AU2009251049B2 - An Improved Bracket - Google Patents

Abstract

A bracket for holding a plurality of parallel tracks to a substantially vertical or horizontal surface such as a wall, ceiling, window frame, door frame, architrave, or the like. The bracket has a mounting portion for mounting the bracket to the surface. The bracket also has a track receiving portion that is adapted to hold the plurality of tracks simultaneously therein. A locking means is also provided that can lock the bracket relative to the plurality of tracks.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: AN IMPROVED BRACKET The invention is described in the following statement: 2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to brackets for tracks and, more particularly, to brackets for panel blind tracks wherein the bracket is adapted to hold a plurality of parallel tracks to a substantially horizontal surface. 5 BACKGROUNDART [Mere reference to background art herein should not be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in relation to the invention.] Often it is desirable to block or limit the amount of light transmitted through a window or glass door or the like. Various types of curtains and blinds are commonly used 10 for this purpose. One type of blind, namely vertical blinds, has been developed which typically comprises a number of vertically divided slats. A vertical blind can usually be drawn horizontally to at least one side of the area it is covering, and the vertical slats can usually be rotated to allow light to pass and/or to see past the blind. Different blind constructions are utilised for different purposes and to provide 15 different effects. Typically blind assemblies are affixed to a substantially vertical or horizontal surface such as for example, a wall, ceiling, or a window or door frame or surround, by a bracket. The brackets usually hold a rail or track assembly in a desired position above an area to be covered by one or more panels of the blind assembly. Sometimes the bracket is integral with the track which it is to be affixed to, and sometimes 20 it is a separate component which is affixed to the track. However, such brackets only hold a single track therein and, in some circumstances, it may be preferred to have more than one track. It is an aim of this invention to provide an improved bracket which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at 25 least provides a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a bracket for holding a plurality of tracks to a substantially horizontal surface, the bracket comprising: 3 a mounting portion adapted to be mounted to the substantially horizontal surface and having a track receiving portion adapted to hold a plurality of tracks therein; and a locking means that locks the plurality of tracks to the mounting portion. 5 The bracket of the invention is typically used to mount multiple tracks of a blind system to a window or door surround, particularly into a window opening by attachment to the upper reveal of a window or door opening. Preferably each of the plurality of tracks is arranged parallel to the other track(s). Preferably there are between two and six tracks. The track receiving portion preferably 10 holds the plurality of tracks a uniform distance apart. Preferably the bracket is substantially transverse or perpendicular to the plurality of tracks. The track receiving portion preferably has a number of shaped openings, with one shaped opening for each track to be received therein. Preferably the openings are shaped to substantially correspond with the cross section of a portion of the track held therein. In a 15 preferred embodiment, the openings comprise generally circular shaped openings that receive a generally circular portion of a track therein. The track receiving openings preferably taper or have a narrower part towards a lower portion of the opening. For the preferred circular shaped openings, the openings will normally be circular when viewed from the direction of the tracks. 20 The track receiving openings will have a shape similar to an open ring when viewed from this perspective. As such, the preferred track shape is a lemniscate or Figure-8 shape with a substantially circular upper portion to be received in the track receiving opening, a substantially circular lower portion about which a glider will be located for lateral movement and a planar web located between the upper and lower portions. The open ring 25 shape of the track receiving opening allows the upper portion to be received in the track receiving opening and the planar web located between the open ends of the track receiving opening. Preferably the locking means locks relative to the plurality of tracks by exerting force laterally on the tracks held therein. Preferably the locking means locks the bracket 4 relative to the plurality of tracks substantially simultaneously. The locking means may be actuated through a component of the mounting portion. Preferably the substantially horizontal surface is a ceiling, window frame, or door frame. The bracket of the invention is particularly adapted for mounting to a substantially 5 horizontal surface. The bracket is adapted to be mounted to a substantially horizontal surface (e.g. a ceiling, window frame, or door frame), and preferably the bracket comprises a locking plate. Preferably the locking plate is slid into a corresponding channel in the bracket. The locking plate may be drawn against the tracks held within the track receiving portion. This may be 10 accomplished using any suitable means but will typically be through provision of a threaded fastener. Normally, the mounting portion will include an elongate opening in the side opposite the track receiving portion The elongate opening will typically receive the locking plate. The elongate opening will typically communicate with the openings that receive the 15 tracks. Each of the mounting portion and the locking plate will typically include at least one and preferably a plurality of openings spaced over their lengths and which openings are aligned when the locking plate is received in the elongate opening of the mounting portion. The openings are preferably located between the openings in the track receiving portion of 20 the mounting portion. Preferably at least one of the aligned openings is threaded such that the locking plate is pulled towards the tracks when as fastener, such as a screw, is tightened therein. The aligned openings will typically receive fasteners therethrough during installation. Typically the locking plate will be of sufficient thickness that the fastening of 25 the mounting portion to the substantially horizontal surface will force the locking plate into the mounting portion with the tracks in position in the openings in the mounting portion will force the locking plate against the tracks and force the tracks against the periphery of the track openings, thus locking the tracks in position relative to the mounting portion as the mounting portion is secured to the horizontal surface. This will typically be through a 5 clamping action, clamping the locking plate between the mounting portion and the reveal or surface to which it is attached. Preferably, the track has a substantially 'Figure 8' shaped cross section, with a straight portion between the upper portion and the lower portion. 5 According to an aspect of the invention, there is a panel blind assembly comprising: a plurality of tracks; a bracket as hereinbefore described that affixes the plurality of tracks to a substantially horizontal surface; at least one glider adapted to traverse each track; and 10 a blind panel adapted to hang from each at least one glider. In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practice, one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15 Figure 1 illustrates a side elevation view of a panel blind. Figure 2a illustrates various configurations for the panel blind illustrated in figure 1 having multiple tracks and multiple panels with the panels being stackable on a single side of the blind. Figure 2b illustrates various configurations for the panel blind illustrated in figure 1 20 having multiple tracks and multiple panels with the panels being stackable on both sides of the blind. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective exploded view of a blind assembly. Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of track with a cutaway portion. Figure 5 illustrates an end elevation view of the track illustrated in figure 4. 25 Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of glider on the track illustrated in figure 4.

6 Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of two adjacent panel rails and a stopper extending between them. Figure 8 illustrates a perspective cutaway view of a bracket for affixing the tracks to a substantially horizontal surface. 5 Figure 9 illustrates a perspective exploded view of brackets for affixing the tracks to a substantially horizontal surface. Figure 10 illustrates a perspective cutaway view of a portion of a bracket for affixing the tracks to a substantially vertical surface. Figure 11 illustrates a perspective exploded view of brackets for affixing the tracks 10 to a substantially vertical surface. Figure 12 illustrates an exploded side elevation view of a bracket for affixing the tracks to a substantially vertical surface. Figure 13 illustrates a perspective cutaway view of a bracket for affixing the tracks to a substantially vertical surface being installed 15 Figure 14 illustrates a side perspective view of a blind rail and various components that can be received therein. Figure 15a illustrates a perspective exploded view of an arrangement of a rail, with gliders. Figure 15b illustrates a side elevation view of the rail illustrated in figure 15a with 20 gliders installed. Figure 16a illustrates a perspective exploded view of another arrangement of a rail, with a stopper and gliders. Figure 16b illustrates a side elevation view of the rail illustrated in figure 16a with the stopper and gliders installed. 25 Figure 17 illustrates diagrammatic plan view of an arrangement of stoppers for six parallel rails.

7 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Illustrated in figure 1 is a blind panel 10 hanging from a rail 20 which is slidably affixed to a track 40. The track 40 is mounted via brackets 60 to a surface such as a wall, ceiling, window/door frame, or the like. The panel 10 is preferably made of a fabric, 5 although this is not to be regarded as limiting as other materials could also be used. Where the panel 10 is relatively light weight, a bottom rail 11 may be provided. Although only a single panel 10 is illustrated, typically each rail 20 will have a panel 10 hanging therefrom and that there will be enough rails and panels to cover an area or segregate/divide at least a portion of a space (e.g. a room). 10 For example, for the area illustrated in figure 1, there would preferably be approximately four or five panels 10, each attached to the track 40 by respective rails 20. The panels rails 20 are preferably mounted to separate tracks 40 (only one visible in figure 1) such that the panel rails 20 can all slide behind one another (e.g. stacked) or can be aligned adjacently along the length of the rail 20 to cover the area. 15 Various configurations of panels 10 hanging from respective rails 20 are illustrated in figures 2a and 2b. In figure 2a configurations in which the panels 10 can be stacked on a single side of an area are illustrated, and in figure 2b configurations in which a portion of the panels 10 can be stacked on either side of the area are illustrated. Each rail 20, with panel 10 hanging therefrom, on a single horizontal vector would have a corresponding track 20 40, but for clarity this is not illustrated in figures 2a and 2b. Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a blind assembly having a plurality of tracks 40a to 40e, with rails 20 (only a single rail is clearly illustrated as the others are obstructed from view, and no panels 10 are illustrated for clarity). The rail 20 has two gliders 80, one at each end thereof. Two types of brackets 60 and 70 of various lengths are 25 illustrated (however, in use it is envisaged that only brackets of the appropriate type and size for the application and number of tracks 20 would be utilised). The brackets 60 and 70 each have respective locking means 60a and 70a, which will be discussed in more detail later with respect to figures 8 and 9, and figures 10 and 11, respectively. The rail 20 has a stopper 100 and obstruction 101 which fit into a shaped channel in 30 the rail 20. A handle or 'wand' 12 is fixedly engaged with the rail 20 and provides a means 8 for an operator to manoeuvre the rail 20 along its track 40 without having to either pull on either the panel 10 (not illustrated in figure 3) or to reach up to the rail 20. A close up view (with a cutaway portion) of a section of a track 40 is illustrated in figure 4 and a cross sectional view (or end view) is illustrated in figure 5. The track 40 has 5 a generally elongate 'figure 8' or lemniscate shape. Namely, the track 40 has an upper portion 41 and a lower portion 42, held together by a straight connecting portion 43. The upper portion 41 has a generally circular cross section, albeit with a flattened top 44. The lower portion 42 also has a generally circular cross section. The upper portion 41 of the track 40 is shaped to be held by a bracket 60 and the 10 lower portion 42 is shaped to be received by a glider 80. Both the upper portion 41 and lower portion 42 are hollowed and the connection portion 43 is sold. This shape not only provides sufficient strength, but also reduces the overall weight and cost of the track 40. The flattened top 44 of the upper portion 41 extends the longitudinal length of the track 40, and provides an enlarged surface for at least a portion of the locking means 60a or 15 70a of the brackets 60 or 70 to frictionally engage with. The flattened top 44 also minimises rotation of the track 40 relative to the brackets 60 or 70. The track 40 is illustrated with a glider 80 thereon in figure 6. The glider 80 receives the lower portion 41 of the track 40 within a panel holding portion having two symmetrically opposed arms 81 (only one being visible in figure 6) on either side of the 20 track 40. The arms define an opening between them that is shaped substantially similarly to the lower portion 41 of the track 40 so that the glider 80 can slide relative to the track 40. Accordingly, with the shape of the track 40 illustrated in the figures, the opening between the arms 81 of the glider 80 would have a substantially circular cross section, with a perpendicularly disposed straight entrance portion (which, when in use, is adjacent the 25 straight connecting portion 43 of the track 40). Because the connection portion 43 of the track 40 is narrower than the lower portion 41, and because the arms 81 of the glider 80 define an opening of a substantially similar cross section, the glider 80 can slide relative to the track 40, but not be removed (or placed thereon) perpendicularly. Furthermore, the glider 80 can exhibit this effect by being entirely external to the track 40. 30 The glider 80 has a panel holding portion 82 adjacently below the arms 81 of the glider 80. The panel holding portion 82 is adapted to be held within a portion of a rail 20 9 (not illustrated in figure 6), with the rail 20 then holding the actual blind panel 10. Typically, two spaced apart gliders 80 are employed to hold a single rail 20 (as illustrated in figure 3). The panel holding portion 82 is tapered (or slanted) outwards to form a wedge shape 5 having a greater thickness at a distal end thereof. The panel holding portion 82 is subsequently held within a shaped channel portion 21 of the rail 20 (not illustrated in figure 6). The shaped channel portion 21 of the rail 20 is correspondingly tapered/slanted such that the wedge can slide in an end of the channel, but cannot be inserted or removed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rail 20. 10 When the panel holding portion 82 is located within the rail 20, it can be slid to a position it is to be affixed and then expanded by way of a screw (not shown) to lock it at that position within the rail 20. To expand the panel holding portion 82, the screw is inserted in the opening 83 which has a inward frustroconical shaped entrance. As the screw is tightened in the opening 83, an enlarged head of the screw is pulled further into the 15 opening 83, pushing against the frustroconical entrance. This exerts lateral forces on the panel holding portion 82 which expands about the opening. To facilitate the expansion, a straight channel portion is provided in the opening about which the panel holding portion 82 can more readily expand. Once expanded, the outer surfaces of the panel holding portion 82 exert sufficient force on the internal surfaces 20 of the shaped channel portion 21 of the rail 20 to prevent movement between the two. The glider 80 is made from a single piece of material, with at least the inner surface of the arms 81 being polished to a smooth surface to reduce friction between the glider 80 and the track 40. Two adjacent rails 20 are illustrated in figure 7. The shaped channel portion 21 of 25 the rails 20 can clearly be seen along both the top and bottom edges of the rails 20. The middle of the rails 20 is hollow, this reduces weight and costs, while an internal baffle 22 retains sufficient structural integrity. The rail 20 may have Velcro (not shown) which may be utilised to assist in the mounting and affixing of the blind panels 10. Alternatively, the blind panels 10 may be affixed by a 'no sew' spline method using, for example, a triangle 30 spline.

10 Also illustrated in figure 7 is a stopper 100 connecting two adjacent rails 20, and an obstruction 101 in one of the rails 20. The stopper 100 has two protrusions 102 and 103, connected by a bridging portion 104. One of the protrusions is a lockable protrusion 102. The lockable protrusion 102 is received within a first blind panel, such as the left blind rail 5 20 in figure 7, and can be positioned and locked therein. The lockable protrusion 102 is received within the shaped channel portion 21 of the rail 20, and is shaped and locks in substantially the same way as the panel holding portion 82 of the glider 80. In particular, the lockable protrusion 102 has is tapered/slanted outwards to form a wedge shape having a greater thickness at a distal end thereof. The shaped channel portion 10 21 of the rail 20 is correspondingly tapered/slanted such that the wedge can slide in an end of the channel, but cannot be inserted or removed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rail 20. When the lockable protrusion 102 is located within the shaped channel portion 21 of the rail 20, it can be slid to a position it is to be locked, and then expanded by way of a 15 screw (not shown) to lock it at that position within the rail 20. To expand the lockable protrusion 102, the screw is inserted in the opening 105 which has a inward frustroconical shaped entrance. As the screw is tightened in the opening 105, an enlarged head of the screw is pulled further into the opening 105, pushing against the frustroconical entrance. This exerts lateral forces on the lockable protrusion 102 which expands about the opening. 20 To facilitate the expansion, a straight channel portion is provided in the opening about which the panel lockable protrusion 102 can more readily expand. Once expanded, the outer surfaces of the lockable protrusion 102 exert sufficient force on the internal surfaces of the shaped channel portion 21 of the rail 20 to prevent movement between the two. 25 The other protrusion is a slidable protrusion 103. The slidable protrusion 103 is received by a second blind panel (e.g. the panel on the right in figure 7) and can slide longitudinally with the rail 20 therein until it hits an obstruction such as the stopper block 101. The stopper block 101 may have an expansion means similar to that used with respect to the lockable protrusion 102 of the stopper 100, to enable the stopper block 101 to be 30 locked in place within the rail 20 at desired locations.

l1 Preferably the stopper block 101 is arranged such that one rail 20 can move along a track past an adjacent rail 20 but, when at the edge of the other rail (e.g. when there is a small overlap), the other rail is pulled along its track with the first rail. This allows the rails 20 to be stacked behind each other when the blind assembly is open, and spread adjacent in 5 a longitudinal direction when the blind assembly is closed (as illustrated in various configurations in figures 2a and 2b). The stopper 100 together with an obstruction, such as the stopper block 101, ensures that when one rail 20 (with panel 10 therein) is pulled, the other following rails 20 will follow, and the operator is not required to pull and align each rail/panel individually. Of course, if it were desired for the rails/panels to be independent, 10 stoppers 100 and stopper blocks 101 would not be required. To enable the rails/panels to follow each other when the blind is being opened or closed, there are two obstructions arranged at or near the ends of each rail 20, and the slidable protrusion 103 of the stopper 100 can move feely between the obstructions. The obstructions may be integral with the rail, or may be separate such as, for example, the 15 stopper block 101. Preferably n-I stoppers 100 are used for n rails/panels (where n is any number greater than 1, preferably between 2 and 6). In the case of three or more rails/panels, an obstruction on one rail may be the lockable protrusion 102 of a stopper 100 between a different set of panels. For example, if another stopper 100 was illustrated in figure 7 with its slidable protrusion 103 in the left hand rail 20, the lockable protrusion 102 20 of the illustrated stopper 100 would provide an obstruction, and it would not be necessary to employ another obstruction, such as the stopper block 101, at that location. With this arrangement, it is envisaged that for each rail (except, perhaps, end rails) there are two obstructions at each end of the rail 20, one being the lockable protrusion 102 of a stopper 100, and the other being a stopper block 101. 25 The stopper 100 and/or stopper block 10 1 are made from a single piece of material. Preferably the stopper 100 and/or stopper block 101 are made from an acetal such as polyoxymethylene (or 'POM') which is classified as an acetal copolymer, or a polycarbonate, or plastic, or the like. Illustrated in figures 8 to 11, are two types of bracket 60 and 70 (illustrated in 30 figures 8, 9 and 10, 11, respectively). The brackets 60 and 70 hold a plurality of tracks 40 to a substantially vertical or horizontal surface such as, for example, a wall, window frame, door frame, ceiling, or the like. The bracket adapted to hold a plurality of tracks 40 a 12 substantially horizontal surface is a 'recess fit' bracket 60, and the adapted to hold a plurality of tracks 40 a substantially vertical surface is a 'face fit' bracket 70. Both types of brackets 60 and 70 have a mounting portion adapted to be mounted to the surface, a track receiving portion adapted to hold a plurality of tracks therein, and a 5 locking means that locks the respective bracket relative to the plurality of tracks 40. When held within the bracket, the plurality of tracks 40 are arranged at a uniform distance apart, parallel to each other, as illustrated in figure 3. Furthermore, as illustrated in figures 9 and 11, the brackets 60 and 70 can be made in different lengths to hold different numbers of tracks 40. 10 In use, the brackets 60 and 70 are arranged substantially transverse or perpendicular to the plurality of tracks 40. The track receiving portions of the brackets 60 and 70 has a shaped openings 61 and 71 for a portion of each track to be received therein. The openings 61 and 71 are shaped to substantially correspond with the cross section of the portion of the track held therein which, in the illustrated embodiment, is substantially circular. The 15 different examples of brackets 60 and 70 will now be described separately. As illustrated in figures 8 and 9, the recess fit bracket 60 has openings 61 which receive the upper portion 41 of the track 40. The openings 61 are shaped such that the bracket 60 has to be slid on to the track 40, and the track 40 cannot be removed from the bracket perpendicularly (otherwise the track 40 would fall out of the bracket 60). Once the 20 bracket 60 has been arranged on the plurality of tracks 40 as desired, the bracket 60 can be locked into place by a locking means such as a locking plate 62. The locking plate 62 slides within a channel of the main body of the bracket 60 and, in use, locks the bracket 60 relative to the plurality of tracks 40 by exerting force laterally on the flattened surface 44 of the tracks 40 held in the openings 61 of the bracket 60. 25 To provide a secure 'lock' between the bracket 60 and the tracks 40, the locking plate 62 tightened against the upper surface 44 of the tracks 40 by one or more screws, such as a grub screw 63 to be received in a threaded portion 64. Advantageously, the locking plate 62 locks the bracket 60 to all of the tracks 40 simultaneously by exerting force across all of the tracks 40 at the same time. 30 The bracket 60 has mounting holes 65 therethrough, which also align and pass through the locking plate 62 when it is in the locked position. These mounting holes 65 13 enable the bracket 60 to be attached to a surface, preferably a horizontal surface, by screwing the bracket, with tracks etc. thereon, into the surface. Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a face fit bracket 70 having openings 71 which, like the recess fit bracket 60, receive the upper portion 41 of the track 40. The openings 71 are 5 shaped such that the bracket 70 has to be slid on to the track 40, and the track 40 cannot be removed from the bracket perpendicularly (otherwise the track 40 would fall out of the bracket 70). Once the bracket 70 has been arranged on the plurality of tracks 40 as desired, the bracket 70 can be locked into place by a locking means. With the illustrated embodiment of the face fit bracket, the locking means comprises 10 a rotatable member 72 having two cam portions 73 adapted to lock the bracket 70 relative to the tracks 40. The radius of the cam portions 73 is smaller than the radius of the rotatable member 72. The rotatable member 72 is located within a body portion of the bracket 70, with the cam portions 73 being arranged perpendicularly adjacent to the tracks 40. Namely, one of the cam portions is arranged adjacent some of the tracks and the other 15 cam portion is arranged adjacent the rest of the tracks. The rotatable member 72 is also provided with a number of cylindrical rotator guides 200. These guide portions 200 are closely received within the body of the bracket and rotation of the rotatable member 72 is about these portions 200. The cam portions 73 are eccentrically associated with the guide portions 200 in order to be rotatable between a 20 locked state, wherein the cam portions extend at least partially into the track receiving openings (typically all of the track openings at once) and an unlocked state wherein the cam portions are away from the track receiving openings freeing the tracks to be moved. The rotatable member 72 is rotated using a tool such as, for the illustrated embodiment, an Allen key (more particularly, a 4mm Allen key) in an Allen key socket 74. 25 The rotatable member 72 has three portions having a cross-section of uniform radius, each end and a portion in the middle. These portions of uniform radius are received by corresponding uniform radius portions of the bracket 70 such that when the rotatable member 72 is rotated, the axis of the rotatable member 72 stays fixed within the bracket. However, to the tracks adjacent the cam portions 73, the rotatable member 72 appears to 30 moves towards and away from the tracks 40 (depending on which direction the rotatable member 72 is being rotated).

14 The location of the rotatable member 72 intersects with the openings 71, such that when the rotatable member 72 is rotated to have the cam portions 73 at their greatest radius adjacent the openings 41, the cam portions 73 reduce the size of the openings 71 by displacing some of the open space. However, then the rotatable member 72 is rotated to 5 have the cam portions 73 at their least radius adjacent the openings 41, the cam portions 73 preferably do not overlap with the openings 71. With this arrangement, the tracks 40 are received within the openings 71 of the bracket 71 when the rotatable member 72 is rotated to have the cam portions 73 away from the openings 71. When the rotatable member 72 is subsequently rotated (e.g. by using an 10 Allen key) the distance between the cam portions 73 of the rotatable member 72 and the tracks 40 at the intersections between the rotatable member 72 and the tracks 40, decreases. Eventually, the cam portions 73 will engage with the tracks 40 contained in the openings 71 and, more particularly, with the flattened surface 44 of the tracks 40. Once engaged, further tightening of the rotatable member 72 results in the cam portions 73 exerting increasingly 15 more force on the tracks 40, locking them in to place with respect to the bracket. As the cam portions 73 can engage with all of the tracks simultaneously, the brackets also locks with respect to all of the tracks simultaneously. Figure 12 illustrates an exploded side elevation view of the parts for a face fit bracket 70 according to a preferred embodiment. The bracket has a body portion 70' and a 20 mounting portion, the mounting portion including a mounting plate 75 and a covering plate with a fixing pin 76 thereon. The mounting plate 75 is affixed to a wall or architrave by placing screws or other affixing means (not shown) through holes therein. The covering plate with the fixing pin 76 therein is placed over the mounting plate 75, with the fixing pin 76 attached via a screw 77 that projects forward from the mounting plate 75. A recess 78 25 in the body of the bracket 70 (best seen in figure 10) then receives the fixing pin 76, and one or more (preferably two) grub screws 79 are tightened perpendicularly through the body 70' into engagement with the fixing pin 76. The fixing pin and/or recessed portions may be shaped, preferably correspondingly, to provide alignment and a solid connection therebetween and/or with the grub screw(s). 30 The Allen key socket 74 is preferably located within the recess 78 of the bracket 70 such that the rotatable member 72 can only be actuated/tightened while the body 70' of the bracket 70 is disconnected from the mounting means. The arrangement for tightening the 15 rotatable member 72 using an Allen key is illustrated in figure 13, with two of the illustrated tracks being held in an alignment block 13 which may be utilised for alignment of the tracks 40 during installation. The cutaway portion of the bracket 70 in figure 13 clearly illustrates the cam portion 73 of the rotatable member 72 being engageable with the 5 flattened surface 44 of the tracks. Figure 14 illustrates a rail 20 and various components that can be received within the shaped channel portion 21. Most of the components include some form of expansion means which is driven with a screw 14. Once one or more components have been inserted into the shaped channel portion 21 of the rail 20, an end cap 15 can be placed in the end of 10 the rail 20 to conceal and protect the components therein. Also illustrated in figure 14 is a wand assembly 12' having a portion adapted for insertion into the rail. Figures 15a and 15b illustrate an arrangement of components within a rail 20 that is particularly suited for a first rail on a first track of a plurality of rails 20 and tracks 40 for a blind that is drawn/closed to the right (and opened to the left). Two gliders 80 are provided 15 at each end of the rail 20, and a single stopper block 101is located near the leftmost glider 80. Figures 16a and 16b then illustrate an arrangement of components within a rail 20 that is particularly suited for a subsequent rail on a subsequent track (for a blind that is drawn/closed to the right). Again, two gliders 80 are provided at each end of the rail 20, 20 and a single stopper block 10lis also located near the leftmost glider 80. However, for the subsequent rail, a stopper 100 is also provided. The lockable protrusion 102 of the stopper 100 is locked within the subsequent rail, and the slidable protrusion 103 of the stopper 100 is then located within the previous rail. For example,. if the rail in figures 16a and 16b is a second rail, the slidable 25 protrusion 103 of the stopper 100 would be located in the channel between the gliders 80 of the first rail illustrated in figures 15a and 15b. Accordingly, when the first rail is drawn, the slidable protrusion 103 will slide along the channel of that rail until it hits the stopper block 101. At this point, the stopper 100 will start to move with the first rail which, beause the other protrusion of the stopper 100 is locked relative to the second rail, pulls the second rail 30 along behind the first rail.

16 A possible arrangement of stoppers 100a-100e and stopper blocks 101a-101d across six rails is illustrated in figure 17. (Note: in figure 17, the lockable protrusion 102 of each stopper 100a-100e is labelled as 'fixed' and the slidable protrusion 103 is regarded as the opposite edge of the stopper.) When the first rail is pulled (to the right) it will slide by 5 itself until the first stopper block 101a engages with the slideable protrusion 103 of the stopper 100a. At this point, assuming the first rail is continued to be pulled, the first stopper block 10la pulls slidable protrusion of the first stopper 100a along with it. Because the lockable protrusion of stopper 100a is fixed/locked to the second rail, the second rail is consequently pulled along with the first fail. The same process happens when the second /0 stopper block 101b engages with the second stopper 100b, pulling the third rail along with the first and second rails. However, since the third rail does not have any obstructions (e.g. a stopper block), it can be pulled freely along without 'catching' any subsequent panels. It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 15 The foregoing embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Throughout this specification, including the claims, where the context permits, the term "comprise" and variants thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising" are to be 20 interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers.

Claims (16)

1. A bracket for holding at least one track to a substantially horizontal surface, the bracket comprising: a mounting portion adapted to be mounted to the substantially horizontal surface; at least one track receiving portion having at least one opening therein adapted to receive the at least one track therein, the at least one opening shaped to allow longitudinal movement only of the at least one track relative thereto when in an unlocked state; and a locking means that clamps the at least one track relative to the mounting portion in a locked state, wherein in the locked state, the locking means exerts a force on the at least one track to clamp each of the at least one track in its respective opening.

2. A bracket according to claim 1, wherein the track receiving portion holds a plurality of tracks substantially parallel to each other.

3. A bracket according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the track receiving portion holds between two and six tracks.

4. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the track receiving portion holds the plurality of tracks a uniform distance apart.

5. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the track receiving portion holds the tracks perpendicularly to the bracket.

6. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the track receiving portion comprises a plurality of shaped openings, each opening adapted to receive and hold at least a portion of a track therein.

7. A bracket according to claim 6, wherein the openings are shaped to substantially correspond with the cross section of a portion of the tracks that is held therein.

8. A bracket according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the openings are substantially circular shaped. 18

9. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking means comprises a locking plate.

10. A bracket according to claim 9, wherein the locking plate locks the bracket relative to the plurality of tracks by exerting force on the tracks held therein.

11. A bracket according to claim 10, wherein the locking plate exerts force against the tracks by tightening one or more screws.

12. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking means locks the bracket relative to all of the plurality of tracks simultaneously.

13. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the track receiving portion is adapted to receive a potion of a generally 'figure 8' shaped track.

14. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounting portion comprises screw holes that receive screws therethrough.

15. A vertical blind assembly comprising: a plurality of tracks; a bracket as claimed in any preceding claim that affixes the plurality of tracks to a substantially horizontal surface; at least one glider adapted to traverse each track; and a blind panel adapted to hang from each at least one glider.

16. A bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.