Repositionable Handle Assembly for Architectural Coverings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing architectural coverings with manually adjustable rails face difficulties in handle installation, as screws require drilling holes, which complicates installation, damages holes are visible, and repositioning handles necessitates additional work and unsightly holes.

Innovation Solution

A repositionable handle assembly with a fastener receiving member that slides into a groove on the rail, allowing the handle to be clamped and repositioned without drilling, using a screw to secure the handle in place, and a snap-on cover to conceal the fastener and hole, enhancing aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the handle is screwed onto the rail using a drilled hole, then the handle is securely fixed, but the installation process becomes more difficult and damaged holes are visible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle fixation securityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the fastening function from the handle itself and relocates it to a separate fastener receiving member that engages with a groove in the rail. This allows the handle to be attached without drilling holes into the rail, thereby maintaining secure fixation while simplifying installation and avoiding visible damage to the rail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastener receiving member acts as an intermediary component between the handle and the rail. It receives the screw and transfers the fastening force to the rail through a groove engagement, eliminating the need to drill holes in the rail while still providing secure handle attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the handle position is changed, then the customer can optimize the handle location, but additional drilling work is required and unsightly holes remain visible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle repositionabilityVSAvoidreinstallation work

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The groove is pre-formed in the rail during manufacturing, creating multiple potential mounting positions in advance. This allows the handle to be repositioned to any location along the groove without requiring additional drilling work, as all necessary mounting points are already prepared during the initial manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Shape

If a snap-on cover is added to conceal the fastener, then the aesthetic appeal is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidassembly components

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cosmetic covering function is extracted as a separate snap-on cover component. This allows the fastening mechanism to remain functional while the cover provides aesthetic concealment. The separation of functions enables the cover to be added or removed independently without affecting the handle's mounting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10173312B2Architectural covering with repositionable handle assembly

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 HUNTER DOUGLAS IND BV

AI summary

An architectural covering, comprising a rail and a repositionable handle assembly. The rail has a groove. The assembly comprises a handle with a hole for receiving a fastener, and a fastener receiving member. The fastener receiving member is free to slide along the groove when in an undamped state. A fastener is also provided for mechanically connecting the handle to the fastener receiving member and for clamping the handle and the fastener receiving member in a desired position on the rail.