Image analysis system

• US 20090205787A1
• Filed: 02/03/2006
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Louver-Lite Limited
• Original Assignee: Louver-Lite Limited
• Inventors: Allsopp, Reginald Charles
• Granted Patent: US 8,074,698 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 160/84.10
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/527 Mounting of screens to window or door
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/264 Combinations of lamellar blinds with roller shutters, screen windows, windows, or double panes; Lamellar blinds with special devices
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/266 Devices or accessories for making or mounting lamellar blinds or parts thereof cleaning of lamellar blinds A47L4/00; joining plastics plates for making venetian blinds B29C66/437
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/323 Structure or support of upper box
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/42 Parts or details of roller blinds, e.g. suspension devices, blind boxes brackets or adjustable mountings for roller blinds and drawable curtains A47H1/13
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/54 Roller fly screens operating, guiding or securing devices therefor E06B9/56
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49901 Sequentially associating parts on stationary aligning means

Abstract

A window blind frame system is provided comprising a window blind secured to a frame and optionally at least one frame-securing clip for releasably retaining the frame in position relative to the window casing. The frame may comprise at least two angle joints connecting at least three extruded portions to form a substantially rigid structure, wherein a window blind may be attached to the frame and wherein the frame is configured to interact with a frame-securing clip which releasably retains the frame in position relative to a window casing. The components of the window blind frame system may be provided in kit form. Methods of assembly and fitting of the window blind frame system are also provided.

Claims

1. A frame for a window blind comprising at least two angle joints connecting at least three extruded portions to form a substantially rigid structure;

wherein said window blind may be attached to the frame and wherein the frame is configured to interact with a frame-securing clip comprising a flange for releasable insertion between a window casing and a glass pane within the window casing and a support extending from the flange having at least one engaging member, the engaging member being configured to releasably engage a frame.

3. A frame according to claim 1 wherein there are three extruded portions and three angle joints.

4. A frame according to claim 1 wherein there are four extruded portions and four angle joints.

5. A frame according to claim 1 wherein the each angle joint is at an angle in the range 10°

-170°

.

6. A frame of claim 1 wherein the angle joints are hidden during use by a cover.

7. A frame of claim 1 wherein the cover is made from a plastics or die cast material.

8. A window blind comprising a blind secured to the frame of claim 1.

9. A blind according to claim 8 which is releasably secured to the frame using frame-securing clips or screws.

10. A blind according to claim 8 wherein the blind is a pleated, roller or Venetian blind.

11. A blind according to claim 8 housed entirely within the frame.

12. A blind according to claim 8 additionally comprising a handle.

13. A blind according to claim 12 wherein the handle is at the moving edge of the blind.

14. A blind according to claim 12 wherein the handle is shaped to allow complete closure of the blind when secured to the frame.

56. A method of assembling a window blind containing frame according to claim 1 comprising the steps of:

a) inserting a first arm of an angle joint into a channel formed in a first extruded portion and securing the arm in position in the channel;

b) inserting a second arm of the angle joint into a channel formed in a second extruded portion and securing the arm in position in the channel; and

c) repeating steps a) and b) to until all extruded portions are secured in position relative to the other extruded portions; and

d) securing a window blind to a portion of the frame.

57. A method according to claim 56 further comprising the step of hiding each angle joint with a cover.

58. A method according to claim 56 further comprising the first step of creating co-operating slots in the extruded portions of the frame.

2. A frame for a window blind comprising at least two angle joints connecting at least three extruded portions to form a substantially rigid structure;

wherein said window blind may be attached to the frame and wherein the frame is configured to interact with a frame-securing clip comprising a flange for releasable insertion between a window casing and a glass pane within the window casing and a support extending from the flange having at least one engaging member, the engaging member being configured to retain the clip in position relative to a frame and including at least one portion which facilitates the positioning of the frame at a plurality of distances from the window casing.

15. A window blind frame system comprising a window blind secured to a frame and at least one frame-securing clip for releasably retaining the frame in position relative to the window casing.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the frame is retained in close contact with the window casing to provide an integrated appearance.

17. A system according to claim 15 mounted in a window casing which is at an angle between ±

90°

relative to vertical.

18. A system according to claim 17 mounted in a vertical window casing.

19. A system according to claim 15 wherein there are at least two frame-securing clips.

59. A method of fitting the window blind frame system according to claim 15 comprising the steps of

a) ascertaining the dimensions of a pane area of a window;

b) assembling a frame to fit within those dimensions;

c) securing a window blind to the frame;

d) inserting at least one frame-securing clip between the window casing and a glass pane within the window casing;

e) releasably retaining the frame in position relative to the window casing using the frame-securing clip.

20. A kit for making a window blind frame system comprising:

a frame-securing clip for securing a window blind frame to a window casing;

at least one extruded portion which may be cut to size according to the dimensions of a window for use in a frame; and

at least one angle joint configured to be received by a reciprocating channel in an extruded portion.

21. A kit according to claim 20 additionally comprising a cover for hiding the angle joint during use.

22. A kit according to claim 20 additionally comprising a positioning guide for allowing controlled positioning of the frame relative to the window casing.

23. A kit according to claim 20 additionally comprising the components for preparing a blind suitable for use with a frame made from the kit.

24. A kit according to claim 20 additionally comprising means for securing a blind to a frame made from the kit.

25. A kit according claim 20 wherein the components of the kit may be sold separately or together and wherein the components are sold in bulk.

26. A frame-securing clip for releasably securing a window blind frame to a window casing, comprising:

a flange for releasably inserting between a gasket and a glass pane in the window casing; and

a support having a support plane, one or more retaining means which extend out of one side of the support plane for resisting insertion of the clip between a pair of projections extending from the blind frame and resisting twisting of the support relative to the projections, and an engaging member which extends out of the other side of the support plane for releasable engagement with the blind frame.

27. A frame-securing clip according to claim 26 wherein the engaging member is configured to interact with an extruded portion of the frame.

28. A frame-securing clip according to claim 26 wherein the engaging member is a resilient lug protruding from the support.

29. A frame-securing clip according to claim 28 wherein the resilient lug interacts with a co-operating slot in the extruded portion of the frame.

30. A frame-securing clip according to claim 29 wherein the resilient lug is retained in the co-operating slot by the presence of retaining means.

31. A frame-securing clip according to claim 30 wherein the resilient lug releasably engages the blind frame.

32. A frame-securing clip for releasably securing a window blind frame to a window casing, comprising:

a flange for releasably inserting between a gasket and a glass pane in the window casing; and

a support having a support plane, one or more retaining means which extend out of the support plane for resisting twisting of the support relative to the projections and aiding retention of the clip relative to an extruded portion of the frame, and an engaging member which extends out of the support plane to retain the clip in position relative to the blind frame and which includes at least one portion which facilitates the positioning of the frame at a plurality of distances from the window casing.

33. A frame-securing clip according to claim 32 wherein the engaging member is a serrated region on the support.

34. A frame-securing clip according to claim 32 wherein the engaging member engages a positioning guide.

35. A frame-securing clip according to claim 34 wherein the positioning guide includes a plurality of co-operating serrations allowing releasable retention of the clip in position relative to the positioning guide.

36. A frame-securing clip according to claim 34 wherein the positioning guide includes securing means.

37. A frame-securing clip according to claim 36 wherein the securing means is a resilient lug protruding from the positioning guide.

38. A frame-securing clip according to claim 37 wherein the resilient lug releasably engages the blind frame.

39. A frame-securing clip according to claim 37 wherein the resilient lug is configured to interact with an extruded portion of the frame.

40. A frame-securing clip according to claim 37 wherein the resilient lug interacts with a co-operating slot in the extruded portion of the frame.

41. A frame-securing clip according to claim 40 wherein the resilient lug is retained in the co-operating slot by the presence of retaining means.

42. A frame-securing clip according to claim 32 wherein the support extends substantially orthogonally from the flange.

43. A frame-securing clip according to claim 32 wherein the frame-securing clip is substantially L-shaped with the flange and the support forming the two limbs of the L.

44. A frame-securing clip according to claim 32 wherein there are two engaging members.

45. A frame-securing clip according to claim 32 wherein the retaining means comprises at least one arcuate prong extending from the support of the clip.

46. A frame-securing clip according to claim 45 wherein interaction of the resilient lug with the co-operating slot is a snap-fit interaction facilitated by urging the arcuate prong past a projection from the extruded portion of the frame, thereby allowing the resilient lug to enter the co-operating slot.

47. A frame-securing clip according to claim 45 wherein there are two arcuate prongs.

48. A frame-securing clip according to claim 46 wherein the arcuate prongs are substantially on opposite edges of the support.

49. A frame-securing clip according to claim 32 additionally comprising a spacer.

50. A frame-securing clip according to claim 49 wherein there are two spacers.

51. An extruded portion for forming a window blind frame and adapted to interact with a frame-securing clip of claim 32.

52. An extruded portion according to claim 51 wherein the extruded portion comprises a front face and one or more projections.

53. An extruded portion according to claim 52 comprising three projections.

54. An extruded portion according to claim 53 wherein two of the three projections form a channel for interaction with an arm of an angle joint.

55. An extruded portion according to claim 53 wherein one of the projections includes co-operating slots for interaction with a frame-securing clip.

60-64. -64. (canceled)