U.S. patent application number 10/556442 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-31 for adjustable mounting bracket for sun screens.
Invention is credited to Ken Rasmussen.
Application Number | 20070120031 10/556442 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33442606 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070120031 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rasmussen; Ken |
May 31, 2007 |
Adjustable mounting bracket for sun screens
Abstract
Mounting brackets (1) that have to be fitted in an aligned
state, e.g. to carry a roller blind in order that it is parallel to
the edges of a niche, are provided with oblong holes according to
prior art, in order that the placement may be adjusted in
connection with tightening of the screws use. According to the
invention a larger capacity for adjustment may be obtained, in that
washers (5, 9) with an oblong hole (3) are used, and in that the
washes are rotatably fitted in holes (7) in the brackets.
Inventors: |
Rasmussen; Ken; (Ringe,
DK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEARNE & GORDON LLP
1801 EAST 9TH STREET
SUITE 1200
CLEVELAND
OH
44114-3108
US
|
Family ID: |
33442606 |
Appl. No.: |
10/556442 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
May 14, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DK04/00344 |
371 Date: |
December 11, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/266 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/266 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/10 20060101
A47H001/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 14, 2003 |
DK |
PA 2003 00738 |
Claims
1. A bracket for mounting a sun screen, in particular in a niche,
by means of screws or similar fastening devices, comprising at
least one hole in the bracket and a washer fitted between the head
of the fastening device and the bracket, characterized in that the
hole (7) in the bracket (1) is circular, that the washer has a
circular, plateau-shaped part (9) in a first plane, with a diameter
equal to the diameter of the hole (7) and fitted rotatably in the
hole (7), and a surrounding ring-shaped part (5) with a larger
diameter in a second plane resting on the bracket (1), and in that
the washer is provided with an oblong hole (3) in circular plateau
part.
2. A bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that the oblong
hole (3) has a length that is equal to the diameter of the circular
part (9).
3. A bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that the
ring-shaped part (5) has a serrated edge (11).
4. A bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that the
circular part (9) has projecting parts (p') on that side of the
element that is opposite the ring-shaped part (5), for holding the
washer (5, 9) in the hole.
5. A bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that there is
established a click-adjustment (11, p) of the angle of rotation of
the washer.
6. Use of a bracket according to claim 1 in conjunction with at
least two fastening devices comprising a head and a shank,
characterized in that the circular parts (9; 10) of the washers are
placed in the holes (7; 8) of the mounting bracket, that a
fastening device is fitted through the oblong hole (3; 4) with
clearance between the head and the washer, that the ring-shaped
parts (5; 6) are rotated with respect to both fastening devices
during alignment of the bracket (1) to its desired position, until
the oblong holes (3; 4) permit free passage of the shanks of the
fastening devices, whereupon the fastening devices art tightened in
order to maintain the aligned position of the bracket (1).
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a bracket for mounting a sun
screen, in particular in a niche by means of screws or similar
fastening devices, comprising at least one hole in the bracket and
a washer fitted between the head of the fastening device and the
bracket.
[0002] Traditionally, brackets for sun screens, e.g. in the form of
roller blinds are mounted by means of fastening devices, such as
screws or nails, but in practice there is an uncertainty as to the
final placement of the fastening device, because a hole may not
always be drilled precisely in the chosen spot or because a nail
may change its direction during hammering. Precisely the large
lengthwise dimensions of roller blinds, the roller blind tube as
well as the height of the fully extended roller blind, make lack of
adjustment during the fitting very visible. In order to permit a
certain lining-up of fits that would be askew, if the fastening
element passed through a pre-determined circular and narrow hole in
the bracket, oblong holes have been formed in the brackets, e.g. a
vertical oblong hole below and a horizontal oblong hole above in a
two-hole mounting. This permits a certain lining-up immediately
before the final tightening of the fastening device, but the
problems of wrong placements of drilled holes would already have
manifested themselves. Possibly holes may be used that are much too
large in comparison to the diameter of a head of a screw or nail,
and such holes may be combined with large washers that however only
press against a part of the periphery of the hole in case of a
lining-up of a large offset. Hereby an uneven or local load on the
mounting bracket is caused, which may result in distortion.
Furthermore, large washers cannot be used with mounting holes near
parts that project perpendicularly from the support close to the
holes, and such is precisely the case with roller blind
brackets.
[0003] According to the invention there is provided a bracket that
avoids the disadvantages of hitherto known fastenings and which
permits adjustment in directions that are typically at right angles
to each other as well as mutual lining-up of both of the brackets
that are needed for a sun screen.
[0004] This is obtained, in that the hole in the bracket is
circular and in that the washer has a circular, plateau-shaped part
in a first plane, with a diameter equal to the diameter of the hole
and fitted rotatably in the hole, and a surrounding ring-shaped
part with a larger diameter in a second plane resting on the
bracket, in that the washer is provided with an oblong hole in the
circular plateau part.
[0005] In this way a bracket is obtained that consists of a
rotatable oblong hole due to the cooperation between the washer and
the hole of the bracket. Hereby a much increased freedom is
obtained in the placement of the fastening-screws, e.g. in
connection with self-tapping screws where no prior drilling has
been performed.
[0006] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is particular in
that the oblong hole has a length that is equal to the diameter of
the circular part. Hereby the widest possible range of adjustment
is obtained.
[0007] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is
particular in that the ring-shaped part has a serrated edge. Hereby
adjustment by turning by means of a finger is enabled. Dependent on
the detailed construction, these serrations may be placed so that
they do not interfere with the projecting angular part of the
bracket.
[0008] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is
particular in that the circular part has projecting parts on that
side of the element that is opposite the ring-shaped part, for
holding the washer in the hole. Hereby the washer remains in the
hole and may be considered to be integrated into the bracket.
[0009] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is
particular in that there is established a click-adjustment of the
angle of the washer. Hereby a given adjustment may be maintained,
even if the bracket were later to be removed, with subsequent
re-fitting. The click adjustment itself may consist in cooperation
between serrations on the edge of a ring-shaped part and a fixed
projection in the bracket.
[0010] The invention furthermore relates to the use of a bracket as
defined above in fitting a sun screen, in that the circular part of
the washer is placed in the hole of the mounting bracket, that a
fastening device is fitted through the oblong hole with clearance
between the head and the washer, that the ring-shaped part is
rotated with respect to both fastening devices during alignment of
the sun screen to its desired position, until the oblong holes
permit free passage of the shanks of the fastening devices,
whereupon the fastening devices are tightened in order to maintain
the aligned position of the sunscreen.
[0011] Another corresponding method that uses the fact that the
circular plateau-shaped part fits tightly in the hole, consists in
visual adjustment of each washer by turning until a fastening
element may pass through the oblong hole and into a pre-drilled
hole in the support, while the sun screen is aligned in the desired
direction, whereupon the fastening elements are fitted.
[0012] By a "head" on a fastening element a part is to be
understood that has a larger diameter than the shank, and hereby
equally a nut or a rivet head. Such a rivet head may be the
remaining part of a POP.RTM. rivet in case the sun screen is to be
mounted on a sheet subsequent to alignment.
[0013] The invention will be described in greater detail with
reference to the drawing, in which
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a mounting bracket provided with two washers
according to an embodiment of the invention,
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the two washers separated from from the
mounting bracket, from the same point of observation, and
[0016] FIG. 3 shows this separated configuration from the reverse
side of the mounting bracket.
[0017] In FIG. 1 is seen a bracket 1 that is intended for screw
mounting on a vertical surface as shown or on a horizontal surface
(in particular from below) for fixing one end of a sun screen, such
as a roller blind, by insertion of a formed flap 2. The bracket is
angular, and in order to givet it strength ribs r are provided.
Oblong screw holes 3 and 4 are provided, with a diameter (shortest
dimension) that is slightly larger than the shank of a screw but
smaller than the head of an ordinary screw. On FIG. 1 there is
shown a screw with a right-angled transfer to the shank, but a
conical surface at the hole surround may make a flat-headed screw
with conical transfer to the shank equally useful. In order to
obtain a secure fastening, reduction of play and in order to obtain
a nice look it is desirable that the bracket 1 is as close to the
end of the roller blind as possible. This means that the bracket
must be aligned by means of the holds 3 and 4. With the orientation
of the holes as shown there is only a possibility for displacement
up and down. However, the holes are provided in washers 5 and 6
that may rotate about a horizontal axis of symmetry, and it is
possible to find an orientation of the oblong holes 3 and 4 that
corresponds to the desired alignment of the bracket 1.
[0018] The edges 11 of the washers are provided with serrations
that enable rotation for adjustment by means of the finger or
tools. In the embodiment shown, the serrations interact with small
projections p that are formed in the bracket 1. The alignment
possibilities correspond to optional placement of screw holes
anywhere within circles having diameters that are defined by the
largest dimension of the holes.
[0019] In FIG. 2 is shown that the bracket 1 is provided with
circular holes 7 and 8. These holes interact with a cylindrical
thickening of the washers 5 and 6, as seen in FIG. 3. Here it is
shown that the washers have cylindrical thickenings 9 and 10 that
have essentially the same diameter as the holes 7 and 8, and the
larger diameter of the normally visible parts 5 and 6 of the
washers transmit the mounting forces from a screw to the bracket
and then to the support. In order to prevent that the washers 5, 6
fall out of the holes 7, 8, the edges of the cylindrical parts 9,
10 are squeezed or have cast projections, for instance in three
places p', in order that parts of washer material projects towards
a chamfering 12, 13 at the rear edges of the holes 7, 8. It is not
essential for the functioning of the washers that the thickenings
are cylindrical, in that they may equally well be pressed in a
sheet material that provides a somewhat different shape in the
holes 7, 8. Correspondingly, the washers may be cast in a plastic
material or turned in aluminium, possibly extruded aluminium by
cutting off and turning down a pipe with an oblong inside
profile.
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