US2498067A

US2498067A - Venetian blind bracket

Info

Publication number: US2498067A
Application number: US22437A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry B Chatfield
Original assignee: GUARANTEE SPECIALTY Manufacturing CO
Current assignee: GUARANTEE SPECIALTY Manufacturing CO
Priority date: 1948-04-21
Filing date: 1948-04-21
Publication date: 1950-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 1967-02-21

Description

Feb. 21, 1950- H. B. CHATFIELD VENETIAN BLIND BRACKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 21, 1948 FIE- 11 FIG. 15

INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 21, 1950 VENETIAN BLIND BRACKET Henry B. Chatfield, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The Guarantee Specialty Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation Application April 21, 1948, Serial No. 22,437

13 Claims. 1

My present invention comprises a novel Venetian blind bracket of the type adapted for supporting Venetian blind structure at either end thereof for mounting adjacent to a window.

A primary object of my invention is to provide such Venetian blind supporting brackets with attachable Venetian blind head rail supporting means, whereby the said head rail supporting means may be fabricated as a unit separate from the main Venetian blind supporting member and readily attached thereto in either permanent or detachable relation. I

Another object of my invention is to provide curtain rod supporting means forsuch Venetian blind supporting brackets wherein the said curtain rod supporting means is fabricated as a unit separate from the main supporting bracket and is attachable in a novel manner to the head rail supporting means in either permanent or detachable relation thereto.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a, Venetian blind supporting bracket having a head rail stop member formed integrally therewith but detachable therefrom, said head rail stop member being detachably cooperable with the head rail supporting means for positioning the Venetian blind head rail thereon.

Still another object of my invention is to provide such a Venetian blind supporting bracket with an attachable facia board supporting member or clip which is constructed in a novel manner and attachably cooperable with the .main Venetian blind supporting bracket in a novel manner.

In the installation of Venetian blinds it is quite common to provide a bracket member at each end of the blind, which brackets are directly mounted toadjacent portions of the window frame or other frame structure adjacent which the Venetian blind is to be located. These brackets include means for supporting the head rail of the Venetian blind, and in many instances also include a carrier .or support for a facia board or valance. These brackets also commonly include head rail supporting means formed integrally with the main supporting bracket, or formed separately and then welded or otherwise permanently secured to the main bracket.

My present invention contemplates the provision of head rail supporting means formed separately and attachable to the main bracket without the use of special tools. A special object of the invention is the provision of head rail supporting means having provisions for attachment thereto of curtain rod supporting means or a head 'detachably secured rail stop member, likewise without use of special tools. l

A general object of the invention is to effect economies in manufacture and also in merchants inventory by providing head rail supporting means that is interchangeably attachable to various styles of main brackets and by making provision for alternative use with said headrail supporting means and said main bracket of various accessories.

Other objects, advantages, and features of this invention will appear from the following detail description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in'which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the main Venetian blind supporting bracket of my invention alone, looking toward the inside thereof, and with the Venetian blind head rail supporting means omitted.

Figure 2 is a rear end view of the bracket shown in Figure 1, looking toward the right side of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation, similar to Figure 1, but showing the attachable head rail supporting means in attached relation to the main supporting bracket. l I Figure 4 is a partial side elevation of'the assembled structure of Figure 3, looking toward the opposite side of the structure from that shown inv Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 6. s

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3,"b'ut showing the curtain rod supporting meansin attached relation to the head rail supporting means. Figure '7 is a perspective view of thehead rail supporting means alone. v Figure 8 is a top plan view of the assembled structure shown in Figure 6, looking toward the top of Figure 6. v

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing a modified form of bracket having a detachable head rail stop member formed integrally with the rear flange of the main bracket, and also showing a slightly modified form of head rail supporting means and a modified form of curtain rod holder associated with the latter.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 but showing the head rail stop member detached from the rear flange of the main bracket and in place on the headrail supporting means.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of an integrally formed pair of rear facia clip members which are formed so as to be separable into two separable rear facia supporting members.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a head rail stop alone which is adapted for detachable connection with the head rail supporting member as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a top plan view of Figure 9 showing more in detail the formation of the shelf portion of the head rail supporting member and the manner of attachment of the modified form of curtain rod support thereto.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the form of curtain rod holder illustrated in Figure 9 as attached to the head rail supporting means.

Figure 15 is a detail view of the portion of the bracket of Figure 9 showing the head rail stop member formed integrally with the rear flange of the main bracket, the view being taken looking toward the right of Figure 9.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the embodiment of my invention in conjunction with a Venetian blind supporting bracket having a pivoted or movable front facia supporting member or clip.

Now referring more specifically to the drawings the main Venetian blind supporting bracket member generally designated by the numeral I comprises a main body portion 2 having a rear flange member 3 ofistanding inwardly from the main body portion 2 at substantially a right angle thereto. A facia board supporting member generally designated by the numeral 4 has a main body portion 5 having an offstanding front flange portion at the front edge thereof offstanding inwardly at substantially a right angle to the main body portion 5 of the facia holder 4, the front flange portion being designated 6. The facia carrier or holder 4 is also provided with rear flange portions I and 8 at the top and bottom thereof spaced rearwardly from the front flange portion 6" and disposed at substantially right angles to the main body portion 5. The facia holder 4 also includes a bottom or supporting flange 5 likewise disposed at substantially right angles to the body portion 5. The facia holder 4 is an integral member with the flange portions 6, I-, 8 and 9 formed integrally with the main body portion 5, the flange 9 being a downward extension of the body portion 5 and bent at right angles thereto, and the flange portion 8 being a rearward extension of the flange portion 9 and bent at right angles thereto. The body portion 5 of the facia holder includes a rearwardly extending portion 5a extending rearwardly of the flange portions 7 and 8 and the facia holder 5 is pivoted to the main body portion 2 of the supporting bracket I by means of a pivot pin I passing through the rearward extension a of the facia holder.

In the closed position of the facia holder 4, shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3, the rearward extension 5a lies against the inner side of the main body portion 2 of the supporting bracket I, the flange portions I and 8 are disposed adjacent the front edge of said body portion 2 and the flange portion 6 is disposed somewhat forwardly of the front edge of the body portion 2 of the main supporting bracket I. I

Cooperating locking means are provided on the facia holder 4 and the main body portion 2 of the supporting bracket I, said locking means comprising an outstruck projection It on the rearward extension 5a of the facia holder intended to cooperate with a dimple oraperture I2 provided in the body portion 2 of the main supporting bracket I. To facilitate the closing action of the facia holder, in reference to engagement of the projection II with the main body portion 2 of the main supporting bracket I, the latter is provided with a flared depression I3 leading from the front edge of the same toward the opening or dimple I2 and flared outwardly toward the front edge of the body portion 2, so that in closing of the facia holder the projection H engages smoothly with the depression portion I3.

The rearward extension 5a of the facia holder 4 is strengthened by the provision of a longitudinal rib Ma.

The Venetian blind head rail or head bar supporting means comprises an integral member fabricated separately from the main supporting bracket I, the head rail supporting means being generally designated I4 and seen best in Figures 3, 5, 6, '7, and 8. This integral or unitary head rail supporting means is pressed out of a single piece of metal and comprises a generally vertically disposed main bracket engaging portion I5 and a generally horizontally disposed shelf or head rail supporting portion IS, the shelf portion I6 being bent at substantially right angles to the portion I5 in the forming operation. At the upper or free edge of the bracket engaging portion I5 the same is provided with hook portions I5a I 5?), and I50 which are adapted to engage over the upper edge of the main body 2 of the bracket member I, as seen best in Figures 5 and 8, for supporting the member I4 upon the bracket member I. Cooperating locking means are provided on the member I4 and the main bracket member I for locking the member I4 in proper position on the bracket member I. Said latter locking means comprise the locking member or projection II bent inwardly from the bracket engaging portion I5 adjacent the rear edge thereof "and adapted to interlockingly cooperate with a locking member or lug I8 bent inwardly from the rear'flange 3 of the main bracket I. This locking lug I8 extends from the rear flange 3 at an acute angle to the plane of the main body portion 2 and the lug I8 has a downwardly extending portion 18a formed by cutting away the metal rearwardly thereof between the same and the flange 3,

Thus, when it is desired to attach the head rail supporting member I4 to the main bracket I, the hook portions I5a, I51), and I50 are engaged over the upper edge of the body portion 2 of the main bracket I in the manner shown by Figures 3, 5, 6, and 8, but with the member I4 disposed forwardly of the position there shown. When the hook portions of the member I 4 are engaged over the upper edge of the body 2, the member I4 is then slid rearwardly t0 the position shown in Figures 3 and 6 in the course of which operation the locking member or projection I1 will engage and press inwardly the portion I; of the locking lug l8 until the member I! passes rearwardly of the portion I8 and is locked therebehind when the member I4 is finally positioned as in Figures 3 and 6 due to the spring action of the metal of the lug I8 which tends to restore the latter to its original position slightly farther toward the main body 2 than the extreme inner edge of the projection 17, upon the slight inward pressure of the member I'I exerted upon the portion I8a of the lug I8, being relieved after projection I'I passes behind the portion I8a Intermediate the hook portions I5a, I51), and I50, the member I4 may be provided with inwardly pressed portions I9 and I9a spaced inwardly from the body portion 2 of the main bracket and from the plane of the bracket engaging portions of the member I4. These inwardly pressed portions I9 and I9a are provided for cooperation with the legs of an attachable ceiling bracket as disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 22,438 filed April 21, 1948 for Venetian blind bracket and top mounting means therefor or for cooperation with the legs of an attachable extension bracket member as disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 22,439, filed April 21, 1948, for Venetian blind bracket and extension mounting means therefor.

The attachable head rail supporting means I4 of my invention may be provided with one or more apertures 20 for registry with similar apertures 2| provided in the main bracket member I for receiving screws or like fastening means for securing the bracket member to a window frame or the like upon which the Venetian blind unit as a whole is to be supported. The shelf portion I6 of the member I4 is likewise provided with apertures 22 for receiving screws or like fastening means adapted to secure the head rail of a Venetian blind to the head rail supporting means I4.

Shelf portion I6 is also provided with a struck up short projection 23 adapted to initially position the Venetian blind head rail in supporting engagement with the shelf portion I6. When the bracket assembly has been mounted in place to the window frame, the Venetian blind head rail is laid in place on the shelf I6 supported thereby and the projection 23 caused to penetrate the wood of the head rail for initial positioning of the head rail on the shelf member I6, after which the head rail may be permanently secured to the shelf I6 by means of screws inserted through the apertures 22 screwed into the head rail.

Under some conditions, it is desirable to utilize, in conjunction with the bracket assembly shown in'Figure 3, a curtain rod holding means, and for this purpose I provide an attachable curtain rod holding member generally designated 24 and shown in Figure 6. The member 24 comprises a hook portion 25 adapted to receive the curtain rod, and the member 24 comprises a shelf engaging portion 26 adapted to engage the underside of the shelf I6 when mounted on the main bracket as shown in Figures 6 and 8, said shelf engaging portion 26 having attaching

lugs

21 and 28. The shelf I6 is provided with cut out portions including the square aperture 29 approximately centrally thereof and the

cut outs

34 and 30a at opposite ends of the shelf. In attaching the curtain rod holder 24 to the shelf I6, the portion 26 is engaged with the underside of the shelf I6 and the lug 28 is inserted through the central aperture 29 and bent over the edge of the adjacent metal as shown in Figure 6. The attaching lug 21 is disposed in one of the

grooves

30 or 30a and then bent over the upper edge of the shelf I6 as shown in Figure 6.

It will be noted that the member I4 is made universal so that it can be attached to either right or left hand main brackets such as I, it being understood that for every Venetian blind installation there will be provided two' of the brackets I at either end of the blind and these brackets will be identical except that they are reversed as to the pivotal mounting of the facia carrier 4. Therefore, the member I4 has been provided with a locking member I1 identical with the locking projection I? but at the opposite end of the member I4 so that when the member I4 is used with the other bracket of the pair of brackets, the projection I'I' will interlockingly cooperate with the lug I8 of the other bracket. It is for the same reason that the

cut outs

30 and 30a have been provided at opposite ends of the shelf I6 so that the lug 21 of the curtain rod holder will cooperate with one or the other of the

cut outs

30 or 30a, depending on whether the member I4 is used with a right or left hand bracket.

Now it is believed that the manner of use of the construction of my invention will be understood from the foregoing, but the same may be briefly summarized as follows: The head rail supporting means will be mounted on the bracket I in the manner previously described and the locking projection I! caused to engage behind the locking lug I 8. This will produce a very firm attachment of the member I4 to the bracket I yet permit of removal of the member I4 if desired by forcing the member I4 forwardly of the bracket I to release the interlocking engagement of the members I1 and I8. If desired, the member I4 may be more permanently secured to the bracket I by pressing the lug I8 toward the member I4 or the portion I5 thereof after the projection ll is engaged behind the lug I8 as shown in Figure 3, this being permitted by the resiliency of the metal of the bracket I from which the lug I8 is formed. If it is desired to utilize the curtain rod holder 24, the same will be attached in the manner above described to the shelf portion I6 of the member I4 at either the right or left side thereof, depending upon whether the bracket I is a right or left hand bracket. In the drawings the bracket I is shown to be a left hand bracket.

When the Venetian blind head rail has been mounted upon the shelf portion I6 of the right and left hand bracket assemblies typified by Figure 3, these assemblies having previously been mounted to the window frame, the valance or facia carriers 4 will be disposed outwardly or forwardly of the window, and upon being swung downwardly around the pivots III, the facia board may be inserted between the front flange 6 and the rear flanges I and 8, after which the facia carriers will be swung to closed position as shown in Figures 1 and 3 and locked in such position by coaction-of the locking means II and I2.

It will be noted that while the bracket I illustrated in the drawing is arranged for use as a left hand bracket, the same is adapted to be used as a right hand bracket, in which event the member I4 would be attached thereto by causing th hook portions I501, I51), I50 to engage over the lower edge of the main body 2 and the locking projection I'I caused to engage behind the portion IBa' of the looking lug I8, which, similarly to the lug I8 is struck out from the rear flange 3 of the bracket I. Also, when the bracket I is to be used as a right hand bracket, a reversely formed facia carrier will be used and pivoted adjacent the upper left hand corner of bracket I with the dimple or opening I I disposed adjacent the lower left hand corner thereof, as viewed in Figures 1, 3, or 6.

Now referring to Figures 9, 13, and 14, there is illustrated a modified form of curtain rod holder 3| having a hook portion 32 for receiving the curtain rod, and having ashelf engaging portion 33 engaging the under side of the shelf I6 of the modified form of head rail supporting means I4 illustrated in Figure 9. As seen best in Figures 9 and 13, the modified form of head rail supporting means I4 has a forwardly extending portion 34 that includes a depression 35 extending laterally of the shelf portion IB and a communicating demes iah .6 ex en n ongi u i lr m t e depression 35 to the extreme end of the shelf portion 16' forwardly thereof. The curtain rod holder 35 includes a T-shaped attaching member having the shank portion 31 and the wings 38, the shank portion 31 being flexibly formed on the curtain rod supporting member providing a sort of hook adapted to engage over the forward edge of the portion 34 of the shelf [6' with the shank 31 lying in depression 36 and the wings 38 lying in the lateral depression 35. In attachment of the curtain rod supporting member (H to the shelf E6 the attaching member comprising the portions 3'! and 38 being resilient or flexible is pressed down into the

depressions

35 and 36 so that the metal of the shelf member forming the sides of the depressions serves to lock the wings 38 and prevent detachment of the supporting member 3| from the shelf l6.

Referring now to Figures and 12 particularly, there is shown a head rail stop member generally indicated by the numeral 39 which may be detachably secured to the shelf member l6 as shown in Figure 10 in lieu of the curtain rod supporting member 3! to serve as a stop limiting the forward movement of the head rail when resting upon the shelf member 16. This head rail stop member 39 as shown in Figures 9 and is originally formed integrally with the rear flange 3 of the main bracket 4, the said rear flange 3 being coined or scored as at 40 for frangibly detaching the member 39 from said rear flange 3. The member 39 is generally of right angular formation provided with shelf en gaging portion 4| adapted to engage the under side of shelf (5' and equipped with a projection .42 adapted to engage behind the rib formed by the lateral depressitm 35 in the shelf member 46, as shown in Figure 10. The member 39 is also equipped with a resilient or flexible tongue member 43 adapted to engage over the upper surface of the shelf member 16 for supporting the member 39 thereon. It will be understood that the head rail stop member 39 is slipped on to the shelf Hi from the front end thereof and moved rearwardly until the projection 42 engages behind the rib as shown in Figure 10, the resilient tongue member 43 providing a sort of snap-locking action in conjunction with the projection 42. The upright vertical portion 14 of the member 39 thereupon serves to provide a guard or abutment for limiting forward movement of the head rail of the Venetian blind supported upon the shelf member l6.

Now referring to Figures 10 and 11, there is shown in the latter figure a pair of rear facia supporting members formed as an integral unit, the metal being separated and scored as at A5 and 45a to form a line of separation between the two rear

facia supporting members

46 and 41 forming the unit designated as a whole by the numeral 48.

In the use of Venetian blind brackets of the type herein disclosed, under various conditions it is sometimes desired to utilize one or more of the various accessories including the curtain rod supporting member 3!, the head rail stop member 39, and the rear facia supporting members 4B and 41. Since the rear facia supporting members have to be formed differently depending upon whether they are to be used on a right hand bracket or a left hand bracket, it has been found that it is most practical to supply both right and left hand rear facia members. It is eryadvaatasccus thereicrei to. supply thes 8 members, as shown in Figure 11 as an initial integral unit so that there is certain to be always both right and left hand members supplied.

In practical use the

members

46 and 4! are separated by breaking them apart along the coin or score line 45a by the user when he is ready to make a particular installation requiring one or the other of said

members

46 or 47. These members are each provided with a T-shaped attaching member 46a or 41a and the main bracket members I are provided with a keyhole slot 49 through which the attaching member 48 may be inserted forattaching the rear facia member 48 or ll to the main bracket I as shown in Figure 10, said figure showing the member 41 which is for use with a left hand bracket, attached, as above described.

These rear facia members 46 and M each have a front vertical portion 50 and a bottom facia supporting portion 5! and a side wall 52 engaging the body of the main bracket I when the member 46 or H is secured thereto as shown in Figure 10.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A Venetian blind bracket of the class described, comprising, in combination, a main supporting bracket member including a main body portion and a flange portion extending from the main body portion at an angle thereto, a separate Venetian blind head rail supporting member, and means for securing said members together including hook means on the latter member engageable with an upper portion of the first member for supporting said latter member on the first member and mutually cooperable locking means on each of said members including a locking member on said flange portion, and a locking member on said head rail supporting member interlockingly cooperable with the first locking member.

2. A Venetian blind bracket of the class described, comprising, in combination, a main supporting bracket member, a separate Venetian blind head rail supporting member, and means for securing said members together including hook means on the latter member engageable over an upper edge of the first member for supporting said latter member on the first member, and mutually cooperable locking means on each of said members.

3. A Venetian blind bracket of the class described, comprising, in combination, a main bracket member including a main body portion and a flange portion extending from the body portion at an angle thereto, a separate Venetian blind head rail supporting member, and means for securing said members together including means for supporting the latter member on said first member, a locking member on said flange portion, and a locking member on said latter member interlockingly cooperable with the first locking member.

4. A Venetian blind bracket of the class described, comprising, in combination, a main bracket member including a main body portion and a flange portion extending from the body portion at an angle thereto, a separate Venetian blind head rail supporting member, having a body engagin portion extending in a plane parallel to the plane of the body portion and engaging the same and having a shelf portion extending from the body engaging portion in a plane substaatialhz ormal to he Plane o th latter portion, and means for securing said members together including hook'means on the second member engageable with an upper part of said body portion for supporting the second member on the first member, a locking member on said flange portion, and a locking member on the second member interlockingly cooperable with the first locking member.

5. Venetian blind bracket means of the class described, comprising a main supporting bracket member, a facia carrier member pivotally mounted thereto and pivotally movable to a position adjacent the forward edge thereof, said carrier having a rearwardly extending portion engaging the main bracket in side by side relation when the carrier is in said position, a locking recess on one of said members, a cooperating IOCkil'lg projection on the other member engageable in said recess, and a guide recess in the latter member for receiving said projection when the carrier member is moved toward said position, said guide recess leading from the adjacent edge of the respective member to said locking recess.

6. Venetian blind bracket means of the class described, comprising, in combination, a main supporting bracket member, a separate Venetian blind head rail supporting member attachable to the first member and including a, shelf, means on said members for securing the same together, and a curtain rod supporting member attachable to said shelf.

7. Venetian blind bracket means as claimed in claim 6, wherein said curtain rod supporting member includes y eldable attaching means and said shelf is provided with securing means cooperable with said yieldable attaching means for securing the curtain rod supporting member to the shelf.

8. Venetian blind bracket means of the class described, comprising, in combination, a main supporting bracket member, head rail supporting means carried thereby, and a member formed integrally with said main member and frangibly detachable therefrom, said last member having means for attaching the same to said head rail supporting means.

9. Venetian blind bracket means of the class described, comprising a unit consisting of a pair of facia supporting members integrally formed of a single piece of metal, said members being frangibly detachable from one another, and each of said members having means for attaching the same to a main Venetian blind supporting bracket.

10. A Venetian blind bracket of the class described, comprising, in combination, a main bracket member including a main body portion and a flange portion extending from the body portion at an angle thereto, a separate Venetian blind head rail supporting member, and means for securing said members together including means for supporting the latter member on said first member, a yieldable locking member on said flange portion, and a locking member on the head rail supporting member engageable with the first locking member to cause the latter to yield upon movement of the head rail supporting member relative to the main bracket member, said first looking member being resilient to resume its initial position after the second locking member passes the same in such movement, to interlockingly cooperate with the first locking member.

11. A Venetian blind bracket of the class described, comprising, in combination, a main bracket member including a main body'portion and a flange portion extending from the body portion at an angle thereto, a separate Venetian blind head rail supporting member, and means for securing said members together including means for supporting the latter member on said first member, a yieldable locking member on said flange portion offstanding therefrom at an acute angle to the plane of the main body portion, and a locking member on said head rail supporting member interlockingly cooperable with the first locking member and engageable with the latter upon movement of the head rail supporting member relative to the main body member to cause the first locking member to yield to permit the second locking member to pass the same, said first locking member having a downwardly protruding portion and being resilient to cause the same to resume its initial position after passage of the second locking member, said downwardly protruding portion of the first locking member then interlockingly engaging the second locking member.

12. A Venetian blind bracket of the class described, comprising, in combination, a main sup porting bracket member, head rail supporting means carried thereby and including a Venetian blind head rail supporting shelf, and an angular bracket member detachably cooperable with said shelf, said angular bracket member comprising a shelf engaging portion, a second portion upstanding therefrom and engageable with the head rail supported on said shelf, said shelf engaging portion having a resilient tongue element springingly engageable with the opposite side of said shelf from that engaged by the shelf engaging portion of the bracket, and detent means on said shelf and said shelf engaging portion of the bracket cooperable to lock the angle bracket on the shelf when the shelf engaging portion and the tongue portion thereof are in engagement with said shelf.

13. Venetian blind bracket means as claimed in claim 6, wherein said curtain rod supporting member includes yieldable attaching means comprising a shank portion and lateral wing portion, and said shelf includes a recess engageable with said shank portion and a recess engageable with said wing portion.

HENRY B. CHATFIELD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 21,174 Lorentzen Aug. 8, 1939 1,781,262 Wintrob Nov. 11, 1930 2,039,588 Kirsch May 5, 1936 2,241,054 Burns May 6, 1941