US2269213A

US2269213A - Venetian blind tilter

Info

Publication number: US2269213A
Application number: US397535A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hans K Lorentzen
Original assignee: LORENTZEN HARDWARE Manufacturing CORP
Current assignee: LORENTZEN HARDWARE Manufacturing CORP; LORENTZEN HARDWARE MF'G CORP
Priority date: 1941-06-11
Filing date: 1941-06-11
Publication date: 1942-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 1959-01-06

Description

Jan. 6, 1942. H. K. LORENT ZEN 2, 2 vlmE'rnu Emmi 121mm Filed June 11, 1941 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 6, 1942.

H. K. LORENTZEN 'V'ENETIAN BLIND TILTER Filed June 11, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- BY MWI' M ATTORNEYS provide Patented Jan. 6, 1942 VENETIAN BLIND TILIER Hans K. Lorentzen, Montclair, N. .L, assignor to Lorentzen Hardware .Mfg. Corp., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 11, 1941, Serial No. 397,535

9 Claims.

This invention relates to Venetian blind tilters, and it is particularly applicable to tilters of the worm-and-gear type. v

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved tilter which encloses the operating mechanism and which is adapted to'l ow cost quantity production;

Another object of the invention is to provide an enclosed tilter adapted for manufacture largely from stamped sheet metal parts, and adapted to provide uniformly reliable and sturdy tilters when made on a quantity production basis.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a rugged, reliable, and inexpensive tilter adapted to be produced on a quantity production basis largely from stamped sheet metal parts.

Various other and detailed objects of the inventlon will be obvious from the following disclosure of two forms of tilters exemplifying theinvention.

Fig. 1 of the drawings is a front elevation of a socalled up-side-down tilter embodying the present invention.

.Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the tilter shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the tilter shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a bottom'plan view of the tilter shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 but showing the tilter as -it would appear with the near section of the housing removed and showing part of the pulley in section.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary partly diagrammatic vertical section taken in general on the line 6-6 of Fig; 5. h

Fig. '7 is an isometric view of bridging means which tie the housing members together and a bearing for the worm shaft.

Fig. 8-is a side elevation of the worm-driven gear which is incorporated in the tilter.

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the gear shown .in Fig. 8, looking from the right of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of a so-called rightside-up" tilter embodying the present invention. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the tilter shown in Fig. 10. r

Fig. l2-is a top plan view of the tilter shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a bottom plan view of shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is an isometric view of a connector member used with the tilter shown in Figs. 10

the tilter through 13.

Fig. 15 is a second isometric view of the connector member, the connector being shown in a tumed-over position with respect to the position shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is an end view of the connector member, looking fromthe left of Fig. 15.

the mouth of each cup formation. These shells fit together mouth-to-mouth and enclose an intervening space in which is mounted a wormand-gear unit. Each of the cup-like shells may be made of stamped sheet metal, and each is provided with a perforated mounting flange 24 to be screwed on top of a suitable support, e. g. on top of the bottom wall of an enclosed headbar. From the bottoms a and 2Ia of the cup formations, there project outwardly tubular bosses 25, '25 which act as bearings for the wormdriven gear or gear-sector. At 26, 26 (Figs. 3 and 4) the two cup-like shells are provided with interfitting tongue-and-groove formations which assist in registering the two shells in mouth-tomouthvrelationship. Each of the shells 20 and 2! is provided with a semicircular cut-out as at 21 (Fig. 6) and with

notches

28 and 29, all of which register respectively when the two shells are in mouth-to-mouth contact.

On the end of a drive shaft 30 there is affixed a cord pulley 3| for rotating the shaft. Telescoped onto the shaft and adjacent to the pulley is a bearing collar 32 made of suitable bearing metal. This bearing collar has a tubular shank portion 32a adapted to act as a bearing for the shaft 30, and has an annular flange portion 32b adapted to act as a thrust bearing and/or to prevent excessive longitudinal motion of the bearing collar on the shaft 30. After the bearing collar has been put in place on the shaft, there is telescoped onto the shaft a U-shaped member, designated as a whole by 34, between the legs of which there is placed a worm 35 that is telescoped onto the shaft 30 at the same time. Shaft 30 is provided with suitable projections or serrations (not shown) over which the worm 35 is forced and which appropriately attach the

worm members

38 and 31 are provided with singlenosed projections 38 (four shown) and with double-nosed projections (four shown). In

assembly, these projections pass through rectangular holes in the bottoms a and Ho of the cup formations 2|] and 2|, the noses of the

projections

38 and 38 being then upset or riveted to secure the shells 20 and 2| in mouth-tomouthlrjelationship. when so assembled, shouldersa. andb of the bridge members preferably abutagainst the

bottoms

20a and 21a of the cup formations; Brldge=member I6 has a hole 38a '(Fig. "1)" whichacts as a bearing for the end of shaft 30 rernote from the pulley. Bridge member 31 has a largenhole 21a which clears the shaft so that collar 32 can properly act as a bearing for the pulley end of shaft 80.

' which the tilter is used. As shown in the drawings, the gear 48 is a cast one, with the result that the hexagonal hole 48 has its minimum size at the center with draft each way from the center to the ends of 'the gear. The ends of the gear are provided with cylindrical bearing portions 41 and 48 between which are the teeth 48. Cast integral with-the teeth at one end thereof is an annular strengthening flange 58. In the cas of a full gear, which may be used in the tilter, the teeth 49 extend entirely around the periphery of the gear. As shown in the drawings', however, the teeth extend only partially around the periphery of the gear, thereby con- 'stituting' a gear sector. A gear sector is when the tilter is constructed for automatic cord" adjustment according to Nelson Patent 2,174,994, datedfOctober 3, 1939. Projecting from the two ends of the gear are aligned indexes 8|, 8|. When the tilter is one for automatic cord adjustment, the gear sector is so rotated at the time the pulley cord is to be applied that an index BI is opposite a mark such as arrow 82 (Fig. 2) on the outside of the casing. Then the cord is so applied that the free ends of the cord hang at the same level. Each of the shells 28 and 2! is provided with a suitable mark such as arrow 52, and each end of the gear 48 is provided with an index point 8| so that the setting of the tilter can be made by looking at either.

sheet metal stamping having a zigzag generally vertical portion 58. On the bottom of this vertical portion there are twoopen cord loops 8'! and 88' into which the pulley cord can be in serted', as described in my copending application S. N. 353,020, filed August 17, 1940. The zigzag formation of the generally verticalportion 58 is such as to enable the vertical portion to pass laterallythrough aligned grooves 28 and aligned grooves 29 in the edges of the cup formations 20 and 2|.

In assembly, there is placed in shell 20 the previdusly made assembly of pulley 3i, shaft 30, hearing collar 32, stamping 40, and worm 35. In so placing this assembly into shell 20, the bearingcollar 32 is received by one of the semi- 39 on one edge of

bridge members

38 and 21 are inserted through the openings provided in the bottom 20a of the cup formation constituting shell 28. Thus, shaft 30 projects outside of the housing so that the pulley is outside of the housing. Gear 45 is then inserted with its cylindrical in Figs. 5 and 6, with theoilsets. in verticalsection 56 in placein'notches 28 and29. 'I'heother cup-like shell 2i isthe ripu mp1. .m m uthto-mouth engagement I ll-a28'. This cuplike shell 2! alsoifhas semicircular cut-out, as at 21, which eifibiaces,the-other. halfr-of bearing collar 32; has cbrrespondijng notches which register with notches 28 and (29 to hold the cord guide 85; and has four rectangular holes through which the

projections

38 and 39 on the other edges of bridge members 38 and 81 pass. Thus assembled, all of the eight

projections

38 and 39 have their noses upset or riveted; and this holds the tilter in fixedly assembled condition. In assembly, alignment of the two shells 28' and 2| is facilitated by the tongue and groove formations at 28, 26 and also by the cord guide 58 which engages with the

notches

28 and 28 of both of the shells.

The construction of the so-called fright-sideup tilter shown in Figs. 10 through 13 is similar to that of the so-called "up-side-down tilter .shown in Figs. 1 through 9; and the similarity is' I so great that the "right-side-up tilterwill be clearly understoodby considering the major differences between it'and the up-side-down" tilter which has already been described.

In the right-side-up tilter the mounting flanges I24, I24 are at the top, so"that the tilter can be screwed to the bottom'ofahead-bar from which the tilter will depend. The worm shaft I30 is above thejgear, 145,} instead of in them-- verse relation shown-in Figs. 1 through 6.. The cup-like shells H0. and HI are so shaped as to chamfer the housing at C, to. give clearance when the tilter is mounted. The gear'l" may be either a full gear or a gear-sector; and it dllers from gear 45 (Figs. 8 and 9) only in the shape of the axial opening, which is shaped to receive a socalled mushroom connector shown in Figs. 14,

- l5 and 16.

- circular cut-outs 21, and the projections 38 and 76 The connector I0 of Figs. 14, .15 and 18 is a unitary sheet metal stamping having toothed legs H and I2 thatare adapted to be driven into the end of a wooden tilt bar. These legs project in.

one direction from a body portion 13; and-a end.

As shown in Fig. 11, the axial openingingear I48 has longitudinal ridges l48a and 8b against which the flat faces of connectorgfstem IL-rest when the connector is telescopedinto the gear.

Gear I45 is interchangeable.;withfthe gear 48 so that either form of gear can be used in. either form of tilter. Thus, either the up-side-down" or the right-side-up tilter can be made for cooperation with either a hexagonal driven rod or with a mushroom connector of the type shown in Figs. l4, l5 and 16. Also the gear can be made with any other desired form of axial opening to cooperate with any form of connector that it may be desirable to use.

The collar 32 is made of suitable bearing metal such as brass or bronze. I have also successfully enough-to; blacken the parlance. this oil-is] used a bearing collar of compressed powdered metal containing alubricant so that this collar isself-lubrlcating.

worm-siandggear's -li and I45 may be made of suitable metaljsuch as brass or bronze, and preferably; the gearis made of a metal softer than, that-. of 't'hefworin. One combination of metals that'I'have successfully used is brass for the worm 'and"comme'rcial die cast metal (which is zinc or. predominantly zinc) for the gears 45 and H5. vGears of this commercial die cast metal are preferably specially treated to give them increased wearing qualities and seif lubricating qualities. A treatment which Ihave successfully .used is as follows. 1

The die cast gears are firstcleaned in a hot alkali rinse for which I have used a solution of five to six ounces of commercial swish cleaner per gallon of watenthe solution being used at a temperature close to the boiling point. After three or four minutes in this alkali rinse, the gears are removed and washed in water at room temperature. Then'the' gears are immersed in a weak hydrochloric acid: solution, which I have made by addingtechnical twenty percent hydrochloric-acid to an equal volume of water at room temperature. 1, Thejjti'nie of treatment with the acid varies froma. -fr action of a minute to several minutes, depending upon the strength of the acid. Theacid; treatment should be continued long gears to a dull black, but not long enough to undersize the gears through gears arethoroughly rinsed in hot water. Then the gears are immersed from ten to fifteen minutes in a liquid sold on the market under the name of Black Magic dip or die cast black. Thhrhardens the black coating or surface of the gears. The gears are now rinsed in water at room temperature. Finally, the gears are dipped for three or four minutes in a hot oil dip, for which purpose 'I have used a water miscible oil sold under the-"-name- ,of Hocut. In popular miscible with water, though it may be agmixltn'fthe nature of an emulsion. This oil-" 1 haVeusedinEthe proportion of one gallonof oii to-twofgfallons of water,-the mixture being at aitjei'nperaturefwhere it is almost white. In 'thedabovetreatment the acid apparently "imparts;a-certain -amount of surface porosity to the gear; the'iinal step the hot oil soaks into the gears, givi'r'ig'them a shiny finish and selflubricating. qualities.

In compliance with the patent statutes, I have disclosed the best forms in which I have contemplated applying my invention, but it will be understood that the disclosures are illustrativeof the invention rather than limiting the scope thereof.

What I claim is:

1. In a Venetian blind tilter oi the type in which a worm-and-gear unit is mounted in a housing, the worm being on a shaft which proiects outside of the housing, and the shaft being provided with a drive pulley located outside of I the housing; the improvement which comprises: the housing being formed by two flat-bottomed cup-like shells of'sheetmetal, the cup formations having mouths formed by the edges of the sheet metal and the two cup formations being secured together with the mouths in edge-to-edge contact; bridge members extending from one of said dissolving action. After the acid treatment the 1 shells to the other; and said shaft being journalled in one of said bridge members.

h r wh sk space, bridge-meansextendingbetweensaidhous said internal spacei,'"'said.. 1 bridge means beinsfiattached to" th'a'housing shaft which prothe' shaft bein 2.;In a Venetian which is a worm-and-gear housin the worm being on a jects outside of the housing, and provided with a the housing; the improvement which comprises: the housing being formed by two cup-like shells positioned mouth-to-mouth, and bridge members extending between the bottoms of the two cup formations and acting to secure the two shells together.

3. In a Venetian blind which a worm-and-gear unit is mounteddn a housing, the worm be flfl n, FL EaftWhichprojects outside of the housing;'aiid thelshaft being provided with 'adrive pulleyflocated outside of the housing; the improvement which comprises: the housing being "formed, by two" 'cup -IiKe'J shelIs positionedmouth-to-mouth bride ember tending between the? a e formations and .acti together, andsaid "s of said bridge members.

4 In a Venetian blind tilter of the type in which a worm-and-gear unit is mounted in. a housing, the worm being on a shaft which-pro,- Jects outside of the housing, and the shaft-being provided with a drive pulley located outside of the housing; the improvement which comprises: the housing being formed by two housing members which fit together and leave van internal space, bridge means extending between said housing members and across said internal space, said bridge .means being attached to the housing mem, bers and" acting to secure the housing members together. a

V 5. In a Venetian.-

gut of h m;.

he housing;- th impr vem wmcnwmn together and leave w an? internal ing members and across members and acting to. secure the housing members together, and said shaft being journalled in said bridge means. 1 1

6. In a Venetian'blind tilter of the type in which a wormeand-gear unit is mounted in a housing, theworm being on a shaft which projects outside of the housing, and the shaft being provided with a drive pulley located outside of the housing; the improvement which comprises: the housing being formed by two housin'g'members which fit together and leave an internal space, and two flat bridge members extending between said housing members and across said space, the bridge members having shoulders -'positioned adjacent to the interior-oi the housing members and having projections extending ghrough the housing members and distorted to ecure the bridge members to the housing members and thereby secure the housing members together. 7

drive pulley located outside of tilter of the type in "giidrme ib two-noosmgnem space, and two flat bridge members extending between said housing members and across said space, the bridge members having shoulders positioned adjacent to the interior of the housing members and having projections extending through the housing members and distorted to secure the bridge members to the housing members and thereby secure the housing members together, said shaft being journalied in one of said bridge members.

8. In a Venetian 'blind tilter of the type in which a worm-and-gear unit is mounted in a housing, the worm being on a shaft which projects outside of the housing, and the shaft being provided with a drive pulley located outside of the housing; the improvement which comprises: the housing being formed by two housing members which fit together and leave an internal space, and two flat bridge members extending between said housing members and across said space, the bridge members having shoulders positioned adjacent to the interior of the housing members and having projections extending through the housing members and distorted to secure the bridge members to the housing members and thereby secure the housing members together, said bridge members being parts of a single unitary sheet metal stamping.

9. In a Venetian blind tilter of the type in which a worm-and-gear unit is mounted in a housing, the worm being on a shaft which projects outside of the housing, and the shaft being provided with a drive pulley located outside of the housing; the improvement which comprises: the tilter including a premade sub-assembly of pulley, shaft, bearing collar, worm, and bridge members; and the housing being formed by housing members attached to said bridge members.

HANS K. LORENTZEN