WO2012050518A1

WO2012050518A1 - Window screen device

Info

Publication number: WO2012050518A1
Application number: PCT/SE2011/051229
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronny Kogsta
Original assignee: Erco Systems Ab
Priority date: 2010-10-15
Filing date: 2011-10-14
Publication date: 2012-04-19
Also published as: SE1051081A1; EP2633146A1; EP2633146A4; SE534653C2

Abstract

A device for holding one long side of a roll up fabric track, comprising side elements enclosing an inner holder rail which comprises a grip opening to hold elongated fasteners arranged along each of the fabric track's long sides, where the device further comprises spring elements arranged so that in a position, when a fabric track is held in said holder rail, they are able to act on the holder rail in a direction towards said side elements to keep the fabric track in place, whereby said spring elements and said inner holder rail are integrated into one and the same piece.

Description

WINDOW SCREEN DEVICE

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a device to hold one long side of a roll up fabric track, comprising of side elements enclosing an inner holder rail made up of a grip opening to retain the elongated fastening elements arranged along each of the fabric track's long sides, where the device further comprises spring elements arranged in a position, when a fabric track is retained in said holder rail, that they act on the holder rail in a direction towards said side elements to keep the fabric track in place.

BACKGROUND

To shield windows and/or large glass sections, for example with roller blinds or mosquito nets, is today very common and in principle a standard feature in most buildings, both public and private. Within this area, guide rails for roller blinds have become a regular recurring element, whereby a cloth or net can be hung along a sloping ceiling, on a sliding door and/or outer door without fluttering away or bulging and becoming askew which can easily be the case. An example is shown in US 4638844, where a guide rail is designed to hold the outer edge of a curtain when the curtain runs up and down in a frame. The guide is made up here essentially of a rectangular frame section in which there is a holder for a curtain edge. On the holder are rubber elastic elements arranged to act against the inner edges of the rectangular section, and which also act resiliently if the curtain, for example, is subjected to an impact or a strong gust of wind. However, this variant of the control section has been proven to be extremely unreliable as the elastic rubber elements do not always hold back the fabric in a reliable manner. Furthermore, the design is troublesome to manufacture and assemble, for example, due to the longitudinal rubber elements must lie very tight against the guide rail when the guide profile is assembled and this can be difficult to achieve in a simple manner.

SUMMARY

It is an aim of the submitted invention to eliminate or at least minimise said problems, which is achieved by a device to retain the long sides of a roll up fabric track, comprising of facing side elements, each enclosing an inner holder rail that comprises of a grip opening to retain the elongated fasteners arranged along each of the fabric track's long sides, where in addition the device comprises of spring elements arranged in a position, when the fabric track is held in said facing side element, that they are able to act on the holder rail in a direction towards said side element to hold the fabric track in place, said resilient element and said inner holder rail are integrated into a single piece. The fabric track can be some form of curtain, mosquito net or other fabric which is intended to shield e.g. a window or door opening.

Through the new embodiment according to the invention, a design is obtained that is easy to assemble and which in the installed position is extremely robust and durable. In addition, the product's components are easy to manufacturer at the same time as the product as such is reliable and exhibits extremely good functionality compared to existing guide rails on the market. By being manufactured in one and the same holder unit, the spring elements and the holder rail interact in such away so that the fabric track is retained and does not loosen from the holder's grip while the spring elements permit a degree of flexibility, leading to the holder being able to give in any of the fabric track's directions, e.g. in the event of a sudden external force, such as hard gusts of wind or impact, should affect the fabric. Due to the fact that the spring element and the holder rail are integrated into a single part, a design is produced in which the fabric track will not slide out of the grip of the guide rail at the same time as the risk of the fabric being stretched so much it gets torn is minimised.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, said spring element comprises curved side sections arranged to interact with side elements in such a way that, in a position where a fabric track is retained in said facing side element, they are able to act on the holder rail in a direction towards said side element to keep the fabric track in place. The curved shape of the side sections results in benefits that they act resilient on the fabric track (and in doing so help to keep the fabric track in the correct position), at the same time as they rest against the side elements so that the actual holder rail is securely held in place.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, said spring element and said inner holder rail are manufacturer of different materials, where the holder rail is mainly made of a rigid and essentially inflexible material and the spring elements are mainly made of a material that is more flexible than the holder rail's material, meaning the spring elements obtain a slightly spring, elastic characteristic. It is, for example, conceivable to use different types of plastic composite for respective parts (i.e. spring elements and holder rail), but with different compositions. According to one embodiment, for example, the holder rail is made of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate plastic (ASA-plastic), which gives a hard and firm structure, and the spring elements in some form of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE plastic), meaning that they obtain the desired elasticity. Advantageously the holder unit can be manufactured (i.e. the holder rail and spring elements) through extrusion. The holder rail and the spring elements can be extruded in one and the same tool even in instances when different extrusion materials are used for each part. It is understood that other materials can be used in addition to composite plastic, such as e.g. rubber. According to yet another aspect of the invention, said side elements consist of at least two cover sections arranged to be interconnected with each other via snap fastenings. This leads to the device as a whole being easy to assemble, as said inner holder rail with the spring elements can first easily be inserted into a first cover profile, which is then closed with a second cover profile, where said cover profile is coupled with said first cover profile by means of snap-on fastenings. Principally the cover profiles are manufactured through extruded aluminium, although other types of manufacturing processes and materials are of course possible.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, said inner holder rail is equipped with at least one protruding flange, preferably two protruding flanges positioned opposite to each other, on each side of said grip opening. These flanges are arranged to interact with the protruding stop edges on the cover profiles so that the holder rail cannot give way (i.e. flex out of the side element) further than to a specific maximum position, for example, in the event of a sharp instantaneous load on the fabric track. In said maximum position, the protruding flanges will hit the stop edges on the side elements and in doing so the holder rail is prevented from being drawn further with the fabric track. The guide rail according to the invention will thereby be sufficiently pliable in order for the fabric of the curtain not to be damaged if subjected e.g. to a strong wind or shocks, at the same time as the flanges and stop edges mean the holder rail cannot give way and move too far out from the side elements. This helps to both prevent the spring elements from flexing out to the extreme positions that could damage the design, and partly to provide a maximum position for how far the curtain fabric can be pulled out of the guide rail. In addition, the flanges and stop edges prevent the grip opening from opening up and releasing the curtain track's fasteners, which could be the result if the holder rail is pulled out too far from its neutral position inside the side elements. 1229

4

BRIEF FIG.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows, in perspective view, a device according to one embodiment of the invention which retains the long sides of a roll-up fabric track, Fig. 2 shows a partially cut off view according to II in Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 is a cross section of a device according to one embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 4 shows in perspective view the spring element and inner holder rail

according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED FIG.DESCRIPTION

In Fig. 1 a device 1 , in the form of guide rails 1 , is shown schematically according to one embodiment of the invention, mounted along the parallel vertical sides of a window opening 6.

Herein the reference number 1 denotes a guide rail according to the invention in its entirety, including side elements 3, inner holder rail 2 (see Fig. 2-4) and the inner spring element 4 (see Fig. 2 - 4). As seen in Fig. 1 , each of the side elements 3 (also called "side profiles 3") retain their own long side of a fabric track 5 in Fig. 1 in the form of a roller blind that can be rolled up and which is partially wound up on a circular cylinder roller blind bar according to a standard design. How the device retains long sides of the fabric track 5 is described in detail in the reference to Fig. 2 - 3. The curtain 5 in Fig. 1 is rolled down so that said window opening 6 is partially covered by the fabric. During the rolling down and up of the curtain track 5, the vertically mounted guide rails 1 will control and guide the linear movement of the fabric 5 so that its long sides run in a correct position and the fabric does not bulge or run askew. When the curtain is in a position where the fabric track 5 is held by said facing parallel side element 3, as shown in Fig. 1 , the fabric track 5 will also be held in place on account of device 1 , and will not become disarranged due to a gust of wind or other external influences.

In the following the description is mainly made with reference to Fig. 2 - Fig. 4.

Fig. 2 shows a detailed view in perspective, partially in cross section according to II in Fig. 1 , of the device 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 3 shows a cross section of the device 1 according to the same embodiment as in Fig. 2. In addition, Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of a holder rail 2 and spring element 4 integrated into a single part 7. In Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 the reference number 3 denotes an assembled side element according to the invention, in which said side element 3 comprises at least two cover sections: a first angled cover profile 30 and a second essentially straight cover profile 31 which are arranged to be interconnected with each other via snap-fastenings. The snap fastening will later be described in more detail. The two cover profiles 30, 31 are arranged to be interconnected to a side element 3, which essentially takes the form of a U. Furthermore said first cover profile 30 comprises among others an inner longitudinal slot 37, a stop edge 300, an inner transverse wall 38 and protruding snap parts 35, 36 where one 36 comprises of a raised structure 39 at its outer end. Said second cover profile 31 comprises among others features an inner longitudinal slot 32, a stop edge 301 , and protruding snap parts 33, 34.

According to one embodiment said side elements comprises essentially of a width W between 25 - 40 mm, more specifically between 30 - 35 mm. Furthermore, said side element comprises essentially of a depth D of between 25 - 35 mm, more specifically between 27 - 30 mm.

The outer side element 3 encloses a holder rail 2, which presents a grip opening 21 arranged to grip and hold fasteners 5 i which are located along each of the long sides of the fabric track 5. The device 1 also comprises of a spring elements 4 which are enclosed by the outer side profiles 3. Said spring elements 4 are arranged so that in a position when a fabric track 5 is retained in said opposite parallel side elements 3 they can act on the holder rail 2 in a direction towards the side element 3 to keep the fabric track 5 in position. As clearly seen, for example, in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, said spring element 4 and said inner holder rail 2 are integrated into a single part, preferably, but not necessarily, also manufactured in a single piece. The spring element 4 comprises of curved side sections 40 which are arranged to interact with the cover profiles 30, 31 in such a way that when a fabric track 5 is held in the holder rail 2 it will act on the holder rail 2 in a direction towards the side profile's 3 rear transverse wall 38. This means that a fabric track 5 when it is held by the opposing mounted side elements 3 will be held in place both when the fabric track 5 runs in the holder rail 2, and in a position when the curtain 5 is still, and fully or partially rolled down. The holder rail 2 comprises a longitudinal cavity 23 with a grip opening 21 facing the fabric track 5 and is arranged to receive and retain said fastener 51 which is embraced by the fabric track's 5 long sides. Essentially said opening 21 is dimensioned to allow the fabric 5 to run freely along the guide rail's 1 length (i.e. opening 21 will not pinch the fabric and prevent linear movement thereof) at the same time as the opening 21 is so narrow that said fastener 5 on account of its size will not be able to slide out of the holder rail's 2 grip.

As can be seen clearly in Fig. 4 said holder rail 2 and said spring element 4 are integrated into a single unit 7, here generally described as the "holder unit" 7. The holder unit 7 comprises an elongated structure designed to be placed and retained inside a side element 3. Said holder rail 2 sits centrally on said holder unit 7 and is flanked by said protruding spring element 4 (also called "wing structures"), preferably in the form of curved side sections 40 where the outer ends 41 of the curved sections are arranged to point in a direction that essentially corresponds to the direction that the holder rail's 2 grip opening 21 faces. According to a preferred embodiment said holder rail 2 and said wing structures 4 are manufactured in a single piece, but it is also possible to manufacture the holder rail 2 and each of the spring elements 4 as separate parts which are then integrated with each other in an appropriate manner to form a single part 7, for example, by welding or bonding. According to one embodiment the holder rail 2 is manufactured of a material that is slightly more rigid than the material used for the spring elements 4, to thereby ensure that the holder rail 2 does not release the curtain fabric's 5 fasteners 51 at the same time as the spring element 4 is sufficiently flexible to be able to retain the curtain track 5 securely without for that matter the risk of stretching it so tight that the fabric tears. Obviously, the complete holder unit 7, including holder rail 2 and wing structures 4, can also be manufactured in one and the same material just as other materials besides plastic composites can be used, such as a rubber material.

In an assembled guide rail 1 the curved sections 40 of said curved elements 4 are arranged to interact with the enclosing cover profiles 30, 31 as follows (see e.g. Fig. 3). The spring elements' 4 outer ends 41 are positioned in matching longitudinal slots 32, 37 on said first and second cover sections 30, 31 and are thus prevented from sliding out of position. Moreover, said curved sections 40 are supported from the base of each slot 32, 37 and can offer resistance e.g. in the event that a fabric track 5 is drawn in a direction outwards from the guide rail 1. The curved shape 40 of the spring elements' 4 side sections result in said spring effect being achieved, and thus the curtain edge 51 being held in place in the holder 2, yet at the same time, the spring elements 4 contribute to the curtain not being held completely taut, as the holder 2 is somewhat pliable. For example, if a powerful blow suddenly affects the curtain track 5, the spring elements 4 will give way and be pulled with the curtain fabric 5 outwardly from the side element 3 which means that the holder rail 2 will temporary "follow" the fabric track's 2 movement slightly. Said pliability means a reduced risk of sudden external force influences on the fabric track 5 tearing the fabric. Thanks to the spring elements 4 acting on the holder rail 2 in a direction towards the side profile's 3 rear transverse wall 38, the spring elements 4 will, as soon as external force influences have been diminished, return to a neutral position, and then once gain hold the curtain fabric 5 in place between the opposing guide rails 3. Of course "neutral position" refers here to a position where the curtain fabric 5 is held in place between two guide rails 3 without any other external force affecting the fabric 5, which corresponds to a position according to e.g. Figure 3.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the holder rail 2 comprises longitudinal protruding flanges 22, preferably one flange 22 on each side of said grip opening 21. These flanges 22 are arranged to interact with the protruding stop edges 300, 301 on the cover profiles 30, 31 so that the holder rail 2 cannot give way and follow with curtain track 5 further than to a specific position, for example, in the event of a powerful instantaneous load on the fabric track. If an external force should lead to the fabric 5 pulling the holder rail 2 with it outwards from the side elements 3, the flanges 22 will eventually meet said stop edges 300, 301 where they are prevented from moving further out. In this way extreme positions of the inner holder unit 7 that could damage its design are prevented. In addition, the holder rail's 2 grip opening 21 is prevented from opening up and releasing the curtain's fasteners 51 , which could happen if the holder rail is drawn with the curtain track 5 too far out.

The mutual assembly of a guide rail 1 according to the invention, and fastening to a structure such as a window frame, can be performed as follows. A first angled cover profile 30 is attached to a surface in a desired position, e.g. fastened vertically in a window frame. Then the fastened cover profile 30 is put together with a holder unit 7 in such a way that one outer end 41 of a curved side screen 40 on the holder unit 7 is placed in a meeting longitudinal slot 37 on said first cover profile 30. In the next step one edge of an already installed fabric track 5 e.g. a roller blind, is inserted into the holder rail 2 and the curtain's fastener 51 is placed inside the holder rail's longitudinal cavity 23 so that the curtain fabric 5 passes through the grip opening 21.

A second cover profile 31 is then placed so that the other outer end 4Γ of the holder unit's 7 other curved side section 40' is inserted into a meeting slot 32 on said second cover profile 31. Said second cover profile 31 is then angled so that its lower section 33 approaches the first cover profile's outer edge 36. The movement leads to an angled edge 34 on the second cover profile 31 is pushed past a hook shaped protrusion 35 on the first cover profile 30, which is possible thanks to the second cover profile 31 being angled diagonally in from above whereby the angled edge 34 can be snapped past said hook-shaped protrusion 35. In order to snap together cover profiles, the first cover profile's 30 lower edge 36 is stretched out so much that the second cover profile's 31 lower edge 33 can pass a raised ridge shaped structure 39 by the outer edge 36 and snap down on the other side of said ridge 39. Said stretching out of the first cover profile's 30 lower outer edge 36 can for example be achieved by means of an appropriate tool for the purpose and/or an adapted tool. A second raised structure 309 will prevent the lower edge 33 of the second cover profile 31 from sliding out of position.

The described assembly of one guide rail is quick and easy and means that with few parts you produce a compact and robust guide rail design 1. In addition each cover profile includes upper recesses 302, 303 designed to take conventional brush strips that have a sealing and light shielding function, and help to keep the curtain fabric 5 in place. On the rear transverse wall 38 on the first cover profile 30 is a space 304 intended for fastening details on e.g. a bottom strip, or a cover for a roller blind holder.

The invention is not limited by that described above, but can be varied within the scope of the appended patent claims. It is recognised for example that the opposing side elements do not need to be installed in parallel, but can be fastened in many ways relative to each other depending on how the fabric track to be controlled is designed.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A device for holding one long side of a roll up fabric track (5), comprising side elements (3) enclosing an inner holder rail (2) which comprises a grip opening (21) to hold elongated fasteners (51) arranged along each of the fabric track's (5) long sides, where the device (1) further comprises spring elements (4) arranged so that they, in a position when a fabric track is held in said holder rail (2) are able to act on the holder rail (2) in a direction towards said side elements (3) to keep the fabric track (5) in place, ch ar a cte r i s e d in that said spring elements (4) and said inner holder rail (2) are integrated into one and the same piece (7).

2. A device according to claim 1, c h ar a c t e r i s e d in that said spring element (4) and said inner holder rail (2) are manufactured of different materials, where said holder rail (2) is made of a rigid material and said spring element (4) is manufactured of an elastic material.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, c h aracte ri se d in that said side elements (3) comprise at least two cover profiles (30, 31) which are arranged to interconnect with each other via snap-fastening.

4. A device according to any of the above claims, c h arac te r i s e d in that said spring elements (4) comprise curved side elements (40, 40') arranged to interact with the side elements (3) in such a way that they are in a position, when a fabric track (5) is held in said opposite parallel side elements (3), to act on the holder rail (2) in a direction towards said side element (3) in order to hold the fabric track (5) in place.

A device according to claim 4, ch ara cteri s e d in that the outer ends (41 , 4 ) of said curved side elements (40, 40') are arranged to be placed in the longitudinal slots (32, 37) on said first and second cover profiles (30, 31).

A device according to any of said claims, c h aracter i s e d in that said inner holder rail (2) is equipped with at least one protruding flange (22), preferably two protruding flanges positioned opposite to each other on each side of said grip opening (21), arranged to interact with at least one stop structure, preferably two stop structures (300, 301) on said side elements (3), so that said holder rail (2) can only move outward from said side elements (3) to a maximum position corresponding to a position where said flanges (22) meet said stop edges (300, 301).