Roller shade assembly for stiff shade materials

摘要

A roller shade assembly for a shade made from a relatively heavy and/or stiff material is described. The roller shade assembly includes a cylindrical member that is attached to the shade. A control mechanism rotates the cylindrical member for winding the shade upon the cylindrical member. Thus, winding the cylindrical member in one direction causes the shade to retract, while unwinding the cylindrical member in an opposite direction causes the shade to extend. In order to maintain the shade in alignment as the shade is retracted and extended, the roller shade assembly includes a pair of opposing retaining members that may have a disc-like shape. The retaining members may be positioned adjacent to the vertical edges of the shade and have an effective diameter larger than the diameter of the shade when fully wound and retracted. In one embodiment, the roller shade assembly can further include fixed edge guides for further maintaining the shade in alignment.

主权项

1. A roller shade assembly comprising:
a shade having a first end and a second and opposite end, the shade further including a first vertical edge opposite a second vertical edge and defining a plane between the first and second vertical edges when in an extended position; a cylindrical member attached to the first end of the shade, the cylindrical member being rotatably mounted between a first hub and a second hub, wherein rotating the cylindrical member in a first direction causes the shade to extend and wherein rotating the cylindrical member in an opposite direction causes the shade to wind around the cylindrical member and retract; a control mechanism operatively connected to at least one end of the cylindrical member for rotating the cylindrical member and extending or retracting the shade; first and second retaining members positioned at opposite ends of the cylindrical member and adjacent to respective vertical edges of the shade, the retaining members having an effective diameter that is greater than a diameter of the shade and cylindrical member when the shade is in a fully retracted position; and a first edge guide positioned adjacent to the first retaining member and a second edge guide positioned adjacent to the second retaining member, the first and second edge guides including a guide portion that extends beyond the effective diameter of the corresponding retaining member in a downward direction and beyond the effective diameter of the corresponding retaining member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the shade in the extended position, each guide portion being positioned to direct the vertical edges of the shade between the first and second retaining members when the shade is being retracted.