NZ335989A - A curtain track clip resiliently mountable to and from track - Google Patents

Abstract

Clip 13' has a portion to engage with a corresponding engagement portion of a track having detent 5, and a resiliently deformable portion to releasably engage over detent 5. To remove clip 13' from the track a blade of a screwdriver (not shown) is pressed upwardly against the resilient portion so that projection 30' clears detent 5. The screwdriver is then turned so that the vertical abutment face opposing the track is forced away from the track allowing clip 13' and track to be separated.

Description

NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: 335989 Date: 27 May 1999 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A CURTAIN TRACK ASSEMBLY AND MOUNTING DEVICE THEREFOR We, MCP New Zealand Limited, A New Zealand Company of 45 Disraeli Street Addington, Christchurch, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF NZ. 2 6 MAY 2000 RECEIVED A CURTAIN TRACK ASSEMBLY AND MOUNTING DEVICE THEREFOR The reader's attention is directed to our divisional specification filed on 4 March 2002. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a track arrangement for curtains or blinds. In particular, the invention relates to a track assembly which is simple to install and yet enables the track to be separated from its mounting brackets for adjustment, maintenance or cleaning. The invention also relates to a mounting device for installing a track. Whilst the present invention has been described in connection with tracks for curtains and blinds, the invention may have application beyond window furnishings. The invention may be utilised for any sliding panels or leaves eg room dividers, for any commercial or domestic application.

Background to the Invention Modern curtain fittings generally comprise an extruded metal track which defines a channel. Gliders are slidably received in the channel and include an eyelet through which a curtain hook may be inserted to thereby support the curtain from the track in a slidable manner. The curtain tracks are generally supported by brackets from an upright wall adjacent to the window opening or from an adjacent ceiling.

The connection between bracket and track may fall into two general categories. The first known type of connection between track and bracket is a push-type fit where the track is pushed upwardly against a portion of the bracket which extends outwardly from the wall. The difficulty with such an arrangement is that pushing a track upward into a series of spaced brackets at a considerable height from the floor is generally inconvenient and awkward for the installer. Furthermore, in such arrangements, once the engagement has been effected, the track and bracket are not able to be freely separated. This may cause some difficulty if it is necessary to take down the track for cleaning or repair, especially if the track obstructs access to the fasteners securing the bracket to the upright wall or the ceiling.

The other known type of connection between bracket and track is generally in the form of a manually operable latch. It will be appreciated that this requires the installer to 3 R C: . .; operate a lever or turn a knob to effect engagement with the track, leaving only one hand free to hold and position the track. In view of the fact that modern tracks can be quite lengthy such latch-type connections are cumbersome and awkward for installers to use.

The object of the present invention therefore is to provide a track assembly or a mounting device for a track assembly which overcomes or at least ameliorates some of the above mentioned disadvantages. An alternative object is to provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention Described herein, and claimed in our divisional specification filed on 4 March 2002, is a track system for a curtain or blind including: a substantially rigid track; and at least one clip portion for releasably mounting the track onto a wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted bracket; wherein the track and the clip portion include engagement portions which are mutually co-operable at any position along the length of the track by means of a snap-type engagement effective to hold the track in an operational position on the bracket to support a curtain or blind, the engagement between the engagement portions being effected when the track is moved towards the clip portion in a direction orthogonal to the length of the track, the engagement between the engagement portions being selectively releasable.

A "snap-type" engagement means is one in which the two mutually co-operable engagement portions may be engaged together by a single action which precludes the operation of a manually operable lever or catch to effect the engagement. Preferably, the engagement portions are manually releasable. The release may be achieved by the use of a tool. In a most preferred form of the invention, the engagement portions are such that they may be released from engagement through the use of a common tool such as a screwdriver.

The track arrangement may be provided in unassembled form, for sale as a kit of parts. In a preferred form of the invention a large number of clip portions may be required to assemble a single track and therefore the track and clip portions may be sold as separate items intended for use together. In the assembled track arrangement, a plurality of clip portions may be disposed at spaced locations along the length of the track. The clip portions may be attached to respective brackets mounted to an adjacent wall or ceiling.

PU. ) \J O v.' J Preferably the engagement between the clip portion and the track is a push-fit ie where one portion is insertable into another. Preferably the clip portion includes one or more resiliently deformable portions, the track being rigid to receive the or each resiliency deformable portion. For example a resilient plastic projection may be provided which is insertable into a metal cavity or channel. In a most preferred form of the invention, the resilient plastic projection is provided on the clip portion with the resilient plastic projection being insertable into a channel provided in the track.

A release means may be provided to selectively ie at the option of the installer, release the engagement between the clip portion and the track. Preferably the release means is provided on the clip portion. In a preferred form of the invention, the release means includes a depressible tongue, part of which extends beyond the track in the fully engaged configuration for access by tool or other instrument to release the engagement between the mutually co-operable engagement portions. The depressible tongue may comprise part of the resilient plastic projection referred to in the preceding paragraph. Alternatively, the depressible tongue and the resilient plastic projection may be basically one and the same.

There may also be provided, spaced opposed abutment faces such that the mutually co-operable engagement portions may be prised apart by for example a tool such as a screwdriver blade. Preferably, the opposed abutment faces are provided on the track and the clip portion respectively. Alternatively, instead of an abutment face being provided on the clip portion the abutment face may be provided on the bracket supporting the clip portion. In a most preferred form of the invention, the spaced opposed abutment faces are positioned such that the depressible tongue may be actuated to release the mutually co-operable engagement portions as the opposed abutment faces are prised apart. In the preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the depressible tongue is disposed between the opposed abutment faces. The abutment face provided on the clip portion may define part of a rebate into which the free end of the depressible tongue extends.

The track may include a plurality of engagement portions at spaced locations along the track. However it is preferable that the track is a continuous section with the engagement portion provided as a dedicated portion of the track. As such, the engagement portion may be in the form of a fixing channel co-operable with the engagement portion provided on the clip portion. The fixing channel may be separate from the channel in which the gliders operate. In a most preferred form of the invention, the engagement channel and the glider channel are incorporated into an integral extruded track of continuous cross-section.

The clip portion may be a discrete member attachable to a bracket. The clij*" portion may be releasably attachable to a respective bracket. On the other hand, thcybracket and the clip portion may be of integral construction. The bracket may have ^mounting portion / / for mounting to an upright wall surface. Preferably the arrangement of the clip and bracket is such that the track is assembled with the clip portiorl by pushing/the track towards the upright wall surface in a direction substantially orthogonal to the/Upright wall surface to effect the snap-type engagement between the mutually co-operable engagement portions of the clip portion and the track. / Desirably, the arrangement is such that the bracket and the clip portion are flush with the top of the track for aesthetic reasons.

As claimed herein, in accordance with an aspect of the preserit invention there is provided a mounting device for installing a track for* a curtain or,blind, the device including: an engagement portion for cooperation with a corresponding engagement portion on the track; a resiliently deformable release/heans for releasing the engagement portion from the corresponding engagement portion on the track; and an abutment face being disposed for assisting with prising apart the mounting dev|ce and the track with a tool, simultaneous with the operation of the tool against the release means, wherein the mounting device is such that the abutment face/is opposed to and spaced from the track in use when the engagement portions are fully mutually Engaged.

The engagement portion and the deformable release means may be one and the same. Alternatively, one may be a part of the other. f / Preferably when the engagement means are mutually engaged and the abutment face is spaced fron> an opposed engagement face on the track, the distance therebetween is less than the dimension betvyeen the longitudinal edges of a standard screwdriver blade. The spacing may be determined by shoulders on the device in abutment with the opposed / engagement face on the track when the engagement means are fully mutually engaged.

Preferably the deformable release means is in the form of a tongue including a lip / / T^gageable^A Ae engagement portien-^ the took. A-&©e-en4 ^f the tongue may-ie -' provided ina rebate, the side of which defines an abutment face, the distance between the ends of the rebate being of sufficient length to receive the dimension between the longitudinal edges of a standard screwdriver blade.

The clip portion may be a discrete member attachable to a bracket. The clip portion may be releasably attachable to a respective bracket. On the other hand, the bracket and the clip portion may be of integral construction. The bracket may have a mounting portion for mounting to an upright wall surface. Preferably the arrangement of the clip and bracket is such that the track is assembled with the clip portion by pushing the track towards the upright wall surface in a direction substantially orthogonal to the upright wall surface to effect the snap-type engagement between the mutually co-operable engagement portions of the clip portion and the track.

Desirably, the arrangement is such that, the bracket and the clip portion arc flush with the top of the t rack for aesthetic reasons.

As claimed herein, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting device for installing a track for a curtain or blind, the device including: an engagement portion for cooperation with a corresponding engagement portion on the track; a resiliently deformable release means for releasing the engagement portion from the corresponding engagement portion on the track; and an abutment face being disposed for assisting with prising apart the mounting device and the track with a tool by turning the tool, simultaneous with the operation of the tool against the release means, wherein the mounting device is such that the abutment face is opposed to and spaced from the track in use when the engagement portions are fully mutually engaged.

The engagement portion and the deformable release means may be one and the same. Alternatively, one may be a part of the other.

Preferably when the engagement means are mutually engaged and the abutment face is spaced from an opposed engagement face on the track, the distance therebetween is less than the dimension between the longitudinal edges of a standard screwdriver blade. The spacing may be determined by shoulders on the device in abutment with the opposed engagement face on the track when the engagement means are fully mutually engaged. Preferably4he d@fo^rmable-Fekase-»eans-4s-4n-4he form -©f-a4ongue-4ftelu4ing~-a4ip~ engageable with the engagement portion on the track. A free end of the tongue may be provided in a rebate, the side of which defines an abutment face, the distance between the ends of the rebate being of sufficient length to receive the dimension between the longitudinal edges of a standard screwdriver blade. 505512-2 OF \±Z. iijmiil o c r* rr § % # c: r t ? R r J <j ^ ^ Preferably the mounting device is embodied in a clip which is attachable to a bracket for wall mounting. However, the mounting device may also be included as part of an integral bracket. The features set out above concerning the clip portion defined in the first aspect of the invention may be incorporated into the mounting device as recited above.

Also described herein is a mounting device for installing a track for a curtain or blind, the device including: a body portion; a projection having a free end for insertion into a cavity or channel of the track, the projection including an engagement portion for cooperation with a corresponding engagement portion on the track; a stop for abutment against the track to define the limit of insertion of the projection into the track; and a resiliently deformable release means for releasing the engagement portion from the corresponding engagement portion on the track, a part of the resiliently deformable release means extending beyond the stop in the direction away from the free end.

The stop may be in the form of one or more shoulders. In an alternative form of the invention, the stop may reside in part of the engagement means which abuts against the track and thereby limits the insertion of the projection into the track.

Also described herein is a mounting device for installing a track for a curtain or blind, the device including: a body portion; a projection having a free end for insertion into a cavity or channel of the track, the projection including an engagement portion for cooperation with a corresponding engagement portion on the track; a stop for abutment against the track to define the limit of insertion of the projection into the track; a resiliently deformable release means for releasing the engagement portion from the corresponding engagement portion on the track; and an abutment face for assisting with prising apart the mounting device and the track, the abutment face being spaced from the stop in the direction away from the free end.

The stop may be in the form of one or more shoulders. In an alternative form of the invention, the stop may reside in part of the engagement means which abuts against the track and thereby limits the insertion of the projection into the track.

Described herein, and claimed in our divisional specification filed on 4 March 2002, is a track system for a curtain or blind including: a track; at least one bracket having a wall mounting portion for securement to an adjacent upright wall surface; a clip portion for attachment to the or each bracket or incorporated into the or each bracket; wherein the track and the clip portion(s) each include engagement portions mutually cooperable by means of a snap-type engagement effective to hold the track in an operational position on the bracket to support a curtain or blind, and further wherein the engagement between the mutually cooperable engagement portions is effected when the track is moved towards the upright wall surface in a direction orthogonal to the upright wall surface. - 6a - This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more fully understood, one preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which : Figure 1 shows an end view of a curtain track according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a bracket; Figure 3 shows a top view of a clip for use with the bracket of Figure 2 to support the curtain track of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a side view of the clip of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the clip of Figure 3; Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section through line A-A of Figure 3; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the underside of the clip of Figure 3; Figure 8 shows a bottom view of the curtain track of Figure 1, clip of Figure 3 and bracket of Figure 2 in assembled configuration; Figure 9 shows a top view of a modified form of clip for use with the bracket of Figure 2 to support the curtain track of Figure 1; Figure 10 shows a longitudinal section through B-B of the clip of Figure 9; Figure 11 shows a bottom view of the clip of Figure 9; and intellectual property office of n,z, 7 2 3 OCT 2001 RECEIVED Figures 12 and 13 illustrate how the clip of Figure 9 is cooperable with a range of differently sized tracks of the type illustrated in Figure 1, the track of Figure 12 being at the smallest end of the range and the track of Figure 13 being at the largest end of the range.

Preferred Mode of Carrying Out the Invention As shown in Figure 1, the curtain track 1 comprises a fixing channel 2 and a glider channel 3. The glider channel 3 is in a substantially C-shaped configuration, and receives curtain gliders (not shown), examples of which are well known in the art. The gliders move within the glider channel 3 in the longitudinal direction of the curtain track 1 as the curtains are drawn. The curtain track 1 is typically an extruded aluminium alloy for light weight, and is powder coated for aesthetic purposes and durability.

The curtain track 1 includes an engagement face 4 on the outer surface thereof between the open edges of the fixing channel 2 and the glider channel 3. The upper part of the engagement face 4 forms a detent 5 at the open edge of the fixing channel 2. The base 6 of the fixing channel 2 is angled at the outer end thereof to form a substantially V-shaped groove 7 adjacent to the detent 5.

The curtain track 1 may be detachably mounted to the clip of Figure 3 which is mounted to the bracket of Figure 2 which is fixed to a wall.

Figure 2 shows L-shaped bracket 8 which comprises a wall-mounting portion 9 and a projecting arm 10. The wall mounting portion 9 includes apertures 11 for fixing the bracket 8 to a wall (not shown) with fasteners such as screws (not shown). The bracket 8 is typically made of metal.

The projecting arm 10 extends from the upper part of the wall mounting portion 9 in a rigid cantilever fashion. The projecting arm 10 comprises a slot 12 to receive a fastener such as a screw (not shown) to fasten a clip 13 (see Figure 3) to the bracket 8. The projecting arm 10 further comprises downward-facing flanges 14 and 15, one on either side. The downward facing flanges 14 and 15 extend below the lower surface 16 of the projecting arm.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the clip 13 which comprises a body portion 17 and a ffllfe projecting tab 18. The body portion 17 comprises an upper surface 19 which may be located against the lower surface 16 of the projecting arm 10 of the bracket 8 when the clip 13 is removably attached to the projecting arm 10 of the bracket. The body portion 17 further comprises a slot 20 to receive the fastener (not shown) which attaches the clip 13 to the projecting arm 10 of the bracket. The outer edges 21 and 22 of the body portion 17 are located by the downward facing flanges 14 and 15 respectively when the clip 13 is attached to the bracket 8.

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the clip 13, in which a recess 23 is provided in the lower part of the body portion 17 to receive the head of the fastener (not shown). Figure 7 also shows the underside of the clip 13 including the recess 23. The clip is typically made of plastic by injection moulding.

As shown in Figure 4 in side elevation, the thickness of the projecting tab 18 is less than the thickness of the body portion 17, such that there are top shoulders 24 and bottom shoulders 25 at the transition between the body portion 17 and the projecting tab 18. The projecting tab 18 has a free end 26 and a connected end 27, the connected end being adjacent to the shoulders 24 and 25. Preferably, when the clip is attached to the bracket 8, the free end of the projecting arm 10 of the bracket 8 is aligned with the upper shoulders 24 of the clip 13 for aesthetic reasons.

The projecting tab 18 is receivable in the fixing channel 2 of the curtain track 1 in a frictional manner. The projecting tab 18 also has a resiliently deformable tongue portion 28, centrally located on the projecting tab. The connected end of the tongue portion 28 is adjacent to the free end 26 of the projecting tab 18. There is a gap 29 between the three free sides of the tongue portion 28 and the remainder of the projecting tab 18 and body portion 17 of the clip.

Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-section through the centre of the clip 13. The vertical thickness of the tongue portion 28 adjacent to its connected end is less than that of the projecting tab 18, to enable the tongue portion to bend at its connected end in a resilient manner. The underside of the tongue portion 28 comprises a lip 30 defining one edge of a narrow channel 31, and an end portion 32 at the free end of the tongue portion defining the other edge of the narrow channel 31. The end portion 32 is of greater thickness than the remainder of the tongue portion 28. The edge of the narrow channel 31 defined by the end portion 32 is aligned with the shoulders 24 and 25 as can be detected from study of Figures 4 and 5.

The length of the tongue portion 28 is such that it extends beyond the shoulders 24 and 25 into a rebate 33 of the body portion 17 of the clip. The rebate portion 33 is defined by end walls 34 and 35 and an abutment face 36.

Figure 8 shows a bottom view of the curtain assembly with the bracket 8 attached to the clip 13 (fastener not shown) and the clip attached to the curtain track 1. When the projecting tab 18 of the clip is fully extended into the fixing channel 2 of the curtain track, the lower shoulders 25 of the clip are situated against the engagement face 4 of the curtain track. The end portion 32 at the free end of the tongue portion 28 of the clip is therefore exposed. The lip 30 of the tongue portion is located in the substantially V-shaped groove 7 of the curtain track behind the detent 5. The engagement between the lip 30 and the detent 5 is such that the projecting tab 18 cannot under normal operating conditions be removed from the fixing channel 2 unless the tongue portion 28 is pushed up vertically such that the lip 30 clears the upper edge of the detent 5.

The distance (typically 8 or 9 mm) between the end walls 34 and 35 of the rebate 33 is ample to receive the dimension between the longitudinal edges of the blade of a typical screwdriver. Flowever, the distance (typically 3-4mm) between the engagement face 4 of the curtain track 1 and the abutment face 36 of the rebate portion 33 of the clip is less than the dimension between the longitudinal edges of the blade of a typical screwdriver. In order to detach the track 1 from the clip 13, a screwdriver blade (not shown) with its blade extending substantially parallel to the abutment face 36 of the rebate portion 33 may be pushed vertically upwards against the end portion 32 of the tongue portion 28, causing the tongue portion 28 to bend up at its connected end and causing the lip 30 to vertically clear the detent 5. While still applying the vertical force with the screwdriver, the screwdriver is turned, causing the longitudinal edges of the blade to contact the engagement face 4 of the curtain track 1 and the abutment face 36 of the rebate portion 33 of the clip 13. As the screwdriver is turned further, the increased force against the engagement face 4 and the abutment face 36 causes these faces to separate, also separating the projecting portion 18 of the clip 13 from the fixing channel 2 of the curtain track 1.

Assembly and Disassembly t§ rtMfcNQED A clip 13 is placed against the projecting arm 10 of a bracket 8 by placing the upper surface 19 of the body portion 17 of the clip against the lower surface 16 of the bracket 8. The clip 13 is situated such that its upper shoulders 24 are flush with the free end of the projecting arm 10 of the bracket 8, and the outer edges 21 and 22 of the body portion 17 of the clip are located by the downward facing flanges 14 and 15 respectively of the bracket 8. A fastener (not shown) extends through the slot 12 of the bracket 8 which is aligned with the slot 20 of the clip 13 to secure the bracket and the clip together. The bracket 8 is attached to a wall (not shown) in the required location above a window by using fasteners (not shown) in the apertures 11 of the wall mounting portion 9. This procedure is followed for as many brackets and clips as are required depending on the length of curtain track 1. The curtain track 1 is cut to the required length before attachment to the clips. However the releasable nature of the join between the clips and the curtain track means that the curtain track can be easily removed for adjustment if required.

The curtain track 1 is attached to each clip 13 in the following manner. The fixing channel 2 of the curtain track 1 is aligned with the free end 26 of the projecting tab 18 of the clip 13. The curtain track 1 is then pushed against the clip 13 so that the projecting tab 18 is pushed into the fixing channel 2, such that the lip 30 of the tongue portion 28 of the clip 13 is seated in the substantially V-shaped groove 7 of the fixing channel 2 of the curtain track. In this position the lower shoulders 25 of the clip 13 are seated against the engagement face 4 of the curtain track 1, and the detent 5 of the curtain track 1 is situated within the narrow channel 31 of the tongue portion 28 of the clip 13.

Once the curtain track 1 is fitted to the required number of clips, the curtains may be hung from the curtain track by inserting a plurality of gliders (not shown) into the glider channel 3 of the curtain track 1. Alternatively, the gliders may be inserted into the glider channel 3 before fixing the curtain track 1 to the clips 13. The ends of the track 1 are closed by appropriate end caps (not shown) as well known in the art.

If the curtain track is required to be removed from a clip, the blade of a typical screwdriver (not shown) is pushed up against the end portion 32 of the tongue portion 28 of the clip 13, such that the dimension between the longitudinal edges of the blade extends substantially between the end walls 34 and 35 of the rebate 33 of the clip 13. The upwards force on the end portion 32 is sufficient to cause the lip 30 of the tongue portion 28 to clear the detent 5 of the curtain track 1. The screwdriver is then turned while still applying the upwards force such that the longitudinal edges of the blade contact the engagement face 4 of the curtain track 1 and the abutment face 36 of the rebate 33 of the clip 1. As the screwdriver is turned further, the increased force against the opposed engagement face 4 and the abutment face 36 separates the faces, causing the lip 30 of the tongue portion 28 of the clip 13 to move outwards of the detent 5 of the curtain track 1, releasing the projecting tab 28 of the clip from the fixing channel 2 of the curtain track. This removal procedure is followed for each of the clips.

Any adjustments that are required may then be made to the curtain track 1 or curtains (not shown), and the curtain track may then be reattached to the clips 13 as outlined above.

Figures 9 to 13 illustrate a modified form 13' of the clip 13 of Figure 3. The clip 13' is similar in many respects and like numerals represent like parts, except that parts in the clip 13 are suffixed by a prime ('). The main difference of the clip 13' compared to the clip 13 is that the free end 26' of the projecting tab 18' is not square but rather splays forwardly at each outer edge of the tab 18'. Furthermore, each outer edge of the tab 18' is provided with a respective transverse slot 40, 41, the base of which is radiused. The slots 40,41 define resiliently deformable nosings 43, 44 at the outer edges of the free end 26'. The nosings may be deflected backwards towards the body 17' of the clip 13'.

When the clip 13' is assembled with the track 1, the nosings 43, 44 bear against the rear wall 46 of the fixing channel 2 (see Figure 13) and are deflected rearwardly to the extent required to ensure that the tab 18 is snugly retained within the channel 2 with the lip 30' retained behind detent 5. This precludes sliding movement of the tab 18' longitudinally within the fixing channel 2 if the tab 18' is made smaller than the fixing channel 2. The resilient nature of the nosings 43,44 thereby enables the clip 13' to be used effectively with a range of sizes of the fixing channel as can be understood from a comparison of Figures 12 and 13.

Claims (15)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: f 1. A mounting device for installing a track for a curtain or blind, the,device including: an engagement portion for cooperation with a corresponding engagement portion on the track; a resiliently deformable release means for releasing the engagement portion from / the corresponding engagement portion on the track; and an abutment face being disposed for assisting with prising apart the mounting device and the tragk with a tool,.Simultaneous with the operation of the tool against the release means, wherein the mounting device is / /' such that the abutment face is opposed to and spaced from the track in use when the engagement portions are fully mutually engaged. / 2. The mounting device as claimed in claim/1 wherein part of the release means extends beyond the track when the engagement/portions are fully mutually engaged for access by the tool to separate the mounting device from the track. / / 3. The mounting device as claimed ii/claim 1 or ^"wherein the resiliently deformable release means incorporates the engagement portion / / 4. The mounting device as Claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the engagement portion is defined tyy a channel/ ,/ / 5. The mounting devipe as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further including a stop for abutment agains/the track. / / / 6. The mounting device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the stop is defined by one or more shoulders. / / 7. The mounting device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the engagement portion of the mounting device comprises a projection having a free end for insertion into a cavity or channel of the track, Jfie,projection incorporating the resiliently deformable release means, part ofwhich extends beyond the one or more shoulders in the direction away from the y ^ ^ / / / /8. The mounting device as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the abutment face is spaced from the one or more shoulders in the direction away from the free end of the projection by a distance less than the dimension between the longitudinal edges of an -13 - i.wi;: ii/Xs. - O f Orf^E I si? >si2. j ! 5 M.AR 200? . ' :

1. A mounting device for installing a track for a curtain or blind, the device including: an engagement portion for cooperation with a corresponding engagement portion on the track; a resiliently deformable release means for releasing the engagement portion from the corresponding engagement portion on the track; and an abutment face being disposed for assisting with prising apart the mounting device and the track with a tool by turning the tool, simultaneous with the operation of the tool against the release means, wherein the mounting device is such that the abutment face is opposed to and spaced from the track in use when the engagement portions are fully mutually engaged.

2. The mounting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein part of the release means extends beyond the track when the engagement portions are fully mutually engaged for access by the tool to separate the mounting device from the track.

3. The mounting device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the resiliently deformable release means incorporates the engagement portion.

4. The mounting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the engagement portion is defined by a channel.

5. The mounting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further including a stop for abutment against the track.

6. The mounting device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the stop is defined by one or more shoulders.

7. The mounting device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the engagement portion of the mounting device comprises a projection having a free end for insertion into a cavity or channel of the track, the projection incorporating the resiliently deformable release means, —part-of-wfeieh.- -extends ■^^beyend4he-one^r4B^m-should«rs-in--the- direction-away. fr©m4he~~ free end.

8. The mounting device as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the abutment face is spaced from the one or more shoulders in the direction away from the free end of the projection by a distance less than the dimension between the longitudinal edges of an 505512-2 ]3 II AMENDED WHAT WE CLAIM IS: / / 9. The mounting device as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the release means is in the form of a resiliently deformable tongue. / / / / 10. The mounting device as claimcd in claim 9 wherein the tongue is connected to the projection at the free end of the projection. 11. The mounting device as claimed in clarm 7 or any one of claims 8 to 10 when dependent on claim 7 wherein the projectipn includes resiliently deformable abutment /* _/;means for abutment with one or more walls of the canity or channel of the track.;/* / / / . / 12. The mounting device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the abutment means are in the form of resiliently deformable nosings disposed at the free end of the projection. / 13. The mounting device as claimed in claim 12 wherein there are two nosings defined by transverse slots extending inwardly from respective side edges of the projection. 14. A mounting device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 8/6r as modified by Figures 9 to 13. fTC-P ! r"b xJ rJ INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE Of NX —0—-4—~ ft E C EIV £ D - 14- «nmm averagely sized screwdriver blade.

9. The mounting device as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the release means is in the form of a resiliently deformable tongue.

10. The mounting device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the tongue is connected to the projection at the free end of the projection.

11. The mounting device as claimed in claim 7 or any one of claims 8 to 10 when dependent on claim 7 wherein the projection includes resiliently deformable abutment means for abutment with one or more walls of the cavity or channel of the track.

12. The mounting device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the abutment means are in the form of resiliently deformable nosings disposed at the free end of the projection.

13. The mounting device as claimed in claim 12 wherein there are two nosings defined by transverse slots extending inwardly from respective side edges of the projection.

14. The mounting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, configured for release by a screwdriver having a blade with a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction, wherein the track and the mounting device are prised apart by initially moving the screwdriver in the longitudinal direction and then turning the screwdriver about the longitudinal axis.

15. A mounting device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 or as modified by Figures 9 to 13. By the A.J.RARK Par : ; L-'ivvi s Iftl orised agents MicUa;ru/ii rRCFvRW iirfiCF OF Ml 505512-2 14 L.. : ' o