WO2003060273A2 - Actionneur et procede de fabrication d'un decor de fenetre a vue traversante - Google Patents

Actionneur et procede de fabrication d'un decor de fenetre a vue traversante Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003060273A2
WO2003060273A2 PCT/US2002/041375 US0241375W WO03060273A2 WO 2003060273 A2 WO2003060273 A2 WO 2003060273A2 US 0241375 W US0241375 W US 0241375W WO 03060273 A2 WO03060273 A2 WO 03060273A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cell
flexible material
cells
window covering
actuator device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/041375
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2003060273A3 (fr
Inventor
John A. Corey
Raymond Randall
Richard D. Watkins
Original Assignee
Comfortex Corporation
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 Comfortex Corporation filed Critical Comfortex Corporation
Priority to JP2003560344A priority Critical patent/JP2005515327A/ja
Priority to MXPA04006598A priority patent/MXPA04006598A/es
Priority to BR0214969-9A priority patent/BR0214969A/pt
Priority to NZ531593A priority patent/NZ531593A/en
Priority to EP02799309A priority patent/EP1463867A2/fr
Priority to CA002457546A priority patent/CA2457546A1/fr
Priority to KR10-2004-7008555A priority patent/KR20040069321A/ko
Priority to AU2002364232A priority patent/AU2002364232A1/en
Publication of WO2003060273A2 publication Critical patent/WO2003060273A2/fr
Publication of WO2003060273A3 publication Critical patent/WO2003060273A3/fr

Links

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
    • E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
    • E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
    • E06B9/322—Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to window coverings and treatments.
  • the present invention relates to an actuator device suitable for use with an adjustable view-through cellular shade or window covering, the cells of a multi-cell window covering and a method for manufacturing the cells of a multi-cell window covering.
  • a cellular shade is a pleated window covering having a plurality of cells arranged adjacent to one another. The adjacent cells are bonded at their edges to form a complete sheet for the window covering.
  • These multi-cellular shades provide significant insulating value, uniform light diffusion and a desirable aesthetic presentation, but they typically have no view-through capability.
  • Venetian blinds which provide easy modulatable view-through and light control by simply adjusting the orientation of the horizontally disposed slats or vanes
  • traditional multi-cellular shades are not capable of separating the plurality of cells, thus preventing a view-through option. Therefore, in order for a person to see through a window that is outfitted with a traditional multi-cellular shade, it is necessary to collectively raise and gather the plurality of cells, i.e., raise the entire window covering. However, raising the whole cellular window shade is laborious and time consuming.
  • a hybrid window covering was developed that provides the characteristics of both a Venetian blind and a multi-cellular window covering.
  • This hybrid window covering includes a plurality of cells arranged parallel to one another. Each cell has at least one side, and a joint unites adjacent sides of each cell. The adjacent sides are pivotable about the joint such that each cell is variably adjustable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. By collapsing and expanding the cells, the window covering can achieve adjustable light-control, modulatable view-through, light diffusion, and excellent insulation value, all in an aesthetically pleasing design.
  • the adjustment means typically includes a pair of cords that engage and actuate the cells between the collapsed and expanded positions. Due to the structure of the cells, the relative position of the cords in each pair is not fore-and-aft (i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the window covering), as in a conventional Venetian blind, but rather is parallel to the plane of the window covering for central, balanced lifting and lowering of the upper and lower portions of each cell. A series of beads or other suitable attachment elements are secured to the cords and are engaged with one or more surfaces of the cells during manufacture.
  • the upper surface of the cell includes a relatively small bead-engaging aperture aligned vertically with a larger cord clearance aperture on the lower surface of the cell.
  • the relatively small bead-engaging aperture is located on the lower surface of the cell and the larger cord-clearance aperture is located on the upper surface of the cell.
  • An actuator device for use in a view-through window covering having a plurality of cells.
  • the actuator device includes at least one cooperating pair of control members including a first control member that supports an upper portion of each cell and a second control member that supports a lower portion of each cell.
  • the cooperating pair of control members support the cells along a plane parallel to the plane of the window covering. Relative movement of the control members modifies the size of the space between the cells.
  • the actuator device may also include an actuator mechanism selectively operable to create opposite movement of the first and second control members.
  • a guide member may also be provided between the actuator mechanism and the control members to transition the control members from being aligned substantially perpendicular to the window covering plane to being aligned substantially parallel with the window covering plane.
  • a cell and method of manufacturing a cell for a multi-cell window covering begins with the step of providing a flexible material defined as an elongated member having axial and transverse directions. A portion of the flexible material is then stiffened to create at least one axially extending flexible junction. At least one control engagement formation and at least one control clearance formation are then created in axially extending sections of the stiffened flexible material that will become an upper portion and a lower portion of the cell. The flexible material is then folded to create a closed element and the flexible material is secured to itself to maintain the shape of the closed element.
  • the method of the present invention enables the manufacture of expandable and collapsible cells for a window covering, using common raw materials.
  • the proposed method uses relatively inexpensive tooling to produce cells having distinct features in the upper and lower surfaces of the cells.
  • the ability to create distinct features in the top and bottom surfaces of the cells enables the use of cords that selectively engage either the upper or lower portions of the cells at predetermined locations.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an actuator device according to the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of a window covering employing an actuator device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a plurality of cells are arranged in an open (collapsed) position;
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of the window covering of FIG. 2, wherein the cells are arranged in a closed (expanded) position;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cord element and cord for use in expanding and collapsing the cells of the window covering of FIGS. 2 and 3;
  • FIG. 5 is perspective view showing the cord element of FIG. 4 relative to an opening in a cell;
  • FIG. 6 is a top view of a cradle and guide according to the present invention
  • FIG. 7 is a side view of a window covering employing another embodiment of the actuator device of the present invention, wherein a plurality of cells are arranged in an open (collapsed) position;
  • FIG. 8 is a side view of the window covering of FIG. 7, wherein the cells are arranged in a closed (expanded) position;
  • FIG. 9 is a side view of a window covering employing another embodiment of the actuator device of the present invention, wherein a plurality of cells are arranged in an open (collapsed) position;
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a sliding cord element, fixed cord element and cord for use in expanding and collapsing the cells of the window covering of FIG. 9;
  • FIG. 11 is a side view of a window covering employing another embodiment of the actuator device of the present invention, wherein a plurality of cells are arranged in a closed (expanded) position;
  • FIG. 12 is a side view of a window covering employing another embodiment of the actuator device of the present invention, wherein a plurality of cells are arranged in a closed (expanded) position;
  • FIG. 13 is a plan view of a laminate prior to folding the laminate into a cell
  • FIG. 14 is a side view of the laminate of FIG. 13 after folding the laminate into a cell.
  • FIG. 15 is a simplified perspective view of an exemplary manufacturing line for manufacturing the cells of FIGS. 13 and 14.
  • Window covering 10 may include a plurality of horizontally disposed elongated cells 14, all of which are preferably arranged parallel to one another. Each cell 14 is adapted to be expanded and collapsed so as to provide variable light control and see-through capability for window covering 10.
  • FIG. 3 depicts cells 14 in the expanded position, wherein adjacent cells 14 are in contact with one another, while FIG. 2 depicts cells 14 in a partly collapsed position, wherein adjacent cells 14 are separated from one another.
  • window covering 10 is by way of example only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the components of the exemplary window covering 10, more particularly cells 14, can be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.
  • actuation device 12 employs at least one cooperating pair of control members that are engaged with cells 14 along a plane parallel to the plane of the window covering.
  • the control members include a cooperating pair of cords, i.e., a first cord 16 and a second cord 18. As illustrated in FIG.
  • cords 16 and 18 are secured to an actuator mechanism that is housed in a head-rail 22.
  • the actuator mechanism is a rotatable member 20 that preferably includes a pair of integrally formed arms 23 to which cords 16, 18 are attached, but is not intended to be limited thereto.
  • rotatable member 20 can be rotated in a direction that causes first cord 16 to move upward and second cord 18 to simultaneously move downward, and vice versa.
  • Actuator device 12 may include a plurality of rotatable members 20 corresponding in number to the number of cord pairs positioned along the width of window covering 10.
  • Each rotatable member 20 is mounted on an axle 24, which in turn is supported by a plurality of cradles 26 that are positioned along the length of axle 24 proximate each rotatable member 20.
  • each cradle 26 is preferably a U-shaped structure defining a pair of spaced apart arms 28 each having a notch 30 that is sized to receive axle 24.
  • rotatable member 20 may be provided to one side (i.e., cantilevered) relative to the two arms 28, or only one arm 28 may be employed per cradle 26, with the plurality of cradles 26 providing the required stability of axle 24.
  • each cradle 26 preferably includes a guide member or portion 32 that is disposed in an opening in head-rail 22.
  • guide portion 32 functions to re-position cords 16 and 18 from the fore-and-aft spacing at the connection with rotatable member 20 to a side-by-side spacing substantially parallel with the plane of window covering 10.
  • the means of moving cords 16, 18 is not limited to rotatable members 20 and that other actuator mechanisms may be employed in head-rail 22, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 3,269,453, U.S. Patent No. 5,778,956 and GB 1,032,124 (the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety).
  • the actuator mechanism may include a cylindrical drum upon which cords 16, 18 are collected.
  • the actuator mechanism may include pair of push rods within head-rail 22 to which cords 16, 18 are connected. The push rods are moveable along the length of head-rail 22 to move cords 16, 18 in opposing directions.
  • a conventional rack-and-pinion arrangement could be provided to regulate movement of the push rods and a rotatable wand or control rod could be employed to rotate the pinion.
  • rotatable members 20 may be mounted in head-rail 22 parallel with cells 14 such that no twisting of cords 16, 18 is necessary between cells 14 and rotatable member 20.
  • a multi-axle drive mechanism would be required to drive rotation of the rotatable members 20 since, in this embodiment, rotatable members 20 would not share a common pivot axis.
  • first cord 16 is adapted to support the lower portion 14A of each cell 14 and second cord 18 is adapted to support the upper portion 14B of each cell 14.
  • first cord 16 and second cord 18 are adapted to support the upper portion 14B of each cell 14.
  • first cord 16 includes a plurality of beads or cell engaging elements 34 positioned along its length. Elements 34 are preferably spaced equally apart, such as in a bead chain, and each element 34 is adapted to abut an outer surface of the lower portion 14A of a corresponding cell 14. When first cord 16 is raised, each element 34 presses upwardly against and "lifts" the lower portion 14A of its associated cell 14. This lifting action results in the collapsing of each cell 14, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Collapse of each cell 14 is further facilitated by the lowering of cord 18 (as described below), which occurs simultaneously with the raising of cord 16 due to the pivotal movement of rotatable member 20. In the fully expanded condition of each cell 14 (as shown in FIG. 3), elements 34 drop through an enlarged aperture in the next lower cell, so as not to interfere with the desired face-to-face contact between adjacent cells 14 in the fully closed or view-blocking condition of cells 14.
  • second cord 18 includes a plurality of beads or cell engaging elements 36 positioned along its length.
  • Each element 36 serves the function of providing support to the upper portion 14B of a corresponding cell 14.
  • elements 36 are preferably formed like small spools having a slot 38 that is slightly larger than the wall thickness of a mating cell 14 and is preferably horizontally annular about each element 36.
  • the upper and lower outer surfaces 37, 39 of elements 36 are preferably conical to facilitate entry into an opening 40 in cell 14.
  • the above-described structure of element 36 is not intended to be limited thereto, but may include other configurations such as clips, knots, loops and the like.
  • opening 40 includes a first portion 42 that is large enough for elements 36 to be inserted into, and a second smaller portion 43 separated from first portion 42 by a tapered channel 44.
  • Connecting elements 36 to cells 14 is accomplished by inserting element 36 into first portion 42 of opening 40 and subsequently sliding element 36 into second portion 43.
  • connecting elements 36 with the upper portion 14B of each cell 14 at portions 43 advantageously reduces the tendency of cells 14 to flutter when collapsed or nearly collapsed.
  • each element 36 is used to support each cell 14 from the upper portion 14B thereof. Therefore, when second cord 18 is raised along its longitudinal axis, each engaged element 36 supports each cell 14 from the upper portion 14B thereof, wherein each cell 14 tends to "hang” from its engaged element 36. By raising cord 18, each cell 14 is suspended from its upper portion, while the simultaneous lowering of cord 16 and associated elements 34 allows the lower portion to move downwardly, resulting in the expansion of cells 14.
  • the expansion of cells 14 is effected by the relative raising of second cord 18 and lowering of first cord 16 without significant fore- and-aft rotation or tilting of any cell 14 (as opposed to the case of intended tilting in conventional Venetian blinds).
  • the ratio of the stiffness of each cell juncture to the weight of each cell 14 be selected so as to facilitate cell expandability and collapsibility.
  • guide portion 32 of cradle 26 preferably includes a pair of passages 46, each having a first region 48 large enough to allow passage of elements 34, 36 and a second region 50 that allows passage of cords 16 and 18, but not elements 34, 36.
  • Second regions 50 are aligned in the operative plane of cords 16, 18 so that cords 16, 18 remain aligned in their operating location.
  • Cords 16 and 18 extend up though guide portion 32 and are twisted from a plane substantially parallel with the plane of window covering 10 to a relative position substantially perpendicular to the window covering plane, wherein cords 16, 18 are attached to rotatable member 20.
  • the attachment of cords 16, 18 to the ends of rotatable member 20 can be made in any of several known manners, including but not limited to, tying and crimping cords 16, 18 to a pair of posts 51 on rotatable member 20.
  • each cell 14 remains substantially equidistantly spaced from the cell's central plane A-A with equal and opposite movement of cords 16 and 18.
  • unequal movement of cords 16, 18 undesirably causes the cells to lift and fall as a whole rather than a balanced expansion or collapse of each cell 14.
  • Unequal movement of cords 16, 18 is typically due to a relatively large change in the angle of cords 16, 18 relative to guide portion 32 as rotatable member 20 rotates.
  • the distance between posts 51 on rotatable member 20 is preferably not less than about twice the distance between elements 34 and 36 in a single cell 14 when cells 14 are collapsed. In the embodiment of FIG.
  • the suggested distance restricts the rotation angle of rotatable member 20 to less than about thirty degrees above and below horizontal for full actuation of cells 14 between the expanded and collapsed positions. Additionally, the axis of rotatable member 20 should be raised above guide portion 32 not less than approximately one-half the distance between posts 51 or approximately the distance between elements 34 and 36 in a single cell 14 when cells 14 are collapsed. Such a restriction limits the angular change of cords 16, 18 relative to guide portion 32 as rotatable member 20 rotates. [0041] Any conventional means may be employed to rotate axle 24, e.g., a vertically rotatable wand or control rod, a slide stick or an electric motor (none shown).
  • a means of raising and lowering window covering 10 may be employed.
  • One means of raising and lowering window covering 10 utilizes lift cords, which are separate from cords 16 and 18, to lift a bottom rail (neither shown) and cells 14 therebetween.
  • the lift cords pass up through cells 14 and into head-rail 22 where they are wound around a turning guide that brings the lift cords into alignment within the head-rail.
  • the lift cords pass through a cord lock in the head-rail and are tied together at a pull handle that is selectively operated to raise the bottom rail and cells 14.
  • the lift cords may be accumulated on and paid-out from axle 24 by fitting each rotatable member 20 with a slip clutch.
  • rotation of axle 24 in either direction initially rotates each rotatable member 20 to its limit. Thereafter, continued rotation of axle 24 causes each clutch to slip allowing the lift cord to be accumulated on or paid-out from axle 24 while rotatable member 20 is prevented from further rotation.
  • This embodiment allows actuator device 10 and the means for raising and lowering window covering 10 to be controlled by a single user interface, such as a loop cord, rotatable wand and the like.
  • a window covering 110 is disclosed that is substantially similar to window covering 10 with at least one exception, namely, elements 36 are not connected with cells 14. Instead, elements 36 abut the upper portion of cells 14 from underneath similar to the manner in which elements 34 abut the lower portion of cells 14. Supporting the upper portion of cell 14 in this manner eliminates the need to individually connect elements 36 with cells 14 during manufacture.
  • elements 34 and 36 are both connected to the lower and upper portions of cells 14, respectively, in a manner substantially similar to that described above.
  • first cord 16 includes two elements per cell 14 instead of the one element 34 described above. More specifically, for each cell 14, first cord 16 includes a fixed element 60 and a sliding element 62.
  • sliding element 62 which is substantially similar in structure to element 36 described above, includes an interior channel 64 that is slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of cord 16. Interior channel 64 allows sliding element 62 to slide freely on cord 16, while remaining aligned with the orientation of cord 16.
  • Sliding element 62 may be made by separately manufacturing two discrete halves and attaching the halves together around cord 16.
  • sliding element 62 may be molded onto cord 16 at the same time fixed elements 60 are molded around cord 16.
  • a thin tubular member (not shown) is temporarily inserted between cord 16 and sliding member 62 during the molding operation. The tubular member is removed after sliding member 62 is molded around cord 16 to create interior channel 64.
  • sliding element 62 is connected to its mating cell 14.
  • fixed element 60 is affixed to cord 16 and supports sliding element 62, which rests on top of fixed element 60 unless otherwise disturbed. In this manner, the lower portion 14A of each cell 14 is indirectly supported and laterally guided, but not vertically positioned by fixed element 60 during closure.
  • each sliding element 62 functions to resist tilt and flutter of its mating cell 14.
  • a third cord (not illustrated) may be used to guide sliding elements 62, instead of using cord 16 to guide both sliding elements 62 and move fixed elements 60.
  • the upper portion 14B of each cell 14 preferably remains fully engaged with element 36, to provide uniform cell spacing and flutter resistance.
  • FIG. 11 another embodiment of the present invention is shown in detail.
  • the axis of rotatable member 20 is raised above guide portion 32 a distance significantly greater than the spacing between elements 34 and 36 in a single cell 14 when cells 14 are collapsed.
  • the angle of cords 16 and 18 relative to guide portion 32 is reduced as compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, resulting in a smaller angular change in cords 16, 18 relative to guide portion 32 as rotatable member 20 rotates.
  • rotatable member 20 includes a pair of arc-shaped cam members 52.
  • Cam members 52 arc about the center of rotation of rotatable member 20 so that rotation of rotatable member 20 does not substantially change the angle of cords 16, 18 relative to guide portion 32.
  • a single cell 14 is fabricated from a strip of a flexible material 76, such as a woven fabric.
  • flexible material 76 is stiffened, such as by applying a curable stiffening compound to flexible material 76, or by laminating flexible material 76 with at least one stiffening member 78, such as, for example, a narrow strip of plastic film, stiffened fabric or metal ribbon.
  • flexible material 76 is laminated with at least two stiffening members 78, each spaced a predetermined distance apart, to form a laminate 80.
  • stiffening members 78 may be colored prior to laminating flexible material 76.
  • the colored stiffening member(s) 78 is secured to flexible material 76 in an area that will be visible from within a room where the window covering is extended. Because the flexible material 76 selected may be translucent, the colored stiffening member(s) is visible through the material, permitting cells 14 of the window covering to match the decor of the room.
  • the stiffening members that help form the upper and lower portions of cells 14, depicted as stiffening members 79 in FIG. 13, are a substantially rigid, yet formable material, such as metal.
  • the gaps 82 provided between stiffening members 78, 79 permit flexible material 76 to act as a living hinge, allowing laminate 80 to be folded into a multi-sided tubular element 84.
  • a closure seal 86 such as an adhesive or double sided tape, is provided between opposing edges 88, 90 of laminate 80 to retain tubular element 84 in tubular form.
  • the joint between edges 88, 90 may be created as an overlapping joint, as illustrated in FIG. 14 or, alternatively, a butt- type joint (not shown).
  • stiffening members 79 are roll-formed or otherwise processed by a forming device 89 to give stiffening members 79 a curved, transverse cross-sectional shape (not illustrated). Forming the metal stiffening members 79 in this manner increases their effective section modulus, thereby increasing the longitudinal bending stiffness of laminate 80 as a whole.
  • stiffening members 79 may be formed with a slight curve prior to laminating flexible material 76, particularly when stiffening members 79 are made from materials other than metal.
  • stiffening members 79 Prior to closing cell 14, stiffening members 79 are punched with a series of openings 40 by a punching tool 91.
  • the spacing between openings 40 is generally a function of the bending stiffness of cells 14 and the relative vertical position of cords 16, 18. Because the portions of laminate 80 that will later become aligned at each location in top and bottom arrangement are, at this step, side-by-side transverse to the length of laminate 80, the punching operation can be accomplished simultaneously with one tool for both top and bottom openings 40.
  • openings 40 may be created in laminate 80 by slitting, stitching or otherwise forming an engagement feature in laminate 80 for receiving elements 34, 36 or allowing passage of cords 16, 18.
  • punching of adjacent openings 40 can also be achieved either simultaneously or in timed sequence with multiple punching tools, instead of the single punching tool described above.
  • the punched laminate 80 is then moved over a series of guides 92 that fold laminate 80 along at least two predetermined hinge lines, bringing the upper and lower surfaces of laminate 80 into an over-and-under position, as shown in FIG. 15.
  • Closure seal 86 is then adhered to opposite edges of laminate 80, in an overlapping manner, to form the closed element 84.
  • the cross-sectional profile of closed element 84 and finished cells 14 are not limited to the profile shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It will be appreciated that the method of the present invention may be used to manufacture cells having different cross- sectional profiles, including, but not limited to, the cells disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,680,891 to Kendall Prince.
  • each closed element 84 is then directed through a shearing machine 94, which is continuously timed by a measurement of the position of laminate 80, so as to be in register with the position of the punched openings 40.
  • the position of laminate 80 may be continuously determined, for example, by a conventional encoder on pulling rolls 96, which act to pull laminate 80 through the manufacturing line, or by other means known in the art.
  • This shearing operation generates a plurality of cells 14 with regularly spaced openings 40, symmetrically located between the sheared ends of cells 14. Cells 14 may then be strung together with cords 16 and 18, as described above, and attached to the actuator mechanism in head-rail 22 to form window covering 10.
  • closed element 84 may be sheared into discrete cells before punching, such as by using a set of substantially identical punches on a self-spacing pantograph linkage (none illustrated), to provide for substantially equal spacing of the punches between sheared ends.
  • the disclosed method enables the manufacture of expandable and collapsible cells for a window covering, using common raw materials.
  • the proposed method uses relatively inexpensive and ordinary tooling to produce cells having distinct features in the upper and lower surfaces of the cells.
  • the ability to create distinct features in the top and bottom surfaces of the cells enables the use of cords that selectively engage either the upper or lower portions of the cells at predetermined locations. Such selective engagement permits independent, but coordinated, control of the expansion and collapse of the cells in a cellular window covering.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Blinds (AREA)
  • Curtains And Furnishings For Windows Or Doors (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un actionneur s'utilisant dans un décor de fenêtre à vue traversante possédant plusieurs cellules. L'actionneur comprend au moins une paire d'éléments de commande coopérant, notamment un premier élément de commande qui se met en prise avec une partie supérieure de chaque cellule et un second élément de commande qui se met en prise avec une partie inférieure de chaque cellule. La paire d'éléments de commande coopérant est mise en prise avec les cellules le long d'un plan parallèle au plan du décor de fenêtre, le mouvement relatif des éléments de commande modifiés ont ainsi la taille de l'espace entre les cellules. L'invention concerne également une cellule et un procédé de fabrication d'une cellule destinée à un décor de fenêtre à plusieurs cellules. Le procédé comprend les étapes consistant à fournir un matériau souple, à renforcer une partie du matériau souple, et à créer au moins une formation de mise en prise de commande et au moins une formation de libération de commande dans des sections du matériau souple renforcé s'étendant axialement, lequel va devenir une partie supérieure et une partie inférieure de la cellule. Le procédé consiste, en outre, à plier le matériau souple afin de créer un élément fermé et à sécuriser ce matériau souple à lui-même de manière qu'il conserve sa forme.
PCT/US2002/041375 2002-01-07 2002-12-23 Actionneur et procede de fabrication d'un decor de fenetre a vue traversante WO2003060273A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2003560344A JP2005515327A (ja) 2002-01-07 2002-12-23 透き見窓覆いのアクチュエータ装置及びその製造方法
MXPA04006598A MXPA04006598A (es) 2002-01-07 2002-12-23 Dispositivo accionador y metodo para manufacturar celdas para ver a traves de una proteccion de ventana.
BR0214969-9A BR0214969A (pt) 2002-01-07 2002-12-23 Dispositivo acionador e método para fabricar um revestimento de janela de visão direta
NZ531593A NZ531593A (en) 2002-01-07 2002-12-23 Actuator device and method of manufacturing cells for view through window covering
EP02799309A EP1463867A2 (fr) 2002-01-07 2002-12-23 Actionneur et procede de fabrication d'un decor de fenetre a vue traversante
CA002457546A CA2457546A1 (fr) 2002-01-07 2002-12-23 Couvre-fenetre a vue traversante avec actionneur
KR10-2004-7008555A KR20040069321A (ko) 2002-01-07 2002-12-23 시각성 창 가리개의 작동기와 셀 제조방법
AU2002364232A AU2002364232A1 (en) 2002-01-07 2002-12-23 Actuator device and method of manufacturing cells for view through window covering

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US34634702P 2002-01-07 2002-01-07
US60/346,347 2002-01-07
US36999602P 2002-04-03 2002-04-03
US60/369,996 2002-04-03

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003060273A2 true WO2003060273A2 (fr) 2003-07-24
WO2003060273A3 WO2003060273A3 (fr) 2003-11-20

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PCT/US2002/041375 WO2003060273A2 (fr) 2002-01-07 2002-12-23 Actionneur et procede de fabrication d'un decor de fenetre a vue traversante

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EP (1) EP1463867A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2005515327A (fr)
KR (1) KR20040069321A (fr)
CN (1) CN1612971A (fr)
AU (1) AU2002364232A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR0214969A (fr)
CA (1) CA2457546A1 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA04006598A (fr)
NZ (1) NZ531593A (fr)
TW (1) TWI272341B (fr)
WO (1) WO2003060273A2 (fr)

Cited By (3)

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FR2854422A1 (fr) * 2003-05-01 2004-11-05 Teh Yor Ind Co Ltd Store du type bateau, a interstices d'ouverture
WO2009103045A3 (fr) * 2008-02-15 2010-01-07 Comfortex Corporation Store de fenêtre cellulaire
CN102278056A (zh) * 2011-04-21 2011-12-14 特威盾门业(苏州)有限公司 一种窗用外遮阳装置的重力平衡折叠机构

Families Citing this family (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101553767B1 (ko) 2014-02-24 2015-09-16 박동욱 베네시안 블라인드

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US2786521A (en) * 1953-07-14 1957-03-26 Calnetian Blinds Inc Venetian blind structure
US4450027A (en) * 1982-08-09 1984-05-22 Colson Wendell B Method and apparatus for fabricating honeycomb insulating material
DE3529418C1 (en) * 1985-08-16 1987-04-23 Mayer Fa Karl Blind web of a slatted blind and method of manufacturing it
US5918655A (en) * 1998-03-17 1999-07-06 Comfortex Corporation View-through cellular window covering

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2786521A (en) * 1953-07-14 1957-03-26 Calnetian Blinds Inc Venetian blind structure
US4450027A (en) * 1982-08-09 1984-05-22 Colson Wendell B Method and apparatus for fabricating honeycomb insulating material
DE3529418C1 (en) * 1985-08-16 1987-04-23 Mayer Fa Karl Blind web of a slatted blind and method of manufacturing it
US5918655A (en) * 1998-03-17 1999-07-06 Comfortex Corporation View-through cellular window covering

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2854422A1 (fr) * 2003-05-01 2004-11-05 Teh Yor Ind Co Ltd Store du type bateau, a interstices d'ouverture
EP1625273A1 (fr) * 2003-05-01 2006-02-15 David Huang Store romain
EP1625273A4 (fr) * 2003-05-01 2007-03-14 Teh Yor Co Ltd Store romain
WO2009103045A3 (fr) * 2008-02-15 2010-01-07 Comfortex Corporation Store de fenêtre cellulaire
CN102278056A (zh) * 2011-04-21 2011-12-14 特威盾门业(苏州)有限公司 一种窗用外遮阳装置的重力平衡折叠机构

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NZ531593A (en) 2006-08-31
AU2002364232A1 (en) 2003-07-30
MXPA04006598A (es) 2004-10-04
KR20040069321A (ko) 2004-08-05
JP2005515327A (ja) 2005-05-26
CN1612971A (zh) 2005-05-04
WO2003060273A3 (fr) 2003-11-20
BR0214969A (pt) 2004-12-28
EP1463867A2 (fr) 2004-10-06
TW200301796A (en) 2003-07-16
TWI272341B (en) 2007-02-01
CA2457546A1 (fr) 2003-07-24

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