EP1045955B1 - A pulling cord device for venetian blinds and the like - Google Patents

A pulling cord device for venetian blinds and the like Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1045955B1
EP1045955B1 EP99900443A EP99900443A EP1045955B1 EP 1045955 B1 EP1045955 B1 EP 1045955B1 EP 99900443 A EP99900443 A EP 99900443A EP 99900443 A EP99900443 A EP 99900443A EP 1045955 B1 EP1045955 B1 EP 1045955B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cord
pulley
shaft
pulleys
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99900443A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1045955A1 (en
Inventor
Poul Christian Jensen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Chr Fabers Fabriker AS
Original Assignee
Chr Fabers Fabriker AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chr Fabers Fabriker AS filed Critical Chr Fabers Fabriker AS
Publication of EP1045955A1 publication Critical patent/EP1045955A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1045955B1 publication Critical patent/EP1045955B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
    • E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
    • E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
    • E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
    • E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
    • E06B9/322—Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a mechanism in a toprail for an actuating cord for Venetian blinds and the like comprising a driven cord pulley and friction reducing means at the exit of the cord from the mechanism.
  • US 1,822,318 shows a construction that is combination of the two types described above, in that it has a gearing for actuating the Venetian blind that is operated by a cord, and small-diameter rollers at the side of the toprail attempt to reduce the friction of the cord where it enters and exits.
  • This is obtained in a construction according to the characterising part of Claim 1.
  • one end of the cord is caused to drive the shaft directly in one direction, and the other end of the cord to drive in the other direction on the first pulley, because the direction is changed by means of the second and third pulleys.
  • the particular advantage of this solution is that the two ends of the cord exit next to each other at the same height in the side of the top rail, and that the string is no where curved around a small radius of curvature with a support that creates friction.
  • An advantageous use of the invention is particular in that a direct pull on a first cord end is used on the fixed pulley for lifting of the Venetian blind or roller blind, and that an indirect pull on a second cord end via the first pulley is used for lowering. In this way, any friction will equalise the forces required for raising and lowering.
  • a housing 1 which contains a shaft 2 and two pulleys 3 and 4, around which are wrapped two ends 5 and 6 of a cord.
  • the cord is a ball chain, i.e. a thin and flexible cord with spheres cast around it at equal distances.
  • the housing 1 is fitted into a top rail which is not shown, which is provided with openings for the cord ends 5 and 6 next to each other.
  • the shaft 2 is connected to the further mechanism which acutates a roller blind, a folding blind, a Venetian blind or a similar screening device.
  • the pulley 3 is fitted non-rotatably to the shaft 2, and a pull on the end 5 of the cord hence causes rotation in one direction (in the figure counter-clockwise) of the shaft 2.
  • Fig. 2 the parts fitted into the housing are seen from behind, and it is seen that the ball chain has been placed around both pulleys as well as around a "reversing pulley" 7 fitted therebetween.
  • This reversing pulley has its axis perpendicular to the shaft 2 and serves to ensure that a pull in the end 6 of the cord is transmitted as a rotation in the opposite direction of the pulley 3 and hence the shaft 2.
  • a further function of the reversing pulley is to increase the amount of wrap around the pulley 3, which is important for the transmission of forces in case a thick cord without spheres is used for the actuation.
  • the pulley 4 is freely rotatable on the shaft 2. However, the friction may be further reduced and still further stability be obtained by an independent bearing for the pulley 4.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Blinds (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Pulleys (AREA)
  • Noodles (AREA)

Abstract

The desire to take a cord or ball chain through the side of an upper profile commonly requires friction reducing means for supporting the string. According to the invention this is obtained by a combination of cord pulleys consisting of a pulley (3) directly fitted to the shaft (2) and two further pulleys (4 and 7) which are freely rotating and which guide the cord in a compact manner so that pulling the other end causes rotation of the shaft (2) in the opposite direction.

Description

The invention relates to a mechanism in a toprail for an actuating cord for Venetian blinds and the like comprising a driven cord pulley and friction reducing means at the exit of the cord from the mechanism.
It is known to control the angular position and lifting of the slats of Venetian blinds by means of a cord which is fitted round a pulley which creates friction with respect to the cord. Both ends of the cord may be pulled, whereby the slats may be tilted in both directions. It is similarly known to use an endless cord or ball chain which is fitted round a pulley so that e.g. a roller blind, folded blind, or Venetian blinds may be lifted or lowered by repeated pulling on the same side of the string. These constructions have been provided with a pulley with an axis perpendicular to the top rail and a gearing, such as conical gears or a worm gear to transmit the movement to the desired rotational axis which is along the lenght of the upper rail. This solution is complicated because the gear transmission has to be provided with good bearings. Another solution is to pull directly with a cord pulley on the actuating shaft, but in this case the desire to take the cord or ball chain out of the side of the top rail creates problems with friction between the cord and guide surfaces, because the cord on the one hand enters at the top of the pulley which is simple, but it also enters at the bottom, where the cord has to bent around a small radius of curvature, so that small rollers or special friction reducing surfaces in glide channels have to be provided. This creates a considerable difference in the pulling force which has to be exerted by the user in order to operate a Venetian blind or other blinds, in particular when worn. Furthermore it frequently creates confusion as to which cord has to be pulled when a particular adjustment is desired.
US 1,822,318 shows a construction that is combination of the two types described above, in that it has a gearing for actuating the Venetian blind that is operated by a cord, and small-diameter rollers at the side of the toprail attempt to reduce the friction of the cord where it enters and exits.
It is the purpose of the invention to provide a mechanism which guides the cord in a friction reducing manner without the use of special glide channels. This is obtained in a construction according to the characterising part of Claim 1. Thereby one end of the cord is caused to drive the shaft directly in one direction, and the other end of the cord to drive in the other direction on the first pulley, because the direction is changed by means of the second and third pulleys. The particular advantage of this solution is that the two ends of the cord exit next to each other at the same height in the side of the top rail, and that the string is no where curved around a small radius of curvature with a support that creates friction.
An advantageous use of the invention is particular in that a direct pull on a first cord end is used on the fixed pulley for lifting of the Venetian blind or roller blind, and that an indirect pull on a second cord end via the first pulley is used for lowering. In this way, any friction will equalise the forces required for raising and lowering.
The invention will be described in greater detail in the following with reference to the drawing, in which
  • Fig. 1 shows a housing for the mechanism according to the invention with two cords in a three-dimensional representation, and
  • Fig. 2 shows the mechanism from behind in a similar three-dimensional representation.
    • In Fig. 1 is seen a housing 1 which contains a shaft 2 and two pulleys 3 and 4, around which are wrapped two ends 5 and 6 of a cord. In this embodiment the cord is a ball chain, i.e. a thin and flexible cord with spheres cast around it at equal distances. The housing 1 is fitted into a top rail which is not shown, which is provided with openings for the cord ends 5 and 6 next to each other. The shaft 2 is connected to the further mechanism which acutates a roller blind, a folding blind, a Venetian blind or a similar screening device. The pulley 3 is fitted non-rotatably to the shaft 2, and a pull on the end 5 of the cord hence causes rotation in one direction (in the figure counter-clockwise) of the shaft 2.
    In Fig. 2 the parts fitted into the housing are seen from behind, and it is seen that the ball chain has been placed around both pulleys as well as around a "reversing pulley" 7 fitted therebetween. This reversing pulley has its axis perpendicular to the shaft 2 and serves to ensure that a pull in the end 6 of the cord is transmitted as a rotation in the opposite direction of the pulley 3 and hence the shaft 2. A further function of the reversing pulley is to increase the amount of wrap around the pulley 3, which is important for the transmission of forces in case a thick cord without spheres is used for the actuation. The pulley 4 is freely rotatable on the shaft 2. However, the friction may be further reduced and still further stability be obtained by an independent bearing for the pulley 4.
    During operation it is relevant to ensure that a pull against a resistance from e.g. gravity during lifting of a roller blind occurs directly by means of pulling the cord end 5, because the pull in this case occurs directly on the pulley 3. The increased friction which is present in spite of the use of friction reducing bearing materials for the pulleys 4 and 7 is less disadvantageous during a corresponding lowering, because it may directly contribute to a slight braking of the movement.
    In case it is desired to use a thick cord without spheres, it may be advantageous to increase the wrap of the end 5 of the cord around the pulley 3, and this may be obtained in that the intermediate pulley 7 is fitted with a downwards directed vertical shaft instead of a horizontal shaft as shown in Fig. 2. Thereby the wrap may be increased to ca. 270 degrees (as opposed to 180 degrees as shown), and this increase combined with a suitable profile for the cord pulley 3 will ensure a stable function.

    Claims (4)

    1. A mechanism intended to be mounted in a top rail for Venetian blinds and the like comprising an actuating cord (5, 6), cord driven pulleys, a first (2) and a second shaft and a housing (1), whereby the ends (5, 6) of said actuating cord exit the mechanism on the same side of said housing (1), whereby the ends of the cord exit from two pulleys (3, 4) thereof,
      characterised in that said first shaft (2) is parallel to the top rail and, in use, is directly actuating said Venetian blind and the like, whereby a first pulley (4) of said two pulleys is mounted freely rotatable on the first shaft (2) and a second pulley (3) of said two pulleys is fixed to said first shaft (2), and in that the mechanism further comprises, fitted between said two pulleys (3, 4), a freely rotatable third pulley (7) on a second shaft perpendicular to the first shaft (2), said second shaft being fixed in the housing (1), whereby the actuating cord (5, 6) runs over the first (4), third (7), and then over the second (3) pulley.
    2. A mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that a bearing of the freely rotatable first pulley (4) is fitted directly to the first shaft (2).
    3. A mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that a bearing of the freely rotatable first pulley (4) is fitted inside the housing (1) of the mechanism.
    4. Use of a mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a direct pull on a first cord end (5) is used on the fixed pulley (3) for lifting of the Venetian blind or roller blind, and that an indirect pull on a second cord end (6)via the first pulley (4) is used for lowering.
    EP99900443A 1998-01-09 1999-01-11 A pulling cord device for venetian blinds and the like Expired - Lifetime EP1045955B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    DK199800021A DK2198A (en) 1998-01-09 1998-01-09 Drawstring for blinds and the like
    DK2198 1998-01-09
    PCT/DK1999/000013 WO1999037874A1 (en) 1998-01-09 1999-01-11 A pulling cord device for venetian blinds and the like

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1045955A1 EP1045955A1 (en) 2000-10-25
    EP1045955B1 true EP1045955B1 (en) 2004-12-15

    Family

    ID=8088853

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP99900443A Expired - Lifetime EP1045955B1 (en) 1998-01-09 1999-01-11 A pulling cord device for venetian blinds and the like

    Country Status (7)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1045955B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE285019T1 (en)
    AU (1) AU752194B2 (en)
    DE (1) DE69922632D1 (en)
    DK (1) DK2198A (en)
    NO (1) NO317007B1 (en)
    WO (1) WO1999037874A1 (en)

    Families Citing this family (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    FR2820453B1 (en) * 2001-02-05 2003-09-19 Oxford Automotive Mecanismes E SLIDING DOOR DRIVE DEVICE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE
    US20080121353A1 (en) * 2006-11-16 2008-05-29 Detmer Brandon J Manual roller shade having clutch mechanism, chain guide and universal mounting

    Family Cites Families (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US1822318A (en) * 1931-01-09 1931-09-08 Russell James Gordon Tilting and locking device for venetian blinds
    DE3509047A1 (en) * 1985-03-14 1986-09-18 Sunteca Sonnenschutztechnik Gmbh, 2850 Bremerhaven Blind drive by means of pull cord

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    NO20003504D0 (en) 2000-07-07
    WO1999037874A1 (en) 1999-07-29
    DE69922632D1 (en) 2005-01-20
    AU1960699A (en) 1999-08-09
    DK2198A (en) 1999-10-01
    AU752194B2 (en) 2002-09-12
    ATE285019T1 (en) 2005-01-15
    NO317007B1 (en) 2004-07-19
    EP1045955A1 (en) 2000-10-25
    NO20003504L (en) 2000-07-07

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