Chain Guide for a Roller Blind or Roller Shade

Abstract

A chain guide for a roller blind or roller shade of the type driven by a clutch that is activated through applying a tensile load to one end of a chain, rope or cable that engages the clutch. The chain guide comprising two or more rollers mounted to one or more structural members positioned about the end of blind. The rollers engage the chain, rope or cable and direct the chain, rope or cable onto the clutch. The rollers help to maintain the position of the chain, rope or cable adjacent the clutch and helping to eliminate contact between the chain, rope or cable and the structural members of the blind, thereby reducing the mechanical noise generated by the chain, rope or cable during operation of the blind.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A chain guide for a roller blind or roller shade of the type driven by a clutch that is activated through applying a tensile load to one end of a chain, rope or cable that engages the clutch, the chain guide comprising two or more rollers mounted to one or more structural members positioned about the end of blind, said rollers engaging the chain, rope or cable and directing the chain, rope or cable onto the clutch, said rollers helping to maintain the position of the chain, rope or cable adjacent the clutch and helping to eliminate contact between the chain, rope or cable and the structural members of the blind thereby reducing the mechanical noise generated by the chain, rope or cable during operation of the blind. 
     
     
         2 . The chain guide as claimed in  claim 1  including two rollers secured to the end plate of the blind and positioned adjacent to the clutch. 
     
     
         3 . The chain guide as claimed in  claim 2  wherein each of said rollers comprise a roller hub mounted on a fixed shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The chain guide as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the exterior surfaces of said roller hubs are concave and of a dimension that approximates the outer dimension of the chain, rope or cable, said concavity of the exterior surfaces of said hubs tending to maintain contact between the chain, rope or cable and said rollers when the chain, rope or cable is operated thereby reducing the likelihood of contact of the chain, rope or cable with structural components of the blind. 
     
     
         5 . The chain guide as claimed in  claim 4  wherein at least the exterior surfaces of said hubs are comprised of a pliable material to enhance engagement with the chain, rope or cable, prevent slippage between said hubs and the chain, rope or cable and to further reduce mechanical noise associated with operation of the blind. 
     
     
         6 . The chain guide as claimed in  claim 4  wherein each of said rollers includes an exterior sleeve, said sleeve formed from a pliable material and received about the exterior surface of said hub, said sleeve having a concave exterior surface that approximates the outer dimension of the chain, rope or cable when said sleeve received about said hub. 
     
     
         7 . The chain guide has claimed in  claim 3  wherein said shafts are releasably securable to the end plate of the blind to permit the positioning of said rollers at a location to accommodate clutches of different diameters. 
     
     
         8 . The chain guide as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said shafts are mounted on a plate, said plate releasably securable to the end bracket of the roller blind.