EP4717871A1

EP4717871A1 - External screening arrangement comprising a return element and methods of mounting and dismounting an external screening arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP4717871A1
Application number: EP24202706.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Søren Søgaard Schæbel PEDERSEN
Original assignee: VKR Holding AS
Current assignee: VKR Holding AS
Priority date: 2024-09-25
Filing date: 2024-09-25
Publication date: 2026-04-01

Abstract

In a screening arrangement (10), two side rails (12, 13) extend between a top end and a bottom end (13.4) to define a longitudinal direction. The top end (13.1) is configured to be connected to the top casing (11) during mounting such that each side rail (12, 13) extends substantially in parallel with a screening arrangement length direction (LS) perpendicular to the screening arrangement width direction (WS) defined by the top casing (11) in the mounted condition. A cord system including at least one cord (28) is connected to the roller assembly and accommodated in a respective side rail (12, 13) in the mounted condition. A return element (29) for the respective cord (28) of the cord system is configured to be accommodated at the bottom end (13.4) of the associated side rail (13). To that end, each side rail (12, 13) comprises a receiving track for the respective return element (29) provided at the bottom end (13.4) of the side rail (13). The receiving track extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the side rail (12, 13) such that the receiving track extends in parallel with the screening arrangement width direction (WS) in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement (10).

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an external screening arrangement for a roof window, said roof window comprising a frame and a sash, the screening arrangement being configured to assume a supply condition, a mounted condition in which the screening arrangement is mounted on an exterior side of the roof window, and a condition of use, said screening arrangement comprising a top casing configured to be mounted at a top of the roof window and defining a screening arrangement width direction of the screening arrangement in the mounted condition, a roller assembly accommodated in the top casing, comprising a roller bar connected to drive means, two side rails having a substantially longitudinal configuration extending between a top end and a bottom end to define a longitudinal direction, said top end being configured to be connected to the top casing during mounting such that each side rail extends substantially in parallel with a screening arrangement length direction perpendicular to the screening arrangement width direction defined by the top casing in the mounted condition, a screening body movable in the screening arrangement length direction between a non-screening position and a number of screening positions in which the screening body at least partially covers the window opening, the screening body extending substantially in parallel to a screening plane spanned by the screening arrangement length direction and the screening arrangement width direction in the screening positions, a bottom element extending substantially in parallel with the top casing and being movable relative to the top casing in the screening arrangement length direction in the condition of use, a cord system including at least one cord connected to the roller assembly and accommodated in a respective side rail in the mounted condition, and at least one return element for the respective at least one cord of the cord system, each return element being configured to be accommodated at the bottom end of the associated side rail in the mounted condition. The invention furthermore relates to methods of mounting and dismounting an external screening arrangement.

Background Art

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 are typically retailed through a variety of channels including web shops and DIY stores, and the mounting of the screening arrangement in the frame of the roof window is traditionally carried out by the customers themselves since the components of such internal screening arrangements are relatively light-weight and the installation site is normally immediately accessible from the inside of the building in which the roof window is installed. External screening arrangements are from the outset made from sturdier and heavier materials than internal screening arrangements, and the installation site involves handling components to the exterior of the building which renders mounting more complicated. This is particularly pronounced in external roof window screening arrangements, that is, screening arrangements that are configured to be installed on the exterior side of a roof window mounted in a roof having an inclination other than vertical.
Since the components of external screening arrangements are relatively heavy and the installation conditions challenging, great efforts have been made to secure proper transportation and handling and to facilitate the installer's working conditions. One example is shown in Applicant's international application No. WO 2006/074654 A1 . Here, a robust clamp of a plastic material provides protection during transportation and support during the mounting process. Two such clamps are provided, and once the mounting procedure has been completed, the clamps are discarded. These clamps have proven to function very well over the years, both in terms of safe transportation and ease of installation as proven for instance by commercially available external screening products "SSS" and "MSL" by VELUX^®. Further examples of prior art screening arrangements are found in Applicant's international applications WO 2021/104593 A1 and WO 2021/104594 A1 .
As for any products, requirements to reduction and optimisation of materials, reuse, repurposing, and re-cycling are strict as regards modern day screening arrangements. In turn, this means that components of such screening arrangements do not only need to be sustainable to transport and install, they also need to be able to be easily disassembled.
Thus, there is an ever-increasing demand for providing products that are more environmentally friendly on several parameters.

Summary of Invention

With this background, it is an object of the invention to provide an external screening arrangement, by which a more sustainable life cycle is made possible, while maintaining safe and easy transportation and mounting.
In a first aspect, this and further objects are met by an external screening arrangement of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which is furthermore characterised in that each side rail comprises a receiving track for the respective return element, said receiving track being provided at the bottom end of the side rail and extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the side rail such that the receiving track extends in parallel with the screening arrangement width direction in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement.
By providing each side rail with a receiving track for the respective return element, at the bottom end of the side rail, it has proven possible to supply the screening arrangement by more simple means. The cord(s) need(s) no longer be located inside the associated side rail in the supply condition, and in turn, this provides for more sustainable packaging of the screening arrangement since the side rails may be provided outside the unit comprising the top casing with roller assembly with associated drive means, rolled-up screening body, bottom element, and the cord holder(s) with associated cord and return element, with due regard to the installers' working conditions. The provision of the receiving track extending transversely to the side rail, i.e. in parallel with the screening arrangement width direction in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement, entails easy and reliable connection of the return element with the bottom end of the side rails. Correspondingly, if a need arises to disassemble the external screening arrangement, either to replace defect or obsolete components, or at the end of life, the return elements are easy to retract from the respective receiving track, following which the side rails and the top casing may be dismounted, and the components reused or recycled in an environmentally sustainable manner.
In this way, an external roof window screening arrangement is obtained, by which it is possible to offer an improved sustainability performance with facilitated installation conditions even taking the robust components of such a screening arrangement into account.
In one embodiment, each receiving track has an entrance facing an inner side of the side rail and is closed towards an outer side of the side rail. This provides for particularly easy installation conditions, since the installer may stand inside the room of the building in which the roof window is installed and safely insert the return element in the exposed area at the end of the respective side rail.
In order to retain the return element(s) in the respective track, it is preferred that each receiving track comprises engagement means configured to cooperate with counterpart engagement means of the return element. In this way, each return element is lodged within the track in the side rail end, with a reduced risk of unintentional release.
The engagement means of each return element may comprise a spring-biased wedge configured to be movable between a biased position and a relaxed position in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the side rail to provide a snap engagement between the return element and the side rail. Snap engagement is a mechanically reliable means of obtaining quick engagement and straightforward release.
In a further development, the engagement means of the receiving track in the side rail may comprise a stepped portion, preferably located at an entrance of the receiving track, to provide a snap lock. While generic snap engagement constitutes non-positive engagement which may be overcome by simply moving the engaging parts in opposite directions relative to their engagement direction by the application of an adequate force, a snap lock offers positive engagement in which the snap lock parts need to be moved in a direction at an angle to the engagement-disengagement directions of the components.
One example of such a snap lock is provided by an embodiment in which the spring-biased wedge of the return element is configured to assume its relaxed position behind the stepped portion of the receiving track of the side rail in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement, as seen in screening arrangement width direction. The spring-biased wedge offers effortless engagement by forming a ramp during insertion of the return element into the track in the end of the side rail.
Advantageously, the engagement between the spring-biased wedge of the return element and the stepped portion of the receiving track of the side rail is configured to be released by the depressing the spring-biased wedge against the spring bias by manual interference with the spring-biased wedge by means of a flat item. Such a configuration increases the safety against unwarranted release of the return element from the exposed area at the side rail end.
In an alternative embodiment, the spring-biased wedge of the return element is provided in the form of a resilient tongue with an anchor portion connected at a first end of the resilient tongue to a main body of the return element and a pin portion at a second end of the resilient tongue, the pin portion protruding from an inner side of the side rail in the screening arrangement width direction in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement so as to allow disengagement of the spring-biased wedge of the return element by pushing the pin portion in the screening arrangement length direction, the return element preferably comprising a recessed portion to provide additional wiggle room for the pin portion. In this way, not only the engagement but also the release may take place without the use of tools.
In a still further embodiment, the snap engagement between the return element and the side rail is provided by spring-biased means in the side rail cooperating with holding means on the return element. This provides for increased flexibility, with a wider selection of possibilities for placing the engagement means.
While the side rails may in principle be provided in any suitable way, a presently preferred embodiment provides for a configuration in which each side rail comprises an end cap and a rail member connected to each other in the supply condition of the screening arrangement, and wherein the receiving track is provided in the end cap, the end cap being preferably provided as a moulded component of a plastic material and the rail member as an extruded profile component of a metal material. This provides for optimum utilisation of the respective material properties.
In a further development of this embodiment, the receiving track in the end cap of the side rail provides support faces to the return element on internal and external sides as seen in the screening height direction as well as on a bottom side as seen in the screening arrangement length direction, and an end face of the rail member provides support on a top side of the return element in the screening arrangement length direction in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement. In particular if the end cap is provided as a moulded component of a plastic material, the track is easily formed, while the abutment with the end face of the rail member provides for reliable support.
In further developments of embodiments, the support faces of the receiving track are provided by the entrance to the receiving track and a console located at a central location in the receiving track as seen in the screening arrangement width direction, and wherein the spring-biased wedge is provided at the bottom side of the return element. This provides for easy and reliable engagement and disengagement of the return element.
In one embodiment, each return element comprises a guide part around which the respective cord is guided to provide a change of direction of the cord, and wherein the return element is connected to the cord in the supply condition, the guide part preferably comprising a pulley rotationally journalled around an axis parallel to the screening height direction in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement. Such a configuration makes it possible to provide the external screening arrangement in a compact supply condition and which is simple to handle during installation.
In a further development of this embodiment, each cord is guided from a winding device connected to the roller assembly, around the respective return element and up to the bottom element in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement, a tensioning device being preferably provided in the bottom element. While still straightforward to install, such a screening arrangement functions particularly well during use.
In principle, the return element(s) may take any suitable form. In one presently preferred embodiment, each return element comprises a main body of a generally semi-cylindrical configuration and has a predefined length, a predefined width, and a predefined height, and wherein the predefined width of each return element is larger than the predefined length and/or predefined height of the return element, preferably by a factor 1.5 to 4. This configuration provides for a compact appearance of the return element while still retaining all properties for allowing guidance of the cord and safe engagement with and disengagement from the track in the side rail end.
In a further embodiment, each side rail is configured to be connected to the bottom member of the sash by means of mounting means comprising a screen profile with a mounting fitting configured to cooperate with a slide member slidably connected to an interior side of the side rail. This provides for minimum intervention with the sash and at the same time simple and logical installation and reliable guidance in use.
In still further embodiment, a transportation assembly is provided to comprise means for holding components of the screening arrangement in the supply condition, and wherein said transportation assembly comprises a set of cord holders for holding the respective cord and return element in the supply condition of the screening arrangement, each cord holder being preferably made from a planar blank of a paper-based material defining a length direction and a width direction, and each cord holder being preferably formed to comprise at least a base section, a cord holding section adjoining the base section at a lower end thereof and provided with cord holding means, and a temporary abutment section preferably adjoining the base section at an upper end thereof and being formed with an increased cross-sectional height relative to the base section in the supply condition of the screening arrangement, and the base section being preferably positioned in abutment with a top side of the bottom element and the temporary abutment section is held in abutment with an internal portion of the top casing opposite the bottom element in the supply condition of the screening arrangement.
By providing the transportation assembly to include only disposable parts of a paper-based material, these parts are able to be collected with other recycling material, for instance together with any cardboard packaging material. This has proven to reduce the carbon footprint and to contribute to the overall sustainability of the product. In comparison to the clamps of the prior art, a further advantage is that in case only one cord is provided, only one cord holder is necessary, while two clamps are always present in the prior art.
While the side rails of the screening arrangement are not part of a full package to be handled, the mounting process is still facilitated since the cord(s) of the cord system is/are in check on the respective cord holder. Adding to the facilitated installation is the fact that the weight and bulk of the side rails need no longer be handled together with the top casing.
In a second aspect, a method of mounting an external screening arrangement is devised, in which the screening arrangement comprises a top casing, a bottom element, a screening body, two side rails, and a cord system including at least one cord, and at least one return element for the respective at least one cord of the cord system, a receiving track for the respective return element being provided at the bottom end of the side rail.
In the method of mounting, the top casing is first connected to the top of the roof window. Each return element with associated cord is oriented in a direction transversely to the respective side rail and the cord holder with the cord is connected to the associated side rail by inserting the return element into the receiving track. Subsequently, each side rail is connected slidably to the sash, and a top end of each side rail to the top casing, thereby attaining the mounted condition of the screening arrangement.
In a third aspect, a method of dismounting an external screening arrangement as mounted by the method of the second aspect is devised.
In such a method, the sash is first opened to expose the bottom end of each side rail. Since the side rails are slidably connected to the sash, opening the sash will automatically move the bottom ends of the side rails free of the overlap with the sash, thus allowing the user to immediately retract the return elements with associated cords.
Other presently preferred embodiments and further advantages will be apparent from the subsequent detailed description and drawings.
A feature described in relation to one of the aspects may also be incorporated in the other aspect, and the advantage of the feature is applicable to all aspects in which it is incorporated.

Brief Description of Drawings

In the following description embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art screening arrangement mounted on a roof window;
FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic views showing steps during installation of a prior art screening arrangement;
FIGS. 4 to 6 are perspective views of a screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention during mounting on a roof window;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention during mounting on a roof window;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a further step in the installation of the screening arrangement of FIG. 7;
FIGS. 9 to 11 are perspective views of a screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention during mounting on a roof window;
FIGS. 12 and 13A to 13B are perspective views showing further steps in the mounting of the screening arrangement of FIG. 9;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention in a mounted condition on a roof window;
FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of details of a screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 16 is a side view of the details of FIG. 15;
FIGS. 17 to 19 are exploded perspective views of details of a screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 20 to 23 are partial perspective views of details of a screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention; and
FIGS. 24 to 26 are partial perspective views of details of a screening arrangement in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Description of Embodiments

In the following detailed description, 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. By "front side" and "back side", respectively, are meant sides of elements facing the interior and the exterior, respectively. Correspondingly, terms such as "top", "bottom", "side" etc. denote the position of components in a mounted condition. In general, when referred to an exterior side, this relates to a side of a roof window or a screening arrangement in the mounted condition facing the outdoors or external side of the building. Conversely, an interior side refers to a side facing the internal side of the building, i.e. typically a subjacent room including any light shaft. Terms such as "outwards" and "inwards" are directions generally perpendicular to an interior-exterior direction, taking as its base point a centre of the roof window or screening arrangement.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a prior art screening arrangement generally designated 10' is shown, mounted on a roof window 1 comprising a frame 2. In the shown configuration, the roof window 1 comprises a sash 3 carrying a pane 4 and which is pivotable about a centre axis by means of a set of hinges 5. The sash 3 may also be top-hung relative to the frame 2, which is fastened stationarily to a roof structure (not shown).
The frame 2 and sash 3 are here formed as substantially rectangular structures, each comprising a top member 2.1, 3.1, two parallel side members 2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3, and a bottom member 2.4, 3.4.
FIG. 1 corresponds in substance to Fig. 2a in each of Applicant's international applications WO 2021/104593 A1 and WO 2021/104594 A1 and reference is made to the accompanying counterpart description of each of these documents.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show excerpts of an installation manual "VELUX Solar SSS/MSL" of commercially available products SSS and MSL by VELUX^®. Details shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 correspond in substance to corresponding details of the contents of Applicant's above-mentioned WO publications.
Only details of relevance to the present invention are indicated and will be described in detail. Elements having the same or analogous function as in the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawing figures, unless indicated by ' for highlighting differences.
In the present context, the prior art screening arrangement 10' and an external screening arrangement 10 in embodiments of the invention will be described jointly as screening arrangements to be mounted on the exterior side of the roof window, i.e., the side facing the surroundings.
The screening arrangement 10'; 10 is configured to assume a supply condition, a mounted condition in which the screening arrangement is mounted on an exterior side of the roof window 1, and a condition of use.
The screening arrangement 10'; 10 comprises a top casing 11 configured to be mounted at a top of the roof window 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, namely to the top member 2.1 of the frame 2.
The top casing 11 here comprises a cover portion 110, an end portion 111 and a solar panel 112, since the prior art screening arrangement 10' and the screening arrangement 10 of the shown embodiment are solar driven. However, it is also possible to provide the screening arrangement 10'; 10 in a version powered by the main supply of the housing.
A bottom element 14 of the screening arrangement 10'; 10 extends substantially in parallel with the top casing 11 and is accommodated in its entirety within the top casing 11 in the supply condition as shown in FIG. 4. The bottom element 14 is movable relative to the top casing 11 in the condition of use as indicated in FIG. 1.
Also indicated in FIG. 4 are the coordinate directions of the frame 2, namely a length direction L parallel to the side members 2.2, 2.3, a width direction W parallel to the top member 2.1 and bottom member 2.4, and a height direction H substantially perpendicular to a frame plane spanned by the length direction L and the width direction W.
A roller assembly 20 (cf. FIG. 13B) is in a manner known per se accommodated in the top casing 11, comprising a roller bar connected to drive means.
A screening body 15 having a top portion connected to the roller assembly 20 and a bottom portion fastened to the bottom element 14 provides partial or full screening of the window opening in the condition of use. The screening body 15 may comprise a roller shutter panzer or as shown in FIG. 1, a so-called soft shutter screening body with a flexible cloth and discrete lamellas.
Two side rails 12, 13 are configured to be connected to the top casing 11 during mounting such that each side rail 12, 13 extends substantially perpendicularly to the top casing 11 in the mounted condition.
A cord system including at least one cord 28 is connected to the roller assembly 20 and accommodated in a respective side rail 12, 13 in the mounted condition. One cord 28 is visible in the prior art screening arrangement 10' of FIG. 3, and the counterpart cord 28 of the screening arrangement 10 in an embodiment of the invention in FIGS. 5 and 6.
A return element 29 for each associated cord 28 of the cord system of the screening arrangement 10 in an embodiment of the invention is provided as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in FIG. 4, there are two cords and two return elements; however, the invention is applicable also for embodiments of the screening arrangement 10 in which only one cord and one return element are present. In the prior art screening arrangement 10', the return elements are located in the side rails at or near a free end thereof in the supply condition.
The prior art screening arrangement 10' of FIG. 1 is of a type in which the top casing 11 is connected rotatably to the top member 2.1 of the frame 2 and the side rails 12, 13 are rigidly connected to the top casing 11, such that the top casing 11 and the side rails 12, 13 rotate with the movement of the sash 3. However, the principles underlying the invention is also applicable to other types of external screening arrangements including those having a top casing fixed to the top of the frame and in which the side rails rotate relative to the top casing.
Finally, a transportation assembly comprising means for holding components of the screening arrangement in the supply condition is provided.
In the prior art screening arrangement 10', the transportation assembly 16' comprises two robust clamps of a plastic material.
In the present embodiment shown, the transportation assembly 16 comprises a set of two cord holders 17, on which the respective cord 28 and return element 29 are held. The return element 29 is connected to the cord 28 in the supply condition of the screening arrangement 10.
In the shown embodiments, each cord holder 17 is made from a planar blank of a paper-based material formed to comprise a base section, a cord holding section adjoining the base section at a lower end thereof and provided with cord holding means, and a temporary abutment section adjoining the base section at an upper end thereof. The temporary abutment section is configured to be formed with an increased cross-sectional height relative to the base section in the supply condition of the screening arrangement 10. The base section is positioned in abutment with a top side of the bottom element 14 and the temporary abutment section is held in abutment with an internal portion of the top casing 11 opposite the bottom element 14 in the supply condition of the screening arrangement 10. However, other types of cord holders are applicable as well.
The connection between the return element and the cord holder may take place by overlapping the return element on the cord holder at least partly, or by allowing the return element to hang on to the cord holder via the associated cord.
In order to prepare the roof window 1 and the screening arrangement 10 for connection of the side rails 12, 13, mounting means comprising a screen profile 30 is fastened to the bottom member 3.4 of the sash 3 as shown in FIG. 7.
As indicated in FIG. 8, the screen profile 30 is then held in abutment with the bottom member 3.4 of the sash 3 and holes are drilled into components of the bottom member 3.4 and/or respective side members 3.2, 3.3 of the sash 3, including any pane holding device and bottom sash covering (not indicated in detail). Subsequently, a screw is manually screwed through each of the holes thus provided and the screen profile 30 is securely fastened to the bottom member 3.4 of the sash 3.
Once the cord holders 17, each with their accompanying cord 28 and return element 29, have been retracted from the gap between the internal portion and the top side of the bottom element 14 in the top casing 11 as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side rails 12, 13 are mounted one after the other as indicated in FIGS. 9 to 11.
The side rails 12, 13 are in the embodiments shown provided separately, i.e. outside the unit comprising the top casing with roller assembly 20 with associated drive means, rolled-up screening body, bottom element, and the cord holder(s) with associated cord and return element to be connected to the roof window 1 at the top member 2.1 of the frame 2 as indicated in FIG. 4, but other supply forms are conceivable.
Each side rail 12, 13 has a substantially longitudinal configuration extending between a top end 13.1 and a bottom end 13.4. In the mounted condition, the side rails 12, 13 extend substantially in parallel to in a screening arrangement length direction LS. A screening arrangement width direction WS is defined transversely to the screening arrangement length direction LS, and a screening height direction HS is substantially perpendicular to a screening plane spanned by the screening arrangement length direction LS and the screening arrangement width direction WS. In the screening arrangement width direction WS, the side rail 13 has an inner side 13.2 and an outer side 13.3. The other side rail 12 has a counterpart but mirror-imaged configuration such that the inner side 13.2 of the side rail 13 faces the inner side of the side rail 12.
Connection of the side rails 12, 13 will be described with reference to one side rail 13 only. It is understood that connection of the other side rail 12 takes place in a corresponding way, including any return element and associated cord present.
First, the return element 29 is connected to the side rail 13 at the bottom end 13.4 thereof.
The connection of the return element 29 to the side rail 13 at the bottom end 13.4 thereof takes place by insertion of the return element 29 into the side rail 13 in a direction parallel to the screening arrangement width direction WS, i.e. perpendicularly to the screening arrangement length direction LS and to the longitudinal extension of the side rail 13.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the return element 29 is connected to the side rail 13 at its bottom end 13.4. Details of the connection between the return element 29 and the side rail 13 will be described in further detail later on. Once the return element 29 has been connected to the side rail 13, the cord 28 is guided in the side rail 13.
With the return element 29 and cord 28 accommodated within the side rail 13 as shown in FIG. 12, a slide member 13d slidably connected to an interior side of the side rail 13 is brought into engagement with a mounting fitting 30d on the screen profile 30. The slide member 13d is connected to the side rail 13 so as to be able to move along the longitudinal extension of the side 13, in a direction parallel to the screening arrangement length direction LS, to allow the side rails 12, 13 to follow the movements of the sash 3 during opening and closing of the window in the condition of use of the screening arrangement 10, cf. FIG. 14.
Subsequently, the top end 13.1 of the side rail 13 is engaged with the top casing 11, here by first pulling the side rail 13 firmly away from the top casing, rotating the top casing 11 as indicated in FIG. 13A, and then connect the top end 13.1 of the side rail 13 to fittings (not shown in detail) in the top casing 11 to achieve the position shown in FIG. 13B.
Once the mounted condition of the screening arrangement 10 shown in FIG. 14 has been reached, and any necessary finishing steps such as initiation and pairing of the drive means etc. have been completed, the bottom element 14 is able to move along the side rails 12, 13, thereby deploying the screening body 15 to a desired screening position.
Not shown in the drawings, but present in some embodiments of the invention, each cord 28 is guided from a winding device connected to the roller assembly 20 in the top casing 11, around the respective return element 29 and up to the bottom element 14 in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement 10, a tensioning device being advantageously provided in the bottom element 14.
To keep the bottom element 14 inside the top casing 11 throughout transportation and handling, the drive means may be configured to block the roller bar from rotating in the supply condition, thereby preventing the bottom element 14 to move out of the top casing 11.
In the following, particular details of embodiments of the invention will be described. Throughout the embodiments, elements having the same or analogous function are denoted by the same reference numerals, even though variations and modifications are conceivable.
Turning first to FIGS. 15 and 16, the return element 29 and the associated cord 28 are shown in the mounted condition in which the return element 29 is accommodated in the side rail 13 at its bottom end 13.4 and the cord 28 is guided in a longitudinal track 13c of the side rail 13, from the return element 29. The cord 28 is guided along the longitudinal direction of the side rail 13 and further on towards the top end 13.1 of the side rail 13 and the top casing 11 as described in the above.
As indicated, the side rail 13 of the embodiment shown comprises an end cap 13a and a rail member 13b connected to each other in the supply condition of the screening arrangement 10. The longitudinal track 13c of the side rail 13 is here provided in the rail member 13b, the longitudinal track 13c being open towards the inner side 13.2 of the side rail 13 in order to receive an end of the bottom element 14 and a side edge of the screening body 15. The end cap 13a is here provided as a moulded component of a plastic material and the rail member 13b as an extruded profile component of a metal material. However, other configurations and manufacturing techniques are conceivable.
A receiving track 13a2 (not visible in FIGS. 15 and 16) for the respective return element 29 is provided at the bottom end 13.4 of the side rail 13. The receiving track 13a2 extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the side rail 12, 13 such that the receiving track 13a2 extends in parallel with the screening arrangement width direction WS in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement 10.
As shown most clearly in the exploded views of FIGS. 17 to 19, the receiving track 13a2 of the embodiments shown is provided in the end cap 13a.
The receiving track 13a2 has an entrance 13a3 facing the inner side 13.2 of the side rail 13 and is closed towards the outer side 13.3 of the side rail 13.
To keep the return element 29 safely within the receiving track 13a2, the receiving track 13a2 comprises engagement means configured to cooperate with counterpart engagement means of the return element 29.
In the shown embodiment, the engagement means 29y of each return element 29 comprises a spring-biased wedge 29y configured to be movable between a biased position and a relaxed position in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the side rail 13 to provide a snap engagement between the return element 29 and the side rail 13.
The engagement means 13a1 of the receiving track 13a2 in the side rail 13 comprises a stepped portion 13a1, here located at an entrance 13a3 of the receiving track 13a2, to provide a snap lock.
The spring-biased wedge 29y of the return element 29 is thus configured to assume its relaxed position behind the stepped portion 13a1 of the receiving track 13a2 of the side rail 13 in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement 10, as seen in screening arrangement width direction WS.
While a general snap engagement may be released by simply applying sufficient force in a direction opposite to the direction of engagement, a snap lock requires active release in a different direction in order to provide disengagement.
In not-shown embodiments, the snap engagement between the return element and the side rail may instead be provided by spring-biased means in the side rail cooperating with holding means on the return element.
With particular reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, it is seen that the receiving track 13a2 in the end cap 13a of the side rail 13 provides support faces to the return element 29 on internal and external sides as seen in the screening height direction HS as well as on a bottom side as seen in the screening arrangement length direction LS. The return element 29 is thus placed at the upper periphery of the end cap 13a when accommodated in the receiving track 13a2 in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement 10. An end face 13b2 of the rail member 13b provides support on a top side of the return element 29 as seen in the screening arrangement length direction LS.
The support faces of the receiving track 13a2 are here provided by the entrance 13a3 to the receiving track 13a2 and a console 13a4 located at a central location in the receiving track 13a2 as seen in the screening arrangement width direction WS, and wherein the spring-biased wedge 29y is provided at the bottom side of the return element 29.
Further details shown in the embodiment of FIG. 17 include that each return element 29 comprises a guide part around which the respective cord 28 is guided to provide a change of direction of the cord 28, the guide part here comprising a pulley 29x rotationally journalled around an axis parallel to the screening height direction HS in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement 10.
The return element 29 comprises a main body 29a of a generally semi-cylindrical configuration. Typically, the main body 29a of the return element 29 is made of a moulded plastic material formed with a suitable geometry to accommodate the engagement means and guide part etc.
Overall, the return element 29 has a predefined length RL, a predefined width RW, and a predefined height RH. As shown, the width RW of the return element 29 is here larger than the length RL and height RH. The ratio between the width RW and the length or height RH is chosen in accordance with the requirements and available space but may typically lie in the range 1.5 to 4.
Finally, from the exploded drawings of FIGS. 17 to 19, it emerges that the end cap 13a is provided with a depending skirt 13a5 and fastening means 13a6 for fastening of the end cap 13a to the rail member 13b of the side rail 13, notably in tracks as indicated at the end face 13b2 in FIG. 18.
Reference is now made to the sequence of FIGS. 20 to 23, showing the return element 29 at steps during release of the return element 29 from the side rail 13, the cord 28 being left out for ease of reading of the drawing figures.
The engagement between the spring-biased wedge 29y of the return element 29 and the stepped portion 13a1 of the receiving track 13a2 of the side rail 13 is configured to be released by the depressing the spring-biased wedge 29y against the spring bias by manual interference with the spring-biased wedge 29y. In principle, the disengagement may take place by insertion of a finger, but is here shown taking place by means of a flat item 50 as shown in FIG. 20. Typically, a small metal plate or a screwdriver would be used, but even a coin or credit card will do.
In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, the spring-biased wedge 29y of the return element 29 is provided in the form of a resilient tongue with an anchor portion 29t connected at a first end of the resilient tongue to a main body 29a of the return element 29 and a pin portion 29u at a second end of the resilient tongue.
The pin portion 29u protrudes from an inner side 13.2 of the side rail 13 in the screening arrangement width direction WS in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement 10 as shown in FIG. 26. This allows disengagement of the spring-biased wedge 29y of the return element 29 by pushing the pin portion 29u in the screening arrangement length direction LS. As indicated, the return element 29 here comprises a recessed portion 29w to provide additional wiggle room for the pin portion 29u.
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

1: roof window
2: frame
2.1: top member
2.2: side member
2.3: side member
2.4: bottom member
3: sash
3.1: top member
3.2: side member
3.3: side member
3.4: bottom member
4: pane
5: hinge
10': prior art screening arrangement
10: screening arrangement
11: top casing
110: cover portion
111: end portion
112: solar panel
12: side rail
13: side rail
13.1: top end
13.2: inner side
13.3: outer side
13.4: bottom end
13a: end cap
13a1: engagement means / stepped portion
13a2: receiving track
13a3: entrance
13a4: console
13a5: depending skirt
13a6: fastening means
13b: rail member
13c: longitudinal guide track
13d: slide member
14: bottom element

15: screening body

16': prior art transportation assembly
16: transportation assembly
17: cord holder

20: roller assembly

28: cord
29: return element
29a: main body
29t: anchor portion
29u: pin portion
29w: recessed portion
29x: guide part / pulley
29y: engagement means / step

30: screen profile
30d: mounting fitting

40: drill bit
40a: stepped portion

50: flat item

L: length direction
W: width direction
H: height direction

LS: screening arrangement length direction
WS: screening arrangement width direction
HS: screening height direction

RL: predefined length of return element
RW: predefined width of return element
RH: predefined height of return element

Claims

An external screening arrangement (10) for a roof window (1), said roof window comprising a frame (2) and a sash (3), the screening arrangement (10) being configured to assume a supply condition, a mounted condition in which the screening arrangement is mounted on an exterior side of the roof window (1), and a condition of use, said screening arrangement (10) comprising:
a top casing (11) configured to be mounted at a top of the roof window (1) and defining a screening arrangement width direction (WS) of the screening arrangement (10) in the mounted condition,

a roller assembly (20) accommodated in the top casing (11), comprising a roller bar connected to drive means,

two side rails (12, 13) having a substantially longitudinal configuration extending between a top end (13.1) and a bottom end (13.4) to define a longitudinal direction, said top end (13.1) being configured to be connected to the top casing (11) during mounting such that each side rail (12, 13) extends substantially in parallel with a screening arrangement length direction (LS) perpendicular to the screening arrangement width direction (WS) defined by the top casing (11) in the mounted condition,

a screening body (15) movable in the screening arrangement length direction (LS) between a non-screening position and a number of screening positions in which the screening body (15) at least partially covers the window opening, the screening body (15) extending substantially in parallel to a screening plane spanned by the screening arrangement length direction (LS) and the screening arrangement width direction (WS) in the screening positions,

a bottom element (14) extending substantially in parallel with the top casing (11) and being movable relative to the top casing (11) in the screening arrangement length direction (LS) in the condition of use,

a cord system including at least one cord (28) connected to the roller assembly and accommodated in a respective side rail (12, 13) in the mounted condition, and

at least one return element (29) for the respective at least one cord (28) of the cord system, each return element (29) being configured to be accommodated at the bottom end (13.4) of the associated side rail (13) in the mounted condition,

characterised in that

each side rail (12, 13) comprises a receiving track (13a2) for the respective return element (29), said receiving track (13a2) being provided at the bottom end (13.4) of the side rail (13) and extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the side rail (12, 13) such that the receiving track (13a2) extends in parallel with the screening arrangement width direction (WS) in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement (10).
An external screening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each receiving track (13a2) has an entrance (13a3) facing an inner side (13.2) of the side rail (13) and is closed towards an outer side (13.3) of the side rail (13).
An external screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each receiving track (13a2) comprises engagement means (13a1) configured to cooperate with counterpart engagement means (29y) of the return element (29).
An external screening arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the engagement means (29y) of each return element (29) comprises a spring-biased wedge (29y) configured to be movable between a biased position and a relaxed position in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the side rail (13) to provide a snap engagement between the return element (29) and the side rail (13).
An external screening arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the engagement means (13a1) of the receiving track (13a2) in the side rail (13) comprises a stepped portion (13a1), preferably located at an entrance (13a3) of the receiving track (13a2), to provide a snap lock.
An external screening arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the spring-biased wedge (29y) of the return element (29) is configured to assume its relaxed position behind the stepped portion (13a1) of the receiving track (13a2) of the side rail (13) in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement (10), as seen in screening arrangement width direction (WS).
An external screening arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the engagement between the spring-biased wedge (29y) of the return element (29) and the stepped portion (13a1) of the receiving track (13a2) of the side rail (13) is configured to be released by the depressing the spring-biased wedge (29y) against the spring bias by manual interference with the spring-biased wedge (29y) by means of a flat item (50).
An external screening arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the spring-biased wedge (29y) of the return element (29) is provided in the form of a resilient tongue with an anchor portion (29t) connected at a first end of the resilient tongue to a main body (29a) of the return element (29) and a pin portion (29u) at a second end of the resilient tongue, the pin portion (29u) protruding from an inner side (13.2) of the side rail (13) in the screening arrangement width direction (WS) in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement (10) so as to allow disengagement of the spring-biased wedge (29y) of the return element (29) by pushing the pin portion (29u) in the screening arrangement length direction (LS), the return element (29) preferably comprising a recessed portion (29w) to provide additional wiggle room for the pin portion (29u).
An external screening arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the snap engagement between the return element and the side rail is provided by spring-biased means in the side rail cooperating with holding means on the return element.
An external screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each side rail (12, 13) comprises an end cap (13a) and a rail member (13b) connected to each other in the supply condition of the screening arrangement (10), and wherein the receiving track (13a2) is provided in the end cap (13a), the end cap (13a) being preferably provided as a moulded component of a plastic material and the rail member (13b) as an extruded profile component of a metal material.
An external screening arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the receiving track (13a2) in the end cap (13a) of the side rail (13) provides support faces to the return element (29) on internal and external sides as seen in the screening height direction (HS) as well as on a bottom side as seen in the screening arrangement length direction (LS), and an end face (13b2) of the rail member (13b) provides support on a top side of the return element (29) in the screening arrangement length direction (LS) in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement (10).
An external screening arrangement according to claim 11 when dependent on at least claim 5, wherein the support faces of the receiving track (13a2) are provided by the entrance (13a3) to the receiving track (13a2) and a console (13a4) located at a central location in the receiving track (13a2) as seen in the screening arrangement width direction (WS), and wherein the spring-biased wedge (29y) is provided at the bottom side of the return element (29).
An external screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each return element (29) comprises a guide part (29x) around which the respective cord (28) is guided to provide a change of direction of the cord (28), and wherein the return element (29) is connected to the cord (28) in the supply condition, the guide part preferably comprising a pulley (29x) rotationally journalled around an axis parallel to the screening height direction (HS) in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement (10).
An external screening arrangement according to claim 13, wherein each cord (28) is guided from a winding device connected to the roller assembly (20), around the respective return element (29) and up to the bottom element (14) in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement (10), a tensioning device being preferably provided in the bottom element (14).
An external screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each return element (29) comprises a main body (29a) of a generally semi-cylindrical configuration and has a predefined length (RL), a predefined width (RW), and a predefined height (RH), and wherein the predefined width (RW) of each return element (29) is larger than the predefined length (RL) and/or predefined height (RH) of the return element (29), preferably by a factor 1.5 to 4.
An external screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each side rail (12, 13) is configured to be connected to the bottom member (3.4) of the sash (3) by means of mounting means comprising a screen profile (30) with a mounting fitting (30d) configured to cooperate with a slide member (13d) slidably connected to an interior side of the side rail (12, 13).
An external screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a transportation assembly (16) is provided to comprise means for holding components of the screening arrangement (10) in the supply condition, and wherein said transportation assembly (16) comprises a set of cord holders (17) for holding the respective cord (28) and return element (29) in the supply condition of the screening arrangement (10), each cord holder (17) being preferably made from a planar blank of a paper-based material defining a length direction and a width direction, and each cord holder (17) being preferably formed to comprise at least a base section, a cord holding section adjoining the base section at a lower end thereof and provided with cord holding means, and a temporary abutment section preferably adjoining the base section at an upper end thereof and being formed with an increased cross-sectional height relative to the base section in the supply condition of the screening arrangement (10), and the base section being preferably positioned in abutment with a top side of the bottom element (14) and the temporary abutment section is held in abutment with an internal portion of the top casing (11) opposite the bottom element (14) in the supply condition of the screening arrangement (10).
A method of mounting an external screening arrangement from a supply condition to a mounted condition on a roof window (1), said screening arrangement (10) comprising a top casing (11), a bottom element (14), a screening body (15), two side rails (12, 13), and a cord system including at least one cord (28), and at least one return element (29) for the respective at least one cord (28) of the cord system, a receiving track (13a2) for the respective return element (29) being provided at the bottom end (13.4) of the side rail (13),
comprising the steps of:
connecting the top casing (11) to the top of the roof window (1),

orienting each return element (29) with associated cord (28) in a direction transversely to the respective side rail (12, 13),

connecting the cord holder (29) with the cord (28) to the associated side rail (13) by inserting the return element (29) into the receiving track (13a2),

connecting each side rail (12, 13) slidably to the sash (3), and

connecting a top end (13.1) of each side rail (12, 13) to the top casing (1), thereby attaining the mounted condition of the screening arrangement (10).
A method of dismounting an external screening arrangement from the mounted condition on the roof window (1) attained in claim 18, comprising the steps of:
opening the sash (3) to expose the return element (29) received in the receiving track (13a2) of each side rail (12, 13),

removing the return element (29) from the receiving track (13a2) of each side rail (12, 13),

removing the side rails (12, 13), and

removing the top casing (11).