Embodiments herein relate to window coverings and blind systems and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for repairing or reinforcing vanes or louvers of blinds.
Blind systems comprise a plurality of vanes or louvers hanging vertically and arranged generally linearly on a track. Each individual vane has a connection portion comprising a connection aperture that permits attachment of the vane to a runner or hanger configured to traverse the track when the blinds are actuated by a user, for example to open or close the blinds. The vanes hang from the runners and travel therewith along the track upon actuation by the user.
It is common for vanes to become damaged due to pulling thereon, for example by children or pets, or due to the vanes catching on an obstacle while the blinds are being actuated. Such damage can manifest as a break or tear in the vane near the connection aperture, the aperture being a point of structural weakness. At times, the break or tear can extend from the connection aperture to an edge of the vane, rendering reattachment of the vane to the runner difficult or impossible. In the event of a damaged vane, one solution is to simply replace the vane. However, it can be difficult to find matching replacement vanes. Another solution is to replace the blind system entirely if repairs are unsuccessful. However, such a solution is costly and generates unnecessary waste.
It is also known to repair damaged vanes. For example, a repair patch having a replacement connection aperture can be fixed to the damaged vane, such that the replacement connection aperture is aligned with the damaged connection aperture of the vane. The repair patch can be fixed to the vane via an adhesive, fasteners, or a combination thereof. While repair patches are effective at temporarily repairing damaged vanes, adhesives can degrade and wear off over time, particularly if exposed to sunlight. As such, repair patches tend to peel off over time and must be replaced. Repair patches can also leave an adhesive residue when removed or after peeling off due to wear, which can attract dust and other debris. Further, the use of repair patches may result in the blinds taking on an aesthetically displeasing appearance due to a conspicuous repair patch being fixed to the vanes.
Vane repair clips and other attachments may also be used in place of patches. Said clips are typically removably or permanently attached to the damaged vanes, for example via fasteners or friction fit, and have a replacement connection aperture to align with and restore/replace the functionality of the damaged connection aperture. However, vane repair clips are often rigid, for example made of a rigid plastic or a metal, and therefore must be sized and shaped to accommodate the specific vane to be repaired such that a secure fit is achieved and the clip can fit over, and align with, the vane. The rigid material of the repair clips also makes securement of the clip over the vane difficult, and can result in damage to the vane or clip.
Moreover, vanes having repair clips secured thereto have a tendency to become caught or stuck together due to the bulk of the repair clips, making the opening or closing of the blind problematic.
In cases wherein fasteners are used to secure the repair patch or clip to the vane, installation may require special tools, such as pliers, and relatively complex installation steps, which can discourage users from performing repairs altogether. Use of fasteners and tools can also result in the vanes being scratched or damaged during installation.
Thus, there is interest in the industry for an improved vane repair device capable of accommodating vanes of various shapes and sizes.
Embodiments of a blind repair device for repairing a vane of a blind system are provided. The repair device has a generally oblong body having a central opening, and a repair structure that can be aligned with a connection aperture of the vane. The repair device can be fit over and secured to the vane to align the repair structure with the connection aperture such that the ability of the vane to couple to a runner/hanger of the blind system is restored. The repair device can be expanded to more easily fit the vane through the central opening. In embodiments, the body of the device can be made of a resilient material, a rigid material, or a combination of resilient and rigid materials. The body can have gripping elements such as nodes, teeth, or a rough surface to secure the repair device to the vane.
In a broad aspect, a repair device is provided for repairing a vane of a blind system, the vane having a connection aperture, comprising: a body having first and second edge portions and first and second elongate portions spanning therebetween defining a central opening configured to receive the vane therethrough; and at least one reinforcement structure configured to be aligned with the connection aperture of the vane.
In an embodiment, the reinforcement structure comprises a first notch formed in the first elongated portion, and a second notch formed in the second elongated portion.
In an embodiment, the reinforcement structure comprises a first repair aperture formed in the first elongate portion and a second repair aperture formed in the second elongate portion.
In an embodiment, the body comprises one or more cutouts for facilitating opening or expansion of the repair device for receiving the vane.
In an embodiment, the body comprises one or more gripping elements located on an inner surface of the body for gripping the vane.
In an embodiment, the one or more gripping elements comprise one or more teeth extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the body.
In an embodiment, the one or more teeth comprise one or more arrays of teeth arranged in an opposing and alternating manner.
In an embodiment, the one or more gripping elements comprise a plurality of nodes arranged along the inner surface of the body.
In an embodiment, the repair device is made of at least a resilient material.
In an embodiment, the body comprises flexible portions comprising the resilient material, and rigid portions comprising a rigid material.
In an embodiment, the rigid portions comprise the resilient material reinforced with the rigid material.
In an embodiment, the rigid portions comprise rigid material fixed to the resilient material.
In an embodiment, the rigid portions comprise rigid material sandwiching the resilient material.
In an embodiment, the repair device if made of at least a rigid material.
In an embodiment, the body comprises at least one chamfered portion adjacent an inner surface of the body for facilitating the insertion of the vane into the central opening.
In an embodiment, the body is curved.
In another broad aspect, a repair device is provided for repairing a vane of a blind system, the vane having a connection aperture, comprising: a body having a generally oblong shape and defining a central opening, the body actuable between an expanded position for receiving the vane therethrough, and a closed position for securing the repair device to the vane; and at least one reinforcement structure configured to be aligned with the connection aperture of the vane.
In an embodiment, the body is curved, and in the expanded position a first elongate portion of the body is deflected away from a second elongate portion of the body to expand the central opening.
In an embodiment, the body comprises one of more cutouts for facilitating actuation of the repair device between the expanded and closed positions.
In an embodiment, the repair device is made of at least a resilient material.
With reference to
In embodiments, the body 12 is composed at least partially of a first resilient material 24 to permit the repair device 10 to be temporarily expanded to more easily insert the vane 2 through the central opening 14. For example, the elongate portions 18,18 of the repair device 10 can be separated to expand the central opening 14, and/or the edge portions 16,16 can be separated to expand the repair device 10 lengthwise. Once the body 12 has been positioned at the desired location on the vane 2, for example such that the notch 20/replacement connection aperture 22 of the body 12 is aligned with the connection aperture 6 of the vane 2, it can be permitted to contract around the vane 2 to secure the repair device 10 thereto. Once secured to the vane 2, the repair device 10 is capable of coupling the vane 2 to the blind hanger, for example as shown in
In other embodiments, the repair device 10 can be formed of a substantially rigid material 26 with limited elastic deformation properties. Such embodiments can comprise a body 12 configured to closely fit the dimensions of the vane 2 to be repaired, such that only limited, if any, deformation of the repair device 10 is required to fit the vane 2 through the central opening 14 and secure the repair device 10 to the vane 2.
In embodiments, the body 12 is composed of two or more materials. For example, with reference to
In one embodiment, the rigid material 26 is a thermoplastic polymer such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and the resilient material 24 is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
In embodiments, other means may be used to secure the repair device 10 to the vane 2, including extending fasteners through apertures formed in the body 12 and the vane 2. Such securing means may be used in place of, or in addition to, fitting the repair device 10 over the vane 2 and securing thereto via friction.
In other embodiments, as shown in
In use, the repair device 10 of
While the blind repair device 10 is shown having a curve in
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63/164,375 filed Mar. 22, 2021 the entirety of which is incorporated fully herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63164375 | Mar 2021 | US |