US3265117A - Skylight venetian blind with improved coaction between the ladders and the slats - Google Patents

Skylight venetian blind with improved coaction between the ladders and the slats Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3265117A
US3265117A US328897A US32889763A US3265117A US 3265117 A US3265117 A US 3265117A US 328897 A US328897 A US 328897A US 32889763 A US32889763 A US 32889763A US 3265117 A US3265117 A US 3265117A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
slats
cross
ladders
tapes
blind
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US328897A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Hans K Lorentzen
Joseph A Anderle
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Levolor Corp
Original Assignee
Levolor Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Levolor Corp filed Critical Levolor Corp
Priority to US328897A priority Critical patent/US3265117A/en
Priority to ES0306850A priority patent/ES306850A1/es
Priority to DEL49486A priority patent/DE1282902B/de
Priority to GB50187/64A priority patent/GB1046959A/en
Priority to NL6414290A priority patent/NL6414290A/xx
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3265117A publication Critical patent/US3265117A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
    • E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
    • E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable

Definitions

  • a Venetian blind customarily includes a slat-and-ladder assembly.
  • the slats are spaced along, and are articulated together by, two or more parallel ladders.
  • Each ladder has two longitudinally-extending side-tapes which are interconnected, at each slat position, by either a cross tape or a pair of cross tapes positioned edge to edge.
  • a blind for a vertical window the general plane of the blind is vertical.
  • the ladders are suspended from the head or head bar of the blind and carry the entire weight of the slats, which rest on the cross tapes of the ladders.
  • the head-bar structure from which the ladders are suspended includes shiftable elements to manipulate the ladders for tilting the slats of the blind.
  • the head of the blind is provided with a tilt rod on which are mounted tape rolls or rockers, one for each ladder of the blind.
  • the side-tapes of the ladders are so attached to the tape rolls or tape rockers that, upon oscillation of the rolls or rockers by the tilt rod, one side-tape of each ladder is raised and the other side-tape of each ladder is simultaneously lowered, thereby tilting the slats of the blind.
  • blinds have been made in which one side-tape of each ladder remained stationary while the other side-tape of each ladder was either raised or lowered to tilt the slats of the blind.
  • At the bottom of a blind for a vertical window there is ordinarily a bottom bar to which lift cords are attached for raising the bottom bar and accumulating the slats of the blind on top of it.
  • a skylight Venetian blind In a skylight Venetian blind the general plane of the blind is either horizontal or inclined to the horizontal, rather than being vertical.
  • the ladders extend in the general plane of the blind and carry little or none of the weight of the slats.
  • the support for the slats is provided by tracklike members which extend for the length of the blind and on which the slats rest.
  • the ladders establish the slat spacing and articulate the slats together for tilting.
  • the ladder-controlling means at one end of the blind may be a driver, similar to the tilter, tilt rod and tape rolls of a Venetian blind for a vertical window.
  • the ladder-controlling means at the other end of the blind may be a follower, having a tilt rod and tape rolls but no tilter.
  • the ladder material used in skylight Venetian blinds is at least of the same type and the same construction as the commercial ladder material that is used for Venetian blinds for vertical windows.
  • plastic ladder materialoften referred to in the trade as ladder tape or simply as tape.
  • twin ladder style we use the twin ladder style; it has, at each slat position, two cross tapes that are positioned edge-to-edge.
  • the cross tapes be somewhat Wider than in the twin-ladder style plastic ladder material that is customarily used in blinds for vertical windows.
  • the longitudinal tapes of plastic ladders are of soft flexible plastic material in which is embedded strands that render the longitudinal tapes substantially nonstretchable in a lengthwise direction.
  • the cross tapes are of soft flexible plastic material, without embedded strands.
  • Skylight Venetian blinds made with such plastic ladders of twin ladder style have functioned satisfactorily when first installed and thereafter have often failed to properly tilt some or all of the slats of the blind. The reasons for such failure are not clear to us and it may be that the reasons are different in different instances. However, some probable reasons will be mentioned hereinafter in connection with the description of our invention, the general object of which is to overcome the malfunctioning of skylight Venetian blinds in respect of the tilting of the slats.
  • a skylight Venetian blind made with the usual components including plastic ladders, which has a very high degree of reliability as regards tilting of slatseven when the blind has been used for a long period of time in a location that subjects the blind to relatively high temperatures.
  • FIG. 1 (Sheet 1) is a diagrammatic isometric view showing an installed skylight Venetian blind.
  • FIG. 2 (Sheet 1) is an isometric view showing our attachment, as manufactured and before being afi'ixed to a ladder of the blind.
  • FIG. 3 (Sheet 1) is a fragmentary isometric view showing diagrammatically the attachment of FIG. 2 attached to a cross tape of a ladder of twin ladder style.
  • FIG. 4 (Sheet 2) is a fragmentary diagrammatic view looking from the line 4-4 of FIG. 1. To simplify the figure the cross tapes on the convex sides of the slats are omitted.
  • FIG. 5 (Sheet 1) shows a fragment from FIG. 4, on a larger scale.
  • the cross tapes on the convex sides of the slats are included.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view which is the 3 same as FIG. 4 but with the slats of the blind in open position, the cross tapes on the convex sides of the slats being omitted.
  • FIG. 1 a skylight Venetian blind designated as a whole by is installed in a skylight opening designated as a whole by 11.
  • the opening is provided with a closure designated as a whole by 12, which includes a transparent pane or bubble 14.
  • Sheetsteel channels and 16 are disposed horizontally and are afiixed, respectively, to the sides 11a and 11b of the opening 11.
  • a sheet-steel head or head-bar 25 At one end of the opening 11 there is a sheet-steel head or head-bar 25.
  • the ends of the head-bar 25 are nested into the channels 15 and 16 and secured thereto as by sheet-metal screws, two of which are at 25', 25'.
  • At the other end of the opening 11 there is a similar head-bar 35, the ends of Which are similarly secured to the channels 15 and 16.
  • the space that is bounded by the channels 15, 16 and the head-bars 25, 35 is occupied by a slat-and-ladder assembly which is designated as a whole by 21.
  • the slats 17 are of roll-hardened sheet metal, either aluminum or steel. We use aluminum slats approximately .010" thick.
  • the ends of the slats are nested into the channels 15 and 16 and rest upon the longitudinal inturned beads 15' and 16' of these channels. These beads constitute tracks or rails that carry the weight of the slats. All of the slats are articulated together by ladders 18, 19 and 20, of which ladders 18 and 19 are positioned toward the end of the slats and ladder 20 is at the midpoint of the length of the slats.
  • the metal head or head-bar is substantially the same as is used for blinds for vertical windows, being tipped on its side and provided with a different operating connection to turn the tilter.
  • the head-bar 25 includes a sheet-steel channel 26, two braces 26' that extend across the open side of the channel, a tilt rod 27, three tape rolls 28 mounted on the tilt rod, and a tilter 29 for oscillating the tilt :rod.
  • the two side-tapes of each ladder 18 are attached to one of the tape rolls 28 in customary manner so that, upon oscillation of the tilt rod 27, the ladders are manipulated in customary manner for tilting the slats of the blind.
  • the head bar or head 25 may be of conventional construction such as, for example, the construction shown in US. Patent 2,629,434, the head bar being turned on its side and the tilter pulley of that patent being replaced by a platelike member 30 having a hole through which the end of a window pole can be inserted to turn the tilter.
  • the tape rolls 28 are conventional and may be as shown in US. Patent 2,629,434 or as in US. Patent 2,831,536.
  • the head 25 constitutes controlling means for the ladders, at one end of the blind.
  • This controlling means is a driver which manipulates the ladders for tilting the slats.
  • the head constitutes controlling means which is a follower that follows the movements imparted to the ladders by the head 25.
  • the head 35 is the same as the head 25 except that it faces in the opposite direction and has no tilter 29.
  • FIG. 2 shows an attachment which we attach to some of the cross tapes of the ladders 18 and 19.
  • This attachment is made from a single piece of thin sheetmetal that has been roll-hardened.
  • the attachment 40 is a V-shaped trough having walls 41 and 42. Tabs 42a and 42b extend from the free edge of the fall 42.
  • We manufacture the attachment 40 from rollhardened aluminum slat stock about .008" thick. This is the same slat stock that is used for making the slats 17 of the blind except that it is approximately .002" thinner. While the attachments 40 have substantial rigidity and springiness, they are bendable to afiix them to cross tapes of the ladders.
  • FIG. 3 shows a short length of ladder 18 or 19 and the pair of cross tapes C and C at one slat position.
  • Aflixed to the cross tape C is one of the attachments 40.
  • the trough-shaped piece of FIG. 2 is positioned astride of the cross tape C with one longitudinal edge of the cross tape in the bottom of the trough formation. Then the trough formation is collapsed into close juxtaposimity with the faces of the cross tape C and the tabs 40a and 40b are folded against the opposite wall of the member 40.
  • the height of the trough formation of the member 40 is substatinally equal to the width of the cross tape C
  • the attachment 40 acts mechanically as a strut and to a lesser extent as a tie, as will be explained. For this reason We designated it as a strut-tie.
  • the slats are so threaded through the ladders that one cross tape of a pair is on the convex side of the slat and the other cross tape of the pair is on the concave side of the slat.
  • a strut-tie 40 we ordinarily place it on the cross tape which is on the concave side of the slat; see FIGS. 4-6. However, it may be placed on the cross tape which is on the convex side of the slat, if tight closure of the slats is not desired.
  • the slats are supported by the ladders themselves and little or no lifting of the weight of the slats is involved in the tilting of the slats.
  • the slats are supported by rails or tracks such as bead 15' and to tilt the slats from the closed position of FIG. 4 to opened position of FIG. 6 required the lifting of the Weight of the entire array of slats by a distance approximately equal to half the width of a slat. Additionally the lower edges of the slats scrape along the supporting rails by a distance approximately equal to half the width of a slat.
  • the ladders have to perform very heavy duty as compared to opening the slats in the usual blind for a vertical window.
  • the heavy duty required of the ladders in a skylight Venitial blind could be expected to lead to malfunctioning.
  • skylight blinds are at the top of the room and often receive direct sunlightwith the result that at times they may be at a temperature of 120 F., or even more.
  • the slats in turn support the upper longitudinal tape 18a of the ladder.
  • the weight of lower longitudinal tape 18b hangs on the cross tapes and may possibly lengthen them when they are unduly warm.
  • the manipulation of the ladders to open the slats tends to tension certain of the cross tapes at times; and this can lengthen those cross tapes when they are unduly warm.
  • Our strut-tie members 40 act as mechanical ties. With the lower longitudinal tape 18b thus supported at every third slat, the weight of lower longitudinal tape 18! isnt available to substantially lengthen the cross tapes when they are warm. Moreover, when the ladders are operated to shift the slats from the FIG. 4 position to the FIG. 6 position our strut-tie members 40 act as struts which force the two longitudinal tapes apart. This makes it easier for the ladders to tilt the slats and protects the cross tapes against undue tensioning during the tilting of the slats.
  • our strut-tie members 40 substantially span the slats, being a little shorter than the width of the slats.
  • a skylight Venetian blind comprising:
  • a slat-and-ladder assembly in which (a) the slats are crowned, (b) the ladders have. flexible side tapes, one side tape of each ladder being above the slats and the other side tape of each ladder being beneath the slats, (c) the ladders have pairs of flexible cross tapes distributed along the lengths of the ladders and interconnecting the side tapes thereof, and (d) the slats are threaded between the cross tapes of the pairs of cross tapes so that one cross tape of a pair is on the convex side. of a slat and the other cross tape of the pair is on the concave side of the slat;
  • controlling means including means to operate the ladders to tilt the cross tapes thereof to various angles for varying the tilt of the slats;
  • the strut-ties being flexibly connected to the side tapes by the cross tapes to which the strutties are aflixed.
  • a skylight Venetian blind as in claim 2 in which the strut-ties are off-center with respect to the lengths of the cross tapes to which they are affixed, the direction of off-center being toward the lower side-tapes of the ladders.
  • each slat that has a strut-tie associated with it has at least two strut-ties associated with it, one toward one end of the slat and the other toward the other end of the slat.
  • each strut-tie consists of a piece of thin roll-hardened sheet-metal, overlying the faces of the cross tape and bent into close contact therewith.
  • a Venetian blind ladder comprising: a pair of flexible side tapes, a series of flexible cross tapes interconnecting the side tapes, and strut-ties on certain of the cross tapes, each strut-tie being composed of a troughshaped piece of sheet metal positioned astride of the cross tape with one edge of the cross tape in the bottom of the trough formation, the length of the trough formation being somewhat less than the length of the cross tape, and the trough formation being collapsed into close proximity to the faces of the cross tape and making frictional engagement therewith.
  • a Venetian blind ladder as in claim 9 in which the two sides of the trough formation are planar and the depth of the trough formation is substantially equal to the width of the cross tape.
  • a Venetian blind ladder as in claim 9 in which the strut-tie is provided with at least one tab extending from the free edge of a wall of the trough formation, and the tab is folded over and positioned against the opposite wall of the trough formation.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Blinds (AREA)
US328897A 1963-12-09 1963-12-09 Skylight venetian blind with improved coaction between the ladders and the slats Expired - Lifetime US3265117A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US328897A US3265117A (en) 1963-12-09 1963-12-09 Skylight venetian blind with improved coaction between the ladders and the slats
ES0306850A ES306850A1 (es) 1963-12-09 1964-12-07 Un dispositivo de persiana veneciana.
DEL49486A DE1282902B (de) 1963-12-09 1964-12-08 Schraeg oder horizontal angeordnete Lamellenjalousie und Einzelteil hierfuer
GB50187/64A GB1046959A (en) 1963-12-09 1964-12-09 Skylight venetian blinds
NL6414290A NL6414290A (es) 1963-12-09 1964-12-09

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US328897A US3265117A (en) 1963-12-09 1963-12-09 Skylight venetian blind with improved coaction between the ladders and the slats

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3265117A true US3265117A (en) 1966-08-09

Family

ID=23282934

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US328897A Expired - Lifetime US3265117A (en) 1963-12-09 1963-12-09 Skylight venetian blind with improved coaction between the ladders and the slats

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3265117A (es)
DE (1) DE1282902B (es)
ES (1) ES306850A1 (es)
GB (1) GB1046959A (es)
NL (1) NL6414290A (es)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3924671A (en) * 1974-04-18 1975-12-09 Charles R Gates Folding screen for light permeable skylights and the like
US4444239A (en) * 1981-12-02 1984-04-24 Haines Richard K Venetian blind and frame for vehicles
US4462452A (en) * 1981-07-15 1984-07-31 Hunter Douglas International N.V. Slat apparatus for roof construction
US4552196A (en) * 1982-06-08 1985-11-12 Hunter Douglas International N.V. Venetian blind assembly including tension means for imparting tension into slat supporting means
US4583333A (en) * 1981-06-05 1986-04-22 Rolscreen Company Room addition construction
US4664169A (en) * 1980-09-02 1987-05-12 Rca Corporation Venetian blind construction
US4739816A (en) * 1985-08-30 1988-04-26 Levolor Lorentzen, Inc. Venetian blind system for greenhouses
US5309974A (en) * 1992-01-21 1994-05-10 Hunter Douglas Inc. Venetian blinds
US5597027A (en) * 1995-11-01 1997-01-28 Jencraft Corporation Venetian blind having replaceable ladder cord covers
US5711359A (en) * 1995-02-08 1998-01-27 Jencraft Corporation Venetian blind having replaceable ladder cord covers
US20060016567A1 (en) * 2002-06-18 2006-01-26 Hans Grutzner Device for providing shade inside rooms
US20160158933A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2016-06-09 Infinite Corridor Technology, Llc In-plane-strain-actuated out-of-plane actuator
US10596883B2 (en) 2017-06-27 2020-03-24 Bauer Products, Inc. Vent shade assembly
US10730367B2 (en) * 2017-06-27 2020-08-04 Bauer Products, Inc. Vent shade assembly
EP4183971A1 (de) * 2021-11-22 2023-05-24 Erhardt Markisenbau GmbH Verschattungsvorrichtung

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3365621D1 (en) * 1982-06-08 1986-10-02 Hunter Douglas Ind Bv Venetian blind assembly
GB2141474B (en) * 1983-06-17 1987-03-04 British Res Agricult Eng Louvred reflector

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US631284A (en) * 1898-09-23 1899-08-22 Albert Ellison Fence-lock.
US723762A (en) * 1902-03-17 1903-03-24 Alexander Friederich Tuemler Venetian blind.
CH143336A (de) * 1930-02-17 1930-11-15 Klaussner Hugo Klammer zur Verbindung der Kantendrähte mit den Sprungfedern von Polstermöbeln.
US2738558A (en) * 1952-01-11 1956-03-20 William L Davis Wall ventilator
CH365863A (de) * 1959-02-18 1962-11-30 D Hafner Friedrich Sonnenschutzstore
US3170505A (en) * 1962-12-27 1965-02-23 Levolor Lorentzen Inc Full-closure type venetian blinds

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB699431A (en) * 1951-10-05 1953-11-04 Venetian Vogue Ltd Improvements in or relating to venetian blinds
DE1751404A1 (de) * 1968-05-24 1971-09-09 Juergens Walter Hydraulikzylinder

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US631284A (en) * 1898-09-23 1899-08-22 Albert Ellison Fence-lock.
US723762A (en) * 1902-03-17 1903-03-24 Alexander Friederich Tuemler Venetian blind.
CH143336A (de) * 1930-02-17 1930-11-15 Klaussner Hugo Klammer zur Verbindung der Kantendrähte mit den Sprungfedern von Polstermöbeln.
US2738558A (en) * 1952-01-11 1956-03-20 William L Davis Wall ventilator
CH365863A (de) * 1959-02-18 1962-11-30 D Hafner Friedrich Sonnenschutzstore
US3170505A (en) * 1962-12-27 1965-02-23 Levolor Lorentzen Inc Full-closure type venetian blinds

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3924671A (en) * 1974-04-18 1975-12-09 Charles R Gates Folding screen for light permeable skylights and the like
US4664169A (en) * 1980-09-02 1987-05-12 Rca Corporation Venetian blind construction
US4583333A (en) * 1981-06-05 1986-04-22 Rolscreen Company Room addition construction
US4462452A (en) * 1981-07-15 1984-07-31 Hunter Douglas International N.V. Slat apparatus for roof construction
US4444239A (en) * 1981-12-02 1984-04-24 Haines Richard K Venetian blind and frame for vehicles
US4552196A (en) * 1982-06-08 1985-11-12 Hunter Douglas International N.V. Venetian blind assembly including tension means for imparting tension into slat supporting means
US4739816A (en) * 1985-08-30 1988-04-26 Levolor Lorentzen, Inc. Venetian blind system for greenhouses
US5309974A (en) * 1992-01-21 1994-05-10 Hunter Douglas Inc. Venetian blinds
US5711359A (en) * 1995-02-08 1998-01-27 Jencraft Corporation Venetian blind having replaceable ladder cord covers
US5597027A (en) * 1995-11-01 1997-01-28 Jencraft Corporation Venetian blind having replaceable ladder cord covers
US20060016567A1 (en) * 2002-06-18 2006-01-26 Hans Grutzner Device for providing shade inside rooms
US7401635B2 (en) * 2002-06-18 2008-07-22 Silent Gliss International Ag Device for providing shade inside rooms
US20160158933A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2016-06-09 Infinite Corridor Technology, Llc In-plane-strain-actuated out-of-plane actuator
US10150665B2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2018-12-11 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University In-plane-strain-actuated out-of-plane actuator
US10596883B2 (en) 2017-06-27 2020-03-24 Bauer Products, Inc. Vent shade assembly
US10730367B2 (en) * 2017-06-27 2020-08-04 Bauer Products, Inc. Vent shade assembly
EP4183971A1 (de) * 2021-11-22 2023-05-24 Erhardt Markisenbau GmbH Verschattungsvorrichtung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES306850A1 (es) 1965-07-16
NL6414290A (es) 1965-06-10
GB1046959A (en) 1966-10-26
DE1282902B (de) 1968-11-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3265117A (en) Skylight venetian blind with improved coaction between the ladders and the slats
US3389737A (en) Venetian blind for double glazed sash
US4708188A (en) Cable ladder system and improved V-closure blinds
US3170505A (en) Full-closure type venetian blinds
US3192991A (en) Venetian blind arrangement
US5680891A (en) Window covering
US4739816A (en) Venetian blind system for greenhouses
US2116357A (en) Venetian blind
US4687041A (en) Guided cord system for a retractable slatted blind assembly
US5934351A (en) Sliding tilt mechanism for horizontal slatted blinds
US6047760A (en) Lift system for heavy venetian type blinds
US5957183A (en) Blackout blind
EP1219776B1 (en) Ladder operated covering with fixed vanes for architectural openings
US2535751A (en) Venetian blind
US4023235A (en) Multipurpose structure for supporting drapery tracks, Venetian blinds, or the like
US2802523A (en) Installation providing movement of venetian blind away from window
US6622770B1 (en) Tape drum for venetian type blinds
US2504771A (en) Venetian blind structure
US2276898A (en) Venetian blind
US2785445A (en) Plastic awning construction
US2296010A (en) Device for venetian blinds
US2280931A (en) Venetian blind
US2582301A (en) Venetian blind
US2821247A (en) Venetian blind
US5348068A (en) Mini blind head rail