GB2239037A

GB2239037A - Blind for collapsible gate

Info

Publication number: GB2239037A
Application number: GB9015607A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ping-Cheng Chan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-12-15
Filing date: 1990-07-16
Publication date: 1991-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2010-07-16
Also published as: GB2239037B; GB9015607D0; CN1024830C; CN1058072A

Abstract

A contractable blind (39) to be used in combination with a collapsible lattice gate (41) which comprises a gate closure member formed by a plurality of elongate uprights which are interconnected by cross members comprises a plurality of blind sections (40a-g) which are slidably interconnected in succession, and adapted to be connected to either within or on one side of the gate in such a manner as to extend or contract with the gate closure member. The sections are of channel- section and nest together when the gate is collapsed. The contractable blind (39) may alternately be foldable in a concertina manner and located between opposed elongate members of each upright and between each pair of adjacent uprights of the gate. Where the blind is disposed within or within the thickness of the gate closure member, the blind is so disposed that it is invisible from either front or rear side of the gate closure member when the latter is in the contracted position. The blind is located at average eye level to prevent people looking through the gate. <IMAGE>

Description

A BLIND AND A COLLAPSIBLE GATE INCORPORATING SUCH A BLIND The present invention relates to a blind for a collapsible gate, fence, partition, door or the like, and to a collapsible gate, fence, partition, door or the like incorporating such a blind.

Collapsible gates are generally known. Blinds are sometimes used on lattice gates for privacy purposes, for example on collapsible gates used in residential apartments. Such a blind is usually attached to the front side of the gate and covers an appropriate horizontal portion of the gate corresponding generally level ofwa person of average height. With the use of the blind, a person standing or passing outside the gate cannot easily look through the gate without being noticed by other persons.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a contractable blind adapted to be used in combination with a collapsible gate which comprises a gate closure member formed by a plurality of elongate uprights interconnected by cross members, said gate closure member being supported for slidable movement between an extended position in which the uprights are spaced transversely apart and a contracted position in which the uprights are located transversely one adjacent to another, wherein the blind comprises a plurality of blind sections which are slidably interconnected in succession and is adapted to be connected to a said gate in such a manner as to extend or contract with a said gate closure member.

It is preferred that each blind section is of channel-shaped construction.

Preferably, the blind sections are nested one in an adjacent section in a telescopic manner.

It is preferred that each blind section is arranged to extend between a corresponding pair of adjacent uprights when the gate closure member of a said gate is in the extended position.

Preferably, a stop means is provided between each pair of adjacent blind sections to prevent separation thereof when the blind is extended.

In a preferred embodiment, the blind is adapted to be connected to and within the gate closure member of a said gate.

In another preferred embodiment, the blind is adapted to be connected to and within the thickness of the gate closure member of a said gate.

In a further embodiment, the blind is adapted to be connected to one side of the gate closure member of a said gate.

Advantageously, the blind further comprises guiding means which is adapted to guide the movement of at least one intermediate section of the blind.

It is preferred that said guiding means comprises at least one roller.

In another preferred embodiment, said guiding means comprises at least one bracket.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible gate incorporating such a contractable blind.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible gate comprising a gate closure member which is formed by a plurality of elongate uprights interconnected by cross members, said gate closure member being supported for slidable movement between an extended position in which the uprights are spaced transversely apart and a contracted position in which the uprights are located transversely one adjacent another, and a contractable blind connected with the uprights to move slidably with the gate closure member in a direction transverse to the uprights and between an extended position corresponding to the extended position of the gate closure member and a contracted position corresponding to the contracted position of the gate closure member, wherein the Llind is disposed within the thickness of the gate closure member irrespective of the position of the gate closure member.

Preferably, the blind is concealed substantially inside the gate closure member when the latter is in the contracted position.

It is preferred that each upright is formed by a pair of opposed elongate members, and the blind is located between the elongate members of each upright and between each pair of adjacent uprights.

In a preferred embodiment, the blind is foldable in a concertina manner.

It is preferred that the blind is formed by a plurality of blind sections, each of which is foldable in a concertina manner and is located between a corresponding pair of adjacent uprights.

In another preferred embodiment, the blind comprises a plurality of blind sections which are slidably interconnected in succession.

It is preferred that stop means is provided between each pair of adjacent blind sections to prevent separation thereof when the blind is extended.

Preferably, each blind section extends between a corresponding pair of adjacent uprights when the gate closure member is in the extended position.

According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, there is provided a collapsible gate comprising a gate closure member which is formed by a plurality of elongate uprights interconnected by cross members, said gate closure member being supported for slidable movement between an extended position in which the uprights are spaced transversely apart and a contracted position in which the uprights are located one adjacent to another, and a contractable blind connected with the gate closure member to move slidably therewith in a direction transverse to the uprights between an extended position corresponding to the extended position of the gate closure member and a contracted position corresponding to the contracted position of the gate closure member, wherein the blind is so disposed in the gate closure member that it is invisible from either front or rear side of the gate closure member when the latter is in the contracted position.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a lattice gate incorporating a first embodiment of a blind in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the gate of Figure 1, taken along line II-II; Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the gate of Figure 1, taken along line III-III and showing a section of the blind; Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the gate of Figure 1, taken along line IV-IV and showing a supporting member for the blind; Figure 5 is a fragmentary front view of the blind section of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the blind section of Figure 5; ; Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view of a lattice gate incorporating a second embodiment of a blind in accordance with the invention, said gate being in an extended (closed) position; Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the gate of Figure 7, said gate being in a contracted (open) position; Figure 9 is a fragmentary front view of the blind shown in Figure 7; Figure 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the blind of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a schematic fragmentary sectional side view of a lattice gate incorporating a third embodiment of a blind in accordance with the invention; Figure 12 is a schematic fragmentary front view of the gate of Figure 11 in an extended (closed) position; Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view of the gate of Figure 12;; Figures 14 to 16 are views similar to Figures 11 to 13, respectively, but with the blind disposed externally, rather than internally, in relation to the body of the gate; Figure 17 is a schematic fragmentary sectional side view of a lattice gate incorporating a fourth embodiment of a blind in accordance with the invention; and Figure 18 is a fragmentary front view of the blind shown in Figure 17.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a collapsible gate 10 which comprises a gate closure member 11. The gate closure member 11 is formed by eight elongate uprights 12 interconnected by three rows of cross members 13, and is supported in a frame 14 for slidable movement in the direction of arrow A relative to the frame 14 between extended and contracted positions. The gate 10 is closed when the gate closure member 11 is in the extended position (Figure 1) in which the uprights 12 are regularly spaced apart between the two sides of the frame 14. In the contracted position of the gate closure member 11 (not shown in the drawings), the uprights 12 are closely packed together on the right hand side of the frame 14, rendering the gate 10 open.

Each upright 12 is formed by a pair of opposed, elongate C-section channel members 15 which are connected together by a plurality of fixed studs 16 and slidable studs 16' provided at intervals along the upright 12. Both ends of each stud 16, 16' engage in central holes of two end pieces 17, respectively, which are in turn received in the corresponding channel members 15 of a respective upright 12. The end pieces 17 are held within the corresponding channel members 15 behind opposed free edge flanges 15' thereof. The studs 16' are slidable along the corresponding uprights 12, whereas the studs 16 are fixed in position by deforming adjacent portions 15" of the free edges 15' of the corresponding channel members 15 into the rear sides of the end pieces 17. A gap 12' is formed between the channel members 15 of each upright 12.

The cross members 13 are pivotably supported about corresponding supporting studs 16 and 16' of two or three adjacent uprights 12, as is known in the art. To allow the gate closure member 11 to move between the extended and the contracted positions, the cross members 13 pivot angularly apart (on) or together, respectively, in the manner of a "lazy tongs" linkage.

The gate 10 further comprises a first embodiment of a blind 40 according to the invention, which blind 40 is located transversely between two sides of the gate closure member 11 and between the top and middle rows of the cross members 13. The position of the blind 15 corresponds to the eye level of a person of average height.

Figures 3 to 6 show that the blind 40 is formed by a plurality of blind sections 18, each being pleated and contractable in a concertina manner. Each blind section 18 is moulded from a sheet of plastics material, forming eight intermediate panels 19 and two end panels 19' integrally connected together, and is connected at respective end panels 19' to and between a corresponding pair of adjacent uprights 12.

Each end panel 19' has a cylindrical side portion 20 which has a middle portion and upper and lower protruding ends 21 of a reduced diameter compared with that of the middle portion. To connect each end panel 19' to a corresponding upright 12, a pair of supporting members 22 are provided on the upright 12. Each supporting member 22 comprises a middle portion 22a and two enlarged end portions 22b. Each pair of supporting members 22 is fixed between the channel members 15 of the corresponding upright 12 in the same manner as the studs 16 and their associated end pieces 17, and are spaced apart vertically for a distance corresponding to the vertical dimension of the end panels 19'. Two opposed cylindrical recesses 23 are formed on one side of the gap 12' in each pair of supporting members 22, respectively, to receive the upper and lower ends 21 of the corresponding end panel 19'.

Thus the blind sections 18 and hence the blind 15 can extend or contract when the gate closure member 11 moves between the extended and the contracted positions.

In this embodiment, grooves 24 are formed in each blind section 18 along the connecting portions between adjacent panels 19, 19'. Successive grooves 24 face on alternate sides of each blind section 18 so as to ensure that each blind section 18 is readily foldable in a concertina manner.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the width of the panels 19 and 19' is less than the size of the gaps 12' so that either of the ends of each blind section 18 can be received in the gap 12' of the corresponding upright 12 when the gate closure member 11 contracts. Also, the width of each contracted blind section 18 is such that the entire section 18 can be fully contained within the gaps 12' of the corresponding pair of adjacent uprights 12 when the gate closure member 11 is in the contracted position and is invisible from either front or rear side of the gate 10.

Figures 7 and 8 show another collapsible gate 25 which incorporates a second embodiment of a blind 26 according to the invention. The gate 25 comprises a gate closure member 27 which is formed by nine elongate uprights 28 interconnected together by cross members (not shown) in a manner identical with that described in connection with the gate 10. The gate closure member 27 is supported in a frame 29 for slidable movement between an extended position (Figure 7) in which the uprights 28 are spaced apart at regular interval between two lateral sides of the frame 29 and a contracted position (Figure 8) in which the uprights 28 are closely packed together on the right hand side of the frame 29. Each upright 28 is formed by a pair of opposed, elongate C-section channel members 30 which are connected together by connecting studs (not shown) in an identical manner to that of the gate 10. A gap 31 is formed between the channel members 30 of each upright 28.

The blind 26 is located in the gaps 31 of the uprights 28 and between each pair of adjacent uprights 28, and in a vertical position on the gate 25 corresponding generally to the eye level of an average person. The blind 26 comprises one planar blind member 32a and seven open-sided box-like blind members 32be~ which have a successively increasing size and are nested one in another so that the blind 26 is extendable or contractable in a telescopic manner.

Figures 9 and 10 show that the closed side of the blind member 32q has a pair of outwardly biassed latch members 33a and 33b on its top and bottom sides 34a and 34b, respectively. A pair of aligned holes 35a and 35b are formed in top and bottom sides 36a and 36b, respectively, of the blind member 32h adjacent the open side thereof through which the blind member 32g is received in the blind member 32h.The latching members 33a and 33b are co-operable with the corresponding holes 35a and 35b to form a pair of latches, in that the latch members 33a and 33b move into and engage the holes 35a and 35b, respectively, when the blind member 32q is pulled away from the blind member 32h, and that the latch members 33a and 33b are urged inwards at corresponding inclined sides 33a' and 33b' out of the holes 35a and 35b, respectively, when the blind member 32q is pushed into the blind member 32h. Thus the latches prevent separation of the blind members 32g and 32h. Such latches are also provided between every other pair of adjacent blind members.

The blind member 32a is connected by means of a bracket 37 to the rightmost upright 28 which is in turn welded to the right hand side of the frame 29. The bracket 37 forms a transverse extension of the blind member 32a, and is fixed at both ends to the corresponding channel members 30 of the rightmost upright 28. The blind member 32h has lateral projections 38 on both sides for engagement with the corresponding channel members 28 of the leftmost upright 28 which forms the stile of the gate 25.

The arrangement enables the blind 26 to be extended in the sequence of the blind members from 32h to 32a when the gate closure member 27 is extended in the direction of arrow B (Figure 7). The latches between adjacent blind members 32a-h serve to maintain the integrity of the blind 26. The width of the blind members 32a-h and the uprights 28 is such that when the gate closure member 27 is in the extended position the junctions between adjacent blind members are located in the gaps 31 of the corresponding uprights 28, and that when the gate closure member 27 is in the contracted position the blind 26 is substantially wholly contained within the gaps 31 of the closely packed uprights 28 and therefore invisible or hidden away.

It will be appreciated from the construction of the gates 10 and 25 that the inherent space existing in the uprights and between adjacent uprights of a lattice gate can be utilised to accommodate a blind, thus reducing the overall thickness of the gate compared with a conventional gate having a blind located on either side thereof. As the blinds of the gates 10 and 25 are located internally, the external design of the uprights, and also possibly that of the cross members, will not be concealed. Also, the blinds of the gates 10 and 25 can be hidden within the gates when the gates are open.

A third embodiment of a blind according to the invention is shown in Figures 11 to 16. This blind, generally designated 39, is similar to that of Figures 7 to 10, in that both blinds are telescopic. The blind 39 comprises a plurality (seven) of nested channel-shaped members 40a-q made from stainless steel sheets which interlock and are connected to a gate 41 in a similar manner (not shown) to the blind 26 of Figures 7 to 10, in that each adjacent pair of blind members 40a-g are sliably engaged together against separation and that the two end blind members 40a and 40q are connected (by rivets or screws as shown) to the rightmost and leftmost uprights respectively, of the gate 41 so taht the blind 39 can extend or contract with the gate closure member of the gate 41.

The member 40d has two lips 41d' and 41d" which engage slidably with guiding brackets 42a-d. The brackets 42a-d are divided into two, upper and lower groups, and the brackets of each group are provided within the two corresponding adjacent uprights of the closure member of the gate 41, as shown in Figures 12 and 15. The provision of the lips 40d' and 40d" and the brackets 42a-d ensures that the blind 39 is supported relatively more rigidly so that it c#n contract more readily in the absence of sagging in the middle.

The blind 39 , in addition to being mountable internally of the gate closure member, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, may alternatively be mounted outside the gate 41, as shown in Figures 14 to 16.

Figures 17 and 18 show a fourth embodiment of a blind 43 according to the invention, said blind 43 having a construction similar to that of the blind 39 except that the blind 43 comprises a plurality (seven) of nested channel members 44a-g which have a generally rectangular C-shaped cross-section. The blind members 44a-q are preferably made from stainless steel sheets, and are slidably connected together in a train against separation by corresponding pairs of hooks 45 as shown in Figure 18. The middle blind member 44d has extended opposed edges 46 which are guided by two pairs of corresponding rollers 47 so that the whole blind 43 is supported relatively more rigidly. The rollers 47 are provided on the two uprights of the gate closure member adjacent or corresponding to the blind member 44d when the gate is closed.

Alternatively, the rollers 47 may be replaced by guiding brackets as is the case with the blind 39.

Although it is not shown in the drawings, the blind 43 may be attached to the front side of the gate, i.e.

externally instead of internally relative to the gate closure member, in the same manner as shown in Figure 14 concerning the blind 39. Despite of the fact that the overall thickness of the gate is inevitably increased compared with the internal attachment, the external attachment does provide the possibility of fixing to an existing gate a blind which does not fit within the gate. The telescopic construction of the blinds 39 and 43 permits the blinds to be made reasonably thin whilst sufficiently rigid.

Various modifications of and/or alterations to the described embodiments of the blind may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the appended claims.

Claims

1 A contractable blind adapted to be used in combination with a collapsible gate which comprises a gate closure member formed by a plurality of elongate uprights interconnected by cross members, said gate closure member being supported for slidable movement between an extended position in which the uprights are spaced transversely apart and a contracted position in which the uprights are located transversely one adjacent to another, wherein the blind comprises a plurality of blind sections which are slidably interconnected in succession and is adapted to be connected to a said gate in such a manner as to extend or contract with a said gate closure member.

2. A blind as claimed in claim 1, wherein each blind section is of channel-shaped construction.

3. A blind as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the blind sections are nested one in an adjacent section in a telescopic manner.

4. A blind as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each blind section is arranged to extend between a corresponding pair of adjacent uprights when the gate closure member of a said gate is in the extended position.

5. A blind as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein stop means is provided between each pair of adjacent blind sections to prevent separation thereof when the blind is extended.

6. A blind as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said blind being adapted to be connected to and within the gate closure member of a said gate.

7. A blind as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, said blind being adapted to be connected to and within the thickness of the gate closure member of a said gate.

8. A blind as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, said blind being adapted to be connected to one side of the gate closure member of a said gate.

9. A blind as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising guiding means which is adapted to guide the movement of at least one intermediate section of the blind relative to the gate closure member of a said gate.

10. A blind as claimed in claim 9, wherein said guiding means comprises at least one roller.

11. A blind as claimed in claim 9, wherein said guiding means comprises at least one bracket.

12. A contractable blind substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, Figures 7 to 10, Figures 11 to 16 or Figures 17 and 18 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A collapsible gate incorporating a blind as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

14. A collapsible gate comprising a gate closure member which is formed by a plurality of elongate uprights interconnected by cross members, said gate closure member being supported for slidable movement between an extended position in which the uprights are spaced transversely apart and a contracted position in which the uprights are located transversely one adjacent another, and a contractable blind connected with the uprights to move slidably with the gate closure member in a direction transverse to the uprights and between an extended position corresponding to the extended position of the gate closure member and a contracted position corresponding to the contracted position of the gate closure member, wherein the blind is disposed within the thickness of the gate closure member irrespective of the position of the gate closure member.

15. A gate as claimed in claim 14, wherein the blind is concealed substantially inside the gate closure member when the latter is in the contracted position.

16. A gate as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein each upright is formed by a pair of opposed elongate members, and the blind is located between the elongate members of each upright and between each pair of adjacent uprights.

17. A gate as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the blind is foldable in a concertina manner.

18. A gate as claimed in claim 17, wherein the blind is formed by a plurality of blind sections, each of which is foldable in a concertina manner and is located between a corresponding pair of adjacent uprights.

19. A gate as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the blind comprises a plurality of blind sections which are slidably interconnected in succession.

20. A gate as claimed in claim 19, wherein the blind sections are nested one in an adjacent section in a telescopic manner.

21. A gate as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, wherein stop means is provided between each pair of adjacent blind sections to prevent separation thereof when the blind is extended.

22. A gate as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 21, wherein each blind section extends between a corresponding pair of adjacent uprights when the gate closure member is in the extended position.

23. A collapsible gate comprising a gate closure member which is formed by a plurality of elongate uprights interconnected by cross members, said gate closure member being supported for slidable movement between an extended position in which the uprights are spaced transversely apart and a contracted position in which the uprights are located one adjacent to another, and a contractable blind connected with the gate closure member to move slidably therewith in a direction transverse to the uprights between an extended position corresponding to the extended position of the gate closure member and a contracted position corresponding to the contracted position of the gate closure member, wherein the blind is so disposed in the gate closure member that it is invisible from either front or rear side of the gate closure member when the latter is in the contracted position.

24. A collapsible gate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 and Figures 7 to 10, Figures 11 to 16 or Figures 17 and 18 of the accompanying drawings.