GB2164986A

GB2164986A - Vertical slat blind

Info

Publication number: GB2164986A
Application number: GB08520092A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shoji Sakurai
Original assignee: TOKYO BLIND KOGYO KK
Current assignee: TOKYO BLIND KOGYO KK
Priority date: 1984-08-10
Filing date: 1985-08-09
Publication date: 1986-04-03
Also published as: GB2164986B; KR870006302A; GB8520092D0; KR930012078B1

Abstract

The slat tilting rod comprises two portions that can be relatively adjusted e.g. by telescoping, to correspond to the window height.

Description

SPECIFICATION A rod for changing the tilt-angle of the slats of a blind The present invention relates to a rod for changing the angle of the slats of a blind, wherein the length of the rod is capable of extension and contraction.

In a conventional blind, ladder tapes are used to support a plurality of slats and the tilt-angle of all the slats is changed by rotating a control shaft having a hexagonal sectional shape, from which said ladder tapes are suspended. Two types of mechanism have been used to effect the rotation of said hexagonal control shaft.

The first type includes a pulley which is connected to said hexagonal control shaft and a cord is wound around said pulley. Two end portions of said cord hang down from said pulley and form two operating cord portions, so that the hexagonal control shaft can be rotated in one or other direction by pulling either one of said operating cord portions.

The second type includes a flexible shaft made of stranded wire and which is connected to one end of said hexagonal control shaft. Said flexible shaft turns through substantially a right angle to form a downwardly extending end portion, to which a slat tilt-angle changing rod is connected, so that the hexagonal control shaft can be rotated in one or other direction by rotating said slat tilt-angle changing rod.

In the first type, there are two operating cord portions, so that it is difficult at a first glance to decide which of the two operating cord portions is to be pulled in order to change the slats to a desired tilt-angle. Furthermore, two operating cord portions tend to get tangled together, and this causes inconvenience in the operation of the hexagonal control shaft.

The second type has been designed to eliminate the above-mentioned defects of the first type. In the second type, the slat tilt-angle can be changed only by rotating the slat tilt-angle changing rod in one or other direction. Accordingly, the slat tilt-angle changing operating is easy and functional. In the second type, however, the length of the slat tiltangle changing rod is constant, and this gives rise to the inconvenience that the length of the slat tiltangle changing rod cannot be easily adjusted, unlike the operating cord of the first type. A blind is usually prepared so as to fit the height of a window on which the blind is to be mounted. However, window heights are variable and furthermore, the position at which the slat tilt-angle changing rod is convenient to operate depends upon each individual operator.

Accordingly, a slat tilt-angle changing rod which is not adjustable in length is inconvenient in practical use. In addition, such a slat tilt-angle changing rod is not undesirable from the aesthetic viewpoint, since a blind is also an interior ornament.

Therefore, in the case of a blind in which the tiltangles of the slats are changed by operating a slat tilt-angle changing rod, it is desirable for said rod to be easily adjustable to the required length, depending upon the blind mounting position and the individual operator.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a slat tilt-angle changing rod for use in a blind, in which the above-described inconveniences of a conventional slat tilt-angle changing mechanism are completely eliminated.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an extensible and contractible rod for changing a slat tilt-angle of a blind, comprising a slat tilt-angle changing shaft and tubular body engaged with the shaft for axial sliding movement with respect thereto, the engagement between the tubular body and the shaft being such that rotation of the tubular body is imparted to the shaft.

Preferably, the tubular body frictionally engages the shaft thereby to resist relative axial movement between the shaft and the tubular body. Relative rotational movement is however preferably prevented positively, for instance by having a flattened portion on the shaft which engages in a tubular body of irregular cross-sectional shape.

Alternatively, the slat tilt-angle changing shaft may have uneven portions formed on the outer surface thereof, such as enlargements thereon, the tubular body fitting relatively tightly on the outer surface of the shaft whereby the length of the rod may be adjusted only by forcibly sliding the tubular body with respect to the slat tilt-angle changing shaft.

In another embodiment, the tubular body slidably engages the outer surface of the shaft and is formed with external screw-threads on the end thereof overlying the shaft, there being axially extending slits in the screw4hreads and a nut having a conical threaded bore is engaged with the screw-threads on the tubular body whereby tightening of the nut on the tubular body clamps the tubular body to the shaft.

It will be appreciated that a rod of the present invention for changing the slat tilt-angle of a blind is easily adjustable in length and reliable in operation, without any possibility of causing free running of the rod, so that the tilt-angles of the slats can easily and positively be changed from any desired height, the rod is convenient in practical use, and the rod can be extended or contracted to an aesthetically desirable length.

By way of example only, several specific embodiments of this invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an extensible and contractible rod for changing the tilt-angle of a slat, according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A shown on Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views respectively, showing two modified forms of the extensible and contractible rod accordingly to the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of an extensible and contractible rod for changing the tilt-angle of a slat, according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along a line B-B shown on Figure 5;; Figure 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention; Figures 8(A), (B) and (C) illustrate examples of the slat tilt-angle changing rod shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view which illustrates a form of a device for adjusting the length of a slat tiltangle changing rod; Figure 10 is a sectional view showing a nut shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is an elevational view of a tubular body; and Figure 12 is a sectional view showing the engagement of the nut and the tubular body shown in Figures 10 and 11 respectively.

Firstly, an embodiment of an extensible and contractible rod for changing the slat tilt-angle according to the present invention will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

The slat tilt-angle changing device includes a control shaft 1 having in cross-section a hexagonal shape from which ladder tapes (not shown) for supporting blind slats are suspended. Aflexible shaft 2 made of stranded wire is connected at its one end to the end of said hexagonal control shaft 1 and a fitting socket member 4 having a socket portion 3 is connected to the other end of said flexible shaft. A slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 has a fitting plug member 7 having a plug portion 6 connected to its upper end. Said fitting socket member 4 and said fitting plug member 7 constitute a connecting joint.

A protecting tube 8 covers the outside of said connecting joint to prevent said fitting members from disengaging from each other.

Atubular body 9 having a grip portion 10 at the lower end thereof makes slidable engagement on the outside of said shaft 5. The lower end portion 11 of the shaft 5 has a flat fan shape to prevent the tubular body from dropping off the lower end of the shaft 5. The lower end portion 11 of the shaft 5 and the tubular body 9 make relatively tight slidable engagement with each other.

The tubular body 9 may take other forms, such as a square tube as shown in Figure 3, an indented tube as shown in Figure 4, or the like. In any case, it is preferred for the inter-fitting parts to make relatively tight engagement with each other to maintain positive transmission of the rotation of the tubular body 9 to the shaft 5 and to hold the fitting relationship of the tubular body and the shaft.

In operation, it is only required for the operator to hold the grip portion 10 by his fingers and rotate it in the desired direction. The rotation of the grip portion 10 is transmitted to the tubular body 9. The lower end portion 11 of the shaft 5 and the tubular body 9 make engagement with each other, as shown in Figure 2, so that the rotation of the tubular body 9 is transmitted to the shaft 5. The rotation of the fitting plug-member 7 is transmitted to the fitting socket member 4. The rotation of the fitting socket member 4, which is connected to the flexible shaft 2 made of stranded wire, causes rotation of said flexible shaft 2, thereby rotating the hexagonal control shaft 1. The rotation of the hexagonal control shaft causes upward and downward movements of the ladder tapes to change the tiltangle of the slats.The tubular body 9 is slidably fitted on the outside of the shaft 5, so that the height (position) of the grip portion 10 can be adjusted as desired, by adjusting the fitting length of the tubular body and the shaft. The tubular body and the shaft make relatively tight engagement with each other and, therefore, they can maintain their relatively adjusted position.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6 is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 1, except the construction in which the tubular body 9 consists of a sliding member 12 having a U-shape section and a pressing member 13 arranged at the upper end of said sliding member. A protecting tube 14 covers the outside of the sliding member 12 and the pressing member 113. The pressing member 13 serves to prevent the shaft 5 from disengaging from the sliding member 12, and it also serves to transmit the rotation of the tubular body 9 to the shaft 5 and hold the fitting position of the shaft 5 and the tubular body 9. The protecting pipe 14 serves to prevent the shaft 5 from disengaging from the sliding member 12.According to the construction of the tubular body 9 as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the sliding member 12 can be prepared by bending a flat plate, which can be plated, irrespective of the size of the item, as compared with the plating of a tube where there is a limitation on the length of the tube to be plated. The contact of the tubular body and the shaft 5 is maintained by the pressing member 13 and, therefore, the sliding member 12 does not require great precision, so that it can be relatively easily manufactured.

It will be understood that this embodiment of the present invention provides an extensible and contractible rod for changing the tilt-angle of the slats of a blind, in which the length of the rod is adjustable and the rotation of the tubular body, which has a shape other than a regular circle, is necessarily transmitted to the slat tilt-angle changing shaft, without there being free rotation of the tubular body. Accordingly, the tilt-angle of the slats of the blind can be adjusted from any height as desired by an operator. Furthermore, the rod can be adjusted to an aesthetically desirable length.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of an extensible and contractible rod for changing the slat tilt-angle according to the present invention.

The embodiment shown in Figure 7 is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 1, and so in Figure 7, parts similar to those shown in Figure 1 are designated by the same numerals and a detailed description of those parts is omitted. The particular features of this embodiment which are not disclosed in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 reside in the construction of the slidable engagement of the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 and the tubular body 9.

According to the construction as shown in Figure 7, the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 has enlargements 15 formed on the outer surface thereof and the tubular body 9 relatively tightly engages the outer surface of the shaft, so that the tubular body 9 is forcibly slidable on the slat tiltangle changing shaft 5.

Figures 8(A), (B) and (C) illustrate examples of the above-mentioned uneven portion 15, although the present invention is not limited to the forms shown in Figures 8(A), (B) and (C). The lower end portion of the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 has a flat fan shape, while the tubular body 9 has a shape other than a regular circle in section.

After a blind is mounted on a window, the length of the slat tilt-angle changing rod including the shaft 5 and the tubular body 9 can be adjusted by forcibly changing the position of the tubular body 9 relative to the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5. (The lengths of the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 and the tubular body 9 themselves are not changeable, while the apparent length of the combination of the slat tiltangle changing shaft 5 and the tubular body 9 is changeable).

The slat tilt-angle changing operation of this embodiment is effected in substantially the same manner as that explained with reference to Figure 1.

In this case, however, the displacement of the tubular body 9 relative to the shaft 5 requires relatively large force, so that the tubular body 9 is tightly held in the adjusted position.

Figures 9--12 illustrate an embodiment of a device for adjusting the length of the slat tilt-angle changing rod.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment substantially the same as that of Figure 1, and similar parts are designated by the same numerals as those used in Figure 1; a detailed description of those parts is omitted.

According to the construction as shown in Figure 9, a thread 16 is formed on the outside of the tubular body 9 and slits 17 are formed in longitudinal direction thereof. A nut 18 having a conical bore formed with an internal thread 19 is arranged so as to make threaded engagement with the thread 16 formed on the upper end of the tubular body 9.

The slat tilt-angle changing operation is effected in substantially the same manner as explained above. In this case, however, the connection of the tubular body 9 with the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 is effected in the following manner. Firstly the nut 18 is mounted on the outside of the lower end of the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 and then the portion of the tubular body 9 having the slits 17 is fitted on the lower end of said shaft 5. When the tubular body is fitted to the desired position of the shaft 5, the nut 18 is screwed onto the upper end of the tubular body 9 threadingly to engage the thread 16 of the tubular body 9.By tightening the nut 18, the threaded bore, which is conically formed, serves to cause the slit portion of the tubular body tightly to engage the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5, so that the tubular body 9 becomes tightly connected to the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 under the holding force owing to the nut 18. The tilt-angle of the slat can be changed by rotating the grip portion 10 by the fingers of an operator.

Thus, this embodiment of the present invention provides an extensible and contractible rod for changing the slat tilt-angle of a blind in which the length of the rod is eadily adjustable to a length as desired by an operator, while the rotation of the tubular body is transmitted to the slat tilt-angle changing shaft, without permitting free rotation of the tubular body. In a case where the nut is used tightly to connect the tubular body to the slat tiltangle changing shaft, the tubular body and the slat tilt-angle changing shaft are connected one to the other, so that the rotation of the tubular body is positively transmitted to the slat tilt-angle changing shaft, while the length of the rod can easily be adjusted by loosening said nut.

Accordingly, the tilt-angle of the slat can be changed from any height as desired by an operator, and the rod can be adjusted to an aesthetically desirable length. Thus, great advantages in practical use can be obtained.

1. An extensible and contractible rod for changing the tilt-angle of the slats of a blind, comprising a slat tilt-angle changing shaft and a tubular body engaged with the shaft for axial sliding movement with respect thereto, the engagement between the tubular body and the shaft being such that rotation of the tubular body is imparted to the shaft.

2. An extensible and contractible rod accordingly to claim 1, wherein the tubular body has a crosssectional shape other than that of a regular circle.

3. An extensible and contractible rod according to claim 2, wherein the shaft has a flattened portion which is received in the tubular body in a nonrotatable manner with respect thereto.

4. An extensible and contractible rod according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular body frictionally engages the shaft thereby to resist relative axial movement between the shaft and tubular body.

5. An extensible and contractible rod according to claim 1, wherein the shaft has a plurality of enlarged portions formed on the outer surface thereon, and the tubular body fits relatively tightly on to the shaft, whereby the length of the rod may be adjusted only by forcibly sliding the tubular body with respect to the shaft.

6. An extensible and contractible rod according to claim 1, wherein the tubular body slidably engages the outer surface of the shaft and is formed with external screw-threads on the end thereof overlying the shaft, there being axially extending slits in the screw-threads and a nut having a conical threaded bore is engaged with the screw-th reads on the tubular body whereby tightening of the nut on the tubular body clamps the tubular body to the shaft.

7. An extensible and contractible rod for changing the tilt-angle of the slats of a blind, 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

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. enlargements 15 formed on the outer surface thereof and the tubular body 9 relatively tightly engages the outer surface of the shaft, so that the tubular body 9 is forcibly slidable on the slat tiltangle changing shaft 5. Figures 8(A), (B) and (C) illustrate examples of the above-mentioned uneven portion 15, although the present invention is not limited to the forms shown in Figures 8(A), (B) and (C). The lower end portion of the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 has a flat fan shape, while the tubular body 9 has a shape other than a regular circle in section. After a blind is mounted on a window, the length of the slat tilt-angle changing rod including the shaft 5 and the tubular body 9 can be adjusted by forcibly changing the position of the tubular body 9 relative to the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5. (The lengths of the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 and the tubular body 9 themselves are not changeable, while the apparent length of the combination of the slat tiltangle changing shaft 5 and the tubular body 9 is changeable). The slat tilt-angle changing operation of this embodiment is effected in substantially the same manner as that explained with reference to Figure 1. In this case, however, the displacement of the tubular body 9 relative to the shaft 5 requires relatively large force, so that the tubular body 9 is tightly held in the adjusted position. Figures 9--12 illustrate an embodiment of a device for adjusting the length of the slat tilt-angle changing rod. Figure 9 shows an embodiment substantially the same as that of Figure 1, and similar parts are designated by the same numerals as those used in Figure 1; a detailed description of those parts is omitted. According to the construction as shown in Figure 9, a thread 16 is formed on the outside of the tubular body 9 and slits 17 are formed in longitudinal direction thereof. A nut 18 having a conical bore formed with an internal thread 19 is arranged so as to make threaded engagement with the thread 16 formed on the upper end of the tubular body 9. The slat tilt-angle changing operation is effected in substantially the same manner as explained above. In this case, however, the connection of the tubular body 9 with the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 is effected in the following manner. Firstly the nut 18 is mounted on the outside of the lower end of the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 and then the portion of the tubular body 9 having the slits 17 is fitted on the lower end of said shaft 5. When the tubular body is fitted to the desired position of the shaft 5, the nut 18 is screwed onto the upper end of the tubular body 9 threadingly to engage the thread 16 of the tubular body 9.By tightening the nut 18, the threaded bore, which is conically formed, serves to cause the slit portion of the tubular body tightly to engage the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5, so that the tubular body 9 becomes tightly connected to the slat tilt-angle changing shaft 5 under the holding force owing to the nut 18. The tilt-angle of the slat can be changed by rotating the grip portion 10 by the fingers of an operator. Thus, this embodiment of the present invention provides an extensible and contractible rod for changing the slat tilt-angle of a blind in which the length of the rod is eadily adjustable to a length as desired by an operator, while the rotation of the tubular body is transmitted to the slat tilt-angle changing shaft, without permitting free rotation of the tubular body. In a case where the nut is used tightly to connect the tubular body to the slat tiltangle changing shaft, the tubular body and the slat tilt-angle changing shaft are connected one to the other, so that the rotation of the tubular body is positively transmitted to the slat tilt-angle changing shaft, while the length of the rod can easily be adjusted by loosening said nut. Accordingly, the tilt-angle of the slat can be changed from any height as desired by an operator, and the rod can be adjusted to an aesthetically desirable length. Thus, great advantages in practical use can be obtained.