AU2003246298B2

AU2003246298B2 - Retractable blinds

Info

Publication number: AU2003246298B2
Application number: AU2003246298A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christopher Allan Trudgett
Original assignee: INNOVATIVE DESIGNS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: INNOVATIVE DESIGNS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-13
Filing date: 2003-09-11
Publication date: 2005-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-11
Also published as: AU2003246298A1

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor/s: Address for Service:

CCN:

Invention Title: Classic Cedar Venetians Pty Ltd Christopher Allan Trudgett Baldwin Shelston Waters MARGARET STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 3710000352 RETRACTABLE BLINDS Details of Associated Provisional Application No. 2003902982 dated 13 June 2003 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- File: 37560AUP01 Document reehed on: .I SE? 2e,3 500225747 1.DOC/5844 I I I I I 2 SRETRACTABLE BLINDS ;Z Field of the Invention The present invention relates to blinds for windows, and in particular, to retractable blinds such as venetian blinds and roller blinds.

00oO N, Background of the Invention Cc 10 Retractable blinds are an effective way of providing privacy and controlling sunlight within a room. They can be completely closed for total privacy or retracted to let in light and the view outside. Retractable blinds can also be partially closed to provide a desired level of shielding from sunlight.

A common type of retractable blind is the venetian blind. For convenience, the present invention will be described with particular reference to venetian blinds. However, it will be understood that this is for the purposes of illustration only and the inventive concept extends to many other types of retractable blinds such as roller blinds or vertical blinds.

Venetian blinds have a series of elongate horizontal slats which are suspended from the head of the window and can be rotated about their longitudinal axis such that they overlap each other. When the blind is extended and the slats overlap each other, the window is completely shielded from view or light. Rotating the slats about their horizontal axis using the suspension and actuation cords will allow in varying degrees of light and expose varying degrees of the outside view. Furthermore, the slats can be partially or fully retracted such that some or most of the window can be completely unobscured.

Unfortunately, the extended blind is easily blown about by any breeze through the window. This is particularly so if the slats are in the closed overlap position. This often causes the blind to hit against the window and its surround causing an irritating noise and ineffective shielding of the view and outside light. It can also damage the window, the window surround and the blind itself. Furthermore, when fully retracted the window H:\mcamp\keep\retype\P55851 RETRACTABLE BLINDS PROV.doc 9/08/05 CI I II 3 is not always completely unobscured by the blind. While all the slats may be drawn tb flush against each other, they remain within the window or door frame.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

0 0 Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is a blind assembly comprising: c 10 a retractable blind for selectively covering a variable area upon extension/retraction of the blind; N, a retraction means for extending or retracting the blind so as to select the area covered by the blind; and a mounting means arranged to mount the retraction means and blind to a structure, wherein the mounting means is configured to move the blind and retraction means along a line parallel to a substantially vertical plane of a surface of the structure such that the area covered is selected according to the position of the blind.

Preferably, the area covered by the blind in one position is a window opening in a wall.

In one embodiment the blind is a series of suspended venetian blind slats. However, it will be appreciated by a skilled addressee in this field that the blind could equally apply to roller blinds or retractable vertical blinds.

In a further preferred form, the mounting means includes a frame extending about the periphery of the blind such that the retraction mechanism is secured to the head member of the frame. In one form, the frame is adapted to slidably mount to the wall for movement relative to the opening along a track. However, a skilled addressee in this field will appreciate that the frame may also be hinged to the wall, or a hinged series of the blinds may slide relative to the opening in a bi-fold arrangement.

In one particularly preferred form, the ends of one or more of the venetian slats engage jambs of the peripheral frame along a track that allows the slats to be vertically retracted and rotated about their longitudinal axes. Conveniently, the jamb sections of the peripheral frame have a vertical groove formed along their respective interior surfaces and one or more of the slats have a pin extending from both ends for sliding retention within their respective grooves.

H:\mcamp\keep\retype\P55851 RETRACTABLE BLINDS PROV.doc 9/08/05 II 3 4 tb A blind assembly according to the present invention allows greater control of privacy, ;view, ventilation and light. All the traditional benefits of retractable blinds are 0 available with the additional benefit of moving the blind relative to the opening such that it is completely unobstructed. Furthermore, the use of slat retaining grooves in each of the jamb sections will stop the slats from being blown about by the wind.

00oO C In the claims of this application and in the description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the Cc 10 words "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an Sinclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawing A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective of a venetian blind assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments As shown in Figure 1, a venetian blind assembly 1 has a peripheral frame 2 surrounding a retractable blind in the form of a plurality of slats 3 and a retraction mechanism 4.

The frame 2 is slidably mounted to the structure adjacent an opening (not shown). In one embodiment the frame 2 is hinged to the structure instead of slidably mounted. In another embodiment the frame 2 is hinged to the structure as well a slidably mounted to the structure. Typically, the opening will be a window or door opening in a wall, however, it should be appreciated that the opening could be in a door, in which case the peripheral frame may secured to the structure of the door itself.

Depending on the type of opening being covered, and the desired architectural aesthetic, many common mounting techniques may be used such as hinging, sliding track or bifold. In any case, this arrangement allows the blind to be moved so that the opening is completely unobstructed if desired. However, when placed over the opening all the usual benefits of a venetian blind are available.

H:\mcamp\keep\retype\P55851 RETRACTABLE BLINDS PROV.doc 9/08/05 5 retraction mechanism 4 is secured to the underside of a head member 5 of the frame 2. Venetian blind retraction mechanisms are well-known and understood within ;this field. Along the inside of the frame are jamb sections 6 and 7. The jamb sections 6 and 7 of the frame 2, each have a vertically extending groove 8. Pins extend longitudinally from both ends of the bottom slat and optionally from each of the other slats 3. The pins are arranged to slide within the grooves 8 while allowing the slats to oO rotate about the longitudinal axis in accordance with the normal operation of the venetian blind. Retaining the slats in the grooves 8 secures the blind within the frame 2 \to stop it being blown against the window or its surround.

N The present invention has been described herein by way of example only. A skilled addressee in this field will readily recognise many variations and modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the broad inventive concept.

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Claims

2. A blind assembly according to claim 1, wherein the blind has an engagement means remote from the retraction means for engaging a track in the elongate beam to restrict movement of the slats in a direction transverse to the length of the track.
3. A blind assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means is secured to the structure by a vertically extending guide means.
4. A blind assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means is secured to the structure by a horizontally extending guide means. A blind assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retractable cover assembly is a series of suspended venetian blind slats.
6. A blind assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retractable cover assembly is a roller blind.
7. A blind assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retractable cover assembly is a series of retractable vertical blinds.
8. A blind assembly according to claim 5, wherein the mounting means includes a frame extending about the periphery of the blind such that the retraction means is secured to a head member of the frame.
9. A blind assembly according to claim 8, wherein the frame is adapted to slidably mount to the wall for movement relative to the window along a track. H:\mcamp\keep\retype\P55851 RETRACTABLE BLINDS PROV.doc 9/08/05 7 Q 10. A blind assembly according to claim 8, wherein the frame is hinged to the wall. N S11. A blind assembly according to claim 8, wherein jamb sections of the peripheral frame include the track in the form of a vertical groove formed along their respective interior surfaces and each of the slats have a pin extending from both ends for sliding retention within their respective grooves. 00 CN 12. A blind assembly substantially as herein before described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawing. 0f (I Dated this 10th day of August 2005 INNOVATIVE DESIGNS PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia H:\mcamp\keep\retype\P55851 RETRACTABLE BLINDS PROV.doc 9/08/05