EP3959409A1

EP3959409A1 - External screening arrangement with a self-adjusting return element

Info

Publication number: EP3959409A1
Application number: EP20816901.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nikolaj Hannibal LAURIDSEN
Original assignee: VKR Holding AS
Current assignee: VKR Holding AS
Priority date: 2019-11-25
Filing date: 2020-11-24
Publication date: 2022-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-24
Also published as: EP3959409C0; WO2021104594A1; EP3959409B1

Abstract

In an external screening arrangement (1), a return element (10) for a guidance cord (12) of a cord system is positioned at or near a free end of a side rail (21, 22), such that the guidance cord (12) is guided from a winding device connected to the roller shaft of the screening arrangement, around the associated return element (10) and up to a bottom profile (15), in which a tensioning device (13) is accommodated, comprising a spring device (131) for tensioning the at least one guidance cord (12). The return element (10) comprises a guide part (101) around which the guidance cord (12) is guided to provide a change of direction around a first axis (R1), and a base part (102) connected to the guide part (101) and to the side rail (21, 22) in a rotational connection around a second axis (R2). The return element preferably comprises a pulley device (10) in which the guide part includes a pulley (101), where the pulley (101) is rotatable around said first axis (R1), and the base part (102) includes a pulley receiving part (102), said pulley (101) being connected to the pulley receiving part (102) such that pulley (101) and the pulley receiving part (102) are rotatable around the second axis (R2). The second axis (R2) is perpendicular on the first axis (R1).

Description

Title of Invention

External screening arrangement with a self-adjusting return element.

Background Art The present invention relates to an external screening arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention furthermore relates to a method of bringing such a screening arrangement from a supply condition to a mounted condition, and to a combination of such a screening arrangement and a roof window.

Technical Field

Screening arrangements positioned in front of windows to cover the window opening from direct sunlight in the screening position are common. Such screening arrangements are typically either positioned on the interior or the exterior side of the window opening to be screened. Internal screening arrangements include roller blinds, Venetian blinds, pleated blinds etc. and are typically relatively easy to install, as the installation site is normally immediately accessible by the person carrying out the installation and the entire operation may be carried from the inside of the building in which the window is installed. External screening arrangements, on the other hand, are from the outset made from materials being sturdier and heavier than internal screening arrangements, and the installation site involves building parts located on the exterior side of the building. Screening arrangements also need to fulfil different requirements depending on whether they are installed in a fagade window, i.e. in a substantially vertical position, or in an inclined or even horizontal surface such as a roof. Not only are screening arrangements for roof windows necessarily configured to take into account the effects of gravity due to the presence of a resulting force out of the general plane of the roof window, but the installation position itself, on a roof, renders mounting more complicated. Needless to say, this applies in particular to external screening arrangements for roof windows, and even more so in case the external screening arrangement requires the presence of not only side rails to take into account the inclined or horizontal position, but also a cord system with one or more guidance cords that need to be mounted correctly in order to ensure proper operation of the external screening arrangement. Adding to the complexity is the fact that such external screening arrangements are typically supplied in a condition in which the side rails are disconnected from the top casing in order to save on packaging, storage and transportation costs. Hence, such external screening arrangements are most often mounted on the roof window by professional installers. While this warrants that appropriate tools and equipment are used, there is still a need for improvement as regards the installation conditions since not least time is of essence during the mounting operation.

Summary of Invention

With this background, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide an external screening arrangement, which makes it possible to facilitate the installation conditions.

In a first aspect, this and further objects are achieved by an external screening arrangement of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which is furthermore characterised in that the at least one return element comprises a guide part around which the respective guidance cord is guided to provide a change of direction around a first axis, and a base part connected to the guide part and to the side rail in a rotational connection around a second axis.

In this way, the side rails may be safely connected to the top casing of the screening arrangement without taking particular and time-consuming steps to ensure correct positioning of the guidance cord or cords of the cord system. By providing the possibility of the return element to rotate around a second axis, simply providing a tensioning force on the guidance cord or cords, typically occurring during first use of the external screening arrangement, the return element will act as a self-righting mechanism ensuring that any cord hassle due to less careful mounting is dissolved. While the first axis and the second axis may in principle be chosen such that they assume any angle between them, it is not foreseen that the axes coincide. While in principle, the return element may be in the form of a pin, for instance with a low-friction surface, to provide the change of direction of the guidance cord, it is presently preferred that the return element comprises a pulley device in which the guide part includes a pulley, where the pulley is rotatable around said first axis, and the base part includes a pulley receiving part, said pulley being connected to the pulley receiving part such that pulley and the pulley receiving part are rotatable around the second axis, and wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular on the first axis. Pulleys provide for a reliable and cost-effective solution with excellent mechanical performance.

The external screening arrangement may be an external flat roof window screening arrangement and/or an external inclined roof window screening arrangement. The external screening arrangement may preferably be configured for being mounted on a roof window in an inclined roof and/or a flat roof. In an embodiment the external screening arrangement is in a mounted condition mounted on a roof window, wherein said roof window is mounted in an inclined roof or a flat roof.

In a development of the above-mentioned presently preferred embodiment, the pulley receiving part is rotatably connected to a stationary part connected to the side rail such that the second axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side rail. While configurations involving alternative positions of the pulley device, providing the second axis in a stationary part of the side rail and with the rotational axis parallel to the side rail has proven to function particularly well.

In a second aspect of the invention, a method of bringing such an external screening arrangement from a supply condition to a mounted condition on the exterior side of a roof window with a window opening is provided.

In a third aspect, a combination of such an external screening arrangement and a roof window with a window opening, a frame structure and a sash structure configured to extend in parallel to the roof surface, each with top and bottom members and two mutually parallel side members is provided.

Other presently preferred embodiments and further advantages will be apparent from the subsequent detailed description and drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

For exemplifying purposes, the invention will be described in closer detail in the following with reference to embodiments thereof illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1a is a perspective view of a screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention, with the screening body in an unwound, screening position;

Fig. 1b is a view corresponding to Fig. 1a, with the screening body in a wound-up, non-screening position;

Fig. 2a is a perspective view of a roof window with a screening arrangement in another embodiment of the invention;

Figs 3a and 3b are simplistic perspective views of the operational principles of a cord system, with a screening body in an unwound screening position;

Fig. 4a is a partial perspective, sectional view, on a larger scale, of the left-hand top corner of the screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4b is a partial perspective view of details of the screening arrangement of Fig. 4a;

Fig. 5 is a part-sectional view of the lower left-hand corner of the external screening arrangement of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a zoomed out part-sectional view of the external screening arrangement in the embodiment of Fig. 5;

Figs 7a to 7d are isolated front, side, and perspective views of the pulley device of the embodiment of Figs 5 and 6 according to the invention; and

Figs 8a to 8d are views corresponding to Figs 7a to 7d, respectively, of the pulley device with the bearing and the locking clip in an embodiment of the external screening arrangement according to the invention. Description of Embodiments

In the following detailed description, a preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, it is to be understood that features of the different embodiments are exchangeable between the embodiments and may be combined in different ways, unless anything else is specifically indicated. It may also be noted that, for the sake of clarity, the dimensions of certain components illustrated in the drawings may differ from the corresponding dimensions in real-life implementations.

It is noted that terms such as “up”, “down”, “left-hand”, “right-hand”, “exterior”, “interior”, “outer”, “inner” are relative and refers to the viewpoint in question.

Figs 1a and 1b

Referring initially to Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, where perspective views of a screening arrangement 1 in an embodiment of the invention are shown, it is seen how the screening arrangement 1 comprises a screening body 11, a top casing 23 and a bottom profile 15.

The screening arrangement 1 is configured to be mounted on a roof window 2 (see Fig. 2a) to assume a mounted condition, in which the screening body 11 is movable in a general longitudinal direction between a non-screening position and a number of non-screening positions in which the screening body 11 at least partially covers an opening of the roof window 2.

The screening arrangement 1 further comprises a roller shaft 14 (Figs 3a and 3b) accommodated in the top casing 23 and connected to drive means, the drive means being configured to rotate the roller shaft 14 in a winding direction W1 and an unwinding direction W2 (see Figs 3a and 3b).

The screening body 11 has two side edges and a predefined length between a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is connected to the roller shaft 14 accommodated in the top casing 23 such that the screening body 11 may be wound on the roller shaft 14 in the non-screening position. The second end portion is connected to a bottom profile 15.

Furthermore, the screening arrangement comprises two side rails 21, 22, a first side rail 21 and a second side rail 22 to guide at least opposing ends of the bottom profile 15. In some embodiments, also the side edges of the screening body 11 may be guided in the side rails 21 , 22. The term “ends” of the bottom profile 15 is to be construed to encompass any structure of the bottom profile 15 suitable to interact with the side rails 21 , 22, including separate elements and one-piece configurations.

In Fig. 1a, the screening body 11 is shown in an unwound screening position, and in Fig. 1 b the screening body is shown in a non-screening position, in which the screening body 11 is wound and stored on the roller shaft 14 in the top casing 23. In the non-screening position, the bottom profile 15 may either be completely accommodated within the top casing 23, or protrude slightly therefrom.

Fig. 2a

The screening arrangement 1 is configured to be mounted on the exterior side of the roof window 2, which in turn is typically mounted in an inclined roof surface (not shown). The roof window 2 has a frame structure 3 and a sash structure 4. The frame structure 3 is configured to extend in parallel to the roof surface, while the sash structure 4 is configured to be opened to a variety of positions, for instance as shown in Fig. 2a. The frame structure 3 and the sash structure 4 each has a top member 3a, 4a and a bottom member 3d, 4d and two mutually parallel side members 3b, 3c, 4b, 4c. The sash structure 4 is pivotally connected to the frame structure 3 via hinges 5, in the shown embodiment here at a substantially central hinge axis, however other positions of the hinge axis are conceivable as well. Also visible in Fig. 2a is a pane 7 encased in the sash structure 4.

In order to allow the screening arrangement 1 to follow the movement of the sash structure 4 during opening of the roof window 2, the side rails 21 , 22 are connected to the sash structure 4 in a slidable and rotatable connection at or near the bottom of the sash structure 4. The top casing 23 may either be rotatably or fixedly connected to the roof window 2, at or near the top of the frame structure 3. The connection between the top casing 23 and the side rails 21 , 22 is either fixed, i.e. the side rails 21 , 22 are rigidly connected to the top casing, or rotatable, i.e. there is a hinge connection (not shown) between the top casing 23 and the side rails 21 , 22. Examples of a roof window with a prior art screening arrangement are shown in the embodiments of applications EP 3 015637 A1 and EP 2 390455 A1 .

In Fig. 2a, a fitting 6 is generally designated to indicate the slidable and rotatable connection between the bottom corners of the sash structure 4, defined by the bottom sash member 4d and the side sash members 4c, 4b, to the first side rail 21 and the second side rail 22, respectively. The fittings 6 allow for the sash structure 3 to be guided along the side rails 21 , 22 when the sash structure 4 is pivoted about its hinge axis when opening the roof window 2.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2a, the top casing 23 comprises a slightly curved cover portion 232 and an end portion 233 at each of the longitudinal ends of the top casing 23. Furthermore, a solar panel 231 is placed in the top casing 23 which could be used to power the screening arrangement 1 , possibly connected to a battery inside the top casing 23; however, power may also be provided from a main housing supply. Wiring, motor control and power means for the motor are not shown. The top casing 23 is rotatably connected to the frame structure 3 of the roof window 2 with a top casing hinge 234. The side rails 21 , 22 are, at respective first fixed ends, rigidly, i.e. fixedly connected to the top casing 23 such that the side rails 21 , 22 may pivot out of the plane defined by the roof surface and the frame structure 3 when opening the sash structure 4.

Figs 3a and 3b

Referring now to Figs 3a and 3b, which show the operating principle and possible configurations of a cord system of embodiments of the screening arrangement 1 of the invention, two guidance cords 12 are provided to ensure parallel guidance of the bottom profile 15 during operation of the screening arrangement 1 .

Each guidance cord 12 is, at one end, connected to a respective winding device including a winding reel 16, and, at another end, connected to a tensioning device generally designated 13 in the bottom profile 15. The configuration of such winding reels are well-known as such, one example being found in the embodiment of Applicant’s WO 2006/074653 A1. It is noted that the term “in the bottom profile” should be interpreted in its broadest sense, thus including positions at or near a wall of the bottom profile, such as for instance behind a front wall of an open profile.

The guidance cords 12 are wound on the winding device oppositely relative to how the screening body 11 is wound on the roller shaft 14, i.e. when the roller shaft 14 rotates in the winding direction W1 , the screening body 11 is wound, while the guidance cords 12 are unwound, and vice versa when the roller shaft 14 rotates in the unwinding direction W2. The winding device including the winding reel 16 and the roller shaft 14 are both accommodated in the top casing 23.

In principle, the winding reels 16 should unwind/wind a length of guidance cord 12 substantially equal to the length of screening body 11 wound/unwound by the roller shaft 14 when the bottom profile 15 is moved in the general longitudinal direction of the screening arrangement 1 as defined by the screening body 11 and the side rails 21 , 22. However, due to variations in the effective diameter of the roller shaft 14 caused by successive windings of the screening body 11 in dependence on the amount of screening body 11 wound on the roller shaft 14, the guidance cords 12 are slackened, thereby impairing the parallel guiding function. To compensate for slack in the guidance cords 12, the tensioning device 13 provides a tension on the guidance cords 12 such that during operation, variations in the required length of the guidance cords 12 is accommodated for.

In the configuration shown in Fig. 3a, the winding reel 16 is arranged at one end of the roller shaft 14. The winding reel 16 can however, also be arranged inside the roller shaft 14 as shown in Fig. 3b, such that the roller shaft 14 and thus also the screening body 11 may be made wider, or two winding reels, one at the respective end of the roller shaft 14.

Also visible in the general overviews of Figs 3a and 3b are return elements 10 for guiding the respective guidance cord 12 from the winding reel 16 around the associated return element 10 and up to and into the bottom profile 15, and further to the tensioning device 13. Since the return element 10 is located at or near the free end of the respective side rail 21 , 22, this means that the returning or upwards directed part of the guidance cord 12 runs alongside the downwards directed part of the guidance cord 12 from the winding reel 16 to the return element 10. The upwards directed part of the guidance cord 12 may run in the same track of the respective side rail 21 , 22 as the downwards directed part of the guidance cord 12. In the embodiment shown in one and the same track 221 (of. Figures of specific embodiments) of the side rail 22.

In the embodiments shown, the screening arrangement comprises an external screening arrangement with a substantially flat screening body also known as a panzer as seen in the unwound screening position, but the concept is applicable also to other forms of screenings such as awning blinds, external roller blinds, roller shutters with various types of lamellae etc.

Figs 4a and 4b

Details of the top casing 23 in the embodiment shown are shown in Figs 4a and 4b. The first end portion of the screening body 11 is connected to the roller shaft 14 accommodated in the top casing 23. At the end of the roller shaft 14, the winding device including a winding reel 16 is provided. A similar winding device may be provided at the opposite end of the roller shaft 14. In a manner known per se, the winding reel 16 serves to receive the guidance cord 12 forming part of the cord system to serve as a parallel guidance assembly of the screening arrangement in order to keep the bottom profile 15 substantially parallel to the top casing 23 throughout operation.

Figs 5 to 8d

Reference is now made to Fig. 5, which shows a part-sectional view of a corner of the screening arrangement 1 of the invention, namely the lower left-hand corner as seen from the exterior side of the external screening arrangement 1 when mounted on the roof window 2. The side rail 22 of the screening arrangement 1 is provided with a corner cap 24. The corner cap 24 is provided at an end of the side rail 22 opposite to the top casing 23. The corner cap 24 acts as a stop to the track 221 . The corner cap 24 is configured to accommodate a return element 10. The return element 10 comprises a guide part 101. The guide part 101 is configured to provide a change of direction around a first axis R1 (cf. Figs 7b and 8b). The guide part 101 may be a pulley, a pin or similar, here including a pulley as will be described in further detail below. The first axis R1 is preferably oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the side rail 22 such that a change of direction of the guidance cord 12 substantially in parallel with the plane of the screening body 11 is ensured. The guide part 101 of the return element 10 is connected either directly or in-directly to the side rail 22 in a rotational connection. The rotational connection between the side rail 22 and the guide part 101 allows for the guide part to rotate around a second axis R2. According to the invention, the guide part 101 is connected to the side rail 22 via a base part 102. The base part 102 is then connected to the side rail 22 in a rotational connection, thereby allowing for both the base part 102 and the guide part 101 to rotate around the second axis R2.

In the embodiment of the screening arrangement 1 shown in Fig. 5, the return element is provided in the form of a pulley device 10. The guide part of the pulley device 10 comprises a pulley 101. The pulley 101 is rotatable around the first axis R1 (cf. Figs 7b and 8b) and is connected to a pulley receiving part 102. The pulley 101 is rotationally connected to the pulley receiving part 102, thereby allowing the pulley 101 to rotate around the first axis R1 while being connected to the pulley receiving part 102. The pulley 101 and the pulley receiving part 102 are connected via a connection member 105, here in the form of a pin 105 extending through the centre of the pulley 101. Furthermore, the pulley 101 and the pulley receiving part 102 are connected to the side rail 22 in a rotational connection, thereby allowing both the pulley 101 and the pulley receiving part 102 to rotate around the second axis R2. In the embodiment shown, the second axis R2 is substantially perpendicular on the first axis R1. In the embodiment of Fig. 5, a stationary part 245 is provided in the corner cap 24 of the side rail 22, which is covered by a cap element 240. Such a stationary part 245 may also be formed at other positions of the side rails 21 , 22. In the embodiment shown, the pulley receiving part 102 is connected to the stationary part 245 of the corner cap 24 in a rotational connection such that the second axis R2 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side rail 22. The stationary part 245 may be provided as an integral part of the corner cap 24, for instance formed in one piece or connected thereto during manufacture. The stationary part 245 forms a separate compartment in the corner cap 24 and comprises an aperture 2451 . The pulley receiving part 102 is connected to the stationary part 245 in that the pulley receiving part 102 is inserted into the separate compartment through the aperture 2451 . The part of the pulley receiving part 102 being inserted into the separate compartment being a shaft section 1022, a groove section 1023, and an end section 1024 of the pulley receiving part 102. In Figs 7a to 7d the shaft section 1022, the groove section 1023, and the end section 1024 of the pulley receiving part 102 can be seen in detail. Now returning to Fig. 5 again, the shaft section 1022, the groove section 1023, and the end section 1024 of the pulley receiving part 102 inserted into the separate compartment is connected to a bearing 103. The bearing 103 being accommodated within the separate compartment of the corner cap 24. The bearing 103 facilitates rotation around the second axis R2. The bearing 103 may be a ball bearing, a roller bearing, a ball thrust bearing, roller thrust bearing, tapered roller bearing etc.

Referring to Fig. 6, which shows a zoomed out sectional view of the pulley device 10 of Fig. 5, the bearing 103 is seen to be wider than the aperture 2451 , thereby the bearing 103 is securely accommodated within the separate compartment formed in the stationary part 245 of the corner cap 24. The bearing 103 is locked to the pulley receiving part 102 via a locking clip 104. The locking clip 104 will be discussed in greater detail in relation to Figs 8a to 8d. In the screening arrangement 1 shown in Fig. 6 the screening body 11 is fully unwound, leading to the bottom profile 15 resting against the corner cap 24. The bottom profile 15 is provided with a guide track 151 for guiding the guidance cord 12 towards the tensioning device 13. In a manner known per se, this guide track 151 is formed with low-friction properties and has such a curvature that the guidance cord 12 is subjected to a minimum of wear. As an alternative to the guide track 151 , the bottom profile 15 may be provided with a guide pulley. The guide pulley may be fixed to the ends of the bottom profile 15.

Referring now to Figs 7a to 7d, which show isolated front, side, and perspective views of the pulley device 10 of Figs 5 and 6 in an embodiment according to the invention. The pulley 101 is formed as a circular wheel with a grooved rim 1011 for accommodating the guidance cord 12. The pulley receiving part 102 comprises a head section 1021 providing a rotatable connection to the pulley 101 around the first axis R1 . In the shown embodiment the head section 1021 is shaped as a fork with two prongs and the pulley 101 is accommodated in-between the two prongs of the head section 1021. The rotatable connection between the head section 1021 and the pulley 10 may be achieved using the connection member 105. The connection member 105 may be a connection pin 105 extending through the centre of the pulley 101 and the prongs of the head section 1021. The pulley receiving part 102 further comprising the shaft section 1022. The shaft section 1022 allows for the pulley device to achieve a rotatable connection around the second axis R2. The shaft section 1022 comprises a groove section 1023 and an end section 1024. The groove section 1023 is configured for receiving the locking clip 104 in a locking engagement.

In the embodiment shown on Figs 7a to 7d, a surface of revolution created by rotating said guide part 101 around the second axis R2 is an ellipsoid. The ellipsoid is created as a consequence of the second axis R2 intersecting a diameter of the pulley 101. In the shown embodiment the second axis R2 is perpendicular to the first axis R1 and intersects the guide part 101 .

Further reference is made to Figs 8a to 8d, which show views corresponding to Figs 7a to 7d, however where also the bearing 103 and the locking clip 104 are shown. The bearing 103 is seen connected to the shaft section 1022 of the pulley receiving part 102. The bearing 103 is held in place on the shaft section 1022 by the locking clip 104. The locking clip 104 is seen received within the groove section 1023 of the pulley device 10. The locking clip 104 may engage the groove section 1023 in a snap-lock engagement.

In the following, a method of bringing an external screening arrangement as described in the above from a supply condition to a mounted condition on the exterior side of a roof window with a window opening will be described in some detail. While the succession of steps described are preferred, variations may occur without departing from the principles underlying the invention.

From the outset, the roof window 2 is provided with a frame structure 3 and a sash structure 4 extending in parallel to the roof surface, each with top 3a, 4a and bottom members 3d, 4d and two mutually parallel side members 3b, 3c, 4b, 4c. The roof window 2 may be provided in combination with an external screening arrangement 1 as described herewith, or separately.

Thus, an external screening arrangement 1 is provided in a supply condition, in which the screening body 11 is connected to the bottom profile 15 and wound on the roller shaft 14 such that substantially the entire length of the screening body 11 is accommodated in the top casing 23. The at least one guidance cord 12 of the cord system is positioned in the associated side rail 21 , 22, and the side rails 21 , 22 are temporarily connected to the top casing 23 such that the top casing 23 and the side rails 21 , 22 are positioned substantially in parallel to each other to form a transportation package. The temporary connection may for instance be provided in the form of straps or more intricate devices.

In a first step, the top casing 23 is rotatably connected to the top member of the frame of the roof window.

Secondly, the temporary connection of the side rails 21 , 22 is released from the top casing 23.

Then, the side rails 21 , 22 are connected to the sash of the roof window by means of fittings 6, following which the side rails 21 , 22 are rigidly connected to the top casing 23.

Following these operations, the mounted condition has been reached.

Now, the installer or user proceeds to operating the screening arrangement 1 and thus moving the bottom profile 15 towards a screening position such that the screening body 11 is unwound from the roller shaft 14 and the at least one guidance cord 12 is wound on the winding device, thereby allowing the return element 10 to assume a correct operating position. Any hassle of the guidance cord or cords due to involuntary twisting of the side rails during mounting will automatically be dissolved during this first use.

Specific embodiments of the invention have now been described. However, several alternatives are possible, as would be apparent for someone skilled in the art. Such and other obvious modifications must be considered to be within the scope of the present invention, as it is defined by the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

I screening arrangement

2 roof window

3 frame structure 3a top frame member 3b side frame member 3c side frame member 3d bottom frame member

4 sash structure

4a top sash member 4b side sash member 4c side sash member 4d bottom sash member

5 hinge

6 fitting

7 pane

10 return element / pulley device

101 pulley

1011 grooved rim

102 pulley receiving part

1021 head section

1022 shaft section

1023 groove section

1024 end section

103 bearing

104 locking clip

105 connection member

I I screening body

12 guidance cord

13 tensioning device 131 spring device

14 roller shaft

15 bottom profile 151 guide track

21 first side rail

22 second side rail 221 track

23 top casing

231 solar panel

232 cover portion

233 end portion

234 top casing hinge

24 corner cap

240 cap element 245 stationary element 2451 aperture

R1 first axis

R2 second axis

W1 winding direction

W2 unwinding direction

Claims

1. An external screening arrangement (1) configured to assume a mounted condition on a roof window (2), the roof window having a window opening, a frame structure (3) and a sash structure (4) extending in parallel to the roof surface, each with top (3a, 4a) and bottom members (3d, 4d) and two mutually parallel side members (3b, 3c, 4b, 4d), where the screening arrangement (1) comprises: a screening body (11) having two side edges and a predefined length between a first end portion and a second end portion, said screening body (11 ) being movable, in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement, in a longitudinal direction between a non-screening position and a number of screening positions in which the screening body (11) at least partially covers the window opening, a top casing (23) configured to be rotatably connected to or fixed to the roof window (2) and extend substantially in parallel with the top member of the frame in the mounted condition, a roller shaft (14) accommodated in the top casing (23) and connected to drive means, the drive means being configured to rotate the roller shaft (14) in a winding direction and an unwinding direction, the first end portion of the screening body (11) being connected to the roller shaft (14) such that the screening body (11) is wound on the roller shaft in the non-screening position, a winding device comprising at least one winding reel (16) in connection with the roller shaft (14), a bottom profile (15) extending substantially in parallel with the top casing (23) between two ends (150) and connected to the second end portion of the screening body (11 ), two side rails (21 , 22) configured to extend substantially in parallel with a respective side member of the frame and sash structure in the mounted condition to guide at least the ends (150) of the bottom profile (15), each side rail being at a first fixed to or rotatably connected to the top casing (23) and at a second end slidably and rotatably connected to the sash structure (4) by means of a fitting (6), in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement, a cord system including at least one guidance cord (12) having a first end in connection with the winding device and a second end in connection with the bottom profile (15), at least one return element (10) for the at least one guidance cord (12), positioned at or near a free end of at least one of the side rails (21 , 22), such that the respective guidance cord (12) is guided from the winding device, around the associated return element (10) and up to the bottom profile (15), a tensioning device (13) accommodated in the bottom profile (15) and comprising at least one spring device (131 ) for tensioning the at least one guidance cord (12) with a spring bias, characterised in that the at least one return element comprises a guide part (101) around which the respective guidance cord (12) is guided to provide a change of direction around a first axis (R1 ), and a base part (102) connected to the guide part (101) and to the side rail (21 , 22) in a rotational connection around a second axis (R2).

2. An external screening arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said return element comprises a pulley device (10) in which

- the guide part includes a pulley (101 ), where the pulley (101 ) is rotatable around said first axis (R1 ), and

- the base part (102) includes a pulley receiving part (102), said pulley (101 ) being connected to the pulley receiving part (102) such that pulley (101 ) and the pulley receiving part (102) are rotatable around the second axis (R2), and wherein that the second axis (R2) is substantially perpendicular on the first axis (R1 ).

3. An external screening arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the pulley receiving part (102) is rotatably connected to a stationary part (245) connected to the side rail (22) such that the second axis (R2) is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side rail (22).

4. An external screening arrangement (1 ) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pulley device (10) further comprises a bearing (103) for facilitating rotation around the second axis (R2).

5. An external screening arrangement (1) according to claim 4, wherein the pulley device (10) further comprises a locking clip (104), where the locking clip (104) locks the bearing (103) to the pulley receiving part (102).

6. An external screening arrangement (1) according to claims 4 or 5, wherein the bearing (103) is received in the stationary part (245) connected to the side rail (22).

7. An external screening arrangement (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the least one side rail (21 , 22) comprises a corner cap (24, 25), wherein the return element (10) is connected to said corner cap (24, 25).

8. An external screening arrangement (1 ) according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the pulley (101 ) is a circular wheel with a grooved rim (1011 ) for accommodating the guidance cord (12).

9. An external screening arrangement (1 ) according to any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the pulley receiving part (102) comprises a head section (1021) providing the rotatable connection to the pulley (101 ) around said first axis (R1 ), and a shaft section (1022) providing the rotatable connection around the second axis (R2).

10. An external screening arrangement (1) according to claim 9, wherein the shaft section (1022) of the pulley receiving part (102) comprises a groove section (1023) and an end section (1024).

11. An external screening arrangement (1) according to claims 5 and 10, wherein the locking clip (104) is received in the groove section (1023) of the shaft section (1022) of the pulley receiving part (102).

12. An external screening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a surface of revolution created by rotating said guide part (101) around the second axis (R2) is an ellipsoid.

13. A method of bringing an external screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims from a supply condition to a mounted condition on the exterior side of a roof window with a window opening, a frame structure and a sash structure extending in parallel to the roof surface, each with top and bottom members and two mutually parallel side members, comprising the steps of: providing the screening arrangement in the supply condition, in which the screening body (11 ) is connected to the bottom profile (15) and wound on the roller shaft (14) such that substantially the entire length of the screening body (11) is accommodated in the top casing (23), connecting the top casing (23) rotatably or fixedly to the top member of the frame of the roof window, connecting the side rails (21 , 22) to the sash of the roof window by means of fittings (6), fixedly or rotatably connecting the side rails (21 , 22) to the top casing (23) to assume the mounted condition, and operating the screening arrangement (1 ) and moving the bottom profile (15) towards a screening position such that the screening body (11) is unwound from the roller shaft (14) and the at least one guidance cord (12) is wound on the winding device, thereby allowing the return element (10) to assume a correct operating position in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of providing the screening arrangement in the supply condition comprises connecting the at least one guidance cord (12) of the cord system to the associated side rail (21 , 22), and connecting the side rails (21 , 22) temporarily to the top casing (23) such that the top casing (23) and the side rails (21 , 22) are positioned substantially in parallel to each other to form a transportation package, and wherein before the step of connecting the side rails (21 , 22) to the top casing (23), the temporary connection of the side rails (21 , 22) from the top casing (23) is released.

15. A combination of an external screening arrangement (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 to 12 and a roof window with a window opening, a frame structure and a sash structure configured to extend in parallel to the roof surface, each with top and bottom members and two mutually parallel side members.