EP2511467B1

EP2511467B1 - Holder of a string, in particular for guiding a fabric roller shade

Info

Publication number: EP2511467B1
Application number: EP20110161988
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrzej Cieslak; Boguslaw Kasinski
Original assignee: Fakro PP Sp zoo
Current assignee: Fakro PP Sp zoo
Priority date: 2011-04-12
Filing date: 2011-04-12
Publication date: 2014-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2031-04-12
Also published as: EP2511467A1

Description

The invention concerns a holder of a string, in particular a thin string for guiding a fabric roller shade in a window sash. The holder is intended for securing the end of the stretched string, mainly in the lower zone of the sash, with a possibility of shortening the string elongated during its use.
Holders for the bottom end of a string, fitted with a knot at its end, for guiding a fabric roller shade are known, being a monolithic catch, in which a securing plate, transverse to the string, has a slot for guiding this string. The slot is slightly wider than the string thickness and narrower than the knot on its end, made on the string, additionally the slot in its lower part turns into a socket for the knot on the string, open from the bottom only. The string is secured in known holders by sliding it into the slot, so that its knot is under the securing plate, and as a result of the string tension it enters the socket in the bottom surface of this plate. During use the string elongates and it needs to be shortened, which is done by making a new knot on it. The string tension is only adjusted by placing a new knot on the string, which does not ensure the required accuracy of the string tension.
Application EP2216485 A1 shows a cord tensioning device and curtain assembly with same with all the features of the preambles of claims 1 and 4. Said cord tension device is fastened with screws to base part and is intended for securing the end of the stretched cord in the form of knot which is puted in one of three socket.
However the holder of a string allows for more accurate adjustment of the tension string by choosing appropriate socket in insert for knot made on that string after separating body and insert.
The holder of a string, in particular guiding a fabric roller shade, has a body, through which the string secured is threaded, and in its body it has an insert with a transverse socket for the knot on the string and a longitudinal slot for this string. The body is seated separably in a catch fastened to a stationary structure member, in particular to the tip of the guiding section of the roller shade, which is secured to the window sash frame. On the string, fastened and stretched in the holder according to the invention, there is at least one local knot , which is entered into a socket in the insert, and then the insert is placed in the body. Advantageously, the insert has at least two sockets for the knot on the string, which enables the string tension to be adjusted. The body has a recess for the insert, open on one side, usually on the bottom, whereas on the side opposite to the recess inlet it has a passable hole for the string fastened, through this hole the string tip is threaded before it is secured in the insert. At least on a part of its length the insert has one of its transverse dimensions increased, resulting in the negative allowance between the insert and the recess in the body. It allows the insert to be immobilised in the body, when the string is not stretched, for instance during transport.
In the first embodiment the body has at least two parallel side walls with protruding fastening cross-pieces, situated at the bottom edges of the body, and the catch in which the body is mounted has a guide in the form of a tee groove, for the fastening cross-pieces of the body. Advantageously, the guide in the holder is impassable, closed on one side with a cross-bar, which strengthens and braces this guide. In addition the body has cut-outs in both side walls, the cut-outs go through the fastening cross-bars and reach slightly further beyond the cross-bars. The insert has locating keys, which after inserting it into the body, enter the body cut-outs and going through its fastening cross-bars, protrude from these cross-bars in a direction along the string secured. In the catch there are reliefs for the insert locating keys, the reliefs are situated in the guide, which cooperates with the body fastening cross-bars. The insert locating keys, along with the reliefs in the guide, fix the position of the body with the insert and string seated in it, relative to the catch.
In the second embodiment the body has also at least two parallel side walls with protruding fastening cross-bars, situated at the bottom edges of the body. The locating keys are components of the body and they protrude from its fastening cross-bars in a direction along the string secured. The catch, in which the body is seated, has a guide (identical as in the first embodiment) in the form of a tee groove, for the fastening cross-bars of the body, and the guide has reliefs for the body locating keys. These keys, along with the reliefs in the guide, fix the position of the body with the insert and string seated in it, relative to the catch. The insert, in this embodiment, fully gets into the recess in the body and has no parts protruding sideways beyond the body.
In the third embodiment, the insert has a securing plate, which at least on two sides protrudes beyond the body and these protruding sections of the securing plate cooperate with the guide in the catch. Locating keys protrude from the securing plate in a direction along the string secured, and the catch has reliefs for these keys in its guide, as in the previous embodiments. The body has at least two parallel side walls, without fastening cross-bars, and these walls cooperate with the guide inner surfaces, perpendicular to its bearing surface.
In the fourth embodiment the guide in the catch is impassable, and its bearing surface is situated oblique to the direction of the stretched string. The segment of this guide surface, on the side of its entrance, and the direction of the stretched string form an obtuse angle, advantageously between 95° and 105°. The body in which the insert is seated together with the string secured in the insert, has at least two parallel side walls with protruding fastening cross-bars, which are put into the guide in the catch. In this embodiment, neither the body nor the insert have locating keys, therefore the guide has no reliefs, present in the previous embodiments. As a result of inclination of the guide bearing surface, the component force from the string tension is directed towards the inside of the impassable guide, towards its closing cross-bar, which protects the body against falling out of guides during use of the string holder.
In the fifth embodiment the guide in the catch is impassable, and its bearing surface is situated oblique in relation to the direction of the stretched string, identical as in the fourth embodiment. The insert seated in the body has a securing plate, which protrudes at least from two sides beyond the body, cooperating with the guide in the catch. The body has at least two parallel side walls, without fastening cross-bars, as in the third embodiment, and these walls cooperate with internal surfaces of the guide. Neither the body, nor the insert have locating keys, and therefore the guides have no reliefs. As a result of inclination of the guide bearing surface, the component force caused by the string tension, is directed towards the inside of the impassable guide, as in the fourth embodiment example.
A positive result of the use of the invention is the increase in the string tension adjustment accuracy, obtained due to the possibility of socket selection in the insert for currently made knot on the string. It is also possible to adjust, as the string elongates, simply by taking the knot on the string from the socket situated higher in the insert to the socket situated below.
The string holder being the subject of the invention is shown in embodiment examples on the drawing, in axonometric exploded views (except of fig. 2), in which the individual figures show:

Fig. 1 - The holder with the cross-bars for securing in the body and the locating keys in the insert, along with a piece of the roller blind guided.
Fig. 2 - The cross-section of the holder from fig. 1, in the assembled condition.
Fig. 3-The holder with the fastening cross-bars and the locating keys in the body.
Fig. 4 - The holder with the securing plate and the locating keys in the insert. Fig. 5 - The holder with the inclined guide in the catch.

Example 1. The string holder has a body 1, which has a recess 11 open from the bottom, and there is an insert 2 in the recess, with three transverse sockets 21 and a longitudinal slot 22 for the string 3 secured. The body 1 in its upper wall has an upper passable hole 12 for the string 3, on which there is a knot 31, made on the string after being threaded through the hole 12 in the body. The string 3 is placed in the slot 32 of the insert, and the knot 31 - in the chosen socket 21, while the insert is entered into the recess 11 of the body. On the lower part of its length the insert 2 has a key 23 increasing the transverse dimension of the insert on this segment, in addition the dimensions are selected so that on the segment equipped with the key 23 there is a negative allowance between the insert 2 and the recess 11 in the body. It allows the insert to be immobilised in the body, when the string is not stretched, for instance during transport.
The body 1, with the following fastened in it: the insert 2 and the string 3, is seated separably in the catch 4, secured to the bottom tip of the section guiding 5 the roller shade 6, which is secured to the window sash frame. The body 1, to be connected to the catch 4, has two parallel side walls 13 with protruding fastening cross-bars 14, situated at the bottom edges of the body. The catch 4 has the form of a profiled plate, and on its top surface it has a guide 41 in the form of a tee groove, into which the body fastening cross-bars 14 are placed. When the string 3 is stretched, the fastening crossbars 14 of the body 1 adjoin from the bottom the bearing surfaces 42 of the tee groove of the guide 41, while the side walls 13 of the body adjoin one of the two or both internal surfaces 41 of the guide facing each other. The guide 41 in the holder is impassable, closed on one side with a cross-bar 44, which strengthens and braces the guide.
The catch 4 is put on the bottom end of the section guiding 5 the roller shade 6, and this section is secured to the window sash (not drawn). The catch 4 has a rim 46, encompassing the section 5 walls with a negative allowance and abuts against the bottom surfaces 51 of this section.
To fix the position of the body 1 in the holder guide 41, the insert 2 seated in the body has locating keys 24, which after inserting the insert into the recess 11 of the body enter two cut-outs 15 in this body and going through its fastening cross-bars 14, protrude over the fastening cross-bars in a direction along the string secured. Respectively, in the catch 4 there are two reliefs 45 for the locating keys 24 of the insert, situated in the insert 41, on its both sides. The distance from the bottom of the tee groove of the guide to its bearing surfaces 42 is slightly longer than the height of the locating keys 24 in the insert, which allows the body 1 with the insert 2 to be slid into the guide. The insert locating keys 24, as a result of the tension of the string 3, engage the reliefs 45 in the guide 41, fixing the position of the body 1, along with the insert and the string relative to this guide.
The string secured in the holder according to the invention is mainly used for guiding the bottom beam 61 of the roller shade 6 and for keeping this beam in horizontal positions at any chosen height. The holder presented in the figure is situated on the right hand side of the roller shade 6, and the string 3 fastened in it runs from the top near the left hand guiding section of the roller shade (this segment of the string and the section has not been drawn), and then goes horizontally through the bottom beam 61, and next along the guiding section 5, on the right hand side of the roller shade 6 comes down to the holder according to the invention. The other string 32 runs from the top near the right hand guiding section 5, goes horizontally through the bottom beam 61 of the roller shade, and then along the guiding section on the left hand side (not drawn) comes down to the holder according to the invention placed symmetrically to the holder shown in the figure. Both strings are secured at the top, with spring devices, in a cassette storing the rolled shade. Both strings 3, 32 enter the bottom beam 61 of the roller shade through end blocks 62, on both sides of the beam. Fig. 1 shows strings as protruding horizontally from the end block 62 (only to present it visually), but in fact the strings slide on arcwise profiled entry surfaces. It enables the bottom beam 61 to be stopped at any chosen height. The holder can also be used for securing the string guided straight along one side of the roller shade only.
Example 2. The string holder has a body 1a, which has a recess open from the bottom (as in the example 1), and there is an insert 2a in the recess, with a longitudinal slot 22 for the string secured, threaded through the upper hole 12 in the body 1a. The insert has three transverse sockets 21 for the knot made on the string, and on its lower segment it has a key 23, which enables the insert to be seated with a negative allowance in the recess of the body (as in example 1). The body 1, with the following fastened inside: the insert 21 and the string, is seated separably in the catch 4, having in its upper surface the guide 41, in the form of a tee groove, closed on one side with a cross-bar 44, which strengthens and braces the guide. The body 1 a, to be connected to the catch 4, has two parallel side walls 13 with protruding fastening cross-bars 14, situated at the bottom edges of the body. When the string is stretched, the fastening crossbars 14 of the body 1 a adjoin from the bottom the bearing surfaces 42 of the tee groove of the guide 41, while the side walls 13 of the body adjoin one of the two or the both internal surfaces 43 of the guide facing each other.
To fix the position of the body 1a in the guide 41 of the catch, the body has locating keys 16, protruding from the fastening cross-bars 14 in a direction along the string secured. Respectively, in the catch 4 there are two reliefs 45 for locating keys 16 of the body, situated in the guide 41, on its both sides. The distance from the bottom of the tee groove of the guide to its bearing surfaces 42 is slightly longer than the total thickness of the fastening cross-bars 14 and the height of the locating keys 16, which allows the body 1 with the insert 2 and the string secured to be freely slid into the guide. Under the influence of the tension of the string secured, the locating keys 16 engage the reliefs 45 in the guide 41, fixing the position of the body 1a, along with the insert and the string, relative to this guide.
The catch 4 is put (as in example 1) on the bottom end of the section guiding the roller shade, to which it is connected with its rim 46, embracing the section walls with a negative allowance. The holder according to example 2 may be applied for both systems of strings indicated in example 1.
Example 3. The string holder has a body 1 b, which has a recess open from the bottom (as in example 1), and there is an insert 2b in the recess, with a longitudinal slot 22 for the string secured, threaded through the upper hole 12 in the body 1 b. The insert has three transverse sockets 21 for the knot made on the string, and on its lower segment it has a key 23, which enables the insert to be seated with a negative allowance in the recess of the body (as in example 1). The body 1, with the following fastened inside: the insert 2b and the string, is seated separably in the catch 4, having on its upper surface a guide 41, in the form of a tee groove, closed on one side with a cross-bar 44, which strengthens and braces the guide. To connect to the catch 4, the insert 2b has a securing plate 26, which protrudes on both sides beyond the body 1 b. The protruding segments of the securing plate 25 cooperate with the guide 41 in the catch 4 adjoining, when the string is stretched, the bearing surfaces 42 of the tee groove of the guide 41 at the bottom. The body 1 b has two parallel side walls 13 adjoining one of the two or both internal surfaces of the guide facing each other. In the body side walls 13, there are reliefs 17 for the passage of the securing plate 25, being a component of the insert. To fix the position of the body 1 b, with the insert and the string secured, in the guide 41, the insert 2b has locating keys 26, which protrude from the securing plate 25 in a direction along the string secured, and the body 1b has cut-outs 18, through which these locating keys go. In the catch 4 there are two reliefs 45 for the locating keys 26 of the insert, situated in the guide 41 on its both sides. The distance from the bottom of the tee groove of the guide to its bearing surfaces 42 is slightly longer than the total thickness of the securing plate 25 and the height of the locating keys 26, which allows the body 1 along with the insert 2b and the string secured to be freely slid into the guide. Under the influence of the tension of the string secured, the locating keys 26 engage the reliefs 45 in the guide 41, fixing the position of the body 1b, along with the insert 2b and the string, relative to this guide.
The catch 4 is put (as in example 1) on the bottom end of the section guiding the roller shade, to which it is connected with its rim 46, embracing the section walls with a negative allowance. The holder according to example 3 may be applied for both systems of strings indicated in example 1.
Example 4. The string holder has a body 1c, which has a recess 25 open from the bottom (as in previous examples), and there is an insert 2a in the recess (identical as in example 2), with a longitudinal slot 22 for the string secured, threaded through the upper hole 12 in the body 1c. The insert has three transverse sockets 21 for the knot made on the string, and on its lower segment it has a key 23, which enables the insert to be seated with a negative allowance in the recess of the body 30 (as in previous examples). The body 1c, with the following fastened inside: the insert 2a and the string secured, is seated separably in the catch 4c, having in its top surface the guide 41 in the form of a tee groove. The body 1c, to be connected to the catch 4c, has two parallel side walls 13 with protruding fastening cross-bars 19, situated at the bottom edges of the body. When the string is stretched, the fastening cross-bars 19 of the body 1 c adjoin from the bottom the bearing surfaces 42 of the tee groove of the guide 41, while the side walls 13 of the body adjoin one of the two or the both internal surfaces of the guide facing each other.
The catch 4c differs from the catches from the previous examples in that the bearing surfaces 48 of the tee-groove of the guide 41 are situated oblique, forming with the direction of the string secured (the vertical direction), on the side of the entrance to the guide 41, an obtuse angle a of 95 to 105 degrees. The top surface of the fastening cross-bars 19 of the body 1c is inclined at an identical angle. As a variant the fastening cross-bars may be without any inclination, and then the whole body will be slightly deviated from the string direction. As a result of inclination of the bearing surfaces 48 of the guide, the component force longitudinal to this surface, coming from the tension of the string, is directed towards the cross-bar 44 closing the guide, which in this embodiment example first of all protects the body 1c against sliding out from the guide 41 of the holder, and additionally strengthens and braces the guide. The catch 4 is put (as in example 1) on the bottom end of the section guiding the roller shade, to which it is connected with its rim 46, embracing the section walls with a negative allowance. The holder according to example 4 may be applied for both systems of strings indicated in example 1.

Claims

Holder of a string, in particular for guiding a fabric roller shade, intended mainly for securing and stretching a thin string (3) with at least one local knot (31) made on this string (3), said holder of a string comprising a body (1, 1 a, 1 c), an insert (2, 2a) and a catch (4, 4c) said holder is securable to a stationary component of the structure, in particular to the end of the section guiding the roller shade, fixed to the window sash frame and also fitted with at least one passable socket (21) for catching the knot (31) on the string (3) secured and stretched, and said body (1, 1a, 1c), with recess open on one side (11) and passable hole (12) for the string (3) secured and placed on the side opposite to the recess inlet is seated separably in the catch (4, 4c) securable to a stationary component of the structure and in the body it has an insert (2, 2a) with a transverse socket (21) for the knot (31) on the string (3) and a longitudinal slot (22) for this string characterized in that said body (1) has at least two parallel side walls (13) with protruding fastening cross-bars (14) and the catch (4) has a guide (41), advantageously in the form of a impassable tee groove, for these fastening crossbars.
Holder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the body (1) has in its side walls (13) cut-outs (15) going beyond the fastening cross-bars (14) and the insert (2) has locating keys (24) placed in the body cut-outs and protruding from its fastening cross-bars in a direction along the string secured (3), while the catch (4) in its guide (41), has rekiefs (45) for locating keys of the insert.
Holder as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that locating keys (16) protrude from the fastening cross-bars (14) in a direction along the string secured (3), and the catch (4) has reliefs (45) for these locating keys in its guide (41).
Holder of a string, in particular for guiding a fabric roller shade, intended mainly for securing and stretching a thin string (3) with at least one local knot (31) made on this string (3), said holder of a string comprising a body (1, 1 b), an insert (2, 2b) and a catch (4, 4c) said holder is securable to a stationary component of the structure, in particular to the end of the section guiding the roller shade, fixed to the window sash frame and also fitted with at least one passable socket (21) for catching the knot (31) on the string (3) secured and stretched, said body (1, 1 b) has recess open on on one side (11) and passable hole (12) for the string secured and placed on the side opposite to the recess inlet is seated separably in the catch (4, 4c) securable to a stationary component of the structure and and in the body (1, 1b) it has an insert (2, 2b) with a transverse socket (21), advantageous with at least two sockets for knot (31) on the string (3) and a longitudinal slot (22) for this string characterized in that the insert (2b) has a securing plate (25), which protrudes from at least two sides beyond the body (1b) and the catch (4) has guides (41) advantageously in the form of an impassable tee groove for this securing plate.
Holder as claimed in claim 4 chcracterized in that the locating keys (26) protrude from the securing plate (25) in a direction along the string secured (3) and the catch (4) has reflies (45) for these locating keys in its guides (41).
Holder as claimed in claim 1 or 4 characterized in that the guide (41) in the catch (4c) is impassable and its bearing surface (48) is situated oblique to the direction of the stretched string, in addition the angle between the segment of the guide on the side of its entrance and direction of the stretched string is obtuse, advantageously it is between 95° and 105º.
Holder as claimed in claim 1 or 4, characterized that, at least on a part of the insert lenght there is a negative allowance between this insert and the hole in the body.