Safety device for a chain of a shade

Abstract

The safety device for a chain of a shade. The invention proposes the development of a tamper-proof safety device configured for a chain of a shade, such as the roller type, which, when not being used, is fixed to the body of the chain, and when being used, the chain is free to slide in order to perform the raising and lowering operations of the roller shade.

Claims

1. A safety device for a chain of a shade, comprising: a base element provided with fastening means configured to fasten the base element to a vertical surface or wall; a tensioning element, along which the chain can be rolled, the tensioning element being linearly slidable through guide means; a movable retaining device linked to the tensioning element, such that a free space is defined between the tensioning element and the retaining device, through which the chain runs, the retaining device and the tensioning element being axially aligned along a vertical axis of the vertical surface or wall, wherein elastic locking means are mounted in contact with the tensioning element; elastic shock-absorbing means linked to the retaining device and to a stop surface situated on the base element, such that the retaining device is movable in relation to the base element; wherein prior to mounting of the safety device on the vertical surface or wall, the shock-absorbing means and the elastic locking means are in an extended condition, such that sliding movement of the chain along the tensioning element is locked by the retaining device, when the safety device is mounted on the vertical surface or wall, the elastic shock-absorbing means and the elastic locking means are compressed, such that a distance is created between the tensioning element and the retaining device which allows for the free sliding of the chain; wherein the tensioning element comprises two halves which are fastenable to each other, wherein when the halves of the tensioning element are fastened to each other, a longitudinal through hole is defined therebetween through which the elastic shock-absorbing means pass.

2. The safety device for a chain of a shade according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic shock-absorbing means consist of a helical spring.

3. The safety device for a chain of a shade according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic locking means consist of a helical spring.

4. The safety device for a chain of a shade according to claim 1, further comprising a casing cover that can be coupled to the base element.

5. The safety device for a chain of a shade according to claim 4, wherein the casing cover is made of injection molded plastic material.

6. The safety device for a chain of a shade according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means for the base comprise a through hole configured to allow for the passage of a screw element.

7. The safety device for a chain of a shade according to claim 1, characterized in that the base element is provided with guide means configured to guide the movement of the tensioning element.

8. The safety device for a chain of a shade according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide means comprise rails present on the base element that can be coupled to slots situated on the tensioning element.

9. The safety device for a chain of a shade according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining device has a part configured to be in contact with the chain, the chain being made of a metal material.

10. The safety device for a chain of a shade according to claim 1, characterized in that the tensioning element has a segment with a recessed curved peripheral surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a safety device for a roller shade according to the present invention;

(2) FIGS. 2a and 2b show cross-sectional elevation and perspective views, respectively, of the device of the invention in a first functional condition wherein the elastic locking means and the elastic shock-absorbing means are in a completely extended condition, and wherein some parts have been removed for the purpose of better clarity;

(3) FIGS. 3a and 3b show cross-sectional elevation and perspective views, respectively, of the device of the invention in a second functional condition and wherein some parts have been removed for the purpose of better clarity; and

(4) FIGS. 4a and 4b show cross-sectional elevation and perspective views of the device of the invention in a third functional condition wherein some parts have been removed for the purpose of better clarity.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(5) In view of the aforementioned figures and, in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed therein, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

(6) According to a current preferred embodiment of the safety device for a chain (100) of a conventional-type roller shade (not shown), said device comprises a base element (1) made, for example, of a plastic material through injection molding, which is provided with fastening means envisaged to fasten the base element (1) to a vertical surface or wall (not shown).

(7) These fastening means of the base comprise a through hole (2) configured for the passage of a screw element (3) which can be inserted in a hole made in the wall or carpentry of a window.

(8) Moreover, a tensioning element (4) in which the chain (100) can be rolled is provided, the tensioning element being linearly slidable through guide means. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the tensioning element is made up of two halves (40, 41) which can be coupled to each other by non-loosened fastening means, each half (40, 41) defining a central through hole (42) which extends longitudinally therethrough. Furthermore, on each one of the two halves (40, 41) thereof, the tensioning element (4) has a section (44) with a lowered curved peripheral surface.

(9) The safety device also includes a movable retaining element (5) which is partially housed inside the central hole (42). During operation, said retaining element (5) is linked to the tensioning element (4) through a relative movement, such that it allows for a free space between the tensioning element (4) and the retaining element (5), through which the chain (100) runs, the retaining element (5) and the tensioning element being axially aligned. A lower part of the retaining element (5) has a curved region which facilitates the passage of the chain (100). Advantageously, the retaining element has an essentially U-shaped piece (52) which is envisaged to be in contact with the chain (100), made of a metal material, providing greater resistance to wear.

(10) Elastic locking means are made up of an elastic spring (6), which is mounted inside the retaining element (5), which is in contact with the tensioning element (4).

(11) Elastic shock-absorbing means, in this case a helical shock-absorber (7) is connected to the retaining element (5) and a stop surface situated in the base element (1). More specifically, this helical shock-absorbing spring (7) is coupled to a projection (51) with an essentially cylindrical shape, which is situated on an end of the retaining element (5) while the opposite end is coupled to a cylindrical protrusion (11) which protrudes from the base element (1).

(12) It is important to mention that the helical shock-absorbing spring (7) has greater dimensions than the elastic spring (6), which form the elastic locking means.

(13) To protect against dirt, blows and manipulation of the previously described elements, a casing cover (8) is provided, made, for example, of a plastic material made by injection molding, which can be coupled to the base element (1) by means of a clipping system, generally indicated by the reference (80).

(14) Returning to the base element (1), said element is provided with guide means configured to guide the movement of the tensioning element. Said guide means comprise a pair of rails (10) separated and present on the base element (1), which are coupled to complimentary slots (43) situated on two opposite sides of the tensioning element (4).

(15) In a functional condition represented in FIGS. 2a and 2b, in this case in a condition prior to the mounting of the safety device on a vertical wall, the shock-absorbing elastic spring (7) and the elastic spring (6) are in an extended condition, such that the sliding movement of the chain (100) through the tensioning element is blocked by the retaining element (5).

(16) In a second functional conditioned, represented in FIGS. 3a and 3b, wherein the safety device has already been placed on the wall, the elastic shock-absorbing spring (7) and the elastic spring (6) are compressed, such that (according to the position of the figures) the tensioning element (4) and the retaining element (5) move in a vertically ascending direction, such that a distance is created between the tensioning element (4) and the retaining element (5) which is large enough to allow for the free sliding of the chain (100) for the raising or lowering operations.

(17) Lastly, FIGS. 4a and 4b show the arrangement of the elastic shock-absorbing spring (7) and the elastic spring (6) together with the tensioning element (4) and the retaining element (5), when stop means (101) present on the chain (100) pass through the safety device.

(18) The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements used to manufacture the safety device of the invention may be suitably substituted for others which do not diverge from the scope defined by the claims included below.