GB2515043A - Blind control units - Google Patents

Blind control units Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2515043A
GB2515043A GB1310401.3A GB201310401A GB2515043A GB 2515043 A GB2515043 A GB 2515043A GB 201310401 A GB201310401 A GB 201310401A GB 2515043 A GB2515043 A GB 2515043A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
chain
sprocket
control unit
blind control
blind
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1310401.3A
Other versions
GB201310401D0 (en
Inventor
Garth Parsons
Ryan Parsons
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Yewdale Corp Ltd
Original Assignee
Yewdale Corp Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Yewdale Corp Ltd filed Critical Yewdale Corp Ltd
Priority to GB1310401.3A priority Critical patent/GB2515043A/en
Publication of GB201310401D0 publication Critical patent/GB201310401D0/en
Publication of GB2515043A publication Critical patent/GB2515043A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
    • E06B9/40—Roller blinds
    • E06B9/42—Parts or details of roller blinds, e.g. suspension devices, blind boxes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/56—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor
    • E06B9/78—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor for direct manual operation, e.g. by tassels, by handles
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/56—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor
    • E06B9/78—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor for direct manual operation, e.g. by tassels, by handles
    • E06B2009/785—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor for direct manual operation, e.g. by tassels, by handles by belts, straps, bands, tapes, cords, tassels

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Blinds (AREA)

Abstract

A blind control unit 10 has a chain sprocket (15, fig 2) rotatable about an axis and a chain guard 16 that is slidable in a radial plane with respect to the axis. It is slidable between an open position where a drive chain 24 may be engaged with the chain sprocket and a closed position where the drive chain is held in place on the sprocket. A latching element (42, fig 2) may releasably hold the chain guard in the closed position.

Description

Blind Control Units The present invention relates to blind control units and in particular to blind control units having chain guards. It also relates to roller blinds including such control units.
Blind control units typically include a cover element which overlies in use a part of a chain sprocket (which may also be known as a drive sprocket or chain wheel) to prevent an operating chain from disengaging from the chain sprocket during use. Chain guards are usually fixed relative to a sprocket support part of a blind control unit. GB2392703 provides a description of conventional control units, and those require the unit to be dismantled in order to engage the operating chain with the sprocket wheel. However, dismantling the control unit is time consuming and some assemblers try to save time by forcing the operating chain between the chain guard housing and the chain is sprocket in order to engage the operating chain with the sprocket wheel without having to dismantle the control unit. Such actions risk damaging the control unit and/or the operating chain.
GB2392945 proposed one solution to the above-mentioned problems with conventional blind control units in the form of a control unit in which the chain guard is rotatable with respect to the sprocket support. W02011148145 proposed another solution to the above-mentioned problems by making a portion of the chain guard housing hinge relative to the remainder out of alignment with the sprocket.
However, those are all unsatisfactory and are either poor in use or difficult/expensive to manufacture, so the inventors of the present invention have discerned an alternative and improved arrangement in order to address the problems with known blind control units.
According to the present invention there is provided a blind control unit having a chain sprocket rotatable about an axis and a chain guard that is slidable, in a substantially radial plane with respect to the axis, between an open position whereat a drive chain may be engaged with the chain sprocket and a closed position whereat the drive chain is held in place on the sprocket.
The blind control unit may desirably include a sprocket support to which the chain sprocket is rotatably coupled for rotation about the axis. The sprocket support may define a shaft or bearing surface on which the chain sprocket is mounted.
The blind control unit may include a drive bush operatively coupled to the chain sprocket, the drive bush being adapted to engage a blind roller tube.
The drive bush may be used to connect to a drum carrying a blind such that rotation of the sprocket may be used to extend or retract that blind.
The chain guard may have a body portion and a chain cover portion.
The cover portion may overlie at least a part of the sprocket in the closed position. In use, the cover portion may overlie a portion of the chain sprocket thereby defining a channel therebetween, which is configured to prevent disengagement of an operating chain from the chain sprocket. The body portion may extend generally in the radial sliding plane, and the cover portion may extend approximately normal thereto. Potentially the cover portion may be a wall that extends from the outer edge (or circumference if circular) of the body portion.
The chain guard may be connected to the rest of the control unit in any suitable way that permits radial sliding movement. However it is preferred that the body portion has a slot by which the chain guard is mounted on the test of the control unit. When assembled some part of the chain sprocket and/or sprocket support may extend through the slot. If needed, such as if the chain guard is mounted on a component with respect to which relative rotation may be required, the mounting permits such relative rotation as well as radial sliding. Ideally the slot has rounded ends and permits axial rotation and radial movement relative to the chain sprocket. The length of the slot may be set to control the extent of radial sliding.
It is desirable to hold the chain guard in the closed position. Ideally latching means releasably hold the chain guard in the closed position in use.
The latching means may include an axially extending lip on the chain guard that locates around the sprocket in the closed position. That lip may be is displaced axially from around the sprocket to permit radially inward sliding movement of the lip during movement of the chain guard to the open position.
The axial movement of the lip may be by resilient deformation of the chain guard. When the guard is slid back to the closed position such a lip may spring back into place around the sprocket to hold the chain guard in place.
When the control unit has one, the sprocket support may define an end wall with which the chain guard cooperates in the closed position to hold the chain in place. Such an end wall may be generally radial and may be directly adjacent one side of the sprocket.
The cooperation of the chain guard with the end wall may prevent or help to prevent rotation of the chain guard relative to the sprocket support.
The cover portion may engage with the sprocket support in the closed position.
An assembler wishing to engage an operating chain onto the control unit can slide the chain cover radially away from the chain sprocket (i.e. away from the closed position to the open position) such that it no longer covers a portion thereof. An operating chain can then simply be dropped onto the chain sprocket by introducing it through the opening formed by movement of the cover portion. The chain guard can then be slid to the closed position overlying at least a portion of the chain such that the chain is held between the sprocket and the chain guard.
The components of the blind control unit may be retained in the correct configuration by a pin, which locks the components together. This may extend axially through one or more of the sprocket support, the chain sprocket, the chain guard and the bush.
is In order to prevent unwanted movement of the control unit as a result of the weight of the blind, the control unit ideally includes a clutch adapted to permit torque to be transmitted from the chain sprocket but resist torque being transmitted back to the chain sprocket by a blind. The clutch may be a wrap spring clutch, suitably including one or more wrap springs.
The blind control unit may further include an operating drive chain which is engaged with the chain sprocket. Such chains are often ball chains a with the sprocket adapted to accommodate the balls, but many different configurations of chain and cooperating sprocket are possible.
The control unit may be used with various types of blinds, but it is particularly suited to roller blinds, which term includes blinds based around a rotating tube or drum. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a roller blind including a control unit as described herein, an idle end and located therebetween a roller tube carrying a blind sheet. An idle end is used to connect a passive end of a blind to a mounting bracket.
The present invention also provides a kit of pads for assembling a blind control unit or a roller blind as claimed herein. Such a kit would include the requisite components selected from: a chain guard as dined herein, a chain sprocket, a sprocket support, a clutch, a drive chain, a drive bush, an idle end, a roller tube, a sheet of blind material and mounting brackets.
In order that it may be better understood, but by way of example only, one embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a control unit according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of components of the control unit from a front perspective; Figure 3 is a front end view in a closed configuration; Figure 4 is a similar front end view in an open configuration; Figure 5a is a rear view of a chain guard; Figure 5b is a front view of the chain guard; Figure 5c is a side view of the chain guard; Figure 5d is a section on line X-X; and Figure 5e is a section on line Y-Y.
Referring to all of the figures there is shown blind control unit 10. This is assembled from various components including a sprocket support 12, a chain sprocket 14 that is rotatably mounted thereon, a chain guard 16, a drive bush 18 and a locking pin 20 that holds these together when assembled.
In Figure 2 the chain sprocket 14, which includes a sprocket wheel 15, is shown mounted upon the sprocket support 12. The sprocket support 12 has an end wall 22 that is generally circular but with a circumferential portion missing from part of one edge (top as viewed in the drawings). The sprocket support 12 also has a tubular axial extension 23 which defines a bearing surface (not visible) upon which the chain sprocket 14 locates. The chain sprocket comprises a sprocket wheel 15 of appropriate diameter that engages with a looped drive chain (partially shown in Figures 3 and 4 and numbered 24). The chain sprocket also comprises a drive sleeve 28 which extends axially from the sprocket wheel 15. A chain guard 16 (as described in more detail below) locates around and onto the drive sleeve 28 and a drive bush 18 is slid onto and engages the drive sleeve 28 and a spring clutch mechanism 30. The drive bush 18 engages the drum of a roller blind (not shown) and it is held in place relative to the other components of the control unit by the locking pin 20 which passes through the centre of the sprocket support 12 and engages an outer end of the drive bush 18 by opposed legs 32 having lugs.
Figures 5a to 5e show various views and cross-sections of the chain guard 16. The chain guard 16 comprises a main part 35 which is generally circular and planar and defines a slot 36. The slot locates around the drive sleeve 28 of the chain sprocket 14 to mount the chain guard on the control unit. The rear face of the main part 35 is generally flat (as shown in Figure 5a). On the opposed front face (as visible in Figures 5b to 5e) a chain cover portion 38 extends from a section of the circumference of the main body 35 in an axial direction. This defines a curved wall which, in use, locates over the chain 24 and sprocket wheel 25.
The slot 36 has rounded ends 40 which match the profile of the outer diameter of the drive sleeve 28. However, as can be seen the slot is elongate such that a degree of lateral sliding is also possible relative to the drive sleeve 28.
On an edge of the main body 35 opposed to the chain cover there is a small lip 42. In use this lip 42 locates around the teeth of the sprocket wheel to hold the chain guard in the closed configuration. This lip does not interfere with the normal rotation of the chain sprocket 14, but prevents lateral sliding until sufficient axial force is provided to resiliently deform the main body such that the lip is clear of, and may pass over, the sprocket. The lip, during radial sliding, moves readily inward, whilst simultaneously the chain cover 16 moves radially outward.
Figure 3 shows an end view of the control unit in a closed configuration. In this configuration it is easy to see the engagement of the chain cover 16 with the end wall 22, thereby to prevent insertion or removal of the chain 24 from the sprocket. In this closed configuration the chain may be used to operate the sprocket and control unit, thereby to wind or unwind a blind connected to the drive bush 18. At appropriate times, such as during assembly or maintenance when it is desirable to attach or remove the chain from the sprocket, the chain guard 16 may be slid laterally in a radial plane to open a sufficient gap between the chain cover portion 38 and the end wall 22 that the chain may pass through. This sliding movement is achieved by flexing a region of the chain guard such that the lip 42 no longer engages behind the sprocket wheel and then sliding the chain guard with respect to the sprocket wheel and the sprocket support -the range of such movement being limited by the shape and configuration of the slot 36. The chain 24 may then be introduced to the sprocket and the reverse force applied to the chain guard 16 to return it to the closed position, at which point the resilience re-engages the lip 42 to hold the chain guard in place. As can be seen, the circumferential portion of the end wall that is absent is matched by the shape of the chain cover portion 38. The end wall 22 may have notches 46 into which the ends 47 of the cover portion engage. This engagement helps to prevent any relative rotation of the chain guard with respect to the sprocket support.
This specific description has concentrated on discussing the novel and inventive aspects of the blind control until of the present invention. These novel features centre on (but are not limited to) the chain guard and its displacement laterally in a radial plane. Some other elements of the control unit, such as the spring clutch and the drive bush and their interaction with the sprocket wheel and the sprocket support are well known within the art and do not require detailed explanation.

Claims (12)

  1. Claims 1. A blind control unit having a chain sprocket rotatable about an axis and a chain guard that is slidable, in a substantially radial plane with respect to the axis, between an open position whereat a drive chain may be engaged with the chain sprocket and a closed position whereat the drive chain is held in place on the sprocket.
  2. 2. A blind control unit as claimed in claim 1 including a sprocket support to which the chain sprocket is rotatably coupled for rotation about the axis.
  3. 3. A blind control unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 including a drive bush operatively coupled to the chain sprocket, the drive bush being adapted to engage a roller tube.
  4. 4. A blind control unit as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the chain guard has a body portion and a chain cover portion.
  5. 5. A blind control unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cover portion overlies at least a pad of the sprocket in the closed position.
  6. 6. A blind control unit as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the body portion has a slot by which it is mounted on the control unit.
  7. 7. A blind control unit as claimed in 6 wherein the slot is has rounded ends and permits both axial rotation and radial movement relative to the chain sprocket.
  8. 8. A blind control unit as claimed in any of preceding claims wherein a latching element releasably holds the chain guard in the closed position.
  9. 9. A blind control unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the latching element is defined by an axially extending lip on the chain guard that locates around -10-the chain sprocket, which lip may be displaced axially from the sprocket to permit radially inward movement of the lip during movement of the chain guard to the open position.
  10. 10. A blind control unit as claimed in 2 and any of claims 3 to 9 when dependant thereon, wherein the sprocket support defines an end wall with which the chain guard cooperates in the closed position to hold the chain in place.
  11. 11. A blind control unit as claimed in 10 wherein the cooperation of the chain guard with the end wall prevents rotation of the chain guard relative to the sprocket support.
  12. 12. A roller blind including a control unit according to any of the preceding claims, an idle end and located therebetween a roller tube carrying a blind sheet.Amended claims have been filed as follows:-Claims 1. A blind control unit having a chain sprocket rotatable about an axis and a chain guard that is slidable, in a substantially radial plane with respect to the axis, between an open position whereat a drive chain may be engaged with the chain sprocket and a closed position whereat the drive chain is held in place on the sprocket, wherein a latching element releasably holds the chain guard in the closed position, wherein the latching element is defined by an axially extending lip on the chain guard, which lip may be displaced axially to permit radially inward movement of the lip during movement of the chain guard to the open position.2. A blind control unit as claimed in claim 1 including a sprocket support to O) which the chain sprocket is rotatably coupled for rotation about the axis.O 3. A blind control unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 including a drive bush operatively coupled to the chain sprocket, the drive bush being adapted to engage a roller tube.4. A blind control unit as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the chain guard has a body portion and a chain cover portion.5. A blind control unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cover portion overlies at least a part of the sprocket in the closed position.6. A blind control unit as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the body portion has a slot by which it is mounted on the control unit.7. A blind control unit as claimed in 6 wherein the slot is has rounded ends and permits both axial rotation and radial movement relative to the chain sprocket.8. A blind control unit as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the lip locates around the chain sprocket and may be displaced axially from the sprocket to permit radially inward movement of the lip during movement of the chain guard to the open position.9. A blind control unit as claimed in 2 and any of claims 3 to 8 when dependant thereon, wherein the sprocket support defines an end wall with which the chain guard cooperates in the closed position to hold the chain in place.10. A blind control unit as claimed in 9 wherein the cooperation of the chain guard with the end wall prevents rotation of the chain guard relative to the sprocket support.11. A roller blind including a control unit according to any of the preceding claims, an idle end and located therebetween a roller tube carrying a blind O sheet. Lf15
GB1310401.3A 2013-06-11 2013-06-11 Blind control units Withdrawn GB2515043A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1310401.3A GB2515043A (en) 2013-06-11 2013-06-11 Blind control units

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1310401.3A GB2515043A (en) 2013-06-11 2013-06-11 Blind control units

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201310401D0 GB201310401D0 (en) 2013-07-24
GB2515043A true GB2515043A (en) 2014-12-17

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Family Applications (1)

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GB1310401.3A Withdrawn GB2515043A (en) 2013-06-11 2013-06-11 Blind control units

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2564228A (en) * 2017-05-12 2019-01-09 Day Perry Roller Blind Control Unit

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003129776A (en) * 2001-10-23 2003-05-08 Nichibei Co Ltd Roll screen
JP2004250945A (en) * 2003-02-19 2004-09-09 Miwa Lock Co Ltd Pulley cover for operator pulley
EP1700995A2 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-09-13 VKR Holding A/S Roller blind
US20100276530A1 (en) * 2009-02-09 2010-11-04 Carmelo Joseph Licciardi Di Stefano Winder

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003129776A (en) * 2001-10-23 2003-05-08 Nichibei Co Ltd Roll screen
JP2004250945A (en) * 2003-02-19 2004-09-09 Miwa Lock Co Ltd Pulley cover for operator pulley
EP1700995A2 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-09-13 VKR Holding A/S Roller blind
US20100276530A1 (en) * 2009-02-09 2010-11-04 Carmelo Joseph Licciardi Di Stefano Winder

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2564228A (en) * 2017-05-12 2019-01-09 Day Perry Roller Blind Control Unit
GB2564228B (en) * 2017-05-12 2022-02-16 Day Perry Roller Blind Control Unit

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Publication number Publication date
GB201310401D0 (en) 2013-07-24

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