US2139950A

US2139950A - Window shade

Info

Publication number: US2139950A
Application number: US45923A
Authority: US
Inventors: William B Galley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1935-10-21
Filing date: 1935-10-21
Publication date: 1938-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 1955-12-13

Description

Dec.' 13, 1938. w, B. GALLEY WINDOW SHADE Filed Oct. 2l, V19255 ATTORNEY.

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FIG. 3

Patented Dec. 13, 1938 ,UNETED STATS PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to shades for windows comprising a plurality of strips or splints adapted by their relative association and movement to obstruct the passage of light therethrough.

Shades of the Venetian or folding-split type have heretofore been inapplicable for use on small windows, principally because of the apparatus and rigging necessary for their operation, which is excessively expensive in consideration of .the advantages derived therefrom, and often detracts from the appearance o-f an otherwise wellappointed room. Diiiiculties in operation resulting from numerous ropes, pulleys and the like, or loose association of the parts have further militated against their universal application.

A general object of the present invention is to avoid the difficulties of the prior art by the provision of a window blind comprising a plurality of splints having their edges associated to form a compre'ssible plait, in which the extension of the plait is determined b-y the vertical position of a manually vertically-adjustable bottom splint.

A specific object hereof is to provide a pair of guide wires or rods secured relative to the window so as to determine the alignment with the window of all of a plurality of splints comprising a blind and prevent displacement of the same by wind or other force tending to fracture the splints, or mar the iinish or painted surface of the adjacent window frame.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a blind embodying a frictional clamping means adjacent a lower bar adapted to maintain the blind in any adjusted position.

Still another object is to provide a device embodying compactness, economy of manufacture, ease ofoperation, installation and removal, as well as simplicity in construction and appearance, which facilitates its design and ornamentation 40 for conformance to specific architectural themes.

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of my invention operatively installed over the inside of a window frame.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View on` line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a View on line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numerals of which designate similar parts throughout the several views, 5 indicates a plurality of splints, preferably of wood, although metal or other materials may be used in specific embodiments. The opposite longitudinal edges of splints 5 are secured together by means of a cord 6, the ends of which extend upwardly around the lowermost splint near one end thereof, and

are oppositely interlaced with the upper splints forming'the body of the blind, that is to say, the opposite ends of the cord are crossed above each splint and travel upwardly on opposite sides of the splints so as to maintain the edges of the splints together. The ends of the cord 6 are secured adjacent the top splint 5a by means hereinafter described. A second cord I is similarly woven near the opposite ends of the splints. The flexibility of the cords 6 and 'I effects a hinge between the splints, forming by relative'angular movement therebetween a variable accordion plait.

The uppermost splint 5a is reinforced by strips 8 fastened to opposite sides ofthe splint by nails, screws, or the like, thus securing the upper ends of cords 6 and 1. The top bar 9 of the shade, comprising splint 5a and strips 8 is secured rigidly tothe top rail II! of a window frame by screws II. The bottom splint 5b is also reinforced by strips I2 attached by amr well known means, such as by nails, to opposite sides thereof.

A pair of rods or wires I3 having their upper ends clamped between strips 8 and splint 5a protrude from the top of bar 9 and thence extend downwardly on the outside thereof. Each strip, except those in the upper and lower bars, is provided with a hole I4 near each of its ends through which rods or wires I3 are threaded. A pair of studs I5 mounted in respective brackets I6 are secured by screws I1, or the like, to the bottom of opposite jambs I8 of the window frame. The lower ends of wires I3 extend through holes I9 provided in respective studs I5 and in vertical alignment with the point in bar 9 at which the wires are fastened. The wires I3, drawn taut between bar 9 and their respective studs I5, are prevented from loosening or being withdrawn from holes I9 by having their ends wound around the stud and inserted in a second hole 20 provided in the studs I5 adjacent each of holes I9, as illustrated clearly in Fig. 4. Each splint is thus slidable on wires I3. Due to the tautness of the wires, the minimum angle which the splints will assume relative to the vertical is determined by the size of the holes I4 in the splints which engage with wires I5 when the splints are stretched thereon.

By employing an uneven number of splints the upper and lower bars may be disposed on opposite sides of wires I3, as illustrated. Thus with the upper bar secured to the top rail I0 of the window frame, inside of wires I3 as above noted, the lower bar comprised of strips I2 and splint 5bk will be located on the outside of the outside of the Wires, for a purpose about to be described: A pair of U-shaped clamps 2l to associate the lower bar with the wires, are secured at the back of the lower bar, one adjacent each wire, by a screw 22. Each clamp is arranged with its two

parallel portions

23 and 24 perpendicular to its respective wire I3 which extends therebetween. The friction of the clamps on the Wire is regulated by means of a screw-headed stove bolt 25 which extends from the outside of the lower bar through the bar and a hole 26 in the adjacent portion 23 of the clamp, being tapped into the opposite portion 24. The rotation of the bolts 25 regulates the relative proximity of the

portions

23 and 24 of each clamp which grip the wire and offset the force of gravity on the lower bar and the splints supported thereon.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a blind in which a' plurality of splints relatively hinged by means of cords have incorporated therewith wires or rods adapted to perform a double function, i. e., of sustaining the splints so associated in a variable accordion plait; and to further maintain the blind in rigid alignment with the window. The frictional contact of the clamp 2| with the Wires, being only great enough to support the weight of the splints, is easily offset by manual movement of the lower bar to thus easily and quickly lower the shade over the window to the position desired, where it will be retained.

While I have illustratedand described but one embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those of skill in this art that wires I3 may be substituted by tubing or rods of any material embodying suihcient inherent rigidity to resist the frictional wear of the clamping member; and that various other changes may be made, as, for instance, in the number of the cords and wires,

in the relative arrangement of the Wires with rev spect to the ends or sides of the splints, in the means for securing the ends of the cords and wires, as well as in the design, proportion, number orv arrangement of any of the parts hereof, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. In a window shade, a plurality of splints having their longitudinal edgesvhinged together to forman accordion plait, each of said splints havinga hole therein, a guide secured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of vone of said splints extending through holes in the oth-er of said splints, and clamping means secured to one of said splints to frictionally engage said guide.

2. A window shade comprising a plurality of relatively hinged splints, a guide secured to one of said splints to maintain the remaining splints in alignment therewith, and clamping means secured to one of said splints to frictionally engage said guide.

3. In a window shade, a pluralityof splints each having a hole therein, cords interlaced with said splints to maintain longitudinal edges of said splints relatively adjacent, a bar secured parallel to the longitudinal axis of one of said splints, a guide secured perpendicularly to said bar and extending through holes in said splints, and clamping means secured to one of said splints to frictionally engage said guide.

ll. In a window shade, a bar adapted to be suppored by a plurality of splints, a strip of resilient material bent to form a U-shaped clamping member, means tolsecure said clamping member to` said bar, and means to regulate the relative proximity of the sidesrof said member.

5. In a window shade, a plurality of splints each having a hole therein, cords interlaced with said splints so as to hinge the longitudinal edges of said splints together, forming an accordion plait, bars secured to each end of said plaited splints, a guide perpendicularly securedl relative to one of said bars and extending through a hole in each splint, and an adjustable clamp secured to the other of said bars to frictionally engage the guide.

6. In a window shade, a plurality of splints each having a hole therein, cords `interlaced with said splints so as to hinge the longitudinal edges of said splints together, forming an accordion plait, bars secured to each end of said plaited splints, a guide perpendicularly secured relative to one of said bars and extending through a hole in each splint, a strip of resilient material bent to form a U-shaped clamping member, means to secure said clamping member to said bar, and means to regulate the relative proximity of the sides of said member.

WILLIAM B. GALLEY.