Reversible Bracket Mounting System For Window Treatment Support Apparatus

Abstract

A motorized window treatment support apparatus which allows a user to selectively position the motor on either side of the window over which the window treatments hang. In particular, the support apparatus includes rotatable mounting brackets which may be rotated relative to a support rod to allow the support apparatus to be mounted to the wall in one of two configurations which differ by 180 degrees.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to a support apparatus for mounting retractable window treatments to a wall, and more specifically to a reversible, motorized support apparatus configured to be mounted to the wall in a first configuration and a second configuration which is rotated 180 degrees relative to the first configuration.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] It is well-known in the art to employ a conventional drapery rod as a mount for window treatments, including curtains, blinds and the like. Many support rods are typically elongate members which are used with a plurality of hooks or rings which are engaged with the window treatments and slide along the length of the elongate member to transition the window treatment between closed and open positions. The hooks or rings may slide along a track coupled to the support rod, or alternatively, slide along an exterior surface of the support rod.

[0007] More elaborate support rods have been developed which include a system of gears and pulleys configured for use with a flexible member, such as a cable or rope, housed within the support rod. The window treatments may be coupled to the flexible member with hooks or clips, such that movement of the flexible member through the pulleys causes the window treatment to transition between the open and closed positions. Translation of the flexible member is oftentimes achieved through use of a manually-powered or motorized drive pulley operationally engaged therewith.

[0008] The flexible member may be formed to accommodate a wide range of operational configurations for the window treatments coupled thereto. For instance, in one operational configuration, the window treatments may be located on opposing lateral ends when the window treatments are in the open position, and may simultaneously move toward the middle portion of the support rod to draw the window treatments toward the closed position. In another operational configuration, the window treatments may also be configured such that the window treatments are located adjacent one lateral end in the open position and translate across the support rod toward the other lateral end to draw the window treatments from the open position toward the closed position.

[0009] In recent years, motorized support rods have been developed which cause a powered translation of the engaged window treatments between the closed and open position. The motorized feature allows the user to effortlessly move the window treatments between the closed and open positions with the simple push of a button.

[0010] Although motorized rods offer substantial ease of use, there are several drawbacks associated therewith. For instance, motorized rods are typically custom built for use with a specific window. In particular, motorized rods are typically manufactured offsite and require measurements and dimensions of the specific window for which the rod is being built. Furthermore, after the rod is built, the rod typically requires professional installation, which further drives up the overall cost.

[0011] A critical aspect of the customization relates to providing power to the motor. In some cases, the motor is configured to receive power from an external power source, such as a wall outlet. In most cases, a power outlet is positioned closer to one side of the window than the other. Thus, the customization of the support rod includes configuring the support rod such that when the support rod is mounted to the wall, the motor is disposed on the same side as the power outlet. The requirement that the motor is disposed on a specific side of the mounted support rod makes it difficult to manufacture the rods on a large scale.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a motorized support rod for a window treatment, wherein the support rod is configured to be easily adjustable to allow for selective mounting to the wall to position the motor adjacent an external power source.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] There is provided a uniquely configured and adapted motorized window treatment support apparatus which allows a user to selectively position the motor on either side of the window over which the window treatments hang. In particular, the support apparatus includes rotatable mounting brackets which may be rotated relative to a support rod to allow the support apparatus to be mounted to the wall in one of two configurations which differ by 180 degrees.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the support apparatus includes first and second wall brackets, as well as a support rod having a first end portion and a second end portion. The support apparatus further includes a motor coupled to the first end portion of the support rod. A first rod bracket is moveably coupled to the first end portion of the support rod and is configured to be selectively engageable to the first and second wall brackets. A second rod bracket is moveably coupled to the second end portion of the support rod and configured to be selectively engageable to the first and second wall brackets. The support rod is selectively disposable in first and second configurations relative to the first and second wall brackets, such that in the first configuration, the first rod bracket is engaged with the first wall bracket and the second rod bracket is engaged with the second wall bracket, and in the second configuration, the first rod bracket is engaged with the second wall bracket and the second rod bracket is engaged with the first wall bracket. The first and second rod brackets are configured to move relative to the support rod to effectuate transition between the first and second configuration.

[0015] The first and second rod brackets may be rotatably coupled to the support rod, such that the first and second rod brackets rotate 180 degrees relative to the support rod as the support rod transitions between the first and second configurations. The first and second rod brackets may each include respective apertures formed therein, wherein each aperture defines an axis about which the respective first and second rod brackets rotate

[0016] The support rod may include a first rod member and a second rod member translatably coupled to the first rod member.

[0017] The support apparatus may additionally include a third wall bracket and a third rod bracket engageable with the support rod and the third wall bracket when the support rod is in the first and second positions. The third rod bracket may transition 180 degrees relative to the support rod as the support rod transitions between the first and second positions. The third rod bracket may include a bracket plate and a clip, wherein the clip is removably engageable with the support rod as the support rod transitions between the first and second positions.

[0018] The support apparatus may additionally include a power cord coupled to the motor and engageable with a power source.

[0019] The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a front view of a motorized window treatment support apparatus disposed in a first configuration with the motor in a first side of a window;

[0022] FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the support apparatus depicted in FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a partial exploded upper perspective view of the support apparatus depicted in FIG. 2;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a top view of the support apparatus depicting pivotal movement of a pair of support rod brackets relative to a support rod; and

[0025] FIG. 5 is a front view of the support apparatus in a reversed, second configuration relative to the first configuration depicted in FIG. 1, wherein the motor is now placed on a second side of the window.

[0026] Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention.

[0028] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and are not for purposes of limiting the same, there is depicted a reversible, motorized support apparatus 10 for support of a window treatment 12 on a wall 14. The support apparatus 10 is mountable to the wall 14 to allow the window treatment 12 to extend over the window 16, which defines opposing first and second lateral end portions 18, 20. The support apparatus 10 includes a motor 22 having a power cord 24 which connects to a power outlet 26 disposed on the wall 14. The support apparatus 10 is configured to allow for selective positioning of the orientation of the support apparatus 10 relative to the wall 14 to allow the motor 22 to be positioned on the same side of the window 16 as the power outlet 26 to allow for minimum distance between the motor 22 and the power outlet 26. As will be described in more detail below, the support apparatus 10 includes reversible mounting hardware whose orientation may be easily reversed relative to the support rod 28 to allow the support rod to be mounted to the wall such that the motor 22 is on the same side as the power outlet 26. In this regard, the power cord 24 used to power the motor 22 may only be required to extend a short distance so as to mitigate any undesirable appearance created by the power cord 24.

[0029] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the power outlet 26 is disposed adjacent the first end portion 18 of the window 16. Thus, when the support apparatus 10 is installed, the support apparatus 10 is positioned such that the motor 22 is also disposed adjacent the first end portion 18 of the window 16. If, on the other hand, the power outlet 26 was disposed adjacent the second end portion 20 of the window 16 (as is the case in FIG. 5), the position of the support apparatus 10 may be reversed relative to the position shown in FIG. 1 to allow the motor 22 to be disposed adjacent the second end portion 20 of the window 16. The selective reversal of the support apparatus 10 is effectuated by rotatable brackets which are rotated relative to the support rod to accommodate the desired installation configuration of the support apparatus 10, as will be described in more detail below. The unique configuration of the support apparatus 10 which allows the apparatus 10 to be effortlessly transitioned between the first and second configurations allows the support apparatus 10 to be manufactured on a large scale, without the need for specific customization.

[0030] Referring now specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the support apparatus 10 includes an elongate support rod 28 including a first rod member 30 and a second rod member 32 translatably coupled to the first rod member 30. The support rod 28 extends along a rod axis 34 and defines a first end 36 and an opposing second end 38 to define a length, "L" therebetween. The length L of the support rod 28 may be selectively adjusted to conform the length L to the size of the window 16. According to one embodiment, the length L is adjusted by sliding the first rod member 30 relative to the second rod member 32. The length L may be increased by pulling the first end 36 away from the second end 38, which in turn causes a larger portion of the second rod member 32 to become exposed. Conversely, the length L may be decreased by pushing the first end 36 toward the second end 38, which in turn causes a smaller portion of the second rod member 32 to become exposed.

[0031] The motor 22 used to power the support apparatus 10 may be a conventional motor commonly used in similar motorized window treatment hanging devices. The power cord 24 is coupled to the motor 22 along with a remote control receiver 25 which is in operative communication with a remote control (not shown) to operate the motor 22 (i.e., to open or close the window treatments 12).

[0032] The support apparatus 10 additionally includes one or more support carriages 40 as well as support clips 42 which hold the window treatment 12 to the support rod 28. The support carriages 40 and support clips 42 are connected to a cable which is routed through a pulley system, or the like, to allow the window treatments 12 to be selectively opened or closed over the window 16. According to one embodiment, the operative length of the cable and pulley system is specifically configured and adapted to automatically adjust when the corresponding length L of the support rod 28 is adjusted. In other words, as the length L of the support rod 28 increases, the operative length of the cable and pulley system additionally increases, and conversely, as the length L of the support rod decreases, the operative length of the cable and pulley system also decreases. For more information regarding the automatic adjustment of the cable and pulley system within the support rod 28, please refer to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/353,253, entitled Telescopic Traversing System For Retractable Window Treatments, owned by Beme International, LLC, co-owner of the present application, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] The support rod 28 defines a bracket mounting surface 44 upon which one or more support rod brackets 46 are mounted. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support apparatus 10 includes three support rod brackets 46 engaged with the support rod 28 in spaced relation to each other. As will be described in more detail below, the support rod brackets 46a, 46c disposed adjacent the end portions of the support rod 28 are more permanently attached to the support rod 28, while the middle support rod bracket 46b is detachably coupled to the support rod 28.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the lateral support rod brackets 46a, 46c include a bracket plate 48 having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion. The bracket plate 48 includes a pair of apertures formed adjacent respective end portions of the bracket plate 48. A mechanical fastener, such as a screw, rivet or the like, is advanced through the aperture formed adjacent the first end portion to connect the bracket plate 48 to the support rod 28. The bracket plate 48 is coupled to the support rod 28 such that the bracket plate 48 may rotate relative to the support rod 28 by an amount at least equal to 180 degrees, and preferably 360 degrees.

[0035] The medial support rod bracket 46 includes a bracket plate 50 coupled to a clip 52 which is removably engageable with the support rod 28. According to one embodiment, the bracket plate 50 is fixedly coupled to the clip 52 such that the bracket plate 50 does not rotate relative to the clip 52. Thus, in order to effectuate rotation or reversal of the bracket plate 50 relative to the support rod 28, the clip 52 is removed from the support rod 28 and the clip/bracket plate assembly is rotated and then reattached to the support rod 28.

[0036] The support apparatus 10 further includes several wall brackets 54 configured to be mounted on the wall 14 and engageable with respective ones of the support rod brackets 56. In the exemplary embodiment, each wall bracket 54 includes a first bracket element 56 and a second bracket element 58. The first and second bracket elements 56, 58 each include a pair of apertures which are used to connect the first and second bracket elements 56, 58 to each other as well as to mount the wall bracket 54 to the wall 14. In particular, the pair of apertures on the first bracket element 56 are aligned with the pair of apertures on the second bracket element 58 and mechanical fastening devices are advanced through the apertures to secure the wall bracket 54 to the wall 14. In the exemplary embodiment, the mechanical fasteners include dry wall anchors and screws, although other fastening elements known in the art may also be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0037] The support apparatus 10 may be selectively mounted to the wall 14 in a first configuration or a second configuration, which is essentially a reversal of the first configuration. According to one embodiment, in the first configuration, a first support rod bracket 46a is mounted to a first wall mounting bracket 54a, a second support rod bracket 46b is mounted to a second wall mounting bracket 54b, and a third support rod bracket 46c is mounted to a third wall mounting bracket 54c. In the reversed, second configuration, the bracket plates 48 of the first and third support rod brackets 46a, 46c are rotated 180 degrees to allow the first support rod bracket 46a to be mounted to the third wall mounting bracket 54c and the third support rod bracket 46c to be mounted to the first wall mounting bracket 54a, while the second support rod bracket 46b is mounted to the second wall mounting bracket 54b. The selective orientation of the support rod 28 allows the motor 22 to be positioned on a preferred side of the window 16 to minimize the distance which the power cord 24 must extend.

[0038] Although the foregoing description and corresponding figures relate to an embodiment wherein the bracket plates 48 rotate relative to the support rod 28 to effectuate transition between the first and second configurations, it is contemplated that in another embodiment, the bracket plates 48 may be configured to translate relative to the support rod 28 to effectuate such transition. In particular, the bracket plates 48 may translate within a plane parallel to the bracket mounting surface 44 to reverse the side of the support rod 28 from which the bracket plate 48 extends. For instance, in FIG. 4, the bracket plates 48 are shown as being configured to rotate between the depicted first configuration and the second configuration shown in phantom. However, it is additionally contemplated that the bracket plates 48 may translate or slide along respective parallel axes from the first configuration and the second configuration. The bracket plates 48 may be configured to lock in place when they are in either one of the first and second configurations, irrespective of how the bracket plates 48 transition between the two configurations, i.e., rotate, translate, etc.

[0039] With the basic structural features of the present invention described above, the following discussion will focus on operation of the support apparatus 10. In order to mount the support rod 28 to the wall 14, the wall mounting brackets 54 are connected to the wall 14 in accordance with the desired position of the support rod 28. In this regard, the wall mounting brackets 54 may be aligned along a horizontal plane and spaced in accordance with the desired length L of the support rod 28. The wall mounting brackets 54 are connected to the wall 14 by placing the first bracket element 56 in proper position along the wall 14 and then aligning the apertures in the second bracket element 58 with the apertures in the first bracket element 56.

[0040] Before the support apparatus 10 is mounted, the length L of the support rod 28 is adjusted to conform to the size of the window 16. Preferably, the length L is adjusted such that the first and second ends 36, 38 of the support rod 28 extend beyond the lateral end portions 18, of the window 16, as is customary in the trade. According to one embodiment, the length L is adjusted by translating the first rod member 30 relative to the second rod member 32.

[0041] With the length L properly adjusted, the support rod 28 is then positioned in either the first configuration or the second configuration, depending on the location of the external power source 26. For instance, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the power source 26 is disposed adjacent the first lateral end portion 18 of the window 16, whereas in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the power source 26 is disposed adjacent the second lateral end portion 20 of the window 16. The support rod 28 is configured to be selectively positioned in the first or second configuration by rotating (or translating) the support rod brackets 46 to accommodate the desired configuration. As shown in FIG. 4, the support rod 28 is in the first configuration, although the support rod brackets 46 may be rotated, as shown in phantom, to quickly and easily reverse the configuration to the second configuration.

[0042] With the support rod 28 in the proper configuration, the support rod brackets 46 are coupled to the wall mounting brackets 54. In particular, the bracket plate 48 of the support rod bracket 46 are positioned within a channel 60 formed on the second bracket element 58 and a fastener is used to secure the bracket plate 48 to the second bracket element 58.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the support apparatus 10 includes a pair of rotatable support rod brackets 46 disposed at respective end portions of the support rod 28, and a clip-type support rod bracket 46 positioned along a middle portion of the support rod 28 between the pair of rotatable support rod brackets 46. The clip-type support rod bracket 46 may be secured to the support rod 28 in the appropriate configuration before the support rod brackets 46 are attached to the wall brackets 54.

[0044] With the support apparatus 10 mounted to the wall 14, the power cord 24 may be connected to the power outlet 26 to supply power to the motor 22. Since the motor 22 is mounted on the same side as the power outlet 26, the power cord 24 extends a minimal distance along the wall 14 and is not required to extend across the window 16, leaving the view through the window unobscured by the power cord 24.

[0045] Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of components and steps described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices and methods within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A reversible, motorized support apparatus for support of a window treatment on a wall, the support apparatus comprising: a first wall bracket; a second wall bracket; a support rod having a first end portion and a second end portion; a motor coupled to the first end portion of the support rod; a first rod bracket moveably coupled to the first end portion of the support rod and configured to be selectively engageable to the first and second wall brackets; and a second rod bracket moveably coupled to the second end portion of the support rod and configured to be selectively engageable to the first and second wall brackets; the support rod being selectively disposable in first and second configurations relative to the first and second wall brackets, in the first configuration, the first rod bracket is engaged with the first wall bracket and the second rod bracket is engaged with the second wall bracket, in the second configuration, the first rod bracket is engaged with the second wall bracket and the second rod bracket is engaged with the first wall bracket; the first and second rod brackets moving relative to the support rod to effectuate transition between the first and second configuration.

2. The support apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second rod brackets are rotatably coupled to the support rod, such that the first and second rod brackets rotate 180 degrees relative to the support rod as the support rod transitions between the first and second configurations.

3. The support apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the first and second rod brackets each include respective apertures formed therein, wherein each aperture defines an axis about which the respective first and second rod brackets rotate.

4. The support apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the support rod includes a first rod member and a second rod member translatably coupled to the first rod member.

5. The support apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising: a third wall bracket; and a third rod bracket engageable with the support rod and the third wall bracket when the support rod is in the first and second positions.

6. The support apparatus recited in claim 5, wherein the third rod bracket transitions 180 degrees relative to the support rod as the support rod transitions between the first and second positions.

7. The support apparatus recited in claim 6, wherein the third rod bracket includes a bracket plate and a clip, the clip being removably engageable with the support rod as the support rod transitions between the first and second positions.

8. The support apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising a power cord coupled to the motor and engageable with a power source.

9. A reversible, motorized support apparatus for support of a window treatment on a wall, the support rod apparatus comprising: a wall bracket; a support rod having a first end portion and a second end portion; a motor coupled to the first end portion of the support rod; and a rod bracket moveably coupled to the support rod and configured to be selectively engageable to the wall bracket; the support rod being selectively disposable in first and second configurations relative to the first and second wall brackets, the rod bracket transitioning 180 degrees relative to the support rod as the support rod transitions between the first and second configurations.

10. The support apparatus recited in claim 9, wherein the rod bracket is rotatably coupled to the support rod, such that the rod bracket rotates 180 degrees relative to the support rod as the support rod transitions between the first and second configurations.

11. The support apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein the rod bracket includes an aperture formed therein, wherein the aperture defines an axis about which the rod bracket rotates.

12. The support apparatus recited in claim 9, wherein the support rod includes a first rod member and a second rod member translatably coupled to the first rod member.

13. The support apparatus recited in claim 9, further comprising: a second wall bracket; and a second rod bracket engageable with the support rod and the second wall bracket when the support rod is in the first and second positions.

14. The support apparatus recited in claim 13, wherein the second rod bracket transitions 180 degrees relative to the support rod as the support rod transitions between the first and second positions.

15. The support apparatus recited in claim 14, wherein the second rod bracket includes a bracket plate and a clip, the clip being removably engageable with the support rod as the support rod transitions between the first and second positions.

16. The support apparatus recited in claim 9, further comprising a power cord coupled to the motor and engageable with a power source.

17. A method of attaching a motorized window treatment support apparatus to a wall, the method comprising the steps of: providing the support apparatus comprising: a wall bracket; a support rod having a first end portion and a second end portion; a motor coupled to the first end portion of the support rod; and a rod bracket moveably coupled to the support rod and configured to be selectively engageable to the wall bracket; the support rod being selectively disposable in first and second configurations relative to the first and second wall brackets, the rod bracket transitioning 180 degrees relative to the support rod as the support rod transitions between the first and second configurations; and positioning the support rod in one of the first and second configurations.

18. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the positioning step includes rotating the support rod bracket relative to the support rod.

19. The method recited in claim 18, wherein the positioning step is performed independent of removing the support rod bracket from the support rod.

20. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the first end portion of the support rod terminates at a first end and the second end portion of the support rod terminates at second end to define a length between the first end and the second end, the support rod being configured to allow for adjustment of the length, the method further comprising the step of: adjusting the length of the support rod.