Mounting apparatus for use in supporting window coverings

Abstract

A mounting apparatus (30) for a window covering e.g. a blind, preferably a roller blind, within a window reveal where the window is at least partially surrounded by at least two normal surfaces, like

Description

This invention relates to mounting apparatus for use in supporting window coverings adjacent a window where at least a portion of the window is surrounded by one or more surfaces that extend in a direction that is normal or approximately normal relative to the window. In the context of the present invention use of the term window may be understood to reference (i) a window frame which supports or retains in position one or more window panes, hereafter termed a glazed window, or (ii) a window pane which is supported within a window frame. Typically, windows are, when the window is in a closed configuration, essentially flat with the or each window pane of the window extending in a plane that is common to or parallel to the plane of each other window pane included in that window. A window is considered to be in a closed configuration when that is the window at least substantially blocks the aperture in which the window is located. Typically glazed windows are located within a window reveal. A window reveal typically includes a number of surfaces that extend in a direction that intersects the or each plane in which the window panes extend. Typically the direction in which the surfaces extend is normal or perpendicular or approximately normal or approximately perpendicular to the plane in which the window panes extend. For a rectangular window, when the window is in position for use, the reveal is formed from two opposed pairs of surfaces, one pair being vertically above and below the window and one pair horizontally either side of the window. It is often desired to position a window covering, for example a blind, such as, but without limitation, a roller blind, adjacent a window and within the window reveal so that the window covering can be deployed so as to cover the window. Often it is desired that the window covering extends substantially between the side faces of the window reveal and overlies substantially all of the glazed window. In some instances it is desired to position a window covering so that it extends between opposed side faces of a window frame that supports a window pane. In these instances substantially all of the window pane is overlain by the window covering. The window covering may be deployed for privacy, to exclude light external to the window, to assist in in insulating the window, or to reduce the levels of sound transmitted through the window. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting apparatus suitable for supporting a window covering for a window which is at least partially surrounded by at least a pair of normal surfaces that extend substantially normally to the window and which are adjacent opposite edges of the window. The mounting apparatus comprises a frame and two or more expansion elements. Each expansion element is supported on the frame, and each expansion element comprises a biasing means and an associated engagement element. Each biasing means is adapted to bias its associated engagement element away from the frame. The frame and expansion elements are collectively shaped, orientated and dimensioned so that each of the associated engagement elements may be biased against a portion of one of the normal surfaces. The expansion elements are so positioned and orientated that the collective biasing of the engagement elements against the normal surfaces may retain the mounting apparatus in a fixed position relative to the window and the normal surfaces. In some embodiments of the above embodiment each normal surface may be a surface that forms part of the reveal for a glazed window. In some embodiments of the above embodiment each normal surface may be a surface that forms part of a frame that supports a window pane. It is to be understood that for round or porthole or other non-rectangular shaped windows where one or more edges of the window are not linear, the reveal or frame may be considered to be formed from a large number of normal surfaces which, collectively, define the reveal or frame for the window. When considering the biasing of an associated engagement element by a biasing means, the biasing force may be considered to be a force that is applied to along a force path against a point or portion of a normal surface. Typically the point or portion on the normal surface may be considered to be the point or portion of the normal surface which is in contact with or adjacent to the geometric centre of the portion of the associated engagement element that is in contact with the normal surface. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each associated engagement element includes an engagement head and a engagement body. The engagement head is adapted to make contact with a portion of a normal surface. The engagement body is adapted to support the engagement head. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the engagement body is in sliding contact with an aperture or recess in the frame and the aperture and engagement body determines the orientation or direction in which the associated engagement element is biased. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the engagement body is longitudinally extending. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments the biasing means at least partially surrounds a portion of the engagement body. In some embodiments, the engagement head includes an elastically deformable material, and the elastically deformable material is so positioned that the elastically deformable material contacts the portion of the normal surface. Such a configuration is advantageous because the use of elastically deformable material lessens the risk of damage to the normal surface when the associated engagement element is biased against the normal surface relative to a non-elastically deformable material. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the biasing means biases the associated engagement element in a linear direction. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the frame is rectangular, and an expansion element is positioned adjacent each corner of the frame. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the frame is rectangular and two expansion elements are positioned adjacent to a corner of the frame. In an embodiment of the above embodiment, the two expansion elements at that corner are so positioned and orientated that the associated engagement elements of the expansion elements are biased in different directions relative to each other. In an embodiment of the above embodiment, the two expansion elements at that corner are so positioned and orientated that the associated engagement elements of the expansion elements are biased in directions substantially orthogonal to each other. In an embodiment of the above embodiment, two expansion elements are positioned adjacent to each corner of the frame. In an embodiment of the above embodiment, the two expansion elements at each corner are so positioned and orientated that the associated engagement elements of the expansion elements are biased in different directions relative to each other. In an embodiment of the above embodiment, the expansion elements at each corner are so positioned and orientated that the associated engagement elements of the expansion elements at that corner are biased in directions orthogonal to each other. The positioning of each expansion element adjacent to a corner of the frame includes positioning that expansion element at the corner of the frame, or positioning the expansion element close enough to the corner of the frame that the moment of the forces transmitted through the expansion element between the frame and the normal surface are not sufficiently large to cause distortion to the frame. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each expansion element is so orientated that the direction in which the associated engagement element is biased is coincident with or substantially parallel to a central axis of a portion of the frame adjacent the expansion element. An advantage of such an arrangement is that the risk of deforming the frame as a result of the forces generated by the biasing means is minimised. This has the further advantage that the frame may be configured to be a light weight as possible because it does not have to be able to resist non-axially directed forces resultant from the biasing in the expansion element. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments at least two of the expansion elements are so positioned and orientated on the frame that the collective biasing of those engagement elements against the first and second normal surface causes the mounting apparatus to sit centrally between the first and second normal surfaces. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least two of the expansion elements are so positioned and orientated on the frame that the biasing of the engagement elements against the normal surfaces that the engagement elements are biased against collectively causes the mounting apparatus to sit centrally between a first and second normal surface, in which the first and second normal surfaces are adjacent opposite edges of the window. In an embodiment of the above embodiment, the total of the biasing forces exerted on the second normal surface in the direction of the shortest path from the first to the second normal surface by the expansion elements biased against the second normal surface is equal to the total of the biasing forces exerted on the first normal surface in the direction of the shortest path from the second to the first normal surface by the expansion elements biased against the first normal surface. This has the result that the mounting apparatus sits centrally between the first and second normal surfaces. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the biasing means of each expansion element has the same biasing characteristics as the biasing means of each other expansion element. The biasing characteristics of a biasing means include the biasing force exerted by the biasing means at any given position of the associated engagement element relative to the frame and or biasing means. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each biasing means is a compression spring. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each biasing means is a helical compression spring. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, a first and second expansion element are so positioned and orientated that the associated engagement elements of the first and second expansion elements are biased in substantially opposite directions along a substantially common axis. An advantage of this embodiment is that there is no or a minimal turning moment generated by the first biasing means of the first and second expansion elements. This is advantageous because it will minimise any risk of distortion of the frame. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each expansion element is a member of a pair of expansion elements, and the expansion elements of each pair are so positioned and orientated that the associated engagement elements of the pair are biased in substantially opposite directions along a substantially common axis. Again an advantage of this embodiment is that there is no or a minimal turning moment generated by the biasing means of each pair of expansion elements. This is advantageous because it will minimise any risk of distortion of the frame. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, an expansion element comprises a latching element, the latching element is releasably engageable with one or both of the biasing means and the associated engagement element, and engagement of the latching element and the biasing element and I or associated engagement element retains the associated engagement element in a position close to or within the frame, and release of the engagement of the latching element allows the biasing element to bias the associated engagement element away from the frame. An advantage of such an arrangement is that it allows the mounting apparatus to be located in a desired position, or close to a desired position, adjacent a window by a user whilst the associated engagement element is not being biased away from the frame by the biasing means. Once the mounting apparatus is in the desired position the latching element may be released, optionally by the user, and the associated engagement element contact I engage with a normal surface. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each expansion element comprises a latching element. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the mounting apparatus comprises a seal element, and the seal element is positioned and dimensioned to allow the seal element to form a seal between the frame and a normal surface, in which the seal formed is one or more of substantially light tight, substantially draft proof, and acoustically dampening. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the seal is formed between the frame and the window. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the seal is formed between the frame and the or each normal surface surrounding the window. An advantage of this embodiment is that it may compensate for any gaps between the frame and one or both of the window and the normal surface. Such gaps would lessen the effect of the window covering when the window covering and mounting apparatus are part of a window covering system that is intended to be one or more of a blackout covering, thermally insulative (either in retaining heat on the window covering side of the window or seeking to prevent the ingress of heat from the side of the window remote from the window covering), and acoustically damping so as to minimise the passage of noise from one side of the window to the other. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the mounting apparatus comprises one or more apertures, and in which the apertures are configured to allow secondary fixing of the mounting apparatus to one or both of a normal surface, or a window frame. In some embodiments the secondary fixing means are screws, bolts, nails or similar fixing means. The secondary fixation is assisted by the expansion elements holding the mounting apparatus in position whilst the secondary fixing means is applied. The secondary fixing means assists in retaining the mounting apparatus in the desired position relative to the window. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the mounting apparatus is suitable for use in association with a window that includes a window pane and a window frame that supports the window pane, in which the mounting apparatus comprises one or more mounting plates, and each mounting plate is configured and dimensioned to be reversibly inserted between the window pane and the window frame and each mounting plate is connected to the frame of the mounting apparatus. The mounting plates assist in retaining the mounting apparatus in the desired position relative to the window. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the frame further comprises one or more attachment elements, in which each attachment element is adapted to at least partially attach a window covering to the mounting apparatus. The or each attachment element is adapted to the type of window covering to be supported, for example roller blinds, Venetian blinds, roman blinds, or vertical blinds. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the mounting apparatus comprises at least one stop element, each stop element is supported on and extends away from the frame, the frame, expansion elements and each stop element are collectively shaped, dimensioned, positioned and orientated on the frame so that each of the associated engagement elements may be biased against a normal surface by the associated biasing means, and each stop element is biased against a normal surface by the frame. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least one of the stop elements is so configured that the distance the stop element extends away from the frame is adjustable. The adjustment may be internal to the stop element, or may be as a result of interaction between the stop element and the frame. In an embodiment of the above embodiment, the stop element is in threaded engagement with the frame and movement of the thread of the stop element relative to the thread of the frame adjusts how far the stop element projects from the frame. This adjustment may be made to allow for the distance the associated engagement element of each expansion element extends from the frame when the associated engagement element is biased into contact with a normal surface. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, an expansion element and a stop element are so positioned and orientated on the frame that the associated engagement element is biased and the stop element extends in substantially opposite directions along a substantially common axis. Again an advantage of this embodiment is that there is no or a minimal turning moment generated by the biasing means and the stop element. This is advantageous because it will minimise any risk of distortion of the frame According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a window covering system in which the window covering system comprises a mounting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention and a window covering. In an embodiment of the above embodiment, the window covering is one or more of substantially lighttight, substantially draft proof, insulating, thermally absorptive, thermally reflective, and acoustically dampening. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for constructing a window covering system comprising a mounting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention and a window covering. The present disclosure will be further described and explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a window suitable for the use of a mounting apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the window of Figure 1 along the section line A-A’; Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a mounting apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the mounting apparatus of Figure 3 along the section line B-B’; Figure 5 shows a schematic detail of Figure 3; Figure 6 shows a second schematic detail of Figure 3; Figure 7 shows a schematic sectional view of part of a second embodiment of a the mounting apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a mounting apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 9 shows a schematic detail of a sectional of the mounting apparatus of Figure 8; Figure 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a mounting apparatus according to the present invention; and Figure 11 shows a schematic sectional view of the mounting apparatus of Figure 10. In the following discussions of the accompanying drawings, where the same element is present in a more than one embodiment the same reference numeral is used for that element throughout, where there are similar elements similar reference numerals (the same numeral plus a multiple of 100) are used. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a wall 2 defines an aperture 4 within which a rectangular window 6 is fixed. The window 6 includes a window frame 8 and four window panes 10. The four window panes 10 all extend vertically and horizontally in approximately the same plane as each other when the window 6 is installed or fixed in the wall 2. The aperture 4 is defined by first, second, third and fourth normal surfaces 12, 14, 16, 18 which collectively form a window reveal. Each of the first to fourth normal surfaces 12, 14, 16, 18 extend in a plane that is approximately normal or perpendicular to the plane of the window panes 10. The first and second normal surfaces 12, 14 are vertically higher and vertically lower than the window 6 respectively. The third and forth normal surfaces 16, 18 are located to the horizontal left and right of the window as shown in Figure 1. With reference to Figures 1 to 5, a mounting apparatus 30 includes a frame 32 and first, second, third and fourth expansion elements 34, 36, 38, 40 which are supported on the frame 32. The frame 32 is so dimensioned that it may be placed in the aperture 4 in the wall 2 with the frame 32 being both approximately parallel to the window frame 8 and the window panes 10, and spaced from the first, second, third and fourth normal surfaces 12, 14, 16, 18. The frame 32 is formed from first, second, third and fourth joint elements 42, 44, 46, 48 and first, second, third and fourth frame elements 50, 52, 54, 56. With reference to Figure 5, the third joint element 46 includes a joint body 58 and first and second joint engagement elements 60, 62. The first and second joint engagement elements 60, 62 are configured to engage with and retain the ends of the fourth and third frame elements 56, 54 respectively. The engagement as shown in Figure 5 is a friction fit. Alternatively or additionally, the ends of the fourth and third frame elements 56, 54 may be adhered to or physically locked to the first and second joint engagement elements 60, 62 by means not shown. The joint body 58 extends between the first and second joint engagement elements 60, 62 and defines a recess 64. The recess 64 is sized to contain part of the third expansion element 38, and orientated so that the part of the third expansion element 38 not in the recess 64 extends towards the third normal surface 16. With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the recess 64 and the third expansion element 38 have a longitudinally extending central axis 80. The biasing force applied to the third normal surface 16 as a result of the biasing means 66 may be considered to be delivered along the central axis 80. The recess 64 and the third expansion element 38 are so positioned and orientated that an extension of the axis 80 towards the fourth joint element 48 results in the extended axis 80 being coincident with or parallel to the longitudinal axis 82 of the third frame element 54. When the extended axis 80 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 82 of the third frame element 54 in either or both of the Y and Z directions (as shown in Figures 1 and 6), as illustrated in Figure 6, the extended axis 80 is within the outermost perimeter of the third frame element 54 in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis 82 of that frame element. The outermost perimeter is shown by the dashed line 84 in Figure 6. The third expansion element 38 includes a biasing means 66 and an associated engagement element 68. The associated engagement element 68 is formed from an engagement body 70 and engagement head 72, 74. The engagement head 72, 74 is formed from an elastically deformable layer 74 which is supported on a support element 72. The elastically deformable layer 74 is so located that it is the part of the associated engagement element 68 that contacts the third normal surface 16 and, as a result of its elastic nature, minimises the risk of damage to the third normal surface 16. The support element 72 spreads the load or force applied to the third normal surface 16 by the biasing means 66 over the whole area of the elastically deformable layer 74. Again this minimises the risk of damage to the third normal surface 16. The biasing means 66 is located between the engagement body 70 of the associated engagement element 68 and the base surface 76 of the recess 64. The associated engagement element 68 and recess 64 are so configured (not shown) that the biasing means 66 is prevented from pushing all of the engagement body 70 out of the recess 64. The joint body 58 further includes an aperture 78 through which a screw (not shown) may pass to allow the third joint element 46 and hence frame 30 to be attached to the window frame 8 using the screw if so desired. The first, second and fourth joint elements 42, 44, 48 are configured in the same fashion and with the same dimensions as the third joint element 46. The result of each of the joint elements being of the same configuration and dimensions as each other is that the longitudinally extending central axes of the recess and the associated engagement element of the first and second expansion elements are coincident or at least approximately coincident. Likewise the longitudinally extending central axes of the recess and the associated engagement element of the third and forth expansion elements are coincident or at least approximately coincident. As a result, there are no turning forces generated that would cause the frame 32 to skew relative to the third and fourth normal surfaces 16, 18. A further result is that the associated engagement elements of the first and second expansion elements are biased in opposite directions away from each other, and the associated engagement elements of the third and fourth expansion elements are biased in opposite directions away from each other. When the mounting apparatus 30 is placed in the reveal and between the third and fourth normal surfaces 16, 18 a force pushing the associated engagement element toward the biasing means for each expansion element is applied or maintained by a latch (not shown) so that the engagement head of each associated engagement element is relatively close to the frame 32. Once the mounting apparatus is between the third and fourth normal surfaces 16, 18 that force is discontinued and the engagement heads are biased against the third or fourth normal surfaces 16, 18. Each of the biasing means of the first, second, third and fourth expansion elements 34, 36, 38, 40 are the same as each other and as a result the engagement heads are biased against the third or fourth normal surfaces 16, 18 with equal force. This causes the frame 32 to rest in a central position between the third and fourth normal surfaces 16, 18. The biasing means used in each of the first, second, third and fourth expansion elements 34, 36, 38, 40 are selected so that the collective force exerted against the third and fourth normal surfaces 16, 18 is sufficient to that a predetermined amount of force in the Y or Z directions (as shown in Figures 1 and 6) does not cause the mounting apparatus 30 to move relative to the window 6 and the first, second, third or fourth normal surfaces 12, 14, 16, 18. With reference to Figure 7, a second embodiment of a mounting apparatus 130 is as described above and with reference to Figures 3 to 6 but with the difference that the second and fourth joint elements 144, 148 are not similar in construction to the first and third joint elements 42, 46. The fourth joint element 148 includes a joint body 158 and first and second joint engagement elements 60, 62. The first and second joint engagement elements 60, 62 are configured to engage with and retain the ends of the fourth and third frame elements 56, 54 respectively. The engagement as shown in Figure 7 is a friction fit. Alternatively or additionally, the ends of the fourth and third frame elements 56, 54 may be adhered to or physically locked to the first and second joint engagement elements 60, 62 by means not shown. The joint body 158 extends between the first and second joint engagement elements 60, 62 and defines a recess 164. The recess 164 is cylindrical with a central axis 180 and the cylindrical surface 165 that defines the recess 164 is threaded with a helical screw thread. A stop element 139 includes a threaded bar 169 and an engagement head 72, 74, The thread of the threaded bar 169 is shaped and dimensioned to allow the thread to engage with the thread of cylindrical surface 165. Rotation of the threaded bar 169 relative to the cylindrical surface 165 causes the engagement head 72, 74 to move toward or away from the joint body 158. The recess 164 is orientated so that the part of the stop element 139 not in the recess 164 extends towards the fourth normal surface 18. The recess 164 and the stop element 139 are so positioned and orientated that an extension of the axis 180 towards the third joint element 46 results in the extended axis 180 being coincident with or parallel to the longitudinal axis 82 of the third frame element 54. When the extended axis 180 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 82 of the third frame element 54 in either or both of the Y and Z directions (as shown in Figures 1 and 6), the extended axis 180 is within the outermost perimeter of the third frame element 54 in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis 82 of that frame element. The outermost perimeter is shown by the dashed line 84 in Figure 6. The second joint element 142 is configured in the same fashion and with the same dimensions as the fourth joint element 148. The second and fourth joint elements 144, 148 are so arranged that the longitudinally extending central axes of the stop elements are coincident or at least approximately coincident with the longitudinally extending central axes of the associated engagement elements of the first and third engagement elements respectively. As a result, there are no turning forces generated that would cause the frame 32 to skew relative to the third and fourth normal surfaces 16, 18. When the mounting apparatus 130 is placed in the reveal and between the third and fourth normal surfaces 16, 18 a force pushing the associated engagement element toward the biasing means for each expansion element of the first and third engagement elements is applied or maintained by a latch (not shown) so that the engagement head of each associated engagement element of the first and third engagement elements are relatively close to the frame 32. Once the mounting apparatus is between the third and fourth normal surfaces 16, 18 that force is discontinued and the engagement heads are biased against the third normal surface 16. As a reaction to that biasing the frame 32 is pushed toward the fourth normal surface 18 and the engagement head 72, 74 of the stop elements biased against the fourth normal surface 18. With reference to Figures 8 and 9, a third embodiment of a mounting apparatus 230 is as described above and with reference to Figures 3 to 6 but with the difference that the first joint element 242 includes a first expansion element 234A and a fifth expansion element 234B and the longitudinally extending central axes of those expansion elements are approximately orthogonally orientated relative to each other; the second joint element 244 includes a first expansion element 236A and a sixth expansion element 236B and the longitudinally extending central axes of those expansion elements are approximately orthogonally orientated relative to each other; the third joint element 246 includes a first expansion element 238A and a seventh expansion element 238B and the longitudinally extending central axes of those expansion elements are approximately orthogonally orientated relative to each other; and the fourth joint element 248 includes a first expansion element 240A and an eighth expansion element 240B and the longitudinally extending central axes of those expansion elements are approximately orthogonally orientated relative to each other. The structure of each of the first to eighth expansion elements 234A, 236A, 238A, 240A, 234B, 236B, 238B, 240B is as described in connection with the third expansion element 38 and as shown in Figure 5. The interaction of the first to fourth expansion elements 234A, 236A, 238A, 240A and the third and fourth normal surfaces 16, 18 is as described above. The interaction of the fifth to eighth expansion elements 234B, 236B, 238B, 240B and the first and second and fourth normal surfaces 12, 14 is as described in connection with the first to fourth expansion elements 234A, 236A, 238A, 240A albeit that the orientation of the longitudinally extending central axes is approximately 90 degrees different. In any of the above described embodiments of the mounting apparatus 30, 130, 230 the cross section of one or more of the first to fourth frame elements 50, 52, 54, 56 is appropriate for the nature of the window covering to be attached to the mounting apparatus 30, 130, 230. For example each of the first to fourth frame elements 50, 52, 54, 56 may be formed from a U-shaped section such as that shown in Figure 6. The open mouth of the U would face inwardly of the frame, that is towards another of the frame elements. This would allow the edges of the window covering to be in the U of the frame elements.. One or more of the first to fourth frame elements 50, 52, 54, 56 may support or incorporate an attachment element, not shown, which is suitable for use in attaching a window covering to the mounting apparatus 30, 130, 230. The nature of the attachment element will be dependent on the type of window covering to be attached. With reference to figures 10 and 11, the mounting apparatus, 30, 130, 230 has a seal element 86 attached to faces 88 of the first to fourth frame elements 50, 52, 54, 56 by an adhesive 90. The faces 88 of the first to fourth frame elements 50, 52, 54, 56 are the faces of those frame elements that are closest to the window frame 8 when the mounting apparatus 30, 130, 230 is mounted in the window reveal. The seal element 86 is of an elastically deformable material such as a polyethylenebased foam and that element deforms to form a seal with the frame 8 when the mounting element 30, 130, 230 is pushed toward the frame 8. The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Still other modifications which fall within the scope of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure. Various aspects of the method and apparatus disclosed in the various embodiments may be used alone, in combination, or in a variety of arrangements not specifically discussed in the embodiments described above. This disclosure is therefore not limited in its application to the details and arrangement of components set forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment may be combined in any manner with aspects described in other embodiments. Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. The scope of the following claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1 A mounting apparatus suitable for supporting a window covering for a window which is at least partially surrounded by at least a first and second normal surface where the first and second normal surfaces extend substantially normally to the window and are adjacent opposite edges of the window, in which the mounting apparatus comprises a frame and two or more expansion elements, each expansion element is supported on the frame, each expansion element comprises a biasing means and an associated engagement element, each biasing means is adapted to bias its associated engagement element away from the frame, the frame and expansion elements are collectively shaped, orientated and dimensioned so that each of the associated engagement elements may be biased against a portion of one of the normal surfaces, and the expansion elements are so positioned and orientated that the collective biasing of the engagement elements against the normal surfaces may retain the mounting apparatus in a fixed position relative to the window and the normal surfaces.2 A mounting apparatus according to claim 1 in which the frame is rectangular, and an expansion element is positioned adjacent each corner of the frame.3 A mounting apparatus according to claim 1 in which the frame is rectangular, two expansion elements are positioned adjacent to a corner of the frame, and the expansion elements at that corner are so positioned and orientated that the associated engagement elements of the expansion elements at that corner are biased in directions substantially orthogonal to each other.4 A mounting apparatus according to claim 3 in which two expansion elements are positioned adjacent to each corner of the frame, and the expansion elements at each corner are so positioned and orientated that the associated engagement elements of the expansion elements at that corner are biased in directions orthogonal to each other.5 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which each expansion element is so orientated that the direction in which the associated engagement element is biased is coincident with or substantially parallel to a central axis of a portion of the frame adjacent the expansion element.6 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which at least two of the expansion elements are so positioned and orientated on the frame that the collective biasing of those engagement elements against the first and second normal surface causes the mounting apparatus to sit centrally between the first and second normal surfaces.7 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6 in which the total of the biasing forces exerted on the second normal surface in the direction of the shortest path from the first to the second normal surface by the expansion elements biased against the second normal surface is equal to the total of the biasing forces exerted on the first normal surface in the direction of the shortest path from the second to the first normal surface by the expansion elements biased against the first normal surface. This has the result that the mounting apparatus sits centrally between the first and second normal surfaces.8 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 in which the biasing means of each expansion element has the same biasing characteristics as the biasing means of each other expansion element.9 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8 in which a first and second expansion element are so positioned and orientated that the associated engagement elements of the first and second expansion elements are biased in substantially opposite directions along a substantially common axis.10 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9 in which each expansion element is a member of a pair of expansion elements, and the expansion elements of each pair are so positioned and orientated that the associated engagement elements of the pair are biased in substantially opposite directions along a substantially common axis.11 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10 in which an expansion element comprises a latching element, the latching element is releasably engageable with one or both of the biasing means and the associated engagement element, and engagement of the latching element and the biasing element and I or associated engagement element retains the associated engagement element in a position close to or within the frame, and release of the engagement of the latching element allows the biasing element to bias the associated engagement element away from the frame.12 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11 in which the mounting apparatus comprises one or more apertures, and in which the apertures are configured to allow secondary fixing of the mounting apparatus to one or both of a normal surface, or a window frame.13 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 12 in which the mounting apparatus is suitable for use in association with a window that includes a window pane and a window frame that supports the window pane, in which the mounting apparatus comprises one or more mounting plates, in which each mounting plate is configured and dimensioned to be reversibly inserted between the window pane and the window frame, and each mounting plate is connected to the frame of the mounting apparatus.14 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13 in which the frame further comprises one or more attachment elements, in which each attachment element is adapted to at least partially attach a window covering to the mounting apparatus.15 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 14 in which the mounting apparatus comprises a seal element, and the seal element is positioned and dimensioned to allow the seal element to form a seal between the frame and a normal surface, in which the seal formed is one or more of substantially light tight, substantially draft proof, and acoustically dampening.16 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 15 in which the frame comprises at least two frame elements and at least two joint elements, in which the each joint element is configured to engage with two frame elements.17 A mounting apparatus according to claim 16 in which at least one joint element is configured to engage with at least one expansion element.18 A mounting apparatus according to claim 16 or 17 in which at least one joint element and at least one expansion element are integral with each other.19 A mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18 in which the mounting apparatus comprises at least one stop element, each stop element is supported on and extends away from the frame, the frame, expansion elements and each stop element are collectively shaped, dimensioned, positioned and orientated on the frame so that each of the associated engagement elements may be biased against a normal surface by the associated biasing means, and each stop element is biased against a normal surface by the frame.20 A mounting apparatus according to claim 19 in which at least one of the stop elements is so configured that the distance the stop element extends away from the frame is adjustable.21 A mounting apparatus according to claim 19 or 20 in which an expansion element and a stop element are so positioned and orientated on the frame that the associated engagement element is biased and the stop element extends in substantially opposite directions along a substantially common axis.22 A window covering system in which the window covering system comprises a mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 21 and a window covering.23 A window covering system according to claim 22 in which the window covering is one or more of substantially light tight, substantially draft proof, insulating, thermally absorptive, thermally reflective, and acoustically dampening.24 A kit of parts for constructing a window covering system comprising a mounting apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 21 and a window covering.

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