GB2403264A

GB2403264A - Automatic blind tilt controller with timer

Info

Publication number: GB2403264A
Application number: GB0314582A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derrick Barker; Peter John Barker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-23
Filing date: 2003-06-23
Publication date: 2004-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-23
Also published as: GB2403264B; GB0314582D0

Abstract

A blind tilt controller includes a housing 1 with a drive motor 2 placed in the housing and a drive wheel 3 protruding from the housing coupled to the drive motor. The unit is constructed to allow different mounting positions fixed using retaining device 4 which engages U bracket 7 and provision for a self-contained, power supply 6 and control unit 5 with display and switches. A timer may be provided to be programmed to tilt open and close the blinds at specified and/or random times of day.

Description

UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC BLIND TILT CONTROLLER WITH TIMER

This invention relates to a self-contained unit for attaching to a blind, of the type where the tilt mechanism is driven by a continuous chain or the like. The unit includes a motor and electronic control system used for the purpose tilting the positioning of the blind.

Blinds fitted to windows generally need to be manually controlled and offer no means of automatically tilting to an open or closed position. This gives rise to a security risk if the person is not at the residence to open and close the blind during the hours of darkness and daylight.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple means of connecting to an existing blind mechanism and closing or opening a blind at predetermined times automatically without the intervention of a person being present.

Accordingly, this invention provides a unit that can be connected easily to the tilt chain of the blind mounted on the facing or adjacent wall. In previous prior art arrangements the unit cannot easily be detached from the blind tilt mechanism and surface to which it is attached.

These units are not suitable for different types of chain and cannot be installed in circumstances were an adjacent wall fixing is not possible. An improved method pioneered by the present assignees employs a fixing device in conjunction with the embodiment, which is used to hold the unit in position. The fixing device allows quick and easy removal of the unit from the blind mechanism. The unit does not rely on connection to an external power supply, which means the unit has the ability to be left unattended for long periods of time without being rendered inoperative due to power cuts.

Previous prior art arrangements require modification to the blind head rail in order to be installed or at best can not be used with different makes of blinds.

In the manual operation of a blind fitted with a ball chain it requires the movement of the chain to rotate the blades of the blind through 180 . This is closed through open to closed again. There are various sizes and spacing of ball chains and this invention can accommodate different sizes using one universal drive wheel. This invention is also able to cope with couphngs that join the two ends of the continuous chain.

According to the present invention the universal drive wheel has the ability to accommodate three known ball chain sizes. However, the invention is not restricted to just these known ball chains and can be designed to accommodate different ball chain sizes as they become available. These chains are connected at both ends to create one continuous chain, this is done using a link which this invention also takes account of.

Preferably the controller housing is made of a plastics material of a colour, which will not detract from the decor of the environment to where it is to be used.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows the housing with section cut out.

FIGURE 2 shows the unit attached in two positions at 90 degrees to each other.

FIGURE 3 shows the keyhole at rear of unit and mounting bracket with tension adjust locking mechanism.

FIGURE 4 shows universal drive wheel.

FIGURE 5 shows motor access and reverse.

As shown in Figure 1, the controller comprises housing 1 with U bracket 7 at base of housing. Enclosed in the housing is drive motor 2 with controller circuit 5 and self-contained power unit 6. Connected externally to the unit is drive wheel 3 and retaining screw 4.

Figure 2 shows the embodiment 1 with keyhole slot 8 at the rear of housing. The keyhole slot is placed over a round head screw fixed to the surface to be attached and then the housing can be adjusted along the slot to acquire the correct tension of the ball chain 9. The housing can then be fiend using retaining screw 4 tightened in U bracket 7 to the fixed surface.

As shown in Figure 3, the embodiment 1 when connected to the chain 9 can be positioned on the inner or outer side of the window. The wheel can also be positioned on the opposite side of the embodiment and so then the embodiment can be positioned on the opposite side of the window.

The wheel Figure 4 is comprised of a central hub 13 and compressed between two tapered flanges 14. The hub diameter is determined by the diameter of the ball chains. Attached to the hub and between the flanges are two slotted teeth 11, which are spaced at 180 from each other. The circumference of the hub and hence distance between the two teeth is directly relative to the spacing of the ball chains.

When the wheel is in motion the ball is captured by the slotted tooth and is pulled through a 180 arc to the point where the second tooth comes into position, which carries on the momentum.

In the centre of the hub is a bore 15 to accommodate a spindle 16 from the drive motor. This spindle is secured to the wheel by a grub screw 17, which is fitted into a bored hole 12 in the hub.

Figure 5 shows the drive motor 2 attached to housing 1 using securing device 18. The drive motor mounted on base 10 can be rotated through 180 degrees so spindle 16 protrudes through either side of the housing I depending on the desired mounting position required.

Claims

1. A universal automatic blind tilt controller with timer comprising an embodiment with internal motor, power source and controller. An external wheel attached to the motor used to drive the ball chain. The embodiment being able to tension the chain and lock to attached surface.

2. A universal automatic blind tilt controller with timer as claimed in Claim 1 where the motor can be reversed to protrude from either side of the embodiment.

3. A universal automatic blind tilt controller with timer as claimed in Claim 1 that can be moved to tension chain and released for manual operation.

4. A universal automatic blind tilt controller with timer as claimed in Claim 1 that can operate at two different fixing angles at 90 degrees from one another.

5. A universal automatic blind tilt controller with timer as claimed in Claim 1 that fits a number of different size ball chains.

6. A universal automatic blind tilt controller with timer as claimed in Claim 1 with drive

7. A universal automatic blind tilt controller with timer as claimed in Claim 1 with integral power source that does not require an external power supply to guarantee operation.

8. A universal automatic blind tilt controller with timer as claimed in Claim 1 with timer that can be programmed to tilt open and close blind at specified and unspecified times of the day.

9. A universal automatic blind tilt controller with timer as claimed in Claim 1 that can be programmed to tilt open a blind to a specified position.

10. A universal automatic blind tilt controller with timer as claimed in Claim I where the direction of the motor can be programmed to run clockwise or counter-clockwise.

A universal automatic blind tilt controller with timer substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.