U.S. patent application number 11/760389 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-13 for mounting brackets for hanging blinds and similar structures.
Invention is credited to Alan J. Gitkin.
Application Number | 20070284065 11/760389 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38820692 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070284065 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gitkin; Alan J. |
December 13, 2007 |
MOUNTING BRACKETS FOR HANGING BLINDS AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES
Abstract
A mounting bracket for mounting a headrail employing an upper
plate and a lower plate wherein the two plates are rotatably
connected.
Inventors: |
Gitkin; Alan J.; (Bonita
Springs, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FELDMANGALE, P.A.
ONE BISCAYNE TOWER , 30TH FLOOR , 2 SOUTH, BISCAYNE BOULEVARD
MIAMI
FL
33131-4332
US
|
Family ID: |
38820692 |
Appl. No.: |
11/760389 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60804290 |
Jun 9, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/251 ;
160/262 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/323 20130101;
E06B 9/266 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/251 ;
160/262 |
International
Class: |
A47G 5/02 20060101
A47G005/02 |
Claims
1. A mounting bracket comprising an upper plate and a lower plate,
said lower plate further comprising two pairs of opposing sides
wherein the edges of one of said pairs of opposing sides comprises
flanges and further wherein said upper plate and said lower plate
are rotatably connected.
2. The mounting brackets of claim one wherein said upper plate and
said lower plate further comprise screw holes allowing said
mounting bracket to be fixed to a surface when said upper plate and
said lower plate are in a perpendicular configuration.
3. The mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein said upper plate is
substantially rectangular and said lower plate is substantially
rectangular.
4. A wall stiffener comprising an upper plate and a lower plate,
said lower plate further comprising two pairs of opposing sides
wherein the edges of one of said pairs of opposing sides comprises
flanges and further wherein said upper plate and said lower plate
are rotatably connected and said upper plate and said lower plate
are capable of being fixed when said upper plate and said lower
plate are in a parallel configuration.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application for utility patent claims priority from
Provisional Patent Application 60/804,290 with a filing date of
Jun. 9, 2006.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] n/a
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0003] The present invention lies in the field of mounting brackets
useful for mounting such items as venetian blinds, headrails or
similar structures.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Venetian blinds and other blinds systems have long been used
to provide shade, privacy and decoration over doors and windows.
Traditionally, these blinds include a head rail from which is hung
opaque materials to accomplish these goals. Venetian blinds, for
example, employ horizontal slats, which may be opened or closed,
and which are hung from a head rail to accomplish these
purposes.
[0005] Venetian blinds have been traditionally manufactured using a
wide variety of material including steel, aluminum, and wood. In
recent years, however, manufacturers have begun producing slats and
head rails from different materials capable of extrusion including
plastics such as polyvinyl chloride or PVC.
[0006] These materials are relatively inexpensive to fabricate,
offer ease of maintenance and are capable of taking on different
decorative appearances. They can be colored, textured, patterned or
printed with patterns and from an aesthetic perspective present a
substantial and solid appearance.
[0007] Often, for example, the blinds are manufactured and
processed to resemble wood with "fauxwood" blinds considered to be
a staple product in the home improvement industry. Fauxwood is an
industry catch phrase for vinyl products that are extruded in a
typically hollow format and then injected with a blowing agent. The
result is a low cost material that can take on the characteristics
of wood without some of wood's disadvantages which include cost,
yellowing, warping, chipping and similar problems.
[0008] There are, however, certain disadvantages associated with
use of materials such as vinyl or other plastics. A significant one
is the increased weight of such blinds in comparison to blinds made
of wood or metal and the relative flexibility of such head rails in
comparison to those made of other more rigid materials. For
example, a 72'' long blind can easily weigh up to twenty pounds. A
common and pervasive problem with larger Venetian blinds made from
such materials and related to their weight is the bending stress
such weight applies to the head rail. As the size of a blind
increases, its weight will cause the head rail to sag and visibly
deform downward under the load of the blind assembly. Not only does
this result compromise the aesthetic appearance of the blind, but
such deformed blinds are insecure and may collapse. Thus, the
increased weight of the blind and the deformation it causes may
each present safety concerns as well.
[0009] Various techniques and devices have been employed to attempt
to resolve the deformation caused by the blind's weight. Typically,
Venetian blinds are installed, for example, in a window frame by
affixing side hanging brackets to the inside of the frame near its
upper portion. The head rail is installed into the side hanging
brackets, which are then closed to secure the blind in place. This
technique is industry standard. Where wider blinds are installed,
manufacturers and installers include additional center support
brackets for mounting on the upper member of the window frame and
into which the head rail rests. This also is industry standard. The
theory is that these additional brackets will support the added
weight and lessen deformation.
[0010] In practice, however, such solutions produce unsatisfactory
results. The brackets are often of insufficient strength or
rigidity to fully support the additional weight which deforms the
bracket itself. Or, the bracket may not fully support the weight of
head rail and blind elements. In those cases, the downward bowing
of the head rail remains visible. Indeed, when installing larger
blinds, for example those spanning a length of 72'', a bowing of at
least 3/4'' has been observed even when two center support brackets
are employed to help support the weight of the blind.
[0011] Further, the center support brackets do not anchor the
blinds and provide little added structural support. Thus, the head
rail and entire unit may be easily pulled out of the mount by, for
example, a child pulling on the blind.
[0012] In an attempt to lessen the deformation caused by the weight
of the blind and the relative flexibility of the head rail, some
manufacturers have incorporated elongated supports running along
the length of the head rail in an effort to strengthen and stiffen
the softer vinyl head rail. U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,945 to Nien and
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,615,895 and 6,880,607 B2 to Marocco, for example,
attempt to lessen deformation by incorporating such supports.
[0013] These solutions, however, have failed to produce
satisfactory results. While the support may keep the head rail in a
more taut position, the weight of the blind is still primarily
carried by the screws or fasteners holding the side hanging
brackets. Further, the supports themselves are often made of metal
and add additional weight to the blind thus further contributing to
the cause of the deformation of the head rail. Additionally, the
supports are often not rigid enough to fully prevent deformation.
Thus even where the head rail incorporates an elongated support,
significant bowing nevertheless is present, visible and remains
problematic.
[0014] The fabrication of blinds from extruded materials presents a
further difficulty resulting from the relative softness of the
material. Virtually all vinyl blinds are manufactured utilizing a
3-sided U-shaped head rail incorporating rolled edges on the upper
lip of the side walls. While mass produced blinds are manufactured
and stocked in standard sizes, consumers install them into window
frames and door frames of significantly differing dimensions.
Accordingly, many retail stores stock standard size blinds that are
then cut to the dimension the consumer needs. To do so, merchants
utilize various in store cutting machines that cut the head rails
and slats to the desired size. When cutting a Venetian blind to
size, however, significant damage to the relatively flexible head
rail may occur as the rail bends or splits when in contact with the
cutting blade. This can lead to significant damage to the head rail
and render it unusable.
[0015] In order to prevent that damage to the head rail during the
cutting process, various techniques have been devised to strengthen
and stiffen the head rail in the area where it is being cut. U.S.
Pat. No. 6,263,945 to Nien and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,615,895 and
6,880,607 B2 to Marocco, mentioned above, for example, utilize wall
stiffener plugs made of a material generally more rigid than the
head rail and that are inserted in the ends to be cut when sizing
the head rail. According to those patents and similar techniques,
this added rigidity provides lateral support and increased
structural integrity to the ends thereby allowing for a cleaner cut
and preventing splitting or other damage to the head rail. Once the
cut is made, however, the plugs are discarded and serve no other
function in relation to the blinds.
[0016] Finally, the use of elongated supports to mitigate the
bowing issue described above presents difficulties in cutting the
blinds to size. Either the cutting device used to size the blinds
must be suitable to cut the elongated support as well as the softer
vinyl head rail and wall stiffener plugs, or the elongated support
may not extend the entire length of the head rail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention discloses a completely novel system of
mounting brackets that support a head rail or similar structure at
a plurality of anchor points from above the head rail or similar
structure rather than from the sides as, for example, is the
industry standard today in hanging Venetian blinds. The system
presents numerous advantages and more effectively uses walls,
ceilings and/or window and door frames or other anchor points to
support the weight of the blind thereby eliminating the problem of
sagging and more securely mounting the blind. Elongated supports
are not needed as the weight of the blind is more evenly
distributed across the length of the head rail. Further, in the
invention, separate wall stiffener components are not needed as the
novel mounting brackets themselves are used to stiffen the softer
vinyl head rail during the cutting process.
[0018] The bracket disclosed herein is composed of a material
having sufficient stiffness, rigidity and strength to support the
weight of the blind and allow the head rail to be clipped into
place. The brackets may be made out of various plastics, metals or
any material sufficient for the above purposes. The bracket is
composed of two separate elements, an upper plate and a lower
plate. The upper and lower plates are each more or less rectangular
in shape. Further, the plates are flat except along the sides of
the lower plate that define the rectangular shapes' width which are
flanged. The upper and lower plate are also rotatably fixed
together by means of a spindle having a threaded, distal end and
protruding downwardly from the upper plate and into a receiving
port on the lower plate. The use of a threaded spindle and nut,
however, is not intended as a limitation on the device and other
fastener may be used as long as they rotatably fix the two plates
together. Furthermore, while a removable nut may be employed as
part of the device to secure the lower plate to the upper plate,
there is no requirement that the nut or similar structure be
removable as in application, the user does not remove or tighten
the nut or similar element. In one embodiment, a nut is used to
secure the plates together. The flanges on the lower plate are of a
size and shape that the rolled edges of the U-shaped vinyl head
rail may rest in the flange. When the lower plate is rotated at a
right angle to the upper plate the flanges are exposed and, in
conjunction with the mounted upper plate, support the hanging
blind.
[0019] In an "inside mount", the mounting brackets are mounted
above the head rail into the upper jamb of a window or door frame.
The head rail is hung from the brackets by clipping the head rail
into place over the brackets. The brackets thereby directly support
the weight of the blind from above. In smaller blinds, left and
right brackets are affixed into the jamb or other anchor point and
the head rail is clipped into place over the bracket. When mounting
longer blinds, additional middle support brackets are also used. In
an "outside mount", the mounting brackets disclosed herein are
affixed to L-shaped brackets which may be fastened to a wall and
allow support from above the head rail as in the other application.
The head rail is similarly attached to the bracket.
[0020] In the present invention, the same mounting brackets are
employed to act as wall stiffeners during the process of cutting
the blinds to size. When used as a wall stiffener, however, the
bracket is set in place in proximity to the area where the cut is
to be made, with its plates configured parallel to each other. In
that position, the bracket acts as a clamp and secures and stiffens
the side walls sufficiently to facilitate cutting and prevent the
bending and splitting of the vinyl side wall of the head rail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1(a) is a top left view of a typical headrail used for
hanging a venetian blind or other window treatment.
[0022] FIG. 1(b) is a cross-section of a typical headrail.
[0023] FIG. 2(a) is a top left view of a prior art headrail wall
stiffener.
[0024] FIG. 2(b) is a top left view of said prior art headrail wall
stiffener in conjunction with a headrail.
[0025] FIG. 2(c) and FIG. 2(d) are cross-sectional views of the
prior art wall stiffener and headrail of FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b).
[0026] FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) are top left views of prior art
mounting systems.
[0027] FIG. 4(a) is an exploded cross sectional view of one
embodiment of a mounting bracket according to the instant invention
in conjunction with a headrail.
[0028] FIG. 4(b) is a top view of one embodiment of a mounting
bracket according to the instant invention in conjunction with a
headrail.
[0029] FIG. 4(c) is an exploded view of a mounting bracket in
accordance with the instant invention.
[0030] FIG. 4(d) is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a
mounting bracket according to the instant invention in conjunction
with a headrail.
[0031] FIG. 5(a) is a top left view of a window with an installed
venetian blind.
[0032] FIG. 5(b) is a top left exploded view of a window frame, a
Venetian blind, and a mounting bracket according to the instant
invention.
[0033] FIG. 6(a) is a top right view of a mounting bracket
according to the instant invention in conjunction with a standard L
bracket.
[0034] FIG. 6(b) is a top right view of a mounting bracket
according to the instant invention in conjunction with a standard L
bracket and a headrail.
[0035] FIG. 6(c) is a top right view of a headrail.
[0036] FIG. 7(a) is a top right exploded view of a window frame, an
L bracket, a headrail and a mounting bracket according to the
instant invention.
[0037] FIG. 7(b) is a top right view of a window frame, an L
bracket, a headrail and a mounting bracket according to the instant
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] FIGS. 1(a)-(b), 2(a)-(d), and 3(a)-(c) represent the current
state of the art in the industry and depict a typical head rail,
wall stiffener and mounting brackets.
[0039] FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) show a typical prior art Venetian blind
head rail. The U-shaped head rail 11 is an industry standard. The
arcuate, rolled upper edges 12 of the head rail are typical in
vinyl head rails. When fabricated with plastics or other extruded
materials, the head rails are relatively heavy and are somewhat
flexible. When subjected to cutting even with machines designed
specially for the purpose, the head rails are prone to damage as
the force of the cutting implement causes the side walls 13 to flex
and bend. Splitting at the cut end is also a problem known to occur
as a result of the properties of the material.
[0040] FIGS. 2(a)-2(d) depict one prior art attempt to resolve the
problems associated with cutting the head rails to size. FIGS. 2(a)
and 2(d) show a wall stiffener plug intended to prevent damage to
the head rail during cutting. FIGS. 2(b) and 2(c) show the wall
stiffener plugs inserted into a head rail. In these typical
applications, the wall stiffener plug 21 is inserted into the
U-shaped groove 22 of the head rail as shown in FIGS. 2(b) and
2(c). While the wall stiffener plug 21 is designed to add rigidity
and strength to the head rail to allow for a cleaner cut, it serves
only that one limited function, and is discarded after use,
increasing manufacturing costs.
[0041] FIGS. 3(a)-3(c) show standard mounting brackets 31 that are
utilized throughout the industry. The brackets 31 are affixed to
the sides of the interior of a window or door frame by fasteners
driven through the screw holes 32. For larger blinds, a center
support bracket 33 is mounted to the upper jamb and, in theory, is
intended to provide additional support. During installation, the
gate 34 is opened and the head rail is inserted into the socket 35
and, if necessary, also into the center support bracket. The gates
34 are then closed securing the head rail into place. This system,
however, has yielded less than satisfactory results, particularly
when mounting larger blinds, as the whole weight of the blind is
primarily borne by the screws affixing the side brackets into the
frame through the screw holes 32. Furthermore, heavier blinds
mounted by this technique are easily pulled out of the mount by the
exertion of downward and outward pressure, for example, by a child
pulling on the blind. Such mounts therefore present a safety
concern as well because they are inadequately anchored.
[0042] FIGS. 4(a)-4(d) presents one embodiment of the mounting
brackets disclosed in the present invention. While the mounting
brackets are described herein as used in the field of blinds
installation, it should be appreciated that the brackets may be
used to mount any similar structure where the issue of weight or
deformability is present. Further, while particularly useful in
mounting heavier relatively flexible structures from above, the
invention is not limited to above-mounted structures. FIG. 4(a)
shows a typical head rail 11 with rolled edges 12 in association
with the bracket's upper plate 41, lower plate 42, flanges 43,
spindle 44, spindle threads 45 and fastener nut 46. FIG. 4(b)
presents an overhead view of the bracket when used to mount the
head rail. In FIG. 4(b), the upper plate 41 has been affixed to the
upper jamb of, for example, a window frame through screw holes 47
in the upper plate. The lower plate 42 has been rotated at a right
angle to the upper plate 41 thereby exposing the flanges 43 on the
lower plate. The rolled edges of the head rail rest securely in the
flanges 43 of the lower plate 42 thereby anchoring and supporting
the blind.
[0043] FIG. 4(c) is an exploded view of the bracket showing screw
holes in the lower plate 48, screw holes in the upper plate 47, and
the port 49 into which the spindle 44 is inserted. FIG. 4(c) also
shows the nut 46 used to secure the upper plate 41 and lower plate
42. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4(c), the lower plate 42 is
rotated at a right angle to the upper plate 41 as when the bracket
is used to mount a head rail 11. In that configuration, the screw
holes in the lower plate 42 align with the screw holes in the upper
plate 41 and allow the bracket to be anchored, for example, into a
window or door jamb. The screws further secure the two plates 41,
42 into their position by restricting further rotation.
[0044] FIG. 4(d) shows the bracket used as a wall stiffener during
the cutting process. While it is shown here as used in conjunction
with stiffening a Venetian blind head rail for cutting, the bracket
may be used in any similar contexts. In FIG. 4(d), the upper plate
41 and lower plate 42 are parallel and affixed by means of the
threaded spindle 44, 45 and fastener nut 46. While the drawings
herein depict a threaded spindle and nut used to secure the upper
and lower plate, the depiction of the threading and nut are not
intended as limitations. Other fasteners capable of rotatably
fixing the two plates may be used.
[0045] FIG. 4(d) also depicts the rolled edges 12 of the head rail
11 resting in the flange of the lower plate 43. In one embodiment
depicted here, the flanges 43 are shown to be arcuate. The arc
shape of the flange, however, is not intended as a limitation and
the lip of the flanges may be disposed in a substantially parallel
configuration as well as long as the flange is capable of
supporting the rolled edges 12 of the head rail 11.
[0046] FIG. 5(a) shows the brackets in conjunction with a Venetian
blind employed for an "inside mount" into the upper jamb of a
window frame 52. Here, the mounting screws 53 are driven through
the screw holes 47, 48 of the bracket plates and into the frame 52.
FIG. 5(b) depicts the head rail clipped into place over the bracket
assembly.
[0047] FIG. 6(a) depicts the mounting bracket 61 in association
with an L bracket 62 as used in an "outside mount". In this
configuration, the mounting bracket 61 is bolted into the upper
face of the L bracket 63 through screw holes 47, 48 by means of
bolts 64. Other fasteners or means of attaching the bracket to the
upper face of the L bracket 63 may be used. The lower face of the L
bracket 65 is fastened into the wall by means of screws. FIG. 5(b)
shows a typical head rail mounted on the bracket 61 with the rolled
edges 12 resting in the bracket flanges 43.
[0048] FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) show an "outside mount" and depict the
bolts 64 affixing the mounting bracket 61 to the upper face of the
L bracket 63 and the screws 71 fastening the lower face of the L
bracket 65 to wall or other surface. Also shown is a screw assembly
72 that can be mounted on either or both sides of the blind
assembly to prevent the head rail from shifting either right or
left upon installation.
[0049] It should be appreciated that while the brackets disclosed
in this invention are particularly useful in installing and sizing
Venetian blinds and other blinds or similar devices mounted using a
U-shaped head rail or similar structure, the brackets may be useful
for mounting and clamping any similar structure. Accordingly, the
embodiments depicted above are not intended as limitations but
rather as examples of the present invention as applied to one
particular art.
* * * * *