A. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to a bracket system for window treatments configured and structured to accept and support several window shades and other types of treatments.
B. Description of the Prior Art
Most window treatments consist of an elongated member that supports one or more decorative elements to cover a window, a door, some other openings, or purely for decorative purposes. Controls are added that are normally at least partially in, or attached to the elongated member and used to selectively , open or close the treatment and/or perform various other operations thereon.
The elongated member is mounted either within the opening or on a vertical wall just adjacent to the opening using various types of brackets.
The bracket 10 holds a clutch mechanism 16 operated by a chain cord 20 having ends 20A, 20B. The clutch mechanism 16 includes a pulley 18 operated by a chain chord 20 having cord ends 20A, 20B pulling on one end 20A or the other 20B causes the pulley to rotate in one direction or another thereby performing a predetermined function for the window treatment.
The fascia is made with a thin lip 22 bent inwardly. The bracket 10 is made with a corner opening 24 having at its front edge a tongue 26 sized and shaped to fit into the lip 22. The fascia 12 has a generally L-shaped cross-section with a major portion 30 terminating with lip 22 and a minor portion 32.
The window treatment is installed as follows. The bracket 10 and another similar bracket are mounted. The window treatment is mounted between the brackets. The fascia 12 is then positioned with its major portion being orientated essentially horizontally and the lip 22 is inserted into opening 24. The fascia 12 is then rotated around tongue 26 clockwise causing the minor portion 32 to come into contact with and snap unto bracket 10 reaching the position shown.
This arrangement has several disadvantages. First, a different-shaped bracket must be provided for each kind of window treatment. This can expensive and problematical for small distributors who cannot be fiscally burdened by requiring them to carry a large number of different types of brackets. Second, in some instances, the bracket must be mounted on horizontal wall W (using some other openings that have been omitted in
Furthermore, existing brackets in general are sized and constructed to accommodate only window dressings of certain preselected configurations, and must be customized for each configuration.
The present invention addresses the problems discussed above and provides solutions to solve the problems. More specifically, a bracket system is provided that includes two brackets receiving ends of a window dressing. The brackets have a generally rectangular or square base with two side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge. Some of the edges are provided with panels disposed perpendicularly to the base.
The system further includes a fascia that is preferably L-shaped with a vertical member and a horizontal member. In one embodiment of the invention, the vertical member is mounted on the brackets so that a small portion of the fascia extends above the bracket thereby providing a neater look by blocking light from passing through above the fascia.
In another aspect of the invention, the panels or edges of the brackets are configured to accept the fascia in either a first configuration in which the horizontal part is on top of the brackets and a second configuration in which the fascia horizontal part is attached to the bottom of the brackets.
Plates may be mounted or attached to the brackets for accepting the ends of window shades. Adapters are attached to the plates, if necessary, various plates having different configurations to conform to or receive window dressings of different kinds. In some configuration, two or more parallel window dressings are supported by a single pair of brackets.
FIG. 5AA shows a side view of the plate;
FIG. 5BB shows a side view of the bracket;
The major elements of bracket system constructed in accordance with this invention are shown in
Each end bracket includes a flat rectangular base 106 and three panels 108, 110, 112 disposed along three sides of the base 106. The fourth side has a tab 114. The three panels and the tab are substantially perpendicular to the base 106. Panels 108, 110 are preferably identical and the panel 112 is configured so that it is symmetrical about a vertical axis of the brackets 102, 104. The three panels have a plurality of slots and perforations as described in more detail below.
Attached to the two brackets is a fascia 116. As shown in detail in
Details of the bracket 102 are shown in
The distance between the side edge SE of section 132 and the outer surface of panel 108 is equally to the width W of fascia 116. The distance between side edge SE2 of section 134 and the outer surface of panel 108 is at least H1. The length of panel 108 is H2. The distance between the top edge TE of panel 102 and the outer surface of panel 110 is at least H1. The distance between the side edge SE3 of tab 114 and the outer surface of panel 108 is W. The distance between the bottom edge BE of panel 108 and the bottom surface of tab 114 is at least H1. As a result of these dimensions, the fascia 116 can be mounted on to the brackets 102, 104 in two configurations. In one configuration, the section 120 is attached to the bottom of the bracket as shown in
In addition, the plate 230 also has on one side a plurality of tabs 135 and on the other side a panel 137. As seen in FIG. 5AA, the panel 137 is formed of three sections 137A, 137B, 137C. Each tab 135 is shaped so that it is angled slightly to permit the plates 230 to be press-fit into the brackets 102, 104 with the tabs 135 engaging the inner surfaces of slots 113A, 113B, 113C (these slots are shown in FIG. 5BB) of section 108.. Both sections 108 and 110 further include a slot 113D which is somewhat longer then the slots just described. Section 137B is bent slightly outwardly and is sized and shaped to engage slot 113D on section 110. In other words, panel 137 and tabs 135 cooperate to maintain the plate 230 in place within the bracket 102, 104.
Completing the system, there are two end caps 130 (shown in detail in
The sizes specified herein is particularly useful for various configurations, such as one large shade, two or more smaller shades, a shade with a clutch, a shade with a wound spring or other mechanisms. Various plates, adapters, etc. are mounted (temporarily or permanently) on the brackets to accommodate various sizes, numbers and types of window shades. This modular design allows the bracket system to be used in a large variety of uses and applications. The remaining figures show some exemplary configurations for the bracket system illustrating just some of the configurations that may be used to support various window coverings.
Getting back to
Each set includes a circular hole 240 and two rectangular slots 242 arranged on either side of the hole 240. This is a standard configuration and can be used to accept a window covering at each set of slots and holes. (Note to Joe—is this true?) For example, in
Numerous modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its scope as defined in the appended claims;
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/426,584 filed Dec. 23, 2010 and incorporated herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61426584 | Dec 2010 | US |