EP2855820A1

EP2855820A1 - Venetian blind

Info

Publication number: EP2855820A1
Application number: EP13723964.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sergio Dallan
Original assignee: Dallan SpA
Current assignee: Dallan SpA
Priority date: 2012-05-31
Filing date: 2013-03-28
Publication date: 2015-04-08
Also published as: WO2013179148A1; ITPD20120175A1; AU2013269274A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a Venetian blind comprising: a plurality of slats (10), each of which comprises a profiled element which extends in a direction of longitudinal extension X with two opposite longitudinal edges (11,12) and defines the slat body; a plurality of support half-ladders (20) which connect said overlapping slats to each other. Each slat comprises a plurality of coupling portions (16, 26), which are positioned next to or at each longitudinal edge and attach the half-ladders to the profiled element. Each coupling portion consists of a tongue which is cut into the profiled element and is moveable between a raised position and a lowered position. The blind comprises a plurality of stabiliser elements (30), each of which blocks one of the tongues in the lowered position.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"VENETIAN BLIND "

Field of application

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a Venetian blind. State of the art

[0002] As is known, Venetian blinds are composed of a plurality of slats, positioned parallel to each other and kept in positions by means of support structures in string or in another material. Such support structures are essentially of two types.

[0003] A first type of structure is called a "full ladder" and is composed of two parallel ribs (positioned in the height direction of the blind) and of a plurality of^" cross members which connects them to each other at regular distances. A slat is associated to each crossbeam, resting on it (if a single crossbeam) or inserted in it (if a multiple crossbeam).

[0004] A second type of structure is called "separate ladders" or "hal f-ladders " and is composed of threadlike elements separate from each other which are associated in pairs to the opposite sides of the slats. Each threadlike element constitutes a half-ladder.

[0005] The half-ladders differ from each other in terms of material and the type of attachment means to the slat. A first type of half-ladder which is extremely widespread is composed of a cord provided along its longitudinal extension with a plurality of eyelets. The half-ladder is attached by means of staples or hooks to the rims of the slats .

[0006] A second type of half-ladder is composed of a metal wire coated externally in plastic. This type of half- ladder is also attached to the rims of the slats by means of staples or hooks. Compared to the half-ladder in cord, the metal wire offers greater mechanical resistance. Compared to the half-ladder with eyelets, the half-ladder in wire may however be subjected, over time, to longitudinal sliding (as a result of the give of the plastic coating) to detriment of the stability of the attachment .

[0007] To overcome this limit a half-ladder has been proposed still made from metal wire coated in plastic, but provided with a plurality of swellings or beds, grouped in pairs along the longitudinal extension of the wire. The distance between the two swellings of a given pair is substantially equivalent to the thickness of a slat, while the pitch between two pairs of swellings is less than the width of the slats (to permit a partial overlapping in closing of two adjacent slats) . The swellings prevent the longitudinal sliding of the wire in relation to the slat and to the attachment staple. [0008] As already illustrated above, the half-ladders are all associated to the slats by staples or hooks attached to the lateral rims of said slats.

[0009] This operation is performed both on simple slats (i.e. with a smooth rim), and on edged slats (i.e. with a rolled edge) and generally ensures optimal results in terms of stability and secure attachment of the half- ladder to the slats.

[0010] The limitation of this type of attachment is related to the operating complexity related to the handling of such hooks. In fact, the hooks must be applied to the edges of the slat in a stable and secure manner, without detracting from the aesthetics thereof.

Presentation of the invention

[0011] Consequently, the purpose of the present invention is to eliminate entirely or in part the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above, by making available a Venetian blind which can be made by attaching the half-ladders to the slat without requiring the perforation of the edges of the slat by the application of hooks or staples.

[0012] A further purpose of the present invention is to make available a Venetian blind which is easy and economical to produce.

Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforesaid purposes, will be clearly evident from the contents of the claims below and the advantages thereof will be evident from the detailed description given below with reference to the appended drawings showing one or more embodiments, purely by way of a non-limiting example, wherein:

[0014] - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a Venetian blind according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0015] Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a detail of the blind in Figure 1, the detail being of a group comprising a slat, a half-ladder (with plastic- coated metal wire and blocking beads) and a stabiliser element ;

[0016] - Figure 3 shows the detail in Figure 2 in an assembled condition;

[0017] - Figure 4 shows an orthogonal plan view of a detail of the stabiliser element in Figures 2 and 3;

[0018] -Figure 5 shows an orthogonal lateral view of the stabiliser element in Figure 4 according to the arrow V shown therein;

[0019] -Figure 6 shows an orthogonal front view of the stabiliser element in Figure 4 according to the arrow VI shown therein;

[0020] -Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a detail of a slat according to a alternative embodiment of the invention, relative to an attachment tongue shown in the raised position;

[0021 ] -Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the slat in Figure 7 with the tongue in a lowered position and associated to an eyelet of a half-ladder;

[0022] -Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a detail of the slat in Figure 2 relative to an attachment tongue for a half-ladder, the tongue being shown in a raised position .

Detailed description

[0023] With reference to the appended drawings, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a Venetian blind according to the invention.

[0024] Here and henceforth in the description and claims, reference will made to the blind in conditions of use. The references to an upper or lower position should be understood in such sense.

[0025] According to a general embodiment of the invention, the Venetian blind comprises:

[0026] - a plurality of slats 10, each of which comprises a profiled element which extends in a main direction of longitudinal extension X with two opposite longitudinal edges 11,12 and defines the slat body;

[0027] - a plurality of support half-ladders 20 or 40 which connect said slats overlapped to each other. [0028] The profiled element may be of any type. In particular, the slat may have a profile with a flat or curved cross-section (as shown in the examples in the appended drawings) . The longitudinal edges of the slat may be linear (as shown in the examples in the appended drawings) or rolled.

[0029] Preferably, the profiled element is made from metal material (in particular steel or aluminium alloy) but may also be made from plastic.

[0030] As will be explained further on in the description, the support half-ladders may be of any type, and in particular half-ladders with eyelets (as shown in Figure 8) or half-ladders without eyelets (for example) made from plastic coated metal wire with swellings or beads, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0031] Each slat comprises a plurality of coupling portions 16 or 26, which are positioned next to (see Figures 7 and 8) or at each longitudinal edge 11, 12 of the profiled element (see Figures 2 and 9) and attach the half- supports 20 to the profiled element of the slat.

[0032] Each coupling portion 16 or 26 consists of a tongue which is cut into the profiled element and is moveable between a raised position, wherein such tongue 16 or 26 is raised in relation to the profiled element and is engageable by a half-ladder (see figures 7 and 9) , and a lowered position, wherein such tongue 16 or 26 is lowered onto the profiled element so as to retain the half-ladder on said profiled element (see figure 8) .

[0033] The Venetian blind 1 comprises a plurality of stabiliser elements 30, each of which blocks one of said tongues 16 or 26 in the lowered position, preventing that with use the tongues- stressed in a vertical direction by the hal f-ladders- may rise and no longer retain said half-ladders constrained to the slats.

[0034] More specifically, as shown in the appended drawings, each stabiliser 30 comprises a support portion 31 and two gripping portions 32, 33, which extend so as to project from the support portion 31.

[0035] The two gripping portions 32, 33 face opposite each other and define an interspace 34 inside which the part of the slat with the aforesaid tongue 16 or 26 is inserted .

[0036] As will be explained further on, the stabiliser may be dimensioned so as to engage only a limited area of the slat, substantially where the tongue is made. Alternatively, as shown in the appended drawings, the stabiliser may be dimensioned so as to engage a broader area of the slat, not just at the tongue, so as to better grip said slat .

[0037] Advantageously, the interspace 34 has dimensions such that the slat is inserted with interference inside it. The two griping portions 32 and 33 are made in such a way that with the progressive insertion of the slat inside the interspace they are elastically distanced from each other and may, thus, press against the part of the slat 10 inserted inside the interspace 34 so as to block it in position.

[0038] The grip of the stabiliser 30 on the slat may be entrusted solely to the pressure exerted by the gripping portions on the slat.

[0039] Preferably, the grip of the stabiliser on the slat is also or alternatively entrusted to a shape coupling snap fitting between the slat and one or both gripping portions. This is to prevent the stabiliser from disengaging from the slat over time, leaving the tongue bare .

[0040] According to the embodiments described in the appended Figures, at least one of the gripping portions 32, 33 has one or more projections 39', 39" which extend inside the interspace 34. Said one or more projections 39', 39" fit inside corresponding insertion seats 13 made in the part of the slat 10 inserted inside the interspace 34.

[0041 ] The aforesaid insertion seats 13 of the projections 39', 39" are made on the slat next to the coupling portions 16 or 26. Such seats 13 are made along both longitudinal edges of the slat.

[0042] In particular, each projection 39', 39" consists of an elastically deformable appendage which extends inside the interspace.

[0043] Advantageously, as shown in Figure 5, the appendage 39' , 39" extends from the relative gripping portion forming an acute angle a with a surface of the gripping portion facing the interspace. The appendage is oriented with its free end 39a facing towards the support portion 31 of the stabiliser 30. This way, when the slat 10 enters the interspace 34 and the edge 11 or 12 moves towards the support portion crossing the interspace, the appendages 391, 39" do not oppose resistance and are elastically drawn towards the relative gripping portion. Once engaged inside the seats, an extraction movement of the slat would, instead, be prevented by the aforesaid appendages. The appendages - under the traction of the slat, to which they are associated - would in fact tend to position themselves orthogonally to said slat blocking the movement thereof. The shape coupling snap-fitting which comes to be formed is thus irreversible.

[0044] The projections 39', 39" may be provided on only one of the two gripping portions 32, 33. In this case, the insertion seats 13 are made on only one of the main sides of the portion of slat 10 inserted inside the interspace 34.

[0045] Preferably, in order to ensure a greater attachment stability, both gripping portions 32, 33 have one or more projections 39', 39" which extend inside the interspace 34. In particular, such projections consist of elastically deformable appendages as described above. In this case, the insertion seats 13 are made on both main sides 14, 15 of the portion of slat 10 inserted inside the interspace 34.

[0046] More specifically, according to the embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings, the projections 39' of one gripping portion 32 are opposite the projections 39" of the other gripping portion 33. This ensures a more balanced distribution of the forces and thus a greater attachment stability.

[0047] The insertion seats 13 may consist of recessed areas made in the slat. Alternatively, especially in the case of opposite projections, as shown in the appended drawings, the insertion seats 13 may consist of through apertures. This way a single aperture may act as insertion seat for two opposite projections.

[0048] According to the embodiments illustrated in the appended Figures, an elongated through seat 35, 36 may be made on each gripping portion 32, 33. Such through seat 35, 36 is open at the free end 37, 38 of the relative gripping portion 32, 33. The through seats 35, 36 of the two gripping portions 32, 33 overlap each other and face the interspace 34. Such through seats are functional to the passage of the half-ladder through the stabiliser.

[0049] As may be observed in particular in Figure 3, the half-ladder 20 crosses the stabiliser 30 at the two through seats 35, 36 and at the interspace^' 34. Operatively, the half-ladder 20 or 40 is associated to a coupling portion 16 or 26 (see figure 8 for example) . The part of the slat which the tongue 16 or 26 is made in is inserted inside the interspace 34, while the half-ladder is inserted in the two through seats 35, 36 of the stabiliser .

[0050] Advantageously, as may be observed in the appended drawings, and in particular in Figure 4, each elongated through seat 35, 36 divides the respective gripping portion 32, 33 into two parts 32a, 32b and 33a, 33b. The aforesaid projections 39', 39" are preferably provided on both parts 32a, 32b and 33a, 33b of each gripping portion 32, 33. This ensures a more balanced distribution of the forces and thus a greater attachment stability of the stabiliser to the slat.

[0051] In particular, as shown in the appended drawings, the gripping portions 32, 33 may consist of sheet-like elements. Advantageously, the appendages 39', 39" may be obtained by shearing of the slat 10.

[0052] In particular, the stabiliser 30 may be made from metal or plastic.

[0053] The stabiliser 30 may have at least one axis of symmetry Y. In particular, said axis of symmetry Y passes through the two elongated through seats 35, 36. Such axis of symmetry Y may be orthogonal to the direction of extension X of the slat 10.

[0054] Advantageously, solutions may be provided wherein the projections (in particular the appendages) are made on the slat instead of on the stabiliser, and the insertion seats (in particular the through apertures) are made on the gripping portions of the stabiliser instead of on the slat.

[0055] According to a first embodiment illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 9, the coupling portion is composed of a tongue 16 made on an edge of the profiled element. More specifically, the tongue 16 is delimited by a through hole 17 distanced from the edges of the profiled element, by a slit 18 which extends from the hole 17 as far as the nearest longitudinal edge 11 or 12 and by a section of said longitudinal edge. Each hole 17 acting as a housing seat for a support half-ladder 20 of the slat 1.

[0056] The slit 18 may be of any shape. In particular, the slit may even be rectilinear and orthogonal to the direction of longitudinal extension X of the profiled element .

[0057] The hole 17 and the starting point of the relative slit 18 on the edge of the profiled element may assume any relative position to each other. Preferably, as shown in Figure 2, the hole 17 and the starting point of the relative slit 18 on the edge of the profiled element are misaligned in an orthogonal direction in relation to the main longitudinal direction of extension X of the profiled element. Thanks to such misalignment, the sliding of the half-ladder along the slit as a result of stresses orthogonal to the main longitudinal direction of extension X is obstructed.

[0058] According to the embodiments illustrated in the appended Figures, the slit 18 is, in particular, J- shaped. Alternatively, the slit 18 may be L-shaped. Preferably, the - J or L-shaped - slit 18, is positioned so as to have a section substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of extension X and thus to the edge of the profiled element. This conformation of the coupling portion 16 is highly advantageous in that it facilitates the insertion of the eyelets of the half- ladders. In this sense it is preferable for the coupling portion 16 to extend mainly in the direction X that is that the section parallel to the longitudinal edge 11 or 12 ( i.e. parallel to the direction X) has a greater extension than the orthogonal (or oblique) section.

[0059] According to a second embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the coupling portion is composed of a tongue 16 made inside the profiled element, distanced from the longitudinal edges 11, 12. More specifically, the tongue is delimited by a slit (28) which extends between two through holes 27', 27" distanced f.rom each other.

[0060] As already said half-ladders of any type may be used .

[0061 ] In particular, half-ladders with eyelets (consisting in particular of a thread-like element 40a from which a plurality of eyelets 41 extend, as shown in Figure 8), may be easily used with both the embodiments of coupling portions described above, i.e. both with the tongues 16 made on the edges of the profiled element, and with the tongues 26 made inside of the profiled element, distanced from the edges.

[0062] More specifically, with a tongue 16 made on the edges of the profiled element the half-ladder 40 is associated to the slat 10 with an eyelet 41 inserted in the through hole 17; with a tongue 26 made inside the profiled element the half-ladder 40 is associated to the slat 10 with an eyelet 41 which crosses the two through holes 27 * , 27" .

[0063] For reasons of ease of assembly, the half-ladders without eyelets are preferably used with tongues 16 made on the edges of the profiled element.

[0064] In particular, a half-ladder without eyelets is composed of a thread-like element 20a comprising a metal core and an external coating in plastic material. Along the aforesaid thread-like element 20a a plurality of swellings or beads 22 are attached, organised in pairs of two swellings 22 separated from each other by an intermediate section 21 of thread-like element. The half- ladder 20 is associated to the slat by inserting through the through hole 17 the intermediate section 21 with the two swellings 22 positioned one below and one above the profiled element of the slat 10.

[0065] The invention permits numerous advantages to be achieved, some of which already described.

[0066] The Venetian blind according to the invention can be made by attaching the half-ladders to the slat without requiring the perforation of the edges of the slat by the application of hooks or staples. In fact, the elements for blocking the half-ladders to the slats (i.e. the coupling portions) are already incorporated in the slat itself. The risk of spoiling the slats aesthetically is thus avoided.

[0067] Thanks to the invention, compared to the traditional hooks and staples, the attachment of the half-ladders is easier to control and more accurate. In fact, the holes and the relative slits (which define the coupling portions) may be made on the profiled element by mere mechanical machining, suitable for performing during the production of the slats.

[0068] The blind according to the invention proves mechanically resistant, thanks to the stability of attachment also guaranteed by the stabiliser elements, which prevent the tongues from being raised.

[0069] Lastly, the blind according to the invention proves easy and economical to produce, given that aside from the production of the stabilisers (which can be made by moulding in the case in which they are plastic or by shearing/bending in the case in which they are in metal sheeting) the slats require at most simple machining to make the insertion seats and coupling appendages. The application of the stabilisers is, lastly, a very fast and simple operation, which may be performed both automatically and manually. The stabilisers may, in fact, be applied to the slats by pressure or by mere shaped couplings. In such latter case the slats are already predisposed for coupling to the stabilisers. [0070] The invention thus conceived thereby achieves the intended purposes.

[0071 ] Obviously, its practical embodiments may assume forms and configurations different from those illustrated above while remaining within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0072] In addition, all the parts may be replaced with technically equivalent elements and the dimensions, shapes and material used may be varied as needed.

Claims

1. Venetian blind comprising:

- a plurality of slats (10), each of which comprises a profiled element which extends in a direction of longitudinal extension (X) with two opposite longitudinal edges (11,12) and defines the slat body;

- a plurality of support half-ladders (20) which connect said slats, overlapped to each other,

characterised by the fact that each slat comprises a plurality of coupling portions (16, 26), which are positioned next to or at each longitudinal edge (11, 12) and attach the half-ladders (20) to the profiled element of the slat, each coupling portion (16, 26) consisting of a tongue which is cut onto the profiled element and is movable from a raised position, wherein such tongue (16, 26) is raised in relation to the profiled element and is engageable by a half-ladder, and a lowered position, wherein such tongue (16, 26) is lowered onto the profiled element so as to retain the half-ladder on said profiled element,

and by the fact of comprising a plurality of stabiliser elements (30) , each of which blocks one of said tongues (16, 26) in the lowered position, each stabiliser (30) comprising a support portion (31) and two gripping portions (32, 33), which extend so as to project from said support portion (31), facing opposite each other, defining an interspace (34) inside which the part of the slat (10) with said tongue (16, 26) is inserted.

2. Blind according to claim 1, wherein said interspace (34) has dimensions such that the slat ·, is inserted with interference inside it, the two gripping portions (32, 33) being elastically pressed against the part of slat (10) inserted inside the interspace (34) so as to block it inside the interspace (34) .

3. Blind according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the gripping portions (32, 33) has one or more projections (39', 39") which extend inside the interspace (34), said one or more projections (39) fitting inside corresponding insertion seats (13) made in the part of the slat (10) inserted inside the interspace (34).

4. Blind according to claim 3, wherein each of said one or more projections (39', 39") consists of an elastically deformable appendage which extends inside the interspace.

5. Blind according to claim 4, wherein said appendage (39', 39") extends from the relative gripping portion forming an acute angle (a) with a surface of such gripping portion facing the interspace, said appendage (39', 39") being directed with its free end (39a) facing towards the support portion (31).

6. Blind according to one or more of the claims from 3 to 5, wherein both gripping portions (32, 33) have one or more projections (39', 39") which extend inside the interspace (34), said insertion seats (13) being made on both main sides (14, 15) of the part of the slat (10) inserted inside the interspace (34) .

7. Blind according to claim 6, wherein the projections (39') of one gripping portion (32) are opposite the projections (39") of the other gripping portion (33).

8. Blind according to one or more of the claims from 3 to 7, wherein said insertion seats (13) consist of through apertures.

9. Blind according to one or more of the claims from 4 to 8, wherein the gripping portions (32, 33) consists of sheet-like elements, said appendages (39', 39") being obtained by shearing of the slat (10) .

10. Blind according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein an elongated through seat (35, 36) is made on each gripping portion (32, 33), said elongated seat being open at the free end (37, 38) of the relative gripping portion (32, 33), the through seats (35, 36) of the two gripping portions (32, 33) overlapping each other and facing the interspace (34), the half-ladder (20, 40) crossing the stabiliser (30) at the two through seats (35, 36) and at the interspace (34) .

11. Blind according to claim 10, wherein each elongated through seat (35, 36) divides the respective gripping portion (32, 33) into two parts (32a, 32b; 33a, 33b), the projections (39', 39") being provided on both parts (32a, 32b; 33a, 33b) of each gripping portion (32, 33).

12. Blind according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein each stabiliser (30) has an axis of symmetry (Y) , preferably passing through the two elongated through seats (35, 36) .

13. Blind according to claim 12, wherein said axis of symmetry (Y) is orthogonal to the direction of extension

(X) of the slat (10) .

14. Blind according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the tongue (16) is delimited by a through hole (17) distanced from the edges of the profiled element, by a slit (18) which extends from the hole (17) as far as the nearest longitudinal edge (11 or 12) and by a section of said longitudinal edge, each hole (17) acting as a housing seat for a support half-ladder (20) of the slat (1) .

15. Blind according to one or more of the claims from 1 to 13, wherein the tongue (26) is an inner part of the profiled element, distanced from the longitudinal edges (11, 12), and is delimited by a slit (28) which extends between two through holes (27', 27") distanced from each other.

16. Blind according to claim 14, wherein said half- ladder (20) is composed of a thread-like element (20a) comprising a metal core and an external coating in plastic material, along said thread-like element (20a) there being attached a plurality of swellings (22), organised in pairs of two swellings (22) separated from each other by an intermediate section (21) of thread-like element, the half-ladder (20) passing through said through hole (17) at said intermediate section (21) with said two swellings (22) positioned one below and one above the profiled element of the slat (10) .

17. Blind according to one or more of the claims from 1^' to 15, wherein said half-ladder consists of a thread-like element (40a) from which a plurality of eyelets (41) extend.

18. Blind according to claims 14 and 17, wherein the half-ladder (40) is associated to the slat (10) with an eyelet (41) which crosses said through hole (17) .

19. Blind according to claims 15 and 17, wherein the half-ladder (40) is associated to the slat (10) with an eyelet (41) which crosses said two through holes (27', 27") .