US3853166A - Slatted shade assembly having storm bar means - Google Patents

Abstract

At least one replaceable back-up device in the form of a storm bar is provided for resisting wind displacement of components of a slatted shade assembly such as a roll-up shade. In a practical form the device comprises a vertical bar releasably attachable at its upper end to a crossbar connected with the guide bars of the shade assembly and suitably anchored at its lower end against unintended displacement. Two of such bars may be provided, one at each opposite side of the shade curtain. In another desirable form the vertical bar at the inside of the curtain has means in the form of toothed plates which interlock with the shade slats to hold them against wind-induced whipping.

Description

Wrono [451 Dec. 10, 1974 SLATTED SHADE ASSEMBLY HAVING STORM BAR MEANS France 160/133 Primary Examiner-Peter M. Caun Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hill, Gross, Simpson, Van Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson [57] ABSTRACT At least one replaceable back-up device in the form of a storm bar is provided for resisting wind displacement of components of a slatted shade assembly such as a roll-up shade. In a practical form the device comprises a vertical bar releasably attachable at its upper end to a crossbar connected with the guide bars of the shade assembly and suitably anchored at its lower end against unintended displacement. Two of such bars may be provided, one at each opposite side of the shade curtain. In another desirable form the vertical bar at the inside of the curtain has means in the form of toothed plates which interlock with the shade slats to hold them against wind-induced whipping.

25 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTE LLC 1 0 I974 SHEEI 20F 3 ,PATENTEBBEEIOIQM 3.853.16

sum aor a F5 .5 w T :1

SLATTED SHADE ASSEMBLY HAVING STORM BAR MEANS This application invention is a continuation-impart of my copending application Ser. No. l47,43l filed May 27, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,913.

This invention relates generally to slatted shade assemblies, and more particularly concerns new and improved storm bar means for such assemblies.

Slatted shade assemblies, and more particularly those which are installed in storm-prone geographical areas have the disadvantage that due to their generally light weight construction, they are rather prone to damage in stormy weather, and more particular weather on the order of hurricane force. Not only do storm winds of the magnitude tend to blow such curtains inwardly,'but also outwardly, depending upon the direction from which the wind is blowing, as well as tendency of such wind to change direction or blow with a substantially pulsing force. Not only is there the liability of damage to the shade assembly, but if the curtain slats break loose they may be driven with damaging force against other objects and possibly also become lethal missiles as propelled by the force of high velocity wind. Heretofore, no adequate means have been provided against these dangers, and instead of utilizing the shades for storm protection, it has generally been necessary to roll up the shades on threat of damaging storm.

An important object of the present invention is to overcome the foregoing and other disadvantages, deflciencies, inefficiencies, shortcomings and problems encountered in prior slatted shade assemblies and to attain important advantages and improvements as will hereinafter become apparent.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved storm bar means for slatted shade assemblies.

A further object of the invention is to provide new and improved storm bar means for shade assemblies which will retain the shades against wind pressure against either face of the shade.

Still another object of the invention is to provide dual storm bar protection for slatted shade assemblies.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved storm bar and retaining clip combination for slatted shade assemblies.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts embodied in the disclosure, and in which:

FIG. I is an inside elevational view of a roll-up slatted shade assembly as shown in my parent application Ser. No. 147,431 (Supra).

FIG. 2 is a fragmental sectional elevational view showing features of the roll-up roller of the shade assembly as shown in said parent application.

FIG. 3 is a fragmental sectional elevation view taken substantially along the line IIIIII of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmental vertical sectional elevation view showing a modified arrangement of the storm bar means embodying important features of my invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line VV of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmental elevational view taken substantially in the plane line VIVI of FIG. 4.

Referring, by way of example, to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a slattedshade assembly 10 is depicted embodying features of the invention shown in my parent application and comprising a screen made up of a series ofhorizontal slats 11 made from suitable form-retaining sheet material such as sheet metal which may be aluminum, stainless steel, sheet steel, synthetic plastic, and the like, having any preferred finish and made according to any preferred process such as rolling, extrusion, or other preferred technique, and desirably of a standard structure so as to be capable of ready adaptability for length and width of screen to suit installation requirements. Preferably each of theslats 11 is of as advantageously thin material for light weight, consistent with adequate strength for the purpose, provided with a transversely bowed body affording at least some aid in form retention of the slat and desirably arched toward the outside of the screen. Along the respective opposite upper and lower edges of each of theslats 11 are pro vided respective partially closed reinforcingbead curls 12 and 13. Theupper curl 12 is turned toward the outerside of the slat and thelower curl 13 is turned toward the inner side of the slat, and each curl has a terminal edge which is at least slightly spaced-from the body of the slat so-that by effecting an interhooked relation of the upper curl of one of the slats with thelower curl 13 of another slat a coactive mutually supporting hingedly connective relation of the slats in the screen is attained. Assembly of the reinforcing andhinge curls 12 and I3 is readily effected by an endwise sliding relative assembly movement of the slats.

By preference, the slatted shade is supported by ahead sub-assembly 15 for vertical raising and lowering movements in vertical tracks provided by means comprising respective left and right hand (considered from the inside of the unit 10) vertical guide tracks provided bybars 17 and 18 which are desirably formed as aluminum extrusions and disposed in assembly in allochiral relation. At their lower ends thebars 17 and 18 rest upon abase plate 19 secured as by means oflag bolts 20 to afloor 21 and having along its inner edge anupstanding flange 22 to which the bars are secured as by means ofscrews 23.

In the present instance thehead assembly 15 is supported on the upper end of thebars 17 and 18 by means ofupstanding arms 24 secured to the bars as by means ofscrews 25 and at their upper ends supporting respective alignedshaft elements 27 and 28 secured thereto as by means ofscrews 29 and rotatably supporting aroller 30 which is normally biased by means of a coiledtorsion spring 31 in a roll-up direction. The upper endmost of theslots 11 is suitably secured fixedly to theroller 30.

Vertical movements of the slatted shade between open raise position and closed lower position are guided withinrespective track grooves 32 in thebars 17 and 18 defined by respective inner sidevertical flanges 33 and outer sidevertical flanges 34 which are provided at their upper ends with divergently flaring portions to define at the top of each track groove or channel an upwardly opening throat 35 to facilitate movement of the slatted shade into and out of the track channels as rolled up or drawn from theroller 30.

At its lower end the slatted shade is provided with ahorizontal pull bar 37 which at its ends rides in thetrack channels 32 and is desirably provided with a central inwardly projecting generally U-shapedhandle 38 secured thereto as by means ofscrews 39. Means for holding the shade in closed position desirably comprise respectiveremovable locking pins 40 adapted to the manipulated by means of angular handles 41 into and out of registering'keeper openings in the lower end portions of theflanges 33 and end portions of thebars 37 orrespective latching fingers 42 which lap theflanges 33 and are secured to thepull bar 37 as by means ofscrews 43. In the open condition of the shade it is held at the ready at the top of the track bar frame by engagement of the latching fingers'42 as stops withrespective stops 44 secured to the upper end portions of the track bars as by means of thescrews 25 by which thearms 4 24 are attached to the track bars. For additional locking security and to provide thorough hurricane or other storm resistance to inward displacement of the closed slot curtain, replaceable means are provided in the form of a back-up device comprising a separable T-frame 45. This comprises a verticalrigid bar 47 of preferably L-shaped cross-section having its lower end portion shaped to provide afinger 48 to clear through thehandle 38 located centrally of thebar 37. In addition, thelower end finger 48 of thebar 47 is constructed to fit in behind theflange 22 of the base plate and may be equipped with asnugging filler piece 49. At its upper end portion, thevertical bar 47 is separably secured to a generally inverted L-shaped cross-sectionhorizontal head bar 50 which is of a length to be engaged with its vertical flange within the throats 35 of thetrack bars 17 and 18 and resting with its inturned horizontal flange portion on the upper ends ofthroat flares 51 of theinner bar flanges 33. Replaceable attachment between thebars 47 and 50 is effected by means of awing nut screw 52 which is secured through the vertical flange of thebar 50 and an angledupper terminal flange 53 attached as by means ofrivets 54 to the upper end of thebar 47. Through this arrangement, assembly of the T-bar structure with theshade assembly 10 is easily effected by mounting the head bar in place and then mounting thebar 47 in place and securing it to the head bar as by means of thefastener 52. Inward pressure against the slat curtain will thus be thoroughly resisted not only by thetrack bar flanges 33, but also by theT frame 45. In addition, should there be any tendency for thelocking pins 40 to dislodge or work loose, thestorm bar 47 will positively hold the shade closed by means of ashoulder 55 which overlies and will be engaged by thehandle 38 adjacent the upper end of thefinger 48.

/ I along.

Also for this purpose, a felt,elastomeric sponge material 58, or like cushioning material is carried by the back surface of thevertical bar 47, preferably throughout its length below the head bar. Thecushioning material 58 is of sufficient thickness to press lightly but without deforming pressure against theslats 11, a greater compression pressure being permitted at thepull bar 37.

Where insect screening is employed with the shade assembly, the screening will be mounted outside the shade assembly so that the shade assembly can be operated from the interior of the screened-in space.

In FIG. 4, 5 and 6 a modified improved arrangement of a storm bar structure is disclosed which, among other things, provides assurance against whipping or pulsating displacement of the slatted shade under severe storm conditions. Insofar as details of the shade assembly itself are concerned, they are substantially the same as in FIG. 1, but means are depicted for securing a plurality of shade assemblies 10' in edged-to-edge relation if desired. For example, at contiguous sides of the respective assemblies 10', outwardly projecting flanges 56 (FIG. 4) longitudinally along the sides of thetrack bars 171 and 181 are secured as by means of screws 56a to vertical supportingframe bars 59 of generally T-cross-section having their leg flanges secured to and between theflanges 56 of the track bars and extending from thebase plate 19 to aceiling 60 to which the upper ends of thebars 59 are secured as by means ofangle brackets 61 by means of bolts 62, the brackets being secured to the ceiling as by means of screws 63. In a desirable arrangement, thebars 59 extend to a substantial extent upwardly beyond the ends of thetrack bars 17 and 18 and well above theroller 30 for the curtain slots 11'. To close the gap above the shade assembly, avalance panel 64 may be secured along the outer side of the gap to and between theframe post bars 59.

A locking security andstorm'bar device 65 comprises a rigidvertical bar 67 which is constructed and arranged to be placed replaceably vertically along the central inner side of the slotted curtain similarly as is thebar 45. However, thebar 67 is desirably constructed as a hollow rectangular tubular member which desirably comprises a length of extruded aluminum section of the desired dimensions providing utmost rigidity for its size and yet being relatively light in weight for easy handling and storage when not in use.

At its lower end, thebar 67 is provided with a downwardlyopening notch 68 providing a downwardly extendingfinger 69 along one edge of the bar adapted to engage through the handle 38' into space between theupstanding flange 22 of thebase panel 19 and thepull bar 37. At its upper blind end thenotch 68 provides a downwardly facing shoulder to retain thehandle 38 against unintentional upward movement and thereby locks the slatted shade against opening during a storm should any other locking or latching means for the shade fail.

Attachment of thestorm bar 67 in operative position is effected by releasable securing means such as a thumb-screw 70 at the upper end portion of the bar to a depending flange ofabracket 71 which is secured as by means ofrivets 72 to the underside of an inwardly projecting horizontal flange orleg 73 of a horizontalangular crossbar 76 of generally L-shaped cross-section having a depending flange orleg 74 secured as by means of the screws 25' to the flanges or insidefaces 33 of thevertical track bars of the associated shade assembly 10'. In this instance the cross-bar is secured permanently to the upper end portions of the track bars and can serve as an upward stop for the slatted shade, with thehandle 38 engaging the dependingflange 74 to stop upward opening movement of the shade when it has reached the desired fully open position. Thebar 76 therefore has a double utility in this arrangement. The placement of thestorm bar 67 as needed is very easily effected by placing thebar 67 and attaching it by means of thescrew 70. Likewise removal of the storm bar is simply effected by releasing thewing nut screw 70 and removing the bar for storage. A layer of suitable sound proofing, cushioningmaterial 75 is desirablyprovided on the edge face of thebar 67 which opposes theslots 11.

Means are provided to assure retention of the slatted screen against whipping, drumming or deflecting away from thestorm bar 67 under wind pressure. ln other words, the arrangement is such that not only is the shade screen held against inward deflection by thebar 67 but it is also held against outward deflection. As a highly desirable structure for attaining retention of the screen against outward deflection, lockingplates 77 are mounted on thebar 67 preferably at one side and at as many places at longitudinally spaced intervals thereon as desirable for the particular installation and the type of weather conditions to be anticipated. For example, one of theplates 77 may be placed at each twenty inch spaced interval vertically along thebar. Each of theplates 77 comprises a flat elongated member having along one longitudinal edge a plurality of similar hooklike retaining tooth orfinger projections 78 which are shaped to engage in interlocking relation with the tops of the hinge curls 12' and to fit partially down into the tolerance gap afforded by the lower hinge curls 13. For this purpose the retainingprojection fingers 78 are spaced apart about equal to the width of the slats 11' and are directed downwardly so as to be automatically lockingly engageable with the slat hinge joints when thestorm bar 67 is mounted in its operative relation in the assembly.

In order to facilitate handling of thestorm bar 67 before installation and also to facilitate installation adjustment of the lockingplates 77, they are preferably secured to the side of thestorm bar 67 at the factory in a retracted relation as shown in dash outline in FIG. 4 and are then adjusted into the optimum operating position relative to the bar and to the slat screen on the installation site. For this purpose, theplate 77 is provided with a pair of identical vertically spaced dog-leg slots 79 through which the shank of a respective retainingscrew 80 is received and tapped into the side of thebar 67. In the retracted position of the bar the screws are engaged in horizontal respective legs of the slots 79 as shown in dash outline, and then whenv the bar is installed, thescrews 80 are loosened and the plate adjusted by shifting it outwardly relative to the outer edge of thebar 67 until the desired engagement with theslats 11 is effected, the diagonal upwardly and inwardly directed inner leg of the slats 79 accommodating optimum adjustment of theplate 77. When such optimum adjustment has been attained, thescrews 80 are thoroughly tightened to hold theplate 77 in permanent readiness for locking engagement with the screen as an incident to placing of the storm bar-67 in operative position as needed. It will be observed that the location and disposition of the retainingfingers 78 is such that they will enter into engagement with the slat hinges as an incident to the normal downward and outward assembly movement normal to placing thebar 67 in position, wherein thefinger 69 is first introduced into thehandle 38 by downward and outward movement and then the bar swung outwardly into the final assembled position wherein the wing screw is placed to secure the bar in 67 to thehorizontal bar 76.

Alternatively to the use of theinterlock plates 77, means for holding the curtain of the shade assembly against displacement movement in opposite direction to the bracing against displacement movement provided by thestorm bar 67, may be provided in the form of a generally complementary outside storm bar 81 (FIGS. 4 and 5). This may be in the form of an aluminum extrusion of generally H-cross-section and of a length to extend between the base flange of thebase plate 19 to an angularhorizontal head bar 82 secured to and between the upper end portions of the track bars 17' and 18' as by means of screws or rivets 83. For replaceably attaching thestorm bar 81 at about the vertical center axis of the slat curtain, opposite thestorm bar 67, anangle bracket 84 is secured as by means ofrivets 85 at the proper location on the underside of thehead bar 82, with a wing head thumb-screw 87 provided for releasably securing the upper end portion of thestorm bar 81 to thebracket 84. At its lower end, thestorm bar 81 is anchored to the base plate 19' by means comprising anangle bracket 88 secured as by means ofrivets 89 to the base plate and providing an upstanding flange to which the lower end portion of thebar 81 is secured by means of a wing head thumb-screw 90. Cushioning and sound deadening means in the form of a suitable strip of material 91 is desirably provided on the face of thebar 81 which confronts the screen. By having theouter storm bar 81 slightly shorter than theinner storm bar 67 and the head orcrossbar 82 at a slightly lower elevation than the inner head or cross-bar 76, installation and removal of theouter storm bar 81 is facilitated from the inside of the shade assembly with the shade raised and the lower elevation of thecrossbar 82 enabling free access to theattachment bracket 84 under the raised pull bar 37' of the shade assembly.

It will be understood that variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this invention.

1 claim as my invention:

1. In a roll-up shade assembly including a hingedly slatted curtain having one end secured to a roller:

upright bars providing guide tracks within which opposite sides of the curtain are engaged in running relation;

means above the tops of said bars rotatably supporting said roller in operative relation to enable running of the curtain vertically in said guide tracks; and

a replaceable back-up device engaged with said curtain, said back-up device comprising a vertical bar and a horizontal head bar, and means fixedly connecting said horizontal head bar to said track bars and means for detachably securing the upper end of said vertical bar to said head bar.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, including cushioning means carried by said device in engagement with said curtain.

3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said back-up device provides means for holding the curtain against displacement in one direction across the plane of the curtain, and means for holding the curtain against displacement in the opposite direction across its plane.

4. An assembly according toclaim 3, said last mentioned means comprising structure on said back-up device for retainingly engaging with the curtain.

5. An assembly according toclaim 3, said back-up device comprising a vertical storm bar, and said last mentioned means comprising a plate mounted on said bar and having retaining means interlockingly engaging with the curtain.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said curtain has horizontal hinge curls, and said plate has retaining fingers interlockingly engaging with said curls.

7. An assembly according to claim 5, including means adjustably attaching said plate to said bar to enable adjustment of the plate for optimum retaining engagement with the curtain.

8. An assembly according to claim 1 with said vertical bar comprising a four sided hollow extrusion and with a pair of the sides being notched at a lower end, means on the assembly and inter engagingly cooperable with the aforesaid notches in the sides to secure the lower end of the vertical bar from displacement away from the curtain.

9. The assembly of claim 8 where said last mentioned means comprises a looped handle mounted on said curtain and with said notched sides engaged with the handle to secure the lower end of the vertical bar in place.

10. The assembly of the claim 8 where said last mentioned means comprises a leg of a channel and with said notch sides of said vertical bar engaged therewith to se- Cure the lower end of the vertical bar.

11. The assembly of claim 1 further characterized by said curtain having a handle on its lower end which handle is vertically aligned with said horizontal head bar and cooperable together to provide a stop to determine the upper limit of movement for the slotted curtain.

12. The assembly of claim 1 further including curtain anchoring means comprising a plate mounted on said bar and having retaining means interlockingly engaging with the curtain, said curtain having lapped horizontal hinge curls, and said plate having retaining fingers extending between the lapped horizontal hinge curls interlockingly engaged with said curls to minimize wind deflection from either side of said slatted curtain.

13. An assembly according to claim 1, including a base plate on which the lower ends of said track bars are mounted, and said device having a lower end portion releasably engageable with said base plate.

14. An assembly according toclaim 13, said curtain having a lower end pull bar, said pull bar having a generally looped-shaped handle; saidlower end portion having a finger engageable in said handle in a lowered position of the curtain.

15. An assembly according to claim 14, said base plate having an upstanding flange from which the pull bar of the curtain is in spaced relation in the closed position of the curtain, said lower end portion finger extending into the space between the pull bar and said flange.

16. An assembly according to claim 14, said vertical bar including a retaining shoulder overlying said handle to provide stop means to restrict upward vertical movement of the shade.

17. In a roll-up shade assembly including a hingedly slatted curtain having one end secured to a roller:

upright bars providing guide tracks within which opposite sides of the curtain are engaged in running relation;

means above the tops of said bars rotatably supporting said roller in operative relation to enable running of the curtain vertically in said guide tracks; a replaceable back-up device engaged with said curtain, said device comprising a vertical bar and a horizontal head bar, and means connecting said horizontal head bar to said track bars and for securing the upper end of said vertical bar to said head bar,

a base plate on which the lower ends of said track bars are mounted, and said device having a lower end portion releaseably engageable with said base plate.

18. An assembly according toclaim 17, said curtain having a lower end pull bar, said pull bar having a generally looped-shaped handle; said lower end portion having a finger engageable in said handle in. a lowered position of the curtain.

19. An assembly according toclaim 18, said base plate having an upstanding flange from which the pull bar of the curtain is in spaced relation in the closed position of the curtain, said lower end portion finger extending into the space between the pull bar and said flange.

20. An assembly according toclaim 18, said vertical bar including a retaining shoulder overlying said handle to provide stop means to restrict upward vertical movement of the shade.

21. In a roll-up shade assembly including a hingedly slatted curtain having oneend secured to a roller:

upright bars providing guide tracks within which opposite sides of the curtain are engaged in running relation;

means above the tops of said bars rotatably supporting said roller in operative relation to enable running of the curtain vertically in said guide tracks; and

a replaceable back-up device engaged with said curtain, said back-up device comprising a vertical bar and a horizontal head bar, the horizontal head bar being angular and having first and second legs and means fixedly connecting said first leg of said horizontal head bar to inside faces of said track bars and means for detachably securing the upper end of said vertical bar to said head bar in underlying relation to said second leg of said horizontal head bar.

22. In a roll-up shade assembly including a hingedly slatted curtain having one end secured to a roller:

upright bars providing guide tracks within which opposite sides of the curtain are engaged in running relation;

means above the tops of said bars rotatably supporting said roller in operative relation to enable running of the curtain, vertically in said guide tracks; and

a replaceable back-up device engaged with said curtain, said back-up device comprising a vertical storm bar, and curtain anchoring means comprising a plate mounted on said barand having retaining means interlockingly engaging with the curtain,

said curtain has lapped horizontal hinge curls, and said retaining means comprising vertically spaced retaining fingers extending between the lapped horizontal hinge curls interlockingly engaged with said curls of at least three adjacent slats to minimize wind deflection from either side of said slatted curtain.

23. An assembly according to claim 22 wherein said fingers have a configuration corresponding generally to the shape of the hinge curls for snug fitted engagement when interlocked therewith.

24. In an assembly for maintaining a slatted shade curtain against wind displacement in directions normal to its plane and with the slats having lapped horizontal hinge curls:

a bar for vertical disposition at one face of the curtain to retain the curtain against displacement in a direction normal to the curtain plane toward the bar; and

means carried by the bar for engaging the curtain to retain the curtain against displacement in the opposite direction from the bar and normal to the curtain plane, said means carried by the bar comprising at least one plate secured to said bar and having an edge projecting beyond the bar toward the curtain and having vertically spaced hook-shaped retaining fingers interlockingly engageable with the curls of at least three adjacent slats to minimize wind deflection from either side of the curtain.

25. An assembly according toclaim 24, including angled slot means for adjustably moving said plate inwardly and downwardly relative to the bar and enabling optimum adjustment of the plate for engagement of said finger structure with the curtain.

Claims (25)

1. In a roll-up shade assembly including a hingedly slatted curtain having one end secured to a roller: upright bars providing guide tracks within which opposite sides of the curtain are engaged in running relation; means above the tops of said bars rotatably supporting said roller in operative relation to enable running of the curtain vertically in said guide tracks; and a replaceable back-up device engaged with said curtain, said back-up device comprising a vertical bar and a horizontal head bar, and means fixedly connecting said horizontal head bar to said track bars and means for detachably securing the upper end of said vertical bar to said head bar.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, including cushioning means carried by said device in engagement with said curtain.

3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said back-up device provides means for holding the curtain against displacement in one direction across the plane of the curtain, and means for holding the curtain against displacement in the opposite direction across its plane.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, said last mentioned means comprising structure on said back-up device for retainingly engaging with the curtain.

5. An assembly according to claim 3, said back-up device comprising a vertical storm bar, and said last mentioned means comprising a plate mounted on said bar and having retaining means interlockingly engaging with the curtain.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said curtain has horizontal hinge curls, and said plate has retaining fingers interlockingly engaging with said curls.

7. An assembly according to claim 5, including means adjustably attaching said plate to said bar to enable adjustment of the plate for optimum retaining engagement with the curtain.

8. An assembly according to claim 1 with said vertical bar comprising a four sided hollow extrusion and with a pair of the sides being notched at a lower end, means on the assembly and inter engagingly cooperable with the aforesaid notches in the sides to secure the lower end of the vertical bar from displacement away from the curtain.

9. The assembly of claim 8 where said last mentioned means comprises a looped handle mounted on said curtain and with said notched sides engaged with the handle to secure the lower end of the vertical bar in place.

10. The assembly of the claim 8 where said last mentioned means comprises a leg of a channel and with said notch sides of said vertical bar engaged therewith to secure the lower end of the vertical bar.

11. The assembly of claim 1 further characterized by said curtain having a handle on its lower end which handle is vertically aligned with said horizontal head bar and cooperable together to provide a stop to determine the upper limit of movement for the slotted curtain.

12. The assembly of claim 1 further including curtain anchoring means comprising a plate mounted on said bar and having retaining means interlockingly engaging with the curtain, said curtain having lapped horizontal hinge curls, and said plate having retaining fingers extending between the lapped horizontal hinge curls interlockingly engaged with said curls to minimize wind deflection from either side of said slatted curtain.

13. An assembly according to claim 1, including a base plate on which the lower ends of said track bars are mounted, and said device having a lower end portion releasably engageable with said base plate.

14. An assembly according to claim 13, said curtain having a lower end pull bar, said pull bar having a generally looped-shaped handle; said lower end portion having a finger engageable in said handle in a lowered position of the curtain.

15. An assembly according to claim 14, said base plate having an upstanding flange from which the pull bar of the curtain is in spaced relation in the closed position of the curtain, said lower end portion finger extending into the space between the pull bar and said flange.

16. An assembly according to claim 14, said vertical bar including a retaining shoulder overlying said handle to provide stop means to restrict upward vertical movement of the shade.

17. In a roll-up shade assembly including a hingedly slatted curtain having one end secured to a roller: upright bars providing guide tracks within which opposite sides of the curtain are engaged in running relation; means above the tops of said bars rotatably supporting said roller in operative relation to enable running of the curtain vertically in said guide tracks; a replaceable back-up device engaged with said curtain, said device comprising a vertical bar and a horizontal head bar, and means connecting said horizontal head bar to said track bars and for securing the upper end of said vertical bar to said head bar, a base plate on which the lower ends of said track bars are mounted, and said device having a lower end portion releaseably engageable with said base plate.

18. An assembly according to claim 17, said curtain having a lower end pull bar, said pull bar having a generally looped-shaped handle; said lower end portion having a finger engageable in said handle in a lowered position of the curtain.

19. An assembly according to claim 18, said base plate having an upstanding flange from which the pull bar of the curtain is in spaced relation in the closed position of the curtain, said lower end portion finger extending into the space between the pull bar and said flange.

20. An assembly according to claim 18, said vertical bar including a retaining shoulder overlying said handle to provide stop means to restrict upward vertical movement of the shade.

21. In a roll-up shade assembly including a hingedly slatted curtain having one end secured to a roller: upright bars providing guide tracks within which opposite sides of the curtain are engaged in running relation; means above the tops of said bars rotatably supporting said roller in operative relation to enable running of the curtain vertically in said guide tracks; and a replaceable back-up device engaged with said curtain, said back-up device comprising a vertical bar and a horizontal head bar, the horizontal head bar being angular and having first and second legs and means fixedly connecting said first leg of said horizontal head bar to inside faces of said track bars and means for detachably securing the upper end of said vertical bar to said head bar in underlying relation to said second leg of said horizontal head bar.

22. In a roll-up shade assembly including a hingedly slatted curtain having one end secured to a roller: upright bars providing guide tracks within which opposite sides of the curtain are engaged in running relation; means above the tops of said bars rotatably supporting said roller in operative relation to enable running of the curtain, vertically in said guide tracks; and a replaceable back-up device engaged with said curtain, said back-up device comprising a vertical storm bar, and curtain anchoring means compRising a plate mounted on said bar and having retaining means interlockingly engaging with the curtain, said curtain has lapped horizontal hinge curls, and said retaining means comprising vertically spaced retaining fingers extending between the lapped horizontal hinge curls interlockingly engaged with said curls of at least three adjacent slats to minimize wind deflection from either side of said slatted curtain.

23. An assembly according to claim 22 wherein said fingers have a configuration corresponding generally to the shape of the hinge curls for snug fitted engagement when interlocked therewith.

24. In an assembly for maintaining a slatted shade curtain against wind displacement in directions normal to its plane and with the slats having lapped horizontal hinge curls: a bar for vertical disposition at one face of the curtain to retain the curtain against displacement in a direction normal to the curtain plane toward the bar; and means carried by the bar for engaging the curtain to retain the curtain against displacement in the opposite direction from the bar and normal to the curtain plane, said means carried by the bar comprising at least one plate secured to said bar and having an edge projecting beyond the bar toward the curtain and having vertically spaced hook-shaped retaining fingers interlockingly engageable with the curls of at least three adjacent slats to minimize wind deflection from either side of the curtain.

25. An assembly according to claim 24, including angled slot means for adjustably moving said plate inwardly and downwardly relative to the bar and enabling optimum adjustment of the plate for engagement of said finger structure with the curtain.

Images