US2556942A - Sliding slat drape - Google Patents

Description

June 12, 1951 c. J. REIMULLER SLIDING SLAT DRAPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 30, 1949 'IN V EN TOR.

June 12, 195] c, J RElMULLER 2,556,942

' SLIDING SLAT DRAPE Filed June 50, 1949 7 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Patented June 12, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SLIDING SLAT DRAPE Christian I. Reimuller, Glendora, Calif. Application June 30, 1949, Serial No. 102,285

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in Venetian drapes, and more specifically to the Sliding Slat Drape described and shown in my co-pending application, Serial #780,698, filed October 18, 1947, now abandoned, and to the method of accomplishing a better end result by:

1. Simplification,

2. Sizereduction,

3. Design improvement.

In the broad sense, this improvement consists of a more adaptive arrangement which uses less parts of simpler design, while at the same time bringing about a drastic size and cost reduction of the endproduct.

Therefore, the prime object is tofurnish a Venetian drape of the character indicated that is basically simpler and more cheaply manufactured than the device described particularly in my co-pending application cited above.

Other objects enumerated in number inmy co-pending application are satisfied completely by this form of embodiment.

The improvements described herein consist of the following:

1. To provide complete manual control for initiating the sliding and/or rotation of the slats While at any point of repose.

2. To provide the means for rotating the slats up to and beyond 180 degrees, thereby allowing all of the slats to be completelyclosed at either extremity of their rotation, and to provide their easy return by the elimination of a dead-center characteristic prevalent in my previous design hereinbefore cited.

3. To provide the means for aligning. all of the slats so that all of their edges make contact simultaneously with the next slat when being rotated.

4. To provide a simpler and cheaper method of pull cord guiding and control.

5. To provide a new method of slat suspension which allows closer approach of all the slats to each other when the drape is drawn back.

- nel 5 by suitable mounting means I2.

- be shown here.

Figure 3 is a rear plan view of the opposite side of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view taken at the arrow 4 of Figure 2 and shows the slat alignment device.

Figure 5 is a transverse view taken at line 55 of Figure 4.

Figures 6 and 7 are front and side views of the slat and hanger hook assembly.

Figure 8 is an alternative form of hanger hook, partially transverse.

Figures 9 and 10 show a method of holding the lower end of the slats.

Figure ,11 is a partial perspective view of the lower holding channel.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 the Venetian drape of the present invention comprises a housing I, formed of light gauge metal in such a manner as to leave an open slide channel 2, in which are a plurality of hanger hooks 3. The hanger hooks 3 are a compound device as will Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the upper end 3a terminates in a helical extension,. formed flat for insertion into an actuator channel slot 4 of actuator channel 5. (See Figure 2.) The middle area of the hanger hooks 3 are round in section and grooved as at 3b and 3c. The groove 3b engages in the slide channel 2, and the groove 30 is the means provided to carry an eyelet or collar 6 which is fastened to a control cord or strip I. Said eyelet or collar 6 does not restrict the rotation of hanger hook 3.

Still farther down on the body of the hanger hook 3 is support hook section 3d. The nature of the support hook 3d is to provide that the slats 8 be inserted by raising them to an insertion angle to allow the perforation 8a to enter the hook section.

Referring to Figure 3, actuator channel 5 is lowered by the use of angular guidance slots 9 and engaging lugs 9a attached or part of actuator channel 5 when said actuator channel is moved from left to right or vice versa. Therefore, this raising and lowering action of the actuator channel 5 will impart rotation to the helical section 3a of the hanger hooks 3 and consequently to the slats 8 whenever said actuator channel 5 is moved. Such movement is accomplished and imparted by the use of pull or draw cords l0 and II, fastened to the center of the actuator chan- This new method of obtaining rotation substitutes in place of the crank arm used in the device hereinbefore cited.

It is here noted that the helical spiral section 3a of said hanger hook can be fabricated using a light, semi-flexible spring material to act as a shock absorbing means during rough handling of the device.

Pull or draw cords l3 and Ill (Figures 1, 2 and 3) are used as the means to slide the slats to one side as in the operation of uncovering a window.

The bottom of each slat may be constructed as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The'slat 8 has a pin attached in a suitable manner. Saidpin i5 engages aslot H5 in the lower holding channel El, said channel extending the full width of the slat drape. (Figure 11.) Said holding channel ii is loosely mounted by suitable means as in Figure 9 so that a small rotation of the long' open tube forming holding channel I! frictionally clamps, thereby restricting any movement of the pin I 5 along the longitudinal slot 16.

Figure 10 shows a variation of Figure 9 using a triangular shaped tube ll in lieu of a round one.

The operation of the Venetian drape is as follows: Sliding of the slats 8 from one side to the other, or back, is accomplished by the draw cords l3 and (Figure 1). Draw cord H5 enters the case and crosses over a conventional pulley shown and extends to the opposite end of the housing i where it fastens to thehanger hook farthest to the right at section 30. To draw on the said cord M will move the farthest right hand slat to the left until, in its movement, it reaches the second slat. The second slat, the third, and so on, are all picked up and drawn to the left hand side where they repose until the reverse action is applied by draw cord 13. Said draw cord H3 attaches at the same point as draw cord Hi, and is drawn partly into the housing when cord i is pulled outward. To pull on draw cord [3 applies a force and imparts motion to the first slat in a direction to the right. Now, connecting all hanger hooks 3 is a tape or flexible cord 7, and when said cord 7 has been stretched, then the second slat will move, and so on until all the slats are in spread position. To prevent the last slat from sliding, an anchor or restraining means is used as shown at 20. In other words, all but one slat is capable of sliding horizontally.

Rotation of the slats is accomplished by the rote-cords l0 and H. Pulling on cord 10 will transmit longitudinal movement to the actuator channel 5, which, during its movement from right to left (Figure 1) is caused to lower because of its engagement with angular guidance slots 9 by use of lugs 9a.

The location of lugs 9a can be adjusted by loosening the screw 91). Such adjustment by the use of screw 9b may be necessary to cause both ends of the actuator channel to be brought into a level position, and in alignment with the slide channel 2 in housing When actuator channel 5 is moved as described, its corresponding rise or drop is utilized as the means to impart rotation to the fiat helical spiral extension 9a engaged in the actuator channel slot 3. This same rotation is imparted to the slats 8 hung on the lower section 3(1 by the perforation 8a. The whole body of the hanger hook 3 revolves while suspended in the slide channel 2 'which-en agesand supports the hanger hook at the groove 3b.

It is observed, if viewed from above, that a left hand spiral section 3a will impart right 4 hand rotation to the slat suspended therefrom.

If a Venetian drape is hung in a windy location it is desirous to hold the bottom ends of the slats. To this end a holding channel I! is provided, and shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11. The pin I5 is suitably attached to the slat 8, and placed in the holding channel slot l6 by warping said slat. In Figure 9 the handle l8 serves as a weight to rotate the tube which is loosely held by the screw mounting. The center of gravity of the triangular section shown in Figure 10 is sufficiently displaced that it tends to rotate. It will, therefore, rotate or tilt until a pinching action results between the pin l5 and the slot I6. To release the pins 15, the holding channel I! has to be rotated, in each case in a counterclockwise direction fora few degrees. The rotation of said tube l! is accomplished with one hand while the other hand operates the roto cords l0 and II, or the draw cords l3 and I4.

Referring to Figure 8, the upset center section 39 serves as a hook. The slat perforation 8a is slipped over the stem extension so that it comes to rest in a locked engagement at the section 39. A form of this nature is preferably made of wire.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. A Venetian drape, comprising a housing open at the bottom to form a slide channel and having angularly positioned guidance slots on its side to engage lugs forming part of an actuator channel enclosed within said housing, said actuator being open'at the bottom to form a guideway slot to allow engagement with a flat helix element extending interiorly upward and being part of a hanger hook, said hanger hooks being vertically disposed and slidable have an annular groove that is spanned by said slide channel and have a hook from which to suspend slats,

flexible means interconnecting each hanger hook perforated section into a normally locked attachment thereto.

4. A Venetian drape as defined in claim 1 to include, and manipulative cords for horizontally sliding substantially all of the said hanger hooks and slats from mutually gathered to mutually spread positions.

CHRISTIAN J. REIMULLER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,409,844 Gartelman Mar. 14, 1922 2,299,095 Knox Oct. 20, 1942 2,422,407 Green June 17, 1947 2,503,441

Kamm vApr. 11, 1950

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