CA1225323A - Blind with light-transmitting slats and a method for making such slats - Google Patents
Blind with light-transmitting slats and a method for making such slatsInfo
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- CA1225323A CA1225323A CA000435066A CA435066A CA1225323A CA 1225323 A CA1225323 A CA 1225323A CA 000435066 A CA000435066 A CA 000435066A CA 435066 A CA435066 A CA 435066A CA 1225323 A CA1225323 A CA 1225323A
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- slats
- strip
- slat
- blind
- light
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A blind having an interior side an an exterior side and having a plurality of elongated slats. The slats are made of a flexible and generally resilient polycarbonate plastic material having selected light-transmitting qualities. Each slat has generally V-shaped transverse cross sectional configuration in which a first portion and a second portion of the slat correspond to the two sides of the V, intersecting at an angle of 90° to 160°. Means are provided for suspending the slats in parallel relation, the suspension means being adapted to rotate the slats about their longitudinal axes between an inwardly facing position, in which the upper surfaces of the slats are presented at the interior side of the blind with the first portions of the slats substantially co-planar, and an outwardly facing portion, in which the upper surfaces are presented at the exterior side of the blind and the second portions of the slats are substantially co-planar. The slats are held at a distance from each other such that when the slats are in one of the inwardly facing and outwardly facing positions, the portions of the slats not then co-planar extend sufficiently far toward the slat immediately adjacent thereto as to overlap the immediately adjacent slat, to prevent the passage of light in a direction generally normal to the co-planar portions of the slats without that light being interrupted by the slats.
A blind having an interior side an an exterior side and having a plurality of elongated slats. The slats are made of a flexible and generally resilient polycarbonate plastic material having selected light-transmitting qualities. Each slat has generally V-shaped transverse cross sectional configuration in which a first portion and a second portion of the slat correspond to the two sides of the V, intersecting at an angle of 90° to 160°. Means are provided for suspending the slats in parallel relation, the suspension means being adapted to rotate the slats about their longitudinal axes between an inwardly facing position, in which the upper surfaces of the slats are presented at the interior side of the blind with the first portions of the slats substantially co-planar, and an outwardly facing portion, in which the upper surfaces are presented at the exterior side of the blind and the second portions of the slats are substantially co-planar. The slats are held at a distance from each other such that when the slats are in one of the inwardly facing and outwardly facing positions, the portions of the slats not then co-planar extend sufficiently far toward the slat immediately adjacent thereto as to overlap the immediately adjacent slat, to prevent the passage of light in a direction generally normal to the co-planar portions of the slats without that light being interrupted by the slats.
Description
BLIND WITH LIGHT-TRANSMITTING SLATS
AND A MUTED FOR MAKING SUCH SLATS
The present invention relates to blinds in general and, in particular, to blinds having rotatable, liyht-transmitting slats.
BACKGROUND OF ART
The at is generally cognizant of blinds having slats adapted to transmit at least some of the light that lo in1pinges on them. Malone, U.S. Patent No. 3,645,317 shows a conventional Venetian blink in which the slats are covered with a thin layer of metal to reflect unwanted infer red radiation and yet remain generally transparent to visible light. In the closed pOSitiOII, the slats of Malone overlap, doubling the liyilt-blockiny effect of the blind.
The art is Allah cognizant of blinds that have a selected color on one face and a second color on the other face. An example is Squealer, U.S. Patent No. 4t336,834.
The use of blind slats bent along their longitudinal axis so as to acquire a crows sectional configuration similar to an inverted V is also known. examples include Burled, et at., U.S. Patent No. 4,091,592, Trenton, U.S.
. O " , Jo , Patent No. 2,318,525, and Ehrenfeld, U.S. Patent No. 2,315,605. Thompson et at. U.S. Patent No. 3,217,631, shows a similar configuration employed as a fixed louver. In each case, the bent slat is opaque sod is adapted not to be turned about its longitudinal axis. The purpose of the bent configuration of the slats is to block light or provide privacy while allowing a substantial flow of air.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is summarized in that a blind having an interior aide and an exterior side includes a plurality of elongated slats made of a flexible and generally resilient material having selected light-transmitting qualities. Each slat is cold formed to provide a transverse cross sectional configuration in which a first longitudinally extending portion and a second longitudinally extending portion of the slat intersect to form a selected angle of 90~ to 160. Means are provided for suspending the slats in parallel relation, the suspension means being adapted to rotate the slats about their longitudinal axes between an inwardly facing position, in which the upper surfaces of the slats are presented at the interior side of the blind with the first portions of the slats lying substantially within a single plane, and an outwardly facing position, in which the upper surfaces are presented at the exterior side of the blind and the second portions of the slats lie generally within a single plane. The suspension means is further adapted to hold the slats at a distance from each other such that when the slats are in one of the inwardly facing and outwardly facing positions the portions of the slats not then co-planar extend sufficiently fax toward the slat immediately adjacent thereto as to overlap the immediately adjacent slat, to prevent the passage of light in a direction generally normal to the co-planar portions of the slats without that light being interrupted by the slats.
AND A MUTED FOR MAKING SUCH SLATS
The present invention relates to blinds in general and, in particular, to blinds having rotatable, liyht-transmitting slats.
BACKGROUND OF ART
The at is generally cognizant of blinds having slats adapted to transmit at least some of the light that lo in1pinges on them. Malone, U.S. Patent No. 3,645,317 shows a conventional Venetian blink in which the slats are covered with a thin layer of metal to reflect unwanted infer red radiation and yet remain generally transparent to visible light. In the closed pOSitiOII, the slats of Malone overlap, doubling the liyilt-blockiny effect of the blind.
The art is Allah cognizant of blinds that have a selected color on one face and a second color on the other face. An example is Squealer, U.S. Patent No. 4t336,834.
The use of blind slats bent along their longitudinal axis so as to acquire a crows sectional configuration similar to an inverted V is also known. examples include Burled, et at., U.S. Patent No. 4,091,592, Trenton, U.S.
. O " , Jo , Patent No. 2,318,525, and Ehrenfeld, U.S. Patent No. 2,315,605. Thompson et at. U.S. Patent No. 3,217,631, shows a similar configuration employed as a fixed louver. In each case, the bent slat is opaque sod is adapted not to be turned about its longitudinal axis. The purpose of the bent configuration of the slats is to block light or provide privacy while allowing a substantial flow of air.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is summarized in that a blind having an interior aide and an exterior side includes a plurality of elongated slats made of a flexible and generally resilient material having selected light-transmitting qualities. Each slat is cold formed to provide a transverse cross sectional configuration in which a first longitudinally extending portion and a second longitudinally extending portion of the slat intersect to form a selected angle of 90~ to 160. Means are provided for suspending the slats in parallel relation, the suspension means being adapted to rotate the slats about their longitudinal axes between an inwardly facing position, in which the upper surfaces of the slats are presented at the interior side of the blind with the first portions of the slats lying substantially within a single plane, and an outwardly facing position, in which the upper surfaces are presented at the exterior side of the blind and the second portions of the slats lie generally within a single plane. The suspension means is further adapted to hold the slats at a distance from each other such that when the slats are in one of the inwardly facing and outwardly facing positions the portions of the slats not then co-planar extend sufficiently fax toward the slat immediately adjacent thereto as to overlap the immediately adjacent slat, to prevent the passage of light in a direction generally normal to the co-planar portions of the slats without that light being interrupted by the slats.
- 2 -53~
A primary object of the invention is to provide for a blind structure that is adapted to substantially cover an opening to reduce the glare and light entering through the opening but to achieve this end without blocking all of top light that passes there through.
The predominant visual effect of the slats of the blind it that thy present a substantially planar surface to the viewer while still allowing for air passage there through.
The blind is capable of being selectively turned to a first position, in which the blind has a first light-transmltting quality, and a second position, in which the blind has a second and different light-transmitting quality.
With the blind of this invention the slats are divided into longitudinally extending portions of differing light transmitting abilities or colors, and the slats are adapted to exhibit predominantly one or the other light-transmitting quality or color to an observer of the blind.
The blind and slats also preferably exhibits self-extinguishing burning characteristics.
The method for making blinds having the qualities referred to above also produces blind slats are strong but nevertheless light and thin enough to be conveniently drawn up to the top of the blind, with a minimum of effort, into a slender stack of slats.
Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken on conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of a blind exemplifying the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIE DRAWINGS
Fly. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a blind for a window made in accord with the principles of the invention.
Fly. 2 is a perspective view of broken away portions of several of the adjacent slats of the blind of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the slats of Fig. 2 in a closed position.
Fly. 4 is a perspective view of the slats of Fly. 2 in an alternative closed position.
Fly. 5 is a schematic representation of a manufacturing aLran~ement for the blind of the invention.
ivy. 6 is a schematic side elevation view of a pair of forming rollers.
jig. 7 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 4 showing an alternative embodiment of the slats of the invention, with several slats broken away.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION E; TIRE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring lore particularly to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like warts, Fly. 1 shows a blind generally indicated at 10, made in accord with the resent invention The blind 10 shown is especially adapted to be used to cover a window, but the blind of the invention may ye used to cover other openings or to provide a screen independent of an openincJ. For convenience of reference, the blind 10 is deterrlined to have an interior side 11 and exterior side 13. A head rail 12 extends across the top of the blind 10 and is adapted to be mounted horizontally. The head rail 12 includes a tilt rod (not shown) extending lengthwise therein all adapted to turn about its longitudinal axis. Ladders 14 made of string or other flexible materials extend downwardly from the head rail 12. Each ladder ills parallel side strands 16 connected by spaced runts 18, shown in phantom in Fig. 1.
The side strands are wound on the tilt roll, so that, as tile tilt rod is rotated about its longitudinal axis one way or the other, each side strand 16 of each ladder 14 is alternately raised or lowered. Preferably a wand 20 is provided that is attached to the tilt rod by a conventional mechanical linkage (not shown) such that when the wan is turned about its longitudinal axis, the tilt rod turns in a correspolldiny fashion.
The blink I has elongated slats 22 that, in the embodiment shown in Fly. 1, extend the width of the blind and are Cypriot by rungs 18 of at least two ladders 14 or by comparable means for support. In the embodiment of the irlventioll Shelley in Fig. 7, the rungs 18 are omitted, and adhesive tabs 23 are employed as an alternative means for support. The tabs 23 are flexibly attached to the side strands 16, effectively moving in hinged relation thereto. The tabs 23 are securely adhered to the slats 22, to support them on the side strands 16. Other conventional support means are familiar to one skilled in the art and fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.
As the side strands 16 of the ladders 14 are moved as a consequence of tile rotation of the tilt rod, each slat 22 may be coated about its longitudinal axis in concert with the other slats. Each slat has an upper surface 24 and all under surface 26. The slats 22 may be held in a neutral position, shown in Fix. 2, in which the upper surface 24 is presented toward the head rail 12. From tins neutral position, the slats may be rotated to an inwardly facing position, shown in Fly. 3, in which the upper surface 24 is presented at the interior side 11 of the blind 10, and to an outwardly facing position, shown in Fly. 4, in which the upper surface 24 is presented at the exterior side 13 of the blind.
'Lowe ladders 14, with their side strands 16 and rungs I (ox equivalent support means such as the adhesive tabs 23) constitute means for suspension of the slats 22 adapted to selectively rotate the slats about their longitudinal axe. Clearly alternative suspension means are possible. Slats 22 could be supported from their ends and rotated by ally of Many meals known in the auto The ;
ISLE
susperlsion means Shelley is adapted to support the slats 22 in a generally horizolltal orientation. However, conventional suspension means are known whereby the slats 22 could be held so as to extend cJenerally vertically.
All such alternative embodiments are within) the scope and spirit of the invention.
In the embodiment shown in Fix. 1, a sill rail 28 is located beneath the slat 22 most emote from the head rail 12. 'rho side strands 16 of the wadders 14 are fastened to the sill rail, which rotates along its longitudinal axis as the slats 22 are rotated. Each slat 22 has cord slots 30 extending between the upper and under surface 24, 26 thereof. Each slat 22 has at least two cord slots 30, each slot preferably located at a point at which the slat is supported by the support means of a ladder 14. Lift cords 32 extend from the sill rail 2B upwardly through each set of corresuos~ding cord slots 30 of the slats 22.
The lift cords 32 extend to the head rail 12 and are routed over pulleys or comparable mechanisms (not shown) to a convenient side location. Preferably a cord lock (not shown) it fastened to the head rail 12, and the lift cords 32 are routed there through. The cord lock is adapted to selectively lock and release the lift cords 32, so that a user of the blind may pull the lift cords 32, moving the sill rail I and the slats 22 to a raised position, and then lock the lift cords 32 by means of the cord lock to cause that raised position to be maintained.
The roared embodilslellt of toe slat 22 of the invention has a V-shaped transverse cross sectional configuration, as is apparent in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.
Preferably the V-shape opens generally downwardly, but a yenerall~ upwardly opening orientation is also possible, as are sideways opelliny orientations in the event that the slats are held vertically by an alternative suspension means, as is discussed above. All such alternative embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the invention. Each slat has a first portion 34 and second portion 36 corresponding to the two sides of the V. the first and second portions 34, 36 intersect (at the apex of ~2S323 tile V) at an angle A. The angle A is selected to be generally between 90 and 160, with all of the slats 22 within a single blind 10 exhi~itiny the same angle A.
The first and second portions 34, 3G form the interior and exterior portion respectively of the slat 22 when it is in the neutral position. The first and second portions 34, 36 terminate in first and second edges 38, 40 that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slat 22.
When the slats 22 of the blind 10 are in the inwardly facirlg position, the first portion 34 of each of the slats I lies substantially within a single vertical plalle, as can be appreciated by reference to Fig. 3. Similarly, when the slats 22 are in the outwardly facillg position, the second portion 36 Ivies generally within a single vertical plalle, as is illustrated in ivy 4. Preferably the distance between the support means of the ladders 14 is selected to be SUCtl that when the slats 22 are in the inwardly facing position, the second portion 36 of each slat extends sufficiently aye toward the slat 22 iml;lediately adjacent thereto to overlap the first portion 34 of the adjacent slat 22. Similarly when the slats 22 are in the outwardly facing position, the first portion 34 of each slat extends sufficiently far toward the slat I
immediately adjacent thereto to overlap the second portion 36 of the adjacellt slat. Thus, when the slats 22 are in either the inwardly or outwardly facing position, light cannot sass through the blind 10 in a direction generally normal to the common plane in which either the first or second portions 34, 36 of the slats 22 lie without impinging on the slats.
The basic V cross sectional slat shape disclosed has various advantages, includillg those disclosed herein.
Ilowever~ it will be apparent to one swilled in the art that two such V shaves may be combined to create related shapes. For example, two V-shaped slats joined at an eye I 40 of each (off expressed alternatively, having a portion 34, I in common) with both V's opening generally in the same direction form a flat-bottomed channel. Two V's similarly joined but opening in generally opposite ;;3~3 directions form a Z-sllaped cross sectional shape.
Similarly, the first and second portions of Roth single and corllbined V's may differ in length, all within the scope and spirit of the invention.
The slots 22 are made of a material having selected light transmitting qualities. Preferably at least one of the first and second portions 34, 36 is transparent so that a user of the blilld 10 may see out through the transparent portions with minimal obstruction. If the first portions 34 are transparent and the slats 22 are in the inwardly facing position with the first portions substantially within d single plane, a minimum of distortion of the view seen through the blind 10 will occur. In the event the second portion 36 is transparent, the same analysis holds when the slats 22 are in the outwardly facing position. The transparent material from which the slats 22 Jay be made may be colored to screen out glare or provide an anesthetically pleasing tint when viewed from either the interior or exterior sides 11, 13.
I've transparent material may be blackened to a desired shade. Likewise, a transparent material Inlay be selected that is opaque to ultra violet fight or any selected range of light wavelengths. Alternatively, the slats 22 may be made of a material that both transmits and diffuses visible light, a quality that hereinafter will be referred to as n translucency In one referred embodiment of the invention, the first and second portions 34, I of the slats 22 are made of the same material and have the same light-transmitting qualities. Louvre, in an alternative embodiment, the liyht-transmitting abilities of the first and second portions differ. Thus, one portion may be transparent and have a selected color. Roy remaining portion may be transparent and of a different color, translucency, opaqueness, reflectiveness, or the like. It will be appreciated that in either the inwardly facing or outwardly facing pOSitiOllS, whichever portions 34, 36 of the slats 22 are substantially co-planar will be responsible for the predominating effect on light passing -I q~3 through the blind 10 in a direction generally normal to the plane. Thus, slats 22 in which the first and second portions 34, 36 hstve different colors may be changed from the inwardly facing to the outwardly facing position with the effect of changing the perceived color of the blind 10. One of the first and second portions 34, 36 may be made darker than the other, allowing the selection of the degree to which the glare of a bright day can be eliminated.
If the ankle A is made approximately equal to 90, as is shown in Fig. 7, and if one of the first and second portions 34, 36 is made of a material that is translucent, opaque, or reflective, that portion can be moved to the co-planar position and completely obstruct the view through the blind, providing privacy, darkness, the reflection of radiant energy, or comparable effects, depend on the nature of the material used. The other portion may be transparent, for example, providing in a single blind 10 the option of subjecting substantially all of the light entering through the blind to two entirely different light modifying treatments.
The slats 22 of the invention may be made of any suitable, sufficiently rigid material. It is preferred that the slats be made of plastic, polycarbonate plastics being preferred. The term "polycarbonate" as used herein includes alloys of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate plastics alloyed with ABS plastics are known in the art and likewise art well suited to many embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. A wide variety of light transmitting qualities may be imparted to such plastics, by mixing coloring material in with the plastic when it is formulated, coating plastic stock material on either one or all sides, laminating, and the live. Such plastics may by immersed in or sprayed with materials that chemically bond with the plastic, may be painted or otherwise treated with materials that simply adhere to the surface of the underlying plastic, or may be subjected to a mechanical surface treatment selected to render a transparent plastic translucent as, for example, by roughening the surface. Selected parts of a slat 22 may by subject to such treatments independent of the rest of the slat.
_ g _ to Polycarbollate plastics are preferred also because they have important fire-resisting qualities. Such plastics are available that, in thicknesses of 0.062 inches, achieve an SE-l ("self-extinguishiny--l") rating under the Underwriters Lab flammability Test Bulletin 94~ and an SE
("self-extinyuishing~) rating under the ASTIR D635-68 flammability test. Bromine-modified forms of the plastic are available that, whelp subjected to the same tests and in the same thicknesses, attain an SE-O Underwriters Lab rating and an Lowe ("l30n-burning") ASTM D635-68 rating. The ~olycarbonate plastics sold by the General Electric Comply under the trademark ALEX AN" are examples of such plastics. Favorable flammability characteristics are very important when many slats 22 are used even in a sibyl blink 10. Control of fire hazards is even more important when many blinds 10 are located within a riven area or Building .
In the method for making slats 22 of the invention, a strip 42 of planar, plastic stock material of a selected width is prepared. commonly plastic is manufactured in rolls of considerable width, in which case strips 42 may be prepared having a width substantially that of the slat 22 to be manufactured my sawincJ, shearillg, or the like Preferably, the strip 42 of planar, plastic stock material so wrapper is of indefinite length and is of sufficient flexibility that the strip may be stored as a reel 44 for convenient Heinlein.
he strip 42 is then cold-formed to impart to it the V
shape disclosed above. "Cold-formillg~ is the process of Shannon the shape of a stock material by mechanical manipulation without the application of heat sufficient to renter the stock material plastic. Preferably, the strip 42 is directed lengthwise between male and female forming rolls 4G, 48. The focminy rolls 46, I are generally circular and are adapted to rotate about their central axes.
The male Eorlniny roll I has an annular male forming merger 50 that terminates in a V-shaped male forming surface 52. The apex of the male forming surface 52 has a radius selected to impart a generally V-shaped transverse cross sectional configuration to the strip 42 in which first and second portions of the strip (destined to become the first and second portions 34, 36 of the slat 22 being formed) correspond to the two sides of the V, intersecting at the apex of the V at the selected ankle A of 90 to 160 desired in the finished slat 22.
The furl forming roll 48 has two, annular female forming members 54 separated by a selected distance.
Preferably the female forming members 54 terminate in a generally rounded female forming surfaces 56, although the female forming surface may also be flat, or even present an eye toward the male forming roll 46, all within the scope and Spoil it of the invention. The axes of the male an female forming rolls 4G, 43 are oriented parallel to each outlawry with the male forming surface 52 extending between the female forming surfaces 56. As a strip 42 is directed between the male and female forming rolls, 46, 48, the male forming surface 52 deflects the strip into a V shape of the sort exhibited by the slats 22~ as disclosed above. The male forming roll 46 is so located relative to the female forming roll 48 that as the male forming surface 52 is inserted further and further between the female forming surfaces 56, the ankle A imparted to the strip 42, corresponding to the ankle A as defined relative to slats 22, is made smaller and smaller alternative means for cold-forminy the strip 42 are possible. For example, either one or both of the generally circular forming rolls 46, I disclosed above may be replaced by endless Betsy. Such bullets may be held tautly by pulleys or be otherwise supported in an orientation relative to each other analogous to that disclosed for the circular forming rules 46, 48. One belt ran present outwardly a male forming surface analogous to that discussed above. The male forming surface may ye inserted between two parallel belts, each presenting one female forming surface toward the male forming surface.
It will be apparent that circular forming rolls and such endless belts may be used together, as well. For example, issue one or more male forming rolls 46, having the structure disclosed above, may be used with a pair of endless belts each presenting a female forming surface toward the male forming roll, one on either side thereof. The use of such systems as well as the use of breaks and other cold-forming machinery known in the art, is well within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Many plastics exhibit a pronounced resilience, requiring that they be considerably deformed before the elastic limit of the plastic is exceeded and a permanently remaining shape may be successfully impacted to the plastic in a cold-forming process. As a consequence, gradual curves are difficult to impart to certain plastics by a cold-Eorming process. The plastic can be deformed lo into those curves while held between the forming members, but, if the curve is within the elastic limit of the plastic, when the forming members are withdrawn, the plastic returns to its original shape. Thus, the radius of the apex of the male forming surface 52 must be chosen to be such that the deformation of the plastic strip 42 over that radius is sufficient to exceed the elastic limit of the strip When a flat piece of material having a given thickness is bent, the part to the outside of the bend experiences the greatest strain. Thus, the elastic limit in the piece of material is exceeded first in that part, to result in a permanent change of shape. As the material is selected to be increasingly thick, the elastic limit is exceeded with wends of increasingly large radii. When polycarbonate plastics are used to make slats 22, it has been found desirable to restrict the thickness of the slats to 1/16 inch or less. This is done to minimize weight, bulkiness, and expense, 1/16 inch polycaKbonate plastic can be cold-formed will a male forming surface 52 having an apex with a radius of 1/4 inch or less. The preferred slat thickness when the slats 22 are made of polycarbonate plastic is from 0.0l5 to 0.030 inches, in which case it has been found desirable to reduce the radius nearly to 0 and in any event to not more than 1/8 inch. Polycarbonate ~2~5~23 slats 22 of this thickness are lightweight and easily manipulated. Because of the V-shaped cross sectional configuration disclosed above, the slats 22 are desirably stiff and do not sag between the supporting means or at the ends of tube slats, even when the thickness is less than 0.015 inches. Nevertheless, the polycarbonate material is sufficiently flexible and resilient to withstand a great deal of the bending and flexing incidental to the normal use of a blind.
It Many plastics exhibit memory," the tendency to return to or toward an undeformed state after deformation.
Consequently, it is sometimes necessary to impart an initial deformation to the strip 42 that exceeds that eventually desired. Then, after the strip 42 has exhibited such memory as it has been determined by experiment to have, tile final deforl,lation will be the desired one. The degree of deformation can be controlled by so locating the male and female forming rolls 46, 4 relative to each other that the male forming surface 52 extends increasingly between the female forming members 54. Depending on the plastic used to make the strip 42, it may be desirable to direct the strip between a series of male and female forming rolls 46, 48, as is illustrated schematically in Fig. 5, each pair of rolls increasingly deforming the strip to achieve a final. degree of Reformation.
The preferred plastic from which to prepare the strip 42 is yolycarbonate plastic material of tile sort discussed above. SUctl plastics may be conveniently coated with an acrylic plastic material to impart. desired liyht-translnittin~ qualities to the strip 42. The polycarbonate plastic is immersed in a solvent containing the acrylic plastic, which is deposited Oil the surface of the strip 42. Acrylic plastics are generally more brittle than polycarbollate plastics and cannot be conveniently cold-for-r,le~, especially when considerable deformation is required. Consequently, when an acrylic-coated ~olycarbonate plastic strip 42 is prepared, it is desirable to float the strip to a temperature of at least 125F but not more than 200F before subjecting the strip to cold-forminy. This is especially desirable when an acrylic coating is applied to both surfaces of the strip 42. The acrylic-coated strip 42 should not be S elevated in temperature to the point that the rigidity of the polycarbonate plastic is substantially changed.
However, by heating the strip within the temperature range indicated, the acrylic plastic coating is rendered thermoplastic and capable of moving with the polycarbonate plastic strip through the cold-forming process without separating therefrom or otherwise being rendered unsatisfactory. The result is a conformed plastic strip I having a surface coated with acrylic plastic exhibiting a hardness and optical qualities unobtainable in uncoated I polycarbonate plastic.
Either before or after the strip 42 has been deformed by the male and female formillg rolls 46, 48, is is directed to conventional punches adapted to cut potions of the strip to desired slat lengths and to create cord slots 30. Such punches are shown schematically in Fig. 5, where first punch 58 is adapted to create cord slots 30.
The strip 42 is then advanced through a second punch 60 until the desired slat length extends beyond the second punch. The second punch 60 is adapted to cut off the slat 22, imparting a desirably curved contour both to the end of the slat 22 so separated from the strip 42 and to the now leading end of the strip 42 remaining. By this means, a single punch 60 in one step imparts the desired shape to the trailing end of first slat 22 and the leading end of the next slat 22. The slats 22 so formed may be fed into the ladders 14 and suspended upon rungs 18 or other support means, as disclosed above, by conventional automatic machinery.
It will be appreciated that the method of manufacture disclosed above has many advantages. The method provides for a continuous feed of stock material and a continuous production of slats 22. As opposed to a molding process, the cold-forming process is fast and efficiently requires no molding time or the procurement of sophisticated : '.
;23 molds. The male and female forming rolls 46, 48 may be adjustable so that a single forming operation may be adapted to manufacture swats 22 exhibiting a variety of angles A. Furthermore, since the process is one of cold forming the movement of the strip 42 may be interrupted or periodic if that is desirable to aid the fullctioning of the punches or other aspects of the machinery. Upon being stopped in its movement through the cold-forming machinery, no portion of the strip 42 remains lo between heated rollers that might cause it to be unevenly deformed.
It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts illustrated and disclosed, nor to the particular materials disclosed, nor to the particular steps disclosed herein. Instead, it embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.
A primary object of the invention is to provide for a blind structure that is adapted to substantially cover an opening to reduce the glare and light entering through the opening but to achieve this end without blocking all of top light that passes there through.
The predominant visual effect of the slats of the blind it that thy present a substantially planar surface to the viewer while still allowing for air passage there through.
The blind is capable of being selectively turned to a first position, in which the blind has a first light-transmltting quality, and a second position, in which the blind has a second and different light-transmitting quality.
With the blind of this invention the slats are divided into longitudinally extending portions of differing light transmitting abilities or colors, and the slats are adapted to exhibit predominantly one or the other light-transmitting quality or color to an observer of the blind.
The blind and slats also preferably exhibits self-extinguishing burning characteristics.
The method for making blinds having the qualities referred to above also produces blind slats are strong but nevertheless light and thin enough to be conveniently drawn up to the top of the blind, with a minimum of effort, into a slender stack of slats.
Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken on conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of a blind exemplifying the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIE DRAWINGS
Fly. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a blind for a window made in accord with the principles of the invention.
Fly. 2 is a perspective view of broken away portions of several of the adjacent slats of the blind of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the slats of Fig. 2 in a closed position.
Fly. 4 is a perspective view of the slats of Fly. 2 in an alternative closed position.
Fly. 5 is a schematic representation of a manufacturing aLran~ement for the blind of the invention.
ivy. 6 is a schematic side elevation view of a pair of forming rollers.
jig. 7 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 4 showing an alternative embodiment of the slats of the invention, with several slats broken away.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION E; TIRE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring lore particularly to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like warts, Fly. 1 shows a blind generally indicated at 10, made in accord with the resent invention The blind 10 shown is especially adapted to be used to cover a window, but the blind of the invention may ye used to cover other openings or to provide a screen independent of an openincJ. For convenience of reference, the blind 10 is deterrlined to have an interior side 11 and exterior side 13. A head rail 12 extends across the top of the blind 10 and is adapted to be mounted horizontally. The head rail 12 includes a tilt rod (not shown) extending lengthwise therein all adapted to turn about its longitudinal axis. Ladders 14 made of string or other flexible materials extend downwardly from the head rail 12. Each ladder ills parallel side strands 16 connected by spaced runts 18, shown in phantom in Fig. 1.
The side strands are wound on the tilt roll, so that, as tile tilt rod is rotated about its longitudinal axis one way or the other, each side strand 16 of each ladder 14 is alternately raised or lowered. Preferably a wand 20 is provided that is attached to the tilt rod by a conventional mechanical linkage (not shown) such that when the wan is turned about its longitudinal axis, the tilt rod turns in a correspolldiny fashion.
The blink I has elongated slats 22 that, in the embodiment shown in Fly. 1, extend the width of the blind and are Cypriot by rungs 18 of at least two ladders 14 or by comparable means for support. In the embodiment of the irlventioll Shelley in Fig. 7, the rungs 18 are omitted, and adhesive tabs 23 are employed as an alternative means for support. The tabs 23 are flexibly attached to the side strands 16, effectively moving in hinged relation thereto. The tabs 23 are securely adhered to the slats 22, to support them on the side strands 16. Other conventional support means are familiar to one skilled in the art and fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.
As the side strands 16 of the ladders 14 are moved as a consequence of tile rotation of the tilt rod, each slat 22 may be coated about its longitudinal axis in concert with the other slats. Each slat has an upper surface 24 and all under surface 26. The slats 22 may be held in a neutral position, shown in Fix. 2, in which the upper surface 24 is presented toward the head rail 12. From tins neutral position, the slats may be rotated to an inwardly facing position, shown in Fly. 3, in which the upper surface 24 is presented at the interior side 11 of the blind 10, and to an outwardly facing position, shown in Fly. 4, in which the upper surface 24 is presented at the exterior side 13 of the blind.
'Lowe ladders 14, with their side strands 16 and rungs I (ox equivalent support means such as the adhesive tabs 23) constitute means for suspension of the slats 22 adapted to selectively rotate the slats about their longitudinal axe. Clearly alternative suspension means are possible. Slats 22 could be supported from their ends and rotated by ally of Many meals known in the auto The ;
ISLE
susperlsion means Shelley is adapted to support the slats 22 in a generally horizolltal orientation. However, conventional suspension means are known whereby the slats 22 could be held so as to extend cJenerally vertically.
All such alternative embodiments are within) the scope and spirit of the invention.
In the embodiment shown in Fix. 1, a sill rail 28 is located beneath the slat 22 most emote from the head rail 12. 'rho side strands 16 of the wadders 14 are fastened to the sill rail, which rotates along its longitudinal axis as the slats 22 are rotated. Each slat 22 has cord slots 30 extending between the upper and under surface 24, 26 thereof. Each slat 22 has at least two cord slots 30, each slot preferably located at a point at which the slat is supported by the support means of a ladder 14. Lift cords 32 extend from the sill rail 2B upwardly through each set of corresuos~ding cord slots 30 of the slats 22.
The lift cords 32 extend to the head rail 12 and are routed over pulleys or comparable mechanisms (not shown) to a convenient side location. Preferably a cord lock (not shown) it fastened to the head rail 12, and the lift cords 32 are routed there through. The cord lock is adapted to selectively lock and release the lift cords 32, so that a user of the blind may pull the lift cords 32, moving the sill rail I and the slats 22 to a raised position, and then lock the lift cords 32 by means of the cord lock to cause that raised position to be maintained.
The roared embodilslellt of toe slat 22 of the invention has a V-shaped transverse cross sectional configuration, as is apparent in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.
Preferably the V-shape opens generally downwardly, but a yenerall~ upwardly opening orientation is also possible, as are sideways opelliny orientations in the event that the slats are held vertically by an alternative suspension means, as is discussed above. All such alternative embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the invention. Each slat has a first portion 34 and second portion 36 corresponding to the two sides of the V. the first and second portions 34, 36 intersect (at the apex of ~2S323 tile V) at an angle A. The angle A is selected to be generally between 90 and 160, with all of the slats 22 within a single blind 10 exhi~itiny the same angle A.
The first and second portions 34, 3G form the interior and exterior portion respectively of the slat 22 when it is in the neutral position. The first and second portions 34, 36 terminate in first and second edges 38, 40 that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slat 22.
When the slats 22 of the blind 10 are in the inwardly facirlg position, the first portion 34 of each of the slats I lies substantially within a single vertical plalle, as can be appreciated by reference to Fig. 3. Similarly, when the slats 22 are in the outwardly facillg position, the second portion 36 Ivies generally within a single vertical plalle, as is illustrated in ivy 4. Preferably the distance between the support means of the ladders 14 is selected to be SUCtl that when the slats 22 are in the inwardly facing position, the second portion 36 of each slat extends sufficiently aye toward the slat 22 iml;lediately adjacent thereto to overlap the first portion 34 of the adjacent slat 22. Similarly when the slats 22 are in the outwardly facing position, the first portion 34 of each slat extends sufficiently far toward the slat I
immediately adjacent thereto to overlap the second portion 36 of the adjacellt slat. Thus, when the slats 22 are in either the inwardly or outwardly facing position, light cannot sass through the blind 10 in a direction generally normal to the common plane in which either the first or second portions 34, 36 of the slats 22 lie without impinging on the slats.
The basic V cross sectional slat shape disclosed has various advantages, includillg those disclosed herein.
Ilowever~ it will be apparent to one swilled in the art that two such V shaves may be combined to create related shapes. For example, two V-shaped slats joined at an eye I 40 of each (off expressed alternatively, having a portion 34, I in common) with both V's opening generally in the same direction form a flat-bottomed channel. Two V's similarly joined but opening in generally opposite ;;3~3 directions form a Z-sllaped cross sectional shape.
Similarly, the first and second portions of Roth single and corllbined V's may differ in length, all within the scope and spirit of the invention.
The slots 22 are made of a material having selected light transmitting qualities. Preferably at least one of the first and second portions 34, 36 is transparent so that a user of the blilld 10 may see out through the transparent portions with minimal obstruction. If the first portions 34 are transparent and the slats 22 are in the inwardly facing position with the first portions substantially within d single plane, a minimum of distortion of the view seen through the blind 10 will occur. In the event the second portion 36 is transparent, the same analysis holds when the slats 22 are in the outwardly facing position. The transparent material from which the slats 22 Jay be made may be colored to screen out glare or provide an anesthetically pleasing tint when viewed from either the interior or exterior sides 11, 13.
I've transparent material may be blackened to a desired shade. Likewise, a transparent material Inlay be selected that is opaque to ultra violet fight or any selected range of light wavelengths. Alternatively, the slats 22 may be made of a material that both transmits and diffuses visible light, a quality that hereinafter will be referred to as n translucency In one referred embodiment of the invention, the first and second portions 34, I of the slats 22 are made of the same material and have the same light-transmitting qualities. Louvre, in an alternative embodiment, the liyht-transmitting abilities of the first and second portions differ. Thus, one portion may be transparent and have a selected color. Roy remaining portion may be transparent and of a different color, translucency, opaqueness, reflectiveness, or the like. It will be appreciated that in either the inwardly facing or outwardly facing pOSitiOllS, whichever portions 34, 36 of the slats 22 are substantially co-planar will be responsible for the predominating effect on light passing -I q~3 through the blind 10 in a direction generally normal to the plane. Thus, slats 22 in which the first and second portions 34, 36 hstve different colors may be changed from the inwardly facing to the outwardly facing position with the effect of changing the perceived color of the blind 10. One of the first and second portions 34, 36 may be made darker than the other, allowing the selection of the degree to which the glare of a bright day can be eliminated.
If the ankle A is made approximately equal to 90, as is shown in Fig. 7, and if one of the first and second portions 34, 36 is made of a material that is translucent, opaque, or reflective, that portion can be moved to the co-planar position and completely obstruct the view through the blind, providing privacy, darkness, the reflection of radiant energy, or comparable effects, depend on the nature of the material used. The other portion may be transparent, for example, providing in a single blind 10 the option of subjecting substantially all of the light entering through the blind to two entirely different light modifying treatments.
The slats 22 of the invention may be made of any suitable, sufficiently rigid material. It is preferred that the slats be made of plastic, polycarbonate plastics being preferred. The term "polycarbonate" as used herein includes alloys of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate plastics alloyed with ABS plastics are known in the art and likewise art well suited to many embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. A wide variety of light transmitting qualities may be imparted to such plastics, by mixing coloring material in with the plastic when it is formulated, coating plastic stock material on either one or all sides, laminating, and the live. Such plastics may by immersed in or sprayed with materials that chemically bond with the plastic, may be painted or otherwise treated with materials that simply adhere to the surface of the underlying plastic, or may be subjected to a mechanical surface treatment selected to render a transparent plastic translucent as, for example, by roughening the surface. Selected parts of a slat 22 may by subject to such treatments independent of the rest of the slat.
_ g _ to Polycarbollate plastics are preferred also because they have important fire-resisting qualities. Such plastics are available that, in thicknesses of 0.062 inches, achieve an SE-l ("self-extinguishiny--l") rating under the Underwriters Lab flammability Test Bulletin 94~ and an SE
("self-extinyuishing~) rating under the ASTIR D635-68 flammability test. Bromine-modified forms of the plastic are available that, whelp subjected to the same tests and in the same thicknesses, attain an SE-O Underwriters Lab rating and an Lowe ("l30n-burning") ASTM D635-68 rating. The ~olycarbonate plastics sold by the General Electric Comply under the trademark ALEX AN" are examples of such plastics. Favorable flammability characteristics are very important when many slats 22 are used even in a sibyl blink 10. Control of fire hazards is even more important when many blinds 10 are located within a riven area or Building .
In the method for making slats 22 of the invention, a strip 42 of planar, plastic stock material of a selected width is prepared. commonly plastic is manufactured in rolls of considerable width, in which case strips 42 may be prepared having a width substantially that of the slat 22 to be manufactured my sawincJ, shearillg, or the like Preferably, the strip 42 of planar, plastic stock material so wrapper is of indefinite length and is of sufficient flexibility that the strip may be stored as a reel 44 for convenient Heinlein.
he strip 42 is then cold-formed to impart to it the V
shape disclosed above. "Cold-formillg~ is the process of Shannon the shape of a stock material by mechanical manipulation without the application of heat sufficient to renter the stock material plastic. Preferably, the strip 42 is directed lengthwise between male and female forming rolls 4G, 48. The focminy rolls 46, I are generally circular and are adapted to rotate about their central axes.
The male Eorlniny roll I has an annular male forming merger 50 that terminates in a V-shaped male forming surface 52. The apex of the male forming surface 52 has a radius selected to impart a generally V-shaped transverse cross sectional configuration to the strip 42 in which first and second portions of the strip (destined to become the first and second portions 34, 36 of the slat 22 being formed) correspond to the two sides of the V, intersecting at the apex of the V at the selected ankle A of 90 to 160 desired in the finished slat 22.
The furl forming roll 48 has two, annular female forming members 54 separated by a selected distance.
Preferably the female forming members 54 terminate in a generally rounded female forming surfaces 56, although the female forming surface may also be flat, or even present an eye toward the male forming roll 46, all within the scope and Spoil it of the invention. The axes of the male an female forming rolls 4G, 43 are oriented parallel to each outlawry with the male forming surface 52 extending between the female forming surfaces 56. As a strip 42 is directed between the male and female forming rolls, 46, 48, the male forming surface 52 deflects the strip into a V shape of the sort exhibited by the slats 22~ as disclosed above. The male forming roll 46 is so located relative to the female forming roll 48 that as the male forming surface 52 is inserted further and further between the female forming surfaces 56, the ankle A imparted to the strip 42, corresponding to the ankle A as defined relative to slats 22, is made smaller and smaller alternative means for cold-forminy the strip 42 are possible. For example, either one or both of the generally circular forming rolls 46, I disclosed above may be replaced by endless Betsy. Such bullets may be held tautly by pulleys or be otherwise supported in an orientation relative to each other analogous to that disclosed for the circular forming rules 46, 48. One belt ran present outwardly a male forming surface analogous to that discussed above. The male forming surface may ye inserted between two parallel belts, each presenting one female forming surface toward the male forming surface.
It will be apparent that circular forming rolls and such endless belts may be used together, as well. For example, issue one or more male forming rolls 46, having the structure disclosed above, may be used with a pair of endless belts each presenting a female forming surface toward the male forming roll, one on either side thereof. The use of such systems as well as the use of breaks and other cold-forming machinery known in the art, is well within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Many plastics exhibit a pronounced resilience, requiring that they be considerably deformed before the elastic limit of the plastic is exceeded and a permanently remaining shape may be successfully impacted to the plastic in a cold-forming process. As a consequence, gradual curves are difficult to impart to certain plastics by a cold-Eorming process. The plastic can be deformed lo into those curves while held between the forming members, but, if the curve is within the elastic limit of the plastic, when the forming members are withdrawn, the plastic returns to its original shape. Thus, the radius of the apex of the male forming surface 52 must be chosen to be such that the deformation of the plastic strip 42 over that radius is sufficient to exceed the elastic limit of the strip When a flat piece of material having a given thickness is bent, the part to the outside of the bend experiences the greatest strain. Thus, the elastic limit in the piece of material is exceeded first in that part, to result in a permanent change of shape. As the material is selected to be increasingly thick, the elastic limit is exceeded with wends of increasingly large radii. When polycarbonate plastics are used to make slats 22, it has been found desirable to restrict the thickness of the slats to 1/16 inch or less. This is done to minimize weight, bulkiness, and expense, 1/16 inch polycaKbonate plastic can be cold-formed will a male forming surface 52 having an apex with a radius of 1/4 inch or less. The preferred slat thickness when the slats 22 are made of polycarbonate plastic is from 0.0l5 to 0.030 inches, in which case it has been found desirable to reduce the radius nearly to 0 and in any event to not more than 1/8 inch. Polycarbonate ~2~5~23 slats 22 of this thickness are lightweight and easily manipulated. Because of the V-shaped cross sectional configuration disclosed above, the slats 22 are desirably stiff and do not sag between the supporting means or at the ends of tube slats, even when the thickness is less than 0.015 inches. Nevertheless, the polycarbonate material is sufficiently flexible and resilient to withstand a great deal of the bending and flexing incidental to the normal use of a blind.
It Many plastics exhibit memory," the tendency to return to or toward an undeformed state after deformation.
Consequently, it is sometimes necessary to impart an initial deformation to the strip 42 that exceeds that eventually desired. Then, after the strip 42 has exhibited such memory as it has been determined by experiment to have, tile final deforl,lation will be the desired one. The degree of deformation can be controlled by so locating the male and female forming rolls 46, 4 relative to each other that the male forming surface 52 extends increasingly between the female forming members 54. Depending on the plastic used to make the strip 42, it may be desirable to direct the strip between a series of male and female forming rolls 46, 48, as is illustrated schematically in Fig. 5, each pair of rolls increasingly deforming the strip to achieve a final. degree of Reformation.
The preferred plastic from which to prepare the strip 42 is yolycarbonate plastic material of tile sort discussed above. SUctl plastics may be conveniently coated with an acrylic plastic material to impart. desired liyht-translnittin~ qualities to the strip 42. The polycarbonate plastic is immersed in a solvent containing the acrylic plastic, which is deposited Oil the surface of the strip 42. Acrylic plastics are generally more brittle than polycarbollate plastics and cannot be conveniently cold-for-r,le~, especially when considerable deformation is required. Consequently, when an acrylic-coated ~olycarbonate plastic strip 42 is prepared, it is desirable to float the strip to a temperature of at least 125F but not more than 200F before subjecting the strip to cold-forminy. This is especially desirable when an acrylic coating is applied to both surfaces of the strip 42. The acrylic-coated strip 42 should not be S elevated in temperature to the point that the rigidity of the polycarbonate plastic is substantially changed.
However, by heating the strip within the temperature range indicated, the acrylic plastic coating is rendered thermoplastic and capable of moving with the polycarbonate plastic strip through the cold-forming process without separating therefrom or otherwise being rendered unsatisfactory. The result is a conformed plastic strip I having a surface coated with acrylic plastic exhibiting a hardness and optical qualities unobtainable in uncoated I polycarbonate plastic.
Either before or after the strip 42 has been deformed by the male and female formillg rolls 46, 48, is is directed to conventional punches adapted to cut potions of the strip to desired slat lengths and to create cord slots 30. Such punches are shown schematically in Fig. 5, where first punch 58 is adapted to create cord slots 30.
The strip 42 is then advanced through a second punch 60 until the desired slat length extends beyond the second punch. The second punch 60 is adapted to cut off the slat 22, imparting a desirably curved contour both to the end of the slat 22 so separated from the strip 42 and to the now leading end of the strip 42 remaining. By this means, a single punch 60 in one step imparts the desired shape to the trailing end of first slat 22 and the leading end of the next slat 22. The slats 22 so formed may be fed into the ladders 14 and suspended upon rungs 18 or other support means, as disclosed above, by conventional automatic machinery.
It will be appreciated that the method of manufacture disclosed above has many advantages. The method provides for a continuous feed of stock material and a continuous production of slats 22. As opposed to a molding process, the cold-forming process is fast and efficiently requires no molding time or the procurement of sophisticated : '.
;23 molds. The male and female forming rolls 46, 48 may be adjustable so that a single forming operation may be adapted to manufacture swats 22 exhibiting a variety of angles A. Furthermore, since the process is one of cold forming the movement of the strip 42 may be interrupted or periodic if that is desirable to aid the fullctioning of the punches or other aspects of the machinery. Upon being stopped in its movement through the cold-forming machinery, no portion of the strip 42 remains lo between heated rollers that might cause it to be unevenly deformed.
It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts illustrated and disclosed, nor to the particular materials disclosed, nor to the particular steps disclosed herein. Instead, it embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (26)
IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A blind having an interior side and an exterior side and comprising:
(a) a plurality of elongated slats made of a flexible and generally resilient polycarbonate plastic material having a thickness not greater than 0.0625 inches and selected light-transmitting qualities, each slat being cold formed to provide a transverse cross sectional configuration in which a first longitudinally extending portion and a second longitudinally extending portion of the slat intersect to form a selected angel of 90° to 160°; and(b) means for suspending the slats in parallel relation, the suspension means being adapted to rotate the slats about their longitudinal axes between an inwardly facing position, in which first surfaces of the slats are presented at the interior side of the blind with the first portions of the slats lying substantially within a single plane, and an outwardly facing position in which the first surfaces of the slats are presented at the exterior side of the blind and the second portions of the slats lie generally within a single plane, the suspension means being further adapted to hold the slats at a distance from each other such that when the slats are in one of the inwardly facing and outwardly facing positions the portions of the slats not the co-planar extend sufficiently far toward the slat immediately adjacent thereto as to overlap the immediately adjacent slat, to prevent the passage of light in a direction generally normal to the co-planar portions of the slats without that light being interrupted by the slats.
(a) a plurality of elongated slats made of a flexible and generally resilient polycarbonate plastic material having a thickness not greater than 0.0625 inches and selected light-transmitting qualities, each slat being cold formed to provide a transverse cross sectional configuration in which a first longitudinally extending portion and a second longitudinally extending portion of the slat intersect to form a selected angel of 90° to 160°; and(b) means for suspending the slats in parallel relation, the suspension means being adapted to rotate the slats about their longitudinal axes between an inwardly facing position, in which first surfaces of the slats are presented at the interior side of the blind with the first portions of the slats lying substantially within a single plane, and an outwardly facing position in which the first surfaces of the slats are presented at the exterior side of the blind and the second portions of the slats lie generally within a single plane, the suspension means being further adapted to hold the slats at a distance from each other such that when the slats are in one of the inwardly facing and outwardly facing positions the portions of the slats not the co-planar extend sufficiently far toward the slat immediately adjacent thereto as to overlap the immediately adjacent slat, to prevent the passage of light in a direction generally normal to the co-planar portions of the slats without that light being interrupted by the slats.
2. The blind of Claim 1 wherein the slats are transparent to selected wavelengths of visible light.
3. The blind of Claim 1 wherein the slats are transparent to selected wavelengths of visible light and substantially opaque to ultra violet light.
4. The blind of Claim 1 wherein first and second portions of the slats have differing light-transmitting qualities.
5. The blind specified in Claim 4 wherein the angle is approximately 110°.
6. The blind specified in Claim 5 wherein one of the first and second portion is transparent to selected wavelengths of visible light and the other portion is one of translucent and opaque to visible light.
7. The blind specified in Claim 1 wherein at least one of the upper and under surfaces have a selected surface treatment and the appearance of a selected part of the upper surfaces of the slats is different from the appearance of a selected part of the under surfaces of the slats.
8. The blind of Claim 1 wherein the slats are made of a polycarbonate plastic having a thickness between 0.015 and 0.030 inches.
9. The blind of Claim 1 wherein the slats are translucent.
10. A slat adapted for use in a multi-slat blind wherein a plurality of slats are suspended in parallel relation and are adapted to be rotated about their longitudinal axes, comprising: and elongated slat made of a flexible and generally resilient polycarbonate plastic having a thickness not greater than 0.040 inches and selected light transmitting qualities, the slat having an upper surface and an under surface and being cold formed to provide a transverse cross sectional configuration in which a first longitudinally extending planar portion and a second longitudinally extending planar portion of the slat intersect at a selected angle of 90° to 160°.
11. The slat of Claim 10 wherein the slat is transparent to selected wavelengths of visible light.
12. The slat of Claim 10 wherein the slat is transparent to selected differing light-transmitting qualities.
13. The slat of Claim 12 wherein the angle is approximately 110°
14. The slat of Claim 13 wherein one of the first and second portions is transparent to selected wavelengths of visible light and the other portion is one of translucent and opaque to visible light.
15. The slat of Claim 10 wherein the slat is translucent.
16. The slat of Claim 10 wherein the upper and under surfaces of the slat have selected surface treatments and the appearance of a selected part of the upper surface of the slat is different from the appearance of a selected pare of the under surface of the slat.
17. A method for making slats for use in a blind having a plurality of generally parallel slats adapted to be rotated about their longitudinal axes, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) preparing a strip of flexible and resilient polycarbonate plastic material having a thickness not grater than 0.0625 inches and selected light-transmitting qualities;
(b) cold forming the strip to impart to it a transverse cross sectional configuration in which a first longitudinally extending portion and a second longitudinally extending portion of the strip correspond intersect to form a selected angle of 90° to 160° and (c) severing the strip into slats of a predetermined length.
(a) preparing a strip of flexible and resilient polycarbonate plastic material having a thickness not grater than 0.0625 inches and selected light-transmitting qualities;
(b) cold forming the strip to impart to it a transverse cross sectional configuration in which a first longitudinally extending portion and a second longitudinally extending portion of the strip correspond intersect to form a selected angle of 90° to 160° and (c) severing the strip into slats of a predetermined length.
18. The method of Claim 17 wherein cold-forming the strip includes directing the strip lengthwise between male and female forming surfaces, the male forming surface terminating in a V-shaped surface oriented parallel to the female forming surfaces and inserted therebetween to a selected extent, the male forming surface deflecting the strip into the V-shaped transverse cross sectional configuration.
19. The method of Claim 17 wherein cold forming the strip includes directing the strip lengthwise between generally circular male and female forming rolls, the male forming roll having an annular male forming member that terminates in a V-shaped male forming surface, and the female forming roll having two annular female forming members separated by a selected distance, each female forming member terminating in a generally rounded female forming surface, the axes of the male and female forming rolls being oriented parallel to each other with the male forming surface extending between the female forming surfaces, the male forming surface deflecting the strip into the V-shaped transverse cross sectional configuration.
20. The method of Claim 19 including the steps of punching cord slots in the strip before severing the strip transversely to create slats.
21. The method of Claim 19 wherein the step of preparing a strip of polycarbonate plastic material includes providing a strip having a thickness between 0.015 and 0.040 inches, and the step of cold forming the strip includes forming the strip over a male forming surface having a radius not greater than 1/8 inch.
22. The method of Claim 17 wherein the step of preparing the strip of polycarbonate plastic material includes coating the strip with acrylic plastic material having selected light-transmitting qualities, and wherein the step of cold-forming the strip includes warming the strip to a temperature between 125°F and 200°F to increase the thermoplasticity of the acrylic plastic coating without substantially altering the thermoplasticity of the polycarbonate plastic.
23. The method of Claim 17 wherein the step of preparing a strip of polycarbonate plastic material includes treating a first, longitudinally extending part of the strip so as to render its light-transmitting properties different from those of the remaining parts of the strip.
24. The method of Claim 23 wherein the step of treating a first longitudinally extending part of the strip includes so treating the longitudinally extending part of the strip as to render it less capable of transmitting light than is the remaining portion of the strip.
25. The method of Claim 23 wherein the step of preparing the strip of polycarbonate plastic material includes treating the first, longitudinally extending part of the strip so as to render its translucent.
26. The method of Claim 23 wherein the step of cold forming the strip of polycarbonate plastic material includes imparting to the strip a longitudinally extending V cross sectional shape such that the first and second portions intersect at an angle of approximately 110°.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US49442783A | 1983-05-13 | 1983-05-13 | |
| US494,427 | 1983-05-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1225323A true CA1225323A (en) | 1987-08-11 |
Family
ID=23964431
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000435066A Expired CA1225323A (en) | 1983-05-13 | 1983-08-22 | Blind with light-transmitting slats and a method for making such slats |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1225323A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0353263A1 (en) * | 1988-01-11 | 1990-02-07 | YU, Simon S. Chi | Fabrication of plastic slats for venetian blinds |
| WO2008138032A1 (en) * | 2007-05-16 | 2008-11-20 | Insite Manufacturing Pty Ltd | Panel and method of forming same |
-
1983
- 1983-08-22 CA CA000435066A patent/CA1225323A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0353263A1 (en) * | 1988-01-11 | 1990-02-07 | YU, Simon S. Chi | Fabrication of plastic slats for venetian blinds |
| EP0353263A4 (en) * | 1988-01-11 | 1990-06-26 | Simon S Chi Yu | Fabrication of plastic slats for venetian blinds. |
| WO2008138032A1 (en) * | 2007-05-16 | 2008-11-20 | Insite Manufacturing Pty Ltd | Panel and method of forming same |
| AU2008251003B2 (en) * | 2007-05-16 | 2013-01-10 | Insite Manufacturing Pty Ltd | Panel and method of forming same |
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