US3332471A - Venetian blind ladder tape - Google Patents

Description

July 25, 1967 D. .1. CROXEN 3,332,471

VENETIAN BLIND LADDER TAPE Filed May. 3, 1965 I N VENTOR. DONALD J'- CEOXEN 7%,)? VQWAW ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,332,471 VENETIAN BLIND LADDER TAPE Donald J. Croxen, 15608 Florwood Ave., Lawndale, Calif. 90260 Filed May 3, 1965, Ser. No. 452,559 9 Claims. (Cl. 160178) This invention relates generally to Venetian blinds and more particularly to the ladder tapes on which the slats are suspended.

An object of the invention is to provide a. new and improved ladder type for Venetian blinds which enables and facilitates the closing of the blind to position the slats thereof in overlapping and interengagement relation so as to provide a substantially light-tight closure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tape embodying novel cross tapes or rungs adapted for engaging and supporting the side edges of the slats when the main or side tapes are moved oppositely to tilt the slats from a horizontal to an inclined, nearly Vertical position.

A further object is to provide a novel plastic cross tape which can be readily manufactured by extrusion and subsequent cutting to size and which can be readily and accurately aflixed to the side tapes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Venetian blind construct-ion embodying cross tapes of novel configuration and construction embodying magnetic means for assisting in closing the slats and holding them in a fully closed position.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawing and the following description. Referring to the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of portions of two side tapes and two slats of a Venetian blind with two cross tapes embodying the invention secured to the side tapes and supporting the slats, the blind being shown in fully opened position;

FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view taken just above the upper slat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a central sectional elevational view of the blind portions of FIG. 1 shown in closed position;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of one single cross tape;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail on line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional plan view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a double cross tape embodying the invention;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing a modification; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary isometric view of a portion of a side tape and an end portion of a cross tape, showing another modification.

More particularly describing the invention, in FIG. 1 I show a portion of a Venetian blind 11 and this includes a pair or set of side tapes 12 which are suspended by conventional means so that they can be moved vertically in relatively opposite directions. The blind portion shown also includes a plurality of vertically spaced cross tapes 14 extending between the side tapes and slats 15 supported thereon. A conventional lift cord is designated 16. In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-5 I show relatively narrow single cross tapes and these are staggered on the side tapes with reference to the cord 16, however the staggered arrangement is not essential.

I may also employ a wide, double cross tape, such as shown in FIG. 6. This will be described later.

The slats 15 may be of several constructions but should in any case be provided with marginal recesses 17 in the region of the cross tapes. By way of example, the slats shown are convex in cross section and have cord-passing openings 18. In order to provide a construction which facilitates the movement of the slats to Patented July 25, 1967 overlapping and interengaging relation when the side tapes are moved appropriately to close the blind, as shown in FIG. 3, I provide the aforementioned cross tapes 14 with inwardly facing slat-engaging shoulders 20 against which the recessed edges 21 of the slats are positioned. While the cross tapes can be made in various ways in order to provide the shoulders, -I have shown the tapes as having a cross or transversely extending thickened section or rib 22 on the upper side of the tape providing the aforementioned shoulder. This shoulder may be downwardly and outwardly inclined, or substantially vertical as shown.

Each cross tape includes a thin, flexible strip-like body 23, the ribs or thickened transverse sections 22, and end sections 24 normal to the main section which are secured to the side tapes by a suitable adhesive, cement or solvent, or they can be sewn or heat welded, depending upon the material. In this connection I may point out that the side tapes may be of plastic or other suitable material and that I prefer to form the cross tapes of plastic. The latter may be fabricated by extruding the plastic in a direction which is transverse of the tapes shown and the tapes subsequently cut from the extruded stock.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of magnetized particles 26- in the thickened portions or ribs 22 of the cross tapes. These magnetized particles assist in achieving complete closure of the blind, since they serve to magnetically attract each other when the blind is in a closed position.

In the operation of the tapes, with the slats cradled upon the cross tapes betweenthe shoulders 20 thereof, as the side tapes are manipulated to move them oppositely to close the blinds, the recessed edges 21 at the lower edges of the various slats are supported upon their respectively adjacent shoulders 20, firmly holding the slats in position to engage and remain in engagement with each other, as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 6, I show a form of the invention in which the cross tapes are of the so-called double type, that is, they are substantially the same width as the side tapes. Each double cross tape, designated 30, includes main sections 31 which are separated by a relatively large opening 32 which is shown extending far enough to interrupt ribs 33 having inwardly facing shoulders 34. However, the opening need not extend so far. The ends of the cross tape are provided with end sections 35 normal to the main sections 31. The latter merge into bridging sections 35 at each end. The ribs 33 and shoulder 34 may be the same configuration in cross section as the ribs 22 and shoulders 20 and it will be apparent that the operation of a blind incorporating the double-type cross tapes is the same as the operation of one incorporating the narrow or single cross tapes.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 I show two modifications of the cross tape. These are suitable for either single or double tapes, but have been illustrated as incorporated in single tapes. Referring first to FIG. 7, the cross tape, designated 40, is shown as having a main section 41 at each end of which is an end section 42. The latter are afiixed to the side tapes 12. Each end section is formed to provide a fiat end surface 43 to abut the side tape and with an upper thickened section 44 defining a shoulder 45. The latter serves the same purpose as the shoulders 20 previously described.

Referring now to FIG. 8, I show a modified form of cross tape, designated 50, which includes a main section 51 and end sections 52 normal thereto which attach to the side tapes 12. In this form of the invention, at each end of the main section I provide a short auxiliary .sec-

tion 53 which extends between the upper part of the end section 52 and the main section 51 at a region spaced inwardly from the end section. This construction provides an obtuse angle 54 between the main section 51 and the upper section 53 when the cross tape is disposed substantially horizontal. This angle decreases as the cross tape is inclined to trap and hold the recessed edge of the slat in a manner like the shoulders 20 and 45 previously described.

Although I have illustrated and described preferred forms of my invention, I contemplate that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the following claims. In this connection I wish to point out that although I prefer to utilize a shoulder near each end of the cross tape, where it is contemplated that a blind shall only completely close in one direction, I may employ tapes having shoulders near one end only in which case the slats would only have to be recessed at one edge.

I claim:

1. In a Venetian blind construction, side tapes adapted to be supported from above, slats supported in vertically spaced relation between the side tapes, cross tapes for supporting the slats connected at their opposite ends to the respective side tapes, said cross tapes each being formed to provide a pair of inwardly facing shoulders rising above the upper surface of the tape therebetween and extending transversely thereof, said shoulders being located adjacent but spaced inwardly from said side tapes, respectively, said slats having marginal recesses at their side edges whereby to provide a recessed edge at each side for engagement with the respective shoulders of the cross tape on which the slat is supported.

2. The Venetian blind construction set forth in claim 1 in which said cross tapes are provided with magnetized material in the regions of said shoulders.

3. The Venetian blind construction set forth in claim 1 in which said cross tapes are each provided with a pair of thickened portions defining said shoulders.

4. The Venetian blind construction set forth in claim 1 in which said cross tapes are provided with a centrally disposed opening extending longitudinally of the cross tape.

5. A cross tape for a Venetian blind, comprising an elongated, thin flexible body strip of material, end sections on said body strip, said body strip being formed to provide an inwardly facing shoulder extending transversely thereof above the upper surface thereof, said shoulder being positioned adjacent but spaced inwardly of one of said end sections and a substantial distance outwardly of the center of the body strip.

6. A cross tape for a Venetian blind, comprising an elongated, thin flexible body strip of material, end sections on said body strip, said body strip being formed to provide a pair of inwardly facing shoulders extending transversely thereof above the upper surface, said shoulders being positioned adjacent but spaced inwardly of said end sections, respectively, and a substantial distance outwardly of the center of the body strip.

7. A cross tape for a Venetian blind, comprising a thin, flexible body, said body having a pair of main sections in parallel laterally spaced relation and a transverse bridging section connecting the same at each end thereof, an end section on each bridging section adapted to be fastened to the side tapes of a blind, said main sections each being formed to provide a pair of inwardly facing shoulders extending transversely thereof above the upper surface and positioned near the outer ends of said main sections a substantial distance outwardly of the center thereof.

8. In a Venetian blind construction, side tapes adapted to be supported from above, slats supported in vertically spaced relation between the side tapes, cross tapes for supporting the slats connected at their opposite ends to the respective side tapes, said cross tapes each being formed to provide an inwardly facing shoulder rising above the upper surface of the tape inwardly thereof and extending transversely thereof, said shoulder being located adjacent but spaced inwardly from one of said side tapes, said slats having a marginal recess at one side edge whereby to provide a recessed edge for engagement with the shoulder of the cross tape on which the slat is supported.

9. A cross tape for a Venetian blind, comprising an elongated flexible body strip of material, end sections on said body strip and normal thereto, and at least one auxiliary section extending from the upper end of one end section to a region of the body strip adjacent but spaced inwardly of the end section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. nannison R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

I M.:CAUN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 8. IN A VENETIAN BLIND CONSTRUCTION, SIDE TAPES ADAPTED TO BE SUPPORTED FROM ABOVE, SLATS SUPPORTED IN VERTICALLY SPACED RELATION BETWEEN THE SIDE TAPES, CROSS TAPES FOR SUPPORTING THE SLATS CONNECTED AT THEIR OPPOSITE ENDS TO THE RESPECTIVE SIDE TAPES, SAID CROSS TAPES EACH BEING FORMED TO PROVIDE AN INWARDLY FACING SHOULDER RISING ABOVE THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE TAPE INWARDLY THEREOF AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THEREOF, SAID SHOULDER BEING LOCATED ADJACENT BUT SPACED INWARDLY FROM ONE OF SAID SIDE TAPES, SAID SLATS HAVING INWARDLY FROM ONE OF SAID SIDE EDGE WHEREBY TO PROVIDE A RECESSED EDGE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SHOULDER OF THE CROSS TAPE ON WHICH THE SLAT IS SUPPORTED.

Images