WO2006057016A1

WO2006057016A1 - System for protecting and improving the main parts for a plain blind fitted inside a glass-enclosed chamber

Info

Publication number: WO2006057016A1
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000692
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giovanni Nicolosi
Original assignee: Pellini S.P.A.
Priority date: 2004-11-29
Filing date: 2004-12-14
Publication date: 2006-06-01
Also published as: EP1817473A1; ES2422886T3; ITMI20042295A1; EP1817473B1

Abstract

System for protecting and improving the main parts for a plain blind wound onto a blind roller, mounted inside a glass-enclosed chamber having a frame consisting of four metal bars and of corner pieces fitted inside the bars, the blind roller being protected by a chamber created by the base of an upper box and of a pair of aprons within which the blind roller moves and at the top of which is fitted a longitudinal lighting device consisting of LEDs.

Description

SYSTEM FOR PROTECTING AND IMPROVING THE MAIN PARTS FOR A PLAIN BLIND FITTED INSIDE A GLASS-ENCLOSED CHAMBER

The present patent application concerns a system for protecting and improving the main parts used for operating a plain blind mounted within a glass-enclosed chamber, subject of the patent applications Italy MT2003A 001902 - 3.10.03, PCT IT 03 00715 - 5.11.03 entitled "System for operating a plain blind within a chamber enclosed by panes of glass" by the same applicant. The plain blind is mounted in a glass-enclosed chamber on a frame consisting of four metal bars, an upper one, a lower one and two lateral bars, and by four corner pieces of plastic material, two at the top and two at the bottom.

The upper end of the blind is mounted on a roller placed underneath a fixed upper box, and is pulled by two devices acting on the blind roller and on the lower end of the blind fixed to a moveable box.

The upper corner pieces of the frame fit into the inner sides at the top of the frame's lateral bars by means of a rectangular aperture whose width is slightly less than that of said inner sides and whose length corresponds to the greater length of the upper corner pieces. The blind roller is protected at its sides by two rectangular substantially flat vertical longitudinal aprons, shaped on their upper lengthwise edges substantially like an upward-facing "C", that hook by elastic pressure into the substantially T-shaped lower lengthwise edges of the upper fixed box. The lower lengthwise edges of the aprons curve inwardly to form a cavity in each one, the geometrical axis of which substantially coincides with that of holes made in the lower end of the upper corner pieces of the frame, so that self-threading screws can be screwed into said cavities through said holes, simultaneously stabilizing both the upper corner pieces of the frame as well as the aprons, to provide maximum protection for the blind when being wound up or let down and when such movement is completed. The vertical lateral bars and the lower horizontal bar of the frame present orthogonal channels in their sides facing the blind, practically in line with said sides, the channels being shaped substantially like a square "U". The width of the mobile box at the lower end of the blind with its terminal plugs, is less than the width of said channels so that the mobile box, and therefore the lower end of the blind, can slide freely inside them.

The characteristics of the two lateral bars of the frame and those of the lower bar are substantially the same.

The external base of the fixed upper box forms, together with the pair of aprons, a chamber in whose top a lighting device is placed lengthwise. This lighting device may consist of LEDs and extend along the whole length of said chamber.

The system subject of the present patent application offers evident advantages. Insertion of the upper corner pieces of the frame inside its lateral bars not only fully protects said corner pieces of plastic material, but also prevents their coming in contact with the material used for the external seal of the glass-enclosed chamber, lessening the risk of contamination and improving the overall seal of the system. The aprons not only protect the blind when being wound round the blind roller, as well as the roller itself, but also improve stabilization of the whole unit by means of the connections made with self-threading screws through the upper corner pieces and through said aprons. The fact that the lower mobile box - a decisive element where plain blinds are used - slides in a double vertical lateral guide, not only ensures full protection for the blind, but also improves screening against light from outside. The lighting device placed on the external base of the upper fixed box forming a chamber with the pair of aprons, consists of a longitudinal light- emitting means aligned with said base of the box, which can extend right across said chamber, illuminating the internal glass pane in a pleasing as well as useful manner, and therefore the room where the glass-enclosed chamber has been mounted, while the same light is dimmed on the external glass pane by the apron where it touches against the blind itself. Particularly advantageous is the use of LEDs that occupy little space but give a light which is both cold and of considerable intensity. Summing up these advantages, the improvements here described ensure maximum operational safety, a long life for the glass-enclosed chamber as well as a high degree of environmental comfort.

Characteristics and purposes of the invention will be made still clearer by the following example of its execution illustrated by diagrammatically drawn figures. Plate 1/5 Fig. 1. Glass-enclosed chamber with protected blind, perspective. Plate 2/5 Fig. 2 Glass-enclosed chamber as in Fig. 1, exploded perspective. Plate 3/5 Fig. 3 Upper fixed box for the bland, cross section. Plate 3/5 Fig. 4. One of two aprons to protect the blind roller, cross section. - Plate 3/5 Fig. 5. The pair of protective aprons being attached to the fixed box, cross section.

Plate 3/5 Fig. 6. The aprons when fixed in position, cross section. Plate 4/5 Fig. 7. Detail of the upper corner pieces, inner perspective. Plate 4/5 Fig. 8. Detail of upper corner pieces, external perspective, when being fitted to the upper fixed box by self-threading screws, screwed into holes for them in the ends of the aprons, perspective.

Plate 4/5 Fig. 9. As above when fitting is completed, perspective.

Plate 5/5 Fig.10. Glass-enclosed chamber in Fig 1, in position, front view. Plate 5/5 Fig. 11. Glass-enclosed chamber with LED lighting device, cross section.

The glass-enclosed chamber 300 comprises glass panes 6 and 7, the frame

302 having four right-angles, formed of four flat metal tubular bars of a substantially rectangular cross section, an upper bar 20, a lower bar 310, and lateral bars 312 joined by corner pieces of plastic material, top left 315, top right 317 and bottom corner pieces 50.

In the upper end of their inner side 320, the lateral bars 312 present a rectangular aperture 322 (Figure 2) the width of which is slightly less that of the inner side 320 and whose length substantially corresponds to that of the oblong body of the upper corner pieces 315 and 317.

On their inner side 320, the lateral bars 312 also present parallel sides 324, set at 90° in relation to said inner side 320, said parallel sides forming a substantially U-shaped channel 326 within which slides the blind 112 with the mobile box 376 at its lower end, while the top 110 of the blind is wound round a cylindrical roller, with pins 116, 118 turning in their seats 338, made respectively in the substantially equal corner pieces 315 and 317

(Figure 7).

The blind 1 12 remains in position under the upper fixed box 360. In the inner side 328 of the lower bar 310 there is also a square U-shaped channel 330 substantially the same as the square U-shaped channels 326 in the lateral bars 312.

The upper corner pieces 315 and 317 (Figure 7) comprise an oblong body

3.46 sized so as to penetrate inside the lateral bars 312 of the frame 302 (Figure 1).

Anchored to the upper fixed box 360, at the position of the blind roller 113, are aprons 364 and 366 held in place by means of substantially C-shaped parts 368 that hook onto the substantially T-shaped projections on the lower lengthwise edges of said fixed box (Figures 3-6). The aprons 364, 366 are then rotated towards the blind 110 wound round the blind roller 113, as shown in Figure 6, by means of their terminals 374, as indicated by the arrows 375. At the lower ends of the aprons are hook-shaped pieces 372 with small apertures in which the self-threading screws 344 can be screwed after passing through the holes 340 made for them in the lower ends of the corner pieces 315 and 317 (Figures 7, 8). Said corner pieces 315 and 317 present an inner wall 344 (Figure 7) that makes contact with the upper fixed box 360, said wall having an extension 336, made to penetrate inside said box 360 and, at its lower end, short peg- like projections 342 that press externally against the hooks 372 at the lower ends of the aprons 364 and 366. The mobile box 376 (Figure 2) at the bottom end of the blind 112, can slide along the square U-shaped channels 326 in the lateral bars 312 and, when the blind 112 has been fully pulled down, can settle inside the channel 330 in the lower bar 310. For this reason the mobile box 376 and its terminal plug 378 with pegs 380 (Figure 2) have been made of a width compatible with the internal width of the channels 326 and 330.

Inside the the mobile box 376 is a heavy bar 382 to give sufficient pull on the blind. Figure 1 shows that the dimensions and positions of U-shaped channels 326 and 330 are such as to ensure reciprocal matching.

Figure 10 illustrates the glass-enclosed chamber 300 with the sealing material filling its perimeter 301.

At the top of the chamber 386, formed by the base of the upper fixed box 360 and aprons 364 and 366, a support 388, for a LED-operated lighting device 392, is held in place by adhesive (Figure 11).

It will be clear that this device throws a pleasing light (arrows 394) from the internal pane 7 into the room where the glass-enclosed chamber 300 is^' installed, while any light on the external pane 6 is dimmed by, the presence of the blind.

Claims

1. System for protecting and improving the main parts for a plain blind fitted inside a glass-enclosed chamber on a frame formed of four metal bars, an upper bar, two lateral bars and a lower one, and of four corner pieces of plastic material, two at the top and two at the bottom, and comprising a fixed upper box of a substantially rectangular cross section, said blind being subjected to pulling devices that act on a blind roller placed underneath the upper fixed box round which the blind is wound, and on the lower end of said blind fixed to a moveable box, characterized in that the upper corner pieces of the frame are fitted inside the lateral bars by means of a rectangular aperture in the upper inner sides of said lateral bars, the width of said aperture being slightly less than that of said sides and its length corresponding to that of said upper corner pieces.

2. System as in claim 1, characterized in that the blind roller is protected laterally by two vertical longitudinal aprons, substantially flat and rectangular, hook-shaped projections being provided on their upper lengthwise edges to fit elastically into the suitably shaped projections on the lower lengthwise edges of the upper fixed box.

3. System as in claim 2, characterized in that the shaped parts made on the upper longitudinal edges of the vertical aprons are substantially in the form of an upward facing "C" while the shaped parts on the lower lengthwise edges of the upper fixed box are substantially in the form of a "T".

4: System as in claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lower longitudinal edges of the aprons are inwardly curved to create in each apron a cavity the geometrical axis of which substantially coincides with that of holes made in the lower ends of the upper corner pieces of the frame so that self-threading screws can be screwed through said holes into said cavities simultaneously stabilizing the upper comer pieces of the frame as well as the aprons to ensure full protection of the blind during its upward and downward movements and when in its idle position.

5. System as in claim 1 characterized in that the vertical lateral bars and the lower bar of the frame present, in the surfaces facing the blind and substantially in line with said surfaces, orthogonal channels, substantially shaped like a squared "U", and in that the mobile box at the lower end of the blind with its terminal plugs, presents a width inferior to that of said channels so that the mobile box can freely slide inside said channels and the lower end can freely enter.

6. System as in claim 1, characterized in that the two vertical lateral bars and the lower bar are substantially the same.

7. System as in claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the bottom of the fixed upper box and the pair of aprons together form a chamber at the top of which there is a longitudinal lighting device.

8. System as in claim 7, characterized in that the lighting device extends along the full length of the chamber.

9. System as in claim 7, characterized in that the lighting device consists of a row of LEDs.