Bottom rail and blinds

Abstract

To provide a technology that can more easily fix a weight to a bottom rail without the need for processing to fix the weight to the bottom rail.SOLUTION: A bottom rail 3 for a blind comprises a rail member 30 formed long and having a weight housing portion 303 defining a housing space in communication with an open end and connected to a bottom end of a shielding material, at least one or more weight members 50 to add weight to the rail member 30, and a first holding member 51 configured to hold the at least one or more weight members 50 and to fix the at least one or more weight members 50 to the rail member 30 when housed in the weight housing portion 303.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This embodiment relates to a bottom rail provided in a blind.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a technique related to a bottom rail provided in a blind, a bottom rail is configured such that an insertion hole having an open end face is provided at at least one end portion, a rod-shaped weight is inserted into the insertion hole, and then a bottom plate that covers the insertion hole is attached (see Patent Document 1). The rod-shaped weight is formed with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the insertion hole and in a curved shape within a range where it can be inserted into the insertion hole.

[0003] According to such a bottom rail, the weight of the bottom rail can be adjusted without impairing the aesthetics, and it is possible to prevent the weight from rattling inside the insertion hole.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, according to the above-described technique, the weight has a relatively large specific gravity and high rigidity in order to be fixed to the bottom rail. Therefore, there is a problem that it is necessary to form or process a weight made of a material that is not easy to process into a curved shape.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique that can more easily fix a weight to a bottom rail without performing processing for fixing the weight.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a bottom rail for a blind, comprising: a rail member formed in an elongated shape and having a weight housing portion that defines a housing space communicating with an open end, and connected to the lower end of a shielding material; at least one or more weight members that impart weight to the rail member; and a first holding member configured to hold the at least one or more weight members and fixing the at least one or more weight members to the rail member when housed in the weight housing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the weight can be more easily fixed to the bottom rail without requiring any processing to fix it to the weight. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing the configuration of the blind according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing the configuration of the blind according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the bottom rail according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a side view showing the configuration of the rail member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a front view showing the configuration of the weight to be accommodated according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first retaining member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second retaining member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 5. [Figure 9] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line BB. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of the bottom rail with the housed weight inside, corresponding to the CC line cross-section in Figure 5. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view showing an end portion of a normally processed weight member. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view showing an end portion of a weight member with burrs formed. [Figure 13] It is a plan view showing a weight member held by a first holder according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14A] It is a front view showing a housed weight inserted into a rail member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14B] It is a front view showing a housed weight press-fitted into a rail member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14C] It is a front view showing a housed weight fixed to a rail member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] It is a side view showing a housed weight fixed to a rail member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] It is a sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] It is a sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] It is a side sectional view showing the configuration of a bottom rail according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of a bottom rail according to the third embodiment. [Figure 20] It is a front view showing the configuration of a housed weight according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 21] It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of a bottom rail according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 22] It is a sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 21. [Figure 23] It is a side sectional view showing the configuration of a bottom rail with a weight member positioned upward according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 24] It is a perspective view showing the configuration of a housed weight according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 25] It is a schematic view showing the configuration of a bottom rail according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 26] It is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first holding member according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 27] This is a perspective view showing a first holding member to which adhesive tape is attached, according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 28] Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view along the HH line. [Figure 29] Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view along the GG line. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a blind to which the present invention is applied as a pleated screen equipped with a screen that can be raised and lowered will be used as an example. In the following embodiments, the indoor side of the blind when it is installed will be referred to as the front, the outdoor side as the back, the direction consisting of the front and back will be referred to as the front-to-back direction, and the longitudinal direction of the blind will be referred to as the left-to-right direction. Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same function will be denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations.

[0011] <First Embodiment> (Overall structure) The overall configuration of the blind according to the first embodiment will now be described. Figures 1 and 2 are a front view and a side view, respectively, showing the configuration of the blind according to this embodiment. In Figure 1, the blind is shown with the bottom rail lowered to its lowest position, and only the interior of the headbox is shown.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the blind 1 according to this embodiment comprises a headbox 2, a bottom rail 3, at least two lifting cords 41 formed in the shape of strings or tapes, a screen 4 as a shielding material, and an operating unit 22.

[0013] The headbox 2 is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape that defines an internal storage space and is fixed to a window frame or the like (not shown) via a plurality of brackets 21. The headbox 2 houses a drive shaft 201, at least two winding drums 202 corresponding to each lifting cord 41, a stopper 203, and a brake 204. The drive shaft 201, the two winding drums 202, the stopper 203, and the brake 204 constitute a drive system for raising and lowering the bottom rail 3.

[0014] The drive shaft 201 is a rectangular prism-shaped member extending in the left-right direction, and is pivotally supported within the headbox 2 so as to be rotatable with its axis in the left-right direction. Each winding drum 202 passes through the drive shaft 201 so as to rotate integrally with the drive shaft 201, and one end of the corresponding lifting cord 41 is connected to each drum so as to be able to be wound up and unwound.

[0015] The stopper 203 restricts the rotation of the drive shaft 201 in the unwinding direction and is configured to be switchable between a state in which the rotation of the drive shaft 201 is restricted and a state in which it is permitted. The brake 204 reduces the rotational speed of the drive shaft 201 in the unwinding direction. By reducing the rotational speed of the drive shaft 201, the brake 204 mitigates the impact force generated when the bottom rail 3 descends to its lower end position.

[0016] The bottom rail 3 is connected to the other end of each lifting cord 41 and is suspended and supported from the headbox 2 so as to be located at the lowest point of the blind 1. The screen 4 is a shielding member whose upper end is connected to the lower surface of the headbox 2 and whose lower end is connected to the upper surface of the bottom rail 3, and is formed in a pleated shape that can be folded vertically, with the lifting cords 41 partially inserted vertically through it.

[0017] The operating unit 22 has an endless operating cord 23, which is configured as, for example, a ball chain, and rotates the drive shaft 201 to raise or lower the bottom rail 3 in response to the user's lifting or lowering operation on the operating cord 23.

[0018] (Bottom rail configuration) The configuration of the bottom rail according to the first embodiment will now be described. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the bottom rail according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the rail member according to this embodiment.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the bottom rail 3 comprises a rail member 30, two weights 5 to be housed, and two side caps 6. The rail member 30 as a whole is a roughly cylindrical member that is elongated in the left-right direction with both ends open. As shown in Figure 4, the rail member 30 has a screen connection space 301, a cord connection space 302, and a weight housing section 303.

[0020] The screen connection space 301 is formed on the front side (left side in Figure 4) of the outer wall of the rail member 30 so that the lower end of the screen 4 can be accommodated via a screen stopper plate (not shown). The cord connection space 302 is formed on the upper side of the outer wall of the rail member 30 so that two lifting cords 41 and two pitch-holding cords 42 for holding the pleats of the screen 4 at regular intervals can be accommodated via a cord stopper plate (not shown).

[0021] The two weights to be housed 5 are each configured as columnar shapes extending in one direction as a whole, as will be described in detail later. The weight housing section 303 houses the two weights to be housed 5 inserted from each end of the rail member 30 at the rear side (right side in Figure 4) of the internal space of the rail member 30, and holds the two weights to be housed 5 by surrounding them from directions perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0022] In this embodiment, the weight housing section 303 is formed in a substantially C-shape when viewed from the left-right direction by a portion of the rear side of the inner wall of the rail member 30 and a protruding portion formed to protrude from the inner wall. The weight housing section 303 surrounds at least half of the outer circumference of each of the two weights 5 to be housed, which are inserted into the weight housing section 303 with their extending direction facing left-right, and holds them so that they cannot move in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0023] In order to completely surround the outer perimeter of the two weights 5 to be housed, it would be necessary to divide the internal space of the rail member 30 into two sections. However, forming the rail member 30 in this way is difficult and costly. By configuring the weight housing section 303 as in this embodiment, the two weights 5 to be housed can be held in the rail member 30 more easily and at a lower cost.

[0024] The two side caps 6 are members formed to close the two openings formed at both ends of the rail member 30. The two side caps 6 are attached to both ends of the rail member 30 after the entire weights 5 to be housed are inserted into the weight housing section 303.

[0025] (Composition of the weight to be accommodated) The configuration of the weight to be housed according to the first embodiment will now be described. Figure 5 is a front view showing the configuration of the weight to be housed according to this embodiment. Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views showing the configuration of the first holding member and the second holding member, respectively. Figures 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views along line AA and line BB of Figure 5, respectively. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom rail in which the weight to be housed is housed, corresponding to the cross-section along line CC of Figure 5. Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views showing the weight member that has been properly processed and the end of the weight member with burrs formed on it, respectively. Figure 13 is a plan view showing the weight member held by the first holder according to this embodiment.

[0026] As shown in Figures 5, 8 to 10, the weight to be housed 5 comprises three weight members 50, a first holding member 51, and a second holding member 52. Each of the three weight members 50 is made of a material with a relatively high specific gravity to impart weight to the rail member 30, and is formed in a long, roughly cylindrical shape extending in one direction. The first holding member 51 holds the three weight members 50 on one side (right side in Figure 5) in their extending direction. The second holding member 52 holds the three weight members on the other side (left side in Figure 5) in their extending direction.

[0027] As shown in Figures 6 and 9, the first retaining member 51 has three retaining portions 511 and a wall portion 512, and is formed in a substantially columnar shape that extends in one direction as a whole. The second retaining member 52 has three retaining portions 521, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, and is formed in a substantially columnar shape that extends in one direction as a whole.

[0028] As shown in Figures 6 and 9, the three retaining portions 511 of the first retaining member 51 each extend in one direction and are formed in a roughly C-shape when viewed from the direction of extension, in other words, a roughly cylindrical shape with a part of the side wall open. Here, each of the three retaining portions 511 is formed so that the weight member 50 can be inserted and so that a part of the peripheral wall of the weight member 50 can be surrounded. In addition, each of the three retaining portions 511 has a rib 511R that protrudes toward the open portion at a position opposite the open portion on its inner peripheral wall. The three retaining portions 511 are integrated such that their respective open portions are spaced equally apart around the central axis C1 (see Figure 9) of the first retaining member 51 which faces their respective directions of extension, resulting in a shape that is 3 times symmetrical around the central axis C1. The three ribs 511R each protrude outward from the diameter of the first retaining member 51.

[0029] The wall portion 512 of the first holding member 51 is provided on one end side of the three holding portions 511 and is a substantially plate-shaped member formed to form the bottom surface of each of the three holding portions 511 which are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Three protrusions 512C are formed on the surface of the wall portion 512 that faces the three holding portions 511, as shown in Figure 10. Each of the three protrusions 512C is formed corresponding to each of the three holding portions 511 and, when the weight member 50 is held by the corresponding holding portion 511, they protrude inward in the extending direction of the holding portion 511 so as to separate the weight member 50 from the wall portion 512.

[0030] As shown in Figure 11, the end face of a properly manufactured weight member 50N is formed to be flat, but as shown in Figure 12, a weight member 50B with a burr BR formed on its end face may be manufactured unintentionally. The three protrusions 512C, as shown in Figure 13, increase the thickness of the area where the burr BR abuts the wall portion 512 that the end face of the weight member 50N faces, thereby preventing damage to the wall portion 512 due to the burr BR.

[0031] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the three retaining portions 521 of the second retaining member 52 each extend in one direction and are formed in a roughly C-shape when viewed from the direction of extension, in other words, in a roughly cylindrical shape with a part of the side wall open. Here, each of the three retaining portions 521 is formed so that the weight member 50 can be inserted and so that a part of the peripheral wall of the weight member 50 can be surrounded. In addition, each of the three retaining portions 511 is formed with a rib 521R and two claw portions 521H (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0032] The rib 521R is formed to protrude toward the open portion at a position opposite the open portion on the inner circumferential wall of the retaining portion 521. The three retaining portions 511 are integrated such that their respective open portions are spaced equally apart around the central axis C2 (see Figure 8) of the second retaining member 52, which is oriented in the direction of their extension, resulting in a shape that is 3 times symmetrical about the central axis C2. Each of the three rib 521R protrudes radially outward from the second retaining member 52.

[0033] The two claw portions 521H are each formed along the entire length of the two edges that form the open portion of the holding portion 521 and protrude radially inward from the holding portion 521. The second holding member 52 is made of a flexible material, and the open portions of the three holding portions 521 are narrower than the diameter of the weight member 50. That is, the distance between the two claw portions 521H is shorter than the diameter of the weight member 50. When the weight member 50 is inserted into the holding portion 521 from the outside, the holding portion 521 deforms so that the two claw portions 521H are separated, and once the weight member 50 is held within the holding portion 521, the weight member 50 is held by the two claw portions 521H and the rib 521R so that it cannot move radially from the second holding member 52.

[0034] The three ribs 521R of the second retaining member 52 are formed to fix the three weight members 50, whereas the three ribs 511R of the first retaining member 51 are formed to fix the three weight members 50 while causing them to protrude radially outward. The three weight members 50 are each held by the first retaining member 51 and the second retaining member 52 such that their side surfaces are furthest from the central axes C1 and C2. The three ribs 511R of the first retaining member 51 are all formed such that the radius L1 (see Figure 9) of the first retaining member 51, which includes the three weight members 50, is larger than the radius L2 of the second retaining member 52, which also includes the three weight members 50. As a result, the weight to be housed is configured such that the diameter on the first retaining member 51 side is larger than the diameter on the second retaining member 52 side. In other words, the first holding member 51 holds the three weight members 50 spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to their extending direction, compared to the second holding member 52.

[0035] (Method for securing the weight to be accommodated) The method for fixing the weight to be housed to the rail member will be described. Figures 14A to 14C are front views showing the weight to be housed inserted, press-fitted, and fixed to the rail member according to this embodiment. Figure 15 is a side view showing the weight to be housed fixed to the rail member according to this embodiment. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of Figure 15. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of Figure 16.

[0036] When attaching the weight to be housed 5 to the rail member 30, the worker first inserts the weight to be housed 5 into the weight housing portion 303 of the rail member 30 from the second retaining member 52 side, which has a smaller diameter than the first retaining member 51 side, as shown in Figure 14A. The weight housing portion 303 is formed in a shape that matches the outer shape of the first retaining member 51 of the weight to be housed 5 when viewed from the left and right directions. Therefore, once the weight to be housed 5 is inserted into the weight housing portion 303 to the extent that it is held by the first retaining member 51, the worker applies force from the left and right outward side to press the weight to be housed 5 into the weight housing portion 303, as shown in Figure 14B. As shown in Figures 14C and 15, the weight to be housed 5 is press-fitted until its left-right outward end (right side in Figure 14C) reaches the left-right outward end of the rail member 30, thereby completing the attachment of the weight to be housed 5 to the rail member 30.

[0037] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the portion in which the three weight members 50 are held by the first holding member 51 fits into the weight housing portion 303, thereby fixing the weight to be housed 5 to the rail member 30. At this time, the sides of the three weight members 50 abut against the inner circumferential wall of the weight housing portion 303. With this configuration, the diameter of the weight to be housed 5 can be reduced compared to the case where the first holding member 51 surrounds the entire circumference and holds each of the three weight members 50.

[0038] Since the first retaining member 51 and the second retaining member 52 do not need to add weight to the rail member 30, they can be manufactured from materials that have a lower specific gravity, lower rigidity, and are easier to process compared to the three weight members 50. Therefore, according to the bottom rail 3 of this embodiment, the weight members 50 can be fixed to the rail member 30 more easily without processing the weight members 50 to fix them to the rail member 30.

[0039] <Second Embodiment> The configuration of the weight to be housed according to the second embodiment will now be described. Figure 18 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the bottom rail according to this embodiment.

[0040] As shown in Figure 18, the weight to be housed 5A according to this embodiment differs from the weight to be housed 5 according to the first embodiment in that it comprises one weight member 50 and two auxiliary weight members 50A instead of three weight members 50. Each of the two auxiliary weight members 50A is made of a material with a lower specific gravity than the weight member 50 and is formed in substantially the same shape as the weight member 50.

[0041] With such a weight to be accommodated 5A, the weight applied to the rail member 30 can be easily adjusted. Furthermore, as described above, since the first retaining member 51 and the second retaining member 52 are both formed rotationally symmetrically when viewed from their extending direction, the position of the weight member 50 in the front-rear direction can be changed by rotating it around an axis facing the extending direction of the weight to be accommodated 5A, thereby changing the position of the weight member 50 in the front-rear direction and thus changing the center of gravity of the bottom rail 3. Note that the two auxiliary weight members 50A may be made of materials with different specific gravities, and the weight to be accommodated 5A may comprise two weight members 50 and one auxiliary weight member 50A.

[0042] <Third Embodiment> Figure 19, which describes the configuration of the weight to be housed according to the third embodiment, is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the bottom rail according to this embodiment.

[0043] As shown in Figure 19, the housed weight 5B according to this embodiment differs from the housed weight 5 according to the first embodiment in that it has three weight members 50S instead of three weight members 50, and does not have a second holding member 52.

[0044] Each of the three weight members 50S is formed to have the same diameter as the weight member 50, but differs from the weight member 50 in that it is formed to have a shorter length in the extending direction than the weight member 50. With such a housing weight 5B, the three weight members 50S can be fixed to the rail member 30 by the first holding member 51 alone.

[0045] <Fourth Embodiment> The configuration of the weight to be housed according to the fourth embodiment will now be described. Figure 20 is a front view showing the configuration of the weight to be housed according to the fourth embodiment.

[0046] As shown in Figure 20, the housed weight 5C according to this embodiment differs from the housed weight 5 according to the first embodiment in that it has two second holding members 52 that hold the three weight members 50 at different positions from each other. With such a housed weight 5C, the three weight members 50 can be held by one first holding member 51 and multiple second holding members 52, allowing the three weight members 50 to be fixed to the rail member 30 more stably, and in particular, the three weight members 50 can be held in a stable state when they are longer in length.

[0047] <Fifth Embodiment> The configuration of the weight to be housed according to the fifth embodiment will now be described. Figure 21 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the bottom rail according to this embodiment. Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view along the FF line of Figure 21. Figure 23 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the bottom rail according to this embodiment, in which the weight member is positioned above.

[0048] As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the housed weight 5D according to this embodiment differs from the housed weight 5 according to the first embodiment in that it has only one weight member 50 instead of three weight members 50, and has a first holding member 51D that holds only one weight member 50 instead of the first holding member 51 and the second holding member 52.

[0049] The first retaining member 51D is formed such that the portion other than the retaining portion 511, that is, the portion corresponding to the other two retaining portions 511 of the first retaining member 51, is rotationally symmetric with respect to the retaining portion 511 that holds the weight member 50, with respect to the central axis C1. Therefore, the outer shape of the housed weight 5D, as viewed from the extending direction, is substantially the same as that of the housed weight 5.

[0050] With such a housing weight 5D, similar to the housing weight 5A in the second embodiment, the position of the weight member 50 in the front-rear direction can be changed by rotating the housing weight 5D around an axis facing the extending direction, thereby changing the center of gravity of the bottom rail 3.

[0051] <Sixth Embodiment> The configuration of the weight to be housed according to the sixth embodiment will now be described. Figure 24 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the weight to be housed according to the sixth embodiment. Figure 25 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the bottom rail according to this embodiment. Figures 26 and 27 are perspective views showing the configuration of the first retaining member according to this embodiment and the first retaining member to which adhesive tape is attached, respectively. Figures 28 and 29 are cross-sectional views of Figure 25, taken along line HH and line GG, respectively. Note that Figure 25 shows one end of the bottom rail through which the bottom rail is visible and the side cap has been cut off.

[0052] As shown in Figures 24 to 26, the bottom rail 3E according to this embodiment differs from the bottom rail 3 according to the first embodiment in that it has two side caps 6E instead of two side caps 6, and a weight 5E instead of a weight 5.

[0053] The first retaining member 51E differs from the first retaining member 51 in the first embodiment in that it has three retaining portions 511A instead of three retaining portions 511, a wall portion 513 instead of a wall portion 512, and three exposed retaining portions 514 provided corresponding to each of the three retaining portions 511A.

[0054] Each of the three retaining portions 511A is formed in substantially the same manner as the three retaining portions 521 of the second retaining member 52. Specifically, as shown in Figure 28, the retaining portion 511A is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a portion of its side wall open so that the weight member 50 can be inserted and a portion of the peripheral wall of the weight member 50 can be surrounded, and it is formed with one rib 511R2 and two claw portions 511H.

[0055] Rib 511R2 is formed to protrude toward the open portion at a position opposite to the open portion on the inner circumferential wall of the holding portion 511A. The two claw portions 511H are each formed over the entire length in the extending direction at the two edges that make up the open portion of the holding portion 511A, and protrude radially inward from the holding portion 511A. When the weight member 50 is inserted into the holding portion 511A from the outside, the holding portion 511A deforms so that the two claw portions 511H are separated, and when the weight member 50 is held within the holding portion 511A, the weight member 50 is held by the two claw portions 511H and the rib 511R so that it cannot move radially from the first holding member 51E.

[0056] When the first retaining member 51E is housed in the weight housing portion 303 of the bottom rail 3E while holding the three weight members 50, as shown in Figure 28, the three weight members 50 do not come into contact with the inner circumferential wall of the weight housing portion 303, and only the first retaining member 51E comes into contact with the inner circumferential wall of the weight housing portion 303. This allows the three weight members 50 to be fixed to the bottom rail 3E without depending on the machining accuracy of the three weight members 50.

[0057] The three exposed holding portions 514 are each formed at one end in the extending direction of the corresponding holding portion 511A, specifically at the end opposite to the wall portion 513. The exposed holding portions 514 are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, similar to the holding portion 511A, with a portion of the side wall open so that the weight member 50 can be inserted and a portion of the peripheral wall of the weight member 50 can be surrounded. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 29, the exposed holding portions 514 are formed such that the distance between the two edges forming the open portion is greater than that of the holding portion 511A. As a result, the portion of the weight member 50 held by the exposed holding portion 514 has a larger area exposed to the outside than the portion held by the corresponding holding portion 511A.

[0058] In the weight to be housed 5E, as shown in Figures 24, 25, and 27, adhesive tape AT may be used to firmly fix the three weight members 50 with the first holding member 51E. In this case, the adhesive tape AT is attached so as to wrap around the three exposed holding parts 514 that each hold the three weight members 50 in the circumferential direction. With the exposed holding parts 514, the exposed area of ​​the weight member 50 to be held is large, so the area of ​​adhesion of the adhesive tape AT to the weight member 50 is large, and as a result the weight member 50 is fixed more firmly to the first holding member 51E.

[0059] As shown in Figure 25, the wall portion 513 is formed so as to lock onto the end face of the bottom rail 3E when the first retaining portion 51E is inserted into the weight housing portion 303 of the bottom rail 3E. In other words, the wall portion 513 is formed so as not to be inserted into the weight housing portion 303. Furthermore, the wall portion 513 is similar to the wall portion 512 in that three protrusions 513C are formed on the surface facing the three retaining portions 511A.

[0060] As shown in Figure 25, the two side caps 6E are attached to both ends of the rail member 30 after the portions of the two weights 5E other than the respective wall portions 513 are inserted into the weight housing portion 303, and are fixed to the rail member 30 by being screwed to screws SC. The side caps 6E have wall portion housing portions 601 formed to accommodate the wall portions 513 when attached to the rail member 30. The wall portions 513 and the side caps 6E more firmly restrict the movement of the first retaining portion 51E in the extending direction of the bottom rail 3E.

[0061] As described above, by using at least the first retaining members 51, 51D, and 51E, at least one or more weight members 50, 50S can be fixed to the rail member 30 without any processing. Here, "fixing" means restricting the movement of one or more weight members 50, 50S relative to the rail member 30 in the front-to-back and up-and-down directions, and preferably further restricting their movement in the left-to-right direction. Although a pleated screen was used as an example of a blind 1 equipped with a bottom rail 3, the present invention can be applied to any blind that hangs a shading material, such as a horizontal blind or a honeycomb screen.

[0062] The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from its essence or main features. Therefore, the embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be construed restrictively. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and is not restricted in any way by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all variations, improvements, substitutions, and modifications falling within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1 Blind 3 Bottom Rail 30 Rail members 50 Weight components 51 First retaining member 52 Second retaining member 303 Weight storage section

Claims

1. It is a bottom rail for blinds, A long, elongated structure is formed, and a weight housing section is formed that defines a housing space communicating with the open end, and a rail member is connected to the lower end of the shielding material, At least one weight member that adds weight to the rail member, The system includes a first retaining member configured to hold at least one of the aforementioned weight members, and which fixes the at least one of the aforementioned weight members to the rail member when housed in the weight housing section, The bottom rail is characterized in that the first retaining member is fitted into the weight housing portion, thereby fixing at least one of the weight members to the rail member.

2. The bottom rail according to claim 1, characterized in that the first retaining member is formed in such a way that it cannot be accommodated in the weight housing portion at one end of the first retaining member facing the extending direction of the rail member, and has a wall portion that locks to the end face of the rail member when the first retaining member is housed in the weight housing portion.

3. The bottom rail according to claim 2, characterized in that the wall portion of the first retaining member is formed to be fixable to the end face of the rail member while being locked to the end face of the rail member, and the bottom rail is provided with a side cap that restricts the movement of the first retaining member in the extending direction of the rail member.

4. The first retaining member is, Each of the aforementioned weight members is held by at least one holding portion that surrounds at least a portion of the side surface of the weight member, Each of the one or more retaining portions has one or more exposed retaining portions provided so as to be located on the other end side of the first retaining member, facing the extending direction of the rail member, The bottom rail according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the one or more exposed holding portions surrounds and holds the side surface of the weight member such that the side surface of the weight member is exposed to the outside more than the holding portion.

5. The bottom rail according to claim 1, characterized in that when the first retaining member is housed in the weight housing, it is fitted into the weight housing with at least one of the weight members in contact with the inner wall of the weight housing.

6. The aforementioned at least one weight member is a plurality, and each of the plurality of weight members is formed to be elongated and extending in one direction. The aforementioned bottom rail is The bottom rail according to claim 5, further comprising a second holding member which holds the plurality of weight members at different positions in the extending direction of the plurality of weight members, as opposed to the first holding member.

7. The bottom rail according to claim 6, characterized in that the distance between the plurality of weight members held by the first holding member is greater than the distance between the plurality of weight members held by the second holding member.

8. The bottom rail according to claim 7, characterized in that the first retaining member is formed corresponding to each of the plurality of weight members and has a plurality of ribs that protrude so as to separate the plurality of weight members.

9. A bottom rail for a blind, A long, elongated structure is formed, and a weight housing section is formed that defines a housing space communicating with the open end, and a rail member is connected to the lower end of the shielding material, At least one weight member that adds weight to the rail member, A first retaining member is configured to hold at least one of the weight members, and when housed in the weight housing section, it fixes the at least one of the weight members to the rail member. It comprises at least one auxiliary weight member having a lower specific gravity than the at least one weight member and being formed in the same manner as the at least one weight member, The bottom rail is characterized in that the first holding member holds the at least one weight member and the at least one auxiliary weight member.

10. A bottom rail for a blind, A long, elongated structure is formed, and a weight housing section is formed that defines a housing space communicating with the open end, and a rail member is connected to the lower end of the shielding material, At least one weight member that adds weight to the rail member, The system includes a first retaining member configured to hold at least one of the aforementioned weight members, and which fixes the at least one of the aforementioned weight members to the rail member when housed in the weight housing section, The bottom rail is characterized in that the first holding member has a wall portion facing the end face of the at least one or more weight members when it is holding the at least one or more weight members, and the wall portion has a protrusion that projects inward in the extending direction of the at least one or more weight members.

11. A blind comprising the bottom rail according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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