WO2018146574A1

WO2018146574A1 - Apparatus for motion control of blinds

Info

Publication number: WO2018146574A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/050514
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giovanni Nicolosi; Alessandro Pellini
Original assignee: Pellini S.P.A.
Priority date: 2017-02-08
Filing date: 2018-01-29
Publication date: 2018-08-16
Also published as: IT201700013912A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for motion control of blinds (101), comprising at least one control member (2), which is configured to be rotated by a user; motion control means (106) for moving said blind (101); motion transfer means (3) connected to said control member (2) and adapted to be connected to said motion control means (106) to transfer a rotary motion from said control member (2) to said motion control means (106). The apparatus is characterized in that said motion transfer means (3) comprise first (4) and second (6) drive members; said apparatus (1) further comprising a pair of said control members (2) connected to said first drive member (4), each control member (2) being configured to move said motion control means (106) via said first drive member (4); said first drive member (4) being kinematically connected to said second drive member (6) to transfer the rotary motion from each control member (2) to said second drive member (6); said second drive member (6) being adapted to be connected to said motion control means (106) at an axis of rotation (A) of a roller (100) of said blind (101).

Description

Title: "Apparatus for motion control of blinds"

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for motion control of blind rollers according to the preamble of claim 1.

Particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus that allows a user to raise and/or lower and/or adjust a blind.

Namely, the invention may advantageously, but without limitation, find application with blinds inside insulated glazing units.

Background art

An apparatus for motion control of blind rollers is known in the art.

Such apparatus comprises a drive member that is directly connected to the roller. Particularly, the drive member comprises an input port with a cable connected thereto, and an output port that is directly connected to the roller.

The apparatus further comprises a single rotating knob, which is mechanically connected to the aforementioned cable driving member.

By rotating the knob, the user will also drive the cable into rotation and, via the drive member, will also cause the blind roller to rotate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A problem may arise in that, especially in indoor environments, the blind must be driven from both sides. For example, a member of the cleaning staff may want to check whether a given room is empty or there are people therein, without accessing the room to avoid causing disturbance. This cannot be done with the prior art apparatus.

In addition, should the aforementioned drawback be obviated, it will be desirable to easily modify prior art apparatus, to also solve the problem in previously installed insulated glazing units.

Therefore, the technical purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for motion control of blind rollers that can obviate the above mentioned prior art drawbacks.

Namely, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for motion control of blind rollers that can be actuated from both sides of the blind.

The aforementioned technical purpose and objects are substantially fulfilled by an apparatus for motion control of blind rollers that comprises the technical features as disclosed in one or more of the accompanying claims.

Advantages of the Invention

Particularly, the apparatus of the invention comprises at least one control member, which is configured to be rotated by a user. Motion transfer means are connected to the control member. These motion transfer means are also adapted to be connected to the roller for transferring a rotary motion from the control member to the roller.

The motion transfer means comprise first and second drive members. The apparatus comprises a pair of control members connected to the first drive member. Each control member is configured to control the motion of the roller via the first drive member. The first drive member is kinematically connected to the second drive member to transfer the rotary motion from each control member to the second drive member.

The second drive member is adapted to be connected to the roller at an axis of rotation of the roller.

This apparatus solves the aforementioned technical problem as it affords motion control of the roller using two distinct control members, which may be fixed at appropriate positions, allowing access thereto from both sides of the blind.

Furthermore, the teachings of this patent application allow easy conversion of the prior art apparatus into the apparatus of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the present invention will result more clearly from the illustrative, non-limiting description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of an apparatus for driving blind rollers, as shown in the annexed drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a front view of an insulated glazing unit in which an apparatus for motion control of blind rollers of the present invention is installed;

- Figure 2 is partially sectional side view of the insulated glazing unit of Figure 1;

- Figures 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of details of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatus of the annexed figures shall be deemed to be schematically illustrated, not necessarily drawn to scale, and not necessarily representing the actual proportions of its parts.

Although this is not expressly shown, the individual features described with reference to each embodiment shall be intended as auxiliary and/or interchangeable with other features, as described with reference to other embodiments.

Referring to the annexed figures, numeral 1 generally designates an apparatus for motion control of blind rollers of the present invention.

This apparatus 1 is particularly used for motion control of blinds 101, such as a blind with gathering slats, a Venetian blind or other types of blinds.

In a preferred, non exclusive embodiment of the invention, the blinds 101 are placed inside an insulated glazing unit 102.

The blinds 101 and the insulated glazing units 102 may be of known type and will therefore not be further described herein. It shall be noted that, for the purposes hereof, also referring to Figure 2, an insulated glazing unit 102 comprises at least two mutually facing and parallel panes of glass 103, hermetically sealed to each other, for instance to contain gas therein, using a frame 104 to define an inner volume 105. This inner volume 105 is adapted to accommodate the blind 101 , as well as motion control means 106 for controlling the raising and/or lowering motion of the blind.

It should be also noted, for the purposes hereof, and also referring to Figure 1, that the motion control means 106 comprise a box 101 ' which contains a shaft with the roller 100 arranged thereon.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blind 101 is embodied by a

Venetian blind and the motion control means 106 comprise cords and ladders, which are operably associated with the shaft and the slats of the Venetian blind for raising, lowering and/or angularly orienting the slats.

In one aspect hereof, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one control member 2. This control member 2 is configured to be rotated by a user.

In the preferred embodiment, the control member 2 is defined by a knob.

In alternative embodiments, the control member 2 may be defined by a handle or any equivalent element that may be known to the skilled person.

More in detail, the apparatus 1 comprises a pair of control members 2.

Preferably, this pair of control members 2 are placed on the frame in positions that face away from each other, i.e. on the outer faces of the frame 104.

Particularly, one knob 2 is placed on the outer surface of a first outer face 104a of the frame 104, and the other knob 2 is placed on the outer surface of a second outer face 104b of the frame 104, facing away from the first face, where the face 104a is designed, for example, to be the face of the frame 104 that faces the exterior of a room, and the face 104b is designed to be the face of the frame 10 that faces the interior of the same room.

In other words, the outer surfaces are intended as the surfaces of the frame 104 that do not directly face the interior volume 105.

Preferably, the two knobs 2 located on the outer faces of the frame 104 are also arranged with coinciding axes of rotation X-X.

The apparatus 1 comprises motion transfer means 3 connected to the control means

2.

The motion transfer means 3 are also adapted to be connected to the motion control means 106 to thereby transfer a rotary motion from each control member 2 to the motion control means 106.

The motion transfer means 3 comprise first 4 and second 6 drive members.

The first drive member 4 is connected to the control means 2, and the second drive member 6 is connected on one side to the motion control means 106 and on the other side to the first drive member 4.

It shall be noted that each control member 2 is configured to move the motion control means 106 via the first drive member 4.

The first drive member 4 is kinematically connected to the second drive member 6 to transfer the rotary motion from each control member 2 to the second drive member 6.

The second drive member 6 is adapted to be connected to the shaft of the motion control means 106 at an axis of rotation "A" of the shaft.

More in detail, the first drive member 4 comprises a pair of input ports 4a.

Each input port 4a is connected to a respective control member 2.

The first drive member 4 further comprises an output port 4b, which is adapted to be connected to the motion control means 106 via the second drive member 6.

The motion transfer means 3 further comprise a pair of first cables 8. Each first cable 8 is connected to a respective control member 2 and a respective input port 4a of the first drive member 4.

The motion transfer means 3 further comprise a second cable 9.

The second drive member 6 is connected to the first drive member 4 by such second cable 9.

Particularly, the second cable 9 is connected to the output port 4b of the first drive member 4.

In one aspect of the present invention, the first cable 8 and the second cable 9 are embodied by a flexible shaft, having predetermined diameter (e.g. about 3.2 mm) and length (e.g. 500 mm), and having a polyester tube fitted thereupon, whose length (e.g. 470 mm) is smaller than the length of the flexible shaft. Particularly, the tube covers the flexible shaft to reduce the friction that acts on the cables 2 during actuation of the control members 2. Furthermore, the tube forces the flexible shaft to its position during actuation of the control members 2. Finally, the tube protects the flexible shaft from wear.

Particularly referring to Figure 3, it shall be noted that the first drive member 4 comprises a pair of shafts 5 that are kinematically connected together such that one is moved by the other.

The shafts 5 have respective axes of rotation "B".

These axes of rotation "B" are parallel.

It shall be noted that each input port 4a is defined on a respective shaft 5.

The aforementioned output port 4b is defined on one of the shafts 5, opposite to the input ports 4a.

More in detail, it shall be noted that each shaft 5 comprises a pair of ends 5a placed along the axis of rotation "B".

Each end 5a is designed to fix one of the aforementioned cables 8, 9 for motion transfer, by means of suitable dowels.

It shall be noted that, depending on whether one end 5a is used to connect the first cable 8 or the second cable 9, it defines one of the aforementioned input ports 4a or the output port 4b respectively.

In the illustrated embodiment, both input ports 4a are formed on the ends 5a of the shafts 5 to be arranged on the same side of the first drive member 4, whereas the output port 4b is situated on the side of the first drive member 4 that faces away from the input ports 4a.

In alternative embodiments, not shown, the ports 4a, 4b may be formed on the ends 5a of the shafts 5 in any combination.

Their actual arrangement will be selected according to design requirements.

The first drive member 4 further comprises a pair of gears 7. Each gear 7 is preferably of the spur gear type, and is connected to a respective shaft 5, such that it will be coaxial with the shaft 5 upon which it is installed.

By this arrangement, each gear 7 rotates coaxial with and rigidly joined to a respective shaft 5.

The gears 7 mesh together, such that the motion of each shaft 5 will be also transferred to the other.

More in detail, the first drive member 4 comprises a box-like body 10.

The shafts 5 are at least partially accommodated within the box-like body 10.

The ends 5a of the shafts 5 protrude out of the box-like body 10, to be connected with the cables 8, 9, via the dowels 5', during assembly.

The box-like body 10 has an inner seat 14 for the shafts 5 and is closed by a cover 15 by means of screws 15'.

Optionally, the first drive member 4 may comprise bearings 11. These bearings 11 are located between each shaft 5 and the box-like body 10.

Advantageously, the use of bearings 11 makes the movement of the control means 2 easier and more comfortable, as it reduces the friction between the shafts 5, and the box¬

The apparatus 1 may comprise fastener means 12 which have the purpose of fixing the box-like body 10 to a preferably vertical support surface, such as the insulated glazing unit 102 or an outer wall.

In the embodiment as shown in Figure 3, the fastener means 12 comprise a plurality of screws 13.

This advantageously prevents the box-like body 10 from being dragged along by the first cables 8 during actuation of the control members 2.

In an alternative embodiment of the first drive member 4, not shown, three bevel gears are used instead of the shafts 5 and the gears 7, two having the same axis of rotation, e.g. a horizontal axis of rotation, and the third bevel gear having its axis of rotation perpendicular to the horizontal axis, i.e. a vertical axis of rotation. Particularly, each of the two gears having a horizontal axis is coupled to its respective control member 2 via a rigid shaft, whereas the third gear is coupled to the second drive member 6 via the second cable 9.

Particularly referring to Figure 4, the aforementioned second drive member 6 will be further described.

This second drive member 6 comprises a worm 16, with the second cable 9 fixed thereto.

A sleeve 9' may be used to prevent the cable 9 from slipping off the worm 16. As the user acts upon one of the aforementioned control members 2 the worm 16 is driven into rotation by the second cable 9 and meshes with a helical gear 17 whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the worm 16.

A pin 18 is introduced into the helical gear 17.

In operation, the pin 18 is connected to the shaft of the roller 100 to rotate coaxial therewith.

The worm 16, the helical gear 17 and part of the pin 18 are enclosed in a covering shell 19.

The pin 18 at least partially projects out of the shell 19, to connect with the shaft having the roller 100 arranged thereon.

In the embodiment of Figure 4. The shell 19 is defined by a pair of complementary half-parts 20, which are joined together by screws 19'.

The shell 19 of the second drive member 6 is associated with the box 10 of the blind 100 by means of the screws 19'.

In operation, the user actuates one of the knobs 2, i.e. the one that he/she can access, and can thereby control the motion of the shaft of the roller 100 via the motion transfer means 3, by raising and/or lowering and/or adjusting the position of a blind 101.

Those skilled in the art will obviously appreciate that a number of changes and variants as described above may be made to fulfill particular requirements, without departure from the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for motion control of blinds (101) comprising:

- at least one control member (2), which is configured to be rotated by a user;

- motion control means (106) for moving a blind (101);

- motion transfer means (3) connected to said control member (2) and adapted to be connected to said motion control means (106) for transferring a rotary motion from said control member (2) to said motion control means (106);

characterized in that:

- said motion transfer means (3) comprise a first drive member (4) and a second drive member (6);

- said apparatus (1) further comprising a pair of said at least one control member (2), each control member (2) of said pair being connected with said first drive member (4), each control member (2) of said pair being connected with said motion control means (106) via said first drive member (4);

- said first drive member (4) being kinematically connected to said second drive member (6) to transfer the rotary motion from each control member (2) to said second drive member

(6);

- said second drive member (6) being connected to said motion control means (106) at a rotation axis (A) of a roller (100) of said blind (101).

2. An apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first drive member (4) comprises a pair of input ports (4a) each connected to a respective control member (2) and an output port (4b) adapted to be connected to said roller (100).

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said motion transfer means (3) comprise: - a pair of first cables, each connected to a respective control member (2) and to a respective input port (4a) of said first drive member (4);

- a second cable (9) which connects said second drive member (6) with said first drive member (4).

4. An apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said first drive member (4) comprises a pair of shafts (5) which are kinematically connected to each other for mutual motion control, each input port (4a) being defined by a respective shaft (5), said output port (4b) being defined by one of said shafts (5).

5. An apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said shafts (5) has a respective rotation axis (B), said rotation axes (B) being parallel.

6. An apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said first drive member (4) comprises a pair of gears (7), each connected to a respective shaft (5) to rotate coaxially and jointly therewith, said gears (7) intermeshing with each other to transfer motion from one of said shafts (5) to the other.

7. An apparatus (1) as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6, wherein said first drive member (4) comprises a box-like body (10), said shafts (5) being at least partially accommodated in said box-like body (10).

8. An apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 7, comprising bearings (11) between said box-like body (10) and each shaft (5).

9. An apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first pair of cables (8) and said second cable (9) comprise a flexible shaft, having predetermined diameter and length, with a polyester tube, whose length is shorter than the length of the flexible shaft, fitted thereon.

10. An insulated glazing unit (102) comprising at least one pair of mutually opposed flat glass panes (103) and a frame (104) configured to hold and hermetically seal said at least one pair of flat glass panes (103) to thereby define a volume (105) in which a blind (101) and means (106) for motion control of said blind (101) are operably arranged, characterized in that it comprises an apparatus (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1 to 9, connected at a rotation axis (A) of a roller (100) of said blind (101).