EP0495342A1

EP0495342A1 - Slat structure for a venetian blind

Info

Publication number: EP0495342A1
Application number: EP91830003A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wei-Jai Nien
Original assignee: NIEN WEI JAI
Current assignee: NIEN WEI JAI
Priority date: 1991-01-14
Filing date: 1991-01-14
Publication date: 1992-07-22
Also published as: CA2032531A1

Abstract

The present disclosure is related to an improved slat structure for use in Venetian blinds, which is characterized in that the slat consists of an elongated outer unit (1) and a core unit (2) having the like length of the outer unit (1); the former has a pair of upwardly and inwardly bent edges, forming a number of parallel grooves (12) so that the latter can be held therein and replaced with ease. The core unit (2) has a pair of open-ended recessed slots (22) in parallel with each other adapted for easy mounting of the drawing cords, thereby the core unit (2) manufactured in different colors and artistic designs can be replaceably mounted and removed readily to and from the outer unit (1).

Description

The present invention is related to an improved slat structure for use in Venetian blinds, which is made up of two units, an outer unit and a core unit that can be assembled and disassembled with ease so that the color and artistic design of the slat can be readily changed as one wishes by simple replacement of the core unit.
Conventional slats of the Venetian blinds are attached to a pair of drawing cords and can be limitedly moved; and the Venetian blinds can be changed only by removing the whole sets thereof. That is such a waste of money in first place and a waste of time in second place.
The present inventor noticed the conventional problem and has come up with an improved slat structure of the present invention which can overcome the precedingly described disadvantages.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a kind of slat whose color and artistic design can be easily and quickly changed by replacement of its part.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a kind of slat made up of an outer unit and a core unit which are able to be assembled and separated readily with the core unit which can be painted in various colors and with different artistic designs replaceable so to permit consumers to make their selections and decorate the Venetian blinds in their rooms as they wish to create the desirable moods in the rooms.
One further object of the present invention is to provide a kind of slat consisting of an outer unit and a core unit; the core unit is provided with a pair of parallel open-ended recessed slots along the same edge thereof; and the outer unit is equipped with a pair of parallel upwardly inwardly bent edges, forming a pair of grooves so to permit the core unit to be held in position by engagement of the edges of the core unit in the grooves of the outer unit. Thereby the slat can be easily changed in color and artistic designs by simple replacement of the core unit.
To better illustrate the structure, operational modes and the features of the present invention, a number of drawings are given in company with a detailed description of the embodiment thereof, in which:

- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing the exploded components thereof;
- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the present slat structure with its components assembled;
- Fig. 3 is a series of sectional views illustrating the steps of assembling the slat of the present invention;
- Fig. 4 is a series of sectional views illustrating the steps of disassembling thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, the improved slat structure of the present invention comprises an outer unit 1 and a core unit 2. The outer unit 1 has two parallel edges in the longitudinal direction, which are upwardly and inwardly bent toward each other so to form a pair of grooves 12. There are a pair of through holes 11 disposed on the upper face of the outer unit 1 for the passing through of the operation drawing cords.
The core unit 2 is made to have the like length of the outer unit 1 and is defined to have a slightly curved cross section. A pair of parallel open-ended recessed slots 22 transverse direction are disposed on the core unit 2. Each slot 22 is ended with a through hole 21 which is located in line with the through hole 11 respectively when the core unit 2 is placed in association with the outer unit 1. On the surface of the core unit 2 various kinds of drawing are able to be painted or is sticked with some kind of cloth fabric painted with different artistic designs so that the artistic drawings on the slat can be readily changed by simple replacement of the core unit 2 chosen by a consumer.
As shown in Fig. 3, a core unit 2 is ready to be located in association with the outer unit 1 by way of a number of consecutive steps. A drawing cord is first led through the open-end slot 22 and finally is placed in the through hole 21, then the longitudinal edge 24 without the opening of the slot 22 is first put in one of the grooves 12; afterwards the outer edge 23 is forced into the opposite groove 12 of the outer unit 1 with the center of the core unit 2 slightly up crooked. After the edge of the core unit 2 totally slides into the groove 12 the core unit 2 is joined with the outer unit 1 to form the present slat structure.
To disassemble the slat of the present invention, a number of consecutive reverse steps are taken. Starting with the pushing upwardly the center of the core unit 2, the edge 23 with the openings of the slots 22 is then forced to disengage from the groove 12; afterwards, the other edge 24 is easily moved out of the groove 12 to make the core unit 2 free to slide with respect to the drawing cords.
It becomes apparent the core unit 2 which can be provided with different artistic designs can be easily replaced so that the appearance of the slats of a Venetian blind can be changed without wasting too much money and time, and the decoration of a room can he effectively varied accordingly by means of the present slat structure.

Claims

An improved slat structure for use in a Venetian blind which is characterized in that each slat comprises an outer unit (1) and a core unit (2) that are able to be assembled and disassembled with ease so that the slat can be changed in color or artistic design by simple replacement of said core unit (2); said outer unit (1) having a pair of parallel edges in longitudinal direction which are upwardly inwardly bent toward each other, forming a pair of grooves (12) so to permit the location of said core unit (2); a pair of through holes (11) being disposed on said outer unit (1); said core unit (2) having a pair of open-ended recessed slots (22) in transverse direction with each slot (22) ended with a through hole (21) which is in line with the through hole (11) respectively of said outer unit (1) when associated therewith.