GB2171441A - Vertical blind - Google Patents

Abstract

A vertical blind comprises an elongate head rail having slot extending therealong, a plurality of top hangers each slidable along and angularly displaceable within the slot about a pivot disposed substantially centrally of each top hanger, each top hanger including two spaced apart attachment means (12) located substantially symmetrically on opposite sides of the pivot (5), an interconnecting element (not shown) for connecting those attachment means on one side of the pivots of the plurality of top hangers and an interconnecting element for connecting those attachment means on the other side of the pivots of the plurality of top hangers whereby, a force applied to the respective interconnecting elements creates angular displacement of the top hangers and the attached vanes in opposite directions about the respective pivots to displace the vanes between an open and a closed position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to vetical window blinds This invention relates to vertical window blinds oi the kind having a number of vertically disposed vanes mounted for angular displace ment between a fully open position in which the vanes are spaced apart in substantially parallel vertical planes, and a closed position in which adjacent vanes overlap slightly to form a panel for closing or shading a window or other opening. Throughout this specification and claims, such vertical window blinds will be referred to simply as "vertical blinds of the kind described". Known vertical blinds are constructed from a considerable number of components, some of which are made using expensive moulding and/or machining techniques.For example, angular displacement of the vertically disposed vanes is usually accomplished using a worm/wheel component driven by a common chain or other flexible driving member so that each vane is displaced to substantially the same angular amount. Further, although most adjacent vanes are normally spaced apart at predetermined equal distances, the blind usually includes means for drawing the vanes to one or both sides of a window opening or reveal. In certain cases, for windows of unusually large width, the number of vanes may be divided into, for example, two groups. In such a divided arrangement, one group is usually drawn to one side of a window reveal and the other group is drawn to the opposite side of the window reveal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified vertical window blind which is of adjustable length, so that the blind may be used for a range of window widths.

The blind according to the present invention is suitable for installation on site by tradesmen and do-it-yourself householders alike.

According to the present invention, a vertical blind of the kind described comprises an elongate head rail having a slot extending therealong, a plurality of top hangers each slideable along and angularly displaceable within the slot about a pivot disposed substantially centrally of each top hanger, means for attaching a vane to each top hanger, each top hanger including two spaced apart attachment means located substantially symmetrically on opposite sides of the pivot, an interconnecting element for connecting those attachment means on one side of the pivots of the plurality of top hangers and an interconnecting element for connecting those attachment means on the other side of the pivots of the plurality of top hangers whereby, a force applied to the respective interconnecting elements creates angular displacement of the top hangers and the attached vanes in opposite directions about the respective pivots to displace the vanes between an open and a closed position.

Preferably, the head rail comprises two or more telescopic tubular members having aligned slots. Such a telescopic head rail permits the length of a vertial blind according to the present invention to be adjusted, without cutting the head rail to a precise length as required by a particular sized window or window reveal. The telescopic tubular members may be made from a plastics or metiallic material and, in the case of the latter, may be plastic coated. To assist sliding of the top hangers within the slot formed in the head rail, the region of the head rail in the vicinity of the slot may be coated with a silicone or other low friction material.

The vanes, which are generally elongated strips, may be made from a fabric material which may be reinforced by laminating with a strengthening material and/or a thermal insulating material and/or impregnated with a resin. Alternatively, the vanes may be made from extruded thin metal-foil sections such as is customary for conventional venetion blinds.

Where the vanes are made from a fabric material, a weight is preferably attachable to that end of each vane remote from the top hanger in order to maintain the vane in lightly stretched condition free from cockles and creases.

A vertical blind according to the present invention may be used not only for a range of different window or window reveal widths, but also for a range window of window or window reveal heights. In order to accomplish the latter, the blind according to the invention includes means for adjusting the length of individual vanes. The means for adjusting the length of the individual vanes may be embodied in a bottom member which may be separate from or combined with the said weight.

According to one feature of a blind in accordance with the present invention, each bottom member comprises a body, means supported by the body around which the vane is folded back upon itself according to the length of vane required, and means for restraining the vane in the so folded position.

The body may be in the form of a casing and the means supported by the body around which the vane is folded back upon itself may be the weight. Conveniently, the casing comprises two interconnectable parts between which the weight is carried and between which a slot is formed permitting entry and return of the vane into and out of the casing after the vane has been folded around the weight. The weight may be a slab of metal and, preferably, that edge around which the vane is folded is relieved to form two or more projections thereby serving to restrain the vane in the folded position.

As indicated previously, each top hanger in cludes two spaced apart attachment means located symmetrically on opposite sides of the pivot. Similarly, the bottom member may ir dude two spaced apart attachment mean which interconnecting elements are attach in a manner similar to which interconnect elements are attached to the top hanger.

ferably corresponding attachment means for the top hanger and the bottom member for each vane are in substantial alignment.

The interconnecting elements may be in the form of any flexible strip like element, e.g., a tape, a cord or a wire. Ball-cords (i.e., a series of balls attached to and equally spaced along a cord) are used to drive the worm and wheel components of conventional vertical blinds and may also be used in conjunction with a vertical blind according to the present invention.

The attachment means may be in the form of a round headed projection having a neck of diameter less than the diameter of the head.

Where such attachment means are use, the interconnecting elements include a plurality of holes spaced apart along the length of the element for connection to the attachment means so as to retain the vanes at a required pitch. It is frequently the case that window openings and reveals are not a whole number multiple of the width of the vanes (less any overlap as mentioned at the outset of this specification). It is, therefore, preferable for a person installing a blind to be able to vary the vane pitch not only according to the size of the window, but also for aesthetic reasons.

For example, it is frequently desirable for the pitch of the vanes in the region of the outermost edges of the blind to be closer together than the remaining vanes. Preferably, the interconnecting elements comprise two or more threads or filaments made from natural or synthetic materials which are woven together in such a manner to establish the holes at the desired pitches, for example, a standard pitch affording the desirable amount of overlap between the vanes when closed, and one half and one quarter of the standard pitch to afford the degree of flexibility of spacing required.

In an alternative form of blind in accordance with the present invention, each attachment means may comprise a projection including an open-ended slot extending in a direction away from the vane. In this alternative form, the interconnecting means may comprise a flexible tape, cord, wire or the like having a plurality of spaced apart regions of reduced size for location in the slots to retain the vanes in a predetermined spacial relationship.

One form of vertical blind will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 show the blind in front elevation and plan respectively without vanes; Figures 3, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show a top hanger in front elevation, and elevation, plan and sections on Y-Y and Z-Z respectively.

Figure 4 is a section taken on line M-M of Figure 3; Figures 5, 5A and 5B show a top hanger vane and bottom member assembled as a unit in front elevation, end elevation and an enlarged section taken on line NN (of Figure 5) respectively; Figures 6, 6A and 6B show one part of a two identical part cover for the bottom member in front, end and sectional elevation on A A of Figure 6 respectively; Figure 7 shows a bottom weight, in elevation, for mounting in the cover shown in Figures 5, 5A, 5B and 6; Figures 8, 8A, 8B and 8C show one end stop in side, plan, end (in direction of arrow P) and sectional (taken on line R-R) view respectively; Figures 9 and 9A show in front and end elevation respectively, a latch attachment for connection to an end top hanger;; Figures 10, 10A and 10B show a second end stop in front and side and end elevation respectively; Figure 11 shows an interconnecting element; and Figure 12 shows a draw-wand attached to a top hanger for drawing the vanes into an open and closed position.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a headrail H is formed from two generally tubular telescopic metallic or plastic components 1 and 2, and having a cross-sectional shape as shown in section at X in component 2 of Figure 1. The two telescopic components may be secured in an adjusted position by means of one or more screws, not shown, disposed in the overlapping part HO. Each of the components 1 and 2 are formed with an elongate slot 1A and 2A extending the total length of each component and disposed as shown in alignment with each other. The head rail H is mounted on a wall or soffit of a window recess by means of angle brackets B of which three are shown in Figures 1 and 2.

A plurality of top hangers TH are slidable and angularly displaceable in the elongate slot 1A/2A. Each top hanger TH is a plastics moulding and is shown in detail in Figures 3, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D. As shown in Figure 3, a central portion of the top hanger has a depending flange 3 having a central hole 4 and a pivot 5 formed with a collar 6 and an upstanding pin 8. Disposed laterally of the flange 3 are end flanges 9 and 10.

As shown in Figure 3D the depending flange 3 and end flange 10(9) are not in strict alignment by virtue of gap 11 (see also Figure 4). On each side of the pivot 5 and disposed symmetrically relative to the pivot are attachment means 12. Each attachment means 12 has a head 12A and a pin 12B. In Figure 3B, the head 12 is substantially rectangular with semi-circular ends but, if desired, the head may be circular.

A vane V is attached to each top hanger by a press-stud P, the head of which is located in the hole 4. As indicated in Figure 3, a clearance 13 exists between uppermost end V1 of the vane V and underside 14 of a top flange 15 of the top hanger. The clearance 13 serves to accept any angular movement of the vane V turning about the press-stud thereby reducing the possibility of cockling and creasing of the vane V.

Figures 5 and 5A show a top hanger TH, vane V and bottom member BM assembled as a unit. As shown in these Figures, the bottom member BM has two attachment means 16 (which are of round headed form) and in substantial alignment with the attachment means 12 of the top hanger TH.

The bottom member BM is formed from a two-part cover each part of which is identical and of which one part 17 is shown in Figures 6, 6A and 6B. Each part 16 is moulded from a plastics material and comprises a panel 18 formed with three holes 18A and one attachment means 16. Ends 19 and 20 are moulded with semi-circular cut-outs 20 and whereas end 19 has a blind hole 21 moulded therein, end 21 has a spigot 22 moulded to project there from (see Figures 6A and 6B). In use, the two identical cover parts 17 are snapped together by means of the spigot/hole arrangements 21/22. As shown in Figures 6 and 6A, the upper part of the cover is relieved at region 23 and the relieved region extends between the two ends 19 and 20 to form a recess.When the two cover parts are assembled the relieved recessed regions constitute a slot 24 (see Figures 5A and 5B) permitting entry and return of a folded part of a vane V as shown more clearly in Figure 5B.

The bottom member 17 houses a weight W made from metal or other suitable material (see Figure 7). The weight W is of generally rectangular shape having two projections 25 and two semi-circular lugs 26. The lugs 26 are shaped for location in the cut-outs 20 formed in each cover part 17. As shown in Figuras 5A and 5B, the material of the vane V is threaded through the slot 24, folded around the weight W, and back upon itself to exit through the slot 24 to produce a tail V2. The length of the vane material may be adjusted by regulating the length of the tail V2 and, when the length of the vane has been appropriately adjusted, further upward displacement of the vane proper (as opposed to the tail V2) is restrained by projections 25.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, the head rail H is fitted with two end stops 30 and 31.

The end stop 31 is shown in detail in Figures 8, 8A, 8B and 8C. The end stop 31 has a central portion 32 which is a sliding fit within the tubular headrail H and is moulded integrally with a stop flange 33 and a reinforcing lug 34 (see Figure 8C). The flange 33 is "L" shaped as seen from Figure 8A and leg 35 constitutes a spacer so that where a blind is fitted in a window reveal a minimum clearance (determinerly the length of the leg 35) exists between the reveal and the blind assembly. An enlarged spigot 36 has a counter bored hole 37 for securing the end stop by means of a screw or bolt into the head rail H. As shown in Figures 8, 8A and 8B that end of the stop 31 remote from the flange 33 is bifurcated and jaws 38, 39 have their inwardly facing leading edges bevelled at 38A and 39A.Depending from between the jaws 38 and 39 is a hooked latch 40 (see Figure 8) having an inclined lead-in-face 41.

The extreme right-hand top hanger TH is designated THR in Figures 1 and 2 and is attached to a two-part latch component 42 (see Figures 9 and 9A) which includes a hooked latch 43 for engagement with the latch 40 of the end stop 31. Each component 42A and 42B of the two part component 42 are mirror images of each other. The two components 42A and 42B are formed with recesses 44/44A, 45/45A and 46/46A for rotationally receiving and embracing the pivot 5, collar 6 and pin 7 respectively of the top hanger THR. The two components 42A and 42B are secured to each other by bolting through holes 47 and 48. The top hanger THR is shown latched to the end stop 31 in Figures 1 and 2.

The end stop 30 located at the left hand end of the head rail H in Figures 1 and 2 is shown in Figures 10, 10A and 10B. The end stop 30 has a generally elliptical portion 50 which is integrally moulded with a stop flange 51 (which abuts the end of the head rail H) and forks 52 and 53. As shown in Figure 10, the forks 52 and 53 are relieved at 52A and 53A to receive the collar 6 of the extreme left top hanger THL, whereas the spacing between the forks 52 and 53 affords a clearance for pivot 5. Figure 1 shows in dotted lines 6A, the position of the collar 6 of top hanger THL when disposed in the relieved parts 52A and 53A of the forks 52 and 53 to prevent movement of THL with slot 1A. The stop flange 51 and portion 50 are bored to receive roundhead plugs 55 which act as stops for Preventing the flange 51 being positioned tightly against a window reveal.Thus, in use, the plugs 55 serve to form a space between the flange 51 and the window reveal so that interconnecting element 1C1 and 1C2 (see Figures 1 and 2) which are led through holes 56 and 57 to control the angular positions of the top hanger. Vane assemblies are afforded sufficient freedom of movement and do not jam between the flange 51 and a window reveal.

The interconnecting elements 1C1 and 1C2 are multi-stranded chords woven so as to produce apertures 60 (see Figure 11) for hooking around the attachment means 12 on each top hanger. The spacing of the apertures 60 is governed by the required spacing of the vanes V. However, as mentioned previously, although it is generally desirable for the vanes to be disposed at an equal pitch, in practice, unless a blind is tailor-made for a precise size of window, it is desirable to be able to adjust the pitch of at least some of the vanes V.

This is accomplished according to the present invention by having apertures at half, quarter and as required other fractions of the normal pitch between the vanes V.

In order to draw a blind partially or completely to one side of a window top hanger THR has a depending hook 6 attached thereto for carrying a wand 62 as shown in Figure 12.

Claims (15)

1. A vertical blind of the kind comprising an elongate head rail having a slot extending therealong, a plurality of top hangers each slideable along and angularly displaceable within the slot about a pivot disposed substantially centrally of each top hanger, means for attaching a vane to each top hanger, each top hanger including two spaced apart attachment means located substantially symmetrically on opposite sides of the pivot, an interconnecting element for connecting those attachment means on one side of the pivots of the plurality of top hangers and an interconnecting element for connecting those attachment means on the other side of the pivots of the plurality of top hangers whereby, a force applied to the respective interconnecting elements creates angular displacement of the top hangers and the attached vanes in opposite directions about the respective pivots to displace the vanes between an open and a closed position.

2. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 1, wherein the head rail comprises two or more telescopic tubular members having aligned slots, the two or more telescopic components may be secured in an adjusted position by means of one or more screws.

3. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein telescopic tubular members may be made from a plastics or metiallic material and, in the case of the latter, may be plastic coated, and the region of the head rail in the vicinity of the slot may be coated with a silicone or other low friction material.

4. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 1, the blind includes means for adjusting the length of individual vanes embodied in a bottom member which may be separate from or combined with a weight.

5. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 4, wherein the bottom member comprises a body, means supported by the body around which the vane is folded back upon itself according to the length of vane required, and means for restraining the vane in the so folded position.

6. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 5, wherein the body may be in the form of a casing, and the means supported by the body around which the vane is folded back upon itself may be the weight, and the means for restraining the vane in the folded position may be two or more projections on the edge of the weight.

7. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 1, wherein the vanes may be made from a fabric material which may be reinforced by laminating with a strengthening material and/or a thermal insulating material and/or impregnated with a resin, and from extruded thin metal-foil sections.

8. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 1, wherein the attachment means may be in the form of a round headed projection having a neck of diameter less than the diameter of the head, and the interconnecting elements include a plurality of holes spaced apart along the length of the element for connection to the attachment means so as to retain the vanes at a required pitch.

9. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 8, wherein the interconnecting elements comprise two or more threads or filaments made from natural or synthetic materials which are woven together in a manner to establish the holes at the desired pitches.

10. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 1, wherein the vanes can be drawn partially or completely to one side of a window by a wand carried by a depending hook which attached with one of the top hangers.

11. A vertical blind of the kind comprising a head rail, a number of vertically disposed vanes, means for attaching a vane to each top hanger, characterised in that the length of the head rail is adjustable, the blind includes means for adjusting the length of individual vanes and means for attaching a vane to each top hanger, hanger, means for attaching a vane to each top hanger, each top hanger including two spaced apart attachment means located substantially symmetrically on opposite sides of the pivot, an interconnecting element for connecting those attachment means on one side of the pivots of the plurality of top hangers and an interconnecting element for connecting those attachment means on the other side of the pivots of the plurality of top hangers whereby, a force applied to the respective interconnecting elements creates angular displacement of the top hangers and the attached vanes in opposite directions about the respective pivots to displace the vanes between an open and a closed position.

12. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 11, wherein the head rail which is of adjustable length, comprises two or more telescopic tubular members having aligned slots, the two or more telescopic components may be secured in an adjusted position by means of one or more screws and may be made from a plastic or metallic material, in the case of the latter, may be plastic coated and, the region of the head rail in the vicinty of the slot may be coated with a silicone or other low friction material.

13. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 11, wherein the means for adjusting the length of individual vanes comprises a body which may be in the form of a casing, means supported by the body around which the vane is folded back upon itself which may be a weight and means for restraining the vane in the folded position which may be two or more projections on the edge of the weight.

14. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 11, wherein the attachment means may be in the form of a round headed projection having a neck of diameter less than the diameter of the head, and the interconnecting elements include a plurality of holes spaced apart along the length of the element for connection to the attachment means so as to retain the vanes at a required pitch.

15. A vertical blind of the kind according to Claim 14, wherein the interconnecting elements comprise two or more threads or filaments made from natural or synthetic materials which are woven together in a manner to establish the holes at the desired pitches.