US3429355A - Blinds - Google Patents

Description

F. GRIESSER Feb. 25, 1969 BLINDS Filed NOV. 14, 1966 United States Patent C 3,429,355 BLINDS Friedrich Griesser, Aadorf, Thurgau, Switzerland, assignor to Griesser A.G., Aadorf, Thurgau, Switzerland Filed Nov. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 594,232 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Dec. 3, 1965,

16,695/ 65 U.S. Cl. 160-133 5 Claims Int. Cl. E06b 9/204 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A Venetian blind having a plurality of pivotal slats having each a first and a second opposed longitudinal edge. A first tape at each end of said slats with means pivotally connecting each slat to said first tapes. A drum having a draw tape fixed thereto for being wound up thereon to raise said blind. Means pivotally connecting said first longitudinal edge of each slat to said draw tape so that upon a complete lowering of said blind further rotation of said drum in the same sense as during lowering causes said slats to pivot to their open position. A second tape pivotally connected to said second longitudinal edge of one of said plurality of slats and connected to said drum so that upon a complete lowering of said blind further rotation of said drum in the same sense as during lowering causes said second tape to be wound up on said drum to pivot said plurality of slats to open position.

This invention relates to a Venetian blind wherein separate means such as an additional tape positively causes the slats to open.

The present invention relates to Venetian blinds having a plurality of slats the ends of which are pivotally connected to tapes and the inner longitudinal edges of which are pivotally connected to a draw tape connected to a drum around which the draw tape can be rolled up, whereby the blind is completely lowered the slats can be pivoted to their open position by rotating the drum in the same direction as for lowering the blinds. When the blinds are completely lowered, the slats are located between a pair of guide rails. Continued rotation of the drum in the same direction should permit the slats to pivot to the open position as a result of their own weight. However, because of friction in the slat pivots their Weight is often insuflicient to ensure that the slats pivot to the open position.

An object of the invention is an arrangement that positively causes the slats to open.

This and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of one embodiment, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a portion of the blinds, slats open;

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a portion of the upper end of the blinds; and

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section of the upper end of the blinds, slats open.

Referring to the figures, the illustrated Venetian blinds have a plurality of slats 1, formed of sheet metal, for example, and slightly curved in cross section. Each slat incorporates along its inner longitudinal edge an upwardly curving bead 2 and along its outer longitudinal edge a downwardly curving bead 3. Each end of a slat is pivotally connected to a steel guide tape 4. For this purpose, a pivot pin 5 is mounted on each end of a slat by means of a ange. As shown in FIG. 1, a pivot pin 5 turns in a sheet metal eye 6 the feet of which are spot welded or riveted to the tape 4.

Each of the two tapes 4 passes through a guide rail 7.

3,429,355 Patented Feb. 25, 1969 An end rail (not shown) is connected to the lower ends of the tapes 4.

The upper ends of the rails 7 terminate in an expansion (FIG. 3) the lower portion of which serves as a stop for a small block 15 connected to the upper end of each tape 4, when the blinds are lowered.

The wind-up drum 8 is shown at FIGS. 2 and 3. One end of the drum has a drive wheel (not shown) incorporating a toothed rim engaging a gear train driven by a crank.

A metal strap 10 holds two spaced steel draw tapes 9' to the drum 8. All of the slats 1, excepting the four uppermost (see FIG. 3), are pivotally connected along their inner edges to the tapes 9. Each slat incorporates two cutouts neighboring the bead 2 and each aligned with a tape 9. An eye 11, made of synthetic plastic, for example, passing around the bead 2 and through each cutout of a Slat, is connected to the respective tapes 9. The bead 2 thus acts as a pivot pin in the eyes 11.

The four upper slats (FIGS. 2, 3) are successively connected together by one or more tapes (not shown) to form a nonpivoting portion of the blinds. The draw tapes 9 each pass through a guide element associated with the topmost one of these four slats.

One end of a convxely curved lever 12 is pivotally connected to one end of the outer longitudinal edge of the uppermost pivotal slat 1. The other end of the lever is pivotally connected to a steel tape 13, which is connected to, and can be wound up on, a portion l14 of the drum 8 having a smaller diameter. As shown at FIG. 3, the tape 13 passes part-way around the drum in the sense opposite to that of the tapes 9. As shown also at FIG. 3, the uppermost pivotal slat is heavier in cross section to provide a stronger slat. If the blinds are wide, two tapes 13 can be provided, one connected to each end of the slat. The lever 12 may be approximately as long as a slat 1 is wide.

As shown at FIGS. l and 3, the lever 12 passes through a cutout in the lowermost nonpivoting Slat 1.

When the blinds are completely lowered, the block 15 rests in the upper expansion of the rails 7 and the slats 1 themselves are located between the rails 7. IIn this position, the draw tapes 9 are not entirely unwound, whereas the tape 13 is, and is taut. Further rotation of the drum 8 in the same direction (counter clockwise as seen in FIG. 3) will further unwind the tapes 9 and simultaneously begin to wind up the tape 13 in the reverse sense, which latter raises the outer edge of the uppermost pivotal slat 1, forcing all of the pivotal blinds l1 to turn to their open position, as shown at FIG. l.

The invention admitting of various modifications, its scope is limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A venetian blind comprising a plurality of pivotal slats having each a first and a second opposed longitudinal edge, a first tape at each end of said slats, means pivotally connecting each slat to said first tapes, a drum, a draw tape fixed to said drum for being wound up thereon to raise said blind, means pivotally connecting said first longitudinal edge of each slat to said draw tape so that upon a complete lowering of said blind further rotation of said drum in the same sense as during lowering causes said slats to pivot to their open position, a second tape pivotally connected to said second longitudinal edge of one of said plurality of slats and connected to said drum so that upon a complete lowering of said blind further rotation of said drum in the same sense as during lowering causes said second tape to be wound up on said drum to pivot said plurality of slats to open position, said second tape being pivotally connected to a slat adjacent said drum by means of a lever pivotally connected at one end to said second longitudinal edge of said last named slat and the other end being pivotally connected to the end of said second tape 3. A blind as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lever is 5 approximately as long as said last named slat is wide.

4. A blind as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said slats and said lever are convex in cross section.

5. A blind as set forth in claim 1 wherein the diameter of said drum is smaller where said second tape is con- 10 nected thereto than where said draw tape is connected.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1961 Griesser 160-133 X 6/1967 Griesser 160133 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,008,l24 lO/ 1965 Great Britain.

PETER M. CAUN, Primary Examiner.

U.S. C1. X.R. 57-144

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