ITPD20120175A1 - VENETIAN TENT - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The object of the present invention is a venetian blind.

State of the art

As is known, Venetian blinds are made up of a plurality of slats, arranged parallel to each other and kept in position by support structures made of rope or other material. Such support structures are essentially of two types.

A first type of structure is called a â € œcomplete ladderâ € and is made up of two parallel ribs (arranged in the direction of the height of the curtain) and a plurality of crosspieces that connect them at regular distances. A slat must be associated with each crosspiece, in support (if the crosspiece is single) or in insertion (if the crosspiece is multiple).

A second type of structure is called a â € œseparate ladderâ € or a â € œsemi-ladderâ € and consists of two separate filiform elements, which are associated in pairs on opposite sides of the slats. Each filiform element constitutes a semi-ladder.

The half ladders differ from each other in the material and in the type of fastening means to the lamella. A first type of very common semi-ladder is constituted by a cord, equipped in its longitudinal development with a plurality of eyelets. The half ladder is fixed by means of clips or hooks to the edges of the slats.

A second type of semi-ladder consists of a metal wire coated externally in plastic. This type of semi-ladder is also fixed to the edges of the slats by means of clips or hooks. Compared to the rope half ladder, the metal wire guarantees a higher mechanical resistance. Compared to the half ladder with eyelets, the metal wire half ladder may however be subject to longitudinal sliding over time (due to the softness of the plastic coating) to the detriment of fastening stability.

To overcome this limit, a half ladder has been proposed, again made with metal wire covered in plastic, but equipped with a plurality of bulges or balls, grouped in pairs along the longitudinal development of the wire. The distance between the two bulges of the same pair is substantially equivalent to the thickness of a lamella, while the pitch between two pairs of bulges is less than the width of the lamellae (to allow a partial overlap in closing between two adjacent lamellae). The bulges prevent longitudinal sliding of the wire with respect to the lamella and the fixing clip.

As already illustrated above, the half-ladders are all associated with the slats by means of clips or hooks fixed on the lateral edges of the slats themselves.

This operation is carried out both on simple slats (i.e. with smooth edge) and on edge-trimmed slats (i.e. with curled edge) and generally guarantees excellent results in terms of stability and safety of hooking the half ladder onto the slats. The limit of this fixing method is linked to the operational complexities linked to the management of the hooks themselves. The hooks must, in fact, be applied in a stable and safe way on the edges of the slats, without aesthetically deteriorating the slats.

Presentation of the invention Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to eliminate in whole or in part the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art, by providing a venetian blind that can be made by fixing the half-ladders to the slats without requiring the perforation of the edges. slats by applying hooks or staples.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a venetian blind, which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Brief description of the drawings The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforementioned purposes, are clearly verifiable from the content of the claims reported below and the advantages thereof will become more evident in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, which represent one or more of them. several purely exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a venetian blind according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a detail of the curtain of Figure 1, the detail relating to a unit comprising a lamella, a half ladder (with plasticized metal wire and locking balls) and a stabilizer element; Figure 3 shows the detail of Figure 2 in assembled condition;

Figure 4 shows an orthogonal plan view of the stabilizer element illustrated in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 shows a lateral orthogonal view of the stabilizer element of Figure 4 according to the arrow V shown therein;

Figure 6 shows a front orthogonal view of the stabilizer element of Figure 4 according to the arrow VI shown therein;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a detail of a lamella according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, relating to a tongue in raised condition;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the blade of Figure 7 with the tab in the lowered condition and associated with an eyelet of a half-ladder;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a detail of the slat of Figure 2 relating to a fastening tab for a half-ladder, the tab being shown in the raised condition.

Detailed description

With reference to the attached drawings, the number 1 indicates as a whole a venetian blind according to the invention.

Here and in the following of the description and claims, reference will be made to the awning in use condition. In this sense, any references to a lower or higher position must therefore be understood.

According to a general embodiment of the invention, the venetian blind comprises:

- a plurality of lamellae 10, each of which comprises a profiled element which extends along a main longitudinal direction X with two opposite longitudinal edges 11,12 and defines the body of the lamella itself;

- a plurality of support half-ladders 20 or 40 which connect the slats to each other, superimposed on each other. The profiled element can be of any type. In particular, the lamella can have a flat or curved section profile (as illustrated in the examples of the attached figures). The longitudinal edges of the lamella can be linear (as illustrated in the examples of the attached figures) or curled.

Preferably, the profiled element is in metallic material (in particular aluminum alloy or steel), but it can also be in plastic material.

As will be clarified later in the description, the support half-ladders can be of any type, and in particular half-ladders with eyelets (as shown in Figure 8), or half-ladders without eyelets (for example, made of plasticized metal wire with bulges or balls, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3).

Each lamella comprises a plurality of hooking portions 16 or 26, which are arranged in proximity (see Figures 7 and 8) or in correspondence with each longitudinal edge 11, 12 of the profile (see Figures 2 and 9) and fix the half-ladders 20 to the profile of the lamella.

Each coupling portion 16 or 26 consists of a tongue which is carved on the profile and can be moved between a raised position, in which said tongue 16 or 26 is raised with respect to the profile element and can be engaged by a semi-ladder (see figures 7 and 9), and a lowered position, in which such tab 16 or 26 is lowered on the profiled element so as to retain the half-ladder on the profile itself (see figure 8).

The venetian blind 1 comprises a plurality of stabilizing elements 30, each of which blocks one of the aforementioned tabs 16 or 26 in the lowered condition, preventing with use the tabs - stressed vertically by the half-ladders - from being able to rise and are no longer able to hold the half-ladders themselves attached to the slats.

More in detail, as illustrated in the attached Figures, each stabilizer 30 comprises a support portion 31 and two gripping portions 32, 33, which protrude from the support portion 34.

The two gripping portions 32, 33 are counter-facing each other and define a gap 34 inside which the part of the lamella with the aforementioned tongue 16 or 26 is inserted.

As will be resumed in the following, the stabilizer can be sized in such a way as to engage only a limited area of the slat, substantially where the tab is obtained. Alternatively, as illustrated in the attached Figures), the stabilizer can be sized to engage a wider area of the blade, not only in correspondence with the tab, in order to better grip the blade itself. Advantageously, the interspace 34 has dimensions such that the lamella is inserted with interference inside the interspace itself. The two gripping portions 32 and 33 are made in such a way that with the progressive insertion of the blade inside the cavity they are elastically spread apart and can therefore press against the part of the blade 10 inserted inside the € ™ interspace 34 so as to lock it in position.

The grip of the stabilizer 30 on the slat can be entrusted solely to the pressure exerted by the grip portions on the slat.

Preferably, the grip of the stabilizer on the blade is also entrusted, or alternatively, to a joint for shape coupling between the blade and one or both of the gripping portions. This is to prevent the stabilizer from disengaging from the slat over time, leaving the tab uncovered.

In accordance with the construction solutions described in the attached Figures, at least one of the gripping portions 32, 33 has one or more protuberances 39â € ™, 39â € which extend inside the interspace 34. Such one or more protuberances 39â € ™, 39â € fit inside corresponding coupling seats 13 obtained in the part of the lamella 10 which is inserted inside the interspace 34.

The aforesaid seats 13 for the engagement of the protuberances 39â € ™, 39â € are obtained on the lamella in proximity to the coupling portions 16 or 26. These seats 13 are obtained along both longitudinal edges of the lamella.

In particular, each protuberance 39â € ™, 39â € is constituted by an elastically deformable appendix that extends inside the cavity.

Advantageously, as illustrated in Figure 5, the appendix 39â € ™, 39â € extends from the relative gripping portion forming an acute angle Î ± with a surface of the gripping portion facing the interspace. The appendix is oriented with its free end 39a facing the support portion 31 of the stabilizer 30. In this way, when the slat 10 enters the interspace 34 and the edge 11 or 12 approaches the support portion crossing the interspace, the appendages 39â € ™, 39â € do not oppose resistance and are elastically approached towards the relative gripping portion. Once inserted inside the seats, an extraction movement of the slat would be prevented by the aforementioned appendages. The appendages - under the traction of the lamella, to which they are associated - would in fact tend to arrange themselves orthogonally to the lamella itself, blocking its movement. The interlocking of form that comes to be realized is therefore irreversible.

The protuberances 39â € ™, 39â € can be provided only on one of the two gripping portions 32, 33. In this case, the coupling seats 13 are obtained only on one of the main faces of the part of the lamella 10 inserted inside of the interspace 34. Preferably, in order to ensure superior fastening stability, both gripping portions 32, 33 have one or more protuberances 39â € ™, 39â € which extend inside the interspace 34. In particular, these protuberances consist of elastically deformable appendages, as described above. In this case the coupling seats 13 are obtained in correspondence with both the two main faces 14, 15 of the portion of the lamella 10 inserted inside the interspace 34.

In more detail, in accordance with the construction solutions illustrated in the attached Figures, the protuberances 39â € ™ of a gripping portion 32 are opposed to the gripping portions 39â € of the other gripping portion 33. This guarantees a more balanced distribution of stresses and therefore greater fixing stability.

The coupling seats 13 can be constituted by lowered areas obtained in the lamella. Alternatively, especially in the case of opposing protuberances, as illustrated in the attached Figures, the coupling seats 13 can be constituted by through openings. In this way the single opening can act as a graft seat for two opposing protuberances.

In accordance with the embodiment solutions illustrated in the attached Figures, an elongated through seat 35, 36 can be obtained on each grip portion 31, 32. This through seat 35, 36 is open at the free end 37, 38 of the relative gripping portion 32, 33. The through seats 35, 36 of the two gripping portions 32, 33 are superimposed on each other and face the interspace 34. These through seats are functional for the passage of the half-ladder through the stabilizer.

As can be observed in particular in Figure 3, the half-ladder 20 passes through the stabilizer 30 in correspondence with the two through seats 35, 36 and the interspace 34. Operationally, the half-ladder 20 or 40 is associated with a hooking portion 16 or 26 (see for example figure 8). The part of the slat in which the tab 16 or 26 is obtained is inserted inside the interspace 34, while the half-ladder fits into the two through seats 35,36 of the stabilizer.

Advantageously, as can be observed in the attached Figures, and in particular in Figure 4, each elongated through seat 35, 36 divides the respective gripping portion 32, 33 into two parts 32a, 32b and 33a, 33b. The aforementioned protuberances 39â € ™, 39â € are preferably provided on both parts 32a, 32b and 33a, 33b of each grip portion 32, 33. This ensures a more balanced distribution of the stresses and therefore a greater fixing stability of the stabilizer on the lamella.

In particular, as illustrated in the attached Figures, the gripping portions 32, 33 can be constituted by sheet-like elements. Advantageously, the appendages 39â € ™, 39â € can be obtained by shearing the lamella 10.

In particular, the stabilizer 30 can be made of metal or plastic.

The stabilizer 30 can have at least one axis of symmetry Y. In particular, this axis of symmetry Y passes through the two elongated through seats 35, 36. This axis of symmetry Y can be orthogonal to the direction of development X of the lamella 10.

Advantageously, solutions can be provided in which the protuberances (in particular, the appendages) are obtained on the lamella instead of on the stabilizer, and the coupling seats (in particular, the through openings) are obtained on the gripping portions of the stabilizer instead of on the lamella.

In accordance with a first embodiment illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 9, the coupling portion is constituted by a tab 16 formed on an edge of the section. More in detail, the tongue 16 is delimited by a through hole 17 separated from the edges of the profile, by a notch 18, which extends from hole 17 to the nearest longitudinal edge 11 or 12, and by a portion of the aforementioned longitudinal edge . Each hole 17 acting as a housing seat for a support half-ladder 20 of the lamella 1.

The notch 18 can have any shape. In particular, the notch can also be straight and orthogonal to the longitudinal development direction X of the profile.

The hole 17 and the starting point of the relative notch 18 on the edge of the profile can assume any relative position between them. Preferably, as shown in Figure 2, the hole 17 and the starting point of the relative notch 18 on the edge of the section are misaligned with each other in an orthogonal direction with respect to the main direction of longitudinal development X of the section. Thanks to this misalignment, the sliding of the half-ladder along the notch is hindered due to stresses orthogonal to the longitudinal development direction X.

In accordance with the embodiment solutions illustrated in the attached Figures, the notch 18 is shaped in particular in the shape of J. Alternatively, the notch 18 can be shaped in an L shape. Preferably, the notch 18 - with conformation a J or L - is arranged in such a way as to have a section substantially parallel to the longitudinal development direction X and therefore to the edge of the section. This conformation of the coupling portion 16 is very advantageous as it makes it easy to insert the eyelets of the half ladders. In this sense, it is preferable that the coupling portion 16 develops mainly in the X direction, or that the section parallel to the longitudinal edge 11 or 12 (i.e. parallel to the X direction) has an extension greater than the orthogonal (or oblique) section .

In accordance with a second embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the coupling portion is constituted by a tongue 16 obtained in an internal part of the profile, spaced from the longitudinal edges 11, 12. More in detail, the tongue is delimited by a notch 28 which extends between two through holes 27â € ™, 27â € spaced apart.

As already said, half ladders of any type can be used.

In particular, the half ladders with eyelets (consisting in particular of a thread-like element 40a from which a plurality of eyelets 41 extend, as illustrated in Figure 8), can be easily used with both embodiments of the previously described coupling portions, i.e. both with the tongues 16 obtained on the edges of the profile, and with the tongues 26 obtained inside the profile, spaced from the edges.

More in detail, with a tab 16 obtained on the edge of the profile the half-ladder 40 is associated with the lamella 10 with an eyelet 41 inserted in the through hole 17; with a tab 26 obtained inside the section bar the half-ladder 40 is associated with the lamella 10 with an eyelet 41 which crosses the two through holes 27â € ™, 27â €.

For reasons of simplicity of assembly, the half-ladders without eyelets are preferably used with tabs 16 obtained on the edges of the profile.

In particular, a semi-ladder without eyelets is constituted by a filiform element 20a comprising a metal core and an external covering in plastic material. A plurality of bulges or balls 22 are fixed along the aforesaid filiform element 20a, organized in pairs of two bulges 22 separated from each other by an intermediate portion 21 of a filiform element. The semi-ladder 20 is associated with the lamella by inserting through the through hole 17 the intermediate section 21 with the two bulges 22 arranged one below and one above the section of the lamella 10.

The invention allows to obtain numerous advantages already partially described.

The venetian blind according to the invention can be made by fixing the half ladders to the slats without requiring the drilling of the edges of the slats by applying hooks or staples. In fact, the elements for locking the half ladders to the slats (i.e. the hooking portions) are already incorporated in the slat itself. Therefore, the risk of aesthetically deteriorating the slats is avoided.

Thanks to the invention, compared to traditional hooks and staples, the fixing of the half ladders is more easily controlled and precise. In fact, the holes and the relative notches (which define the coupling portions) can be obtained on the profile with simple mechanical processes, which can be carried out during the production of the slats.

The awning according to the invention is mechanically resistant, thanks to the fastening stability also guaranteed by the stabilizing elements, which prevent the lifting of the tabs.

Finally, the curtain according to the invention is easy and economical to make, since beyond the realization of the stabilizers (obtainable by molding if they are made of plastic material or by shearing / folding if they are metal sheet) on the slats, simple mechanical processing is required for the realization of the coupling seats and the hooking appendages. Finally, the application of the stabilizers is an extremely simple and fast operation, which can be carried out both automatically and manually. The stabilizers can, in fact, be applied on the pressure plates or through a simple shape coupling. In the latter case, the slats are already set up to couple with the stabilizers.

The invention thus conceived therefore achieves the intended purposes.

Obviously, in its practical embodiment, it may also assume forms and configurations other than the one illustrated above without thereby departing from the present scope of protection.

Furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements and the dimensions, shapes and materials used can be any according to the needs.

Claims (19)

CLAIMS 1. Venetian blind comprising: - a plurality of lamellae (10), each of which comprises a profiled element which extends along a longitudinal development direction (X) with two opposite longitudinal edges (11,12) and defines the body of the lamella; - a plurality of support half-ladders (20) which connect said overlapping slats to each other, characterized in that each slat comprises a plurality of hooking portions (16, 26), which are arranged in proximity to or in correspondence of each edge longitudinal (11, 12) and fasten the half ladders (20) to the section of the slat, each coupling portion (16, 26) being made up of a tab which is carved on the section and can be moved between a raised position, in which tab (16, 26) is raised with respect to the profiled element and can be engaged by a semi-ladder, and a lowered position, in which this tab (16, 26) is lowered on the profiled element so as to hold the half ladder on the profile itself, and by comprising a plurality of stabilizing elements (30), each of which blocks one of said tabs (16, 26) in the lowered condition, each stabilizer (30) comprising a support portion (31) and two gripping portions ( 32, 33), which protrude from said support portion (31), facing each other, defining an interspace (34) inside which the part of the lamella (10) with said tongue (16 , 26). 2. Curtain according to claim 1, wherein said interspace (34) has dimensions such that the slat is inserted with interference inside it, the two gripping portions (32, 33) being elastically pressed against the slat part (10 ) inserted inside the cavity (34) so as to lock it inside the cavity (34). 3. Curtain according to claim 1 or 2, in which at least one of the gripping portions (32, 33) has one or more protrusions (39â € ™, 39â €) extending inside the interspace (34) , said one or more protuberances (39) fitting into the corresponding insertion seats (13) obtained in the part of the lamella (10) inserted inside the interspace (34). 4. Curtain according to claim 3, in which each of said one or more protuberances (39â € ™, 39â €) is constituted by an elastically deformable appendage which extends inside the interspace. 5. Curtain according to claim 4, wherein said appendix (39â € ™, 39â €) extends from the relative gripping portion forming an acute angle (Î ±) with a surface of said gripping portion facing the interspace, said appendix (39â € ™, 39â €) being oriented with its free end (39a) facing the support portion (31). 6. Curtain according to one or more of claims 3 to 5, in which both grip portions (32, 33) have one or more protuberances (39â € ™, 39â €) which extend inside the cavity (34), said coupling seats (13) being obtained in correspondence with both main faces (14, 15) of the part of the lamella (10)) inserted inside the interspace (34). 7. Curtain according to claim 6, wherein the protrusions (39â € ™) of a grip portion (32) are opposed to the grip portions (39â €) of the other grip portion (33). 8. Curtain according to one or more of claims 3 to 7, in which said coupling seats (13) consist of through openings. 9. Curtain according to one or more of claims 4 to 8, in which the gripping portions (32, 33) consist of sheet-like elements, said appendages (39â € ™, 39â €) being obtained by shearing the slat (10) . 10. Awning according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which an elongated through seat (35, 36) is obtained on each gripping portion (35, 36), open at the free end (37, 38) of the relative gripping portion (32, 33), the through seats (35, 36) of the two gripping portions (32, 33) being superimposed on each other and facing the interspace (34), the half ladder (20, 40) crossing the stabilizer (30) in correspondence with the two through seats (35, 36) and the interspace (34). 11. Curtain according to claim 10, in which each elongated through seat (35, 36) divides the respective gripping portion (32, 33) into two parts (32a, 32b; 33a, 33b), the protuberances (39â € ™, 39â €) being provided on both parts (32a, 32b; 33a, 33b) of each grip portion (32, 33). Curtain according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which each stabilizer (30) has an axis of symmetry (Y), preferably passing through the two elongated through seats (35, 36). 13. Curtain according to claim 12, wherein said axis of symmetry (Y) is orthogonal to the direction of development (X) of the slat (10). 14. Curtain according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the tab (16) is delimited by a through hole (17) separated from the edges of the profile, by a notch (18) which extends from the hole (17) to the nearest longitudinal edge (11 or 12) and a portion of said longitudinal edge, each hole (17) acting as a housing seat for a half-ladder (20) supporting the lamella (1). 15. Curtain according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, in which the tab (26) is an internal part of the profile, spaced from the longitudinal edges (11, 12), and is delimited by a notch (28) which it extends between two through holes (27â € ™, 27â €) that are spaced apart. 16. Curtain according to claim 14, wherein said half-ladder (20) is constituted by a filiform element (20a) comprising a metal core and an external covering in plastic material, along said filiform element (20a) a plurality of being fixed of bulges (22), organized in pairs of two bulges (22) separated from each other by an intermediate section (21) of a filiform element, the half ladder (20) passing through said through hole (17) in correspondence with said intermediate section (21 ) with said two bulges (22) arranged one below and one above the section of the lamella (10). 17. Curtain according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, wherein said half-ladder is constituted by a filiform element (40a) from which a plurality of eyelets (41) extend. 18. Curtain according to claims 14 and 17, in which the half-ladder (40) is associated with the slat (10) with an eyelet (41) which passes through said through hole (17). 19. Curtain according to claims 15 and 17, in which the half-ladder (40) is associated with the slat (10) with an eyelet (41) which passes through said two through holes (27â € ™, 27â €).