CA1173345A - Decor end cap for headrails - Google Patents
Decor end cap for headrailsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1173345A CA1173345A CA000398248A CA398248A CA1173345A CA 1173345 A CA1173345 A CA 1173345A CA 000398248 A CA000398248 A CA 000398248A CA 398248 A CA398248 A CA 398248A CA 1173345 A CA1173345 A CA 1173345A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- headrail
- decor
- insert
- end cap
- shoulders
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A decor end cap adapted to be inserted into the longitudinal open end of a U-shaped venetian blind headrail.
The cap has mounting means on an outer end thereof adapted to mound a decor piece of the same color as the headrail.
A decor end cap adapted to be inserted into the longitudinal open end of a U-shaped venetian blind headrail.
The cap has mounting means on an outer end thereof adapted to mound a decor piece of the same color as the headrail.
Description
1 ~33~5 DECOR END CAP FOR HEADRAILS
.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a decor end cap for use on the end of a venetian blind headrail to approve appearance of the headrail and where the headrail is used to support venetian blinds comprising all types of slatted blinds including horizontally, vertically or otherwise arranged slats.
BACKGROUND ART
Venetian blind headrails usually comprise U-shaped channel members through which slat operating mechanisms extend. In the case of horizontal venetian blinds, that is blinds having horizontally extending slats, the head-rail usually has therein slat tilting mechanisms and the opening of the headrail facing upwardly. In the case of vertically extending venetian blinds, that is where the slats ex-tend in a vertical direction, the headrail is usually in ~he shape of an inverted U with the opening of the headrail facing downwardly. In both forms of headrails, where the headrails are supported by brackets : intermediate the ends, cap structure is usually mounted on the end of the headrails to give a finished appearance and at the same time to add rigidity to the headrail structure. As headrails come in a variety of colors to match the color o~ the slats, it has been necessary to maintain a large inventory of caps of different colors to assure that,the caps of a matching color will be available for use with a headrail of a particular color.
This requirement for a large inventory necessarily in-' creases cost of installation of such headrails.
,~ It is an object of my invention to provide for a headrail end cap construction which will reduce the requirement for maintaining a large inventory of different ., ~
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TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a decor end cap for use on the end of a venetian blind headrail to approve appearance of the headrail and where the headrail is used to support venetian blinds comprising all types of slatted blinds including horizontally, vertically or otherwise arranged slats.
BACKGROUND ART
Venetian blind headrails usually comprise U-shaped channel members through which slat operating mechanisms extend. In the case of horizontal venetian blinds, that is blinds having horizontally extending slats, the head-rail usually has therein slat tilting mechanisms and the opening of the headrail facing upwardly. In the case of vertically extending venetian blinds, that is where the slats ex-tend in a vertical direction, the headrail is usually in ~he shape of an inverted U with the opening of the headrail facing downwardly. In both forms of headrails, where the headrails are supported by brackets : intermediate the ends, cap structure is usually mounted on the end of the headrails to give a finished appearance and at the same time to add rigidity to the headrail structure. As headrails come in a variety of colors to match the color o~ the slats, it has been necessary to maintain a large inventory of caps of different colors to assure that,the caps of a matching color will be available for use with a headrail of a particular color.
This requirement for a large inventory necessarily in-' creases cost of installation of such headrails.
,~ It is an object of my invention to provide for a headrail end cap construction which will reduce the requirement for maintaining a large inventory of different ., ~
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- 2 -colored end caps or of caps having the same decorative appearance as the headrails.
DISCLO~URE OF IN~ENTION
Broadly, my invention contemplates a decor end cap for a venetian blind headrail which comprises an insert having an inner end which is adapted to be inserted into the open longitudinal end of a U~shaped headrail.
The outer end of the cap is adapted to be substantially flush with the open end of the headrail when the cap is inserted into the h~adrail. The outer end of the insert includes mounting means by which a decor piece may be conveniently mounted. Preferably, the decor piece has a decorative appearance identical to that of the headrail so that in that respect the outer end will match with the headrail. Conveniently the decor piece may be made of a scrap piece of slat material which is of the same color as the headrail.
The outer end of the insert includes two spaced raised narrow shoulders forming a tract where the spacin~
between the shoulders is slightly less than the decor piece which is to be inserted between the shoulders.
Since the decor piece is slightly wider than the spacing between the shoulders, it will be bowed sligh~ly such that its edges will resiliently engage the edges of the shoulders to securely lock the decor piece into place.
Preferably the outer end of the insert has an end panel thereon on which the shoulders are mounted and where the end panel has an outer periphery substantially ~qual to the outer periphery of the U-shaped headrail with the result that the edges of the panel form a stop to limit insertion of the insert into a headrail.
In a further embodiment, the shoulders may be slightly undercut to positively secure the decor piece.
In this event, it is not necessary that the decor piece :`
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DISCLO~URE OF IN~ENTION
Broadly, my invention contemplates a decor end cap for a venetian blind headrail which comprises an insert having an inner end which is adapted to be inserted into the open longitudinal end of a U~shaped headrail.
The outer end of the cap is adapted to be substantially flush with the open end of the headrail when the cap is inserted into the h~adrail. The outer end of the insert includes mounting means by which a decor piece may be conveniently mounted. Preferably, the decor piece has a decorative appearance identical to that of the headrail so that in that respect the outer end will match with the headrail. Conveniently the decor piece may be made of a scrap piece of slat material which is of the same color as the headrail.
The outer end of the insert includes two spaced raised narrow shoulders forming a tract where the spacin~
between the shoulders is slightly less than the decor piece which is to be inserted between the shoulders.
Since the decor piece is slightly wider than the spacing between the shoulders, it will be bowed sligh~ly such that its edges will resiliently engage the edges of the shoulders to securely lock the decor piece into place.
Preferably the outer end of the insert has an end panel thereon on which the shoulders are mounted and where the end panel has an outer periphery substantially ~qual to the outer periphery of the U-shaped headrail with the result that the edges of the panel form a stop to limit insertion of the insert into a headrail.
In a further embodiment, the shoulders may be slightly undercut to positively secure the decor piece.
In this event, it is not necessary that the decor piece :`
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3 3 '.~ 5 be of a greater width than the spacing between the shoulders.
Preferably the insert is made from a resilient clear plastic material which includes headrail leg en-5 gaging shoulder portions thereon adapted to resiliently engage the interior of the U-shaped headrail along two of its legs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a decor end cap constructed according to the invention prior to the mounting of a decor piece thereon;
Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating a decor piece mounted on the cap;
Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a : manner in which a cap constructed according to the invention may be applied to the end of a U-shaped head-rail;
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the cap applied to the end of the headrail of Figure 3;
: Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of Figure: 4 taken along lines 5-5; and . 25 Figure 6 is a sectional view of a further embodi-,~ ment of a cap constructed according to the invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
~ 30 Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated a !' decor end cap 1 which comprises in insert 2 having an :. inner end 3 and an outer end 4 as shown in Figure 3. The ~" outer end 4 has a panel portion 5 thereon. Spaced raised narrow shoulders 6 and 7 are included along the edges of the panel 5 and are joined at one end by a narrow shoulder 8.
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1 1~ 33'~
The end cap 1 is adapted to receive a decor piece lG preferably made from a scrap piece of a slat and usually comprising a sheet metal material. The width of the decor pi~ce 10 is slightly greater than the distance between the shoulders 6 and 7. In order to mount the piece 10 onto the piece 1, it is necessary to slightly bow the piece 10 as shown in Figure 1 in order that it may be inserted between the edges of the shoulders 6 and 7 to the position as shown in Figure 2 where the edges of the decor piece are resiliently urged into contact with the edges of the shoulders due to the bowing or curving of the decor piece to securely lock the piece in position.
The end cap preferably has headrail engaging shoulder portions 11 and 12 including lips 13 and 14 adapted to engage the interior of inturned edges 15 and 16 on the end of the legs 17 and 18 of the U-shaped headrail 10 as shown in Figure 5.
The end cap as shown in Figure 3 is applied to the end o~ the headrail 19 by inserting the cap into the longitudina~ open end of ~he headrail to the position as shown in Figure 4 where the panel 5 will engage the end of the headrail to prevent further insertion of the end cap into the headrail. Preferably the distance or spacing between the lips 13 and 14 is slightly less than the distance or spacing between inturned edges 15 and 16 of the headrail. The headrail is conventionally made of a sheet metal material so that the legs 17 and 18 may be easily squeezed towards one another in the direction of the arrows 25.
In order to insert the cap into the headrail, the end of the headrail is squeezed to move the legs and edges 15 and 16 towards each other to allow the lips 13 and 14 to slide in the spaces formed by the inturned edges. Upon release of the squeezing force, the legs 17 and 18 will tend to spring apart such that their inturned ~"
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edges will resiliently engage the lips 13 and 14.
The panel 5 preferably has overall dimensions such that it is substantially flush with the end of a headraii to improve appearance. In addition the insert and panel are preferably made from a clear plastic material which may be easily press-molded and where the clear plastic provides a neutral color which blends easily with different headrail colors.
Referri~g to ~i~ure 6 a slightly diEferent embodiment of an end cap l' is shown having shoulders only one 7' of which is shown, where the edge of the shoulders engaging the decor piece lO' are slightly under-cut as at 30'. The overhang portions of the undercut shoulders provide a means for securing a decor piece to the end cap. As a consequence, the decor piece lO' as shown need not be of a greater width than the spacing between the shoulders such that it may lie flat on the panel portion 5'.
While the drawings illustrate the decor end cap as being applied to a headrail for a horizontal venetian blind assembly, it is apparent that a similar cap could be utili~ed with a headrail of a vertical venetian blind assembly where the headrail usually comprises an inverted U-shaped channel. It is obvious that the cross-sectional configuration of the insert portion of the end cap could take various forms other than that shown in the drawings, the on~y requirement being that the insert provide a support for mountin~ means or shoulders utilized to mount the decor piece.
~t is further apparent that the decor end cap constructed according to the invention may readily reduce the inventory required of end caps since the end cap provides a convenient means of mounting decor pieces made from readily available scrap material to provide a color match, to provide a color contrast or to otherwise ~ 1733~
provide a decorative effect to the end of a headrail, all without departing from the scope of the invention.
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Preferably the insert is made from a resilient clear plastic material which includes headrail leg en-5 gaging shoulder portions thereon adapted to resiliently engage the interior of the U-shaped headrail along two of its legs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a decor end cap constructed according to the invention prior to the mounting of a decor piece thereon;
Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating a decor piece mounted on the cap;
Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a : manner in which a cap constructed according to the invention may be applied to the end of a U-shaped head-rail;
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the cap applied to the end of the headrail of Figure 3;
: Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of Figure: 4 taken along lines 5-5; and . 25 Figure 6 is a sectional view of a further embodi-,~ ment of a cap constructed according to the invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
~ 30 Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated a !' decor end cap 1 which comprises in insert 2 having an :. inner end 3 and an outer end 4 as shown in Figure 3. The ~" outer end 4 has a panel portion 5 thereon. Spaced raised narrow shoulders 6 and 7 are included along the edges of the panel 5 and are joined at one end by a narrow shoulder 8.
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1 1~ 33'~
The end cap 1 is adapted to receive a decor piece lG preferably made from a scrap piece of a slat and usually comprising a sheet metal material. The width of the decor pi~ce 10 is slightly greater than the distance between the shoulders 6 and 7. In order to mount the piece 10 onto the piece 1, it is necessary to slightly bow the piece 10 as shown in Figure 1 in order that it may be inserted between the edges of the shoulders 6 and 7 to the position as shown in Figure 2 where the edges of the decor piece are resiliently urged into contact with the edges of the shoulders due to the bowing or curving of the decor piece to securely lock the piece in position.
The end cap preferably has headrail engaging shoulder portions 11 and 12 including lips 13 and 14 adapted to engage the interior of inturned edges 15 and 16 on the end of the legs 17 and 18 of the U-shaped headrail 10 as shown in Figure 5.
The end cap as shown in Figure 3 is applied to the end o~ the headrail 19 by inserting the cap into the longitudina~ open end of ~he headrail to the position as shown in Figure 4 where the panel 5 will engage the end of the headrail to prevent further insertion of the end cap into the headrail. Preferably the distance or spacing between the lips 13 and 14 is slightly less than the distance or spacing between inturned edges 15 and 16 of the headrail. The headrail is conventionally made of a sheet metal material so that the legs 17 and 18 may be easily squeezed towards one another in the direction of the arrows 25.
In order to insert the cap into the headrail, the end of the headrail is squeezed to move the legs and edges 15 and 16 towards each other to allow the lips 13 and 14 to slide in the spaces formed by the inturned edges. Upon release of the squeezing force, the legs 17 and 18 will tend to spring apart such that their inturned ~"
`~ 1 733~
edges will resiliently engage the lips 13 and 14.
The panel 5 preferably has overall dimensions such that it is substantially flush with the end of a headraii to improve appearance. In addition the insert and panel are preferably made from a clear plastic material which may be easily press-molded and where the clear plastic provides a neutral color which blends easily with different headrail colors.
Referri~g to ~i~ure 6 a slightly diEferent embodiment of an end cap l' is shown having shoulders only one 7' of which is shown, where the edge of the shoulders engaging the decor piece lO' are slightly under-cut as at 30'. The overhang portions of the undercut shoulders provide a means for securing a decor piece to the end cap. As a consequence, the decor piece lO' as shown need not be of a greater width than the spacing between the shoulders such that it may lie flat on the panel portion 5'.
While the drawings illustrate the decor end cap as being applied to a headrail for a horizontal venetian blind assembly, it is apparent that a similar cap could be utili~ed with a headrail of a vertical venetian blind assembly where the headrail usually comprises an inverted U-shaped channel. It is obvious that the cross-sectional configuration of the insert portion of the end cap could take various forms other than that shown in the drawings, the on~y requirement being that the insert provide a support for mountin~ means or shoulders utilized to mount the decor piece.
~t is further apparent that the decor end cap constructed according to the invention may readily reduce the inventory required of end caps since the end cap provides a convenient means of mounting decor pieces made from readily available scrap material to provide a color match, to provide a color contrast or to otherwise ~ 1733~
provide a decorative effect to the end of a headrail, all without departing from the scope of the invention.
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Claims (4)
1. A decor end cap for a venetian blind headrail adapted to support a plurality of slat members, said cap comprising an insert an inner end of which is adapted to be inserted into an open longitudinal end of a U-shaped headrail and an outer end of which opposite said inner end is adapted to be substantially flush with the open end of the headrail when the insert is inserted into the headrail, characterized in that said outer end of said insert has integral mounting means thereon for mounting and retaining a decor piece.
2. A decor end cap according to claim 1 characterized in that said mounting means comprises raised narrow shoulders along at least two edges of the insert with the shoulders formed and arranged so as to cooperate with the decor piece to hold it in position.
3. A decor end cap according to claim 2 characterized in having in addition a panel portion on said outer end on which said shoulders and raised stop are positioned with the panel adapted to extend slightly beyond the periphery of the open end of the headrail whereby the panel serves as a limit means for limiting insertion of said insert into the headrail.
4. A decor end cap according to claim 1 characterized in that said insert has headrail leg engaging portions adapted to engage interior surfaces of the legs of a U-shaped headrail.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US24358081A | 1981-03-13 | 1981-03-13 | |
| US243,580 | 1981-03-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1173345A true CA1173345A (en) | 1984-08-28 |
Family
ID=22919307
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000398248A Expired CA1173345A (en) | 1981-03-13 | 1982-03-12 | Decor end cap for headrails |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1173345A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4643238A (en) * | 1983-09-12 | 1987-02-17 | Tachikawa Corporation | Venetian blind |
-
1982
- 1982-03-12 CA CA000398248A patent/CA1173345A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4643238A (en) * | 1983-09-12 | 1987-02-17 | Tachikawa Corporation | Venetian blind |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |