US2560840A - Means for mounting and operating the slats in venetian blinds - Google Patents

Description

July 17, 1951 D. R. BARNES, SR

MEANS FOR MOUNTING AND OPERATING THE SLATS IN VENETIAN BLINDS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 26, 195,0

Snventor i W L O;

Cttorneg5 S D N I ma N mv am D L S E H T july 17, 1951 MEANS FOR MOUNTING AND OPERATING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 26, 1950 Patented July 17, 1951 MEANS FOR MOUNTING AND OPERATING THE SLA'IS IN VENETIAN BLINDS Donald R. Barnes, Sr., Bridgeport, Conn.

Application January 26, 1950, Serial No. 140,665

5 Claims. I

This invention relates to Venetian blinds, particularly to the support for the individual slats employed in such blinds and to the mechanism for raising and lowering such slats to open and close the blind.

In blinds of this type as heretofore usually constructed, raising the blind causes the slats to accumulate at the bottom of the draw member, resulting in the well known unsightly appearance oi a bundle of slats at the center of a window when it is desired to only partially open the blind. Although eiIorts have been made to overcome this disadvantage, they have not been commercially feasible or mechanically practical.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved Venetian blind constructed and arranged to gather the slats at the top where they will be out of View, by means of a simple, practical and greatly improved mechanism.

A further object is to provide a Venetian blind of improved and simplified construction arranged to permit the individual slats being easily and quickly removed and replaced without disturbing the operating and supporting mechanism.

A further object is to provide a Venetian blind having improved details of construction which provide numerous advantages in its use and operation. Y

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specication. It is, however, to be understood the invention is not limited to the specific detaiis of construction and arrangement shown, but

may embody various changes and modicatlons within the scope of the invention.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a iront elevation of a Venetian blind constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation partly in section, of the blind shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a detail;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the operation of removing and replacing a slat in a supporting clip;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of a blank from which a Slat-supporting clip is formed;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of a blank from which a bottom clip for holding the bottom slat is formed;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modied form .of slat;

Fig. 8 is an end view of a clutch member employed in the slat supporting clips to provide a frictional grip on the draw member;

Fig. 9 is a plan of the clutch assembly;

Fig. 10 is a section through one of the clutch jaws and an associated supporting sleeve in separated relation, and i Fig. 11 is a section of a detail of the clutch gIlP- In general, the invention comprises Slat-supporting clips which are connected to the operating and supporting mechanism of the blind. Each clip has a removable Slat connected thereto in a way permitting any number of slats to be quickly and easily removed and replaced, for cleaning, renewal of damaged slats, or the like. This also permits quick changing of part or all of the slats in a given blind in order to obtain any desired color scheme or design for interior decoration, and the like. Each supportingclip is connected to the draw mechanism by an adjustable friction clutch of such arrangement that the grip of the clutch on the draw mechanism can be easily and quickly adjusted to obtain the desired operation. In this way the operation can be so controlled that lifting the draw mechanism will raise all slats simultaneously to avoid gathering a bundle of slats at the bottom of the draw member. As the draw member is raised the slats successively reach the top of the blind where their upward movement is arrested while the draw member continues to move upward to raise the following slats, this movement being permitted by the slipping of the draw member through the frictional gripping mechanisms or clutches on the successive clips. As a result the slats gather in a bundle at the top of the blind behind a valance or the like where they are normally out of sight.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention is shown in connection with a Venetian blind including a top frame member I5 having a blind supporting bracket I6 at each end. Preferably `the upper portion of the blind is concealed behind a valance I1, or the like.

Each slat i3 is removably supported between end clips IS. As shown in Fig. 1,the top bar 20 has mounted thereon a shaft 2l rotatably supported in the associated bracket l5. The shaft 2| at one end of the blind, the right as shown in Fig. l, is adapted to be rotated by a geared rotary adjusting mechanism 22 actuated by an endless bead chain E3 extending over an operating pulley 2li, as shown in Figs. l and 3. Each run of the chain extends through a separate guiding eye 25 supported on the associated bracket I6. The

supporting clips I9, along each side of the blind, are connected together for simultaneous tilting by flexible connecting means such as the bead chains 26 illustrated, each of which is so connected to the edges of successive clips that the latter, together with the slats i8, can be easily tilted to the desired position. The slats can be easily equally spaced by using the same number of balls or beads 26a on the side chains 26. For this purpose, when the clips are of metal as in the illustrated form, each clip is iirst blanked out of a metal strip or the like and provided with a pair of spaced ngers or lugs 21 which are then curled to provide spaced, circular, bead-engaging or gripping lugs 28 engaging the opposite sides of the associated bead 26a which is rotatably held thereby, to allow easy tilting of the clips and slats. The bottom clips Ilb are similarly formed. The flexible tilting chains 25 are supported at their upper ends between similar lugs formed on top supporting clips |905 which are located inwardly of the ends of the top bar 20 to clear the hereinafter described draw mechanism, as shown in Fig. 1.

The draw mechanism illustrated includes a draw member at each side of the blind, such as bead chains 3l, the lower end of each of which is secured to the associated bottom clip i919 by having the lower ball slipped through a key slot 82 or the like (Fig. 6) and engaging in a seat 33 in the center of the clip. The draw means extend upwardly through slots Sil in the top bar 20.

Each slat i8 is connected to the draw member by means of an adjustable friction clutch which is shown as mounted in a slot 35 in each clip I9. As illustrated, each clutch includes a relatively stationary jaw 3l, see Figs. 4 and 9, having a chain engaging friction surface 38 at one end and a pair of crossed slots or recesses 39 of different depth at the other end whereby the position of the gripping surface in the slot can be adjusted by litting one or the other slot 39 over the yedge 35a at the adjacent end of the slot 35. A relatively movable jaw lll has a chain receiving slot 42 formed in the friction surface 43 thereof. The movable jaw lli has Ian extension 44 which telescopes within a sleeve member 45 having crossed slots or recesses 4S of different depths in its outer end to receive the adjacent edge 35D at the end of the slot 35, forming a means whereby the position of the sleeve member can be adjusted longitudinally of the slot. A pressure spring 41 is interposed between the end of the sleeve 45 and a shoulder 48 on the jaw member lll. A jaw supporting collar i9 having slotted ears 49a on each side thereof, the slots or notches wb of which embrace and guide this member on the side edges 35e of the slot 35, surrounds the jaw extension i4 to form a support and guide for the movable jaw 4|. The collar engages the shoulder 158, the spring lll bearing on the collar 49 to retain it against this shoulder and hold it straight, and thus prevent it from tipping or dropping out f the slot. The draw chain extends between the gripping jaws 3l and 4I and through the slot 42. The jaw 4l is pressed against the chain 31 to frictionally grip this chain between the jaws 37 and 4I by the coiled spring lita within the sockets 44a and 45h in members fill and t5 and bearing at its yopposite ends against the ends 0f these sockets. The movable jaw member 4l being relatively rotatable, it will be apparent that the associated slat can be freely tilted without any substantial resistance from the draw mechanism and therefore there will be no bending of the "lifting chains 3| as the slats are tilted and these chains will always remain straight. The frictional grip of each pair of jaws on the draw chain can be easily adjusted by tting the ends of the slot 35 in different end slots or recesses 42 and 46 because of their dilerent depths in the jaw members.

Each slat I8 is mounted for easy removal and replacement in the supporting clips I9. As shown in Fig. 4, for example, each supporting clip is stamped with projecting ears 5I at each side of the lingers 21. Thereafter the ears 5l are curved to form inwardly facing, Slat-receiving grooves 52 into which the edges 0f the slats can be easily inserted. The end of each slat has a relatively deep slot 53 for clearance of the clutch mechanism in the associated clip, a stop lug 54 being struck up from the slat to limit the inward movement thereof on the clip.

The draw chain 3l has each run carried upwardly over pulleys 55 on the supporting bar I5 and thence downwardly through a holding braclci et 56 having a pair of chain holding jaws 51 opening outwardly so that the two runs of the chain can be quickly inserted or withdrawn therefrom.

It will be apparent that the slats and other parts can be made from any suitable material such as wood, steel, aluminum or other metal. When made from metal it may be found desirable in many cases to Jform them from relatively thin gaugel When this is done the slats can be reinforced by longitudinally extending flutes 58 or the like, as shown in Fig. 7.

The gripping jaws can be formed of any suitable friction material Which may, for example, be a thermo-plastic. Because of its self-lubricating properties Lucite has been found appropriate.

In operation, the friction clutches are so adjusted as to grip each slat with suicient force to Support it on the draw chain 3l, but to permit the chain to slip through the clutch when the slat is raised to the top of the blind where its upward progress is blocked. Thereafter the further upward movement of the draw chain causes the latter to slip through the gripping jaws which, however, hold the slat against dropping. As the draw chain is raised the separate slats move upwardly in their properly spaced relation Without accumulating a bundle of slats at the bottom of the chain. When a valance I1 is employed the bundle of slats will accumulate behind it and be entirely out of sight.

The lower slat ISa is shown as a double slat in Fig. 2, and is preferably weighted 'by a weight 59 of lead, steel or other material, to expedite the lowering thereof.

The tilting side chains 26 can be used with the old style blinds using the usual cord pulls instead of the friction clutches of the present device.

With this device the slats may be easily and quickly removed without the confusion resulting in the old type of slat supporting means. The supporting clips at each end of a slat makes it possible to easily and quickly remove any one or all of the slats by merely gripping the clip with one hand and pulling out the slat with the other hand, leaving all control mechanisms at the sides of the window intact and ready to receive the cleaned or new slats, and be ready for operation again.

If any slats are damaged or bent, new ones can be secured by sending the overall length and color to the agency or factory and new slats can be shipped immediately and quickly installed without tools or requiring the services of a service man. The chain supports and pulls have no shrinkage or change in length and therefore there will be no lopsided hanging of the blind or slats, as in the old construction, due to shrunken tapes or cords. The chains will always give the proper spacing of slats and adjust themselves properly regardless of weather or temperatures. As described, the tension of the clutch mechanism on the lift chains can be easily changed to make them tighter or looser, as desired, the tension ordinarily being adjusted in each to merely support that slat only, as it has no bearing on the others. This can be used to compensate for different weight slats. This adjustment can also be used in compensate for wear either on the chain or clutch. These chains further render the construction re-proof where metal slats are used.

As a result of this invention, the removal and replacement of individual slats is a simple operation which can be quickly accomplished without requiring any attention to the supporting or operative mechanism, and the blind can be raised without accumulating an unsightly bundle of slats across the window or other opening, It will be apparent that the invention can be variously modied and adapted within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, I claim:

1. A Venetian blind having a plurality of slats suspended in spaced relation on a flexible supporting means, draw means secured to the lowest of said slats for raising and lowering the blind, and frictional gripping mechanism connecting each slat to said draw means to cause said slats to be lifted simultaneously in normal spaced relation when said draw means is raised, including relatively movable jaws at least one of which is provided with a transverse recess in its clamping face through which the draw means passes, means pivotally mounting the recessed jaw to turn about an axis extending longitudinally of the Slat, and means for operating the slat supporting means to tilt the slats in either direction.

2. A Venetian blind including a slat supported for vertical movement, mechanism for raising and lowering said slat including a vertically movable draw member, said slat including a member provided with a slot closed at its opposite ends, frictional gripping means engaging said draw member comprising a relatively stationary jaw located at one end of said slot, a relatively movable jaw positioned to press said draw member against the stationary jaw, a supporting sleeve mounted at the opposite end of the slot, coacting means mounting the second jaw for sliding movement on said sleeve toward and from the rst jaw, spring means between the movable jaw and the supporting sleeve tending to shift this jaw toward the stationary jaw to clamp the draw member between them, and means for supporting the sleeve and stationary jaw in different relative positions longitudinally of the slot to vary the spring pressure between the jaws.

3. A Venetian blind including a slat supported for vertical movement, mechanism for raising and lowering said slat including a vertically movable draw member, said slat including a member provided with a slot closed at its opposite ends, frictional gripping means engaging said draw member comp-rising a, relatively stationary jaw located at one end of said slot, a relatively movable jaw positioned to press said draw member against the stationary jaw, a supporting sleeve mounted at the opposite end of the slot, coacting means mounting the second jaw for sliding movement on said sleeve toward and from the rst jaw, spring means between the movable jaw and the supporting sleeve tending to shift this jaw toward the stationary jaw to clamp the draw member between them, and means for supporting the sleeve member and stationary jaw member in different relative positions longitudinally of the slot to vary the spring pressure between the jaws comprising a plurality of transverse recesses of different depths in the end of one of said members to receive the adjacent end wall of the slot and seat thereon.

4. A Venetian blind including a slat supported for vertical movement, mechanism for raising and lowering said slat including a vertically movable draw member, said slat including a member provided with a slot closed at its opposite ends, frictional gripping means engaging said draw member comprising a relatively stationary jaw located at one end of said slot, a supporting sleeve mounted at the opposite end of the slot, a relatively movable jaw mounted on said sleeve for sliding movement toward and from the rst jaw, spring -means between the movable jaw and the sleeve tending to shift this jaw toward the staticnary jaw to clamp the draw member between them, an annular supporting' ring surrounding the movable jaw and slidably supported at the side edges of the slot to support and guide the movable jaw, and means for positioning the stationary jaw member and the sleeve member in different relative positions longitudinally of the slot to vary the spring pressure between the jaws comprising a plurality of transverse recesses of different depths in the end of one of said members to receive the adjacent end edge of the slot and seat thereon.

5. A Venetian blind including a slat supported for vertical movement, mechanism for raising and lowering said slat including a vertically movable bead chain, frictional gripping means mounted on the slat comprising relatively stationary and movable jaws gripping said chain between them, said movable jaw having a transverse recess in which the chain is located and which forms a gripping surface therefor, a supporting sleeve mounted on the slat, said movable jaw including a portion telescoping with the sleeve for relative turning and longitudinal sliding movements, and a compression spring between the movable jaw and sleeve tending to shift this jaw toward the stationary jaw to clamp the chain between them.

DONALD R. BARNES, SR.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 405,805' Smith June 25, 1889 2,165,292 Morse et al. July 11, 1939 2,197,965 Booth Apr. 23, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 18,147 Great Britain 1894 14,547 Great Britain 1905 556 Great Britain 1906

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