Screen tensioning mechanism and system

Abstract

A screen tensioning mechanism for use in a retractable blind, said screen tensioning mechanism comprising: (a) a projecting member having a head portion and a resiliently deformable tail portion; and (b) a housing member comprising: (i) a first opening adapted to receive an end of a support rod; and (ii) a second opening having a tapered internal profile adapted to forcibly receive said tail portion by inwardly displacing said tail portion, wherein in use, said resiliently deformable tail portion biases said projecting member axially outward from said support rod.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A screen tensioning mechanism for use in a retractable blind, said screen tensioning mechanism comprising:
 (a) a projecting member having a head portion and a resiliently deformable tail portion; and   (b) a housing member comprising:
 (i) a first opening adapted to receive an end of a support rod; and 
 (ii) a second opening having a tapered internal profile adapted to forcibly receive said tail portion by inwardly displacing said tail portion, 
   wherein in use, said resiliently deformable tail portion biases said projecting member axially outward from said support rod.   
     
     
         2 . The screen tensioning mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein said head portion and said tail portion are integrally formed. 
     
     
         3 . The screen tensioning mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein said tail portion is releasably attached to said head portion. 
     
     
         4 . The screen tensioning mechanism according to  claim 3 , wherein said tail portion comprises a length of resiliently deformable material. 
     
     
         5 . The screen tensioning mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein said tail portion comprises at least two legs extending from said head portion. 
     
     
         6 . The screen tensioning mechanism according to  claim 5 , wherein said legs diverge from one another as they extend from said head portion. 
     
     
         7 . The screen tensioning mechanism according to  claim 5 , wherein said tapered internal profile comprises a first pair of opposing internal surfaces which converge toward one another, and which in use engage and inwardly displace said legs. 
     
     
         8 . The screen tensioning mechanism according to  claim 7 , wherein said first pair of opposing internal surfaces have a predefined angular separation that falls substantially in the range from 5 degrees to 25 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The screen tensioning mechanism according to  claim 7 , wherein said tapered internal profile further comprises a second pair of opposing internal surfaces having a predefined angular separation that is different from said first pair of opposing internal surfaces. 
     
     
         10 . The screen tensioning mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein said second opening further comprises a guide means which in use restricts rotational movement of said projecting member. 
     
     
         11 . The screen tensioning mechanism according to  claim 10 , wherein said guide means comprises at least one longitudinal slot, said slot being adapted to slidably receive a protrusion on an outer surface of said projecting member. 
     
     
         12 . The screen tensioning mechanism according to  claim 11 , wherein said protrusion is engageable with said slot to prevent said projecting member from being ejected from said housing member. 
     
     
         13 . The screen tensioning mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein said second opening comprises an internal lip that is engageable with said projecting member to prevent said tail portion from being ejected from said housing member. 
     
     
         14 . A screen tensioning system for use in a retractable blind, said screen tensioning system comprising:
 (a) a support rod for insertion into a pocket of a retractable screen; and   (b) a pair of tensioning mechanisms according to  claim 1 , said pair of tensioning mechanisms being positioned at opposing ends of said support rod,   wherein in use, said head portion of each of said pair of tensioning mechanisms delivers an opposing tensioning force to said pocket of said retractable screen.   
     
     
         15 . The screen tensioning system according to  claim 14 , wherein said head portion of each of said pair of tensioning mechanisms delivers an opposing tensioning force to an internal side wall of said pocket. 
     
     
         16 . A screen tensioning system for use in a retractable blind, said screen tensioning system comprising:
 (a) a projecting member having a head portion and a resiliently deformable tail portion; and   (b) a support rod comprising a housing member, said housing member having an opening with a tapered internal profile adapted to forcibly receive said tail portion by inwardly displacing said tail portion,   wherein in use, said resiliently deformable tail portion biases said projecting member axially outward from said support rod.   
     
     
         17 . The screen tensioning system according to  claim 16 , wherein said support rod and said housing member are integrally formed. 
     
     
         18 . A screen tensioning mechanism for use in a retractable blind, said screen tensioning mechanism comprising:
 (a) a projecting member having a head portion and a resiliently deformable tail portion; and   (b) a housing member comprising:
 (i) an end adapted to be inserted into an opening of a support rod; and 
 (ii) an opening having a tapered internal profile adapted to forcibly receive said tail portion by inwardly displacing said tail portion, 
   wherein in use, said resiliently deformable tail portion biases said projecting member axially outward from said support rod.   
     
     
         19 . A support rod for a screen tensioning mechanism comprising a housing member, said housing member having an opening with a tapered internal profile,
 wherein said opening is adapted to forcibly receive a resiliently deformable tail portion of a projecting member to bias said projecting member axially outward from said support rod.   
     
     
         20 . A projecting member for a screen tensioning mechanism comprising:
 (a) a head portion; and   (b) a resiliently deformable tail portion,   wherein said tail portion is adapted to be inserted into an opening in a housing member of a support rod to bias said projecting member axially outward from said support rod.