US2465246A - Blind - Google Patents

Description

H. J. MACKIN March 22, 1949.

BLIND 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 16, 1945 Inventor FZ" .3. '24 25 z' ,4.

March 22, 19449, H MACKlN 2,465,246

BLIND Filed May 16, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 22, 1949. H. J. MACKIN 2,465,246

BLIND Filed May 16, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 fs l March 22, w49. H. J. MACKIN 2,455,246

BLIND Filed May 16,. 145 V4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Mar. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a blind and particularly to the support for a blind. It has for one object to provide a means of making and assembling the box of supporting construction for a Venetian blind, although it is not limited to that particular type of blind.

One object is to provide a method of making a support which is formed of standard pieces of uniform design, which may be separately made and readily assembled.

Another object is to form a support for a blind in which the necessary mechanical means for blinds of any length are carried upon standard supporting parts of uniform length, irrespective of the length of the particular blind in which they are embodied.

Another object is to provide a method for forming a box or support which carries and encloses the necessary supporting and operating means for a blind.

Another object is to provide means for assembling a supporting box for a blind without the use of additional fastening means.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the specication and claims.

This invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of a blind, showing the box or support in position with parts broken away;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken at line 2-2 of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional detail taken at line 3-3 of Figure 2 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken at line 4-4 of Figure 2 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section taken at line 5 5 of Figure 2 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the tape fastening means;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal vertical section taken at line l-'I of Figure 2 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 8 is an elevation of one of the bearing supporting members;

Figure 9 is a section taken at line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an elevation of another bearing supporting means;

Figure 11 is a section taken at line II-II of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a plane View of one of the roller supporting means as blanked out and before shaping for use;

Figure 13 is a plan view similar to that of Figure 12 showing the opposite roller supporting member;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the two bearing supporting members just after formation;

Figure 15 is an end View of a plank from which the rail or roller is formed; and

Figure 16 is an end view of a plank from which ie bottom rail of the blind is formed.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specification and the drawings.

In the particular form here shown the invention is illustrated in connection with a Venetian blind, although it might be used in connection with blinds of another type. As shown in Figure 1, the box or support for the top of the blind is indicated generally by the numeral I. Pairs of tapes 2 and 3 extend outwardly from the box I and are provided with means for supporting slats 5. At their lower ends the tapes are secured to a bottom rail 5. A tilting cord 6 extends outwardly from the box I and raising and lowering cords 'I also extend outwardly from the box I. The construction of the blind is shown generally in Figure 1 and in detail elsewhere.

The box or housing or support construction for the operating and supporting parts of the blind is formed of two preferably identical side members 8, 8. Each side member may be of metal but might be o1 other material. The side members may be provided with corrugations 5 which serve as stiffening means and also have some ornamental value. Toward the bottom each member 8 is enlarged, as at I 0, and is provided with an inwardly turned ange I-I. Along their upper edges the members 8 are also enlarged, as at I2, and provided with inwardly turned flanges I3.

The bottom of the box is formed preferably of three pieces. These pieces may conveniently be made of wood. As shown in Figure 2, there is a central iloor member. I 4, a left-hand floor member I5 and a right-hand oor member I6. Each of these members is provided on its lower surface with grooves il. These grooves, as shown particularly in Figures 3 and 4, receive the flanges -II of the side plates 8 and thus the iloor plates Id, I5 and I6 are interlocked or intertted with the side members.

The bottom and side members are secured together by two plate-like members I3 and I S. These members are shown in position in Figures 2 to 5, inclusive, and Figure 7, and are shown in elevation in Figures 8 and 10. As shown in those iigures, the members I8 and I9, whatever their general shape, are provided on their lower faces with projecting ear-like members which are received in notches or grooves 29a in the members I5 and I 6. The members I8 and I9 are provided in their upper edges with members 2l which are received in the enlargements I2 of the side members and are engaged by the flanges I3. The members I 8 and I9 are notched, as at 22, to receive the flanges I3 of the side members 8 and also to receive the flange 23 of a cover member 24 which may be used, if desired. It is shown in position in Figures 3 and 4.

Where the invention is applied to or embodied in a Venetian blind, means must be provided for supporting a tilt rail upon which the tapes are themselves supported. Means must be provided for tilting this rail and for raising the slats. As shown the tilting rail comprises a member 25 which is shaped with sides 2G which are outwardly and downwardly, These may terminate in rounded portions 21. Longitudinal grooves 28 e and 29 are formed, respectively, in the top and bottom of the rail 25. Instead of continuous grooves 28 and 29, shorter depressions might be formed. At one end a pin 30 is positioned in the rail 25 and it isl received in a perforation or hole 3I in the member I9, as shown in Figure 7 particularly.

At its opposite end as shown in Fig. 5 the rail receives the squared end 32 of a pin 33. The squared end 32 preferably fits Within a correspondingly squared opening in a strap-like member 34 which embraces the rail 25 by means of the portions 35 and 36 which, a's shown in Figure 5, fit respectively into the grooves 2S and 29 and are held against displacement by screws 31, or otherwise.

Since only a bearing is required at the righthand end of the rail 25, the simple pin 30 suflices for that support. At the opposite end means are required for tilting the rail 25. The pin 33 which is xed against rotation with respect to the rail 25 by the cooperation of the squared portion 32 with the corespondingly squared opening in the member 34 has formed on it a worm gear 3B which meshes with a worm 39 on a shaft 40. At its outer end the shaft 40 carries a grooved pulley 4l over which the tilting cord or cable 5 is positioned.

While many different sorts of bearing housings might be provided for the structure just described, it is convenient to form the member I8 of two complementary sections I8', as shown particularly in Figures 5 and 9. These sections are shaped, as at I 8", to provide suitable cavities for enclosing and supporting the gear 3B on the shaft 33 and the worm 39 on the shaft 40. Obviously the invention is not limited to these details and the worm, the Worm gear and the shaft might be otherwise supported without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The slats of the blind are supported by means of tapes 2 and 3, as above mentioned. The tapes 2 are shown generally in Figure 1 and in detail in Figure 4. They are positioned about the rail 25 and their upper ends are engaged under the fastening member 42, which is shown in elevation in Figure 6 and generally in Figures 4 and 5, This member is positioned with the flanges 53 extending downwardly and is held removably in place by one or more screws 44. It fits within the groove 28 and holds the tapes removably in position. A corresponding member is positioned adjacent the right-hand end of the rail 25 and similarly holds the tapes 3 in place. Between the tapes 2 and between the tapes 3 are ladder members 45 upon which rest the slats 4. These slats may be perforated, as at 46, to permit passage of the raising and lowering cords 1 The raising and lowering cords are preferably secured to a bottom rail member 5 which is preferably heavier than the slats 4.

In addition to the means for tilting the tilt rail 25 and thus for tilting the slats, means for raising and lowering the blind are provided, and these mea-ns include the cords 1 and means for movably supporting them. At the left-hand end of the assembly a roller 48 is mounted for rotation between members 49, which are preferably integral with a trough-like member 50. This member may be provided with points 5I, 52 which, when the parts are assembled, t into or cut into the floor member I5. The floor member I5 is notched, as at 53, 53 to provide clearance for the tilting cord 6. It is generally cut away at one end, as at 54. This cut away portion provides an opening through which the tapes 2 extendand also provides an opening into which the members 49 and the roller 48 extend, as shown in Figure 5.

As indicated in Figure 2, one portion of the raising cord 1 extends over the roller 48 and moves more or less diagonally toward the righthand end of the blind. In addition to this, the right-hand portion of the raising cord 1 extends vertically between the tapes 3 and over the roller 55 which is supported for rotation by the members 56. These members form part of a troughlike member or section 51 which may be provided with points 58. Also formed preferably integrally with the member 451 are members 59 between which is mounted for rotation a roller 60. VThis is a double roller, as shown particularly in Figure 2. The members 59 extend through the cut away portion 6I of the floor member I5 and the members 5G extend into the cut away portion 62 of the member I 5. The tapes 3 also extend through the cut away portion 62. When the parts are assembled the points 58 fit into the oor member I9. As that member is formed of wood, they may act as blades and cut into that portion of the floor member which they contact,

For convenience in manufacture the floor sections !5 and I6 which carry the bearing supports may be manufactured from a single board or from a pair of boards. One such board is shown in Figure 14. It may be cut along a line 63 when finished, or if two boards are assembled together for the shaping steps, they will be fitted together along the line 63. Assuming that a single board is to be used, it will occupy the position shown in Figure 14 and will have formed in it simultaneously or by successive operations the grooves 20a, the cut away portions 53, 54, 6I and 62. These shapes may be provided by a single operationin other words, the board may be moved with respect to cutters which are arranged simultaneously to form all of the notches or cut away portions, or they may be made by more than one movement. Either before the cut away portions have been produced or afterward, the board is preferably provided with the vlongitudinal grooves I1.

The top rail 25 may be formed in any desired manner. There is shown in Figure l5 a plank or board 64 from which a plurality of the rails 25 may be cut. The rails and the grooves in them are indicated in dotted lines. By forming the rails with the cross section indicated, a plurality of them can be formed from a single plank and by nesting them in reversed direction with "respect to each other, a further economyfis possible.

As shown in Figure 16, a plank 65 has indicated upon it a plurality of the bottom rails 5. They are nested and reversed with respect to each other so that an economy is achieved in manufacturing them from the plank shown.

The invention is not limited to the shape of the floor members shown in Figure 14, nor to the shape of the tilt rail of Figure or the bottom rail of Figure 16. These figures indicate suitable and appropriate forms for these parts and indicate economical methods of manufacturing them. The present invention is not directed to the method of making these members. This method is claimed in a co-pending application. The present application is directed to the blind and to the support for the blind and, in particular, to the method of making the blind as a whole and to the method of assembling it.

If desired, automatic means for holding the raising cord in adjusted position may be used. The invention is not limited to the use of any special means and the one which is illustrated is shown merely as indicating one suitable form of latch. As shown, a latch 'III is pivoted at 1I in the members 59. This member is so shaped and balanced with respect to its point of support that it tends to fall with its point 'I2 against the cord 'I. Thus it will engage the cord and when the cord is pulled downwardly it will run over the cord. When the cord is released the point will be engaged by the cord and will latch it against further movement in the upward direction.

Although I have shown an operative form of my invention, it will be recognized that many changes in the form, shape and arrangement of parts can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and my showing is therefore to be taken as, in a sense, diagrammatic. Thus the shape and arrangement of the grooves and cut away parts in Figure 14 might be varied. The extended portions 66 and 61 with their lateral anges 68 and 69, respectively, might be omitted. In general, the shape of the members I5 and IB is dictated by the size and shape of the hardware or associated parts which are to be used with or supported by them.

The main function of the extensions which form the cut away portions 54 and E2 is to accomplish proper spacings of the members I5 and I6 with respect to the central member I4. Any other spacing means might be used. The pulley boxes which support the pulleys 48, 55 and 60 might be of suitable length to accomplish this spacing.

As above described, the bottom of the box comprises the three pieces I4, I5 and I6. These are interlocked and held together with the side members by the members I8 and I9. This interlocking construction might be embodied in a device in which the bottom is formed of a single piece, Although this would require making a box of proper length for each installation and would therefore sacrifice some of the advantages of the invention, it might be done where desired, and the invention is therefore not limited to a device in which the bottom of the box is made of more than one piece. Similarly, a box o-f more conventional type in which the sides are fixed to the bottom by any means might be employed with the three piece bottom construction shown and the invention is therefore not limited to a construction in which there is the interlocking feature. Similarly, the bottom might be formed of more than three pieces. The feature of the multi-piece bottom is therefore not limited to any particular side 6 construction nor to anyparticular means for holding the sides and the bottom together.

In Figure 1 and elsewhere a blind is shown supported by only two sets of tapes. More tapes might be used. The number of tapes or sets of tapes will depend on the length of the blind. For each set of tapes an opening is required in the bottom of the box. It has been pointed out that the bottom of the box may be made of one member or of any desired number of members. However the bottom is made, a suicient number of openings is provided to permit each pair of tapes to pass through the bottom. Throughout the construction it has been emphasized that the parts fit together by interlocking with each other and that they are normally fastened and positioned by their shape, so that they are in effect sprung together. For some purposes and particularly where the blind is to receive especially heavy usage or where the wooden members may be subjected to rapid drying, if desired, screws or rails or other fasteners may be added. Thus the brackets I8 and I9 might have members `or perforations so arranged as to receive nails, screws or other fasteners.

The use and operation of this invention are as follows:

Venetian blinds are generally arranged to t accurately the size of the window to which they are applied. In the past this has required that the entire blind be designed to order and dimensioned to order and the entire box changed for each installation.

In thepresent invention this is not necessary. The members I5 and I6 are the same size for all possible sizes of blinds. They are made as shown in Figure 14 and the hardware or associated blind supporting and operating members are carried on them. The hardware need not be changed. All that need be changed is the central member I4. That will be whatever length is required. This and the length of the side members 8 will vary for a given installation.. 'Ihus in installing a series of blinds a. suitable number of uniform floor members I5 and I6 will be supplied and for each of them the hardware which it is to carry will be supplied.

Also a suitable number of side members 3 will be supplied. These members will be cut to suitable length and the intermediate or central member I 4 will be cut to suitable length. The box is then assembled by placing together the members I4, I5 and I6 in the position which they occupy in Figure 2. The side members are engaged in the grooves I1 in the bottom of these members. The parts I8 an-d I9 are then fitted into the position in which the ears or lugs 20 engage the notches or grooves 20a and in which the members 2| engage the flange I3. Thus the box is locked together by the members I8 and I9, and no additional fastening means are required. A tilting rail 25 of suitable length is supported in the bearings which are formed in or carried by the members I8 and I9.

Before or after the box is assembled, the tapes 2 and 3 are passed about the rail 25 and are fastened in place by means of the members '42, or otherwise. Slats of suitable length are put into place, the cords 6 and 1 are inserted, and the blind is ready for use.

From the aboveit will be clear that instead of making many different sizes of boxes or supporting constructions to lit many different possible sizes of windows, it i-s possible to make a series of standard sized parts and to assemble them;

The members I and I6 are of constant dimension and the hardware members which they carry are unchanged and the center piece I4 is the only floor member which is varied as to length. Thus no cutting and fitting is necessary on the job and the entire device is flexible in the sense that it can be adapted to windows of many sizes with a minimum of such fitting, cutting or sizing of parts.

Since the rail 25 is to be tilted, it is necessary that it should be xed in relation to the member 32. It simplifies the con-struction to have that member of angular cross section and to apply the stirrup-like member 34 to the rail 25. The member 34 has a perforation which is of the same size and shape as the member 32. Hence when they are assembled, as shown in Figure 5, no relative rotation is possible.

In assembling the device the bottom or oor members are fitted into the side members. The head rail is then put generally in position and one of the bearing supports, either the member I8 or the member 28, is tted into position so that it engages the ange I3 of the side members 8 and engages the appropriate notches Ella in the member IB. The pin 30 is then inserted in the opening 3|. The bearing support I8 is then moved toward its final position and the member 32 is inserted through the opening in the member 34 and pushed far enough inwardly to bring the bearing support I8 in position to t into the notches 20a in the member I5.

'I'he bearing support is then, in effect, sprung into position and the parts are held together, the iloor members and side members being held together by the bearing supports which now also support the tilting rail 25.

After this has been done, the tapes may be put in place and their ends engaged by the members 43 of the members 42 which are then screwed into pla-ce, and the tapes are in posin tion to support the slats 4. Raising cords I are inserted. They are secured to the bottom rail 5, pass upwardly through perforations 46 in the slats 4 and are positioned over the rollers lle and 55 and 60. The tilting cord is inserted through the notches 53 in the member I5 and is positioned in the groove pulley 4I. The blind as a whole is then assembled and ready for use.

The method of assembly would be the same no matter what the length of the blind and the standard floor members with their attached hardware are tted into place on the job and require no special adjustment or special shaping no matter what the length of the blind with which they are used may be.

The method of assembly requires a shaping of the side and bottom members so that they interlock or interfit. The particular shapes here shown might be varied widely. Any shape of the side and bottom members which permits them to interfit either by partially surrounding one by the other or by interlocking will carry out the purposes of the invention. The bracket members I8 and I9 are shaped to hold the bottom and side members in intertting relation and are so proportioned as to draw them tightly together. Thu-s the brackets I8 and I9 tend to force the upper edges of the side members upwardly and therefore draw the lower edges of the side members into engagement with the bottom members.

Where the word hardware is used in the specication and claims it is to be understood as meaning the hardware or mechanism which is used to support or blind.

I claim:

1. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, members defining the bottom of said support and hardware engaging said members, said bottom formed of a plurality of separate pieces, two of said pieces intertting with said hardware.

2. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, members dening the bottom of said support and hardware engaging said members, said bottom formed of a plurality of separate pieces, two of said pieces intertting with said hardware and im intermediate piece.

3. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, side members, members defining the bottom of said support and hardware engaging said members, said bottom formed of a plurality of separate pieces, two of said pieces interfitting with said hardware and an intermediate piece engaging said side members.

4. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, members defining the sides of said support and members dening the bottom of said support and hardware engaging said sides and said members and securing them together, said bottom formed of a plurality of separate pieces, two of said pieces in'tertting with said hardware.

5. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, members defining the sides of said support and members defining the bottom of said support and hardware engaging said sides and said members and securing them together, said bottom formed of a plurality of separate pieces, two of said pieces intertting with said hardware, and an intermediate piece engaging said side members.

6. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, members deiining the sides of said support and members dening the bottom of said support and hardware engaging said sides and said members and securing them together, said bottom formed of a plurality of separate pieces, two of said pieces interfitting with said hardware, an intermediate piece engaging said side members, and said two pieces forming a bottom for said support.

7. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, members dening the sides of said support and members dening the bottom of said support and hardware engaging said sides and said members and securing them together, said bottom formed of a plurality of separate pieces, two of said pieces intertting with said hardware, said hardware including bearing supporting means, there being a rail positioned above said bottom and supported in said bearing supporting means, one of said bearing supporting means including members adapted to be moved to tilt said rail.

8. In combination in a Venetian blind having a head box, a pair of members defining bottom parts of said box, and a plurality of bearing supporting means mounted in said box and engaging said bottom portions, said last-mentioned means supporting rotating means, a tilting rail positioned above said bottom portions and provided with members engaging said rotating means, said rail being of varying cross section and having its greatest width below its uppermost portion, said rail provided with a depression in its upper surface and tapes engaged upon said rail and within said depression, said bottom portions having cut away parts, said tapes extending through said cut away portions of said bottom portion.

move the mechanism of the 9. In combination in a Venetian blind, a pair of members defining bottom portions, and a plurality of bearing supporting means intertting with said bottom portions, one of said bearing supports supporting rail tilting means and blind raising means positioned on said bottom members, said bottom portions supporting said bearing supporting means.

10. In combination in a Venetian blind, a pair of members dening bottom portions, and a plurality of bearing supporting means engaging said bottom portions, one of said bearing supports carrying rail tilting means, said bottom portions supporting said bearing supporting means, and said tilting means.

11. In combination in a Venetian blind, a pair of members defining bottom portions, and a plurality of bearing supporting means engaging said bottom portions, one of said bearing supports supporting rail tilting means, and blind raising means positioned on said bottom members, said bottom portions intertting with said bearing supporting means and said tilting means, and said raising means.

12. In combination in a Venetian blind, a pair of members defining bottom portions, a pair of side members, the side members and bottom portions interlocking with each other, and a plurality of bearing supporting means engaging said bottom portions and said side members and to lock them together, said bottom portions supporting said bearing supporting means and an inter- 10 mediate separate bottom member positioned between said iirst mentioned bottom portions and engaging said side members 13. In combination in a Venetian blind, a pair of members defining bottom portions, a pair of side members, the side members and bottom portions interlocking With each other, and a plurality of bearing supporting means engaging said bottom portions and said side members and to lock them together, and blind raising means posi tioned on said bottom members, said bottom portions receiving said bearing supporting means and said raising means.

14. In combination in the head construction of a Venetian blind, means defining a box, said means including a bottom member, side members and hardware supporting means, said bottom and side members interlocking with each other, and said hardware supporting means engaging said bottom and said sides and to lock them together to form a finished boX.

I-IE'NRY J. MACKIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,894,833 Ruby Jan. 17, 1933 1,949,653 Moore Mar. 6, 1934 2,152,116 Wade Mar. 28, 1939

Images