GB2101185A

GB2101185A - Blind assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2101185A
Application number: GB08219489A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kojiro Takata
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-07-08
Filing date: 1982-07-06
Publication date: 1983-01-12
Also published as: JPS5811098U; GB2101185B; DE3225436A1

Abstract

For preventing undesired movement of the horizontal slats (10) of a blind, one or more of the slats (10) are provided at each end with a slat projection (11) which is insertable into a guide slot (4). The slots (4) are provided by guide plates (5) mounted parallel to a window frame or sash, or in the sash itself. The projections (11) may be formed integrally with the slats (10), or formed separately and attached to them. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to blinds This invention relates to a window blind with horizontal slats.

Vehicles such as trains and trams are often provided with curtains or blinds at the windows so as to keep out the sun when a passenger is asleep.

The known blinds are often mounted between two panes of a double glazed window, Adjustment of such a blind must be performed, whether manually or electrically, by remote-control. The slats are restrained by ladder-like cord assemblies, whereof "rungs" determine the spacings of the slats. Vertical cords control horizontal movement. The slats are suspended from the cords. Vibrations of the vehicle and/or air currents (which occur even in buildings) cause the slats to move unpredictably, and thus to strike the window panes and/or frames. This causes noise, and light may penetrate beyond the blind and disturb people in the vehicle or building.

According to the present invention there is provided a blind assembly comprising: (a) a plurality of slats which in use extend horizontally; (b) one or more slat projections provided at both ends of one or more of said slats; and (c) at least one guide means providing a guide slot for receiving said slat projections.

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a blind embodying the invention attached to a singly glazed window of a train, partially broken away; Fig. 2 is a perspective view to show the relationship between slat projections and guide plates; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification of the slat projections; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the blind mounted to a double-glazed window of a train, partially broken away; Fig. 5 is a partial vertical cross-section through Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating movement of the slats.

Fig. 1 shows a blind mounted inside a window 1 having a single pane 2 which is openable, and a window sash 3a, 3b. Guide plates 5a, 5b with guide slots 4a, 4b are directly mounted onto said sash 3a, 3b. The blind has slats 10, some of which have slat projections 1 a, 1 b integrally formed at the ends (e.g. every fourth or fifth slat). Each pair of projections are central in the widthwise direction of the slat. The vertical slat spacings are controlled by ladder cords 7a, 7b. Lateral (horizontal) movement of the slats is restrained by vertically extending cords 8a, 8b.

Said slats 10 are mounted between an underbox 9b and a head box 9a which is attached to said upper window sash 6. The projections 1 1 a, 1 b are inserted into the guide slots 4a, 4b provided in said guide plates 5a, 5b, so that they do not disturb raising and lowering of the slats.

They prevent the slats from striking the window or sash when conditions urge the rolling or pitching of the slats (c.f. Fig. 6). The underbox has pins 1 2a, 1 2b at its ends to serve the same function as the slat projections.

Instead of forming said projections 1 a, 1 1 b integrally (e.g. by cutting away portions at the ends of a slat 10), slat projection pieces 1 1' in the shape of a straight bar (not shown) or T-shaped (Fig. 3) or of any other convenient shapes for assuring secure fitting (e.g. crescent shape, I-beam shape, or a bar having negative arcuate flanks at both sides) may be attached to slats.

Figs. 4 and 5 show an example of a blind embodying the invention mounted between the two panes 2a, 2b of a double glazed window. For use with said T-shaped slat projections 11' there are recesses 3a', 3b' in said window sash 3a, 3b, as shown in Fig. 4. The guide plates 5a, 5b close said recesses except for a narrow opening. Thus the projections are received in a T-form channel, which assures a more effective prevention of horizontal movement than in case of the straight bar slat projections.

The use of slat projections 11 a, 1 b can ensure a minimum of lateral and to and fro movements without any trouble, even when the slats and the projections 1 1 a, 1 1 b are rotated, since said projections are at the center of the full width of the slat. Raising and lowering also does not impede the effect since the projections utilise the resilience thereof.

Since the slat projections are provided at both ends of one or more slats and are insertable directly into the window sash or guide slots of guide plates mounted parallel with the window sash, so as to prevent undesirable movement, swing motions of the slats are avoided when vehicles such as trains, tramcars, etc., are in vibration, or when there are air movements. Thus the slats do not strike and cause a noise, or allow light to pass through gaps. Thus the comfort of an occupant of a vehicle or room is enhanced. The device is constructed so simply, most suitably for mass-production at low cost. The addition of slat projections such as those shown in Fig. 3 to conventional blinds is also simple.

1. A blind assembly comprising: (a) a plurality of slats which in use extend horizontally; (b) one or more slat projections provided at both ends of one or more of said slats; and (c) at least one guide means providing a guide slot for receiving said slat projections.

2. A blind assembly according to claim 1, wherein said guide means are provided by a window sash.

3. A blind assembly according to claim 1, wherein said guide means are guide plates which in use are mounted substantially to a window sash.

4. A blind assembly according to any preceding

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to blinds This invention relates to a window blind with horizontal slats. Vehicles such as trains and trams are often provided with curtains or blinds at the windows so as to keep out the sun when a passenger is asleep. The known blinds are often mounted between two panes of a double glazed window, Adjustment of such a blind must be performed, whether manually or electrically, by remote-control. The slats are restrained by ladder-like cord assemblies, whereof "rungs" determine the spacings of the slats. Vertical cords control horizontal movement. The slats are suspended from the cords. Vibrations of the vehicle and/or air currents (which occur even in buildings) cause the slats to move unpredictably, and thus to strike the window panes and/or frames. This causes noise, and light may penetrate beyond the blind and disturb people in the vehicle or building. According to the present invention there is provided a blind assembly comprising: (a) a plurality of slats which in use extend horizontally; (b) one or more slat projections provided at both ends of one or more of said slats; and (c) at least one guide means providing a guide slot for receiving said slat projections. Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a blind embodying the invention attached to a singly glazed window of a train, partially broken away; Fig. 2 is a perspective view to show the relationship between slat projections and guide plates; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification of the slat projections; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the blind mounted to a double-glazed window of a train, partially broken away; Fig. 5 is a partial vertical cross-section through Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating movement of the slats. Fig. 1 shows a blind mounted inside a window 1 having a single pane 2 which is openable, and a window sash 3a, 3b. Guide plates 5a, 5b with guide slots 4a, 4b are directly mounted onto said sash 3a, 3b. The blind has slats 10, some of which have slat projections 1 a, 1 b integrally formed at the ends (e.g. every fourth or fifth slat). Each pair of projections are central in the widthwise direction of the slat. The vertical slat spacings are controlled by ladder cords 7a, 7b. Lateral (horizontal) movement of the slats is restrained by vertically extending cords 8a, 8b. Said slats 10 are mounted between an underbox 9b and a head box 9a which is attached to said upper window sash 6. The projections 1 1 a, 1 b are inserted into the guide slots 4a, 4b provided in said guide plates 5a, 5b, so that they do not disturb raising and lowering of the slats. They prevent the slats from striking the window or sash when conditions urge the rolling or pitching of the slats (c.f. Fig. 6). The underbox has pins 1 2a, 1 2b at its ends to serve the same function as the slat projections. Instead of forming said projections 1 a, 1 1 b integrally (e.g. by cutting away portions at the ends of a slat 10), slat projection pieces 1 1' in the shape of a straight bar (not shown) or T-shaped (Fig. 3) or of any other convenient shapes for assuring secure fitting (e.g. crescent shape, I-beam shape, or a bar having negative arcuate flanks at both sides) may be attached to slats. Figs. 4 and 5 show an example of a blind embodying the invention mounted between the two panes 2a, 2b of a double glazed window. For use with said T-shaped slat projections 11' there are recesses 3a', 3b' in said window sash 3a, 3b, as shown in Fig. 4. The guide plates 5a, 5b close said recesses except for a narrow opening. Thus the projections are received in a T-form channel, which assures a more effective prevention of horizontal movement than in case of the straight bar slat projections. The use of slat projections 11 a, 1 b can ensure a minimum of lateral and to and fro movements without any trouble, even when the slats and the projections 1 1 a, 1 1 b are rotated, since said projections are at the center of the full width of the slat. Raising and lowering also does not impede the effect since the projections utilise the resilience thereof. Since the slat projections are provided at both ends of one or more slats and are insertable directly into the window sash or guide slots of guide plates mounted parallel with the window sash, so as to prevent undesirable movement, swing motions of the slats are avoided when vehicles such as trains, tramcars, etc., are in vibration, or when there are air movements. Thus the slats do not strike and cause a noise, or allow light to pass through gaps. Thus the comfort of an occupant of a vehicle or room is enhanced. The device is constructed so simply, most suitably for mass-production at low cost. The addition of slat projections such as those shown in Fig. 3 to conventional blinds is also simple. CLAIMS

4. A blind assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said slat projections are generally T-shaped.

5. A blind assembly according to claim 4 including a window sash whereof the lateral members have elongate recesses which are partly closable by guide plates having central slots to define T-form channels for receiving the projections.

6. A blind assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said slat projections are substantially straight bars.

7. A blind assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said slat projections have a crescent shape or an I-beam shape or are formed with negative arcuate flanks at both sides.

8. A blind substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

9. A kit of parts for converting blind slats for use in a blind assembly according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of projection pieces adapted to be attached to blind slats to provide said proiections.

10. A kit according to claim 9 for converting a blind to a blind according to c'aim 3 or any claim appendant thereto, further including a pair of guide plates.