EP4737675A1

EP4737675A1 - System for motorized venetian blind and mounting kit

Info

Publication number: EP4737675A1
Application number: EP25201415.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lionello Cherubini
Original assignee: Cherubini SpA
Current assignee: Cherubini SpA
Priority date: 2024-11-05
Filing date: 2025-09-10
Publication date: 2026-05-06

Abstract

A Venetian blind system (1) with slats comprises a motorized winding unit (10) provided with a rotatable winding roller (14), two variator devices (16) for maneuvering the slats, a fixed stop element (18), engaged with the variator device (16) to prevent the rotation of the outer ring (24''), and a tubular motor (20) inserted into the winding roller. The winding roller (14) and the stop element (18) are telescopic to adapt to the width of a window compartment.

Description

Technical field

The present invention lies in the field of window and door frames and in particular in the field of systems for shielding from solar rays, such as roller shutters and Venetian blinds. In particular, the subject of the present invention is an innovative system for a motorized Venetian blind and a mounting kit of said system.

Background of the invention

As is known, a motorized Venetian blind essentially comprises a rotatable winding roller, a motor, for example tubular, inserted into the winding roller to set to rotate, a pair of variators fitted onto the winding roller, a fixed guide arranged above the winding roller to block the outer ring of the variators, and a plurality of orientable and translatable slats, engaged with the variators by means of three cables: two intended for the orientation of the slats and the third intended for vertical translation upwards or downwards.
Currently, for the installation of a Venetian blind, it is necessary for a craftsman to go to the construction site to measure the dimensions of the window compartment, and in particular the width. The craftsman then proceeds with the custom manufacture of some components, and in particular of the winding roller and the shading slats, with a length equal to the width of the window compartment. This obviously entails a certain expenditure of time and it is also frequent that some measurements are not exact, making it necessary to remake some components.
An example of a Venetian blind system according to the preamble of claim 1 is illustrated in document US2019/063148A1 ; further examples are illustrated in documents RU2571030C2 and US2023/250690A1 .

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to make the installation of a Venetian blind easier, simplifying the work of the craftsman, at the same time improving its reliability and reducing installation costs.
This object is achieved by a motorized Venetian blind system according to claim 1 and by the mounting kit according to claim 13. The dependent claims identify further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the figures

The features and advantages of the present invention will be evident from the description reported below, given by way of example and with no limitation, in accordance with the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a Venetian blind system according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 represents a winding unit of the Venetian blind system;
Figure 3 illustrates the winding unit with separated parts;
Figures 4a and 4b schematically show the adaptation of the mounting kit to window compartments having different widths.

Description of the invention

A Venetian blind system 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a plurality of slats 2 arranged vertically overlapping; each slat 2 extends predominantly along a horizontal X axis and is rotatable around said X axis to be oriented according to the needs of the user. The slats 2 are also vertically translatable between an upper limit configuration, in which they are stacked, and a lower limit configuration.
The system 1 further comprises guide means suitable for guiding the slats in the vertical translation, at the same time allowing each slat to rotate around its own X axis. For example, said guide means comprise a pair of vertical guides 4, for example a first guide or left guide 4a and a second guide or right guide 4b. Each guide 4a, 4b is provided with a continuous vertical groove in which a respective end of the slat 2 or a pin fixed to the slat is engaged.
The system 1 further comprises three maneuvering cables 6, 8', 8'': a first maneuvering cable 6 engages the slats to actuate the vertical movement; the second maneuvering cables 8', 8" engage the slats to actuate their rotation, each around its own X axis.
The system 1 further comprises a motorized winding unit 10, arranged above the slats, typically in a box or a housing.
The winding unit 10 comprises, according to a preferred embodiment, a pair of lateral supports 12, a winding roller 14, at least one variator device 16, preferably a pair of variator devices 16a, 16b, a fixed stop element 18, and a tubular motor 20.
The pair of lateral supports 12 comprises a first lateral support or left lateral support 12a and a second lateral support or right lateral support 12b. Preferably, the left lateral support 12a is provided with a pin 22' for insertion into the left guide 4a of the guide means of the slats 2 and is provided with a bearing for the rotatable support of the winding roller 14. Preferably, furthermore, the right lateral support 12b is provided with a pin 22'' for insertion into the right guide 4b of the guide means of the slats 2 and is provided with a fitting for fixing the head of the tubular motor 20.
Each variator device 16a, 16b comprises an inner ring 24', suitable for being inserted onto the winding roller 14 with a shape coupling which allows it to be driven to rotate, and an outer ring 24", concentric with the inner ring 24', intended to remain stationary during the rotation of the inner ring 24' driven by the winding roller 14. For this purpose, the winding unit 10 comprises stop means for the outer ring 24" of the variator device 16.
For example, said stop means comprise at least one tooth 24‴ of said outer ring 24", radially protruding, suitable for engaging with the stop element 18 to prevent the rotation of the outer ring 24".
Each variator device 16a, 16b further comprises an internal mechanism, housed between the inner ring and the outer ring, for the movement of the slats thanks to the connection to the maneuvering cables.
According to the invention, the winding roller 14 is telescopic, that is to say extendable and retractable axially to adapt to the width of the window compartment; innovatively, this makes it possible to implement a kit for Venetian blinds in which a winding roller, which has a minimum length when it is completely retracted and a maximum length when it is completely extended, is usable for window compartments having different widths, without the craftsman having to prepare such a component to measure.
Preferably, the winding roller 14 comprises a first segment or left segment 14a, which at its left end is rotatably supported by the left lateral support 12a through said bearing, a second segment or right segment 14b, which at its right end is rotatably supported by the right lateral support 12b, and a third segment or intermediate segment 14c, at the sides of which, on one side the left segment 14a and on the other side the right segment 14b, are inserted.
Preferably, the left segment 14a is fixable to the intermediate segment 14c in a predefined axial position.
Preferably, the left segment 14a and the right segment 14b of the winding roller 14 have the same characteristic dimension of the outer cross-section, for example the same distance between the opposite parallel sides of an octagonal section.
The winding roller 14 further comprises driving means suitable for engaging the right segment 14b with the intermediate segment 14c so that the right segment 14b can drive the intermediate segment 14c to rotate. For example, said driving means are implemented by a shape coupling between the cross-section of the right segment 14b and the cross-section of the intermediate segment 14c, for example both octagonal.
According to an alternative embodiment, said driving means comprise separate mechanical elements, such as screws or bolts.
Preferably, furthermore, the winding roller comprises relative fixing means for fixing the right segment 14b to the intermediate segment 14c in a predefined relative axial position. For example, said relative fixing means comprise a slot 26' of the intermediate segment 14c, which extends axially along a side wall of said intermediate segment, a hole 28' of the right segment 14b, which crosses the thickness of the side wall of the right segment 14b, and at least one mutual fixing screw 30' which crosses the slot 26' and screws into the hole 28', axially locking the right segment 14b to the intermediate segment 14c.
For example, the left variator device 16a is inserted onto the left segment 14a, with a shape coupling which drives the respective inner ring 24' to rotate; the right variator device 16b is inserted onto the right segment 14b, with a shape coupling which drives in rotation the respective inner ring 24'.
Preferably, the left segment 14a and the right segment 14b have the same dimensions of the cross-sections; advantageously, this makes it possible to use identical variator devices, and in particular, having the same diameter of the inner ring.
The tubular motor 20 is applied to the right lateral support 12b, inserted into the right segment 14b, on the opposite side to the intermediate segment 14c, and engaged with the right segment 14b so as to drive it to rotate.
The stop element 18 is mounted so as to remain fixed while the winding roller rotates.
For example, said stop element is supported at the ends by the lateral supports 12. Advantageously, in such an embodiment, the Venetian blind system is self-supporting, since the stop element is supported by the lateral supports.
The stop element 18, similarly to the winding roller 14, is telescopic, that is to say axially retractable and extendable to adapt to the window compartment.
In particular, according to a preferred embodiment, the stop element 18 comprises a first segment or left segment 18a, connected at its left end to the left lateral support 12a, a second segment or right segment 18b, connected at its right end to the right lateral support 12b, and a third segment or intermediate joining segment 18c, placed between the left segment 18a and the right segment 18b and slidingly engaged therewith
The left segment 18a and the right segment 18b of the stop element 18 have internally a respective guide channel 30, suitable for receiving the tooth 24‴ of the respective variator device 16a, 16b, to lock the rotation of the respective outer ring 24''. Said channel 30 therefore integrates said stop means of the winding unit 10.
A mounting kit of a Venetian blind according to the present invention therefore comprises a telescopic winding roller 14, a telescopic stop element 18, a pair of variator devices 16, a tubular motor 20, and preferably a pair of lateral supports 12.
Innovatively, the Venetian blind system and the mounting kit according to the present invention meet the needs of the field, since they allow a rapid and reliable installation, and overcome the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.
In particular, the telescopic winding roller and the telescopic stop element make it possible to use identical mounting kits for the installation of a Venetian blind on window compartments having different widths (figures 4a and 4b).
It is clear that an expert in the field, in order to meet contingent needs, could make changes to the Venetian blind system and to the mounting kit described above, all being included within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims

A Venetian blind system (1) with slats comprising a motorized winding unit (10) provided with:
- a rotatable winding roller (14);

- at least one variator device (16) for maneuvering the slats, comprising a rotatable inner ring (24') inserted onto the winding roller to be driven to rotate, and an outer ring (24");

- a fixed stop element (18);

- a tubular motor (20) inserted into the winding roller;
characterized in that
said fixed stop element (18) is engaged with the variator device (16) to prevent the rotation of the outer ring (24"); and

wherein the winding roller (14) and the stop element (18) are telescopic to adapt to the width of a window compartment.
A Venetian blind system according to claim 1, wherein the winding roller (14) comprises a first segment or left segment (14a), a second segment or right segment (14b), and a third segment or intermediate segment (14c), at the sides of which the left segment (14a) is inserted on the one side and the right segment (14b) on the other side.
A Venetian blind system according to claim 2, wherein the right segment (14b) is slidably coupled axially to the intermediate segment (14c) and fixable to said intermediate segment (14c) in a predefined relative axial position.
A Venetian blind system according to claim 3, wherein the right segment (14b) is fixable to the intermediate segment (14c) by means of a slot (26') of the intermediate segment (14c) extending axially along a side wall of said intermediate segment, a hole (28') of the right segment (14b), which crosses the thickness of a side wall of the right segment (14b), and at least one mutual fixing screw (30') which crosses the slot (26') and screws into the hole (28'), axially locking the right segment (14b) to the intermediate segment (14c).
A Venetian blind system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the left segment (14a) is fixed to said intermediate segment (14c) in a predefined relative axial position.
A Venetian blind system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the winding roller (14) comprises driving means suitable for engaging the right segment (14b) with the intermediate segment (14c) so that the right segment (14b) can drive the intermediate segment (14c) to rotate.
A Venetian blind system according to claim 6, wherein the driving means provide a shape coupling between the cross-section of the right segment (14b) and the cross-section of the intermediate segment (14c), for example both octagonal.
A Venetian blind system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stop element (18) comprises a first segment or left segment (18a), a second segment or right segment (18b), and a third segment or intermediate segment (18c), placed between the left segment (18a) and the right segment (18b) and slidingly engaged therewith.
A Venetian blind system according to claim 8, wherein the left segment (18a) and the right segment (18b) of the stop element (18) internally have a respective channel (30) and the outer ring (24") of the variator device (16) comprises at least one tooth (24‴) radially protruding and insertable into said channel to lock the rotation of said outer ring (24‴).
A Venetian blind system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the left segment (14a) and the right segment (14b) of the winding roller (14) have the same characteristic dimension as the outer cross-section, for example the same distance between the opposite parallel sides of an octagonal section.
A Venetian blind system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one variator device (16) comprises a left variator device (16a), inserted onto the left segment (14a) of the winding roller (14), and a right variator device (16b), inserted onto the right segment (14b) of the winding roller (14).
A Venetian blind system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular motor (20) is inserted into the right segment (14b) of the winding roller (14).
A kit for mounting a Venetian blind in a window compartment, comprising:
- a telescopic winding roller (14);

- a pair of variator devices (16a,16b) for maneuvering the slats, wherein each variator device (16a,16b) comprises an inner ring (24') insertable onto the winding roller to be driven to rotate and an outer ring (24");

- a telescopic stop element (18), intended to be fixed in the window compartment, engageable with said variator devices (16a, 16b) to prevent the respective outer ring (24") from rotating;

- a tubular motor (20) insertable into the winding roller (14).