WO2013068773A1

WO2013068773A1 - Blinds system for installation in windows and doors

Info

Publication number: WO2013068773A1
Application number: PCT/HR2012/000023
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zoran Maksan
Original assignee: Zoran Maksan
Priority date: 2011-11-09
Filing date: 2012-11-07
Publication date: 2013-05-16
Also published as: SE536104C2; SE1130110A1

Abstract

Blinds system, e.g. Venetian blinds, pleated blinds, blinds or fly screens, for installation inside or next to a window, the system comprising at least one blind supporting batten and two elongate and mutually opposed rails arranged to house opposite sides of the at least one batten, wherein both rails include a longitudinal track for housing an end part (22) of the at least one batten, the track being formed by a longitudinal back part and at least one longitudinal side part (4, 5) arranged at a right angle, wherein said end parts (22) of the batten may be slided along said rails in said tracks, wherein the longitudinal side parts (4, 5) of both rails include a longitudinal blocking strip arranged to block the corresponding end part (22) of the at least one batten from being withdrawn from the track, wherein the rail comprises a longitudinal contact surface arranged to be in contact with a corresponding contact piece on the end part of the at least one batten, in order to restrict the longitudinal movement of the batten along the rails.

Description

Blinds system for installation in windows and doors

Technical field

The invention refers to a blinds system for installation inside or next to a window. Specifically, the invention relates to a blinds system that may be arranged in structure such as a window or a door without interfering with the structure, i.e. without the use of cords or the like arranged in channels in the window.

Background

Conventionally blinds that are arranged in windows are controlled by cords running through channels inside the window's frame. This implies inter alia that the windows need to be specially adapted to comply with the conventional blinds system and that a window that is not specially adapted may not be provided with a conventional blinds system.

Further, problems that appear in the use of freely hanging classic Venetian blinds or pleated blinds using cords by any means to lift and lower the shade to a desired position and fix it in that certain position are:

- relatively complicated mechanisms for their regulation with many moving parts,

- a decreased lifetime because of the exposure to all influences,

- a total block out option is missing due to cord holes in blades or the pleated material,

- in some applications external sash cords getting dirty and worn out, - wind influences negative on the blinds while keeping a window or door open,

- cleaning of both windows and blinds,

- complex and costly operation to change blades,

- from a child safety perspective hanging cords imply danger to young children, ^Trom an esthetic perspective cords and^wires are hanging alongsicle the window, and - the mandatory use of cords limits the scope of use. State of the art

Attempts have been made to solve some of the above mentioned problems, but there does not exist a system that solves all the mentioned flaws in a simple and financially acceptable way. It is not possible to take down whole Venetian blinds to the bottom of the window for insight protection, to fix the blind without the use of cords, to place pleated blinds in a vertical position, nor to obtain total block out option in the above mentioned applications. Offered mechanisms are far more mechanically complicated in relation to the invention presented here. WO 2009/122222 Al discloses a Venetian blinds system with magnetic controller for regulation of the angle of the blinds. The system includes an upper and a lower batten which are arranged such that they may be individually adjusted upwards and downwards. This system solves some of the problems presented above. There are however some limitations in the adjustability and the usability of the blinds in this system.

Short description of the invention

An object of the invention is to improve the adjustability and the usability of the blinds. This is achieved by the inventive blinds system according to claim 1.

The invention relates to a blinds system for installation inside or next to a window, the system comprising at least one blinds supporting batten and two elongate and mutually opposed rails arranged to house opposite sides of the at least one batten, wherein both rails include a longitudinal track for housing an end part of the at least one batten, the track being formed by a longitudinal back part and at least one longitudinal side part arranged at a right angle, such the end parts of the batten may, be slided along said rails in said tracks. The longitudinal side parts of both rails include a longitudinal blocking strip arranged to block the corresponding end part of the at least one batten from being withdrawn from the track, and in that the rail comprises a longitudinal contact surface arranged to be in contact with a corresponding contact piece on the end part of the at least one batten, in order to restrict the longitudinal movement of the batten along the rails.

A first advantage of the invention is that the ends of the movable batten(s) are locked to slide inside the rails, such that the batten(s) will always be kept orthogonal with respect to the rails. For a blinds systern witlLhorizontaLblades this implies that the_conventional centre holes through the blades may be dispensed, because the blades freedom of motion in the horizontal direction will be restricted by the rails. The invention does not require conventional sash cords as the function of lifting/lowering the blinds is carried out by the movable battens, to which the blinds is attached. This in turn means that the blades are easily replaceable if desired, and that there will be no undesired light emitting holes through the blades. Yet another advantage of the invention is that the blades can be fully closed and connected to each other when angled, which a conventional system cannot due to the placing of sash cords between each blade while angled. Further, the rails present the possibility of locking the position the battens and the blades without the use of cords and without affecting the structure, such as e.g. a window, at which the system is arranged.

Technically, the solution presented by this invention has the following advantages in relation to other existing solutions;

- Easier, faster and cheaper production as the system consists of only few parts and does not require holes, strings or wires.

- Easy and quick mounting and set up, - Only few moving parts and very few items and materials comprises a very complex and flexible system which can be used for both Venetian as well as pleated blinds,

- Unnecessary use of cords for operation of the blinds subject to wear and tear,

- Blinds durability has increased because of the unburden obtained by not using cords for lifting and lowering,

- Default block out option in all applications due to no need for holes in the blind and rails side parts covering the end piece of the blind,

- Default guidance of battens and attached shade due to the overlap between the rail and the batten secured by the locking mechanism, - Default insight protection in all horizontal applications due to the possibility of lowering the upper batten,

- Possibility to change blades in a Venetian blind system by just pulling them out from its compartment which could be used for quick change of color or structure of the blinds,

the solutions presented on the market, which keeps maintenance and operational costs and effort to a minimum. Brief description of the drawings

Hereafter follows a detailed description of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective drawing of the rail, forming a longitudinal track through the design where the longitudinal back part, and the longitudinal side parts, together with the blocking strip which consists of a rim and a flange, constitutes the longitudinal opening with a channel formed between the rim and the longitudinal back part,

Figure 2 shows a top look to the rail structure where it is fully integrated in the frame of a window or door with an insulated window pane placed between the inner and outer part of the window frames, where the rail is covered by a plastic cover strip,

Figure 3 shows a frontal look to the window with the installed rail system on both sides where a top horizontal batten are attached and placed half way up on the window and which have a hanging shade mounted and placed between the top and bottom battens,

Figure 4 shows a perspective drawing of a window or door which consists of two separate frames which are possible to open and close, which together form the window or door, and where the rail system can be fitted in between the two window panes, where the top and bottom battens keeps the shade between themselves,

Figure 5 shows a frontal look to a window or door where the rail structure is fully integrated in the frame which from four sides are forming a window or door, where the shade and the top batten are slide half way up the window,

Figure 6 shows a close up look of Figure 5,

Figure 7 shows a top look to the rail with an iron strip inserted in the longitudinal channel formed between the rim and the opposed part of the longitudinal back part,

Figure 8 shows a perspective look to the batten end where a hole forms a latitudinal casing for a magnet,

Figure 9 shows a top look to figure 7 and figure 8 attached to each other, Figure 10 shows a perspective look to the batten end where a hole forms a latitudinal casing for a spiral spring loaded pin,

Figure 11 shows a top look to figure 1 and figure 10 attached to each other,

5

Figure 12 shows a perspective look to the batten end where a hole forms an opening to a flat spring loaded pin,

Figure 13 shows a top look to figure 1 and figure 12 attached to each other,

10

Figure 14 shows a perspective look to a block with a spring loaded pin,

Figure 15 shows a top look to figure 1 and figure 14 attached to each other,

L5 Figure 16 shows a perspective look to the batten end where a shackle is inserted through the batten where the two ends of the shackle sticks out through two holes in the batten,

Figure 17 shows a side looks through the rail^'s longitudinal back part where figure 15 and figure 16 are attached to each other,

10

Figure 18 shows a perspective drawing of Venetian blinds with its blades carried in separate compartments by the ladders carrying ropes.

Detailed description of the best mode of invention

>5

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a blinds system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention installed next to a window. The shown system comprises two blinds supporting battens 20 and 30 and two elongate and mutually opposed rails 1 arranged to house opposite sides of the battens 20 and 30.

Ϊ0 The rails are shown in detail in figure 1. Both rails 1 include a longitudinal track 2 for housing an end part 21, 22 of the battens 20, 30. The track 2 is formed by a longitudinal back part 3 and two longitudinal side parts 4 and 5 arranged at a right angle with respect to the back part 3. The end parts 21, 22 of the batten 20, 30 may be slide along said rails in said tracks 2. The longitudinal side part 4 of both rails 1 include a longitudinal blocking strip 6 arranged to block the corresponding end part 21, 22_

>5 of the at least one batten 20, 30 from being withdrawn from the track 2. Further, the rail 1 comprises a longitudinal contact surface arranged to be in contact with a corresponding contact piece on the end part of the at least one batten, in order to restrict the longitudinal movement of the batten along the rails.

As shown in figure 1 each rail may comprise two mutually opposed longitudinal side parts 4, 5, which are interconnected at their back end by the longitudinal back part 3, such that the track 2 is formed in a longitudinal opening 7 at the front end of the longitudinal side parts 4, 5.

Further, in the shown embodiment, the longitudinal blocking strip 6 is formed by a longitudinal rim 8 that extends from a first of the two longitudinal side parts 4 in parallel with the longitudinal back part 3 and towards the opposed second longitudinal side part 5, such that the rim 8 covers part of the longitudinal opening of the track 2 and such that a channel 9 is formed between the rim 8 and the opposed part of the longitudinal back part 3. The blocking strip may however be formed by a longitudinal track, a longitudinal protrusion or the like. The function of the blocking strip is to make sure that the end part of the batten will not slip out of the rail's channel without manipulation. Further, the rim 8 includes a flange 10 that extends from the rim 8 in parallel with the first of the longitudinal side parts 4 and towards the longitudinal back part 3.

In an advantageous embodiment the rails 1 are formed of aluminum profiles, e.g. extruded aluminum profiles.

According to a first embodiment, shown in figures 7-9, the rails 1 comprises a longitudinal iron strip 15. Correspondingly, the end parts 21, 22 of the battens 20, 30 are provided with a magnet 16 arranged to bond to the longitudinal iron strip 15 in order to restrict the longitudinal movement of the battens 20, 30 along the rails 1.

In order to move the battens the magnetic force between the iron strip 15 and the magnet 16 needs to be overcome. Hence, the magnet should be strong enough to hold the weight of the batten and the blinds, but not too strong so as to produce an obstacle for the operator wanting to adapt the position of the battens. The strength required of the magnets is something that may be easily elaborated by the skilled person.

In a second embodiment of the invention, shown in figures 10-1 1, the end parts 21, 22 of the batten 20, 30 includes blind hole 25 in which a spring loaded pin 26 is arranged, which pin 26 includes a friction generating head 27 arranged to be pressed against the first longitudinal side part 4 by the action of a spring 28, 29 when the batten is arranged inside the track 1.

In both of these embodiments the friction generating head 27 of the pin may be made of PVC. In figures 14-17 a fourth embodiment is shown. According to this embodiment the system includes a spring fitted block 31 that fits tightly inside the rail's 1 channel 9. The block 31 includes a main body 32 with a spring loaded cap 33. The main body 32 and the cap 33 are pressed in opposite directions towards the rim 8 and the opposed part of the longitudinal back part 3, respectively, such that the block 31 is held still due to the interaction between the block 31 and the rail 1. Further the block 31 is connectable to the batten 20, 30, in order to selectively locate the batten along the rail 1.

As shown in figure 16 the batten 20, 30 includes an opening 35, 36 for housing a shackle 37, which may fixed in a position where it connects to the spring fitted block 31 in order to lock the batten 20 along the rail 1 by said connection to the spring fitted block 31.

The shackle 37 comprises two substantially parallel arms 38, 39 that are to be arranged on opposite sides of the spring fitted block 31, in order to form the connection there between.

The rails 1 may preferably be arranged vertically. In a vertical arranged system a number of blades 51 may be interconnected by means of a string ladder 70 including a compartment for each blade 51. The string ladder 70 is arranged to be held up by an upper batten 20, and a lower batten 30 is arranged to support the string ladder 70 from below and restrict the downward extension of the blade holding ladder. Further, the blades 1 are freely held by a carrying rope 71 inside the compartments of the ladder 70 without perforation for strings, such that no light emitting through holes are provided in the blades, and such that the blades 51 may be individually pulled out of their respective compartment.

As illustrated in e.g. figures 3-5, the rails of the blinds system may be arranged along two opposite sides of a window 60. Of course, the rails 1 may be arranged between the two panes 61, 62 of the window 60 as illustrated in figure 4.

List of references l . Rail

2. Longitudinal track inside the rail

3. Longitudinal back part of the rail

4. Longitudinal side part of the rail, rear

5r^{^}Longittrdinal^ide^arrof thin¾il7trohT

6. Longitudinal blocking strip of the rail 7. Longitudinal opening i

8. Longitudinal rim

9. Longitudinal channel

10. Longitudinal flange

5 15. Longitudinal iron strip

16. Magnet

20. Bottom batten

21. Left end of batten

22. Right end of batten

LO 25. Hole

26. Pin

27. Head

28. Spiral spring

29. Flat spring

L5 30. Top batten

31. Block

32. Block main body

33. Spring loaded cap

35. Opening in batten

>0 36. Opening in batten

37. Shackle

38. Arm, upper

39. Arm, lower

50. Blinds (Venetian or pleated)

15 51. Blades

60. Window frame

61. Window pane, inner

62. Window pane, outer

63. Insulated window pane

;o 64. Plastic blocking strip

70. Ladder

71. Carrying rope

Claims

1. Blinds system, e.g. Venetian blinds, pleated blinds, blinds or fly screens, for installation inside or 5 next to a window, the system comprising at least one blinds supporting batten and two elongate and mutually opposed rails ( 1) arranged to house opposite sides of the at least one batten (20, 30), wherein both rails (1) include a longitudinal track (2) for housing an end part (21, 22) of the at least one batten (20, 30), the track (2) being formed by a longitudinal back part (3) and at least one longitudinal side part (4, 5) arranged at a right angle, such the end parts (21, 22) of the batten (20, 30) may be slide

10 along said rails (1) in said tracks (2), characterized in that the longitudinal side parts (4, 5) of both rails ( 1) include a longitudinal blocking strip (6) arranged to block the corresponding end part (21, 22) of the at least one batten (20, 30) from being withdrawn from the track (2), and in that the rail ( 1) comprises a longitudinal contact 10 surface arranged to be in contact with a corresponding contact piece on the end part of the at least one batten, in order to restrict the longitudinal movement of the

L5 batten along the rails.

2. Blinds system according to claim 1, wherein each rail comprises two mutually opposed longitudinal side parts (4, 5), which are interconnected at their back end by the longitudinal back part (3) such that the track (2) is formed in a longitudinal opening (7) at the front end of the longitudinal 15 side parts 0 (4, 5).

3. Blinds system according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinal blocking strip (6) is formed by a longitudinal rim (8) that extends from a first of the two longitudinal side parts (4) in parallel with the longitudinal back part (3) and towards the opposed second longitudinal side part (5), such that the rim

»5 (8) covers part of the longitudinal opening of the track (2) and such that a channel (9) is formed 20 between the rim (8) and the opposed part of the longitudinal back part (3).

4. Blinds system according to claim 3, wherein the rim (8) includes a flange ( 10) that extends from the rim (8) in parallel with the first of the longitudinal side parts (4) and towards the longitudinal back part

50 (3).

5. Blinds system according to claim 4, wherein the rails (1) are formed of aluminum profiles.

6. Blinds system according to claim 5, wherein the rails (1) comprises a longitudinal iron strip (15), 15 and wherein the end parts (21, 22) of the at least one batten (20, 30) are provided with a magnet ( 16) arranged to bond to the longitudinal iron strip (15) in order to restrict the longitudinal movement of the at least one batten (20, 30) along the rails (1).

7. Blinds system according to any of the claims 4 or 5, wherein the end parts (21, 22) of the batten (20, 30) includes blind hole (25) in which a spring loaded pin (26) is arranged, which pin (26) includes a friction generating head (27) arranged to be pressed against the first longitudinal side part (4) by the action of a spring (28, 29) when the batten is arranged inside the track (1).

8. Blinds system according to claim 7, wherein the friction generating head (27) of the pin is made of PVC.

9. Blinds system according to any of the claims 4 or 5, wherein the system further includes a spring fitted block (31) that fits tightly inside the rail's (1) channel (9), which block (31) includes a main body (32) with a spring loaded cap (33), and wherein the main body (32) and the cap (33) are pressed in opposite directions towards the rim (8) and the opposed part of the longitudinal back part (3), respectively, such that the block (31) is held still due to the interaction between the block (31) and the rail (1), wherein the block (31) is connectable to the batten (20, 30), in order to selectively locate the batten along the rail (1).

10. Blinds system according to claim 9, wherein the batten (20, 30) further includes an opening (35, 36) for housing a shackle (37), which may fixed in a position where it connects to the spring fitted block (31) in order to lock the batten (20) along the rail (1) by said connection to the spring fitted block (31).

11. Blinds system according to claim 9, wherein the shackle (37) comprises two substantially parallel arms (38, 39) that are to be arranged on opposite sides of the spring fitted block (31), in order to form the connection there between.

12. Blinds system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the rails (1) are arranged vertically and wherein the system includes a number of blades (51) which are interconnected by means of a string ladder including a compartment for each blade (51), the string ladder being arranged to be held up by an upper batten (20), and a lower batten (30) being arranged to support the string ladder from below and restrict the downward extension of the blade holding ladder.

13. Blinds system according to claim 12, wherein the blades are freely held inside the compartments of the ladder without perforation for strings, such that no light emitting through holes are provided in the blades, and such that the blades may be individually pulled out of their respective compartment.

14. Blinds system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the rails (1) are arranged along two opposite sides of a window (60).

15. Blinds system according to claim 14, wherein the rails (1) are arranged between two panes (61, 62) of the window (60).

16. Blind system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the rails (1) are an integrated part of a window frame.

17. Blind system according to claim 16, wherein the rails (1) are arranged at all four sides of the said frame.