US2281043A

US2281043A - Venetian blind bracket

Info

Publication number: US2281043A
Application number: US326573A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry H Nelson
Original assignee: LORENTZEN HARDWARE Manufacturing CORP
Current assignee: LORENTZEN HARDWARE Manufacturing CORP; LORENTZEN HARDWARE MF'G CORP
Priority date: 1940-03-29
Filing date: 1940-03-29
Publication date: 1942-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 1959-04-28

Description

April 1942. H. H. NELSON 2,281,043

VENE'IIAN BLIND BRACKET Filed March 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 )55 flargyjvigz'zw M, +211 ATTORNEYS April 1942- H. H. NELSON 2,281,043

VENETIAN BLIND BRACKET Filed March 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 S 42 40 26 41 INVENTOR fi aivjyfi. filed/022 v BY fii ATTORNEY the suspension bar and valance.

Patented Apr. 28, 1942 VENETIAN BLIND BRACKET HarryH.Nelson, New York, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Lorentzen Hardware Mfg. Com, New York New York N. Y., a corporation of Application March 29, 1940, Serial No. 326,573

16 Claims.

Ordinarily, a Venetian blind is detachably suspended from a head-bar that is ailiired adjacent to the top of a window frame. In some instances this head-bar, or suspension bar, is

omitted and the blind suspended directly from the window frame. This has resulted in the upper slat of the blind (the tilt slat, or "tilt-bar) being sometimes designated as the head-bar," with corresponding confusion of terms. In this specification the term head-bar will be employed to designate the suspension bar that is located above the tilt-bar of the blind.

In many instances the head-bar is mounted on brackets, one placed on either side of the window frame. Associated with the head-bar is mechanism for tilting the blind and adjusting its height; and frequently this mechanism is concealed by a valance, often in the form of a board.

A general object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive, mechanically adequate bracket for mounting a Venetian blind head-bar An additional object is to provide a bracket which supports a curtain rod, in addition to supporting a head-bar and a valance.

Various detailed and specific objects will be apparent from the accompanying disclosure.

The drawings show two species of left-hand brackets embodying the present invention, i. e.,

brackets for supporting the left-hand ends of the head-bar and valance as viewed from the room side of the window. It will be understood that'a right-hand bracket is also used with each Venetian blind to support the right-hand end of However, only the left-hand bracket has been specifically disclosed since it will be understood that the right hand bracket is of the same construction but of opposite hand.

Fig. 1 of the drawings is an isometric view of a bracket embodying the present invention, showing the valance holder or carrier in partially open position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same bracket with the valance carrier closed, and showing in section a head-bar and valance supported by the bracket.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the bracket as shown in Fig. 2 but without the valance and head-bar.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same bracket with the valance holder or carrier in open position, and showing in section a head-bar and valance in partially inserted position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged isometric view of the keeper shown in the preceding figures for holding the head-bar in position on the bracket.

Fig. 6 is a, fragmentary vertical section illustrating the manner of assembling the keeper with the bracket.

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a modified form of bracket and keeper embodying the present invention, the view showing thevalance holder or carrier in partially open position.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the bracket shown in Fig. 7, with the valance carrier closed, and the view showing in section a head-bar, valance, and curtain rod supported by the bracket.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 7, and showing the keeper in its uppermost position.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal section on line Ill-l ll of Fig. 8.

Reference will first be had to Figs. 1 through 6.

A flat stamped sheet-metal plate I I is provided at its rear edge with an integral vertical flange I2 which projects laterally at right angles to the plate. Pivoted at H to the lower forward corner portion of plate H is a valance holder or carrier designated as a whole by I 5. A head-bar support desi nated as a whole by [6 has vertical leg portions. l1 and 18 which are welded or otherwise suitably secured to plate II, and also has a horizontal shelf portion IS on which theend of the head-bar rests. Vertically slideable with relation to support I6 is a U-shaped head-bar keeper designated as a whole by 20.

For so-called inside mounting of a Venetian blind, plate ll is placed against the inner or side face of the window jamb, i. e., the face of the jamb which is perpendicular to the plane of the window. Holes such as 2| (3 shown) are provided to receive screws for mounting the bracket of a window frame, which front face is parallel to the plane of the window. It will be noted that the flange l2 terminates some distance above the bottom of plate I I, and this provides such clearance that the blind can be fully raised without the blind slats striking onthe bottom of flange l2. In this connection, flange I2 is so stamped that its rear face is flush with the rear edge Ila of the plate II. bracket is positioned against the front of the window frame and secured by screws inserted through holes 22 (3 shown) the edge Ila, bears against the face of the frame'and assists in supporting and positioning thebracket. a

The valance holder or carrier I5 is preferabl stamped from a single piece of sheet-metal and includes a front flange 24 and a rear flange 25 between which the valance 28 is inserted, as shown in Fig. 2. The valance carrier is also provided with a bottom flange 21 against which the bottom of the valance rests. An ear 28 is provided to make a pivotal connection at H, and a rearwardly extending flange 29 is provided to move into overlapping relation with the plate II when the carrier is swung into closed position. To guide flange 29 into overlapping relation with plate I i it has a lower laterally bent corner 29a. Both flanges 29 and ear 28 are laterally offset slightly with respect to the metal in portion 39 of the carrier, as is shown in both Thus, when the Figs. v1 and 3. This offset at the root of flange t 29 provides a stop which strikes the forward edge Ilb of plate H and limits the closing movement of the'valance carrier IS. The offset at the root of ear 28 also provides a stop which becomes eifective when the valance carrier I5 is swung into open position, as shown in Fig. 4. In this position the stop at the root of car 28 strikes the lower edge Ii c of plate ll, thereby preventing the valance carrier I5 from moving into a position of substantially downward inclination. Thus a valance being positioned in, or held in, the carrier 15 will not accidentally fall out when the carrier i5 is open.

With the valance carrier [5 open, a valance can be inserted edgewise, as shown in Fig. 4. Back flange 25 is provided with a flared top 250 to facilitate insertion of the valance. Also the flange 25 is springy and yielding, and when unstressed, inclines toward front flange 24, as is best seen in Fig. 3. Thus the flange 25 is forced backwardly by the valance as it is inserted; and this arrangement of flange 25 provides for proper reception of the valance despite a degree of variation in its thickness, as well as providing for tight holding of the valance to secure it against rattling by the wind.

When the valance carrier I5 is swung into closed position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the flange 29 moves beneath a projecting member 3| which may be formed integral with leg I! of the headbar support I6. Thus in the closed position of the valance carrier it is laterally supported by virtue of the flange 29 lying between plate I i and member 3|. Flange 29 is formed with a projecting vertical ridge 29a which snaps beneath a complementary formation at 3la to latch the valance carrier in closed position. The mem-- ber 3| is sufficiently large and sufflciently springy to securely hold the carrier [5 in closed position, but of course, the carrier can be opened by the application of sufllcient opening force.

It will be noted that the height of flange 29 and latch ridge 29a far exceeds the height of latch member 9|. 7 parts to be used for brackets intended for different heights or thicknesses of head-bars. Despite considerable variation in the level at which head-bar support I8 is welded to plate ll, latch member 9| will nevertheless properly cooperate with latchingflange 29.

A vertical guldeway for keeper 29 is provided by the opposing edges of legs I1 and I8 of head-bar support l9, together with a rectangular cut-out in shelf l9, as is seen in Figs. 1 and 6. The keeper 29 is of generally U-shape form. having a vertical portion 29a, a head 29b and a foot 29c. A pressed-out longitudinal rib 29d stiifens the keeper, and a pressed-out bulge 29e is adapted to strike the top of shelf l9 and limit downward movement of the keeper. A barb 29! is adapted to strike the under surface of shelf l9 to limit upward movement of the keeper and prevent its accidental removal.

The keeper 29 can be assembled with the bracket, as shown in Fig. 6, being first placed with portion 29a in a horizontal position and with foot 29c projecting downwardly through the slot in shelf is. This is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. .Then the keeper 29 is swung upwardly, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6 to bring the portion 29a into vertical position in the guideway. By forcibly depressing the keeper, the barb 29f yields and passes to a position beneath the shelf after which the springiness of the barb restores it sufliciently to prevent accidental removal of the keeper.

With the'valance carrier in open position as shown in Fig. 4, a valance 29 is-pushed in place by movement in the direction of the arrow attached to valance 29 in Fig. 4. Similarly a headbar 85 is moved into place on shelf "5 by movement in the direction of the arrow attached to head-bar 35 in Fig. 4. While positioning the head-bar on the shelf, keeper 29 is held in an elevated position, as shown in Fig. 4. When the head-bar has been completely inserted, the keeper drops or is pulled down, so that its head 29b enters the head-bar groove or cut-out 3541 as shown in Fig. 2. Thus the head-bar is held against accidental removal. If desired, the keeper 29 may be dispensed. with and the head-bar held in place by screws inserted through holes 36 (2 shown).

The construction shown in Figs. 7 to 10 is so similar to the one already described that only the differences need be pointed out. This will be done with the aid of reference characters which, so far as applicable, are the same as or similar to those already used.

Welded or otherwise suitably secured to plate I I is a curtain rod support designated as a whole by 49. This support is substantially Z-shaped, having a flange 49a which is welded or otherwise secured to plate II, and having a grooved vertical flange 49b which is spaced laterally from plate II. The groove 49c of flange 49b is adapted to support one end of a. curtain rod 4|,

as seen in Figs. 8 and 10. Projecting rearwardly This permits the same standardized.

out spring l4 and ll and also has a struckout protuberance". l j p p 3 The keeper 2. is movable ina vertical guideway similar to the one previously described, and which is formed in conjunction with head-bar support it. i In this instance thehead-bar support ll hasdownwardly projecting legs ii and ll which are welded to plate Ii. .The keeper 2| is assembled in its guidewayin'amanner similar to that shown in Fig. 6, except that it is insertedi'i'om beneathshelf Ii, ofthe head-bar support II, the head of the keeper being inserted first and the keeper being swung downwardly and then pushed upwardly into its guideway. When the keeper is pushed upwardly in its guideway spring finger 44 yields and then springs out again after the finger haspassedabove the shelf ll. Thereafter finger 44 limits downward movement of keeper 20' and prevents its accidental removal. Upward movement of the keeper is limited by protuberance 46. .When the keeper II is in its uppermost position shown in Fig. 9 spring finger 45 makes frictional engagement with the edge of the cut-out in shelf is, thereby preventing the keeper from falling under the action of gravity. This is quite an advantage, as it holds the keeper out of the way during the insertion of the head-bar 35. As the head-bar is mounted on two brackets which may be widely spaced, it is awkward and inconvenient for an installer to manually hold the two keepers in uppermost position while the head-bar is being inserted.

In compliance with the patent statutes I have disclosed the best forms in which I have contemplated applying my invention but it will be understood that the forms disclosed are illustrative of the invention without limiting the scope or the invention.

WhatIclaimis: V

1. A Venetian blind bracket comprising: a vertical plate, and a laterally projecting flange at the rear of the plate for mounting the bracket on the forward face of a window frame, the vertical plate projecting beneath the bottom of the flange and having the rear edge of the projecting portion positioned flush with the rear surface of the flange.

2. A Venetian blind bracket compnsmg: a body member and a head-bar support having a guidway formed in connection therewith, a keeper vertically slideable in the guideway, and a pair of spring fingers, one higher than the other, attached to the keeper and adapted to engage the head-bar support, the keeper being insert able into the completed guideway and one spring linger acting to prevent accidental removal of the keeper from th guideway and the other spring finger acting to hold the keeper in posi-' tical plate to be affixed adjacent to a window frame, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lowerforward corner of the plate and swingable into open and closed position; the improvement which comprises: the valance carrier having a face which is flush with the outer surface of the vertical plate, having I. portion which abuts against the. forward ,edge of the vertical platewhen the valance carrier is in closed position, and also having two rearwardlvextendinz vertically spaced portions which are laterally offset withrespect to said abutting portion and each of which makes side-to-side engagement with the inner face of said vertical plate, one of said offset portions being at the lower forward corner of the vertical plate and the pivotal attachment between the carrier and theplate being to such offset portion.'

5. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be afllxed adjacent to a window frame, and a valance carrier pivoted to the plate and swingable into open and closed position; the improvement which comprises: the valance carrier having a face which is flush with the outer surface of the vertical plate, having a portion which abuts against the forward edge of thevertical plate when the valance carrier is in closed position. and also having two rearwardly extending vertically spaced portionswhich are laterally offset with respect to said abutting portion and each of which, makes side-to-slde engagement with the inner face of said vertical plate, the pivotal attachment between the carrier and the plate being to one of said offset portions.

6. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be afllxed adjacent to a window frame, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lower forward corner of the plate and swingable into open and closed position; the improvement which comprises: the valance carrier having a portion which abuts against the forward edge. of the vertical plate when the valance carrier is in closed position and which abuts against the lower edge of the vertical plate when the valance carrier is in open position to thereby limit the downward swing of the valance carrier, and the valance carrier also having a rearwardly extending portion which is laterally off-. set with respect to said abutting portion, the pivotal attachment between the carrier and the plate being to such offset portion.

7. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be afiixed adjacent to a window frame, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lower forward corner of the plate and swingable into open and closed position; the improvement which comprises: the valance carrier having a portion which abuts against the forward edge of the vertical platewhen the valance carrier is in closed opsition and which abuts against the lower edge of the vertical plate when the valance carrier is in open position to thereby limit the downward swing of the valance carrier, the valance carrier having alower-positinned rearwardly extending portion which is laterally oilset with respect to said abutting portion, the pivotal attachment between the carrier andthe Plate being to such offset portion, and the valance carrier also having an upper-positioned rearwardly extending portion which is laterally offset with respect to said. abutting portion and which has a lower bent-away corner to guide it into side-by-side engagement with the inner face of the vertical plate.

8. In aVenetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be affixed adjacent to a window frame, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lower forward corner of the plate and sw able into open and closed position; the improvement which comprises: the valance carrier having a face which is flush with the outer surface of the vertical plate, having a portion which abuts against the forward edge of the vertical plate when the valance carrier is in closed position, and also having an upper-positioned rearwardly extending portion which is laterally offset with respect to said abutting portion and which moves alongside the inner face of the vertical plate as the valance carrier is closed.

9. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be affixed adjacent to a window frame, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the 'lowerforward corner of the plate and swingable into open and closed position; the improvement which comprises: the valance carrier having a face which is flush with the outer surface of the vertical plate, having a portion which abuts against the forward edge of the vertical plate when the valance carrier is in closed position, and also having an upper-positioned rearwardly extending portion which is laterally offset withrespect to said abutting portion and which moves alongside the inner face of the vertical plate as the valance carrier is closed, the

, lower corner of said oifset portion being bent away to guide it alongside the inner face 01' the vertical plate.

10. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be afllxed adjacent to awindow frame, and a valance carrier pivoted'adjaeent to the lower forward corner of the plate and swingable into open and closed position; the improvement which comprises: the valance carrier havins a face which is flush with the outer surface of the vertical plate, having a portion which abuts against the forward edge of the vertical plate when the valance carrier is in closed position, and also having an upper-positioned rearwardly extending portion which is laterally offset with respect to said abutting portion and which moves alongside the inner face of the vertical plate as the valance carrier is closed, the vertical plate being provided with means spaced laterally from its inner surface and with which said oifset means makes side-by-side engagement when the valance carrier is closed. 11. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be afllxed adjacent to a window frame, head-bar supporting means projecting from one side of the plate, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lower forward corner of 'said plate and swingable into open and closed position; the improvement which comprises: the head-bar supporting means being provided with a forwardly projecting member which is laterally spaced from the inner face of the vertical plate, and the valance carrier being provided with; means lying between said forwardly projecting member and the inner face of the vertical plate when the valance carrier is closed.

12. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be affixed adjacent to a window frame, head-bar supporting means projecting from one side of the plate, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lower forward corner of said plate and swingable into open and closed position; the improvement which comprises: the

head-bar supporting means being provided with a forwardly projecting member which is laterally spaced from the inner face of the vertical plate, and the valance carrier being provided with a flange lying between said forwardly projecting member andthe inner face of the vertical plate when the valance carrier is closed, said flange and forwardly projecting member being formed as cooperating latch members acting to latch the valance carrier in closed position.

13. A Venetian blind bracket comprising: a vertical plate to be afllxed adjacent to a window frame; head-bar supporting means projecting? from one side of the plate; and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lower forward corner of said plate and swingable into open and closed position, the carrier extending vertically along the front edge of the plate when in closed position, extending forwardly from the bottom of the plate when in open position, and carrying the valance fixedly attached to it as it swings from open to closed position and vice versa, the valance carrier also being provided with a latch formation cooperable with latching means positioned at different vertical levels on the vertical plate.

'14. A' Venetian blind bracket comprising: a vertical plate to be afllxed adjacent to a window frame; head-bar supporting means projecting from one side of the plate; and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lower forward corner of said plate and swingable into open and closed position, the carrier extending vertically along the front edge of the plate when in closed position, extending forwardly from the bottom of the plate when in open position, and carrying the valance fixedly attached to it as it swings from open to closed position and vice versa; the vertical plate being provided with a curtain rod support, andthe valance carrier being provided with means which, when the carrier is closed, holds the curtain rod against removal.

15. A Venetian blind bracket comprising: a vertical plate to be afllxed adjacent to a window frame; a head-bar supporting shelf attached to the plate and projecting laterally from one-side of the plate; a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lower forward comer of said plate and swingable into open and closed position, the carrier extending vertically along the front ed e of the plate whenin closed position, extending forwardly from the bottom of the plate when in open position, and carrying the valance fixedly attached to it as it swings from open to closed position and vice versa; a latch formation formed integrally with the shelf and located at approximately the same level as the shelf; and a cooperating latch formation projecting from an upper part of the valance carrier; the two latch formations beingcooperable to latch the carrier in closed position.

16. A Venetian blind bracket comprising: a vertical plate to be aillxed adjacent to a window frame; head-bar supporting means projectin from one side of the plate; and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lower forward corner of said plate and swingable into open and closed position, the carrier extending vertically along the front edge of the plate when in closed position, and extending forwardly from the bottom of the plate when in open position, and the valance carrier being provided with two laterally projecting members to receive the valance between them, one of the members being yielding whereby the members tightly gripan inserted valance even with a degree of variation in the thickness of the valance.

mam: H. Nat-son.