WO2008130112A1

WO2008130112A1 - Apparatus for controlling a blind on a level

Info

Publication number: WO2008130112A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/001874
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chang-Gil Lee
Original assignee: Chang-Gil Lee
Priority date: 2007-04-23
Filing date: 2008-04-04
Publication date: 2008-10-30
Also published as: KR100816082B1

Abstract

The present invention relates, in general, to a level controlling apparatus for a blind and, more particularly, to a level controlling apparatus for a blind, which is constructed so that a cord, connected to a plurality of slats to control the level of the slats, is directly wound around or unwound from a winding means rotated by an external force, thus allowing the level of the blind to be easily controlled, without completely untying the cord from a cord controller.

Description

Description APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A BLIND ON A LEVEL

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to an apparatus for controlling a blind on a level, and more particularly, to a level controlling apparatus for a blind, which is constructed so that a cord, connected to a plurality of slats to control the level of the slats, is directly wound around or unwound from a winding means rotated by an external force, thus allowing the level of the blind to be easily controlled, without completely untying the cord from a cord controller. Background Art

[2] Generally, a blind includes a plurality of slats which are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. The slats are tilted at predetermined angles by a cord manipulating means, such as a manipulating rod or chain, so that gaps between the slats are opened or closed, thus shutting out the light from a window or screening the interior of a room from the outside.

[3] In the blind, the slats are arranged horizontally so as to more completely shut out the light and provide a good appearance. By reducing or increasing the total length of cords, all the slats connected to the cords are lifted or lowered, and the level of the slats is controlled. That is, when the length of the cords provided on both sides of the slats is reduced, the slats are lifted up to a desired position. Conversely, when the length of the cords is increased, the slats are lowered to a desired position. As such, by adjusting the length of the cords provided on both sides of the slats, the height of the slats is adjusted, and the level of the blind is controlled. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] A conventional blind is constructed so that cords for controlling the level of the blind are tied to a cord controller which is provided under slats, thus making the entire length of the blind uniform. In order to prevent each cord tied in this way from being exposed to the outside, the blind is provided with a button to serve as a cover for closing the lower end of the cord.

[5] Thus, only one side of the blind, which is supported by the cords for controlling the level of the blind, may sag. Further, the horizontal slats may be frequently slanted by an unexpected external force. As such, when the horizontal slats are slanted, one end of each cord must be untied from the cord controller by hand. In this state, after the height of the slats is adjusted, each cord must be tied to the cord controller again, thus inconveniencing a user. [6] Further, when the ends of the cords are tied after the length of the cords is increased or reduced in order to level the slats, it is difficult to precisely secure the cords at a desired height, and thereby, a user must adjust the length of the cords several times, thus inconveniencing the user. Because the adjusting operation is inconvenient and complicated, the slats of the blind are frequently left in a slanted state. The slanted slats mar the appearance of a room or building. Technical Solution

[7] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a level controlling apparatus for a blind, in which one end of a cord is secured to a pulley having a rotary bar, the cord is wound around or unwound from the pulley, which is rotated by an external force, so that the length of the cord is adjusted, thus allowing the level of slats to be easily controlled.

[8] Another object of the present invention is to provide a level controlling apparatus for a blind, which is constructed so that the length of a cord and the level of slats are adjusted merely by rotating a pulley in the state in which the cord, secured at one end thereof to the pulley, is not unwound, thus allowing the slats to be precisely secured at a desired position with a single manipulation.

Advantageous Effects

[9] According to the present invention, a cord is connected to a pulley rotating in a button case which is secured to a cord controller. When the pulley is rotated by an external force, the cord is wound around or unwound from the pulley by the rotating motion of the pulley, so that the entire length of the cord is adjusted. Thus, the level of the blind is easily controlled using only a rotating force, without the necessity of untying a knot in the cord.

[10] Further, the horizontal height of slats can be precisely secured at the position at which a pulley stops rotating, thus allowing the level of a blind to be easily controlled with a single manipulation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[11] FIG. 1 is a view showing the construction of a level controlling apparatus for a blind, according to the present invention;

[12] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a winding means according to the present invention;

[13] FIGs. 3 and 4 are views showing one embodiment of a pulley according to the present invention;

[14] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the operation of winding a cord, according to the present invention; and [15] FIGS. 6 and 7 are views illustrating the operation of controlling the level of the blind, according to the present invention.

[16] Brief Description of Key Elements in Drawings

[17] 100 Slat 200 Cord

[18] 300 Cord Controller 400 Winding Means

[19] 410 Button Case 411 Cord Guide Groove

[20] 412 Pulley Connection Hole 413 Wing

[21] 420 Pulley 421 Inclined Wing

[22] 422 Screwdriver Fitting Slot 430 Button

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[23] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a level controlling apparatus for a blind, having a plurality of slats, a cord connected to the slats, and a cord controller for securing the cord at a predetermined horizontal height. The level controlling apparatus includes a button case which is held in a holding space defined in the cord controller; a pulley which is accommodated in a space in the button case, supports one end of the cord, is rotated by an external force to wind the cord to adjust the level of the slats; and a cord winding means comprising a button which is fastened to the lower portion of the button case to close the holding space thereof, and prevents the removal of the pulley.

[24] According to the present invention, the pulley comprising a rotary bar has the shape of a capital "I". A cord is secured at one end of the pulley, and is wound around the pulley by a rotating force. A screwdriver fitting slot is formed in the lower surface of the pulley to apply a rotating force thereto.

[25] According to the present invention, the button case has on the upper surface thereof a cord guide groove which guides the cord which is wound by the rotating force of the pulley.

[26] Further, according to the present invention, a pulley connection hole is formed on the sidewall of the button case, so that the cord, guided by the cord guide groove, is perpendicularly connected to the rotary bar of the pulley, which is installed in the button case.

[27] According to the present invention, the outer circumference of the upper portion of the pulley is screw fitted to the inner circumference of the upper portion of the button case, thus preventing the removal of the pulley, and allowing the pulley to be easily rotated by an external force.

[28] According to the present invention, an inclined wing is further provided on the outer circumference of the lower portion of the pulley, so that the pulley is secured to the inner surface of the button case, thus preventing the pulley from being rotated due to gravity, therefore preventing the cord from being unwound.

[29] According to the present invention, a plurality of wings is provided on the outer circumference of the button case, so that the button case is firmly held in the holding space defined in the cord controller. Mode for the Invention

[30] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[31] As shown in FIG. 1, a level controlling apparatus for a blind according to the present invention is provided with a cord controller 300, which keeps the horizontal height of a cord 200 supporting a plurality of slats 100 constant. The level controlling apparatus includes a winding means 400 having a button case 410, a pulley 420, and a button 430. The button case is held in a holding space defined in the cord controller. The pulley is held in a space defined in the button case, and is rotated by external force, so that the cord is wound around the pulley. The button closes an opening of the button case.

[32] The cord controller 300, supporting one end of the cord 200, defines the space for holding the cord winding means 400 therein, with the button case 410 accommodated in the holding space. Here, the cord controller 300 is usually located at the lowermost position of the blind in order to easily control the level of the blind, and the holding space is formed in the lower surface of the cord controller 300, and is opened at the bottom thereof so that the button case is fitted into the space through the open bottom.

[33] The button case 410 is accommodated in the holding space which is defined in the cord controller 300. As shown in FIG. 2, the space for holding the pulley 420 around which the cord 200 is wound is formed in the button case to have a cylindrical shape. Here, a plurality of wings 413 is provided on the outer circumference of the button case 410, so that the button case is firmly fitted into the holding space to be secured in the cord controller 300. Preferably, the wings 413 extend vertically to the upper end of a threaded part, to which the button 430 is screw fitted.

[34] Further, the button case 410 has a cord guide groove 411, which is formed in the upper surface of the button case and guides the movement of the cord 200, so that the cord 200, which is wound while the pulley 420 is rotated, smoothly moves to the winding means 400, without the interference of the inner surface of the holding space in the cord controller 300 and the outer surface of the button case 410.

[35] Here, the cord guide groove 411 is concavely formed in the upper surface of the button case 410 along the central line thereof. In order for the cord 200 guided along the cord guide groove 411 to be perpendicularly connected to the rotary bar of the pulley 420, which is accommodated in the space of the button case, a pulley connection hole 412 is formed in the sidewall of the button case 410, and guides the cord 200 from the outer surface of the button case into the button case 410.

[36] Thus, the cord 200, which is vertically connected to the upper surface of the button case 410 via the cord controller, is guided horizontally through the cord guide groove 411 to the sidewall of the button case 410. Subsequently, the cord is guided through the pulley connection hole 412 into the button case 410 to be perpendicularly connected to the pulley 420. The cord 200 is horizontally moved by rotating the pulley around the vertical cord, and is wound around the rotary bar of the pulley 420, thus lifting or lowering the slats.

[37] As shown in FIG. 2, the pulley 420 is accommodated in the space in the button case

410, and is provided with the rotary bar. The cord 200 is secured at one end thereof to the rotary bar, and the cord 200 is wound around the rotary bar by the rotation of the pulley. Preferably, the pulley has the shape of a capital "I" which is wide at upper and lower ends thereof, so that the pulley is in close contact with the inner surface of the button case 410, thus preventing the rotation of the pulley due to gravity acting on the cord controller, therefore preventing the cord from being unwound from the pulley.

[38] Further, a screwdriver fitting slot 422 is formed in the lower surface of the pulley 420 so that a tool, such as a screwdriver, can be fitted into the screwdriver fitting slot to apply force for rotating the pulley. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the screwdriver fitting slot have the shape of a cross, which has one long axis and one short axis, thus allowing both a regular screwdriver and a Phillips head screwdriver to be used.

[39] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an external threaded part is provided on the outer circumference of the upper portion of the pulley 420 to be screw fitted to the button case 410, and an internal threaded part is provided on the inner circumference of the upper portion of the button case 410 to correspond to the external threaded part of the pulley. Further, it is preferable that a plurality of inclined wings 421 be provided on the lower portion of the pulley 420. Each inclined wing is tapered in the direction from the lower end to the upper end thereof, so that the pulley is tightly fitted into the button case, thus preventing the pulley from being rotated due to gravity, and thereby preventing the cord from being unwound.

[40] As shown in FIG. 2, the pulley 420 is installed in the button case 410, and the cord

200 is wound around the pulley, so that the horizontal height of the slats 100 is adjusted. Subsequently, in order to close the open bottom of the button case, the internal threaded part is provided on the inner circumference of the button 430 to correspond to the external threaded part, which is provided on the outer circumference of the lower portion of the button case 410.

[41] The operation of the level controlling apparatus for the blind according to the present invention, which is constructed as described above, will be described below.

[42] When the blind has been used for a lengthy period of time after the level of the slats has been adjusted, only one side of the blind supported by the cord sags, or the level slats 100 may be slanted, as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the button 430, which is installed at the lower portion of the cord controller 300, is removed from the cord controller.

[43] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, after the button 430 is removed from the cord controller, the tip of a screwdriver is fitted into the screwdriver fitting slot which is formed in the lower surface of the pulley 420, thus rotating the pulley using external force. As such, the pulley 420 is rotated in the button case 410 by the external force applied to the lower end of the pulley 420. Thus, the cord 200 connected to the rotary bar of the pulley 420 is wound or unwound from a rotating shaft. When the cord 200 is wound around the rotating shaft, the entire length of the cord connecting the slats to each other is reduced, so that the slats 100 are lifted up. Meanwhile, when the cord 200 is unwound from the rotating shaft, the entire length of the cord is increased, so that the slats 100 are lowered. In this way, the horizontal height of the blind is adjusted.

[44] Here, the pulley 420 rotates around the cord, which vertically connects the plurality of slats to each other and serves as the rotating shaft. As the pulley rotates around the rotating shaft, the length of the cord 200, serving as the rotating shaft, can be adjusted in a vertical direction. That is, as the pulley 420 is rotated, the cord 200, which is connected perpendicularly to the rotary bar through the pulley connection hole 412 of the button case, is wound horizontally. The rotating movement of the pulley, which horizontally pulls the cord, is converted into the vertical movement of the cord 200 via the cord guide groove 411 formed in the button case, thus adjusting the vertical height of the slats 100.

[45] As such, the length of the cord 200 is adjusted by rotating the pulley 420, so that the horizontal height of the slats 100 is adjusted, as shown in FIG. 7. Subsequently, the screwdriver is removed from the screwdriver fitting slot, which is formed in the lower surface of the pulley, and the button 430 is screw fitted to the button case 410 to close the button case. Here, the upper and lower portions of the pulley are tightly coupled to the button case, thus preventing the cord from being undesirably unwound due to gravity acting on the blind, therefore allowing the slats to maintain a level state at a desired height.

[46] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[47] [48]

Claims

[1] A level controlling apparatus for a blind having a plurality of slats, a cord connected to the slats, and a cord controller for securing the cord at a predetermined horizontal height, characterized in that comprises a button case which is held in a holding space defined in the cord controller; a pulley which is accommodated in a space in the button case, supports one end of the cord, is rotated by an external force to wind the cord to adjust the level of the slats; and a cord winding means comprising a button which is fastened to the lower portion of the button case to close the holding space thereof, and prevents the removal of the pulley.

[2] The level controlling apparatus for a blind according to claim 1 , wherein the pull ey comprises a screwdriver fitting slot to apply a rotating force thereto in its lower surface and a rotary bar in which a cord is secured at one end thereof and is wound around the pulley by a rotating force, and has the shape of a capital "I".

[3] The level controlling apparatus for a blind according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the button case has on the upper surface thereof a cord guide groove which guides the cord which is wound by the rotating force of the pulley.

[4] The level controlling apparatus for a blind according to claim 3, wherein a pulley connection hole is formed on the sidewall of the button case, so that the cord, guided by the cord guide groove, is perpendicularly connected to the rotary bar of the pulley, which is installed in the button case.

[5] The level controlling apparatus for a blind according to claim 3, wherein the outer circumference of the upper portion of the pulley is screw fitted to the inner circumference of the upper portion of the button case, thus preventing the removal of the pulley, and allowing the pulley to be easily rotated by an external force.

[6] The level controlling apparatus for a blind according to claim 5, wherein an inclined wing is further provided on the outer circumference of the lower portion of the pulley, so that the pulley is secured to the inner surface of the button case, thus preventing the pulley from being rotated due to gravity, therefore preventing the cord from being unwound.

[7] The level controlling apparatus for a blind according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of wings is provided on the outer circumference of the button case, so that the button case is firmly held in the holding space defined in the cord controller.