CA2176783A1

CA2176783A1 - Louvrable roller blind

Info

Publication number: CA2176783A1
Application number: CA002176783A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Andreas Erber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-11-17
Filing date: 1994-09-15
Publication date: 1995-05-26
Also published as: IL111577A0; AU7605594A; IL111577A; EP0733150A1; WO1995014152A1; HRP940934A2

Abstract

Proposed is a louvrable roller blind with at least one traction chain whose links are jointed to each other and to swivelling lamella-like strips plus at least one adjusting chain whose links are jointed to each other and to the lamellae. The blind is mounted by means of the traction-chain links in fixed guideways. The lamellae (1, 2) overlap the traction-chain links (4) and the adjusting-chain links (3) overlap the lamellae (1, 2). The joints between the traction-chain links (4), those between the adjusting-chain links (3) and those between the lamellae (1, 2) and the traction-chain and adjusting-chain links consist of hook-shaped connectors (7, 21; 8, 11; 14, 15; 16, 17; 42, 45; 43, 44). At each end of the lamellae (1) is an additional piece (2) which has along its upper longitudinal edge a joint element (7) which connects it to its associated traction-chain link (4) and along its lower longitudinal edge a joint element (8) which connects it to its associated adjusting-chain link (3). The lamellae (1) are hollow and the additional pieces (2) are designed as slide-in components which are partly inserted into the lamellae (1).

Description

217678~

Venetian blinds The invention relates to Venetian blinds with at least one draw chain, with chain links which are hinged to one another and are connected to tiltable, blade-like louvre slats, and with at least one adjustable chain with chain links which are hinged to one another and are connected to louvre slats, the blinds being guided via the draw chain links in stationary guides and whereby the chain links of the adjustable chain overlap the louvre slats.
Blinds of this type are known for example from DE-B 10 79 310, DE-OS 34 37 346 and WO 93/21417. However these blinds have the disadvantage what they consist on the one hand of relatively many individual parts; this has an adverse affect both on the costs of warehousing these parts and also on installation costs, and on the other hand additional mechanical working of several parts of these blinds is necessary; this likewise has an adverse affect on the production costs of these blinds.
Furthermore, a blind is known from EP-A 382 172 wherein the adjustment chain overlaps the draw chain and which has the same disadvantages.
A blade store with blades which have bordered longitudinal edges and which are connected to metal strips is known from CH-PS 400 525. These bordered longitudinal edges with hooks which are attached to the metal strips form hook-shaped joints which can raise and lower the blades controlled by a corresponding relative motion of the metal strips.
A blind is known from EP-A 460 521 wherein the la 21 76 783ndividual parts are interconnected by way of hook-shaped joints.
The problem of the invention is to devise a blind of the type mentioned initially which for the most part prevents the aforementioned disadvantages.
This problem is solved by the fact that the louvre slats of the blinds overlap the draw chain links, that the adjustable chain links overlap the louvre slats, and that the joints between the draw chain links, the adjustable chain links, and between the louvre slats and the draw chain links or the ajustable chain links consist of hook-shaped hinged joints, and that the hinged parts of the hinges which connect the draw chain links with the louvre slats in the area of overlap and are associated with the draw chain links, are positioned lower than the hooks at the upper edge of the draw chain links which provide a connection with an adjacent draw chain link.

`_ ' 2176783 The blind according to the invention with very high functionality has the advantage that the blind consists of a very few parts, its parts or sections can be produced in any manner, for example, by extrusion or roll forming, in which the hook-shaped hinged joints can be produced by extrusion in one pass. Upon assembly, the individual parts need only be pushed into one another more on their hook-shaped hinged joints; this greatly simplifies installation.
According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that on each end of the louvre slat there is a projection which on its upper longitudinal edge has a hinged part for connection to the assigned draw chain link and on its lower longitudinal edge a hinged part for connection to the assigned adjustable chain link, in which according to one especially preferred embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the louvre slats are made hollow and that the projections are insert parts which are partially pushed into the blind slats.
The embodiment mentioned last has the advantage that the louvre slats which based on their length are especially cumbersome to handle need only be cut off straight since the hinged parts for connection to the draw chain links and adjustable chain links are located on the insert parts which can likewise be cut off straight.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the joints between the draw chain links and the adjustable chain links in the closed state of the blind are flush with one another and that on the draw chain links there are upper and lower free spaces in which the hinged parts of the ad~ustable chain links are held in the closed state of the blind. In this way it is ensured that the blind can be rolled into roller boxes without stresses arising within the blind slats and that the outer surface of the blind in the closed state has a completely uniform appearance.
- According to another preferred embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the joints between the draw chain links or adjustable chain links consist of a hook on the upper longitudinal edge of the draw chain links or adjustable chain links and a groove on their lower longitudinal edge and that according to another development it is provided that the hooks in the grooves are movably held in the direction of motion of the blind and that the louvre slats on their upper longitudinal edge have a bridge and on their lower longitudinal edge have a groove which fit into one another in the closed state of the blind when it is pushed together. In this way there was a groove-spring connection between the individual louvre slats in the closed state of the blind, by which there is increased security against sagging of the blind according to the invention.
Especially in wide blinds can the problem arise that the louvre slats, especially in the raised state, sag, by which, aside from an unattractive appearance, functioning problems of the blind can occur.

According to one embodiment of the invention it is therefore proposed that at least one other center draw chain of draw chain links is provided which is connected via a hook-shaped joint to the assigned draw chain link, in which the blind according to the invention can be developed such that the louvre slats in the area of the draw chain are divided and the two parts are spaced away from one another by the width of the draw chain links, that the two parts of the louvre slats are interconnected via a connecting part and that the connecting part on its upper longitudinal edge has a hook which with this additional hook on the draw chain link forms the joint between them. This embodiment of the invention in turn enables especially the need to cut off the long and cumbersome louvre slats only straight, the louvre slats being connected to the draw chain links via the connecting part.
In this case it can furthermore be provided that the connecting part on either side is inserted into the hollow louvre slats; this further simplifies the assembly of the blind.
Other features and advantages of the invention follow from the subclaims and the subsequent description of the sample embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the left side of a blind slat according to the invention viewed from the building side, Figure 2 shows the right side of the blind slat in the assembled state, Figure 3 shows a schematic overhead view of the left end of a blind slat, Figure 4 shows a section through the blind slat of Figure 32 along line IV-IV, Figure 5 shows a section through a blind slat according to the invention along line V-V in Figure 3, Figure 6 shows a section through the blind slat according to Figure 5, in which however the raising process of the blind is shown, - Figure 7 shows a section through the blind slat along line VII-VII in Figure 3, Figure 8 shows a side view of two blind slats hooked to one another in the closed state, but not pushed together, Figure 9 shows the blind slats of Figure 8, however in the opened state, Figure 10 shows an exploded view of a blind slat according to the invention in the area of a center draw chain, Figure 11 shows a section through the blind slat along line XI-XI in Figure 10, in the partially raised state, Figure 12 shows the blind slat of Figure 11 in the closed state, Figure 13 shows a section through the blind slat of Figure 10 along line XIII-XIII, Figure 14 shows a side view of another embodiment of a blind slat according to the invention in the raised state, Figure 15 shows a view of the blind slat of Figure 217678~
, 14 in the closed position and Figures 16 through 19 show cross sections of the individual parts of the blind slat of Figures 14 and 15, specifically Figure 16 shows the louvre slat, Figure 17 shows an insert part for connecting the louvre slat to a draw chain and an adjustable chain link, Figure 18 shows an adjustable chain link and Figure 19 shows a draw chain link.
Figure 1 partially shows a blind slat which comprises the b~ind according to the invention. A blind slat consists according to the invention of louvre slat 1 which is connected via insert part 2 to draw chain link 4. To raise louvre slats 1 each louvre slat has adjustable chain link 3 which is connected to insert part 2. Figure 1 shows only the left end of a blind slat in which the right end of the blind slat which is not shown is built preferably in mirror-image.
Louvre slat 1 of Figure 1 is made hollow and has on its upper longitudinal edge bridge 13 and on its lower longitudinal edge groove 12, bridge 13 fitting into groove 12 of the adjacent blind slat in the closed and pushed-together state of the blind.
In cavity 31 of louvre slat 1 upper hook-shaped strip 9 and lower hook-shaped strip 10 are formed which interact with hinged parts 7 and 8 of insert part 2 if the latter is pushed into louvre slat 1, by which the insert part

2 can be permanently connected to louvre slat 1.
Hinged part 7 on the upper longitudinal edge of insert part 2 and hinged part 8 on the lower longitudinal edge of the insert part are used for hinged connection to draw chain link 4 and adjustable chain link 3.
Draw chain links 4 and adjustable chain links 3 have on their upper longitudinal edge hooks 14 or 17 and on their lower longitudinal edge grooves 15 and 16 into which hooks 14, 17, of the adjacent draw chain and adjustable chain links fit (see Figure 9). Adjustable chain links 3 and draw chain links 4 have an essentially identical cross section, in which however for adjustable chain links 4 rear wall 32 of the draw chain links with hook-shaped strip 5 (Figures 4 and 6) is omitted. In this way adjustable chain links 3 can lie over the projections formed as insert parts 2 on louvre slats 1 and outside surface 33 of adjustable chain links 3 is flush with outside surface 34 or 35 of the draw chain links 4 and louvre slats 1. Hook-shaped strips 5 and 6 in the cavity of draw chain links 4 are used for rigid connection of the latter to slats which correspond to louvre slats 1, however they cannot be raised; this can be the case for the uppermost blind slats of a blind. Connections of draw chain links 4 to these slats likewise take place via insert parts 2.
As is especially apparent from Figures 1 and 2, draw chain links 4 have lap-shaped prolongation 18 which is overlapped both by insert parts 2 as well as by adjustable chain links 3. On the upper longitudinal edge of lap-shaped prolongation 18 hinged part 2 is formed; its cross sectional shape corresponds to hook-shaped strip 9 in cavity 31 of louvre slat 1. Hinged part 21 on prolongation 18 forms with hinged part 7 on insert part 2 the joint between louvre slat l and draw chain link 4. Insert part 2 for this reason -projects roughly out of louvre slat 1 as far as corresponds to the width of lap-shaped prolongation 18. The width of adjustable chain links 3 corresponds likewise roughly to the width of lap-shaped prolongation 18.
Above and below prolongation 18 on draw chain links 4 are free spaces 19 and 20 in which hook 17 and groove 16 of the adjustable chain links find space if the blind is closed.
It is apparent that all parts of the blind slats with the exception of the draw chain links are cut off straight on their ends, by which their production can be done simply and cheaply. Lap-shaped prolongation 18 on draw chain link 4 is preferably formed from draw chain link 4 by metal cutting.
Upon comparison of the louvre slats with draw chain links 4 it can still be established that they have essentially the same cross sectional shape with the ~ifference that bridge 13 on the upper longitudinal edge of the louvre slats is not made hook-shaped and that rear or inner arm 36 of groove 12 is shortened in order not to prevent the louvre slats from being raised.
Overall for closed blinds pushed together according to the invention, without additional means both an inner and an outer continuous surface are formed; this not only has an optically advantageous effect, but also offers good protection against sagging.
Figure 8 shows the blind in the drawn apart, but not raised state (see Figure 9), i e., that hooks 14 and 17 of draw and adjustable chain links 4, 3 lie on the lower edge of grooves 15, 16 so that louvre slats 1 can be easily raised. If conversely the blind is pushed together, hooks 14, 17 are pushed into groves 15, 16, like bridges 13 into grooves 12 on louvre slats 1. This prevents the possibility of raising louvre slats 1 by force.
Figure 10 shows one embodiment of a blind slat, in an exploded view, which is supported by an additional center draw chain. Louvre slat 1 is divided by a straight cut into two parts, these two parts being interconnected by one connecting part 23 which is pushed into hollow cavities 31 of louvre slats 1. Draw chain link 22 has basically the same shape as draw chain links 4, however front wall 37 with hook-shaped bridge 6 being omitted. For connection to hook-shaped strip 5 on draw chain link 22 connecting part 23 on its upper longitudinal edge has hook 30 which is formed like hinged part 7 on insert part 2.
In order to ensure as stable as possible a connection of two louvre slats 1 by connecting part 23, the latter has a cross sectional shape by which cavities 31 are essentially completely occupied in louvre slats 1. In addition, connecting part 23 on its front side however has undercut grooves 27, 28 into which correspondingly formed projections of cover 24 fit. Cover 24 on connecting part 23 is used to close the gap between the two parts of louvre slat 1 which is formed by the fact that they are spaced from one another by the width of draw chain link 22 in order that draw chain link 22 can lie completely against the rear wall of connecting part 23. In this way it is ensured that both the rear side and also the front side of the blind slat has a continuous flat surface.

It can be established that the embodiment of a center draw chain described with reference to Figures 10 through 13 in conjunction with louvre slats 1 can be used even in any other arrangements of draw and adjustable chains, as were not described here.
Figure 14 shows another embodiment of the blind according to the invention which with the exception of the hinged connections of louvre slats 1 agrees with adjustable chain links 3 and draw chain links 4 and insert part 2 compared to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 9. The same parts therefore have the same reference numbers.
The important advantage of the embodiment described in conjunction-with Figures 14 through 19 lies in that the opening angle of louvre slats 1 is greatly enlarged compared to the embodiments described above and can also be up to roughly 150 and even more, as shown in Figure 14. This is enabled by the special configuration of insert part 2 with a cross section which has a shape bent roughly in a double S.
By means of this configuration in the middle region of insert part 2 two concave free spaces 40, 41 are formed in which joints 14, 15 of draw chain links 4 and 16, 17 of adjustable chain links 3 in the entirely raised state of the blind find space as shown in Figure 14.
In order to reliably prevent unhooking of hinged connection 42, 45 between insert part 2 and draw chain link 4 as well as hinged connection 43, 44 between insert part 2 and adjustable chain link 3 and at the same time to enable the large swivel angle of louvre slats 1, strips 46 and 47-of hinged parts 43, 45 on adjustable chain links 3 and draw chain links 4 have depressions 48, 49 into which free longitudinal edges 50, 51 on insert part 2 fit. In this way bearing points or swivelling axes are formed for movement of insert part 2 on adjustable chain link 3 or on draw chain link 4.
Hinged parts 43, 45 on adjustable chain link 3 and on draw chain link 4 have boundary surface 52, 53 in the shape of an arc essentially opposite depressions 48, 49; the centerpoints of the curvature of the boundary surface lie in depressions 48, 49. Accordingly hinged parts 42, 44 have areas 54, 55 bent in the shape of an arc which correspond to boundary surfaces 52, 53 in the shape of an arc; the centerpoints of the curvature of these areas are formed by longitudinal edges 50, 51 of insert part 2.
Curved areas 54, 55 on insert part 2 abut one straight area 56, 57 each, on the free end of which are longitudinal edges 50, 51 which are preferably made rounded off.
According to straight areas 56, 57 on insert part 2, on strips 46, 47 on adjustable chain link 3 or on draw chain link 4 there are straight areas 58, 59 which together with straight areas 56, 57 on insert part 2 limit the opening motion of louvre slat 1, as is shown in Figure 14.
By means of the configuration of joints 42, 45 or 43, 44 according to the invention in conjunction with the special cross sectional shape of insert part 2 it is possible to make the opening angle of one louvre slat 1 very large.
Furthermore high lever forces in the joints are prevented which can occur when the entire blind held only via adjustable chain links 3 hangs freely down. Due to the high opening angle the lever arm between joints 42, 45 and 43, 44 is much smaller than when the opening angle of louvre slat 1 would be only about 90, by which the forces acting on these joints decrease significantly.
It goes without saying that the special embodiment of joints 42, 45 described in conjunction with Figures 14 through 19 between insert part 2 and draw chain link 4 or joints 43, 44 between insert part 2 and adjustable chain link 3, as well as the special cross sectional shape of insert part 2 are not limited to the described blind, but can be used for any blind which has a draw chain and an adjustable chain for a Venetian blind, essentially regardless of the rem~;n;ng configuration of the individual parts of the blind.
In summary the invention can be described according to the invention as follows:
The Venetian blinds have at least one draw chain with chain links which are hinged to one another and which are connected to tiltable, blade-like louvre slats, and at least one adjustable chain with chain links which are hinged to one another and which are connected to the louvre slats.
The blind is guided via the draw chain links in stationary guides. Louvre slats 1 overlap draw chain links 4 and adjustable chain links 3 overlap louvre slats 1. The joints between draw chain links 4, adjustable chain links 3, and between louvre slats 1 and draw chain links 4 or adjustable chain links 3 consist of hook-shaped hinged connectlons 7, 21; 8, 11; 14, 15; 16, 17; 42, 45; 43, 44.

.. 2l76783 On each end of louvre slat 1 is projection 2 which on its upper longitudinal edge has hinged part 7 for connection to the assigned draw chain link and on its lower longitudinal edge hinged part 8 for connection to assigned adjustable chain link 3. Louvre slats 1 are made hollow and projections 2 are insert parts which are in part pushed into louvre slats 1.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Venetian blind with at least one draw chain with chain links which are hinged to one another and which are connected to tiltable, blade-like louvre slats, and at least one adjustable chain with chain links which are hinged to one another and which are connected to the louvre slats, the blind being guided via the draw chain links in stationary guides, and whereby the louvre slats (1) overlap draw chain links (4), characterized in that adjustable chain links (3) overlap louvre slats (1) and in that the joints between draw chain links (4), adjustable chain links (3) and between louvre slats (1) and draw chain links (4) or adjustable chain links (3) consist of hook-shaped hinged connections (7, 21; 8, 11; 14, 15; 16, 17; 42, 45;
43, 44), and that the hinged parts (2, 45) of the hinges (7, 21;
42, 45) which connect the draw chain links (4) with the louvre slats (1) in the area of overlap and are associated with the draw chain links (4) are positioned lower than the hooks (14) at the upper edge of the draw chain links (4) which provide a connection with an adjacent draw chain link (4).

2. Venetian blind according to claim 1, wherein joints (14, 15; 16, 17) between draw chain links (4) and between the adjustable chain links (3) in the closed state of the blind are flush with one another.

3. Blind according to claim 1 or 2, wherein on draw chain links (4) there are upper and lower free spaces (19, 20) in which hinged parts (16, 17) of the adjustable chain links (3) are held in the closed state of the blind.

4. Blind according to claims 1 through 3, wherein joints (8, 11; 43, 44) are located between adjustable chain links (3) and louvre slats (1) are located between joints (16, 17) which interconnect adjustable chain links (3).

5. Blind according to one of claims 1 through 4, wherein joints (8, 11; 43, 44) are spaced in the direction of swivel motion of louvre slats (1) between adjustable chain links (3) and louvre slats (1) by the plane in which joints (14, 15) which interconnect draw chain links (4) are located.

6. Blind according to one of claims 1 through 5, wherein on each end of blind slat (1) is projection (2) which on its upper longitudinal edge has hinged part (7, 42) for connection to assigned draw chain link (4) and on its lower longitudinal edge hinged part (8, 44) for connection to assigned adjustable chain link (3).

7. Blind according to claim 6, wherein the cross section of projection (2) is essentially bent in a double S
shape.

8. Blind according to claim 7, wherein two free ends (56, 57) of the cross section are aligned in the sense of the direction of rotary raising of louvre slats (1).

9. Blind according to claim 7 or 8, wherein in the fully raised state of the blind joints (14, 15; 16, 17) are held between draw chain links (4) and between the adjustable chain links (3) in concave free spaces (40, 41) of the two middle curvatures formed by the cross section of projections (2) which is bent in a double S shape.

10. Blind according to claims 7 through 9, wherein the axis of rotation of these joints (43, 44; 42, 45) are formed by two longitudinal edges (50, 51) of projection (2) which are held in depressions (48, 49) of hinged parts (43,4 5) on adjustable chain links (3) and draw chain links (4).

11. Blind according to claim 10, wherein hook-shaped hinged parts (46, 47) in adjustable chain links (3) and draw chain links (4) have an inside cross section which is in the shape of an arc (52, 53) and which has a centerpoint which lies in depression (48, 49).

12. Blind according to one of claims 6 through 11, wherein louvre slats (1) are made hollow and wherein projections (2) are insert parts which are partially pushed into louvre slats (1).

13. Blind according to one of claims 1 through 12, wherein draw chain links (4) have prolongation (18) which points towards louvre slats (1) and which is overlapped by louvre slats (1) and preferably adjustable chain links (3).

14. Blind according to claim 12 or 13, wherein in hollow louvre slats (1) are hook-shaped strips (9, 10) which interact with hinged parts (7, 8; 42, 45) of insert parts (2).

15. Blind according to one of claims 1 through 14, wherein the joints between the draw chain links (4) or between the adjustable chain links (3) consist of hook (14, 17) on the upper longitudinal edge of draw chain links (4) or adjustable chain links (3) and a groove (15, 16) on their lower longitudinal edge.

16. Blind according to claim 15, wherein hooks (14, 17) in grooves (15, 16) are movably held in the direction of motion of the blind and that the blind slats on their upper longitudinal edge have bridge (13) and on their lower longitudinal edge have groove (12) which fit into one another in the closed state of the blind when it is pushed together.

17. Blind according to one of claims 1 through 16, wherein at least one additional center draw chain of draw chain links (22) is provided which is connected via hook-shaped joint (14, 30) to the assigned louvre slat.

18. Blind according to claim 17, wherein blind slats (1) in the area of the draw chain are divided and the two parts are spaced away from one another by the width of draw chain links (22), wherein the two parts of the blind slats are interconnected via connecting part (23) and wherein the connecting part on its upper longitudinal edge has hook (30) which with additional hook (14) on draw chain link (22) forms the joint with the latter.

19. Blind according to claim 18, wherein on the side of the connecting parts facing away from draw chain links (22) is cover (24) with outside surface which is flush with the outside surface of louvre slats (1).

20. Blind according to one of claims 17 through 19 and 12, wherein connecting part (23) on either side is inserted into hollow louvre slats (1).