Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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The present invention relates to shade rollers,
preferably for windows, and employs a roll having an opening
at one end thereof for accepting a roll operating device. In
its preferred form, the roll operating device comprises a chain
operatecl sprocket wheel having an extension which projects
~; into and is mounted in the roll. The hub is adapted to engage
the roll to cause the roll to rotate in response to movement
of the chain.
10For best results, a pair of brackets is pro-vided for
attachment to the wall, ceiling surfaces or frame surrounding
the window. The roll operating device iS mounted in one of
the brackets. The other end of the roll may be provided with
a pin extending therefrom, and the other bracket with means
for rotatably receiving the pin. The mounting of the roll
to both brackets is preferably non-permanent to allow for
removal and replacement of the rol~, as well as easy access
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to operating parts for service ancl tension adjustment should
this ever be needed.
Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals
refer to like parts and in which various preferred embodiments
of the invention are depicted:
Figure 1 is a detail view of a preferred embodiment
of a window shade roller assembly in accordance with the
present invention;
Figure 2 is a detail view of the bracket which accepts
the roll operating device, taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1 and
with the roll operating de-vice removed;
Figure 3 is a detail view of the bracket of Figure
: ~ 2 taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2;
. Figure 4 is a detail view of the bracket of Figure 5
.~ taken along line 4-4 in Figure 5;
Figure 5 is a detail view of the other bracket taken
along line 5-5 in Figure 1 (and ommitting the roll pin);
~ ' 20 Figure 6 is a partial detail view showing the upper
-: half of another embodiment of a roller assembly in accordance
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. with the invention and including the bracket which accepts the
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`:` roll operating device;
Figure 7 is a detail view of still another embodiment
; of a window shade roller assembly in accordance with the
present invention; and
Figure 8 is a detail view of the bracket in the embodiment
: of Figure 7, the said detail taken along line 8-8 in Figure 7.
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Figure 9 is an isometric view of still a~other preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
Fi~ure 10 is an isometric view of an embodiment in accordance with
the invention in which the window shade rollers are gauged.
Figure 1 generally illustrates a window shade roller
with brackets mounted thereon. (The window, window sash and
frame have been omitted for clarity.)
In the drawings, the numeral 10 denotes a roll for
~10 receiving a conventional shade (not shown). The roll 10 has
an opening 12 and two slots 14 at one end into which is inserted
a roll operating mechanism denoted generally by the numeral 16.
More slots can be used iE desired.
The roll operating mechanism 16 is mounted on a
bracket 18. The bracket 18 is provided with a plurality of
;~; holes 20, 22 for mounting to the window frame, to the ceiling,
or to the wall, depending on which holes are used. Preferably,
holes 20 should be used for ceiling or window frame mounting
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while holes 22 should be used for wall mounting.
;;~ The other end o~ the roll contains a pin or equivalent
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` extension 2~, the extension being fixedly mounted in plug 26
~ which in turn is fixedly mounted in roll 10. Thus, the pin and
;,~ plug assembly rotate with the roll.
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The pin 24 rotatably engages a second mounti.ng bracket
28 which may also be mounted to the ceiling, wall or window
frame in the same manner as bracket 18. The mounting holes
in second bracket 18 are denoted by the numerals 20' and 22'.
The roll operating device 16 comprises a sprocket
wheel 30 having an extension 32 thereon. The hub 30 is larger
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in diameter than the roll 10 and is provided with a plurality
of indentations or depresslons 34 Eor receiving a conventional
bead chain (denoted by the numeral 36) or other operating device,
such as a sprocket chain. As i].lustrated, the extension 32 is an
integral part of the hub 30, although it should bc understood that
the extension may be provided as a separate piece which is then
affixed to the hub 30.
Bracket 18 has a projecting non-rotatable extension or
pin 38 on which the hub 30 and extension 32 are journalled via -^-
a nylon or oLher low friction material bushing 102. The extension
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38 extends a selected distance past the end of hub extension 32 and
is preferably provided with screw threads 40 as illustrated. A
washer 42 is mounted on the extension 38 adjacent the hub extension,
along with a sprlng 44 and a washer and nut assembly 46. Preferably.
the nut is of the self-locking variety. Alternatively, a pair
of nuts can be used, or a nut with a set screw, such as that
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denoted by the numeral 100, can be used. As is readily appre-
^~ 20 ciated, the spring 44, braced by the washer and nut assembly
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46, urges the entire roll operating device to the left as viewed
in Figure 1. This tends to insure continuing frictional contact of
the hub 30 with the inner surface 48 of the bracket 18 both before
and after installation of the bracket on the ceiling or wall. This
frictional force between hub and bracket -tends to prevent the
roll from rotating and unwinding the shade which may occur due to
the weight of a partially lowered shade.
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The hub extension 32 is provided with two or more
bores 50 which accept an equal number of operating pins 52
Operating pins 52 project from the hub and ride in the roll
slots 14. Upon rotation of the roll operating device 16,
operating pins 52 will engage the sides of the slots to rotate the
roll to raise or lower the shade. .
Although two bores 50 are shown, it is to be under-
~; stood that three or more, and preEerably four, bores may be
lo used. If four bores are used, the roller, when mounted in a
~`~ window, can be adjusted to horizontally level the shade by
simply separating the roll from the hub, rotating the roll one-
, quarter turn, and replacing it on the hub. Of course, the
- number of operating pins 52 may be made equal in number to the
~ bores 50.
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~ The bracket 18 may be made of metal, plastic or wood
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and may be molded or machined or otherwise fabricated to obtain
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the illustrated configuration. The bracket 18 is formed with a
plurality of bead chain receiving channels 56, 56' which are
recessed in the face 58 of the bracket
~` As can be readily appreciated, hub 30 is approximately
the same in diameter as the diameter of the recess indicated by
the arrows 62 in Figure 2. When the hub is installed on the
bracket, the bead chain is entrained in the recesses 56 or 56',
as the case may be, between the hub 30 and the overhanging
portions 64 o:E the bracket.
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The chan~els 56 and 56' will permit the bead chain to exit and hang
down from the bracket regardless of whether the bracket is mounted to the
wall, ceiling or window frame.
~ eferring now to the other end of the roll 10, bracket
28 is seen to be similar in external appearance to bracke~ 18,
This ?ermits it to be mounted in the same manner as bracket 18 to
provide an aesthetically balanced effect for the window roller
assembly. However, the Eace 66 oE this bracket is difEerent than
the face of bracket 18. Bracket 28 is provided with a mounting
panel 68 which in turn is mounted on the bracket face via a pair
of screw receiving openings 70,
The mounting panel 68 is provided with a raised section 72
which has an elongated slot 74 therein for rotatably receiving the
pin 24,
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In its preferred form, the brackets 18 and 28 have their
respective roll operating mechanism 16 and mounting panel 68 pre
assembled thereon. The brackets are then affixed to the ceiling wal
or frame surrounding the window. Roll 10 is then brought into
position by first placing opening 12 over the roll operating
mechanism.
With two or even four operating pins 52, it will be
appreciated that the roll 10 may pivot on the pins in all
directions, the extent of pivoting motion being limited only by
contact of the steel bumpers 76 or contact of the washer and nut
assembly 46 with the inside wall oE the roll. This then permits
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~` the roll to be moved into position and pin 2~ dropped into the
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~`~ slot 74 in mounting panel 68 to complete the installation
Adjustments in horizontal tilt of the roll may then be made
~; by simply moving mounting panel 68 to correct for alignment
error.
The bumpers preferably fill the space between the hub
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extension 32 and roll 10 so that play in the roll diameter is
eliminated, and the roll can turn silently and not deviate
from level.
Figure 6 depicts another embodiment in which the
mounting bracket 18 is replaced by a bracket 78 which3 instead
of the type of overhangs 64 shown in Figure 2, is provided
with a plural~ty of overhangs consisting of plates 80 spaced
around the circumference of the hub 30 to retain the bead
chain in place. In addition, a ~ace of leather or other friction
material 82, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6, may be used
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in both embodiments described above if it is desired to help
insure consistent friction loading on the hub 30
The embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8 utilizes a
bracket 86 which is somewhat different from the bracket 18.
- In this embodiment, a separate insert 88 having an arched
overhang 90 is fixedly mounted to the bracket 86, the overhang ~
` 90 retaining the bead chain (not shown) in the link depressions
34 after the hub has been placed on the bracket. The insert 88
lo may be made of any material, such as plastic, to give consistent
- friction loading on the hub for the reasons set forth above.
In addition, the insert 88 and its corresponding recess may be
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other than round to prevent rotatlon without the use of mounting
screws 100.
Figure 9 discloses still another preferred embodiment
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of the present invention. The bracket 18' is simpler in
construction as compared to the bracket 18 shown in Figure 1.
A face plate 200, which can be an injection molded plastic
part, is secured to bracket 18' by conventional screws (not
shown). Face plate 200 is further provided with elongated
bores 204 into which the bead chain 36' is fed. Hub 30' is in
the form of a paddle wheel and is designed to accept one bead,
or more if desired, between`adjacent paddles. The bead chain 36'
exits the face plate 200 through bores 204.
Paddle 30' has a bore 206 to permit mounting of
the paddle and the hub extension 38', which is in turn
mounted on bracket 18'. Extension or plug 32' accepts
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operating pins 52' and in turn mounts on extension 38', The
assembly is completed by spring 44' and n~lt and washer assembly
46', in the same manner as in the other embodiments described
in this specification.
' The face plate 200 can be oriented in any of three
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,' different positions on the bracket 18', For instance, the
face plate can be mounted so that bores 20~ have their axes
-~ oriented parallel to the top portion 54', instead of
perpendicular thereto as shown in the drawing, This will
` permit the bracket 18' to be mounted to the Erame of the window,
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or to the ceiling, as desired, The face plate is simply
repositioned to orient the bead chain vertically,
` The shade rollers may be ganged to cover multiple
windows, the drive being taken from one bracket and hub assembly
of the type denoted by the numerals 18, 18' in the foregoing
embodiments. To achieve this, pin 24' (Figure 1) is fitted
- into the leading end of the other roll (See Figure 1~,
Pin 24' is preferably provided with a cross-shape as shown,
which fits into a corresponding cross-shaped opening in the
second roll. Alternatively, the bracket 18' can be placed in
the center, between the two rolls, ~ny number of ganged rolls
can be used, ~lowever, lt has been found desirable to use a
conventional detent (not shown) in connection with the bead
chain to prevent gravity forces from unwinding the shades
due to the weight loading of the multiple shade system.
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Slo~s 84 are provided in both brackets
to permit the mounting o:E decorative
face plates across the entire length of the roll in whatever
position the braclcets are mounted.
Many modifications in and ~o the above-described
embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art. It is intended to cover all such modi~ications which fall
within the spirit and scope of the invention as de~ined in the
.
~ claims appended hereto.
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