Single-Track stacking panel covering for an architectural opening

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10544620-B2
Application number	US-201715458141-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2017
Priority date	Nov 4, 2004
Publication date	Jan 28, 2020
Grant date	Jan 28, 2020

Abstract

A single-track stacking panel covering for an architectural opening has a headrail for mounting the covering above and in front of the opening, such as a window or door. The headrail has a single track. Suspended from the headrail and translatable therealong are panels oriented at a small angle relative to the headrail. When the covering is open, the panels form an overlappingly stacked array at one end of the headrail.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An arrangement for supporting a covering relative to an architectural opening, said system comprising:
first and second rails configured to be positioned relative to the architectural opening, each of said first and second rails extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, said first and second rails forming part of a single track running in the longitudinal direction;
a plurality of carriers supported on said single track, said plurality of carriers including a plurality of first carriers supported by said first rail and a plurality of said second carriers supported by said second rail, said plurality of carriers being translatable in the longitudinal direction along said first and second rails; and
a plurality of hangers coupled to said plurality of carriers, each of said plurality of hangers supported by a respective carrier of said plurality of carriers such that each hanger extends from said respective carrier towards the covering, said plurality of hangers configured to be coupled to the covering;
wherein each adjacent pair of first carriers of the plurality of first carriers are coupled together by a link extending between said adjacent pair of first carriers within said first rail such that said plurality of first carriers are configured to translate together in the longitudinal direction along said first rail when moving the covering relative to the architectural opening, wherein the link is positioned within said first rail.

2. The arrangement as in claim 1 , wherein:
each of said first and second rails including a pair of inwardly-directed ledges defining a slot therebetween;
said plurality of first carriers are supported above said pair of inwardly-directed ledges of said first rail; and
said plurality of said second carriers are supported above said pair of inwardly-directed ledges of said second rail.

3. The arrangement as in claim 2 , wherein:
each of said first and second rails includes flanges extending from said pair of inwardly-directed ledges; and
each of said plurality of carriers includes corresponding shoulders configured to engage said flanges such that said shoulders slide along said flanges as said plurality of carriers are translated in the longitudinal direction.

4. The arrangement as in claim 3 , wherein said flanges extend perpendicularly from said pair of inwardly-directed ledges along each side of said slot.

5. The arrangement as in claim 1 , wherein:
each adjacent pair of first carriers includes a first adjacent carrier and a second adjacent carrier;
said link extends lengthwise between a first end and a second end thereof; and
said link is coupled to said first and second adjacent carriers between said first and second ends.

6. The arrangement as in claim 5 , wherein:
said link is fixed to said first adjacent carrier at or adjacent to said first end of said link; and
said link is coupled to said second adjacent carrier such that said second end of said link engages said second adjacent carrier when the covering is moved relative to the architectural opening in a first direction and said second end of said link is movable relative to said second adjacent carrier when the covering is moved relative to the architectural opening in a second direction opposite the first direction.

7. The arrangement as in claim 6 , wherein:
said link defines a plurality of notches at or adjacent to said first end of said link; and
said first adjacent carrier includes a projection configured to be received in one of said plurality of notches to couple said first adjacent carrier to said link.

8. The arrangement as in claim 7 , wherein:
said plurality of notches are spaced apart from one another along said link; and
said projection is selected to be received within said one of said plurality of notches based on a desired spacing of said first and second adjacent carriers when the covering is moved relative to the architectural opening in the first direction.

9. The arrangement as in claim 6 , wherein:
said second adjacent carrier defines a slot configured to receive said link; and
said link is slidably received within said slot such that said second end of said link is movable away from said second adjacent carrier when the covering is moved relative to the architectural opening in the second direction.

10. The arrangement as in claim 9 , wherein:
said link includes a raised portion defined at or adjacent to said second end of said link; and
said raised portion is configured to engage said second adjacent carrier at a location around an outer perimeter of said slot when the covering is moved relative to the architectural opening in the first direction such that said second adjacent carrier moves with said first adjacent carrier in the longitudinal direction.

11. The arrangement as in claim 1 , further comprising a first cord-guide member positioned at said first ends of said first and second rails and a second cord-guide member positioned at said second ends of said first and second rails; and
wherein each of said first and second cord-guide members define a first cord hole and a second cord hole for guiding a cord into and out of at least one of said first rail or said second rail.

12. The arrangement as in claim 11 , wherein:
said cord extends lengthwise between a first cord end and a second cord end; and
said first and second cord ends are attached to a given carrier of the plurality of carriers.

13. The arrangement as in claim 12 , wherein:
said cord extends from said first cord end within said at least one of said first rail or said second rail and through said first cord hole of said first cord-guide member at said first ends of said first and second rails;
said cord passes through said second cord hole of said first cord-guide member and extends along said at least one of said first rail or said second rail end and outwardly through said first cord hole of said second cord-guide member at said second ends of said first and second rails; and
said cord passes through said second hole of said second cord-guide member and extends to said second cord end coupled to said given carrier.

14. The arrangement of claim 13 , wherein said cord forms a loop at one of said first and second ends of said first and second rails.

15. The arrangement of claim 13 , wherein:
each of said first and second cord guide members includes a roller positioned between said first and second cord holes; and
said cord is configured to be passed over said roller as said cord is moved between said first and second cord holes.

16. The arrangement of claim 12 , wherein:
said given carrier includes a cord-securing member; and
said cord-securing member including first and second attachment holes through which said cord extends.

17. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein said covering is alternately supported along the longitudinal direction of said first and second rails by said first and second plurality of carriers such that said covering extends from one of said first plurality of carriers to an adjacent one of said second plurality of carriers at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal direction.

18. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein:
said first and second rails are formed by a common headrail; and
said first rail being associated with a first interior compartment of said common headrail and said second rail being associated with a second interior compartment of said common headrail.

19. The arrangement of claim 18 , wherein:
the first and

Assignees

• Hunter Douglas

Inventors

• Colson Wendell B
• Park Jeffrey A

Classifications

• A47H2201/02

  Hook-and-loop fasteners · CPC title

• E06B9/36 Primary

  with vertical lamellae {; Supporting rails therefor} · CPC title

• A47H2023/025

  Panel type curtains · CPC title

• A47H2201/01

  Magnets · CPC title

• E06B9/364

  Operating mechanisms therein · CPC title