Patent Description:
It is known to provide a blind cassette in a vehicle to deploy a blind at least partially to cover a window. The blind is stowed on a roller inside in the blind cassette and deployed along guide rails. The blind is typically transferred from a carrier onto the guide rails as it is deployed. Accurate alignment of the blind cassette and the guide rails is required for smooth operation of the blind. However, this may be difficult to achieve due to variations in the components.

<CIT> discloses a vehicle roof having at least one transparent section, a roof-attached support section and a roller blind assembly for selectively shading the transparent roof section at least partially. The blind assembly includes at least one roller blind unit having a web to be wound up to form a reel and one lateral bearing unit on either side of a vertical longitudinal roof center plane. The reel disposed between two lateral bearing units and the roller blind assembly has a bearing shell on top of which the at least one roller blind unit is fastened via the lateral bearing units which is fixed to the at least one support section from below. Each bearing units has a bearing pedestal fixed to the bearing shell and a roller blind guide element displaceable as against the bearing pedestal in a pre-installation position and fixed to the roof-attached support section in an installation position.

<CIT> discloses a vehicle roof having at least one transparent roof portion, a roof-attached support portion and a roller blind assembly for selectively shading or at least partially exposing the transparent roof portion, the roller blind assembly has at least one roller blind unit comprising a roller blind web, which can be wound up into a roller blind coil, and a lateral bearing element on either side of the vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof. The roller blind coil can be disposed between the two lateral bearing elements. The roller blind assembly may have a bearing shell on top of which the at least one roller blind unit is attached via the lateral bearing elements and which is fixed to the at least one support portion from below.

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a mounting assembly for mounting a blind cassette; a blind cassette; a blind assembly; a vehicle; and a method of mounting a blind cassette as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting assembly for mounting a blind cassette operative to dispense a blind along a guide rail disposed in a roof structure of a vehicle, the mounting assembly comprising:.

The at least one cassette mounting fastener may be disposed in a fixed position. The at least one cassette mounting fastener may be fixedly mounted to a body structure or to a guide rail. The at least one cassette mounting fastener may provide a fixed reference for mounting the blind cassette. At least in certain embodiments, the at least one cassette mounting fastener may be disposed on the guide rail. The at least one cassette mounting fastener may be fastened to the guide rail.

The or each cassette mounting fastener may comprise a threaded fastener, such as a threaded stud.

The relative movement of the slide carrier facilitates alignment of the slide carrier to the associated guide rail. The slide carrier may comprise first and second carrier apertures for receiving respective first and second cassette mounting fasteners. The first carrier aperture may be configured to restrict or limit movement of the slide carrier relative to a first cassette mounting fastener. The first carrier aperture may constrain or limit relative movement of the slide carrier. The extent of the relative movement of the slide carrier along the first axis may be restricted. The first carrier aperture may restrict or limit translational movement of the slide carrier relative to the first cassette mounting fastener. The second carrier aperture may be configured to enable movement of the mount slide carrier relative to a second cassette mounting fastener. The second carrier aperture may permit translational movement of the slide carrier relative to the second cassette mounting fastener. The extent of the relative movement of the slide carrier along the first axis and/or the second axis may be restricted.

At least one mounting aperture may be formed in the mount for receiving the or each first cassette mounting fastener. The or each mounting aperture may be sized to enable movement of the mount relative to the at least one cassette mounting fastener. The or each mounting aperture may be sized to enable translational and/or rotational movement of the mount relative to the at least one cassette mounting fastener.

The first carrier aperture and/or the second carrier aperture may be configured to enable movement of the slide carrier relative to the at least one cassette mounting fastener.

A first said carrier aperture may be configured to restrict or limit movement of the slide carrier relative to the at least one cassette mounting fastener. The first carrier aperture may be sized to cooperate with the cassette mounting fastener. The first carrier aperture may comprise a circular aperture have a diameter which at least substantially matches an external diameter of the cassette mounting fastener. The first mounting aperture may be sized to align the slide carrier relative to a first cassette mounting fastener.

Alternatively, or in addition, a second said carrier aperture may be configured to enable movement of the mount relative to the at least one cassette mounting fastener. The at least one second mounting aperture may comprise an elongated aperture. The at least one second mounting aperture may be sized to enable translational movement of the mount relative to the at least one cassette mounting fastener.

The slide carrier may comprise at least one spring member for engaging an associated cassette mounting fastener. The at least one spring member may engage the cassette mounting fastener releasably to locate the mounting assembly on the at least one cassette mounting fastener. The at least one spring member limits or restricts movement along a central longitudinal axis of the cassette mounting fastener. The at least one spring member may be configured to engage a thread formed on the cassette mounting fastener.

The or each cassette mounting fastener may comprise a threaded member mounted to the vehicle. Alternatively, or in addition, the or each cassette mounting fastener may comprise a threaded member mounted to the guide rail.

The mounting assembly may comprise at least one limiter. The at least one limiter may be provided on at least one of the mount and the slide carrier to limit the movement of the slide carrier relative to the mount.

According to examples disclosed herein, there is provided a mounting assembly for mounting a blind cassette operative to dispense a blind along a guide rail disposed in a vehicle, the mounting assembly comprising:.

The or each limiter may comprise a projection disposed on one of the mount and the slide carrier. The projection may be located in an aperture formed in the other one of the mount and the slide carrier. The aperture may be larger than the projection along one or more axis to enable relative movement of the slide carrier relative to the mount. The aperture in which the limiter locates may be rectangular, for example.

The mounting assembly may comprise a slide carrier fastener for fastening the slide carrier to the mount.

The slide carrier fastener may be configurable in a partially fastened state to allow movement of the slide carrier relative to the mount.

The slide carrier fastener may be configurable in a fastened state to inhibit movement of the slide carrier relative to the mount.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a blind cassette comprising at least one mounting assembly as described herein. The blind cassette may comprise first and second of the mounting assemblies. The first and second mounting assemblies may be disposed on respective sides of the blind cassette.

The blind cassette may comprise a cassette housing. The mount may be formed integrally with the cassette housing. The blind cassette may be a dissociated blind.

According to examples disclosed herein, there is provided a mounting assembly for mounting a blind cassette operative to dispense a blind along a guide rail, the mounting assembly comprising:.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a blind assembly for a vehicle, the blind assembly comprising:
a blind cassette as described herein, the blind cassette having a deployable blind. The blind assembly may comprise at least one guide rail for guiding the blind. One or more cassette mounting fastener may be provided for mounting the blind cassette. The one or more cassette mounting fastener may be fastened to the at least one guide rail or to the vehicle structure, for example a roof structure,.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a mounting assembly as described herein.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of mounting a blind cassette on a vehicle, the blind cassette being configured to dispense a blind along guide rails disposed in the vehicle, wherein the blind cassette comprises at least a first mount and at least a first slide carrier, the first mount being moveable relative to the first slide carrier; the method comprising:.

A mounting assembly <NUM>-n for mounting a blind cassette <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures. The mounting assembly <NUM>-n mounts the blind cassette <NUM> in a vehicle <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> in the present embodiment is an automobile. The present invention may be employed in other types of vehicle, such as a utility vehicle or a sports utility vehicle. The vehicle <NUM> is described herein with reference to a frame comprising a transverse axis X, a longitudinal axis Y and a vertical axis Z.

The blind cassette <NUM> forms part of a blind assembly <NUM>. First and second of the mounting assemblies <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are provided to mount the blind cassette <NUM> to a body structure (denoted generally by the reference numeral <NUM>) of the vehicle <NUM>. The body structure <NUM> forms a cabin <NUM> for vehicle occupants. The body structure <NUM> comprises a roof structure <NUM> which extends over the cabin <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> comprises a front windscreen (windshield) <NUM>, side windows <NUM>, a rear window <NUM> and a sunroof <NUM>. The sunroof <NUM> comprises an aperture <NUM> formed in the roof structure <NUM>. A sunroof window panel <NUM> is supported by a panel carrier <NUM> which is mounted to the roof structure <NUM>. The panel carrier <NUM> may optionally be configured to open and close the sunroof window panel <NUM>. The blind assembly <NUM> in the present embodiment is associated with the sunroof <NUM>. The blind cassette <NUM> is operative to deploy a blind <NUM> at least partially to cover the sunroof window panel <NUM>. The mounting assembly <NUM>-n may be configured to mount a blind cassette <NUM> associated with other windows in the vehicle <NUM>, such as one of the side windows <NUM> or the rear window <NUM>.

The blind cassette <NUM> comprises a cassette housing <NUM> and a roller (not shown). The roller is mounted inside the cassette housing <NUM> and is rotatable selectively to retract and deploy the blind <NUM>. A draw member <NUM> is provided at a leading edge of the blind <NUM>. The draw member <NUM> extends across a width of the blind <NUM> and is operative to maintain alignment of the blind <NUM> relative to the blind cassette <NUM>. A drive mechanism (not shown) is provided for deploying and retracting the blind <NUM>. First and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are provided for guiding the blind <NUM>. The first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are disposed on respective first and second sides of the aperture <NUM> formed in the roof structure <NUM>. The first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> extend substantially parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction. The first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> could be formed integrally with the body structure <NUM>. However, in the present embodiment, the first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are formed separately and fastened to the roof structure <NUM>. First and second followers <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are provided for travelling along the first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> respectively. The first and second followers <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> and the first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> have complementary profiles. The blind <NUM> is connected to the first and second followers <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. In the present embodiment the first and second followers <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are disposed at respective ends of the draw member <NUM>. The blind cassette <NUM> is aligned with the first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> to enable displacement of the first and second followers <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> onto the first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>.

A first cassette fastener assembly <NUM>-<NUM> is mounted to a first end portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the first guide rail <NUM>-<NUM>; and a second cassette fastener assembly (not shown) is mounted to a second end portion of the second guide rail. The first and second cassette fastener assemblies <NUM>-<NUM> are fixed in position to facilitate alignment of the blind cassette <NUM> with the first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. The first cassette fastener assembly <NUM>-<NUM> comprises at least one first cassette mounting fastener <NUM>-<NUM>; and the second cassette fastener assembly comprises at least one second cassette mounting fastener. The first and second mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM> are threaded studs in the present embodiment. The first and second mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM> are provided for fastening the blind cassette <NUM> to the roof structure <NUM>. The first and second mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM> are fixedly mounted to the first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. In the present embodiment the first cassette fastener assembly <NUM>-<NUM> comprises two of the first cassette mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM>; and the second cassette fastener assembly comprises two of the second cassette mounting fasteners.

As outlined above, first and second of the mounting assemblies <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are provided to mount the blind cassette <NUM>. The first and second of the mounting assemblies <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are disposed on respective sides of the blind cassette <NUM>. The first and second of the mounting assemblies <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> have like configurations. For the sake of brevity, the first mounting assembly <NUM>-<NUM> will now be described. It will be understood that the second mounting assembly <NUM>-<NUM> has a like configuration.

The first mounting assembly <NUM>-<NUM> for mounting the blind cassette <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG>. The first mounting assembly <NUM>-<NUM> comprises a first mount <NUM>-<NUM> and a first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM>. The first mount <NUM>-<NUM> is connected to the cassette housing <NUM> of the blind cassette <NUM>. The first mount <NUM>-<NUM> may be formed integrally with the cassette housing <NUM> or may be formed separately and fastened to the cassette housing <NUM>. The first mount <NUM>-<NUM> is configured to cooperate with the first cassette fastener assembly <NUM>-<NUM> to mount the blind cassette <NUM> to the roof structure <NUM>. The first mount <NUM>-<NUM> comprises a first mounting plate <NUM>-<NUM> having first and second mounting apertures 51A, 51B for receiving the first cassette mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the first cassette fastener assembly <NUM>-<NUM>. The first mounting aperture 51A has a circular profile for receiving one of the first cassette mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM>. The second mounting aperture 51B has a keyhole profile comprising a circular portion and a first slot <NUM>. The circular portion of the second mounting aperture 51B is suitable for receiving the other one of the first cassette mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM>. Other profiles are contemplated for the second mounting aperture 51B. For example, the first slot <NUM> may be omitted from the second mounting aperture 51B. As shown in <FIG>, the first and second mounting apertures 51A, 51B are larger than the first cassette mounting apertures <NUM>-<NUM>. Thus, the first and second mounting apertures 51A, 51B are oversized to accommodates variations in the spacing between the first cassette mounting apertures <NUM>-<NUM>, for example due to manufacturing tolerances. First nuts <NUM> are fastened on the first cassette mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM> to mount the first mounting plate <NUM>-<NUM>. The first nuts <NUM> are tightened to create a clamping or sandwich effect to secure the first mounting assembly <NUM>-<NUM>. The first nuts <NUM> are tightened to fix the position of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM>. The relative position of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM> is maintained by securing the first nuts <NUM> on the first and second mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM>.

The first mounting plate <NUM>-<NUM> comprises a third mounting aperture <NUM> for receiving a first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM> for connecting the first mount <NUM>-<NUM> to the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM>. The first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM> is operable provisionally to hold or set the position of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM>. The first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> can be aligned with the first guide rail <NUM>-<NUM> and, once aligned, the first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM> can be fastened to fix the location of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM>. In use, the first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM> may enable relative movement of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> and the first mount <NUM>-<NUM> to align the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> with the first guide rail <NUM>-<NUM>. The first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM> may enable rotational movement of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM>. The first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM> may be used to connect the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM> to facilitate handling of the first mount assembly <NUM>-<NUM>. The first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM> in the present embodiment comprises a mechanical fastener, such as a screw. The third mounting aperture <NUM> is disposed centrally between the centres of the first and second mounting apertures 51A, 51B. The third mounting aperture <NUM> may be disposed in other locations. The first mounting plate <NUM>-<NUM> comprises first and second limiter apertures 61A, 61B for receiving first and second limiters 63A, 63B provided on the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM>. The first and second limiter apertures 61A, 61B each have a generally rectangular profile. The first and second limiter apertures 61A, 61B may have different profiles, for example comprising an ellipse, a circle or a stadium.

The first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> comprises a first body portion <NUM>-<NUM> and a first carrier section <NUM>-<NUM>. The first body portion <NUM>-<NUM> is in the shape of a stadium in the present embodiment. The first body portion <NUM>-<NUM> comprises first and second carrier apertures 69A, 69B for receiving the first cassette mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the first cassette fastener assembly <NUM>-<NUM>. The first carrier aperture 69A is configured to enable movement of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM>. The first carrier aperture 69A is configured to enable translational movement of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM> along one or more axis. The first carrier aperture 69A may also accommodate variations in the location of the first cassette mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM> relative to each other, for example due to manufacturing tolerances or clearances. Alternatively, or in addition, the first carrier aperture 69A may accommodate manufacturing variations in the shape or profile of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM>. In the present embodiment, the first carrier aperture 69A is an elongated aperture or slot. The first carrier aperture 69A is in the shape of a stadium in the present embodiment. The first carrier aperture 69A enables translation of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM> along a longitudinal axis but restricts or prevents relative rotational movement. The second carrier aperture 69B comprises a circular section sized to receive one of the first cassette mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM>.

The first and second limiters 63A, 63B are provided to limit movement of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM>. In the present embodiment, the first and second limiters 63A, 63B are formed on the first body portion <NUM>-<NUM>. The first and second limiters 63A, 63B are configured to project into the first and second limiter apertures 61A, 61B formed in the first mounting plate <NUM>-<NUM>. The first and second limiters 63A, 63B are smaller than the first and second limiter apertures 61A, 61B to allow the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> to move relative to the first mounting plate <NUM>-<NUM>. The first and second limiters 63A, 63B engage the sidewalls of the first and second limiter apertures 61A, 61B to limit or restrict relative movement.

The first body portion <NUM>-<NUM> comprises a third carrier aperture <NUM> for receiving the first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM> for connecting the first mount <NUM>-<NUM> to the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM>. The third carrier aperture <NUM> is disposed centrally between the centres of the first and second carrier apertures 69A, 69B. The third carrier aperture <NUM> is a threaded aperture for receiving the first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM>. The first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM> may pre-assemble the first mount <NUM>-<NUM> and the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM>. The first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM> is operative to constrain movement of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mounting plate <NUM>-<NUM> to in-plane movement. At least in certain embodiments, the first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM> may constrain relative movement of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> and the first mounting plate <NUM>-<NUM> to a plane extending perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the first cassette mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM>.

The first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> comprises a first spring member <NUM> for engaging one of the first cassette mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM>. The first spring member <NUM> is shown in the transverse sectional view shown in <FIG>. The first spring member <NUM> is provided to engage the first cassette mounting fastener <NUM>-<NUM> releasably to locate the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> on the first cassette fastener assembly <NUM>-<NUM>. The first spring member <NUM> comprises a spring arm moulded integrally with the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM>. A distal end of the first spring member <NUM> locates in the threads of the first cassette mounting fastener <NUM>-<NUM>. The first spring member <NUM> is aligned with the first slot <NUM> formed in the second mounting aperture 51B. Alternative configurations of the first spring member <NUM> are envisaged. A second spring member may optionally be associated with the other one of the first cassette mounting fasteners <NUM>-<NUM>.

The first carrier section <NUM>-<NUM> is configured to receive the first follower <NUM>-<NUM> when the blind <NUM> is fully retracted. The first carrier section <NUM>-<NUM> aligns with the first guide rail <NUM>-<NUM> when the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> is mounted to the first cassette fastener assembly <NUM>-<NUM>. The first carrier section <NUM>-<NUM> forms a continuation of the first guide rail <NUM>-<NUM>. This arrangement may facilitate the transfer of the first follower <NUM>-<NUM> from the first carrier section <NUM>-<NUM> onto the first guide rail <NUM>-<NUM>; and/or from the first guide rail <NUM>-<NUM> onto the first carrier section <NUM>-<NUM>. In the present embodiment, the first follower <NUM>-<NUM> and the first carrier section <NUM>-<NUM> have at least substantially the same profile in transverse section. Alternatively, or in addition, the first carrier section <NUM>-<NUM> may comprise a guide section for transferring the first follower <NUM>-<NUM> onto the first guide rail <NUM>-<NUM>. The guide section may, for example, comprise a ramp or transition for guiding the first follower <NUM>-<NUM> onto the first guide rail <NUM>-<NUM>.

The second mounting assembly <NUM>-<NUM> is provided to mount the opposite side of the blind cassette <NUM>. It will be understood that the second mounting assembly <NUM>-<NUM> has a configuration like but opposing that of the first mounting assembly. Accordingly reference numerals as used to describe the first mounting assembly and appended with -<NUM> are appended with -<NUM> when describing the second mounting assembly. It will be appreciated that the -<NUM> reference numerals are thus not shown in the accompanying figures. The second mounting assembly <NUM>-<NUM> is fastened to the second cassette fastener assembly <NUM>-<NUM>. The second mounting assembly <NUM>-<NUM> is configured to guide the second follower <NUM>-<NUM> onto the second guide rail <NUM>-<NUM>.

The mounting of the blind cassette <NUM> on the vehicle <NUM> will now be described with reference to a first block diagram <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As described herein, the blind cassette <NUM> is configured to dispense a blind <NUM> along first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> disposed on the roof structure <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. The blind cassette <NUM> comprises first and second mounting assemblies <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. The first mounting assembly <NUM>-<NUM> comprises a first mount <NUM>-<NUM> and a first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM>. The first mount <NUM>-<NUM> is moveable relative to the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM>. The second mounting assembly <NUM>-<NUM> comprises a second mount <NUM>-<NUM> and a second slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM>. The second mount <NUM>-<NUM> is moveable relative to the second slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM>. The first and second mounting assemblies <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are mounted on first and second cassette fastener assemblies <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> disposed on the body structure <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. The first and second cassette fastener assemblies <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> each comprise one or more cassette mounting fastener <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>.

The method comprises provisionally locating the first and second mounting assemblies <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> of the blind cassette <NUM> on the first and second cassette fastener assemblies <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> respectively (BLOCK <NUM>). The first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> is positioned against an end of the first guide rail <NUM>-<NUM> to align the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM>. The first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> is moveable relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM> to align the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> with the first guide rail <NUM>-<NUM> (BLOCK <NUM>). The second slide carrier is positioned against an end of the second guide rail <NUM>-<NUM> to align the second slide carrier. The second slide carrier is moveable relative to the second mount <NUM>-<NUM> to align the second slide carrier with the second guide rail <NUM>-<NUM> (BLOCK <NUM>). The alignment of the first and second slide carriers <NUM>-<NUM> may be performed concurrently or sequentially. The first slide carrier fastener <NUM>-<NUM> provisionally holds or sets the position of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM> (BLOCK <NUM>). A second slide carrier fastener provisionally holds or sets the position of the second slide carrier relative to the second mount (BLOCK <NUM>). The first nuts <NUM> are fastened to the first cassette mounting fastener <NUM>-<NUM> to mount the first mount <NUM>-<NUM> to the vehicle body <NUM> while maintaining the alignment of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM> (BLOCK <NUM>). The second nuts (not shown) are fastened to the second cassette mounting fastener to mount the second mount to the vehicle body <NUM> while maintaining the alignment of the second slide carrier relative to the second mount (BLOCK <NUM>). The blind cassette <NUM> is thereby mounted to the vehicle <NUM>. The first and second nuts <NUM> are tightened to create a clamping or sandwich effect to secure the first mounting assembly <NUM>-<NUM>. The first nuts <NUM> fasten the position of the first slide carrier <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first mount <NUM>-<NUM>.

In the retracted position, the blind <NUM> engages the first and second slide carriers <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. In particular, the first and second followers <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are disposed on the first and second carrier sections <NUM>-<NUM> of the first and second slide carriers <NUM>-<NUM>. The blind <NUM> is selectively deployed and the first and second followers <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are displaced from the first and second carrier sections <NUM>-<NUM> onto the first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. Conversely, when the blind <NUM> is retracted, the first and second followers <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are displaced from the first and second guide rails <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> onto the first and second carrier sections <NUM>-<NUM>.

Claim 1:
A mounting assembly (<NUM>-n) for mounting a blind cassette (<NUM>) operative to dispense a blind (<NUM>) along a guide rail (<NUM>-n) disposed in a roof structure (<NUM>) of a vehicle (<NUM>), the mounting assembly (<NUM>-n) comprising:
a mount (<NUM>-n) for mounting the blind cassette (<NUM>) to the vehicle (<NUM>); and
a slide carrier (<NUM>-n) having a carrier section (<NUM>-n) for alignment with the guide rail (<NUM>-n), the slide carrier (<NUM>-n) being moveable relative to the mount (<NUM>-n) to facilitate alignment of the carrier section (<NUM>-n) with the guide rail (<NUM>-n);
wherein the mount (<NUM>-n) is configured to receive at least one cassette mounting fastener (<NUM>-n) configured to fasten the mount (<NUM>-n) to the roof structure (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>);
wherein the slide carrier (<NUM>-n) comprises at least one carrier aperture (69A, 69B) for receiving the or each cassette mounting fastener (<NUM>-n);
characterised in that
a first one of the carrier aperture (69A, 69B) is configured to enable movement of the slide carrier (<NUM>-n) relative to a first cassette mounting fastener (<NUM>-n) along a first axis and to limit movement of the slide carrier (<NUM>-n) relative to the first cassette mounting fastener (<NUM>-n) along a second axis extending perpendicular to the first axis; and a second one of the carrier aperture (69A, 69B) being configured to enable movement of the slide carrier (<NUM>-n) relative to a second cassette mounting fastener (<NUM>-n) along the first axis and the second axis.