U.S. patent application number 09/549300 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-21 for side guide for a roller covering.
Invention is credited to Welfonder, Konrad.
Application Number | 20020020508 09/549300 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8240085 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020020508 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Welfonder, Konrad |
February 21, 2002 |
Side guide for a roller covering
Abstract
A side guide for an architectural roller covering includes a
base (18) and a cover (20). The base has a longitudinally-extending
base web (22) with an outer flange (24) and an inner flange (34)
extending laterally from a lateral surface of the base web. A free
lateral end of the outer flange (24) has a first hinge formation
(32) that is longitudinally directed towards the inner flange (34).
The cover has a longitudinally-extending cover web (42) with a
second hinge formation (48) and a bent arm (50) extending laterally
from a lateral surface of the cover web (42) towards the base (18).
The lateral surface of the base web (22) faces the lateral surface
of the cover web (42), the second hinge formation (48) being
located longitudinally between the base inner and outer flanges
(34,24) and extending longitudinally towards the first hinge
formation (32) and away from the bent arm (50). The bent arm is
located longitudinally between the inner and outer flanges (34,24)
and has an elbow (55) that extends towards the second hinge
formation (48) and is between two laterally-extending portions
(52,54) of the bent arm. The first and second hinge formations
cooperate, and the cover pivots about them to move the bent arm
(50) laterally towards the base web (22) until a free lateral end
of the bent arm contacts the lateral surface of the base web and a
laterally-extending surface of the inner flange (34) to resiliently
lock the cover (20) on the base (18).
Inventors: |
Welfonder, Konrad;
(Bremerhaven, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORSEY & WHITNEY, LLP
SUITE 4700
370 SEVENTEENTH STREET
DENVER
CO
80202-5647
US
|
Family ID: |
8240085 |
Appl. No.: |
09/549300 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/271 ;
160/380 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/42 20130101; E06B
9/58 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/271 ;
160/380 |
International
Class: |
A47H 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 14, 1999 |
EP |
99201122.1 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A side guide for an architectural roller covering, said side
guide comprising a base having a longitudinally-extending base web
with an outer flange and an inner flange extending laterally from a
lateral surface of the base web; a free lateral end of the outer
flange having a first hinge formation that is longitudinally
directed towards the inner flange; and a cover having a
longitudinally-extending cover web with a second hinge formation
and a bent arm extending laterally from a lateral surface of the
cover web towards the base; the lateral surface of the base web
facing the lateral surface of the cover web; the second hinge
formation being located longitudinally between the inner and outer
flanges of the base and extending longitudinally towards the first
hinge formation and away from the bent arm; and the bent arm also
being located longitudinally between the inner and outer flanges
and having an elbow that extends towards the second hinge formation
and is between two laterally-extending portions of the bent arm;
whereby the second hinge formation can cooperate with the first
hinge formation and the cover can be pivoted about the cooperating
first and second hinge formations to move the bent arm laterally
towards the base web until a free lateral end of the bent arm
contacts the lateral surface of the base web and a
laterally-extending surface of the inner flange, facing the outer
flange, to resiliently lock the cover on the base.
2. The side guide of claim 1 wherein the base member and the cover
member extend vertically.
3. The side guide of claim 1 wherein the base member and the cover
member are coextensive.
4. The side guide of claim 1 wherein a first portion of the bent
arm, at a lateral end of the elbow remote from the cover web,
extends i) longitudinally away from the second hinge formation, ii)
laterally away from the cover web at an acute angle to the cover
web, and iii) towards the laterally-extending surface of the inner
flange.
5. The side guide of claim 1 wherein a second portion of the bent
arm, connected to the cover web and the elbow, extends laterally
away from the cover web and longitudinally towards the second hinge
formation.
6. The side guide of claim 5 wherein the first and second portions
of the bent arm are substantially straight.
7. The side guide of claim 1 wherein the first hinge formation is a
hinge groove that is longitudinally open towards the inner flange
and the second hinge formation is a hook.
8. The side guide of claim 1 wherein the free lateral end of the
bent arm is lockingly accommodated adjacent the laterally-extending
surface of the inner flange when the free lateral end contacts the
lateral surface of the base web.
9. An architectural roller covering, said roller covering
comprising: a side guide, said side guide comprising: a base having
a longitudinally-extending base web with an outer flange and an
inner flange extending laterally from a lateral surface of the base
web; a free lateral end of the outer flange having a first hinge
formation that is longitudinally directed towards the inner flange;
and a cover having a longitudinally-extending cover web with a
second hinge formation and a bent arm extending laterally from a
lateral surface of the cover web towards the base; the lateral
surface of the base web facing the lateral surface of the cover
web; the second hinge formation being located longitudinally
between the inner and outer flanges of the base and extending
longitudinally towards the first hinge formation and away from the
bent arm; and the bent arm also being located longitudinally
between the inner and outer flanges and having an elbow that
extends towards the second hinge formation and is between two
laterally-extending portions of the bent arm; whereby the second
hinge formation can cooperate with the first hinge formation and
the cover can be pivoted about the cooperating first and second
hinge formations to move the bent arm laterally towards the base
web until a free lateral end of the bent arm contacts the lateral
surface of the base web and a laterally-extending surface of the
inner flange, facing the outer flange, to resiliently lock the
cover on the base.
10. The architectural roller covering of claim 9 wherein the base
member and the cover member extend vertically.
11. The architectural roller covering of claim 9 wherein the base
member and the cover member are coextensive.
12. The architectural roller covering of claim 9 wherein a first
portion of the bent arm, at a lateral end of the elbow remote from
the cover web, extends: i) longitudinally away from the second
hinge formation, ii) laterally away from the cover web at an acute
angle to the cover web, and iii) towards the laterally-extending
surface of the inner flange.
13. The architectural roller covering of claim 9 wherein a second
portion of the bent arm, connected to the cover web and the elbow,
extends laterally away from the cover web and longitudinally
towards the second hinge formation.
14. The architectural roller covering of claim 13 wherein the first
and second portions of the bent arm are substantially straight.
15. The architectural roller covering of claim 9 wherein the first
hinge formation is a hinge groove that is longitudinally open
towards the inner flange and the second hinge formation is a
hook.
16. The architectural roller covering of claim 9 wherein the free
lateral end of the bent arm is lockingly accommodated adjacent the
laterally-extending surface of the inner flange when the free
lateral end contacts the lateral surface of the base web.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application corresponds to and claims priority to
European Application No. 99201122.1, filed Apr. 14, 1999. This
European application is hereby incorporated by reference as though
fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] a. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a side guide for enclosing the
sides of an architectural roller covering, especially a roller
covering for an architectural opening, such as a roller screen,
shade, or blind for a window.
[0004] b. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Side guides for architectural roller coverings are known,
for example, from the following patent publications: EP 0 841 461,
DE 44 06 267, U.S. Pat. No. 4 357 978 and GB 2 235 005. Typically,
such side guides include generally U-shaped, vertically-extending
channels. The channels preferably surround the front and back of
the sides of the roller coverings, adjacent their side edges, to
prevent heat, dirt, and insects from getting past their side edges
and/or to keep the coverings in a vertical plane while allowing
them to move vertically unhindered when raising and lowering them.
Such side guides have also typically been adapted to be removably
fit onto mounting members on a wall, adjacent to a window which
such roller coverings are intended to cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The installation and maintenance of such side guides has
generally not been easy. In this regard, side guides have been
sought which are easier to disassemble and reassemble when cleaning
or installing their roller coverings.
[0007] This invention provides a side guide for an architectural
roller covering, such as a roller screen, shade, or blind for a
window, having:
[0008] a base having a longitudinally-extending elongated base web
with an outer flange and an inner flange extending laterally from a
lateral surface of the base web; a free lateral end of the outer
flange having a first hinge formation that is longitudinally
directed towards the inner flange; and
[0009] a cover having a longitudinally-extending elongated cover
web with a second hinge formation and a bent arm extending
laterally from a lateral surface of the cover web towards the base;
the lateral surface of the base web facing the lateral surface of
the cover web; the second hinge formation being located
longitudinally between the inner and outer flanges of the base and
extending longitudinally towards the first hinge formation and away
from the bent arm; and the bent arm also being located
longitudinally between the inner and outer flanges of the base and
having an elbow that extends towards the second hinge formation and
is between two laterally-extending portions of the bent arm;
[0010] whereby the second hinge formation can cooperate with the
first hinge formation and the cover can be pivoted about the
cooperating first and second hinge formations to move the bent arm
laterally towards the base web until a free lateral end of the bent
arm contacts the lateral surface of the base web and a
laterally-extending surface of the inner flange, facing the outer
flange, to resiliently lock the cover on the base.
[0011] Advantageously, the base and cover extend vertically and
preferably are coextensive. It is especially advantageous that a
first portion of the bent arm, at a lateral end of the elbow remote
from the cover web, extends i) longitudinally away from the second
hinge formation, ii) laterally away from the cover web at an acute
angle to the cover web, and iii) towards the laterally-extending
surface of the inner flange. It is particularly advantageous that a
second portion of the bent arm, connected to the cover web and the
elbow, extends laterally away from the cover web and longitudinally
towards the second hinge formation. It is also particularly
advantageous that the first hinge formation be a hinge groove that
is longitudinally open towards the inner flange and that the second
hinge formation be a hook. It is further particularly advantageous
that the free lateral end of the bent arm is lockingly accommodated
adjacent the laterally-extending surface of the inner flange when
the free lateral end contacts the lateral surface of the base
web.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an
architectural roller covering, such as a roller screen, shade, or
blind for a window, is provided, which includes a side guide of
this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roller blind, showing a
pair of assembled side guides of the invention along opposite
lateral sides of the blind;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one of the side guides of FIG.
1, before it is assembled;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top plan view, similar to FIG. 2, of one of the
side guides of FIG. 1 after it has been partially assembled;
and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top plan view, similar to FIG. 3, of one of the
side guides of FIG. 1 after it has been fully assembled and
surrounds one side of a flexible covering member of the blind,
adjacent the side edge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Further aspects of the invention will be apparent from the
detailed description below of a particular embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a roller blind, generally 1, for a window (not
shown). The blind 1 has a conventional longitudinally-extending
elongated head rail 3 that contains a conventional
longitudinally-extending elongated roller (not shown) connected to
the top of a conventional flexible covering member 5. The bottom of
the covering member 5 is attached to a conventional
longitudinally-extending bottom rail 7. The covering member 5 is
adapted to be extended and subsequently retracted by being wound
about the roller in the head rail 3. In this regard, the head rail
3 can include conventional mechanisms for extending and
automatically retracting the covering member.
[0019] The roller blind 1 also has a pair of vertically-extending,
left and right, side guides, generally 10 and 12, respectively, of
this invention on opposite longitudinal sides. As described below
with reference to FIGS. 2-4, the left and right side guides 10, 12
are adapted to be mounted on a wall (not shown), adjacent to the
window, and to be subsequently removed, for example, for cleaning
behind the roller blind 1. The side guides 10, 12 surround the left
and right sides 14 and 16, respectively, of the covering member 5,
adjacent its side edges. Thereby, the side guides 10, 12 close off
the side edges of the covering member 5 to the passage of heat,
dirt, and insects while not hindering the covering member 5 from
moving vertically when being raised and lowered. The left and right
side guides 10, 12 are preferably the same and are mounted in FIG.
1 as mirror images on a wall and on longitudinally opposite sides
of the covering member 5. The side guides 10, 12 are also
preferably made of plastic.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows the left side guide 10 of the blind 1 of FIG. 1
before it has been assembled to receive the left side 14 of the
covering member 5. The left side guide 10 has a
vertically-extending base, generally 18, and a vertically-extending
cover, generally 20, in front of the base 18.
[0021] The base 18 of the left side guide 10, as shown in FIG. 2,
has a longitudinally- and vertically-extending, elongated base web
22. Preferably extending laterally through the base web 22 of the
left side guide 10 are vertically spaced apertures (not shown)
which can be used for affixing the base 18 to a
longitudinally-extending wall adjacent to a window in a
conventional manner (e.g., with nails or screws).
[0022] Attached to the left end of the front surface of the base
web 22 of the left side guide 10 is a vertically-extending outer
flange 24, extending also frontally towards the cover 20. The outer
flange 24 preferably has a conventional under-cut
longitudinally-extending mounting groove 26 at its rear end,
adjacent the base web 22. The groove 26 is formed by a pair of
longitudinally-extending, rear and front ribs 28,30 that are
integral with the outer flange 24. The groove 26 is open to the
left, away from the right side guide 12 and can be used for
affixing the outer flange 24 and the base 18 to a
laterally-extending wall, adjacent to a window (for example, by
inserting the vertically-aligned heads of nails or screws,
projecting to the right from the wall, into the groove 26). The
groove 26 can also be used to hold other elements, such as brackets
or sealing strips, inserted into it.
[0023] The front end of the outer flange 24 of the left side guide
10 also has a first hinge formation in the form of a hinge groove
32. The hinge groove 32 is open towards the right side guide
12.
[0024] Also attached to the front surface of the base web 22 of the
left side guide 10 is a vertically-extending first inner flange 34,
that also extends frontally towards the cover 20 and is spaced to
the right of the outer flange 24. The first inner flange 34
preferably forms the left side of a conventional under-cut first
frontally-open mounting groove 36 on the front of the base web 22.
The groove 36 can hold a conventional, frontally-extending brush or
sealing strip (not shown) that is inserted in the groove 36 and can
contact the rear of the left side 14 of the covering member 5 to
close it off to the passage of heat, dirt, and insects.
[0025] Also preferably attached to the front surface of the base
web 22 of the left side guide 10 is a vertically-extending second
inner flange 38, that also extends frontally towards the cover 20
and is spaced to the right of the first frontally-open mounting
groove 36. The second inner flange 38 preferably forms one
longitudinal side of a conventional under-cut second frontally-open
mounting groove 40, spaced to the right of the first frontally-open
mounting groove 36. The second laterally-open mounting groove 40
can also be used for holding a conventional, frontally-extending
brush or other sealing member (not shown) which is inserted in the
groove 40 and can contact the rear of the left side 14 of the
covering member 5 to further close it off to the passage of heat,
dirt, and insects.
[0026] The cover 20 of the left side guide 10, as shown in FIG. 2,
has a longitudinally- and vertically-extending, elongated cover web
42. Attached to the rear surface of the cover web 42 is a
vertically-extending second hinge formation in the form of a hook
member, generally 44. The hook member 44 is located between the
outer flange 24 and the first inner flange 34 of the base 18 and
extends rearwardly towards the outer flange 24. In this regard, the
hook member 44 has a rearwardly-extending stem 46, attached to the
cover web 42, a short distance to the right of its left end, and a
hook 48 that is on the rear end of the stem 46. The hook 48 extends
away from the right side guide 12, towards the hinge groove 32 on
the outer flange 24 on the front of the base 18.
[0027] Also attached to the rear surface of the cover web 42 of the
left side guide 10 is a vertically-extending bent arm, generally
50. The bent arm 50 is also located between the outer flange 24 and
the first inner flange 34 of the base 18 and extends rearwardly
towards the first inner flange 34. In this regard, the bent arm 50
includes a front portion 52 that is spaced to the right of the stem
46 of the hook member 44 and extends rearwardly and to the left
from its attachment to the rear surface of the cover web 42,
towards the hook 48. The bent arm 50 also includes a rear portion
54, that is connected by an elbow 55 to the front portion 52 and
that extends rearwardly and to the right from the elbow 55, away
from the hook 48. The elbow 55 extends towards the hook member 44
and forms an acute angle to the right as shown in FIGS. 2-4. As a
result, the rear portion 54 of the bent arm 50 has its free rear
end remote from the cover web 42 and extends i) to the right, away
from the hook 48; ii) rearwardly at an acute angle to the right
relative to the rear surface of the cover web 42; and iii) towards
a frontally-extending left surface of the inner flange 34, facing
the outer flange 24 when viewed from the top of the left side guide
10 as in FIGS. 2-4. Preferably, the front and rear portions 52, 54
of the bent arm 50 are substantially straight.
[0028] The elbow 55 between the front and rear portions 52, 54 of
the bent arm 50 is adapted to accommodate a significant
longitudinal length of the left side 14 of the covering member 5
within the left side guide 10 as shown in FIG. 4. The elbow 55 is
also adapted to promote the resilient flexing of the rear portion
54 frontally, relative to the front portion 52. However, it is
believed that specific acute angles for the elbow 55 are not
critical to the side guides 10, 12 of this invention or their
operation.
[0029] Also preferably attached to the rear surface of the cover
web 42 of the left side guide 10 are a pair of vertically-extending
third inner flanges 56, that also extend rearwardly toward the base
18 and are spaced to the right of the bent arm 50. The rear ends of
the third inner flanges 56 serve, together with the front end of
the second inner flange 38, to retain and guide the left side 14 of
the covering member 5, so that it extends longitudinally and
vertically within the left side guide 10 as shown in FIG. 4.
[0030] The cover 20 can be attached to the base 18 to form the
vertically-extending left side guide 10 for the left side 14 of the
covering member 5 of the roller blind 1, between its head rail 3
and bottom rail 7 as described below with reference to FIGS.
2-4.
[0031] The vertically-extending base 18 of the left side guide 10
can be mounted initially on a wall, to the left of, and adjacent
to, a window in a conventional manner, using nails or screws
engaging the vertically aligned apertures (not shown) in the base
web 22 or the longitudinally-extending mounting groove 26. As shown
in FIG. 4, the base 18 will extend longitudinally behind the left
side edge 14A of the covering member 5 of the blind 1, mounted in
front of the window. The outer flange 24 of the base 18 will be
located to the left of the left side edge 14A of the covering
member 5 and to the left of its inner flange 34. If desired,
frontally-extending elongated brushes or sealing members (not
shown) can be inserted in the frontally-open mounting grooves 36,
40.
[0032] The vertically-extending cover 20 can then be positioned in
front of, and at an acute angle to, the base 18. The hook member 44
of the cover 20 extends rearwardly, with its hook 48 to the right
of and in front of the hinge groove 32 on the front end of the
outer flange 24 of the base 18.
[0033] The cover web 42 and the hook member 44 of the cover 20 can
then be moved rearwardly and to the left, so that the hook 48
engages the hinge groove 32 of the base 18 as shown in FIG. 3.
[0034] Then, the cover web 42 of the cover 20 can be pivoted
rearwardly about the hinged connection of its hook 48 to the hinge
groove 32 of the base 18 to move the bent arm 50 rearwardly towards
the base web 22. The bent arm 50 of the cover 20 is moved
rearwardly until the free rear end of its rear portion 54 contacts
the front surface of the base web 22. The cover web 42 of the cover
20 will then extend longitudinally, with the free rear end of its
rear arm portion 54 also contacting, and being resiliently urged
against, the left side of the first inner flange 34 of the base 18,
so as to keep the left side guide 10 securely closed as shown in
FIG. 4. In this regard, the rear arm portion 54 preferably extends
sufficiently far to the right, away from the hook 48, so that the
left side of the first inner flange 34 is in continuous contact
with the free rear end of the rear arm portion 54 and urges it to
the left, thereby resiliently flexing the bent arm 50 to the left
and resiliently flexing its rear portion 54 frontally relative to
its front portion 52 as the cover 20 is pivoted rearwardly. Such
resilient flexing continues until the rearwardly moving, free rear
end of the rear arm portion 54 contacts the front surface of the
base web 22 and preferably is lockingly accommodated to the left
of, and adjacent to, the left side of the inner flange 34, so as to
resiliently lock the cover 20 on the base 18.
[0035] The right side guide 12, which is a mirror image of the left
side guide 10, can then be assembled in the same way.
[0036] Lastly, the sides 14, 16 of the covering member 5 can be
inserted between the base 18 and the cover 20 of the left and right
side guides 10, 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the left side edge 14A of
the covering member will be to the right of, and adjacent to, the
elbow 55 connecting the front and rear portions 52, 54 of the bent
arm 50 of the left side guide 10 and within the acute angle of the
elbow. The corresponding right side edge (not shown) of the
covering member 5 within the right side guide 12 will be the mirror
image of what is shown in FIG. 4.
[0037] This invention is, of course, not limited to the
above-described embodiment which can be modified without departing
from the scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its
advantages. In this regard, the terms in the foregoing description
and the following claims, such as "right", "left", "front", "rear",
"upward", "downward", "longitudinal", "lateral", "height",
"vertical", "bottom", and "top", have been used only as relative
terms to describe the relationships of the various elements of the
side guide of the invention for a retractable architectural
covering. For example, the cover 20 could be provided with a
plurality of vertically aligned apertures or a conventional
under-cut longitudinally-extending mounting groove for mounting the
cover on a wall, adjacent a window to be covered by the roller
blind 1, and the base 18 could be hingedly connected to, and in
front of, the cover to form the side guides 10, 12. Likewise, the
hinge groove 32 could be provided on the stem 46 of the cover 20
and the hook member 44 could be provided on the outer flange 24 of
the base 18, provided its hook 48 extends towards the hinge
groove.
* * * * *