Light Blocking Element for a Covering for an Architectural Opening
AssigneeHunter Douglas Inc.
InventorRichard N. Anderson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A light-blocking element is movably coupled to and recessed into one of a first rail and a movable rail, and, when the movable rail moves to a position closest to the first rail, the light-blocking element enters into a recess in the other of said first rail and said movable rail and thereby is recessed into both said first rail and said movable rail.
Claims21
1-15. (canceled)
A covering for an architectural opening, said covering comprising:
- a first rail;
- a movable rail movable towards and away from said first rail in an operating direction of said covering;
- a light-blocking element supported by at least one wall of said first rail;
- a first magnetic member supported by said first rail;
- and
- a second magnetic member supported by said movable rail;
- wherein, when said first and second magnetic members are magnetically coupled to each other, said light-blocking element extends in the operating direction across an interface between said first and second magnetic members to block light from passing between said first rail and said movable rail.
A covering for an architectural opening, said covering comprising:
- a fixed rail;
- a movable rail movable towards and away from said fixed rail;
- a light-blocking element coupled to said fixed rail such that said light-blocking element remains non-magnetically engaged with said fixed rail as said movable rail moves towards and away from said fixed rail;
- a first magnetic member coupled to said light-blocking element;
- and
- a second magnetic member coupled to said movable rail;
- wherein, when said movable rail moves to a position adjacent to said fixed rail, said first and second magnetic members are magnetically coupled to each other.
A covering for an architectural opening, said covering comprising:
- a first rail;
- a movable rail movable towards and away from said first rail;
- a light-blocking element coupled to one of said first rail or said movable rail such that said light-blocking element remains engaged with said one of said first rail or said movable rail as said movable rail moves towards and away from said first rail;
- a first magnetic member coupled to said light-blocking element;
- and
- a second magnetic member coupled to the other of said first rail or said movable rail;
- wherein at least a portion of said light-blocking element is flexible to allow said light-blocking element to flex relative to at least one of said first rail or said movable rail when said first and second magnetic members are magnetically coupled to each other to fill a gap defined between said first rail and said movable rail.
The covering of claim 30, wherein said light-blocking element is configured to flex relative to said at least one of said first rail or said movable rail to accommodate variations in a height of the gap defined between said first rail and said movable rail.
The covering of claim 32, wherein:
- a portion of said light-blocking element directly contacts one of said first rail or said movable rail when said first and second magnetic members are magnetically coupled to each other;
- and
- said portion of said light-blocking element is formed from said second material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.