US2299095A - Locking type blind, shutter, and the like - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 20, 1942. A. D. KNOX LOCKING TYPE BLIND, SHUTTER, AND THE LIKE Filed May 3, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 ||.L QIIIIL PIIIL Lilli.

Oct. 20, 1942. A. D. KNOX LOCKING TYPE BLIND, SHUTTER, AND THE LIKE Filed May 5, 1941 Patented Oct. 20, 1942 UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE LOCKING TYPE BLIND, SHUTTER, AND THE LIKE 23 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in looking type blinds, shutters and the like, and while hereinafter described as a Venetian blind assembly, it is to be understood that the invention has Wider application in the field of shutters, protective grills and like burglarproof arrangements.

The invention contemplates and provides an improved locking blind assembly for blinds of the slat or blade type, wherein upon lowering of the blind the blades thereof can be locked against unauthorized raising by simple, easily operated yet effective locking means.

According to a further feature of the invention, the locking means as aforesaid provides not only for the condition of locking the blades of a lowered blind against raising movement while permitting them to be freely turned about their axis to any chosen position of adjustment, but also makes provision for the locking of the blades against turning from the chosen position of adjustment. In the accomplishment of the latter feature, the locking means are operable to place the blades of a lowered blind in tension to a degree precluding movement of the blades out of their position of adjustment and at the same time acting to prevent spreading of the blades intermediate the ends thereof.

More specifically, the invention contemplates a locking means for blinds, shutters and the like, having three effective positions; namely, a release position in which the blind may be raised and lowered and the blades thereof tilted or adjusted about their respective axes in conventional manner; a first active position in which the locking means functions to prevent raising of the lowered blind, while at the same time permitting the blades to be freely tilted to any chosen position of adjustment, and a second active position in which the blades in the chosen position of adjustment are tensioned longitudinally to a degree sufiicient to preclude unauthorized movement of the blades from the adjusted position, with the tensioning of the blades moreover serving to prevent spreading or prying apart of the blades intermediate the ends thereof.

The invention further aims to provide a novel means of ensuring the proper spacing as well as the distribution of the weight of the blades of the lowered blind, for the purpose of assuring proper functioning of the locking means even under the condition where the tapes or equivalent blade hanging means have become stretched during continued use.

Further objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connection with the following analysis of this invention wherein is illustrated an embodiment of the invention in detail.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is illustrative of a window provided with a lockin type Venetian blind in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through a portion of the window and blind illustrated in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C are sections taken through the side frame and blade locking means with the latter in the release position permitting the blind to be operated in conventional manner;

Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C are corresponding sections but showing the locking means in its first active position providing for the locking of the blind against raising while permitting the blades thereof to be turned about their respective axes;

Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C are corresponding sections with the locking means shown in its second active position in which the blades are placed in tension, thereby tolock the same against tilting 0r rotary movement about their respective axes;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken through the lower end of the frame and illustrating the lock actuating means in a position corresponding to the second active position of the locking means; and

Fig. 7 is a part longitudinal section through the side frame, the locking means being only partially shown, illustrating a preferred means for guiding and spacing the blades of a blind.

Referring to the drawings wherein life reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, reference character It represents a window opening in a building wall, it being understood that such is typical of any form of opening occurring in walls to be closed by a blind, shutter or like device. The opening is provided with a window frame ll of conventional construction in which windows l2 are mounted. In the embodiment of the invention chosen for purpose of illustration, th blind generally designated I3 is disposed on the inner side of the window and takes the form ofa Venetian blind employing a plurality of blades B adapted to be raised and lowered in conventional manner, as by the ropes 15, Figs. 1 and 2. Moreover, the blades are mounted for titlting or turning movement about their respective axes in conventional manner.

Arranged at each side of the window opening and on the inner side of the window thereof is a slide frame l6 as indicated in Figs. 30, 4C, and 5C. The frame is preferably of box-channel formation, the relatively front wall of which is provided with a vertical slot Il extending the length of the frame. It will be understood that the vertical slots ll of the spaced frames open towards each other. Adjacent their ends, the blades are each notched to provid flat necks I8 and terminal heads 2|], the latter preferably having lesser width than the blade proper, and the arrangement being such that the heads 20 of all of the blades extend into the spaced side frames of the assembly, with the blade necks traveling in the frame slots 11.

By reference particularly to Figs. 2 and '7, each side frame carries on its rear wall, a forwardly opening guide channel 22 of general U-shape, and within the channel at spaced intervals along the length thereof are secured a plurality of cross straps 24. These cross straps are each spaced from the back wall of the guide channel a distance which progressively increases from top to bottom of the frame. Thus, by reference to Fig. '7, the distance L, representing the spacing between an upper cross strap and the rear wall of the guide channel 22 is greater than distance L between the next lower cross strap andthe rear wall of the guide channel.

The cross straps 24 are spaced from each other a predetermined vertical distance, such corresponding to the distance of about six of the bladesof the blind when the latter is in lowered position, every sixth blade being accordingly provided with a supporting shank 26 which is of a length as to extend into the guide channel for support on a particular supporting strap 24. To this end, the supporting shank 26 of the topmost blade shown in Fig. 7 is slightly longer than the shank 26 of the sixth blade therebeneath, such difference in length corresponding to the difference of the spacings L and L. Hence, the arrangement issuch that upon full lowering move- A 'I'nent of the blind, every sixth blade thereof is supported on its own strap 24, with the progressively lesser length of the lower blade shanks permitting free lowering until the lower blade shanks engage their particular supporting straps.

With every sixth blade being supported in predetermined positions upon lowering of the blind, the weight of the lowered blind is distributed at a plurality of points in the frame, and accurate spacing of the blades results even though the connecting tapes extending between the blades have become stretched for one reason or another.

Also disposed in each of the side frames I6 is a pair of vertically disposed locking members 3i,

'32, each operating in an actuating member of a pair 33, 34 thereof. The locking members prefably take the form of L-shaped angles, with the actuating members being shown as J-shaped channels. A pair of such actuating members are vertically disposed within a side frame, and each fills the space between a side flange of the guide channel 22 and the related inner (or outer) wall of said frame, the long flanges of the'actuating members extending from front to rear of the frame channel. This arrangement provides for effective guiding of the actuating members during movement thereof.

Th L-shaped locking members 3|, 32-are each disposed so that on flange thereof extends into the channel of the companion actuating member, and its other or clasp flange extends towards the frame slot H, the clasp flanges of the locking members of a pair being in the sameplane. At spaced intervals along th edges of the related clasp flanges, registering semi-circular recesses 75 3la, 32a, are formed which, when the members 3|, 32 are moved to locking position, in which the clasp flanges have edge engagement, form circular pockets, for the purpose to be described.

The locking members upon actuation partake of two movements, the first movement being in a direction towards each other to a first active position in which the clasp flanges have edge engagement, thereby to form a vertical series of pockets enclosing the necks [B of the lowered blind to prevent raising thereof; and the second being movement axially of the blades during which the clasp flanges engage against the shoulders formed between the necks l8 and the end heads of the blades and place the latter in tension. Preferable, the under faces of the clasp flanges which engage the blade heads are surfaced with frictioning material 35 to provide noiseless engagement as well as friction gripping of the blade heads.

Movement of the locking members in a direction to and from each other is effected as by providing on the relatively inner face of the outer flanges of the actuating members a plurality of wedges 38, arranged at spaced intervals along the length of the actuating members. When the latter are in their full raised or release position, illustrated in Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C, the wedges are adapted to seat in corresponding slots 39 cut in the operating flanges of the locking members, said members being normally held by upper and lower springs (not shown) in retracted position in which they seat against the related cuter flanges of the actuating members, Upon lowering of the actuating members to a predetermined position corresponding to the first active position of the locking means, the wedges-38 have camming engagement with and bodily move the locking members to a position in which their clasp flanges have edge engagement as aforesaid, and as indicated in Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C.

Movement of the locking members axially of the blades is effected through a pin and slot connection with the actuating members whereby, as the latter are moved to their fully lowered position, corresponding to the second active position of the locking means, the locking members are moved in unison towards the rear of the side frames. The aforesaid pin and slot connection is provided by a plurality of pins 4!] extending between the parallel flanges of the actuating member channels, said pins extending through corresponding slots M formed in each of the operating flanges of the locking members.

By reference to Figs. 3A, 4A, and 5A, slot 41 has a vertically extending portion Ma and a forwardiy inclined portion 45?). As the actuating members are lowered to an intermediate position corresponding to the first active position of the locking means, the pins :6 thereof travel along the vertical portion 452 of the pin slot, with the result that no rearward movement of the locking members occur. However, as the actuating members move from their intermediate to their fully lowered position, the latter corresponding to the second active position of the locking means, the pins 49 engage against the relatively rearward edges of the inclined slot portions Nb and result in actuation of the locking members in a relatively rearward direction.

The length of the slots 4| corresponds to the full vertical travel of the actuating members so that in release position the pins 49 engage in the upper end of the slots, and in full lowered position engage against the lower end of the slot. Accordingly, for such extreme positions, the looking members are positively maintained in their release or in full active position,

Means for operating the members 33, 34 are provided, one such means being positioned so as to be readily operable from the lower end of each side frame l6, although other positioning of the operating means is possible. Referring to Figs. 3A, 4A, 5A and 6, the operating means includes a rotary shaft 45 journaled in the flanges of the guide channel 22 for rotation about its own ends, the shaft carrying front and rear cranks 415, Lil. As an extension of the crank (it, there is provided a crank arm 48 which extends through a horizontally disposed slot d9 formed in the relatively inner actuating member adjacent the lower end thereof. The crank arm is of sufficient length as to extend through the relatively inner flange of the side frame, and to accommodate for the arcuate path of movement of the crank arm, said inner flange is provided with a semi-circular slot 5%]. Carried at the end of the crank arm is an operating handle 5| which is hinged on itself at 52, the handleat its free end carrying a locking spindle 53, and a locking detent 54, the position of which is controlled by a lock cylinder 55.

The relatively front crank 4'1 carries a crank arm be engaging in a horizontal slot in the outer actuating member to correspond with the slot 49 of the inner actuating member.

With the handle opened to its operating position, and with the locking means in its release position indicated in Figs. 3A, 3B and 30, the actuating members 33, 34 are in their fully raised position, and the blind is capable of operation in conventional manner. To actuate the locking means from its release to its first active position, as aforesaid, the handle is given a 90 rotation to the position thereof illustrated in Fig. 4A, thus to effect movement of the actuating bars to their intermediate position in which the locking members 39, 32 move into edge engagement, with the pockets thereof enclosing the blade necks I8 to preclude raising of the blind while permitting turning or tilting movement of the blades thereof about their respective axes.

Upon a further 90 rotation of the handle to its position illustrated in Fig. 5A, the locking members, moving axially and in unison due to their like pin and slot connection with the actuating member, engage against the blade heads 21] and place the lowered blades in tension, when said tensioned, movement of the blades from any chosen position of adjustment is precluded. Moreover, the axial or rearward movement of the locking members is predetermined to put the blades under suficient tension so that spreading of the blades as by prying them apart intermediate their ends is substantially impossible of attainment.

Upon the actuating handle being rotated to its Fig. 5A position, the handle may be hinged on itself and the lower portion thereof brought to its dotted line position, in which the locking spindle 53 and locking detent 54 are brought into registry with and passed into an opening 58 provided in the relatively inner flange of the inner actuating member 33, which, when said member is in its fully lowered position, in turn registers with the upper end of the slot 50. Thereupon, by insertion of a key into the lock cylinder, the spindle may be turned to cause the locking detent to assume a locked position, and

by the subsequent withdrawal of the key the assemblyis locked in its second locking position, as aforesaid, until positively released therefrom as by the reinsertion of the key and operation of the latter.

By the above described locking blind assembly, there is provided a simple, easily operated and effective arrangement for locking the blades of a blind when in lowered position against raising movement, while permitting movement of the blades about their respective axes to a desired position of adjustment, and also for locking the blades of the blind against turning movement from their chosen adjusted position by placing the blades in tension. Tensioning of the blades is itself advantageous in preventing the blades being spread or pried intermediate the ends thereof.

The invention is of further advantage when it is considered that the blind can be operated in conventional manner with the locking thereof being optional. Moreover, the assembly provides for a selection of the locking arrangements to meet individual conditions, under one of which locking of the blind against raising movement may suffice with another condition requiring locking of the blades against turning movement.

As above forecast, the invention has wider application than to the locking of blades of Venetian blinds, as it is equally applicable to the locking of grills, burglar-proof shutters and like devices wherein in addition to the protection against unauthorized access a control of light, air and privacy is desired. Further, by using blades made of steel or other strong indestructible material in a Venetian blind assembly the blind, in addition to its normal use, may act as a protective grille, thus eliminating the necessity of fixed grills, bars or other mechanical burglarproof devices. Such a blind using steel blades could also serve to lock persons in a room or enclosure without the psychological effect of barred windows.

Due to the positive control of blade position which the invention provides, it is also possible to apply the principles thereof to a combined blind and awning b the relatively simple expedient of hinging the frames from the top of the opening so that they can be pushed out from the bottom of the opening to form an awning therefor.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with raising and lowering means, the blades thereof being mounted for angular adjustment about their respective axes, and means operative upon lowering of the blind to tension the blades longitudinally, thereby to lock the blades in their adjusted position and to enable the blades to resist being spread apart intermediate their ends.

2. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with raising and lowering means, the blades thereof being mounted for angular adjustment about their respective axes, and means operative upon lowering of the blind to lock the same against raising movement and thereupon to tension the blades longitudinally so as to enable the blades to resist being spread apart intermediate their ends.

3. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with raising and lowering means, the blades thereof being mounted for angular adjustment about their respective axes, means operative upon lowering of the blind to lock the same against raising movement, said last means being selectively operable to permit adjustment of the blades about their respective axes and to restrain the blades against angular movement out of any chosen position of adjustment.

4. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with raising and lowering means, the blades thereof being mounted for angular adjustment about their respective axes, means actuable from an inactive position providing for conventional operation of the blind into an active position providing for longitudinal tensioning of the blades of the blind upon lowering thereof thereby to lock the blind against raising movement and to enable the blades to resist being spread apart intermediate their ends.

5. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with raising and lowering means, the blades thereof being mounted for angular adjustment about their respective axes, means actuable from an inactive position providing for conventional operation of the blind to a first active position providing for the locking f the blind in lowered position while permitting angular adjustment of the blades thereof about their respective axes, and thence to a second active position providing for th locking of the blades in a chosen position of adjustment and in such manner as to resist spreading of the blades intermediate their ends.

6. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with raising and lowering means, the blades thereof being mounted for angular adjustment about ti eir respective axes, side frames into which the ends of the blades extend, locking means operatively carried by the side frames for cooperation with the blade ends extending thereinto, said locking means including members movable relatively towards each other to a blade locking position in which said members lock the blades and hence the blind against raising movement, and means for moving said members to and from said position aforesaid.

7. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with raising and lowering means, the blades thereof being mounted for angular adjustment about their respective axes, side frames into which the ends of the blades extend, and locking means operatively carried by the side frames for cooperation with the blade ends extending thereinto, said locking means including a member movable from an inactive to a blade engaging position and bein thereupon movable axially of the blades and in a direction as to tension the same longitudinally, and means for moving the member as aforesaid.

8. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with raising and lowering means, the blades thereof being mounted for angular adjustment about their respective axes, side frames into which the ends of the blades extend, locking means carried by said side frames and including locking members relatively movable to a position in which they operate to lock the blind against raising movement, and means operative upon movement of said members to said position for moving the members axially of the blades and in a direction as to tension the blades longitudinally.

9. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with raising and lowering means, the blades thereof being mounted for angular adjustment about their respective axes, side frames into which the ends of the blades extend, clasp members mounted in said frame for movement to a blade clasping position and thereupon for movement axially of said blades in a direction as to place the latter in tension, and means for selectively imparting the first only or both of said movements to said members.

10. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with raising and lowering means, the blades thereof being mounted for angular adjustment about their respective axes, side frames into which the ends of the blades extend, normally spaced locking members mounted within said frame for movement from release to a looking position, said members each having provisions which in the locking position of said members as aforesaid form closed pockets enclosing the blade ends but permitting angular movement of the blades about their respective axes, and actuating means for moving the locking members from release to locking position.

11. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with raising and lowering means, the blades thereof being mounted for angular adjustment about their respective axes, the blades having at each end thereof a fiat neck and a flat end head, side frames into which the end heads of the blades extend, normally spaced looking members mounted within said frame for movement from a release to a locking position, in which latter position said members have edge engagement, the members each having complemental recesses along their engaging edges which in the aforesaid locking position provid closed pockets for the blade necks in which the blades are turnable about their respective axes, with the edge engagement of the members above said pockets functioning to preclude raising of the blades, and actuating means for moving the looking members from release to locking position.

12. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with raising and lowering means, the blades thereof being mounted for angular adjustment about their respective axes, the blades having adjacent each end thereof a flat neck and a fiat end head, side frames into which the end heads of the blade extend, normally spaced locking members mounted within said frame for movement from a release to a first locking position, said members each having a plurality of complemental recesses adapted in the locking position aforesaid to provide closed pockets for the blade necks in which the blades are turnable about their respectiv axes, said members being mounted for movement from said first to a second locking position during which movement the locking members engage against the blade heads and place the blades in tension, and a single actuating means for selectively moving the locking members from release to said first or to said second locking position.

13. A locking blind assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said actuating means includes actuating members guided for vertical movement and each having camming engagement with a locking member, and handle operated means for moving the actuating bars vertically and in unison.

14, A locking blind assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said actuating means includes actuating members guided for vertical movement and each having camming engagement with a locking member, and handle operated means for moving the actuating bars vertically and in unison.

15. A locking blind assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein said actuating means includes actuating members mounted for vertical movement and each having camming engagement with a locking member to move the same to said first locking position and also a pin and slot connection with said locking member for moving the latter to the second locking position, and handle operated means for actuating both said bars vertically and in unison.

16. A blind assembly comprising a blade-type blind, means for suspending the blades thereof, means for raising and lowering the blind, side guides for the blind into which the ends of certain of the blades extend during lowering thereof, and blade supporting means disposed at spaced intervals in said guides, each engageable by the ends of one particular blade extending thereinto whereby the assembly of blades upon lowering of the blind is supported at intervals along the length of the lowered blind.

17. A blind assembly comprising a blade-type blind, means for suspending the blades thereof, means for raising and lowering the blind, a guide channel disposed at each side of the blind, each channel being provided at intervals along its length with cross supporting straps, certain of said blades having supporting shanks each extending into said channel for support by a particular cross strap, the spacing between each of the cross straps and the rear wall of the channel progressively increasing and the length of the blade shanks progressively decreasing from top to bottom of the blind whereby upon lowering of the blind certain of the blades are supported within said channel independently of the blade suspending means.

18. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with a plurality of blades, and means for tensioning the blades longitudinally whereby the blades resist being spread apart intermediate their ends.

19. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with a plurality of blades, and means for tensioning the blades longitudinally an amount such that the blades resist being spread apart intermediate their ends.

20. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind, means mounting the blades thereof for angular adjustment about their respective axes, and means operative in all positions of adjustment of the blades for tensioning the same longitudinally whereby the blades resist being spread apart intermediate their ends.

21. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind provided with a plurality of blades, and means operative to engage the blades adjacent the ends thereof and to tension the same longitudinally whereby the blades resist being spread apart intermediate the ends thereof.

22. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind, side frames into which the ends of the blades extend, and means carried by said side frame for tensioning the blades longitudinally whereby the blades resist being spread apart intermediate the ends thereof.

23. In a locking blind assembly, a blade-type blind, side frames into which the ends of the blades extend, means mounting the blades for angular adjustment about their respective axes, and means carried by at least one of the side frames and operative in all positions of adjustment of the blade for tensioning the same longitudinally whereby the blades resist being spread apart intermediate the ends thereof.

ALEXANDER D. KNOX.

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