GB2530081A

GB2530081A - Pole fixing

Info

Publication number: GB2530081A
Application number: GB1416178.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tracie Jane Hall; Robert James Wright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-12
Filing date: 2014-09-12
Publication date: 2016-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-12
Also published as: GB2535871B; GB2535871A; GB2530081B; GB201601606D0; GB201416178D0

Abstract

A pole fixing 1 having a bracket 2 for attachment to a surface such as a wall, ceiling or recess. The bracket carries a mounting 4 means that defines a bore 18 for receiving a pole (48) for a curtain or the like and the fixing includes two screws. The mounting means also has at least two tapped apertures 20 & 24, each being arranged to receive one of the screws. The apertures are on opposite sides of the mounting means and are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction A of the bore so that the tapped aperture at the lower side 24 is nearer the entrance of the mounting means bore than the tapped aperture on the upper side 20.

Description

Pole Fixing The present invention relates to a fixing for a pole for a curtain or the like, More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to a fixing for use with angled poles and/or poles that extend across wide windows and doorways.

A curtain pole supports a curtain on rings which surround the poles. In general, the wider a window or doorway across which a curtain pole extends, the greater the number of wall brackets or fixings that are required to support the weight of the curtain pole and the curtain. The number of brackets or fixings required may be further increased where curtain linings and inter linings are included, which make the curtain heavier. Angled curtain poles, for example for hanging curtains around bay windows, require brackets at each corner as well as along the straight sections. Such brackets prevent a single curtain extending all along the pole, as a ring cannot pass a bracket.

The use of C-shaped curtain rings to hang a curtain on a curtain pole may enable a single curtain to extend across multiple brackets, These curtain rings, however, suffer the disadvantage that it may be possible for the C rings to catch in the brackets as the curtain is pulled along the curtain pole and/or fall off the pole, if the curtain is not pulled straight.

EP249834 discloses a prior art curtain pole bracket which attempts to remove the need for a corner bracket for curtain poles extending around a bay window. This curtain pole bracket has a back plate and two support arms that extend from the back plate. Each of the support arms is formed with a recess which is designed to receive a curtain pole. The support arms are spaced from each other and a curtain pole is held in place by two retaining arms that have a corresponding curved recess that fits over the curtain pole, and which are each fastened to one of the support arms of the bracket to retain the curtain pole between the support arms and the retaining arms.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a pole fixing comprising a bracket for attachment to a surface such as a wall, ceiling or recess, the bracket carrying mounting means defining a bore to receive a pole for a curtain or the like, the fixing further including at least two screws, the mounting means defining at least two tapped apertures intersecting the bore, each tapped aperture being arranged to receive one of the screws, the apertures being on opposite sides of the mounting means and offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the bore so that the tapped aperture at the lower side is nearer the entrance of the mounting means bore than the tapped aperture on the upper side.

Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous for allowing adjustment of the pole relative to the mounting means, for example to enable a pole to support heavy curtains and/or curtains that are lined.

The fixing may include two said mounting means defining opposed bores. This can form a centre fixing for a bay window, The opposed bores may be connected to define a through-bore.

This arrangement is particularly advantageous as the screws can be used to adjust the orientation of the pole relative to the mounting means such that a heavy curtain may be mounted on a pole that is supported by a single fixing at each of its ends and a single central fixing without causing the pole to sag.

The tapped apertures may be arranged in a trapezium shape on the mounting means.

The or each bore may be tapered, for example to the pole receiving mouth thereof The tapered bore of the mounting means is advantageous as it enables the position of a pole relative to the mounting means to be adjusted over a greater range, in particular by tilting of the pole relative to the axis of the bore of the fixing, The bracket may carry a second mounting means defining a bore for receiving a second pole for a curtain or the like, which may be alongside and parallel to the first, for example to mount a voile in addition to a curtain at a window or doorway. n j

The fixing may include adjustment means between the or each mounting means and the bracket so the position of the or each mounting means is adjustable with respect to the bracket.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided the combination of a pole fixing according to the first aspect of the invention and a pole for a curtain or the like.

There may be a radial clearance of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1mm, between the pole and the mouth of the mounting means. There may be a radial clearance of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 3mm, between the end of the pole and the mounting means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination of a pole fixing and a tubular pole for a curtain or the like, the pole fixing comprising a bracket for attachment to a wall, the bracket canying a stud, the stud being arranged to fit into the end of the tubular pole, the combination further including a plurality of screws, the pole defining at least two tapped apertures at one or both ends, each tapped aperture being aranged to receive one of the screws so that the end of each screw is arranged to engage the stud, the apertures being on opposite sides of the pole and offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the pole.

This is in a sense an engineering inversion of the first aspect of the invention.

The stud may flare to its end. In some embodiments there may be a radial clearance of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1mm, between the pole and the end of the stud.

Additionally or alternatively, there may be a radial clearance of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 3mm, between the stud and the end of the pole.

In some embodiments the bracket may carry a second stud to mount a second tubular pole for a curtain or the like, which may be alongside and parallel to the first, for example to mount a voile in addition to a curtain at a window or doorway.

The fixing may include adjustment means between the stud and the bracket so that the position of the stud is adjustable with respect to the bracket.

In either of the second and third aspects, the pole may be made of mild steel or, for greater strength, high tensile steel. High tensile steel may be preferred where heavy curtains are hung and/or for longer spans. The high tensile steel may include EN8 steel. The pole may be at least 4 metres long. The combination may include a further pole fixing, and in a preferred embodiment, the pole is mounted between two fixings with the pole arched upwards. This prestresses the pole.

It is known to have a curtain behind an external door, The curtain provides insulation, and if there is a window in the door, it also provides privacy. To open the door, the curtain is pulled back. There may be insufficient room beside the door for the curtain so that it is difficult to open the door or to open the door widely.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a building, the building including a door next to a perpendicular wall, and an L-shaped curtain rail, one arm of the curtain rail being mounted above the door and the other arm being mounted to the wall or to the ceiling adjacent the wall, and a curtain hanging from the rail so that the curtain can lie alongside the wall on one arm of the curtain rail when pulled back, and can hang behind the door on the other arm of the curtain rail when pulled across.

In this way the curtain can be pulled back onto the area which is alongside the wall so that it is well away from the door and the door can be opened easily and frilly, The door may be an external door. In one embodiment, the door is at the end of a corridor, Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end elevation of a curtain pole fixing according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view through the mount of the curtain pole fixing of figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the mount of figure 2; Figure 4 is an end elevation of a mount for a curtain pole fixing according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a cross sectional view through the mount of figure 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of the mount of figure 4; Figure 7 is an end elevation of a curtain pole fixing according to the second embodiment of the invention into which a curtain pole is mounted; Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the mount of the curtain pole fixing of figure 7 with a curtain pole; Figure 9 is a plan view of the curtain pole fixing and curtain pole of figure 8; Figure 10 is an end elevation of a curtain pole fixing according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 is a front view of the curtain pole fixing of figure 10, with the mount in cross section; Figure 12 is an end elevation of a curtain pole fixing according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 13 is a front view of the curtain pole fixing of figure 12, with the mount in cross section; Figure 14 is a plan view of the curtain pole fixing of figure 12; Figure 15 is a side elevation in cross-section of a curtain pole fixing according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; Figure 16 is a front view of the curtain pole fixing of figure 15, with a pole mounted in the mount, and the mount in cross section; Figure 17 is an end elevation of a curtain pole fixing according to a sixth embodiment of the invention onto which a curtain pole is mounted, the stud being shown in cross section; Figure 18 is a front view of the curtain pole fixing and curtain pole of figure 17, with the pole in cross section; Figure 19 is a plan view of the curtain pole fixing and curtain pole of figure 17, showing the pole in cross section; Figure 20 is a plan view of a bay window at which a curtain pole has been mounted using three curtain pole fixings according to the present invention; Figure 21 is a front view of a series of bi-fold doors, over which a curtain pole has been mounted using two curtain pole fixings according to the present invention; Figure 22 is a partial perspective view of a corridor having a door above which an L-shaped curtain pole is mounted using two curtain pole fixings according to the present invention; and Figure 23 is a schematic representation of a building having a door as shown in Figure 22.

Referring now to figures 1 to 3 there is shown a curtain pole fixing 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The curtain pole fixing 1 has a bracket 2, a mount 4 and a pair of supports 6, 8. The fixing is made of steel, such as EN8 high tensile steel.

The bracket 2 is an elongate plate and has a pair of apertures 10, 12. The bracket 2 has an inner face 11 and an outer face 13. The apertures 10, U extend through the plate from the inner face 11 to the outer face 13.

The mount 4 is a generally cylindrical body having an outer wall 14 and an inner wall 16 defining a bore 18 having a longitudinal axis A. The diameter of the mount 4 is 60 mm. The mount 4 has two pairs of tapped apertures 20, 22 and 24, 26 that extend through the body from outer wall 14 to inner wall 16. The mount 4 has an upper surface 28, a lower surface 30, a right end 32 and a left end 34. As shown in figure 2, aperture 20 is located on upper surface 28 and is spaced from the right end 32 by a distance B. Aperture 22 is also located on the upper surface 28 and is spaced from the left end 34 by a distance C and can be 30 mm. Distance B is substantially equal to distance C and can be 3 0mm. Aperture 20 is spaced from aperture 22 by a distance of approximately 30 mm, Aperture 24 is located on lower surface 30 and is spaced from the right end 32 by a distance D. Aperture 26 is also located on lower surface 30 and is spaced from the left end 34 by a distance E. Distance D is substantially equal to distance E and can be 5 mm, Aperture 24 is spaced from aperture 26 by a distance of approximately 80 mm. The curtain pole fixing 1 is a centre fixing and so right end 32 and left end 30 are open such that bore 18 extends the entire length of mount 4. The axial separation of the upper and lower apertures 20, 24 at the end of the mount 4 can be about 25 mm.

The bore 18 has a diameter of approximately 40 mm. The ratio of the distance apart of the apertures 20, 24 in the axial direction of the mount 4 to the bore 18 diameter is thus 25:40 or 5:8.

The length of the curtain pole in this case may be 2m, in which case the ratio of the distance apart of the tapped apertures 20,24 to the pole length is 25:2000 or 1:80 Supports 6, 8 are elongate struts that extend from the bracket 2 at one end to the mount 4 at the other end.

The mount 4 is connected to the bracket 2 by the supports 6, 8. The supports 6, 8 are joined to the outer face H of the bracket 2 and the outer wall 14 of the mount 4 by welding or any other suitable means. to

In use, the curtain pole fixing t is fixed to a wall (not shown) by mounting the inner face 11 of the bracket 2 on the wall using screws (not shown) which extend through apertures 10, 12 respectively in the bracket 2 and into the wall. The screws can screw into suitable masonry or be secured by a chemical anchor, A curtain pole (not shown) tS is passed through each end of the bore 18 of the mount 4. The curtain pole may be a standard external diameter such as 55mm, The curtain pole and mount 4 are sized so that there is a clearance of about t.5mm radially between the exterior surface of the curtain pole and the inner wall of the bore 18 of the mount 4. Grub screws 40, 42, 44, 46 are placed in apertures 20, 22, 24, 26, respectively and adjusted to ensure that the two curtain poles are held securely at the desired orientation within the mount 4.

Because the apertures 20, 22, 24, 26 are offset in a trapezium array, the outer grub screw 44, 46 acts as a fulcrum, with downward pressure applied by the upper grub screws 49, 42 putting the pole into pre-stress to resist sagging.

Referring now to figures 4 to 9 there is shown a curtain pole fixing 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Features that are present in common with the first embodiment are shown with the same reference numeral and will not be described thrther.

As shown in figures 5 and 6, inner wall l6is spaced from outer wall 14 by a distance F at the right end 32 of the mount 4 and by a distance 0 at the eft end 34 of the mount 4. Distance F is substantially equal to distance G. Inner wall 16 is spaced from outer wall 14 by a distance H at the centre of the mount 4. Distance H is less than distance F and distance G. The inner wall 16 of the mount 4 is tapered towards the right and left ends 32, 34 of the mount 4 at which a curtain pole is received (as showing in Figures 8 and 9), In this way there is a greater range of movement available by screwing in and out of the gmb screws 40-48, This means that while there is a 1.5mm clearance at the mouth of the mount 4, there is a 3mm clearance between the end of tO the curtain pole and the centre of the bore 18 of the mount 4, Referring now to figures 10 and there is shown a curtain pole fixing according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Features that are present in common with the first and second embodiments are shown with the same reference numerals tS and will not be described further.

The curtain pole fixing t of this embodiment has an adjustable mounting plate 50 in front of and parallel to the bracket plate 2, The bracket 2 of the curtain pole fixing I according to this embodiment has an additional hole 52 which extends through the bracket 2 from the inner face 11 to the outer face 13, The bracket also has a support member 54. The support member 54 extends away from the outer face 13 of the bracket 2. The support member 54 is connected to the bracket 2 at one of its ends, extends outwards alongside plate 50 and has a horizontally extending hole 56 in the other of its ends.

The mounting plate 50 is an elongate plate having an inner face 58 and an outer face 50. The mounting plate 50 has a hole 62 that extends through the plate 50 from the inner face 58 to the outer face 60 and is coaxial with the hole 52 to receive a common screw 74.

In this embodiment, support 8 has a first portion 64 which is joined to the outer wall t4 of the mount 4 and a second, angled, portion 66 at the opposite end, The support 6 is joined to the outer wail of the mount 4 at one of its ends and to the outer face 60 of the mounting plate 50 at the other of its ends.

In use, the curtain pole fixing 1 is fixed to a wall (not shown) by mounting the inner face 11 of the bracket 2 on the wall using screws which extend through apertures 10, 12 respectively into the bracket 2 and into the wall, Spacers 70, 72 are positioned on the outer face 13 of the bracket 2 and hole 62 in the mounting plate 50 is aligned with hole 52 in the bracket 2. A screw 74 is used to hold the mounting plate 50 in position relative to the bracket 2. The spacers 70, 72 are held between the outer face 13 of the bracket 2 and the inner face 58 of the mounting plate 50. In this way the mounting plate 50 is supported by the screw 74 so that it can pivot about the screw 74.

The second portion 66 of the support 8 is engaged by a grub screw 76 which is inserted into tapped bore 56 and adjusted to secure the mount 4 at the desired orientation, In this way the angle of the axis of the mount 4 with respect to the horizontal can be adjusted. This can help if the bracket 2 is not vertical or the pole 48 is not horizontal, but it can also be used to angle the mount 4 upwards to induce arching in the pole 48 to prestress it, and prevent the pole 48 from sagging under heavy load.

The curtain pole fixing 1 shown in figure 10 and 11 is for use at the end of a curtain pole and so the right end 32 of the mount 4 is closed, In applications where the curtain pole fixing I of the third embodiment is used in conjunction with longer curtain poles, for example curtain poles that at over 4 metres long, the width of the bracket 2 may be increased in order to increase the stiffness of the bracket, Additionally, or alternatively, the bracket 2 may include a third support member (for example as shown in figure 15).

The distance apart of the tapped apertures 20, 26 may be 90mm in the axial direction of the mount 4, the bore 18 may be 45mm and the pole may be 4.5m long. The ratio of distance apart the tapped apertures 20, 26 to the diameter of the mouth of the bore ii 18 is 90:45 or 2:1. The ratio of the distance apart of the apertures to the pole length is 90:4500 or 1:50 Referring now to figures 12 to 14, there is shown a curtain pole fixing I according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Features that are in common with the earlier embodiments are shown with the same reference numerals and will not be described further.

There is no adjustable mounting plate in this embodiment. The support member 54 of this embodiment is a short cylindrical tube and has an opening 78 at the opposite end to the end at which the support member 54 is joined to the bracket 2. The opening 78 extends into the outer face 3 of the bracket 2.

The second portion 66 of the support 8 is slidably received within opening 78 of the support member 54, The second portion 66 can move relative to the support member 54 in the directions shown by arrow 1. A grub screw 76 is inserted into hole 56 in the side of tube 54 and adjusted to secure the support 8 at the desired position and, therefore, to secure the mount 4 at the desired orientation.

The bracket 2 of this embodiment has a second support member 80 that is a hollow, generally cylindrical body having a first end at which it is joined to the outer face 13 of the bracket 2 and a second end, opposite to the first end and having an opening 84.

The opening 84 extends into the outer face 13 of the bracket 2. The second support member has a generally horizontal tapped bore 82 adjacent to the second end.

The support 6 is joined to the mount 4 at one of its ends and the other end is slidably received within opening 84 of the second support member 80. The support 6 can move relative to the bracket 2 in the directions shown by arrow J. A gmb screw 86 is inserted into the hole 82 and adjusted to secure the support 6 at the desired position and therefore, to secure the mount 4 at the desired orientation. Where a wall is not vertical, the adjustments in the directions I and J enable the mount 4 to be arranged with the upper tapped aperture 20 in a common notional vertical plane with the lower tapped aperture 26. In this way, the angle of the pole can still be adjusted vertically.

In one example of the present invention, when a pair of curtain pole fixings 1 according to the invention are used to mount a curtain pole over a standard door, the length of the curtain pole is 700 mm and the distance between the apertures 20, 26 is 3.5 mm. In this case the ratio of the distance between the apertures to the length of the curtain pole is 3.5:700 or 1:200. The bore diameter may be 28mm so the ratio of the distance apart of the apertures to the bore diameter would be 3.5:28 or 1:8 Referring now to figures 15 and 16 there is shown a curtain pole fixing I according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. Features that are in common with the earlier embodiments are shown with the same reference numerals and will not be described further.

The curtain pole fixing 1 of this embodiment has a second mount 90 having an outer wall 92, an inner wall 94, a bore L12 and tapped holes 96, 98 that extend through the outer wall 92 and the inner wall 94. In use, a second curtain pole (not shown) is passed through the bore 112 of the second mount 90. Grub screws L14, I lii are placed in tapped holes 96, 98, respectively and adjusted to ensure that the second curtain pole is secured at the desired orientation within the second mount 90.

The bracket 2 has a third support member 104 that has a first end at which it is joined to the outer face 13 of the bracket 2 and a second end, opposite to the first end and having an opening 106. The opening 106 extends into the outer face 13 of bracket 2.

The third support member 104 has a hole 108 on upper surface 112.

In this embodiment, support 6 extends from the outer wall 14 of the first mount 4 to the outer wall 92 of the second mount 90.

The curtain pole fixing I has a support 100 that extends between the second mount 90 and the third support member 104. The support 100 is joined to the outer wall 92 of the second mount 90 at one of its ends and the other end is slidably received in the opening 106 of the third support member 104. The support 100 can move relative to the third support member 104 in the directions shown by arrow K. A grub screw 110 is inserted into the hole 108 and adjusted to secure the support 100 at the desired position and, therefore, to secure the first and second mounts 4, 90 at the desired orientation.

An additional support 102 extends between the first portion 64 of the support 8 and the second support member 80. The support 102 is joined to the first portion 64 of the tO support 8 at one of its ends and the other end is slidably received in the opening 84 in the second support member 80. The support 102 can move relative to the second support member 80 in the directions shown by arrow L A grub screw 86 is inserted into the hole 84 and adjusted to secure the support 102 at the desired position and, therefore, the mount 4 at the desired orientation. tS

The second portion 66 of support 8 is slidably received in the opening 78 of the first support member 54 as described for the fourth embodiment above.

Instead of the mount 4, the curtain pole fixing 1 of this embodiment allows two curtains, for example a curtain and a voile to be mounted at a window.

Referring now to figures 17 to 19 there is shown a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Features that are in common with the earlier embodiments are depicted with the same reference numerals and will not be described further.

Instead of the mount 4, the curtain pole fixing I of this embodiment has a stud 120 that is mounted on bracket 2 by supports 6, 8. The stud 120 has a finial 122 and a body 124. The body 124 has a diameter N. In this embodiment the tubular curtain pole 48 has an outer wall 126 and an inner wall 128 and a bore 130. The bore 130 has a diameter M. The tubular curtain pole 48 has apertures 132, 134 that extend through the outer wall 126 and inner wall 128.

The diameter M of bore 130 is greater than the diameter N of the body of the stud 124, such that the curtain pole 48 can be mounted onto the body 124 of the stud 120 as shown in figures 18 and 19. In use, grub screws 136, 138 are inserted into the apertures 132, 134 of the curtain pole and adjusted to secure the curtain pole 48 at the desired orientation relative to the stud 120.

In some embodiments the stud 120 flares to its end (not shown). The radial clearance between the curtain pole 48 and the end of the stud is approximately 1.5 mm. The radial clearance between the stud and the end of the curtain pole is approximately 3 mm.

In some embodiments, the bracket 2 carries a second stud (not shown) to mount a second tubular curtain pole (not shown).

In other embodiments, the curtain pole fixing I includes an adjustment mechanism (not shown) between the stud and the bracket (for example the adjustment mechanisms described for the third, fourth and fifth embodiments of the invention) that enables the position of the stud 120 relative to the bracket 2 to be adjusted.

Referring now to figure 20, there is shown a plan view of a bay window 200 extending outwardly from the wall 202 of a building (not shown). The wall 202 has an exterior face 204 on the outside of the building and an interior face 206 on the inside of the building. The bay window 200 has three angled portions 208, 210, 212 in which three window panes (not shown) are securely held. A high tensile strength EN8 steel curtain pole 48 extends around the bay window 200 from an outer bracket to the centre, and a second high tensile strength EN8 steel curtain pole 48 extends around the bay window from the other outer bracket to the centre. The curtain poles 48 are supported on the inner face 206 of the wall 202 by three curtain pole fixings 1 that are positioned above the window panes (not shown). One curtain pole fixing I is positioned at the innermost edge of the first bay window portion 208, the second curtain pole fixing is positioned at the centre of the second bay window portion 210 and the third curtain pole fixing I is positioned at the innermost edge of the third bay window portion 212. The curtain pole fixings I are advantageous as they are able to support the weight of the high tensile strength EN8 steel curtain pole 48 as weli as any curtains and interlinings (not shown) that may be mounted from the curtain pole 48.

The end brackets may be single ended brackets like the bracket of the embodiment of Figs 10 and I, 15 and th or 17, 18 and 19, while the centre bracket may be a double ended bracket such as shown in the other embodiments.

Referring now to figure 21, there is shown an altemative use of the curtain pole fixing I of the present invention, In this example, a wall 300 has an opening 302 that is closed by a series of bi-fold doors 304 to 314. A single high tensile strength EN8 steel curtain pole 48 extends across the opening 302 and is supported by two curtain pole fixings I that are positioned above the opening 302. As shown in figure 21, the curtain pole 48 is supported by the curtain pole fixings I such that the curtain pole 48 is held in a pre-stressed arch to prevent sagging of the curtain pole 48 when curtains (not shown) are mounted on it.

The curtain pole fixing I for use in conjunction with a series of bi-fold doors 304 to 314 may include a second mount (not shown) for mounting a second curtain or voile.

With reference to figure 22, a third example of how the curtain pole fixing 1 of the present invention can be used is described, In this example, a building (for example as shown in figure 23) has a corridor 400. At one end of the corridor there is a first wall 402 having an opening 404 that is closed by a door 406. The corridor has a second wall 408 that is approximately perpendicular to the first wall 402, A single high tensile strength EN8 steel curtain pole 48 is mounted above the door 406 and extends around the corner to the wall 408 to enable a curtain (not shown) to be mounted on the curtain pole 48 and stored, when not required, against the second wall 408. In this way, it is possible to frilly open the door 406. The single high tensile strength EN8 steel curtain pole 48 is supported by two curtain pole fixings 1 that are located at each end of the pole, one mounted on the first wall 402 and the other mounted on the second wall 408.

Figure 23 shows a house 500 having a door 406, bay windows 200 and additional windows 502, Curtains (not shown) may be mounted on curtain poles at each or all of the door 406, bay windows 200 and additional windows 502, the curtain poles being supported by curtain pole fixings according to the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A pole fixing comprising a bracket for attachment to surface such as a wall, ceiling or recess, the bracket carrying mounting means defining a bore to receive a pole for a curtain or the like, the fixing further including at least two screws, the mounting means defining at least two tapped apertures intersecting the bore, each tapped aperture being arranged to receive one of the screws, the at least two apertures being on opposite sides of the mounting means and offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the bore so that at least one tapped aperture on the lower side is nearer the entrance of the mounting means bore than at least one tapped aperture on the upper side.
2. A pole fixing according to claim I, wherein the axial distance apart of the two tapped apertures is at least 3 mm.
3. A pole fixing according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the axial distance apart of the two tapped apertures is at least 20 mm.
4. A pole fixing according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the axial distance apart of the two tapped apertures is less than 200 mm, preferably less than 100 mm.
3. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of the distance apart of the apertures to the diameter of the mouth of the bore of the mounting means is at least 1:8.
6. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of the distance apart of the apertures to the diameter of the mouth of the bore of the mounting means is at least 1:1.
7. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of the distance apart of the apertures to the length of the pole is at least 1:250.
8. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of the distance apart of the apertures to the length of the pole is at least 1:50.
9. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixing includes two said mounting means defining opposed bores.
10. A pole fixing according to claim 9, wherein the opposed bores are connected to define a through bore.
11. A pole fixing according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the tapped apertures are arranged in a trapezium shaped array on the mounting means.
12. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each bore is tapered to the pole receiving mouth thereof
13. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket carries a second mounting means defining a bore to receive a second pole for a curtain or the like, 14. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixing includes adjustment means between the or each mounting means and the bracket so that the position of the or each mounting means is adjustable with respect to the bracket.15. A pole fixing according to claim 14, wherein the adjustment means includes a strut between the or each mounting means and the bracket and the bracket includes an opening into which the strut can be adjustably received.16. A pole fixing according to claim 15, wherein the opening includes a tapped bore arranged to receive a screw, 17. A pole fixing according to claim 14, wherein the angle of the axis of the bore is adjustable by means of the adjustment means.18. The combination of a pole fixing as claimed in any preceding claim and a pole for a curtain or the like.19. A combination according to claim 18, wherein, there is a radial clearance of at least 0.5 mm between the pole and the mouth of the mounting means.20. A combination according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein, there is a radial clearance of at least 1.0mm between the end of the pole and the mounting means.21. A combination of a pole fixing and a tubular pole for a curtain or the like, the pole fixing comprising a bracket for attachment to a wall, the bracket carrying a stud, the stud being arranged to fit into the end of the tubular pole, the combination further including a plurality of screws, the pole defining at least two tapped apertures at one or both ends, each tapped aperture being arranged to receive one of the screws, the apertures being on opposite sides of the pole and offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the pole.22. A combination as claimed in claim 21, wherein the stud flares to its end.23. A combination as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, wherein there is a radial clearance of at least 1.5 mm between the pole and the end of the stud.24. A combination as claimed in claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein there is a radial clearance of at least 1 mm between the stud and the end of the pole.25. A combination as claimed in any of claims 21 to 24, wherein the bracket carries a second stud to mount a second tubular pole.26. A combination as claimed in any of claims 21 to 25, wherein the fixing includes adjustment means between the stud and the bracket so that the position of the stud is adjustable with respect to the bracket.27. A combination according to claim 26, wherein the adjustment means includes a strut between the or each stud and the bracket and the bracket includes an opening into which the strut can be adjustably received.28. A combination according to claim 27, wherein the opening includes a tapped bore arranged to receive a screw.29. A combination according to claim 26, wherein the angle of the axis of the stud is adjustable by means of the adjustment means.30. A combination according to any claims 16 to 27, wherein the pole is made of mild steel.3 1. A combination according to any of claims 18 to 29, wherein the pole is made of high tensile steel.32. A combination according to claim 31, wherein the high tensile steel comprises ENS steel.33. A combination according to any of claims 18 to 32, wherein the pole is at least 4 metres long.34. A combination according to any of claims 21 to 33 and a further pole fixing, wherein the pole is mounted between the two fixings such that the pole is arched.35. A building, the building including a door next to a perpendicular wall, and an L-shaped rail for a curtain or the like, one arm of the rail being mounted above the door and the other arm being mounted to the wall or ceiling, and a curtain or the like hanging from the rail so that the curtain or the like can lie alongside the wall on one arm of the rail when pulled back, and can hang behind the door on the other arm of the rail when pulled across.36. A building according to claim 35, wherein the door is an external door.37. A building according to claim 35 or claim 36, wherein the door is at the end of a corridor.Amendments to the daims have been filed as follows: Claims 1. A pole fixing comprising a bracket for attachment to surface such as a wall, ceiling or recess, the bracket carrying mounting means defining a bore to receive a pole for a curtain or the like, the fixing further including at least two screws, the mounting means defining at least two tapped apertures intersecting the bore, each tapped aperture being arranged to receive one of the screws, the at least two apertures being on opposite sides of the mounting means and offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the bore so that at least one tapped aperture on the lower side is nearer the entrance of the mounting means bore than at least one tapped aperture on the upper side.2. A pole fixing according to claim 1, wherein (he axial distance apart ol the two (0 tapped apertures is at least 3 mm.r 3. A pole fixing according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the axial distance apart of the two tapped apertures is at least 20 mm.1⁄4 4. A pole fixing according to claim 1. 2 or 3. wherein the axial distance apart of the two tapped apertures is tess than 200 mm. preferably less than 100 mm.5. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of the distance apart of the apertures to the diameter of the mouth of the bore of the mounting means is at kast 1:8.6. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of the distance apart ol the apertures to the diameter of the mouth of the bore of (he mounting means is at least 1:1.7. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixing includes two said mounting means defining opposed bores.8. A pole fixing according to claim 7. wherein the opposed bores arc connected to define a through bore.9. A pole fixing according to claim 7 or claim 8. wherein the tapped apertures are arranged in a trapezium shaped array on the mounting means.10. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each bore is tapered to the pole receiving mouth thereof 11. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket carries a second mounting means defining a bore to receive a second pole for a curtain or the like.12. A pole fixing according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixing includes (0 adjustment means between the or each mounting means and the bracket so that (he position of the or each mounting means is adjustable with respect to the bracket. r13. A pole fixing according to claim 12, wherein the adjustment means includes a strut between the or each mounting means and the bracket and the bracket includes an opening into which the strut can be adjustably received.
14. A pole fixing according to claim 13. wherein the opening includes a tapped bore arranged to receive a screw.
15. A pole fixing according to claim 12. wherein the angle of the axis of the bore is adjustable by means of the adjustment means.
16. The combination of a pole fixing as claimed in any preceding claim and a pole br a curtain or the like.
17. A combination according to claim 16, wherein, there is a radial clearance of at least 0.5 mm between the pole and the mouth of the mounting means.
18. A combination according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein, there is a radial clearance of at least 1.0mm between the end of the pole and the mounting means.
19. A pole fixing according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the ratio of the distance apart of the apertures to the length of the pole is at least 1:250.
20. A pole fixing according to any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the ratio of the distance apart of the apertures to the length of the pole is at least 1:50.
21. A combination according to any claims 16 to 18, wherein the pole is macic of mild steel.
22. A combination according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the pole is made of high tensile steel. (023. A combination according to claim 22, wherein the high tensile steel comprises ENS steel. CoC'4 24. A combination according to any of claims 16 to 18, or 2 to 23 wherein the pole is at least 4 metres long.