CHILD-PROOF CORD-GUIDED SUNSCREEN

Abstract

A tension-cord-guided sunshade system for top-down / bottom-up operation features a textile sunshade mounted between two side profiles. The side profiles have end caps at each end. The sunshade is suspended from two of the end caps. The sunshade comprises an upper profile rail and a lower profile rail with laterally projecting, extended cord guides. The side profiles have a side wall with a front and rear exterior wall section. Integrated interior walls extend from the front and rear exterior walls, forming a gap to an elongated cord passage. The cord passages face each other. Each end cap has a flat surface from which extend a mounting base with lateral projections, profile inserts configured to fit precisely into the cord passage, and a mounting shoe stop.The mounting brackets attached to the sunshade each have a body with mounting slots that attaches to the mounting base. The cord guides extend through the slot and keep the cords perpendicular in each cord passage, out of reach of children.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 331,689, filed April 15, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to window coverings and, more particularly, to a child-resistant, cord-operated sunshade.

[0003] Such cord-guided sunshade systems feature two continuous tension cords for bottom-up (bottom to top) and top-down (top to bottom) operation. These tension cords are usually exposed on both sides of the sunshade and are easily accessible to children. Toddlers and younger children can get their heads caught in the cords, injuring themselves or strangling themselves.

[0004] The tightening of child safety regulations for window coverings has spurred the development of new child-lock features for tensioned sunshades. Currently, there is no commercially available product with tension cords that complies with the latest regulations, i.e., that keeps the tension cords out of the reach of children. U-profiles are available on the market that close off the sunshade at the sides or top. However, the cord is fully accessible within the U-profile. None of these products prevent a child from accessing the cord when the sunshade is open.

[0005] As you can see, there is a need for a live sun protection system where the cords are out of reach of children. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a tension cord-guided sunshade system for top-down / bottom-up operation comprises a textile sunshade with an upper profile rail and a lower profile rail; extended cord guides which project laterally over the upper profile rail and the lower profile rail; a first side profile and a second side profile, each comprising a side wall from which a front outer wall and a rear outer wall extend, and integrated inner walls extending from the front outer wall and the rear outer wall and forming a gap therebetween, wherein the side wall, the front outer wall and the rear outer wall and the integrated inner walls form a cord passage in the longitudinal direction, the cord passages facing each other and the textile sunshade being mounted therebetween; End caps attached to a first end and a second end of each side profile, each end cap having a flat surface from which extend (i) an integrated mounting base having lateral projections, (ii) integrated profile inserts configured to snugly fit within the longitudinal cord passage, and (iii) an integrated mounting shoe stop; Mounting shoes attached to the textile sunshade, each mounting shoe having a body with a mounting slot and mounted to the integrated mounting base; and a tension cord within each longitudinal cord passage; wherein the textile sunshade is suspended from two of the end caps and the cord guides extend into the gaps and serve to keep the tension cords perpendicular to the longitudinal cord passage.

[0007] The present invention represents a completely new approach to child-resistant cord-guided sunshades for top-down and bottom-up operation. It prevents a toddler or child from grabbing a cord and wrapping it around their neck or limbs, thus preventing injury and strangulation. The cords remain out of reach of toddlers / children in any position of the sunshade.

[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS Fig. 1 is a front view of a bottom-up and top-down sunshade with concealed guy ropes according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in use; Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view thereof; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view from above; Fig. 5 is a detailed exploded view from the bottom perspective; Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following detailed description describes the best modes currently contemplated for exemplary embodiments of the invention. This description is not intended to be limiting, but merely to illustrate the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0010] In general, one embodiment of the present invention is a child-resistant tension cord-guided sunshade system with capped side profiles for a tension cord-guided bottom-up top-down sunshade.

[0011] The system according to the invention is sometimes referred to herein as "U-Guard Plus." The U-Guard Plus side profiles secure the sunshade longitudinally (i.e., vertically). The U-Guard Plus side profiles have a distinctive profile that includes two integrated inner walls with a small gap or sunshade guide between them. The length of the side profile depends on the height and / or length of the sunshade. During installation, the sunshade's tension cords are routed behind the inner walls of the side profiles, keeping them inaccessible to children.

[0012] The tension cords of a sunshade must be completely vertical to achieve bottom-up, top-down operation. If the tension cords are not vertical, the sunshade cannot move up or down properly. The sunshade system according to the invention features extended cord guides or sliding brackets that guide the tension cords away from the sunshade, so that the tension cords remain completely behind the walls of the side profiles while the sunshade moves up and down within the profile rails. The extended cord guide is installed in the side profile of the sunshade system.

[0013] The end caps are configured to fit precisely onto the side profiles. The sunshade hangs directly from the end caps inside the U-Guard Plus system. The end caps can be configured to fit any suitable base.

[0014] Each mounting bracket or mounting shoe is attached to one end of an extended cord guide. The mounting shoe can be equipped with an integrated magnet to keep the sunshade closed. The mounting shoe slides over a mounting base integrated into the end cap and locks behind a mounting stop on the end cap.

[0015] The sunshade can be any type of sunshade known to a sunshade expert for top-down / bottom-up operation. The sunshade can be, for example, a pleated blind or a honeycomb-shaped textile sunshade.

[0016] The sunshade can be installed as follows. The installer can snap or latch the end caps onto each end of the U-Guard Plus side profiles with integrated mounting shoes. With the openings of the U-Guard Plus side profiles facing each other, the installer can slide the mounting shoes attached to the sunshade over the integrated bases of the end caps. The mounting shoe ensures that the installer hangs the sunshade correctly, i.e. in a predetermined configuration, and positions the guy cords within the enclosed portion of the side profiles so that they are out of reach of children. The U-Guard Plus unit can be mounted on a window or window covering with the folds of the sunshade aligned horizontally and attached to a jamb, trim, or glass panel using a fastener such as adhesive or screws.Fasteners, such as screws, can also be used to hold the components together and / or to keep them sealed. The installed sunshade is safe to use around children.

[0017] The means for controlling the movement and position of the sunshade are not particularly limited and may include any suitable means known in the art.

[0018] The manufacturing materials are not specifically limited and can include, for example, plastic such as unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), aluminum, steel, other metals, and any combination thereof. The end caps, for example, can be made of steel, plastic, or aluminum. The U-Guard Plus side profile can be made of a metal such as aluminum or a plastic with walls of any thickness, for example, from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1 mm. The material, dimensions, and additional structural features of the U-Guard Plus system, such as tongues, grooves, and edges, can be optimized.

[0019] Regarding the Fig. 1 to 8, Fig. Figure 1 shows a tension cord-guided sunshade system 10 for top-down / bottom-up operation according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a pleated sunshade 20 slidably mounted between vertical U-Guard side profiles 12. The side profiles 12 have end caps 14 with mounting shoes 16 held therein, as shown in the Fig. 2 to 9. The sunshade comprises a slat 20D suspended between an upper and a lower profile rail, each of which has a handle or pull 20A.

[0020] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, each U-Guard side profile 12, i.e., a first and a second side profile, has a side wall with a vertical front outer wall and a vertical rear outer wall defining an open area therebetween. An integral inner wall 12A, parallel to the side wall, extends from the front outer wall and the rear outer wall, forming a sunshade guide or gap 12B therebetween. The mounting shoes 16 each include a shoe magnet 16E, and the upper and lower profile rails include matching sunshade magnets 20C.

[0021] The inner walls 12A contain the tension cords 18 in a separate area or a longitudinal cord passage within the side profile 12 so that they are inaccessible to children, as in Fig. 3. The tension cords 18 extend from the cord guides 20B in the upper profile rail and the lower profile rail and are thus laterally spaced from the sunshade 20. A portion or recessed area of ​​the rear outer wall is spaced from the inner walls. Each U-Guard side profile 12 has an end cap 14 at each end to which a mounting shoe 16 is slidably attached. The end caps 14 each have an integrated mounting stop 14B protruding from a horizontal flat surface and an integrated mounting base 14C extending parallel to the horizontal flat surface. The mounting shoes 16 slide onto a mounting base 14C and lock behind a mounting stop 14B.

[0022] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As can be seen more clearly in Figure 5, the tensioning cords 18 extend through a front cord guide 16A and a rear cord channel 16C in each mounting shoe 16 and can be tightened or loosened with cord adjustment screws 16B. The mounting shoes 16 each have a mounting slot 16D that receives the respective mounting base 14C. Each end cap 14 has integrated profile inserts 14A that fit snugly into the cord passage and hold the end cap 14 in position behind the inner walls 12A. Cap screws 15 can also be used to secure the end caps 14 to the profiles 12.

[0023] The mounting shoes 16, the end caps 14 and the cord guides 20B are inserted into the Fig. 6 to 9 are shown in more detail. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 shows the position of the tensioning cords in the cord guide 12B behind the profile inner walls 12A more clearly.

[0024] It is to be understood that the foregoing refers to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 63 / 331,689

[0001]

Claims

[1] A tension cord-guided sun protection system for top-down / bottom-up operation, comprising: a textile sun protection system with an upper profile rail and a lower profile rail; extended cord guides that extend laterally over the upper profile rail and lower profile rail; a first side profile and a second side profile, each comprising a side wall from which a front outer wall and a rear outer wall extend, and integrated inner walls extending from the front outer wall and the rear outer wall and forming a gap therebetween, wherein the side wall, the front outer wall and the rear outer wall and the integrated inner walls form a cord passage in the longitudinal direction, wherein the cord passages face each other and the textile sun protection (20) is mounted therebetween; End caps attached to a first end and a second end of each side profile, each end cap having a flat surface from which extend (i) an integrated mounting base having lateral projections, (ii) integrated profile inserts configured to fit snugly within the elongated cord passage, and (iii) an integrated mounting shoe stop; Tension cords running from the extended cord guides through the longitudinal cord passages; and Mounting shoes, each receiving one end of the tension cords, each mounting shoe having a body with a mounting slot and mounted on the integrated mounting base; wherein the textile sun protection is suspended from two of the end caps and the cord guides protrude into the gap and serve to keep the tension cords vertical in the longitudinal cord passage. [2] The tension cord-guided sunshade system for top-down / bottom-up operation according to claim 1, wherein each mounting shoe has a longitudinally extending cord channel. [3] The tension cord guided sunshade system for top-down / bottom-up operation according to claim 1, wherein the end caps, the first side profile and the second side profile are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: a metal, a plastic and a combination thereof. [4] The top-down / bottom-up tension cord-guided sunshade system of claim 1, wherein the integrated inner walls have a thickness of about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm. [5] The tension cord-guided sunshade system for top-down / bottom-up operation according to claim 1, wherein a recessed area of ​​the rear outer wall is spaced from the integrated inner walls. [6] The tension cord guided sunshade system for top-down / bottom-up operation according to claim 1, wherein the mounting shoes and the upper and lower profile rails have matching magnets. [7] The tension cord-guided sunshade system for top-down / bottom-up operation according to claim 1, wherein the upper profile rail and the lower profile rail each have a central handle. [8] The tension cord-guided sun protection system for top-down / bottom-up operation according to claim 1 further comprising fastening elements with which the end cap is attached to the side profile via a thread. [9] The tension cord-guided sunshade system for top-down / bottom-up operation according to claim 1, further comprising fastening means with which the tension cords are fastened in the mounting shoes.

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