US2665752A

US2665752A - Venetian blind construction

Info

Publication number: US2665752A
Application number: US238803A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry S Rosenbaum
Original assignee: EASTERN VENETIAN BLIND Co
Current assignee: EASTERN VENETIAN BLIND Co
Priority date: 1951-07-27
Filing date: 1951-07-27
Publication date: 1954-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 1971-01-12

Description

Jan. l2, 1954 H. s. RosENBAUM VENETIAN BLIND CONSTRUCTION Filed July 27, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR J/arry 5. Pose/Maarn ATTORNEY Jan. 12, 1954 H. s. RosENBAuM 2,665,752

VENETIAN BLIND CONSTRUCTION Filed July 27, 1951 2 sheets-sheet 2 UWENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENETIAN BLIND CONSTRUCTION Harry S. Rosenbaum, Baltimore, Md., assignor to The Eastern Venetian Blind Company, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application July 27, 1951, Serial No. 238,803

(Cl. 16o-175) Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a Venetian blind tilt assembly employing a novel tilting mechanism. The novel tilting mechanism described herein comprises an endplate and a rotatable wheel attached thereto with spaced .dat portions, whereby upon rotation of the wheel on its at portions angular adjustment of the Venetian blind is effected.

Practically all of the presently known Venetian blinds utilize the conventional gear-type tilting assembly. However, suchan assembly is expensive to manufacture which results in prohibitive costs of the Venetian blind to the ordinary con sumer.

It is one of the general objects of the present invention, therefore, to `provide a novel tilting assembly that both lends itself to ease in manufacturing and is economically desirable.

A second general object of the present invention is to provide a tilting mechanism which incorporates a novel tilting wheel having spaced at portions formed therearound for determining the angular position of said wheel,

Another object of the present invention is to provide an end plate to which the wheel is se cured, the end plate being formed in a very simple manufacturing process.

Still another object is to provide an operating cord that is operatively attached to the tilting wheel whereby upon` manual movement of the operating cord, the tilting wheel will be rotated, thus effecting an angular adjustment of the slats in the Venetian blind.

@ther` objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is r..front` elevation of a` Venetian blind assembly employing the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation. of the novel tilting wheel assembly i Fig. 3 is a line taken along 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction. of the arrows with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a` section taken along 4-'4 of Fig. 3` looking in the direction of the arrows showing the tilting wheel being lifted and rotated from one. flat portion to an adjacent flat portion; and

Fig. l thereof,` the novel tilting. apparatus` I1Il-involved.. in. theA present. invention, is disclosed in itsfoperating position wit-ha Venetian'lplind` unit;

An operating cord I I is actuated in the usual.

manner to move the slats upwardly or downwardly, as desired. To effect this movement of the slats, the operating cord I I extends over pulleys I2, I31 down between the slats and connects to a base plate (not shown). A tilting slat I4 is connected to the novel tilting apparatus I0 and serves to tilt the blind to the different angular positions. Tapes I5, I6 combine with the tilting slat I4 to eiiect the tilting movements.

Referring to Figs. 2 and V3, the novel tilting apparatus is shown with an end plate 2'0 having Side sections EI and 22 perpendicular thereto. `A vere tically extending slot 23 is formed substantially in the center of the end plate 2li, while a h`ori`V zontal portion 24 is shown punched out from and bent at a right angle to the end plate 2G. A slot 25 is formed as a result of the punched out portion 24. A pulley 26 is suitably attached to the end plate 2D in the upper left-hand corner, as viewed in Fig. 2. A tilting wheel A is formed from a `pair of elements which are dened as a driven` cal body with oppositely disposed

openings

29 and 36 formed in a rear flange 28 and the front f-ac'e of the body, respectively. As seen in Fig. 2, a pin 35l extends loosely through the

openings

29 and 36 into the slot 23, in which it is vertically mov- It is apparent that the tilting wheel A able. which comprises the driving element and driven element 2l is rotatably mounted on the' pin and is vertically movable therewith. Longitudinal movement of the tilting wheel A pr'- vented` by enlargedportions 31, 3-'I iorniedon the ends of the pin 35.

The driven element 2l of the tilting wheel A` has a flange 28 integrally formed thereon which abuts against the endl plate 2li and which hasA spaced therearound three flat portions 5Il`l 5I and 52. The driving element sto of the uiting` wheel Aiis formed with an out-turned or ar'ed flange' 30a which extends outwardly from an inner driv ingf element plate 30h. Cut out from the plate 3:0111

and formed perpendicular thereto is a cut-out' portion 3i! shown particularly in Fig. 2. rlhe driven element 2l and the driving element 3) are secured together by placing the driving element plate 30h ush against the front face of the driven element 21 with the flange 39a abutting against the outside edge thereof. Ears 33, 34' are cut out fromk the front face of the driven element 2"I andi are bent perpendicular thereto. The ears3`3, 3l iitinto grooves 3l', 32 formed in theplate' 30h 3 and are lapped over the front of the plate 30h securing the driven element 2l and driving element 30 together and thereby forming single tilting wheel A.

Referring to Fig. 3, it is seen that a groove is formed by the flange 28 of the driven element 2l and the flared ange Sila of the driving element 30. The groove thus formed is adapted to receive operating cords at, 4i as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The pin 35 loosely secures the tilting wheel A to the end plate 2li, allowing said wheel to move upwardly and downwardly in the slot 23 and also allowing the wheel to rotate around its axis. The tilting wheel A disclosed particularly in Fig. 3, rests on the horizontal punched out portion 24 on one of the fiat portions Sil, l, 52. In'Fig. 3 the tilting wheel rests on the flat portion 52.

A cut-out section 33 is formed as part of the driving element 3B and is attached to a tilting slat 39 by suitable means. Wheel is rotated, the tilting slat 39 will ce angularly adjusted accordingly.

The pulley 26, accommodates the two operating cord pieces 4B, `il which t around the tilting wheel A in the groove formed by the flange 28 and the, flared ange Sta the driving element 3i! of the tilting wheel. The operating cord pieces fit, 4I are connected to the driving element 3B at 43, 44 in the slot 42 which is formed in the flared flange 33a. It will be seen 'that as either of the said operating cords is moved the tilting wheel A will be rotated in the desired direction.

The tilting wheel A has three basic operating positions, the positions being determined by the flat portions 5B, 5l and 52. In order to rotate the tilting wheel A from one dat position to another, thus changing the angle of the tilting slat 39, it is necessary that the tilting Wheel A be lifted upwardly and over the flat portion upon which it is resting and rotated so as to reach the next flat portion. It is for this reason that the vertically extending slot 23 is provided. rlhus by pulling on one of the operating cords, the tilting wheel A will be moved upwardly in the slot 23 and rotated around its axis to the next iiat portion.

Figs. 4 and 5 show the inner portion 2l of the tilting wheel A in two positions, Fig. 4 disclosing the tilting wheel A between two flat portions, with the pin 35 located at an intermediate position in the vertically extending slot 23. As either of the operating cord pieces lili, d! is pulled, which movement serves to rotate the tilting wheel A in a counterclockwise direction, as shown by the arrow in Fig, 4, the tilting wheel A will be lifted upwardly and rotated into the next fiat position, which, in Figs. 4 and 5, is shown as flat portion 5|. As the tilting wheel A rotates, the tilting slat 39 will be angularly adjusted, thus adjusting the position of the other blind slats.

In operation, the tilting wheel A rests on one of the flat portions 5i), 5i, When an angular adjustment of the blind slats is desired, one of the operating cord pieces 40 or lil is pulled with the resultingv angular adjustment of the blind effected, as described above.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the novel tilting apparatus described herein presents a device that is not only mechanically simple to operate but one that can be fabricated by a relatively uncomplicated manufacturing process. For example, the end plate 253 can be `formed in one operation, the side sections being turned, the portion 2t punched out and the vertically extending slot cut to shape. Since very few Hence, as the tilting operating parts are necessary in the novel tilting apparatus, failure in operation even after long periods of use will be practically eliminated. The simplicity of fabrication of the present invention will consequently reduce manufacturing costs and as a practical result will make Venetian Iblinds available to those individuals who might find ordinary Venetian blind costs prohibitive.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the speciiication but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

'1. In a Venetian blind tilt assembly, a plate having a vertically disposed slot formed therein, a. horizontal shelf formed integral with said plate, a cord receiving pulley secured to said plate, a wheel disposed on said shelf, a pin secured to said wheel and extending through said slot for securing said wheel to said plate for vertical movement therewith, said wheel having a rear flange and a front flange, said rear flange being formed with fiat portions equally spaced therearound, a tilting slat secured to said front flange, said flat portions formed on said rear flange defining different angular positions of said tilting slat, and an operating cord engaging said pulley and secured to said front flange, said operating cord rotating and lifting said wheel so that the desired fiat portion of said rear flange engages said shelf, said tilting slat rotating with said wheel to effect a desired angular position.

2. In a Venetian blind tilt assembly, a. plate, a tilting wheel, means joined to said plate for receiving said tilting wheel, slat means secured to said tilting wheel and rotating therewith, said wheel having nat portions formed thereon at predetermined positions defining various angular positions of said slat means, and operating means secured to said wheel for rotating said wheel so that one of said flat portions formed on said wheel is disposed on said receiving means, thereby effecting the desired angular position of said slat means.

3. In a Venetian blind tilt assembly, a plate, a tilting wheel secured to said plate for vertical movement therewith, a shelf joined to said plate for receiving said tilting wheel, a tilting slat secured to said tilting wheel and rotating therewith, one edge of said wheel contacting said shelf, said edge being formed with arcuate sections and flat portions equally spaced therearound, said fiat portions defining predetermined angular positions of said tilting slat, and operating means secured to said wheel turning said wheel to said fiat portions, said wheel moving vertically upwardly as the arcuate sections ride over said shelf and moving downwardly as the next flat portion comes into contact with said shelf.

4. In a Venetian blind tilt assembly, an end plate having a horizontal shelf formed integral therewith and extending perpendicular thereto, said plate having a vertically disposed slot formed therein, a tilting Wheel formed with an edge operatively engaging said shelf, means secured to said wheel and disposed in said slot thereby providing for vertical movement of said Wheel with respect to said plate, said tilting wheel having flat portions formed around the edge which engages said shelf, a pulley secured to said end plate, a tilting slat secured to said wheel, and an operating cord operatively engagingY said pulley and secured to said tilting Wheel, said operating cord lifting and turning said Wheel on the axis thereof to move said tilting slat to predetermined angular positions," said predetermined angular positions being defined by said at portions of said Wheel contacting said shelf.

5. In a Venetian blind tilt assembly, an end plate having a, horizontal shelf formed integral therewith, tilting means operatively engaging said end plate and positioned on said shelf, a tilting slat secured to said tilting means, said tilting means having a plurality of fiat portions formed around the edge which is positioned on said shelf, said flat portions engaging said horizontal shelf and defining predetermined angular positions of said tilting means, and means to lift and turn said Wheel so that one of said flat portions engages said shelf thereby defining an angular position of said slat.

6. In a Venetian blind tilt assembly, a plate, a

shelf integral with said plate, rotatable means operatively secured to said plate, said rotatable means comprising a Wheel, said wheel being formed with flat portions spaced around one edge thereof, each of said flat portions being adapted to engage said shelf and corresponding to predetermined angular positions of said rotatable means, a tilting slat secured to said Wheel, and cord means operatively engaging said Wheel for turning and moving said Wheel thereby rotating said slat to said predetermined angular positions as defined by said fiat portions.

7. In a Venetian blind tilt assembly, a plate having a vertically disposed slot formed therein, a shelf projecting from said plate formed integral therewith, rotatable means positioned on said shelf having fiat portions spaced therearound, each of said at portions defining a predetermined angular position of said rotatable means and engaging said shelf upon rotation of said rotatable means, a pin engaging said rotatable means loosely disposed in said slot and providing for vertical movement of said rotatable means, a Slat means secured to said rotatable means, and a cord secured to said rotatable means for lifting and turning said rotatable means on said shelf thereby changing the angular position of said slat means.

8. In a Venetian blind tilt assembly, an end plate, a shelf joined to said plate, a tilting wheel secured for rotation to said end plate and vertically movable relative thereto, said tilting Wheel having spaced flat portions formed therearound,

each of said flat portions being adapted to engage said shelf upon rotation of said Wheel thereby defining predetermined angular positions of said wheel When said Wheel is rotated, a tilting slat secured to said Wheel, and an operating oord secured to said tilting Wheel for lifting and rotating said tilting Wheel on said shelf to move said tilting slat to said various predetermined angular positions.

9. In a Venetian blind tilt assembly, an end plate having a vertically disposed slot formed therein, a pin positioned for vertical movement in said slot, a shelf joined to said plate, a tilting Wheel positioned on said shelf, said pin secured to said tilting wheel and forming the rotating axis therefor, means formed on said wheel for causing vertical movement thereof when said wheel is rotated, slat means secured to said tilting wheel, and an operating cord secured to said tilting Wheel for lifting and turning said Wheel on said shelf to effect various angular positions of said slat means, said pin moving vertically in said slot upon rotation of said wheel thereby compensating for the vertical movement of said Wheel.

10. In a Venetian blind tilt assembly, an end plate having a vertically disposed slot formed therein, shelf means joined to said end plate, pin means positioned for vertical movement in said slot, tilting means secured to said pin means, Slat means secured to said tilting means, said tilting means having fiat portions spaced therearound to denne diierent angular positions of said slat means when positioned on said shelf means, and cord means secured to said tilting means for lifting and turning said tilting means to a flat portion on said shelf means to effect angular adjustment of said tilting means, said pin means moving vertically in said slot to compensate for the turning movement of said tilting means on said shelf means.

HARRY S. ROSENBAUM.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,772,493 Leeper Aug. 12, 1930 2,110,145 Loehr Mar. 8, 1938 2,304,934 Lawson Dec. 15, 1942 2,391,500 Nisenson Dec. 25, 1945 2,552,956 Gantner May 15, 1951 2,579,197 Levin Dec. 18, 1951