CZ298955B6 - Window screening arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, there is disclosed a window screening arrangement for mounting in a window aperture (10) having a width and defined between a top member (10a), a bottom member (10b) and two side members (10c, 10d), the window screening arrangement comprising: a body (2) of screening material which, in an unscrewing position, is one of rolled up, collapsed and pleated at the top member (10a) and has at least one free end; at least one hollow bar (3) extending substantially in parallel with the top and bottom members (10a, 10b) between the side members (10c, 10d) substantially throughout the width of the window aperture (10), said at least one hollow bar (3) being connected with the at least one free end of the body (2); a parallel guidance system comprising two cords (4, 5) in reverse mounting, and a first fixture means (7, 6) at the top member (10a) and a second fixture means (8, 9) at the bottom member(10b), each cord (4, 5) being passed from the first fixture means (7, 6) at the top member (10a) along one of the side members (10c, 10d), through the hollow bar (3) and along the other of the side members (10d, 10c) to the second fixture means (8, 9) at the bottom member (10b); a cord tightening means (14, 13) being provided in connection with at least one of the fixture means (7, 6); and a braking device comprising at least one braking member (11, 12; 21; 31) adaptable to retain the hollow bar (3) in at least one screening position, wherein said at least one braking member (11, 12; 21; 31) of the braking device is mounted substantially fixedly on at least one of said cords (4, 5) and, in a screening position, engages said at least one hollow bar (3).

Description

A window shading arrangement for mounting in a window opening (10) defined between the top element (10a), the bottom element (10b) and the two side elements (10c, 10d) comprises a body (2) of shading material that is rolled up in the non-shading position. folded or folded at the top element (10a) and which at its free end is connected to at least one hollow rod (3) extending substantially parallel to the top and bottom element (10a, 10b) between the side elements (10c, 10d) substantially across the width of the window opening (10). The parallel guidance system comprises two inverted ropes (4, 5), each cable (4, 5) being guided from the first clamping means (7, 6) at the top member (10a) along one side member (10c, 10d) through a hollow bar (3) and along the second side element (10d, 10c) to the second clamping means (8, 9) at the lower element (10b). The at least one braking element (11, 12; 21; 31) of the braking device is mounted substantially stationary on at least one of the cables (4, 5) and is intended, in the shielding position, to engage the at least one hollow rod (3).

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Window shading arrangement

Technical field

The present invention relates to a window shading arrangement for mounting in a window opening defined between an upper element, a lower element and two side elements, and comprising a shielding material body which is rolled up, folded or folded at the upper element in a non-shielding position and connected to at least one hollow rod extending substantially parallel to the top and bottom elements between the side members substantially over the width of the window opening, and a parallel guide system comprising two reversible ropes, each cable extending from the first clamping means at the top element along one side member through the hollow bar and along the other side member to the other clamping means at the bottom member, a cable tightening means formed in connection with the at least one clamping means, and a braking device comprising at least one brake element for holding the hollow the bars in at least one screening position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to hold the rod at the free end of the screening arrangement in a position where the window is at least partially screened, many different types of restraint or braking devices have been proposed.

In its simplest form, the retaining device may, for example, consist of side rails located in the side members of the window opening and comprising a plurality of downwardly directed recesses for engaging the rod or pins connected thereto.

However, such a construction is not suitable for all applications.

RF 2,615,240 and US 785,806 represent a category of braking devices in which the braking force of the braking device is adjusted by tensioning the cables of the parallel guide system. As a result of this design, the shielding arrangement can be difficult to operate because the braking force must be overcome in order to displace the shielding arrangement between the upper and lower window opening elements. This is particularly the case for roller shutters comprising a roller shutter, the bias of which must counteract the braking force.

US 612 606 represents another category in which the friction shoes at each end of the lower rod 35 cooperate with the side opening elements to hold the rod in the desired position. Since the friction shoes are biased by springs located in the rod, these springs must be deactivated in order to move the screening arrangement. Although operating comfort is assured as soon as the friction shoes are retracted from their frictional engagement with the side elements, this arrangement is complicated and therefore costly and difficult to manufacture and install.

EP 0 725 885 discloses a roller blind comprising a braking device of the initially mentioned type which overcomes many of the disadvantages of the prior art arrangements. The braking device according to this document comprises a friction element mounted in a lower rod in which at least one return element ensures a complete change of direction of the corresponding cable. Although this arrangement has proven to work effectively, it is only relatively simple because, for example, the winding of the cables has to be made exactly to ensure the desired frictional braking force. Moreover, due to the placement of the braking device within the lower rod, it is virtually impossible to replace the damaged braking device or secure new cables in the parallel guide system without replacing the entire screening arrangement of the window or at least the lower rod.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to improve a braking device of the type initially mentioned, in which the manufacture and assembly of the braking device is less complicated and in which parts of the window shading arrangement can be easily changed.

-1 CZ 298955 B6

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the above object, the essence of the window shading arrangement according to the present invention is that the at least one brake element of the braking device is mounted substantially stationary on at least one of said cables and is designed, in the shading position, to engage said hollow rod.

By means of this simple construction, it is easier and cheaper to manufacture and install the brake device 10 and consequently the entire window screen arrangement. In addition, the braking device may be formed separately, optionally together with a parallel guide system. It is thus easy to replace the components of the screening arrangement and it is possible to mount, for example, a braking device subsequently on existing screening arrangements which are not equipped with such devices. Optionally, an indication of the desired shielding position at the time of engagement between the brake element or elements and the rod is obtained, which may be advantageous to attract user attention, for example when the shielding arrangement has already reached its lower position to prevent further downward movement of the shielding arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each brake element is constructed symmetrically, the axis of symmetry of the brake element being substantially parallel to the corresponding cable. With this embodiment, a secure engagement between the braking device and the rod is always ensured, regardless of the rotation or twisting of the cables.

In a structurally simple embodiment according to the invention, the braking element or brakes may be hollow for receiving the cable.

Preferably, the braking device comprises at least one pair of braking elements positioned opposite each other at substantially the same distance from the upper window opening element. By means of this construction, the load on the cable system and the tightening means is symmetrical and a very attractive arrangement is achieved from an aesthetic point of view.

Preferably, the outer shape of the brake element is a cylinder or truncated cone.

Preferably, the cylindrical or truncated cone-shaped braking element is provided with rounded end portions.

Preferably, the outer shape of the braking element is spherical.

Preferably, each brake element is detachably connected to a corresponding cable.

Preferably, the brake element is connected to the corresponding cable by means of a bolt or resiliently biased latch.

Preferably, each brake element is inseparably connected to the corresponding cable by pressing or gluing.

Preferably, each brake element has an outer cross-sectional dimension of from one to fifth of 40, in particular from one to three times, the cable diameter and an outside length not exceeding the cable diameter multiplied by five, in particular one to three.

Preferably, the cable tightening means keeps the cables tensioned during operation.

The present invention will be explained in more detail in the following by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Giant. 1 is a front view of a window shading arrangement according to the present invention;

Giant. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a detail of the screening arrangement 50 at the beginning of the braking operation;

-2GB 298955 B6

Giant. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail of the screening arrangement at the end of the braking operation;

Giant. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a screening arrangement according to the present invention; and

Giant. 5 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 4 of another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the window shading arrangement of the present invention is constructed as a roller blind having a body 2 of shading material in the form of a fabric. This fabric is fixed at one end and, in the position shown, partially rolled up on a roller bar 1 located at the top element 10a, which together with the bottom element 10b and the two side elements 10c, 10d defines a window opening 10. At the opposite, free end the fabric is connected to a lower bar 3 which extends substantially parallel to the upper and lower elements 10a and 10b between the side elements 10c, 10d substantially over the width of the window opening 10. The parallelism of the lower bar 3 is ensured by a parallel guide system comprising a pair of wires 4 5 mounted opposite to each other, as will be explained in the following description.

The ropes 4, 5 are fixed at one end to a corresponding one of the clamping means 7 a

6, located near the top element 10a near or on the side element 10c or 10d. From the clamping means 7, 6, the cables 4, 5 are guided along one of the side elements 10c, 10d, respectively, and through the lower rod 3, which is formed with a through cavity. During passage through the lower rod 3, the ropes 4, 5 cross each other so that they are guided downwardly along the opposite side element 10d, 10c to the second clamping means 8 or 9. The cable tightening means 14, 13 are formed in connection with the first clamping means 7, 6. In the illustrated embodiment, each cable tightening means 14, 13 comprises a spring connected to each of the clamping means

7, 6, but it can of course be designed instead as an elastic cable instead.

In order to control the screening arrangement from the initial position, i.e. when said fabric is completely rolled up on the roller bar 1, a tension is exerted on the lower bar 3 which moves downwards and is, as described above, in parallel arrangement with the top and bottom element 10a, 10b. In the position in which the window aperture is at least partially obscured, the screening arrangement is retained or locked in the desired position by the braking device, as will be explained in the following description.

In the illustrated embodiment, the braking device of the present invention comprises two braking elements 11, 12 mounted on the cables 4 and 5 opposite each other and at substantially the same distance from the upper window opening element 10a. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the braking member 12 is hollow and mounted substantially stationary to the cable. The external cross-sectional dimension of the brake element 12 is one to five times, preferably three times, the diameter of the cable 5, and the outer length of the braking element 12 does not exceed the cable diameter multiplied by five, preferably between one and three times the cable diameter.

The outer dimensions of the brake element 12 ensure that the cable 5, when the lower rod 3 moves down in the direction of arrow A, is pushed outward in the direction of arrow B towards the side window element 10c. During this braking action, the cable tightening means 13, in this case a spring, ensures that the cable 5 is subjected to a load from the brake element 12. As the bar is moved further down, the brake element 12 engages the bar 3 to reach the position shown in FIG. and the cable tightening means 13 pulls the cable 5 back to its normal position. The user operating the screening arrangement detected a slight increase in the tension of the cable 5 during braking, whereupon the cable 5 was released, providing the desired indication of reaching the shielding position.

Giant. 4 shows a detachable connection between the brake element 21 and the cable 4 by means of a screw 20. This connection could equally well be made by means of a resilient

-3GB 298955 B6 Pre-tensioned latches engaged with the cord or any other means. This figure further shows that the braking element 21 is provided with rounded end portions to facilitate engagement with the rod 3.

In Figure 5, in an alternative embodiment, the braking member 31 is shown spherical. This brake element 31 is inseparably connected to the cable 4 by pressing, gluing, pulse shrinking or any other means.

The parallel guide system may be formed as described in the International Patent Application of the same Applicant published under WO 98/32944, which is formed as a separate window shading assembly system comprising a hollow mounting rod for connection with lower bar, with profile strips at the free end of the shielding body. It will be appreciated that the screening arrangement of the window of the present invention may advantageously be supplied with such a system.

In addition, an electrically operated drive device may be coupled to the lower or mounting rod of the window shading arrangement.

It will further be appreciated that, in order to provide a plurality of shielding positions, more than one illustrated pair of braking elements may be provided equidistant from the upper window opening element.

Although the window shading arrangement in the above embodiments is described as a roller blind, the invention is not limited to this type of shading arrangement, which could be, for example, a blackout curtain, a collapsible curtain or blinds. In the case of light impermeable screening arrangements having cover elements along the edges of the aperture, the light impermeability can be achieved by means of a flap, flange or seal connected to the bottom or mounting rod.

Furthermore, the invention should not be considered limited to use with any particular type of window, but may be used in all types of openings or windows in the form of a front window, sunroof, studio window, and the like.

PATENT CLAIMS

Claims (9)

A window shading arrangement for mounting in a window opening (10) defined between an upper window 40 comprising a lower element (10a), a lower element (10b) and two side elements (10c, 10d), and comprising a shielding material body (2) which is rolled up, folded or folded at the upper element (10a) and a free end connected to at least one hollow bar (3) extending substantially parallel to the upper and lower elements (10a, 10b) between the side elements (10c, 10d) substantially over the width of the window opening (10), and a parallel guide system comprising two wires (4, 5) 45 with inverted mounting, each wire (4, 5) being guided from the first clamping means (7, 6) at the upper element (10a) along one side element (10c, 10d) through the hollow bar (3) and along the other side element (10d, 10c) to the second clamping means (8, 9) at the lower element (10b), a cable tightening means (14, 13) formed in connection with the at least one clamping means (7, 6), and a braking device comprising at least one a braking element (11, 12; 21; 31) for 50 holding the hollow rod (3) in at least one shielding position, characterized in that the at least one braking element (11, 12; 21; 31) of the braking device is mounted substantially stationary on at least one of the cables (4, 5) and is intended, in the shielding position, for engagement with the at least one hollow shaft (3). -4GB 298955 B6 Window shading arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that each brake element (11, 12; 21; 31) is symmetrical, the axis of symmetry of the brake element (11, 12; 21; 31) being substantially parallel to the corresponding cable. (4, 5). Window shading arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each brake element (11, 12) is hollow and receives a cable (4, 5). Window shading arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the outer shape of the braking element (11, 12; 21) is a cylinder or truncated cone. Window shading arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the cylindrical or truncated cone-shaped braking element (11, 12; 21; 31) is provided with rounded end portions. A window shading arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer shape of the brake element (31) is spherical. Window shading arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by: 20, characterized in that each brake element (21) is releasably connected to a corresponding cable (4). Window shading arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the braking element (21) is connected to the corresponding cable (4) by means of a screw (20) or a resiliently biased latch. A window shading arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each brake element (31) is inseparably connected to the corresponding cable (4) by pressing or gluing. Window shading arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each braking element (11, 12; 21; 31) has an outer cross-sectional dimension of one to five times, in particular one to three times, of the cable diameter (4). 5) and an outside length not exceeding the diameter of the cable multiplied by five, in particular one to three. Window shading arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the braking device comprises at least one pair of braking elements (11, 12; 21; 31) positioned opposite each other at substantially the same distance from the upper window element (10a). hole. Window shading arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cable tightening means (14, 13) hold the cables (4, 5) tensioned during operation.