EP4610463A1

EP4610463A1 - External screening device for roof window

Info

Publication number: EP4610463A1
Application number: EP25159672.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kim Daugaard Kragh; Søren Søgaard Schæbel PEDERSEN
Original assignee: VKR Holding AS
Current assignee: VKR Holding AS
Priority date: 2024-02-29
Filing date: 2025-02-24
Publication date: 2025-09-03

Abstract

The screening device includes a top casing and first and second side rails. The top casing includes a roller shaft for winding up a flexible cover having a lower end to which a bottom profile is connected, and a first and a second winding reel are in driving connection with the roller shaft for winding up a first and a second cord having a first end part connected to the first and second winding reel and a second end part associated with a tensioning device arranged in the bottom profile (16). The bottom profile includes a longitudinal channel (29) being open in a sideward direction of the bottom profile, and the tensioning device (25) is arranged in at least one holding profile (30) adapted to snap in the sideward direction of the bottom profile into a locked position in the longitudinal channel of the bottom profile.

Description

The present invention relates to an external screening device for a roof window, the external screening device including a top casing having a first end and a second end, a first side rail having a first upper end connected to the first end of the top casing and a second lower end provided with a first cord rerouting guide, and a second side rail having a first upper end connected to the second end of the top casing and a second lower end provided with a second cord rerouting guide, the top casing including a roller shaft to which an upper end of a flexible cover is attached for winding up the flexible cover, a bottom profile being connected to a lower end of the flexible cover, a first and a second end of the bottom profile being guided longitudinally along the first and the second side rail, respectively, between an upper position of the bottom profile in which the flexible cover is fully rolled up and a lower position of the bottom profile in which the flexible cover is fully extended, the top casing including a first and a second winding reel in driving connection with the roller shaft, the first winding reel being arranged at the first end of the top casing for winding up a first cord, the second winding reel being arranged at the second end of the top casing for winding up a second cord, the first cord having a first end part connected to the first winding reel and a second end part associated with a tensioning device adapted to be arranged in the bottom profile, the second cord having a first end part connected to the second winding reel and a second end part associated with the tensioning device, the first cord rerouting guide being arranged for changing a running direction of the first cord, and the second cord rerouting guide being arranged for changing a running direction of the second cord.
WO 2021/104595 A1 (VKR Holding A/S) discloses a screening arrangement for a roof window. The screening arrangement comprises a screening body, a top casing, a roller shaft accommodated in the top casing, a winding device comprising at least one winding reel in connection with the roller shaft, a bottom profile, side rails, a cord system including at least one guidance cord, at least one return element for the at least one guidance cord, a tensioning device accommodated in the bottom profile and comprising at least one spring device for tensioning the at least one guidance cord with a spring bias. In order to assemble the screening arrangement, the tensioning device is arranged into a shielding device by inserting the tensioning device from an end of the shielding device, and the tensioning device with the shielding device is positioned in the bottom profile.
EP 2 703 595 B1 discloses a tilting roller blind with guides for roof windows. When a flexible screen of the blind moves out from its casing, a sliding beam is driven by cords extending from this beam to return pulleys located at the ends of the guides and then through an angular channel to reels located in the casing. Between the return pulleys and an end of the sliding beam the cord runs through a guiding cavity in the guide. Inside the sliding beam, the cord remains under the action of a spring-loaded tensioning device which takes up any slack of cord.
The object of the present invention is to provide an external screening device, wherein the assembly of the device is simplified.
In view of this object, the bottom profile includes a longitudinal channel being open in a sideward direction of the bottom profile, and the tensioning device is arranged in at least one holding profile adapted to snap in the sideward direction of the bottom profile into a locked position in the longitudinal channel of the bottom profile.
In this way, mounting of the tensioning device in the bottom profile is facilitated in that the holding profile with the tensioning device may simply be snapped into the bottom profile without the use of any tools.
In an embodiment, the tensioning device includes a first tensioning device which is arranged in a first holding profile and with which the second end part of the first cord is associated and a second tensioning device which is arranged in a second holding profile and with which the second end part of the second cord is associated. Thereby, each tensioning device may be mounted separately in the bottom profile, thereby further facilitating mounting of the tensioning device in the bottom profile.
In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the longitudinal channel of the bottom profile has a first edge part adapted to engage with a first edge part of the at least one holding profile in order to form a first connection between the bottom profile and the at least one holding profile, and the longitudinal channel of the bottom profile has a second edge part adapted to engage with a second edge part of the at least one holding profile in order to form a second connection between the bottom profile and the at least one holding profile.
In an embodiment, the first connection is adapted for tilting movement between the bottom profile and the at least one holding profile, and the second connection is a snap lock connection. Thereby, mounting of the tensioning device in the bottom profile may be further facilitated in that the position of the holding profile in relation to the bottom profile may be controlled by means of the first connection during tilting of the holding profile into its final position in the bottom profile. When the holding profile reaches its final position, the second edge part of the holding profile will be correctly positioned for snap connection with the second edge part of the bottom profile, and the snap lock connection may automatically be performed without the use of any tools.
In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the first connection includes at least one first rib formed at the first edge part of the bottom profile and at least one second rib formed at the first edge part of the at least one holding profile, and said first and second ribs are adapted to engage each other in a way allowing at least limited pivotal movement of the first edge part of the at least one holding profile in relation to the first edge part of the bottom profile.
In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the second connection includes at least one fixed engagement part arranged at the second edge part of the bottom profile or arranged at the second edge part of the at least one holding profile and at least one flexible engagement part arranged at the other one of the second edge part of the bottom profile or the second edge part of the at least one holding profile, and said least one fixed engagement part and said at least one flexible engagement part are adapted to form a snap lock connection when pressing the at least one holding profile into the longitudinal channel of the bottom profile.
In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the second connection includes at least one first rib formed at the second edge part of the bottom profile and a number of flexible engagement arms arranged in mutually spaced relationship along the second edge part of the at least one holding profile, and each flexible engagement arm has an engagement portion adapted to grip the at least one first rib formed at the second edge part of the bottom profile in such a way that the at least one holding profile is locked in place in the longitudinal channel of the bottom profile.
In an embodiment, the at least one holding profile has a generally at least substantially U-formed cross-section forming a channel arranged to open into the longitudinal channel of the bottom profile in the mounted position of the holding profile in the bottom profile, and the tensioning device, preferably in the form of a spring, is arranged in the channel of the holding profile. The at least substantially U-formed cross-section of the holding profile may provide access to the inside of the holding profile and thereby facilitate mounting of the tensioning device inside the holding profile before mounting of the holding profile in the bottom profile. When the holding profile has been mounted in the bottom profile, the open part the holding profile formed by the at least substantially U-formed cross-section thereof may advantageously be covered by the bottom profile.
In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the generally at least substantially U-formed cross-section of the at least one holding profile is formed by a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom wall, the first edge part of the at least one holding profile is formed at a free end of the first side wall, the second edge part of the at least one holding profile is formed at a free end of the second side wall, and each flexible engagement arm extends from the free end of the second side wall and is bent to form an at least substantially U-formed or V-formed cross-section together with the second side wall.
In an embodiment, a number of tabs are formed in mutually spaced relationship along the at least one first rib formed at the second edge part of the bottom profile, the tabs are formed by deforming limited parts of the at least one first rib, and the tabs are arranged to abut one or more of the number of flexible engagement arms arranged along the second edge part of the at least one holding profile in such a way that displacement of the holding profile in relation to the bottom profile in a longitudinal direction of the bottom profile is prevented. Thereby, the force of the tensioning device acting on the first and second cords, respectively, may be counteracted by the abutment between the tabs and flexible engagement arms so that the tension device or devices is maintained in the correct longitudinal position or positions in the bottom profile.
The invention will now be explained in more detail below by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the very schematic drawing, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a roof window with an external screening device according to the present invention, in an open position of the window, and whereby a flexible cover of the screening device is taken up inside a top casing;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 1 of a roof window with another external screening device according to the present invention, in a closed position of the window, and whereby a flexible cover of the screening device is partly extended from the top casing;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view seen from above of the external screening device of Fig. 1 in a partly disassembled state, whereby a left side rail and a bottom profile have been removed in order to show a left cord and tension device of the external screening device;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 3, whereby the entire external screening device apart from a left and a right winding device thereof has been removed;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a lower part of the cord of Fig. 3 including rollers and a left tensioning device in an extended state of a spring thereof;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view corresponding to that Fig. 5 in a disassembled state of tensioning device, whereby, however, the spring of the tensioning device is still illustrated in an extended state thereof;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 5, wherein a bottom profile of the external screening device has been indicated by means of broken lines, and whereby the spring of the tensioning device is illustrated in a relaxed state thereof;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the tensioning device illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7, whereby the left tensioning device has been arranged in a holding profile;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a lower part of the external screening device according to the present invention, whereby the left and a right tensioning device together with corresponding holding profiles have been snapped into the bottom profile of the external screening device;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 9, in a disassembled state, and whereby the right cord and corresponding tensioning device have not been illustrated;
Figs. 11A illustrates a cross-section of the bottom profile of the external screening device according to the present invention, before assembly of the holding profile and the bottom profile;
Figs. 11B illustrates a cross-section of the bottom profile corresponding to that of Fig. 11A, whereby a first connection has been formed between the bottom profile and the holding profile;
Figs. 11C illustrates a cross-section of the bottom profile corresponding to that of Fig. 11B, just before a second connection has been formed between the bottom profile and the holding profile;
Figs. 11D illustrates a cross-section of the bottom profile corresponding to that of Fig. 11B, whereby the second connection has been formed between the bottom profile and the holding profile;
Figs. 12 illustrates a perspective cross-section of the bottom profile of the external screening device according to the present invention, in the assembled state of the holding profile and the bottom profile;
Figs. 13 is a perspective view of a section the bottom profile of the external screening device according to the present invention, whereby a tensioning device is visible inside the mounted holding profile;
Fig. 14 illustrates the section the bottom profile shown in Fig. 13, in a disassembled state; and
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to that of Fig. 11D of another embodiment of the bottom profile of the external screening device according to the present invention.

In the following, generally, similar elements of different embodiments have been designated by the same reference numerals.
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate embodiments according to the present invention of an external screening device 1 for a roof window 2. The external screening device 1 includes a top casing 3 having a first end 4 and a second end 5, a first side rail 6 having a first upper end 7 connected to the first end 4 of the top casing 3 and a second lower end 8 provided with a first cord rerouting guide 9, and a second side rail 10 having a first upper end 11 connected to the second end 5 of the top casing 3 and a second lower end 12 provided with a second cord rerouting guide 13. The first and second cord rerouting guides 9, 13 are illustrated for instance in Figs. 4 and 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the cord rerouting guides 9, 13 have the form of rollers; however, in another embodiment, these may simply have the form of low friction guiding pins or surfaces.
The top casing 3 includes a roller shaft 14 to which an upper end of a flexible cover 15 is attached for winding up the flexible cover. A bottom profile 16 has a connection channel 65 seen in Fig. 11A which is connected to a lower end of the flexible cover 15, and, in a manner known per se, a first and a second end 17, 18 of the bottom profile 16 are guided longitudinally along the first and the second side rail 6, 10, respectively, between an upper position of the bottom profile 16 in which the flexible cover 15 is fully rolled up as illustrated in Fig. 1 and a not shown lower position of the bottom profile 16 in which the flexible cover is fully extended. Fig. 2 shows an intermediate position of the bottom profile 16 in which the flexible cover is partly extended. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and the second end 17, 18 of the bottom profile 16 are provided with first and second end blocks 63, 64, respectively, which are guided longitudinally along the first and the second side rail 6, 10, respectively. The first and the second end 17, 18 of the bottom profile 16 or the first and second end blocks 63, 64, respectively, may be guided longitudinally along the first and the second side rail 6, 10 in that they may slide in respective grooves of or on respective tracks of the first and the second side rail 6, 10 or in that they are connected to sliders arranged to slide in such respective grooves or on such tracks. The extension of the flexible cover 15 may be controlled by means of a not shown electric motor in driving connection with the roller shaft 14. The electric motor may in a well known manner be arranged inside the roller shaft 14 and may be supplied with electric energy from a solar panel 56.
In the illustrated embodiment, in order for the external screening device 1 to follow the movement of a window sash 51 when the sash is opened and closed in relation to a window frame 52 arranged in a roof 55, a bottom sash member 53 is provided with a slidable bottom rail 54 of the external screening device 1. The slidable bottom rail 54 is at either end provided with a not illustrated engagement pin which, in a manner known per se, is arranged slidably along the respective side rail 6, 10 of the screening device 1 and pivotal in relation to the respective side rail.
As seen, in the illustrated embodiment, a roof 55 in which the roof window 2 is mounted is an inclined roof. However, the roof 55 could also be a flat roof.
The top casing 3 includes a first and a second winding reel 19, 20 in driving connection with the roller shaft 14 as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The first winding reel 19 is arranged at the first end 4 of the top casing 3 for winding up a first cord 21, and the second winding reel 20 is arranged at the second end 5 of the top casing 3 for winding up a second cord 22. The first cord 21 has a first end part 23 connected to the first winding reel 19 and a second end part 24 associated with a first tensioning device 25 adapted to be arranged in the bottom profile 16 which is indicated by means of broken lines in Fig. 7. Likewise, the second cord 22 has a first end part 27 connected to the second winding reel 20 and a second end part 28 associated with a second tensioning device 26. Alternatively, the second end part 24 of the first cord 21 and the second end part 28 of the second cord 22 could be connected so that one single cord forms the first and second cord 21, 22.
It is understood that the first and second cords 21, 22 wind up on their respective winding reels 19, 20 in an opposite rotational direction as compared to the rotational direction the flexible cover 15 winds up on its roller shaft 14. For instance, when the flexible cover 15 unwinds from its roller shaft 14, the first and second cords 21, 22 wind up on their respective winding reels 19, 20.
As seen in Figs. 3 to 7, the first cord rerouting guide 9 is arranged for changing a running direction of the first cord 21, and the second cord rerouting guide 13 is arranged for changing a running direction of the second cord 22.
As furthermore illustrated in Figs. 3 to 7, a first bottom profile cord routing guide 57 is arranged at the first end 17 of the bottom profile 16 in order to guide the first cord 21 into the bottom profile 16 in which the second end part 24 of the first cord 21 is in connection with the first tensioning device 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the first tensioning device 25 includes a first tension spring 46, a first end 59 of which is connected to the second end part 24 of the first cord 21 by means of a first connector 61 and a second end 60 of which is fixed to the bottom profile 16 by means of a second connector 62. Correspondingly, a second bottom profile cord routing guide 58 is arranged at the second end 18 of the bottom profile 16 in order to guide the second cord 22 into the bottom profile 16 in which the second end part 28 of the second cord 22 is in connection with the second tensioning device 26 in a similar manner to that explained for the first cord 21. The first and second tensioning devices 25, 26 may have any suitable form, such as two compression springs, or one single spring for both cords 21, 22. If both cords 21, 22 are formed by one single cord, as mentioned above, a part of the cord may simply so to say bridge a single tension device. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom profile cord routing guides 57, 58 have the form of rollers; however, in another embodiment, these may simply have the form of low friction guiding pins or surfaces.
In an embodiment, the first and/or second tensioning device 25, 26 includes a compression spring. The second end part 24 of the first cord 21 and/or the second end part 28 of the second cord 22 may be associated with the respective compression spring in different ways. In a first variant, a first end of the spring is fixed to its respective holding profile 30, 31, and the second end part 24 of the first cord 21 and/or the second end part 28 of the second cord 22 run/runs into the spring at its first end and through the spring to its second end where it is fixed to the second end. When the cord is tensioned, the spring is compressed. In a second variant, a first end of the spring is fixed to its respective holding profile 30, 31, and the second end part 24 of the first cord 21 and/or the second end part 28 of the second cord 22 run/runs into the spring at the first end of the spring and through the spring to the second end of the spring where it exits the spring and changes direction by running over a cord routing guide or roller which is arranged in a roller block displaceable with the second end of the spring. From the cord routing guide or roller, the second end part 24 of the first cord 21 and/or the second end part 28 of the second cord 22 enters the spring again at the second end of the spring and runs through the spring to the first end of the spring, where it exits the spring and is fixed to the holding profile. When the cord is tensioned, the spring is compressed.
The first and second tensioning devices 25, 26 are arranged to take up any slack of the cord 21, 22 resulting from different and varying winding diameters of the flexible cover 15 on the roller shaft 14 and the cords 21, 22 on the first and a second winding reel 19, 20.
It is noted that the first and second springs 25, 26 illustrated in the figures are shown very schematically. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second springs 25, 26 are coil springs in the form of tension springs. However, any suitable type of spring may be used. For instance, in Fig. 7 the tension springs of the tensioning device are illustrated in a relaxed state thereof. In Figs. 4, 5 and 8, the tension springs are illustrated in an extended state thereof. The same is the case in Fig. 6, although the spring is illustrated disassembled from the remaining parts.
As illustrated in Figs. 10 to 15, the bottom profile 16 includes a longitudinal channel 29 being open in a sideward direction in relation to a longitudinal direction of the bottom profile 16, and the first and the second tensioning devices 25, 26 are arranged in a first and a second holding profile 30, 31, respectively. The first and the second holding profiles 30, 31 are adapted to snap in the sideward direction of the bottom profile 16 into a locked position in the longitudinal channel 29 of the bottom profile 16. Thereby, the mounting of the tensioning devices 25, 26 in the bottom profile 16 is facilitated in that the holding profiles 30, 31 with the respective tensioning devices 25, 26 arranged therein may simply be snapped into the bottom profile 16 without the use of any tools.
In the illustrated embodiment, the tensioning device includes a first tensioning device 25 which is arranged in a first holding profile 30 and with which the second end part 24 of the first cord 21 is associated and a second tensioning device 26 which is arranged in a second holding profile 31 and with which the second end part 28 of the second cord 22 is associated. Thereby, each tensioning device 25, 26 may be mounted separately in the bottom profile 16, thereby further facilitating mounting of the tensioning devices in the bottom profile 16. Depending on the length of the bottom profile 16, the first and second holding profiles 30, 31 may be arranged in the bottom profile 16 end to end or with space therebetween. In the case that the combined length of the first and second holding profiles 30, 31 is shorter than the length of the bottom profile 16, preferably a not illustrated spacer element may be arranged between the opposed ends of the first and second holding profiles 30, 31 in order to fill up a gap between said ends. Such spacer element may have the same cross-sectional form as the first and second holding profiles 30, 31 in order to blend in visually when seen from the inside of the roof window.
However, in a not illustrated first alternative embodiment, the tensioning device 25, 26 is formed by a single tensioning device which is arranged in a holding profile 30, 31 and with which the second end part 24 of the first cord 21 is associated and with which the second end part 28 of the second cord 22 is associated. For instance, the single tensioning device may have the form of one tension spring having a first end connected to the second end part 24 of the first cord 21 and a second end connected to the second end part 28 of the second cord 22. As explained above, the second end part 24 of the first cord 21 and the second end part 28 of the second cord 22 could also be connected so that one single cord forms the first and second cord 21, 22. In that case, a part of the single cord may simply bridge the single tension device.
In a not illustrated second alternative embodiment, the tensioning device includes a first tensioning device 25 and a second tensioning device 26 which are both arranged in the same holding profile 30, 31. The second end part 24 of the first cord 21 is associated with the first tensioning device 25 and the second end part 28 of the second cord 22 is associated with the second tensioning device 26.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 11A to 15, the longitudinal channel 29 of the bottom profile 16 has a first edge part 32 adapted to engage with a first edge part 33 of the holding profile 30, 31 in order to form a first connection 34 between the bottom profile 16 and the holding profile 30, 31. The longitudinal channel 29 of the bottom profile 16 has a second edge part 35 adapted to engage with a second edge part 36 of the holding profile 30, 31 in order to form a second connection 37 between the bottom profile 16 and the at least one holding profile 30, 31.
As illustrated in Figs. 11B to 11D, the first connection 34 is adapted for tilting movement between the bottom profile 16 and the holding profile 30, 31, and the second connection 37 is a snap lock connection. Thereby, the mounting of the tensioning device 25, 26 in the bottom profile 16 may be further facilitated in that the position of the holding profile 30, 31 in relation to the bottom profile 16 may be controlled by means of the first connection 34 during tilting of the holding profile into its final position in the bottom profile 16. When the holding profile 30, 31 reaches its final position, the second edge part 36 of the holding profile will be correctly positioned for snap connection with the second edge part 35 of the bottom profile 16, and the snap lock connection may automatically be performed without the use of any tools.
As further seen, the first connection 34 includes a first rib 38 formed at the first edge part 32 of the bottom profile 16 and a second rib 39 formed at the first edge part 33 of the holding profile 30, 31. The first and second ribs 38, 39 are adapted to engage each other in a way allowing limited pivotal movement of the first edge part 33 of the holding profile 30, 31 in relation to the first edge part 32 of the bottom profile 16.
As further seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the second connection 37 includes a fixed engagement part 40 arranged at the second edge part 35 of the bottom profile 16 and a number of flexible engagement parts 41 arranged at the second edge part 36 of the holding profile 30, 31, and said fixed engagement part 40 and said flexible engagement parts 41 are adapted to form a snap lock connection when pressing the holding profile 30, 31 into the longitudinal channel 29 of the bottom profile 16.
However, in a not illustrated alternative embodiment, the second connection 37 includes a fixed engagement part 40 arranged at the second edge part 36 of the holding profile 30, 31 and a number of flexible engagement parts 41 arranged at the second edge part 35 of the bottom profile 16, and said fixed engagement part 40 and said number of flexible engagement parts 41 are adapted to form a snap lock connection when pressing the holding profile 30, 31 into the longitudinal channel 29 of the bottom profile 16.
Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the second connection 37 includes a first rib 42 formed at the second edge part 35 of the bottom profile 16 and forming the fixed engagement part 40. The second connection 37 further includes a number of flexible engagement arms 43 arranged in mutually spaced relationship along the second edge part 36 of the holding profile 30, 31 and forming the flexible engagement parts 41. Each flexible engagement arm 43 has an engagement portion 44 adapted to grip the at least one first rib 42 formed at the second edge part 35 of the bottom profile 16 in such a way that the holding profile 30, 31 is locked in place in the longitudinal channel 29 of the bottom profile 16.
As further seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the holding profile 30, 31 has a generally substantially U-formed cross-section forming a channel 45 arranged to open into the longitudinal channel 29 of the bottom profile 16 in the mounted position of the holding profile 30, 31 in the bottom profile 16, as seen in Figs. 11A to 15. The tensioning device 25, 26, in the form of a spring 46, is arranged in the channel 45 of the holding profile 30, 31. The substantially U-formed cross-section of the holding profile 30, 31 provides access to the inside of the holding profile and thereby facilitates mounting of the tensioning device 25, 26 inside the holding profile before mounting of the holding profile in the bottom profile 16. As seen in Fig. 11D, when the holding profile 30 has been mounted in the bottom profile 16, the open part the holding profile formed by the substantially U-formed cross-section thereof is covered by the bottom profile.
As seen in the figures, the generally substantially U-formed cross-section of the holding profile 30, 31 is formed by a first side wall 47, a second side wall 48 and a bottom wall 49. The first edge part 33 of the holding profile 30, 31 is formed at a free end of the first side wall 47, the second edge part 36 of the holding profile 30, 31 is formed at a free end of the second side wall 48, and each flexible engagement arm 43 extends from the free end of the second side wall 48 and is bent to form an at least substantially U-formed or V-formed cross-section together with the second side wall 48. Said at least substantially U-formed or V-formed cross-section includes a first leg formed by the second side wall 48 of the generally substantially U-formed cross-section of the holding profile 30, 31 and a second leg formed by the engagement arm 43.
As indicated in Fig. 11B, the engagement arm 43 has a free end including an end portion 69 being bent in the direction of the first leg formed by the second side wall 48. The end portion forms a notch 70 in which the first rib 42 at the second edge part 35 of bottom profile 16 is arranged in the mounted position of the holding profile 30, 31 in the bottom profile 16. As seen, the notch 70 is directed more or less in the same direction as the opening of the at least substantially U-formed or V-formed cross-section formed by the second side wall 48 and the flexible engagement arm 43. The bent end portion 69 and the notch 70 may ensure better grip between the flexible engagement arm 43 and the first rib 42, and the bent end portion 69 may facilitate gripping the flexible engagement arm 43 in order to disassemble the holding profile 30, 31 and the bottom profile 16.
As furthermore seen in the figures, a number of tabs 50 are formed in mutually spaced relationship along the first rib 42 formed at the second edge part 35 of the bottom profile 16. The tabs 50 are formed by deforming limited parts of the first rib 42, and the tabs 50 are arranged to abut one or more of the number of flexible engagement arms 43 arranged along the second edge part 36 of the holding profile 30, 31 in such a way that displacement of the holding profile in relation to the bottom profile 16 in a longitudinal direction of the bottom profile 16 is prevented. Thereby, the force of the tensioning device 25, 26 acting on the first and second cords 21, 22, respectively, may be counteracted by the abutment between the tabs 50 and flexible engagement arms 43 so that the tension device or devices is maintained in the correct longitudinal position or positions in the bottom profile 16.

List of reference numbers

1: external screening device
2: roof window
3: top casing
4: first end of top casing
5: second end of top casing
6: first side rail
7: first upper end of first side rail
8: second lower end of first side rail
9: first cord rerouting guide
10: second side rail
11: first upper end of second side rail
12: second lower end of second side rail
13: second cord rerouting guide
14: roller shaft
15: flexible cover
16: bottom profile
17: first end of bottom profile
18: second end of bottom profile
19: first winding reel
20: second winding reel
21: first cord
22: second cord
23: first end part of first cord
24: second end part of first cord
25: first tensioning device
26: second tensioning device
27: first end part of second cord
28: second end part of second cord
29: longitudinal channel of bottom profile
30: first holding profile
31: second holding profile
32: first edge part of longitudinal channel of bottom profile
33: first edge part of holding profile
34: first connection between bottom profile and holding profile
35: second edge part of longitudinal channel of bottom profile
36: second edge part of holding profile
37: second connection between bottom profile and holding profile
38: first rib at the first edge part of bottom profile
39: second rib at the first edge part of holding profile
40: fixed engagement part of second connection
41: flexible engagement part of second connection
42: first rib at second edge part of bottom profile
43: flexible engagement arm at second edge part of holding profile
44: engagement portion of flexible engagement arm
45: channel of holding profile
46: spring
47: first side wall of holding profile
48: second side wall of holding profile
49: bottom wall of holding profile
50: tab at first rib at second edge part of bottom profile
51: window sash
52: window frame
53: bottom sash member
54: slidable bottom rail
55: roof
56: solar panel
57: first bottom profile cord routing guide
58: second bottom profile cord routing guide
59: first end of first tension spring
60: second end of first tension spring
61: first connector
62: second connector
63: first end block of bottom profile
64: second end block of bottom profile
65: connection channel for flexible cover
66: flexible lip
67: channel for flexible lip
68: cut-out for end block
69: end portion
70: notch

Claims

An external screening device (1) for a roof window (2), the external screening device (1) including a top casing (3) having a first end (4) and a second end (5), a first side rail (6) having a first upper end (7) connected to the first end (4) of the top casing (3) and a second lower end (8) provided with a first cord rerouting guide (9), and a second side rail (10) having a first upper end (11) connected to the second end (5) of the top casing (3) and a second lower end (12) provided with a second cord rerouting guide (13), the top casing (3) including a roller shaft (14) to which an upper end of a flexible cover (15) is attached for winding up the flexible cover, a bottom profile (16) being connected to a lower end of the flexible cover (15), a first and a second end (17, 18) of the bottom profile (16) being guided longitudinally along the first and the second side rail (6, 10), respectively, between an upper position of the bottom profile (16) in which the flexible cover (15) is fully rolled up and a lower position of the bottom profile in which the flexible cover is fully extended, the top casing (3) including a first and a second winding reel (19, 20) in driving connection with the roller shaft (14), the first winding reel (19) being arranged at the first end (4) of the top casing (3) for winding up a first cord (21), the second winding reel (20) being arranged at the second end (5) of the top casing (3) for winding up a second cord (22), the first cord (21) having a first end part (23) connected to the first winding reel (19) and a second end part (24) associated with a tensioning device (25, 26) adapted to be arranged in the bottom profile (16), the second cord (22) having a first end part (27) connected to the second winding reel (20) and a second end part (28) associated with the tensioning device (25, 26), the first cord rerouting guide (9) being arranged for changing a running direction of the first cord (21), and the second cord rerouting guide (13) being arranged for changing a running direction of the second cord (22), characterised in that the bottom profile (16) includes a longitudinal channel (29) being open in a sideward direction of the bottom profile (16), and in that the tensioning device (25, 26) is arranged in at least one holding profile (30, 31) adapted to snap in the sideward direction of the bottom profile (16) into a locked position in the longitudinal channel (29) of the bottom profile (16).
An external screening device according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning device includes a first tensioning device (25) which is arranged in a first holding profile (30) and with which the second end part (24) of the first cord (21) is associated and a second tensioning device (26) which is arranged in a second holding profile (31) and with which the second end part (28) of the second cord (22) is associated.
An external screening device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal channel (29) of the bottom profile (16) has a first edge part (32) adapted to engage with a first edge part (33) of the at least one holding profile (30, 31) in order to form a first connection (34) between the bottom profile (16) and the at least one holding profile (30, 31), and wherein the longitudinal channel (29) of the bottom profile (16) has a second edge part (35) adapted to engage with a second edge part (36) of the at least one holding profile (30, 31) in order to form a second connection (37) between the bottom profile (16) and the at least one holding profile (30, 31).
An external screening device according to claim 3, wherein the first connection (34) is adapted for tilting movement between the bottom profile (16) and the at least one holding profile (30, 31), and wherein the second connection (37) is a snap lock connection.
An external screening device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first connection (34) includes at least one first rib (38) formed at the first edge part (32) of the bottom profile (16) and at least one second rib (39) formed at the first edge part (33) of the at least one holding profile (30, 31), and wherein said first and second ribs (38, 39) are adapted to engage each other in a way allowing at least limited pivotal movement of the first edge part (33) of the at least one holding profile (30, 31) in relation to the first edge part (32) of the bottom profile (16).
An external screening device according to any one of the claims 3 to 5, wherein the second connection (37) includes at least one fixed engagement part (40) arranged at the second edge part (35) of the bottom profile (16) or arranged at the second edge part (36) of the at least one holding profile (30, 31) and at least one flexible engagement part (41) arranged at the other one of the second edge part (35) of the bottom profile (16) or the second edge part (36) of the at least one holding profile (30, 31), and wherein said least one fixed engagement part (40) and said at least one flexible engagement part (41) are adapted to form a snap lock connection when pressing the at least one holding profile (30, 31) into the longitudinal channel (29) of the bottom profile (16).
An external screening device according to any one of the claims 3 to 6, wherein the second connection (37) includes at least one first rib (42) formed at the second edge part (35) of the bottom profile (16) and a number of flexible engagement arms (43) arranged in mutually spaced relationship along the second edge part (36) of the at least one holding profile (30, 31), and wherein each flexible engagement arm (43) has an engagement portion (44) adapted to grip the at least one first rib (42) formed at the second edge part (35) of the bottom profile (16) in such a way that the at least one holding profile (30, 31) is locked in place in the longitudinal channel (29) of the bottom profile (16).
An external screening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one holding profile (30, 31) has a generally at least substantially U-formed cross-section forming a channel (45) arranged to open into the longitudinal channel (29) of the bottom profile (16) in the mounted position of the holding profile (30, 31) in the bottom profile (16), and wherein the tensioning device (25, 26), preferably in the form of a spring (46), is arranged in the channel (45) of the holding profile (30, 31).
An external screening device according to claim 7 and 8, wherein the generally at least substantially U-formed cross-section of the at least one holding profile (30, 31) is formed by a first side wall (47), a second side wall (48) and a bottom wall (49), wherein the first edge part (33) of the at least one holding profile (30, 31) is formed at a free end of the first side wall (47), wherein the second edge part (36) of the at least one holding profile (30, 31) is formed at a free end of the second side wall (48), and wherein each flexible engagement arm (43) extends from the free end of the second side wall (48) and is bent to form an at least substantially U-formed or V-formed cross-section together with the second side wall (48).
An external screening device according to any one of the claims 7 to 9, wherein a number of tabs (50) are formed in mutually spaced relationship along the at least one first rib (42) formed at the second edge part (35) of the bottom profile (16), wherein the tabs (50) are formed by deforming limited parts of the at least one first rib (42), and wherein the tabs (50) are arranged to abut one or more of the number of flexible engagement arms (43) arranged along the second edge part (36) of the at least one holding profile (30, 31) in such a way that displacement of the holding profile in relation to the bottom profile (16) in a longitudinal direction of the bottom profile is prevented.