Pleated screen with magnetic locking

Abstract

A pleated blind (10) has a pleated fabric arranged between two movable rails (12), the rails (12) being guided by guide cables which are attached to tension shoes (14) mountable on a window frame (18) and are guided and deflected by the rails (12), wherein at least the upper rail (12) can be locked in the uppermost position by means of a magnetic locking mechanism on the upper tension shoes (14). In order to enable simple and variable installation on differently inclined window rebates (16), it is provided that the magnetic locking elements belonging to the rail (12) are arranged on a receiving element (26) which is pivotably mounted relative to the rail (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to pleated blinds according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Pleated blinds, also known as pleated shades, are characterized by their folded fabric panels, which can be fanned out by pulling the panels apart between the two movable rails. Clamping forces between the cord guide and the two rails hold the latter in the selected position.

[0003] However, particularly with a fully extended pleated blind, i.e., when the lower rail is attached to the tensioning shoes at the bottom of the window to be shaded and the upper rail is attached to the tensioning shoes at the top of the window, gravity-assisted restoring forces must be expected, which can displace the upper rail, creating an unsightly gap at the top of the window. In addition to mechanical locking mechanisms, magnetic locking mechanisms are also known for this purpose, whereby magnets are typically fixed in the movable rail and metallic counterparts are located in the tensioning shoes, or vice versa.

[0004] Such a magnetic locking mechanism fulfills its intended purpose of holding the rail in its upper end position and preventing the formation of an unsightly gap. However, with the increasingly common angled window rebates and tensioning brackets that are angled accordingly towards the pleated blind, the problem arises that the magnetic force causes the rail to tilt, resulting in it being tilted into the room in its final position. This is usually remedied by using wedges with a fixed angle, but the unsightly tilting motion can only be avoided with an angle that is optimally matched to the specific window rebate and cannot be adjusted. This necessitates stocking a large number of different wedges. Furthermore, installation on the window rebate becomes significantly more complex and prone to errors.

[0005] A magnetic locking mechanism of the type described above is known, for example, from EP 4 198 251 A1 or DE 20 2023 101 912 U1.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to improve a pleated blind with regard to its installation in window frames with an inclined window rebate.

[0007] According to the invention, the problem is solved by a pleated blind with the features of claim 1.

[0008] The solution according to the invention offers the advantage that the magnetic elements, or, if the magnets are arranged in the clamping shoes, the metallic counterparts, can align themselves with the clamping shoes mounted on an inclined window rebate. The rail does not change its position; it remains in its optimal position. Furthermore, the clamping shoes can simply be placed on the inclined window rebate and fastened there beforehand, since their position does not need to be adjusted to the window rebate because the adjustment is later made by the pivoting mounting element.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving element is pivotably mounted in a profile chamber of the rail. The arrangement of the joint in the rail allows the width of the rail to be reduced.

[0010] It is particularly advantageous that a pivot joint is formed between the rail and the receiving element itself. This design significantly reduces the number of parts, as practically no additional parts are required for the magnetic locking components in the rail compared to a conventional mounting.

[0011] For example, a constructive implementation of such a swivel joint can be designed such that a concave joint socket is formed by a profile wall of the rail and a corresponding, convex joint head is formed by the outer contour of the receiving element.

[0012] A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the profile wall is formed on an open profile chamber, the open side of which is closed at least in the area of ​​the receiving element by an insertion element, the inside of which is formed as an inner cylinder for the continuation of the joint socket.

[0013] Such a solution offers the advantage of easy assembly, as the receiving element can be inserted into the profile chamber and then secured and concealed by the insertion element. In a preferred embodiment, the insertion element can cover the receiving element in the rail at its end face. Optionally, the insertion element can also conceal the entire open flank of the profile chamber and preferably lock both receiving elements in place by being inserted along the entire length of the rail.

[0014] A preferred embodiment of the receiving element may provide that the rod end is partially formed by axial projections with an outer radius. With such projections, the receiving element may be easier to mount than if it were designed as a joint element with its entire cross-section, since the projections only need to extend over the required swivel angle range.

[0015] The magnet or its metallic counterpart is preferably arranged such that the receiving element has a receptacle in which a magnet or a metallic counterpart of the magnetic locking mechanism is positioned. Further simplification of the assembly can be achieved by mounting the magnet on an insert that is clamped in the receptacle.

[0016] A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the socket joint has a recess in the area of ​​the receiving element through which a radial projection of the receiving element or the insert protrudes, in which the magnetic element or a metallic counterpart is arranged. Since joint support is particularly advantageous in the area of ​​the magnetic forces, such an embodiment is beneficial, wherein the aforementioned projections in the area of ​​the recesses can connect axially to the receiving element alongside them.

[0017] In a further embodiment, it can finally be provided that the edges of the recess act as radial rotation stops to limit the swivel angle of the receiving element in the rail, with the radial projection of the receiving element resting against the respective edge.

[0018] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the exemplary embodiment described below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a side view of a rail and a tension shoe mounted on an inclined window rebate; Fig. 2 a cutaway view in the area of ​​the tension shoe from Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a side view of a rail and a tension shoe mounted on a straight window rebate; Fig. 4 a cutaway view in the area of ​​the tension shoe from Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 An oblique view of the rail in the area of ​​a magnetic locking mechanism; Fig. 6 an oblique view of the rail with the insertion element removed; Fig. 7 an oblique view of the rail without insertion element and removed receiving element; Fig. 8 an oblique view of the rail from the clamping shoe side with inclined mounting element; Fig. 9 an oblique view of the rail from the clamping shoe side with the mounting element aligned straight; Fig. 10 an oblique view of the recording element.

[0019] Fig. 1 and 2Figure 1 shows a pleated blind 10, of which, for the sake of simplicity, only a movable rail 12 and a tension shoe 14 are shown. The tension shoe is mounted here on an inclined window rebate 16 of a window frame 18. On the side facing the rail 12, a metallic element 45 is provided for interaction with a magnet 20 arranged on the rail side. A tension cable (not shown) is attached to the tension shoe 14, with a total of four tension shoes provided, between which tension cables are suspended from the window frame 18 in a manner known per se. A pleated blind (not shown) is stretched between the movable rail 12 and another movable rail arranged parallel to it.The rails can be moved independently of each other, so that the blind can be adjusted between a folded position, in which the two rails are as close together as possible, and a maximally fanned-out position, in which the rails are close to the upper or lower window rebate.

[0020] The aforementioned magnetic locking mechanisms are integrated into all tensioning shoes and the adjacent areas of the rails 12. However, they are particularly important for the closing function at the upper window rebate, as gravity causes the upper movable rail to have a greater tendency to move away from its ideal closed position despite the frictional forces built up between the cable guides and the rails. Therefore, the magnetic locking mechanisms may be omitted at the lower window rebate.

[0021] The magnets 20 are attached to inserts 22, which are clamped in receptacles 24 in receptacle elements 26.

[0022] The receiving elements 26 are essentially cylindrical and, with their outer circumference, form a pivot bearing head 30. As a counterpart to the formation of a pivot bearing 32, a profile chamber 34 of the rail 12 has a wall 40 with a corresponding concave radius. The profile chamber 34 is open at its front face, with an insertion element 36 closing the opening at least in the area of ​​the receiving element 26 and preventing the receiving element 34 from falling out. The insertion element 36 has an internal cylindrical surface 38 that extends the wall 40 of the profile chamber to form the ball joint when installed. Fig. 5 It is also clearly visible that the insertion element 36 has a cover 37 which extends to the wall 40 of the profile chamber and axially covers the receiving element 26.

[0023] The interacting radii of the cylindrical outer surface of the receiving element 26 and the inner cylindrical surfaces of the wall 40 of the profile chamber 34 and the insertion element 36 enable a pivoting movement with low friction. The pivoting movement is limited by the edges of a recess 42 in the wall 42 of the profile chamber, through which the respective insert 22 with its attached magnet 20 protrudes.

[0024] Projections 43 with cylindrical outer surfaces corresponding to the outer circumference of the receiving element 26 form part of the rod end axially next to the projecting insert 22, since no bearing is possible in the recess.

[0025] The possible end positions are, firstly, those in Fig. 3 and4 The shown straight position of the magnet 20 for a right-angled window rebate 16; the maximum achievable swivel position can be designed to be somewhat larger than in the one shown. Fig. 1 and 2 shown pivot position with a correspondingly inclined window rebate 16 of the window frame 18.

[0026] The recess 42 also ensures axial fixation of the receiving element 26 in the profile chamber, since the insert 22 projecting into the recess 42 prevents axial displacement.

[0027] Based on Fig. 5 bis 10 The mounting of the swivel bearings 32 in the rail 12 is illustrated, with only an edge region of the rail 12 shown in the area of ​​the magnetic locking mechanism provided there. Typically, the rails have another, mirror-symmetrical swivel bearing at the opposite end for a further magnetic locking mechanism.

[0028] In Fig. 10 The pre-assembled, i.e., already fitted with an insert 22 and a magnet 20, receiving element 26 is shown as a separate part. Fig. 7 The rail is shown before assembly, with the recess 42 clearly visible. In a first step, the receiving element 26 is inserted into the profile chamber 34, with the protruding insert 22 being inserted into the recess 42. Subsequently, the insertion element 36 is mounted, whereby the receiving element 26 is fixed between the in-cylindrical surfaces and the recess 42 in such a way that it can only pivot between the end positions already discussed, which are defined by the recess.

[0029] Depending on the design, the insertion elements can be pushed in along the length of the rail or snapped into place from the opening side of the profile chamber 34. A combination of these two insertion movements is also possible, allowing the insertion element to first snap into place and then be moved into its final assembly position, whereby parts of the insertion element 36 can, for example, be pushed behind an already mounted end cap 44 at the end of the rail.

[0030] Fig. 8 and 9 The chart shows rail 12 again in an oblique view from the frame side. It is clearly visible in Fig. 8 the corresponding inclination of the receiving element 26 from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 , in order to adjust the alignment of the magnet 20 to the inclination of the clamping shoe on the window rebate when the locking position is reached when the rail 12 is moved into its upper end position.

[0031] Fig. 9 shows the alignment for a simple rectangular window rebate accordingly Fig. 3 and 4 . Bezugszeichenliste

[0032] 10 Pleated blind 12 Rail 14 Tension shoe 16 Window rebate 18 Window frame 20 Magnets 22 Insert 24 Mounting 26 Mounting element 30 Swivel bearing head 32 Swivel bearing 34 Profile chamber 36 Insertion element 37 Cover 38 Inner cylindrical surface of the cover 40 Wall (of the profile chamber) 42 Recess (in the wall) 43 Projections 44 End cap 45 Metallic element

Claims

1. Pleated blind comprising a pleated fabric panel arranged between two movable rails (12), wherein the rails (12) are guided by guide cables which are secured to tensioning shoes (14) and are guided and deflected by the rails (12), wherein at least the upper rail (12) can be locked in the uppermost position by means of a magnetic lock on the upper tensioning shoes (14), characterised in that the elements of the magnetic locking mechanism associated with the rail (12) are arranged on a mounting element (26) mounted so as to pivot relative to the rail (12).

2. Pleated blind according to claim 1, characterised in that the mounting element (26) is pivotally mounted in a profile chamber (34) of the rail (12).

3. A pleated blind according to claim 2, characterised in that a swivel joint (32) is formed between the rail (12) and the mounting element (26).

4. Pleated blind according to claim 3, characterised in that a concave joint socket is formed by a profile wall (40) of the rail (12) and a corresponding convex joint head (30) is formed by the outer contour of the receiving element (26).

5. Pleated blind according to claim 4, characterised in that the profiled wall (40) is formed on an open profiled chamber (34), the open side of which is closed, at least in the region of the receiving element (26), by an insert element (36), the inner side of which has an inner cylindrical surface (38) as a continuation of the joint socket.

6. A pleated blind according to claim 5, characterised in that the insertion element (36) covers the receiving element (26) in the rail (12) at its end face.

7. Pleated blind according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the joint head is formed in part by projections (43) having an outer radius.

8. Pleated blind according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receiving element (26) has a recess (24) in which a magnet (20) or a metal counterpart to a magnet and / or a metal counterpart on the tensioning shoes (14) is arranged.

9. Pleated blind according to claim 8, characterised in that the magnet (20) is mounted on an insert (22) which is clamped in the recess (24).

10. A pleated blind according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the hinge socket has a recess (42) in the region of the mounting (24), through which a projection of the mounting element or the insert (22) protrudes, in which the magnetic element (20) or a metallic counterpart is arranged.

11. Pleated blind according to claim 10, characterised in that the edges of the recess (42) act as rotational stops to limit the swivel angle of the mounting element (26) in the rail (12).

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