RELEASABLE LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

A releasable locking mechanism comprising a lock mode, and an unlock mode; a handle and at least one resilient member mountable between the handle and a shaft, wherein the resilient member biases the mechanism to the lock mode when the mechanism is at rest; and actuation of the handle by a user releases the mechanism from the lock mode to the unlock mode, allowing rotation of the handle and the at least one resilient member about the shaft.

Claims

1. A releasable locking mechanism comprising: a lock mode, and an unlock mode; a cordless handle to manually grip and actuate the mechanism, and at least one resilient member mountable between the handle and a shaft, wherein the resilient member biases the mechanism to the lock mode when the mechanism is at rest; and actuation of the handle by a user releases the mechanism from the lock mode to the unlock mode, allowing rotation of the handle and the at least one resilient member about the shaft.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the handle is rotatable relative to the at least one resilient member in the lock mode, and in the unlock mode any rotation of the handle and the at least one resilient member about the shaft is synchronous.

3. The mechanism according to claim 1, when in the lock mode, the at least one resilient member exerts a compressive frictional force on the shaft to prevent rotation of the at least one resilient member relative to the shaft.

4. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient member is a torsion spring.

5. The mechanism according to claim 4, wherein movement of the at least one resilient member against its lock mode bias reduces the compressive force of the resilient member on the shaft, placing the mechanism in the unlock mode.

6. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a housing is mounted to the handle to house the at least one resilient member and the shaft.

7. The mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the housing is integral with the handle.

8. The mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the housing is mountable to a headrail or headrail insert, wherein the headrail is one of a top or bottom headrail, or the headrail is positioned anywhere between an upper most vertical or bottom most vertical position along a frame, wall or window.

9. The mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the housing is mountable to the headrail or headrail insert by a snap-fit arrangement.

10. The mechanism according to claim 8, wherein material is appended to, or is integral with a headrail.

11. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient member comprises at least two tabs wherein convergence of the at least two tabs releases the lock mode bias of the at least one resilient member.

12. The mechanism according to claim 11, wherein actuation of the handle results in the convergence of the least two tabs, placing the mechanism in the unlock mode.

13. The mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the handle comprises an extension surrounding the at least one resilient member, wherein the extension comprises an aperture sized to receive the at least two tabs when in the lock mode, and to convergently move the at least two tabs when the handle and the extension are rotated to place the mechanism in the unlock mode.

14. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein inward or outward movement of the handle in a longitudinal direction along a central horizontal axis of the mechanism results in the movement of the at least one resilient member against the lock mode bias, placing the mechanism in the unlock mode.

15. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises at least one actuating arm protruding radially outward form a horizontal axis of rotation.

16. The mechanism according to claim 14 wherein the handle comprises six radially extending arms, wherein the arms are uniformly spaced about the horizontal axis of rotation.

17. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the handle comprises an aperture for receiving the shaft, and the shaft comprises an aperture for receiving a bracket mount.

18. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein an exterior mount is configured to receive and support a section of the shaft on an internal side of the handle.

19. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient member is a clamp, or a bulldog clip.

20. The mechanism according to claim 1, comprising an extension apparatus to actuate and/or rotate the handle.

21. A kit comprising adaptors and a mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the adaptors are used to retrofit the mechanism to headrails.

22. An assembly comprising a releasable locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein movement of the material is controlled by the releasable locking mechanism.

23. The assembly of claim 22, comprising a guide having a vertical upper edge limit and a vertical lower edge limit, wherein the mechanism is mounted at or proximate the upper edge limit, or at or proximate the lower edge limit, or at any point between the upper or lower edge limit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] It will be convenient to hereinafter describe preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures. The particularity of the figures is to be understood as not limiting the preceding broad description of the invention.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the releasable locking mechanism as assembled;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the releasable locking mechanism of FIG. 1 without the housing installed;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the releasable locking mechanism of FIG. 1 with the housing superimposed;

[0034] FIG. 4 separately shows the handle, the shaft, a resilient member, and the housing of the releasable locking mechanism of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 5 shows two perspective views of the releasable locking mechanism of FIG. 1 with a headrail attached;

[0036] FIG. 6 shows the releasable locking mechanism of FIG. 5 attached to a mounting bracket; and

[0037] FIG. 7 shows the releasable locking mechanism of FIG. 5 attached to a slim mounting bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the releasable locking mechanism 2 without a headrail 10 attached. FIGS. 2 shows the mechanism 2 of FIG. 1 with a housing 16 removed. FIG. 3 shows the mechanism 2 with the housing 16 superimposed. FIG. 4 individually shows a handle 4, a resilient member 6, a shaft 8 and a housing 16, all of which form part of the mechanism 2 of FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 7. FIG. 5 shows the releasable locking mechanism 2 of FIGS. 1 to 3 with a headrail 10 attached. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the mechanism 2 of FIGS. 1 to 4, and 5 to 7 attached to mounting brackets 12 and 14.

[0039] The releasable locking mechanism 2 as seem in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 has a lock mode, and an unlock mode. The mechanism 2 is designed to remain in a lock mode when at rest.

[0040] The mechanism 2 comprises a handle 4 and at least one resilient member 6 mountable between the handle 4 and a shaft 8. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7, each resilient member 6 is a torsion spring 6. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mechanism comprises three torsion springs 6 which bias the mechanism 2 to the lock mode when the mechanism 2 is at rest.

[0041] Actuation of the handle 4, by a user, releases the mechanism 2 from the lock mode to the unlock mode, allowing rotation of the handle 4 and each resilient member 6 about the shaft 8. Rotation of the handle 4 and each spring 6 results in rotation of a headrail 10 to which material (not shown in the drawings) may be appended.

[0042] In the lock mode, each resilient member 6 is biased to exert a compressive frictional force on to the shaft 8. It biases the mechanism 2 into a lock mode. The compressive frictional force prevents rotation of each resilient member 6 about the shaft 8. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there are three torsion springs 6 exerting this compressive frictional force on to the shaft 8. The mechanism 2 is not limited to having 3 springs, and the number of springs 6 used can vary from a single spring, or any suitable resilient member, to as many springs or resilient members that are required to exert an adequate compressive force on the shaft to bias the mechanism to a lock mode. A factor in determining the type and number of resilient members 6 required is the type and weight of material that the mechanism 2 is required to rotate.

[0043] The at least one resilient member 6 may be of any suitable material or configuration, or combination, to exert an adequate compressive force on the shaft in the lock mode to prevent rotation of a headrail 10 having material appended. For example, the at least one resilient member 6 may be a torsion spring as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or a component such as a clamp, or a hose clamp, or a combination of springs and clamps or any other suitable components, or components known to operate in a similar manner to a torsion spring. For example, the at least one resilient member 6 may be a bulldog clip or a bar bell spring collar.

[0044] In the lock mode, the handle 4 is rotatable about the shaft 8 relative to each spring 6. That is, each spring 6 does not rotate about the shaft 8 in the lock mode. Slight movement or rotation of the handle 4 in the lock mode will not result in movement of the mechanism 2 to an unlock mode, giving the mechanism 2 a stable mode of operation.

[0045] Movement of each resilient member 6 against its lock mode bias reduces the compressive force of the resilient member 6 on the shaft 8, placing the mechanism into the unlock mode. As each resilient member 6 is biased to the lock mode, releasing of the handle by the user places the mechanism back into the lock mode. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 7, when the mechanism 2 is in the unlock mode, rotation of the handle 4 and each resilient member 6 about the shaft 8 is synchronous. With this synchronous movement, material appended to the mechanism 2 can be moved to a user's preferred position.

[0046] In FIGS. 1 to 4 a housing 16 is shown. The housing 16 is mounted to the handle 4 and houses the three torsion springs 6 and the shaft 8. Although the drawings only show the housing 16 attached to the handle 4, the housing 16 may be integral with the handle 4 or may be attachable to the handle 4. In this respect, the housing 16 rotates with the handle 4. Where the housing 16 is integral with the handle 4, a locating screw or a fastener (not shown in the drawings) attachable to the end of the shaft 8 may be used to keep the shaft 8 and the at least one resilient member 6 in the housing. Where the housing 16 is not integral with the handle 4, the housing 16 may be attachable to the handle 4 by a screw-and-thread arrangement, or a snap fit arrangement, or an interlocking arrangement, or the housing 16 may be chemically adhered to the handle 4.

[0047] The housing 16 protects the internal components of the mechanism 2 such as the at least one resilient member 6 of the mechanism 2, and the shaft 8. The housing 16 further serves to locate and keep together the internal components of the releasable locking mechanism 2.

[0048] In FIG. 5 the housing 16 is mountable to a headrail 10 to which a material such as a blind may be appended. The housing 16 comprises a plurality of mounting ridges 18 (see FIG. 1) which are designed to be received by corresponding grooves 20 of the headrail 10.

[0049] In alternative embodiments not shown in the drawings, the housing 16 may be mountable to the headrail 10 by a snap-fit arrangement, an interlocking arrangement, or may be attachable to the headrail 10 by a rivet, or a screw, or a nut and bolt arrangement, or may be chemically adhered to the headrail 10.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the resilient member 6 is a torsion spring 6, which comprises two tabs 22. The convergence of the two tabs 22 releases the lock mode bias of the resilient member 6. The convergence of the two tabs 22 results in the diameter of the spring 6 increasing, which reduces the compressive frictional force of the spring 6 on to the shaft 8. The reduction of frictional force releases the spring 6 from the shaft 8, and allows the spring 6 to rotate about the shaft 8 in the unlock mode. When the two tabs 22 are at rest, or released from the converging force, the lock mode bias of the spring 6 reduces the diameter of the spring 6 which exerts a frictional force on the shaft 8 to prevent rotation of the spring about the shaft 8.

[0051] According to the embodiment of the mechanism 2 shown in the drawings, actuation of the handle 4 results in the convergence of the two tabs 22 of the springs 6, placing the mechanism 2 into the unlock mode. As shown in FIG. 2 the handle 4 comprises an extension 24 surrounding each spring 6. The extension 24 comprises an aperture 26 sized to receive the two tabs 22 of each spring 6 when in the lock mode. When the handle 4 is rotated, the extension 24 rotates. When rotating, the extension 24 convergently moves the two tabs 22 of each spring 6. The convergent movement of the two tabs 22 of each spring 6 places the mechanism 2 in the unlock mode.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings, the extension 24 of the handle 4 is not tubular and may comprise of two separate extension members extending from the handle 4 to the two tabs 22 of each resilient member 6. These members may be integral with or attachable to the handle 4 and need only be able to rotate synchronously with the handle 4. The extension members are to be adequately spaced apart to receive the two tabs 22 when the mechanism is in the lock mode, and to convergently move the two tabs 22 when the handle 4 is rotated to place the mechanism in to the unlock mode.

[0053] As indicated in FIG. 4, the handle 4 comprises at least one actuating arm 30 protruding radially outward form a horizontal axis of rotation. The handle 4 shown in the drawings comprises six arms 30 spaced uniformly about a horizontal axis of rotation 28. A user is able to place at least one finger in between each arm 30 to grip and rotate the handle 4 with ease. Although various alternative embodiments of the handle 4 are not shown in the drawings, handle 4 is able to take the form of any design or configuration which will allow a user to easily grip and rotate the handle 4 to precisely position material appended to a head rail 10.

[0054] In a further alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings, an extension apparatus may be attached to the handle 4 to allow the handle 4 to be actuated and/or rotated. The extension apparatus may be used to actuate the handle 4 in the event the handle 4 is not reachable by hand or may allow for actuation and rotation from a more practical position. The apparatus may be an extension arm. The extension arm may simply be a rod attached to an outer edge of the handle 4 whereby movement of the rod in a circular motion about a horizontal axis results in the actuation and movement of the handle 4. Alternatively, the extension arm, such as a rod, may be connected to the handle 4 in a bevel gear arrangement, whereby rotation of the extension arm about a vertical axis results in movement of the handle 4. Alternatively, the extension arm may comprise several interconnected components through, for example, a bevel gear arrangement. The bevel gear arrangement allows for the translation of rotational movement of a component attached to the arm to actuate the handle 4. Further, the extension arm may be detachable, extendible and retractable.

[0055] In a further alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings, the handle 4 may comprise a geared system to reduce the force required to rotate the handle 4. Alternatively, the mechanism 2 may comprise a pre-tensioned spring to reduce the force required by a user to rotate the handle 4. Alternatively, rotation of the handle 4 may be automated using a motor, particularly where material appended to the mechanism 2 is relatively heavy and manual rotation of the handle 4 requires excessive force.

[0056] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 7 the handle 4 comprises an aperture to receive the shaft 8. The handle 4 is designed to rotate about the shaft 8. The shaft 8 comprises an aperture 32 for receiving a bracket mount 12 or 14. This enables the mechanism 2 to be mounted to a wall or vertical supports such as a pole (not shown in the drawings).

[0057] A commonly used mount 12 is shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows a customised mount 14 tailored for use with the releasable locking mechanism 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6. Mount 14 is configured to be slimmer than mount 12 to allow for a larger area of contact between a user's hand and the handle 4.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings, the mount may be configured to attach to the mechanism 2 on the internal side 34 of the handle 4. In this respect, the mechanism 2 will rest on a mounting arm, and will rotate within the confines of the arm, whereby the arm remains stationary. This configuration will not obstruct a user's hand from contacting the outer side 36 of the handle 4.

[0059] In a further alternative embodiment of the invention not shown in the drawings, inward or outward movement of the handle 4 in a longitudinal direction along a central horizontal axis 28 of the mechanism 2 may result in the movement of each resilient member against the lock mode bias. Such movement will be able to place the mechanism 2 in to the unlock mode. In this alternative embodiment, compression of each resilient member 6 along the horizontal axis 28 will reduce or release the compressive frictional force of each resilient member onto the shaft 8, and allow for rotation of each resilient member 6.

[0060] Although not shown in the drawings, a packaged blind assembly comprising the releasable locking mechanism 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, or alternative embodiments described in the preceding paragraphs may be provided. In the packaged blind assembly, movement of blind material is controlled by the releasable locking mechanism 2. It is noted that the mechanism 2 is not restricted to forming part of a blind assembly, and may come as part of a curtain assembly, a shutter assembly, a privacy screen assembly, an outdoor area shade assembly, or any other assembly requiring material to be safely and precisely positioned along a generally vertical path. Alternatively, the mechanism 2 may be retrofitted to existing assemblies.

[0061] In a further alternative embodiment of the invention not shown in the drawings, the assembly may comprise a guide to direct the movement of any material appended to the mechanism 2. The guide may be a frame, or a single vertical guide, or two vertical tracks arranged at opposite ends in a horizontal direction of the mechanism 2, within which the outer edges of any material appended to the mechanism 2 are enclosed. The guide may comprise an upper edge, being the maximum vertical height of the guide, and a lower edge being the lowest vertical point of the guide. The mechanism 2 may be positioned anywhere between the upper and the lower edge of the guide. Further, the mechanism may be moveable and locked in place anywhere between the upper and lower edge of the guide.

[0062] In a further embodiment of the invention not shown in the drawings the headrail 10 of the mechanism 2 may comprise a central shaft, and/or an upper shaft, and or a lower shaft, whereby the shafts are in rotational connection with each other. The rotational connection between the shafts may be facilitated by interlocking gears of the shafts, or a belt drive connection, whereby rotation of the handle 4 results in the rotation of the central shaft and any additional shafts the mechanism 2 may comprise. Material may be appended to each of the shafts, whereby rotation of the central shaft will result in the movement of material appended to any of the shafts. Further, the shafts may comprise a disengagement mechanism similar to a clutch, which when engaged, allows for one of the shafts to remain stationary whilst another shaft rotates.

[0063] In a further embodiment to that described in the above paragraph, material may be appended to an upper and a lower shaft. In this embodiment rotation of the handle 4 results in movement of the material appended to the upper shaft along a guide, and movement of the material appended to the lower shaft along a guide. The guides may allow for simultaneous movement of material in an upward and/or downward direction. The appended material may be the same material, or contain different properties, where for example one material may be translucent, and the other material may be opaque.

[0064] The components of the mechanism 2 may be made of any number of materials. They may be made of a plastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), HDPE, or any other plastic considered appropriate for the environment in which the device is to be used. Further, components of the mechanism 2 may be made of a metal or an alloy or of a combination of plastic, and/or a metal, and/or an alloy. Components prone to wear such as the handle 4 and each resilient member 6 may comprise heavy duty materials resistant to wear. Further, the mechanism 2 may be designed in such a way that all components, or those prone to wear are replaceable.

[0065] The versatility of the releasable locking mechanism 2 allows the mechanism 2 to be manufactured in different materials and tailored to a variety of operation environments, being indoors, outdoors, or environments subject to extreme heat or cold. The mechanism 2 may come as part of an assembly, or may be retrofitted to headrails currently operated by pulley-based systems, or to a pre-tensioned spring loaded mechanism. The mechanism 2 may form part of a kit comprising a series of adaptors to allow the mechanism 2 to be fitted to, or appended to rails of different sizes.

[0066] The releasable locking mechanism 2 provides a versatile system which can be manually actuated to safely and precisely adjust the positioning of appended items such as curtains, blinds, shades, shutters and privacy screens. The mechanism 2 removes the need for cords in a blind assembly, or a curtain assembly, or a shutter assembly, or a privacy screen assembly, or an outdoor area shade assembly, or any other assembly requiring material to be safely and precisely positioned along a generally vertical path. The simplicity of the design of the mechanism provides a neat, safe, low cost, low maintenance and versatile solution in comparison to the prior art solutions, whereby the mechanism can be designed to be easily retrofitted to pre-installed headrails to which material is already appended.

[0067] It is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of this invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0068] 2-Releasable locking mechanism [0069] 4-Handle [0070] 6-Resilient member [0071] 8-Shaft [0072] 10-Headrail [0073] 12-Mounting Bracket [0074] 14-Slim Mounting Bracket [0075] 16-Housing [0076] 18-Ridges [0077] 20-Groove [0078] 22-Resilient member tabs [0079] 24-Handle Extension [0080] 26-Handle Extension Aperture [0081] 28-Horizontal Axis of Rotation [0082] 30-Handle Arms [0083] 32-Bracket Mount Aperture [0084] 34-Internal Side of the Handle 4 [0085] 36-Outer side of the Handle 4