WO2005044064A1

WO2005044064A1 - Batten assembly for blinds

Info

Publication number: WO2005044064A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/001461
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Lowe
Original assignee: Stephen Lowe
Priority date: 2003-11-07
Filing date: 2003-11-07
Publication date: 2005-05-19
Also published as: AU2003277985A1; AU2003277985B2

Abstract

A batten assembly (5) comprising, a batten member having an elongate main body portion (14) with two opposed ends and a cavity (19) extending between the ends along the length of the main body portion, an elongate retaining member (17) shaped so that it may be fitted into the cavity and held therein, an end opening at each of the two ends providing access to the cavity, a lengthwise opening defined between opposed forward edges (20) of the main body portion, the lengthwise opening giving access to the cavity along its length, an external step (21) proximate each forward edge (20), a resilient clip (15) having two arms (26) shaped so that the clip may be pressed on to the main body portion with a forward portion of each arm snap fitting over one of the steps to hold the resilient clip on the main body portion, and a cord receiving aperture (32) at a rear portion of the resilient clip, wherein the construction is such that a thin web of material (3) may be fed through the lengthwise opening into the cavity to sandwich the thin web of material between the elongate retaining member and the main body portion and the external profile of the main body portion comprises a gradual ramp (23) leading to each step so as to gently expand the forward portions of two arms away from each other as the resilient clip is pushed on to the body portion and to allow the forward portions to sharply retract towards each other as they are pushed over the steps.

Description

BATTEN ASSEMBLY FOR BLINDS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a batten assembly and in a particular non-limiting aspect relates to a batten assembly which is suitable for use with Roman blinds.

Background of the Invention

A Roman blind is made up of several horizontal panels fomied of a web of fabric or lining. The panels are formed by folding and sewing small pockets which extend across the width of the lining. The lining prepared in this fashion becomes the base for a blind. This method has been used since Roman blinds evolved. However the method suffers from a problem that where the pocket is sewn, each stitch makes a hole in the fabric of the lining. Of course, light can readily pass through each of the holes formed in this fashion. As a result, when the blind is put in place across the window, the light shines through as a row of pinholes across the length of each of the pockets.

As well as presenting problems with pinholes, because construction of a Roman blind generally requires a sewing operation, the manufacture of the blind can be both time consuming and expensive.

There is therefore a need for a batten assembly construction which can be used for preparing Roman blinds and which obviates or reduces one or more of the aforesaid disadvantages.

Disclosure of the Invention

The invention provides a batten assembly comprising, a batten member having an elongate main body portion with two opposed ends and a cavity extending between the ends along the length of the main body portion, an elongate retaining member shaped so that it may be fitted into the cavity and held therein, an end opening at each of the two ends providing access to the cavity, a lengthwise opening defined between opposed forward edges of the main body portion, the lengthwise opening giving access to the cavity along its length, an external step proximate each forward edge, a resilient clip having two arms shaped so that the clip may be pressed on to the main body portion with a forward portion of each arm snap fitting over one of the steps to hold the resilient clip on the main body portion, and a cord receiving aperture at a rear portion of the resilient clip, wherein the construction is such that a thin web of material may be fed tlirough the lengthwise opening into the cavity to sandwich the thin web of material between the elongate retaining member and the main body portion and the external profile of the main body portion comprises a gradual ramp leading to each step so as to gently expand the forward portions of two arms away from each other as the resilient clip is pushed on to the body portion and to allow the forward portions to sharply retract towards each other as they are pushed over the steps.

Suitably, the cavity has a generally C-shaped profile. The C-shaped profile may extend along the entire length of the main body portion. Hence the end openings may themselves have the same C-shaped profile as the interior portion of the cavity.

The internal profile of the resilient clip is preferably such that it snugly fits over the external profile of the main body member. Suitably, the external profile of the main body member is consistent over its length so as to allow the resilient clip to be slidable along the length of the main body member.

A rib may extend substantially along the length of the rear of the main body member. The purpose of the rib may be to assist with accurate location of the resilient clip on the main body member. Thus the internal profile of the resilient clip may have a recess which accommodates the rib.

Suitably, skirted end caps may be provided to close off each end opening of the main body member. The skirts of the end caps may be slidable over the external profile of the main body member. Thus, the internal profile of the skirts may match the external profile of the main body member. In this respect, the skirt of each end cap may be provided with an opening which can be aligned with the elongate opening of the main body member.

To assist with accurate location of the skirted end cap and elongate retaining member, the end cap may be provided with an internal member which projects from the top of each end cap into a corresponding recess provided at each end of the elongate retaining member.

The cord receiving aperture may be provided in a protrusion projecting from the back of the resilient clip. The construction may be such that when the resilient clip is fitted to the batten assembly, the protrusion projects in a direction substantially perpendicular to a Roman blind on which the batten assembly has been secured. Thus, the aperture may extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the protrusion.

In order to assist with retention of the resilient clip on the main body member, it is preferred that the forward portion of each of the arms is hook shaped. Furthermore, it is preferred that the gradual ramp has a radius of curvature at least three times as large as the radius of curvature of each step.

Preferred aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows an elevational view of a Roman blind fitted with batten assemblies according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of Figure 1 when it is folded; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a batten assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a web of material forming a blind; Figure 4 shows an assembled view of the components shown in Figure 3; and Figure 5 shows the section V-V taken on Figure 4; and Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the cap of Figure 3 rotated 180° about its lengthwise axis.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Elements identified by numerals in the accompanying drawings are listed in the following integer list. ger List

1 Blind assembly 3 Fabric 5 Batten assembly 7 Panel 9 Head board 11 Cord 12 Roller wheel 13 End cap 14 Main body member 15 Clip 17 Retaining member 18 Recess 19 Cavity 20 Forward edge 21 Step 23 Ramp 25 Rib 26 Arm 28. Forward portion 29 Forward portion 30 Rearward projection 32 Aperture 34 Skirt 35 Opening 36 Internal profile 40 Projection

Referring to Figures 1 to 2 of the accompanying drawings, a Roman blind assembly generally designated 1 comprises a fabric or web 3 having a number of a batten assemblies 5 according to the invention applied thereto.

Panels 7 are comprised by the areas of web lying between adjacent batten assemblies.

The blind assembly 1 is suspended from a head board 9 in the conventional manner. A cord 11 extends on both sides of the blinds through the resilient clips 15 attached to each of the batten assemblies 5, with the cord being securely fixed to the lowermost clip on either side of the blind.

Whilst the illustrated embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 shows a pair of clips on either side of the batten assemblies, it is to be appreciated that more clips may be used depending upon the width of the blind concerned. Thus for example, equally or unequally spaced numbers of clips as much as three, four or five may be used for wider blinds.

The cord 11 extends over roller wheels 12 (or similar) provided underneath the head boards so that the blind may be retracted to the folded configuration shown in Figure 2 when the cord is pulled. As can be seen in Figure 2, the pulling of the cord results in pulling the batten assemblies into abutment with each other so that the panels fold concertina like together. The batten assemblies are also fitted with end caps 13 to assist with retaining the various components of the Roman blind in place when assembled and to give an aesthetically pleasing finish to the ends of the batten assemblies.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the batten assemblies shown therein include an elongate retaining member 17. This retaining member is shaped so that it fits loosely within the cavity 19 running the full length of the main body member 14 of the batten assembly. Whilst the cavity 19 is shown as having a semi-circular cross section providing a C-profile, it is to be appreciated that other cross sectional shapes may also be suitable depending on the visual characteristics required of the blind, such as the appearance of the batten member. The retaining member 17 may have a cross section which generally matches the shape of the cross section of the cavity allowing for a slight clearance between the retaining member and walls of the cavity. Thus, where the cavity is semicircular, the retaining member will generally be circular in cross section, and the diameter of the cross section will be slightly less than the diameter of the semicircular cavity to allow for the fabric 3 or other web to be fitted into the cavity.

The forward edges 20 of the forward portions 28 of the main body member define an elongate gap through which the fabric may be fed. These forward edges are rounded so as to prevent hang up of the fabric and they are spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the retaining member.

Proximate the forward portions 28 of the main body member are provided steps 21 on the outside of the main body member. These steps may extend for the entire length of the main body member.

Leading up to the steps going from the rear of the main body member to the step, is a ramp portion 23 which has a lesser radius of curvature than the radius of curvature of the step. Suitably, the ramp will have a radius of curvature at least three times the radius of curvature of the most curved section of the step. This is to ensure that there is a smooth lead up to the step so that the resilient clip 15 may be readily press fitted on to the main body member 14.

The resilient clip which may typically be formed of a moulded plastics material, comprises opposed arms 26 having forward portions 29 which form a general hook shape so that they can readily snap fit over the step 21 to securely hold the clip in engagement with the main body member.

A rearward projection 30 extends from the back of the clip and is provided with an aperture 32. The arrangement being such that the rearward projection extends generally perpendicular to the web 3 when the blind is unfolded with the aperture extending generally parallel to the plane of the web.

A rib 25 extends along the length of the rear of the main body member and assists with accurate location of the clip on the main body member. Thus, the internal profile of the clip substantially matches the external profile of the main body member so that it snugly fits thereon. With this construction, it can be seen that the clip whilst being retained on the main body can be slidable sideways on the main body member.

End caps 13 are fitted to the batten assembly after the fabric 3 has been pushed into the cavity and the retaining member 17 slid sideways into the cavity to sandwich the fabric between the retaining member and the main body member. Each end cap has a skirt 34 with an internal profile matching the external profile of the main body member so that it can be readily slid over the end of the main body member. The skirt also includes an opening 35 which corresponds to the elongate opening at the front of the main body member. An internal projection 40 provided in the end cap is located so that it can fit into the matching recess 18 provided in each of the ends of the retaining member 17. The dimensions of the internal profile 36 and projection 40 may be chosen so that they form a friction fit with the exterior surface of the main body member and the recess 18 respectively to secure the various components together in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

From the construction shown, it can be seen that a number of batten assemblies can be easily applied to a fabric to form a Roman blind without the need for any sewing. The particular shape of the external profile of the main body member and internal profile of the clip are designed so as to make it very easy to assemble the two together. Furthermore, because application of the batten assembly to the fabric simply involves sliding the retaining member together with the fabric into the main body of the batten member, the overall labour required for assembly is relatively little even when a number of battens need to be applied to a blind. The use of preformed apertures 32 which extend perpendicular to the batten assembly also makes it very easy to thread a cord through the various clips to complete the blind assembly.

Whilst the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention.

It will be also understood that where the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", are used in this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. A batten assembly comprising, a batten member having an elongate main body portion with two opposed ends and a cavity extending between the ends along the length of the main body portion, an elongate retaining member shaped so that it may be fitted into the cavity and held therein, an end opening at each of the two ends providing access to the cavity, a lengthwise opening defined between opposed forward edges of the main body portion, the lengthwise opening giving access to the cavity along its length, an external step proximate each forward edge, a resilient clip having two arms shaped so that the clip may be pressed on to the main body portion with a forward portion of each arm snap fitting over one of the steps to hold the resilient clip on the main body portion, and a cord receiving aperture at a rear portion of the resilient clip, wherein the construction is such that a thin web of material may be fed through the lengthwise opening into the cavity to sandwich the thin web of material between the elongate retaining member and the main body portion and the external profile of the main body portion comprises a gradual ramp leading to each step so as to gently expand the forward portions of two arms away from each other as the resilient clip is pushed on to the body portion and to allow the forward portions to sharply retract towards each other as they are pushed over the steps.

2. A batten assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cavity has a generally C-shaped profile and the internal profile of the resilient clip is such that it snugly fits over the external profile of the main body member.

3. A batten assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising a rib extending substantially along the length of the rear of the main body member.

4. A batten assembly according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a skirted end cap for closing off each end opening, each end cap having a matching opening in the skirt for alignment with the elongate opening and an internal member projecting from the top of each end cap, the internal member being receivable in a corresponding recess provided at each end of the elongate retaining member.

5. A batten assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cord receiving aperture is provided in a protrusion projecting from the back of the resilient clip.

6. A batten assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein arms are symmetrical and the forward portion of each arm is hook shaped.

7. A batten assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each gradual ramp has a radius of curvature at least three times as large as the radius of curvature of each step.

8. A batten assembly according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.