US2674432A

US2674432A - Venetian blind installation bracket

Info

Publication number: US2674432A
Application number: US124330A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hans K Lorentzen
Original assignee: LORENTZEN HARDWARE Manufacturing CORP
Current assignee: LORENTZEN HARDWARE Manufacturing CORP; LORENTZEN HARDWARE MF'G CORP
Priority date: 1949-10-29
Filing date: 1949-10-29
Publication date: 1954-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 1971-04-06

Description

April 6, 1954 H- K. LORENTZEN VENETIAN BLIND vINSTALLATION BRACKET HIS ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 6, 1954 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE VENETIAN BLIND INSTALLATION BRACKET Hans K. Lorentzen, Montclair, N. J., assignor to Lorentzen Hardware Mf Corp., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application Dctober 29, 1949, Serial No. 124,330

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to Venetian blinds, and more particularly to a so-called installation bracket for removably supporting a blind in position adjacent a window or door opening.

A Venetian blind is essentially an assembly of superimposed articulated slats which are suspended from a headbar extending across the top of the blind and on which is mounted mechanism for raising and tilting the slats of the blind. This arrangement facilitates installation of the blind as a unit. In the usual construction, installation brackets, which are secured to the window frame, are used to removably support the ends of the headbar.

The installation bracket of the present invention is particularly adapted for supporting a socalled enclosed head in which the headbar is hollow, often being formed of a light gauge sheet metal channel more or less enclosing the lifting and tilting mechanism of the blind. Such headbars are usually much larger in cross section than wooden headbars, in which the slats of the blind are suspended from a tilt bar rotatably mounted on the underside of the headbar.

This bracket or hanger is particularly advantageous for supporting the enclosed head type of blind in so-called concealed installations, in which the headbar is received within a recess or pocket at the top of the window which may be formed by a cornice or valance board extending across the top of the window below the lintel or may be formed as a recess in the wall itself. In many such installations, headbar supporting brackets of the type in which a front retainer iiange is pivoted to swing forwardly for installation or removal of the headbar, as disclosed in the Mintz Patent No. 2,244,326 of September 9, 1941, cannot be used due to insufficient clearance between the brackets and the forward wall oi the pocket to permit opening of the retainer ange.

In the form shown of the present invention, the bracket comprises a plate member adapted to span across the channel of the headbar and having a flange on each side of the headb-ar receiving and supporting two ends of a generally U-shaped member extending about the sides and bottom of the headbar. The plate member is provided with holes receiving mounting screws for securing it to the lintel in the so-called ceiling or overhead mounting and may also be provided with a side iiange provided with mounting screw holes for a so-called inside mounting in which the mounting brackets are secured to the jamb or side surfaces of the Window opening. The supporting anges of the plate member may be formed by folding the ends of the plate downward and back upon themselves in spaced parallel relation.

The co-operating U-shaped member is so proportioned as to fit closely over the sides and bottom of the headbar and the free ends of the legs are turned outwardly to :form anges adapted to overlie and be supported by the iianges or the plate member. A portion of the bottom of the U-shaped member is at a lower level than the remainder of this part to Ipermit passage of the lift cords or tilt cords between the headbar and the member during installation of the headbar, as will be explained.

A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved installation bracket for Venetian blind headbars which is adapted for economical quantity production from sheet metal stampings and which can be used advantageously in concealed installations.

Among the other objects of the invention are: to provide an improved installation bracket which lalso may be used as a center or intermediate support for a headbar; to provide a bracket which may be used for supporting either end of a headbar, no lefts and rights being required; to provide a bracket that is durable and dependable in service; and to generally improve installation brackets of the type described.

Further objects and objects relating to details and economies of construction, manufacture and use will more definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

My invention is clearly deiined in the appended claims. Where parts are, for clarity and convenience, referred to on the basis of their oriented position shown in the accompanying drawing, no limitation as to the position lof the entire structure is to be implied. Also in both the description and the claims, parts at times may be identied by specific names for clarity and convenience, but such nomenclature is tov be understood as having the broadest meaning consistent with the context and with the concept of my invention as distinguished from the pertinent prior art. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a Venetian blind provided with installation brackets according to the present invention, the lower portion of the blind having been omitted for convenience o f illustration.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the installationv bracket, the two parts of the bracket being shown in exploded relation.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one end of the headbar, showing the two parts of the installation bracket in position for engagement.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the installation bracket and headbar, taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, a portion of the headbar being broken away to show details of the installation bracket. One part of the bracket is shown additionally in broken lines to show the method of assembly.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a Venetian blind of the enclosed head type in which a channel-shaped sheet metal headbar I receives the operating mechanism. The headbar I0 is supported at each end by installation brackets II and a third installation bracket II is shown about midway of the length of the headbar, this last bracket being known in the trade as an intermediate supporting bracket. 'One or more intermediate brackets are used to prevent sagging of long headbars or headbars supporting long heavy blinds. The bracket I I of the present invention is suitable for mounting at either end of the headbar, no rights or lefts being required, and is also suitable for use as an intermediate bracket.

The bracket II is comprised of two parts, a plate member I2 and a U-shaped member I4. The plate member I2 comprises a flat generally rectangular sheet metal stamping proportioned to span across the top of the headbar lil. The two opposite end sides of the plate member i2 are turned downwardly and back upon themselves to form generally horizontal supporting flanges I5, I at the top outside edges of the headbar I0. The -plate member I2 may be provided with several holes I6 for receiving mounting screws when the bracket is to be used in a ceiling mounting, in which the plate and blind are fixed to the underside of a horizontal lintel surface.

A downwardly directed flange Il may be provided at one end of the plate member I2, this flange being provided with holes I9, I9 for receiving mounting screws when the bracket II is to be mounted on the jamb surfaces of an opening as in an inside mounting of a blind. The plate member I2 is symmetrical about a line coinciding with the longitudinal center line of the headbar I0, thus adapting the plate I2 for mounting at either end of the headbar by turning it end for end. The lower central portion of the ange I'I may be cut away to form a rounded notch 20 in order to provide clearance for operating parts within the headbar IE) when the bracket is used as an intermediate support.

The end 2I of each supporting flange I5 adjacent the flange Il is turned upwardly to close the ends of the channels formed between the flanges I5, I5 and the balance of the plate I2. The

opposite ends

22, 22 of these flanges are similarly turned up but are somewhat shorter so as to leave an end opening into the channels formed between the supporting ilanges and the plate for entrance of portions of the U--shaped member I4, as will be described.

The U-shaped member I4 is formed of a straplike sheet metalV stamping proportioned to t closely along the bottom and sides of the channel I0, the free ends of -the member I4 terminating in an outwardly-projecting generally horizontal flange 24 at the outside of the upper edges of the channel. The width of the member I4 may be slightly less than the width of the plate I2 to permit the

flanges

24, 24 to be supported on the top surface of the supporting flanges I5, I5 and between the ends 2| and 22 thereof.

The relationship of the plate member I2 and U-shaped member I4 is such that the member I4 and headbar lo may be raised slightly relative to the plate member I2 to permit the

flanges

24, 24 of the member I4 to be passed over the

ends

22, 22 of the supporting iianges I5, the headbar and member I4 then being permitted to drop to support the member I4 from the flanges I5, I5 of the plate member I2. In the preferred embodiment of the bracket shown, the upper, inner surfaces of supporting flanges I5, I5 are spaced vertically from the bottom surface of the plate member I2 a distance which is a small number of times greater than the thickness of the

anges

24, 24 of the member I4 to reduce over-all height of the bracket. In such illustrated embodiment, the upper edges of the end portions 22 of the supporting iianges I5 are spaced from the lower surface of plate member I2 a distance somewhat exceeding the thickness of the

flanges

24, 24.

The transverse portion 25 of the bottom or base section of the U-shaped member I4 is formed at a somewhat lower level than the remainder of this section to provide a slight clearance between the member and the bottom wall of the headbar IQ, this clearance extending longitudinally of the headbar for the Width of the member and preferably being located at or adjacent one of the legs of the U-shaped member. The portion 25 provides clearance for passage of the lift or tilt cords of the blind between the U-shaped member and bottom of the headbar during assembly, as indicated in Fig. 3.

The U-shaped member I4 may be applied to either end portion of the headbar as indicated in Fig. 3 and slid sidewise into engagement with the supporting anges I5, I5 of the plate I2, at which time the lift cords or tilt cords, as the case may be, will hang vertically from the head bar without interference from the brackets. During sliding movement of the member Irl, the depressed portion 25 thereof passes directly below the hole in the bottom wall of the headbar provided for the lift cords or the tilt cords, as the case may be.

Since the member I 4 is symmetrical to a center plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the headbar, no rights or lefts of this part are required.

I claim:

l. A bracket for supporting a Venetian blind headbar, said bracket comprising: a generally rectangular sheet metal plate having a depending flange on one side thereof, the end portions of the plate being turned down and back upon themselves in generally parallel spaced relation to form a pair of supporting ilanges, and a generally U-shaped member adapted to extend across the bottom and sides of the headbar and having outwardly-directed end anges adapted to overlie and engage the supporting anges of the plate, the supporting flanges being provided with upwardly-projecting end portions to retain the member thereon.

2.-A bracket for supporting a Venetian blind headbar, said brakecomprising: agenerally rectangular plate, the end Vportions thereof being turned down and back upon themselves in spaced relation to form a pair of horizontal supporting flanges, and a generally U-shaped member adapted to extend across the bottom and sides of the headbar, the top portions of the legs thereof being turned outwardly to form a pair of flanges adapted to overlie and be carried by the supporting flanges of the plate, the ends of said supporting flanges being upturned to aid in retaining the flanges of the U-shaped member thereon.

3. A bracket for supporting a Venetian blind headbar, said bracket comprising: a generally rectangular sheet metal plate having a depending ilange on one side thereof, the end portions of the plate being turned down and back upon themselves in generally parallel spaced relation to form a pair of supporting ilanges, and a generally U-shaped member formed to extend across the bottom and sides of the headbar, the top portions of the legs being formed to overlie and engage the supporting flanges of the plate, a transverse portion of the bottom section of the member being at a lower level than the remainder thereof to provide clearance below the bottom wall of the headbar for the passage of blindoperating cords.

4. A bracket for supporting a Venetian blind headbar, as claimed in claim 4, in which the supporting flanges of the plate are provided with upwardly-projecting end portions to aid in retaining the member thereon.

5. A bracket for supporting a Venetian blind headbar, said bracket comprising: a generally rectangular sheet metal plate, the end portions being folded down and back upon themselves in parallel spaced relation to form a pair of supporting flanges, and a generally U-shaped member formed to extend across the bottom and sides of a headbar, the top portions of the legs being formed to overlie and engage the supporting ilanges of the plate, a transverse portion of the bottom section of the U-shaped member being at a lower level than the remainder thereof to provide clearance below the bottom Wall of the headbar for the passage of blind operating cords, and the supporting flanges being provided with upwardly-projecting end portions to aid in retaining the member engaged with the plate.

6. A bracket for supporting a Venetian blind headbar, said bracket comprising: a generally rectangular sheet metal plate having a depending flange along one side, and having its end portions turned downward and back upon themselves in spaced relation to form a pair of supporting ilanges, the end portions of the flanges being turned upward towards the plate, and a generally U-shaped metal member adapted to overlie the sides and bottom of an enclosed headbar, the free ends of the legs of the member being turned outwardly and adapted to be supported by the flanges of the plate, the bottom section of the member having a transverse portion located at a lower level than the remainder thereof to provide clearance below the bottom Wall of the headbar for passage of blind-operating cords.

7. A bracket for supporting a Venetian blind headbar, said bracket comprising: a generally rectangular sheet metal plate, the end portions of said plate being folded down and back upon themselves in parallel spaced relation to form a pair of supporting flanges, and a generally U-shaped member adapted to extend across the bottom and sides of the headbar and having outwardly-directed end flanges adapted to overlie and engage the supporting flanges of the plate, the supporting flanges being provided with upwardly-projecting end portions to retain the member thereon, the upper, inner surfaces of the supporting end flanges of the plate being spaced vertically from the bottom surface of the plate a distance which is a small number of times greater than the thickness of the outwardly-directed end flanges on the U-shaped member, and the upper edges of the upwardly-projecting end portions on at least one end of the supporting flanges being spaced from the bottom surface of the plate a distance somewhat exceeding the thickness of said outwardly-directed end flanges.

8. A bracket for supporting a Venetian blind headbar, said bracket comprising: a generally rectangular sheet metal plate having a depending flange along one side and having its end portions turned downward and back upon themselves in spaced relation to form a pair of supporting flanges, the end portions of the ilanges being turned upwardly towards the plate; and a generally U-shaped member adapted to overlie the sides and bottom of an enclosed headbar, the free ends of the legs of the member being turned outwardly and adapted to be supported by the flanges of the plate, the bottom section of the member having a transverse portion located at a lower level than the remainder thereof to provide clearance below the bottom wall of the headbar for passage of blind-operating cords, the upper, inner surfaces of the supporting end flanges of the plate being spaced vertically from the bottom surface of the plate a distance which is a small number of times greater than the thickness of the outwardly-directed end flanges on the U-shaped member, and the upper edges of the upwardly-projecting end portions on at least one end of the supporting ilanges being spaced from the bottom surface of the plate a distance somewhat exceeding the thickness of said outwardly-directed end flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,845,870 Fowler et al. Feb. 16, 1932 2,259,151 Claspy Oct. 14, 1941 2,358,946 Tornblom Sept. 26, 1944 2,423,978 Hunter July 15, 1947 2,454,550 Burns Nov. 23, 1948 2,469,949 Cantrell May 10, 1949 2,541,908 Attwood Feb. 13, 1951 2,595,752 Botts May 6, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 635,321 Germany Sept. 15, 1936