Patent EA-002708-B1 (EA)
Title: Supporting means for a screening device
Inventor: LASSEN GERT GODVIG
IPC: E06B9/323
Filed: 2000-02-11
Abstract: 1. Means for supporting a screening device in a frame structure with frame members comprising top and bottom members (1; 32; 61) as well as side members (2; 33; 45; 62a, 62b) and lining an opening in a building, in particular a door or a window, said means comprising a first pair of bracket members (4; 64) for mounting on each of a pair of opposed parallel frame surfaces (2; 33; 45; 62a, 62b) of said frame structure and a second pair of coupling members (13; 24; 41; 73, 83) each provided with means (14; 74, 84) engageable by engaging means on said screening device, said bracket and coupling members (4, 13; 24; 41; 64, 73, 83) further comprising engaging means for engagement of a coupling member with a bracket member, characterized in that the bracket members (4; 64) of said first pair are identical standard members for mounting on said opposed frame surfaces (2; 33; 45; 62a, 62b), each comprising a relatively flat front part (5; 28; 40; 49; 65) protruding from said frame surface (2; 33; 45; 62a, 62b) in the mounted position of said bracket member and having a substantially smooth external surface, and that said engaging means comprises first engaging means in the form of at least one contact surface (16, 17, 21; 22, 23, 25; 34, 35; 42, 43; 46) on the coupling member (13; 24; 41; 73,83) engaging a circumferential surface part (11, 12; 29; 44; 48; 71) of a bracket member to provide temporary engagement therewith and non-resilient second engaging means (19, 20; 27; 80, 90) providing stable engagement of the coupling member (13; 24; 41; 73,83) with respect to the frame structure. 2. Supporting means as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the front part (5, 28) of each bracket member (4) is substantially polygonal and that each of said contact surfaces (16, 17, 21; 22, 23; 34, 35) of the coupling member and said circumferential surface part (11, 12) of a bracket member (4) comprises at least two engagement sections forming an angle with each other to provide said temporary engagement. 3. Supporting means as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the front part (5) of said bracket member (4) is substantially rectangular and that said coupling member (13, 24) forms an open recess (18) conforming to said front part (5) and limited by contact surfaces engaging adjoining sides of the bracket member. 4. Supporting means as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the coupling member (13) comprises a generally L-shaped configuration of two legs (16, 17) substantially at right angles to each other, said legs forming said contact surfaces. 5. Supporting means as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said coupling member (24) comprises a substantially U-shaped configuration of legs (22, 23) engaging opposed sides (12) of the front part (5) of the bracket member (4). 6. Supporting means as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a free end of at least one legs (16, 22) of the coupling member is formed with snap engaging means (21, 25) engaging a side (12, 11) of the front part (5) of the bracket member (4) adjoining the side (11, 12) engaged by said one leg (16, 22). 7. Supporting means as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said bracket member (4) is adapted for mounting on a side member (2, 33) of said frame structure extending in a substantially vertical plane close to an adjoining horizontal frame member (1, 32) and that a leg (16, 34) of the coupling  member (13) provides said temporary engagement by being squeezed between the front part (5, 28) of the bracket member (4) and said adjoining horizontal frame member (1, 32). 8. Supporting means as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said leg (34) of the coupling member is generally wedge-shaped and engages a side (29) of the front part (28) of the bracket member facing said horizontal frame member (32). 9. Supporting means as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that a spring bias against said horizontal frame member (1) is provided to act on the bracket member (4) and/or the coupling member (13). 10. Supporting means as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that said spring bias is provided by means of a leaf spring (37) interposed between the underside (38) of the base section (6) of the bracket member (4) and the opposed edge part (39) of the hole or recess (7) in the frame side member (2). 11. Supporting means as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said bracket member (64) is adapted for mounting on a side member (62a,62b) of said frame structure extending in a substantially vertical plane close to an adjoining horizontal frame member (61) and that each coupling member (73,83) on its upper side comprises means for squeezing said coupling member between the front part (65) of the bracket member (64) and said adjoining horizontal frame member (61). 12. Supporting means as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said squeezing means comprise a wedge-like protrusion. 13. Supporting means as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said squeezing means comprise at least one flap (75,85) protruding at an angle from said upper the side of each coupling member (73, 83). 14. Supporting means as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said contact surface (42) of the coupling member (41) and said circumferential surface part (44) of the front part (40) of the bracket member are curved with curvatures conforming to each other. 15. Supporting means as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said contact surface (46) of the coupling member and said circumferential surface part (48) of the front part (49) of the bracket member are formed with interfitting profile shapes (50, 51). 16. Supporting means as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second engaging means comprises a hole or bore (20; 27; 36; 80, 90) in the coupling member (13; 24; 73, 83) to receive a fastening member (19) for securing the coupling member with respect to said frame structure. 17. Supporting means as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that each of said holes (80, 90) is provided with a circumferential fin (81, 91) for temporary retention of said fastening member. 18. Supporting means as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which said screening device is a roller blind having at one end a square or rectangular pin, characterized in that the corresponding means (74) engageable by said pin comprise an adapter piece (76) having a cross-section which is asymmetric with respect to at least one axis and fitting into a socket (77) on said coupling member (73).