EP2663725B1 - Covering for an architectural opening - Google Patents

Covering for an architectural opening Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2663725B1
EP2663725B1 EP12700802.7A EP12700802A EP2663725B1 EP 2663725 B1 EP2663725 B1 EP 2663725B1 EP 12700802 A EP12700802 A EP 12700802A EP 2663725 B1 EP2663725 B1 EP 2663725B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
support
tape spool
support wedge
wedge
tilt
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.)
Active
Application number
EP12700802.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2663725A1 (en
Inventor
Robert Jan Ponsen
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.)
Hunter Douglas Industries BV
Original Assignee
Hunter Douglas Industries BV
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 Hunter Douglas Industries BV filed Critical Hunter Douglas Industries BV
Priority to PL12700802T priority Critical patent/PL2663725T3/pl
Priority to NO12700802A priority patent/NO2663725T3/no
Priority to EP12700802.7A priority patent/EP2663725B1/en
Publication of EP2663725A1 publication Critical patent/EP2663725A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2663725B1 publication Critical patent/EP2663725B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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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
    • E06B9/303—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable with ladder-tape
    • E06B9/308—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable with ladder-tape with coaxial tilting bar and raising shaft

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a covering for an architectural opening and, in particular, a tilt controller and a method for controlling the tilt of suspended blind slats.
  • the head rail includes a rotatable shaft, which is selectively rotatable so as to wind or unwind at least one lift cord for raising and lowering the blind slats with respect to the head rail.
  • the shaft also rotates at least one tape spool used for tilting the blind slats.
  • a ring segment has a frictional engagement with an outer periphery of the tape spool and, hence, is rotated with the tape spool.
  • Carrying members which are connected with opposite respective edges of the blind slats, are connected to the ring segment. In this way, when the tape spool is rotated with the shaft, the ring segment also rotates so as to tilt the blind slats.
  • Stops are provided adjacent the outer circumference of the tape spool and respectively limit rotation of the ring segment in either direction. In this way, when the ring segment abuts one of the stops, further rotation of that ring segment is prevented, such that further tilting of the blind slats is halted. However, by overcoming the force of the frictional engagement between the ring segment and the tape spool, the tape spool and the winding shaft that drives it can continue to rotate such that winding or unwinding of the lift cords for the blind slats allows raising or lowering of the blind slats.
  • the present application recognises a problem with this earlier arrangement, namely that when the blind slats are tilted in one direction, for instance with clockwise rotation of the tape spool such that rearward edges of the blind slats are raised above the forward edges, then the weight of the blind slats is reduced on the forward/clockwise portion of the ring segment such that the overall frictional engagement force between the ring segment and the tape spool is reduced.
  • the ring segment according to the prior art tends to slip with respect to the tape spool prior to engaging the respective stops such that it is no longer possible to tilt the blind slats to the fully tilted orientation as intended.
  • any force transmitted along the flexible support resulting from the weight of the blind slats is directed to the connection, rather than either of the opposite ends of the support wedge.
  • a higher component of force is provided between, and normal to, the frictionally engaging surfaces between the support wedge and the tape spool.
  • the respective edges of the blind slats on one or both sides may be joined and covered by a membrane so as to form a cellular shade.
  • connection is provided at a central portion of the support wedge.
  • the support wedge may include an inner side facing the tape spool and an outer side opposite the inner side.
  • the support wedge may define, on either side of the connection, throughholes between the outer side and the inner side.
  • the flexible support may extend from the connection in opposite directions through the respective throughholes.
  • the flexible support could be provided as a continuous member connected, at the connection, to the support wedge.
  • the flexible support might instead include a first end and a second end both connected to the support wedge at the connection.
  • the flexible support could be a single continuous member extending from the first end to the second end or could be provided as two or more members.
  • the flexible support can extend from the first end around one diametric side of the tape spool and extend from the second end around the other diametric side of the tape spool. In this way, the flexible support extends either diametric side of the tape spool to support the opposite respective edges of the blind slats.
  • connection for connecting the flexible support to the support wedge may be embodied in any appropriate and convenient manner.
  • the first end and the second end may include respective beads for connection with the support wedge.
  • the connection may include a mounting portion for receiving and securing the respective beads so as to connect the first end and the second end to the support wedge.
  • the mounting portion can include a slot or indentation having a size for receiving a respective bead or both beads.
  • the arcuate extent of the support wedge will influence the force of frictional engagement between the support wedge and the tape spool.
  • the arcuate extent in some embodiments may be provided between 30 degrees and 200 degrees. In preferred embodiments, the arcuate extent may be provided between 140 degrees and 180 degrees.
  • Preferred embodiments of the support wedge include a pair of oppositely facing side walls for fitment within the tapered groove.
  • Each of the side walls can be provided with respective frictional surfaces for frictional engagement with the tapered groove.
  • each side wall may include a respective frictional surface proximate each opposite end of the support wedge. This is advantageous in selectively reducing the force of frictional engagement between the support wedge and the tape spool by lifting one of the opposite ends of the support wedge out of, or at least away from, engagement with the tapered groove.
  • a plurality of tilt stops of different respective sizes may be provided for use with the tilt controller.
  • a tilt stop can be mounted adjacent the outer circumference of the tape spool, the tilt stop having end stops at opposite respective ends of the tilt stop spaced along the circumference of the tape spool for engagement with corresponding opposite ends of the support wedge.
  • Each end stop is configured to lift the corresponding opposite end of the support wedge from the tapered groove so as to release frictional engagement between the support wedge and the tape spool.
  • the space between the end stops thus defines an extent of angular movement by which the tape spool can move the support wedge.
  • the tilt stop is preferably provided as an interchangeable part, thereby allowing the use of different tilt stops for different closure angles of slats and/or for different slat widths.
  • the covering may be provided with at least one other tilt stop of a different size, thereby allowing adaptation of the covering for different closure angles and/or different slat widths.
  • the head rail may include a rotatable winding shaft for selectively winding and unwinding at least one lift cord for raising and lowering the blind slats.
  • the tape spool is preferably rotated with the winding shaft, either directly or by means of some connection.
  • the covering may be provided merely for use with a plurality of blind slats or may be provided together with a plurality of blind slats.
  • the present invention relates to a tilt controller for a covering for an architectural opening.
  • An example of such a covering is illustrated in Figure 1 .
  • the covering 10 includes a head rail 12 beneath which are suspended a plurality of blind slats 14. As illustrated, the blind slats 14 are arranged in a vertical array with one slat above the other and with each of the blind slats arranged generally horizontally. Although other orientations are also possible, the present invention is particularly advantageous when supporting the blind slats 14 under their own weight.
  • a flexible support 16 extends down along the opposite respective edges of the blind slats 14.
  • the flexible support 16 is attached to the blind slats 14 so as to support them.
  • This attachment may be achieved in any known or convenient manner, for instance securing the flexible support 16 directly to respective edges of the blind slats 14 or providing cross-members at least beneath each blind slat 14 so that the flexible support has the form of a ladder and the blind slats 14 rest on the cross-members.
  • a flexible support 16 is provided towards each respective end of the head rail 12 so as to support the blind slats 14 towards their respective ends.
  • Other arrangements are also possible and additional flexible supports 16 may be provided.
  • the flexible support 16 may be provided in any known or convenient manner, for instance as a cord, tape or chain.
  • Lift cords 18 are also provided extending down from the head rail 12.
  • the lift cords 18 may be withdrawn into the head rail 12, for instance by winding, in order to lift the blind slats 14 up to the head rail 12 and, hence, expose the architectural opening otherwise covered by the covering 10.
  • the lift cords 18 may operate in any known or convenient manner, for instance being attached to a lowermost one of the blind slats 14 or a bottom rail (not illustrated) positioned beneath the lowermost blind slat 14.
  • the lift cords 18 may pass through respective apertures provided in the blind slats 14 or may pass along edges of the blind slats 14.
  • Figure 2 illustrates schematically the arrangement within the head rail 12 for lifting and tilting the blind slats 14.
  • the flexible support 16 extends from a tilt controller 20 including a rotatable tape spool 22.
  • the tape spool 22 is rotatable by means of a rotatable winding shaft 24, which is also effective in winding and unwinding a lift cord 18.
  • the tilt controller 20 includes a clutch mechanism allowing the tape spool 22 to continue to rotate once the blind slats 14 have reached full tilt.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a tilt controller embodying the present invention
  • Figure 4 provides an exploded value of the components of the tilt controller of Figure 3 .
  • the tilt controller 20 includes a housing formed from a lower portion 26 and an upper portion 28, which are secured together to define an internal cavity within which the tape spool 22 is housed.
  • the tape spool 22 has an axis of rotation about which it is rotatable and has an outer circumference within which is formed a tapered groove 30. As illustrated, the tapered groove extends around the entire circumference of this tape spool 22 and extends radially inwardly towards the axis of rotation.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a cross-section through the assembly of Figure 3 and shows a cross-section of the tapered groove 30 having a width, in an axial direction that is wider at a radially outward position and narrower at a radially inward position.
  • the groove defines mutually facing and slanting side walls 32.
  • a support wedge 40 is provided at an upper portion of the tilt controller fitting at least partly within the tapered groove 30 of the tape spool 22.
  • the support wedge 40 has opposite ends 42 and 44 and extends between those ends in an arcuate shape matching the tapered groove 30 of the tape spool 22.
  • the support wedge 40 has a cross-section matching the cross-section of the tapered groove 30.
  • it has opposite side walls 46, which are angled so as to match the side walls 32 of the tapered groove 30.
  • the support wedge has an arcuate extent fitting within the tapered groove 30. It is also configured so as to provide frictional engagement with the side walls 32 of the tapered groove 30.
  • Each respective side wall 46 of the support wedge 40 may be provided with dedicated frictional surfaces.
  • a single continuous frictional surface may be provided on each side wall 46, in the illustrated embodiment, a discrete frictional surface 48a, 48b is provided towards each respective end 42, 44 of the support wedge 40.
  • the flexible support 16 is connected to the support wedge and extends from the support wedge around either side of the tape spool 22.
  • a connection 50 is provided for connecting the flexible support 16 to the support wedge 40.
  • This connection 50 may be of any known or convenient type.
  • the illustrated flexible support 16 includes respective ends 16a, 16b, which meet at the connection 50. However, it is also possible for the flexible support 16 to be continuous through the connection 50.
  • each end 16a, 16b of the flexible support 16 is provided with a mounting component, such as a bead or ball, which is secured permanently to the respective end 16a, 16b of the flexible support 16.
  • the illustrated connection 50 includes respective recesses 54, 56 into which the mounting portions 52 are received.
  • the recesses 54, 56 securely hold the mounting portions 52 whilst allowing the flexible support 16 to extend from the support wedge 40.
  • the connection 50 could instead include a single recess for receiving both mounting portions 52.
  • the support wedge 40 has an inner side facing the tape spool and an outer side facing away from the tape spool.
  • the connection 50 is provided on the outer side of the support wedge 40. This is convenient for assembly and avoids any difficulties with regard to the connection 50 interfering with the interface between the support wedge 40 and tapered groove 30. Nevertheless, it is also possible for a connection to be provided on the inner side of the support wedge 40.
  • the flexible support 16 extends away from the connection 50 and around the tape spool 22, it extends at a position between the support wedge 40 and the tape spool 22. In the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved by the provision of respective throughholes between the outer side and the inner side of the support wedge 40. In particular, the throughholes allow the flexible support 16 to extend from the connection 50 at the outer side of the support wedge 40 through the thickness of the support wedge 40 to the bottom of the tapered groove 30. In this way, the support wedge 40 has a circumferential extent that extends beyond the flexible support 16. The flexible support 16 does not extend around the outer side of the support wedge 40, but, instead, travels around an inner side of the support wedge 40.
  • the throughholes from the outer side to the inner side of the support wedge 40 are provided as complete cut-outs, which extend from the respective opposite ends of the support wedge 40.
  • the side walls 46 of the support wedge 40 extend circumferentially beyond the position at which the flexible support 16 extends from the outer side of the support wedge 40 to the inner side of the support wedge 40.
  • the throughholes as complete cut-outs or slots, it also becomes possible for the angle at which the flexible support 16 traverses the thickness of the support wedge 40 to vary as the tape spool 22 and support wedge 40 are rotated.
  • the tape spool 22 is provided with an additional circumferential groove 60 about which a lift cord 18 may be wound or unwound with rotation of the tape spool 22.
  • the lower portion 26 of the housing includes at least one aperture through which the flexible support 16 extends and at least one other aperture 62 through which a lift cord 18 may extend.
  • the tilt controller operates as follows.
  • the support wedge 40 When the tape spool 22 is rotated so as to wind or unwind a lift cord 18, the support wedge 40 is frictionally engaged with the tapered groove 30 of the tape spool 22. Hence, the support wedge 40 rotates with the tape spool 22, thereby raising the portion of the flexible support 16 on one side, and lowering the portion of the flexible support 16 on the other side, so as to tilt the suspended blind slats 14.
  • the tape spool 22 can be rotated further by overcoming the frictional engagement, thereby allowing further winding or unwinding of the lift cord 18.
  • the flexible support 16 is able to extend between the support wedge 40 and the tape spool 22, in particular along the inside of the support wedge 40.
  • Figure 6(a) illustrates schematically the situation where a flexible support 16 extends around the outside of a support wedge
  • Figure 6(b) illustrates schematically the embodiment of Figure 4 where the flexible support 16 extends through the thickness of the support wedge 40 to the inside of the support wedge 40 and between the support wedge 40 and the tape spool 22.
  • the flexible support extends through the thickness of the support wedge to the inside of the support wedge and between the support wedge and the tape spool.
  • the weight of the blind slats causes the flexible support to load the support wedge at a different pulling angle and position, thereby creating a torque in a clockwise direction (as illustrated) and enhancing the frictional engagement force between the support wedge and the tape spool.
  • a stop 70 is provided in the tilt controller.
  • the tilt stop 70 is mounted at least adjacent the outer circumference of the tape spool 22 so as to be able to engage with the respective ends 42, 44 of the support wedge 40.
  • the tilt stop 70 is mounted so as to extend within the tapered groove 30.
  • the tilt stop 70 is secured so as not to rotate with the tape spool 22 and is, for example, mounted securely to the lower portion 26 of the housing.
  • the tilt stop extends between two ends, each including an end stop spaced along the circumference of the tape spool 22 and for engagement with a respective corresponding opposite end 42, 44 of the support wedge 40.
  • the tilt stop 70 includes a first end stop 72 for engagement with a first end 42 of the support wedge 40 and a second end stop 74 for engagement with the second end 44 of the support wedge 40.
  • the tape spool 22 is rotated and the support wedge 40 is also rotated by virtue of the frictional engagement.
  • either the end 42 of the support wedge 40 will engage with the end stop 72 of the tilt stop 70 or the end 44 of the support wedge 40 will engage with the end stop 74 of the tilt stop 70. Further rotation of the support wedge 40 will thus be prevented.
  • the tape spool 22 is able to rotate further in order to wind or unwind the lift cord 18 whilst the blind slats 14 remain in their fully tilted orientation.
  • the relative positions and angles of the support wedge end 42 and end stop 72, and also the support wedge end 44 and end stop 74, are arranged such that engagement between the ends 42, 44 and tilt stops 72, 74 result in the support wedge 40 being lifted outwardly from the tapered groove 30.
  • frictional engagement is relieved so as to help rotation of the tape spool relative to the support wedge 40.
  • a selection of different tilt stops may be provided for use in the tilt controller 20, the tilt stops having different respective sizes, in particular with different angular extents around the circumference of the tape spool 22.
  • the tilt stop 70 may be interchangeable with any of the tilt stops of different sizes. In this way, it is possible to accommodate different closure angles of slats or different slat widths merely by replacing the tilt stop 70.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Blinds (AREA)
EP12700802.7A 2011-01-13 2012-01-10 Covering for an architectural opening Active EP2663725B1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL12700802T PL2663725T3 (pl) 2011-01-13 2012-01-10 Zasłona otworu architektonicznego
NO12700802A NO2663725T3 (pl) 2011-01-13 2012-01-10
EP12700802.7A EP2663725B1 (en) 2011-01-13 2012-01-10 Covering for an architectural opening

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11250034 2011-01-13
EP12700802.7A EP2663725B1 (en) 2011-01-13 2012-01-10 Covering for an architectural opening
PCT/EP2012/050312 WO2012095424A1 (en) 2011-01-13 2012-01-10 Covering for an architectural opening

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2663725A1 EP2663725A1 (en) 2013-11-20
EP2663725B1 true EP2663725B1 (en) 2017-11-15

Family

ID=45524522

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12700802.7A Active EP2663725B1 (en) 2011-01-13 2012-01-10 Covering for an architectural opening

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2663725B1 (pl)
AU (1) AU2012206606B2 (pl)
NO (1) NO2663725T3 (pl)
PL (1) PL2663725T3 (pl)
WO (1) WO2012095424A1 (pl)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3477039B1 (en) 2017-10-31 2020-07-15 Hunter Douglas Industries B.V. Control mechanism for a double pitch blind and a double pitch blind assembly

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3625365A1 (de) * 1986-07-26 1988-02-04 Warema Renkhoff Gmbh & Co Kg Wendevorrichtung fuer eine raffbare lamellenjalousie mit drei lamellenstellungen
DE19921465C1 (de) 1999-05-08 2000-08-24 Warema Renkhoff Gmbh & Co Kg Wendevorrichtung für eine raffbare Lamellenjalousie

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO2663725T3 (pl) 2018-04-14
EP2663725A1 (en) 2013-11-20
AU2012206606A1 (en) 2013-08-01
WO2012095424A1 (en) 2012-07-19
AU2012206606B2 (en) 2017-01-05
PL2663725T3 (pl) 2018-04-30

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