US2282272A

US2282272A - Venetian blind tilting mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2282272A
Application number: US425074A
Authority: US
Inventors: August F Waltsinger
Original assignee: LORENTZEN HARDWARE Manufacturing CORP
Current assignee: LORENTZEN HARDWARE Manufacturing CORP; LORENTZEN HARDWARE MF'G CORP
Priority date: 1941-12-31
Filing date: 1941-12-31
Publication date: 1942-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 1959-05-05

Description

y 5, 1942- A. F. WALTZINGER 2,282,272

VENETIKN BLIND TILTING MECHANISM F flled Dec. 31, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheef l g y zzzzyw y 5, 2- A. F. WALTZINGER 2,282,272

VENETIAN BLIND TILTING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 51, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 M y 1942- A. F. WALTZINGER 2,282,272

VENETIAN BLIND TILTING MECHANISM Filed Dec-. 31; 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l Eb ToR.

ATTORNEYS y .1942- A. F. WALTZINGER Q 2,282,272

VENETIAN BLIND TILTING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 31, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Patented May 5, 1242 VENETIAN BLIND TILTING MECHANISM August F. Waitxinger, Elmhurlh Long Island,

N. Y asaignor to Lorentaen Hardware M! Corp., New York, N. York g. I a corporation of New Application December :1,- 1941, Serial No. 425,074

-20 Claims This invention relates to Venetian blinds and particularly to the.tilting mechanism that is used to tilt the tilt-bar of the blind'and thereby tilt the whole series of slats which are suspended from the tilt-bar and articulated therewith by means of the conventional ladder tapes.

1i tilting mechanism is most commonly actuated by a tilt-cord, the cord passing over a pulley and having its ends hanging freely beneath the pulley. The pulley is operatively connected to the tilt-bar by mechanism which functions to tilt the tilt-bar when the tilt-cord is pulled. Despite various attempts which have been made to prevent slippage of the tilt-cord on the pulley, some cumulative slippage gradually takes place in actual practice, with the result that eventually one end of the tilt-cord gets too high and the other end gets too low. If no special means are provided for equalizing the tilt-cord, i. e., for readjusting it with respect to the tilt of the tiltbar, then it is necessary to manually lift the cord from the pulley and readjust it thereon. This is inconvenient for the usual Venetian blind user, since the pulley is located at the top of the blind and the user has to climb up to reach it.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a Venetian blind structure that permits ready and easy equalization or readjustment of the tilt-cord when accumulated slippage of the cord on the pulley has occurred.

Another object is to provide tilt-cord equalizing means which can be readily incorporated into various tilting mechanisms now in common use.

Another object of the invention is to provide inexpensive Venetian blind tilting mechanism which includes in it means for conveniently breaking the driving connection between the cord pulley and the tilt-bar, so that the pulley can undergo an idle rotative movement to thereby permit equalization or readjustment of the tilt-cord with respect to the tilt of the tilt-bar.

A further object of the invention-is to provide a Venetian blind tilting mechanism in which the driving connection between the cord pulley and the tilt-bar can be broken by merely raising the blind.

A still further object of the inventionis to provide means in the form of an attachment which can be used with conventional Venetian blind tilters to provide for breaking of the driving connection between the cord pulley and the tilt-bar.

Various additional objects of the invention will tion of the blind shown in Fig. 1 but with the tilt-cord and cord pulley eliminated to better the parts in normal position, in which there is driving connection to the tilt-bar.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the same structure as in Fig. 2 but with the parts in the position they occupy when the driving connection to the tilt-bar is broken.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken in general on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, the parts being in normal or driving position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken in general on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. The view is similar to Fig. 4, but shows the parts in the position where the driving connection to the tiltbar is broken.

Fig. 6 is a detail View taken in general on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, showing the parts in normal or driving position.

Fig. 7 is a detail view taken in general on line 1-1 of Fig. 3. The view is similar to-Fig. 6, but .80 shows the parts in the position where the driving connection to the tilt-bar is broken.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary end elevation looking toward the right-hand end of Fig. 1, the viewbeing on a larger scale than Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevation of a tilting mechanism and portions of the blind adjacent thereto, the view showing a second form of the invention.

Fig. 10 is afragmentary front elevation, on a larger scale, showing the tilting mechanism as in Fig. 9 and certain adjacent parts of the blind, but with the tilt-cord and pulley eliminated to better show the tilting mechanism. This view shows the parts in normalor driving position.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front elevation similar to Fig. 10 but with the parts in the position where the driving connection to the tilt-bar is broken.

Fig. 12 is a detail view taken in general on line l2-l2 of Fig. 10, the parts being in normal position where there is driving connection to the tilt-bar.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail viewiaken in general on line l3-I3 of Fig. 11. The view issimilar to Fig. 12, but the parts are in the posishow the tilting mechanism. This view shows -tion where driving connection to the tilt-bar is;

i being in normal or'driving position.

broken. V

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary detail view taken in general on the line l4-l4 of Fig. 10, the parts Fig. 15 is a fragmentary front elevation of a tilter and adjacent .parts of avenetian blind, embodying athird form of the invention.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view, on a larger scale, showing the tilter and certain parts of the blind as viewed from the direction of the anew I6-l6 in Fig. 15. Y

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary elevation from the rear of Fig. 15, or viewed from the direction of the'arrow ll-l'l in Fig. .16.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary vertical sectior taken in general on the line I8-I8 of Fig. 16, the parts being in normal position where there is driving connection to the tilt-bar.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 18 but with the parts in the position where driving connection to the tilt-bar is broken.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary front elevation, partly in section, showing a fourth form of the inven tion. This view shows the tilt-bar of a blind and a tilter connector member which can be used as an attachment with conventional tilters, to break the driving connection to the tilt-bar and thereby permit equalization or readjustment of the tilt-cord. In this view theparts are in normal or driving position.

, being in normal position where driving connection to the tilt-bar exists.

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary vertical section taken in general on the line 23-23 of Fig. 27. This View is similar to Fig. 22 but the parts are in the position where driving connection to the tiltbar is broken.

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary vertical section taken in general on the line 24-24 of Fig. 20.

Figures 1 through 8 'Aihxed to a suspension or head-bar 25 is a,

Attached tilter 26 and a supporting bracket 21. to bracket 21 is a knowntype of cord-lock unit 28. Pivotally supported by the tilter 26 and movement of shaft 38 may be transmitted through connector 49 to the tilt-bar. Integral v :a hole 42aso that a screw-driver can-'be-passed the bracket 2'! is a tilt-bar 29 from which de- I pend conventional ladder tapes 39, 30 that sup-' port and articulatea series 3| of conventional blind slats. The top slat of the series is designated by 3| a,

by pulling upon cord 34 movement is transmitted in a conventional manner from cord 34 to pulley 32, shaft 35, the worm in housing portion 36, the gear in. housing portion 31, and to stub shaft 38.

A stamped sheet-metal connector is screwed to the left-hand end of tilt-bar 29 and connects with stub shaft 39, so that the left-hand end of the tilt-bar is supported by shaft-38 and tilting through it to facilitate attachment of the connector 40 to the tilt-bar. Adjacent to the tilter, connector 40 has an upwardly extending vertical leg 44 which is provided with a slot 45 (Figs.

4 and 5) that is pierced by the stub shaft 38. This slot has anarrowportion with which, in the position shown in Fig. +1, the stub shaft 39 makes driving connection. Also this slot 45 has a wide portion which,'in the position shown in Fig. 5, allows the'stub shaft 38 to rotate freely without movement being imparted to the connector 40. For convenience I designate any such slot as a keyhole slot, regardless of the particular contour of the slot. Also the stub shaft'38 is but one form .of male member which may cooperate with such a slot. Welded or otherwise secured to the housing of tilter 26 is a stationary guard member having a curved edge. 41 (particularly Figs.'6 and 7) interrupted by a. vertical slot 48. Struck out from the metal of connector 40 is a horizontal finger 49 which extends beneath guard 46 and is adapted to move adjacent to the curved edge 41 as the tilt-bar tilts.

With the weight of the blind hanging on tiltbar 29, the bar is biased into its lowermost, or normal, position in which the stub shaft 38 is in driving engagement with the small end of keyhole slot 45. This condition is shown in Figs. 1,

2, 4 and 6; and when the tilt-bar is in such normal position, movement of tilt-cord 34 tilts the cannot move the tilt-bar upwardly becausefinger 40 will be stopped by guard 46. However. if the tilt-bar be in non-tilted or horizontal poation, the upward force upon the tilt-bar 29 exerted by the top slat 3|a of the blind will lift the tilt-bar, particularly the left hand end thereof. Thus, the blind itself and the lift-cords 50,

59 constitute a means to raise the tilt-bar above.

normal position. When the tilt-bar moves upwardly, finger 49 enters slot 48 and the vertical portion 44 of the connector 49 moves-into the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5, in which driving connection from stub shaft 38 to the connector ill-is broken. I'he cord-lock at 28 maybe utillized, if desired, to hold the tilt-bar inthis above normal position while tilt-cord 34 is pulled to readjust or equalize it. During such equalizing movement the pulley 32 rotates idly with respectto the tilt-bar, since the driving connection to the tilt-bar is broken at the keyhole slot 45.

Upon the cord-lock at 28 being released, the

weight of the blind is restoredto tilt-bar 29, so that the tilt-bar moves downwardly and again brings keyhole slot 45 into driven connection with the stub shaft 38. Thus, driving connection between the pulley 32 and the tilt-bar 29 is reestablished so that further movement of the drawn from engagement with gear 56.

, aasaava tilt-cord tilts the tilt-bar in the usual manner.

In addition to providing for upward movement.

- of the left hand end of t ilt-ba'r 2s, I prefer to also provide for upward movement of the righthand end of the tilt-bar. As shown in Fig) 8, the

supporting bracket 21 is provided with an elongated slot 210 which receives the pintle 29a extending from the right-hand end oi thetilt-bari Pivote'd keeper 21b is notched, as shown at-2'Ic,

so that when the keeper is in retaining position space is left for upward movem'ent'of pintle 29a. With this arrangement the whole tilt-bar 29 may move bodily upward above normal position, when 7 Figures 15 through 19 I The general" arrangement of the'head-bar 25, tilt-bar 28,'the'series of. blind slats- 3|, op slat Ila, ladder tapes 38, lift-cord 50, and ti t-cord 34 is the same as in Fig. 1. Also the tilt-bar may include a rubber button or bumper 85 as in Fig. 9.

upward force is exerted thereon byextreme rais ing of the blind. Nevertheless, it is only essential that the end of the tilt-bar adjacent to the tilter move upward to break the driving connection to the tilt-bar; and for convenience I refer to up ward movement of the tilt-bar regardlesf of whether the entire bar or only one end thereof moves upward in breaking the driving connection.

Figures 9 through 14 I The general arrangement of the blind is the same as previously described in connection with Fig. 1, and, therefore, will not be descrimd in detail. A tilter 5| has a cord pulley 52 adapted to be rotated by the tilt-cord 34. The pulley drives shaft 54, which-carries worm 55, and in turn drives gear 56. Thus movement of the tiltcord is transmitted to gear 56. Gear 56 is-freely mounted upon stationary pivot stud 51 which also pierces and makes loose supporting connec- Rocking memben 58 has pro- 58 as shown in Figs. and 14. However, if the rocking member be canted upwardly as shown in Fig. 11, the clutch fingers 6|, 6! are with- Leg 8!) of the rocking member is slotted at 62 to loosely receive a flat offset connector member 64 (of known type) which projects from the end of tilt-bar 29. If desired, the lower surface of the tilt-bar 29 may be provided with a rubber button or abutment 65, which is considered to be part of the bar for the purpose of raising the bar by lifting of the blind.

In normal position, the weight of the blind hanging upon rocking member 58 holds the rocking member in the position indicated in Figs. 9,

10, 12, and 14. in which position driving connection to the tilt-bar is established through gear 56 and clutch fingers 6|, 6| which straddle a tooth of the gear. Thus, if the tilt-cord 34 be pulled, the tilt-bar 29 is tilted in the usual manner. By raising the blind to an extreme upward position as described in connection with Figs. 1 through 8, the top slat 3ia of the blind engages the tilt-bar 29 (or the rubber bumper 65 thereof) and moves the tilt-bar upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 11. This movement takes place the more readily if the tilt-bar be in horizontal or non-tilted position when the blind is raised; Such upward movement of the tilt-bar cants the U-shaped rocking member 58, withdrawing the fingers 6|, 6! from engagement with gear (see Figs. 11 and 13) so that the driving connection to the tilt-bar 29 is broken. The tiltcord 34 can then be pulled to equalize or readjust it, the pulley 52 rotating idly with respect to the tilt-bar. Upon the blind being lowered slightly, the weight of the blind is again placed upon tiltbar 28 and the parts return to the position shown The bracket of the tilter 68 has a horizontal leg 81 secured to the head-bar 26 and has a depending leg 88 which is hinged to the horizontal leg at-69. Integral withthe horizontal leg 81 is a depending detent 10 which keeps the depending bracket leg 68 from swinging out of ,vertical in a direction away from the tilt-bar 29. However, the bracket leg 88 may swing away from vertical toward the tilt-bar 28 as will soon be explained. Rotatably mounted on depending bracket leg 68 is a shaft ll carrying a worm 12 (Fig: 17) which meshes with a gearsector 13 formed on one of the vertical legs of a U-shaped rocking member 14. A stationary stud l5 pivotally attaches the U-shaped rocking member I4 to the depending bracket leg 68; and the rocking member has an upstanding vertical leg 16 slotted at 11 to loosely receive the flat end of the known type of connector member 64 that projects from the head-bar 29. It will be apparent that the i arrangement is such that upon shaft ll being rotated, worm l2 actuates gear sector I3 to rock, the rocking member 14 and in turn tilt the tiltbar 29. Shaft ll terminates between the front edge of bracket leg 68 and cord pulley l9; and the front end of the shaft isprovided with an arcuate clutch member 80 having" a series of holes 8|. Clutch member 80 is fixedly secured to the end of shaft 'H so that if this clutch member be driven, shaft II will be driven also."

Depending from the front of horizontal bracket leg 68 is a stationary support 18 in which is journalled a separate shaft 82; and on the forward end of this shaft there is secured the cord pulley 19 that is adapted to be rotated by the tilt-cord 34. Fixedly secured to the rear end of shaft 82 there is a clutch member 83 in the form of a gear. When the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18, the teeth of gear-like clutch member 83 pierce the holes 8| in arcuate clutch member 80, so that shaft 82 is operatively coupled to shaft H.v Thus when the tilt-cord 34 is pulled, movement is transmitted from the pulley 19 to the tilt-bar 29 to' tilt the bar. Arcuate clutch member 80 is so coordinated with the rocking member I4 that when the tilt-bar is in horlzontal or non-tiltedposition, the clutch member 80 is in the rotative position shown in Figs. 16 and 18. i. e.'," toward the tilt-bar 29. In this rotative position, raising of the blind to an extreme upward position as previously described causes slat 3la to engage the tilt-bar 29 (or rubber bumper 65 thereof) and thereby elevate the tilt-bar 29 above normal position. This swings depending bracket leg 68 in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed in Figs. 15, 18, and 19), the fit of connector member 65 in slot 11 being sufliciently loose to permit this movement. Thus bracket leg 68 is swung from the position shown in Fig. 18 to the position shown in Fig. 19, withdrawing arouate clutch member from the gear-like clutch member 83 and thereby breaking the driving connection from the pulley to the tilt-bar. The tiltcord 34 can then be pulled to readjust or equalize hexagonaltilt-bar connector.

respect to the tilt-bar. When the blind is lowered sufficiently to-remove the upward pressure thereof from the tilt-bar 29, the weight of the blind is restored to the tilt-bar and to bracket leg 68, so that leg 68 swings to normal position in.

which driving connection is reestablished bei tween the clutch members 88 and 83. Then further movement of the tilt-cord 84 causes tilting of the tilt-bar 29 in the usual manner.

Figures 20 through 23 The device shown in these figures is intended to be used with a conventional Venetian blind.

'It is intended to be driven by a known type of worm-and-gear tilter, in which the/gear has an axial hexagonal hole to receive and support a A U-shaped sheet metal stamping 85 has a relatively narrow vertical leg 86 and a relatively wide vertical legt'l. Screws at 88, 88 pass through the wide leg 81 and secure the stamping to the end of the tilt-bar 29. In is instance the end of the tilt-bar is provided with a vertical notch 29oF- Positioned

betweenthe legs

86 and 81 there is a gear-like clutch member 89 that is aflixed to a hexagonal stub shaft 90. The shaft passes through the vertical slots 86a and 81a in legs 88 and 81 respectively, and projects into notch 290.. Thus, the gear-like clutch member 89 is rotatably positioned between

legs

86 and 81, and it is also vertically slideable with respect to stamping 85. S t ruck from the meta1 of stamping 85 and projecting downwardly between

legs

86 and 81 is a clutch finger 9| (or more than one) that is adapted'to engage between the teeth of the gearlike clutch member 89, The left-hand or free end of shaft 90 is adapted to telescope into and be in driven engagement with a hexagonal opening in the gear of a known worm-and-gear tilter that is actuated by a cord and pulley.

When assembled in a complete blind, the tiltbar 29 will be supported from shaft 98 and a pin- 1 tle at the other end of the tilt-bar, after the general arrangement. shown in Fig. 1. With the weight of the blind hanging upon the tilt-bar 28, finger 9| will be positioned between the teeth of the gear-like clutch member 89 as is shown in Figs. and 22. However, upon the blind being elevated to an extreme upward position, as previously referred to, the top slat 3|a of the blind will exert upward pressure on the tilt-bar and the tilt-bar will -move upwardly carrying with it stamping 85. This withdraws finger 9| from the gear-like clutch member 89. In this condition,

which is shown in Figs. 21 and 23, the driving a'asaa va plated applying my invention, but ,it will be apparent that the invention may be realized by means of constructions other than those herein specifically disclosed. Accordingly, the disclosure is to be considered as illustrative rather than limiting the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a Venetian blind having avtilt-bar, a cord pulley, a cord passing over the pulley to rotate the pulley, and mechanismoperatively connecting the pulley with the-tilt-bar to tilt the bar in response to rotation of the pulley; the improvement which compriseszthe tilt-bar being mount-- ed for upward movement above normal position by pressure exerted by extreme raising of the. I blind, and means included in said mechanism and 1 responsive to said upward movement for breaking the operative connection between said pulley and said tilt-bar, whereby the pulley may be rotated independently of the tilt-bar for adjustment of the cord passing over said pulley.

2. In a Venetian blind having a tilt-bar, a cord pulley, a cord passing over the pulley to rotate the pulley, and mechanism operatively connecting-the pulley with the tilt-bar to .tilt the bar in response to rotation of the pulley; the im-' provement which comprises: the tilt-bar being mounted for upward movement above normal connection from the cord pulley of the tilterto the tilt-bar is broken so that the tilt-cord can 'be readjusted or equalized, as previously pointed out. To facilitate the application of adequate upward pressure to the tilt-bar by top slat 3|a of the blind, stamping 85 may be provided with an integral horizontal abutment 92 positioned as 7 shown in Figs. 20, 21, and 24, this abutment being operatively part of the tilt-bar for the purpose of raising the bar. Upon the blind being lowered sufliciently to remove the upward pressure from the tilt-bar 29, the weight of the blind causes the tilt-bar to move downwardly to normal position in which finger 9| is reengaged with gear-like clutch member-89 to thereby reestablish the driving connection between the cord pulley of the tilter and the tilt-bar.

In compliance with thepatent statute s, I have disclosed the best forms in which I have contemposition, means to raise the tilt-bar above normal position, and means included in said mechanism and responsive to said upward movement.

for breaking the operative connection between said pulley and said tilt-bar, whereby the pulley may be rotated independently of the tilt-bar for adjustment of the cord passing over said pulley.

3. In a Venetian blind having a tilt-bar, a cord pulley, a cord passing over the pulley to rotate the-pulley, and. mechanism operatively connecting the pulley with the tilt-bar to tilt the bar in response to rotation of the pulley, the improvement which comprises: the tilt-bar being mounted for movement abnormal to its tilting movement when pressure is exerted thereon by extreme raising of the blind, and means included in said mechanism and responsive to said abnormal movement for breaking the operative connection between said pulley and said tilt-bar,

whereby the pulley may be rotated independently of the tilt-bar for adjustment over said pulley.

4. In a Venetian blind having a tilt-bar, acord pulley, a cord passing over the pulley to rotate the pulley, and mechanism operatively connectof the cord passing ing the pulley with the tilt-bar to tilt thebar in response to rotation of the pulley; the improvement which comprises: the tilt-bar being mounted for movement abnormal to its tilting movement, means to impart such abnormal movement to thetilt-bar, and means included in said mechanism and responsive to such abnormal movement for breaking the operativeconnection between said pulley and said tilt-bar, whereby the pulley may be rotated independently of the-tilt-' bar for adjustment of the cord passing over said pul y 5. In a device for tilting-the tilt-bar of a Venetian blind, said device including a cord pulley. a worm-and-gear driven by said cord pulley, and meansv for operatively connecting the gear to the tilt-bar for tilting the bar in response to rotation of the cord pulley; the improvement which comprises: said means having normally engaged driving elements which are disengageable in response to extreme raising'of the blind, whereby the pulley may be rotated independently'of the n tilt-bar for adjustment 01' a cord passing over said pulley.

6. In a device for tilting the tilt-bar of a Venetian blind, said device including a cord pulley,

'1. In a device for tilting the tilt-bar of a Vene tian blind, said device including a cord pulley, a worm-and-gear driven by said cord pulley, and means for operatively connecting the gear to the tilt-bar for tilting the bar in response to rotation of the cord pulley; the improvement which comprises: said means having normally engaged driving elements which are disengageable in response to extreme raising of the blind, whereby the pulley may be rotated independently or the 5 pulley, and a stub shaft to transmit movement from the worm to the tilt-bar: the improvement which comprises: a connector member for attachment to the tilt-banthe connector member having a keyhole slot pierced by the stub shait and the stub-shaft having a non-circular portion making driving connection with the small end of the keyhole slot, the connector member being shiitable to bring the large end of the keyhole slot in line with the stub shaft to thereby break the driving connection to the tilt-bar connector, whereby the pulley may be rotated independently of the tilt-bar for adjustment of a cord passing over such pulley.

12. A device as in claim 9, in which there is a curved guard, and the connector member has a projecting finger that moves adjacent to the guard as the tilt-bar is tilted, the guardnormally preventing the shifting movement to break the driving connection but being notched to receive the finger and thereby for the shifting movement when the tilt-bar is in a predetermined position with respect to its tilting movement.

13. In a device for tilting the tilt-bar of a Venetian blind, said device including a cord pulley and means to operatively connect the pulley with tilt-bar for adjustment of a cord passing over saidpulley, one of said driving elements being adapted to be attached to the tilt-bar of the blind, and the other of said elements being in fixed relationship to said gear.

8. In a device for tilting the tilt-bar of a Venetian blind, said device including a cord pulley, a worm-and-gear driven by said cord pulley, and means for operatively connecting the worm with a tilt-bar to tilt the bar in response to rotation of the cord pulley; the improvement which comprises: said means including a coupling in which a member having a keyhole slot receives a male member, the male member being normally in the small end of the slot to make an operative driving connection between the two members, and the two members being relatively shiitable to 'temporarily position the male member in the large end of the keyhole slot and thereby break the driving connection, whereby the pulley may be rotated independently of the tilt-bar for adjustment of a cord passing over the pulley.

9. In a device for tilting the tilt-bar of a Venetian blind, said device including a cord pulley, a worm-and-gear driven by said cord pulley, and means for operatively connecting the worm with a tilt-bar to tilt the bar in response to rotation of the cord pulley; the improvement which comprises: said means including a two member coupling, one'member being driven by the gear and the other being adapted to be attached to the tilt-bar, one member being a male member and the other having a keyhole slot that receives the male member, the male member being normally in the small end 01' the slot to make an operative driving connection between the two members, and the two members being relatively shiftable by abnormal movement or the tilt-bar to temporarily position the male member in theilarge end 01' the keyhole slot and thereby break the driving connection, whereby the pulley may be rotated independently of the tilt-bar for the adjustment of a cord passing over the pulley.

10. A device as in claim 9, in which there is means to prevent the abnormal movement of the tilt-bar when the bar is in tilted position.

11. In a device for tilting the tilt-bar of a Venetian blind, said device including a cord pulley, a worm-and-gear driven by said cord the tilt-bar of a blind to tilt the bar in response to rotation of the Pulley; the improvement which comprises: said means including a connection to the tilt-bar providing for upward movement of the bar above normal position by pressure exerted by extreme raising of the blind, and means included in said tilting device and responsive to said upward movement for breaking the operative connection between said pulley and said tiltbar, whereby the pulley may be rotated independently'of the tilt-bar for adjustment of a cord passing over said pulley.

14. In a. device for tilting the tilt-bar of a Venetian blind, said device including a cord pulley, a shaft-and-worm driven by said cord pulley, and means for operatively connecting the worm to the tilt-bar for tilting the bar in response to rotation of the cord pulley; the improvement which comprises: said means havin normally engaged driving elements which are disengageable in response to extreme raising of the blind, whereby the pulley may be rotated independently of the tilt-bar for adjustment of a cord passing over said pulley.

15. In a device for tilting the tilt-bar of a .Venetian blind, said device including a cord pulley, a shaft-and-worm driven by said cord pulley, and means for operatively connecting the worm to the tilt-bar for tilting the bar in response to rotation of the cord -pulley; the improvement which comprises; said means having normally engaged driving elements which are disengageable in response to extreme raising of the blind whereby the pulley may be rotated independently of the tilt-bar for adjustment of a cord passing over said pulley, one of said driving elements being adapted to be attached to the tiltbar of the blind.

16. In a device for tilting the tilt-bar of a Venetian blind, said .device including a cord pulley, a shaft-and-worm driven by said cord pulley, and means for operatively connecting the worm to the tilt-bar for tilting the bar in response to rotation of the cord pulley; the improvement said pulley, one of said driving elements being" adapted to be attached to the tilt-bar of the blind, and the other of said elements being in permanent operative relationship to said worm.

17. In a Venetian blind having a tilt-bar, a cord pulley, a cord passing over the pulley to wormto the tilt-bar for tilting the bar in re- 7 rotate the pulley, and mechanism operatively connecting the pulley withthe tilt-bar to tilt the bar in response to rotation of the pulley; the improvement which comprises: the tilt-bar being mounted for upward movement above normal e; I

sition by pressure exerted by extreme raising of the blind, means included in said mechanism and responsive to said upward movement for breaking the operative connection between said pulley and said tilt-bar whereby the pulley may be rotated independently of the tilt-bar for adjustment of the cord passing over said pulley. and means to prevent the upward movement of the tilt-bar when the bar is in tilted position.

18. In a device for tilting the tilt-bar of a Venetian .blind, said device including a cord pulley, a shaft-and-worm driven by said cord pulley, and means for operativeiy connecting the sponse "to rotation of the cord pulley; the improvement which comprises; normally engaged 20. A device as in claim 18, in which'the shaftand worm and one of the driving elements are carried by a pivoted support, and means are provided to rock the support in response to extreme raising of the blind and thereby disengagesthe driving elements. 7

AUGUST F. WALTZINGER;