WO2008110362A1

WO2008110362A1 - Blind assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2008110362A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/001999
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giovanni Nicolosi
Original assignee: Pellini S.P.A.
Priority date: 2007-03-13
Filing date: 2008-03-13
Publication date: 2008-09-18
Also published as: EP2137370A1; EP2137370B1; ITMI20070501A1

Abstract

The present invention refers to a blind assembly (1) particularly but not exclusively adapted for use in a double glazing unit comprising a first rotating shaft (4), a second rotating shaft (5) substantially parallel to the first rotating shaft (4), coupling means (6) for integral coupling of the rotating shafts in rotation, and a blind (2) comprised between the first (4) and the second rotating shaft (5) in which the blind is associated through at least one respective movement cord (7) to the first rotating shaft, control means for the movement of the blinds being associated to the second rotating shaft (5).

Description

"Blind Assembly"

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers in its most general aspect to a blind assembly to be associated to a window opening, comprising a blind of the Roman, or pleated, or roller or Venetian type and movement means of the blind.

The objective of the present invention is that of providing a blind assembly of the abovementioned type capable of allowing an effective, simplified and easy movement of the blind. The blind assembly according to the present invention comprises a first and a second rotating shaft substantially parallel to each other, motion transmission means for the integral coupling of said rotating shafts in rotation, and a blind comprised between said first and said second rotating shaft in which said blind is associated through at least one respective movement cord to said first rotating shaft and in which control means for the movement of the blinds are associated to said second rotating shaft.

According to the invention the abovementioned motion transmission means comprise a first and a second bevel gear respectively associated to said first and said second rotating shaft, and a third rotating shaft cooperating with, and interposed between, said first and said second bevel gear for transmitting the rotation motion from said first to said second rotating shaft.

Still according to the present invention the rotation of said first rotating shaft and the rotation of said second rotating shaft occur in a synchronous manner.

Advantageously, the abovementioned rotating shafts and the motion transmission means are arranged in respective housings substantially closed and interconnected to each other, as better described hereinafter.

The blind assembly according to the present invention is particularly but not exclusively recommended for use in a double- glazing unit of the known type, that is to be accommodated in the sealed interspace defined by the two glazed surfaces, without however excluding the possibility to install the blind assembly according to the invention on the glass, for example, of a window.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention shall be clearer from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a blind assembly of the type taken into account beforehand, illustrated for indicative but non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawing wherein,

Figure 1 schematically shows a view, with separated parts, of a blind assembly according to the present invention.

With reference to the abovementioned figure, a blind assembly according to the invention is indicated in its entirety by 1.

The blind assembly 1 comprises a blind 2, herein represented for exemplification purpose, of the Venetian type including a plurality of slats 3 substantially parallel to each other, even though as indicated previously the blind can be contemplated as being of the Roman, pleated, roller type and similar blinds. Furthermore, the blind assembly 1 comprises a first rotating shaft 4 and a second rotating shaft 5 substantially parallel to each other and integrally coupled to each other in rotation through motion transmission means globally indicated by 6. In particular, the blind 2 is comprised between the first 4 and the second 5 rotating shaft, and it is associated in a per se known manner to the former through at least one respective movement cord 7, in the example of the figure two movement cords 7.

The blind assembly 1 further comprises control means 8 for the operation of the abovementioned movement associated to the second rotating shaft.

In detail, the abovementioned motion transmission means 6 are implemented in a first and a second bevel gear respectively 9, 10 associated to said first 4 and said second rotating shaft 5, and in a third rotating shaft 11, preferably having hexagon- shaped section, cooperating with, and interposed between said first and said second bevel gear 9, 10 for transmitting the rotation motion from said first 4 to said second 5 rotating shaft.

Still according to the invention, the rotation of said first rotating shaft 4 and the rotation of said second rotating shift 5 occur in a synchronous manner.

Advantageously, the abovementioned rotating shafts and motion transmission means are arranged in their respective housings substantially closed except from respective portions which allow the interconnection thereof. In detail, the blind assembly 1 thus comprises a first 12 and a second 13 box- shaped rigid casing in which the first 4 and the second 5 rotating shaft are respectively housed.

Such rotating shafts are supported in their respective box- shaped casing in a per se known manner.

For example, as shown in figure 1, the first rotating shaft 4 is housed inside a sleeve element 18, in its turn supported inside the first box-shaped rigid casing.

The at least one movement cord for the movement of the first rotating shaft engages the external surface of the above-mentioned sleeve element for winding/ unwinding operations.

An analogous sleeve element could be provided in the second box-shaped rigid casing for housing and supporting the second rotating shaft. Moreover, the blind assembly 1 comprises a first 14 and a second 15 angular junction body accommodated in which are the first 9 and the second 10 bevel gear respectively, each intended to couple with a respective box-shaped rigid casing.

The blind assembly 1 also comprises a spacing duct 16 housing the third rotating shaft 11, in turn intended to engage at the respective ends with the abovementioned first 14 and second 15 angular body.

It should be observed that the blind assembly 1 can further comprise, to form a closed perimeter framework, an additional spacing duct 16a and further angular junction bodies 14a, 15a, as illustrated in the example of figure 1.

It should also be observed that in such configuration, the blind assembly 1 is sealed in each of its parts intended for transmission, which are advantageously accommodated internally in respective housings suitably joined to each other, to form the abovementioned closed perimeter framework, and hence shall not be visible externally.

The blind assembly 1 thus described is particularly suitable for being assembled and housed in a sealed interspace of a double glazing unit as previously mentioned.

In such case, it should be observed that the abovementioned control means 8 can be advantageously operated externally with respect to the double glazing unit and they are preferably implemented in a first moveable magnet accommodated inside the double glazing unit and operatable by means of magnetic coupling through a second moveable magnet provided externally with respect to the double glazing unit.

In such blind assembly 1, the abovementioned movement comprises extension movements of the blind 2, that is movements of the blind from a closed to an open position and hence starting from the first rotating shaft 4 towards the second rotating shaft, and opposite movements from a blind open position to a blind closed position and that is the gathering movement of the blind in which the movement is towards the abovementioned first rotating shaft.

The description above shall be deemed valid for the blind assembly according to the invention in case of the Roman, pleated, roller or Venetian blinds.

In case the blind assembly 1 in particular comprises a blind 2 of the Venetian type, it should be observed that can be also provided a rotation movement of the abovementioned slats 3 around respective axis parallel to the abovementioned first and second rotating shafts 4,

5.

According to such embodiment, the blind assembly 1 according to the invention comprises at least one ladder-cord 17, for example made of Terylene, in the example of the figure two ladder-cords 17, associated in a per se known manner to the first rotating shaft 4 and to the Venetian blind for the abovementioned rotational movement of the slats 3.

Advantageously, such ladder-cords 17 can be operated by the same aforementioned control means 8 through the interposition, between the first rotating shaft 4 and the ladder-cords 17, of respective friction devices not represented in the example of figure.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, restricted to the use of Venetian blinds and not represented in the example of the figure, in the present blind assembly the abovementioned at least one ladder-cord can be further associated also to the second rotating shaft

5.

In such case the movement of the blind is restricted to the rotation of the slats as the opening and closing movements of the blind in the meaning intended above are not provided for. This embodiment is particularly recommended in case the blind assembly is intended for use in a sloped or even horizontal position as it might occur, for example, in roofs and attics where instead two controls are usually provided for.

The main advantage of the present invention lies in the possibility to control the blind assembly through a "bottom" operation of the blind easily accessible to the user while the blind receives the command (motion transmission) from the upper part of the blind itself.

In such manner, a proper movement of the blind is guaranteed. In case of a blind assembly whose movement is restricted to the rotation of the slat, then it should also be observed that the possibility of providing a synchronous rotation of the first and the second rotating shaft (upper and lower portion of the blind which is always at an extended position) to which are associated the ladder- cords, allows a perfect rotation of the slats along the entire extension of the blind, which shall arrange themselves in an optimal configuration to allow both the maximum possible shading and maximum possible transmission of light.

In addition, in such manner the stress of the ladder-cords which is distributed between the first and the second rotating shaft is reduced, contrary to what occurs in the prior art in which only one rotating shaft is used to control the rotation of the slats.

A lengthening or shortening of the ladder-cords, as it might occur due to stress caused by the use of the blind, as a matter of fact, is quite undesired given that a variation in terms of the length of a ladder- cord consequently corresponds to an inevitable malfunctioning of the blind itself.

To the blind assembly according to the invention described above and to its illustrated embodiments, a man skilled in the art, to meet special and contingent needs, can perform various modifications all of which fall within the scope of protection of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Blind assembly comprising a first and a second rotating shaft substantially parallel to each other, motion transmission means for the integral coupling of said rotating shafts in rotation, and a blind comprised between said first and said second rotating shaft wherein said blind is associated through at least one respective movement cord to said first rotating shaft and control means for its movement are associated to said second rotating shaft.

2. Blind assembly according to claim 1, wherein said motion transmission means comprise a first and a second bevel gear respectively associated to said first and said second rotating shaft, and a third rotating shaft cooperating with, and interposed between, said first and said second bevel gear.

3. Blind assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation of said first rotating shaft and of said second rotating shaft is synchronous.

4. Blind assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a first and a second box-shaped rigid casing in which said first and said second rotating shaft are respectively housed.

5. Blind assembly according to claim 4, further comprising a first and a second angular body accommodated in which are respectively said first and said second bevel gear, said angular bodies each being associated to one of said first and second box-shaped rigid casing.

6. Blind assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a spacing duct in which said third rotating shaft is housed, said spacing duct being associated at the respective ends to said first and to said second angular body.

7. Blind assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said blind assembly is accommodated in a sealed interspace of a double glazing unit.

8. Blind assembly according to claim 7, wherein said control means comprise a first moveable magnet housed inside said double glazing unit and which can be operated by means of magnetic coupling through a second moveable magnet external with respect to said double glazing unit.

9. Blind assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said movement of the blind comprises extension movements of the blind starting from said first rotating shaft towards said second rotating shaft and opposite gathering movements of the blind towards said first rotating shaft.

10. Blind assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said blind is a Roman, pleated, roller or Venetian blind.

11. Blind assembly according to claim 10, further comprising at least one ladder-cord and in which said Venetian blind comprises a plurality of slats substantially parallel to each other, said ladder-cord being associated to said first rotating shaft and to said Venetian blind and being operatable by means of said movement means for the rotation of said slats along respective axes parallel to said first rotating shaft.

12. Blind assembly according to claim 11 further comprising friction means interposed between said first rotating shaft and said ladder-cord.

13. Blind assembly according to any one of claims 1-8 and 10 wherein said movement cord is further associated to said second rotating shaft.

14. Blind assembly according to any one of claims 11 and 12, wherein said at least one ladder-cord is further associated to said second rotating shaft.