EP4624719A1

EP4624719A1 - Window enclosure system for a blind

Info

Publication number: EP4624719A1
Application number: EP25165762.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jesus Cid Quintas
Original assignee: Sistemas Delfin SL
Current assignee: Sistemas Delfin SL
Priority date: 2024-03-27
Filing date: 2025-03-24
Publication date: 2025-10-01
Also published as: ES1307799Y; ES1307799U

Abstract

The present invention relates to a window enclosure system for a blind, comprising an outer frame that is attached to the opening of a window and which comprises an upper drawer with a hollow tube in which a blind is rolled, comprising side supports which are attached to the tube and which are connected to side guide profiles, at the other end of which there are side brackets which are secured to a lower profile of the frame; a toothed belt which is protected and attached in a longitudinal housing in each of the two side guide profiles; and a lower bar which is a profile to which the lower portion of the blind material is attached and comprises a counterweight, wherein the sides of the lower bar are closed by two plugs which are provided with an indentation with a protruding tooth for positioning the height of the bar and which is coupled to the toothed belt.

Description

Object of the invention

The present invention refers to a novel type of window enclosure system for a blind, a blind being understood as a curtain or fabric in a single piece that is vertically gathered, therefore, can also be used for shutters and mosquito nets, and wherein the system comprises an outer frame by way of enclosure that houses a mechanism with which the user manipulates the blind so that same is raised or lowered in a safe and stable manner, the frame being attached to the window opening.
This invention falls within the industrial sector related to the manufacture of windows and enclosures, and more specifically is aimed at manufacturers of shutter, blind and mosquito net systems.

Background of the invention

It is well known that there are many types of blinds, shutters or mosquito nets, which are lightweight textile enclosures consisting of a single piece that unfolds vertically. For this reason, a wide variety of systems are known that improve conventional blind systems made up of the upper winding mechanism and a lower counterweight that causes the fabric or material to stretch, and a cord or mechanism that allows said blind to be raised or lowered manually.
These blind systems have evolved into more sophisticated and complex typologies that allow the same not only to be positioned and protect the window, but also to form part of the window itself.
The disclosure in document US2015184449 is known, which defines an improved type of blind that moves vertically, and which in addition to having the conventional lower counterweight, has a removable mechanism, which differs in nature and purpose from the present invention and the necessary components defining the mechanism differ technically from each other.
The disclosure in patent GB1312611 is also known, which discloses a mechanism with upper tubular windings, but which are provided with the conventional elements, lateral adjustment springs in the winding tube and a manual drive for the vertical movement of the blind or shutter.
In addition, the disclosure in documents EP2053193 and GB1008899 is also known, which disclose blind systems with a mechanism consisting of an upper winding and a manually operated cord mechanism which moves the blind vertically, wherein for example in the first case, the blind is guided on its sides so that the movement is correct and uniform, but both cases, compared to the present invention also differ both in their nature and in the movement mechanism and anchoring and retaining elements.
Moreover, the disclosure in document US2002100562 is known which, along the lines of the previous background documents, defines a system that includes a double guided mechanism whereby insulation is improved, but which is also provided with the conventional technical elements, which differ from the characteristic technical elements of the present invention.
In addition, the disclosure in document GB2423328 is known, which discloses a mechanism for folding and pleating enclosures that includes a perimeter frame that is provided with an upper cover to protect the folded material, in which it is provided at the ends with fastening elements that are anchored to the sides of the window, a side guide and a lower clip to fix the height of the enclosure, which causes the actuation bar to be clipped or coupled on the sides, this clip being actuated by a central handle, for which a manual actuation with rotation is required to perform the braking. This invention is designed for a folding enclosure without an upper winding drum, and therefore the mechanism that allows the vertical movement of the blind differs from that of the present invention.
Finally, the disclosure in document GB2548229 is known, which discloses a blind system for windows, which introduces some novel concepts in this type of articles, but where this invention is designed to be folded with a cord, which generates problems regarding the gathering of the blind, and also, problems in the case of requiring a repair or maintenance of the blind.
The present invention differs from known systems in that it has a winding mechanism based on a side guide comprising a toothed belt, which, on the one hand, simplifies the structural closing elements of the system, and also simplifies the counterweight means for counterweighting the system, given that it has the advantage of not requiring, as is required in the systems known in the state of the art, the use of cords that run around the entire perimeter of the enclosure.
Therefore, unlike existing systems, the present invention achieves in the same system that the blind moves vertically in a guided manner such that the problems derived from a possible failure in the perimeter cord are avoided, that the system works for roller blinds, and not only folded blinds, by means of a plurality of anchorage means on the sides thereof, it allows perfect coupling to the sides of the window opening, the whole sliding mechanism being housed in the frame, which, together with a retaining element, allows the height to be adjusted so that the blind fabric is always taut, without the need for manual effort or rotation. It is therefore considered that the present invention constitutes an innovative solution that differs from the configuration, structure and characteristics of existing blind, shutter or mosquito net systems, and presents a versatile solution with the obvious operational and economic benefits that this entails.
It should be noted that the applicant is not aware of an enclosure system for blinds as efficient as the one described and claimed below.

Description of the invention

The subject matter of the present invention consists of a window enclosure system for a blind, shutter and/or mosquito net, wherein the system is formed by an outer frame that protects and guides a roller blind, a frame which is attached to the opening of a window, and which has a lifting and lowering mechanism that allows the blind to remain taut at all times and the height to be adjusted at the user's convenience.
In a more detailed definition of the system as a whole, it is provided with an upper drawer in the outer frame, with variable shapes such as rounded or rectilinear, which houses a tube therein in which the blind is rolled. This drawer has two lateral covers, which close the supports from which the movement of the blind starts at the top. The blind is rolled due to a hollow upper tube which has internal ribs that reinforce the cylinder lengthwise and at the same time serve to strengthen the connection at its ends with two end pieces of the tube and house a spring-loaded reel cylinder therein. These two end pieces of the tube are elements with a projection, which is coupled to the ends of the spring-loaded cylinder of the winding tube. One of the advantages of the invention is that said reels do not require any coupling means for coupling to a rope or cord, but rather the system moves due to the movement along a toothed belt that is not associated with the end piece, which is the element that allows the blind assembly to move. These two end pieces are provided with two smooth openings on the rear face, which are used for the lateral supports of the system to be coupled thereto by means of a smooth projection. Both projections and openings are smooth to allow free movement or rotation of the winding tube.
The blind fabric or material is attached to the winding tube by conventional means, such as by means of a self-adhesive tape or by making a longitudinal indentation in the winding tube into which the winding plate attaching the end of the blind fabric is fitted. In any case, this is the point that marks the beginning of the winding of the blind fabric or material.
The side supports are provided with two pivots perpendicular to each other, since the drawer pivot is coupled to a groove enabled for this purpose in the drawer so that they fit together, and there is a guide pivot which is coupled to a groove enabled for this purpose in the side guide profiles. These supports can be provided with a roller coupled to a support that improves the movement of the belt, however, the present invention has the advantage that there is no need for additional means that require the redistribution of the movement of the rope or cord as in the systems known to date, where it was necessary to cause the thread coming from the end piece to be redirected vertically towards the lower portion of the frame. By eliminating this fact and incorporating the toothed belt, the problems of having to change the entire rope along the entire perimeter of the system in the event of a breakdown or breakage are solved.
In any case, the upper portion of the system is closed by two drawer side covers, which are coupled both to the side supports due to an internal protrusion of the cover, and to the upper drawer itself and the side guide profiles.
The side guide profiles are profiles that connect the upper drawer with its winding tube and the side supports with the lower frame profile and its two side brackets. These side guide profiles are U-shaped profiles that protect and allow toothed belts to be positioned along the entire length thereof, which allow the blind fabric to move vertically and thus guide the lower bar on which the other end of the blind material is anchored.
In the lower corners there are side brackets which, in contrast to others known in the state of the art, do not require supports with rollers which gather the thread coming from the upper side support and return it vertically to the lower rod of the blind. These brackets are provided with two pivots, one being the guide pivot which allows attaching the side guide profile, and another being a locking pivot which allows attaching to the lower frame profile. To close the entire outer perimeter frame, there are lower corner covers, which give continuity to the entire outer perimeter of the frame and allow said frame to be secured.
The lower bar is another profile, with a surface channel that allows a locking plate to be coupled, on which the lower portion of the blind material is attached. In this way, the blind material or fabric is attached both on the top of the winding tube and on the bottom of the lower bar. The bar at the bottom has an upper channel for attaching a longitudinally arranged counterweight to said bar, and may comprise a lower channel enabled for fitting some kind of felt or cushioning element, if desired. The sides of the bar are closed by two plugs, which have an indentation with a protruding tooth that allows the coupling with the toothed belt and fixes the height position of the bar. For this purpose, the bar comprises a handle or grip on its front face for manual handling by a user. The lower bar closure also has an advantage over any other known in the state of the art, which is that it does not require openings for inserting the perimeter thread or cord.
Another advantage of eliminating the perimeter thread, rope or cord is that there is no need for retaining braces attached to the end pieces, nor the need for tensioners or springs housed in the lower bar. Compared to these known systems, the present invention allows the blind fabric to remain taut by the action of the counterweight attached to the lower bar and the connection of said lower bar and the end pieces of the upper tube which house therein a spring-loaded cylinder for winding by means of the two lateral toothed cords housed in the lateral profiles. This simplifies and improves the tensioning mechanism of the assembly. Moreover, the toothed wheel ensures that the fabric is always taut and by fixing the position of the bar with the counterweight, and also allows the position of the lower bar to be adjusted to a desired height by the user.
To fasten the outer perimeter or frame of the blind to the window opening, along both side guide profiles there are a number of side anchors, which are attached by means of securing means such as screws to said profiles in conjunction with a series of outer grooves in said profile, while each side anchor has a perpendicular plate with a movable flange, which is attached, tightened and secured in the enabled window opening.
It should be noted that, throughout the description and claims, the term "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical features or additional elements.

Brief description of the figures

To complete the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the characteristics of the invention more readily understandable, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represents the following:

Figure 1 shows a free perspective representation of the window blind system of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the side guide and the toothed belt.
Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the lower bar and one of its plugs.
Figure 4 shows an enlarged detail of a plug where a protruding tooth allows coupling with the toothed belt.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the rear portion of a plug in the lower bar.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

As can be seen in the above set of drawings, one embodiment of the invention is based on an outer frame which is attached to a window opening, and the frame comprises an upper drawer (1), for example with rounded or straight shapes, which accommodates a hollow tube (2) therein in which the blind (3) is rolled, the drawer (1) being provided with two side covers (11) with rounded shapes matching the configuration of the drawer, wherein the drawer is attached at the top with side supports (4) from which the movement of the blind (3) starts and which are connected to side guide profiles (5), at the other end of which there are side brackets (6) which are secured to the lower profile (7) of the frame, said corners being covered with lower covers (71), thus providing continuity and stability to the frame as a whole, and wherein the side guide profiles (5) protect the toothed belts (8) that facilitate the movement of the system, and guide the lower bar (9) with the counterweight of the blind. In order to fasten the outer perimeter or frame of the blind to the window opening, along both side guide profiles (5) there are a number of side anchors (51), which are attached by means of securing means such as screws to said profiles in conjunction with a series of outer grooves in said profile, while each side anchor has a perpendicular plate with a movable flange (52), which is attached, tightened and secured in the enabled window opening.
Going into more detail on the mechanism for rolling up and moving the blind (3), same is rolled due to a hollow upper tube (2) which has internal ribs (20) that reinforce the cylinder longitudinally, and at the same time serve to secure the connection at its ends with two end pieces (21). In the case of this preferred embodiment, said hollow tube (2) is provided with a longitudinal indentation into which a winding plate (23) is fitted, and to which one of the ends of the blind (3) material is attached. The tube (2) houses a spring-loaded reel cylinder (24) therein. These two end pieces (21) of the tube are elements with a projection (25), which is coupled to the ends of the spring-loaded cylinder of the winding tube. These two end pieces have two smooth openings (26) on the rear face, which are used for the lateral supports of the system to be coupled thereto by means of a smooth projection (41). Both projections and openings are smooth to allow free movement or rotation of the winding tube.
The side supports (4) are provided with two pivots perpendicular to each other, one being the drawer pivot (42) which engages in a groove (12) enabled for this purpose in the drawer (1) so that they fit together and another being a guide pivot (43) which is coupled to a groove (53) enabled for this purpose in the side guide profiles (5), and comprise the aforementioned smooth projection (41) which is provided on the front face thereof for attaching to the upper tube (2) for winding the blind.
The side guide profiles (5) are U-shaped profiles that protect a toothed belt (8) and attach same inside a longitudinal housing along the entire length of the profile, this toothed belt (8) being responsible for guiding the lower bar (9) on which the other end of the blind (3) material is anchored.
The side brackets (6) are located at the lower corners. Each bracket is provided with two pivots perpendicular to each other, one being the guide pivot (62) that allows attaching to the groove (53) of the side guide profile (5), and another being the locking pivot (61) that allows attaching to the lower profile (7) of the frame.
The lower bar (9) is another profile with a counterweight, and is a profile with an upper surface channel (91) that allows coupling a locking plate (27), on which the lower end of the blind (3) material is attached. The lower portion of the bar may comprise a lower channel (92) enabled for fitting some kind of felt or cushioning element, if desired. At least one handle (93) or pull handle is provided on the front face of the lower bar for adjusting the vertical movement of the blind. The sides of the bar (9) are closed by two plugs (10) which do not require any opening for inserting ropes or threads in the lower bar, and which are provided with an indentation with a protruding tooth (13) for fixing the height positioning and guiding the lower bar (9), wherein this protruding tooth (13) is a coupling means for coupling with the toothed belt (8) by locking on it and allows fixing the height position of the bar.

Claims

A window enclosure system for a blind, comprising an outer frame that is attached to the opening of a window and which comprises an upper drawer (1) which houses therein a hollow tube (2) in which a blind (3) is rolled, comprising side supports (4) which are attached to the tube (2) and which are connected to side guide profiles (5), at the other end of which there are side brackets (6) which are secured to a lower profile (7) of the frame; wherein the system is characterised in that it comprises a toothed belt (8) which is protected and attached in a longitudinal housing in each of the two side guide profiles (5); and a lower bar (9) which is a profile to which the lower portion of the blind (3) material is attached and comprises a counterweight, wherein the sides of the lower bar (9) are closed by two plugs (10) which are provided with an indentation with a protruding tooth (13) for positioning the height of the bar and which is coupled to the toothed belt (8).
The window enclosure system for a blind according to claim 1, wherein the tube (2) houses a spring-loaded reel cylinder (24) for winding the blind (3) therein.
The window enclosure system for a blind according to claim 2, which comprises end pieces (21) which are elements with a projection (25) that is coupled to the ends of the spring-loaded cylinder (24) of the winding tube.
The window enclosure system for a blind, according to the preceding claims, wherein on the rear face of each end piece (21) there is a smooth opening (26) through which a smooth projection (41) arranged on the front face of each side support (4) is coupled.
The window enclosure system for a blind according to claim 1, wherein the side supports (4) are provided with two pivots perpendicular to each other, one being the drawer pivot (42) which is coupled to a groove (12) enabled in the drawer (1); and a guide pivot (43) which is coupled to a groove (53) enabled in the side guide profiles (5).
The window enclosure system for a blind according to claim 1, wherein the side brackets (6) are provided with two pivots perpendicular to each other, one being the guide pivot (62) which is attached to a groove (53) provided in the side guide profiles (5), and a locking pivot (61) for attaching to the lower profile (7) of the frame.
The window enclosure system for a blind according to claim 1, wherein the tube (2) is provided with a longitudinal indentation (22) into which a winding plate (23) is fitted, a plate on which one of the ends of the blind (3) material is attached.
The window enclosure system for a blind according to claim 1, wherein the lower rod (9) comprises an upper surface channel (91) for coupling a locking plate (27), plate on which the lower end of the blind (3) material is attached.
The window enclosure system for a blind according to claim 1, wherein the lower bar (9) comprises a lower channel (92) enabled for a felt or cushioning element.
The window enclosure system for a blind according to claim 1, wherein the lower bar (9) comprises a handle (93) or grip on the front face.
The window enclosure system for a blind according to claim 1, wherein the drawer (1) comprises two side covers (11).
The window enclosure system for a blind according to claim 1, wherein the brackets (6) are covered by lower covers (71).