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<ep-patent-document id="EP10252067B1" file="EP10252067NWB1.xml" lang="en" country="EP" doc-number="2336478" kind="B1" date-publ="20200513" status="n" dtd-version="ep-patent-document-v1-5">
<SDOBI lang="en"><B000><eptags><B001EP>ATBECHDEDKESFRGBGRITLILUNLSEMCPTIESILTLVFIROMKCYALTRBGCZEEHUPLSK..HRIS..MTNORS..SM..................</B001EP><B005EP>J</B005EP><B007EP>BDM Ver 1.7.2 (20 November 2019) -  2100000/0</B007EP></eptags></B000><B100><B110>2336478</B110><B120><B121>EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION</B121></B120><B130>B1</B130><B140><date>20200513</date></B140><B190>EP</B190></B100><B200><B210>10252067.3</B210><B220><date>20101207</date></B220><B240><B241><date>20151209</date></B241><B242><date>20171218</date></B242></B240><B250>en</B250><B251EP>en</B251EP><B260>en</B260></B200><B300><B310>09015471</B310><B320><date>20091215</date></B320><B330><ctry>EP</ctry></B330></B300><B400><B405><date>20200513</date><bnum>202020</bnum></B405><B430><date>20110622</date><bnum>201125</bnum></B430><B450><date>20200513</date><bnum>202020</bnum></B450><B452EP><date>20191211</date></B452EP></B400><B500><B510EP><classification-ipcr sequence="1"><text>E06B   9/322       20060101AFI20150504BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr><classification-ipcr sequence="2"><text>E06B   9/323       20060101ALI20150504BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr></B510EP><B540><B541>de</B541><B542>Fixierung einer Seilspulenhalterung</B542><B541>en</B541><B542>Fixation of a cord spool support</B542><B541>fr</B541><B542>Fixation d'un support de bobine de corde</B542></B540><B560><B561><text>GB-A- 931 344</text></B561><B561><text>US-A- 5 996 667</text></B561><B561><text>US-A1- 2007 056 692</text></B561></B560></B500><B700><B720><B721><snm>Dekker, Nicolaas</snm><adr><str>Jadelaan 37</str><city>3162 PA Rhoon</city><ctry>NL</ctry></adr></B721></B720><B730><B731><snm>Hunter Douglas Industries B.V.</snm><iid>101028463</iid><irf>N.112632 SLS/tm</irf><adr><str>Piekstraat 2</str><city>3071 EL Rotterdam</city><ctry>NL</ctry></adr></B731></B730><B740><B741><snm>J A Kemp LLP</snm><iid>101669666</iid><adr><str>14 South Square 
Gray's Inn</str><city>London WC1R 5JJ</city><ctry>GB</ctry></adr></B741></B740></B700><B800><B840><ctry>AL</ctry><ctry>AT</ctry><ctry>BE</ctry><ctry>BG</ctry><ctry>CH</ctry><ctry>CY</ctry><ctry>CZ</ctry><ctry>DE</ctry><ctry>DK</ctry><ctry>EE</ctry><ctry>ES</ctry><ctry>FI</ctry><ctry>FR</ctry><ctry>GB</ctry><ctry>GR</ctry><ctry>HR</ctry><ctry>HU</ctry><ctry>IE</ctry><ctry>IS</ctry><ctry>IT</ctry><ctry>LI</ctry><ctry>LT</ctry><ctry>LU</ctry><ctry>LV</ctry><ctry>MC</ctry><ctry>MK</ctry><ctry>MT</ctry><ctry>NL</ctry><ctry>NO</ctry><ctry>PL</ctry><ctry>PT</ctry><ctry>RO</ctry><ctry>RS</ctry><ctry>SE</ctry><ctry>SI</ctry><ctry>SK</ctry><ctry>SM</ctry><ctry>TR</ctry></B840><B880><date>20150610</date><bnum>201524</bnum></B880></B800></SDOBI>
<description id="desc" lang="en"><!-- EPO <DP n="1"> -->
<p id="p0001" num="0001">The invention relates to the fixation of a cord spool support in the head rail of a window covering which can be extended and retracted, whereby the window covering is a Roman shade.</p>
<p id="p0002" num="0002">A Roman shade typically has had a longitudinally-elongated head rail which holds two or more, longitudinally-extending cord spools above a longitudinally-extending bottom opening in the head rail. The cord spools have been adapted to wind and unwind lift cords to open and close the shade. In this regard, each lift cord has extended downwardly from a cord spool, through the bottom opening in the head rail, and has been attached to a bottom bar of the shade. A longitudinal end of each cord spool has been rotatably mounted in a support that is attached to an interior surface of the head rail. A rotatable longitudinally-elongated rod has extended axially through each cord spool, to support the spools and enable a user of the shade to rotate the spools with rotation of the rod in order to wind and unwind lift cords and thereby to raise and lower the shade. To hold each support securely on the end of a cord spool, the support has been held by a screw to a surface of the head rail. See, for example, <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US5996667A"><text>US 5 996 667</text></patcit>. Alternatively, <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="GB931344A"><text>GB 931,344 A</text></patcit> describes a stationary base for supporting the cylinder or drum of a venetian blind. The base includes a bearing portion for a guide roller which is inserted into a recess of the headrail of the venetian blind. The bearing includes a lip which engages an edge of that recess. A U-shaped spring is mounted in a recess of the base and presses against the recess of the base to hold the lip of the bearing in position.</p>
<p id="p0003" num="0003">However, It has been difficult and costly to properly screw each support into the head rail so that the support properly holds the end of a cord spool, so that it can be rotated to wind and unwind a lift cord. Moreover, if the placement of a support in a head rail has not been properly done, relative to the end of the cord spool that it is to support, it has been difficult and costly to correct the problem.</p>
<p id="p0004" num="0004">Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a method of fixing a cord spool support in the head rail or bottom rail of a window covering, so that the support and its cord spool are securely held against horizontal or vertical movement, but nevertheless, their positions can be adjusted longitudinally to properly hold the spool adjacent a longitudinally-extending opening in the rail.<!-- EPO <DP n="2"> --></p>
<p id="p0005" num="0005">According to the present invention, there is provided a method of fixing a cord support in a longitudinally-elongated head rail of a Roman Shade as defined in appended claim 1 and a Roman shade as defined in appended claim 7.</p>
<p id="p0006" num="0006">Advantageously, the base portion of the spring is slidable vertically in the groove of the cord spool, so that the base portion is also biased against, and frictionally engages, the horizontal top interior surface of the rail. Also advantageously, the spring is a spring steel, and its ends terminate in sharp circular edges.</p>
<p id="p0007" num="0007">Further advantageous aspects of the invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the claims. The invention will now be described in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
<ul id="ul0001" list-style="dash" compact="compact">
<li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> is a front view of the U-shaped spring of the invention, showing it extending longitudinally and upwardly;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 2</figref> is a side view of the U-shaped spring of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> from a longitudinal end;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 3</figref> is a front view of a cord spool support holding one longitudinal end of a longitudinally-extending cord spool and the horizontally-extending portion of the U-shaped spring of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 4</figref> is a laterally-extending sectional view of the cord spool support shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 3</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 5</figref> is a perspective view of a head rail of a Roman shade in which are the spring and cord spool support of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 3</figref> and the support holding one end of the cord spool of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 3</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 6</figref> is a perspective view of the head rail of <figref idref="f0002">Figure 5</figref>, with the ends of the spring biased against the bottom surface of the head rail about its longitudinally-extending opening; and<!-- EPO <DP n="3"> --></li>
<li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 7</figref> is a longitudinally-extending sectional view of the head rail of <figref idref="f0002">Figure 6</figref>, showing a lift cord wound about the cord spool and extending downwardly from the cord spool thorough the head rail's longitudinally-extending bottom opening.</li>
</ul></p>
<p id="p0008" num="0008"><figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1 and 2</figref> show a generally planar, U-shaped metal wire spring, generally 10, of this invention. The spring has a horizontally-extending base portion 12, two generally vertically-extending arm portions 14 attached to the horizontally-extending base portion 12, and two acutely-angled arm portions 16 which are attached to the vertically-extending arm portions 14, extend away from the horizontally extending base portion 12 and terminate in ends 18 with sharp edges. Both of the spring's vertically-extending arm portions 14 also preferably have inwardly-bent curved portions 20. The spring 10 can be made of conventional spring steel wire, preferably having a round cross-section with a diameter in the range of 0.6 - 1.5 mm. The spring ends 18 are preferably cut perpendicular to the axis of the spring wire, so that the circular edges of the ends are sharp.</p>
<p id="p0009" num="0009">As discussed below and shown in <figref idref="f0002 f0003">Figures 5-7</figref>, the spring 10 is adapted to be used in a longitudinally-elongated, metal or plastic, preferably aluminum, head rail, generally 30, of a Roman shade (not shown). In use, the spring's horizontally-extending base portion 12 will preferably extend longitudinally, and the spring's vertically-extending arm portions 14 and acutely-angled arm portions 16 will preferably extend downwardly.</p>
<p id="p0010" num="0010"><figref idref="f0001">Figures 3 and 4</figref> show a cord spool support, generally 40 which can be used with the spring 10 in the head rail 30. The top 42 of the support 40, adjacent a lateral side 44, has a downwardly- and longitudinally-extending groove 46. In use, the spring's horizontally-extending base portion 12 is seated in the groove 46 of the support 40. Preferably, the depth of the groove 46 is only slightly greater than the diameter of the base portion 12 of the spring 10. It is also preferred that the spring's base portion 12 can slide vertically in the support's groove 46.</p>
<p id="p0011" num="0011">As shown in <figref idref="f0002 f0003">Figures 5-7</figref>, the cord spool support 40 can be slid through the open longitudinal ends 32, 34 of the head rail 30 to fit snugly within the head rail with the top and bottom 42, 48 of the support closely adjacent to the horizontal, top and bottom, interior surfaces 36, 38, respectively, of the head rail. When the support 40 is inserted within the head rail, the groove 46 of the support can hold the horizontally-extending base portion 12 of the spring 10 with its vertically-extending arm portions 14 and acutely-angled arm portions 16 extending downwardly and its ends 18 in contact with, and<!-- EPO <DP n="4"> --> bearing forcibly against, the bottom interior surface 38 of the head rail. The inwardly-bent curved portions 20 of the spring are adjacent to longitudinally-opposite sides 50, 52 of the support 40. The inwardly-bent curved portions 20 of the spring's vertically-extending arm portions 14 preferably are separated longitudinally by a distance equal to the longitudinal distance between the opposite sides 50, 52 of the support 40. Thereby, the inwardly-bent curved portions 20 of the spring 10 can hold the support 40 against longitudinal movement between the spring's vertically-extending arm portions 14 within the head rail 30.</p>
<p id="p0012" num="0012">The height of the spring 10, when relaxed, is significantly greater than the height of the cord spool support 40 and the interior of the head rail 30. Preferably, the vertical height of the spring is at least 6-15% greater than the vertical height of the interior of the head rail. As a result, when the cord spool support 40, holding the spring 10, is fit closely within the head rail 30, the spring ends 18 will be biased downwardly against the bottom interior surface 38 of the head rail, and the spring base portion 12 will be biased upwardly against the top interior surface 36 of the head rail. As a result, the spring ends 18 and the spring base portion 12 will frictionally engage the head rail's bottom and top, interior surfaces 38, 36. In particular, the sharp circular edges of the ends 18 of the spring's acutely-angled arm portions 16 will grip tightly the head rail's bottom interior surface 38 to prevent the cord spool support 40 from moving significantly in a longitudinal direction within the head rail but will allow some adjustment of the longitudinal position of the support relative to an adjacent longitudinal end 60 of a cord spool 62.</p>
<p id="p0013" num="0013"><figref idref="f0003">Figure 7</figref> shows the use of the cord spool support 40, holding the spring 10 of the invention, in the head rail 30 of a Roman shade. The support 40 holds, in a conventional manner, a longitudinal end 60 of a longitudinally-extending cord spool 62, so that the spool can be rotated by a user-operated, longitudinally-elongated rotatable rod (not shown), extending axially through the spool. Rotation of the spool 62 can be used to wind up and unwind a vertically-extending lift cord 64 that is attached to the spool and extends downwardly from the spool through a longitudinally-extending opening 39 in the bottom of the head rail.</p>
<p id="p0014" num="0014">However, the head rail 30 of an actual Roman shade would typically have at lest two lift cords (not shown in <figref idref="f0003">Figure 7</figref>), each being attached to its own cord spool 62. A longitudinal end 60 of each spool 62 would be supported by a support 40, holding its<!-- EPO <DP n="5"> --> own spring 10. Each lift cord 64 would extend downwardly from its spool 62 through the opening 39 in the bottom of the head rail.</p>
</description>
<claims id="claims01" lang="en"><!-- EPO <DP n="6"> -->
<claim id="c-en-01-0001" num="0001">
<claim-text>A method of fixing a cord spool support (40) in a longitudinally-elongated head rail (30) of a window covering, so that the support (40) holds an end of a longitudinally-extending cord spool (62) adjacent to a longitudinally-extending opening in the rail (30), the method including:
<claim-text>providing the support (40) with a longitudinally- and vertically-extending groove (46) in a top surface at a lateral side; and seating in the groove (46) a horizontally-extending base portion (12) of a generally planar, U-shaped metal wire spring (10), having two generally vertically-extending arm portions (14) attached to the base portion (12) and two acutely-angled arm portions (16) which are attached to the vertically-extending arm portions (14);</claim-text>
<claim-text>wherein the acutely-angled arm portions (16) extend away from the base portion (12) and terminate in ends (18) with sharp edges; and</claim-text>
<claim-text>wherein the vertical height of the spring (10), when relaxed, is greater than the vertical height of the support (40) and of the interior of the rail (30), so that the sharp edges of its two acutely-angled arm portions (16) are biased against, and frictionally engage, a horizontal interior surface of the rail (30);</claim-text>
<claim-text>wherein the window covering is a Roman shade; and</claim-text>
<claim-text>the horizontal interior surface of the head rail (30), engaged by the ends (18) of the spring (10) with sharp edges, is its bottom interior surface and the vertically-extending portions (14) and the acutely-angled portions (16) of the spring (10) extend downwardly from the horizontally-extending portion of the spring (10).</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0002" num="0002">
<claim-text>The method of claim 1 wherein the two generally vertically-extending arm portions (14) are closely adjacent to longitudinally-opposite sides (50,52) of the support (40).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0003" num="0003">
<claim-text>The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the base portion (12) of the spring (10) is slidable vertically in the groove (46) of the support (40), so that the base portion (12) is biased against, and frictionally engages, a horizontal top interior surface (36) of the rail (30).<!-- EPO <DP n="7"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0004" num="0004">
<claim-text>The method of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the spring (10) is a spring steel and its ends terminate in sharp circular edges.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0005" num="0005">
<claim-text>The method of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the vertical height of the spring (10) is at least 6-15% greater than the height of the interior of the head rail (30).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0006" num="0006">
<claim-text>The method of any one of claims 1-5 wherein there are two or more cord spool supports (40), each holding a longitudinal end (60) of one of a plurality of longitudinally-extending cord spools (62) adjacent the opening in the rail; each support (40) having a longitudinally- and vertically-extending groove (46) in a top surface at a lateral side, and in each groove (46) is seated a horizontally-extending base portion (12) of a generally planar, U-shaped metal wire spring (10) having two generally vertically-extending arm portions (14) attached to the base portion (12) and two acutely-angled arm portions (16) which are attached to the vertically-extending arm portions (14), extend away from the base portion (12) and terminate in ends (18) with sharp edges.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0007" num="0007">
<claim-text>A Roman shade having:
<claim-text>a longitudinally-elongated head rail (30);</claim-text>
<claim-text>a cord spool support (40) for holding an end of a longitudinally-extending cord spool (62) adjacent to a longitudinally-extending opening in the rail, the support (40) being provided with a longitudinally- and vertically-extending groove (46) in a top surface at a lateral side; and</claim-text>
<claim-text>seated in the groove (46), a horizontally-extending base portion (12) of a generally planar, U-shaped metal wire spring (10), having two generally vertically-extending arm portions (14) attached to the base portion (12) and two acutely-angled arm portions (16) which are attached to the vertically-extending arm portions (14);</claim-text>
<claim-text>wherein the acutely-angled arm portions (16) extend away from the base portion (12) and terminate in ends (18) with sharp edges; and</claim-text>
<claim-text>wherein the vertical height of the spring (10), when relaxed, is greater than the vertical height of the support (40) and of the rail (30), so that the sharp edges of its two acutely-angled arm portions (16) are biased against, and frictionally engage, a horizontal interior surface of the rail (30); wherein the horizontal interior surface of the head rail (30), engaged by the ends (18) of the spring (10) with sharp edges, is its bottom interior surface and the vertically-extending portions (14) and the acutely-angled portions (16) of the spring (10) extend downwardly from the horizontally-extending portion of the spring (10).</claim-text><!-- EPO <DP n="8"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0008" num="0008">
<claim-text>The Roman shade of claim 7 wherein the two generally vertically-extending arm portions (14) are closely adjacent to longitudinally-opposite sides (50,52) of the support (40).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0009" num="0009">
<claim-text>The Roman shade of claim 7 or 8 wherein the base portion (12) of the spring (10) is slidable vertically in the groove (46) of the support (40), so that the base portion (12) is biased against, and frictionally engages, a horizontal top interior surface (36) of the rail (30).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0010" num="0010">
<claim-text>The Roman shade of claims 7, 8 or 9 wherein the spring (10) is a spring steel and its ends terminate in sharp circular edges.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0011" num="0011">
<claim-text>The Roman shade of any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the vertical height of the spring (10) is at least 6-15% greater than the height of the interior of the head rail (30).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0012" num="0012">
<claim-text>The Roman shade of any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein there are two or more cord spool supports (40), each holding a longitudinal end (60) of one of a plurality of longitudinally-extending cord spools (62) adjacent the opening in the rail; each support (40) having a longitudinally- and vertically-extending groove (46) in a top surface at a lateral side, and in each groove (46) is seated a horizontally-extending base portion (12) of a generally planar, U-shaped metal wire spring (10) having two generally vertically-extending arm portions (14) attached to the base portion (12) and two acutely-angled arm portions (16) which are attached to the vertically-extending arm portions (14), extend away from the base portion (12) and terminate in ends (18) with sharp edges.</claim-text></claim>
</claims>
<claims id="claims02" lang="de"><!-- EPO <DP n="9"> -->
<claim id="c-de-01-0001" num="0001">
<claim-text>Verfahren zum Befestigen eines Schnurspulenträgers (40) in einer in Längsrichtung länglichen Kopfschiene (30) einer Fensterabdeckung, sodass der Träger (40) ein Ende einer sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Schnurspule (62) anliegend an einer sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Öffnung in der Schiene (30) hält, das Verfahren beinhaltend:
<claim-text>Bereitstellen des Trägers (40) mit einer sich in Längs- und Vertikalrichtung erstreckenden Nut (46) in einer oberen Fläche an einer lateralen Seite; und Setzen in die Nut (46) eines sich horizontal erstreckenden Basisabschnitts (12) einer generell planaren, U-förmigen Metalldrahtfeder (10), mit zwei sich generell vertikal erstreckenden Armabschnitten (14), die an dem Basisabschnitt (12) angebracht sind, und zwei spitzwinklige Armabschnitte (16), die an den sich vertikal erstreckenden Armabschnitten (14) angebracht sind, aufweist;</claim-text>
<claim-text>wobei sich die spitzwinkligen Armabschnitte (16) weg von dem Basisabschnitt (12) erstrecken und in Enden (18) mit scharfen Kanten enden; und</claim-text>
<claim-text>wobei die vertikale Höhe der Feder (10), wenn sie entspannt ist, größer ist als die vertikale Höhe des Trägers (40) und der Innenseite der Schiene (30), sodass die scharfen Kanten ihrer zwei spitzwinkligen Armabschnitte (16) gegen eine horizontale Innenfläche der Schiene (30) vorgespannt sind und mit dieser in Reibungseingriff sind;</claim-text>
<claim-text>wobei die Fensterabdeckung ein Raffrollo ist; und</claim-text>
<claim-text>die horizontale Innenfläche der Kopfschiene (30), die von den Enden (18) der Feder (10) mit scharfen Kanten eingegriffen ist, ihre untere Innenfläche ist und die sich vertikal erstreckenden Abschnitte (14) und die spitzwinkligen Abschnitte (16) der Feder (10) sich von dem sich horizontal erstreckenden Abschnitt der Feder (10) abwärts erstrecken.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0002" num="0002">
<claim-text>Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die zwei sich generell vertikal erstreckenden Armabschnitte (14) eng an den in Längsrichtung gegenüberliegenden Seiten (50, 52) des Trägers (40) anliegen.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0003" num="0003">
<claim-text>Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Basisabschnitt (12) der Feder (10) vertikal in der Nut (46) des Trägers (40) verschiebbar ist, sodass der Basisabschnitt<!-- EPO <DP n="10"> --> (12) gegen eine horizontale obere Innenfläche (36) der Schiene (30) vorgespannt ist und mit dieser in Reibungseingriff ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0004" num="0004">
<claim-text>Verfahren nach den Ansprüchen 1, 2 oder 3, wobei die Feder (10) ein Federstahl ist und ihre Enden in scharfen kreisförmigen Kanten enden.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0005" num="0005">
<claim-text>Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die vertikale Höhe der Feder (10) mindestens 6-15 % größer ist als die Höhe der Innenseite der Kopfschiene (30).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0006" num="0006">
<claim-text>Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1-5, wobei es zwei oder mehr Schnurspulenträger (40) gibt, die jeweils ein Längsende (60) einer von einer Vielzahl von sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Schnurspulen (62) anliegend an der Öffnung in der Schiene halten; wobei jeder Träger (40) eine sich in Längs- und Vertikalrichtung erstreckende Nut (46) in einer oberen Fläche auf einer lateralen Seite aufweist und in jeder Nut (46) ein sich horizontal erstreckender Basisabschnitt (12) einer generell planaren, U-förmigen Metalldrahtfeder (10) sitzt, die zwei sich generell vertikal erstreckende Armabschnitte (14) aufweist, die an dem Basisabschnitt (12) angebracht sind, und zwei spitzwinklige Armabschnitte (16), die an den vertikal erstreckenden Armabschnitten (14) angebracht sind, sich weg von dem Basisabschnitt (12) erstrecken und in Enden (18) mit scharfen Kanten enden.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0007" num="0007">
<claim-text>Raffrollo, der folgendes aufweist:
<claim-text>eine in Längsrichtung längliche Kopfschiene (30);</claim-text>
<claim-text>ein Schnurspulenträger (40) zum Halten eines Endes einer sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Schnurspule (62) anliegend an einer sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Öffnung in der Schiene, wobei der Träger (40) mit einer sich in Längs- und Vertikalrichtung erstreckenden Nut (46) in einer oberen Fläche auf einer lateralen Seite versehen ist; und</claim-text>
<claim-text>sitzend in der Nut (46), einen sich horizontal erstreckenden Basisabschnitt (12) einer generell planaren, U-förmigen Metalldrahtfeder (10), mit zwei sich generell vertikal erstreckenden Armabschnitten (14), die an dem Basisabschnitt (12) angebracht sind, und zwei spitzwinklige Armabschnitte (16), die an den sich vertikal erstreckenden Armabschnitten (14) angebracht sind;<!-- EPO <DP n="11"> --></claim-text>
<claim-text>wobei sich die spitzwinkligen Armabschnitte (16) weg von dem Basisabschnitt (12) erstrecken und in Enden (18) mit scharfen Kanten enden; und</claim-text>
<claim-text>wobei die vertikale Höhe der Feder (10), wenn sie entspannt ist, größer ist als die vertikale Höhe des Trägers (40) und der Schiene (30), sodass die scharfen Kanten ihrer zwei spitzwinkligen Armabschnitte (16) gegen eine horizontale Innenfläche der Schiene (30) vorgespannt sind und mit dieser in Reibungseingriff sind; wobei die horizontale Innenfläche der Kopfschiene (30), die von den Enden (18) der Feder (10) mit scharfen Kanten eingegriffen ist, ihre untere Innenfläche ist und die sich vertikal erstreckenden Abschnitte (14) und die spitzwinkligen Abschnitte (16) der Feder (10) sich von dem sich horizontal erstreckenden Abschnitt der Feder (10) abwärts erstrecken.</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0008" num="0008">
<claim-text>Raffrollo nach Anspruch 7, wobei die zwei sich generell vertikal erstreckenden Armabschnitte (14) eng an den in Längsrichtung gegenüberliegenden Seiten (50, 52) des Trägers (40) anliegen.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0009" num="0009">
<claim-text>Raffrollo nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, wobei der Basisabschnitt (12) der Feder (10) vertikal in der Nut (46) des Trägers (40) verschiebbar ist, sodass der Basisabschnitt (12) gegen eine horizontale obere Innenfläche (36) der Schiene (30) vorgespannt ist und mit dieser in Reibungseingriff ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0010" num="0010">
<claim-text>Raffrollo nach den Ansprüchen 7, 8 oder 9, wobei die Feder (10) ein Federstahl ist und ihre Enden in scharfen kreisförmigen Kanten enden.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0011" num="0011">
<claim-text>Raffrollo nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 10, wobei die vertikale Höhe der Feder (10) mindestens 6-15 % größer ist als die Höhe der Innenseite der Kopfschiene (30).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0012" num="0012">
<claim-text>Raffrollo nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 11, wobei es zwei oder mehr Schnurspulenträger (40) gibt, die jeweils ein Längsende (60) einer von einer Vielzahl von sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Schnurspulen (62) anliegend an der Öffnung in der Schiene halten; wobei jeder Träger (40) eine sich in Längs- und Vertikalrichtung erstreckende Nut (46) in einer oberen Fläche auf einer lateralen Seite aufweist und in jeder Nut (46) ein sich horizontal erstreckender Basisabschnitt (12) einer generell planaren, U-förmigen Metalldrahtfeder (10) sitzt, die zwei sich generell vertikal erstreckende<!-- EPO <DP n="12"> --> Armabschnitte (14) aufweist, die an dem Basisabschnitt (12) angebracht sind, und zwei spitzwinklige Armabschnitte (16), die an den vertikal erstreckenden Armabschnitten (14) angebracht sind, sich weg von dem Basisabschnitt (12) erstrecken und in Enden (18) mit scharfen Kanten enden.</claim-text></claim>
</claims>
<claims id="claims03" lang="fr"><!-- EPO <DP n="13"> -->
<claim id="c-fr-01-0001" num="0001">
<claim-text>Procédé de fixation d'un support de bobine de cordon (40) dans un rail de tête allongé longitudinalement (30) d'un couvre-fenêtre, de sorte que le support (40) maintienne une extrémité d'une bobine de cordon s'étendant longitudinalement (62) adjacente à une ouverture s'étendant longitudinalement dans le rail (30), le procédé incluant :
<claim-text>la fourniture au support (40) d'une rainure s'étendant longitudinalement et verticalement (46) dans une surface supérieure sur un côté latéral ; et le logement dans la rainure (46) d'une partie de base s'étendant horizontalement (12) d'un ressort en fil métallique en forme de U généralement plat (10), ayant deux parties de bras s'étendant généralement verticalement (14) fixées à la partie de base (12) et deux parties de bras à angle aigu (16) fixées aux parties de bras s'étendant verticalement (14) ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>dans lequel les parties de bras à angle aigu (16) s'étendent loin de la partie de base (12) et se terminent en extrémités (18) avec des arêtes vives ; et</claim-text>
<claim-text>dans lequel la hauteur verticale du ressort (10), lorsqu'il est détendu, est supérieure à la hauteur verticale du support (40) et de l'intérieur du rail (30), de sorte que les arêtes vives de ses deux parties de bras à angle aigu (16) sont sollicitées contre, et s'engagent par friction à, une surface intérieure horizontale du rail (30) ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>dans lequel le couvre-fenêtre est un store romain ; et</claim-text>
<claim-text>la surface intérieure horizontale du rail de tête (30), engagée par les extrémités (18) du ressort (10) avec des arêtes vives, est sa surface intérieure inférieure et les parties s'étendant verticalement (14) et les parties à angle aigu (16) du ressort (10) s'étendent vers le bas à partir de la partie s'étendant horizontalement du ressort (10).</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0002" num="0002">
<claim-text>Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les deux parties de bras s'étendant généralement verticalement (14) sont étroitement adjacentes aux côtés longitudinalement opposés (50,52) du support (40).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0003" num="0003">
<claim-text>Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel la partie de base (12) du ressort (10) peut coulisser verticalement dans la rainure (46) du support (40), de sorte que la partie de base (12) est sollicitée contre, et engage par friction une surface intérieure supérieure horizontale (36) du rail (30).<!-- EPO <DP n="14"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0004" num="0004">
<claim-text>Procédé selon les revendications 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel le ressort (10) est un acier à ressort et ses extrémités se terminent par des arêtes circulaires vives.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0005" num="0005">
<claim-text>Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel la hauteur verticale du ressort (10) est au moins 6 à 15% supérieure à la hauteur de l'intérieur du rail de tête (30).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0006" num="0006">
<claim-text>Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel il y a au moins deux supports de bobine de cordon (40), chacun maintenant une extrémité longitudinale (60) de l'une d'une pluralité de bobines de cordon s'étendant longitudinalement (62) adjacentes à l'ouverture. dans le rail ; chaque support (40) ayant une rainure s'étendant longitudinalement et verticalement (46) dans une surface supérieure sur un côté latéral, et dans chaque rainure (46) est logée une partie de base s'étendant horizontalement (12) d'un ressort en fil métallique en forme de U généralement plat (10) ayant deux parties de bras s'étendant généralement verticalement (14) fixées à la partie de base (12) et deux parties de bras à angle aigu (16) fixées aux parties de bras s'étendant verticalement (14), s'étendent loin de la partie de base (12) et se terminent par des extrémités (18) avec des arêtes vives.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0007" num="0007">
<claim-text>Store romain ayant :
<claim-text>un rail de tête allongé longitudinalement (30) ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>un support de bobine de cordon (40) pour maintenir une extrémité d'une bobine de cordon s'étendant longitudinalement (62) adjacente à une ouverture s'étendant longitudinalement dans le rail, le support (40) étant pourvu d'une rainure s'étendant longitudinalement et verticalement (46) dans une surface supérieure d'un côté latéral ; et</claim-text>
<claim-text>logée dans la rainure (46), une partie de base s'étendant horizontalement (12) d'un ressort en fil métallique en forme de U généralement plat (10), ayant deux parties de bras s'étendant généralement verticalement (14) fixées à la partie de base (12) et deux parties de bras à angle aigu (16) fixées aux parties de bras s'étendant verticalement (14) ;</claim-text>
<claim-text>dans lequel les parties de bras à angle aigu (16) s'étendent loin de la partie de base (12) et se terminent en extrémités (18) avec des arêtes vives ; et<!-- EPO <DP n="15"> --></claim-text>
<claim-text>dans lequel la hauteur verticale du ressort (10), lorsqu'il est détendu, est supérieure à la hauteur verticale du support (40) et du rail (30), de sorte que les arêtes vives de ses deux parties de bras à angle aigu (16) sont sollicitées contre, et s'engagent par friction à, une surface intérieure horizontale du rail (30) ; dans lequel la surface intérieure horizontale du rail de tête (30), engagée par les extrémités (18) du ressort (10) avec des arêtes vives, est sa surface intérieure inférieure et les parties s'étendant verticalement (14) et les parties à angle aigu (16) du ressort (10) s'étendent vers le bas depuis la partie s'étendant horizontalement du ressort (10).</claim-text></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0008" num="0008">
<claim-text>Store romain selon la revendication 7, dans lequel les deux parties de bras s'étendant généralement verticalement (14) sont étroitement adjacentes aux côtés longitudinalement opposés (50,52) du support (40).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0009" num="0009">
<claim-text>Store romain selon la revendication 7 ou 8, dans lequel la partie de base (12) du ressort (10) peut coulisser verticalement dans la rainure (46) du support (40), de sorte que la partie de base (12) est sollicitée contre et engage par friction une surface intérieure supérieure horizontale (36) du rail (30).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0010" num="0010">
<claim-text>Store romain selon les revendications 7, 8 ou 9, dans lequel le ressort (10) est un acier à ressort et ses extrémités se terminent par des arêtes circulaires vives.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0011" num="0011">
<claim-text>Store romain selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 10, dans lequel la hauteur verticale du ressort (10) est au moins 6 à 15% supérieure à la hauteur de l'intérieur du rail de tête (30).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0012" num="0012">
<claim-text>Store romain selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 11, dans lequel il y a deux ou plusieurs supports de bobine de cordon (40), chacun maintenant une extrémité longitudinale (60) de l'une d'une pluralité de bobines de cordon s'étendant longitudinalement (62) adjacente à l'ouverture dans le rail ; chaque support (40) ayant une rainure s'étendant longitudinalement et verticalement (46) dans une surface supérieure sur un côté latéral, et dans chaque rainure (46) est logée une partie de base s'étendant horizontalement (12) d'un ressort en fil métallique en forme de U généralement plat (10) ayant deux parties de bras s'étendant généralement verticalement (14) fixées à la partie de<!-- EPO <DP n="16"> --> base (12) et deux parties de bras à angle aigu (16) fixées aux parties de bras s'étendant verticalement (14), s'étendent loin de la partie de base (12) et se terminent par des extrémités (18) avec des arêtes vives.</claim-text></claim>
</claims>
<drawings id="draw" lang="en"><!-- EPO <DP n="17"> -->
<figure id="f0001" num="1,2,3,4"><img id="if0001" file="imgf0001.tif" wi="143" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="18"> -->
<figure id="f0002" num="5,6"><img id="if0002" file="imgf0002.tif" wi="165" he="221" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="19"> -->
<figure id="f0003" num="7"><img id="if0003" file="imgf0003.tif" wi="145" he="231" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure>
</drawings>
<ep-reference-list id="ref-list">
<heading id="ref-h0001"><b>REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION</b></heading>
<p id="ref-p0001" num=""><i>This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.</i></p>
<heading id="ref-h0002"><b>Patent documents cited in the description</b></heading>
<p id="ref-p0002" num="">
<ul id="ref-ul0001" list-style="bullet">
<li><patcit id="ref-pcit0001" dnum="US5996667A"><document-id><country>US</country><doc-number>5996667</doc-number><kind>A</kind></document-id></patcit><crossref idref="pcit0001">[0002]</crossref></li>
<li><patcit id="ref-pcit0002" dnum="GB931344A"><document-id><country>GB</country><doc-number>931344</doc-number><kind>A</kind></document-id></patcit><crossref idref="pcit0002">[0002]</crossref></li>
</ul></p>
</ep-reference-list>
</ep-patent-document>
