WO2009052821A1

WO2009052821A1 - Screening arrangement including a fitting facilitating display of the screening body, and combination of a screening arrangement and a package improving display of the screening arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2009052821A1
Application number: PCT/DK2007/050156
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peder Solsø THOMSEN; Henning Ebbesen; Hans Gram Andersen
Original assignee: Vkr Holding A/S
Priority date: 2007-10-26
Filing date: 2007-10-26
Publication date: 2009-04-30
Also published as: CN101874144B; PL2220327T3; EP2220327A1; CN101874144A; EP2220327B1

Abstract

The screening arrangement (1) has a top element (4), a bottom element (7), and a screening body (6). The screening body includes a first end edge and a second end edge, the first end edge being accommodated in the top element and the second end edge fastened to the bottom element. In its supply condition at least one fitting (10;210) is releasably connected with the top element (4) and the bottom element (7) to provide a predefined distance between the bottom element (7) and the top element (4).

Description

Screening arrangement including a fitting facilitating display of the screening body, and combination of a screening arrangement and a package improving display of the screening arrangement

The present invention relates to a screening arrangement comprising: a top element extending in a first longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to a second longitudinal direction, a bottom element, and a screening body, said screening body including a first end edge and a second end edge, said first end edge being accommodated in the top element and the second end edge fastened to the bottom element, the screening arrangement having a supply condition and a condition of use. In stores such as for instance DIY stores, screening arrangements of various kinds, such as awning blinds, light awning blinds, roller blinds, pleated blinds and other similar products, are usually presented in individual sales packages displaying in some manner the type of screening arrangement and the nature of the screening body, i.e. typically the texture, colour and pattern of the screening body.

In its most simple form, the screening body is visual from the outside, for instance by forming the package at least partly from a transparent material, thus exposing the kind of screening arrangement to the consumer. Alternatively or additionally, such a display includes a short description of the type of screening arrangement and of the colour and pattern of the screening body, possibly supplemented by a photo or a sample of the screening body and other parts of the screening ar- rangement attached to the package. However, the solution including a transparent package is not always sufficient. This may be the case if the screening body is not visible in the supply condition, or if the consumer for some reason does not trust the manner of display. At worst, this may prompt the consumer to open the package, watch the contents, perhaps close the package again and take a new unbroken package. In turn, this entails that the subsequent consumers cannot be sure that the package that they buy contains a complete product. Correspondingly, consumers may have a tendency not to discover or even rely on information provided by a short description, a sample and/or a photo. Also in this case, there is a risk that packages are unnecessarily opened and the screening arrangement in question rendered non-vendible.

With this background it is an object of the present invention to provide a screening arrangement, by which display of the screening body may be achieved in a simple and reliable manner.

This object is obtained by a screening arrangement of the initially stated kind, characterized in that in said supply condition, at least one fitting is releasably connected with the top element and the bottom element to provide a predefined distance in the second longitudinal di- rection between the bottom element and the top element.

In this manner, the screening body is visible all over the area delimited by the top and bottom elements and along a distance of the side edges of the screening body corresponding to the predetermined distance. It is particularly noted that the screening body is displayed in a manner corresponding to its position of use, i.e. when the screening body covers the opening to be screened to a smaller or larger extent. Consequently, it has turned out to satisfy the consumers' need for a fulfilling impression of the screening arrangement. The term "releasably connected" is to be interpreted as including any connection between the fitting and the top element and bottom element, respectively, involving a distance keeping function between the top element and the bottom element. The connection may involve any kind of contact or other cooperation between the fitting and the top element and bottom element, respectively, which fulfils this function. Hence, in case of for instance roller blind, in which the bottom element is biased against the top element, the fitting or fitting need(s) only to be positively secured to one of the top and bottom elements. The releasable connection between the fitting or fittings and the other element may then for instance be performed by a fitting part that abuts on the other element. Furthermore, the term should be interpreted as including any connection that is possible to release without damage to at least the elements of the screening arrangement.

Preferably, each fitting comprises snap engagement means for connection to the top element and/or the bottom element, respectively. Snap engagement means provides a simple mechanical solution to securing the fitting or fittings positively to one or both of the top and bottom elements.

The principle underlying the invention is applicable to screening arrangements having arbitrary designs of the top element and the bottom element. In an embodiment, in which the top element has a top rail and the bottom element has a top edge and a bottom edge, a finger grip being defined between the top and bottom edges, said bottom element being movable manually in said condition of use between a non- screening position, in which the top edge of the bottom element is located close to the top element, and a screening position, in which the top edge is located at a distance from the top element for screening an aperture of a frame, the predefined distance is determined between the top edge of the bottom element and a bottom edge of the top rail. The desired amount of screening body visible in the supply condition may depend on for instance the colour variation of the cloth of the screening body, the pattern itself and the repeat of the pattern. In a preferred embodiment, however, the predetermined distance lies in the interval 0.5 to 10 cm, preferably 1 to 5 cm, most preferably 2 to 4 cm. In an advantageous development of this embodiment, the predetermined distance corresponds to the repeat of the pattern of the screening body.

The snap engagement means of the fitting may for instance be adapted to be connected to the top rail and/or the finger grip, respec- tively.

In a preferred embodiment, the screening arrangement furthermore comprises two side rails, each of said side rails having a first end and second end, the second end of each side rail being adapted to be joined to a first and second end, respectively, of, said top rail. In a further development of this embodiment, each fitting includes a portion covering at least a part of the joint.

The invention is particularly advantageous in case the screening arrangement comprises a guidance cord system having at least two cords, as said at least one fitting may include means for receiving at least one of said cords.

In an advantageous embodiment rendering assembly particularly easy, the at least one fitting comprises a base part and an insert part. The insert part may be adapted for receiving said at least one cord. In order to facilitate assembly even further, the insert part may be designed as a mainly cylindrical element having an annular groove adapted to receive the cord, which makes it particularly easy to roll up the cord.

In order to facilitate mounting, the insert part may be provided with an aperture for receiving an end portion of the cord. This makes mounting without the risk of entanglement of the cords possible.

Although relative movement between the parts of a two-part fitting is not necessary, the base part may have a cylindrical aperture adapted to cooperate with the insert part. Alternatively, the base part may have a pin adapted to cooperate with a corresponding aperture in the insert part.

Although one fitting is in principle sufficient to define and keep the distance between the top element and the bottom element, two fittings are releasably connected with the top element and the bottom ele- ment in a preferred embodiment. More than two fittings are of course conceivable as well.

In another aspect of the invention, a combination including a screening arrangement and a package is provided. The combination comprises means for providing a predefined distance between the bot- torn element and the top element.

The combination may comprise fittings as described in the above and/or other distance providing means.

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

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows, on a larger scale, a perspective view of an embodiment of a fitting for use in the screening arrangement according to the invention;

Figs 3 to 5 show, on a larger scale, perspective views of details of the fitting in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a window provided with a screen- ing arrangement in an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7a shows a perspective view of a screening arrangement in another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7b is a view corresponding to Fig. 7a, with one detail of Fig. 7a in another position; Fig. 8 shows, on a larger scale, a perspective view of details of the other embodiment of the screening arrangement shown in Figs 7a and 7b;

Figs 9 to 11 show, on a larger scale, perspective views of the details in Fig. 8; Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of a screening arrangement in a further embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 13 and 14 show, on a larger scale, perspective views of details of the further embodiment of the screening arrangement shown in Fig. 12; and Figs 15 to 17 show perspective views of a combination of a screening arrangement and a package in two embodiments of a further aspect of the invention.

Figs 1 and 6 show an embodiment of a screening arrangement generally designated 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the screening arrangement is adapted to be mounted on a frame constituted by a sash 2 representing a window. The sash 2, in turn, is adapted to be connected with a stationary frame (not shown), which in a mounted position of the window lines an opening in a building. It is noted that the term "frame" is to be understood as incorporating any substantially rectangular structure posi- tioned in any opening in a building, whether in a wall or the roof, and surrounding an aperture to be screened. Although the sash shown in Fig. 6 is the sash of a roof window and the screening arrangement 1 is mounted on the sash 2 of the window, a screening arrangement according to the invention may just as well be mounted on the stationary frame instead of the sash and may also be utilized in connection with e.g. windows having a frame only, or in doors. The sash 2 has a top piece 21, a bottom piece 22 and two side pieces 23 and 24 surrounding an aperture, which is covered by a suitable panel element such as a glazing in the form of an insulating pane (not shown).

A full description of a screening arrangement of this kind is found in Applicant's co-pending international application No. PCT/DK2007/050049, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. However, aspects relating to the present invention will be de- scribed in full detail below.

In the embodiment shown, the screening arrangement 1 comprises a top element 4 adapted to be positioned at the sash top piece 21, a screening body 6 and a bottom element 7. At its upper end edge, the screening body 6 is accommodated in the top element 4 and its opposed, lower end edge is fastened to the bottom element 7. In the embodiment shown, the bottom element 7 is adapted to act as a handle during operation of the screening arrangement 1, i.e. when moving the bottom element 7 and hence the screening body 6 between the non-screening position and a screening position, in which the screening body 6 covers the sash aperture partly or fully. However, instead of being manually operated, the screening arrangement may be operated by other means, e.g. by electrical operating means.

From Fig. 1 it may be seen that the top element 4 has a left- hand end piece 410 and a right-hand end piece (not shown). The terms "left-hand" and "right-hand" refer to the orientation shown in for instance Figs 1 and 6 and are utilized for reasons of convenience only. Similarly, the terms "front" and "back" are utilized to denote the sides of the screening arrangement, "front" being the side intended to face inwards into the room of the building, and "back" the outwards facing side. A number of further functions may be built into the end pieces, however, they will not be described in further detail in the present application. One of the most important of these functions is that the end piece 410 comprises portions constituting coupling means for cooperation with bracket members positioned on the side piece 23 of the window sash 2. The top element 4 comprises a cover 430 extending almost throughout the entire length of the top element 4 from the left-hand end piece 410 to the right-hand end piece, the end pieces thus constituting the end faces of the top element 4. At the side intended to face inwards into the room, i.e. the front side, the cover 430 is connected to a top rail 440. In the embodiment shown, the connection between the top rail 440 and the remaining portion of the top element, i.e. the cover 430 is made integral, e.g. by extruding the top element as a profile including the cover 430 as well as the top rail 440. The end piece 410 is fastened to the cover 430 by means of e.g. a screw. The top rail 440 has a slightly longer extension in the longitudinal direction than the cover portion 430. In the present embodiment, the top element 4 accommodates a guide bar and a roller bar (not visible). The screening body 6 is fastened to the roller bar along its upper end edge in any suitable manner known per se. The guide bar guides the screening body 6 onto the roller bar, which serves to collect and store the screening body 6 in the non-screening and partially screened positions of the screening arrangement, or even in the fully screened position, in case the screening body contains surplus material. The screening body is wound in mutually opposite direc- tions on the roller bar and the guide bar. As a consequence, the side of the screening body 6 facing inwards in the screening positions, i.e. the front side facing towards the room in the position of use of the screening arrangement, faces inwards when stored on the roller bar and, hence, the back side faces outwards on the roller bar. The bottom element 7 has a general U-shape, the legs of the L) extending integrally into the top and bottom edges 71 and 72, respectively, a finger grip 73 being provided by said U-shape. In the embodiment shown, it is possible to obtain a non-screening position, in which the U-shape is situated immediately below the guide bar and immedi- ately in front of the front portion of the screening body 6 stored on the roller bar. Hence, a slight overlap between the lower edge of the top rail 440 and the top edge 71 occurs, for instance in the interval 1-10 mm. The ends of the bottom element 7 are advantageously guided in the side rails as well, preferably by means of side guidance elements 700 to be described in further detail below.

In the mounted position of the screening arrangement, cf. Fig. 6 showing an intermediate mounted position, the top rail 440 is joined to side rails 8, 9 in joints by means of angular brackets 85. To that end the top rail 440 has two ends, which in the embodiment shown are mitred, and of which one mitred end 445 is indicated in Fig. 1 to be joined to a respective mitred end of the side rails. In the condition of use of the screening arrangement 1, opposite ends of the bottom element 7 and opposite side edges of the screening body 6 are guided in these side rails 8 and 9. In the embodiment shown, the screening arrangement comprises a roller blind having as its screening body 6 a cloth or fabric, and of which the top element 4 includes a spring-biased roller bar. However, other screening arrangements having other kinds of screening bodies and other configurations of the top element are conceivable as well. The side edges of the screening body 6 are guided in the side rails 8, 9 in a manner known per se, for instance by means of a number of guide beads mounted at a distance from each other along each side edge. Hence, the side rails 8, 9 serve the purpose of improving the light- proofing properties of the screening arrangement, as they overlap the side edges of the screening body in the mounted position of the screening arrangement. Eventually, depending on the type of screening body and the installation situation, the side rails may contribute to holding the screening body in position. The bottom edge of the screening body 6 is connected with the bottom element 7 in any suitable manner, and the ends of the bottom element 7 are guided in the side rails as well, by means of side guidance element 700.

Eventually, the screening arrangement comprises a parallel guidance cord system comprising two cords, of which one cord 91 (cf. Fig. 6) being adapted to extend from the right-hand lower corner of the sash, up through or along the bottom element 7 and further up to the top element 4. The other cord is routed in a mirror- in verted manner. At the top element 4, each cord is connected with a respective pre- tensioning device adapted to be connected with the top element 4 in a track and/or to press against the top cover portion of the cover 430. The pre-tensioning devices entail that the cords are held at a suitable tension all of the time, thereby ensuring that the bottom element 7 is at all times kept substantially in parallel with the top and bottom pieces 21, 22 of the sash 2 during operation of the screening arrangement. In the mounted position, the cords are hidden behind the side rails.

In Fig. 1 the screening arrangement 1 is shown in a supply condition attained at the manufacturer and indicating the condition or state, in which the screening arrangement is supplied and delivered. In the supply condition, a set of angular brackets 85 is connected to the top rail 440 of the top element 4. This operation is advantageously carried out by a suitable tool to secure that the angular brackets assume correct positions. The bottom element 7 is fixed in a predetermined distance from the top element 4 by means of two fittings 10 (cf. the mounted position of Fig. 6). In the embodiment shown the fittings are identical to each other, and reference will only be made to the left-hand fitting 10 in Fig. 1. The cords 91 of the guidance cord system are tightened and secured in the fittings 10 as will be described further below.

The fitting 10 is releasably connected to the top element 4 and the bottom element 7, respectively, to define the predefined distance be- tween the top edge 71 of the bottom element 7 and the bottom edge 444 of the top rail 440. To this end, the fitting 10 comprises means for releasable connection, in the embodiment shown carried out as snap engagement means for connection to the top element 4 and the bottom element 7, respectively, to provide positive engagement with the top element as well as the bottom element. The snap engagement means will described in further detail below with reference to Figs 2 to 5. Other means for releasable connection are conceivable as well. Hence, the re- leasable connection means of the fitting may provide positive engagement, for instance by the described snap lock, with the bottom element only, whereas the fitting abuts on but does not engage positively with the top element. In this case, the fitting needs only to be withdrawn from the top element, possibly overcoming any friction present, without disengaging any parts of the fitting from the positive engagement. This is possible in case the bottom element is biased to move towards the top element, for instance in roller blinds. Other conceivable means for re- leasable connection includes the use of adhesive, interlocking elements of for instance the VELCRO® type etc.

The predetermined distance may for instance lie in the inter- valθ.5 to 10 cm, preferably 1 to 5 cm, most preferably 2 to 4 cm, and can correspond to the repeat of the pattern of the screening body 6. The chosen value depends on for instance the colour variation of the cloth of the screening body, the pattern itself and the repeat of the pattern. In the embodiment shown, the distance is approximately 2 cm. For in- stance, in case the range of colours available includes closely related nuances such as dark blue and black, a larger distance may be required.

In the embodiment shown, the fitting 10 is a two-part fitting comprising a base part 101 and an insert part 102. The insert part 102 is designed as a mainly cylindrical element, and the base part 101 has a cylindrical aperture formed by wall portions 103a and 103b protruding from a bottom portion 104 adapted to cooperate with the insert part 102. The snap engagement means of the fitting 10 adapted to cooperate with the top rail 440 of the top element are formed by a U-shaped portion 105 protruding from the wall portion 103a and a hook portion 107 protruding from the bottom portion 104. In the supply condition, the U- shaped portion 105 abuts on the front side of the top rail 440 and the hook portion 107 is clicked into a track (not shown) on the back side of the top rail 440. Correspondingly, the snap engagement means for cooperating with the bottom element 7 comprise a first portion 108 pro- truding from a U-shaped portion 106 and a second portion 109 protruding from the bottom portion 104 of the fitting. In the supply condition, the second portion 109 is introduced into the finger grip 73 and the first portion 108 below lower edge 72 of the bottom element 7.

The mainly cylindrical insert part 102 is formed by two plate portions 110 and 111 defining an annular groove 112 adapted to receive one of the cords of the cord systems. The plate portions 110 and 111 are held together by a bridge 113 defining the bottom of the groove 112. Furthermore, the bottom plate portion 111 includes a slit 114 for allowing passage of the cord. At the top plate portion 110 a throughgoing T- shaped slit 115 is shown, the T-shaped slit 115 being intended for receiving an end portion of the cord. During manufacture and assembly of the screening arrangement to provide the supply condition, the respective cord end is first accommodated in the T-shaped slit 115, following which the cord is rolled up, for instance automatically, on the insert part 102, the cord is passed through the slit 114 and the cord end is connected with the T-shaped slit 115. Subsequently, the insert part 102 with the cord is connected to the base part 101. In the embodiment shown, the indicated cord 91 for connection to the right-hand side piece 24 is connected to the right-hand fitting 10, and vice versa. In the supply condition, the plate portion 110 may be provided with a suitable removable cover, for instance carrying an advertisement in the form of a logo, a voucher or similar. Although the base portion and the insert portion have mating circular shapes and rotation of the insert part in the base part is in principle feasible, this feature is most often not used in the supply condition. Consequently, the shapes of the base part and insert part may be oval, rectangular, any other polygonal shape etc.

In the alternative embodiment of Figs 7 to 11, each fitting 210 includes a cover portion 2116 covering at least a part of the joint be- tween the top rail 440 and the side rail 8. This provides for additional protection during transportation and mounting. Furthermore, the cover portion 2116 secures that the fitting 210 is held at a predefined distance from the end of the screening arrangement 1. This is advantageous in that the position of the fitting also in the first longitudinal direction is fixed. In the case the screening arrangement comprises a cord system, the cords are held tight. Furthermore, it has an aesthetical value, as the consumer will experience a harmonic appearance of the screening arrangement in the supply condition. This is particularly the case when the screening arrangement is accommodated in a package having a display window at a certain position.

The fitting 210 comprises a base part 2101 and an insert part 2102, the insert part 2102 being adapted for receiving a respective cord of the guidance cord system. To this end, the insert part 2102 is designed as a mainly cylindrical element having an annular groove adapted to receive the cord. As in the above embodiment, the insert part 2102 is formed by two plate portions 2110 and 2111 defining an annular groove 2112 adapted to receive one of the cords of the cord system. The plate portions 2110 and 2111 are held together by a bridge 2113 defining the bottom of the groove 2112 and forming an aperture. Furthermore, the top plate portion 2110 includes a slit 2114 for fixing the cord temporarily, and the top plate portion 2110 is provided with a T-shaped slit 2115 for receiving an end portion of the cord. Eventually, the base part 2101 has a pin 2117 adapted to cooperate with the corresponding aperture in the insert part 2102.

The snap engagement means of the fitting 210 adapted to cooperate with the top rail 440 of the top element are formed by a stepped portion 2105 protruding from the bottom portion 2104 and two hook portions 2107 protruding from the stepped portion 2105. In the supply condition, the stepped portion 2105 abuts on the front side of the top rail 440 and the hook portions 2107 are clicked onto the bottom edge 444 of the top rail 440. Correspondingly, the snap engagement means for cooperating with the bottom element 7 comprise a portion 2108 protruding from the bottom portion 2104. In the supply condition, the pro- truding portion 2108 is introduced behind the upper edge 71 of the bottom element 7.

A special feature of this embodiment appears when comparing Fig. 7a with Fig. 7b: In Fig. 7a, the screening arrangement 1 is in its supply condition, i.e. when the consumer or a craftsman is ready to in- stall the screening arrangement in the frame to be screened. The cover portion 2116 is located at the corner of the top rail end. As will be described in further detail below, the screening arrangement 1 is mounted on fittings on the frame by guiding the left-hand end piece 410 and the right-hand end piece over bracket members positioned on the frame, e.g. in the embodiment shown in the above at the upper ends of each sash side piece. During this movement, the cover portions 2116 are pushed outwards and into the room towards the installer. This results in the position of the cover portion 2116 shown in Fig. 7b, i.e. slightly angled with respect to the top rail 440. In the further embodiment of Figs 12 to 14, a fitting 510 is re- leasably connected to the top element 4 and the bottom element 7 as described in the above description of fittings 10 and 210, respectively. Another fitting may be provided near the opposite longitudinal end of the screening arrangement 1. Only differences with respect to these embodiments will be described in detail. Each fitting 510 includes a cover portion 5116 covering at least a part of the joint between the top rail 440 and the side rail 8 in the mounted position. The cover portion 5116 is provided with a flange portion 5116a. This provides for additional pro- tection during transportation and mounting. Furthermore, as in the embodiment of Figs 7-11, the position of the fitting also in the first longitudinal direction is fixed.

Another special feature of this further embodiment is that the fitting 510 has a protruding leg 5120 ending in a flange 5121, which in the supply condition lies behind the side guidance element 700 in abutment with the back side thereof. A further flange 5122 is provided, which in the embodiment shown abuts on the front side of the bottom element 7. This is advantageous in that the cord of the cord system (not shown in Fig. 12) may be guided from the side guidance element 700 to the fitting 510 without any risk of coming into contact with the edges of the bottom element, which could potentially damage the cord.

An obvious alternative to this embodiment is to have only the protruding leg 5120 to define the predetermined distance in the first longitudinal direction and thus not the cover portion 5116. Referring again to Fig. 1, a further aspect of the fitting 10 will be described. The predetermined distance between the top element 4 and the bottom element 7 in the supply condition has the further consequence that the angular bracket 85 is able to cooperate with a respective side guidance element 7000 connected to the bottom element 7. The co- operation entails providing an overlap denoted d between the second leg 860 of the angular bracket 85 and the side guidance element 700. Furthermore, the cooperation entails that the side guidance element 700 is substantially aligned with the second leg 860 of the angular bracket 85 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side rail 8. The longitudinal direction of the side rail constitutes a second longitudinal direction and defines a height direction in the condition of use of the screening arrangement in the frame to be screened. In a rectangular frame to be screened, the first and second longitudinal directions are substantially perpendicular. As the top edge 701 of the side guidance element 700 is thus situated above and behind the lower edge of the angular bracket 85 and substantially in alignment with the angular bracket 85 in the supply condition, the side guidance element 700 is able to form part of the guide when mounting the side rail 8 onto the angular bracket 85. In the supply condition, a first leg of the angular bracket 85 is inserted into a track (not shown) in the back side of the top rail 440. The angular bracket 85 has arresting means preventing the angular bracket 85 to be extracted from the track. The second leg of the angular bracket, i.e. the leg visible in Fig. 1, is adapted to be inserted into a track in the back side of the side rail 8 during mounting of the screening arrangement.

The fitting 10 hence has at least two primary purposes: First, it assists in displaying the nature, i.e. for instance the texture, colour and pattern, of the screening body by defining a predeter- mined distance between the top element 4 and the bottom element 7 in the supply condition.

Second, it acts as a means for assisting in the mounting of the screening arrangement by keeping the cord securely and defining the overlap between the side guidance element 700 and the angular bracket 85. This facilitates the mounting, as the top element 4 may be connected with the frame without interfering with the cords as these are at all times kept tight by the fitting or fittings. Furthermore, the side guide rails may be joined properly with the top element 4, i.e. in the embodiment shown with the top rail 440, without the risk of entangling of the cords or that the side guidance element 700 and hence the entire bottom element 7 are displaced and not introduced correctly into the side rail.

Installation of the entire screening arrangement 1 in a frame, for instance the sash 2 of Fig. 6, is carried out in the following manner: The screening arrangement 1 is provided in its supply condition shown in Fig. 1. At the installation site, the top element 4 is connected to the frame, i.e. for example the sash 2. In the embodiment shown in the above, this is thus carried out by guiding the coupling members on the outer side of each end piece 410 over bracket members positioned at the upper ends of each sash side piece. A bracket is fastened to the each of the side pieces 23, 24, near the bottom piece 22. In Fig. 6, the bracket 93 of the right-hand side piece 24 is shown. Following this, the side rails 8, 9 are joined to the top rail 440 at the mitred ends by means of the angular brackets 85. A more detailed description of the manner of mounting the screening arrangement is disclosed in Applicant's co- pending international application No. PCT/DK2007/050047, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In the step of joining the side rails to the top rail, each side rail is brought from a position, in which the side rail is out of alignment with the second longitudinal direction, to a position, in which the side rails is in alignment with the second longitudinal direction, during the step of connecting the side rails to the top rail. During this step, the bottom element 7 and consequently the side guidance element 700 are kept substantially stationary by means of the fittings 10. The side guidance element 700 thus abuts slightly on the back side of the angular bracket 85. The other leg of the angular bracket, i.e. the leg visible in Fig. 1, is thus inserted into the track in the back side of the side rail 8 while the side guidance element 700 acts as a guide to the angular bracket 85. All through the above operations the fittings 10 hold the bottom element 7 at its predetermined distance from the top rail 440 of the top element 4, thus ensuring the overlap d between the side guidance element 700 and the angular bracket 85. The cords of the cord system are also kept tight on the fittings 10. Only when the side rails 8 and 9 have been secured to their respective side piece, the insert part 102 of each fitting 10 is released from engagement with the base part 101 and the cord is let loose. This is carried out by first removing any cover member on the insert part 102, then withdrawing the end of the cord from the T-shaped slit 115. The free end of the cord is connected to the bracket 93 near the sash bottom piece. Eventually, the engagement between the fitting 10 and the bottom element 7 is released by pulling the U-shaped portion 106 to move the portions 108 and 109 out of engagement with the bottom edge 72 of the bottom element 7. The bottom element 7 may be moved and the intermediate mounted condition shown in Fig. 6 is attained. Following this, also the engagement between the fitting 10 and the top element 4 is released by moving the U-shaped portion 105 and hence the hook portion 107 out of engagement with the top rail 440 of the top element 4. Now, the screening arrangement is in its condition of use. Slight deviations of the above described mounting procedure may, of course, occur.

A further aspect of the invention is shown in Figs 15 to 17. Fig. 15 shows a screening arrangement 1 having a general configuration corresponding to the embodiment described in the above, and a package generally designated 3. The screening arrangement 1 comprises a top element 4, a bottom element 7, and a screening body 6. The screening body 6 includes a first end edge and a second end edge, of which the first end edge is accommodated in the top element and the second end edge fastened to the bottom element. The top element 4 and the bottom element 7 define a longitudinal direction x, and the screening arrangement 1 has a length measured in the longitudinal direction x. The package 3 includes at least one tubular part 31 of any suitable material and may for instance be made at least partly by a blank of cardboard or a plastic material. The tubular part 31 may have any suitable cross- section, for instance rectangular, and is closed at each end 31a, 31b by folded portions of the cardboard blank. The tubular part 31 has a length between the first and second ends 31a, 31b substantially corresponding to or exceeding the length of the screening arrangement 1. Furthermore, the tubular part 31 includes at least one transparent portion 32, through which the relevant parts of the screening arrangement 1 are visible. Consequently, at least a portion of the screening body 6 should be visible, but visibility of other parts the top element 4 and bottom element 7 is conceivable as well in order to determine the nature of the screening arrangement, i.e. for instance the shape and colour of the top and bot- torn elements. The transparent portion 32 may either be formed as a separate sheet of transparent material, or, in case the tubular part 31 is more or less transparent in its entirety, be constituted by an integral part of the tubular part 31. The transparent portion 32 may advanta- geously protect the screening arrangement from exposure to day light, for instance by treating the transparent portion 32 with a protecting coating or forming it from a L)V barrier material. Alternatively or additionally, a strip of L)V barrier material may be attached to the area of the screening body that is visible in the supply condition, the strip being re- moved before further mounting of the screening arrangement.

In order to ascertain the predefined distance between the bottom element 7 and the top element 4, the combination of package and screening arrangement contains distance providing means.

In the embodiment of Fig. 15 these means comprise two fittings 10 releasably connected with the top element 4 and the bottom element 7. The fittings 10 may be as described in connection with any of the above embodiments.

Alternatively, or additionally, the distance providing means of the combination may comprise at least one end fixture positioned in the vicinity of a respective end of the tubular part of the package. One embodiment of such a combination is shown in Figs 16 and 17, of which Fig. 16 shows a screening arrangement and an embodiment of an end fixture 33, and Fig. 17 the combination including the package. The screening arrangement 1 and the package 3 may in principle be the same as in the above embodiment; however fittings 10 are not necessary in this embodiment and may be dispensed with. As shown in Fig. 16, the end fixture 33 has two grooves or tracks 33a and 33b for accommodating the top element 4 and the bottom element 7, respectively, to provide said predefined distance. Furthermore, a track 33c for ac- commodation of the screening body 6 is provided, just as a groove 33d for the right-hand end piece and the covering 430. A similar end fixture may be provided at the opposite end of the screening arrangement 1. In the supply condition shown in Fig. 17, the end fixtures 33 are not visible.

The invention should not be regarded as being limited to the de- scribed embodiments. Several modifications and combinations of the different embodiments will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

Claims

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

1. A screening arrangement (1) comprising: a top element (4) extending in a first longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to a second longitudinal direction, a bottom element (7), and a screening body (6), said screening body including a first end edge and a second end edge, said first end edge being accommodated in the top element and the second end edge fastened to the bottom element, the screening arrangement having a supply condition and a condition of use, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that in said supply condition, at least one fitting (10;210;510) is re- leasably connected with the top element (4) and the bottom element (7) to provide a predefined distance in the second longitudinal direction between the bottom element (7) and the top element (4).

2. A screening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each fitting (10;210) comprises snap engagement means for connection to the top element (4) and/or the bottom element (7), respectively.

3. A screening arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top element (4) has a top rail (440) and the bottom element (7) has a top edge (71) and a bottom edge (72), a finger grip (73) being defined between the top and bottom edges (71, 72), said bottom element being movable manually in said condition of use between a non-screening po- sition, in which the top edge (71) of the bottom element (7) is located close to the top element, and a screening position, in which the top edge is located at a distance from the top element for screening an aperture of a frame, the predefined distance being determined between the top edge (71) of the bottom element (7) and a bottom edge of the top rail (440).

4. A screening arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said predetermined distance lies in the interval 0.5 to 10 cm, preferably 1 to 5 cm, most preferably 2 to 4 cm.

5. A screening arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said predetermined distance corresponds to the repeat of the pattern of the screening body (6).

6. A screening arrangement according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the snap engagement means of the fitting (10;210) are adapted to be connected to the top rail (440) and/or the finger grip (73), respectively.

7. A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each fitting (210;510) has means (2116; 5120) for providing a predefined distance in the first longitudinal direction to the end of the top element.

8. A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screening arrangement furthermore comprises two side rails (8, 9), each of said side rails (8, 9) having a first end and second end, the second end of each side rail (8, 9) being adapted to be joined to a first and second end, respectively, of, said top rail (440).

9. A screening arrangement according to claim 8, wherein each fitting (210;510) includes a portion (2116;5116) covering at least the end of the top rail in the supply condition.

10. A screening arrangement according to any one of the pre- ceding claims, wherein the screening arrangement comprises a guidance cord system having at least two cords, and wherein said at least one fitting (10;210) includes means for receiving at least one of said cords.

11. A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one fitting (10;210) comprises a base part (101;2101) and an insert part (102;2102).

12. A screening arrangement according to claims 10 and 11, wherein said insert part (102;2102) is adapted for receiving said at least one cord (91).

13. A screening arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the insert part (102;2102) is designed as a mainly cylindrical element having an annular groove (112;2112) adapted to receive the cord (91).

14. A screening arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the insert part (102;2102) is provided with an aperture (115;2115) for receiving an end portion of the cord.

15. A screening arrangement according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the base part (101) has a cylindrical aperture adapted to cooperate with the insert part (102).

16. A screening arrangement according to claim 13 or 143, wherein the base part (2101) has a pin (2117) adapted to cooperate with a corresponding aperture in the insert part (2102).

17. A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two fittings (10;210) are releasably connected with the top element (4) and the bottom element (7).

18. A combination of a screening arrangement and a package, the screening arrangement (1) including: a top element (4), a bottom element (7), and a screening body (6), said screening body including a first end edge and a second end edge, said first end edge being accommodated in the top element and the second end edge fastened to the bottom element, the top element (4) and the bottom element (7) defining a longitudinal direction, the screening arrangement having a length measured in the longitudinal direction; the package including: at least one tubular part having a length extending between a first and a second end, said length substantially corresponding to or exceeding the length of the screening arrangement, said tubular part in- eluding at least one transparent portion; the combination comprising means for providing a predefined distance between the bottom element (7) and the top element (4).

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein the distance providing means comprise at least one fitting (10;210;510) releasably connected with the top element (4) and the bottom element (7).

20. The combination of claim 18 or 19, wherein the distance providing means comprise at least one end fixture positioned in the vicinity of a respective end of the tubular part of the package, said end fixture accommodating the top element and the bottom element to provide said predefined distance.

21. The combination of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the transparent portion (32) is provided with a protecting coating or formed from a L)V barrier material.

22. The combination of any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein a removable strip of L)V barrier material is attached to the area of the screening body that is visible in the supply condition.