U.S. patent application number 11/172010 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-05 for frame section for a black-out blind assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hunter Douglas Industries BV. Invention is credited to Jorg Bohlen.
Application Number | 20060000559 11/172010 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35512692 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060000559 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bohlen; Jorg |
January 5, 2006 |
Frame section for a black-out blind assembly
Abstract
A black-out blind assembly having a frame supporting a black-out
blind moveable within the frame between open and closed positions
wherein sections of the frame have inner and outer walls extending
from a side wall so as to form a channel section defining a recess
for receiving part of a black-out blind. A light absorbing
substantially non-reflective insert is positioned within the recess
of the channel section adjacent the inner, outer and side walls so
as to prevent scattered and reflected light passing around the
sides of the black-out blind.
Inventors: |
Bohlen; Jorg; (Langen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORSEY & WHITNEY, LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
370 SEVENTEENTH STREET
SUITE 4700
DENVER
CO
80202-5647
US
|
Assignee: |
Hunter Douglas Industries
BV
EL Rotterdam
NL
|
Family ID: |
35512692 |
Appl. No.: |
11/172010 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/582 20130101;
E06B 9/40 20130101; E06B 9/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/031 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/00 20060101
A47H001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2004 |
EP |
04253931.2 |
Claims
1. A frame section of a frame for a black-out blind assembly
supporting a black-out blind moveable within the frame between open
and closed positions, the frame section having: inner and outer
walls extending from a side wall so as to form a channel section
defining a recess for receiving part of a black-out blind; and a
light absorbing substantially non-reflective insert positioned
within the recess of the channel section adjacent the inner, outer
and side walls.
2. A frame section according to claim 1 wherein the insert is a
sheet form extending between first and second generally parallel
edges and is deformed so as to extend from the first edge adjacent
the inner wall around the inside of the channel section to the
second edge adjacent the outer wall.
3. A frame section according to claim 1 wherein, within the recess
of the channel section, the inner and outer walls are provided with
respective supports for receiving the first and second edges of the
insert.
4. A frame section according to claim 3 wherein one or more of the
supports include protrusions extending into the recess of the
channel section so as to prevent the edges of the insert moving
outwardly of the channel section.
5. A frame section according to claim 3 wherein one or more of the
supports define respective openings facing inwardly of the recess
of the channel section for receiving the edges of the insert.
6. A frame section according to claim 3 wherein one or more of the
supports from elongate channels.
7. A frame section according to claim 1 wherein the insert is at
least partly resilient such that, once inserted in the recess of
the channel section, the insert presses outwardly against the
inner, outer and side walls.
8. A frame section according to claim 1 wherein the insert is a
black material, such as a non-woven material, paper, woven fabric,
non-woven fabric, extruded flat film and extruded film in
shape.
9. A frame section according to claim 1 wherein the frame section
is arranged to receive an edge of sheet forming a black-out blind,
the edge sliding along the channel section as the black-out blind
is moved between open and closed positions.
10. A frame section according to claim 1 wherein the frame section
is arranged to receive a rolled sheet forming a black-out blind,
the sheet being unrolled from and rolled into the frame section as
the black-out blind is moved between open and closed positions.
11. A frame section according to claim 10 further including
supports at each of two ends of the frame section for rotatably
supporting therebetween a rolled sheet forming a black-out
blind.
12. A black-out blind assembly comprising: a frame having at least
one frame section including inner and outer walls extending from a
side wall so as to form a channel section defining a recess for
receiving part of a black-out blind and a light absorbing
substantially non-reflective insert positioned within the recess of
the channel section adjacent the inner, outer and side walls; and a
black-out blind moveable within the frame.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to European patent
application No. 04253931.2, filed 30 Jun. 2004, which is hereby
incorporated by reference as if fully disclosed herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a frame section of a frame
for a black-out blind assembly, in particular for reducing the
transmission of light through the blind assembly.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] It is well known to provide black-out blinds for
architectural openings. These blinds are used to cover openings,
such as windows, to cover the opening and prevent ingress of any
light. Examples of such blinds are described in U.S. Pat. No.
2,354,489, U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,892, DE 1 127 555 and DE 1 705
816.
[0006] Although the blinds themselves can be sufficiently opaque to
produce the desired effect, there is a problem that light can be
reflected within the frame supporting the blind, such that this
light travels around the side of the blind.
[0007] To overcome this problem, the prior art proposes coating or
painting inside surfaces of the frame of the black-out blind.
However, the process of painting or coating the components in this
way is undesirably complicated and expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the present invention, there is provide a frame
section of a frame for a black-out blind assembly supporting a
black-out blind moveable within the frame between open and closed
positions, the frame section having: [0009] inner and outer walls
extending from a side wall so as to form a channel section defining
a recess for receiving part of a black-out blind; and [0010] a
light absorbing substantially non-reflective insert positioned
within the recess of the channel section adjacent the inner, outer
and side walls.
[0011] In this way, it is not necessary to paint or coat inner
portions of the frame which surround the sides of the black-out
blind between the inside and the outside of the architectural
opening. Painting and/or coating frame sections can be a problem,
since, usually, it is only the innermost part of the frame section
which needs to be light absorbing and non-reflective. It then
becomes necessary to coat the frame section selectively.
[0012] By means of the present invention, it becomes a simple
matter to prevent stray light from being reflected around the sides
of the black-out blind. The separately manufactured insert can
easily be inserted into the frame section.
[0013] Preferably, the insert is a sheet form extending between
first and second parallel edges and is deformed so as to extend
from the first edge adjacent the inner wall around the inside of
the channel section to the second edge adjacent the outer wall.
[0014] By providing the insert as a sheet of appropriate width, it
becomes very simple and inexpensive to manufacture the insert.
Assembly of the frame section is not difficult, because it is only
necessary to deform the sheet appropriately to fit it into the
channel section.
[0015] Preferably, within the recess of the channel section, the
inner and outer walls are provided with respective supports for
receiving the first and second edges of the insert.
[0016] In this way, the insert is easily and securely held in place
within the channel section.
[0017] The supports can include protrusions extending into the
recess of the channel section so as to prevent the edges of the
insert moving outwardly of the channel section.
[0018] The supports need not in themselves fix the edges of the
insert to the inner and outer walls. By preventing the edges from
moving outwardly of the channel section, the insert is effectively
held securely in place. This is because it extends around the
inside of the channel section and, hence, as a whole, cannot move
such that its edges move inwardly of the channel section.
[0019] The supports can define respective openings facing inwardly
of the recess of the channel section for receiving the edges of the
insert.
[0020] The openings can prevent the edges not only moving outwardly
of the channel section, but also from moving away from the inner
and outer walls.
[0021] The supports can form elongate channels.
[0022] The edges of the insert fit into the elongate channels so as
to secure them in place with respect to the inner and outer
walls.
[0023] Preferably, the insert is at least partly resilient such
that, once inserted in the recess of the channel section, the
insert presses outwardly against the inner, outer and side
walls.
[0024] In this way, it is not necessary to form accurately the
insert before it is located in the channel section. The resilience
of the insert causes it to follow generally the form of the channel
section automatically. This also ensures that the insert does not
interfere with the space of the recess or movement of the black-out
blind within the recess.
[0025] The insert is preferably a black material. It may be made of
a non-woven material, paper, woven fabric, non-woven fabric,
extruded flat film, extruded film in shape, etc.
[0026] Frame sections of the present invention may be used for the
sides of frames where a rolled black-out blind is unrolled from one
end to the other along the length of the sides. In this case, a
frame section can be arranged to receive an edge of a sheet forming
a black-out blind, the edge sliding along the channel section as
the black-out blind is moved between open and closed positions.
[0027] Frame sections can also be used for ends of the frame.
[0028] Hence, the frame section can be arranged to receive the
rolled sheet forming a black-out blind, the sheet being unrolled
from and rolled into the frame section as the black-out blind is
moved between open and closed positions.
[0029] Since a black-out blind will generally have a predefined
thickness, it is possible to design the sides of a frame with
channel sections having a width corresponding to the thickness of
the blind and, hence, minimising any scattered/reflected light
around the sides of the black-out blind. However, particularly for
the end part of the frame in which the blind is rolled and
unrolled, there is a problem of light reflection. The end part has
to have a sufficiently large recess to accommodate a fully rolled
black-out blind. As a result, when the blind is unrolled, there is
a large space within the recess around which light can be
reflected.
[0030] The present invention provides a very effective arrangement
for overcoming this problem.
[0031] Preferably, where the frame section is arranged to receive a
rolled sheet, the frame section further includes a rotatable
support at each of two ends of the frame section for supporting
therebetween a rolled sheet forming a black-out blind.
[0032] According to the present invention, there is also provided a
black-out blind assembly, including a frame having at least one
frame section as described above, together with a black-out blind
moveable within the frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a black-out blind assembly in which the
present invention may be embodied;
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section through the head rail of
the assembly of FIG. 1 showing also a top portion of the side
guide; and
[0035] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate perspective views of the portion of
FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] The invention will be more clearly understood from the
following description, given by way of example only, with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
[0037] The present invention is described with reference to an
embodiment of a black-out blind assembly for a window opening, but
can, of course, be used with any architectural opening. Indeed, it
is described with reference to a blind which unrolls from the top
of the frame. It will be appreciated that the frame can be
positioned in any orientation and the black-out blind deployed in
any appropriate direction.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, within a window frame 2 is mounted
a black-out blind assembly 4.
[0039] The black-out blind assembly 4 includes a head rail 6
mounted at the top of the frame 2 and two side guides 8 and 10
which extend respectively from each end of the head rail 6 along
opposite sides of the frame 2. A black-out blind 12 may be deployed
downwardly from the head rail 6 with its two opposing edges
contained within channel sections of the side guides 8 and 10.
[0040] As illustrated, a hand rail 14 is provided to enable a user
to move the black-out blind up or down.
[0041] The black-out blind 12 is opaque such that, once fully
deployed with the hand rail 14 at the bottom of the frame 2, the
black-out blind assembly prevents light from travelling past the
frame 2.
[0042] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate further details of the side
guide 10 and head rail 6 in the top left hand corner of the frame
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0043] The side guide 10 has an inner wall 20, on the inside face
of the blind assembly 4, an outer wall 22, on the outside face of
the blind assembly 4, and a side wall 24 from which these two
generally parallel walls extend.
[0044] Thus, as illustrated, the inner, outer and side walls form a
channel section 26. The channel section 26 defines an elongate
recess along which an edge of the black-out blind may slide up and
down (as illustrated in FIG. 1).
[0045] Inevitably, in practice, there will be slight gaps between
the outside surface of the black-out blind and the face of the
outer wall 22 which faces the channel section 26. Hence, it is
possible that light will enter into the channel section 26. This
light could reflect off the surfaces of the outer wall 22, side
wall 24 and inner wall 26 before escaping on the opposite side of
the black-out blind through slight gaps between the inner wall 20
and the inside surface of the black-out blind 12.
[0046] To overcome this problem, an insert 30 is provided within
the channel section 26.
[0047] The insert 30 has a light absorbing substantially
non-reflective surface and is, for instance, matt black.
[0048] The insert 30 could be pre-formed of any suitable material
for insertion into the channel section 26. However, in a preferred
embodiment, the insert 30 is formed as an elongate sheet extending
between a first edge 32 and a second edge 34. The sheet is merely
deformed in the manner of bending or folding to insert it into the
channel section 26.
[0049] As illustrated, the first edge 32 is positioned adjacent the
inner wall 20 whilst the second edge 34 is positioned adjacent the
outer wall 22. The sheet then extends around the periphery of the
channel section 26 providing the required light absorbing
properties without interfering with the sliding motion of the edge
of the black-out blind in the channel section 26.
[0050] By providing the sheet as a resilient member, it will
inherently be biased outwardly and, hence, conform to the inner
profile of the channel section 26.
[0051] Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the insert 30 is a black
non-woven relatively resilient material.
[0052] As illustrated, the inner wall 26 and outer wall 22 are
provided with respective flanges 40 and 42 which extend towards one
another and inwardly with respect to the channel section 26. These
flanges 40 and 42 form supports for the edges 32 and 34 of the
insert 30. In particular, flange 40 prevents the edge 32 from
moving outwardly of the channel section and flange 42 prevents the
edge 34 from moving outwardly of the channel section. Hence, the
insert 30 is held securely in place within the channel section
26.
[0053] It will be appreciated that, in this preferred embodiment,
the side guide 8 has a similar form and is provided with a
corresponding insert.
[0054] The head rail 6 also has a similar arrangement with an inner
wall 120 on the inside of the frame 2 and a generally parallel
outer wall 122 on the outside of the frame 2. A side wall 124 joins
the inner wall 120 and outer wall 122, but, as compared with the
side guide 10, these walls form a channel section 126 which has a
partially circular cross section as compared with the more
rectangular cross section of the channel section 26.
[0055] The recess defined by the channel section 126 forms a space
in which the black-out blind 12 may be rolled. In this respect, an
end cap 16, 18 is provided at each respective end of the guide rail
6. As illustrated most clearly in FIG. 3, an inner portion of each
end cap 16, 18 is provided with a support 60 on which a roll of
black-out blind may be rotatably mounted. Although not of direct
relevance to the present invention, the blind assembly may
additionally be provided with mechanisms for retracting the
black-out blind by re-rolling it or, indeed, mechanisms for
motorised operation of the blind.
[0056] Similarly to with the side guide 10, an insert 130 is
provided within the recess of the channel section 126. The insert
130 is light absorbing and substantially non-reflective. As with
the insert 30, the insert 130 could be pre-formed for insertion and
constructed of any suitable material. However, in the preferred
embodiment, the insert 130 has a sheet form extending from a first
edge 132 to a second edge 134. The first edge is positioned
adjacent the inner wall 120 and the second edge is positioned
adjacent the outer wall 122.
[0057] It will be noted that, for the arrangement of the side guide
10 in the preferred embodiment, the insert extends along
substantially all of the depth of the inner and outer walls 20 and
22. However, as is clear from FIG. 2, it is not always necessary
for the insert to extend up the entire wall. In particular, for
FIG. 2, the second edge 134 of the insert 130 extends only as far
as the innermost part of the outer wall 122.
[0058] As with the insert 30, the insert 130 is preferably at least
partly resilient. In this way, as illustrated, the insert 130 is
naturally biased so as to conform to the inner surface of the
channel section 126.
[0059] The inner wall 120 is provided with a flange 140 which
projects inwardly of the channel section 126. This provides a step
against which the first edge 132 of the insert 130 abuts. The
flange 140 thus forms a support which prevents the first edge 132
from moving outwardly of the channel section 126.
[0060] The outer wall 122 is formed with an inwardly facing
elongate channel 142 into which the second edge 134 of the insert
130 is mounted. In this way, the elongate channel 142 provides a
support for preventing the second edge 134 for moving outwardly of
the channel section 126.
[0061] The insert 130 is thus easily held in place with the channel
section 126. By conforming generally to the inner surface of the
channel section 126, the insert 130 does not interfere with rolling
or unrolling of the black-out blind and yet still provides the
necessary properties for preventing or at least reducing reflection
of light.
[0062] It will be appreciated that the supports for the edges of
the inserts can be provided in other ways using any suitable form
of rib, flange, groove, etc.
[0063] It will also be appreciated that similar inserts can be
provided with side guides and head rails of other cross sections.
For instance, similar inserts could be used with the frame sections
described in EP 1 045 111 and also EP 0 841 461, DE 44 06 287, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,357,978 and GB 2 235 005 to which it refers.
[0064] International Design No. DM/052193 of 5 Aug. 1999
illustrates other frame cross sections in which the present
invention could be embodied.
* * * * *