Retractable window covering, having a length expanding stiffening rod

摘要

A retractable window covering (1) that has a flexible fabric panel (5) having a bottom edge (11) with a weight bar (13) attached to it. The fabric panel has one or more elongate pockets (19) across its width, accommodating a length-expanding stiffening rod (21) with:
- an elongate guiding element (27) of non-magnetic material;
- a first magnet (41) guided for movement along the elongate guiding element; and
- a second magnet (43) guided for movement along the elongate guiding element and positioned in respect of the first magnet, so that the first and second magnets repulse one another and the guiding element limits and guides the movement of the first and second magnets in respect to one another.