GB2163472A

GB2163472A - Window blind

Info

Publication number: GB2163472A
Application number: GB08517561A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Watters; David Ure
Original assignee: WATTERS DEREK
Current assignee: WATTERS DEREK
Priority date: 1984-07-11
Filing date: 1985-07-11
Publication date: 1986-02-26
Also published as: GB8417723D0; GB8517561D0; GB2163472B

Abstract

In a vertical slat blind a synthetic fibre surface coating of 'rough texture' is applied to the surface of the slats, which are preferably corrugated, to improve the engagement between adjacent slats.

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for use as a window blind This invention relates to apparatus for use as a window blind.

Normally in blinds of the type having an arrangement of vertical blind members, the blind members are in the form of flat elongated rectangular slats. These slats are slidably mounted in the top runner of the blind and provided with weights at their bottom ends to ensure that they hang vertically. The blind operating mechanism allows them to be slid along the top runner from positions at either end of the runner to positions equally spaced along the runner. The operating mechanism also allows the slats to be rotated from an open position, in which the planes of the slats are at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the runner, to a closed position in which the planes of the slats are generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the runner and the slats overlap to give a closed appearance to the blind.

These blinds have the disadvantage that, in the closed position, the overlapping areas of the blind tend to move out of position thus spoiling the continuous appearance of the blind. The slats also do not always come into close contact with each other thus leaving gaps in the blind.

According to the present invention there is provided a blind having an arrangement of vertical blind members depending from a support member and pivotable on said support member between an open position, in which the planes of the blind members are at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the support member, and a closed position, in which the planes of the blind members are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support member, wherein the blind members are each provided with engagement means along an edge portion such that the edge portions of adjacent blind members engage one with another when the blind members are in their closed position.

Preferably, the blind members have a corrugated cross section, the corrugations on adjacent blind members being complementary such that end corrugations on adjacent blind members engage with each other in the closed position.

Preferably also, the surfaces of the blind members are coated with a synthetic fibre material producing a rough texture on the surface which enhances the engagement between adjacent blind members in the closed position.

Preferably also, the blind members are movable along the length of the support member.

Preferably also, operating cords are provided for movement of the blind members along the support member and for pivoting the blind members between the open position and the closed position.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a retracted blind in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the blind of Figure 1, the the blind being drawn and the blind members in an open position; Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 with blind members in a closed position; Figure 4 is a plan view of blind members of the blind of Figure 1 illustrating engagement of adjacent blind members; Figure 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of a blind in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 6 is a side view of the blind of Figure 5 with the blind members in a closed position.

Referring to the drawings, a blind having an arrangement of vertical blind members or slats comprises a blind support member 1 having runners 2 from which blind members 3 are suspended by way of clips 4.

As illustrated in Figure 4 the blind members 3 are in the form of longitudinally extending slats which are corrugated in cross section.The blind members 3 comprise a plastics or glass fibre material substrate which is coated on both surfaces with a decorative coating of a manmade fibre material such as nylon or rayon. This coating is rough in texture and provides the blind members 3 with an appearance similar to that of conventional curtains. The rough surface texture of the blind members also ensures that adjacent members engage with one another in a positive manner. The coating on the blind members may be produced in various different textures and colours.The plastics or glass fibre material forming the blind members is preferably opaque to avoid the problems of inconsistent blind appearance which would be caused by nonuniformity in substrate and coating thickness if the material was transparent.

Chains 5 interconnect the lower ends of the blind members 3. Cord pull operating mechanisms (omitted from the drawings for clarity) allow the clips 4, and hence the blind members 3, to be slid along the length of the support member 1 and also allow the blind members 3 to be pivotted about their vertical longitudinal axes from an open position illustrated in Figure 2 to a closed position illustrated in Figure 3.

In use the blind is positioned in a retracted position with the blind members 3 arranged at either end of the support member 1 as shown in Figure 1.By operating the appropriate cord pull mechanism the blind members 3 can be moved along the support member 1 to take up the drawn position shown in Figure 2.

The second cord pull mechanism can then be operated to rotate the blind members 3 into the closed position shown in Figure 3. The edge corrugations on adjacent blind members 3 engage one another as shown in Figure 4 producing a closed blind.

This provides a blind with an even continuous appearance. The corrugations hold the blind members in position and prevent them from becoming displaced laterally as with conventional blinds thus ensuring that the blind has a neat appearance.

In a second embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, static blind members 6 are mounted on a wall at either end of the blind arranged so that the blind members 3 engage with them in the closed position. Thus a continuous blind can be produced extending if desired from wall to wall and completely concealing the presence of a window in the closed position.

Other embodiments of the blind may be provided where all the blind members are arranged at one end of the support member when the blind is in the retracted position rather than half at each end as in Figure 1.

For different applications blind members can be produced in different widths and with different numbers and sizes of corrugations.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A blind having an arrangement of vertical blind members depending from a support member and pivotable on said support member between an open position, in which the planes of the blind members are at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the support member, and a closed position, in which the planes of the blind members are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support member, wherein the blind members are each provided with engagement means along an edge portion such that the edge portions of adjacent blind members engage one with another when the blind members are in their closed position.

2. A blind as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the blind members have a corrugated cross section, the corrugations on adjacent blind members being compelmentary such that end corrugations on adjacent blind members engage with each other in the closed position.

3. A blind as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the surfaces of the blind members are coated with a synthetic fibre material producing a rough texture on the surface which enhances the engagement between adjacent blind members in the closed position.

4. A blind as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the blind members are movable along the length of the support member.

5. A blind as claimed in Claim 3, wherein operating cords are provided for movement of the blind members along the support member and for pivoting the blind members between the open position and the closed position.

6. A blind as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein stationary blind members are provided at either end of the support member arranged such that the movable blind members engage the stationary blind members in the closed position.

7. A blind substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.