EP1006255B1 - End cap and mounting support combination - Google Patents
End cap and mounting support combination Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1006255B1 EP1006255B1 EP19990309695 EP99309695A EP1006255B1 EP 1006255 B1 EP1006255 B1 EP 1006255B1 EP 19990309695 EP19990309695 EP 19990309695 EP 99309695 A EP99309695 A EP 99309695A EP 1006255 B1 EP1006255 B1 EP 1006255B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- end cap
- locking collar
- mounting support
- roller
- central pin
- 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 - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/40—Roller blinds
- E06B9/42—Parts or details of roller blinds, e.g. suspension devices, blind boxes
- E06B9/50—Bearings specially adapted therefor
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/02—Shutters, movable grilles, or other safety closing devices, e.g. against burglary
- E06B9/08—Roll-type closures
- E06B9/11—Roller shutters
- E06B9/17—Parts or details of roller shutters, e.g. suspension devices, shutter boxes, wicket doors, ventilation openings
- E06B9/174—Bearings specially adapted therefor
Definitions
- This invention relates to a combination of an end cap and a mounting support for a roller, especially a roller of an architectural covering and particularly a winding roller for a covering for an architectural opening, such as a window blind or shade, according to the preamble of claim 1.
- a combination is known from United States Patent Specification US 5450891.
- the combination according to the invention is further characterised by the closing means comprising a rotatable locking collar surrounding the laterally open slot and having a circumferential entrance opening which can be aligned with the laterally open slot by rotation of the locking collar relative to the laterally open slot from a dosed position to an open position, thereby selectively providing access to the laterally open slot through the circumferential entrance opening.
- the end cap and mounting support combination also comprises means for retaining the locking collar in the closed position.
- the retaining means comprise a resilient spring means for biasing the locking collar into its closed position.
- the end cap and mounting support combination further comprises a manually engagable projection on diametrically opposite sides of the locking collar.
- Figure 1 shows, in longitudinal or axial cross-section, a roller shade, generally 1.
- the ends of the roller shade 1 are attached to a pair of conventional left and right, support brackets 3, 5 for mounting the roller shade on a wall, adjacent to a window (not shown).
- the left and right brackets 3, 5 can be identical to limit the number of items that need to be stocked by those who sell or install the roller shade 1.
- the roller shade 1 has an axially extending, elongate hollow tubular winding roller 7, about which are a plurality of windings of a flexible shade 9.
- the top end of the shade 9 is attached to the roller 7 in a conventional manner.
- a generally tubular, idle end cap 11 of this invention Within the left end portion of the roller 7, as shown in Figure 1, is a generally tubular, idle end cap 11 of this invention. As described below, the idle end cap 11 can be mounted on, and rotatably journalled relative to, the left bracket 3 in a conventional manner.
- the driving end cap 13 has a grooved pulley 14 for engagement with a driving cord (not shown).
- the idle end cap 11 includes: a generally tubular, axially extending, outer body 15, to be inserted in the left end of the roller 7; a generally cylindrical, axially extending, central pin 17, concentrically received within a generally tubular, axially extending, central bore 18 of the outer body 15; and a generally tubular, axially extending, rotatable locking collar 19 concentrically located between the central pin 17 and the outer body 15.
- the left end of the central pin 17 is provided with a laterally or axially open, radially extending, central slot or recess 20, by which it can engage a laterally elongate, relatively flat tab or protuberance 21 extending axially to the right on the left bracket 3 as shown in Figure 1 and described below.
- the outer body 15, which is non-rotatably received in the roller 7, is free to rotate with the roller 7 around the central pin 17, which is held stationary by the tab 21 on the left bracket 3.
- the locking collar 19, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is only capable of limited rotation about the central pin 17 of the idle end cap 11.
- Figure 2 shows a first rotational end position of the locking collar 19 after rotation in the clockwise direction of arrow 22.
- the central slot 20 is in communication with a circumferential entrance opening or radial opening 23 in an enlarged, axially extending, left end portion 24 of the locking collar 19.
- the central slot 20 is open, so that the flat tab 21 of the left bracket 3 (not shown in Figure 2) can be radially inserted in the central slot 20.
- Figure 3 shows a second rotational end position of the locking collar 19 after rotation in the counter-clockwise direction of arrow 25.
- a radially projecting sector 27 is provided on the outer surface of the axially extending, left end portion 28 of the central pin 17.
- the projecting sector 27 limits rotational movement of the locking collar 19 relative to the central pin 17 to an arc within an annular recess 29 inside the axially extending, left end portion 24 of the locking collar 19.
- both the central pin 17 and the locking collar 19 can otherwise rotate 360° relative to the outer body 15.
- the left end portion 24 of the locking collar 19 is also provided with at least two, radially extending ridges or projections 31, 33 which facilitate the grasping and rotation of the locking collar by hand.
- the ridges 31, 33 are circumferentially spaced around the outer surface of the left end portion 24 of the locking collar 19 so that at least one of them can grasped in whatever position the idle end cap 11 is mounted on the left bracket 3.
- the ridges be on diametrically opposite sides of the locking collar 19.
- the central pin 17 has a bifurcated, preferably mushroom-shaped, structure 35 on the right end of its relatively thinner, axially extending, right end portion 37.
- This right end portion 37 of the central pin 17 fits closely but rotatably within a right end portion 38 of the central bore 18 of the outer body 15, and the bifurcated, right end structure 35 of the central pin is adapted to snap-fit behind an annular edge 39 at the left end of a generally cylindrical, central cavity 41 at the right end of the outer body 15 and its central bore 18.
- the bifurcated, right end structure 35 of the central pin 17 engages the annular edge 39 of the central cavity 41 of the outer body 15 to hold the central pin 17 securely within the outer body 15.
- the left end portion 28 of the central pin 17, which carries the central slot 20 at its left end, is thicker than the right end portion 37 of the central pin.
- the left end portion 28 of the central pin also fits closely but rotatably within the locking collar 19 but cannot move axially to the right into the thinner right end portion 38 of the central bore 18 of the outer body 15.
- a right end portion 42 of the locking collar 19 also fits rotatably: i) about the left end portion 28 of the central pin 17 and ii) within the left end portion 43 of the central bore 18 of the outer body 15, which is wider than the right end portion 38 of its central bore 18.
- Such restraining means can include: means for increasing the sliding friction between the central pin 17 and the locking collar 19; means providing an index between the central pin and the locking collar; or a resilient biasing means for urging the locking collar in the counter-clockwise direction of arrow 25 in Figure 3.
- a funnel-shaped recess 44 is formed between a portion of the locking collar 19 and the projecting sector 27 of the central pin 17 in the dosed position of the locking collar 19.
- the recess 44 forms an entrance for a conventional flat pin of a support bracket (such as is seen in Figure 1) into the central slot 20 of the central pin 17 when the central slot 20 is closed by the locking collar 19.
- a support bracket such as is seen in Figure 1
- the locking collar 19 will be rotated clockwise to a sufficiently open position to allow the bracket pin to enter the central slot 20 via the radial opening 23 in the locking collar 19, notwithstanding any means that have been provided in the idle end cap 11 for restraining such rotation when the central slot 20 is closed.
- Figures 4-6 show a second embodiment 111 of the idle end cap of the invention, which is similar to the idle end cap 11 of Figures 1-3 and for which corresponding reference numerals (greater by 100) are used below for describing the corresponding parts.
- the idle end cap 111 shown in Figures 4-6, has: an outer body 115, to be inserted in the left end of the roller 7 of Figure 1; an axially extending, central pin 117, concentrically received within the outer body 115; and a rotatable locking collar 119 between the central pin 117 and the outer body.
- a resilient biasing means for urging the locking collar 119 in the counter-clockwise direction is provided by a leaf spring 145.
- the leaf spring 145 can be inserted in a transverse slot 147 in the right end of the left end portion 128 of the central pin 117 and in a corresponding pair of radially aligned, transverse slots 149 that are in the right end of the right end portion 142 of the locking collar 119 and are radially aligned with the transverse slot 147 in the central pin.
- the transverse slots 147 and 149 are each open at the respective right end of the left end portion 128 of the central pin 117 and the right end portion 142 of the locking collar 119.
- the resulting sub-assembly can then be inserted into the central cavity 118 of the outer body 115 and retained therein by the bifurcated right end structure 135 of the central pin 117.
- Figures 5 and 6 schematically show the position of the leaf spring 145 with respect to the central pin 117.
- the locking collar 119 and the outer body 115 have been deleted in Figures 5 and 6.
- Figure 5 which is an end on view of the central pin 117
- the leaf spring 145 is shown (in solid lines) aligned in the transverse slot 147 in the central pin 117 with the central slot 120 in the central pin and is also shown (in dotted lines) in tangentially deflected positions 145A and 145B. Aligning the transverse slot 147 with the central slot 120 in the central pin 117 is not necessary, but it is preferred because it is easier to form both when making the central pin 117 by injection molding.
- the deflected positions 145A and/or 145B of the leaf spring 145 result when the locking collar 119 and its pair of transverse slots 149 are rotated relative to the central pin 117.
- Figures 7-9 show a third embodiment 211 of the idle end cap of the invention, which is similar to the idle end cap 111 of Figures 4-6 and for which corresponding reference numerals (greater by 100) are used below for describing the corresponding parts.
- the idle end cap 211 shown in Figures 7-9, has: an outer body 215, to be inserted in the left end of the roller 7 of Figure 1; an axially extending, central pin 217, concentrically received within the outer body 215; and a rotatable locking collar 219 between the central pin 217 and the outer body.
- a coil spring 245 serves as a resilient biasing means for urging the locking collar 219 in the counter-clockwise direction.
- a cylindrical cavity is provided in one or both, particularly both, of the opposite radial surfaces 247, 249 to retain the coil spring 245 in position between them and to provide room for its compressed windings when the opposite radial surfaces 247, 249 abut one another in the open position of locking collar 219 and its radial opening 223, relative to the central slot 220 in the central pin 217.
- Figure 9 shows how either ridge 231, 233 on the left end portion 224 of the locking collar 219 can be urged to move in a clockwise direction 222 to rotate the locking collar and its radial opening 223 clockwise into an open position relative to the central slot 220 of the central pin 217.
- Such clockwise movement of the ridges 231, 233 and the locking collar 219 is against the force of the coil spring 245, urging the locking collar 219 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction.
- central pin 217 and locking collar 219 are freely rotatable in the central bore 218 of the outer body 215, clockwise rotational movement of the ridges 231, 233 will only put the central slot 220 of the central pin in communication with the radial opening 223 in the locking collar when the flat tab 21 of the bracket 3, shown in Figure 1, is engaged in the central slot 220 so as to keep the central pin 217 stationary. This is, in fact, the only situation in which one would need to open the locking collar 219 by hand.
- Figures 10 and 11 show a fourth embodiment 311 of the idle end cap of the invention, which is similar to the idle end cap 111 of Figures 4-6 and for which corresponding reference numerals (greater by 200) are used below for describing the corresponding parts.
- the idle end cap 31 shown in Figures 10-11, has: an outer body 315, to be inserted in the left end of the roller 7 of Figure 1; an axially extending, central pin 317, concentrically received within the outer body; and a rotatable locking collar 319 between the central pin and the outer body.
- the central pin 317 has a cavity 351 that is in the outer circumference of its left end portion 328 and that extends to, and is open at, the right end of the left end portion 328 of the central pin.
- the locking collar 319 has an L-shaped torsion spring 345.
- One leg 353 of the L-shaped torsion spring 345 is mounted in a recess 355 in the outer circumference of the right end portion 342 of the locking collar 319.
- the other leg 357 of the torsion spring 345 extends radially inwardly of the right end portion 342 of the locking collar 319 where this other leg 357 engages the cavity 351 of the central pin 317.
- Figure 11 shows, in detail, the mounting of the torsion spring 345 in the locking collar 319.
- Figures 12-15 show a fifth embodiment 411 of the idle end cap of the invention, which is similar to the idle end cap 311 of Figures 10 and 11 and for which corresponding reference numerals (greater by 100) are used below for describing the corresponding parts.
- the idle end cap 411 shown in Figures 12-15, has a central pin 417 with a cavity 451 that is in the outer circumference of its left end portion 428 and that extends to, and is open at, the right end of the left end portion 28 of the central pin.
- the locking collar 419 is provided with an integrally formed, L-shaped torsion spring 445.
- One leg 453 of the L-shaped torsion spring 445 is mounted in a recess 455 in the outer circumference of the right end portion 442 of the locking collar 419.
- the other leg 457 of the torsion spring 445 extends radially inwardly of the right end portion 442 of the locking collar 419 where this other leg 457 engages the cavity 451 of the central pin 417.
- the idle end caps 11, 111, 211, 311, 411 and support brackets 3,5 could also be used in combination with the winding roller of a roller blind for a window, as well as with a winding roller for the lifting cords of a folding blind or other collapsible window coverings.
- the outer body 15, 155, 215, 315, 415 could be modified to achieve additional objectives in the operation of the roller 7.
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- Civil Engineering (AREA)
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Description
- This invention relates to a combination of an end cap and a mounting support for a roller, especially a roller of an architectural covering and particularly a winding roller for a covering for an architectural opening, such as a window blind or shade, according to the preamble of
claim 1. Such a combination is known from United States Patent Specification US 5450891. - Further combinations of end caps and mounting supports for rollers are known from British patent specification GB 434 043 and Dutch published patent application NL 84 00103. In each of the combinations of an end cap and a mounting support of these publications: the end cap can be engaged and disengaged from the mounting support; either the end cap or the mounting support has an axially open slot or recess for accommodating an axially projecting pin or protuberance on the other; and there are means adjacent to the axial recess to engage and hold the axial pin within the axial recess and to release the axial pin from such engagement. From these publications, it has also been clear that there could suitably be a kinematic inversion of their axial recesses and axial pins on their end caps and mounting supports that would simply lead to different positions for these elements.
- However, access to the means for engaging and releasing the axial pin from the axial recess on such end caps and mounting supports has generally been only from one direction. As a result, access to the means for engaging and releasing the axial pin, which could well be resilient, to activate or deactivate it has been somewhat limited. In this regard, winding rollers for window shades and blinds have typically been mounted in confined spaces near the top of window frames. Also the axial recesses of winding rollers have often been placed in hard-to-reach vertical or horizontal positions, depending on whether the mounting supports have been affixed to a wall or to a ceiling adjacent to the window. This has frequently made it difficult to engage or disengage the axial pin from the axial opening when installing or removing a winding roller of a shade or blind from a window frame.
- In order to overcome or ameliorate at least some of the disadvantages of known combinations of end caps and mounting supports, the combination according to the invention is further characterised by the closing means comprising a rotatable locking collar surrounding the laterally open slot and having a circumferential entrance opening which can be aligned with the laterally open slot by rotation of the locking collar relative to the laterally open slot from a dosed position to an open position, thereby selectively providing access to the laterally open slot through the circumferential entrance opening.
- Advantageously, the end cap and mounting support combination also comprises means for retaining the locking collar in the closed position. Preferably, the retaining means comprise a resilient spring means for biasing the locking collar into its closed position.
- Advantageously, the end cap and mounting support combination further comprises a manually engagable projection on diametrically opposite sides of the locking collar.
- Further aspects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description below of particular embodiments and the drawings thereof, in which:
- Figure 1 is a longitudinal or axial cross-section through a winding roller of a shade or blind; the roller is journalled between a pair of mounting brackets and has, on one of its longitudinal ends, a first embodiment of an idle end cap of this invention;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the idle end cap of Figure 1 in an open position;
- Figure 3 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 2, showing the idle end cap of Figure 1 in a closed position;
- Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the idle end cap of this invention;
- Figure 5 is a schematic end view of a central pin and a leaf spring of the second embodiment of the idle end cap of Figure 4;
- Figure 6 is a schematic axial elevation view of the central pin and leaf spring of the second embodiment of the idle end cap of Figure 4;
- Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the idle end cap of this invention;
- Figure 8 is an end view of the third embodiment of the idle end cap of Figure 7;
- Figure 9 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the idle end cap of Figure 7;
- Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the idle end cap of this invention;
- Figure 11 is an axial cross-section of a locking collar of the fourth embodiment of the idle end cap of Figure 10, viewed in the direction of the arrows XI-XI of Figure 10;
- Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the idle end cap of this invention;
- Figure 13 is an end view of the fifth embodiment of the idle end cap of Figure 12;
- Figure 14 is an axial cross-section of the fifth embodiment of the idle end cap of Figure 12, viewed in the direction of the arrows A-A of Figure 13; and
- Figure 15 is an axial cross-section of the fifth embodiment of the idle end cap of Figure 12, viewed in the direction of the arrows B-B of Figure 14.
- Figure 1 shows, in longitudinal or axial cross-section, a roller shade, generally 1. The ends of the
roller shade 1 are attached to a pair of conventional left and right, supportbrackets 3, 5 for mounting the roller shade on a wall, adjacent to a window (not shown). For convenience, the left andright brackets 3, 5 can be identical to limit the number of items that need to be stocked by those who sell or install theroller shade 1. Theroller shade 1 has an axially extending, elongate hollow tubularwinding roller 7, about which are a plurality of windings of aflexible shade 9. The top end of theshade 9 is attached to theroller 7 in a conventional manner. - Within the left end portion of the
roller 7, as shown in Figure 1, is a generally tubular,idle end cap 11 of this invention. As described below, theidle end cap 11 can be mounted on, and rotatably journalled relative to, the left bracket 3 in a conventional manner. A conventionaldriving end cap 13 for rotating theroller 7, when winding or unwinding the flexible shade or blind 9, is mounted on theright bracket 5 as shown in Figure 1. The drivingend cap 13 has agrooved pulley 14 for engagement with a driving cord (not shown). - As seen from Figures 1-3, the
idle end cap 11 includes: a generally tubular, axially extending,outer body 15, to be inserted in the left end of theroller 7; a generally cylindrical, axially extending,central pin 17, concentrically received within a generally tubular, axially extending,central bore 18 of theouter body 15; and a generally tubular, axially extending,rotatable locking collar 19 concentrically located between thecentral pin 17 and theouter body 15. The left end of thecentral pin 17 is provided with a laterally or axially open, radially extending, central slot orrecess 20, by which it can engage a laterally elongate, relatively flat tab orprotuberance 21 extending axially to the right on the left bracket 3 as shown in Figure 1 and described below. Theouter body 15, which is non-rotatably received in theroller 7, is free to rotate with theroller 7 around thecentral pin 17, which is held stationary by thetab 21 on the left bracket 3. - The
locking collar 19, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is only capable of limited rotation about thecentral pin 17 of theidle end cap 11. Figure 2 shows a first rotational end position of thelocking collar 19 after rotation in the clockwise direction ofarrow 22. In this first end position of Figure 2, thecentral slot 20 is in communication with a circumferential entrance opening orradial opening 23 in an enlarged, axially extending,left end portion 24 of thelocking collar 19. As a result of its communication with theradial opening 23 in thelocking collar 19, thecentral slot 20 is open, so that theflat tab 21 of the left bracket 3 (not shown in Figure 2) can be radially inserted in thecentral slot 20. Figure 3 shows a second rotational end position of thelocking collar 19 after rotation in the counter-clockwise direction ofarrow 25. In the second end position of Figure 3, thecentral slot 20 is no longer in communication with theradial opening 23 in theleft end portion 24 of thelocking collar 19 and is therefore closed, so as to securely hold theflat tab 21 of the left bracket 3 (not shown in Figure 3) within the locking collar. - As also seen from Figures 2 and 3, a radially projecting
sector 27 is provided on the outer surface of the axially extending,left end portion 28 of thecentral pin 17. Theprojecting sector 27 limits rotational movement of thelocking collar 19 relative to thecentral pin 17 to an arc within anannular recess 29 inside the axially extending,left end portion 24 of thelocking collar 19. However, both thecentral pin 17 and thelocking collar 19 can otherwise rotate 360° relative to theouter body 15. - To facilitate the rotation of the
locking collar 19 about thecentral pin 17, theleft end portion 24 of thelocking collar 19 is also provided with at least two, radially extending ridges orprojections ridges left end portion 24 of thelocking collar 19 so that at least one of them can grasped in whatever position theidle end cap 11 is mounted on the left bracket 3. In this regard, it is preferred that the ridges be on diametrically opposite sides of thelocking collar 19. - As further seen from Figure 1, the
central pin 17 has a bifurcated, preferably mushroom-shaped,structure 35 on the right end of its relatively thinner, axially extending,right end portion 37. Thisright end portion 37 of thecentral pin 17 fits closely but rotatably within aright end portion 38 of thecentral bore 18 of theouter body 15, and the bifurcated,right end structure 35 of the central pin is adapted to snap-fit behind anannular edge 39 at the left end of a generally cylindrical,central cavity 41 at the right end of theouter body 15 and itscentral bore 18. Thereby, the bifurcated,right end structure 35 of thecentral pin 17 engages theannular edge 39 of thecentral cavity 41 of theouter body 15 to hold thecentral pin 17 securely within theouter body 15. - As still further seen from Figure 1, the
left end portion 28 of thecentral pin 17, which carries thecentral slot 20 at its left end, is thicker than theright end portion 37 of the central pin. As a result, theleft end portion 28 of the central pin also fits closely but rotatably within thelocking collar 19 but cannot move axially to the right into the thinnerright end portion 38 of thecentral bore 18 of theouter body 15. Aright end portion 42 of thelocking collar 19 also fits rotatably: i) about theleft end portion 28 of thecentral pin 17 and ii) within theleft end portion 43 of thecentral bore 18 of theouter body 15, which is wider than theright end portion 38 of itscentral bore 18.
It is preferred that means (not shown in Figures 1-3) be provided in theidle end cap 11 of Figures 1-3 for restraining free rotation of thelocking collar 19 about thecentral pin 17 when theradial opening 23 in the locking collar has been positioned to close thecentral slot 20 in the central pin. Such restraining means can include: means for increasing the sliding friction between thecentral pin 17 and thelocking collar 19; means providing an index between the central pin and the locking collar; or a resilient biasing means for urging the locking collar in the counter-clockwise direction ofarrow 25 in Figure 3. Several embodiments of the idle end cap of this invention, with different resilient biasing means acting between the central pin and the locking collar to restrain free rotation of the locking collar about the central pin, will be described below with reference to Figures 4-15. - As also seen from Figure 3, a funnel-
shaped recess 44 is formed between a portion of thelocking collar 19 and theprojecting sector 27 of thecentral pin 17 in the dosed position of thelocking collar 19. Therecess 44 forms an entrance for a conventional flat pin of a support bracket (such as is seen in Figure 1) into thecentral slot 20 of thecentral pin 17 when thecentral slot 20 is closed by the lockingcollar 19. By pressing the inclined side edges of therecess 44 against such a bracket pin, the lockingcollar 19 will be rotated clockwise to a sufficiently open position to allow the bracket pin to enter thecentral slot 20 via theradial opening 23 in thelocking collar 19, notwithstanding any means that have been provided in theidle end cap 11 for restraining such rotation when thecentral slot 20 is closed. - Figures 4-6 show a
second embodiment 111 of the idle end cap of the invention, which is similar to theidle end cap 11 of Figures 1-3 and for which corresponding reference numerals (greater by 100) are used below for describing the corresponding parts. - The
idle end cap 111, shown in Figures 4-6, has: anouter body 115, to be inserted in the left end of theroller 7 of Figure 1; an axially extending,central pin 117, concentrically received within theouter body 115; and arotatable locking collar 119 between thecentral pin 117 and the outer body. - A resilient biasing means for urging the
locking collar 119 in the counter-clockwise direction is provided by aleaf spring 145. After thecentral pin 117 has been inserted into thelocking collar 119, theleaf spring 145 can be inserted in atransverse slot 147 in the right end of theleft end portion 128 of thecentral pin 117 and in a corresponding pair of radially aligned,transverse slots 149 that are in the right end of theright end portion 142 of thelocking collar 119 and are radially aligned with thetransverse slot 147 in the central pin. Preferably, thetransverse slots left end portion 128 of thecentral pin 117 and theright end portion 142 of thelocking collar 119. The resulting sub-assembly can then be inserted into thecentral cavity 118 of theouter body 115 and retained therein by the bifurcatedright end structure 135 of thecentral pin 117. - Figures 5 and 6 schematically show the position of the
leaf spring 145 with respect to thecentral pin 117. For clarity, thelocking collar 119 and theouter body 115 have been deleted in Figures 5 and 6. In Figure 5, which is an end on view of thecentral pin 117, theleaf spring 145 is shown (in solid lines) aligned in thetransverse slot 147 in thecentral pin 117 with thecentral slot 120 in the central pin and is also shown (in dotted lines) in tangentially deflectedpositions transverse slot 147 with thecentral slot 120 in thecentral pin 117 is not necessary, but it is preferred because it is easier to form both when making thecentral pin 117 by injection molding. The deflectedpositions 145A and/or 145B of theleaf spring 145 result when thelocking collar 119 and its pair oftransverse slots 149 are rotated relative to thecentral pin 117. - Figures 7-9 show a
third embodiment 211 of the idle end cap of the invention, which is similar to theidle end cap 111 of Figures 4-6 and for which corresponding reference numerals (greater by 100) are used below for describing the corresponding parts. - The
idle end cap 211, shown in Figures 7-9, has: anouter body 215, to be inserted in the left end of theroller 7 of Figure 1; an axially extending,central pin 217, concentrically received within theouter body 215; and arotatable locking collar 219 between thecentral pin 217 and the outer body. Acoil spring 245 serves as a resilient biasing means for urging thelocking collar 219 in the counter-clockwise direction. Thecoil spring 245, upon assembly of thecentral pin 217 and thelocking collar 219, is engaged between a firstradial surface 247 on the projectingsector 227 of thecentral pin 217 and a facing second radial surface 249 (shown in dotted lines in Figure 8) in theannular recess 229 within thelocking collar 219. Preferably, a cylindrical cavity is provided in one or both, particularly both, of the oppositeradial surfaces coil spring 245 in position between them and to provide room for its compressed windings when the oppositeradial surfaces collar 219 and its radial opening 223, relative to thecentral slot 220 in thecentral pin 217. - Figure 9 shows how either
ridge left end portion 224 of thelocking collar 219 can be urged to move in aclockwise direction 222 to rotate the locking collar and its radial opening 223 clockwise into an open position relative to thecentral slot 220 of thecentral pin 217. Such clockwise movement of theridges locking collar 219 is against the force of thecoil spring 245, urging thelocking collar 219 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. Since thecentral pin 217 and lockingcollar 219, as a sub-assembly, are freely rotatable in thecentral bore 218 of theouter body 215, clockwise rotational movement of theridges central slot 220 of the central pin in communication with the radial opening 223 in the locking collar when theflat tab 21 of the bracket 3, shown in Figure 1, is engaged in thecentral slot 220 so as to keep thecentral pin 217 stationary. This is, in fact, the only situation in which one would need to open thelocking collar 219 by hand. - Figures 10 and 11 show a
fourth embodiment 311 of the idle end cap of the invention, which is similar to theidle end cap 111 of Figures 4-6 and for which corresponding reference numerals (greater by 200) are used below for describing the corresponding parts. - The
idle end cap 311, shown in Figures 10-11, has: anouter body 315, to be inserted in the left end of theroller 7 of Figure 1; an axially extending,central pin 317, concentrically received within the outer body; and arotatable locking collar 319 between the central pin and the outer body. Thecentral pin 317 has acavity 351 that is in the outer circumference of itsleft end portion 328 and that extends to, and is open at, the right end of theleft end portion 328 of the central pin. Thelocking collar 319 has an L-shapedtorsion spring 345. Oneleg 353 of the L-shapedtorsion spring 345 is mounted in arecess 355 in the outer circumference of theright end portion 342 of thelocking collar 319. Theother leg 357 of thetorsion spring 345 extends radially inwardly of theright end portion 342 of thelocking collar 319 where thisother leg 357 engages thecavity 351 of thecentral pin 317. In this regard, Figure 11 shows, in detail, the mounting of thetorsion spring 345 in thelocking collar 319. - Figures 12-15 show a
fifth embodiment 411 of the idle end cap of the invention, which is similar to theidle end cap 311 of Figures 10 and 11 and for which corresponding reference numerals (greater by 100) are used below for describing the corresponding parts. - The
idle end cap 411, shown in Figures 12-15, has acentral pin 417 with acavity 451 that is in the outer circumference of itsleft end portion 428 and that extends to, and is open at, the right end of theleft end portion 28 of the central pin. As best seen in Figure 14, thelocking collar 419 is provided with an integrally formed, L-shapedtorsion spring 445. One leg 453 of the L-shapedtorsion spring 445 is mounted in arecess 455 in the outer circumference of theright end portion 442 of thelocking collar 419. Theother leg 457 of thetorsion spring 445 extends radially inwardly of theright end portion 442 of thelocking collar 419 where thisother leg 457 engages thecavity 451 of thecentral pin 417. - This invention is, of course, not limited to the above-described embodiments which may be modified without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, the terms in the foregoing description and the following claims, such as "left", "right", "longitudinal", "lateral", "bottom", "top", "axial", "radial", "clockwise", "counter-clockwise", "inner", "outer" and "end", have been used only as relative terms to describe the relationships of the various elements of the combination of an end cap and a mounting support for a roller of the invention. For example, the idle end caps 11, 111, 211, 311, 411 and
support brackets 3,5 could also be used in combination with the winding roller of a roller blind for a window, as well as with a winding roller for the lifting cords of a folding blind or other collapsible window coverings. Likewise, theouter body roller 7.
Claims (9)
- End cap and mounting support combination comprising an end cap (11, 111, 211, 311, 411) disengagably engagable with a support bracket (3) and one of either the end cap or the support bracket being provided with a laterally open slot (20, 120, 220, 320, 420) for accommodating an axially extending protuberance (21) on the other of the end cap or the support bracket; and closing means to prevent the protuberance from escaping from the laterally open slot, characterized by the closing means comprising a rotatable locking collar (19, 119, 219, 319, 419) surrounding the laterally open slot and having a circumferential entrance opening (23, 123, 223, 323, 423) which can be aligned with the laterally open slot by rotation of the locking collar relative to the laterally open slot from a closed position to an open position, thereby selectively providing access to the laterally open slot through the circumferential entrance opening.
- The end cap and mounting support combination of claim 1 which further comprises means (145, 245, 345, 445) for retaining the locking collar (19, 119, 219, 319, 419) in the closed position.
- The end cap and mounting support combination of claim 2 wherein the means for retaining the locking collar (19, 119, 219, 319, 419) in the closed position comprises a resilient spring means (145, 245, 345, 445) for biasing the locking collar into its closed position.
- The end cap and mounting support combination of any one of claims 1-3 wherein the locking collar (19, 119, 219, 319, 419) is provided with at least two manually engagable projections (31, 33; 131, 133; 231, 233; 431, 433) on diametrically opposite sides.
- The end cap and mounting support combination of any one of claims 1-4 wherein: the end cap (11, 111, 211, 311, 411) is concentrically and rotatably received in an open end of a roller (7); an end portion of the end cap extends outwardly of the open end of the roller and is provided with the slot (20, 120, 220, 320, 420) for accommodating the protuberance (21) on the support bracket (3); and the collar (19, 119, 219, 319, 419) surrounds the end portion and can rotate about the end portion to open the slot.
- The end cap and mounting support combination of claim 5, wherein the locking collar (19, 119, 319, 319, 419) is concentrically and rotatably received in a tubular and axially-extending bore (18, 118, 218, 318, 418) in the end portion of the end cap (11, 111, 211, 311, 411).
- The end cap and mounting support combination of claim 6 wherein the locking collar (19, 119, 219, 319, 419) is generally tubular.
- The end cap and mounting support combination of claim 7 wherein the end cap (11, 111, 211, 311, 411) further comprises: a generally tubular axially-extending outer body (15, 115, 215, 315, 415) which is fixedly attached in the open end of the roller (7); and a generally cylindrical axially-extending central pin (17, 117, 217, 317, 417), concentrically and rotatably mounted within a generally tubular, axially-extending, central bore (18, 118, 218, 318, 418) of the outer body; and wherein the locking collar is concentrically located between the central pin and the outer body.
- An architectural covering, particularly a covering for an architectural opening such as a window blind or shade, comprising a roller (7), particularly a winding roller, and the end cap and mounting support combination of any one of claims 1-8.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP19990309695 EP1006255B1 (en) | 1998-12-03 | 1999-12-02 | End cap and mounting support combination |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP98204081 | 1998-12-03 | ||
EP98204081 | 1998-12-03 | ||
EP19990309695 EP1006255B1 (en) | 1998-12-03 | 1999-12-02 | End cap and mounting support combination |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1006255A1 EP1006255A1 (en) | 2000-06-07 |
EP1006255B1 true EP1006255B1 (en) | 2003-10-22 |
Family
ID=26150941
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19990309695 Expired - Lifetime EP1006255B1 (en) | 1998-12-03 | 1999-12-02 | End cap and mounting support combination |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP1006255B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102022123354A1 (en) | 2022-09-13 | 2024-03-14 | Hunter Douglas Industries Switzerland Gmbh | Mounting arrangement for mounting a drive of a shading system |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2003236183B2 (en) * | 2002-03-12 | 2009-03-12 | Faber A/S | A mounting device for roller blinds |
WO2009008751A1 (en) * | 2007-07-10 | 2009-01-15 | Jerzy Karpinski | Fixing unit of driving mechanism of winding roller used in roller blinds, in particular in fabric roller blinds |
ITPD20130198A1 (en) * | 2013-07-18 | 2015-01-19 | Alpac S R L Unipersonale | PERFORMED STRUCTURE OF DOOR ROLLER SHUTTER AND DEVICE FOR FACILITATING ASSEMBLY OF A WINDING SHAFT INCLUDING IN THIS PERFECT STRUCTURE |
CA3061753A1 (en) | 2017-04-28 | 2018-11-01 | Lutron Technology Company Llc | Window treatment mounting bracket |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB434043A (en) | 1934-06-14 | 1935-08-26 | Robert Henry Woodward | Improvements in mountings or fittings for blind rollers or the like |
NL8400103A (en) | 1984-01-11 | 1985-08-01 | Hunter Douglas Ind Bv | Suspension for roller blind - has resilient part of locking clip engaging stop to increase braking effect |
DE4313125C1 (en) * | 1993-04-22 | 1994-05-05 | Benthin Management Gmbh | Roll-up type curtain - has trunnion rotating in winding shaft end and with polygonal slot for supporting boss on holder held by spring lock |
-
1999
- 1999-12-02 EP EP19990309695 patent/EP1006255B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102022123354A1 (en) | 2022-09-13 | 2024-03-14 | Hunter Douglas Industries Switzerland Gmbh | Mounting arrangement for mounting a drive of a shading system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1006255A1 (en) | 2000-06-07 |
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