US2108939A

US2108939A - Regulator for venetian blinds

Info

Publication number: US2108939A
Application number: US100463A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lewis William Weaver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1936-09-12
Filing date: 1936-09-12
Publication date: 1938-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 1955-02-22

Description

REGULATOR FOR VENETiAN BLINDS Filed Sept. 12, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG-l INVENTOR W W- LEW/S By ma ma ATTORNEY Feb. 22, 1938. w w, w s J 2,108,939

REGULATOR FOR VENETIAN BLINDS- Filed Sept. 12, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2A

FIG. 2

47 INVENTOR W. n'. LEW/S ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 22, 1938 PATENT OFFICE" v REGULATOR FOR VENETIAN BLIND 'William Weaver Lewis, Port Washington, N. Y.

Application September'lZ, 1936, Serial No. 100,463

'3 Claims.

This invention relates to a regulator for Ve-; netian blinds, and more particularly to an improved mechanism for accomplishing the tilting of the shutter members comprising a Venetian blind.

It is an object of the invention to provide 'a tilting device that is compact and durable, and

capable of facile adaptation with various sizes of Venetian blinds without disturbing the actuating assembly. 7

It is a further object of the invention to provide an enclosed mechanism in which the actuating members are protected-from foreign partigles thereby obviating frequent cleaning operaions.

It is another object of "the invention to provide a tilting device which includes a sheave assembly adapted for use with various types of actuating cords.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention contemplates a housing for enclosing a hollow worm gear mounted rotatably therein'to mesh with a worm formed on one end of a shaft which is journalled in the housing. Assembled on the opposite end of the shaft is a sheave adapted for use with various types of actuating cords. The hollow worm gear accommodates, coaxially and interchangeably on either side thereof, an angle member which may be secured to and removed from the tilt bar of a Venetian blind without disturbing the worm. gear arrangement assembled within the housing.

The invention may be more readily comprehended from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view showing the vario members comprising the regulating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation illustrating a preferred method of anchoring the cord guide;

Fig. 2-A is a fragmentary side elevation showing an alternate method of anchoring the cord u d Fig. 3 is a view taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig, 2; and' Fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating the interchang'eability of the angle-member attached to the tilt bar of a Venetian blind.

The same reference numerals are used to designate identical parts occurring in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 1, a housing l0 contains the tilting mechanism and supports one end of the tilt bar of a Venetian blind in a manner that will be subsequently described in detail. Formed integral with the housing ill on one end thereof is an attaching plate provided with openings l2 to receive screws, not shown, for attaching the housing II) to the header bar, not shown,-of' a Venetian blind.

An aperture l3 formed in the rear wall of the housing Ill provides a bearing for a circular shoulder, not shown, but oppositely disposed and'similar to a shoulder l4 formed axially in the exposed face of a worm gear l5. A bearing for the shoulder I4 is supplied by an aperture l3 con-1 tained in a face-plate 2|lwhich is removably secured to the housing 0 by an arrangement comprising a screw 2| and an anchor 22 therefore disposed on an inner surface of the rear wall'of the housing Hi. It is to be understood that the bearlugs for the worm gear I5 are so aligned as to permit the latter to rotate freely thereon.

The worm gear I5 is also, provided with an opening 23 having a squared configuration and extending the axial length thereof. The opening 23 is designed for a purpose which will be more adequately explained hereinafter.

Aligned

semi-circular grooves

24, 24 formed in the opposite side walls of the housing I0 and 25 similar grooves 25 provided on the inner surface of the face-plate'lll define, when the face-plate 20 is secured to the housing I0, oppositely disposed and circular bearing surfaces for a shaft 26. Also, the face-plate 20 on its outer surface is provided with spaced projections, or stops l1 and I8, utilized fora purpose which will be more fully described hereinafter.

Intermediate bearing portions 3| and 32 on the shaft 26 'j'ou'rnalled in the bearings described above, is formed a worm 33 which meshes with the lowermost teeth'of the-worm gear l5. Ad'- jacent to the bearing portion-3|, the shaft 26 is provided with an integral collar 34 disposed exteriorly of the housing l0 and accommodated in a sleeve 35 and an aperture 30 of a cord guide 36. The collar 34 and sleeve 35 have particular lengths whose purposes will be more adequately explained hereinafter. 1

On the extreme left end of the shaft 26 is provided a reduced portion 31 of substantially rec-' tangular configuration. The shaft portion 31 is received in similarly shaped apertures 38 and 39 formed axially in a pair of circular end plates 40 and 4|, respectively. Positioned intermediate the end plates 40 and 4| are annular spacers whose number depends on the width of opening desired between the end plates." and 4|. The exposed end of the shaft portion 31' is expanded so that the end plates 40 and 4| are permanently afllxed Q in a spaced and non-rotatable manner on the shaft 26.

The assembly of the end plates 40 and 4| with the spacers 45 therebetween comprises a sheave 46 over which the actuating cord, not shown, is threaded. The sheave 46 is shown assembled in Figs. 2 and 4.

Each of the circular end plates 46 and 4| is peripherally flared beginning where the surface thereof is not in engagement with a contiguous spacer 45, as shown in Fig. 2. Each peripherally flared portion is provided on an outer surface with a plurality of radially disposed ribs 41. The end plates 40 and 4| are assembled on the shaft portion 31 such that the ribs 41 on one end plate are in opposing relation with those on the other, and, in addition, such that the ribs 41 on one end plate are angularly disposed with respect to those on the other. This assembly, shown in Fig. 4, forms in the sheave 4'6 a flared, circumferential groove in which the narrowest portion lies at the peripheries of the annular spacers 45 while its widest portion lies at the peripheries of the end plates 46 and 4!.

As a consequence, the actuating cord, not shown, is threaded in serpentine fashion on the sheave 46 so as to provide relatively large frictional engagement therebetween. In addition,

the sheave 46 is readily adaptable for use witha ball and chain type of cord, as well as a link chain type of cord. Further, the above design renders the sheave 46 suitable for use with either a cord of substantially smooth surface, or one having an irregular surface. Obviously, also, the tapering configuration of the circumferential groove in the sheave 46 extends the utility of the latter to various types and sizes of actuating cords without disturbing the assembly.

The length of the collar 34 depends on the location of the sheave 46 relative to the position of the housing I 6. In cases where it maybe desirable to locate the sheave 46 some distance removed from the housing ill, the collar 34 and its associated sleeve 35 may be given such lengths as suit the particular case. Accordingly, it is by this means that there is provided a flexibility which is both advantageous and desirable without impairing firmness and sturdiness.

The cord guide 35 is formed witha depending rectangular 'tongue 46 disposed in a similarly shaped accommodating recess 49 which is pro vided in the attaching plate II. This arrangement serves to anchor the cord guide 36 nonrotatably and rigidly thereby obviating movements of the latter when force is applied to the actuating cord in effecting actuations of the sheave 46. This method of anchoring the cord guide 36 is clearlyillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

An alternate method of eflectuating the same purpose is delineated in Fig. 2- A. In this arrangement, the tongue 48 is bent degrees relative to-the vertical plane of the cord guide 36,

1 and 3. In addition, the cord guide 36 is provided, on the end opposite to the tongue 48, with a substantially rectangular opening 55 (Fig. 1)

through which the actuating cord is passed. The position of the opening 55 is such that more than "one-half of the circumferential groove of the sheave 46 is held in engagement with the actuating cord when force is applied thereto. Obvious- 1y, thesize and configuration of the opening 55 are such as permit free movements of the actuating cord therethrough.

An angle plate 56 is secured to one end of the tilt bar, not shown, by screws, not shown, received in apertures 51 formed in the horizontal side thereof. The op site end of the tilt bar maybe supported in, any suitable manner that allows free rotary movements imparted thereto in a manner that will be subsequently explained. The angle plate -56 is suitably adapted on its vertical side with a squared projection 56 which is accommodated in the axial opening 23 of similar configuration provided in the worm gear i5.

A shoulder 59 provided on the projection 56 limits 5 the extent to which the latter can be projected into the opening 23, and, in addition, cooperates with the stops i! and iii to limit the rotary movement of the angle-plate 56 in both clockwise and comter-clackwise directions.

Inasmuch as the opening 23 extends throughmay be interchangeably and coaxially assembled therewith on either side of the housing to. The opening 23 is proportioned such that the top slat may be brought up flush with the under surface of the tilt bar throughout the entire length thereof. This is not accomplished in present commercial types of tilting devices since the latter are of such structure as prevent one end of the top slat from being brought up flush with the tilt bar. is permissible without disturbing the gearing arrangement supported by the housing III. In Figs. 3 and 4, the full lines indicate the angle-plate 56 It is obvious, of course, that such use inserted in the right-hand side of the housing inclination of the shutter members comprising the Venetian blind is always identical with that of the tilt bar since the latter controls the positions of the shutter members in the well-known manner. I

In operation, let it be assumed that the horizontal portion of. the angle-plate 56 attached to the tilt bar lies in a horizontal plane when looking into the angle-plate 56, shown in'Figs.

1 and. 3. Accordingly, the tilt bar and. shutter members lie inthe same plane. Then, when a user pulls the cord to actuate the sheave 46 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3), the worm 33 on shaft 26 moves the worm gearl5 in a counterclockwise direction. The angle bracket 56, being fixedly disposed in the worm gear I5, is likewise moved in the same direction therewith. Obviously, this motion is also imparted to the tilt bar and shutter members all of which are turned in a corresponding direction. The amount of tilting movement of the angle-plate 56 in a counterclockwise direction will be limited by the engagement between the shoulder 59 and the stop l8. I

'When a user pulls the cord to actuate the sheave 4B ina counter-clockwise direction, the worm I5 is moved in a clockwise direction to carry the angle-plate 56 therewith in the same direction. Obviously, a corresponding movement is imparted to the tilt bar and shutter members. The amount of tilting movement of the angleplate 56 in a clockwise direction will be limited by the engagement between the shoulder 59 and the stop I1.

when the angle-plate rear wall of the housing worm gear arrangement, in the same direction in actuated by the user. that the particular 56 is positioned in the ill, the former, due to will be caused to move which the sheave 46 is It is to be understood direction of movement imparted to the angle-plate 55 depends merely on whether the latter is assembled on the righthand or left-hand side of the housing Ill, as shown in Fig. 4

It is obvious, of course, that in cases where it -is most expedient to place no limit on the rotary movements of the angle-plate 5B, the stops l1 and I8 may be omitted.

Further, it will be understood that stops I1 and I8 are also provided on the wall of the housing 10 opposite to the face-plate 20 so as toefiect engagements with the shoulder 59 to limit rotary movements of the angle-plate 56 in the manner described above.

While the aforedescribed apparatus is capable of modification by those s lied in the art, it is understood that it is'to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tilting mechanism for a Venetian blind including a tilt bar and a header bar, the combination comprising a housing attachable to the header bar, the housing having securing means.

and a compartment, means attachable to tilt bar, a projection of a configuration other than circular provided on the attachable means, means including a tilt bar and a header bination comprising a housing attachable to the 4 -vided on the attachable,means,

rotatably mounted in the compartment and arranged to receive the projection so that the attachable means can be mounted interchangeably on either side of the housing, and means having a portion rotatably mounted in the compartment in engagement with the rotatable means and another portion projecting eizternally of the compartment to support a pulley.

2. In a tilting mechanism for a Venetian blind bar, the comheader bar, the housing comprising fastening means and a compartment, means attachable to the tilt bar, a projection of a configuration other than circular provided on the attachable means, means rotatably mounted in the compartmentand having a portion shaped in each of two opposite sides thereof to receive the projection so that the attachable means can be mounted interchangeably on opposite sides of the having a portion rotatably mounted in the compartment in engagement with the rotatable means and another portion projecting externally of the compartment to support a pulley.

3. In a tilting mechanism for a Venetian blind including a tilt bar and a header bar, the combination comprising a housing attachable to the header bar, the housing having fastening means,

a compartment and apertures associated with the compartment in aligned pairs, means attachable to the tilt bar, a rectangular projection proa gear in the compartment and having journals rotatable in the apertures of one aligned pair, at least one of the journals being formed with a rectangular opening to receive the projection, a worm shaft having one end extending through the compartment for rotation in the apertures of another aligned pair'and the opposite end projecting exteriorly of the compartment to support a pulley, and a worm fixed on the end of the shaft within the compartrrientto mesh with the gear.