EP3992411A1

EP3992411A1 - A window or door covering and an attachment arrangement for a window or door covering

Info

Publication number: EP3992411A1
Application number: EP20205276.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Russell Dickson
Original assignee: Decora Blind Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Decora Blind Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-02
Filing date: 2020-11-02
Publication date: 2022-05-04

Abstract

A window or door covering 10 comprising an attachment arrangement 11. The attachment arrangement 11 comprises at least one attachment element 13 insertable between the beading and the glazing of a window or door 12. At least one guide 14, 15 is in engagement with the attachment element 13 such that the at least one attachment element 13 attaches the at least one guide 14, 15 to the window or door 12. A rail connecting element 29, 29a is provided for attaching rail members 30, 31, 32 of a window or door covering, or a portion thereof, to the guides 14, 15 and/or the attachment elements 13. The attachment arrangement 11 may attach a window or door covering 10 to a window or door 12 without the use of adhesive or mechanical fixings such as screws or the like which permanently damage portions of the window or door 12.

Description

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a window or door covering and an attachment arrangement for a window or door covering, and in particular to a conveniently installed window or door covering or attachment arrangement thereof.

Background of the invention

Window and door coverings such as blinds are widely used and are typically attached to the frame of a window or door by adhesive or by mechanical fixings such as screws. Whilst such methods of fixing a blind to a window or door may provide an adequate structural connection, it requires permanent holes to be formed in the frame, or requires surfaces of the frame to have adhesive applied thereto which my not be easily removed should the blind ever be removed or replaced. Moreover, the successful installation of such attachment arrangements is often highly dependent on the skill of the installer, the placement of screws and adhesive often involving an element of judgement.
It is desirable to provide a window or door covering which may be easily and efficiently attached to a window or door frame, or other portion of a window or door, without the requirement to use adhesive or mechanical fixings which leave permanent damage, and an attachment arrangement for a window or door covering which may permit such an attachment.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a window or door covering comprising an attachment arrangement, the attachment arrangement comprising: at least one attachment means insertable between the beading and the glazing of a window or door; at least one guide means in engagement with the attachment means such that the at least one attachment means attaches the at least one guide means to the window or door; and rail connecting means for attaching rail members of a window or door covering, or a portion thereof, to the guide means and/or the attachment means; wherein the attachment arrangement may attach a window or door covering to a window or door without the use of adhesive or mechanical fixings such as screws or the like which may permanently damage portions of the window or door.
Advantageously, the window or door covering can be quickly and conveniently attached to the window or door without causing permanent damage to the window or door.
Ideally, the at least one attachment means comprises at least one two-part attachment means.
Preferably, the at least one two-part attachment means is at least one interlocking two-part attachment means.
Ideally, the at least one attachment means comprises a first part which is insertable between the beading and the glazing of a window or door.
Preferably, the at least one attachment means comprises a second part which his attachable to the guide means.
Ideally, the first and second parts of the at least one attachment means are mutually engagable.
Preferably, the first and second parts of the at least one attachment means are slidably engageable with each other.
Ideally, the first and second parts of the at least one attachment means comprise mutual engagement features.
Preferably, the mutual engagement features are interlocking engagement features.
Ideally, the mutual engagement features are mutually engagable slots.
Preferably, the mutually engagable slots are alignable such that the second part of the at least one attachment means is slidable into the slot of the first part thereof.
Ideally, the first part of the at least one attachment means is a generally L-shaped part comprising a mutual engagement portion which comprises the mutual engagement features thereof.
Preferably, the first part of the at least one attachment means comprises an insertion portion shaped and dimensioned for insertion between the beading and the glazing of a window or door.
Ideally, the insertion portion of the first part of the at least one attachment means extends generally perpendicularly to the mutual engagement portion thereof.
Ideally, the second part of the at least one attachment means is a generally L-shaped part comprising a mutual engagement portion which comprise the mutual engagement features thereof.
Preferably, the second part of the at least one attachment means comprises a guide engagement portion which extends generally perpendicularly to the mutual engagement portion and is shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the guide means.
Ideally, the guide engagement portion of the second part of the at least one attachment means extends generally perpendicularly to the mutual engagement portion thereof.
Ideally, the first part of the at least one attachment means is insertable between the beading and glazing of a window or door frame on the head rail and/or sill rail of said frame.
Preferably, the first part of the at least one attachment means is inserted between the beading and glazing of a window or door frame on the head rail and/or sill rail of said frame and the second part of the at least one attachment means is slidable laterally into engagement with the first part thereof, in a direction towards a side rail of the window or door frame.
Ideally, the window or door frame is a sash frame of a window or door.
Preferably, the window or door covering comprises four attachment means, one attachment means being locatable at each corner of a window/door frame.
Ideally, the four attachment means form first and second opposing sets of attachment means, each opposing set comprising an upper attachment means and a lower attachment means.
Preferably, the opposing sets of attachment means are vertically opposing sets.
Ideally, the guide means comprises first and second generally vertical guide elements which extend along the first and second vertical sides of the frame of the window or door respectively.
Preferably, the first and second generally vertical guide elements extend between the first and second opposing sets of attachment means respectively.
Ideally, the first and/or second generally vertical guide elements comprise intermediate retaining means.
Preferably, the intermediate retaining means comprise a first portion configured for insertion between the beading and glazing of a window or door and a second portion configured to engage with and retain the generally vertical guide element.
Ideally, the intermediate retaining means are locatable, in use, between the upper and lower ends of the generally vertical guide element and most preferably proximal the middle of said guide element.
Preferably, the rail connecting means comprises a first rail connection feature locatable on the guide means which cooperates with a second rail connection feature locatable on a rail of the window or door covering.
Ideally, the first and second rail connection features are engagable to attach the rail of the window or door covering to the guide means.
Preferably, one of the first or second rail connection features is a male connection feature, and the respective other rail connection feature is a female connection feature.
Ideally, the first and second rail connection members form a snap-fit type engagement therebetween.
Preferably, the window or door covering comprises a cap element deployable over the portions of the at least one interlocking two part attachment means which, in use, interlock.
Ideally, the cap element comprises a throughbore sized and dimensioned to receive cord elements associated with a window covering arrangement.
Preferably, the cord elements are attachable to the cap element via a mechanical fastening element.
Ideally, the cord elements are attachable to the cap element via a grub screw.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an attachment arrangement for a window or door covering comprising: at least one attachment means insertable between the beading and the glazing of a window or door; at least one guide means in engagement with the attachment means such that the at least one attachment means attaches the at least one guide means to the window or door; and rail connecting means for attaching rail members of the window or door covering, or a portion thereof, to the guide means and/or the attachment means; wherein the attachment arrangement may attach the window or door covering to a window or door without the use of adhesive or mechanical fixings such as screws or the like which may permanently damage portions of the window or door.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an attachment means for use in an attachment arrangement for a window covering, the attachment means being a two part attachment means comprising: a first part having an insertion portion insertable between the beading and the glazing of a window or door, and a mutual engagement portion; and a second part having a guide engagement portion which is attachable to a guide means of a window covering, and mutual engagement portion; wherein the first and second parts of the attachment means are mutually engagable about their respective mutual engagement portions such that at least a portion of the guide means is attachable to the window or door by the attachment means without the use of adhesive or mechanical fixings such as screws or the like which may permanently damage portions of the window or door.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an installation tool comprising a first side shaped and dimensioned to engage with and guide insertion of first parts of attachment elements of a window or door covering between the beading and glazing of a window or door, a second side shaped and dimensioned to engage with and guide insertion of intermediate retaining elements between the beading and glazing of a window or door, and a third side shaped and dimensioned to engage with and slide a sliding carriage of a rail connection feature of a window or door covering.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembly or installation of a window or door covering, the kit of parts comprising an attachment arrangement, the attachment arrangement comprising: at least one attachment means insertable between the beading and the glazing of a window or door; at least one guide means in engagement with the attachment means such that the at least one attachment means attaches the at least one guide means to the window or door; and rail connecting means for attaching rail members of a window or door covering, or a portion thereof, to the guide means and/or the attachment means; wherein the attachment arrangement may attach a window or door covering to a window or door without the use of adhesive or mechanical fixings such as screws or the like which may permanently damage portions of the window or door.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a window or door covering comprising the steps of: providing an attachment arrangement, the attachment arrangement comprising: at least one attachment means insertable between the beading and the glazing of a window or door; providing at least one guide means in engagement with the attachment means such that the at least one attachment means attaches the at least one guide means to the window or door; and providing a rail connecting means for attaching rail members of a window or door covering, or a portion thereof, to the guide means and/or the attachment means; wherein the attachment arrangement may attach a window or door covering to a window or door without the use of adhesive or mechanical fixings such as screws or the like which may permanently damage portions of the window or door.

Brief description of the drawings

An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an interior view of a window showing the installation of an attachment means thereto, the attachment means being part of an attachment arrangement for attaching a window covering to the window;
Figure 2 is a view of detail A of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of parts of an attachment means of an attachment arrangement for attaching a window or door covering to a window or door;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of guide means of an attachment arrangement for attaching a window or door covering to a window or door, the guide elements having parts of an attachment means attachable to each end thereof;
Figure 5 is a view of detail B of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a plan view of two parts of an attachment means showing the direction of movement of a second part of said attachment means which causes engagement with a first part thereof;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a window showing installation of an intermediate retaining means thereon;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of an intermediate retaining means;
Figure 9 is a top sectional view of Figure 7 showing installation of the intermediate retaining means;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of guide means of an attachment arrangement having a top rail of a window covering attached thereto;
Figure 11 is a top sectional view of Figure 10 showing attachment of the top rail of a window covering to the guide means of the attachment arrangement;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a guide means of an attachment arrangement having a top, mid, and bottom rails of a window covering attached thereto, and showing installation of cap members;
Figure 13 is a view of detail C of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is an interior view of a window having a window covering and associated attachment arrangement installed thereon;
Figure 15 is an exterior view of the window of Figure 14;
Figure 16 is a perspective interior view of Figure 14;
Figure 17 is a perspective view of an installation tool used to install a window or door covering;
Figure 18 is a front view of the installation tool of Figure 18; and
Figure 19 is a side view of the installation tool of Figure 17.

Detailed Description of the drawings

The present teaching will now be described with reference to an exemplary window or door covering. It will be understood that the exemplary window or door covering is provided to assist in an understanding of the present teaching and are not to be construed as limiting in any fashion. Furthermore, elements or components that are described with reference to any one Figure may be interchanged with those of other Figures or other equivalent elements without departing from the spirit of the present teaching.
Referring now to the Figures there is illustrated a window or door covering 10 comprising an attachment arrangement 11. The description below may hereinafter refer to a window covering 11 and a window 12 to which it may be applied, however it should be understood that the covering could be applied to a door or any other such suitable glazed opening in a building. It should also be understood that any reference to upper/lower or like refer to positions relative to the window or door to which the covering is to be applied. The attachment arrangement 11 comprises four attachment elements 13 having first parts thereof 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b insertable between the beading and the glazing of a window 12, and two guides 14, 15. It should be noted that further attachment elements 13 and/or guides 14, 15 may be utilised if the window or door covering is intended to span a window or door of greater size. In the embodiment of the drawings, one attachment element 13 is locatable at each corner of the window frame 12. By window frame 12, it is generally meant a sash frame 12; however the attachment arrangement could be used with other frames. The corners of the frame 12 referred to herein are internal corners 16, 17, 18, 19 of the frame 12 where the head rail 20 and sill rail 21 meet the side rails 22, 23 of the frame 12. As is best viewed in Figure 1, the first parts 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b of the four attachment elements 13 form first and second opposing sets 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b. Each opposing set 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b comprise an upper first part 25a, 26a and a lower first part 25b, 26b. The opposing sets of first parts 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b are vertically opposing sets such that a guide 14, 15 extends between each opposing set 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b. A first guide 14 extends between the first opposing set of first parts 25a, 25b and a second guide 15 extends between the second set of opposing first parts 26a, 26b. The guide elements 14, 15, when attached to the opposing sets of first parts 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b, extend along the first and second interior vertical sides 27, 28 of the frame 12 of the window. The guide elements extend generally parallel to the glazing of the window. The guides 14, 15 are engagable with the attachment elements 13 such that the attachment elements act to attach the guides 14, 15 to the window. The attachment arrangement 11 further comprises a rail connection element 29, 29a for attaching rail members 30, 31, 32 of a window covering to the guides 14, 15.
The attachment elements 13 are attachment brackets 13 which further comprise second parts 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b, one attachable to each end of the guides 14, 15, the second parts 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b being mutually engagable with the first parts 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b of the attachment elements. The second parts 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b comprise upper second parts 33a, 34a attachable to the upper ends of the guides 14, 15 and which are mutually engagable with the upper first parts 25a, 26a of the engagement elements 13 to form an engagement therebetween and therefore attach the upper ends of the guides 14, 15 to the head rail 20 of the window frame 12. The second parts 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b comprise lower second parts 33b, 34b attachable to the lower ends of the guides 14, 15 and which are mutually engagable with the lower first parts 25b, 26b of the attachment elements 13 to form an engagement therebetween and therefore attach the lower ends of the guides 14, 15 to the sill rail 21 of the window frame 12.
The first 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b and second parts 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b of the attachment elements interlock. The first 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b and second parts 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b of the attachment elements comprise mutual interlocking engagement features 35, 35a. In the embodiment of the drawings, the interlocking engagement features 35 comprise mutually engagable slots 35, 35a. The first parts 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b and second parts 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b each comprise a slot 35, 35a therein and the slot 35a of each second part 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b is alignable with the slot 35 of each first part 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b such that the second part 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b may be slid onto the first part 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b, the slot of the second part 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b moving into the slot of the first part 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b until an end wall 36 of the slot of the second part 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b abuts an end wall 37 of the slot of the first part. The slidable engagement between the first and second parts 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b, 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b of the engagement elements can be best viewed in Figures 5 and 6 which illustrates the engagement in relation to the upper left attachment element comprising first and second parts 25a, 33a. It should be noted that the remainder of the attachment elements 13 operate in substantially the same manner. Figure 6 shows the second part 33a attached to the guide 14. The window and frame have been removed to aid clarity of the drawing, however an insertion portion 38 of the first part 25a would be inserted between the beading and the glazing of the window prior to sliding of the second part 33a towards the first part. Once the first part 25a is in place with its insertion portion 38 between the beading and the glazing, the second part 33a is slid laterally towards the first part 25a with their respective slots 35, 35a aligned such that the slot 35a of the second part 33a travels into the slot 35 of the first part 25a until the end wall 36 of the slot 35a of the second part 33a abuts the end wall 37 of the slot 35 of the first part 25a. As can be seen in Figure 5, the first and second parts 25a, 33a comprise first abutment portions 39, 40 which are mutually shaped such that, when the first and second parts 25a, 33a are in engagement, the upper surface 41 of the first abutment portion 39 of the second part 33a abuts the lower surface 42 of the first abutment portion 40 of the first part 25a such that said upper and lower surfaces 41, 42 extend generally co-planarwhen the first and second parts 25a, 33a are in engagement. The first part 25a of the attachment element 13 is a generally L-shaped part 25a comprising a mutual engagement portion 43 which comprise the slot 35 and the insertion portion 38 which extends generally perpendicularly to the mutual engagement portion 43 and is shaped and dimensioned for insertion between the beading and the glazing of a window or door. The insertion portion 38 and mutual engagement portion 43 are joined at a bend section 73 such that they extend, at least partially, perpendicularly to each other. The second part 33a of the attachment element is also a generally L-shaped part which takes a similar form to the first part 25a and comprising a mutual engagement portion 44 which comprises the slot 35a thereof and a guide engagement portion 45 which is joined to the mutual engagement portion 44 by a bend section 73, extends generally perpendicularly to the mutual engagement portion 44, and is shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the guide 14. As can be seen in Figure 5, when the first and second parts 25a, 33a of the attachment elements 13 are in engagement, the attachment element 13 forms a T-shaped engagement element 13 with the insertion portion 38 of the first part 25a extending upwards between the beading and glazing of the window, the guide engagement portion 45 of the second part 33a extending downwardly into engagement with the guide 14, and the mutual engagement portions 43, 44 being engaged and forming a combined flange extending outwardly from the window or door. It should be noted, that whilst the first and second parts of the attachment elements are shown in the drawings and herein described as L-Shaped, this should not be understood as limiting as the skilled person would be aware that the first and second parts could perform a similar function should the portions thereof not extend perpendicularly to each other but rather at an off perpendicular angle relative to each other. The first abutment portions 39, 40, of the first and second parts 25a, 33a of the engagement elements 13 extend generally from the bend portions 73 thereof to a first side 69 of their respective slots 35, 35a. The first and second parts 25a, 35a, further comprise bent end sections 47, 48 which begin at a second side 70 of their respective slots 35, 35a opposing the first side thereof. When the first and second parts 25a, 33a are in engagement, the bent end section 47 of the first part 25a bends downwards through the slot 35a of the second part 33a and terminates at an end flange 49. The bent end section 48 of the second part 33a bends upwards through the slot 35 of the first part 25a and terminates at an end flange 50. Resultantly, when the first and second parts 25a, 33a are in engagement, the end flange 49 of the first part 25a is located below the end flange 50 of the second part 33a. This forms an interlocking arrangement wherein the first part 25a transitions from a section which is above the second part 33a on the side of the slots 35, 35a furthest from the end flange to a section at the end flange 49 which is below the second part 33a. Again, the general interlocking arrangement of the attachment elements 13 is descried in relation to the upper left attachment element comprising first and second parts 25a, 33a, however the four attachment elements 13 all function and engage in a similar manner. It should be noted that, viewed from internally of the window as is shown in Figure 1, the right hand set of opposing first parts 26a, 26b would comprise slots 35 which, when the first parts 26a, 26b are inserted between the beading and the glazing, extend from the left hand edge 51 of the first parts 26, 26a. As such, the right hand second parts 34a, 34b which engage with the right hand first parts 26a, 26b comprise a slot 35a which extends from a right hand edge thereof such that the right hand second parts 34a, 34b may be slid onto the right hand first parts 26a, 26b in a left to right movement. Similarly, the left hand set of opposing first parts 25a, 25b would comprise slots 35 which, when the first parts 25a, 25b are inserted between the beading and the glazing, extend from the right hand edge 52 of the left hand first parts 25, 25a. As such, the left hand second parts 33a, 33b which engage with the left hand first parts 25a, 25b comprise a slot 35a which extends from a left hand edge thereof such that the left hand second parts 33a, 33b may be slid onto the left hand first parts 26a, 26b in a right to left movement. This results in the first parts 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b essentially comprising two variants, a first variant 53 for use on the top left and bottom right corner of the window, and a second variant 54 for use on the bottom left and top right of the window. These two variants are best viewed in Figures 1 and 3 in conjunction.
As can be viewed in Figures 7 to 9, the guides 14, 15 may comprise intermediate retaining elements 55. The guides 14, 15 are identical guides which are simply orientated for their use on their respective sides of the window. The intermediate retaining elements 55 are useful to further retain the guides 14, 15 when the window to which the covering is attached has a greater height, providing greater stability in such situations. The intermediate retaining elements 55 comprise a first portion 56 configured for insertion between the beading and glazing of a window and a second portion 57 configured to engage with and retain the guides14, 15. The second portion 57 is a hook shaped portion 57 which hooks a portion of a guide 14, 15 and acts to retain said guide 14, 15 in position. In use, as the intermediate retaining elements 55 are slid to insert their first portion 56 between the beading and glazing of a window, the hook shaped portion 57 engages with the guide 14, 15 and draws towards the side rail 22, 23 of the frame 12. Figures 7 to 9 illustrate the installation of an intermediate retaining element 55 on the left hand guide 14, however it should be understood that the right hand guide 15 would have a similar intermediate retaining element 55. In addition, any number of intermediate retaining elements 55 may be provided along the longitudinal length of the guides 14, 15 as would be required by the height of the window.
As is best viewed in Figures 10 and 11, the rail connecting element 29, 29a comprises a first rail connection feature 29 locatable on the guide means 14, 15 which cooperates with a second rail connection feature 29 locatable on the rear side of a rail 30, 31, 32 of a window covering. The first and second rail connection features 29, 29a are engagable to attach the rail to the guide means. The first rail connection feature is a protruding formation 29 and the second rail connection feature 29a comprises a recess 58 formed for receiving the protruding formation 29. The second rail engagement feature 29 further comprises an overhanging lip 59 which restricts the size of an opening of the recess 58 such that insertion of the protruding formation 29 into the opening causes the overhanging lip 50 to elastically deform to permit entrance of the protruding formation in to the recess 58. Once the protruding formation 29 moves into the recess 58 a distance wherein a rear end 60 thereof passes the overhanging lip 59, the overhanging lip 59 may move back to its original pre-deformed position and acts to retain the protruding formation 29 in the recess 58. Alternatively, or in combination, insertion of the protruding formation 29 through the opening of the recess 58 may cause elastic deformation of the protruding formation 29 such that it deforms to pass the overhanging lip 59 and then returns to its pre-deformed shape once in the recess 58. The first and/or second rail retaining features 29, 29a are manufactured from aluminium. The first and second rail connection features 29, 29a form a snap-fit type engagement therebetween. The second rail connection feature 29 is preferably disposed on a sliding carriage 61 such that it may be slid towards the first rail connection feature 29. The sliding carriage is in slidabe engagement with the rail elements 30, 31, 32. Such a sliding carriage may be implemented in any typical manner, many of which would be known to the skilled person. The rail elements 30, 31, 32 comprise second rail connection features 29a on each side thereof such that each rail element forms a connection with both guides 14, 15.
The window or door covering 10 also comprises cap elements 62 which are deployable over the portions of the attachment elements 13 which, in use, interlock. This can be best seen in Figures 12 and 13. The cap elements 62 prevent movement/detachment of the first and second parts 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b, 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b of the attachment elements 13. The cap elements 62 comprise a throughbore 63 sized and dimensioned to receive cord elements 71 associated with the window covering 10. The cord elements 71 may come pre-installed in the throughbores 63 of the cap elements 62.
It should be noted that the window covering could be a horizontal window covering, a vertical window covering, a roller window covering, or any other such window covering. The attachment arrangement could be easily utilised/adapted to attach various types of window covering. Moreover, the window covering would comprise typical functional components such as slats, cord systems etc. as are well known to the skilled person and will not be repeated herein for brevity.
The window covering may also be provided with an installation tool 64 which can be seen in Figures 1, 2, 7, 9, 10 and 11 in use. Detail views of the installation tool can be seen in Figures 17 to 19. The installation tool 64 is a multipurpose tool comprising a first side 65 shaped and dimensioned to engage with and guide insertion of the first parts 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b of the attachment elements 13 between the beading and glazing or a window or door. The installation tool further comprises a second side 66 shaped and dimensioned to engage with and guide insertion of the intermediate retaining elements 55 between the beading and glazing of a window or door. Finally, the installation tool comprises a third side 67 shaped and dimensioned to engage with and slide the sliding carriage 61 of the second rail connection feature 29a. The installation tool further comprises a handle 68 such that user may engage with and push the installation tool as required to carry out the aforementioned installation actions.
The window covering and attachment arrangement thereof described herein permits attachment of a window covering to a window or door without the use of adhesive or mechanical fixings such as screws or the like. The first parts 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b of the attachment elements 13 are inserted between the beading and glazing or a window or door to form an anchor to which the second parts 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b and associated guides 14, 15 may be attached. Rails 30, 31, 32 of the window covering may then be attached to the guides 14, 15. Advantageously, the window or door covering 10 can be quickly and conveniently attached to the window or door without causing permanent damage thereto.
In use, and in more detail, the first parts 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b of the attachment elements 13 are inserted, using the installation tool 64 between the beading and glazing of the window. The second parts 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b of the attachment elements 13 are attached to the ends of the guides (or come pre-attached in this manner), and thereafter the second parts 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b of the attachment elements 13 are slid into engagement with the first parts 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b thereof such that the guides 14, 15 become attached to the window. If required, intermediate retaining elements 55 are installed by sliding, using the installation tool 64, said intermediate engagement elements 55 between the beading and the glazing of the window at each side frame 22, 23 of the window. The intermediate engagement elements hook the guides 14, 15 and thus retain said guides 14, 15 in place. The rail elements 31, 32, 33 of the window covering may then be attached to the guides 14, 15 by sliding, again using the installation too 64, the sliding carriage 61 towards a side rail 22, 23 of the frame such that the second rail connection feature 29a engages with the first rail connection feature 29. This is carried out on both sides of the rail elements 30, 31, 32 such that each rail element forms a connection with both guides 14, 15. Cap elements 62, which carry cord elements 71 of the window covering through throughbores 63 thereof, may then be placed over the portions of the attachment elements 13 which interlock. Preferably, the cap elements 62 are connected to the rails 30, 31, 32 through a series of cord elements 71 and hold the tension of window covering. The blind is now attached and ready for use as shown in the installed configuration of Figures 14 to 16.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A window or door covering comprising an attachment arrangement, the attachment arrangement comprising:
at least one attachment means insertable between the beading and the glazing of a window or door;

at least one guide means in engagement with the attachment means such that the at least one attachment means attaches the at least one guide means to the window or door; and

rail connecting means for attaching rail members of a window or door covering, or a portion thereof, to the guide means and/or the attachment means;
wherein the attachment arrangement may attach a window or door covering to a window or door without the use of adhesive or mechanical fixings such as screws or the like which permanently damage portions of the window or door.
The window or door covering according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment means comprises at least one two-part attachment means, optionally, the at least one two-part attachment means being at least one interlocking two-part attachment means.
The window or door covering according to claim 2, wherein the at least one attachment means comprises a first part which is insertable between the beading and the glazing of a window or door and a second part which his attachable to the guide means, the first and second parts of the at least one attachment means being mutually engagable.
The window or door covering according to claim 3, wherein the first and second parts of the at least one attachment means comprise mutual engagement features, optionally the mutual engagement features being interlocking engagement features, further optionally the mutual engagement features are mutually engagable slots, the mutually engagable slots being alignable such that the second part of the at least one attachment means is slidable into the slot of the first part thereof.
The window or door covering according to claim 4, wherein the first part of the at least one attachment means is a generally L-shaped part comprising a mutual engagement portion which comprise the mutual engagement features thereof, and an insertion portion which extends generally perpendicularly to the mutual engagement portion and is shaped and dimensioned for insertion between the beading and the glazing of a window or door.
The window or door covering according to any of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the second part of the at least one attachment means is a generally L-shaped part comprising a mutual engagement portion which comprise the mutual engagement features thereof, and a guide engagement portion which extends generally perpendicularly to the mutual engagement portion and is shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the guide means.
The window or door covering of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first part of the at least one attachment means is insertable between the beading and glazing of a window frame on the head rail and/or sill rail of said frame, and optionally wherein the first part of the at least one attachment means is inserted between the beading and glazing of a window frame on the head rail and/or sill rail of said frame and the second part of the at least one attachment means is slidable laterally into engagement with the first part thereof, in a direction towards a side rail of the window or door frame.
The window or door covering of any of claims 1 to 7 comprising four attachment means, one attachment means being locatable at each corner of a window/door frame forming first and second opposing sets of attachment means, each opposing set comprising an upper attachment means and a lower attachment means, the opposing sets being vertically opposing sets.
The window or door covering according to any preceding claim, wherein the guide means comprises first and second generally vertical guide elements which extend along the first and second vertical sides of the frame of the window or door respectively.
The window or door covering according to claim 9 when dependent on claim 8, wherein the first and second generally vertical guide elements extend between the first and second opposing sets of attachment means respectively.
The window or door covering according to any of claims 9 or 10, wherein the first and/or second generally vertical guide elements comprise intermediate retaining means, the intermediate retaining means comprising a first portion configured for insertion between the beading and glazing of a window or door and a second portion configured to engage with and retain the generally vertical guide element, optionally, the intermediate retaining means being locatable, in use, between the upper and lower ends of the generally vertical guide element and preferably proximal the middle of said guide element.
The window or door covering according to any preceding claim, wherein the rail connecting means comprises a first rail connection feature locatable on the guide means which cooperates with a second rail connection feature locatable on a rail of the window or door covering, the first and second rail connection features being engagable to attach the rail of the window or door covering to the guide means, and optionally wherein one of the first or second rail connection features is a male connection feature, and the respective other rail connection feature is a female connection feature, and optionally wherein the first and second rail connection members form a snap-fit type engagement therebetween.
The window or door covering of any of claims 2 to 12, further comprising a cap element deployable over the portions of the at least one interlocking two part attachment means which, in use, interlock, optionally the cap element comprising a throughbore sized and dimensioned to receive cord elements associated with a window covering arrangement.
An attachment arrangement for a window or door covering comprising:
at least one attachment means insertable between the beading and the glazing of a window or door;

at least one guide means in engagement with the attachment means such that the at least one attachment means attaches the at least one guide means to the window or door; and

rail connecting means for attaching rail members of the window or door covering , or a portion thereof, to the guide means and/or the attachment means;
wherein the attachment arrangement may attach the window or door covering to a window or door without the use of adhesive or mechanical fixings such as screws or the like which may permanently damage portions of the window or door.
An attachment means for use in an attachment arrangement for a window covering, the attachment means being a two part attachment means comprising:
a first part having an insertion portion insertable between the beading and the glazing of a window or door, and a mutual engagement portion; and

a second part having a guide engagement portion which is attachable to a guide means of a window or door covering, and mutual engagement portion;
wherein the first and second parts of the attachment means are mutually engagable about their respective mutual engagement portions such that at least a portion of the guide means is attachable to the window or door by the attachment means without the use of adhesive or mechanical fixings such as screws or the like which may permanently damage portions of the window or door.