Head rail for a blind

Abstract

A head rail for a blind is disclosed. The head rail has a cross-sectional profile which includes a first wall having a proximal end and a distal end, a second wall having a proximal end and a distal end, and a web portion extending between the proximal ends of the first wall and the second wall, wherein a portion of the first wall towards the distal end thereof slopes towards the second wall, and a portion of the second wall towards the distal end thereof slopes towards the first wall, such that the space between the distal ends of the walls is less than the space between the proximal ends of the walls, the cross-sectional profile of the head rail further including one or more unit attachment formations associated with one or both of the walls and being located in, or extending through, the space between the walls, the unit attachment formations being adapted to enable attachment to the head rail of industry standard cord lock units and industry standard chain drive units.

1 . A head rail for a blind, the head rail having a cross-sectional profile which includes
 a first wall having a distal end,   a second wall having a distal end,   a web portion extending between the first wall and the second wall, and one or more unit attachment formations associated with one or both of the walls and being located in, or extending through, a space between the walls, and   wherein the unit attachment formations being adapted to enable attachment of industry standard cord lock units and industry standard chain drive units to the head rail.   
     
     
         2 . A head rail according to  claim 1  wherein a bottom portion of the first wall towards the distal end thereof slopes towards the second wall, and a bottom portion of the second wall towards the distal end thereof slopes towards the first wall, so that a space between the distal ends of the walls is less than the maximum distance between the walls. 
     
     
         3 . A head rail according to  claim 1  wherein the web portion extends between the first and second walls between a top part of each wall. 
     
     
         4 . A head rail according to  claim 1  wherein a free end of each bottom portion of the first and second walls extends transversely from the respective bottom portion; and wherein each free end of the first and second walls provides a surface for supporting a portion of the industry-standard cord lock units and the industry-standard chain drive unit. 
     
     
         5 . A head rail according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more unit attachment formations are formed using any one or combination of the following: a rib, a ridge, a shelf, a slot, a cutout, and a groove. 
     
     
         6 . A head rail according to  claim 1  which includes a pair of opposed facing channels which extend from one of the first and second walls; and wherein the pair of channels are adapted to engage with a pair of opposed spring-loaded hooks of an industry-standard mounting bracket. 
     
     
         7 . A head rail according to  claim 6  wherein the pair of opposed facing channels are positioned on a rear side of the head rail. 
     
     
         8 . A head rail according to  claim 1  which includes a flange which extends from the web portion so that a slot portion is formed between the flange and the web portion; and wherein the slot portion allows a piece of fabric to be suspended from the head rail. 
     
     
         9 . A head rail according to  claim 8  which includes a rail portion which extends from the web portion transversely relative to the slot portion; an end of the piece of fabric is folded to form a folded-over portion which has a stiffness which is greater than a remainder of the fabric; and wherein the folded-over portion is inserted into the slot portion so that the remainder of the piece of fabric extends from the slot portion over the rail portion so that the piece of fabric is secured to the head rail. 
     
     
         10 . A head rail according to  claim 9  wherein the folded-over portion is formed by wrapping the end of the piece of fabric one or more times around an elongate strip of material; the fold-over portion is inserted into the slot portion so that the remainder of the piece of fabric is positioned between the folder-over portion and the flange; and wherein an end of the folded-over portion abuts the rail portion thereby preventing the folder-over portion from being pulled out of the slot portion. 
     
     
         11 . A head rail for a Roman blind, the head rail being adapted to enable attachment thereto of industry standard cord lock units and industry standard chain drive units, the head rail also being adapted to enable the fabric of the Roman blind to be secured to the head rail without the need for sewing, mechanical fasteners or other separate fixing means.