Patent Description:
Various types of swivel bracket are known, for example from <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. Document <CIT> discloses a swivel bracket according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a swivel bracket which more securely holds a headrail.

According to the present invention, there is provided a swivel bracket for mounting a headrail having inwardly facing parallel outer and inner beads. The swivel bracket includes a holder including a mounting portion configured to be mounted to an architectural structure and a support portion extending in a first direction and configured to support the headrail extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the support portion having a support leg configured to span the headrail from the inner bead to the outer bead, the support leg having, at a distal end, a hook portion configured to receive and support an underside of the outer bead. The swivel member is mounted to a pivot on the holder and is rotatable between an open position and a closed position, the pivot having an axis of rotation in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the swivel member having an inner leg extending from the pivot and an outer leg extending from the pivot, the inner leg having, at a rear distal end, a tab configured to support an underside of the inner bead, and the outer leg having, at a front distal end, a flange configured to engage with an outer surface of the outer bead. In the open position, the flange is spaced from the hook portion and the tab is located towards the hook portion, thereby allowing the outer bead to be received and supported by the hook portion and the inner bead to be located adjacent the support leg, and, in the closed position, the flange holds the outer bead in the hook portion and the tab supports the underside of the inner bead. The outer leg includes, spaced inwardly of the flange towards the pivot, a protrusion extending at least partly parallel with the flange and configured, in the closed position, to engage with an inner surface of the outer bead, the inner surface facing the inner bead, thereby resisting rotation of the swivel member to the open position.

In this way, if the headrail is unintentionally moved longitudinally in the second direction, for example as a result of operating parts within the headrail and/or a user pulling on a cord or such like, the protrusion acts to prevent the swivel member from rotating to the open position. In particular, in order for the swivel member to rotate to the open position, the protrusion would have to be translated, by rotation of the outer leg, over and past the outer bead of the headrail. The arrangement restricts rotation of the outer leg and the swivel member relative to the outer bead of the headrail and, hence, ensures that the swivel bracket more securely supports the headrail. Especially, the arrangement inhibits unintentional rotation of the tab away from under the inner bead of the headrail and also the flange away from the outer bead.

The protrusion may be configured as at least one tooth for biting into the inner surface of the outer bead. This configuration resists relative movement between the protrusion and the outer bead so that the protrusion holds the headrail in place longitudinally against the rotation of the swivel member. More than one protrusion may be provided and each protrusion may include one or more teeth.

The outer leg may comprise a plate material extending between the pivot and the hook portion and have a thickness. With this arrangement, the protrusion may comprise a part of the plate material deflected in the third direction away from the underside of the support portion. Multiple protrusions may be formed similarly as deflected parts of the plate material.

The protrusion may be formed on a side of the outer leg facing the hook portion. Alternatively, the protrusion may be formed on the other side or respective protrusions formed on both sides.

The swivel member may be mounted to the underside of the support leg. This enables the swivel member to conveniently extend directly to the underside of the inner bead of the headrail.

Although the outer leg may have any form/shape which appropriately positions the flange relative to the tab, in one arrangement, the outer leg includes a first section extending perpendicular to the inner leg and a second section extending parallel with the inner leg. The two sections conveniently position the flange and allow movement between the open and closed positions.

The inner leg and the outer leg may be integral parts of the swivel member. In this way the swivel member may be conveniently manufactured.

With a space so defined, the support leg may extend from the mounting portion in the first direction to the hook portion at the distal end. Similarly, the pivot supports the swivel member for rotation about an axis in the third direction between the open position and the closed position.

In the open position, the inner leg may extend from the pivot at least in the second direction and the tab may be spaced away from the mounting portion so as to allow the inner bead of the headrail to be moved freely towards and away from the mounting portion and the underside of the support leg.

In the closed position, the inner leg extends from the pivot in the first direction, thereby positioning the tab adjacent the mounting portion at the underside of the support leg. In this position, the tab may support the inner bead of the headrail.

In the closed position, also, the outer leg may extend in the first direction adjacent and parallel with the support leg and, in the second direction, the flange may be adjacent the hook portion.

In the open position, with the outer leg pivoted about the pivot away from the mounting portion, the outer leg may extend at least partly in the second direction and the flange may be located outwardly of the hook portion away from the mounting portion in the first direction.

The pivot may be located on the support leg closer to the hook portion than to the mounting portion.

The mounting portion may be configured to be mounted vertically against an architectural surface with the support portion extending horizontally above the headrail. The mounting portion could be positioned above the support portion or may extend substantially perpendicular from an underside of the support leg at a proximal end of the support leg.

In the closed position, the inner leg may extend from the pivot against the underside of the support leg and the tab may be adjacent the mounting portion for supporting the inner bead of the headrail adjacent the mounting portion.

The swivel member may include an upward depression extending towards the support portion, the upward depression leaving a recess in a lower face of the swivel member facing in the third direction away from the support portion. A member forming the pivot may be located within the recess. In this way, the space taken by the pivot within the interior of the headrail is reduced. This allows the space within the headrail to be maximised and fully utilised.

The support leg may include, along both respective edges in the first direction, walls facing in the third direction towards the swivel member. The outer diameter of the upward depression may match the distance in the second direction between said walls. In this way, rotational movement of the swivel member is guided/supported such that the swivel member and the positions of the tab and flange are more stable.

Hence, there may also be provided a swivel bracket for mounting a headrail having inwardly facing parallel outer and inner beads. The swivel bracket includes a holder and a support member. The holder includes a mounting portion configured to be mounted to an architectural structure and a support portion configured to support the headrail, the support portion having a support leg configured to span the headrail from the inner bead to the outer bead, the support leg having, at a distal end, a hook portion configured to receive and support an underside of the outer bead. The swivel member is mounted to a pivot on the holder and rotatable between an open position and a closed position, the swivel member having an inner leg extending from the pivot and an outer leg extending from the pivot, the inner leg having, at a rear distal end, a tab configured to support an underside of the inner bead, and the outer leg having, at a front distal end, a flange configured to engage with an outer surface of the outer bead. In the open position, the flange is spaced from the hook portion and the tab is located towards the hook portion, thereby allowing the outer bead to be received and supported by the hook portion and the inner bead to be located adjacent the support leg, and, in the closed position, the flange holds the outer bead in the hook portion and the tab supports the underside of the inner bead. The swivel member includes an upward depression extending towards the support portion, the upward depression leaving a recess in a lower face of the swivel member facing in the third direction away from the support portion, and wherein a member forming the pivot is located within the recess. The support leg may include along both respective edges in the first direction, walls facing in the third direction towards the swivel member and the outer diameter of the upward depression may match the distance in the second direction between said walls.

There may also be provided an architectural covering assembly including at least one swivel bracket as above together with a headrail having inwardly facing parallel outer and inner beads.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

It is often required, with architectural structures, to mount various rails, such as headrails, to parts of those structures. The headrails may be mounted, for example, to vertical walls and/or horizontal ceilings. It may be desirable to mount a headrail above an architectural opening so that a blind may be suspended from that headrail over the architectural opening.

Headrails are typically elongate with a channel cross-section and have inwardly facing parallel beads along the edges of their side walls. Brackets are known for suspending such headrails from their beads.

<FIG> illustrates schematically two swivel brackets <NUM> embodying the present invention in conjunction with a typical headrail <NUM>. The two swivel brackets <NUM> may be pre-mounted to an architectural structure, such as a wall surrounding an architectural opening and then the headrail <NUM> may be offered up to and suspended by the two swivel brackets <NUM>. In this respect, it will be appreciated that, depending upon the application and the length of the headrail <NUM>, different numbers of swivel brackets <NUM> may be provided.

The headrail <NUM> has a channel-shaped cross section with a base <NUM>, an inner wall <NUM> and an outer wall <NUM>. The base <NUM>, inner wall <NUM> and outer wall <NUM> extend longitudinally of the headrail <NUM>. At an edge of the inner wall <NUM> distal from the base <NUM>, the inner wall <NUM> includes an inwardly facing inner bead <NUM>. Similarly, the outer wall <NUM> has at an edge distal from the base <NUM> an inwardly facing outer bead <NUM>. The inwardly facing inner bead <NUM> and inwardly facing outer bead <NUM> are parallel with one another and face one another. They may be used to suspend the headrail <NUM>. The inner bead <NUM> has on its inner side an inner surface facing the outer wall <NUM> and facing an inner surface of the outer bead <NUM>, the inner surface of the outer bead <NUM> being on the inner side of the outer bead <NUM> and facing the inner wall <NUM> and facing an inner surface of the inner bead <NUM>. The outer bead <NUM> also has an outer surface facing away from the inner wall <NUM> outwardly of the headrail <NUM> has and an upper surface, between the inner surface and the outer surface, facing away from the base <NUM>. Each of the inner bead <NUM> and the outer bead <NUM> has a respective underside facing the base <NUM> and by which the headrail may be suspended/supported.

<FIG> illustrate one of the swivel brackets <NUM>.

As illustrated, the swivel bracket <NUM> includes a holder <NUM> with a mounting portion <NUM> configured to be mounted to an architectural structure and a support portion <NUM> configured to support the headrail <NUM>.

In the illustrated arrangement, the mounting portion <NUM> extends substantially perpendicular to the support portion <NUM> and is configured to be mounted to a substantially vertical structure such as a wall. Features, such as through holes <NUM>, are provided so as to enable the mounting portion <NUM> to be secured to the architectural structure.

The swivel bracket <NUM> also includes a swivel member <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> includes on the support portion <NUM> a pivot <NUM>. The swivel member <NUM> is mounted to the support portion <NUM> and the holder <NUM> by means of the pivot <NUM> and is mounted so as to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position as illustrated in <FIG>.

In the illustrated arrangement, the support portion <NUM> includes or constitutes a support leg <NUM> which extends in a first direction from the mounting portion <NUM> to a hook portion <NUM>. The support leg <NUM> has a width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The pivot <NUM> is provided on the support leg <NUM> and has an axis of rotation along a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. In the illustrated arrangement, the mounting portion <NUM> extends away from the support portion <NUM> and support leg <NUM> in the third direction and has a width in the second direction.

As noted above, a hook portion <NUM> is provided at a distal end of the support leg <NUM>. As illustrated, the hook portion <NUM> deflects downwardly away from the plane of the support let <NUM> and then upwardly in the third direction towards the plane of the support leg <NUM>. In this way, it has a configuration suitable for supporting the underside of the outer bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM>.

In the illustrated arrangement, the swivel bracket <NUM> is mounted to an underside of the support leg <NUM>, namely the same side to which the hook portion <NUM> deflects in the third direction. As illustrated, this is the same side to which the mounting portion <NUM> extends. However, arrangements are possible in which a mounting portion instead or additionally extends in the opposite third direction, namely upwardly as illustrated.

As illustrated, the swivel member <NUM> includes an inner leg <NUM> which extends away from the pivot <NUM> to a tab <NUM>. The tab <NUM>, like the hook portion <NUM>, is deflected downwardly in the third direction away from the underside of the support leg <NUM>. It then continues in a direction away from the pivot <NUM> so as to provide a configuration suitable for supporting an underside of the inner bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM>.

As noted above, <FIG> illustrates the swivel bracket in a closed position. As illustrated in <FIG>, the hook portion <NUM> is able to support the outer bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM> and the tab <NUM> of the swivel member <NUM> is able to support the inner bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM>. In particular, the underside of the inner bead <NUM> rests on the tab <NUM> and the underside of the outer bead <NUM> rests on the hook portion <NUM>.

The swivel member <NUM> also includes an outer leg <NUM> extending from the pivot <NUM>. At an outer end of the outer leg <NUM> distal from the pivot <NUM>, the outer leg <NUM> includes a flange <NUM> configured, in the illustrated closed position, to hold the outer bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM> in the hook portion <NUM>. In the illustrated arrangement, the outer leg <NUM> includes a first section 40a extending perpendicular to the inner leg <NUM> and a second section 40b extending parallel with the inner leg <NUM>. However, the shape and path of the outer leg <NUM> may be varied whilst maintaining the positional relationship between the pivot <NUM> and the position and movement of the flange <NUM>.

The swivel member <NUM> may be rotated about the pivot <NUM> from the closed position illustrated in <FIG> to an open position, for example as illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated, viewed from above, the swivel member <NUM> is rotated clockwise relative to the holder <NUM> so as to move from the closed position to the open position illustrated in <FIG>.

In the open position illustrated in <FIG>, the inner leg <NUM> of the swivel member <NUM> is rotated such that it extends from the pivot <NUM> in both the first direction and the second direction; it is angled relative to the support leg <NUM> and, in the illustrated arrangement, the tab <NUM> protrudes outwardly to one side of the support leg <NUM> in the second direction. As illustrated particularly in <FIG>, with the inner leg <NUM> rotated in the open position, the tab <NUM> is moved in the first direction towards the hook portion <NUM> and away from the mounting portion <NUM>. In this way, with the outer bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM> supported by the hook portion <NUM>, the inner bead <NUM> can be moved freely into and out of its mounted position on the underside of the support leg <NUM> next to, in the illustrated arrangement, the mounting portion <NUM>.

In the open position illustrated in <FIG>, it is also apparent that the outer leg <NUM> is rotated such that the flange <NUM> is moved and takes a position away from the pivot <NUM> and the hook portion <NUM> in the first direction. With the flange <NUM> spaced, in the first direction, away from the hook portion <NUM>, it is possible, as illustrated particularly in <FIG>, to freely mount and unmount the outer bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM> onto and from the hook portion <NUM>. This is advantageous to the installer, because the installer can hook the outer bead <NUM> onto the hook portion <NUM> whereby the headrail <NUM> is temporarily held in place and supported. This facilitates installation by a single installer and at least reduces the need for multiple installers to hold the headrail simultaneously at multiple locations/places.

In order to mount the headrail <NUM> to the swivel bracket <NUM>, the swivel member <NUM> is rotated to the open position as illustrated in <FIG>. Then, as also illustrated in <FIG>, the headrail is offered up to the swivel bracket <NUM> and the outer bead <NUM> located in the hook portion <NUM> so as to be supported by the hook portion <NUM>. From this state, the headrail <NUM> may be rotated (clockwise as illustrated) until, as illustrated in <FIG>, the inner bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM> is in its to-be supported position with the inner bead <NUM> adjacent the underside of the support leg <NUM>. This is illustrated in <FIG>, with the swivel member still in the open position.

From the state illustrated in <FIG>, the swivel member is rotated to its closed position, namely that described previously with reference to <FIG>, by rotating the swivel member <NUM> about the pivot <NUM> anti-clockwise as illustrated to the state illustrated in <FIG>.

With the headrail <NUM> in a supported position and the swivel member <NUM> in its closed position, the headrail <NUM> is supported by the support portion <NUM> of the holder <NUM> of the swivel bracket <NUM>. In particular, as illustrated, the tab <NUM> of the inner leg <NUM> of the swivel member <NUM> is located on the underside/beneath the inner bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM>. The tab <NUM> secures the inner bead <NUM> between the tab <NUM> and the inner leg <NUM> and the support leg <NUM>.

The outer bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM> is supported by the hook portion <NUM> and, with the swivel member <NUM> in the closed position, the tab <NUM> at the distal end of the outer leg <NUM> prevents the outer bead <NUM> moving in the first direction away from the swivel bracket <NUM> and, thus, holds the outer bead <NUM> in the hook portion <NUM>. As illustrated the outer leg <NUM> extends in the first direction closely over the top in the third direction of the outer bead <NUM> and the tab <NUM> extends downwardly in the third direction adjacent the outer side of the outer bead <NUM> and headrail <NUM>. In this way, the outer bead <NUM> is held within the hook portion <NUM>.

Headrails, such as headrail <NUM> as illustrated, can be used to support components, such as cords which move longitudinally along their length. When these are activated, for example by a user pulling on a cord extending from one end of the headrail, there can be created a force tending to move or shift the headrail <NUM> longitudinally in the second direction with respect to the one or more swivel brackets <NUM>. If the headrail <NUM> does move relative to a swivel bracket <NUM>, then it may act to rotate the swivel member <NUM> of the swivel bracket <NUM>. For example, in the state illustrated in <FIG>, if the headrail <NUM> moves slightly to the left, it may act to rotate the swivel member clockwise away from the closed position towards the open position. If this occurs, the tab <NUM> may become shifted from underneath the inner bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM> and the flange <NUM> may move away from the outer bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM> allowing the inner bead <NUM> to drop away from the swivel bracket <NUM> and the outer bead <NUM> to leave the hook portion <NUM> of the swivel bracket <NUM>.

So as to address this issue, as illustrated in <FIG>, the outer leg <NUM> is provided additionally with a protrusion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> is located inwardly of the flange <NUM> towards the pivot <NUM> and extends at least partly parallel with the flange <NUM> in the third direction. In the closed position illustrated in <FIG>, the protrusion <NUM> is spaced inwardly of the flange <NUM> in the first direction by an amount such that it at least lies adjacent an inner part of the outer bead <NUM> whilst, in the closed position, the flange <NUM> lies adjacent the outer part of the outer bead <NUM>. In other words, in the closed position of the swivel member <NUM>, the outer bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM> is positioned between the flange <NUM> extending in the third direction and the protrusion <NUM> extending in the third direction.

With this arrangement, even if the headrail <NUM> is moved longitudinally in the second direction relative to the swivel bracket <NUM>, and that movement acts to rotate the swivel member <NUM>, the protrusion <NUM> abutting the inside of the outer bead <NUM> will prevent rotation of the outer leg <NUM> towards the open position and, hence, prevent rotation of the swivel member <NUM> and the inner leg <NUM> to the open position.

It will be appreciated, of course, that during mounting of the headrail <NUM> to the swivel bracket <NUM>, it will be necessary for the outer leg <NUM> to be rotated from the open position to the closed position and, thus, for the protrusion <NUM> to pass from the outside to the inner surface of the outer bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM>. This may be achieved by deflection of the protrusion <NUM> itself, the outer leg <NUM> and/or elastic tolerances in the overall structure, including the pivot.

Swivel bracket <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM> are configured such that a user is able manually to rotate the swivel member <NUM> from the open position to the closed position forcing the protrusion <NUM> over the outer bead <NUM> from the outside to the inside, whilst the swivel bracket and the protrusion <NUM> offer enough resistance to prevent the protrusion <NUM> being translated over the outer bead <NUM> from the inside to the outside by virtue only of the longitudinal forces on the headrail <NUM> during use.

As illustrated in <FIG>, it is not necessary for the protrusion <NUM> to be positioned entirely on the inner side of the outer bead <NUM>. It will be enough for the protrusion <NUM> to be at least partially on the inner side of the outer bead <NUM>, for example slightly over-centre as illustrated.

In the illustrated arrangement, the protrusion <NUM> extends at an angle both in the third direction and the first direction. In this way, when the swivel member <NUM> is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the upper surface of the outer bead <NUM> of the headrail <NUM> will tend to deflect the protrusion <NUM> in the third direction away from the outer bead <NUM>. In contrast, any force to rotate the swivel member <NUM> from the closed position to the open position will cause the outer bead <NUM> to deflect the protrusion <NUM> in the first direction towards the pivot <NUM> and downwardly in the third direction towards the outer bead <NUM>. In other words, the protrusion <NUM> is caused to press harder, or bite into, the inner surface of the outer bead <NUM> and resist rotation of the swivel member <NUM> towards the open position.

The protrusion <NUM> may be provided with one or more teeth configured to bite into the inner surface of the outer bead <NUM>. Such teeth may be considered to have one or more edges which are relatively sharp and configured to bite/cut into the surface of the headrail material. The edges may have an angle of substantially <NUM> degrees or may be sharper, with angles less than <NUM> degrees.

In the illustrated arrangement, the outer leg <NUM> is formed from a plate material. Actually, in the illustrated arrangement, the outer leg <NUM> and the inner leg <NUM> are integral parts of the swivel member <NUM>, formed of a plate material. The plate material has a width and a thickness. It might typically be formed of a metal component.

In the illustrated arrangement, the flange <NUM> is formed from a bent portion of the outer leg <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may similarly be formed from a bent portion of the outer leg <NUM>, in particular bent at a position closer to the pivot <NUM>. In the illustrated arrangement, the bent portion forming the protrusion <NUM> is at one side in the second direction of the outer leg <NUM> and flange <NUM>.

In the illustrated arrangement, the bent portion forming the protrusion <NUM> is on a side of the outer leg <NUM> furthest from the support leg <NUM> and hook portion <NUM>. However, the bent portion forming the protrusion <NUM> could be provided on the other side adjacent the leg support <NUM> and hook portion <NUM> or, protrusions could be formed on both sides. It is also possible for a protrusion, such as a tooth, to be formed for example as a cut out from a central portion of the leg <NUM>. This may be in addition or as an alternative to the protusions discussed above.

<FIG> illustrates another feature of the swivel bracket <NUM>, this feature being advantageous independently of the protrusion <NUM> described above.

It is desirable that the swivel bracket takes up minimal space within the headrail <NUM> so that the headrail <NUM> is able to house other components as required.

In the illustrated arrangement, the pivot <NUM> is provided by a cylindrical member, such as a rivet, extending between the support leg <NUM> and the swivel member <NUM>.

In the illustrated arrangement, the support portion <NUM> and support leg <NUM> include, for rigidity, side walls <NUM> and <NUM> which extend from the underside of the side leg <NUM> in the third direction and along each end respectively in the first direction. In this way, the support portion <NUM> and support leg <NUM> takes the form of a downwardly facing channel.

As illustrated in earlier figures, such as <FIG>, the top of the support leg <NUM> includes a depressed section <NUM> which, on the underside of the support leg <NUM>, extends downwardly in the third direction. Similarly, as illustrated in <FIG>, the swivel member <NUM> includes an upward depression <NUM> extending towards the underside of the support leg <NUM>. As illustrated, this upward depression <NUM> provides, in the lower surface of the swivel member <NUM>, a recess in the third direction for any member forming the pivot <NUM>, such as a rivet. In this way, the member forming the pivot <NUM>, such as a rivet, does not extend downwardly into the space within the channel of the headrail <NUM> and the available space within the headrail <NUM> is maximised.

Claim 1:
A swivel bracket (<NUM>) for mounting a headrail (<NUM>) having inwardly facing parallel outer and inner beads (<NUM>,<NUM>), the swivel bracket including:
a holder (<NUM>) including a mounting portion (<NUM>) configured to be mounted to an architectural structure and a support portion (<NUM>) extending in a first direction and configured to support the headrail extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the support portion having a support leg (<NUM>) configured to span the headrail from the inner bead to the outer bead, the support leg having, at a distal end, a hook portion (<NUM>) configured to receive and support an underside of the outer bead; and
a swivel member (<NUM>) mounted to a pivot (<NUM>) on the holder and rotatable between an open position and a closed position, the pivot having an axis of rotation in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the swivel member having an inner leg (<NUM>) extending from the pivot and an outer leg extending from the pivot, the inner leg having, at a rear distal end, a tab (<NUM>) configured to support an underside of the inner bead, and the outer leg having, at a front distal end, a flange (<NUM>) configured to engage with an outer surface of the outer bead; wherein:
in the open position, the flange is spaced from the hook portion (<NUM>) and the tab is located towards the hook portion, thereby allowing the outer bead to be received and supported by the hook portion and the inner bead to be located adjacent the support leg, and, in the closed position, the flange holds the outer bead in the hook portion and the tab supports the underside of the inner bead; and
the outer leg includes, spaced inwardly of the flange towards the pivot, a protrusion (<NUM>) configured, in the closed position, to engage with an inner surface of the outer bead, the inner surface facing the inner bead, thereby resisting rotation of the swivel member to the open position,
characterized in that the protrusion (<NUM>) is extending at least partly parallel with the flange (<NUM>).