AU7208100A - Strap winder, mechanism for manoeuvring a shutter of roller blind comprising such a winder, and process for adjusting the tension of the spring of such a winder - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant/s: Actual Inventor/s: Address for Service: SIMBAC S.P.A.

Rino Cattaneo BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS MARGARET STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 'STRAP WINDER, MECHANISM FOR MANOEUVRING A SHUTTER OF ROLLER BLIND COMPRISING SUCH A WINDER, AND PROCESS FOR ADJUSTING THE TENSION OF THE SPRING OF SUCH A WINDER' Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 30248AUP00 The present invention relates to a strap winder, to a mechanism for manoeuvring a shutter, roller blind, shade or the like comprising such a winder, and to a process for adjusting the tension of the spring of such a winder.

In the present specification, the expression strap or the like covers all types of flexible ties capable of being wound and serving to manoeuvre a shutter, roller blind or shade or an equivalent device.

It is known to use a strap, belt or any other flexible tie for manoeuvring a shutter, roller blind or shade and, more generally, for any device comprising a shade body adapted to be selectively wound on a shaft in order to close, or not, an opening, such as a window or door of a building.

In order to avoid such a belt or strap dangling towards the floor, in particular when the shade body is in wound configuration, it is provided to arrange a strap winder near such an opening, such a winder comprising a spring of which a first end is directly or indirectly connected to the strap, while its 15 other end is connected to a fixed point, this spring being enclosed in a substantially cylindrical box arranged inside a body or covering as described in EP-A-0 812 795.

In known devices, for example those disclosed in EP-A-0 096 137, the box containing the spring is generally fixed on a stop element fast with the body or covering, the box comprising a central sleeve provided to be fitted around the afore-mentioned stop element. The box also comprises a peripheral part, most often called a "ring", provided to be rendered fast with one end of the strap and adapted to rotate about the sleeve and the stop element as a function of the position of the strap and of a possible effort of traction exerted on the latter by a user. During operation, this type of device is generally satisfactory. During manufacture, the spring of the winder is loaded, in that the spring is tensioned, 2 causing the ring to rotate with respect to the sleeve, the ring then being immobilized with respect to the sleeve by means of a removable catch cooperating with a lever fast with the sleeve. When the winder is placed in position, i.e. when the box is fixed on the body and the strap is connected, on the one hand, to the shutter or blind and, on the other hand, to the ring, the catch is withdrawn and the spring exerts a winding effort on the strap, through the ring. The initial value of tensioning or loading of the spring is therefore an average value adjusted in the factory. During installation, it is often necessary to adjust this value, in particular to take into account the exact location of the winder with respect to the shaft on which the shutter or blind is wound. In order to effect such adjustment, it is necessary to block the ring with respect to the *sleeve again, by repositioning the catch, then to release the ring with respect to the strap, i.e. completely unwind the strap. The catch should then be withdrawn, maintaining the ing in place, then the ring should be rotated in such a direction as to load the spring more or less. The catch should then be replaced in position, the strap re-installed around the ring and connected therewith, then the catch should be removed again.

This operation is long and requires particular care. In addition, the loading or tensioning of the spring is adjusted while the ring is disconnected from the strap, with the result that it is not possible for the installer to verify the tension obtained for the strap directly, during this adjustment. As a result, the installer must most often proceed iteratively, i.e. by successive adjustments in an attempt to obtain a suitable value. This step of the installation of a winder is therefore fastidious, to such an extent that certain installers may neglect it.

It is a particular object of the present invention to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a strap winder whose adjustment is largely facilitated with respect to the state of the art and which does not require disconnecting its ring with respect to the strap when the loading of the spring is adjusted.

To that end, the invention relates to a strap winder of the afore-mentioned type which comprises controlled means for selectively connecting the sleeve of the box in which the spring is arranged and the stop element on which this sleeve is mounted, these means being adapted to immobilize the sleeve in rotation about the stop element in a first configuration and to allow rotation of the sleeve about this stop element in a second configuration.

Thanks to the controlled connection means, adjustment is largely facilitated with respect to the devices of the state of the art, as the ring can be maintained fast with the strap while the sleeve is driven in rotation in order to increase or decrease the tension of the spring. During the operations of adjustment, it is therefore possible for the installer to verify the result of this rotation immediately by handling the strap which remains fast with the ring.

According to advantageous but non-compulsory aspects of the invention, the winder incorporates one or more of the following characteristics: the selective connection means are adapted to be controlled without dismanting the winder with respect to the envelope and/or with respect to the strap or the like.

the controlled means for selective connection comprise a locking member fast with the sleeve and mobile between a first position where it is immobilized in rotation about the stop element and a second position where it is adapted to rotate with respect to this stop element. This locking member is advantageously elastically loaded in the direction of the afore-mentioned first position, i.e. in position of locking. In this way, if the installer does not act on the locking member, the box of the spring is immobilized with respect to the body of the winder, which is necessary when the winder is used after installation thereof. The sleeve may be provided with at least one recess for receiving at least one tab of the locking member, for connecting the sleeve and the locking member in rotation by cooperation of shapes, this tab being adapted to slide in this recess in a direction substantially parallel to a principal axis of the sleeve. This arrangement allows the locking member and the sleeve to be connected in rotation, while allowing the displacement of the locking member between the first and second positions mentioned above. The stop element may also be provided with at least one housing for receiving at least one tongue of the locking member, for connection of the locking element and the member in rotation, by cooperation of shapes. In particular, this housing may be made inside the stop element which is tubular, the locking member penetrating partially inside this stop element. Finally, the locking member is advantageously mobile in a direction substantially parallel to the geometrical axis of the stop 15 element, between the first position where the afore-mentioned tongue is received in the afore-mentioned housing, and the second position where the tongue is disengaged with respect to this housing.

the sleeve is formed by rolling and bending a cut-out sheet. This particularly economical mode of manufacturing the sleeve allows massproduction to be envisaged with acceptable tolerances.

*The invention also relates to a mechanism for manoeuvring a shutter, roller blind, shade or the like, which comprises a strap winder as described hereinabove. Such a manoeuvring mechanism is easier to install and therefore more economical than the known devices, while it allows a precise adjustment of the tension of the strap that it comprises.

Finally, the invention relates to a process for adjusting the tension of a spring of a winder as described hereinabove, and more specifically, to a process which consists in: manoeuvring a member for locking a sleeve fast with one end of the spring with respect to a stop element fast with a body of the winder, so as to disconnect this sleeve from this stop element in rotation, rotating this sleeve about this stop element, in a direction tending to increase or decrease the tension of the spring, and again manoeuvring or releasing the locking member so as to connect the sleeve and the stop element again.

The invention will be more readily understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the following description of three "'*embodiments of a strap winder in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: :Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal section through a strap winder in 15 accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a section along line II-II of Figure 1.

•gig Figure 2A is a view similar to Figure 2 for a winder in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

-"Figure 3 is an exploded view in perspective of a strap winder in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a view on a larger scale of detail IV of Figure 3, the ring and o°°o S° the spring of the winder having been omitted.

Figure 5 is a side view of the device of Figures 3 and 4 in configuration of operation, part of its covering having been removed.

Figure 6 is a section along line VI-VI of Figure 5 while the device is in the afore-mentioned first configuration.

Figure 7 is a section similar to Figure 6 while the device is in the aforementioned second configuration.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the sleeve of the device of Figures 3 to 7 before shaping, and Figure 9 is a view in perspective of the shaped sleeve.

The winder 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is provided for winding a strap 2 controlling a roller blind. The winder 1 comprises a box 3 formed by a sleeve 4 and by a peripheral ring 5 and inside which a flat spring 6 is arranged. The box 3 is provided to be mounted on a stop element 7 in one piece with the envelope 8 of the winder which is shown partially. X-X' denotes the axis of symmery of the stop element 7 which is also a principal axis of elements 3 to The sleeve 4 forms two flanges 40 and 41 inside which sides 51 and 52 of the ring 5 penetrate.

A first end 61 of the spring 6 is rendered fast with an embossed portion 15 42 in the sleeve 4 while its opposite, second end 62 is rendered fast with the ring 5 by any apprd6priate means. When the winder 1 is in operation, the sleeve 4 is immobilized in rotation on the stop element 7 about axis X-X' while the ring 5 is capable of rotating about axis i.e. the sleeve 4, as a function of S" the tension of the strap 2.

A lever 43 extends the flange 40 radially over a small width. This lever is adapted to cooperate with a catch 53 mounted on the ring 5 to immobilize the elements 4 and 5 in rotation before the winder is installed. When the winder is positioned on the stop element 7, the catch 53 is withdrawn, with the result that the ring 5 can rotate about the sleeve 4.

According to the invention, a key 10 is disposed between the outer surface of the stop element 7, which is fluted, and the inner surface of the sleeve 4.

71 denotes the outer grooves of the stop element 7. The key 10 is mounted on a stirrup element 44 radially extending the sleeve 4 in the direction of axis This stirrup element defines, on each of its sides, two oblong slots 45 and 46 inside which are received two pins 10a and 10b fast with the key which is therefore adapted to slide in the direction of arrow F, in Figure 2, i.e.

radially with respect to axis X-X'.

A spring 11 is interposed between the sleeve 4 and the key 10 and exerts on the latter an effort F 2 directed towards axis This effort tends to apply the key 10 against the stop element 7.

The key 10 is provided with a rib lOc whose width is such that it can o penetrate in one of the grooves 71 as a function of the position of the sleeve 4 around the stop element 7.

.By default, i.e. in the absence of an effort exerted by a user on the key S" 15 the latter is pushed by the spring 11 in the configuration of Figure 2 where the cooperation of the rib 10c and of one of the grooves 71 leads to a firm immobilization in rotation of the sleeve 4, i.e. of the box 3, with respect to the stop element 7.

S"When the loading of the spring 6 is to be adjusted, it suffices for a user to .ooo.i disengage the key 10 with respect to the stop element 7 by lifting it against the effort F 2 in order to release the rib 10c from the groove 71 and thus cause the sleeve 4 to rotate freely about the stop element 7 in order to obtain the desired tension of the spring 6.

It then suffices for the user to release his/her effort against the spring 11 for the key 10 to be again applied against the stop element 7, the moment exerted by the spring 11 on the sleeve 4 tending to rotate the sleeve to such a 8 point that the rib 10c is forcibly brought opposite one of the grooves 71 in which it penetrates immediately under the effort of the effort F 2 due to the spring 11.

The key 10 thus constitutes a clip for controlled locking of the sleeve 4 with respect to the stop element 7.

According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2A where the same elements bear the same references as in Figures 1 and 2, the grooves 7i and the rib 10c may be inclined, this giving a preferential direction to the movement of rotation of the sleeve 4 with respect to the stop element 7.

This embodiment presents the particular advantage that the key or clip can be pushed against the effort F 2 by a manoeuvre consisting in rotating the sleeve 4 about the stop element 7 in the trigonometric direction in Figure 2A.

This has the effect of driving the rib 10c from the groove 71 in which it is engaged, as the inclined surfaces of this rib and of this groove together form 15 ramps for ejection of the rib 10c. In this way, a single movement of rotation of the sleeve 4, for example in the sense of loading the spring 6, has the effect both of releasing the clip 10 and of tensioning the spring 6.

In the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 to 8, the .elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear identical references oo 20 increased by 100. The winder 101 of this embodiment is provided for winding a strap 102 and comprises a box 103, formed by a sleeve 104 and a ring 105, 4*o* inside which is disposed a flat spring 106. X-X' denotes the principal axis of the box 103, i.e. of elements 104 to 106. A stop element 107 in the form of a hollow tube is integral with a shell 108 of the winder 101 provided with brackets 181 and 182 for assembly against a partition and with a brake 183 for the strap 102.

The sleeve 104 is adapted to be disposed about the stop element 107 of which the outer radial surface is substantially smooth and of which X-X' denotes the axis of symmetry. A ring 107a of greater thickness is formed on the outer radial surface of the stop element 107, in the vicinity of the shell 108.

A spring 111 is disposed inside the stop element 107 while an elastic part 110 made of plastics material is provided to obturate the end of the stop element 107 when the sleeve 104 is in place thereon.

The geometry of the part 110 is more clearly visible in Figure 4. This part 110 may be considered as a "clip" for locking the box 103 on the stop element 107 as it effectively serves for immobilizing the box 103 on the stop element 107. The clip 110 comprises a principal surface 112 substantially in the form of a disc and in which is formed an opening 113 in the form of a cross. From two radial projections 114 of the surface 112 there extend, parallel to a principal axis Xll 0 -X'll 0 of the clip 110, tabs 115, two in number per projections 114.

Each tab 115 is provided with a hook-shaped end 116 directed opposite the tab 115 borne by the same projection 114. In other words, the hooks 116 are directed towards the outside of the volume 117 defined between two adjacent 9999 tabs 115.

From the principal part 112, there also extend, parallel to axis X 110 -X'li 0 two elastic tongues 118 each provided with a head 119 projecting radially towards the outside of each tab 118 with respect to axis X, 1o-X' l0.

9 99 When the device is in mounted configuration, axes X-X' and X 110

-X'

1 1 0 merge.

The sleeve 104 is formed by rolling a sheet of metal 204 shown in Figure 8 and comprises three tongues 141, 141' and 142 intended to be curved radially towards the outside of the sleeve 104 in order to immobilize the sides of the ring 105 together. A lever 143 is also provided in the form of a tongue of greater length, this lever being adapted to cooperate with a catch formed by the head of a screw inserted in a tapping 153 provided in a side 151 of the ring 105.

The sleeve 104 also defines two recesses 145 and 146 for receiving the tabs 115 of the part 110. The sleeve 104 further comprises a tongue 147 intended to allow one end 161 of the spring 106 to be hooked, like the embossed portion 42 of the first embodiment.

The sleeve 104 comprises, over its width in Figure 8, a groove 104a obtained by striking, this groove being provided to cover the ring 107a when the device is in assembled configuration, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. In this way, the sleeve 104 is effectively maintained in position, by clipping by force, in the axial direction X-X' of the stop element 107.

~The inner surface 171 of the stop element 107 forms two substantially .diametrally opposite depressions 172 and 173, extending over a length 1. These S. :depressions 172 and 173 form housings for receiving the tongues 118 of the 15 part 110, and more specifically their heads 119.

In effect, as is more clearly visible in Figure 6, when the sleeve 104 is in place on the stop element 107 and when the part 110 has been positioned with respect to the sleeve 104 by positioning its tabs 115 in the recesses 145 and 146, S" the tongues 118 penetrate inside the stop element 107 and their heads 119 are received in the housings 172 and 173.

The cooperation of shapes of the tabs 115 and their hooks 116, on the one hand, and the recesses 145 and 146, on the other hand, ensures an immobilization in rotation of part 110 with respect to the sleeve 104.

In the position of Figure 6, the cooperation of shapes of the heads 119 and of the depressions 172 and 173 likewise ensures an immobilization in rotation of the clip 110 and of the stop element 107. In this way, the sleeve 104 11 is immobilized in rotation about axis X-X' by the clip 110.

When the loading of the spring 106 is to be adjusted, it suffices for a user to insert in the opening 113 the. tip of a PhillipsTM screwdriver, which has the effect of displacing the part 110 against an elastic effort F 2 generated by the spring 111 to attain the position of Figure 7. Such displacement is possible as the length 1' of the recesses 145 and 146 allows a displacement of the hooks 116 parallel to axis The effect of the displacement of the clip 110 is to drive the heads 119 from the depressions 172 and 173 to take them to a substantially cylindrical portion 174 of the surface 171. To that end, the transition surfaces 172a and 173a of the depressions 172 and 173 and of the cylindrical portion 174 are rounded and their shape corresponds to the geometry of the heads 119, i uwhich facilitates passage of these heads from the position of Figure 6 to that of Figure 7.

In the position of Figure 7, the heads 119 can rotate freely about axis Xo 15 X' as they are in abutment against the surface 174 which is cylindrical. In this position, it is therefore possible to rotate the sleeve 104 around the stop element 107, the part 110 being driven in rotation with the sleeve 104.

It is thus possible to adjust the tension of the spring 106 without disconnecting the strap 102 from the ring 105, the installer being able to verify, oo 20 by simple traction on the strap 102, the value of the loading or tensioning obtained for the spring 106.

*When the desired value is obtained, it suffices for him to release his pressure on the part 110 which is then pushed by the spring 111 thanks to the effort F' 2 exerted by the compressed spring 111 and returns into the position of Figure 6 where the sleeve 104 is immobilized in rotation about stop element 107.

The invention has been shown with two examples of locking members constituted by the key 10 of the first embodiment and by the clip 110 of the second embodiment. However, it is not limited to these embodiments and covers any controlled means for selectively connecting the sleeve and the stop element of a winder.

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Claims (13)

1. Winder for strap or the like for manoeuvring a shutter, roller blind, shade or the like, said roller comprising a spring of which a first end is fast with a ring, itself fast with said strap or the like, while the second end of said spring is fast with a sleeve disposed around a stop element fast with a body of said winder, said ring and said sleeve together forming a box for said spring, said ring being adapted to rotate about said sleeve, characterized in that it comprises means for selectively connecting said sleeve and said stop element, said means being adapted to immobilize said sleeve in rotation about said stop element in a first configuration and to allow rotation of the sleeve about this stop element in a second configuration.

2. Winder according to Claim 1, characterized in that said selective connection means are adapted to be controlled without dismantling of said winder with respect to said °"envelope and/or with respect to said strap or the like. 15

3. Winder according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said 0 controlled selective connection means comprise a locking member fast with said sleeve and mobile between a first position where it is immobilized in rotation about said stop element and a second position where it is capable of rotating with respect to said stop element.

4. Winder according to Claim 3, characterized in that said locking member is elastically loaded towards said first position.

Winder according to one of Claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said sleeve is provided with at least one recess for receiving at least one tab of said locking member, for connection in rotation of said sleeve and said member by cooperation of shapes, said -14- tab being adapted to slide in said recess in a direction substantially parallel to a principal axis of said sleeve.

6. Winder according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said stop element is provided with at least one housing for receiving at least one tongue of said locking member for connection in rotation of said stop element and said member by cooperation of shapes.

7. Winder according to Claim 6, characterized in that said housing is made inside said stop element which is tubular, said locking member penetrating partially inside said stop element.

8. Winder according to one of Claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said locking :member is mobile in a direction substantially parallel to a geometrical axis of said stop oo 0O o element, between said first position where said tongue is received in said housing, and said second position where said tongue is disengaged with respect to said housing.

9. Winder according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said sleeve go•• o is formed by rolling and bending a cut-out sheet.

10. Mechanism for manoeuvring a shutter, roller blind, shade or the like, characterized S.. in that it comprises a winder of a strap or the like according to one of the preceding Claims.

*11. Process for adjusting the tension of a spring of a winder of a strap or the like for manoeuvring a shutter, roller blind, shade or the like, characterized in that it consists in: manoeuvring a member for locking a sleeve fast with one end of said spring with respect to a stop element fast with a body of said winder, so as to disconnect said sleeve from said stop element in rotation, rotating said sleeve about said stop element, in a direction tending to increase or decrease the tension of the spring, and again manoeuvring or releasing said locking member so as to connect said sleeve and said stop element again.

12. A winder for strap or the like for manoeuvring a shutter, roller blind, shade or the like substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

13. A process for adjusting the tension of a spring of a winder for strap or the like for manoeuvring a shutter, roller blind, shade or the like substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the •i accompanying drawings and/or examples. DATED this 6th day of December, 2000 SIMBAC S.P.A. Attorney: KENNETH W. BOLTON 15 Registered Patent and Trade Mark Attorney of Australia ego* of BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS S* S S•