EP0500499A1 - Venetian blind - Google Patents

Abstract

Venetian blind comprising a winding drum (5) on which a small string (8) fixed to the lower slat (10) of the blind is wound, and a mechanism for orienting the blind slats comprising a flexible ladder element driven by friction and the straps (15, 16) of which are fixed to the blind slats for their orientation. <??>The orientation device essentially comprises a sliding component (17) which is installed elastically and moved transversely by the small string (8) when a traction force is exerted on the latter. The sliding component controls the passage of the stop-pieces (27, 28) which are firmly fixed to the ladder elements and consequently controls the orientation of the blind slats. <IMAGE>

Description

The subject of the present invention is a venetian blind comprising a winding shaft on which is mounted at least one winding drum on which is wound a lace fixed to the lower blade of the blind and passing through the other blades in their middle part, and a blade orientation mechanism comprising a pulley frictionally driving a flexible ladder whose ends of the strands are connected to two straps fixed to each of the edges of the blades to ensure the tilting of these blades in the closed position when the blind is fully extended , and a movable member resiliently positioned and subjected to the action of the lace under the effect of the traction exerted on the lace by the lower end blade, this mobile member controlling stop means keeping the blades in a first inclination when they are operative and authorizing the tilting of the blades in a second inclination when they are inoperative.

A blind of this type is known from patent DE 32 05 491. In this blind, the movable member consists of a pusher mounted at the end of an elastic arm parallel to the axis of the pulley and bending under the pressure of the lace wound on the pulley. This push-pull on a slide forming a retractable stop for one of the ends of a helical spring of a friction spring clutch, the relaxation of the yaw having the effect of retracting this stop and allowing the clutch to drive the ladder at an angle determined by a fixed stop. The orientation mechanism consists of approximately seven parts and is not symmetrical, i.e. it can only be used in one direction of rotation.

An orientation mechanism of the same type as the aforementioned mechanism is also known from patent application DE 30 37 701. However, the control of the clutch spring is carried out in a substantially more complicated manner, so that the mechanism comprises between fifteen and eighteen pieces.

From patent application EP 0 050 677, an orientation mechanism is also known, also comprising a bar elastically mounted parallel to the axis of the winding pulley and subjected to the action of the yoke, this bar being provided two radial pawls coming to drive the inner strand of the ladder by a trainer fixed on this strand, by tilting the blind blades in the closed position, when the bar is unloaded. The bar also serves as a means of coupling the ladder drum to the winding pulley. This mechanism has about seven parts and is not symmetrical.

These three mechanisms also have the common characteristic of having parts working radially, which limits the diameter of the drive shaft making it practically impossible to mount the mechanism on a tubular motor. In addition, the asymmetry of these mechanisms requires special precautions to orient the mechanism during assembly.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simpler mechanism for orienting the blades than the known mechanisms and capable of being executed in a symmetrical shape, that is to say usable in both directions of rotation and the mounting of which is therefore independent of the orientation of the awning drive shaft.

The blind according to the invention is characterized in that the drum of the lace and the pulley of the ladder are integral, that the movable member positioned elastically consists of a part capable of moving in a horizontal plane in a direction transverse to the axis of the drum relative to a fixed frame having a central passage for the lace and two lateral passages controlled by the drawer, for each of the strands of the ladder, this moving part being traversed by the lace so that traction on the lace has the effect of moving said movable part against its elastic positioning means, and that the strands of the ladder are each provided with a stop piece, the dimensions of the lateral passages, of the pieces of the stopper and of the movable part being such that when the movable piece is biased by the lace, the stopper pieces cannot pass through said lateral passages and the blades of the blind have the first inclination, while when the movable part is not stressed by the lace, the rising stop part can pass through the corresponding passage and allow the blades to tilt in the second inclination.

The mechanism is very simple and symmetrical. The absence of a moving part in the pulley makes it possible to pass a shaft of large section through the pulley and, in particular, to mount the pulley on a tubular motor.

The mechanism is preferably produced symmetrically relative to a vertical plane of symmetry parallel to the axis of the winding shaft, in particular passing through this axis.

The winding drum and the ladder pulley can be made in one piece rotating in a cradle constituting the frame. In this case, the complete mechanism consists of three parts plus one or two springs for positioning the moving part.

It is possible to reduce the number of pieces to two pieces only by making the cradle and the moving part in a single piece of injected plastic material in which the moving part is connected to the cradle by thin arms constituting said elastic means for positioning the drawer. .

The accompanying drawing shows, by way of example, some embodiments of the blind according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a sectional view along II of the Figure 2 shows the blind at the start of its rise phase.

• Figure 2 is a sectional view along II-II of Figure 1.
• FIG. 3 represents the drawer according to a sectional view along III-III of FIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 represents an alternative embodiment of the drawer in a view similar to that of FIG. 3.
• Figures 5 to 9 show the same blind in different positions.
• FIG. 10 represents a second embodiment according to a view similar to that of FIG. 2.
• FIG. 11 is a partial view at the level of the drawer in a section XI-XI of FIG. 10.
• FIG. 12 represents an alternative embodiment of the part shown in FIG. 11.
• Figure 13 is an elevational view of a particular embodiment of the end stop of the ladder, in the open position.
• Figure 14 is a plan view of the same stopper in the open position.
• Figure 15 is an elevational view of the same stopper in the closed position and arm inoperative position.
• FIG. 16 is a plan view of the closed stop represented in FIG. 15.
• Figure 17 shows the same stop with its arms in the operating position.
• FIG. 18 represents an alternative embodiment of the first embodiment.
• Figure 19 is a bottom view of an embodiment in one piece of the cradle and the drawer, in the rest position.
• FIG. 20 represents the same execution in the working position seen in section along XX-XX of FIG. 21.
• FIG. 21 is a partial view, in section along XXI-XXI of FIG. 20.
• FIG. 22 represents a particular embodiment of the abutment pieces allowing a simplification of the embodiment represented in FIGS. 19 to 21.

The blind shown in Figures 1 to 3 comprises a rectangular metal box 1, partially shown in Figure 1, in which are mounted several winding and orientation units of the Venetian blind, only one of these units being shown in the drawing. The box 1 is mounted in a recess 2 shown in phantom, with the exception of its lower edge 3.

The winding and orientation unit shown comprises a cradle 4 fixed to the casing 1 and in which is housed a tubular part 5 of generally cylindrical shape having an axial passage of hexagonal shape intended for its fitting onto a tubular motor. This part 5 has a central groove 7 constituting a winding drum for the lace 8 of the blind, a lace freely passing through, in a manner known per se, the intermediate blades 9 of the blind and attached to the lower terminal blade 10. The part 5 also has two grooves 11 and 12 arranged on either side of the groove 7 and constituting two pulleys through which pass two bands 13 and 14, the ends of which are attached, in a manner known per se, to the ends of two straps 15 and 16 fixed, in a manner known per se, to each of the edges of each of the blades 9 and 10 of the blind. It is usual to speak of a ladder for all of the bands 13 and 14 and of the straps 15 and 16 and of a ladder holder for the bands 13 and 14. The ladder holder is driven by friction by the part 5 when it it is rotated.

The cradle 4 simultaneously constitutes a frame for a drawer 17, movable in translation, under the part 5, transversely to the axis of the drive shaft, in a horizontal plane. This drawer 17 has a central passage 18 letting pass, with a slight play, the lace 8. On each side of the passage 18, symmetrically to the latter, the drawer 17 has two rectangular passages 19 and 20 (Figure 3). The drawer 17 is also connected to the cradle 4 by two spring blades 21 and 22 which tend to keep the drawer in a central position, as shown in Figure 6, in the absence of transverse stress.

Under the drawer 17, the cradle 4 has two rectangular passages 23 and 24 coinciding or not with the passages 19 and 20 of the drawer, depending on the position thereof. Above the drawer 17, the cradle 4 has two housings 25 and 26 located opposite the passages 23 and 24.

At the ends of the ladder holder 13/14, stop pieces 27 and 28 are fixed in the form of a bar, the dimensions of which are such that they can pass through the passages of the cradle and of the drawer and enter the housings 25 and 26.

According to an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4, the drawer 17 'could be pivotally mounted about a vertical axis 29. The passage for the lace 8 could consist of a slot 18'. The drawer positioning spring could be mounted at the hinge pin 29.

The operation of the blind will now be described with the aid of FIGS. 5 to 9.

Figure 5 shows the blind in the lowering position. The blade 10 is suspended and exerts traction on the lace 8 which has the effect of exerting on the drawer 17 a transverse force which moves the drawer 17 to the left against the action of its springs 21 and 22. The passage 20 of the drawer is no longer opposite the passage 24 of the frame, which has the effect of partially closing this passage 24. The part 5 rotating in the direction of the arrow, the ladder holder is driven by friction in the same direction, so that its stop 27 goes down and its stop 28 goes up and engages in the passage 24 of the frame, but abuts against the drawer 17, determining a first inclination, relatively small, of the blades 9 of the blind.

When the lower blade 10 reaches the lower edge 3 of the embrasure, the lace 8 relaxes and releases the drawer 17 which returns to its middle position under the effect of its springs. In this position, the passages of the drawer coincide with the passages of the frame.

The part 5 continuing to rotate in the same direction while driving the ladder, the stop 28 passes through the drawer and abuts at the bottom of the housing 26 of the cradle causing the tilting of the blades 9 of the blind in a second, relatively strong inclination, such that shown in Figure 7.

When the blind is raised, the part 5 is driven in the direction of the arrow according to FIG. 8. The ladder holder is driven in the other direction and its stop 28 passes through the drawer 17 in the direction of the bottom. The slats 9 of the blind straighten and the lace 8 tightens.

The tension of the lace 8 has the effect of again moving the drawer 17 to the left, the drawer partially closing the passage 23 of the frame (FIG. 9).

The stop 27 rises until it comes into abutment against the drawer 17 as shown in FIG. 2. The blind continues to rise, the ladder holder sliding on the part 5.

The second embodiment represented in FIGS. 10 and 11 differs from the first embodiment only in the dimension of the lateral passages of the drawer 17 designated here by 170 and by the production of the stops 27 and 28 designated by the references 270 and 280.

The drawer 170 has lateral passages 190 and 200 wider than the passages 19 and 20, so that when the drawer 170 is moved to the left, only the passage 24 of the frame is partially closed. This requires differentiation of the abutment pieces 270 and 280. The abutment piece 280 can be identical to the abutment piece 28. On the other hand, the abutment piece 270 is provided with two lateral arms 271 and 272 which prevent the abutment from crossing the drawer 170 coming to abut against this drawer as shown in Figure 11. The stop 270 therefore never crosses the drawer.

The operation of this second embodiment is analogous to the operation of the first embodiment with the difference that the abutment piece 270 never passes through the drawer.

FIG. 12 represents an alternative embodiment of this second embodiment in which the stop 270 'is provided with lateral arms 273 and 274 in its lower part, these arms coming to abut against the cradle 4.

A particular embodiment of the stops 270 and 280 is shown in FIGS. 13 to 17.

The stop consists of a plastic plate 30 provided with pins 31 for fixing the ladder holder, a counterplate 32 connected to the plate 30 by a thinned part 33 forming an articulation and provided with clip tabs 34 and 35 , and two arms 36 and 37 connected to the plate 30 by two thinned parts 38 and 39 forming a joint, the arm 36 being extended downwards by an arm 40 and the arm 37 by an arm 41. The plywood 32 is furthermore provided with holes 42.

After insertion of the pins 31 into the ladder, the plywood 32 is folded down and clipped by its tongues 34 and 35. The end of the pins 31 engages in the holes 42. The arms 36 and 37 can be left in their position initial and we then obtain a stop as shown in Figures 15 and 16. Such a stop can pass through the passages of the frame. This is the case with stop 280.

On the other hand, if the arms 36 and 37 are folded laterally and held in this position by the counterplate 32 which retains the arms 40 and 41, the stop shown in FIG. 17 is obtained. Such a stop can be used as a stop 270 in the embodiment shown in Figure 10.

The stop represented in FIGS. 13 to 17 allows the advantage of symmetry to be preserved in the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the first embodiment in which two switches 43 and 44 have been arranged at the height of the housings 25 and 26, so that they are actuated when the corresponding stop part enters in the housing, for example the part 28 as shown. This makes it possible to obtain a third automatic stopping point when the motor already has in itself a cage with two end of travel stopping points.

The embodiments and variants shown are themselves susceptible of numerous variants. In particular, the elastic positioning of the drawer could be achieved in another way, for example by a spring placed in the extension of the drawer.

In the case where the blade orientation mechanism is made of plastic, the drawer and its elastic positioning means may advantageously have come in one piece, with the cradle for example as shown in FIGS. 19 to 21.

FIG. 19 represents, seen from below, a cradle 45 corresponding to the cradle 4 of FIGS. 1 and 2. It has two vertical side walls, on the left and on the right in the drawing, which are applied against the walls of the box 1. This cradle 45 came in one piece with a drawer 46 located under the cradle and connected to the cradle 45 by two pairs of thin arms 47, 48 and 49, 50 which play the role of positioning springs 21 and 22 of the first form of execution. These arms are connected to the cradle by two bases 55 and 56.

The drawer 46 has two cutouts 51 and 52 playing the role of passages 19 and 20 of the first embodiment. Above these cutouts, the cradle 45 has two frames 53 and 54 defining housings 61 and 62 similar to housings 25 and 26 of the first embodiment and the bottom of which is simply constituted by two transverse bars 57 and 58, 59 and 60 respectively.

The drawer 46 is provided with a central passage 63 similar to the passage 18 of the first embodiment, for the passage of the lace 8.

The frame is completed by a plastic plate 64 welded or glued to the cradle 45 under the drawer46. This plate 64 has a central passage 67 similar to passage 29 and two lateral passages 65 and 66 similar to passages 23 and 24 of the first embodiment.

The device, as shown in Figure 21, operates in the same way as the device according to the first embodiment. Under the effect of the pull of the lace 8, the drawer 46 moves, in the case shown, to the right, the stop 27 being in this case also to the right. This stop 27 abuts against the shoulders 68 and 69 of the drawer. When the drawer is in the rest position, the stop 27 passes through the drawer to enter the housing 62.

It is possible to further simplify the manufacture of the device by eliminating the plate 64. In this case, the drawer 46 becomes a simple movable plate under the cradle. The device is presented as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

Since the plate 64 is used for guiding and centering the abutment pieces, this guiding and centering had to be ensured by another means. This is achieved by giving a specific shape to the abutment pieces, the shape shown in Figure 22.

The abutment pieces have a stepped profile, namely an upper part 70 in the shape of a truncated pyramid and shaped so as to have four shoulders, three of which 71, 72 and 73 are visible. Below these shoulders, the stops consist of a prismatic part 74. One of the stop pieces also has two wings 75 and 76 and corresponding to the stop 270 'in FIG. 12.

When the device is in the rest position shown in FIG. 19, the pyramidal part 70 of the stops passes through the moving part 46 and engages in the corresponding housing 61 and 62 while coming to center the stop part in this housing. The abutment piece provided with wings 75 and 76 abuts by its wings against the edges of the moving part 46. The other abutment can penetrate to the bottom of the housing 61.

When the moving part 46 is moved, for example to the right as shown in FIG. 20, the stop piece, shown on the right in FIG. 22, abuts by two of its shoulders 71 and 73 against the shoulders 68 and 69 of the moving part 46.

The device therefore functions as the second embodiment.

Claims (12)

1. Venetian blind comprising a winding shaft on which is mounted at least one winding drum (5) on which is wound a lace (8) fixed to the lower blade (10) of the blind and passing through the other blades in their middle part, and a blade orientation mechanism comprising a pulley (5) frictionally driving a flexible ladder (13, 14) whose ends of the strands are connected to two straps (15, 16) fixed to each of the edges of the blades of the blind to ensure the tilting of these blades in the closed position when the blind is fully unwound, and a movable member resiliently positioned and subjected to the action of the lace under the effect of the traction exerted on the lace by the lower terminal blade , this movable member controlling stop means keeping the blades in a first inclination when they are operating and authorizing the tilting of the blades in a second position when they are inoperative, characterized in that the drum (7) of the cord and the pulley (11, 12) of the ladder are integral, that the movable member positioned elastically is constituted by a piece (17; 170; 46) capable of moving in a horizontal plane in a direction transverse to the axis of the drum relative to a fixed frame (4; 45) having a central passage (29) for the lace, and two lateral passages (23, 24; 65; 66; 61, 62) controlled by said movable part (17; 46) for each of the strands of the ladder (13, 14), this movable part being crossed by the lace (8), so that a traction on the lace has the effect of displacing said movable part against its elastic positioning means (25, 26; 47, 48, 49, 50), and that the strands of the ladder are each provided with a abutment piece (27, 28; 270, 280), the dimensions of the lateral passages, of the abutment pieces and of said movable part being such that when the movable piece is urged by the latch, the abutment pieces cannot pass through said side passages and the blind slats having the first inclination, while when the room mobile is not stressed by the lace, the rising stop piece can pass through the corresponding passage and allow the blades to tilt in the second inclination. 2. Venetian blind according to claim 1, characterized in that the orientation mechanism has a vertical plane of symmetry parallel to the axis of the winding shaft. 3. Venetian blind according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said movable part is consisting of a drawer (17; 170; 46) movable inside the frame (4; 45, 64) above said passages (23, 24; 65, 66) of the frame. 4. Venetian blind according to claim 3, characterized in that the drawer (17) has ladder passages (25, 26) of width substantially equal to that of the lateral passages (23, 24) of the frame. 5. Venetian blind according to claim 3, characterized in that the drawer (170) has ladder passages (190, 200) of width substantially greater than that of the side passages of the frame and that the dimension of the abutment piece ( 270) of the ladder strand located on the outside of the blind is such that this stop piece cannot pass through the corresponding lateral passage. 6. Venetian blind according to claim 5, characterized in that the abutment parts are provided with orientable arms (36, 37) capable of being disposed in an operating or inoperative position, the abutment being unable to pass through the corresponding lateral passage when these arms are arranged in the operating position. 7. Venetian blind according to claim 6, characterized in that the abutment pieces, made of plastic, consist of a plate (30) provided with lugs (31) for fixing the ladder and two orientable arms ( 36, 37) connected to the plate by a thinned part and each having a locking arm (40, 41) and a counterplate (32) articulated on the side of the plate and capable of being folded down and clipped onto the plate maintaining or not the locking arms in a position such that the orientable arms are directed laterally. 8. Venetian blind according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pulley (11; 12) and the drum (7) are in one piece mounted in a cradle (4; 45) simultaneously constituting said frame. 9. Venetian blind according to claim 3, characterized in that the frame consists of two parts (45, 64) made of plastic and that the drawer (46) came in one piece with the upper part (45) of the frame to which it is connected by thin arms (47, 48, 49, 50) constituting the elastic means for positioning the drawer. 10. Venetian blind according to claim 1, characterized in that said movable part (46) consists of a plate disposed under the frame (45) and come in one piece, made of plastic, with the frame to which it is connected by thin arms (47, 48, 49, 50) constituting said elastic means for positioning the plate, and that the abutment pieces are shaped (70) so as to ensure their self-centering in the passages of said movable piece (46). 11. Venetian blind according to claim 10, characterized in that the abutment pieces have a stepped shape (70 to 74). 12. Venetian blind according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises limit switches (43, 44) disposed above said movable part and actuable by said stop parts.

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