AU2016200763B2 - Control system for blind slats - Google Patents

Abstract

Control system for blind slats 5 A control system for blind slats (8) according to the invention comprises: - a plurality of actuation axes (28), each mounted on a slat (8), - a toothed sector (30) of one piece in each case with an actuation axis (28), o - an endless screw (26) engaging in each case with a toothed sector (30), exhibiting a tubular shape with a bore hole (38) and a screw thread, - a connecting rod in a plurality of segments (58), each corresponding to an endless screw (26), the connecting rod being able to set in rotation the said endless screws (26), and such that each segment (58) is able to slide 5 longitudinally in relation to the bore holes (38) of the endless screws (26), and - a stop (60) provided on a segment (58), in such a way as to limit the sliding of the said segment (58) in relation to the bore hole (38) of the corresponding endless screw (26). 7/10 14 60 58 286 34 60-- 62 F G . 8 |-----: |- --:|- ---: |L| 14-L

Description

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The present invention relates to a control system for blind slats. A blind is an item of joinery intended to effect the closure of an opening present in a wall, or aperture, with the aid of vertical or horizontal slats (the latter being the more frequent), mounted such as to pivot. The slats are generally all arranged essentially parallel to one another, and pivot in such a way as to provide a closure of the aperture or to allow for ventilation. In the closed position the slats may be coplanar and come in contact with one another in order to ensure a closure, or arranged in relation to one another in such a way as to provide a partial coverage in the manner of tiles. Generally, control means are o provided such as to allow for a simultaneous rotation of the slats of the blind. The present invention relates more particularly to a blind for which a control system takes effect simultaneously on all or part of the slats. The blind usually comprises a rectangular body with two lateral mounts connected by two transverse elements. The slats are of one piece with an axis of which the ends are mounted in lateral mounts (for slats horizontal slats), or in the transverse elements (for vertical slats). Traditionally, the control system for opening and closing the blind, and therefore the pivoting of the slats, is put into effect by a system of rods and links arranged on both sides of the slats. Each slat carries on each of its ends an element referred to as a driver, which is connected by screws o to a link of the control system. A control handle then takes effect on a rod which connects the links of one side of the slats in such a way as to incur a translational movement of the rod, and, due to this, a rotation of the links, which then actuate the slats. With the known blinds of this type, the screw connection of each link to the corresponding driver is effected in the axis of the movable slats. As a result of this, when the body is mounted in an aperture, the screws cannot be withdrawn, and the slats therefore cannot be replaced without the whole of the blind having to be dismantled with its body. Another disadvantage with this type of installation is that it takes long to put into effect, and its prime cost is therefore high. The structure described, with a rod which can be moved in a translational manner and which controls the movement of links in order to induce a movement of the slats, is, moreover, difficult to provide with a motor. To overcome this disadvantage, the principle is known of fitting each end of the slat, on the side of the control system, with a toothed wheel, or at least with a portion of a toothed wheel. The corresponding toothed arrangement is, for example, formed as one piece with the driver, by concordance of shape and by screwing, and also comes in engagement with an endless screw. The endless screw can be driven by a rod coupled to a motor. For a blind, hollow endless screws can be provided. The rod coupled to a motor can then pass in the interior of each endless screw. The associated motor then simultaneously controls the rotation of the whole of the slats of the blind. o The system described in the preceding paragraph does indeed allow for a blind to be provided with a motor, but it takes equally long and is equally costly to put into effect, and does not allow for the replacement of a slat without having to dismantle the entire blind with its body outside the corresponding aperture. The present invention therefore has the object of providing a control system for the slats of a blind which allows for easy fitting and/or for dismantling of a slat without having to dismantle the whole blind. Preferably, the proposed system will be of a prime cost which is less in relation to comparable already known systems, and/or will be quicker to integrate into a joinery system. o For this purpose, the present invention proposes a control system for slats of blinds comprising: - a plurality of actuation axes, each mounted directly or indirectly on a slat of a blind, - a toothed sector, in each case interdependent with an actuation axis, - an endless screw, engaging in each case with a toothed sector, exhibiting a tubular shape, with a longitudinal interior bore hole and an external screw thread, and - a connecting rod passing through a plurality of bore holes of the endless screws, the bore holes being configured in such a way that the connecting rod sets said endless screws in rotation. According to the present invention, the connecting rod is configured in a plurality of segments, one segment corresponding in each case to an endless screw; wherein each segment can slide longitudinally in relation to the bore holes of the endless screws, and at least one stop is provided on a segment in such a way as to allow for limiting of the sliding of said segment in relation to the longitudinal interior bore hole of the corresponding endless screw. Accordingly, according to the present invention, there is no longer one single connecting rod to connect all the endless screws, but one segment for each endless screw. This allows for the fitting individually, for each slat of the blind, of the corresponding means of the control system in a manner entirely independently of the fitting carried out for the other slats of the same blind. It is understood that o this is equally applicable to the dismantling of a slat of a blind. Once fitted, the segments of the connecting rod can be slid, such as for each of them to form a connection with an adjacent endless screw, or indeed to be connected to one another by connecting means, configured, for example in the form of a connecting bushing or sleeve. In one embodiment of the present invention, each longitudinal interior bore hole of an endless screw presents a square cross-section, and each segment of the connecting rod presents an overall shape of a bar of square cross-section of dimensions adjusted such as to allow for a guided sliding movement in the interior of each longitudinal interior bore hole. o A preferred variant embodiment makes provision for the stop to be formed by a collar arranged on the connecting rod segment. It is therefore possible to obtain a stop over the whole periphery of the segment of the connecting rod. In the situation in which provision is made for each segment of a connecting rod to form a connection between two adjacent endless screws, provision can advantageously be made for the control system of the blind slats to further comprise means allowing for a stop formed on a connecting rod segment to be kept at a distance from an endless screw. These latter means are configured, for example, in the form of a profiled crosspiece of open section, comprising a base and two elastic branches, and dimensioned in such a way that the space between the base and the two branches is capable of accommodating a portion of a segment of the connecting rod, and that the elastic branches therefore come to be supported on said portion. In order to facilitate the fitting of a control system according to the invention, all the segments of the connecting rod are preferably the same (and therefore interchangeable). In the mounted position of the segments of the connecting rod, a connection is established between two adjacent segments preferably in the region of an endless screw, in order to avoid the need for specific connection means between two connecting rod segments. Preferably, this connection is established essentially in the centre of each longitudinal interior bore hole. One advantageous embodiment for facilitating the fitting of the control system makes provision, for example, that each endless screw is mounted in a o junction box which likewise contains the toothed sector, said box being traversed by an actuation axis. The present invention likewise relates to a blind comprising: - a body with two lateral profiled mounts and two transverse elements, and - slats mounted such as to pivot between the two lateral profiled mounts, characterized in that it further comprises a control system such as described heretofore. To provide a motor arrangement for such a blind, provision is made for it to comprise a connecting rod segment to connect an endless screw located at one extremity to a motor. o Details and advantages of the present invention are presented in greater detail in the following description, making reference to the appended schematic drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a blind according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a view similar to figure 1, but without a profile, in such a way as to display the internal elements of a control system of the blind, Figure 3 shows a detail from figure 2, Figure 4 shows, in an enlarged scale, a junction box which can be used in the present invention, Figure 5 is a frontal view showing the interior of the junction box from figure 4, Figure 6 is a detailed view from above of a first embodiment of mounting of a junction box, Figure 7 is a detailed view from above of a second embodiment of mounting of a junction box, Figure 8 is a side view illustrating means allowing for the connection of a plurality of junction boxes, elements having been hidden for better comprehension, Figure 9 is a view similar to the preceding view but in another position, Figure 10 is a view in elevation of a lower part of the control system, Figure 11 illustrates in perspective a crosspiece, and Figure 12 illustrates in perspective the crosspiece from figure 11 in position on a connecting rod segment. o Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a blind according to the present invention. In the traditional manner, such a blind comprises two lateral mounts 2, a lower transverse element 4, an upper transverse element 6, and slats 8 mounted such as to pivot between the lateral mounts 2. In figures 1 and 2, the slats 8 are shown in a same intermediate position between a position referred to as the closed position, in which all the slats 8 are coplanar, corresponding to a closed position of the blind, and a position referred to as the open position, in which all the slats 8 are pivoted through about 900 in relation to the closed position. Each lateral mount 2 comprises a U-shaped profiled element 10 and a cover intended to close the profiled element 10 by connecting the free ends of the o branches of the U of the profiled element 10. In figure 2, a profiled element 10 has not been shown, in order to allow for a control system to be shown for the slats 8, intended to control the movement of these slats from the open position to the closed position or vice-versa. Figures 2 and 3 show the presence of a junction box 14 mounted at one end of each slat 8. Means described hereinafter allow for a connection of the junction boxes 14 between one another. These means are, for example, actuated by a motor (not shown), which may be placed in a transverse element, such as, for example, the lower transverse element 4. Figure 4 shows, in perspective and on a larger scale, a junction box 14. Such a box comprises an external envelope and elements arranged entirely or partially in the interior of the external envelope. The external envelope of the junction box 14 shown here comprises two half-shells, held together by screws (not shown) and a securing clip 16. The overall shape of the external envelope is parallelepiped, with two principal lateral faces. A first half-shell comprises a first lateral face 18, while a second half-shell comprises a second lateral face 20, which extends parallel to the first lateral face 18 and is essentially symmetrical to it. The two half-shells are held between them by the screws and the fixing clip 16, which allows for the perfect maintaining of the position of the two half-shells. This comprises a component of synthetic material with a U-shaped profile, with two elastic branches, which holds gripped between its two branches one side of the two half-shells when they are assembled. o The first lateral face 18 comprises a first longitudinal groove 22, as well as a second longitudinal groove 24. The second lateral face 20 itself also comprises a first longitudinal groove 22 and a second longitudinal groove 24. Since these grooves are arranged symmetrically and exhibit essentially the same shape, the same reference number 22 is used to designate the two first grooves, and the same reference number 24 is used to designate the two second grooves. In figure 4, the first longitudinal groove 22 of the first lateral face 18 is not shown, since it has been slightly shortened in order to allow for the passage of an assembly screw for the two half-shells of the external envelope of the junction box 14. o An endless screw 26 is arranged longitudinally in the junction box 14, and extends parallel to the first lateral face 18 and to the second lateral face 20 (and parallel to the grooves on these faces). The endless screw 26 exhibits a tubular shape. Here it comprises a longitudinal hole 38 of square section, which crosses the endless screw from one side to the other. On its external face, the endless screw 26 comprises a thread arrangement in its central part, and bearings at both its ends. The external envelope of the junction box 14 is shaped in such a way that the wall of the said envelope forms two bearings such as to accommodate the ends of the endless screw 26 and to ensure its guidance when in rotation. A transverse axis 28 also crosses the first lateral face 18 as well as the second lateral face 20. This transverse axis 28 is of one piece with a toothed sector 30, in engagement with the endless screw 26, as shown in figure 5. A person skilled in the art will understand immediately that the toothed sector corresponds essentially to the path in rotation of a slat 8. In the present case, in order for a slat 8 to be able to pivot by about 900, the toothed sector extends over a little more than 900. It will be noted in figure 5 that the transverse axis 28 is prestressed. In effect, this transverse axis 28 comprises a cam 32, on which is supported a telescopic arm 34, of which the free end is adapted to the shape of the cam 32, in order to engage with it. The telescopic arm 34 is mounted such as to pivot at its other end about an axis 36. A spring, not shown, such as a helical spring, is mounted around the arm 34, which therefore exercises an elastic return force on o the transverse axis 28 by way of the cam 32. Each end of the transverse axis 28 extending outside the external envelope of the junction box 14 presents a circular cylindrical shape, formed in the centre of which is a square cut-out. Moreover, one side of this square is entirely open, while each end of the transverse axis 28 takes the form of a calliper inserted in a circular cylinder and comprises three internal faces: A flat base 40, and two lateral wings 42, likewise flat and extending perpendicular to the base 40. The transverse axis 28 shown (for example in figures 4 to 7) also comprises a boss 44 at its periphery. This boss 44 forms a stop, intended to o interact with a counter-stop, described hereinafter. One end of each transverse axis 28 is intended to interact with an actuator 46, which comprises overall the shape of a cylindrical piece of square section. One end of the actuator 46 is located in the calliper arranged at the corresponding end of the transverse axis 28, while its other end interacts with an axis carrying the slat 8. On the side of the slat 8, the end of the actuator 46 is split longitudinally. This shape allows for a connection to be formed with one axis, and, more generally, with an assembly forming the blind slat, which is not detailed here. On the side of the junction box 14, it is assumed here that the actuator 46 comprises a square section, since this is the shape most frequently encountered for the mounting of blind slats. However, the person skilled in the art will understand from the description which follows that it is possible to use other shapes which exhibit two parallel faces. The actuator can, therefore, comprise a circular cylindrical end with only two opposed flats. It is also possible to provide for sections of polygonal shape. This would therefore rather involve hexagonal or octagonal sections. Since the junction box 14 is arranged in the interior of the profiled element 10, and since the slat 8 is on the exterior of this profiled element, the actuator 46 which connects the junction box 14 to the slat 8 therefore crosses a wall of this profiled element. A passage hole is therefore provided in the profiled element 10 in the region of each slat 8. A bearing of the actuator 48 is provided in the region of each passage hole in order to maintain the position and guide the actuator 46, o which, in the region of the bearing of the actuator 48, exhibits an area of circular section. Figures 6 and 7 show two embodiments of installation in the profiled element 10 of a control system for the position of the slats 8. In figure 6, the junction box 14 is positioned against the wall of the profiled element 10 located on the side of the slats 8 (i.e. the wall of the profiled element crossed by the actuator 46). The profiled element 10 comprises on this wall a first longitudinal groove 52, intended to interact with the corresponding groove 22 of the junction box 14, as well as a second longitudinal groove 54, intended to interact with the second corresponding groove 24 of the junction box 14. o The first longitudinal groove 52 and the second longitudinal groove 54 are open towards the open face of the profiled element 10 (and closed by the cover 12). The mounting of the junction box 14 in the profiled element 10 is therefore simple and easy. In the usual manner, the control system for the slats 8 of a blind is fitted after the assembly of the slats 8 on the body comprising the two lateral mounts 2, the lower traverse element 4 and the upper transverse element 6. The actuators 46 are in place and pass into the interior of the profiled element 10. The junction boxes are introduced into the profiled element 10 in such a way that each first groove 22 of the junction boxes 14 comes into interaction with the first longitudinal groove 52 of the profiled element 10. Here, the outer edge, i.e. elongated from the lateral face of the junction box, of the first groove 22, is introduced into the first longitudinal groove 52 of the profiled element. Likewise, each second groove 24 comes into interaction with the second longitudinal groove 54 of the profiled element 10. Each junction box 14 is therefore guided longitudinally in translation in the profiled element 10. In order to allow for easy placement of the junction boxes in the profiled element 10, provision is made in the design of the blind such that, when it is located flat on a working plane (body and slats on the horizontal), the actuators 46 are oriented in such a way that the square section opening into the profiled element exhibits two faces extending longitudinally. All that then remains is to ensure the correct positioning of the calliper at the end of the transverse axes 28. The boss 44 can be placed in a reference position such as to facilitate the o checking of the correct orientation of the transverse axis 28 of a junction box 14. Accordingly, by causing the junction boxes 14 to slide towards the actuators 46, the transverse axes 28 automatically move to take their place on the actuators 46. Preferably, the movement of the junction boxes 14 towards the actuators 46 takes place in the direction of gravity. Accordingly, once in place, the junction boxes 14 are held in position by gravity as well as by the interaction of the grooves of the profiled element with corresponding grooves of the junction boxes 14. When the transverse axis 28 has pivoted by 90°, the first groove 22 and the second groove 24 of each junction box 14 can then move out of the first longitudinal groove 52 and out of the second longitudinal groove 54 respectively. o In order to avoid such a transverse movement in the direction of the cover 12, the boss 44 referred to heretofore, and arranged on the transversal axis 28 of each junction box 14, then comes into interaction with the second longitudinal groove 54 in order to prevent such a movement, and therefore guarantees perfect guidance and maintaining of the system in all the positions of the slats 8. The arrangement shown in figure 7 is not described in detail. It is proposed here that the junction boxes 14 are not mounted on the wall of the profiled element 10 which is located on the side of the slats 8, but on the opposite wall. It is therefore on this opposite wall that the first longitudinal groove 52 and the second longitudinal groove 54 of the profiled element 10 are located. In this configuration, it is advantageous for the length of the actuator 46 to be adjusted. In order to maintain the position of this latter actuator, it is therefore also possible to provide for a position maintaining clip 56 to be provided on the actuator 46 between the wall of the profiled element 10 crossed by the actuator 46 and the junction box 14.

Figures 8 and 9 show a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which there are as many segments 58 of the rod as there are junction boxes 14, in order to form a connecting rod between the junction boxes 14 as explained hereinafter. Each segment 58 of the connecting rod exhibits the form of a longitudinal piece with a square section matched to the interior of the endless screw 26, with a collar 60 placed at an intermediary position on the segment 58. Figure 8 shows two adjacent segments 58 of the rod, in a position which allows for a connection between those of the junction boxes. In order to show o these segments clearly, figure 8 does not show an external envelope of a junction box, nor the corresponding endless screw. It can therefore be appreciated that two adjacent segments 58 are joined opposite the toothed sector 30, i.e. in the interior of the endless screw, which has not been represented in order to allow for the areas of the junction to be seen. It is assumed here that the segments 58 are arranged vertically, i.e. that the junction boxes 14 are arranged one above another. Due to the effect of gravity, the segments 58 therefore have a tendency to fall downwards. In order to maintain the segments 58 in the position shown, a crosspiece 62 is arranged between the lower junction box 14 and the collar 60 of the first segment 58 o (starting from the bottom), and, more precisely, between the endless screw 26 of the lower junction box 14 and the said collar 60. When the crosspiece 62 is positioned, all the segments 58 are therefore positioned. In the situation in which the blind must be arranged not vertically or inclined, but horizontally, it would then be possible to provide for two crosspieces 62, one at each end of the rod formed by the rod segments 58. It would also be possible to provide for one crosspiece 62 per segment 58, but this is not of any real interest. As shown in figures 11 and 12 in particular, the crosspiece 62 is a piece with a C-shaped profile, intended to be encompassed in a portion of square section of a connecting rod segment 58. Figure 9 shows the withdrawal of the crosspiece 62 shown in figure 8. When the crosspiece 62 is withdrawn, the connecting rod segment 58 can then slide downwards. Its movement downwards is then blocked when the collar 60 of the segment comes in contact with the endless screw 26 of the lower junction box 14. The other segment 58 of figure 9 has not been displaced in relation to its position in figure 8, but it is clear that, due to gravity, once the crosspiece 62 has been withdrawn, all the segments 58 slide downwards, until their collars 60 come into the stopped position. If the transverse axes 28 and the actuators 46 are then positioned in their mounted position described heretofore (calliper with its lateral wings oriented longitudinally), the dismantling of each junction box is then possible by carrying out a first translation movement upwards, in order to disengage the transverse axis 28 from the actuator 46, then a second translation o movement in order to withdraw the junction box 14 out of its profiled element 10. As can be seen, the mounting and dismantling of the control system of the blind slats can be carried easily and rapidly. The proposed solution therefore allows both for time to be saved when installing the control system, and allows for easy intervention with regard to this control system, even when the corresponding blind has been sealed into an opening. The fact that grooves are provided on two opposed faces of a junction box allows for only one type of box to be used, which can then be mounted equally in one lateral mount as well as in the other lateral mount of a body of a blind, o depending in particular on various constraints which may apply. The embodiment of a rod in a plurality of segments allows for action to be taken on one single blind slat alone, and for it to be dismantled as far as one single junction box in order to access to it. The solution proposed here allows for a high degree of modular design. The junction boxes can correspond to several types of actuator, as from the point at which these actuators have a same final square section. The fact of having segments of the connecting rods also allows for the number of slats to be adapted on a blind by using the same slat segments, and only the number of segments used varies. It is clearly understood that the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment described heretofore and illustrated in the appended drawings. It likewise relates to all embodiment variants within the range of the person skilled in the art within the framework of the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. Control system for blind slats (8), comprising: - a plurality of actuation axes (28), each mounted directly or indirectly on a slat (8) of a blind, - a toothed sector (30) interdependent in each case with an actuation axis (28), - an endless screw (26) engaging in each case with a toothed sector (30), exhibiting a tubular shape with an interior longitudinal bore hole (38) and an o external screw thread, and - a connecting rod passing through a plurality of bore holes (38) of the endless screws (26), the rod and the holes being configured in such a way that the connecting rod sets said endless screws (26) in rotation, characterised in that the connecting rod is configured in a plurality of segments (58), one segment (58) corresponding in each case to an endless screw (26), wherein each segment (58) can slide longitudinally in relation to the bore holes (38) of the endless screws (26), and wherein at least one stop (60) is provided on a segment (58), in such a o way as to allow for limiting of the sliding of said segment (58) in relation to the interior longitudinal bore hole (38) of the corresponding endless screw (36).

2. Control system according to claim 1, characterised in that each interior longitudinal bore hole (38) of an endless screw (26) exhibits a square section, and in that each segment (58) of the connecting rod exhibits an overall shape of a bar of square section, of dimensions adjusted such as to allow for a guided sliding movement in the interior of each interior longitudinal bore hole (38).

3. Control system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the stop is formed by a collar (60) arranged on the segment (58) of the connecting rod.

4. Control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it additionally comprises means (62) allowing for the retaining of a stop (60) formed on a segment (5) of the connecting rod, at a distance from an endless screw (26).

5. Control system according to claim 4, characterised in that the means allowing for the retaining of a stop (60) formed on a segment (5) of the connecting rod, at a distance from an endless screw (26), are configured in the form of a profiled crosspiece (62) of open section, comprising a base and two elastic branches, and dimensioned in such a way that the space between the base and the two branches is capable of accommodating a portion of a segment (58) of the connecting rod, and that the elastic branches therefore come to be supported on said portion. o

6. Control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that all the segments (58) of the connecting rod are similar.

7. Control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that, with the segments (58) of the connecting rod mounted, a junction between two adjacent segments (58) is located essentially in the centre of each interior longitudinal bore hole (38).

8. Control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that each endless screw (26) is mounted in a junction box (14) which likewise contains the toothed sector (30), said box being traversed by an actuation axis (28). o

9. Blind comprising: - a body with two lateral profiled mounts (2) and two transverse elements (4, 6), and - slats (8) mounted such as to pivot between the two lateral profiled mounts (2), characterised in that it further comprises a control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Blind according to claim 9, characterised in that it comprises a connecting rod to connect an endless screw (26), located at one extremity, to a motor.