Patent Publication Number: US-10316583-B2

Title: Screening arrangement

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a screening arrangement comprising a screening device with a set of end pieces and a set of mounting brackets, with locking means including mutually cooperating female and male locking means. The invention furthermore relates to a window having a frame and a set of mounting brackets mounted to the frame, and a method of installing such a screening arrangement in a window. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As such screening arrangements are provided in a supply condition, and the person performing the installation is most often not a craftsman, the mounting of the screening arrangement in the window frame must be able to be carried out without too many difficulties and with a low risk of erroneous installation. The window frame may be either a stationary frame or sash, or an openable sash. 
     Such support assemblies are described in Applicant&#39;s published international applications and counterpart European patents Nos WO 99/07974 A1 (EP 1003953 B1) and WO 00/47858 A1 (EP 1151176 B1). 
     In support assemblies of the kind mentioned in the above, relatively safe temporary retention of the screening arrangement by means of the support assembly is vital to facilitate the installation. For instance, in WO 00/47858 A1, a squeezing, clamping or springy action is provided to ensure temporary retention by obtaining a close contact between the coupling member and the mounting bracket. 
     However, at the same time there is a profound need to make sure that the mounting brackets are fastened securely to the window frame members. In practice, the mounting brackets need fastening means typically in the form of pins or dowels on the backside of the mounting bracket introduced into corresponding apertures in the side pieces of the window frame to provide a lasting stationary fastening of the mounting bracket relative to the frame. Separate external fastening means such as screws may provide additional securing of the mounting bracket relative to the frame in order to attain the stable permanent fixing aimed at. 
     The application of screws or other frame penetrating fastening means are usually not desired. Hence, a number of further documents suggest solutions in which secondary fastening is provided, including U.S. Pat. No. 2,039,538, EP2733299, US 2013/153162 A1 and EP 32 884. 
     Eventually, Applicant&#39;s published international applications and counterpart European patents or patent applications Nos WO 2005/008013 A1 (EP 1857630); WO 2006/048014 A1 (EP1807598B1); and WO 2007/110072 A1 (EP2002079). Even though these solutions have proven to function well over the years, there is an ever-increasing need for even more flexible and facilitated installation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With this background it is the object of the invention to provide facilitated installation of a screening arrangement, in which it is nevertheless possible to provide a stable engagement without the use of additional fastening means. 
     In a first aspect, this and further objects are met by a screening arrangement of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which is furthermore characterised in that said locking means comprise at least two female locking means to cooperate successively with one male locking means, so that it is possible to provide engagement between each end piece and the respective mounting bracket in at least two positions including a first, temporary position and a second, terminal position on the mounting bracket, when the end pieces are moved with the screening device in the point distant from the pane to the point proximate to the pane. 
     In this manner, the desired flexible installation procedure is achieved. In the first, temporary position, the screening device may be left temporarily in position, before reaching the final and mounted condition in the second, terminal position, all without the use of tools or the like. It is conceivable to have more than two positions between the first, temporary position and the terminal position. 
     In a presently preferred embodiment the at least two female locking means are provided substantially below the upper line defined by the top ledge parallel to the length dimension of the mounting bracket, in the third direction in the mounted condition of the mounting bracket. In this manner, the mounting of the end pieces on the mounting brackets is carried out securely in that the top ledge defines the top of the mounting bracket, without parts or elements protruding beyond the top. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, the at least two female locking means comprise a first recess in the top ledge of the mounting bracket closer to the point distant from the pane as seen in the third direction in the mounted condition of the mounting bracket to provide the first, temporary position. This provides for easy and logical mounting, as the user pushing the screening device in the third direction first experiences a temporary halting of the movement when the male locking means of the end piece engages with the first recess. Subsequently, the movement is continued in the same direction until the screening device is closer to the pane and the male locking means engages with the second female locking means to attain the terminal position. 
     In a development of the above further preferred embodiment, the first recess is provided with an over-dimension in the length dimension of the mounting bracket relative to corresponding dimension of the male locking means. In this way, the user experiences a stable but movable engagement of the screening device with the mounting brackets, thus signalling that the temporary position has been reached. 
     In order to facilitate the mounting procedure, the first recess may be provided with a first inclined portion, a second bottom portion and a third inclined portion. This makes sure that the male locking means of the end pieces of the screening device ride smoothly on the mounting brackets. The third inclined portion may have an inclination of 20 to 60 degrees with the length dimension of the mounting bracket. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the at least two female locking means comprise a second recess in the top ledge of the mounting bracket closer to the point proximate to the pane as seen in the third direction in the mounted condition of the mounting brackets to provide the second, terminal position. By forming the second female locking means as a recess, a very stable and reliable locking of the screening device relative to the mounting brackets is obtained in the mounted condition thereof. 
     Preferably, the second recess is provided with a first inclined portion, a second bottom portion and a third inclined portion for easy and smooth mounting. The first inclined portion may have an inclination of 45 to 80 degrees with the length dimension of the mounting bracket. 
     In an embodiment, which is particularly advantageous with respect to the mounting of the screening device, the third inclined portion of the first recess has a smaller inclination than the first inclined portion of the second recess. In this manner, release force in bringing the screening device from the terminal position to the temporary position is larger than mounting force from the temporary to the terminal position. 
     A safe and reliable mounting of the screening device is obtained in an embodiment, in which the third inclined portion of the second recess is substantially perpendicular to the upper line of the mounting bracket. The user mounting the screening device will experience a full stop and thus receive confirmation that the terminal position has been reached. 
     It is preferred to have a sufficiently large support surface for the top flange of the end piece on the mounting bracket, and hence the top ledge of the mounting bracket may be composed by a front portion, a bridge portion separating the first recess from the second recess, and a back portion, each of these portions being positioned substantially on the upper line, preferably in parallel with the third direction in the mounted condition of the mounting bracket. 
     In an embodiment which has a harmonic appearance and which furthermore provides for cooperation with screening devices having locking means at the bottom part of the end pieces, at least two female locking means comprise a third recess opposite the first recess and a fourth recess opposite the second recess substantially above a lower line parallel to the length dimension of the mounting bracket. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the at least two female locking means comprise a shoulder portion closer to the point proximate to the pane as seen in the third direction in the mounted condition of the mounting bracket to provide the second, terminal position. In a further development of this alternative embodiment, the at least two female locking means comprise an opposing recess opposite the first recess and an opposing shoulder portion opposite the shoulder portion substantially above a lower line parallel to the length dimension of the mounting bracket. 
     Preferably, in this embodiment, the first recess is separated from the shoulder portion by a bridge portion positioned on the upper line, the bridge portion being substantially parallel to the third direction in the mounted condition of the mounting bracket. Furthermore, in an advantageous further development, the top ledge is composed by a front portion and the bridge portion, each of these portions being positioned substantially on the upper line, preferably in parallel with the third direction in the mounted condition of the mounting bracket. 
     In an embodiment, which is particularly advantageous as regards easy mounting, the mounting bracket is provided with a front portion with a front edge and two rounded front corners and a back portion with a back edge. 
     A multi-purpose mounting bracket is obtained in an embodiment in which the first recess is provided with a flange in the area of the first recess, substantially extending in parallel with a plane defined by the length and height dimension of the mounting bracket, said flange having a reduced thickness relative to the thickness of the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket may thus be used for hanging accessory components on. 
     The mutually cooperating locking means preferably comprise snap locking means which are well-known to provide safe engagement. 
     In a preferred development of this embodiment, the snap locking means comprise resilient engagement means of the male locking means of the respective end piece to provide a spring bias in the first direction, the second direction or the third direction or a combination of the first, second and/or third directions. 
     The snap locking means are preferably formed such that an indication of the snap locking is provided when the respective end piece is in the second, terminal position. 
     In a second aspect, a window is provided. In a third aspect, a method of installing a screening arrangement is provided. 
     The advantages of the first aspect of the invention and further developed embodiments are also applicable to the second and third aspects of the invention as have been described in the above and reference is made thereto. 
     Further details are described, and further advantages stated, in the description of particular embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following the invention will be described in further detail by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the schematic drawings, in which 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mounting bracket of a screening arrangement in a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view, from another angle, of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an end piece of a screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the end piece of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the end piece of  FIGS. 6 and 7  in engagement with the mounting bracket of the first embodiment in a first position; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view corresponding to  FIG. 8  in a second position; 
         FIGS. 10 to 14  are views corresponding to  FIGS. 1 to 5  of a mounting bracket of a screening arrangement in a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic perspective view of a window in an embodiment of the invention, with a mounting bracket as shown in  FIGS. 10 to 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a mounting bracket of a screening arrangement in a third embodiment; 
         FIGS. 17 and 18  are views corresponding to  FIGS. 8 and 9  of the end piece of  FIGS. 6 and 7  in engagement with the mounting bracket of the third embodiment; and 
         FIGS. 19 and 20  are perspective views corresponding to  FIGS. 17 and 18  showing the engagement of the end piece with the mounting bracket. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DETAILED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     In the drawing figures, parts of a screening arrangement are shown. The screening arrangement comprises a screening device represented by one of its end pieces, namely end piece  410  shown separately in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , and a set of mounting brackets, of which three embodiments are shown. The first embodiment of one mounting bracket  6  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , and the mounting bracket  6  is shown in cooperation with the end piece  410  in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     As is known as such, the screening arrangement according to the invention is adapted to be mounted in a window frame of a window  1  as shown in  FIG. 15 . The window frame may be an openable sash  3  encasing a pane  5  and adapted to be mounted in a stationary frame  2  to be installed in an inclined roof surface. It is noted that the terms “sash” or “frame” are to be understood as incorporating any substantially rectangular structure positioned in any opening in a building, whether in a wall or the roof, and surrounding an aperture to be screened. The window frame need not be composed of separate frame members but may be a coherent frame. Notwithstanding, the portions of the window frame are referred to as “top member” denoted by reference numeral  3   a  in  FIG. 15 , “side members”, of which one side member  3   b  is shown in  FIG. 15 , and “bottom member” in order to facilitate reading. Thus, the window frame is substantially rectangular and has a top member, two side members and a bottom member. 
     The screening arrangement is provided in a supply condition and is configured to be installed in the window frame to attain a mounted condition. 
     Terms such as “left-hand” and “right-hand” refer to the orientation shown in the drawings and/or in the mounted condition, and are utilized for reasons of convenience only. Similarly, the terms “front” and “back” are utilized to denote the sides of the screening arrangement, “front” being the side intended to face inwards into the interior of a building, and “back” the outwards facing side. The terms “upper” and “lower” refer to the orientation of the screening arrangement installed in a frame, where “upper” refers to general direction towards the top member of the frame and “lower” refers to the direction towards the bottom member of the frame. 
     Furthermore, and referring still to  FIG. 15 , a first direction is defined as being parallel to a longitudinal direction of the top and bottom members corresponding to a width direction w of the frame. A second direction is defined as being parallel to a longitudinal direction of the side members corresponding to a height direction h of the frame. A third, or transverse, direction is defined as being perpendicular to the first and second directions corresponding to a depth direction d of the frame. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , a first embodiment of the mounting bracket  6  is shown in detail. The mounting bracket  6  forms part of a set of mounting brackets to be mounted at opposite frame side members. The mounting brackets of a set are typically identical, but variations are conceivable. 
     The mounting bracket  6  has a thickness dimension, a height dimension, and a length dimension. When connected to the frame of the window, the thickness dimension is parallel to the first direction, the height dimension is parallel to the second direction, and the length dimension is parallel to the third direction. 
     The mounting bracket  6  comprises a surface  6   a  and is provided with a front portion  7  with a front edge  7   a  and two rounded front corners  7   b ,  7   c , and a back portion  8  with a back edge  8   a . At the face opposite surface  6   a , the bracket member  6  is provided with two legs  20  and  21  to cooperate with openings in the window frame side members. 
     The mounting bracket  6  is provided as a moulded part of a suitable material such as a plastic material and the dimensions chosen for the length, height and thickness are chosen from the respective ranges of 20 to 45 mm (length); 15 to 25 mm (height); and 2 to 10 mm (thickness). 
     The mounting bracket  6  has a top ledge  10  extending in the length dimension of the mounting bracket  6 , in the third direction in the mounted condition, substantially along an upper line x 1 . 
     In the embodiment shown, the mounting bracket is symmetrical around an axis extending in the length dimension, substantially corresponding to the arrow indicating the depth direction d in  FIG. 15 . Hence, at the side opposite the top ledge  10 , the mounting bracket  6  has a bottom edge  9 . In the embodiment shown, the bottom edge  9  thus has a certain thickness, corresponding to the thickness of the top ledge  10 . Depending on the configuration of the window, it is also possible to have an asymmetrical shape with a bottom edge of very low thickness, the guiding of the end piece on the mounting bracket being assisted by the shape of the frame in which the screening arrangement is mounted. 
     At the top ledge  10  which defines an upper line x 1  of the mounting bracket, the mounting bracket  6  is provided with a set of female locking means in order to provide engagement with the end piece  410  during installation of the screening arrangement. As will be described in detail further on, the end piece  410  is provided with protruding male locking means. 
     In the embodiment shown, a first female locking means comprises recess  12  and a second female locking means comprises recess  14 . The two female locking means  12 ,  14  are provided substantially below upper line x 1  parallel to the length dimension of the mounting bracket  6 . 
     As the mounting bracket  6  of the embodiment shown is symmetrical, corresponding recesses  11  and  13  are provided at the bottom edge  9 . These recesses  11 ,  13  serve as female locking means in such embodiments of the end piece of the screening device comprising male locking means at the lower side of the end piece. This third recess  11  opposite the first recess  12  and fourth recess  13  opposite the second recess  14  are located substantially above a lower line x 2  parallel to the length dimension of the mounting bracket  6 . As indicated most clearly in  FIG. 2 , the first recess  12  is provided with a first inclined portion  12   a , a second bottom portion  12   b  and a third inclined portion  12   c.    
     The first inclined portion  12   a  extends relatively steeply from the top ledge  10  to the second bottom portion  12   b . The depth of the recess  12 , i.e. the height from the second bottom portion  12   b  to the top ledge  10  and the upper line x 1  is chosen in accordance with the overall dimensions of the mounting bracket  6  and the end pieces of the screening device in order to obtain appropriate engagement. Typically, the depth of the recess  12  is chosen from the approximate range of 4 to 8 mm. 
     The third inclined portion  12   c  has an inclination with the length dimension of the mounting bracket  6 . The inclination should not be too steep, typically 20 to 60 degrees, here approximately 30 degrees. 
     Also the second recess  14  is provided with a first inclined portion  14   a , a second bottom portion  14   b  and a third inclined portion  14   c , the first inclined portion  14   a  here has an inclination in the range of 45 to 80 degrees with the length dimension of the mounting bracket  6 . The inclination of the third inclined portion  14   c  is steep, or even substantially perpendicular, to the upper line x 1  of the mounting bracket  6  to provide a full stop of the movement of the end piece with the male locking means interacting with the second female locking means, i.e. the second recess  14 . 
     In order to ensure that the user experiences that it is easier to mount the screening device than to remove the screening device from the mounted condition, the third inclined portion  12   c  of the first recess  12  has a smaller inclination than the first inclined portion  14   a  of the second recess  14 . 
     The transition between the first recess  12  and the second recess  14  is constituted by bridge portion  16  positioned substantially at the upper line x 1  and hence forms part of the top ledge  10 . 
     At the back of the mounting bracket  10 , the transition to the back edge  8   a  from the second recess  14  is provided by back portion  8   c , located substantially at the upper line x 1  and thus forming part of the top ledge  10 . 
     In the embodiment shown, the top ledge  10  of the mounting bracket  6  is composed by a front portion  10   a , the bridge portion  16  separating the first recess  12  from the second recess  14 , and back portion  8   c , each of these portions being positioned substantially on the upper line x 1 , preferably in parallel with the third direction d in the mounted condition of the mounting bracket. 
     At the lower edge  9 , similar portions are present as front portion  9   a , bridge portion  15  and back portion  8   b.    
     As shown most clearly in  FIG. 4 , the mounting bracket  6  of the first embodiment is substantially wedge-shaped, with the thickness of the front edge  7   a  being larger than the back edge  8   a . According to the above-identified definitions, the thickness dimension of mounting bracket  6  is generally parallel to the first direction: in case of a wedge-shaped mounting bracket, the thickness dimension corresponds to a general direction of the mounting bracket  6 . The wedge-shape accommodates the inclination of a beveled window frame. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the one end piece  410  of a set of end pieces of the screening device will be described in some detail. The two end pieces of the set are positioned at opposite ends of an elongated top casing of the screening device, which extends in parallel with the first direction in the mounted condition. The opposite end piece has an outer side configured in a substantially mirror-inverted manner relative to the shown end piece  410 . 
     The end piece  410  of  FIGS. 6 and 7  is configured substantially as described in Applicant&#39;s international publication WO 2008/131757 A1 including in its description of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  to which reference is made. 
     From a generally plane body portion  410   a , upper guide surface  411  and a lower guide surfaces are formed as top flange  411  and bottom flange  412 . At one end, the bottom flange  412  is formed with an inclined portion forming a ramp  412   a . The ramp  412   a  is formed at the end intended to be positioned at the back when mounted, and is thus the end which is first brought into contact with the bracket member  6 . The ramp  412   a  thus serves to facilitate correct positioning of the screening device. 
     At the top flange  411  resilient engagement means comprising male locking means are provided. The end piece  410  comprises a tongue  413  extending from a point at the back of end piece  410  in the direction towards the front such that one portion, i.e. back portion  413   a , of the tongue has a direction substantially parallel with that of the ramp  412   a  on the bottom flange  412  and one portion is substantially parallel with the top flange  411  and the bottom flange  412 . The tongue  413  is separated from the remaining portion of the end piece  410  by a slit  413   b . The tongue  413  furthermore includes the male locking means to provide snap engagement means in the form of upstanding retaining pawl  414  on the tongue  413 . In the embodiment shown of the mounting bracket  6 , the first recess  12  is provided with an over-dimension in the length dimension of the mounting bracket  6  relative to the male locking means in the form of retaining pawl  414 . 
     Furthermore, the end piece  410  has spring means  415  for cooperation with a cord system of a further screening arrangement (not shown). 
     As will be described in further detail below, when the screening device represented by its one end piece  410  is at its travel in the third direction, male locking means in the form of the retaining pawl  414  snaps out into engagement with the first and second female locking means. 
     An alternative end piece for cooperation with the mounting bracket is shown in EP2474702 B1. Here, the flexible and elastic locking tab is provided at the lower edge of the end piece. 
     As is indicated in the above, the mutually cooperating locking means comprise snap locking means. In general, the snap locking means comprise resilient engagement means of the male locking means, in the embodiment shown constituted by tongue  413  and retaining pawl  414 , of the respective end piece to provide a spring bias. In the embodiment shown, the spring bias is primarily in first direction w, but bias in the second direction h or the third direction d or combinations of the first, second and/or third directions are clearly conceivable. 
     Although not described in detail, the person skilled in the art will be able to conceive of embodiments in which the snap locking means are formed such that an indication of the snap locking is provided when the respective end piece is in the second, terminal position. 
     Mounting of the screening device with the end pieces on the mounting brackets will be described in some detail with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . For the general description of the parts of the window  1 , reference is also made to  FIG. 15 . 
     Bringing the screening device of the screening arrangement to its mounted condition involves engaging the two end pieces of the screening device with the two mounting brackets mounted on opposing side members of the frame. During mounting, the screening device with its set of end pieces is moved substantially in the third direction d from a point distant from the pane to a point proximate to the pane. 
     During the installation procedure, the two female locking means  12 ,  14  are able to cooperate successively with the one male locking means  414 , so that it is possible to provide engagement between each end piece and the respective mounting bracket in a first, temporary position, and in a second, terminal position. 
     In a first step, the top flanges  411  of the end pieces  410  of the screening device are aligned with the top ledges  10  of the respective mounting bracket  6 . 
     Secondly, the top flanges  411  of the end pieces  410  of the screening device are supported on the top ledges  10  of the respective mounting bracket  6 . 
     Third, the screening device is moved in the third direction. 
     Subsequently, the end pieces are locked to the mounting brackets in a first, temporary position. This is represented by the position shown in  FIG. 8 , in which the male locking means in the form of retaining pawl  414  is engaged in the first recess  12 . 
     From this position, the screening device is moved further in the third direction. 
     Finally, the end pieces are locked to the mounting brackets in a second, terminal position to attain the mounted condition. This is shown in  FIG. 9 , in which the male locking means in the form of retaining pawl  414  interacts with the second recess  14 . 
     In the second embodiment of the mounting bracket  106  shown in  FIGS. 10 to 15 , only details different from the first embodiment will be described. Parts having the same or analogous function will be denoted by the same reference numerals to which 100 has been added. 
     In this embodiment, the at least two female locking means of the mounting bracket  106  comprise a recess  112  as in the first embodiment and a shoulder portion  114  to provide the second, terminal position. 
     As in the first embodiment, the female locking means comprise an opposing recess  111  opposite the first recess  112  and an opposing shoulder portion  113  opposite the shoulder portion  114 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15  in particular, a further feature of an embodiment of the window according to the invention appears. 
     The window  1 , which may be a roof window, with its frame  3  encasing pane  5  comprises a set of two mounting brackets, in the embodiment shown mounting brackets  106 , mounted to the respective side member  3   b  near an intersection with the top member  3   a . The distance from the top ledge  110  of the mounting bracket  106  to the intersection with the top member  3   a  is typically chosen such that when the screening device is mounted on the mounting brackets in the window frame, the top casing of the screening device abuts the top member  3   a.    
     Specifically in the embodiment of the window  1  shown in  FIG. 15 , the side members  3   b  have such dimensions that the height of each side member at the point distant from the pane  5 , i.e. facing the room, is larger than the height of the side member at the point proximate to the pane  5  such that the upper line x 1  of the mounting bracket forms an angle with the intersection between the top member  3   a  and the respective side member  3   b . The angle is typically small, in the range of 5 to 15 degrees. Thus, a wedge-shaped space is present between the top ledge  110  of the mounting bracket  106  and the downwards facing side of the frame top member  3   a  at the intersection with the side member  3   b . The wedge-shape entails that the configuration of the window itself may contribute to the keeping in place of the screening device in the window frame. 
     In the third embodiment shown in  FIGS. 16 to 20 , the mounting bracket  206  has a configuration substantially corresponding to that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment the first recess  212  is provided with a flange  217  having a reduced thickness relative to the thickness of the mounting bracket  206  in the area of the first recess  212 . The flange makes it possible to utilise the mounting bracket  206  as support for accessories such as other screening devices than those including end pieces. 
     The invention should not be regarded as being limited to the described embodiments. Several modifications and combinations of the different embodiments will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.