WO1992014024A1

WO1992014024A1 - Activating device for darkening and similar systems located inside a double-glazing unit

Info

Publication number: WO1992014024A1
Application number: PCT/EP1992/000173
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuseppe Florean
Original assignee: Afint S.N.C. Di G. Momente' & C.
Priority date: 1991-02-06
Filing date: 1992-01-28
Publication date: 1992-08-20
Also published as: ITVE910005A1; ITVE910005A0; IT1249502B; AU1175492A

Abstract

Activating device for darkening or similar systems located inside a double-glazing unit, characterized in that it comprises at least two pairs (4, 5) of cords (6, 6') returned by corresponding transversal pivots (7) situated inside the perimeter frame of the double-glazing, and fixed to a lever (14, 16, 25) operated from the outside, said lever acting on the two cords of each pair by moving them simultaneously in opposite directions, means (15, 18, 18', 28, 29) being provided to ensure a watertight seal between the chamber of the frame housing the said lever and the outside.

Description

Activating device for darkening and similar systems located inside a double-glazing unit.

This invention relates to an activating device fo darkening and similar systems located inside a double-glazin unit.

Shutter frames are known consisting of a rigid perimete frame to which a double-glazing is applied.

With the aim of preventing and/or limiting the passag of light, it was decided to instal inside the double-glazin a Venetian blind, a "plisse" blind or a darkening blind operated from the outside by a magnetic device which does no affect its watertight seal and maintains intact th transparency features of the double-glazing.

Such a solution does however present some drawbacks an in particular:

- awkwardness of operation due to the magnet which is no firmly fixed to the frame,

- a certain complexity of construction due to the presence o the longitudinal winding shaft of the cords which comman the inclination of the slats.

The aim of the invention is to produce a mechanica activating device which enables control of the darkening without altering the hermetic features of the interspace an thus the fuctioning of the double-glazing.

Another aim of the invention is to realize a devic which works simply and smoothly.

An other aim of the invention is to realize a device o simple form.

Such aims are achieved according to the inventio through an activating device for darkening and simila systems located inside a double-glazing unit as described i claim 1.

This invention is further clarified with reference t the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in partial interrupted perspective view double-glazing unit in accordance with th invention, Figure 2 shows it in partial cross-section,

Figure 3 shows in scheamtic lengthwise view the activatin device in a first embodiment, and

Figure 4 shows it, also lengthwise, in a second embodiment.

As may be seen from the figures the device according t the invention, is applied to a double-glazing unit consistin of a perimeter border 1, formed of four profiles, preferabl in aluminium, and two panes of glass 2 fixed to the border by means of suitable adhesive.

In particular, each profile is realized in two distinct longitudinal chambers one of which is turned towards the inside of the double-glazing, filled with dehydratin material, with the function of a molecular sieve and wit several holes.

Inside the double-glazing unit there are a large numbe of slats 3, one above the other, joined together by tw traditional pairs 4,5 of cords 6,6'.

The cords 6,6' of each pair 4,5 are returned firs around a transversal pivot 7, housed inside the upper profil 8 of border 1, and thus in with a roller 9, designed t qorrespond to an angle joining the aforesaid profile 8 to vertical profile 8'.

One of the cords has its end fixed to a body 10 with th shape of a part of a cylinder, supported by a plastic bush 1 fixed to profile 8' of border 1. Inside the body 10 is square seat 12 in which the corresponding arm 13 of an L shaped lever 14 is engaged, protruding from the borde profile. Arm 13 is turned by a membrane-coupling 15 i elastic material, which adheres to profile 8' by one part o its end and ensures a watertight seal between the inside of the border and the outside. The other part of the other cord is returned around a reel 16, in a position below lever 14 and is thus fixed to body 10.

The device according to the invention operates as follows: when the slats 3 are arranged generally horizontally, maximum illumination is obtained. In these conditions the slats are practically invisible and grant a view to the outside which is virtually perfect and clear. To incline the slats and so pass to a configuration of maximum darkening, it is sufficient to turn arm 13 of lever 14 in one direction to the other to effect the opposite movement of cords 6,6'. Following this manoeuvre the cords are returned by rollers 9 and 7, and command the inclination of the slats 3, which, moreover, remain parallel to one another.

It is clear that to bring the slats back to the horizontal configuration it is sufficient to activate lever 14 in the opposite direction to that previously used. In a further embodiment (not shown in the drawings) the end of the cords turn around a roller provided with a toothed portion cooperating with a toothed wheel in which the arm of the lever engages.

In this way the weight of the slats and the strsses of the cords are discharged on the roller, thus allowing an easier operating of the lever. Furthemore the membrane is not deformed in the contact zone between the arm 13 and the body 10. In the embodiment shown in figure 3 the cords turn opposite directions on a reel 16 housed in the profile 8' border 1 of the double-glazing.

In particular, reel 16' is housed in a chamber closed below and above by two small isolating blocks 18,1 in plastic material, the upper of which 18 contains holes for the passage of cords 6,6'.

Corresponding with these holes 19, folding couplings are to be provided which cover the cords 6,6' and ensure t watertight seal in chamber 17 towards the adjacent portio of profile 8. In particular the couplings 20 are provided the free ends of metallic masses 21 fixed to the coupling means of silicon sealing and clamping the cords.

Keyed to the shaft of reel 16 is a toothed wheel coupled with a rack 23 mounted on a slide 24 which protrud from profile 8' and is provided with a grip.

In this embodiment to command the inclination of t slats, it is sufficient to move the slide 24 upwards downwards so as to cause, through the rack 23, rotation one direction or the other of the toothed wheel 22 a consequently of the reel 16.

In the embodiment shown in figure 4 the ends of t cords are turned in opposite directions on a horizont roller 25 housed inside one of the border profiles 8' of th double-glazing. Roller 25 is provided at one end with a appendix 26 inserted in a corresponding housing formed in a plastic block 27, fixed inside profile 8'. Keyed at the other end of roller 25 is a conical portion 28 which works with a corresponding portion 29 designed to correspond to a hole 30 made in the profile 8'.

A spring 31 set inside an axial cavity of roller 25, elastically presses portion 28 against portion 29. This portion 28 contains a central bush 32 which protrudes from the profile and may have inserted into it the end of a crank commanding the rotation of roller 25.

This embodiment not only allows to regulate the inclination of the slats, but also to raise them. This double movement may in fact be effected through the use of a traditionl mono-command device which first enables the moving of the slats to a generally vertical configuration and then raising them, packing them together.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Activating device for darkening or similar system located inside a double-glazing unit, characterized in tha it comprises at least two pairs (4,5) of cords (6,6' returned by corresponding transversal pivots (7) situate inside the perimeter frame of the double-glazing, and fixe to a lever (14,16,25) operated from the outside, said leve acting on the two cords of each pair by moving the simultaneously in opposite directions, mean (15,18,18' ,28,29) being provided to ensure a watertight sea between the chamber of the frame housing the said lever an the outside.

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that th perimeter frame of the double-glazing unit comprises profile (8,8') subdivided longitudinally in two distinc chambers, one of which, that facing towards the inside of th double-glazing unit, is filled with dehydrating material.

3. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that th lever (14) is L-shaped, with an arm (13) housed inside th profile (8') and on which the ends of the cords are fixed one arm of this lever being covered by a sheath (15) whic ensures the watertigh features of the inside of the profil with respect to the outside.

4. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that t arm (13) has a generally square-shaped end section whi works in the corresponding space of a body (10) with the fo of a portion of a cylinder, on which the ends of the cor turn (6,6').

5. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that t lever consists of a reel (16') on which the ends of two cor turn in opposite directions, said reel being joined to toothed wheel (22) coupled to a rack (23) activated from th outside.

6. Device according to claim 5 characterized in that th reel (16) is housed in an area of the profile separated fro the adjacent areas by means of small isolating block (18,18'), one containing holes (19) for the passage of th cords.

7. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that i corrispondence with the holes (19) there are expandabl couplings (20) which go round the cords.

8. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that th lever consists of a roller (25) on which the ends of the tw cords turn in opposite directions, said roller being presse elastically against a corresponding part of the profile t ensure the watertigh seal.

9. Device according to claim 8 characterized in that a conical part (28) is keyed to the roller (25) working with a corresponding part (29) arranged so as to correspond with a hole (30) made on the profile (8').

10. Device according to claim 9 characterized in that the portion (28) contains a central bush (32) which protrudes from the profile (8') and in which a command grip is employed.

11. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the ends of the cords (6,6') turn around a roller which is provided with a toothed portion cooperating with a toothed wheel activated by the lever.