[0001] The present invention relates to an end mounting for supporting a roller, in particular
the roller of a cover for an architectural opening.
[0002] Various blinds are known for selectively covering architectural openings. Many of
these include rollers that are rotatably mounted, usually in a horizontal orientation,
for instance across the top of the architectural opening. To facilitate installation
of the roller, an arrangement may be provided whereby an end mounting, for instance
as part of a bracket, is mounted adjacent the architectural opening for each end of
the roller and then the roller is fitted between the two end mountings. The ends of
the roller may be provided with axial holes for receiving support shafts which extend
from the end mountings. However, it will be appreciated that, for the roller to be
secured in place, the distance between the ends of the roller must be greater than
the distance between the inwardly facing ends of the support shafts. This makes mounting
of the roller extremely difficult. Of course, support shafts can be provided on the
ends of the rollers with corresponding holes provided in the end mountings, but the
same problem exists.
[0003] Previously, it has been proposed to provide some form of sprung telescoping action.
In particular, the roller can be formed so as to be partly collapsible in length by
means of some telescoping action, with a spring force biasing the roller to an extended
length. Alternatively, support shafts in the roller or end mountings may be sprung
to an extended position, but collapsible against that spring force to a retracted
position. In this way, for installation, the roller or support shafts can be compressed
against their resilient restoring forces to allow insertion of the roller between
the end mountings. Various documents consider such arrangements, for instance
GB 588,698,
EP 0 046 948,
EP 0 672 814,
US 3,099,916,
US 4,373,569 and
GB 2 339 820.
[0004] A problem with these previous arrangements is that they rely on the spring force
of the telescoping roller or end pin to ensure that the roller is held in place. In
some arrangements, the axial spring force may have a negative impact on the frictional
resistance to rotation of the roller. In time, also, the spring force may diminish
such that there is a danger that the roller will fall from its installation. These
problems become even more significant as the roller becomes larger. With larger rollers,
once mounted, the operating forces can sometimes overcome the spring force of the
telescoping roller or end pin with the risk that the roller drops from its mounting.
Increasing the spring force hampers mounting. Furthermore, because of the need to
build components that can sustain the increased force, costs will be increased and
the size of the mounting may also be increased. For instance, it may be possible to
provide easily a relatively small bracket for supporting the weight of a roller, but
the size and strength of that bracket may need to be increased significantly in order
to withstand the outward axial forces of the telescoping action.
[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a method of securing the roller
of an architectural opening covering between two end mountings, the method including:
providing at least one end mounting with a main body of substantially constant cross-section
for insertion into an end opening of one end of the roller;
mounting a slider in the main body so as to be movable between a retracted position
entirely within the cross-section of the main body and an extended position in which
at least part of the slider protrudes outside the cross-section of the main body;
arranging the slider in the retracted position;
positioning the one end of the roller on the at least one end mounting with the main
body entirely within the end opening;
fitting the other end of the roller to the other of the two end mountings by moving
the roller axially to expose the slider; and
moving the slider to the extended position such that the main body is prevented by
the slider from being inserted into the end opening of the roller beyond the slider
so as to maintain the axial position of the roller and maintain the other end of the
roller on the other end mounting.
[0006] According to the present invention, there is also provided an end mounting for supporting
the roller of a cover for an architectural opening, the end mounting including:
a main body of substantially constant cross-section extending axially from a proximal
end for mounting adjacent an architectural opening to a distal end for insertion into
an end opening of a roller; and
a slider mounted in the main body at an axial location towards the proximal end of
the main body and movable between a retracted position wholly within the cross-section
of the main body and an extended position in which at least part of the slider protrudes
outside the cross-section of the main body such that, with the slider in the retracted
position, substantially all of the main body can be inserted into the end opening
of the roller and, with the slider in the extended position, the main body is prevented
by the slider from being inserted into the end opening of the roller beyond the slider.
[0007] In this way, the end mounting can be used to allow a roller to be installed easily
between it and another end mounting with the slider then preventing the roller from
unintentionally falling from its installed state. In particular, the end mounting
is preferably used such that, with an end of a roller fully encompassing the main
body of the end mounting, in other words with the main body fully inserted into the
end opening of the roller, the opposite end of the roller can be swung up into position
adjacent an opposite end mounting and then moved axially so as to engage with that
opposite end mounting. By moving the slider of the end mounting of the present invention
into the extended position, the roller is prevented from moving axially back to its
original position such that it is securely held in its installed state. It will be
appreciated that this is achieved without the need for any large axial sprung forces.
[0008] The slider could be freely movable between the retracted and extended positions,
for instance with a detent arrangement to hold it in each position. However, preferably,
a bias mechanism is provided for biasing the slider from the retracted position to
the extended position.
[0009] In this way, the arrangement is always in a state to hold a roller securely in place.
Furthermore, when a user is installing the roller, that user does not need to access
the end mounting to move the slider to its extended position whilst holding the roller
in place.
[0010] Preferably, the bias mechanism includes a compression spring. The main body may include
walls defining an internal cavity for housing the compression spring. The internal
cavity can also receive the slider. The compression spring can be arranged to act
between one of the walls and the slider so as to bias the slider from the retracted
position to the extended position.
[0011] This provides a compact and effective way of moving the slider.
[0012] It is possible to use the end mounting by manually holding the slider in its retracted
position against the force of the bias mechanism whilst inserting the main body into
the end opening of the roller. However, preferably, a latch mechanism is provided
for latching the slider in the retracted position against the bias of the bias mechanism.
[0013] In this way, the slider can be latched into its retracted position before a user
attempts to install a roller. It is then easy for the user to offer up the end of
the roller to the end mounting and move it onto the end mounting such that the main
body is fully inserted into the end opening.
[0014] A release member may be provided to release the latch mechanism once the roller has
been installed such that the slider moves to its extended position. Preferably, the
release member is provided as part of the latch mechanism and is movable axially towards
the proximal end from a latched position to a released position whereby, with the
release member in the released position, the latch mechanism unlatches the slider.
[0015] With the release member operable in this way, in particular, in this direction, it
becomes possible to use movement of the roller during installation to release the
latched slider. In other words, with the main body inserted into the end opening of
the roller, as the roller moves axially towards the proximal end of the main body,
it can be arranged to move the release member to the released position so as to unlatch
the slider. The slider, being within the end opening of the roller will be restrained
from movement to its extended position. However, once the roller is then moved axially
away from the proximal end of the main body such that the slider is located axially
outside the end opening of the roller, the bias mechanism will automatically move
the slider to its extended position so as to secure the roller in place.
[0016] Preferably, the main body includes, at the distal end, an axially facing recessed
end wall defining an opening through which the release member extends.
[0017] In this way, the release member is protected from being accidentally moved when the
end of the roller is offered up in the general vicinity of the end mounting.
[0018] The roller may be provided with a trigger member extending in an axial direction
within its end opening and arranged to engage with the release member once the slider
is at least partly within the opening such that further movement of the main body
into the opening causes the trigger member to move the release member towards the
proximal end of the main body and unlatch the slider. In this respect, the trigger
member can be arranged in such a way that it does not move the release member when
the end of the roller is offered up to the end mounting but only when the main body
is inserted into the end opening and the roller is moved axially.
[0019] Preferably, the main body includes a catch for interaction with the latch mechanism.
The latch mechanism can include an arm extending from the slider at a first end to
a hook portion at a second end, the hook portion being arranged to engage with the
catch so as to latch the slider in the retracted position.
[0020] This provides an effective and space-efficient way of latching the slider in the
retracted position.
[0021] Preferably, the second end of the arm and the hook portion are movable relative to
the main body so as to disengage the hook portion from the catch and unlatch the slider.
[0022] The release member may be provided on the second end of the arm.
[0023] The arm may be constructed as a resilient member connected at the first end to the
slider. In particular, it could be formed as an integral part of the slider.
[0024] The main body may also include a stop arranged to receive the hook portion when the
slider is in the extended position. The stop is preferably arranged in the main body
such that, after the latch mechanism unlatches the slider by disengaging the hook
portion from the catch and the slider has moved to the extended position, the hook
portion is received by the stop and prevents the bias mechanism moving the slider
beyond the extended position.
[0025] This provides a convenient and space-efficient way of restricting movement of the
slider.
[0026] Preferably, the end mounting further includes a support shaft extending axially from
the recessed end wall so as to define with the main body an axially facing peripheral
channel within which the release member may be accessed.
[0027] The trigger member of the roller may comprise an axially extending wall at least
partly surrounding an axial passageway for receiving the support shaft.
[0028] In this way, when the support shaft of the end mounting is inserted into the axial
passageway of the roller, the axially extending wall forming the trigger member moves
into the axial facing peripheral channel and is able to engage with and move the release
member.
[0029] Interaction of the support shaft and the axial passageway helps to provide further
support for the roller on the end mounting. With the release member provided in the
peripheral channel, it is further protected from accidental actuation.
[0030] Preferably, the cross-section of the main body is substantially circular so as to
act as a bearing for the roller.
[0031] In this way, the main body itself forms a rotational support for the roller, with
the end opening of the roller having a corresponding cross-section which can rotate
around the main body.
[0032] Where appropriate, the cross-sections of the support shaft of the main body and the
axial passageway of the roller may also be circular.
[0033] Preferably, the end mounting is additionally provided with a bracket for attachment
to a surround of an architectural opening. The main body may be mounted to or formed
integrally with the bracket.
[0034] The end mounting may be provided in combination with a roller for a cover of an architectural
opening. As will be appreciated from the above, the roller preferably includes a roller
end defining an inwardly extending opening having a cross-section corresponding to
the cross-section of the main body. The opening is preferably arranged such that the
main body can substantially entirely be received within the opening when the slider
is in the retracted position and be received up to the slider when the slider is in
the extended position.
[0035] 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:
Figure 1 illustrates a cover and roller in combination with at least one end mounting
embodying the present invention;
Figures 2(a) and (b) illustrate an end mounting embodying the present invention, together
with an end cap for insertion into the end of a roller;
Figures 3(a) and (b) illustrate schematically in cross-section the end mounting of
Figures 2(a) and (b) being inserted into the end cap;
Figures 4(a) and (b) illustrate schematically in cross-section the latching mechanism
of the end mounting of Figures 2(a) and (b) being unlatched;
Figure 5 illustrates the end mounting of Figures 2(a) and (b) in an unlatched state;
and
Figure 6 illustrates the end mounting of Figures 2(a) and (b) with its slider in the
extended position.
[0036] A variety of blinds are known for covering architectural openings, some of which
include a roller from which a covering may be unwound. An example of such a blind
2 is illustrated in Figure 1 having a covering 4 which, as illustrated, is partly
unwound from a roller 6. The roller 6 is mounted between and rotatably supported by
two brackets 8 and 10, at least one of which may include an end mounting according
to the present invention. As illustrated, the brackets 8, 10 include coverings over
their functional components so as to give a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
[0037] A tag 12 may be provided so as to unwind the covering 4 from the roller 6. As illustrated,
the roller 6 is orientated horizontally and the covering 4 can be unwound downwardly
from the roller 6 so as to cover an architectural opening.
[0038] Figures 2(a) and (b) illustrate an end mounting 20 in conjunction with a bracket
22 and an end cap 24 for forming an end of a roller, in this case by insertion into
the tubular form of the roller.
[0039] The end mounting 20 includes a main body 26 formed, in this embodiment, from two
halves 26a and 26b which include internal walls 28 defining an internal cavity 30.
[0040] As part of a bias mechanism, a compression spring 32 is provided within the internal
cavity 30. The compression spring 32 acts between one of the walls 28 and a slider
34 which is also received within the internal cavity 30. In particular, as will be
described further below, the compression spring 32 acts to bias the slider 34 outwardly
with respect to the main body 26.
[0041] It is possible for the main body 26 to be formed as a single integral unit or from
a number of components which are joined together. In the illustrated embodiment, use
is made of screws 36 to attach the first half 26a to the second half 26b at the same
time as attaching the bracket 22 to the main body 26.
[0042] In operation, as will be discussed in further detail below, the slider 34 is movable
between a retracted and an extended position. In its retracted position, it lies within
the cross-section (substantially perpendicular to the axis of the device) of the main
body 26. In that way, with the slider 34 in its retracted position as illustrated
in Figure 2(a), the main body 26, together with the slider 34, can be inserted fully
into the end opening 25 formed in the axial end of the end cap 24. As illustrated,
the end opening 25 has a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the main
body 26.
[0043] With the slider 34 in its extended position, for instance as illustrated schematically
in cross-section in Figure 5, the slider 34 extends outside the cross-section of the
main body 26. Hence, in this state, it is not possible to insert the main body 26
into the end opening 25 beyond the slider 34.
[0044] In use, with the end cap 24 provided in a roller, the slider 34 is arranged in its
retracted position and the roller is moved axially onto the end mounting 20 such that
substantially the entire axial extent of the main body 26 is inserted into the end
opening 25 of the end cap 24. With the roller so positioned, another end mounting
(not necessarily in accordance with the present invention) should already have been
provided at a position allowing the other end of the roller to be brought to a position
from where it can be axially moved into engagement with that another end mounting.
When the roller is so moved away from the end mounting 20 towards the other end mounting,
the slider 34 can be moved to its extended position. This will prevent the end cap
24 and hence the roller from moving back to the position in which the main body was
substantially fully encompassed in the end opening 25. In this way, the roller is
secured in its installed state.
[0045] In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a bias mechanism, for instance using
the compression spring 32, biases the slider 34 to its extended position. In this
way, when the roller and end cap 24 is slid away from the end mounting 20, in particular
away from the bracket 22, as soon as the slider 34 reaches an axial location outside
the end opening 25, it moves to its extended position so as retain the roller in place.
[0046] Preferably, as will be described below, the end mounting includes a latch mechanism
for the slider 34 such that the slider 34 can be latched in its retracted position
while the roller is first fitted to the end mounting 20 and the main body 26 is fully
inserted in the end opening 25. As will be explained below, this latch mechanism preferably
includes features that allow the slider 34 to become unlatched whilst it is within
the end opening 25. In this way, it still moves automatically to its extended position
when the end cap 24 is withdrawn away from the end mounting 20.
[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 26 has a generally cylindrical form
with its central axis being concentric with the axis of the roller. In this way, the
outer surface of the main body, in particular at the periphery of its cross-section,
may act as a bearing surface for rotatably supporting the end cap 24 and its roller.
The distal end of the main body 26, namely the axial end furthest from the bracket
22, may be provided with a rounded or chamfered surface joining the axial end surface
to the circular circumferential surface. This may be useful in assisting a user in
locating the end opening 25 of the end cap 24 on the end mounting 20 and inserting
the main body 26 into the end opening 25.
[0048] It will be appreciated that for correct functioning of the invention, the shape of
the slider 34 and its direction of travel between the retracted and extended positions
are not important. However, in the illustrated embodiment, at least part of the slider
34 is formed in the shape a segment of the cross-section of the main body 26. With
the slider 34 in its retracted position, the outer surface of the segment is continuous
with the outer surface of the main body 26. In the illustrated embodiment, in the
extended position, the segment is moved radially outwardly such that it protrudes
beyond the extent of the cross-section of the main body 26. Preferably, the segment
is substantially half the cross-section of the main body 26. This results in a relatively
large circumferential length for contact with the end of the end cap 24, preventing
movement of the end cap 24 towards the proximal end of the main body 26 attached to
the bracket 22.
[0049] In one embodiment, for instance as illustrated in Figure 5, the end cap 24 may be
provided with a peripheral axially facing ridge 24a and the slider 34 provided with
a corresponding arcuate groove facing axially away from the proximal end of the main
body 26 so as to receive the ridge 24a. Where the slider 34 is in the shape of a segment,
it will be appreciated that the radius of the arcuate groove 34a will be slightly
larger than the radius of the outer surface of the slider 34 and the cross-section
of the main body 26. Figures 3(a) and (b) illustrate schematically cross-sections
through the end mounting 20, bracket 22 and end cap 24.
[0050] As illustrated, the slider 34 is movable in a generally radial direction with respect
to the axis of the end mounting 20 and end cap 24. In particular, as illustrated,
the slider is movable up and down and is biased by the compression spring 32 in a
downward direction. An arm 38 has a first end 38a where it meets with the main body
of the slider 34 and a second end 38b opposite the first end. In the illustrated embodiment,
the arm 38 extends in a direction generally parallel with the direction of movement
of the slider 34 and the second end 38b can be moved in an axial direction towards
and away from the proximal end of the main body 26 attached to the bracket 22. In
the preferred embodiment, the arm 38 is sufficiently resilient to allow this movement.
Preferably, the arm 38 forms an integral part of the slider 34 and is made of the
same material, for instance a plastics material.
[0051] The second end 38b of the arm 38 is provided with a hook portion 40. As illustrated,
the walls of the main body 26 are formed with a lip which is adjacent the hook portion
40 when the slider 34 is in its retracted position. The lip forms a catch 42 with
which the hook portion 40 co-operates to retain the slider 34 in its retracted position.
[0052] Thus, as illustrated in Figure 3(b), while the compression spring 32 provides a force
biasing the slider 34 outwardly of the main body 26 towards its extended position,
the hook portion 40 engaged with the catch 42 on the main body 26 resists that force
and holds the slider 34 in its retracted position.
[0053] The second end 38b of the arm 38 is also provided with a release member 44. In the
illustrated embodiment, this is merely the tip of the hook portion 40. It will be
appreciated that by pushing on the release member 44 in an axial direction towards
the proximal end of the end mounting 20, the hook portion 40 will become disengaged
from the catch 42, thereby allowing the slider 34 to move to its extended position.
This will be explained in further detail below.
[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 26 has at its distal end an axially
facing recessed end wall 46 from which a support shaft 48 extends axially. The support
shaft 48, together with the main body 26, thus define an axially facing peripheral
channel 50 with the recessed end wall 46 at its base. An opening is provided in the
wall 46 to provide access to the release member 44 formed on the second end 38b of
the arm 38.
[0055] The illustrated end cap 24 for use with the end mounting 20 includes peripheral walls
52 which extend axially to a back wall 54 to define the end opening 25 for receiving
the main body 26. Beyond the back wall 54, an axial passageway extends further along
the axis of the end cap 24. Where the axial passageway 56 meets the back wall 54 and
end opening 25, a trigger member 58 is formed as an axially extending wall around
the end of the axial passageway 56, the wall 58 extending axially away from the axial
passageway 56. In the preferred embodiment, the trigger member 58 is provided by a
wall which completely surrounds the axial passageway 56, because then it has the same
functional properties irrespective of the relative rotational orientation of the end
cap 24 and end mounting 20.
[0056] As illustrated in Figure 3(b), when the main body 26 is inserted into the end opening
25 of the end cap 24, the support shaft 48 extends into the axial passageway 56. This
provides additional support for the end cap 24 and its roller. This is particularly
advantageous where the end cap 24 is rotationally mounted on the end mounting 20,
with the outer surface of the support shaft 48 providing a bearing surface for co-operation
with the inner surface of the axial passageway 56.
[0057] As also illustrated in Figure 3(b), the trigger member 58 formed by the axially extending
peripheral wall is dimensioned so as to extend into the peripheral channel 50. In
particular, as the main body 26 is progressively inserted into the end opening 25,
the axially extending wall 58 first engages with the release member 44 formed on the
second end 38b of the arm 38 and then moves the release member 44 and hook portion
40 axially away from the catch 42, as illustrated in Figure 4(a).
[0058] With the hook portion 40 released from engagement with the catch 42, the slider 34
is free to move under the force of the compression spring 32. This is illustrated
in Figure 4(b).
[0059] As illustrated, the relative dimensions of the various components are arranged such
that the trigger member 58 only unlatches the hook portion 40 from the catch 42 once
the slider 34 is within the end opening 25 of the end cap 24. Thus, as illustrated
in Figure 4(b), the compression spring 32 moves the slider 34 only as far as is possible
before the outer radial surface of the slider 34 engages with the inner surface of
the end opening 25. It will be appreciated that the components should be dimensioned
such that the slider 34 is able to move by a slight amount such that the hook portion
40 moves beyond the catch 42 and becomes unlatched.
[0060] As illustrated in Figure 5, when the end cap 24 is moved axially away from the end
mounting 20 and bracket 22, as long as the slider 34 remains within the end opening
25, the slider 34, the arm 38 and the hook portion 40 all remain in the same position
relative to the main body 26.
[0061] As illustrated in Figure 6, as soon as the slider 34 reaches an axial position beyond
the end opening 25, there is nothing to hold it in its intermediate position (between
the retracted and extended positions) and, hence, the compression spring 32 moves
it outwardly to the extended position illustrated in Figure 6.
[0062] Figure 6 illustrates another feature of the main body 26 which is arranged to secure
the slider 34 in its extended position against the continuing force of the compression
spring 32. In particular, one of the walls 28 forming the internal cavity 30 is shaped
so as to form a stop 60 for receiving the hook portion 40. The arm 38 is resiliently
biased away from the proximal end of the main body 26 such that the hook portion 40
is held against the generally axially facing wall 28 between the catch 42 and the
stop 60. The stop 60 is formed as a step with a surface orientated generally perpendicular
to the direction of movement of the slider 34. The hook portion 40 extends in a generally
axial direction and engages with that surface of the stop 60 such that the hook portion
40 and, hence, arm 38 and slider 34 is prevented from further movement. In this way,
the slider 34 is surely stopped at a predefined position, namely the extended position.
[0063] If a user wishes to uninstall a roller, it is possible to manually push the slider
34 back into the main body 26 from the extended position to the retracted position.
In the illustrated embodiment, the wall 28 of the main body 26 between the stop 60
and catch 42 is arranged as a guide surface 62 which progresses gradually towards
the proximal end of the main body 26 as it progresses from the stop 60 to the catch
42. In this way, as the slider 34 is moved towards its retracted position and the
arm 38 and hook portion 40 are moved in the same direction towards the catch 42, the
second end 38b of the arm 38 with the hook portion 40 is forced towards the proximal
end of the main body 26 until the hook portion 40 has been moved beyond the catch
42. At this time and position, the arm 38 moves the hook portion 40 towards the distal
end of the main body 26, such that the hook portion 40 engages with the catch 42 on
a side of the catch opposite to the stop 60.
[0064] With the end mounting back in its latched and retracted state, the user can slide
the end cap 24 and roller towards the bracket 22 so that the main body 26 is once
again fully encompassed in the end opening 25 and such that the opposite end of the
roller can be uninstalled.
1. An end mounting for supporting the roller of a cover for an architectural opening,
the end mounting including:
a main body of substantially constant cross-section extending axially from a proximal
end for mounting adjacent an architectural opening to a distal end for insertion into
an end opening of a roller; and
a slider mounted in the main body at an axial location towards the proximal end of
the main body and movable between a retracted position wholly within the cross-section
of the main body and an extended position in which at least part of the slider protrudes
outside the cross-section of the main body such that, with the slider in the retracted
position, substantially all of the main body can be inserted into the end opening
of the roller and, with the slider in the extended position, the main body is prevented
by the slider from being inserted into the end opening of the roller beyond the slider.
2. An end mounting according to claim 1 further including a bias mechanism for biasing
the slider from the retracted position to the extended position.
3. An end mounting according to claim 2 wherein:
the bias mechanism includes a compression spring;
the main body includes walls defining an internal cavity for housing the compression
spring and receiving the slider; and
the compression spring is arranged to act between one of the walls and the slider
so as to bias the slider from the retracted position to the extended position.
4. An end mounting according to claim 2 or 3 further including:
a latch mechanism for latching the slider in the retracted position against the bias
of the bias mechanism.
5. An end mounting according to claim 4 wherein:
the latch mechanism includes a release member movable axially towards the proximal
end from a latched position to a released position whereby, with the release member
in the released position, the latch mechanism unlatches the slider.
6. An end mounting according to claim 5 wherein:
the main body includes, at the distal end, an axially facing recessed end wall defining
an opening through which the release member extends.
7. An end mounting according to claim 5 or 6 wherein:
the main body includes a catch; and
the latch mechanism includes an arm extending from the slider at a first end to a
hook portion at a second end, the hook portion being arranged to engage with the catch
so as to latch the slider in the retracted position.
8. An end mounting according to claim 7 wherein:
the second end of the arm and the hook portion are movable relative to the main body
so as to disengage the hook portion from the catch and unlatch the slider.
9. An end mounting according to claim 7 or 8 wherein:
the release member is provided on the second end of the arm.
10. An end mounting according to claim 7, 8 or 9 wherein:
the arm is a resilient member connected at the first end to the slider.
11. An end mounting according to any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein:
the main body includes a stop arranged to receive the hook portion when the slider
is in the extended position such that, after the latch mechanism unlatches the slider
by disengaging the hook portion from the catch and the slider has moved to the extended
position, the hook portion is received by the stop and prevents the bias mechanism
from moving the slider beyond the extended position.
12. An end mounting according to any one of claims 6 to 11 further including:
a support shaft extending axially from the recessed end wall so as to define with
the main body an axially facing peripheral channel within which the release member
may be accessed.
13. An end mounting according to any preceding claim wherein:
the cross-section of the main body is substantially circular so as to act as a bearing
for the roller.
14. An end mounting according to any preceding claim further including:
a bracket for attachment to a surround of an architectural opening wherein the main
body is mounted to the bracket.
15. An end mounting according to any preceding claim in combination with a roller for
a cover for an architectural opening, the roller including:
a roller end defining an inwardly extending opening having a cross-section corresponding
to the cross-section of the main body such that the main body can be received substantially
entirely within the opening when the slider is in the retracted position and be received
up to the slider when the slider is in the extended position.
16. An end mounting in combination with a roller according to claim 15 when dependent
on claim 5 wherein the roller further includes:
a trigger member extending in an axial direction within the opening and arranged to
engage with the release member once the slider is at least partly within the opening
such that further movement of the main body into the opening causes the trigger member
to move the release member towards the proximal end of the main body and unlatch the
slider.
17. An end mounting in combination with a roller according to claim 16 when dependent
on claim 12 wherein:
the trigger member comprises an axially extending wall at least partly surrounding
an axial passageway for receiving the support shaft.
18. A method of securing the roller of an architectural opening covering between two end
mountings, the method including:
providing at least one end mounting with a main body of substantially constant cross-section
for insertion into an end opening of one end of the roller;
mounting a slider in the main body so as to be movable between a retracted position
entirely within the cross-section of the main body and an extended position in which
at least part of the slider protrudes outside the cross-section of the main body;
arranging the slider in the retracted position;
positioning the one end of the roller on the at least one end mounting with the main
body entirely within the end opening;
fitting the other end of the roller to the other of the two end mountings by moving
the roller axially to expose the slider; and
moving the slider to the extended position such that the main body is prevented by
the slider from being inserted into the end opening of the roller beyond the slider
so as to maintain the axial position of the roller and maintain the other end of the
roller on the other end mounting.