Device for fastening a guide cord of a screen to a surface

Abstract

 The invention relates to a device (1) for fastening at least one cord, in particular at least one cord (103) of a screen such as a window covering, to a surface (202). The device comprises a base (10) which is adapted for fixing to the surface and a cover (20) which is adapted for fastening of the cord. The cover and the base are adapted for releasable attachment to each other. According to the invention the device comprises a bayonet closure (11, 21) for releasable attachment of the cover to the base.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for fastening at least one cord or cable, in particular at least one cord of a screen such as a window covering, to a surface, comprising a base which is adapted for fixing to the surface and a cover which is adapted for fastening of the cord, wherein the cover and the base are adapted for releasable attachment to each other.

[0002] Such a device is known in the field. An example hereof is described in the European patent EP 152 6246. The known device takes a two-part form. The cover with the cord end is at least partially slidable over the base which is secured to the surface. An internal ratchet and pawl mechanism serves to lock the cover on the base.

[0003] The known device has the advantage that it enables tensioning of the cords in order to mount the whole device on the surface. The cord can first be fastened to the cover, and the cover is then attached to the base.

[0004] The invention has for its object to provide a device of the type stated in the preamble which has a different, improved releasable attachment between the cover and the base.

[0005] The device according to the invention has for this purpose the feature that the device comprises a bayonet closure for releasable attachment of the cover to the base.

[0006] The choice of a bayonet closure provides the device according to the invention with an exceptionally ergonomically favourable attachment. This is because the force a user has to exert to place the cover in the base lies in line with the tensioned cord. When the bayonet closure is placed together, the cover need only be rotated relative to the base, after which the device is assembled. The cover can be released from the base by performing these operations in reverse sequence. No tool is necessary.

[0007] It is noted for the sake of completeness that a device is likewise known from DE 9317094 and DE 19545316 for fastening at least one cord of a screen, such as a window covering, to a surface, comprising a base adapted for fixing to the surface and a cover adapted for passage of the cord, wherein the cover and the base are adapted for releasable attachment to each other. In these known devices the cord does not have to be fastened to the cover but to the base, and the cover serves only as finishing for the base. In DE 19545316 the cover can be fixed in hooking manner to the base. In DE 19545316 the cover can be clamped onto the base and the cover is then rotated relative to the base in order to arrange the cord in the cover and conceal it from view.

[0008] In a first embodiment of the device according to the invention the cover is adapted to fasten the cord substantially in line with the bayonet closure. The free end of the cover now forms a gripping surface, this further contributing toward the ergonomically favourable attachment.

[0009] According to a practical embodiment of the device, the bayonet closure comprises a protrusion arranged on the side of the cover to be directed toward the base and a recess arranged on the side of the base to be directed toward the cover, wherein the protrusion can be received form-fittingly in the recess and the cover can then be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the protrusion relative to the base. The protrusion now functions as a positioner which simplifies assembly.

[0010] According to a further highly reliable embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device is provided with an additional locking mechanism for locking the base and the cover in the assembled position. The locking mechanism is preferably a snap-lock.

[0011] According to a further elegant embodiment, the base and the cover are provided with complementarily shaped edges such that the device has a substantially closed housing in the assembled position. The cover now wholly covers the base and the closed housing imparts an aesthetic design to the device according to the invention.

[0012] In another embodiment the base is provided with a roughening on the side to be directed toward the surface. The roughening ensures that the base will not move relative to the surface during closing of the bayonet closure.

[0013] In a subsequent embodiment the base is provided with a further opening for passage of a fixing element, this further opening being slot-like. The slot-like opening provides an option for adjusting the position of the base relative to the surface.

[0014] In a further embodiment the opening in the cover is adapted for passage of a plurality of cords. This is particularly advantageous in the case of screens, such as window coverings, with a plurality of tensioned cords on a side of the covering. These cords can be tensioned collectively by means of one device according to invention.

[0015] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a screen provided with a device according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows the device of figure 1 in more detail;

Figures 3A to 3C show the device of figure 1 in different positions;

Figure 4A shows a bottom view of the device of figure 1; and

Figure 4B shows a bottom view of a variant of the device of figure 1.

[0016] Figure 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention as component of a screen 100. Screen 100 is arranged over an architectural opening. In the shown preferred embodiment screen 100 is a window covering, more particularly a pleated blind, arranged over a window of a building. Pleated blind 100 comprises a rail 101 to which a fabric 102 is attached. Cords 103 run from rail 101 through the fabric 102 to a base rail 104. From the base rail 104 the cords run in the direction of two tensioning shoes 1. The upper side of rail 101 is fixed to the upper side 201 of the window frame. The devices 1 according to the invention are fixed to the underside 202 of the window frame. Cords 103 are generally under tension. The tension on the cords can for instance be determined by a spring construction incorporated in rail 101.

[0017] Figure 2 shows device 1 of figure 1 in more detail in separated state. Device 1 comprises a housing consisting of two housing parts. The first housing part is a base 10 adapted for securing to a fixed surface, in this case the window frame surface 202. The second housing part 20 is a cover for at least partially covering base 10. The cover is provided with at least one opening 23 for passage of at least one cord, in this example cord 103. Cover 20 can also be designated as cord holder.

[0018] Cover 20 and base 10 are adapted for releasable attachment to each other. Device 1 according to the invention is provided for this purpose with a bayonet closure 11, 21. Diverse types of bayonet closure can be applied in device 1. In the shown preferred embodiment the bayonet closure comprises a recess 11 of a specific shape on base 10 and a protrusion 21 of a corresponding specific shape arranged on cover 20. The protrusion 21 can be received form-fittingly in recess 11 and by being rotated through an angle the cover 20 is locked relative to base 10. In the shown preferred embodiment the angle of rotation amounts to substantially 90 degrees.

[0019] Cord opening 23 and protrusion 21 are located in the vicinity of each other at the same outer end of cover 20 such that cord 103 extends substantially in line with protrusion 21. The rest of cover 20 now forms a free outer end for gripping by the user.

[0020] Figures 3A to 3C show device 1 in different positions.

[0021] In the shown preferred embodiment protrusion 21 has a foot 21A on either side of which wings 21 B are arranged. Wings 21 B extend over only a part of the height of foot 21A, in this case the lower part. Recess 11 is generally round and provided on the peripheral edge with two inward directed wings 11 B. The height of the inward directed wings 11B extends over only a part of the height, or depth, of the opening, in this case the upper part. Opening 11 in this way has a shape which is complementary to the shape of protrusion 21. Cover 20 can be attached to base 10 by inserting the protrusion 21 into recess 11. This position is shown in figure 3B. By rotating the cover 20 relative to base 10 the wings 21 B rotate under wings 11 B. Cover 20 is then locked onto base 10. The assembled position is shown in figure 3C.

[0022] An additional locking mechanism is arranged on device 1 and comprises a snap-lock formed by a snap element 14 and a correspondingly shaped recess 24. In the shown preferred embodiment snap element 14 is located on base 10 and recess 24 is located on cover 20. The snap connection can of course also take the reverse form.

[0023] Base 10 is also provided with upright edges 12 extending over a part of the length of the base. Cover 20 is likewise provided with upright edges 22 which likewise extend over a part of the length of cover 20. Edges 12 and 22 take a complementary form such that device 1 has a substantially closed housing in the assembled position.

[0024] Base 10 is provided with a further opening 13 for passage of a fixing element such as a screw 2 for fixing to the window frame surface 202. If desired, the chosen shape of opening 13 can be larger than the diameter of the screw thread so as to thus provide an adjustment option. By way of illustration, opening 13 is slot-like.

[0025] Opening 23 in cover 20 can if desired be adapted for passage of a plurality of cords. Opening 23 is for this purpose slot-shaped in the shown preferred embodiment.

[0026] On the side to be directed toward surface 202 the base 10 is optionally provided with a roughening 15.

[0027] Each cord has to be fastened to cover 20, which functions as cord holder. Fastening of the cord can take place in different ways. Two examples are illustrated in figures 4A and 4B. Figure 4A shows a bottom view of device 1. In this embodiment base 10 is provided with a wedge 25 and a screw 26. Cord 103 has to be trained round wedge 25 and clamped against the wedge by means of screw 26. In figure 4A the cord 103 is endless. Screw 26 is of course also suitable to clamp two separate cord ends against the wedge.

[0028] Figure 4B shows a bottom view of a variant 1' of the device of figure 1. This variant 1' differs from device 1 only in the manner of fastening the cord 103 to cover 20'. This takes place by training the cord end 103A round wedge 25 and tying a knot 103B therein.

[0029] It is noted for the sake of completeness that device 1 or 1' is also suitable for fastening of a tensioning cable, for instance of a freely suspended screen, to a surface.

[0030] Device 1 can of course also be fixed to the upper side 201 of the window frame if rail 101 is arranged movably in the opening.

[0031] The invention is not therefore limited to the described and shown preferred embodiments but extends to any embodiment falling within the scope of protection as defined in the claims and as seen in the light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. Device for fastening at least one cord or cable, in particular at least one cord of a screen such as a window covering, to a surface, comprising a base which is adapted for fixing to the surface and a cover which is adapted for fastening of the cord, wherein the cover and the base are adapted for releasable attachment to each other, characterized in that the device comprises a bayonet closure for releasable attachment of the cover to the base.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover is adapted to fasten the cord such that the cord runs substantially in line with the bayonet closure.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bayonet closure comprises a protrusion arranged on the side of the cover to be directed toward the base and a recess arranged on the side of the base to be directed toward the cover, wherein the protrusion can be received form-fittingly in the recess, and wherein the cover can then be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the protrusion relative to the base.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the device is provided with an additional locking mechanism for locking the base and the cover in the assembled position.

5. Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism is a snap-lock.

6. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the base and the cover are provided with complementarily shaped edges such that the device has a substantially closed housing in the assembled position.

7. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the base is provided with a roughening on the side to be directed toward the surface.

8. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the base is provided with a further opening for passage of a fixing element, this further opening being slot-like.

9. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the opening in the cover is adapted for passage of a plurality of cords.

Drawing