GB2618836A

GB2618836A - Spacer for a roller blind

Info

Publication number: GB2618836A
Application number: GB2207374.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Murphy Aidan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-05-19
Filing date: 2022-05-19
Publication date: 2023-11-22
Also published as: GB202207374D0

Abstract

The spacer 300 is arranged to be located between a roller 102 and a bracket 104 and has a body 301 and a means for supporting the roller 102. The means may be an aperture 306 or recess arranged to receive a projection 120 extending from an end of the roller 102. The spacer 300 decreases the effective separation between the roller 102 and the bracket 104 such that the roller 102 can be supported by brackets 104 that are spaced further apart than the length of the roller 102. The means for engaging the bracket and the means for supporting the roller may be on opposing surfaces of the body and may be aligned with one another. The spacer 300 can be disposed at either end of the roller 102. A kit comprising a plurality of spacers 300 may be provided.

Description

SPACER FOR A ROLLER BLIND

The present invention is directed towards a spacer for a roller blind, and in particular a spacer that is arranged to be disposed between a roller of the roller blind and a bracket to which the roller blind is to be mounted.

BACKGROUND

Roller blinds, also known as roller shades, include a roller which is supported by end brackets. The end brackets are attached to a structure such as a window reveal, wall or ceiling. The spacing between the brackets is required to be no more than the length of the roller and is typically required to be slightly less than the length of the roller to ensure that the roller is held securely between the brackets.

Effective installation of the roller blind requires that the window opening is correctly measured such that the correct length of roller is purchased. If the window opening is measured incorrectly then the brackets may be required to be spaced further apart than the length of the roller. The roller blind installer may have to order a new roller with the desired length or abandon the roller blind installation entirely.

The present invention is directed towards enabling a roller to be installed securely between brackets that are separated by more than the length of the roller.

C\I SUMMARY C\I

There is provided a spacer for a roller blind, kit of parts, and roller blind assembly as set out in the accompanying independent claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent

CD

claims, and the description which follows.

o According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a spacer for a roller blind. The spacer is arranged to be disposed between a roller of the roller blind and a bracket to which the roller is to be mounted. The spacer comprises a body and means for supporting the roller.

A roller is typically supported between brackets which are fixed to a building structure (e.g. a wall, ceiling or window reveal). If the brackets are spaced further apart than the length of the roller, the roller cannot engage both brackets and thus is unable to be supported between the brackets. The spacer of the present invention is able to be disposed between one of the brackets and the roller such that the effective separation between the brackets is reduced. The spacer is arranged to support the roller. An appropriate spacer with a body having a thickness that reduces the opening between the brackets by the desired amount can be selected. The roller is supported by the spacer rather than being directly supported by the bracket. In this way, the roller is able to be securely retained between the brackets even when it is shorter than the span between the brackets.

The means for supporting the roller may comprise a formation arranged to engage with the roller. The roller may comprise a formation which cooperates with the formation arranged to engage with the roller. The formation arranged to engage with the roller may physically contact the roller. The formation may hold the roller in place such that the roller is unable to be displaced from the spacer in use.

The formation arranged to engage with the roller may comprise a recess arranged to receive part of the roller.

The formation arranged to engage with the roller may comprise a plurality of formations. The formation arranged to engage with the roller may be a single formation.

Rollers typically comprise formations in the form of projection(s) extending from their ends. The formation of the spacer may be arranged to engage with the projection or projections extending from one of the ends of the roller.

The formation may comprise a recess or a plurality of recesses arranged to receive a projection or plurality of projections of an end of the roller.

The spacer may further comprise means for engaging with the bracket. The means for engaging with the bracket may physically couple with the bracket. The means for engaging with the bracket may enable the spacer to be retained by the bracket such that the spacer is unable to be displaced from the bracket in normal use.

The means for supporting the roller and the means for engaging with the bracket may be provided on opposing surfaces of the body.

C\J The means for supporting the roller may be provided on a first surface of the body that faces the roller (\I in use. The means for supporting the bracket may be provided on a second surface of the body that (3) faces the bracket in use.

The first surface may be arranged to physically contact the roller. The second surface may be arranged to physically contact the bracket. The first surface may be planar. The second surface may be planar. The second surface may be non-planar. The second surface may be shaped to conform to the bracket.

The means for supporting the roller may be aligned with the means for engaging with the bracket The means for engaging with the bracket may comprise a formation arranged to engage with the bracket. The bracket may comprise a formation which cooperates with the formation arranged to engage with the bracket. The formation arranged to engage with the bracket may physically contact the bracket. The formation may hold the spacer in place such that the spacer is unable to be easily displaced from the bracket.

The formation arranged to engage with the bracket may comprise a projection arranged to extend into an aperture of the bracket.

The formation arranged to engage with the bracket may comprise a plurality of formations. The formation arranged to engage with the bracket may be a single formation.

Brackets typically comprise a recess or recesses designed to receive projection(s) extending from the roller. The formation of the spacer may be arranged to engage with the recess or recesses formed in the bracket.

The means for supporting the roller may comprise a recess and the means for supporting the bracket may comprise a projection.

The means for supporting the roller may comprise a plurality of recesses and the means for supporting the bracket may comprise a plurality of projections. Each of the recesses may be aligned with a respective one of the projections.

The body may have a thickness of between 5 mm and 50 mm. The body may have a thickness of between 10 mm and 30 mm.

The body may have a thickness of at least 5 mm. The body may have a thickness of at least 10 mm. The body may have a thickness of at least 15 mm. The body may have a thickness of at least 20 mm. The body may have a thickness of at least 25 mm. The body may have a thickness of at least 30 mm. The body may have a thickness of at least 35 mm. The body may have a thickness of at least 40 mm. The body may have a thickness of at least 50 mm.

The body may have a thickness of less than or equal to 100 mm. The body may have a thickness of less than or equal to 90 mm. The body may have a thickness of less than or equal to 80 mm. The body may have a thickness of less than or equal to 70 mm. The body may have a thickness of less than or C\I equal to 60 mm The body may have a thickness of less than or equal to 50 mm.

C\I The body may be constructed from wood.

CD The body may be constructed from plastic.

The body may be in the form of a disc. The body may have a diameter corresponding to the diameter o of an end of the roller the body is arranged to support.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts.

The kit of parts comprises a first spacer for a roller blind. The first spacer is arranged to be disposed between a roller of the roller blind and a bracket. The first spacer comprises a body and means for supporting the roller.

The kit of parts comprises a second spacer for the roller blind. The second spacer is arranged to be disposed between the roller of the roller blind and a bracket. The second spacer comprises a body and means for supporting the roller.

The body of the first spacer may have a different thickness to the body of the second spacer. The first spacer or the second spacer may be selected by the roller blind installer depending on the difference between the separation between the brackets and the length of the roller.

The first spacer may be arranged to be disposed between a first end of the roller and a first bracket, and the second spacer may be arranged to be disposed between a second end of the roller and a second bracket. Advantageously, spacers can be provided between both ends of the roller and their respective brackets to reduce the effective spacing between the brackets and allow the roller to be installed between the brackets.

The first spacer and/or the second spacer may comprise any of the features of the spacer of the first aspect of the invention.

The kit of parts may further comprise a packer arranged to be disposed between a bracket of the roller blind and a structure to which the bracket is to be mounted.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a roller blind assembly comprising: a roller; a first bracket; and a first spacer arranged to be disposed between the roller and the first bracket, the first spacer comprising a body and means for supporting the roller.

The roller blind assembly may further comprise a second bracket.

The roller blind assembly may further comprise a second spacer arranged to be disposed between the roller and the second bracket, the second spacer comprising a body and means for the supporting the roller.

The first spacer and/or the second spacer may comprise any of the features of the spacer of the first aspect of the invention. C\I

C\I The roller blind assembly may further comprise a packer arranged to be disposed between a bracket of the roller blind and a structure to which the bracket is to be mounted.

O BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, O in which: Figures 1 to 3 show a known roller blind; and Figures 4 to 9 show a roller blind assembly comprising spacers according to aspects of the present disclosure; and Figures 10 and 11 show aspects of a roller blind assembly comprising spacers according to aspects of the present disclosure;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

S

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Figs. 1 to 3 show an example of a roller blind 100. This construction of roller blind 100 is commonly used The roller blind 100 comprises a roller 102 which is suspended between brackets 104, 106. The brackets 104, 106 are arranged to be mounted on or about a window frame. A screen (not shown) formed of a fabric or similar material is wound about the roller tube 102.

The roller 102 typically comprises a length of tube 103. The tube 103 is generally cylindrical and has a groove (not shown) extending along its length to which the screen can be fixed. The roller 102 comprises a first end 108 and a second end 110.

C\J The first end 108 is secured to the tube 103 and serves to hang the roller 102 to its corresponding C\I bracket 104 ("the first bracket 104"). The first end 108 may be referred to as the idle end of the roller 102 and the first bracket 104 may be referred as the idle end bracket.

The second end 110 of the roller is secured to the tube 103 and serves to hang the roller 102 to its corresponding bracket 106 ("the second bracket 106").

The second end 110 comprises or is associated with a control mechanism 112 that enables the screen to be wound and unwound from the roller 102. The control mechanism 112 can be actuated by a cord or chain (not shown) for example. The second end 110 may be referred to as the control end of the roller 102 and the second bracket 106 may be referred to as the control end bracket.

Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the first end 108 of the roller 102 and the first end bracket 104.

The first end 108 comprises a body 114 which is push fit into the tube 103. The body 114 comprises a formation 116 for engaging with the first end bracket 104. The formation 116 projects from the body 114 and in this example is in the form of a plunger 116. The plunger 116 has a larger diameter portion 118 adjacent the body 114 and a smaller diameter portion 120 remote from the body 114.

The plunger 116 is displaceable in the axial direction with respect to body 114. The plunger 116 is biased to remain in an extended position as shown in Fig. 2.

The first bracket 104 is in the form of a right-angle/L-shaped bracket.

The first bracket 104 has a mounting portion 122 which is used to secure the first end bracket 104 to a structure such as a wall or ceiling. The mounting portion 122 has apertures 124 through which fasteners can be passed to secure the bracket 104 to the structure. The apertures 124 extend through both the base of the mounting portion 122 and the upright section of the mounting portion 122, which is at a right-angle to the base, to allow for the mounting portion 122 to be mounted to the structure in different configurations.

The first bracket 104 further comprises a support portion 126 for supporting the first end 108 of the roller 102. The support portion 126 is coupled to and depends from the mounting portion 122. Part of the support portion 128 is angled such that the main section of the support portion 126 defines a plane which approximately bisects the base of the mounting portion 122 along its longitudinal axis.

The support portion 126 comprises a formation 130 adapted to cooperate with the formation 116 of the first end 108 of the roller 102. The formation 130 comprises an aperture 130 through which part of the formation 116 is received. In particular, the aperture 130 is sized such that the smaller diameter portion 120 of the plunger 116 can be received therethrough but the larger diameter portion 118 of the plunger 116 is not able to pass through.

Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of the second end 110 of the roller 102 and the second bracket 106.

The second end 110 comprises a body 132 which is push fit into the tube 103. The body 132 comprises the control mechanism 112.

C\J The body 132 comprises three formations 134, 136 that project from the body 132. The formations 134, C\I 136 comprise a central projection 134, and a pair of outer projections 136. The central projection 134 has a cut-out section.

The second bracket 106 is in the form of a right-angle/L-shaped bracket.

The second bracket 106 has a mounting portion 138 which is used to secure the second bracket 106 O to a structure such as a wall or ceiling. The mounting portion 138 has apertures 140 through which fasteners can be passed to secure the second bracket 106 to the structure. The apertures 140 extend through both the base of the mounting portion 138 and the upright section of the mounting portion 138, which is at a right-angle to the base, to allow for the mounting portion 138 to be mounted to the structure in different configurations.

The second bracket 106 further comprises a support portion 142 for supporting the second end 110 of the roller 102. The support portion 142 is coupled to and depends from the mounting portion 138. Part of the support portion 144 is angled such that the main section of the support portion 142 defines a plane which approximately bisects the base of the mounting portion 138 along its longitudinal axis.

The support potion 142 comprises formations 146, 148 adapted to engage with the formations 134, 136 of the second end 110 of the roller 102. Five formations 146, 148 are shown in this example. The formations 146, 148 are in the form of apertures 146, 148 that receive the projections 134, 136 extending from the body 132 of the second end 110 of the roller 102.

The formation 146 is arranged to engage with the formation 134 of the second end 110 of the roller 102. The formation 146 is in the form of a cruciform-shaped aperture 146. Other shapes such as L-shapes are possible. The central projection 134 of the second end 110 can extend into the aperture 146 in four different orientations disposed at 90 degrees relative to one another. The cut-out section of the central projection 134 enables the central projection 134 to lock into the aperture 146 such that axial rotation of the roller 102 is restricted.

The formations 148 are arranged to cooperate with the outer projections 136 of the second end 110 of the roller. Different pairs of the formations 148 are used depending on the orientation in which the roller 102 is installed.

To install the roller blind 100, the brackets 104, 106 are attached to the wall, ceiling, or window reveal at either side of the window opening. The roller 102 is installed by inserting the smaller diameter portion 120 of the plunger 116 through the aperture 130 in the first bracket 104. The roller 102 is urged against the first bracket 104 to cause the plunger 116 to be urged inwardly. The central projection 134 and outer projections 136 of the second end 110 are then positioned with the corresponding apertures 146, 148 in the second bracket 106. The plunger 116 is then allowed to expand outwards. This enables the roller 102 to be securely held between the first bracket 104 and the second bracket 106 such that it is challenging for the roller 102 to be accidentally dislodged.

Correct installation of the roller blind 100 is currently dependant on the first bracket 104 and the second bracket 106 being spaced apart by a distance just less than the length of the roller 102 when the plunger C\I 116 is fully expanded. If the first bracket and second bracket 106 are spaced too far apart then the roller C\I 102 cannot engage the brackets 104, 106 and is not securely held in place.

sa) Figs. 4 to 6 show an assembly 200 according to aspects of the present disclosure that enables a roller O 102 to be installed correctly and safely between brackets 104, 106 when the roller 102 is shorter than (.0 the spacing between the brackets 104, 106.

The roller blind assembly 200 comprises the roller blind 100 as described above in relation to Figs. 1 to 3.

In addition, the roller blind assembly 200 comprises a first spacer 300 disposed between the first end 108 of the roller 102 and the first bracket 104 and a second spacer 400 disposed between the second end 110 of the roller 102 and the second bracket 106.

Figs. 5 to 6 show detailed views of the first spacer 300.

The first spacer 300 comprises a body 301 which defines a first surface 302 and a second surface 304. The first surface 302 faces towards the first end 108 of the roller 102. The second surface 304 faces towards the support surface 126 of the first bracket 104.

The first surface 302 comprises means for supporting the roller 102. The means is in the form of a formation 306 that is arranged to engage with the formation 116 of the first end 108 of the roller 102.

The formation 306 comprises a recess 306 that is arranged to receive the smaller diameter portion 120 of the plunger 116. The recess 306 has substantially the same diameter as the aperture 130 of the first bracket 104.

The second surface 304 comprises means for engaging the first bracket 104. The means is in the form of a formation 308 that is arranged to engage with the formation 130 of the first bracket 104.

The formation 308 is in the form of a projection 308 that is arranged to extend into the aperture 130 of the first bracket 104. The projection 308 has substantially the same diameter as the smaller diameter portion 120 of the plunger 116.

The formation 306 and the formation 308 are aligned with one another in this example. This corresponds to how the plunger 116 is inserted into the aperture 130 of the first bracket 104 in the roller blind 100 described above in reference to Figure 1.

The first surface 302 of the spacer 300 is planar in this example and defines a planar contact surface for engaging the first end 106 of the roller 102. The second surface 304 is non-planar and in particular is shaped to conform to the profile of the first bracket 104.

In use, the spacer 300 is positioned on the first bracket 104 such that the projection 308 of the spacer 300 is received in the aperture 130 of the first bracket 104. The smaller diameter portion 120 of the plunger 116 is inserted into the recess 306 of the spacer 300. The spacer 300 is therefore sandwiched between the first bracket 104 and the first end 108 of the roller 102. The spacer 300 enables the first end 108 of the roller 102 to be held in place even though the roller 102 is of insufficient length to directly C\J engage the bracket 104. C\I

Figs. 7 to 9 show detailed views of the second spacer 400.

The second spacer 400 comprises a body 401 which defines a first surface 402 and a second surface CC) 404. The first surface 402 faces towards the second end 110 of the roller 102. The second surface 404 O faces towards the second bracket 106.

The first surface 402 comprises means for supporting the roller 102. The means comprise formations 406, 408 that are arranged to engage the formations 134, 136 of the second end 110 of the roller 102. The formations 406, 408 are in the form of recesses 406, 408 arranged to receive the projections 134, 136 of the second end 110 of the roller 102.

The formation 406 is a centrally located between the formations 408.

The second surface 404 comprises means for engaging with the second bracket 106. The means comprise formations 410, 412 that are arranged to engage the formations 146, 148 of the second bracket 106 The formations 410, 412 are in the form of projections 410, 412 that are arranged to extend into the apertures 146, 148 of the second bracket 106.

The formation 410 is centrally located between the formations 412. The formation 410 is in the form of a screw head in this example but may also be formed similarly to the projection 134 of the second end 110 of the roller 102.

The formation 406 is aligned with the formation 410 in this example. The formations 408 are each aligned with one of the formations 412 in this example. This corresponds to how the projections 134, 136 of the second end 110 of the roller 102 are inserted into the apertures 146, 148 of the second bracket 106 in the roller blind 100 described above in reference to Figure 1.

The second spacer 400 is in the form of a disc in this example. The second spacer 400 has a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the second end 110 of the roller 102.

In use, the spacer 400 is positioned on the second bracket 106 such that the projection 410 of the spacer 400 is received in the aperture 146 of the second bracket 106 and the projections 412 are received in two of the apertures 148. The central projection 134 of the second end 110 of the roller 102 is inserted into the recess 406 of the spacer 400 and the outer projections 136 are inserted into the recesses 408 of the spacer 400. The spacer 400 is therefore sandwiched between the second bracket 106 and the second end 110 of the roller 102. The spacer 400 enables the second end 110 of the roller 102 to be held in place even though the roller 102 is of insufficient length to directly engage the bracket 106.

In an example use case, it may be desired to hang a roller 102 between two brackets 104, 106 secured to a structure such as a wall, window reveal or ceiling. Due to incorrect measurement of the window opening, the brackets 104, 106 are spaced further apart than the length of the roller 102. To allow for the roller 102 to still be secured to the brackets 104, 106, the first spacer 300 and the second spacer C\I 400 are used. The first spacer 300 and the second spacer 400 decrease the effective spacing between C\I the brackets 104, 106 such that the roller 102 can be inserted between the spacers 300, 400 and held in place between the brackets 104, 106.

The roller blind installer may have a kit comprising a plurality of different spacers 300, 400 having CC) different thicknesses. The roller blind installer can select the desired thickness of the spacers 300, 400 O depending on the spacing between the brackets 104, 106 and the length of the roller 102.

Both the first spacer 300 and the second spacer 400 are not required in all examples. This will generally depend on the difference between the length of the roller 102 and the distance between the brackets 104, 106. Only one of the first spacer 300 or the second spacer 400 may be used in some examples.

Multiple spacers 300 could be provided between the first bracket 104 and the first end 108 of the roller 102 if desired. Multiple spacers 400 could be provided between the second bracket 106 and the second end 110 of the roller 102 if desired. It will be appreciated that the formations of the spacers 300, 400 enable them to be stacked together.

The spacers 300, 400 may be constructed from wood or a polymer for example. Other materials can be used to form the spacers 300, 400 as will be appreciated by the skilled person. The spacers 300, 400 may have a colour and/or texture that resembles that of one or both of the end of the roller 102 that the spacer 300, 400 engages with or the bracket 104, 106 that the spacer 300, 400 engages with. This helps ensure that the spacer 300, 400 is not visually apparent in the installed roller blind.

The spacers 300, 400 may have any desired thickness. In some examples, the body 301, 401 has a thickness of between 5 mm and 100 mm. In some examples, the body 301, 401 has a thickness of between 20 mm and 60 mm.

Figs. 10 and 11 show additional aspects of the roller blind assembly 200. In this example, the roller blind assembly 200 further comprises a packer 500 that is provided between the bracket 106 and the structure that the bracket 106 is mounted on. The structure may be, for example, a wall, ceiling or window reveal.

Fig. 10 shows an arrangement where the bracket 106 is attached to a wall or window reveal. The packer 500 is provided between the upright section of the mounting portion 138 of the bracket 106 and the wall/window reveal.

Fig. 11 shows an arrangement where the bracket 106 is attached to a ceiling. The packer 500 is provided between the base of the mounting portion 138 and the ceiling. The spacer 400 is not shown in Fig. 11.

The packer 500 provides an additional way to reduce the separation between the brackets 104, 106 that may be used in conjunction with the spacers 200, 300.

The packer 500 is shown in use with the second bracket 106 but may additionally or separately be used with the first bracket 104.

The packer 500 in this example has a rectangular shape. The packer 500 can have any desired C\J thickness depending on the desired spacing between the brackets 104, 106. The packer 500 may be C\I provided as part of the kit as described above. A plurality of packers 500 may be provided with the kit.

Some of the packers 500 may have different thicknesses.

In summary, there is provided a spacer arranged to be disposed between a roller and a bracket. The cr) spacer comprises a body and means for supporting the roller. The means comprises an aperture CD arranged to receive a projection extending from an end of the roller. The spacer decreases the effective separation between the roller and the bracket such that the roller can be supported by brackets that are spaced further apart than the length of the roller. The spacer can be disposed at either end of the roller. A kit comprising a plurality of spacers may be provided.

Various combinations of optional features have been described herein, and it will be appreciated that described features may be combined in any suitable combination. In particular, the features of any one example embodiment may be combined with features of any other embodiment, as appropriate, except where such combinations are mutually exclusive. Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" or "comprises" means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of others.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A spacer for a roller blind, the spacer being arranged to be disposed between a roller of the roller blind and a bracket, the spacer comprising a body and means for supporting the roller.
A spacer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for supporting the roller comprises a formation arranged to engage with the roller.
A spacer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the formation arranged to engage with the roller comprises a recess arranged to receive part of the roller.
A spacer as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the formation arranged to engage with the roller comprises a plurality of formations.
5. A spacer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the spacer further comprises means for engaging with the bracket.
6. A spacer as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means for supporting the roller and the means for engaging with the bracket are provided on opposing surfaces of the body.
7. A spacer as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for supporting the roller is aligned with the means for engaging with the bracket.
8. A spacer as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the means for engaging with the bracket comprises a formation arranged to engage with the bracket.
A spacer as claimed in claim 8, wherein the formation arranged to engage with the bracket comprises a projection arranged to extend into an aperture of the bracket.
10. A spacer as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the formation arranged to engage with the bracket comprises a plurality of formations.
11. A spacer as claimed in any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the means for supporting the roller comprises a recess and the means for supporting the bracket comprises a projection.
12. A spacer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means for supporting the roller comprises a plurality of recesses and the means for supporting the bracket comprises a plurality of projections.
13. A spacer as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of the recesses is aligned with a respective one of the projections.
14. A spacer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body has a thickness of between 5 mm and 50 mm.
15. A spacer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the body has a thickness of between 10 mm and 30 mm.
16. A spacer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body is constructed from wood.
17. A spacer as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the body is constructed from plastic.
18. A kit of parts comprising: a first spacer for a roller blind, the first spacer being arranged to be disposed between a roller of the roller blind and a bracket, the first spacer comprising a body and means for supporting the roller; and a second spacer for the roller blind, the second spacer being arranged to be disposed between the roller of the roller blind and a bracket, the second spacer comprising a body and means for supporting the roller.
19. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 18, wherein the body of the first spacer has a different thickness to the body of the second spacer.
20. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the first spacer is arranged to be disposed between a first end of the roller and a first bracket, and the second spacer is arranged to be disposed between a second end of the roller and a second bracket.
21. A kit of parts as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20, further comprising a packer arranged to be disposed between a bracket of the roller blind and a structure to which the bracket is to be mounted.
22. A roller blind assembly comprising: a roller; a first bracket; and a first spacer arranged to be disposed between the roller and the first bracket, the first spacer comprising a body and means for supporting the roller.
23. A roller blind assembly as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a second bracket.
24. A roller blind assembly as claimed in claim 23, further comprising a second spacer arranged to be disposed between the roller and the second bracket, the second spacer comprising a body and means for the supporting the roller.
25. A roller blind assembly as claimed in any of claims 22 to 24, further comprising a packer arranged to be disposed between the first bracket of the roller blind and a structure to which the bracket is to be mounted.