1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an assembly structured to maintain a secure engagement between a louver and an associated carrier assembly of a vertical blind assembly and includes a support plate connected to and/or defining an upper end of the louver. A retaining clip is removably disposed in clamping engagement with anyone of a plurality of different types of connecting portions associated with the carrier assembly such that attachment between the connecting portion and the support plate is securely maintained.
2. Description of the Related Art
Use of vertical blind assemblies to cover windows, sliding doors, etc. has gained wide popularity over the last few years. Conventionally structured vertical blind assemblies normally include a header having an elongated configuration of sufficient length to extend along the upper periphery of the window, door, etc. intended to be covered. The header includes an interior track extending along substantially the entire length thereof and a plurality of carrier assemblies, at least equal in number to the number of louvers, blinds, vanes, etc. associated with the vertical blind assembly. Each of the carrier assemblies include structural features which facilitate easy passage thereof, as well as the louver or blind attached thereto, along the length of the track. A connecting portion is movably connected to each of the carrier assemblies and extends downwardly therefrom to an exterior of the header and in supporting engagement with a corresponding one of louvers.
The structural and operative features of each carrier assembly and associated connecting portion is such as to facilitate movement thereof, and the louver supported thereby, along the length of the track of the header assembly, as set forth above. In addition, each of the carrier assemblies are connected to a “tilt rod” also extending along the length of the header assembly and rotatably connected to mechanical linkage of each of the carrier assemblies so as to facilitate selective turning or tilting, in a concurrent, simultaneous fashion, of each of the louvers. Therefore, in typical fashion the plurality of louvers may extend along any portion of the length of the header in overlying relation to the corresponding door, window, etc. and/or be concurrently disposed into any type of slanted or tilted orientation so as to regulate the amount of light passing through the portal. Admittedly, vertical blind assemblies of the type generally described above include distinguishing structural features depending, at least in part, on a particular application for which a vertical blind assembly is intended. In addition, the vertical blind industry is replete with structurally modified components designed to improve the efficiency of the various types of vertical blind assemblies conventionally known and/or commercially available. Efforts to improve vertical blind assemblies include structural variations in the carrier assembly, connecting portion, track configuration, tilt rod, and selectively operable controls for regulating the position and orientation of the plurality of louvers or blinds associated with the vertical blind assembly.
By way of example, the structure of the various known carrier assemblies and their corresponding connecting portions may differ significantly. Common to a majority of such carrier assemblies and connecting portions is the ability of the connecting portion to be removably secured to an upper supporting end of a corresponding one of the louvers to which it is intended to be connected. Removable attachment between the connecting portion and the louver is provided to facilitate an effective connection there between while allowing quick and easy removal of individual ones of the louvers for repair or replacement. However, one disadvantage associated with the conventional manner of interconnecting the upper end of the louver to the connecting portion is the tendency for the louvers to become easily detached therefrom. Such undesirable detachment is particularly prevalent when the collection of louvers or blinds are forced along the length of the track and header assembly in a brisk manner, while a user simultaneously attempts to change the tilted or slanted orientation thereof.
Other factors commonly affecting the stability of the interconnection between the connecting portion and the individual louvers is the weight, configuration and overall structure of the louver. By way of example only, a louver may be formed, at least in part, from heavy material components such as decorative chain links disposed in depending relation from and supported by a support structure disclosed adjacent an upper most end of the louver. Accordingly, when the aforementioned support portion is removably secured to anyone of a plurality of different types of connecting portions, the weight of the louver or blind may be such as to facilitate its detachment from the connection portion. Such inadvertent detachment is also common when the louver is subjected to unusual forces, such as engagement with people or objects, exposure to wind gusts, or rapid and simultaneous movement and tilting of the louvers through operation of the controls of the vertical blind assembly.
Therefore, there is a significant and long recognized need in the vertical blind industry for an assembly which securely and consistently maintains a supporting interconnection of the connecting portion and individual louvers or blinds associated with the vertical blind assembly. Such an improved retaining assembly should be structured to not interfere with the normal operation of the vertical blind assembly, especially in terms of the collective movement of the louvers or blinds relative to the header assembly and track structure associated therewith. In addition, an improved retainer assembly of the type needed to overcome known disadvantages and problems of the type set forth above should have sufficient structural and operative versatility to be used with any of the different types of connecting structures known or commercially available, especially when such a large number of structurally distinguishable connecting structures are prevalently used in the vertical blind industry.