Flexible or portable closure – partition – or panel – Plural strip – slat – or panel type – Venetian blind type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-30
2001-02-13
Johnson, Blair M. (Department: 3634)
Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel
Plural strip, slat, or panel type
Venetian blind type
C160S16810R, C160S17300V, C292S165000, C292SDIG004
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186214
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to window or door blinds. More particularly, the present invention is directed to apparatus, system and methods for stabilizing blinds, such as window blinds, in a variety of positions.
At one point or another, most people have been awakened or otherwise disturbed by the sound of window blinds banging against a window or window frame on a windy day or night. Window blinds, which include venetian blinds, miniblinds and the like, often are subject to vibration or swaying due to wind or traffic conditions within a room in which the blinds are mounted. In addition to creating undesirable noise, blinds may mar the adjacent wall, window frame or door to which they are mounted.
The prior art attempts to resolve this problem are fraught with additional problems or concerns. For example, prior art devices designed to affix the window blinds to the window frame typically require that they be affixed at a particular location, such as where a bracket is attached to the frame. This is undesirable for individuals who wish to have greater flexibility in the amount that the blinds are raised or lowered prior to their securing against vibrations or the wind. Other devices have undue complexity, are difficult to use, or have other limitations which make them undesirable. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an apparatus which stabilizes blinds against unwanted movements, and can permit the securing of the blinds in a wide range of desired positions. It is further desirable to have such an apparatus be easy to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides exemplary apparatus, systems and methods of affixing or securing movable blinds or end rails to a fixed surface. The present invention is further capable of affixing blinds in a wide range of positions, and is easy to use.
In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for securing a movable blinds rail to a fixed surface includes a casing having a detent affixed to an inner surface thereof. An elongate rod is included having first and second ends and a protruding member extending from the rod between the ends. The first rod end extends out of a first opening of the casing and the protruding member slidably cooperates with the detent to secure the rod in a first fixed position. In this manner, the apparatus is coupled to the moveable blinds rail, and the first rod end is used to contact a fixed surface to secure the movable blinds rail thereto.
In one aspect, the detent is a generally Y-shaped detent. In another aspect, the casing further includes a second opening through which the second rod end extends. In another aspect, the elongate rod further includes a handle extending from between the ends. The handle extends out of the casing through an opening therein. In this manner, the handle may be manipulated to move the elongate rod into the first fixed position.
In one particular aspect, the detent includes a plurality of ramps defining a plurality of grooves. The protruding member slidably cooperates with the ramps and the grooves to position the rod in the first fixed position. Preferably, in another aspect, the protruding member slidably cooperates with the ramps and grooves to position the rod in a second fixed position. In this manner, one fixed position may correlate with the securing of the movable blind rail to a fixed surface, and the other fixed position may correspond to a position which allows the movable blinds rail to be raised, lowered or otherwise moved. This is accomplished, in one aspect, by having the first rod end extend from the casing first and second distances when the first rod end is in the first and second fixed positions, respectively.
In one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further includes a tension member coupled to the rod near the second end. The tension member is adapted to encourage the protruding member towards the first opening so that the rod is in the first fixed position. Similarly, in one aspect the tension member is adapted to encourage the protruding member towards the first opening so that the rod is in the second fixed position. In one particular aspect, the tension member comprises a spring. In another aspect, the tension member engages an inner edge of the casing to encourage the protruding member towards the first opening.
In still another aspect, the apparatus further includes a tension member coupled to the rod to encourage the protruding member into the detent.
The present invention further provides exemplary blinds systems. In one embodiment, the blinds system includes first and second end rails having a plurality of connected slats therebetween. The system includes a flexible elevating member for changing an elevation of the first end rail, and first and second locking apparatus coupled to opposing ends of the first end rail. Each locking apparatus includes a casing having a detent affixed to an inner surface thereof, and an elongate rod having first and second ends and a protruding member extending from the rod between the ends. The first rod end extends out of a first opening in the casing and the protruding member slidably cooperates with the detent to secure the rod in a first fixed position.
In one aspect, the first end rail is a movable lower end rail. Alternatively, the first end rail is a movable upper end rail.
In one particular aspect, the locking apparatus further includes a tension member coupled to the rod near the second end. The tension member is adapted to encourage the protruding member towards the first opening so that the rod is in the first fixed position. In one aspect, the first rod ends engage opposing fixed surfaces to secure the first end rail thereto when the rods are secured in the first fixed positions. In one aspect, the opposing fixed surfaces comprise opposing surfaces of a window frame.
In one particular aspect, the protruding members slidably cooperate with the detent to secure each of the rods in a second fixed position. The first end rail moves generally freely relative to the opposing fixed surfaces when at least one of the rods is in the second fixed position. In still another aspect, the blinds system further includes a rotation member for rotating the connected slats.
The present invention further provides exemplary methods of securing a movable end rail of a blind system to a fixed surface. In one embodiment, the method includes providing the moveable end rail having a locking apparatus coupled to opposing ends of the movable end rail. Each of the locking apparatus includes a casing having a detent affixed to an inner surface thereof, and an elongate rod having first and second ends and a protruding member extending from the rod between the ends. The first rod end extends out of a first opening of the casing and the protruding member slidably cooperates with the detent to secure the rod in first and second fixed positions. The elongate rod in at least one of the locking apparatus is translated so that the protruding member cooperates with the detent to secure the rod in the second fixed position. The method includes positioning the movable end rail at a desired location and translating the elongate rod in the locking apparatus so that the protruding member cooperates with the detent to secure the rod in the first fixed position so that the first rod ends contact opposing fixed surfaces. In this manner, the movable end rail is secured at the desired location.
In one aspect of the method, each locking apparatus further includes a tension member coupled to the rod near the rod second end. The tension member is adapted to encourage the protruding member towards the first opening so that the rod is in the first fixed position. In another aspect, the detents in the locking apparatus each further include a plurality of ramps defining a plurality of grooves. The protruding members slidably cooperate with the ramps and grooves to position the rod in the first and second fixed positions.
For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present inven
Boyer David
Ladd Kevin
Blind Stay, Inc.
Johnson Blair M.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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