Patent Publication Number: US-2020300034-A1

Title: A roller blind mounting system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a roller blind mounting system for a roller blind. The invention is particularly suited for mounting a roller blind to the exterior of a building structure and will therefore be described with reference to this type of application. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Roller blinds are a form of window covering which typically consist of an elongate tubular member upon which a blind fabric is wound. The blind fabric is usually deployed vertically, for example in close proximity to an external window surface or open area in a side of a building structure. Roller blinds are usually mounted at opposing ends of the tubular member to a fixed surface of the building structure. In this respect each end of the tubular member is attached to a corresponding mounting bracket that is fastened to the fixed surface of the building structure. In order to guide travel as the blind fabric is rolled or unrolled, both vertical side edges of the blind fabric have a corresponding guide cable provided in close proximity. The guide cables extend downwardly from or adjacent to the mounting brackets and are anchored at a lower free end to a fixed surface below the roller blind, for example a side wall of the building or an underlying floor, deck or ground surface. In this respect, the guide cables are anchored at the lower end under tension such that the guide cables are taut after anchoring. Anchoring of the guide cables typically involves some form of crimping sleeve being secured at the ends of the guide cables. Prior to anchoring, a rail secured to a lower edge of the blind fabric is placed on the guide cables. The rail is confined to travel along the guide cables as the blind fabric is rolled and unrolled. 
     A problem with known roller blind mounting systems is that tensioning of the guide cables can be difficult, labour intensive and time consuming to complete. Further, in some instances maintenance or replacement of a guide cable requires both blind mounting brackets and the roller blind to be removed in order to gain access to the anchoring points of the guide cable. It can also be difficult to mount a roller blind in a precisely level orientation without altering the mounting location of the mounting brackets. 
     It would be desirable to provide a roller blind mounting system that overcomes at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art on or before the priority date of the claims herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a roller blind mounting system including: 
     at least one bracket for mounting a roller blind to a fixed surface, the roller blind including a retractable blind fabric, and 
     at least one guide line for guiding travel of the blind fabric during winding and unwinding of the blind fabric, the guide line including a first end connectable to the bracket and a second opposite end connectable to a fixed surface, 
     wherein the bracket includes a tensioning device for selectively tensioning the guide line. 
     By providing the mounting bracket with a tensioning device, a lower (second) end of the guide line is advantageously able to be anchored and secured to a fixed surface below the roller blind, for example a side wall of the building or an underlying floor, deck or ground surface, prior to the guide line being tensioned. As a result the anchoring process is much easier as the guide line can be secured, for example with a crimping sleeve, without requiring the guide line to be held taut by the installer. In addition, the tensioning device on the bracket advantageously avoids the need for cumbersome adjustments to be made at the lower end of the guide line. 
     The tensioning device of the bracket preferably includes a base member and a slide member moveable relative to the base member. In this regard movement of the slide member with respect to the base member is preferably guided by the base member. For example by opposing arms of the base member within which the slide member is held. The first (upper) end of the guide line is preferably retained by the slide member. The tensioning device may further include an adjustment member for altering the position of the slide member with respect to the base member to thereby selectively tension the guide line. 
     The adjustment member may be in the form of a threaded stem mounted within a threaded aperture in the base member. A free end of the threaded stem preferably acts upon the slide member to tension the guide line. 
     In one embodiment, the free end of the threaded stem acts upon a leg portion of the slide member. In this regard, the leg portion is preferably configured to bend if excessive tension is applied to the guide line. This advantageously releases tension within the guide line thereby minimising potential damage to the roller blind in excessively windy conditions by allowing the blind fabric the ability to be slightly displaced away from its normal vertical operating plane. 
     The bracket of the roller blind mounting system may further include a levelling cradle for supporting one end of the roller blind. The levelling cradle preferably includes a main body and a support element having a seat for holding one end of the roller blind. The support element is preferably at least partly housed within the main body. The levelling cradle may further include an adjustment device for adjusting the position of the support element with respect to the main body to thereby alter the position of the roller blind. 
     The adjustment device may include at least one threaded pin engaged in a corresponding threaded aperture provided in the main body. The threaded pin can be positioned in abutment with the support element such that the position of the support element with respect to the main body is adjusted by turning the threaded pin. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adjustment device includes a pair of threaded pins engaged in corresponding threaded apertures provided in the main body. In this regard, one of said threaded pair of pins provides vertical adjustment of the support element, and the other of said pair of pins provides horizontal adjustment of the support element. 
     The bracket of the roller blind mounting system preferably includes a base plate for mounting the bracket to a support structure. The base plate preferably includes a series of mounting holes configured to enable the bracket to be selectively mounted to a horizontal or vertical fixed surface of the support structure. The base plate may further include a plurality of openings for mounting the levelling cradle and the tensioning device. In this regard, the plurality of openings are preferably configured to enable the levelling device and tensioning device to be orientated and mounted in a selected number of positions on the base plate. This advantageously provides multiple mounting configurations including the mounting of the bracket to an overhead surface, side surface or rear surface of a surrounding support structure. 
     Further, the levelling cradle advantageously enables the roller blind position to be altered such that the blind can be made level without having to alter the mounting of the bracket&#39;s base plate on the support structure. 
     The roller blind mounting system may further include a rail for attaching to a bottom edge of the retractable blind fabric. The rail includes at least one guide channel into which the guide line may be accommodated to constrain the rail to movement along the guide line and thereby guide travel of the blind fabric when winding and unwinding between extended and retracted positions. 
     The roller blind mounting system may further include at least one mounting block assembly for securing the second or lower end of the guide line to the fixed surface. The mounting block assembly preferably includes a docking platform for the rail, wherein at least a portion of the rail abuts with the docking platform when the retractable blind fabric is in a fully extended unwound position. 
     The roller blind mounting system may further include at least one magnetic assembly for holding the rail in abutment with the docking platform. The magnetic assembly may include a magnetic member and the docking platform may be made of a material which is magnetically attracted to the magnetic member such that in use, the rail can be held in abutment with the docking platform by a magnetic force between the docking platform and the magnetic member. The magnetic member is preferably at least in part housed within a cavity of the rail. The magnetic assembly may further include a biasing member operatively connected to the magnetic member for biasing the magnetic member into the cavity. 
     There is also provided in another aspect of the invention, a roller blind mounting system including at least one bracket for mounting a roller blind to a fixed surface, wherein the bracket includes a levelling cradle for supporting one end of roller blind, the levelling cradle includes a main body and a support element having a seat for holding said one end of the roller blind, the support element being at least partially housed by the main body, the levelling cradle further including an adjustment device for adjusting the position of the support element with respect to the main body to thereby alter the position of the roller blind. 
     There is also provided in another aspect of the invention, a roller blind mounting system including at least one bracket for mounting a roller blind, wherein the bracket includes a base plate for mounting the bracket to a fixed surface of a support structure, the base plate including a series of mounting holes configured to enable the bracket to be selectively mounted to a horizontal or vertical fixed surface of the support structure. 
     There is also provided in another aspect of the invention, a roller blind mounting system including: 
     at least one bracket for mounting a roller blind having a retractable blind fabric;
 
at least one guide line for guiding travel of the blind fabric during winding and unwinding of the blind fabric, the guide line including a first end connectable to the bracket and a second opposite end, and
 
at least one mounting block assembly for securing the second end of the guide line to a fixed surface.
 
     There is also provided in another aspect of the invention, a roller blind mounting system including: 
     at least one bracket for mounting a roller blind having a retractable blind fabric;
 
at least one guide line for guiding travel of the blind fabric during winding and unwinding of the blind fabric, the guide line including a first end connectable to the bracket and a second opposite end for securing to a fixed surface;
 
a rail for attaching to a bottom edge of the retractable blind fabric, the rail being constrained for movement along the guide line to thereby guide travel of the blind fabric between a fully extended position and a retracted position, and
 
at least one magnetic assembly for holding the rail when the blind fabric is in the fully extended position.
 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It will be convenient to further describe the invention with respect to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the roller blind mounting system according to the present invention. Other embodiments of the invention are possible, and consequently, the particularity of the accompanying drawings is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. The preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the following figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a vertical drop roller blind attached to a roller blind mounting system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bracket of the roller blind mounting system illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3 a    is a perspective view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 2  without the levelling cradle; 
         FIG. 3 b    is a side view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 3 a    with the tensioning device adjusted to provide minimal tensioning of the guide line; 
         FIG. 3 c    is a side view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 3 a    with the tensioning device adjusted to provide increased tensioning of the guide line; 
         FIG. 4 a    is a perspective view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 2  without the tensioning device; 
         FIG. 4 b    is a side view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 4 a    with the levelling cradle positioned in a lowest most position; 
         FIG. 4 c    is a side view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 4 a    with the levelling cradle in a highest most position; 
         FIG. 5 a    is a detailed view of one end of the rail of the mounting system being held to the mounting block assembly via a magnetic member; 
         FIG. 5 b    is a detailed view of one end of the rail in abutment with the mounting block assembly with the magnetic member retracted: 
         FIG. 6 a    is a detailed view of one end of the rail on the guide line, the guide line being secured by a mounting block assembly configured for fastening to a masonry surface in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6 b    is an exploded view showing various components of the mounting block assembly shown in  FIG. 6   a;    
         FIG. 7 a    is a detailed view of one end of the rail on the guide line, the guide line being secured by a mounting block assembly configured for fastening to a timber surface in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7 b    is an exploded view showing various components of the mounting block assembly shown in  FIG. 7   a;    
         FIG. 8 a    is a detailed view of one end of the rail on the guide line, the guide line being secured by a mounting block assembly configured for fastening to a vertical surface in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, and 
         FIG. 8 b    is an exploded view showing various components of the mounting block assembly shown in  FIG. 8   a.    
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  initially, there is shown various components of a roller blind mounting system  1  according to an embodiment of the invention. The roller blind mounting system  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes a pair of brackets  3  supporting opposite ends of a roller blind  5  having a retractable blind fabric  7 . The system  1  is designed to support roller blinds  5  of widths of up to 6.5 m. The mounting system  1  shown includes a pair of guide lines  9  (which may be in the form of guide cables), each having a first (upper) end connected to a corresponding bracket  3  and a second opposite (lower) end secured by a mounting block assembly  13  to a fixed surface. The guide lines  9  function to guide travel of the blind fabric  7  when the blind  5  is being rolled up and down. In this respect, the mounting system  1  further includes a rail  11  mounted along a bottom edge of the blind fabric  7 . The rail  11  is restricted to travel along the guide lines  9 . In this regard, as best shown in  FIGS. 6 a  to 8 b   , each end of the rail  11  includes a guide channel  55  which accommodates a guide line  9  to constrain the rail  11  to movement along the guide lines  9 . When the blind  5  is in a fully extended position the rail  11  at a bottom edge of the blind fabric  7  abuts with the mounting block assembly  13 . The rail  11  disengages with the mounting block assembly  13  and travels up the guide lines  9  when the blind fabric  7  is retracted and wound back onto a roller (not shown) of the roller blind  5 . 
     Each bracket  3  further includes a tensioning device  15  for tensioning the guide line  9  and a levelling cradle  17  for supporting an end of the roller blind  5 . Each tensioning device  15  includes a base member  19  and a slide member  21  which is movable with respect to the base member  19 . In this respect, the slide member  21  is held and guided for movement vertically within opposing arms  23  of the base member  19 . The tensioning device  15  further includes an adjustment member  25  having a threaded stem, for altering the vertical position of the slide member  21  with respect to the base member  19 . With reference to  FIG. 3 a   , the base member  19  includes an outwardly projecting foot  26  having a threaded aperture therein. The threaded stem of the adjustment member  25  being located within the threaded aperture in the base member  19 . The slide member  21  of the tensioning device  15  includes an outwardly projecting leg portion  27  which lies substantially parallel to the foot  26  of the base member  19 . The leg portion  27  includes a fastening hole through which the guide line  9  passes when securing the guide line  9  to the bracket  3 . In this respect, after passing through the fastening hole the upper free end of the guide line  9  is with provided with a crimping sleeve  28  to prevent the end of guide line  9  withdrawing from the aperture in the leg portion  27 . 
     The threaded stem of the adjustment member  25  acts upon the leg portion  27  by a free end of the threaded stem abutting with an underside of the leg portion  27 . By rotation of the threaded stem the slide member  21  can be moved vertically to alter the tension provided in the guide line  9 . The slide member  21  can be adjusted between a fully lowered position shown in  FIG. 3 b   , in which the leg portion  27  is in abutment with the projecting foot  26  of the base member  19 , to a fully raised position as shown in  FIG. 3 c    in which the leg portion  27  is spaced from the projecting foot  26  of the base member  19 . When the leg portion  27  is raised to a position providing the desired tension to the guide line  9 , the leg portion  27  may be locked in place with a lock nut. If the leg portion  27  is raised to a position whereby excessive tension is applied to the guide line  9 , the leg portion  27  is able to bend downwardly to reduce tension. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 a  to 4 c   , the levelling cradle  17  of each bracket  3  includes a main body  29  having a substantially U-shaped configuration and a support element  31  at least partially housed within the main body  29 . The support element  31  includes a seat  33  for holding one end of the roller blind  5 . The levelling cradle  17  further includes an adjustment device for altering the position of the support element  31  with respect to the main body  29 . The adjustment device includes a threaded pin  37  engaged in a corresponding threaded aperture provided in an underside of the main body  29 . The threaded pin  37  has a free end in abutment with the support element  31  such that the vertical position of the support element with respect to the main body  29  is adjusted by turning the thread pin  37  in this regard, the threaded pin  37  can be turned to move the support element vertically between a fully lowered position, as shown in  FIG. 4 b    and a fully raised position as shown in  FIG. 4 c   . The roller blind  5  mounted between two brackets  3  is thereby able to be levelled by adjustment of each bracket&#39;s threaded pin  37 . The levelling cradle  17  advantageously provides vertical adjustment of up to about 10 mm at both ends of the roller blind  5 . The adjustment assists with difficult installations where it may be hard to align the brackets  3 . Fine adjustment is also possible for ensuring the blind fabric  7  is running square. Fine adjustment of the levelling cradle  17  is also useful for fine adjustment of the roller blind  5  limits for best possible tensioning of the blind fabric  7 . In a further embodiment not illustrated, an additional threaded pin engaged in a corresponding threaded aperture provided in a side wall of the main body  29  provides horizontal adjustment of the support element  31  with respect to the main body  29 . 
     Each bracket  3  further includes a base plate  39  for mounting the bracket  3  to a support structure. The base plate  39  is generally of L-shaped configuration and includes a series of mounting holes  41  arranged to enable the bracket  3  to be selectively mounted to a side wall, overhead wall or rear wall (as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4   c ) of a support structure for example, a window frame. As best shown in  FIGS. 3 a  to 3 c   , the base plate  39  further includes a plurality of openings  43  for mounting the levelling cradle  17  and tensioning device  15 . This enables the levelling cradle  17  and tensioning device  15  to be oriented and mounted in a selected number of different positions on the base plate  39  depending upon the mounting orientation of the bracket  3  with respect to the support structure. For example when the bracket  3  is to be mounted to an overhead wall, the mounting orientation of the levelling cradle  17  with respect to the base plate  39  is moved anticlockwise by 90° to that depicted in  FIGS. 4 a    to  4 C. Likewise, the mounting orientation tensioning device  15  with respect to the base plate  39  is moved anticlockwise by 90° to that depicted in  FIGS. 2 to 3C . The tensioning device  15  and levelling cradle  17  are intended to be mounted from the inside of the bracket  3  on the base plate  39 . This advantageously allows any maintenance or future adjustments to be made without the need to remove the base plate  39  of the bracket  3  from the support structure. This is particularly advantageous when installing roller blinds side by side or replacing guide lines  9 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , a mounting block assembly  13  in accordance with one embodiment is illustrated which is suited for fastening to a fixed surface of masonry construction. The mounting block assembly  13  includes a cover plate  45  which functions as a docking platform for a bottom surface of the rail  11 . In this respect, as mentioned previously, when the roller blind  5  is in a fully extended position the rail  11  at the bottom edge of the blind fabric  7  abuts with the mounting block assembly  13 . The cover plate  45  includes an elongate groove or channel  46  into which a corresponding elongate protuberance  48  on an underside of the rail  11  seats when the roller blind  5  is fully extended. The mounting block assembly  13  illustrated in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    further includes a base cup  47  which is mounted on top of a masonry surface and secured in place with a masonry anchor  49 . Positioned between the cover plate  45  and masonry anchor  49  is a fixing plate  51  which sits within a chamber formed in the base cup  47  and is secured in place with threaded fasteners. The second (lower end) of the guide line  9  passes through overlying guide line apertures  50  in the cover plate  45  and fixing plate  51  and is retained in the chamber space between the fixing plate  51  and base cup  47  with a crimping sleeve  28  which prevents the lower end of the guide line  9  being released from the mounting block assembly  13 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b   , a mounting block assembly  13  in accordance with a further embodiment is illustrated which is particularly suited for fastening the second (lower end) of the guide line  9  to a timber surface. The mounting block assembly  13  for timber surfaces includes a base cup  47  having a thickness of approximately 7 mm which is approximately half the thickness of the base cup  47  for masonry surfaces. Prior to securing the base cup  47  to the timber surface, a hole of approximately 6 mm is drilled into the timber surface in order to provide a chamber in which the second end of the guide line  9 , and an associated crimping sleeve  28  applied to the end of the guide line  9 , may be housed prior to the base cup  47  being screwed to the timber surface. The cover plate  45  is then positioned over the base cup  47 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b   , a mounting block assembly  13  in accordance with a further embodiment is illustrated which is particularly suited for mounting the second (lower end) of the guide line  9  to a vertical surface. The mounting block assembly  13  in this particular embodiment includes a cover plate  45  which is substantially the same as the cover plate  45  used for timber and masonry surfaces. The mounting block assembly  13  in this embodiment includes an L-shaped fastening bracket  53 , instead of a base cup and fixing plate, which is mounted to a vertical fixed surface with fasteners. A central aperture  35  is provided through the fastening bracket  53  with the second (lower end) of the guide line  9  being secured below the fastening bracket  53  with a crimping sleeve. 
     In order to maintain the rail  11  in contact with the mounting block assemblies  13 , the roller blind mounting system  1  further includes at least one magnetic assembly  57 . Preferably, a magnetic assembly  57  is provided at both ends of the rail  11 . With reference to  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , the magnetic assembly  57  includes a magnetic member  59  which is housed within a cavity  61  in the rail  11 . The magnetic assembly  57  further includes a biasing member  63  which may be in the form of a spring operatively connected to the magnetic member  59 . The biasing member  63  is positioned to bias the magnetic member  59  into the cavity  61 . In this regard, the biasing member  63  is located on a stem  64  projecting from the magnetic member  59 . The stem  64  includes an end piece  66  which prevents removal of the biasing member  63  from the stem  64 . The stem  64  extends through an opening in a top wall  60  of the cavity  61 . One end of the biasing member  63  rests outside of the cavity  61  on the top wall  60  and an opposite end abuts with the end piece  66 . 
     The cover plate  45  of the mounting block assembly  13  is made from a material which is magnetically attracted to the magnetic member  59 . Accordingly, the magnet force between the magnetic member  59  and the cover plate  45  assist to maintain the rail  11  in contact with the mounting block assembly  13  in light winds. As wind strengthens, the force of the wind upon the blind fabric  7  may force the bottom end of the rail  11  to move away from the mounting block assembly  13  resulting in the biasing member  63  being compressed with the magnetic member  59  maintaining contact with the cover plate  45 , as shown in  FIG. 5 a   . If the wind subsides, the rail  11  is able to automatically return into abutment with the mounting block assembly  13 , as shown in  FIG. 5 b   , by the biasing member  63  forcing the magnetic member  59  into the cavity  61  which in turn results in the bottom end of the rail  11  reconnecting with the cover plate  45 . 
     If the wind increases to sufficient strength to overcome the magnetic attraction between the magnetic member  59  and the cover plate  45 , the rail  11  and associated blind fabric  7  will release from the mounting block assemblies  13 . In such circumstances the roller blind  5  may be automatically retracted to protect the roller blind  5 . In this regard, the roller blind  5  may be motorised and operatively connected to a wind sensor which measures the wind speed and automatically retracts the roller blind  5  if the wind speed reaches a predetermined speed. 
     A magnetic assembly  57  if preferably provided at each end of the rail  11  which enhances the weight of the rail  11  thereby assisting to keep the blind fabric  7  straight in light winds. In addition to a mounting block assembly  13  being provided at either side of the blind, an intermediate mounting block assembly (not shown) may be provided for roller blinds  5  which are extra wide. The magnetic hold down ability of the magnetic assemblies  57  advantageously enable tension to be maintained in the blind fabric  7  whilst still enabling the roller blind  7  to release and reattach if disturbed by light winds. In addition, the magnetic assemblies  57  advantageously enable a motorised roller blind  5  to overcome the magnetic force when desired and lift automatically to retract the blind  5 . The retraction of the roller blind  5  may be controlled by associated wind sensors and/or automatic timers. 
     Modifications and variations as would be deemed obvious to the person skilled in the art are included within the ambit of the present invention as claimed in the appended claims.