Window shade roller assembly
The present invention relates to shade rollers, preferably for windows, and employs a roll having an opening at one end thereof for accepting a roll operating device. In its preferred form, the roll operating device comprises a chain operated sprocket wheel having an extension which projects into and is mounted in the roll. The hub is adapted to engage the roll to cause the roll to rotate in response to movement of the chain. 
     For best results, a pair of brackets is provided for attachment to the wall, ceiling surfaces or frame surrounding the window. The roll operating device is mounted in one of the brackets. The other end of the roll may be provided with a pin extending therefrom, and the other bracket with means for rotatably receiving the pin. The mounting of the roll to both brackets is preferably non-permanent to allow for removal and replacement of the roll, as well as easy access to operating parts for service and tension adjustment should this ever be needed. 
    
    
     Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which various preferred embodiments of the invention are depicted: 
     FIG. 1 is a detail view of a preferred embodiment of a window shade roller assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a detail view of the bracket which accepts the roll operating device, taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1 and with the roll operating device removed; 
     FIG. 3 is a detail view of the bracket of FIG. 2 taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a detail view of the bracket of FIG. 5 taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 5 is a detail view of the other bracket taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 1 (and omitting the roll pin); 
     FIG. 6 is a partial detail view showing the upper half of another embodiment of a roller assembly in accordance with the invention and including the bracket which accepts the roll operating device; 
     FIG. 7 is a detail view of still another embodiment of a window shade roller assembly in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is a detail view of the bracket in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the said detail taken along line 8--8 in FIG. 7. 
     FIG. 9 is an isometric view of still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an embodiment in accordance with the invention in which the window shade rollers and ganged. 
    
    
     FIG. 1 generally illustrates a window shade roller with brackets mounted thereon. (The window, window sash and frame have been omitted for clarity.) 
     In the drawings, the numeral 10 denotes a roll for receiving a conventional shade (not shown). The roll 10 has an opening 12 and two slots 14 at one end into which is inserted a roll operating mechanism denoted generally by the numeral 16. More slots can be used if desired. 
     The roll operating mechanism 16 is mounted on a bracket 18. The bracket 18 is provided with a plurality of holes 20, 22 for mounting to the window frame, to the ceiling, or to the wall, depending on which holes are used. Preferably, holes 20 should be used for ceiling or window frame mounting while holes 22 should be used for wall mounting. 
     The other end of the roll contains a pin or equivalent extension 24, the extension being fixedly mounted in plug 26 which in turn is fixedly mounted in roll 10. Thus, the pin and plug assembly rotate with the roll. 
     The pin 24 rotatably engages a second mounting bracket 28 which may also be mounted to the ceiling, wall or window frame in the same manner as bracket 18. The mounting holes in second bracket 18 are denoted by the numerals 20&#39; and 22&#39;. 
     The roll operating device 16 comprises a sprocket wheel 30 having an extension 32 thereon. The hub 30 is larger in diameter than the roll 10 and is provided with a plurality of indentations or depressions 34 for receiving a conventional bead chain (denoted by the numeral 36) or other operating device, such as a sprocket chain. As illustrated, the extension 32 is an integral part of the hub 30, although it should be understood that the extension may be provided as a separate piece which is then affixed to the hub 30. 
     Bracket 18 has a projecting non-rotatable extension or pin 38 on which the hub 30 and extension 32 are journalled via a nylon or other low friction material bushing 102. The extension 38 extends a selected distance past the end of hub extension 32 and is preferably provided with screw threads 40 as illustrated. A washer 42 is mounted on the extension 38 adjacent the hub extension, along with a spring 44 and a washer and nut assembly 46. Preferably, the nut is of the self-locking variety. Alternatively, a pair of nuts can be used, or a nut with a set screw, such as that denoted by the numeral 100, can be used. As is readily appreciated, the spring 44, braced by the washer and nut assembly 46, urges the entire roll operating device to the left as viewed in FIG. 1. This tends to insure continuing frictional contact of the hub 30 with the inner surface 48 of the bracket 18 both before and after installation of the bracket on the ceiling or wall. This frictional force between hub and bracket tends to prevent the roll from rotating and unwinding the shade which may occur due to the weight of a partially lowered shade. 
     The hub extension 32 is provided with two or more bores 50 which accept an equal number of operating pins 52. Operating pins 52 project from the hub and ride in the roll slots 14. Upon rotation of the roll operating device 16, operating pins 52 will engage the sides of the slots to rotate the roll to raise or lower the shade. 
     Although two bores 50 are shown, it is to be understood that three or more, and preferably four, bores may be used. If four bores are used, the roller, when mounted in a window, can be adjusted to horizontally level the shade by simply separating the roll from the hub, rotating the roll one-quarter turn, and replacing it on the hub. Of course, the number of operating pins 52 may be made equal in number to the bores 50. 
     The bracket 18 may be made of metal, plastic or wood and may be molded or machined or otherwise fabricated to obtain the illustrated configuration. The bracket 18 is formed with a plurality of bead chain receiving channels 56, 56&#39; which are recessed in the face 58 of the bracket. 
     As can be readily appreciated, hub 30 is approximately the same in diameter as the diameter of the recess indicated by the arrows 62 in FIG. 2. When the hub is installed on the bracket, the bead chain in entrained in the recesses 56 or 56&#39;, as the case may be, between the hub 30 and the overhanging portions 64 of the bracket. 
     The channels 56 and 56&#39; will permit the bead chain to exit and hang down from the bracket regardless of whether the bracket is mounted to the wall, ceiling or window frame. 
     Referring now to the other end of the roll 10, bracket 28 is seen to be similar in external appearance to bracket 18. This permits it to be mounted in the same manner as bracket 18 to provide an aesthetically balanced effect for the window roller assembly. However, the face 66 of this bracket is different than the face of bracket 18. Bracket 28 is provided with a mounting panel 68 which in turn is mounted on the bracket face via a pair of screw receiving openings 70. 
     The mounting panel 68 is provided with a raised section 72 which has an elongated slot 74 therein for rotatably receiving the pin 24. 
     In its preferred form, the brackets 18 and 28 have their respective roll operating mechanism 16 and mounting panel 68 preassembled thereon. The brackets are then affixed to the ceiling wall or frame surrounding the window. Roll 10 is then brought into position by first placing opening 12 over the roll operating mechanism. 
     With two or even four operating pins 52, it will be appreciated that the roll 10 may pivot on the pins in all directions, the extent of pivoting motion being limited only by contact of the steel bumpers 76 or contact of the washer and nut assembly 46 with the inside wall of the roll. This then permits the roll to be moved into position and pin 24 dropped into the slot 74 in mounting panel 68 to complete the installation. Adjustments in horizontal tilt of the roll may then be made by simply moving mounting panel 68 to correct for alignment error. 
     The bumpers preferably fill the space between the hub extension 32 and roll 10 so that play in the roll diameter is eliminated, and the roll can turn silently and not deviate from level. 
     FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment in which the mounting bracket 18 is replaced by a bracket 78 which, instead of the type of overhangs 64 shown in FIG. 2, is provided with a plurality of overhangs consisting of plates 80 spaced around the circumference of the hub 30 to retain the bead chain in place. In addition, a face of leather or other friction material 82, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6, may be used in both embodiments described above if it is desired to help insure consistent friction loading on the hub 30. 
     The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 utilizes a bracket 86 which is somewhat different from the bracket 18. In this embodiment, a separate insert 88 having an arched overhang 90 is fixedly mounted to the bracket 86, the overhang 90 retaining the bead chain (not shown) in the link depressions 34 after the hub has been placed on the bracket. The insert 88 may be made of any material, such as plastic, to give consistent friction loading on the hub for the reasons set forth above. In addition, the insert 88 and its corresponding recess may be other than round to prevent rotation without the use of mounting screws. 
     FIG. 9 discloses still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The bracket 18&#39; is simpler in construction as compared to the bracket 18 shown in FIG. 1. A face plate 200, which can be an injection molded plastic part, is secured to bracket 18&#39; by conventional screws (not shown). Face plate 200 is further provided with elongated bores 204 into which the bead chain 36&#39; is fed. Hub 30&#39; is in the form of a paddle wheel and is designed to accept one bead, or more if desired, between adjacent paddles. The bead chain 36&#39; exits the face plate 200 through bores 204. 
     Paddle 30&#39; has a bore 206 to permit mounting of the paddle and the hub extension 38&#39;, which is in turn mounted on bracket 18&#39;. Extension or plug 32&#39; accepts operating pins 52&#39; and in turn mounts on extension 38&#39;. The assembly is completed by spring 44&#39; and nut and washer assembly 46&#39;, in the same manner as in the other embodiments described in this specification. 
     The face plate 200 can be oriented in any of three different positions on the bracket 18&#39;. For instance, the face plate can be mounted so that bores 204 have their axes oriented parallel to the top portion 54&#39;, instead of perpendicular thereto as shown in the drawing. This will permit the bracket 18&#39; to be mounted to the frame of the window, or to the ceiling, as desired. The face plate is simply repositioned to orient the bead chain vertically. 
     The shade rollers may be ganged to cover multiple windows, the drive being taken from one bracket and hub assembly of the type denoted by the numerals 18, 18&#39; in the foregoing embodiments. To achieve this, pin 24&#39; (FIG. 1) is fitted into the leading end of the other roll (See FIG. 10). Pin 24&#39; is preferably provided with a cross-shape as shown, which fits into a corresponding cross-shaped opening in the second roll. Alternatively, the bracket 18&#39; can be placed in the center, between the two rolls. Any number of ganged rolls can be used. However, it has been found desirable to use a conventional detent (not shown) in connection with the bead chain to prevent gravity forces from unwinding the shades due to the weight loading of the multiple shade system. 
     Slots 84 are provided in both brackets to permit the mounting of decorative face plates across the entire length of the roll in whatever position the brackets are mounted. 
     Many modifications in and to the above-described embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is intended to cover all such modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.