EP0226669A1

EP0226669A1 - Vertical blind

Info

Publication number: EP0226669A1
Application number: EP85308766A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Caroline K. Britton; Onofrio Virdo
Original assignee: VERTICAL INSPIRATIONS Inc
Current assignee: VERTICAL INSPIRATIONS Inc
Priority date: 1985-12-02
Filing date: 1985-12-02
Publication date: 1987-07-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vertical blind (10) including a plurality of inserts (18). Each of the inserts (18) is provided with a portion (20) of a design which is visible when the vertical blind (10) is closed to provide a continuous undistorted design across the blind. The insert (18) is further provided with an obstructed portion (22) which is not seen when the blind (10) is closed but provides a continuous design component appearance across each vertical louver (14) when the blind is open.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a decorative insert suitable for use with vertical blinds.
Vertical blinds commonly comprise a series of vertical louvers suspended from a track. The louvers are usually rotatable relative to the track from a closed position where the louvers partially overlap one adjacent louver to an open position where the louvers are spaced apart from each other. The louvers are usually curved slightly.

Prior Art

It is known to provide each of the louvers with a transparent channel which runs along the vertical side edges of the louvers. A decorative insert can be inserted between the channels to cover the louvers. Presently, these inserts are of wallpaper or fabric. The problem associated with the state of the art insert is that it does not provide a continuous undistorted pattern across the blind when the blind is in the closed position. In the closed position, the pattern of the wallpaper overlaps so that it is practically impossible to have the wallpaper pattern match across the blind.
United States Patent 2,074,482 issued March 23, 1937 to Martens discloses a horizontal blind that provides a continuous design over the blind when in its closed position. This patent, however, teaches that the portion of the horizontal blind slat which is overlapped, is not provided with a design but remains naked. This may not pose a problem for horizontal blinds, since the curvature of horizontal blinds causes the naked portion to be at the rear part of each blind slat hidden from view when the horizontal blind is open.
It should be understood that the teaching of this patent is not believed to be in use in the horizontal blind art and may never have been used in practice. Further, it is not believed that the teaching of this patent would be used in the vertical blind art. The problem associated with the teachings of this patent in the vertical blind art is that the naked portion would be readily visible on each blind louver when the blind was open. The visual effect of this feature would not be pleasing to the eye thereby defeating the decorative purpose of the blind.
Accordingly, the present state of the art in vertical blinds does not provide for the use of a continuous undistorted pattern across the blind slats when in the closed position. Further, it should be remembered that these inserts are only of wallpaper or fabric type patterns such that the distortion of the unmatched patterns in the blind when in the closed position is not a major flaw that defeats the purpose of the decorative blind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vertical blind with a design such that the blind exhibits the design continuously thereacross when in the closed position and yet remains aesthetically appealing when in its open position.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a vertical blind comprising a plurality of vertically elongate louvers suspended from a track. The louvers are rotatable from an open position where the louvers are spaced apart from each other to a closed position where the louvers are positioned in an overlapping side by side arrangement. Each of the louvers is adapted to carry a design segment including a visual design component portion and an obstructed portion which together are not readily visually distinguishable from each other and provide a continuous appearance across each louver width when the louvers are viewed in the open position. The obstructed portion and the visual design component portion are vertically divisable from one another when the louvers are in the closed position. The visual design component portions of the louvers collectively provide a continuous, undistorted design and the obstructed portions are hidden from view by adjacent louvers overlapping same when that louvers are in the closed position.
By having each design segment comprise a visual design component portion and an obstructed portion as described the present invention permits for a design to be seen across the vertical blinds without distortion while in the closed position and permits for the louvers to have a continuous appealing appearance when viewed in the open position.
It should be understood that the obstructed portions may comprise a continuation of colours or design scheme of the visual design component portion to provide the continuous effect. Alternatively it is contemplated that the obstructed portion may comprise a portion of the visual design component of the adjacent louver that overlaps the obstructed portion whereby the obstructed portion is redundant. In each of these instances, the blind may include transparent side channels into which inserts bearing the design segments can be inserted.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a plurality of inserts for use with a vertical blind comprising a plurality of vertically elongate louvers capable of rotating from an open position where the louvers are spaced apart from each other to a closed position where the louvers are positioned in an overlapping side by side arrangement. Each of said inserts includes a visual design component portion and an obstructed portion which together are not readily visually distinguishable from each other and provide a continuous appearance across the width of the insert. The obstructed portion and visual design component portion are vertically divisable from one another when said inserts are arranged to overlap one another when said louvers are in the closed position. The visual design component portions of each of the inserts collectively provide a continuous, undistorted design. The obstructed portion is hidden from view by the visual design component portion of the insert adjacent thereto.
It should be understood that reference throughout the specification and claims is made to a continuous, undistorted design. This refers to the design that will be displayed across the louvers of the blind while in the closed position. It should be understood that not all louvers of the blind, particularly the ones at the sides of the blind, may necessarily have to include an insert or a design segment. Reference is made herein to the term design segment. It should be understood that this is that portion of the design plus the obstructed portion which is reproduced on each louver. The louvers may, when in the closed position, provide a poster effect of ficticious and/or living characters so as to aesthetically decorate a room. It has not been possible to do this with a vertical blind of the past and no blind is believed to be presently available in the market with a continuous undistorted pattern at the writing of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference may be had by way of example to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a vertical blind shown in its closed position;
Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the vertical blind of Figure 1; and
Figures 3 and 4 are detailed perspective views of two blind slats shown in the open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a vertically blind generally at 10 including a track 12 having suspended therefrom a plurality of vertically elongate louvers 14. Each of the louvers 14 is provided with transparent side edge channels 16 into which inserts 18 may be inserted. The inserts 18 collectively provide a continuous undistorted design across the blind when the blind is in its closed position (Figures 1 and 2).
Referring to Figures 1 to 4, each insert 18 is provided with a design component which comprises a visible design component portion 20, and an obstructed portion 22 (Figures 3 and 4). As is apparent from figures 3 and 4, these portions 20, 22 are not readily distinguishable from each other when the inserts are not overlapping one another when the blind is open. Ghost line 25 is provided to show the vertical distinction between portions 20 and 22.
The inserts may be inserted in through the bottom end of the louvers along the channels. It should be understood that any suitable means for carrying the inserts may fall within the scope of the invention.
Figures 3 and 4 differ from each other in respect of the obstructed portions 22. In Figure 3 the obstructed portion provides a uniform appearance across the open louver 14 but is not part of the overall design. While a simple design has been shown, it should be understood that if the design was a poster of an individual, for example, the obstructed portion might well be a colour match or fade of the same colours in the visual portion. In Figure 4, the obstructed portion 22 is a design similar to that design portion of the insert immediately to its right. Accordingly, the obstructed portion in this instance could be said to be redundant.

Claims

1. A vertical blind comprising a plurality of vertically elongate louvers suspended from a track, said louvers being rotatable from an open position where the louvers are spaced apart from each other to a closed position where the louvers are positioned in an overlapping side by side arrangement; each of the louvers being adapted to carry a design segment including a visual design component portion and an obstructed portion which together are not readily visually distinguishable from each other and provide a continuous appearance across each louver width when the louvers are viewed in the open position; and, the obstructed portion and the visual design component portion being vertically divisable from one another when said louvers are in the closed position, the visual design component portions of the louvers collectively providing a continuous, undistorted design and the obstructed portions being hidden from view by adjacent louvers overlapping same when said louvers are in the closed position.

2. The blind of claim 1 wherein said obstructed portion comprises a continuation of the colours or design scheme of the visual design component portion adjacent the vertical division.

3. The blind of claim 1 wherein said obstructed portion comprises a portion of the visual design component of the adjacent louver that overlaps the obstructed portion whereby said obstructed portion is redundant.

4. The blind of claim 2 wherein said louvers each include transparent side channels into which inserts bearing the design segments can be inserted.

5. The blind of claim 3 wherein said louvers each include transparent side chennels into which inserts bearing the design segments can be inserted.

6. A plurality of inserts for use with a vertical blind having a plurality of vertically elongate louvers capable of rotating from an open position where the louvers are spaced apart from each other to a closed position where the louvers are positioned in an overlapping side by side arrangement; each of said inserts including:
a visual design component portion and an obstructed portion which together are not readily visually distinguishable from each other and provide a continuous appearance across the width of the insert; said obstructed portion and visual design component portion being vertically divisable from one another when said inserts are arranged to overlap one another when said louvers are in the closed position; the visual design component portions of each of the inserts collectively providing a continuous undistorted design and the obstructed portions being hidden from view by the visual design component portion of the insert adjacent thereto.

7. The inserts of claim 6 wherein the obstructed portion comprises a continuation of the colours of the visual design components adjacent the vertical division.

8. The inserts of claim 7 wherein said obstructed portion includes a portion of the visual design component of the adjacent insert that overlaps the obstructed portion whereby the obstructed portion is redundant.