GB2578818A

GB2578818A - Pelmet assembly and bracket therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2578818A
Application number: GB1913326.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gualtieri Orazio
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-17
Filing date: 2019-09-16
Publication date: 2020-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-16
Also published as: WO2020058066A1; ZA202102346B; GB2577125A; GB2578818B; GB201913326D0; GB201815103D0

Abstract

A bracket 2 for retro-fitting a pelmet above an existing wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted blind assembly comprises a face plate 4, a first arm 6 and a second arm 10. The first arm extends perpendicularly from a first edge of the face plate and the second arm extends from a second edge of the face plate in the same direction as the first arm. The first arm includes means, such as magnets 8 or Velcro (RTM), for connection to complementary means located on a pelmet. In use, the second arm is locatable behind a bracket of an existing blind assembly to enable retro-fit connection of the bracket without the use of tooling. The second arm may extend from an edge of the plate opposite or adjacent the edge from which the first arm extends. The face plate may comprise means to receive and engage with one end of a blind assembly. Also disclosed is a pelmet assembly comprising a pair of spaced brackets and a plurality of interchangeable pelmet/fascia boards. Each support bracket and board includes a complementary connection means for attaching the boards to the brackets. A method of installing a pelmet assembly above an existing blind assembly is also disclosed.

Description

PELMET ASSEMBLY AND BRACKET FOR THEREFOR

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to pelmet assemblies for window frames, door frames and like structures and to support brackets for such assemblies.

For the sake of simplicity, the term "window frame" as used herein is intended to include other similar structures such as door and wall mounted frames.

Background to the Invention

To locate a conventional pelmet assembly above, for example, a roller blind positioned above a window frame, requires the presence of a plurality of support brackets each of which needs to be screwed into plugged holes drilled into a wall surface above or to each side of the window frame above which the roller blind is located. Thus, conventional tooling such as hand or power drills are required every time a pelmet assembly is to be installed or replaced with one of a different style.

Consequently, there is a reluctance to install or replace pelmets on display in houses and other buildings.

In a first embodiment, the invention sets out to provide a bracket for retrofitting to a decorative pelmet without the need for conventional tooling for drilling and plugging holes in a wall or ceiling surface.

Thus the appearance of a blind assembly can be changed at will by the installation or replacement of a decorative pelmet without the need for drilling and plugging holes in a wall or ceiling surface.

The term "roller blind" includes all species of blinds including vertical and Roman blinds.

In a second embodiment, the invention sets out to provide a novel decorative pelmet assembly for installation above a roller blind assembly of a window, door or like frame.

In a further embodiment, the present invention sets out to provide a method of installing a decorative pelmet assembly above an existing roller blind assembly of a 5 window or like frame

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect, there is provided a bracket for retro-fitting a decorative pelmet above an existing wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted blind assembly, the bracket comprising a face plate having a first arm extending perpendicularly from a first edge of the face plate and a second arm extending from a second edge of the face plate in the same direction as that of the first arm, said first arm including means for connection to complementary means located on a the blind assembly to be supported by said bracket, and said second arm being locatable, in use, behind a wall or ceiling mounted bracket of the blind assembly to enable retro-fit connection of the bracket without the use of tooling to drill and plug holes.

Preferably, the connection means of the first arm comprises one or more magnets and the complementary connection means of a pelmet comprises one or more metallic plates, or vice versa. Other connection means may be employed, these including 20 Velcro® pieces and/or adhesives.

In one arrangement, the second arm extends from an edge of the face plate opposite to the edge from which the first arm extends. In this arrangement the first arm is aligned horizontally in use to receive an appropriately aligned pelmet.

Alternatively, the second arm extends from an edge of the plate adjacent to the edge from which the first arm extends. This means that the first arm is aligned vertically in use to receive an appropriately aligned decorative pelmet.

Preferably, the face plate includes engagement means to receive and engage with one end of a Vertical or Roman roller blind assembly.

In a further aspect the invention provides a pelmet assembly for installation above a window or like structure, the pelmet assembly comprising a plurality of spaced support brackets each comprising a face plate which includes a first arm which extends from a first edge of the face plate and a second arm which extends from a second edge of the face plate in the same direction as that of the first arm and, in use, locates behind an existing wall or ceiling mounted bracket of, for example a roller blind assembly, and a plurality of inter-changeable fascia boards shaped and dimensioned to be supported by said brackets.

In a preferred arrangement, each said support bracket and/or each fascia board 10 includes one or more magnetic members which engage with suitably positioned metallic plates or complementary magnetic strips located on the fascia board and/or each said support bracket.

In an alternative embodiment, each support bracket and each fascia board includes a strip of Velcro® material which engage when a selected fascia board is positioned on the support brackets.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of installing a decorative pelmet assembly above an existing blind assembly of a window or like frame, the method including the steps of positioning a sideways protruding are of each of several support brackets of the pelmet assembly behind existing support brackets of the blind assembly, each said support bracket including means which cooperate with complementary means located on the pelmet assembly to locate the pelmet assembly on said brackets, the method enabling the installation of one or a selection of decorative pelmet assemblies above an existing blind assembly without the use of conventional tooling to drill and/or plug holes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-Figures 1 is an isometric view of a bracket for a pelmet assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an isometric view of an alternative bracket in accordance with the invention; Figures 3 and 4 are isometric views of a further alternative bracket in accordance with the invention; Figures 5 to 7 are isometric views of a further alternative bracket in accordance with the invention; Figure 8 is an isometric view of a roller blind supported at one end by a bracket in accordance with the invention; Figures 9 and 10 are isometric views of alternative brackets to those illustrated in figure 8; Figure 11 shows one end of the roller blind supported by a bracket as shown in figure 9; and Figures 12 and 13 are schematic views of pelmet fascia boards for use in accordance with the invention.

as Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 illustrates one of a pair of complementary brackets 2 in accordance with the invention for retrofitting to an existing wall mounted support bracket of inter alia an existing roller blind positioned above a window or door frame.

The illustrated bracket comprises a generally rectangular face plate 4 and an elongate arm 6 on which is mounted a magnet 8. A second arm 10 extends from an edge of the face plate 4 in a direction parallel to the direction of the elongate arm 6. The other bracket of the complimentary pair of brackets is a mirror image of the illustrated bracket.

In use, the arm 10 is retrofitted behind a wall of the existing roller blind simply by loosening the screws of the wall bracket using a screwdriver, locating the arm 10 between the bracket and the wall and the tightening the bracket screws to lock the arm securely in place. In this way, no tooling other than a screwdriver is required to secure the bracket in place.

The bracket 2 is typically produced from a metal or plastics material.

The bracket illustrated in figure 2 is similar to that illustrated in figure 1 except that the second arm 10 extends from the edge of the face plate 4 opposite from which the arm 6 extends and two spaced magnets are supported on the arm 6. Again, the arm 10 extends in a direction parallel to arm 6 and, in use, is retrofitted behind an existing wall bracket.

The arm 6 may support one or more than the two magnets shown in figure 2.

Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings show a bracket 2 supported by a bracket 2 12 of an existing wall mounted roller blind assembly secured to a wall surface by screws 14.

As will be seen in these figures, the second arm 10 is retained firmly in place behind the bracket 12. Location of the arm 10 behind the bracket 12 is achieved simply by loosening the screws 14, positioning the arm 12 between the opposed faces of the bracket 12 and the wall, and then tightening the screws 14 to lock the bracket firmly in place. Thus, no tooling such as a drill or wall plug are required to locate the bracket 2 in place.

Three alternative brackets in accordance with the invention are illustrated in figures 5 to 7. Each of the brackets illustrated in figures 5 and 6 include a face plate 4, an 20 elongate arm 6 on which is mounted a magnet 8, and a second arm 10 which extends from an edge of the face plate 4 in a direction parallel to the direction of the arm 6.

It is to be understood that these brackets are simply two of many alternative bracket designs which embody the novel features of brackets in accordance with the invention.

The bracket illustrated in figure 7 includes an upper arm 22 and a second downwardly extending arm 10 which includes an opening for retaining a screw movable into contact with a surface of a roller blind assembly. An arm 20 located above and is supported by an upper surface of the roller blind assembly.

Figure 8 shows a roller blind 18 supported by a conventional wall bracket 12 which, in turn, supports a bracket 2 in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, the arm 10 may or may not be present. In the former case, the arm is located behind the bracket 12 and in the latter case, the arm is supported other than by the bracket 12.

The bracket illustrated in figure 9 includes openings formed in the face plate 4 for receiving complementary end support members of a roller blind. In addition, the arm 10 of previously illustrated brackets is replaced by an arm 26 which includes apertures through which screws can pass to secure the bracket to an adjoining wall surface. As for the previous embodiments, a magnet 8 is located on the surface of the arm 6. More than one such magnet may be provided.

A similar bracket to that illustrated in figure 9 is illustrated in figure 10.

Figure 11 shows one end of a roller blind 28 supported by a bracket as illustrated in figure 9.

In an alternative embodiment the magnet or magnets may be replaced with other suitable connecting means such as Velcro®, push-clips or keyhole hang fasteners that connect to corresponding and complimentary connecting features provided on a fascia is board.

As described below, in use, the retrofitted brackets 2 are intended to support a pelmet structure provided with one or more metallic surfaces which co-operate with the magnets 10 to retain the respective pelmet in place.

Typical fascia boards in accordance with the invention are illustrated in figures 12 and 13 of the drawings.

The fascia board illustrated in Figure 12 comprises an upper section 30, side sections 32 (only one of which is shown) and a front section 34. Thin strips 38 of a magnetisable material such as steel are secured to the under surface of the upper section 30.

The fascia board illustrated in Figure 13 is similar to that illustrated in figure 12 and comprises a generally rectangular board 34 to the rear side of which are secured keeper plates 38 which comprise thin strips of a magnetisable material. A pair of side sections 32 may also be provided.

In use, a selected fascia board is simply positioned and supported by the brackets 2 with the keeper plates located over the magnets 8 to retain the fascia board in position.

Replacement of a selected fascia board is simply achieved by lifting the existing board away from the magnets 8 and replacing it with one of a different style, colour or pattern.

In alternative embodiments to those described above, the keeper plates are located on (or comprise) the brackets and the magnetic strips are located on the fascia boards.

One important advantage of the invention is that an existing fascia board for a pelmet assembly can be selected from a wide range of fascia boards and can then subsequently be changed without the need for conventional tooling for drilling and plugging holes.

The pelmet assembly may include other visual features such as an LED panel to 113 dramatically change the appearance and effect when selected.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention

Claims

CLAIMS1 A bracket for retro-fitting a decorative pelmet above an existing wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted blind assembly, the bracket comprising a face plate having a first arm extending perpendicularly from a first edge of the face plate and a second arm extending from a second edge of the face plate in the same direction as that of the first arm, said first arm including means for connection to complementary means located on a blind assembly to be supported by said bracket, and said second arm being locatable, in use, behind a wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted bracket of the existing blind assembly to enable retro-fit connection of the bracket without the use of tooling to drill and plug holes.
2 A bracket as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection means of the first arm comprises one or more magnets.
3. A bracket according to claim 2, wherein the complementary means of a decorative pelmet comprises one or more metallic plates. 7
A bracket according to claim 2, wherein the complementary connection means comprises Velcro® pieces or adhesive.
A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the second arm extends from an edge of the face plate opposite to the edge from which the first arm extends.
A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the first arm is aligned horizontally in use to receive an appropriately aligned pelmet.
A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the second arm extends from an edge of the plate adjacent to the edge from which the first arm extends, the first arm being aligned vertically in use to receive a similarly aligned decorative pelmet.
8. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the face plate includes engagement means to receive and engage with one end of a Vertical or Roman blind assembly.
9 A pelmet assembly for installation above a window or like member, the pelmet assembly comprising a plurality of spaced support brackets each comprising a face plate which includes a first arm which extends from a first edge of the face plate and a second arm which extends from a second edge of the face plate in the same direction as that of the first arm and, in use, locates behind an existing wall mounted or ceiling mounted bracket of a roller blind assembly, and a plurality of inter-changeable fascia boards shaped and dimensioned to be supported by said brackets.
10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein each support bracket and/or each fascia board includes one or more magnetic strips which engage with suitably positioned metallic plates or complementary magnetic strips located on the fascia board and/or each said support bracket.
11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein each support bracket and each fascia board includes a strip of Velcro® material.
12.A method of installing a decorative pelmet assembly above an existing blind assembly of a window or like frame, the method including the steps of positioning a sideways protruding are of each of several support brackets of the pelmet assembly behind existing support brackets of the blind assembly, each said support bracket including means which cooperate with complementary means located on the pelmet assembly to locate the pelmet assembly on said brackets, the method enabling the installation of one or a selection of decorative pelmet assemblies above an existing blind assembly without the use of conventional tooling to drill and/or plug holes.