GB2428267A

GB2428267A - Support member

Info

Publication number: GB2428267A
Application number: GB0514419A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Wilson
Original assignee: Turnils AB
Current assignee: Turnils AB
Priority date: 2005-07-14
Filing date: 2005-07-14
Publication date: 2007-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-14
Also published as: GB0514419D0; GB2428267B

Abstract

A support member for attaching a blind head rail to the frame of a window, especially a plastic window frame comprises a lower engagement portion for attachment of the blind head rail and a body portion at least an upper part of which is inserted between the window glass and a sealing member of the window frame. In a preferred embodiment, the body portion includes latching formations for retaining the support member in the frame which cooperate with an internal feature of the window frame, or with the top edge of the window glass, to prevent withdrawal of the support member from the frame.

Description

P110737GB 1 2428267 Support Member The present invention relates to

support members and in particular to support members for securing the head rail of a blind to a window frame. More especially, the present invention relates to a support member in the form of a conveniently sized clip or bracket which may be used to attach a blind head rail to the frame of a window. In the context of the present invention, the blind head rail is primarily a head rail of a Venetian or slatted blind but may also be the head rail of a vertical blind or the upper supporting member of a roller blind or Roman blind.

The support member of the present invention is primarily for use in conjunction with a window the frame of which is made from plastic (most commonly uPVC), or possibly where the frame is made of metal such as aluminium. Typically, windows of this type comprise a sealed unit double glazed window section which is retained in an extruded frame. The union between the sealed unit double glazed window section and the frame is made from a seal or bead of rubber or rubber-like material such as one of the well- known polymeric resilient sealing materials. The support member of the present invention is intended to be inserted between the sealing bead and the window glass and to engage an inner formation of the extruded window frame so that the support member cannot readily be withdrawn.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a support member for attaching a blind head rail to a window, the window comprising a window frame, window glass extending into the frame and a sealing member disposed between the window frame and the window glass, the support member comprising: a body portion configured to be inserted in use between the sealing member and a portion of the window glass, the body portion comprising a substantially planar first surface which is juxtaposed in use with the portion of the window glass, and at least one.. .. S **

engagement formation adapted to engage a portion of the window frame or an edge portion of the glass within the window frame; and a lower engaging portion operatively attachable to the blind head rail. a. * S * *

In one preferred embodiment the body portion comprises an intermediate portion having a substantially planar second surface opposed to said first surface and an upper head * portion including said engagement formations. *: ,: P110737GB In preferred embodiments the engagement formations comprise one or more latching formations.

Preferably the engagement formations comprise resilient latching tongues extending out of the plane of the body portion.

In some preferred embodiments of the invention the body portion comprises a plurality of engagement formations and at least one line of weakness defined between respective engagement formations along which line of weakness the body portion can be severed to adjust its length.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the body portion comprises a stem portion extending upwardly in use and a plurality of laterally extending resilient finger portions which extend out of the plane of the stem portion.

Preferably where the body portion comprises an intermediate portion having a substantially planar second surface opposed to said first surface and an upper head portion including said engagement formations, the head portion comprises a stem portion extending from the intermediate portion and a plurality of laterally extending resilient finger portions which extend out of the plane of the intermediate portion.

Preferably the lower engaging portion is configured as a hook. In one preferred arrangement the hook is configured such that the free end thereof is disposed proximate the window glass in use.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a window having attached thereto support member as defined in the first aspect of the invention. a...

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a window having attached thereto a blind head rail by means of a support member as defined in the first aspect of the invention. a. * * a *

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching a blind head rail to a window comprising window glass, a frame and a resilient.

sealing element between the window glass and the frame, the method comprising: *: : providing a support member as defined in the first aspect of the invention; P110737GB inserting at least part of the body portion of the support member between the window glass and the sealing element until the body portion rests between the window glass and the sealing element, allowing the engagement formations to engage a portion of the window frame or an edge portion of the glass within the window frame to engage a portion of the window frame or an edge portion of the glass within the window frame and suspending the blind head rail from the support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of for example only to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support member according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a support member according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a support member according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a window having a support member according to the third embodiment of the invention located therein; and Figure 5 is perspective view of window having a support member according to the third embodiment of the invention located therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to Figure 1, the support member 10 according to a first embodiment of *:.

the invention comprises a body portion 12 which is substantially planar. Some degree of:.: departure from absolutely planar is permissible, provided that excessive distortion of the *.** window frame sealing bead does not result. However, a planar configuration is much preferred so that in use (as will be elaborated below) front surface 1 2a of the body *: : portion 12 lies directly against the window glass and at least part of rear surface 12b lies P110737GB directly against the sealing bead. The support member 10 further comprises an angled portion 14 which is oriented in use away from the window glass. A lower engaging formation 16 in the form of a hook depends from the angled portion 14. The free end 1 6a of the hook is preferably arranged proximate the window glass in use. The lower engaging formation is used to connect the support member 10 to a suitable formation on the head rail of a blind (not shown) whereby the head rail is supported by the support member.

Engagement formations in the form of latching projections or tongues 20 depend from body portion 12. The tongues 20 are resiliently deformable and in the illustrated embodiment project out of the plane of the body portion 12 in a direction away from the front surface 12a, that is, away from the window glass in use. In alternative embodiments the tongues 20 may project out of the plane of the body portion 12 in a direction away from the rear surface 12b, that is, towards from the window glass in use.

The tongues 20 are generally rectangular and may be formed as partial cutouts from the body portion 12 attached to the body portion 12 only at an upper edge 20a.

The support member 10 further comprises an angled portion 14 which is directed out of the plane of the body portion 12 so that it extends away from the window glass in use. A lower engaging formation 16 depends from the angled portion 14. In the illustrated embodiments the engaging formation 16 comprises a hook with a free end 16a which engages the head rail so that the head rail hangs from the hook. Other engaging formations are possible. For example, the lower engaging formation may comprise latching formations which cooperate with complementary formations on the blind head rail.

In use of the support member 10, the body portion 12 is inserted into the upper part of the frame of the window, between the window glass and the sealing member. Typically,.

the sealing member is a bead or strip of resilient rubber or rubber-like material which can' be deformed to allow insertion of the support member. Thus, when the support member is in place, the sealing member remains slightly deformed to accommodate the support *; member 10. On insertion of the support member 10, the front face I 2a of the body..

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portion 12 lies against the window glass. The latching tongues 20 project away from the window glass. During insertion of the support member 10 the latching tongues 20 may * be deflected by the sealing member to lie more nearly parallel the plane of front face *: : : 12a. As the support member 10 is moved towards its final use position, one or more of P110737GB the latching tongues 20 pass an upper boundary of the sealing member and likewise pass an upper boundary of a portion of the internal structure of the window frame. At this stage the relevant tongue 20 is no longer deflected and returns to, or towards, its original configuration. The tongue 20 then prevents withdrawal of the support member 10 since leading edge 20b cannot pass said upper boundary of the portion of the internal window frame structure. The provision of a plurality of latching tongues 20 allows the support member to be used with window frames of differing sizes. Thus, the support member 10 is inserted into the frame until it reaches the appropriate position, depending for example on the dimensions of the head rail, and one of the latching tongues 20 retains the support member 10 in position. Where the body portion is longer than required for a particular window frame, one or more of the latching tongues nearest leading end lOa may be disposed inside the frame with no latching function. Similarly, depending on the particular dimensions of the window frame, one or more of the tongues 20 may remain between the sealing member and the window glass, or may even be disposed below the sealing member.

In an alternative configuration of the support member, the latching tongues 20 may project towards the window glass. On insertion of the support member 10, the latching tongues may then engage an upper edge of the window glass to prevent withdrawal of the support member.

After insertion of at least one support member 10 (and normally at least two support members 10) into the window frame as described above, the blind head rail is attached to the (or each) support member. Thus, the blind head rail is suspended in its position of use, which is normally at the top of the window glass. The blind depending from the blind head rail can then be used as normal to shade the window as and when the user so desires.

A second embodiment of the support member of the invention is illustrated in Figure 2.

Like or similar components and features to the support member of Figure 1 are given corresponding reference number with the prefix "2". Thus, in Figure 2 the support * member 210 includes a body portion 212 with a front substantially planar face 212a. ..

The body portion 212 has a rear face 212b and rearwardly directed latching tongues 220. The tongues 220 are in the form of projections moulded integrally with the body..

portion 212 and include a latching surface 220b. A lower engaging formation in the form.: ,: of a hook 216 with free end 216a is provided. An additional feature of the support P110737GB member 220 of Figure 2 is the line or lines of weakness 222 which extend laterally across the body portion 212 between respective latching tongues 220. The body portion may be broken, snapped, cut or otherwise severed along the lines of weakness 222 to adjust the length of the body portion 212 to accommodate different sizes of window frame.

A third embodiment of the support member of the invention is illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Like or similar components and features to the support member of Figure 1 are given corresponding reference number with the prefix "3". The support member 310 of Figure 3 includes a lower engaging portion in the form of a hook 316 with free end 316a.

A body portion 312 is connected to the lower engaging potion 316 by an angled portion 314 which extends obliquely away from window glass 330 in use.

The body portion 312 is in two parts, an intermediate portion 324 and a head portion 326. The intermediate portion 324 includes a substantially planar front surface 31 2a and an opposed substantially planar rear surface 312b. The head portion 326 includes a stem 328 which depends from, and is substantially co-planar with, intermediate portion 324. Depending from the stem 328 is a plurality of fingers 332. The fingers 332 extend laterally on either side of the stem 328 and in the illustrated embodiment of arranged in substantially symmetrical pairs. Adjacent fingers are separated by a gap 334 so that each finger 332 is moveable independently. The fingers 332 are resiliently deformable.

Each of the fingers 332 is oriented out of the plane of intermediate portion 324 and stem 328. For example, the fingers 332 may be curved.

Referring now in particular to Figure 4, it can be seen that the support member 310' is similar to that of Figure 3. However, the fingers 332' are oriented in the opposite sense to the fingers 332 of Figure 3. That is, the fingers 332' are oriented towards the sealing member 348 in use. In Figure 4, the insertion of the support member 310' into a window,, frame 340 is illustrated. The window frame 340 comprises one or more extruded members 342 which are typically manufactured from uPVC or similar plastic materials.

The frame 340 has an interior side 344 and an exterior side 346. Window glass 330 is retained within the frame 340. The window glass 330 will normally comprise a sealed..

double glazing unit having inner and out window panes 330A and 330B separated by a * space 330C which may be air filled, gas filled or partially evacuated. The window frame. *S.S

is provided with inner and outer sealing members 348, 350 which seal against the *: : : respective panes 330A, 330B. In the illustrated embodiment, which is a typical example, P110737GB a lower part 341 of the frame 340 includes a channel part in which the sealing member 348 is retained. Sealing member 348 is made from a resilient material such as rubber, a synthetic rubber or similar material.

In use of the support member 310', as shown in Figure 4, the head portion 326' of the support member 310' is inserted between the sealing member 348 and window pane 330A and urged upwardly until the junction 313' of the intermediate portion 324' and the angled portion 314' is proximate the underside face 341A of the frame 340. The head portion 326' thereby passes beyond the upper margin of the sealing member 348 and above the upper internal face 3416 of part 341 of frame 340. During insertion of the support member 310', the fingers 332' may be deformed by the sealing member 348 to a more nearly planar configuration, that is, tending towards the plane of stem 328'. As the respective fingers 332' pass the upper margin of the sealing member 348 and also the upper internal face 341 B of the frame part 341, each finger 332', by virtue of its resilience returns to its original non-planar configuration. Thus, downward movement of the support member 310' is prevented because the lower fingers 332' are unable to pass the upper internal face 341 B of the frame part 341. When the support member 310' is fully inserted, the intermediate portion 324' is disposed between the glass pane 330A and the sealing member 348, with the planar faces 312a' and 312b' lying in juxtaposition with the glass pane 330A and the sealing member 348 respectively. For use with other window frames where, for example the sealing member 348 has a greater dimension from top to bottom, not all of the fingers 332' will pass the top of the sealing member 348. The lowermost of the fingers which have cleared the sealing member 348 and the upper internal face 341 B of the frame part 341 will provide the required latching action to retain the support member 310' in the frame. On attachment of a head rail to the support member 310', the head rail is supported by the (or each) support member 310'.

The support member 310 illustrated in Figure 5 is substantially the same as that of Figure 3. Thus the fingers 332 are oriented in use away from the sealing member 348.' On insertion of the support member 310 between the glass 300 and the sealing membe'r.

348 the head portion 326 of the supporting member 310 is urged upwardly until the * junction 313 between the intermediate portion 324 and the angled portion 314 is *.

proximate the underside 340A of the frame 340 and the front and rear faces 312a 312b of the intermediate portion 324 are juxtaposed respectively with the glass 330 and the. S., S

sealing member 348. At this point, the head portion 326 may have cleared the upper.::.: internal face 340B of the frame 340 (that is, the lowest part of the head portion 326 rests P110737GB above the face 340B), but the upper edge 330D of the glass 330 is at a higher level and the head portion 326 does not clear the upper edge 330D. However, as can be seen from Figure 5, pairs of fingers 332.1 and 332.2 have cleared upper edge 330D and so are able to return resiliently to their rest condition. At least end parts of the fingers 332.2 overlie the edge 330D of the glass and so prevent withdrawal of the support member 310.

The use of the support members 10, 210 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is similar. The support members are inserted between a glass pane (330) and a sealing member (348) until the junction 13, 213 is proximate the underside of the frame. Front surface 1 2a, 212a lies in juxtaposition with glass 330 and part of surface 12b, 212b lies juxtaposition with sealing member 348. A latching formation or projection 20, 220 cooperates with an inner part of the frame 340 such as upper internal surface 341 B or 340B to prevent withdrawal of the support member 10, 210. In the alternative configurations (not illustrated) in which the latching projections are directed in the opposite sense (away from the sealing member 348 in use) a latching formation or projection 20, 220 cooperates with an upper edge (330D) of the glass to prevent withdrawal of the support member 10, 210.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. * **** * I.e Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. 1 S *..S * I... * 551 * S S *1

Claims

P110737GB CLAIMS

1. A support member for attaching a blind head rail to a window, the window comprising a window frame, window glass extending into the frame and a sealing member disposed between the window frame and the window glass, the support member comprising: a body portion configured to be inserted in use between the sealing member of and a portion of the window glass, the body portion comprising a substantially planar first surface which is juxtaposed in use with the portion of the window glass, and at least one engagement formation adapted to engage a portion of the window frame or an edge portion of the glass within the window frame; and a lower engaging portion operatively attachable to the blind head rail.

2. A support member as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body portion comprises an intermediate portion having a substantially planar second surface opposed to said first surface and an upper head portion including said engagement formations.

3. A support member as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the engagement formations comprise one or more latching formations.

4. A support member as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the engagement formations comprise resilient latching tongues extending out of the plane of the body portion.

5. A support member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of engagement formations and at least one line of weakness defined between respective engagement formations along which line of weakness the body portion can be severed to adjust its length.

6. A support member as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body portion comprises a stem portion extending upwardly in use and a plurality of laterally extending ** resilient finger portions which extend out of the plane of the stem portion. S S * *S*S

7. A support member as claimed in claim 2 wherein the head portion comprises a stem portion extending from the intermediate portion and a plurality of laterally P110737GB extending resilient finger portions which extend out of the plane of the intermediate portion.

8. A support member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lower engaging portion is configured as a hook.

9. A support member as claimed in claim 8 wherein the hook is configured such that the free end thereof is disposed proximate the window glass in use.

10. A support member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures ito 5.

ii. A window having attached thereto support member as claimed in any preceding claim.

12. A window having attached thereto a blind head rail by means of a support member as claimed in any of claims Ito 10.

13. A method of attaching a blind head rail to a window comprising window glass, a frame and a resilient sealing member between the window glass and the frame, the method comprising: providing a support member as claimed in any of claims Ito 10; inserting at least part of the body portion of the support member between the window glass and the sealing member until the body portion rests between the window glass and the sealing member, allowing the engagement formations to engage a portion of the window frame or an edge portion of the glass within the window frame to engage a portion of the window frame or an edge portion of the glass within the window frame and suspending the blind head rail from the support member:::;:;

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