AU2016201664B2

AU2016201664B2 - Arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window covering

Info

Publication number: AU2016201664B2
Application number: AU2016201664A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Richard N. Anderson; Robert E. Fisher Ii; Eugene W Thompson
Original assignee: Hunter Douglas NV; Hunter Douglas Inc
Current assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc
Priority date: 2015-03-20
Filing date: 2016-03-16
Publication date: 2021-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-16
Also published as: MX2016003476A; CA2924177A1; AU2016201664A1; KR20160113049A; EP3101215A1; EP3101215B1

Abstract

An arrangement for mounting an actuator button (216*) to a rail (102) wherein the 5 fastener (218*) for securing the button housing (220*) to the rail (102) is hidden from view of the user. 2 /12 I 12 13 N6 11 N N2 16 N114 12 11 N N8 N12N N 02 FI N

Description

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PATENTS ACT 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FORASTANDARD PATENT

Name of Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.

Actual Inventors: Richard N. Anderson and Eugene W Thompson and Robert E. Fisher II

Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP PTY LTD 60 Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW

Invention Title: Arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window covering

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:

File: 91480AUP00

ARRANGEMENT FOR MOUNTING AN ACTUATOR BUTTON ONTO A RAIL OF A WINDOW COVERING DESCRIPTION

Background

The present invention relates to an arrangement for mounting an actuator button

onto a rail of a window covering and an arrangement for a component housing having a

base and a cover for use in a rail of a window covering.

O Summary

The present invention provides a simple, secure, inexpensive arrangement for

securing an actuator button onto a rail of a window covering wherein the fasteners that

secure the button housing onto the rail are concealed by the actuator button.

The present invention further provides a simple, secure, inexpensive, and fast

arrangement for releasably securing a cover to a base of a component for use in a rail

of a window covering.

One embodiment provides an arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto

a rail of a window covering, comprising:

a hollow rail defining an exterior face;

a window covering coupled to said hollow rail;

a button housing secured to said exterior face of said hollow rail by a fastener

such that said button housing is located on an exterior of said hollow rail, said button housing defining a button cavity extending from a front side of said button housing to a wall of said button housing positioned adjacent to said exterior face, said fastener extending through said wall of said button housing; and an actuator button received within said button cavity of said button housing for movement relative to said wall, said actuator button being accessible from said front side of said button housing and concealing said fastener from view from said front side of said button cavity.

One embodiment provides an arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto

a rail of a window covering comprising:

a hollow rail defining an exterior face;

a window covering coupled to said hollow rail;

and extending outwardly from said hollow rail to a forward side of said button housing,

said button housing defining at least two parallel slots terminating at a forward frame of

said button housing disposed at said forward side of said button housing; and

an actuator button provided in operative association with said button housing for

movement relative to said button housing, said actuator button being accessible from

said front side of said button housing and concealing said fastener from view from said

front side of said button housing;

wherein:

said actuator button has at least two projections received respectively in said two

parallel slots of said button housing; and each of said projections has a ramped rear surface which allows said actuator button to be pushed rearwardly relative to said forward frame for assembly of said actuator button relative to said button housing, with said ramped rear surfaces abutting said forward frame and causing said projections to flex until said projections pass through said forward frame and into said parallel slots, thereby securing said actuator button relative to said button housing.

One embodiment provides an arrangement tier mounting an actuator button onto

a rail of a window covering, comprising:

a hollow rail defining an exterior face;

a window covering coupled to said hollow rail;

and extending outwardly from said hollow rail to a forward side of said button housing;

front side of said button housing; and

a housing adapter positioned within an interior of said hollow rail;

wherein said fastener secures said button housing to said hollow rail by

extending through said button housing and into said housing adapter and by

sandwiching a wall of said hollow rail between said button housing and said housing

adapter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of

example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cellular shade product with a handle secured

to the movable rail;

Figure 2 is a schematic, partially exploded, perspective view of the drive

mechanism of Figure 1 including the handle and a brake;

Figure 3 is a section view along line 3-3 of Figure 1, with the cellular shade

product omitted for clarity;

Figure 4 is a section view, similar to Figure 3, but with the brake release

mechanism depressed to release the brake;

Figures 5-7 show the handle and brake mechanism of Figure 3 with the lift rod

omitted for clarity, and with the brake portion in three different axial positions relative to

the handle portion to illustrate that the brake portion does not have to be precisely

located in order for the pusher to actuate the brake release mechanism;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the brake portion of the brake and handle

mechanism of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the brake portion of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a section view along line 10-10 of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a brake, similar to the brake of Figure 8, but

with a surface mounted button actuator instead of the handle of Figures 5-7, and

showing a broken-away view of the rail;

Figure 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of the brake and button

arrangement of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a further exploded perspective view of the brake and button

arrangement of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a section view along line 14-14 of Figure 11;

Figure 15 the same as Figure 14 but with the button in the depressed position;

Figure 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the housing and button of Figure 12;

Figure 17 is a partially broken-away, perspective view of a rail and brake, similar

to the brake of Figure 11, but with a recess-mounted button actuator;

Figure 18 is a partially exploded perspective view of the brake and button

arrangement of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a further exploded perspective view of the brake and button

arrangement of Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a section view along line 20-20 of Figure 17;

Figure 21 is the same as Figure 20 but with the button depressed; and

Figure 22 is an enlarged perspective view of the housing and housing adapter of

Figure 19.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cellular shade 104, having an upper rail 106, a

movable lower rail 102, and a handle 118 mounted on the lower rail 102. As will be

explained later, the handle 118 also may be mounted on the upper rail 106 or on any

intermediate movable rails (not shown).

Figure 2 is a schematic showing the rails 102, 106 in phantom, with the cellular

shade itself omitted for clarity. The lower rail 102 is suspended from the upper rail 106

by means of left and right lift cords 108 which wind onto lift spools (not shown) in lift

stations 110 (when raising the shade 104), or unwind from the spools of the lift stations

110 (when lowering the shade 104). The lift stations 110 are functionally interconnected

by an elongated lift rod 112 that extends in the elongated direction of the rail, such that

the lift rod 112 and lift spools of the lift stations 110 rotate in unison. The lift rod 112

extends through the rightmost lift station 110 and is connected to a spring motor 114

which provides a force to aid the user in lifting the shade 104. As the rod 112 rotates in

one direction about its axis of rotation, the lift cords 108 wind up onto the lift spools of

the lift stations 110 to retract the shade, and as the rod 112 rotates in the opposite

direction, the lift cords 108 unwind from the lift spools and extend the shade or covering

104.

In this embodiment, the spring motor 114 is underpowered such that it is unable

to raise the shade 104 alone and needs additional input (referred to as a catalytic force)

from the user to accomplish that task. This particular spring motor 114 also is unable to

hold the bottom rail 102 in place once it is released by the user. The weight of the bottom rail 102 (together with the components found in the bottom rail 102 and the weight of the shade material) overwhelms the force provided by the spring motor 114 such that the bottom rail 102 will continue to drop once released by the user unless it is stopped by other means. To stop the bottom rail from dropping, a brake 116 is functionally connected to the lift rod 112 and to the bottom rail 102 to stop the lift rod

112 from rotating in at least one direction relative to the bottom rail 102, as explained in

more detail later.

The handle 118 includes an actuator button 120 which, when depressed by the

user, releases the brake 116, which allows rotation of the lift rod 112 in both clockwise

and counterclockwise directions, as explained in more detail later. The handle 118 is

secured to the rail 102 using screws 138, which may be concealed from view from the

exterior of the rail 102 by the handle 118.

The brake 116 can be mounted anywhere along the lift rod 112 and does not

have to be precisely located relative to the handle 118 in order for the actuator button

120 to function to release the brake 116. This is advantageous, as it permits the handle

to be secured to the rail 102 from inside the rail with the brake 116 out of the way, and

then permits the brake 116 to be slid along the lift rod 112 into a position that is

generally opposite the handle 118, without having to worry about the precise location of

the brake 116.

As shown in Figures 5-7, the brake 116 may be located anywhere along the axial

length of the rail 102 as long as it is aligned approximately in the vicinity of the pusher

122, which in this embodiment is a shaft. As long as the pusher 122 abuts the contact plate 124 of the brake 116, the handle and brake combination 100 will operate as designed.

Figure 9 shows the details of the brake 116. The brake 116 includes a housing

base 154, a slide element 156, a coil spring 158, a splined sleeve 160 and a housing

cover 162. The housing base 154 is a substantially rectangular box having a flat back

wall 164, a flat front wall 166 which defines a large central opening 168, and a forwardly

extending fixed tab 170 secured to the front wall 166 for mounting the housing base 154

on the rail 102. The housing base 154 includes side walls 172, 174, which define

aligned, "U"-shaped openings 176, 178 which provide bearing surfaces to rotationally

support the splined sleeve 160. The housing base 154 also defines an internal

projection 180 designed to receive and engage one end 182 of the coil spring 158. The

other end 184 of the coil spring 158 is received in a partitioned cavity 186 on the slide

element 156, in order to bias the slide element 156 in the forward (braking) direction,

which is transverse to the axis of rotation of the lift rod 112, as will be described in more

detail later.

The slide element 156 has a contact plate 124, which is pushed against by the

actuator in the handle 118, in a direction opposite to the braking direction, in order to

disengage the brake. The slide element 156 is received in the housing base 154, with

the contact plate 124 of the slide element 156 projecting through the opening 168 in the

housing 154. The slide element 156 is guided by the housing base 154 so its

movement is restricted to forward and backward movement in the direction of the arrow

188 relative to the housing base 154. Shoulders 190, 192 on the slide element 156 limit the movement of the slide element 156 in the forward direction as they impact the front wall 166 of the housing 154. As indicated above, the coil spring 158 biases the slide element 156 in the forward direction (which as explained later, is the braked position).

The rear wall 194 of the slide element 156 defines a left-to-right directed ridge 196,

which extends parallel to the front and rear walls 124, 194 of the slide element 156 and

parallel to the lift rod 112.

The splined sleeve 160 is a generally cylindrical body defining a hollow through

shaft 198 having a non-circular profile. In this particular embodiment, the hollow through

shaft 198 has a "V" projection profile. The lift rod 112 (See Figure 2) has a

complementary "V" notch. The lift rod 112 is sized to match the internal profile of the

hollow through shaft 198, with the "V" projection of the hollow through shaft 198 being

received in the "V" notch of the lift rod 112, such that the splined sleeve 160 and the lift

rod 112 are positively engaged to rotate together. Thus, when the splined sleeve 160 is

prevented from rotation, the lift rod 112 is likewise prevented from rotation.

The splined sleeve 160 also defines a plurality of radially extending splines 200.

The ends of the splined sleeve 160 define smooth stub shafts 201 which are rotationally

supported on the "U"-shaped bearing surfaces 176, 178 of the housing base 154. The

slide element 156 has recessed arms 210, 212, which permit the slide element 156 to

move forwardly and backwardly within the housing base 154 without interfering with the

stub shafts 201.

As shown in Figure 10, when the slide element 156 is pushed forward by the

biasing spring 158, which is its normal, braked position, the ridge 196 on the rear wall

194 of the slide element 156 is received between two of the splines 200 of the splined

sleeve 160, which prevents rotation of the splined sleeve 160 and of the lift rod 112 (and

of the lift drums in the lift stations 110), thereby preventing the movable rail 102 from

being raised or lowered.

When the slide element 156 is pushed rearwardly by pushing against the contact

plate 124, the ridge 196 moves out of engagement with the splined sleeve 160, allowing

the splined sleeve 160, the lift rod 112, and the lift drums to rotate in order to raise or

lower the movable rail 102.

A housing cover 162 snaps onto the housing base 154 to substantially enclose

the slide element 156 and the coil spring 158, as well as the splined sleeve 160 within

the housing of the brake 116. As shown in Figure 10, a channel 202 on the housing

cover 162 and a corresponding channel 204 on the housing base 154 receive

corresponding lips 206, 208 on the rail 102, and ribs 207, 209 on the housing cover 162

and housing base 154 engage the lips 206, 208 on the rail 102 (See Figure 10) to

mount the brake 116 onto the rail 102. This mounting arrangement for the cover 162

and base 154 of the brake 116 firmly secures the body of the brake 116 to the front wall

13 of the rail 102 while allowing the brake 116 to slide in the longitudinal direction along

the rail 102.

Referring now to Figure 9, the base 154 defines bosses 220, 222 on the outer

surfaces of the opposite side walls 172, 174. The upper portion of each boss 220, 222

defines ramped surfaces 228 to help the cantilevered yokes 224, 226 on the opposite

ends ofthe cover 162 slide over the bosses 220, 222 and snap over the bosses 220,

222, as described in more detail later. The cantilevered yokes 224, 226 on the cover

162 define an internal opening 230, for receiving the respective boss 220, 222, with the

sides and bottom portions of the cantilevered yokes 224, 226 contacting the sides and

bottom of the respective boss 220, 222.

It will be noted that the cantilevered yokes 224 on the left end of the cover 116

(shown in Figures 8 and 9) are slightly different from the cantilevered yokes 226 on the

right end of the cover 116 (shown in Figures 3-7), with the cantilevered yokes 224 on

the left end of the cover 116 being connected together at the bottom to form a U-shape

that wraps completely around the bottom of the boss 220, and the cantilevered yokes

226 on the right end of the cover 116 being made of separate legs that only partially

wrap around the bottom of the boss 222. It would alternatively be possible for both of

the cantilevered yokes 224, 226 to be identical to each other, either both yokes being U

shaped, with their legs connected together to form the "U", or both having separate legs,

with each leg being "J"-shaped to wrap partially around the bottom of their respective

boss.

Figure 9 shows the cantilevered yokes 224, 226 projecting downwardly from

each end of the cover 162. These cantilevered yokes 224, 226 are sized and located

such that they receive their corresponding boss 220, 222 when the cover 162 is

assembled onto the base 154, as best shown in Figures 8 and 9. As the cover 162 is

pushed down onto the base 154, the yokes 224, 226 ride along the ramped surfaces

228 on the upper portion of the bosses 220, 222, which cause the yokes 224, 226 to

flex outwardly so the yokes can pass over the bosses 220, 222. Once the yokes 224,

226 clear their respective bosses 220, 222, the yokes 224, 226 snap back to their at

rest condition, wrapping around and snugly receiving their respective bosses 220, 222

in the openings 230.

Referring briefly to Figure 2, it may be appreciated that the lift rod 112 extends

through the brake component 116, extending through the openings 230 in the yokes

224, 226 on the housing cover 116, and through the arcuate openings 176, 178 in the

housing base 154. The rod 112 extends through the openings 230 defined by the

cantilevered yokes 224, 226, through the U-shaped openings 176, 178 in the base 154,

and through the hollow shaft 198 in the rotating element that is supported on the

housing, which, in this case, is the splined sleeve 160, which is housed in the

component housing.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other components mounted on

the rail, in addition to the brake component 116, could also have a housing with a

similar yoke-and-boss arrangement, in which the elongated rod 112 would extend

through, and possibly rotate with, a rotating component, such as the splined shaft 160.

Furthermore, the cantilevered yoke portion may be on the cover or on the base, and the

boss portion may also be on the cover or the base. It also should be noted that a

ramped surface could be on the lower portion of the inner surface of the yoke 224, 226

instead of or in addition to being on the upper portion of the outer surface of the boss

220,222.

Assembly:

Referring to Figure 9, to assemble the brake portion 116, the front end 184 of the coil spring 158 is placed inside the cavity 186 of the slide element 156 lying just inside the contact plate 124. The slide element 156 then is slid into the housing 154, with the contact plate 124 projecting through the front opening 168. The back end 182 of the coil spring 158 then is slid over the internal projection 180 on the housing base 154 so as to capture the coil spring 158, with the coil spring 158 biasing the slide element 156 in the forward, braked position. The splined sleeve 160 is dropped in between the recessed arms 210, 212 of the slide element 156 such that the stub shafts 201 of the splined sleeve 160 are rotationally supported on the "U"-shaped bearing surfaces 176, 178 of the housing base 154 and the ridge 196 is received between two of the splines 200.

Finally, the housing cover 162 is snapped onto the housing base 54.

The assembled brake 116 is then mounted into the rail 102 (See Figure 10) by

sliding it in from one of the ends of the rail 102, making sure that the upper and lower

channels 202, 204 of the brake portion 116 are engaged with the lips 206, 208 of the rail

102. The brake 116 is slid axially along the rail 102 (See Figure 2) until at least a

portion of the contact plate 124 of the brake portion 116 is in alignment with the blunt

distal end 142 of the actuator arm 122 of the handle 118 (See Figures 7-9). Finally the

lift rod 112 is inserted through the hollow through shaft 198 of the splined sleeve 160

and the remaining elements, such as the lift stations 110 and the spring motor 114 are

mounted onto the lift rod 112.

The following numbered paragraphs form part of the disclosure:

1. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering,

comprising: a component housing, comprising a cover and a base; first and second opposed, outwardly projecting bosses on first and second end walls of one of said cover and base; corresponding first and second opposed, cantilevered yokes projecting from the other of said cover and base, wherein said first and second cantilevered yokes define opposed first and second openings, respectively, and wherein at least one of said first boss and said first cantilevered yoke defines a ramped surface which enables the first cantilevered yoke to flex outwardly in order to ride over the first boss and then to snap back to receive the first boss in the respective opposed opening in the first cantilevered yoke when said cover and base are brought together, and wherein, when the cover and base are brought together, the second cantilevered yoke receives the second boss.

2. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering

as recited in paragraph 1, and further comprising an elongated rail for a window

covering, wherein said housing is mounted on said rail.

3. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering

as recited in paragraph 2, and further comprising an elongated rod having an axis

extending in the elongated direction of said rail, said elongated rod extending

through at least one of said first and second opposed openings in said first and

second cantilevered yokes.

4. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering

as recited in paragraph 3, and further comprising a rotating element mounted on said rod for rotation with said rod, said rotating element being housed within said component housing.

5. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering

as recited in paragraph 4, wherein said first and second end walls define U-shaped

openings which support said rotating element.

6. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering

as recited in paragraph 5, wherein said elongated rod extends through both of said

first and second opposed openings in said first and second cantilevered yokes.

7. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering

as recited in paragraph 6, wherein an elongated channel on one of the housing and

rail receives a corresponding elongated lip on the other of the housing and rail to

slidably mount the housing on the rail so the housing can slide axially along the

elongated rod.

8. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering

as recited in paragraph 6, wherein said rotating element is a splined sleeve.

9. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering

as recited in paragraph 1, wherein at least one of the cantilevered yokes is U

shaped and wraps completely around the respective boss.

10. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window

covering as recited in paragraph 1, wherein at least one of the cantilevered yokes

includes first and second legs, which only partially wrap around the respective boss.

11. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering as recited in paragraph 4, wherein at least one of said base and said cover defines bearing surfaces which support said rotating element.

12. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering

as recited in paragraph 11, wherein said elongated rod extends through both of said first

and second opposed openings in said first and second cantilevered yokes.

13. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering

as recited in paragraph 12, wherein at least one of the cantilevered yokes is U-shaped

and wraps completely around the respective boss.

14. An arrangement for a component for use on the rail of a window covering

as recited in paragraph 12, wherein at least one of the cantilevered yokes includes first

and second legs, which only partially wrap around the respective boss.

Rail-Mounted Button Actuator

As discussed earlier, Figures 1-7 show a brake 116 mounted onto a movable rail

102 wherein an actuator button 120 on the handle 118 actuates a pusher 122 which

impacts against a contact plate 124 to disengage the brake 116, allowing the rail 102 to

be raised or lowered by the user. Figures 11-16 show an alternative embodiment of an

actuator button 216*, with a surface-mounted button arrangement 214*, in which the rail

102 itself acts as a handle, wherein the user, as he grabs the rail 102, pushes on the

actuator button 216* to disengage the brake 116*, allowing him to raise or lower the rail

102. As the user releases the rail 102, he also releases the button 216*, which then

allows the brake 116* to re-engage to prevent further movement of the rail 102.

Figures 17-22 show a similar embodiment, but for a recess-mounted button

arrangement 214** for disengaging the brake 116*. It should be noted that in both

embodiments the screws securing the button housings to the rail are hidden from view

from the exterior of the rail by the actuator buttons.

Referring now to Figures 11-14, the surface-mount button arrangement 214*

includes an actuator button 216*, two fasteners 218*, which in this embodiment are

screws, a button housing 220*, and a brake 116*, all mounted to the rail 102. The brake

116* is similar to the brake 116 of Figures 8 and 9, including the contact plate 124* (See

Figure 14) and the mounting tabs 202*, 204* which allow the brake 116* to be affixed to

the rail 102, preferably by sliding the brake 116* in from one end of the rail 102. As was

described earlier with respect to the handle 118 with button 120 (See Figures 5-7), the

exact location of the brake 116* with respect to the actuator button 216* is not critical as

long as the pusher 122* of the actuator button 216* makes contact with the contact

plate 124*.

Referring to Figure 16, the button housing 220* is a four-sided box 224* which is

open to the front (to receive the button 216*) and has a wall 222* closing off the rear of

the box 224*. The rear wall 222* defines two through openings 226* for receiving the

screws 218* and one through opening 228* for receiving the pusher 122* on the rear of

the actuator button 216*. The openings 226* align with corresponding openings 230*

on the rail 102 so that the housing 220* is releasably secured to the rail 102 using the

fasteners 218* (as shown also on Figures 12 and 13). The pusher opening 228* is

defined by a hollow shaft 232* which projects from the rear wall 222* of the button housing 220*. This hollow shaft 232* guides and supports the pusher 122* which projects from the back of the button 216. The front of the box 224* includes a frame

233*, which defines the front end of two opposed, upper and lower parallel, slots 234*

(See Figures 14-16). These slots 234* receive respective barbed, hook projections

236* on the actuator button 216* to allow restricted, linear, in-and-out motion of the

actuator button 216* relative to the rail 102 and housing 220* as the projections 236*

ride linearly in the tracks formed by the slots 234* so that the pusher 122* may push

inwardly against the contact plate 124* of the brake 116* to disengage the brake 116*.

The frame 233*, defining the front of the slots 234*, locks the actuator button 216*

inside the box 224* of the housing 220* relative to the housing 220*

It should be noted that the barbed, hook projections 236* have a ramped rear

surface facing inwardly, toward the brake 116* and a flat, vertical front face which abuts

the vertical face of the frame 233* at the front end of the slot 234* when the actuator

button is in its forwardmost position. The ramped rear surface helps assemble the

button 216* onto the housing 220*, helping the projections 236* flex as they contact the

frame 233* at the front of the housing 220* until they get into the slots 234*, at which

point they return to their original shape, with the vertical front face of each projection

236* abutting the vertical face of the frame 233* at the front of the slot 234*, to retain the

button 216* on the housing 220*. Once the actuator button 216* is installed in the

housing 220*, the actuator button 216* conceals the screw fasteners 218* so that the

screw fasteners 218* are not visible from the exterior of the rail 102.

Assembly

To assemble the surface-mount actuator button arrangement 214*, the button

housing 220* is mounted to the rail 102 using the screw-type fasteners 218*, which

extend through the openings 226* on the housing 220* and are threaded into the

openings 230* in the rail 102. The actuator button 216* is then snapped into the box

224* of the housing 220*. The ramped rear surfaces of the barbed projections 236*

push against the forward frame 233*, causing the projections 236* to momentarily

deflect until the projections 236* pass through the frame 233* and reach the slots 234*,

where the projections 236* spring back out to lock the actuator button 216* in the

housing 220*, while still allowing the actuator button 216* to move linearly in a front-to

rear direction within the housing 220*, with the projections 236* moving in and out along

the tracks formed by the slots 234* as shown in Figures 14 and 15. The pusher 122*

extends through the opening 228* of the hollow shaft 232* of the housing 220* and

projects out the back of the hollow shaft 232*. The brake 116* is then installed by

sliding it into position along the length of the rail 102 until it is generally in the area of the

button 216* such that pressing the button 216* results in the pusher 122* pushing

inwardly against the contact plate 124* of the brake 116* so as to disengage the brake

116*.

Alternative Rail-Mounted Button Actuator

Referring now to Figures 17-22, the button arrangement 214** is recess-mounted

on the rail 201**. The rail 102** is wider than the rail 102, which provides enough room to recess the actuator button into the rail. Otherwise, the button of Figures 17-22 functions in the same manner as the previous embodiment.

The recess-mount actuator button arrangement 214** includes an actuator button

216**, two screw fasteners 218**, a button housing 220**, a button housing adapter

240**, and a brake 116*, all mounted to the rail 102**. The brake 116* is identical to the

brake 116* described above for the surface-mount button arrangement 214*.

Referring to Figure 22, the housing 220** is very similar to the housing 220*,

described earlier with respect to the surface-mount button arrangement 214*. However,

in this embodiment, the frame 242** at the front of the box 224** is a flange, with a rear

surface abutting the rail 102** at the single large opening 238** (See Figure 19) such

that the housing 220** itself is recessed into the rail 102** with only the flanged frame

242** projecting outside of the rail 102** and mounted flush against the rail 102**.

The housing adapter 240** is located inside the rail 102** and includes two

vertical walls 244**, each defining an internally threaded opening 246**, which receive

the two screw fasteners 218** after the screw fasteners 218** extend through the

openings 226** in the button housing 220** so as to secure both the button housing

adapter 240** and the button housing 220** to the rail 102**, with the front wall of the

rail 102** trapped between the button housing adapter 240** and the flanged frame

242** of the button housing 220**. The button housing adapter 240** defines two

rearwardly-directed wings 248**, with each wing 248** defining a distal-end lip 250**

(See also Figure 20) to slidably engage the mounting tabs 202*, 204* on the brake

116*.

As was the case for the button housing 220*, the button housing 220** is a four

sided box 224** which is open to the front (to receive the button 216**) and has a wall

222** closing off the rear of the box 224**. The rear wall 222** defines two through

openings 226** for receiving the screw fasteners 218** and a central opening 228** for

receiving the pusher 122**. The screw openings 226** align with the corresponding

openings 246** on the button housing adapter 240** so that the housing 220** may be

releasably secured to the button housing adapter 240** using the screw fasteners

218**. The central opening 228** is defined by a hollow shaft 232** which projects from

the rear wall 222** of the housing 220**. This hollow shaft 232** guides and supports

the pusher 122** which projects from the back of the actuator button 216**. The box

224** also defines upper and lower slots 234** which receive corresponding barbed,

hook projections 236** on the button 216** to lock the button 216** inside the box 224**

of the housing 220** and to allow restricted, linear, in-and-out motion of the button 216**

relative to the housing 220** as projections 236** ride in the track formed by the slots

234** so that the pusher 122** can push against the contact plate 124* of the brake

116* to disengage the brake 116*.

Assembly

To assemble the recess-mount button arrangement 214**, the housing 220** is

mounted to the rail 102** using the screw fasteners 218** going through the openings

226** on the housing 220** and threading into the openings 246** in the button housing

adapter 240**, with the front wall of the rail 102** trapped between the flanged frame

242** of the housing 220** and the front edge of the housing adapter 240**. The

actuator button 216** is then snapped into the box 224** of the housing 220**. The

barbed projections 236** momentarily deflect as they pass by the flanged frame 242**,

until the projections 236** reach the slots 234**, where the projections 236** spring

back out to lock the button 216** in the housing 220**, restricting the button 216** to

linear movement along the tracks formed by the slots 234**. The pusher 122** of the

button 216** fits through the opening 228** of the hollow shaft 232** of the housing

220** and projects rearwardly. The brake 116* is then installed by sliding it into position

along the length of the rail 102** until it is generally in the area of the button 216** such

that pressing the button 216** results in the pusher 122** pushing against the contact

plate 124* of the brake 116* so as to disengage the brake 116*. Once the actuator

button 216** is installed onto the housing 220**, the actuator button 216** conceals the

screw fasteners 218** so they cannot be seen from the exterior of the rail 102**.

While, in the embodiments described above, the actuator button is used to

actuate a brake, it is understood that the same actuator button mounting arrangement

could be used for an actuator button to actuate a different function on the window

covering, if desired.

The following numbered paragraphs form part of the disclosure

15. An arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering, comprising:

a hollow rail defining an exterior and an interior;

a window covering mounted on said hollow rail; a button housing secured to said hollow rail by a fastener; and an actuator button mounted on said button housing for movement relative to said button housing, said button being accessible from the exterior of the rail and concealing said fastener from view from the exterior of the rail.

16. An arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in paragraph 15, wherein said actuator button includes a pusher rod

that is directed into the interior of the rail when the actuator button is mounted on the

button housing.

17. An arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in paragraph 16, wherein said button housing defines at least two

parallel slots, and said actuator button has at least two projections received respectively

in said two parallel slots to restrict the actuator button to linear, in-and-out movement

relative to the rail.

18. An arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in paragraph 17, wherein said housing defines a forward frame,

which defines a forward termination of each of said parallel slots, and each of said

projections has a ramped rear surface which allows the actuator button to be pushed

rearwardly into said forward frame for assembly of the actuator button onto the button

housing, with the tapered rear surfaces abutting the forward frame and causing the

projections to flex until the projections pass through the forward frame and into the

parallel slots, thereby securing the actuator button on the button housing.

19. An arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in paragraph 18, and further comprising a brake mounted inside said

hollow rail, wherein pushing the actuator button inwardly causes the pusher rod to

release the brake.

20. An arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in paragraph 19, wherein said brake is operatively connected to a lift

rod, which is operatively connected to a plurality of lift spools, which are operatively

connected to lift cords, which are operatively connected to the window covering.

21. An arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in paragraph 20, wherein said fastener secures said button housing

to said rail by extending through said housing and into a housing adapter and

sandwiching said rail between the forward frame of the housing and the housing

adapter.

22. An arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in paragraph 16, wherein said fastener secures said button housing

to said rail by extending through said housing and into a housing adapter and

sandwiching said rail between the housing and the housing adapter.

23. A window covering comprising:

a shade material;

a hollow rail at the bottom of said shade material; and

an actuator button mounted on said hollow rail, said actuator button comprising:

a button housing secured to said hollow rail by a fastener; and a button mounted on said button housing for movement relative to said button housing; wherein said actuator button conceals the fastener from view from the exterior of said hollow rail.

24. A window covering as in paragraph 23, wherein said actuator button has a

rear surface which abuts a front wall of said hollow rail.

25. A window covering as in paragraph 23, further comprising a pusher

positioned to be pushed by said button into said hollow rail.

26. A window covering as in paragraph 23, wherein a portion of said button

housing extends through an opening in said hollow rail.

27. A window covering as in paragraph 26, wherein the fastener includes two

fasteners extending through said button housing and through fastener openings in said

hollow rail formed on either side of the opening through which said portion of said button

housing extends.

28. A cordless window covering comprising:

a shade material; and

a hollow rail at the bottom of said shade material;

a button housing mounted on said hollow rail;

a button mounted on said button housing for movement relative to said button housing;

and

a pusher arranged with respect to said button to be moved toward said hollow rail upon

pushing said button toward said hollow rail.

29. A cordless window covering as in paragraph 28, further comprising a

brake mounted in said hollow rail, wherein said pusher moves toward said hollow rail

and into said hollow rail to engage said brake upon pushing said button toward said

hollow rail.

30. A cordless window covering as in paragraph 29, wherein said pusher

includes a free end distal to said button for abutting against a surface of said brake

within said hollow rail.

31. A cordless window covering as in paragraph 30, wherein said free distal

end of said pusher remains uncoupled to another element.

32. A cordless window covering as in paragraph 29, wherein said brake is

operatively connected to a lift rod operatively connected to a plurality of lift spools

operatively connected to lift cords operatively connected to said window covering.

33. A cordless window covering as in paragraph 29, wherein pushing said

button inwardly causes said pusher to release said brake.

34. A cordless window covering as in paragraph 28, wherein said pusher

includes a free end distal to said button and uncoupled to another element.

35. A cordless window covering as in paragraph 28, wherein:

said button has a finger engaging a ramped proximal end of said pusher; and

downward movement of said button with respect to said button housing moves said

button finger against said ramped proximal end of said pusher to move said pusher

inwardly into said hollow rail.

36. An actuator button for a window covering comprising a shade material and a hollow rail at the bottom of the shade material, said actuator button comprising: a button housing configured for mounting on the hollow rail; a button mounted on said button housing for movement relative to said button housing; and a pusher arranged with respect to said button to be moved toward the hollow rail upon pushing said button toward the hollow rail.

37. An actuator button as in paragraph 36, wherein said pusher includes a

free end distal to said button and uncoupled to another element.

38. An actuator button as in paragraph 36, wherein:

said button has a finger engaging a ramped proximal end of said pusher; and

downward movement of said button with respect to said button housing moves said

inwardly into the hollow rail.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the

embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present

invention as claimed.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the

claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an

inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the

sense of "including, but not limited to".

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window covering,

comprising:

a hollow rail defining an exterior face;

a window covering coupled to said hollow rail;

such that said button housing is located on an exterior of said hollow rail, said button

housing defining a button cavity extending from a front side of said button housing to a

wall of said button housing positioned adjacent to said exterior face, said fastener

extending through said wall of said button housing; and

an actuator button received within said button cavity of said button housing for

movement relative to said wall, said actuator button being accessible from said front

side of said button housing and concealing said fastener from view from said front side

of said button cavity.

2. The arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in claim 1, wherein said fastener secures said button housing to said

hollow rail by extending through said button housing and into a housing adapter and by

sandwiching said hollow rail between said wall of said button housing and said housing

adapter.

3. The arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein;

said button housing defines at least two parallel slots; and

parallel slots.

4. The arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in claim 3, wherein:

said button housing defines a forward frame along said front side of said button

housing at or adjacent to which each of said parallel slots terminates; and

each of said projections has a ramped rear surface which allows said actuator

button to be pushed rearwardly relative to said forward frame for assembly of said

actuator button within said button cavity, with said ramped rear surfaces abutting said

forward frame and causing said projections to flex until said projections pass through

said forward frame and into said parallel slots, thereby securing said actuator button

within said button cavity.

5. The arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said actuator button

includes a pusher rod that is directed into an interior of said hollow rail when said

actuator button is received within said button cavity of said button housing.

6. The arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in claim 5, further comprising a brake mounted inside said hollow

rail;

wherein pushing said actuator button inwardly towards said wall causes said

pusher rod to release said brake.

7. The arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in claim 6, wherein:

said brake is operatively connected to a lift rod, which is operatively connected to

a plurality of lift spools; and

said plurality of lift spools are operatively connected to lift cords, which are

operatively connected to said window covering.

8. The arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in claim 5, further comprising a hollow shaft positioned relative to

said button housing;

wherein said hollow shaft is configured to receive said pusher rod to guide

movement of said pusher rod relative to said hollow rail.

9. The arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window

covering as recited in claim 8, wherein said hollow shaft extends through said exterior

face of said hollow rail and is received within said button cavity.