Handle structure and assembly for bottom rail of window shading

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11199048-B2
Application number	US-201716066801-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 25, 2017
Priority date	Jan 25, 2016
Publication date	Dec 14, 2021
Grant date	Dec 14, 2021

Abstract

A pivotable handle for an architectural covering is provided. The handle ( 400 ) includes first and second members ( 408,410 ) pivotably connected together at a hinge assembly ( 460 ). The first member ( 408 ) may be operable to connect the handle ( 400 ) to a movable rail ( 512 ). The second member ( 410 ) pivots between stored and use positions. In a stored position, the second member ( 410 ) may extend adjacent the first member ( 408 ). In a use position, the second member ( 410 ) may be pivoted away from the first member ( 408 ) to extend the movable rail ( 512 ) across an architectural structure. The handle includes a biasing member ( 470 ) operable to bias the second member ( 410 ) towards the first member ( 408 ).

First claim

We claim:

1. A handle assembly for an architectural covering, said handle assembly comprising:
a first member including opposing front and rear portions, and configured for attachment to a bottom rail of the architectural covering such that the first member is positioned beneath the bottom rail of the architectural covering;
a second member pivotably attached to said rear portion of said first member at a hinge assembly, and mechanically coupled to a ratcheting mechanism of the architectural covering through the front portion or the rear portion of said first member, wherein said second member is pivotable about an axis anterior to the bottom rail of the architectural covering between:
a stored position in which said second member extends adjacent said front portion of said first member such that said second member extends substantially in parallel with said first member, and
a use position in which said second member is pivoted away from said front portion of said first member such that the second member is substantially aligned with said rear portion of said first member, and horizontally displaced from said front portion of said first member,
wherein said second member in said use position is configured to apply a downward force to the ratcheting mechanism through the front portion or the rear portion of said first member; and

a biasing member operable to bias said second member to said stored position.

2. The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein
said handle assembly includes a shaft;
said second member includes a handle portion extending from said shaft; and
said shaft is received at least partially within a bore defined in said rear portion of said first member to define said hinge assembly.

3. The handle assembly of claim 2 , wherein said biasing member is one of a torsion spring or a torsion bar engaged with said first and second members.

4. The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein in said stored position said biasing member is positioned at least partially between said first and second members.

5. The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said biasing member is positioned at least partially between said first and second members.

6. The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first member includes an attachment portion configured for coupling to the bottom rail and positioned between said front and rear portions, said attachment portion extending away from said second member.

7. The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
said first member includes an exterior surface and a plurality of grooves defined in said exterior surface; and
said second member is at least partially received in said plurality of grooves in said stored position.

8. The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein
said second member includes a touch point; and
said touch point is positioned on an opposite side of said handle assembly relative to said hinge assembly.

9. The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said second member is contoured to substantially correspond to a contour of the first member.

10. The handle assembly of claim 9 , wherein said second member in the stored position is positioned directly vertically beneath said first member.

11. The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said biasing member includes a resinous material.

12. The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said second member is mechanically coupled to the ratcheting mechanism of the architectural covering through the front or rear portion of said first member, such that the downward force is applied to the ratcheting mechanism of the architectural covering along one of a front side or a rear side of the ratcheting mechanism.

13. The handle assembly of claim 12 , wherein said front portion or said rear portion of said first member directs the downward force to a side of the ratcheting mechanism at a point where the one of said front portion or said rear portion of the first member is coupled to a roller of the architectural covering.

14. The handle assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to said second member, wherein said handle protrudes outward from said first member of the handle assembly when said second member is in the stored position.

15. An architectural covering comprising:
a shade material;
a movable rail attached to said shade material and including a groove extending along a longitudinal length of said movable rail; and
a handle assembly at least partially received within said groove, said handle assembly including:
a first member including opposing front and rear portions, and configured for attachment to the moveable rail such that the first member is positioned beneath the moveable rail;
a second member pivotably attached to said rear portion of said first member at a hinge assembly, and mechanically coupled to a ratcheting mechanism of the architectural covering through the front portion or the rear portion of said first member, wherein said second member is pivotable about an axis anterior to the moveable rail between:
a stored position in which said second member extends adjacent said front portion of said first member such that said second member extends substantially in parallel with said first member, and
a use position in which said second member is pivoted away from said front portion of said first member such that the second member is substantially aligned with said rear portion of said first member, and horizontally displaced from said front portion of said first member,
wherein said second member in said use position is configured to apply a downward force to the ratcheting mechanism through the front portion or the rear portion of said first member; and

a biasing member operable to bias said second member towards said first member.

16. The covering of claim 15 , wherein said first member includes an attachment structure operable to couple said first member to said movable rail.

17. The covering of claim 16 , wherein said attachment structure includes an attachment portion received within said groove of said movable rail.

18. The covering of claim 17 , wherein said attachment portion and said movable rail define complementary hooks to secure said handle assembly to said movable rail.

19. The covering of claim 17 , wherein:
said movable rail includes opposing front and rear longitudinal edges;
said first member includes opposing front and rear portions;
said front portion extends adjacent said front longitudinal edge; and
said rear portion extends adjacent said rear longitudinal edge.

20. The covering of claim 15 , wherein said hinge assembly includes a hinge centerline positioned adjacent a rear edge of said movable rail.

21. A method of extending a movable rail of an architectural covering across an architectural structure via the handle assembly of claim 1 , said method comprising:
pivoting the second member away from the first member to the use position, such that the second member in the use position is substantially aligned with the rear portion of the first member, and horizontally displaced from the front portion of the first member;
extending the movable rail across the architectural structure by applying an extension force to the second member; and
once in a desired position, releasing the second member so the second member pivots automatically about the axis anterior to the moveable rail of the architectural covering towards the stored position in which the second member extends adjacent the front portion of said first member, such that the second member extend

Assignees

• Hunter Douglas

Inventors

• Watkins Richard
• Witherell Kenneth W
• Smith Stephen P
• True Michael
• Rhodes Galen B
• Daviau Tim
• Smith Kent
• Cerna Paula

Classifications

• E06B9/78 Primary

  for direct manual operation, e.g. by tassels, by handles · CPC title

• E06B9/42

  Parts or details of roller blinds, e.g. suspension devices, blind boxes (brackets or adjustable mountings for roller blinds and drawable curtains A47H1/13) · CPC title

• E06B2009/3222

  Cordless, i.e. user interface without cords · CPC title

• E06B9/322

  Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives ({operating devices E06B9/68} ; devices of general interest specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material B65H75/34) · CPC title

• E06B9/32

  Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor (operation of tilting bars E06B9/307) · CPC title