Spool assembly

Abstract

The spool assembly comprising a spool, a surface of the spool including one or more recesses in which a line member is adapted to be retained, and a cover portion adapted to be positioned over at least a portion of the spool such that, in use, the line member is prevented from passing between the spool and an inner surface of the cover portion.

Claims

1. The spool assembly comprising a line member, a frustoconical spool, an outer surface of the spool including one or more recesses adapted to retain the line member therein, and a cover portion adapted to be positioned over at least a portion of the spool, wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of the cover portion is provided with a complementary shape to the outer surface of the spool such that, in use, the distance between the inner surface of the cover portion and the outer surface of the spool is less than the diameter of the line member so as to preclude the line member from moving between the inner surface of the cover portion and the outer surface of the spool, and wherein the spool assembly is provided with a locking mechanism to prevent rotation of the spool relative to the cover portion during transportation or installation.

2. The spool assembly according to claim 1 wherein the spool is adapted to retain the line member in a single continuous recess around the spool.

3. The spool assembly according to claim 1 in which the spool is located at an end of a shaft onto which a flexible screen or blind material may be wound.

4. The spool assembly according to claim 1 wherein the one or more recesses are of sufficient depth to retain the line member entirely within the recess.

5. The spool assembly according to claim 1 wherein the spool is housed entirely within the cover portion.

6. The spool assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cover portion is fixed relative to the spool.

7. The spool assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cover portion is precluded from rotation relative to the spool but is not precluded from movement in at least one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

8. The spool assembly according to claim 1 wherein the spool assembly further comprises a stop member located so as to ensure that the inner surface of the cover portion and the outer surface of the spool are maintained a desired distance apart.

9. The spool assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cover portion is provided with one or more apertures through which the line members pass while being wound onto and off the spool.

10. The spool assembly according to claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism includes a locking member that engages with both the cover portion and the spool in order to lock the spool against rotation relative to the cover portion.

11. The spool assembly comprising a frustoconical spool, an outer surface of the spool including one or more recesses adapted to retain a line member therein, and a cover portion in which at least a portion of the spool is housed, at least a portion of an inner surface of the cover portion being provided with a complementary shape to the outer surface of the spool and wherein the spool is positioned relative to the cover portion such that the distance between the inner surface of the cover portion and the outer surface of the spool is less than the depth of said recesses so as to ensure that the line member is retained in the one or more recesses, and wherein the spool assembly is provided with a locking mechanism to prevent rotation of the spool relative to the cover portion during transportation or installation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a spool assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate perspective views of a spool assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a cross-sectional view of a spool assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(5) Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(6) In FIG. 1 an exploded view of a spool assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The spool assembly 10 comprises a spool 11 onto which a line member 12 may be wound, and a cover portion 13 that is located over the spool 11 in use.

(7) The spool 11 is provided with a connection portion 14 that is adapted to be received (and retained) in an open end of the shaft 15. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the connection portion 14 and the shaft 15 are both extruded members, and are provided with cross-sectional shapes that are adapted to be fitted together in a tight frictional engagement.

(8) The shaft 15 is further provided with a channel 16 in which an end of a flexible material (either a blind or screen) is adapted to be received or retained. In this way, a blind or screen (not shown) may be connected to the shaft 15 for winding about the shaft 15.

(9) In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, a stop member in the form of a disc 17 is positioned between an upper end of the shaft 15 and a lower end of the spool 11. In use a lower edge of the cover portion 13 rests on a lip or land region 18 of the disc 17. The presence of the disc 17 assists in maintaining a constant distance between an inner surface of the cover portion 13 and an outer surface of the spool 11.

(10) The assembly 10 is provided with an attachment member 19 in the form of a plate or block that is fixed to a door or window jamb (not shown). A bearing pin 20 passes through the attachment member 19 and attached to an upper region of the spool 11. In addition, the assembly 10 is provided with an upper disc 21 which abuts against an upper surface of both the cover portion 13 and the spool 11 and assists in maintaining a constant distance between an inner surface of the cover portion 13 and the spool 11.

(11) Engagement means in the form of a pin 22 extend downwardly from the attachment member 19. The pin 22 is received in a bore 23 in an upper end of the cover portion 13, thereby preventing rotation of the cover portion 13. However, the pin 22 is not engaged with, or otherwise retained in the bore 23, meaning that the cover portion 13 floats within the assembly, and vertical movement of the cover portion 13 relative to the attachment member 19 is possible if adjustment of the vertical positioning of the spool assembly 10 is required.

(12) When the spool assembly 10 is being transported and installed, it is desirable to prevent the spool 11 rotating relative to the cover portion 13, as this can lead to the unwanted unwinding of the line member 12 from the spool 11. Thus, a locking pin 24 is provided to lock the spool 11 against rotation relative to the cover portion 13. The locking pin 24 passes through an aperture 25 in the cover portion 13 and is received in an aperture or recess 26 in the spool 11. In this way, the spool 11 and the cover portion 13 may be locked to one another as required.

(13) Turning now to FIGS. 2A and 2B there are shown perspective views of the spool assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In these Figures, the spool assembly 10 of FIG. 1 is shown in an assembled condition.

(14) In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the locking pin 24 is inserted through the cover portion 13 and is received in the spool 11, thereby locking the spool 11 against rotation relative to the cover portion 13. Pin 22 extends downwardly from the attachment member 19 and is received in a bore (obscured) in an upper surface of the cover portion 13, thereby preventing rotation of the cover portion 13.

(15) In these Figures, the spool 11 is connected to the shaft 15, and the cover portion 13 is positioned over the spool 11 and rests on disc 17.

(16) Line member 12 is wound about the spool 11. As the line member 12 is wound onto and off the spool 11 it passes through opening 27 in the cover portion 13. The opening 27 is positioned so as to ensure that the line member 12 does not come into contact with any part of the cover portion 13 as it is wound on and off the spool 11. Further, the edges of the opening 27 may be shaped so as to provide additional clearance between the cover portion 13 and the line member 12.

(17) In FIG. 3A there is shown a cross-sectional view of a spool assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this Figure it may be seen that the pin 22 extending downwardly from the attachment portion 19 is received in the bore 23. The bore 23 extends into the cover portion 13, meaning that the vertical position of the cover portion 13 relative to the attachment member 19 may be adjusted as required.

(18) In this Figure it may be clearly seen that the upper disc 21 abuts both the upper end of the cover portion 13 and the spool 11. Similarly, the cover portion 13 rests on a lip or land portion 18 of the stop member 17, while the lower end of the spool also rests on the stop member 17. In this way, a constant distance between the inner surface of the cover portion 13 and the spool 11 is maintained.

(19) It may also be seen more clearly in this Figure that the bearing pin 20 is inserted into, and retained within, an upper region of the spool 11, thereby facilitating rotation of the spool 11 and shaft 15.

(20) The surface of the spool 11 is provided with a helical recess or groove 28 into which the line member 12 is received when wound about the spool 11. The helical recess or groove 28 may be more clearly seen in FIG. 3B which is a magnified view of Region A of FIG. 3A.

(21) In FIG. 3B it can be clearly seen that the line member 12 is retained in the recess or groove 28 provided on the surface of the spool 11. The recess or groove 28 is of sufficient depth that the line member 12 is entirely received within the recess or groove 28. In other words, the depth of the recess or groove 28 is greater than the diameter of the line member 12. In this way, no part of the line member 12 will come into contact with the inner surface of the cover portion 13 when the line member 12 is at the desired tension.

(22) It will also be noted in FIG. 3B that the gap 29 between the inner surface of the cover portion 13 and the spool 11 is small enough so that the line member 12 is unable to pass between the inner surface of the cover portion 13 and the spool 11. In this way, even in the event of a catastrophic loss of tension in the line member 12, the line member 12 will be retained in the recess or groove 28 on the spool 11. This means that repairing the loss of tension in the line member 12 will be relatively quick and easy, and a user will not be required to wind the line member 12 back onto the spool 11, which would be the case if the cover portion 13 was not present, or if the line member 12 was not prevented from passing between the inner surface of the cover portion 13 and the spool 11.

(23) In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

(24) Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

(25) In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.