WO2008043358A1

WO2008043358A1 - A method for securing a screening device to a window, a set of parts and use of a glazing bead of a window

Info

Publication number: WO2008043358A1
Application number: PCT/DK2006/050058
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bent Ekfeldt Olesen; Ulrik Ulriksen
Original assignee: Vkr Holding A/S
Priority date: 2006-10-11
Filing date: 2006-10-11
Publication date: 2008-04-17
Also published as: EP2074273B1; EP2074273A1

Abstract

The method is intended for securing a screening device to a substantially rectangular window with a glazing bead and comprises the step of attaching attachment means of the screening device to the glazing bead of the window. The set of parts is adapted to be assembled to form a screening device secured to a substantially rectangular window with a glazing bead of U-shaped cross section. Attachment means of the screening device fit into and may be retained in at least two dimensions by means of a glazing bead of the window such as to retain the screening device in at least two dimensions. Furthermore, a glazing bead of a window is used for attachment of a screening device.

Description

A method for securing a screening device to a window, a set of parts and use of a glazing bead of a window

The present invention relates, in a first aspect, to a method for securing a screening device to a substantially rectangular window, said method comprising the steps of: providing a window, a windowpane being provided in a sash of said window, said windowpane being surrounded on at least its top and lateral sides by a glazing bead; and - providing a screening device comprising a screening body, said screening body being movable from a first, passive to a second, active end position, said screening device further comprising attachment means for attaching said screening device to said window. Many types of prior art screening devices are adapted to be secured on the outwardly facing part of a window, typically a roof window, and may be used for automated and/or manual operation of screening. They may be for screening against light, heat, noise etc.

Such screening devices are typically mounted on a rectangular roof window comprising a frame enclosing a sash, the sash enclosing a pane or windowpane. As is conventional to the skilled person, the pane is normally attached to the sash via a U-shaped glazing bead, which surrounds the pane on the upper and lateral sides. The U-shaped glazing bead comprises a flange normal to that leg of the U-shaped cross section of the glazing bead, which is farthest from the windowpane. This short flange extends towards the other of the legs of the U-shaped cross section. The windowpane is embedded in a groove formed by the U-shaped glazing bead and the sash of the window, the U-shaped glazing bead being open in a direction normal to and away from the windowpane. The sash comprises a protruding part, and the U-shaped glazing bead 9 is embedded between the windowpane and the protruding part and abuts the remaining part of the sash. One purpose of the U-shaped glazing bead is to drain off water.

In one prior art screening device the box member or top casing is secured to the top frame member of a roof window. Similarly, the side rails are secured to side frame members of the window and are interconnected at a bottom frame member by means of a bottom rail. Securing the screening device to the frame of the window makes it difficult to provide sufficient opening space for the window. Often it is only possible to open the window a few centimetres because the sash of the window is pushed against the screening device parts, such as the box member or the side rails.

In another prior art screening device the box member is secured to the top frame member of a side mounted pivoting roof window by means of a hinge connection. The side rails are thus able to pivot with the top casing around the horizontal axis of said hinge connection such that opening the window activates the pivoting movement of the screening device, the bottom parts of the side sash members of the window sliding in the side rails. Since the sash of the window is mounted at its sides and the screening device is pivoting about an axis at the top frame member of the window, the side rails in any open position of the window protrude from the frame in an angle different from the window sash.

Yet another solution is to secure the screening device to the sash of the window in order to completely let it follow the movement of the window between its open and its closed position. Such a solution is known in connection with facade windows. Whether secured to the frame or the sash, it is, however, important that the attachment means for securing the screening device to the window in a degree as small as possible involve intrusion of attachment devices, such as nails or screws, into vulnerable parts of the window. Such intrusion may lead to leakages through which water is be able to enter into the woodwork of the window, leading to deterioration or rotting of the wood. This problem is of most significance when securing the screening device to the sash of the window since on the sash most often only vulnerable parts are available for attachment purposes. This is especially the case when retrofitting a screening device on an existing window borne without means intended for attachment of a screening device.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a method for securing a screening device on a window, more specifically a roof window, such as to let it follow the movement of the sash between the open and closed positions of the window, which method provides for an easy mounting on existing windows and which minimizes or avoids the exposure of vulnerable internal parts of the window to intrusion of rainwater, humidity etc. from the outside.

To meet this object, the method according to the first aspect of the invention is characterized in that it further comprises the step of attaching said attachment means to said glazing bead. Most existing windows do not comprise suitable means specifically adapted to attachment of a screening device such as to let it follow the movement of the sash between the open and closed positions of the window. According to the invention it has surprisingly been discovered that screening devices may be easily and reliably mounted on a window by means of the glazing bead, which is already present on a major part of existing windows. This avoids or lessens the need for specifically designed attachment means on the window and intrusion of attachment devices, such as nails or screws, into vulnerable parts of the window such as the woodwork of the sash. Thus, the exposure of vulnerable in- ternal parts of the window to penetration of rainwater, humidity etc. from the outside is minimized or completely avoided. Attaching attachment means of the screening device to the glazing bead provides for a function of the mounted screening device, which is equivalent to attaching the screening device directly to the sash of the window such that the screening device is allowed to follow the movement of the sash between the open and closed positions of the window. Because of the pre-existent glazing bead on roof windows, it is very often possible to use this method when retrofitting a screening device, even though the respective window is not manufactured with an eye to such retrofitting. In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention said glazing bead is substantially U-shaped in cross section, one leg of said U-shaped cross section comprising a flange substantially normal to said leg for cooperating with said attachment means when attaching said attachment means to said glazing bead. In another preferred embodiment said attachment means comprise at least one protruding member adapted to fit into said glazing bead in order to be attached to this, said protruding member being embedded in and abutting the internal sides of said glazing bead when at- taching said attachment means to said glazing bead, said protruding member preferably being U-shaped, V-shaped, W-shaped or the like in cross section. Preferably, the protruding member comprises two legs connected by means of a lower section and, when attached to the glazing bead, said lower section abuts a lower part of said U-shaped glazing bead, one leg of said protruding member abuts said flange of one leg of said glazing bead, and another leg of said protruding member abuts the other leg of said glazing bead. These steps and features provide for a more easy and reliable attachment of the attaching means.

The screening device may comprise a box member for contain- ing said screening body in said first end position in which it is rolled-up, pleated or folded; and at least two side rails for guiding said screening body over said window when moving from said first end position to said second, active end position in which, for the screening of the window, it is extended between a top and a bottom sash member. Said protruding member preferably extends along the longitudinal directions of one of said rails and said box member. More preferably said protruding member corresponds to said glazing bead and is integral with said box member or one of said side rails. In a further developed embodiment said protruding member is attached to said box member, and, when attaching said screening device to said window, said protruding member of said box member is guided into the top or bottom side glazing bead by guiding said protruding member into the glazing bead and turning it into engagement with said flange around an axis parallel to said glazing bead. More advantageously, said (or a further) protruding member is attached to one of said side rails, and said protruding member is attached to the respective side part of the glazing bead by guiding said member into the glazing bead and turning it into engagement with said flange around an axis parallel to said glazing bead and sliding said side rail into engagement with the top box from the bottom side of the window in a move- ment substantially coaxial to a lateral side of said window. This provides for an easy and effective mounting of the screening device. Even more advantageously said attachment means further comprise two cap elements, said method further comprising the steps of positioning each of said cap elements at the bottom of and against one side rail when attaching said attachment means to said glazing bead for retaining the respective side rail against said window; and securing said cap elements to said sash of said window, preferably by means of screws or the like. This provides for an easy and secure mounting of the screening device. In a preferred embodiment said attachment means snap onto said glazing bead by means of resilience of said attachment means and/or said glazing bead. As is conventional to the skilled person, the word "snap" refers to that one or more resilient parts are pushed back during fitting of the attachment means and then click into engagement such as to secure the attachment means.

In another preferred embodiment a covering of said window sash is removed prior to securing said screening device to said sash of said window, and said covering is reattached following said securing of said screening device. Thereby the covering may be used for further se- curing the attachment means in the glazing bead.

In an advantageous embodiment said screening device is a blackout curtain.

In another advantageous embodiment a draining channel is provided in said glazing bead after securing said screening device. Such a channel may be used for draining off rainwater.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a screening device, which screening device may be easily mounted on an existing window, more specifically a roof window, such as to let it follow the movement of the sash between the open and closed positions of the window, minimizing or avoiding the exposure of vulnerable internal parts of the window to intrusion of rainwater, humidity etc. from the outside.

To meet this object, in a second aspect the invention provides a set of parts adapted to be assembled to form a screening device secured to a substantially rectangular window comprising a frame and a sash, a windowpane being provided in said sash, said windowpane being surrounded on at least its top and lateral sides by a longitudinally extending glazing bead with a U-shaped cross section, one leg of said U-shaped cross section comprising a flange substantially normal to said leg, said set of parts comprising: a screening body; a box member for being positioned at a top or bottom sash member of said window and for containing said screening body when in a first, passive end position in which it is rolled-up, pleated or folded; and two side rails for guiding said screening body over said window when moving said screening body from said first end position to a second, active end position in which, for the screening of the window, it is extended between said top and bottom sash members of said window; said box member and/or at least one side rail comprising attachment means for attaching said screening device to said window.

The set of parts is characterized in that said attachment means comprise at least one protruding member extending in a longitudinal direction of said box member and/or said side rail and having a cross sec- tion adapted to fit into and, cooperating with said flange of said leg of said U-shaped glazing bead, be retained in at least two dimensions by said U-shaped glazing bead of said window such as to retain said screening device in said at least two dimensions.

The second aspect of the invention provides similar advantages as described in the above in connection with the first aspect of the invention. Further, it has surprisingly been found that the U-shaped glazing bead, which is present on a major part of existing windows, and the flange of one leg of the glazing bead in coorperation with the lower part of the glazing bead can be used to reliably secure a screening device to a window in both directions in the dimension normal to the plane of the windowpane. The legs of the U-shaped glazing bead can be used to retain the assembled screening device in both directions in the dimension extending radially from the respective window side.

The second aspect of the invention thus makes it possible to se- cure an assembled screening device to a window such as to let it follow the movement of the sash between the open and closed positions of the window, avoiding or lessening the need for the introduction of attachment devices, such as nails or screws, in vulnerable parts of the sash. Attaching attachment means of the screening device to the glazing bead thus provides for a function of the mounted screening device, which is equivalent to attaching the screening device directly to the sash of the window such that the screening device is allowed to follow the movement of the sash between the open and closed positions of the window. The exposure of vulnerable internal parts of the window to penetration of rainwater, humidity etc. from the outside is, however, minimized or completely avoided.lt is possible to apply the screening device according to the invention to a large number of existing windows, many of which are not manufactured with an eye to possible retrofitting of screening devices.

In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention a height of two legs of said U-shaped cross section of said U-shaped glazing bead is about 12 mm and the distance between said legs is about 16 mm, said flange of one of said legs extending approximately 2-4 mm essentially towards the other of said legs, the thickness of said glazing bead in cross section preferably being about 1 mm.

In another preferred embodiment said at least one protruding member is U-shaped, V-shaped or W-shaped or the like in cross section. Preferably, said at least one protruding member is U-shaped in cross section with a height of two legs of said U-shaped cross section of about 10 mm and the distance between said legs being about 14 mm, the thickness of said protruding member in cross section preferably being about 1 mm.

In another preferred embodiment said protruding member is provided on said box member, preferably said protruding member is integral with and extends along substantially a complete longitudinal extent of said box member.

In another preferred embodiment said protruding member is provided on one of said side rails, preferably said protruding member is integral with and extends along substantially a complete longitudinal extent of said side rail. A further protruding member is preferably equiva- lently provided on the other of said side rails, preferably said further protruding member is integral with and extends along substantially a complete longitudinal extent of said other side rail. In another preferred embodiment the screening device further comprises at least two cap elements for retaining said side rails against said window in the secured position of the screening device, said cap elements being adapted to be secured to said sash of said window, preferably by means of screws or the like.

In another preferred embodiment said screening device is a blackout curtain.

In another preferred embodiment the screening device further comprises a bottom rod connected to a terminal end of said screening body, said bottom rod being connected to a resilient plate member extending, in the secured position of said screening device, in a direction towards said window for screening off a distance between said screening body and said window. This makes it possible to screen off any distance between the screening body and the windowpane such that a more com- plete screening off of the window may be achieved.

In another preferred embodiment the screening device further comprises a bottom rail adapted to be secured to said side rails at the top or bottom sash member opposite said box member.

In another embodiment at least one side part glazing bead and said side attachment means are at least partly covered by a covering extending in a longitudinal direction of said side rails. Advantageously, a draining channel is provided in said attachment means attached to said glazing bead. More advantageously said screening device is mounted on said sash of said window such as to follow a movement of said sash be- tween a closed and an open position of the window.

In a third aspect the invention relates to use of a glazing bead of a substantially rectangular window for attachment of a screening device, said window comprising a frame and a sash, a windowpane being provided in said sash, said windowpane being surrounded on at least its top and lateral sides by said glazing bead, said glazing bead extending longitudinally along the respective sides of said window.

The third aspect of the invention provides similar advantages as described in the above in connection with the first aspect of the inven- tion.

In the following the invention will be explained in detail by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the schematic drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a screening device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the screening device of Fig. 1 mounted on a roof window;

Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2; and Figs 4 and 5 show two alternative embodiments of a protruding member of the screening device of Figs 1 to 3.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a screening device 1 according to the second aspect of the invention. The screening device 1 shown is a blackout curtain, which is shown in a non-mounted position in Fig. 1. The screening device 1 comprises a screening body 2 in the form of a substantially opaque cloth which at its upper end is connected to a roller (not visible), the roller constituting a reception means for the screening body 2 and being mounted in a box member in the form of top casing 4. The top casing 4 thus contains the screening body 2 in a first end posi- tion in which it is rolled up on the roller. The lower, terminal end of the screening body 2 is connected to a bottom bar 5, which is guided in side rails 3a, 3b positioned at each side of the window. The top casing 4 comprises attachment means in the form of an attachment rib 7 comprising a U-shaped protruding member 7a and extending in a complete longitudinal extent of the top casing 4, i.e. in a substantially horizontal direction, and the side rails 3a, 3b comprise similar attachment ribs 8 extending in a complete longitudinal extent of the side rails 3a, 3b, i.e. in a substantially vertical direction. The ribs 7, 8 do not necessarily extend in the said complete horizontal and vertical longitudinal extents; they may each be composed of one section extending in only part of the length or of two or more sections each extending a part of the length. In the embodiment shown the attachment ribs 7, 8 form integral parts of the top casing 4 and the side rails 3a, 3b, respectively. The top casing 4 further comprises engagement means (not shown) for engaging the side rails 3a, 3b when mounting the screening device.

In Fig. 2 the screening device of Fig. 1 is shown mounted on the outwards facing side of a conventional rectangular center-pivoted roof window 30 with a frame 31 and a sash 32 (cf. Fig. 3). The top casing 4 is positioned abutting the top sash member of the window 30. The screening body 2 is movable in a longitudinal direction of the window 30 parallel to the plane of the window 30 between the first end position in which it occupies a rolled-up position at the top sash or frame member of the window 30 and a second, active end position in which, for the screening of the window 30, it is extended between the top and bottom sash or frame members, substantially covering a windowpane 6 of the window 30. In Figs 1 and 2 the screening body 2 is in a position between the end positions. The side rails 3a, 3b are connected to side members of the sash structure of the window 30. The side rails 3a, 3b accommodate and guide the ends of the bottom bar 5 and the edges of the screening body 2. The screening device 1 is attached to the window 30 by means of the attachment ribs 7, 8 embedded in a U-shaped glazing bead 9 (Fig. 3) of the window 30, the glazing bead 9 extending along the upper and lateral sides of the window 30. The attachment ribs 8 of the side rails 3a, 3b are secured to the lateral or side parts of the glazing bead 9 and are hidden and may to some extent be held in their position by means of abutment of covering parts 12, 13, cf. Fig. 3. The side rails 3a, 3b are, at their bottom ends, each connected to a cap 11a, lib which are secured to the sash of the window 30, e.g. by means of screws or the like. In the em- bodiment shown a third rail 3c extending along the bottom sash part of the window 30 connects the caps 11a, lib. The purpose of the third rail 3c is to ensure imperviousness to light when the screening body covers the windowpane. If the purpose of the screening device is another than complete blackout, the third rail 3c may be dispensed with. The bottom bar 5 and the terminal end of the screening body 2 connected to the bottom bar 5 may be moved from a first end position in which the bottom bar 5 is positioned at or in the top casing 4 such that the window is not screened by the screening body 2, to a second end position in which the bottom bar 5 is positioned at the bottom sash or frame member of the window. In order to achieve this the bottom bar 5 is, in a manner conventional to the skilled person, connected to a parallel cord guidance system (not shown) comprising cords which are led in the side rails 3a, 3b. In the first end position the screening body 2 is rolled up on a rotationally spring-loaded rod (not shown) in the top casing 4 that influences the screening body 2 to be rolled up on the rod when no force is applied to the bottom bar 5. The cords of the cord guidance system are at one end connected to the bottom bar 5 such that the screening body 2 may be brought to its second end position by means of operation of the cord guidance system.

The parallel guidance system may be coupled to an electric drive unit in the form of an electric motor with an associated transmission such that the displacement of the bottom bar 5 from the first to the second end position is effected by electric operation of a keyboard de- signed for this purpose, perhaps a remote control. Manual operation is also possible in which case the parallel guidance system is coupled to a manually operated cord on the inwards facing side of the window 30. The screening device 2 is caused to move across the window by means of activation of the cord guidance and thereby the bottom bar 5. When the screening body 2 is in its active end position, the screening device 1 covers the entire windowpane 6 such that virtually no light will enter through the window. The screening properties of the screening device as a whole may be improved by the provision of a resilient plate member (not shown) connected to the bottom rod 5, said resilient plate member extending, in the secured position of the screening device 1, in a direction towards the window 30 for screening off any distance between the screening body 2 and the window 30. Alternatively, a sealing strip (not shown) may be brought to abut the third rail 3c in the second end position of the screening body 2. In Fig. 2 the window 30 is shown in its closed position. When moving to its open position, the sash 32 pivots about an axis positioned at a centre between the upper and the lower frame member. Thus, the lower parts of the sash 32 and the windowpane 6 pivot outwards, and the upper parts pivot inwards. Since the caps 11a, lib follow the sash 32 in the outwards pivoting direction, they may project from the sash 32 over the frame 31 without colliding with the frame 31 during the opening movement. The lower covering parts 12 also follow the sash 32, while the upper covering parts 13 remain in the position of the frame 31. The entire screening device 1 as shown in Fig. 1 abuts and follows movement of the window sash 32 such that the upper parts of the screening device 1 including the top casing 4 move inwards through the window opening as the window 30 is opened. Since the planar extent of the upper parts of the screening device 1 entering through the window opening is smaller than the window opening, the window 30 can be opened to almost the same extent as in a case where no screening device is mounted on the window 30.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section through one side frame and sash part of the window 30 taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2. As is conven- tional the windowpane 6 of the window 30 is embedded in a groove formed by the U-shaped glazing bead 9 and the sash 32. The "U" of the glazing bead 9 opens up in the direction normal to and away from the windowpane 6. The frame 31 of the window 30 encloses the sash 32. The sash 32 comprises a protruding part 32a, and the U-shaped glazing bead 9 is embedded between the pane 6, and the protruding part 32a and abuts the remaining part of the sash 32.

The screening device 1 is secured to the window by means of the attachment ribs 7, 8 whose U-shaped protruding members 7a, 8a (Fig. 1) act as hooks corresponding to the shape of and engaging the glazing bead 9. The protruding members 7a, 8a are not necessarily U- shaped. However, alternative cross sections preferably provide a similar hook effect. The cross section may thus e.g. be V-shaped or W-shaped. It is not essential that a hook effect be provided since it is possible to mount the screening device by means of other attachment means such as screws. In the latter case the position of the attachment means of the screening device in the glazing bead of the window may still, as is the case in the embodiment shown, serve to ease the mounting operation and to secure the screening device against translational movement in the plane of the windowpane.

In the embodiment shown the U-shaped protruding members 7a, 8a of the attachment ribs 7, 8 of the screening device 1 are thus embedded in the glazing bead 9. The leg of the "U" of the glazing bead 9 farthest from the windowpane 6 comprises, as is normal in glazing beads of the prior art, a flange 9a pointing inwards substantially normal to said leg for engaging an outer leg of the attachment ribs 7, 8. Thereby, the ribs 7, 8 are also secured against translational movement in a direction normal to and away from the windowpane 6. When both the ribs 8 of the sides and the rib 7 of the top casing 4 of the screening device 1 are mounted on the window 30 and thus connected to each other by means of the engagement means of the top casing 4, the ribs 7, 8 are also fixed against rotational movement around their respective longitudinal axes. The mounted screening device 1 as shown in Fig. 2 is thus prevented from any dismounting movement without the use of further attachment means such as screws. The two legs of the "U" of the protruding member 8a are connected by means of a lower section and, when attached to the glazing bead, the lower section abuts a lower part of the U-shaped glazing bead 9. One leg of the protruding member 8a abuts the flange 9a, and another leg of the protruding member 8a abuts the other leg of the glazing bead 9.

The ribs 7, 8 also abut the glazing bead 9 at their legs closest to the windowpane 6 and at the bottom of the glazing bead 9.

The glazing bead 9 further comprises a protruding part 9b, which lies planar with the surface of the pane 6. A sealing material is lo- cated between the part 9b and the windowpane 6. The covering parts 12, 13 are secured to the sash parts 32a and the frame 31, respectively, e.g. by means of a screw, and abuts the U-shaped protruding members 8a of the attachment ribs 8 at a point opposite from the protruding part 9a of the glazing bead 9. This may further strengthen the fixation of the ribs 8 against rotational movement about their longitudinal axes.

If the screening device 1 were not fitted on the window 30, the side parts of the glazing bead 9 would act as a draining channel for draining off rainwater. After fitting the screening device 1 on the window 30 a similar space is available in the side parts of the glazing bead 9 for draining off water, said space being formed between the U-shaped protruding members 8a of the attachment ribs 8 and the coverings parts 12, 13. Although slightly smaller, the size of this space is sufficient to fulfil the said draining purpose. Retrofitting of the screening device 1 according to the embodiment shown in the figures on an existing window 30 is preferably carried out as follows. The top casing 4 is secured to the window by guiding the attachment rib 7 into the upper part of the glazing bead 9 of the window 30, preferably by guiding the attachment rib 7 into the glazing bead 9 and turning it into engagement with the flange 9a around its longitudinal axis which is parallel to the upper part of the glazing bead 9. Preferably, the attachment rib 7 snaps into place, i.e. the rib itself may be resilient in order to be pushed back or be compressed and then click into engagement by again assuming its original shape when in its proper posi- tion.

Then the lower covering part 12, which forms part of the window 30, is removed. The attachment ribs 8 of the side rails 3a, 3b are rotated around their longitudinal axis to assume an inclined position such that the leg of the "U" farthest from the windowpane 6 may be guided into the glazing bead in the section of the glazing bead 9 laid open by means of the removal of the covering part 12. The ribs 8 are then rotated about their longitudinal axes to assume an embedded position corresponding to the cross section shown in Fig. 3. As was described regarding the rib 7, the ribs 8 preferably snap into the side parts of the glazing bead 9. At this point parts of the ribs 8 thus protrude from the lower parts of the glazing bead 9. Therefore, in order to complete the mounting of the ribs 8, they are slid into engagement with the said engagement means of the top casing 4 from the bottom side of the window 30 in a movement parallel to the side parts of the glazing bead 9 in an upwards direction and underneath the covering parts 13. The engagement with the engagement means of the top casing 4 is preferably carried out by means of a snap lock.

Before sliding the second of the side rails 3a, 3b into engage- ment with the top casing 4, the third rail 3c is mounted to connect the side rails 3a, 3b by means of the caps 11a, lib. The caps 11a, lib are preferably snap locked to the bottom parts of the side rails 3a, 3b, respectively, and may help to hold these against the window sash 32. Finally, the covering part 12 is remounted in the original position as is shown in Fig 2. At a suitable point during mounting the cord guidance system is installed.

As has been explained in the above, in order to mount the screening device 1 it is thus not at all necessary to apply screws or similar attachment means. However, it may improve fixation of the screen- ing device 1 if attachment of the cap elements 11a, lib to the window sash 32 is carried out by means of screws or the like.

In the embodiment shown the screening body 2 is guided over the window 30 in a direction from the top sash member to the bottom sash member when moving from the first end position to the second, ac- tive end position in which it screens off the windowpane of the window. In an alternative embodiment the top casing or box member is positioned at the bottom sash member of the window such that the screening body moves in the opposite direction. In another alternative embodiment the top casing or box member is positioned at a side sash member of the window such as to be moved from one side of the window to the other when moving from the first to the second end position. Figs 4 and 5 show two alternative embodiments of the protruding member 8a of the screening device of Figs. 1 to 3. Reference numbers similar to reference numbers of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to 3 refer to similar elements of Figs 4 and 5. The embodiment of Fig. 4 shows a V-shaped protruding member 8a, and the embodiment of Fig. 5 shows a W-shaped protruding member 8a. In each embodiment two legs of the protruding member 8a are connected by means of a lower section and, when attached to the glazing bead, the lower section abuts a lower part of the U-shaped glazing bead 9. One leg of the protruding member 8a abuts the flange 9a, and another leg of the protruding member 8a abuts the other leg of the glazing bead 9.

In the latter embodiments, which are preferred, the protruding member comprises at least two legs and a connecting piece for connecting the two legs. The protruding members of the attachment means may, however, as a not shown alternative, each be in the form of one solid member, which is e.g. box-shaped or triangular. Other alternative shapes of the protruding member may be thought of by the skilled per- son, such alternative shapes falling within the scope of the attached claims. Also, a protruding member of any of the top box and the two side rails does not necessarily extend in essentially the entire longitudinal direction of the respective element; it may extend only in some part of the length of the element, e.g. half the length. As a consequence, more than one protruding member may be present on each of the said elements, e.g. one protruding member positioned at one end of the longitudinal direction of the respective element (i.e. top box or side rail) and another similar element positioned at the other end. Three, four or even more protruding members may be present within the scope of the invention and these may be distributed in any suitable pattern along each respective element.

In glazing beads without a flange normal to one of the legs of the glazing bead, one or more discrete elements providing one or more such flanges may be attached to the U-shaped glazing bead such as to provide the said flange. Such an element may be secured to the glazing bead for example by means of screws already present in the glazing bead for attaching the glazing bead to the window. According to the invention the said flange, therefore, is not necessarily integral with the glazing bead, and the flange does not necessarily extend along the entire longitudinal direction of the respective top box or side rail. More flanges may be provided on the same top box or side rail, these being distributed in any suitable pattern along the respective glazing bead part.

Claims

P A T E N T C L A I M S

1. A method for securing a screening device to a substantially rectangular window, said method comprising the steps of: providing a window, a windowpane being provided in a sash of said window, said windowpane being surrounded on at least its top and lateral sides by a glazing bead; and providing a screening device comprising a screening body, said screening body being movable from a first, passive to a second, active end position, said screening device further comprising attachment means for attaching said screening device to said window; said method being c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it further comprises the step of attaching said attachment means to said glazing bead.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said glazing bead is substantially U-shaped in cross section, one leg of said U-shaped cross section comprising a flange substantially normal to said leg for cooperating with said attachment means when attaching said attachment means to said glazing bead.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said attachment means comprise at least one protruding member adapted to fit into said glazing bead in order to be attached to this, said protruding member being embedded in and abutting the internal sides of said glazing bead when attaching said attachment means to said glazing bead, said protruding member preferably being U-shaped, V-shaped, W-shaped or the like in cross section.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the protruding member comprises two legs connected by means of a lower section and, when attached to the glazing bead, said lower section abuts a lower part of said U-shaped glazing bead, one leg of said protruding member abuts said flange of one leg of said glazing bead, and another leg of said protruding member abuts the other leg of said glazing bead.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said screening device further comprises a box member for containing said screening body in said first end position in which it is rolled-up, pleated or folded; and at least two side rails for guiding said screening body over said window when moving from said first end position to said second, active end position in which, for the screening of the window, it is extended between a top and a bottom sash member.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said protruding member extends along the longitudinal directions of one of said side rails or said box member.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said protruding member is adapted to fit into said glazing bead and is integral with said box member or one of said side rails.

8. A method according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein said protruding member is attached to said box member, and, when attaching said screening device to said window, said protruding member of said box member is guided into the top or bottom side glazing bead by guiding said protruding member into the glazing bead and turning it into engagement with said flange around an axis parallel to said glazing bead.

9. A method according to claim 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein said protruding member is attached to one of said side rails, and said protruding member is attached to the respective side part of the glazing bead by guiding said protruding member into the glazing bead and turning it into engagement with said flange around an axis parallel to said glazing bead and sliding said side rail into engagement with the top box from the bottom side of the window in a movement substantially coaxial to a lateral side of said window.

10. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein said attachment means further comprise two cap elements, said method further comprising the steps of:

- positioning each of said cap elements at the bottom of and against one side rail when attaching said attachment means to said glazing bead for retaining the respective side rail against said window; and

- securing said cap elements to said sash of said window, preferably by means of screws or the like.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said attachment means snap onto said glazing bead by means of resilience of said attachment means and/or said glazing bead.

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a covering of said window sash is removed prior to securing said screening device to said sash of said window, and said covering is reattached following said securing of said screening device.

13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said screening device is a blackout curtain.

14. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a draining channel is provided in said glazing bead after securing said screening device.

15. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screening device is retained on the window by means of tension forces between the box member, at least one side rail and the window such that intrusion of screws, nails or the like into woodwork of the window is avoided.

16. A set of parts adapted to be assembled to form a screening device secured to a substantially rectangular window comprising a frame and a sash, a windowpane being provided in said sash, said windowpane being surrounded on at least its top and lateral sides by a longitudinally extending glazing bead with a U-shaped cross section, one leg of said U- shaped cross section comprising a flange substantially normal to said leg, said set of parts comprising: a screening body; a box member for being positioned at a top or bottom sash member of said window and for containing said screening body when in a first, passive end position in which it is rolled-up, pleated or folded; and two side rails for guiding said screening body over said window when moving said screening body from said first end position to a second, active end position in which, for the screening of the window, it is extended between said top and bottom sash members of said window; said box member and/or at least one side rail comprising attachment means for attaching said screening device to said window; c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said attachment means comprise at least one protruding member extending in a longitudinal direction of said box member and/or said side rail and having a cross section adapted to fit into and, cooperating with said flange of said leg of said U- shaped glazing bead, be retained in at least two dimensions by said U- shaped glazing bead of said window such as to retain said screening device in said at least two dimensions.

17. A set of parts according to claim 16, wherein a height of two legs of said U-shaped cross section of said U-shaped glazing bead is about 12 mm and the distance between said legs is about 16 mm, said flange of one of said legs extending approximately 2-4 mm essentially towards the other of said legs, the thickness of said glazing bead in cross section preferably being about 1 mm.

18. A set of parts according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said at least one protruding member is U-shaped, V-shaped or W-shaped or the like in cross section.

19. A set of parts according to claim 18, wherein said at least one protruding member is U-shaped in cross section with a height of two legs of said U-shaped cross section of about 10 mm and the distance be- tween said legs being about 14 mm, the thickness of said protruding member in cross section preferably being about 1 mm.

20. A set of parts according to any of claims 16 to 19, wherein said protruding member is provided on said box member, preferably said protruding member is integral with and extends along substantially a complete longitudinal extent of said box member.

21. A set of parts according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein said protruding member is provided on one of said side rails, preferably said protruding member is integral with and extends along substantially a complete longitudinal extent of said side rail.

22. A set of parts according to claim 21, wherein a further protruding member is equivalents provided on the other of said side rails, preferably said further protruding member is integral with and extends along substantially a complete longitudinal extent of said other side rail.

23. A set of parts according to any one of claims 16 to 22, further comprising at least two cap elements for retaining said side rails against said window in the secured position of the screening device, said cap elements being adapted to be secured to said sash of said window, preferably by means of screws or the like.

24. A set of parts according to any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein said screening device is a blackout curtain.

25. A set of parts according to any one of claims 16 to 24, further comprising a bottom rod connected to a terminal end of said screening body, said bottom rod being connected to a resilient plate member extending, in the secured position of said screening device, in a direction towards said window for screening off a distance between said screening body and said window.

26. A set of parts according to any one of claims 16 to 25, fur- ther comprising a bottom rail adapted to be secured to said side rails at the top or bottom sash member opposite said box member.

27. A set of parts according to claim 26, wherein at least one side part glazing bead and said side attachment means are at least partly covered by a covering extending in a longitudinal direction of said side rails.

28. A set of parts according to claim 26 or 27, wherein a draining channel is provided in said attachment means attached to said glazing bead.

29. A set of parts according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein said screening device is mounted on said sash of said window such as to follow a movement of said sash between a closed and an open position of said window.

30. Use of a glazing bead of a substantially rectangular window for attachment of a screening device, said window comprising a frame and a sash, a windowpane being provided in said sash, said windowpane being surrounded on at least its top and lateral sides by said glazing bead, said glazing bead extending longitudinally along the respective sides of said window.