US2322934A - Tackless roller shade assembly - Google Patents

Description

June 29, 1943. w. M. HICKS TA CKLESS ROLLER SHADE ASSEMBLY Filed June 20, 1941 ATTORW Patented June 29, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

The present invention relates to a tackless roller shade assembly, having properties which adapt it especially for shade web replacements upon original or used shade rollers. This application is an improvement on my pending application'entitled Replacement shade structure which bears Serial Number 291,123, and filing date of August 21, 1939, patented August 26, 1941, as No. 2,253,519. The instant invention improves upon the structure disclosed in the case referred to, and also upon the structure disclosed in another of my pending applications filed September 28, 1940, as Serial Number 358,909, patented August 26, 1941, as No. 2,253,520.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide a replaceable or interchangeable shade structure which may be assembled upon any standard size of spring actuated shad roller, by the mere act of inserting the roller into the hollow interior of a rolled-up shade web, foregoing the use of any tacks, adhesives, or other fasteners that would require unrolling of the shade web in efiecting a connection or substantial fixation of the web to the roller.

Another object of the invention is the accomplishment of an instantaneous shade web and roller assembly, with the use of means which are simple and inexpensive to procure, and which will outlive any shade web subjected to normal usage.

Another object is to provide simple and reliable means for maintaining a shade web in fixed relationship to a shade roller, without the use of any means tending to penetrate the shade material, thus having the advantage of rendering the shade web reversible end for end without exhibiting any penetrating marks or other defacements deleterious to the appearance of the assembled structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tackless roller shade replacement unit which is so constructed that it effectively withstands shipping and handling, and may therefore be marketed without liability of injury to the product even though protected from soil by means of a light and inexpensive common wrapper.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an end perspective view of a rolled shade web, in condition for instantaneous reception of a shade roller.

Fig. 2 is an end perspective View of a shade roller prepared for insertion into the hollow interior of the rolled shade web of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a formed element, constructed as a split tube, which constitutes a necessary element of the invention.

Fig. 4 is ,a fragmentary perspective View of a double split tube or formed element, which constitutes a modification applicable to the invention.

Fig. 5 is an end view somewhat similar to Fig. 4, showing a further modification of a double split tube assembly.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged end view showing the parts of Figs. 1 and 2 assembled, with the shade Web unwound and in a pendent condition.

The roller shade assembly of the instant invention distinguishes from previously known structures principally in that expansive means are provided and cooperate in such a manner as to establish a fixed non-slipping action between the .hem provided on the shade web, and the roller which is to mount the shade web. The structure herein disclosed is believed to be the only known structure wherein a replacement shade web may be securely mounted upon a shade roller by the mere insertion of the roller into the replacement shade assembly, the mounting being performed without unrolling the shade web and without the extra work of applying tacks or an adhesive for ensuring a fixed relationship of the parts preparatory to use. Inany event,the elements of the combination are the simplest, least expensive, and quickest in assembly yet devised.

With reference to the accompanying drawing, the character 1 indicates any standard shade roller having a fixed pintle 8 at one of its ends, and preferably a flattened rotatable winding key 9 at its opposite end, the element 9 preferably being associated with an internal spring and suitable ratchet means of the general character disclosed in the Collins Patent N 0. 1,949,356, granted February 27, 1934. The ends of the roller usually are furnished with metal caps as indicated at III and I2. Rollers of the type illustrated by Fig, 2 will be found available in several different diameter sizes ranging from a small size slightly less than one inch in diameter, to a larger size slightly in excess of a one inch diameter. Any of these approximately equal siZe rollers may be used to mount a shade web, with the use of the means herein disclosed.

It will be noted that the shade roller of Fig. 2 has wound around it in two locations, the rubber bands l3 and I4. These rubber hands if desired, may be ordinary rubber bands such as are used commercially in ofiices and in the home, or if preferred, they may be made of special sizes so as to encircle the roller but once. As shown herein, the rubber bands I3 and I4 are ordinary commercial bands wrapped several times about the roller. It will be noted thatthe band I4 is shown applied near the middle of the length of the roller whereas the band It is applied near one end thereof. The reason for this will appear later in the description.

With reference now to Fig. l the character I5 indicates a shade web which may be of any suitable material such as fabric or paper, and this web has its outer terminal end turned upon itself, preferably about a reinforcement slat or element I6, to furnish a hem I9 at the end of the web. The free end of the web may be tucked under as indicated at I1, and secured so as to close the hem permanently, the securement being effective by means of any proper expedient such as an adhesive, clips, or stitching. For convenience of illustration, the hem is maintained by means of a row of stitching indicated at I8.

A similar hem of the same proportions as that indicated at I9, is furnished by the opposite end of the web, this hem being indicated at 20 in the illustration Fig. 6. Like the hem I9, the hem 20 has its terminal edge 2| turned upon itself and stitched as at 22 in order to maintain a definite hem size. The hem 20 normally will be located interiorly of the wound up web, as suggested in Fig. 1.

By preference, though not of necessity, both hems I9 and 20 are made equal in size and dimensions, so that either may receive a shade roller, or alternatively a reinforcement element or slat such as I6. By so forming the hems of equal size, the shade web may be rendered reversible, in order that it may be suspended from one end or the other to dispose a soiled or worn portion amongst the convolutions thereof where it ordi- I narily will not be exposed to view.

With further reference to Fig. l, the character 23 indicates a formed element which fits rather snugly within the hem 20 of the shade web, and which formed elementmay be in the form. of a split tube. This part is shown in detail by Fig. 3. The split tube should be flexible to some slight degree at least in order that its diameter may change slightly in the direction of expansion within the hem 20 when the roller with the rubber bands thereon .is projected axially through the tube. Examples of tube materials which will perform satisfactorily are cardboard, pressed fiber or paper or various kinds of wood pulp composition material, stiffened fabric and the like. Except for the cost factor involved, a metal split tube would also be found satisfactory and certainly operative.

The bands I3 and I4, which might be of rubber or any other suitable material having the characteristics of resiliency and deformation, serve to in effect yieldingly increase the diameter of the roller to the extent of somewhat resisting insertion of the roller into the split tube. When the roller is projected into the tube the tube will be found expanded with a yielding force, within the confines of the hem 28. This yielding expansion will serve to prevent slippage of the tube within the hem, and also slippage of the roller within the. tube. the resilient bands about the roller, followed by forcing the roller lengthwise through the split tube, there will be accomplished an instantaneous and secure mounting of a shade upon the roller. If the roller be of one of the smaller sizes, heavier Thus, by the simple expedient of placing bands I3 and I I may be employed to ensure the necessary frictional grip or expansion to frictionally maintain a state of fixation between the web, the split tube, and the roller. Thinner or smaller bands may be applied to a roller if the latter be of one of the larger standard sizes. In either case, the desired fixation of parts will be realized.

In advancing th roller through the tube, the bands I3 and I4 may advance along the roller toward the cap I2 and assume different positions thereon. Depending upon the friction generated in so advancing the roller, the bands may or may not disintegrate, but in either case the desired frictional connection will result.

In Fig. 6, the circles at I3 indicate a plurality of thicknesses of rubber bands, such as would result from several wrappings of rubber band about the roller for suificiently expanding the split tube or formed elements 23 within the hem 20. The character 24 indicates the pendent portion of the shade web, and as previously suggested herein, the extreme lower end thereof may be furnished with another hem similar to that at 2!], to correspond with the hem I9 of Fig. 1. When the hems are made equal in size, either may be associated with a split tube and a roller as heretofore explained.

It may here be mentioned that the split tube 23 need not be of very thick material in order to secure the desired results. A tube material approximating in thickness the gauge of suit-box cardboard will perform quite satisfactorily, as will also a tube fabricated from a material as heavy as mailing tube cardboard. As a matter of fact, the thickness of the material used in forming the split tube 23 is a matter of relative immateriality, and may therefore be selected within reasonable limits.

The illustration of Fig. 4 shows a pair of split tubes I30 and 230, one placed within the other in frictional contact, for the purpose of taking up any excessive differences between the hem diameter and the roller diameter, over and above a difference which the rubber bands might not be capable of compensatin for. A roller such as I when forced through the duplex tube arrangement of Fig. 4, will be capable of expanding the tubes sufficiently to effect the desired frictional contact and expansion necessary for joining the shade hem, the tubes and the roller in fixed operative relationship to one another.

In the modification of Fig. 5, the split tubes I30 and 230 are related to one another in the same manner as is suggested by Fig. 4, but are show-n separated by a resilient band 26 for further increasing frictional contact between the tubes. The modified structure of Fig. 5 will receive a roller such as I, in the same manner as was explained in describing the assemblies of Figs. 4 and 1. In the modifications of Figs. 4 and 5, the splits of the tubes could just as well be registered with one another rather than placed in opposing relationship as shown.

Referring to Fig. 6, it will be noted that the opposed edges 21 and 28 located at the split which runs longitudinally of the tube, will preferably be spaced apart sufficiently so as to receive between them the seam and the stitching 22 of the hem. While such spacing of the edges 21 and 28 is not an absolute necessity, it will be found desirable as a simple means of forming a longitudinal pocket in which the several thicknesses of web material'may be accommodated, in order to avoid any tendency toward the formation of a bulge or ridge running longitudinally of the shade when it is rolled up and wound upon the roller. It is desirable to avoid such bulges or ridges whenever possible, in order to prevent marking the shade transversely of its length.

The device of this invention is capable of various modifications, for example, the resilient expander l3 may be of material other than'rubber, or the hems may be formed differently than in accordance with the example illustrated. There is also the possibility of using a resilient ring in place of a common rubber band, as suggested in my said copending application, Serial No. 291,123, and finally the split tube 23 may be of any length less than the length of the roller, or it may be made in two or more sections of equal or unequal length, placed end to end upon the roller and about the expanders l3-|4; I This and other modifications and changes in the structural details may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination which comprises a shade roller and a shade web, said web having at an end thereof a hem larger than the roller diameter, an expansible tube split longitudinally of its axis and dimensioned to enter the hem while embracing the roller within it, and resilient means acting upon the expansible tube to maintain it in nonslipping frictional contact with the roller and the hem.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination which comprises a shade roller and a shade web hem adapted to receive the roller, and expansible means operative upon axial movement of the roller through the hem, to frictionally maintain a substantially non-slipping relationship of the roller to the hem.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination which comprises a shade roller and a shade web hem adapted to receive the roller, and expansible means operative upon axial movement of the roller through the hem, to establish and maintain a substantially non-slipping relationship of the roller to the hem.

4. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a shade roller and expander means thereabout, an expansible tube split longitudinally of its axis adapted to receive the roller and expander therein, and a shade web having an end provided with a hem to receive the split tube, the roller and the expander means together being of an overall diameter slightly i excess of the inside diameter of the tube when the tube is surrounded by the hem, therebycausing the roller with the expanding means thereon to expand the tube tightly within the hem upon merely projecting the roller and expander means axially through the split tube while the latter is confined within the shade hem.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a shade roller and expander means thereabout, an expansible tube split longitudinally of its axis adapted to receive the roller and expander therein, and a shade web having an end turned upon itself and seamed to provide a hem to receive the split tube, the roller and the expander means together being of an overall diameter slightly in excess of the inside diameter of the tube when the tube is surrounded by the hem, thereby causing the roller with the expanding means thereon to expand the tube tightly within the hem upon merely projecting the roller and expander means axially through the split tube while the latter is confined within the shade hem, the split of the tube being separated sufiicientlyto accommodate the hem seam.

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination which comprises a shade roller and a shade web, said web having at an end thereof a hem larger than the roller diameter, an expansible tube split longitudinally of its axis and dimensioned to enter the hem while embracing the roller within it, and resilient means acting upon the expansible tube to maintainit in nonslipping frictional engagement with the roller and the hem, said longitudinal split of the tube being of suflicient width to accommodate therein a seam of the web. I

7'. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a shade web including a terminal end turned upon itself and seamed to form a hem, an expansible split tube of substantially cylindrical formation located within the hem and maintaining the latter in a distended condition, a cylindrical shade roller, and at least one resilient band wrapped about the roller, with the roller and its band inserted into the split tube in expanding relationship to the tube, for effecting a substantial fixation between the roller, the split tube, and the hem.

8. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a shade web including a terminal end turned upon itself and seamed to form a hem, an expansible split tube of substantially cylindrical formation located within the hem and maintaining the latter in a distended condition, a cylindrical shade roller, and at least one resilient band wrapped about the roller, with the roller and its band inserted into the split tube in expanding relationship to the tube, for effecting a substantial fixation between the roller, the split tube, and the hem, the split of the tube being sufficiently wide to furnish a trough for receiving the seam aforesaid.

9. A replacement shade assembly for mounting upon a shade roller, said assembly comprising a rolled shade web having a hem at one of its ends, and an expansible tube of substantially cylindrical formation located within the hem as a mandrel to resist crushing of the rolled web, said tube being split longitudinally of its axis, the material of the tube being sufficiently stiff to maintain a distended condition of the hem.

10. A replacement shade assembly for mounting upon a shade roller, said assembly comprising a rolled shade web having a hem at one of its ends, and an expansible tube of substantially cylindrical formation located within the hem as a mandrel to resist crushing of the rolled web, said tube being split longitudinally of its axis, the material of the tube being sufiiciently stiff to maintain a distended condition of the hem, and the split of the tube being sufficiently wide to accommodate a hem seam.

11. A replacement shade assembly for mounting upon a shade roller, said assembly comprising 3 rolled shade Web having a hem at one of its ends, and an expansible tube of substantially cylindrical formation located within the hem as a mandrel to resist crushing of the rolled web, said tube being split longitudinally of its axis, the material of the tube being sufficiently stiff to maintain a distended condition of the hem, and a second split tube located within the first split tube, and resilient means disposed between said tubes tending to expand the first tube and con- ;tract the second tube.

12. A replacement shade assembly for mounting upon a rubber banded shade roller, said assembly comprising a shade web having a hem on .a-t,-least one of its ends, and an expansible split tube of substantially cylindrical formation locatzed within the hem to maintain a distended condition of the hem and to apply pressure to the inside of the hem upon advancement of such banded shade roller through the tube axially located Within the first split tube, said second tube being flexible to exert an expanding force upon the first tube when the second tube is ex panded by a snugly fitting shade roller inserted longitudinally into said second tube.

14. A replacement shade assembly for mounting upon a shade roller, said assembly comprising a rolled shade web having a hem on at least one of its ends, and an expansible tube of substantially cylindrical formation located within the hem as a mandrel to resist crushing of the rolled web, said tube being split longitudinally of its axis, the material of the tube being sufficiently stiif to maintain a distended condition of the hem surrounding said tube, and a second split tube located within the first split tube, with the splits of the tubes out of registry one with the other, said second tube being flexible to exert an expanding force upon the first tube upon entry of a snugly fitting shade roller longitudinally into said second tube.

WILLIAM MORSE HICKS.

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