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
  • E06B9/303—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable with ladder-tape
• • 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
  • E06B9/303—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable with ladder-tape
  • E06B9/308—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable with ladder-tape with coaxial tilting bar and raising shaft
• • 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
  • E06B9/38—Other details
  • E06B9/382—Details of ladder-tapes or ladder chains, e.g. buckles for local shortening of tapes

Definitions

• the present invention relates to ladder cord assemblies, and more precisely it concerns ladder cords for Venetian blinds and the like.
• Venetian blinds are used in windows or doors to screen off sunshine or to shut off from view.
• a common type of window blinds are slat blinds, including a number of horizontal slats connected with strings in a way that they can be rotated to allow light to pass between the slats, rotated up to about 170 degrees to screen off the light, or partly /completely pulled up so that a part/the entire window is clear.
• WO 2011/110544A2 One example of a blind of this type is presented in WO 2011/110544A2.
• the ladder cord disclosed therein comprises loops through which the lift cords are passed.
• the cords When a blind of this type is pulled up, the cords will be exposed to friction and thereby wear. This will shorten the lifetime of the blind. Besides, visible loops protruding from the blinds are not very aesthetically appealing. Furthermore, the lift cords are sometimes not efficiently kept together in the pulled-up position.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a new type of ladder cord assembly, in particular for a Venetian blind, which is improved over prior art and which eliminates or at least mitigates the drawbacks discussed above.
• This object has now been achieved by a ladder cord assembly defined in appended claim 1, with preferred embodiments set forth in the dependent claims, and by a Venetian blind as defined in appended claim 11.
• a ladder cord assembly for a Venetian blind which comprises two side members which are spaced and parallel, and transverse ladder rungs extending between the side members and configured to hold blind slats.
• Each side member comprises a tilt cord and a lift cord, and each side member tilt cord has a channel in which the lift cord extends.
• a ladder cord assembly of this kind is advantageous since it provides better control of the lift and tilt cords, less friction when the blind is maneuvered, which in turn yields less wear and longer lifetime of the blind. It is also advantageous since it packs and turns the lamellas or slats more efficiently and reliably. The lamellas are packed closer to each other when the blind is pulled up, which yields an aesthetic result.
• each channel of the ladder cord assembly is arranged alternately on a first side and a second side of the tilt cord. This provides the ladder cord with an integrated channel, which eliminates or reduces the tangling when the blind is pulled up.
• the alternating arrangement of each channel changes on a level flush with each ladder rung. This design is advantageous since it provides the ladder cord which has an aesthetically appealing shape when the blind is pulled up and which eliminates or reduces tangling.
• the lift cords are fitted into the channels such that a top of the lift cord is in line with a top of the channel.
• the ladder cord assembly is configured to fold the ladder cord in an S-shape when the lift cord is pulled. This structure is advantageous since it is aesthetically appealing, and since it eliminates or reduces tangling.
• each channel is formed as an open, longitudinal recess.
• each channel is formed as an open thread structure which brings the advantage that it contributes to the S shape when the blind is pulled up.
• each channel is tube-formed.
• the tubular channel may either comprise a number of flexible tube sections or an integral, flexible tube element.
• a Venetian blind which comprises at least one ladder cord assembly of the kind described above, and a number of blind slats suspended by the ladder cord assembly.
• a blind structure of this kind provides efficient screening and smooth operation.
• Fig. 1 shows a pair of ladder cords with a blind slat arranged on one of the ladder rung pairs according to a first embodiment
• Fig. 2 shows a detail of Fig. 1 on a larger scale
• Fig. 3 is a front view of a ladder cord
• Fig. 4 is a similar front view of the ladder cord in Fig. 3,
• FIG. 5 shows a Venetian blind provided with a ladder cord partially pulled up
• FIG. 6 shows a close-up of the Venetian blind of Fig. 5 completely pulled up
• Fig. 7 shows the ladder cord with blind slats and a lifting mechanism
• . 8 shows a ladder cord according to a second embodiment
• Fig. 9 shows a detail of Fig. 8 on a larger scale
• Fig. 10 shows a ladder cord according to a third embodiment
• Fig. 11 shows a detail of Fig. 10 on a larger scale
• Fig. 12 shows a ladder cord according to a fourth embodiment
• Fig. 13 shows a detail of Fig. 12 on a larger scale
• Fig. 14 shows a ladder cord according to a fifth embodiment
• Fig. 15 shows a detail of Fig. 14 on a larger scale
• Fig. 16 shows a ladder cord according to a sixth embodiment
• Fig. 17 shows a detail of Fig. 16 on a larger scale
• Fig. 18 shows a ladder cord according to a seventh embodiment
• Fig. 19 shows a detail of Fig. 18 on a larger scale.
• each ladder cord has the same basic structure, namely: two spaced, parallel side members and a number of transverse ladder rungs extending between these side members.
• Each longitudinal side member has a tilt cord and a lift cord.
• each ladder cord side member has an integrated channel in which the lift cord extends.
• the longitudinal channel encloses at least partially the lift cord and it serves as a guide for the lift cord.
• Fig. 1 there is shown a pair of ladder cord assemblies 1, each comprising two side members la, lb.
• Each ladder cord assembly 1 comprises two tilt cords 2a, 2b, two lift cords 3 a, 3b and a number of transverse ladder rungs 4.
• each tilt cord 2a, 2b there is arranged an elongate recess or channel 5a, 5b, in which the lift cord 3a, 3b is fitted.
• a blind slat or lamella 6 (shown in dotted lines) is arranged on one of the ladder rung 4 pairs for illustration purposes.
• Each lift cord 3 a, 3b is slidably fitted in its corresponding channel 5 a, 5b in a way that it alternates between being on a first side and on a second side of the tilt cords 2a, 2b. Hence, each lift cord 3 a, 3b changes from the first to the second side, on a level with a first ladder rung 4, and back from the second to the first side on a level with a next ladder rung 4, and so on along the whole axial length of the ladder cord la, lb.
• Each channel 5 a, 5b is open, that is, each lift cord 3 a, 3b arranged in its corresponding channel 5 a, 5b is always visible from at least one side of the side member la, lb.
• Each side member la, lb comprises a respective tilt cord 2a, 2b, and the lift cord 3a, 3b in each tilt cord 2a, 2b does not come up on the same side, as the figure shows.
• the lift cord 3a comes up against the viewer of the figure, whereas the lift cord 3b comes up away from the viewer of the figure.
• Each tilt cord 2a, 2b is provided with an aperture 20b on a level with each ladder rung 4, for the lift cord 3 to pass through (see Fig. 2).
• tilt cord 2a, 2b compared to prior art tilt cords with loops, is for instance lower friction when pulling the blinds. This results in easier maneuvering and also reduced wear on the cords, which in turn results in longer life-time of the blind.
• Another advantage is better control of the tilt 2a, 2b and lift cords 3a, 3b, reducing the risk of tangling.
• the ingenious arrangement of the lift cord 3b in the side member lb is shown in more detail in Fig. 2.
• the aperture 20b is made relatively small, i.e. the part of the tilt cord 2b that is provided with transverse portions 16, forming the channel 5a, 5b for the lift cord 3a, 3b, has a larger extension compared to the aperture 20b.
• the extension of the transverse portion 16 is about half of the axial extension of the aperture 20b between two transverse portions 16. This dimension of the aperture 20b is favourable for the lifting operation of the blind.
• the transverse width of the aperture 20b is slightly larger than the diameter of the lift cord 3b so that a close fit is achieved.
• the ladder cord 3 is further illustrated in Fig. 3, providing a good view of the lift cords 3 a, 3b arranged in their corresponding channels 5 a, 5b.
• the lift cords 3 a, 3b extend in the channels 5 a, 5b at alternating sides of the side member la, lb.
• each ladder rung 4 comprises two parallel strings.
• Fig. 4 also shows the ladder cord assembly 1 from the front, and in this figure it can be seen that the ladder rung 4 connects with the tilt cord 3 a, 3b in the center of the aperture 20b provided for the lift cord 3 a, 3b.
• the ladder cord 1 may come in several dimensions. For example the length, width, distance between the ladder rungs 4, and/or thicknesses of the strings may be varied and adjusted to preset conditions.
• Fig. 5 the ladder cord assembly 1 is shown in use with blind slats 6 which are arranged on the ladder rungs 4 and which may form a screen. The blind is partly pulled up, showing how the channels 5a, 5b make the ladder cord 1 to fold in an S- shape.
• the ladder cord 1 also contributes to turn and pack the slats 6 more efficiently and securely. Nicer packed slats 6, no protruding loops or other things, and that the lift cords 3 a, 3b are hidden inside the channels 5 a, 5b make the overall looks nicer and more aesthetic appealing.
• a close-up of the ladder cord assembly 1 is shown with slats 6 inserted, and the blind is completely pulled together.
• the ladder cord 1 is folded into the S-shape and the slats 6 are nicely packed.
• Fig. 7 the ladder cord 1 is shown illustrated in connection with a lift mechanism of a Venetian blind, with blind slats 6 put on the transverse ladder rungs 4.
• the lift cord 3 a is shown both entering the lift mechanism (top) and fitted in the channel 5a (bottom).
• FIG. 8 A slightly modified ladder cord 1 according to a second embodiment is shown in Fig. 8.
• the principal structure is the same as in the first embodiment, which has been described in detail.
• the difference here is that the lift cords 3a, 3b run in parallel in the channels 5a, 5b, that is, they come up at the same side in the end of each side member la, lb instead as before, where they come up on different sides.
• Shown in Fig. 9 is a detail of Fig. 8 on a larger scale. Here can be seen the lift cord 3b passing through the aperture 20b in the channel 5b.
• a ladder cord assembly 11 according to a third embodiment is shown, where the tilt cords 12a, 12b have fewer transverse portions 16 which build up the channel 15a, 15b, compared to the first and second embodiments.
• the aperture 120b has similar dimensions as the aperture 20b described in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and 9. Thus, the axial extension of the aperture 120b is relatively small in comparison with the distance from one ladder rung 4 to the next.
• the lift cords 13 a, 13b come up at different sides in this embodiment. Shown in Fig. 11 is a detail of Fig. 10 on a larger scale. Here is shown the lift cord 13b extending through the aperture 120b in the channel 15b. A ladder cord 21 according to a fourth embodiment is shown in Fig. 12.
• the basic structure is the same as in the third embodiment, that is, the tilt cord 22a, 22b comprises fewer transverse portions 16 which build up the channel 25 a, 25b, compared to the first embodiment.
• the lift cords 23a, 23b come up at the same side in this embodiment. Shown in Fig. 13 is a detail of Fig. 12 on a larger scale.
• a ladder cord 31 according to a fifth embodiment is shown, where the tilt cord 32a, 32b has a channel 35a, 35b made of a thread structure comprising three longitudinal threads, beside a main thread, held together by transverse rings.
• the lift cord 33a, 33b extends straight through this channel 35a, 35b.
• Fig. 15 Shown in Fig. 15 is a detail of Fig.
• a ladder cord 41 according to a sixth embodiment is shown in Fig. 16, where the tilt cord 42a, 42b comprises a channel 45 a, 45b made up of by a number of flexible tube sections 416 extending vertically between the ladder rungs 4.
• the tube sections 416 are arranged on the outside of the main thread of the tilt cord 42a, 42b.
• the lift cord 43 a, 43b extends straight through this channel 45 a, 45b. Between two tube sections an aperture 420b is formed.
• the axial extension of the aperture 420b is relatively small compared to the length of a tube section 416.
• Shown in Fig. 17 is a detail of Fig. 16 on a larger scale, showing the details of the channel 45a, 45b and the lift cord 43 a, 43b extending therethrough.
• a ladder cord 51 according to a seventh embodiment is shown, where the tilt cord 52a, 52b comprises a channel 55a, 55b made up by of one longitudinal, integral tube which is flexible.
• the lift cord 53a, 53b extends straight through this tubelike channel 55a, 55b.
• Shown in Fig. 19 is a detail of Fig. 18 on a larger scale. Here it can be seen the details of the channel 55b and the lift cord 53b extending there through.
• inventive concept is by no means limited to the embodiments described herein, and many modifications are feasible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
• the number of ladder cords mounted to a Venetian blind can vary.
• the inventive concept is not limited to a certain number of slats.
• An inventive blind structure may also comprise a bottom slat and a top slat, and vertical ladder cord assemblies extending between these slats.
• the screen between the bottom and top slats may comprise textile, plastic, paper or a similar flexible material.
• the operation of such a blind structure may very well be of similar kind as described herein.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Blinds (AREA)

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Cited By (5)

Citations (2)

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• 2015
  • 2015-04-09 WO PCT/EP2015/057663 patent/WO2015155267A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2015-04-09 DK DK15714236.5T patent/DK3129575T3/en active
  • 2015-04-09 CN CN201580030687.6A patent/CN106460454A/zh active Pending
  • 2015-04-09 EP EP15714236.5A patent/EP3129575B1/en active Active
  • 2015-04-10 TW TW104111654A patent/TW201538839A/zh unknown

Patent Citations (2)

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