lowermost position to an uppermost position, such that a height of said one or more drapes with respect to one or more horizontal surfaces can be adjusted and maintained at a selected height position.   
     
     
         11 . The drapery system according to  claim 10 , wherein said truck height adjustment piece comprises:
 a bolt with a threaded portion adapted to be received in a bolt-receiving threaded portion located on said bottom, lower hanging portion of said truck wheel carriage, such that upon turning said bolt in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, said drape can be raised or lowered, or vice-versa.   
     
     
         12 . The drapery system according to  claim 10 , wherein each of said at least two independently rotating truck wheels comprises:
 a truck rim portion that is independently rotatable of said other truck rim portions attached to said truck wheel carriage, and wherein said truck rim portion is adapted to rotate about a third axis perpendicular to a direction of travel of said truck assembly; and   a truck tire portion located over said truck rim portion, said truck tire portion made of a substantially softer, higher frictional material than a material that said truck rim portion is made of, such that each of said independently rotatable truck wheels are adapted to rotate substantially freely about said third axis, but are frictionally resistant to movement in any direction other than the direction of rotation.   
     
     
         13 . A track carrier for use in a drapery track system, comprising:
 a first and second track carrier body part, adapted to be joined together to form said track carrier, wherein
 each of said first and second track carrier body parts include first and second “L” shaped guide wheel mounting portions respectively, and further wherein 
 said first and second “L” shaped guide wheel mounting portions form respective elongated portions extending away from each other and a middle portion formed by said joining of said first second track carrier body parts; 
   a plurality of track carrier wheel assemblies each of which are adapted to rotate about respective axes of rotation that comprise a first set of axes of rotation, and wherein each axis of rotation of said first set of axes of rotation are substantially perpendicular to first and second directions of travel of said tracker carrier;   a plurality of guide wheel assemblies each of which are adapted to rotate about respective axes of rotation that comprise a second set of axes of rotation, and wherein each axis of rotation of said second set of axes of rotation are substantially perpendicular to each axis of rotation of said first set of axes of rotation, and further wherein each axis of rotation of said second set of axes of rotation are substantially perpendicular to said first and second directions of travel of said track carrier, and wherein
 said plurality of guide wheel assemblies are located on respective first and second “L” shaped guide wheel mounting portions; and 
   a joining plate adapted to be placed between said first and second track carrier body parts and to facilitate joining of said first and second track carrier body parts together.   
     
     
         14 . The track carrier according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a plurality of timing belt clip attachment receptacles, and wherein said drapery track system includes
 one or more tracks, wherein each of said tracks includes a carrier channel adapted to receive said plurality of track carrier wheel assemblies of said track carrier, and 
 a timing belt adapted to move said track carrier in both said first and second directions, said timing belt including a plurality of timing belt clips adapted to releasably attach to said respective ones of said plurality of timing belt clip attachment receptacles, and further wherein
 each of said tracks further includes a guide wheel channel adapted to receive said plurality of guide wheels of said track carrier, and wherein 
 each of said plurality of track carrier wheel assemblies are adapted to rotate within said carrier channels of said one or more tracks and wherein 
 each of said plurality of track carrier guide wheel assemblies are adapted to rotate within said guide wheel channels of said one or more tracks. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The track carrier according to  claim 13 , wherein said track carrier wheel assembly comprises:
 a plurality of track wheel rims made of a first material, and wherein each of which is independently rotatable of other truck wheel rims attached to a track carrier body portion of said track carrier, and wherein each said track wheel rim is adapted to rotate about an axis perpendicular to a direction of travel of said track carrier; and   a track wheel tire made of a second material, and which is adapted to be located over said track wheel rim such that said track wheel tire contacts portions of said carrier channel while each of said plurality of track wheel assemblies rotates.   
     
     
         16 . The track carrier according to  claim 13 , wherein said track carrier wheel assembly comprises:
 a track wheel that is independently rotatable of other track wheels attached to a track carrier body portion of said track carrier, and wherein each of said track wheels are adapted to rotate about an axis perpendicular to a direction of travel of said track carrier.   
     
     
         17 . The track carrier according to  claim 13 , wherein said plurality of guide wheel assemblies comprise:
 a first guide wheel assembly located at a first end of a first guide wheel portion of said track carrier; and   a second guide wheel assembly located at a first end of a second guide wheel portion of said track carrier opposite to that of said first end guide wheel portion, wherein
 in operation within said guide wheel channel, said pair of guide wheel assemblies are adapted to substantially prevent rotation of said track carrier about any axis substantially perpendicular to said line formed by said first and second directions of travel, and further 
   wherein
 said first guide wheel assembly is located at a first extreme end of said track carrier and near a first track carrier wheel assembly that is located near the first extreme end of said track carrier, but wherein said first guide wheel assembly is closer to the first extreme end then the first track carrier wheel assembly, and further wherein 
 said second guide wheel assembly is located at a second, opposite extreme end of said track carrier than the first extreme end of said track carrier and near a second track carrier wheel assembly that is located near the second extreme end of said track carrier, but wherein said second guide wheel assembly is closer to the second extreme end then the second track carrier wheel assembly, and wherein 
 each of said a plurality of guide wheel assemblies comprises 
   a guide wheel, and   a guide wheel tire adapted to be located over said guide wheel rim such that said guide wheel tire contacts said guide wheel channels while each of said plurality of guide wheel assemblies rotates.   
     
     
         18 . The track carrier according to  claim 13 , wherein
 each of said plurality track carrier wheel assemblies is adapted to rotate independently of each other, and wherein   each of said plurality guide wheel assemblies is adapted to rotate independently of each other.   
     
     
         19 . A track for use in a drapery track system comprising:
 a pair of timing belt channels adapted to contain a timing belt therein, each of said pair of timing belt channels formed by a timing belt channel inner wall and a timing belt channel outer wall, wherein said timing belt channels are substantially parallel to each other, and wherein said timing belt outer walls form an outer portion of said track;   a carrier channel located between said timing belt inner walls, formed in part by said timing belt channel inner walls;   a substantially planar bottom for both of said pair of timing belt channels, and wherein an opening is formed in said substantially planar bottom wall in said carrier channel to form a guide wheel channel;   a track mounting mechanism adapted to secure said track to a fixed surface, wherein
 said track mounting mechanism comprises a substantially centrally located track retention channel, located within an upper interior surface of said track carrier channel, wherein said substantially centrally located track retention channel runs a length of said track; and 
   a plurality of substantially rounded striations located on each of said inner wall portions of both of said timing belt channel outer walls, wherein
 said striations have a first predetermined radius, and said striations are adapted to provide a substantially frictionless surface with respect to said timing belt. 
   
     
     
         20 . The track according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 at least a first and second track piece;   at least four dowel pin holes, two of which are located at a first end of said first track piece, and two of which are located at a second end of said second track piece, such that when a second end of said second track piece is located adjacent to said first end of said first track piece, the four dowel pin holes are in substantial alignment with each other; and   a plurality of dowel pins, each of said plurality of dowels pins including one or more fins, wherein said finned dowel pins can be inserted into any of said dowel pin holes on said first track piece or said second track piece, and mate with corresponding dowel pin holes on said second track piece or said first track piece, thereby joining two or more track pieces in substantial alignment.   
     
     
         21 . The track according to  claim 20 , wherein said track mounting mechanism further comprises:
 a reinforced area of track material located about said substantially centrally located track retention channel adapted to strengthen said track in a location of said substantially centrally located track retention channel;   a scribe line located substantially centrally within said track retention channel;   a plurality of track mounting holes located along said scribe line; and   a plurality of track securing apparatuses, a respective one of each to be placed within a respective one of said plurality of track mounting holes and secured to a fixed surface upon which said track is to be mounted.