GB2334063A

GB2334063A - Blind assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2334063A
Application number: GB9800705A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Jon Dennon; John Dennon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-01-14
Filing date: 1998-01-14
Publication date: 1999-08-11
Also published as: GB9800705D0

Abstract

A blind assembly 10 is run on wires 22 between an upper rail 14 and a lower rail 16. The blind assembly 10 has an intermediate floating rail 24 which defines the lowest part of the shade 26. The blind assembly 10 is held in an open position by raising the blind and then clamping a securing means 34, which is held in the floating rail 24, on to the guide wires 22. To close the blind assembly 10 the securing means 34 is released from the guide wires 22 and the shade can be lowered. The securing means 34 can be of a screw and plate type (fig 3), a spring-bearing type (fig 4), or of friction type (fig 5).

Description

BLIND ASSEMBLY LOCKING DEVICE Field of the Invention The invention relates to locking devices and blind assemblies incorporating such locking devices for positioning blinds and securing them in a particular position. Such locking devices are particularly, though not exclusively, useful in relation to pleated and roller blind assemblies.

Background to the Invention Pleated blinds and other forms of window blinds, for example roller blinds and venetian blinds are commonly operated by means of a cord mechanism.

Known blind assemblies generally consist of three rails. Two of these rails are fixed to a window frame or wall structure, in parallel, in line with each other, one above a window and one below a window, the distance between the two fixed rails determining the full height that the blind can be extended to cover a window.

Extending between the two fixed rails are two taut guide wires, generally made of nylon or steel. Each of these wires is generally located adjacent each end of the fixed rails, for example, extending from the rail fixed above the window to the rail fixed below the window. The distance between the two guide wires generally determines the width of blind that may be used, in that the blind must be between the guide wires. Alternatively, in some cases, particularly with pleated blinds and venetian blinds, the guide wires pass through the blinds themselves. In these cases the blinds can be wider than the distance between the guide wires. Furthermore, when using relatively wide blinds, it may be necessary to provide more than two guide wires, each guide wire preferably being equally spaced from the other guide wires along the fixed rails.

The third rail referred to above is a "floating" rail which is located parallel to and between the two fixed rails. The "floating" rail is so called because it may move between the two fixed rails. Each of the guide wires pass through the floating rail. Material that makes up the blind is attached to one of the two fixed rails and to the floating rail such that movement of the floating rail relative to the fixed rails changes the degree of extension of the blind material.

To hold the blind material at a fixed degree of extension the position of the floating rail relative to the fixed rails must be secured. Pleated blinds and other forms of window blinds, for example venetian blinds, are commonly operated by means of a cord mechanism. In such mechanisms cord is threaded through the fixed rails and the floating rail. Pulling the cord in one direction generally raises the floating rail and hence the blind material. In order to reverse the movement of the floating rail and hence the blind, the cord is released and allowed to move, generally allowing the blind to lower under the effect of its own weight.

To control the movement of the blind it is a requirement that the floating rail can be held or locked in a specific position. To accomplish this in known blind assemblies, cord lock mechanisms are provided adjacent to or as part of the blind construction. The cord supporting the floating rail is passed through the cord lock, leaving the cord handing so that it is accessible for use. The cord lock holds the cord against the weight of the blind to prevent reverse movement of the floating rail, except when the cord lock is released by specific manipulation of the cord or the cord lock to disengage the cord from the cord lock. Examples of known cord locks are provided in United Kingdom published patent applications, numbered GB 2 271 600 A and GB 2 086 461 A and in United States patents US 4,646,808 and US 4, 413,664.

It is an aim of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to overcome or obviate at least one problem associated with the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Sunnary of the Invention According to the present invention in a first aspect there is provided a blind assembly locking device for use in a blind assembly comprising a floating rail and at least one guide wire, in which the locking device is adapted to engage with the floating rail and comprises means to secure the floating rail relative to the guide wire.

The invention provides a "cord-less" locking device which obviates the need to use a cord system for raising and lowering a blind, replacing the cord lock as detailed in the prior art with a locking device which can be engaged with a floating rail such that the floating rail can be secured relative to the guide wire.

Suitably, the locking device is releasably engaged with the floating rail.

Suitably, the means to secure the floating rail relative to the guide wire comprises bearing means to bear against the guide wire, in use, whereby, when the bearing means bears against the guide wire movement of the locking device along the guide wire, and hence the floating rail with which the locking device can be engaged, is restricted in at least one direction.

Preferably, the locking device bearing means is such that in use, when the bearing means bears against the guide wire movement of the locking device along the support wire is restricted in two directions.

Suitably, the locking device comprises an aperture defining a path through which can pass the guide wire for the floating rail.

Suitably, the bearing means of the locking device is adapted in use to bear against the guide wire passing through the aperture.

The locking device according to an embodiment of the invention is adapted to be attached to the floating rail of a blind assembly, with the guide wire of a standard blind assembly passing through the aperture in the locking device. The bearing means of the locking device allows the locking device to be fixedly positioned relative to the guide wire which runs through the locking device. The locking device bearing means is preferably designed to supply sufficient bearing against the guide wire to support the weight of the floating rail and the blind material to which the floating rail is attached, holding the rail in a fixed position until the floating rail is pulled or pushed into another position, thus lowering or raising the blind.

Suitably, the bearing means is releasable. Suitably, the bearing means abuts the guide wire in use. Suitably, the bearing means engages with the guide wire in use.

Suitably, the amount of pressure exerted on the guide wire by the bearing means of the locking device is releasable. This feature allows the same locking device to be used with blinds of varying weights.

Suitably, the bearing means comprises a resilient plate which extends across the aperture and actuating means to push the resilient plate against the guide wire to restrict the movement of the locking device relative to the guide wire.

Suitably, the actuating means comprises a screw, preferably a self-tapping screw. The screw preferably passes through the locking device, from an external face into the aperture, to abut the resilient plate. The screw may push the resilient plate against the guide wire to restrict movement of the locking device relative to the guide wire. The amount of pressure exerted on the resilient plate is controllable by the screw.

The bearing means may comprise a spring bearing also actuatable by a screw, preferably a self tapping screw.

Alternatively, the bearing means may comprise two or more resilient plates extending substantially in parallel across the aperture in the locking device. The guide wire may be threaded through the locking device such that it forms an "S" or reverse "S" configuration. In either of these configurations, the friction caused by the contact between the guide wire and the resilient plates may be sufficient to hold the locking device stationery on the guide wire. To move the locking device and hence the floating rail with which it is engaged, one need only to push or pull the floating rail to overcome the friction.

Suitably, the locking device comprises extruded plastics material.

According to the present invention in a second aspect there is provided a floating rail for a blind assembly, the floating rail comprising one or more locking devices according to the first aspect of the invention.

Suitably, the floating rail comprises extruded plastics material. Suitably, the floating rail comprises one or more apertures into each of which is fitted a locking device according to the first aspect of the invention.

Suitably, the floating rail comprises two locking devices according to the first aspect of the invention.

Suitably, the blind material is further attached to the floating rail.

According to the present invention in a third aspect there is provided a blind assembly comprising blind material, one or more guide wires and means to attach the one or more guide wires to a structure, the blind assembly further comprising a floating rail according to the second aspect of the invention.

Suitably, the means to attach the one or more guide wires to a structure comprises one or more support rails.

There may be one support rail which is fixedly attachable to a structure, over a window, for example, such that the guide wires hang down from the fixed rail and support the floating rail.

In a preferred embodiment, there are two support rails, an upper and a lower support rail. Suitably, each of the support rails is adapted to be fixed to the structure, preferably by screw fittings. Preferably, the upper support rail is fixed above a window and the lower support rail is fixed below a window. In such an arrangement the guide wire(s) extend between the upper and lower fixed support rails, preferably extending perpendicular to the two fixed support rails.

In a preferred embodiment of the blind assembly according to the third aspect of the invention, the floating rail with one or more guide wires passing therethrough is held substantially perpendicular to upper and lower fixed support rails. Preferably, the blind material is attached to the floating rail and either one of the upper fixed support rail or the lower fixed support rail such that movement of the floating rail relative to the fixed rails opens or closes the blind material.

Movement of the floating rail relative to the fixed rails can be restricted by the locking device according to the first aspect of the invention such that the blind material may be held open or closed to the desired extent.

Suitably, the blind material comprises pleated blinds, venetian blinds or roller blinds.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a blind assembly according to embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic plan illustration of a floating rail according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a blind lock according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a blind lock according to another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a blind lock according to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

DescriPtion of a Preferred embodiment Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings that follow there is shown a blind assembly 10 for covering a window 12. The blind assembly 10 has an upper horizontal support rail 14 and a lower horizontal support rail 16. The support rails 14, 16 are attached in line with each other by screw fixings 18, horizontally above and below the window 12 to a wall 20 which surrounds the window 12.

Extending between and perpendicular the support rails 14, 16 are two taut nylon guide wires 22, although they could also be made of aluminium or similar material.

Between the upper and lower horizontal fixed rails 14, 16 is a parallel floating rail 24 which will be further described below with reference to Figure 2.

Attached to the floating rail 24 at one longitudinal edge and to the upper fixed rail 14 at an opposite edge is pleated blind material 26.

Figure 2 shows the floating rail 24 in more detail, from a plan view. The floating rail 24 comprises an elongate rectangular rail of extruded plastics material.

The floating rail 24 has two apertures 28 extending through the floating rail 24, from an upper face 30 of the rail to a lower face 32. Engaged within each of the apertures 28 is a locking device 34. Examples of locking devices are shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

Figure 3 shows the locking device 34 of Figure 2 in more detail. The locking device 34 is generally cuboid and has a square aperture 36 extending therethrough from an upper face 38 to an opposite lower face (not shown).

Although the aperture 36 is shown herein as being completely enclosed this is not an essential feature of the invention. Extending across the aperture 36 is a thin flexible plate 40 made of rubber or like resilient deformable material. The flexible plate 40 splits the aperture 36 into two positions 42 and 44. Passing through the locking device 34 from an outer side face 46 into portion 44 of the aperture 36 at inner side face 48 is a threaded self tapping screw 50. The extent to which the threaded screw 50 passes into to aperture 36 may be altered by rotating the screw either in the first direction or a second direction.

In use in a floating rail 24 as shown in Figure 2 a guide wire (22 in Figure 1) passes through the aperture 36 in the locking device 34 from the upper face 38 to the lower face (not shown), passing through portion 42 of the aperture 36. When the threaded screw 50 is positioned such that it is not in contact with the flexible plate 40 the locking device 34, and hence the floating rail 24, may move along the guide wire 22 with little resistance. The locking device 34 is in its open configuration.

To secure the locking device 34 and hence the floating rail 24 relative to the guide wire 22 the threaded screw 50 is rotated such that the threaded screw 50 passes further into portion 44 of the aperture 36, to the extent that the threaded screw 50 abuts the flexible plate 40 and causes the flexible plate 40 to bear against the guide wire 22. In this position movement of the locking device 34 and hence the floating rail 24 along the guide wire is restricted by friction and the bearing means such that the locking device 34 and floating rail 24 are secured relative to the guide wire 22. The locking device 34 is in its closed configuration.

To move the locking device 34 once it has been secured it is necessary to rotate the threaded screw 50 such that it moves away from the flexible plate 40 so that the flexible plate 40 no longer bears against the guide wire 22. Once again the locking device 34 and hence the floating rail 24 is free to move along the guide wire 22.

The locking device 34 is again in its open configuration.

Referring to Figures 1 to 2 the positioning of a blind will be described using the locking device described with reference to Figure 3. However, the mechanism of blind positioning using the locking devices described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 will in many ways be similar, differing only in the way that the bearing against the guide wire by the locking devive is provided.

A locking device 34 is inserted into each of the apertures 28 in the floating rail 24. Each guide wire 22 is threaded through the aperture 36 in the locking device 34 which is in the floating rail 24. The upper support rail 14 and lower support rail 16 are attached to the wall 20 surrounding the window 12 such that the guide wires 22 are taut. In this position the floating rail 24 may move, between the support rails 14,16 along and relative to the guide wires 22.

The blind material 26 may then be attached to the upper fixed rail 14 and to the floating rail 24, for example in the case of a roller blind (not shown).

Alternatively the blind material 26 may comprise a plurality of holes, in line, through which each of the guide wires 22 are threaded before the floating rail 24 is attached and the upper and lower rails 14, 16 are attached to the wall 20. When the locking device 34 is in its open configuration the weight of the blind material 26 will cause the blind to be fully extended, with the floating rail 24 resting upon the lower support rail 16.

To have the blind open to a certain degree the floating rail 24 is moved to the desired height and locked in position on the guide wires 22 by putting the locking devices 34 in the closed configuration. In the case of a roller blind (not shown) the excess blind material will roll up about a roller (not shown) adjacent the upper fixed rail 18. In the case of a pleated or venetian blind, the excess blind material will lie atop the floating rail 24. The amount of friction or bearing created by the locking device should therefore be variable in order to hold blinds of different weights at different heights.

To have the blind fully open, the floating rail 24, with the locking devices 34 in the open configuration is pushed up to the upper fixed rail 14. In the case of a roller blind the excess material rolls up about the roller adjacent the upper fixed rail 14 and the floating rail 24 may be secured abuting the blind material 26 rolled around the roller adjacent the upper fixed rail 14 by moving the locking devices 34 into the closed configuration. In case of venetian or pleated blinds, the excess blind material 26 should fold up atop the floating rail 24, the folded blind material 26 forming a sandwich between the upper rail 14 and the floating rail 24. To have the blind fully open the sandwich should be compressed as much as possible by the floating rail 24 and the locking devices 34 moved into the closed configuration to secure the blind open.

Figure 4 shows a locking device 34' according to another embodiment of the invention, having a different means of bearing against the guide wire 22 than in the locking device 34 shown in Figure 3.

The locking device 34' is generally cuboid and has a circular aperture 52 extending therethrough from an upper face 54 to an opposite lower face (not shown) . The locking device 34' has a further aperture 56 which passes from an outer side face 58 into the aperture 52 at an inner face 60. This aperture 56 is internally threaded.

Into the aperture 56 is placed a spherical bearing (not shown) and a flexible spring (not shown). The aperture 56 is plugged by an externally threaded flat ended screw (not shown).

The locking device 34' is inserted in a floating rail 24 and used in a blind assembly as described with reference to Figures 1-3. In the open configuration the locking device 34' is able to move along the guide wire 22 with little resistance. The screw is held away from the bearing by the spring and bearing passes easily over the guide wire. To move the locking device 34' into the closed configuration the screw is moved within aperture 56 towards the aperture 52 such that the spring is compressed so that the screw bears against the bearing which in turn bears against the guide wire to hold the locking device 34' secure relative to the guide wire 22. To move the locking device 34' into the open configuration the screw need only be moved away from the aperture 52 to that the spring relaxes and the bearing is free to move along the guide wire 22 such that the locking device 34' can move along the guide wires 22.

In both the locking devices 34, 34' shown in Figures 3 and 4 it is the aim to prevent or reduce damage to the guide wires 22 by not having a sharp object such as a screw as the bearing means in contact with the guide wire 22. Contact with the guide wires 22 by the bearing means is intended to cause little damage to the guide wires 22.

Although the screw devices are described as being threaded it is also envisaged that the screw could be notched and the apertures be also notched.

A third locking device 34" is envisaged according to a further embodiment of the present invention, and is described with reference to Figure 5. The locking device 34" is generally cuboid and has a square aperture 62 extending therethrough from an upper face 64 to an opposite lower face (not shown). Extending across the aperture 62 are two parallel flexible thin plates 66 and 68 which split the aperture 62 into three portions 70, 72 and 74.

In use the guide wire 22 is threaded through the locking device 34" from the upper face 68 to the opposite lower face (not shown) by first passing into portion 70, under plate 66 into portion 72 and over plate 68 and out through portion 74, in an "S" configuration. Dependent upon the flexibility of the plates 66 and 68, their distance apart, the thickness of the guide wire 22 and the weight of the blind material, such a locking device may be used as a pure friction lock to hold the floating rail in place. The locking device 34" is permanently in a closed configuration, friction between the guide wires 22 and the plates 66 and 68 being sufficient to secure the blind in position. To move the blind, the friction is overcome by pulling or pushing the floating rail such that the friction is overcome to reposition the blind. A disadvantage of this system however, is that repeated use may reduce the effectiveness of the locking device 34" by wearing the plates 66, 68 or the guide wires 22, a problem that is not associated with the locking devices 34 and 34' The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A blind assembly locking device for use in a blind assembly comprising a floating rail and at least one guide wire, in which the locking device is adapted to engage with the floating rail and comprises means to secure the floating rail relative to the guide wire.
2. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 1, in which the locking device is releasably engaged with the floating rail.
3. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the means to secure the floating rail relative to the guide wire comprises bearing means to bear against the guide wire, in use, whereby, when the bearing means bears against the guide wire movement of the locking device along the guide wire, and hence the floating rail with which the locking device can be engaged, is restricted in at least one direction.
4. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 3, in which the locking device bearing means is such that in use, when the bearing means bears against the guide wire movement of the locking device along the support wire is restricted in two directions.
5. A blind assembly locking device according to any preceding claim, in which the locking device comprises an aperture defining a path through which can pass the guide wire for the floating rail.
6. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 5, in which the bearing means of the locking device is adapted in use to bear against the guide wire passing through the aperture.
7. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4-6 when dependent from claim 3, in which the bearing means is releasable.
8. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4-7 when dependent from claim 3, in which the bearing means abuts the guide wire in use.
9. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4-8 when dependent from claim 3, in which the bearing means engages with the guide wire in use.
10. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4-9 when dependent from claim 3, in which the amount of pressure exerted on the guide wire by the bearing means of the locking device is releasable.
11. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4-10 when dependent from claim 3, in which the bearing means comprises a resilient plate which extends across the aperture and actuating means to push the resilient plate against the guide wire to restrict the movement of the locking device relative to the guide wire.
12. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 11, in which the actuating means comprises a screw, preferably a self-tapping screw.
13. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 12, in which the screw passes through the locking device, from an external face into the aperture, to abut the resilient plate.
14. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 12 or 13, in which the screw may push the resilient plate against the guide wire to restrict movement of the locking device relative to the guide wire.
15. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4-14 when dependent from claim 3, in which the bearing means comprises a spring bearing actuatable by a screw.
16. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4-15 when dependent from claim 3, in which the bearing means comprises two or more resilient plates extending substantially in parallel across the aperture in the locking device.
17. A blind assembly locking device according to claim 16, in which the guide wire is threaded through the locking device such that it forms an "S" or reverse "S" configuration.
18. A blind assembly locking device according to any preceding claim, in which the locking device comprises extruded plastics material.
19. A floating rail for a blind assembly, the floating rail comprising one or more locking devices according to any one of claims 1-18.
20. A floating rail according to claim 19, in which the floating rail comprises extruded plastics material.
21. A floating rail according to claim 19 or 20, in which the floating rail comprises one or more apertures into each of which is fitted a locking device according to any one of claims 1-18.
22. A floating rail according to any one of claims 19-21, in which the floating rail comprises two locking devices according to any one of claims 1-18.
23. A floating rail according to any one of claims 19-22, in which the blind material is further attached to the floating rail.
24. A blind assembly comprising blind material, one or more guide wires and means to attach the one or more guide wires to a structure, the blind assembly further comprising a floating rail according to the second aspect of the invention.
25. A blind assembly according to claim 24, in which the means to attach the one or more guide wires to a structure comprises one or more support rails.
26. A blind assembly according to claim 25, in which there are two support rails, an upper and a lower support rail.
27. A blind assembly according to claim 26, in which each of the support rails is adapted to be fixed to the structure.
28. A blind assembly according to claim 27, in which the upper support rail is fixed above a window and the lower support rail is fixed below a window.
29. A blind assembly according to any one of claims 2428, in which the floating rail with one or more guide wires passing therethrough is held substantially perpendicular to upper and lower fixed support rails.
30. A blind assembly according to claim 29, in which the blind material is attached to the floating rail and either one of the upper fixed support rail or the lower fixed support rail such that movement of the floating rail relative to the fixed rails opens or closes the blind material.
31. A blind assembly according to any one of claims 2430, in which the blind material comprises pleated blinds, venetian blinds or roller blinds.
32. A blind assembly locking device substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
33. A floating rail substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
34. A blind assembly substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.