GB2106577A - Roller blinds - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure comprises a casing 1 provided with runners, a roller blind located in said runners and composed of light transmitting segments 6 joined in articulated relationship, selected segments being provided with strengthening members extending between said runners and a mechanism 7, 8, 9 for actuating the roller blind operable from the interior of the closure. Preferably the casing is secured to the exterior 4 of an aperture, to provide protection and thermal insulation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Roller blinds This invention relates to roller blinds particularly but not exclusively for use in protection of exterior windows, sales counters or other apertures.

According to the present invention a closure comprises a casing provided with runners, a roller blind located in said runners and composed of light transmitting segments joined in articulated relationship, selected segments being provided with strengthening members extending between said runners and a mechanism for actuating the roller blind operable from the interior of the closure. Preferably the casing is secured to the exterior of an aperture.

Closures in accordance with this invention have the advantages of providing thermal insulation, obviating the need for double glazing.

A ratchet is preferably provided in said mechanism. This serves to prevent the roller blind being forced open from the exterior.

The casing is preferably composed of timber faced with a plastics material such as PVC or metal.

A closure in accordance with the invention is secure against forced entry by intruders, vandals and the like. It may also serve to protect a window from stones or other missiles.

The casing may be arranged to be secured to existing window frames, for example shop windows, office windows or domestic residences, counters and the like, and preferably does not obstruct opening of such windows, removal of panes of glass or other use thereof.

The invention will now be further described by way of an example with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, of which:~ Figure 1 which shows a perspective view of a closure in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 shows a general sectional view of the closure illustrated in Figure 1.

The closure shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a timber casing faced with hard PVC plastics material 1 which is secured in use to the brickwork exterior surround to a window 4. The casing incorporates a pair of plastic grooves 2 which extend vertically within the casing 1. The bottom of the casing comprises a wooden extension 3 to the window sill 5.

A roller blind consisting of articulated segments 6 and a roller 7 is disposed inside the top of the casing 1. The segments 6 are composed of a translucent plastics material and are articulated by means of ball and socket joints, hinges, hooks or by any other suitable means. The segments may be hollow and selected segments, for example one in each 30 cm of the blind, are provided with galvanised steel strengthening bars (not shown) which extend between the runners 2.

The roller may be caused to turn in conventional manner by a person pulling on a cord 8 which passes through a tube 9 in the wall 4 to the interior of the window. A ratchet (not shown) on the roller prevents the blind segments 6 being lifted from the exterior when the cord 8 is not being pulled.

The closure in accordance with the invention may also be used for protection of counters, for example in shops or stalls.

Claims

1. A closure comprising a casing provided with runners, a roller blind located in said runners and composed of light transmitting segments joined in articulated relationship, selected segments being provided with strengthening members extending between said runners and a mechanism for actuating the roller blind operable from the interior of the closure.

2. A closure as claimed in claim 1, adapted to be secured to the exterior of an aperture.

3. A closure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said mechanism incorporates a ratchet.

4. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the casing is composed of timber faced with a plastics material or metal.

5. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a lower portion of the casing comprises an extension to a window sill.

6. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein consecutive segments are joined in articulated relationship.

7. A closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Roller blinds This invention relates to roller blinds particularly but not exclusively for use in protection of exterior windows, sales counters or other apertures. According to the present invention a closure comprises a casing provided with runners, a roller blind located in said runners and composed of light transmitting segments joined in articulated relationship, selected segments being provided with strengthening members extending between said runners and a mechanism for actuating the roller blind operable from the interior of the closure. Preferably the casing is secured to the exterior of an aperture. Closures in accordance with this invention have the advantages of providing thermal insulation, obviating the need for double glazing. A ratchet is preferably provided in said mechanism. This serves to prevent the roller blind being forced open from the exterior. The casing is preferably composed of timber faced with a plastics material such as PVC or metal. A closure in accordance with the invention is secure against forced entry by intruders, vandals and the like. It may also serve to protect a window from stones or other missiles. The casing may be arranged to be secured to existing window frames, for example shop windows, office windows or domestic residences, counters and the like, and preferably does not obstruct opening of such windows, removal of panes of glass or other use thereof. The invention will now be further described by way of an example with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, of which:~ Figure 1 which shows a perspective view of a closure in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 shows a general sectional view of the closure illustrated in Figure 1. The closure shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a timber casing faced with hard PVC plastics material 1 which is secured in use to the brickwork exterior surround to a window 4. The casing incorporates a pair of plastic grooves 2 which extend vertically within the casing 1. The bottom of the casing comprises a wooden extension 3 to the window sill 5. A roller blind consisting of articulated segments 6 and a roller 7 is disposed inside the top of the casing 1. The segments 6 are composed of a translucent plastics material and are articulated by means of ball and socket joints, hinges, hooks or by any other suitable means. The segments may be hollow and selected segments, for example one in each 30 cm of the blind, are provided with galvanised steel strengthening bars (not shown) which extend between the runners 2. The roller may be caused to turn in conventional manner by a person pulling on a cord 8 which passes through a tube 9 in the wall 4 to the interior of the window. A ratchet (not shown) on the roller prevents the blind segments 6 being lifted from the exterior when the cord 8 is not being pulled. The closure in accordance with the invention may also be used for protection of counters, for example in shops or stalls. Claims

1. A closure comprising a casing provided with runners, a roller blind located in said runners and composed of light transmitting segments joined in articulated relationship, selected segments being provided with strengthening members extending between said runners and a mechanism for actuating the roller blind operable from the interior of the closure.

2. A closure as claimed in claim 1, adapted to be secured to the exterior of an aperture.

3. A closure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said mechanism incorporates a ratchet.

4. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the casing is composed of timber faced with a plastics material or metal.

5. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a lower portion of the casing comprises an extension to a window sill.

6. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein consecutive segments are joined in articulated relationship.

7. A closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.