Roller Shade Mounting Bracket Design to Conceal Fastening Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brackets and mounts for roller window shades are bulky and visible, detracting from the aesthetics of the shade system, necessitating an improved mounting solution that hides the fastening elements from view.
Innovation Solution
A system of fastening devices, including disk-shaped mounting brackets and two-piece 'invisible mount' configurations, where the mounting plate is secured to a support surface and hidden by the bracket, with members that engage the roller window shade assembly to prevent rotation and obscure the mounting plate from view, using apertures and protrusions for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional brackets and mounts are used for roller window shades, then the mounting structure provides sufficient support and secure attachment, but the brackets are bulky and visible, detracting from the aesthetics of the shade system
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is nested within the bracket structure, with the bracket covering the mounting plate from view. The bracket is positioned over the mounting plate and secured together, creating a nested configuration where the functional mounting elements are hidden within the aesthetic outer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is extracted as a separate component from the traditional single-piece bracket design. This allows the mounting plate to be positioned and secured to the support surface, then covered by the bracket, separating the functional attachment elements from the visible mounting structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the mounting plate is covered by the bracket to hide fastening elements, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the bracket and mounting plate must be precisely aligned and secured together
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is first secured to the support surface before the bracket is positioned over it. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and positioning, making the subsequent assembly of the bracket easier and more precise.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket serves dual functions: it provides structural support for the roller window shade assembly and simultaneously covers the mounting plate to hide fastening elements. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall design and reduces the number of separate components needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the bracket is designed to completely obscure the mounting plate, then the visual appeal is enhanced, but the bracket structure becomes more complex and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket and mounting plate are merged into a unified mounting system where the bracket covers the mounting plate. This merging creates a clean, simplified appearance from the front while maintaining the functional separation of components for secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is nested within the bracket structure, with the bracket positioned over the mounting plate. This nested configuration allows the mounting plate to be completely obscured while maintaining a simple two-component system rather than requiring complex multi-part assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
A roller shade mounting element comprising: a bracket having a first end configured to couple to a support surface and configured to support a roller window shade assembly; a first surface carried by the first end configured to bear against the support surface; a second end included in the bracket substantially opposite the first end; a second surface carried by the second end disposed between the first end and the second end, the second surface configured to support an end of the roller window shade assembly; and a member coupled with the bracket and configured to engage the roller window shade assembly, and the member configured to limit rotation of at least a portion of the roller window shade assembly; and, wherein the combination of the bracket and the roller window shade assembly completely obscures at least a portion of the bracket to an observer.