GB2087475A

GB2087475A - Device for Closing and Opening Blinds, Shutters, and Hinged Window Members in General

Info

Publication number: GB2087475A
Application number: GB8128722A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: ANCELLOTTI BARBARA
Current assignee: ANCELLOTTI BARBARA
Priority date: 1980-09-23
Filing date: 1981-09-23
Publication date: 1982-05-26
Also published as: IT8024853A0; IT1133132B; FR2490712B3; FR2490712A3

Abstract

A device for closing and opening blinds, shutters, and hinged window members comprises first and second linkages (3, 4, 5, 6) having each a first lever (3, 4), hinged to supporting means substantially rigid with a room wall or window frame, and a second lever (5, 6), operatively interconnected and cooperating with the first lever and being hinged to a respective blind or shutter element 19, 20, the first and second linkages being operatively interconnected together, an actuating means (21) being provided for controllably actuating said linkages to substantially simultaneously open, or close, the blind or shutter elements, and a locking mechanism effective to lock the blind or shutter in the closed position thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for Closing and Opening Blinds.

Shutters, and Hinged Window Members in General This invention relates to a device for closing and opening, from within a room or enclosed space, blinds, shutters, and hinged window members in general.

A currently much felt need is that of enabling the closing, and opening, from within a room and without having to open window panes, blinds, shutters, screens, hinged window members and/or the like. Heretofore, as far as the Applicant is informed, no devices capable of meeting that requirement have been made available on the market, and blind or shutter closing/opening operations have involved first the opening of the window panes, which obviously is inconvenient for the operator, especially in bad weather conditions.

This invention sets out to provide a device which enables the manual, or preferably automatic, completion of the closing and opening of blinds, shutters, and hinged wpndow members in general.

Within that general aim, it is possible to arrange that the device as indicated is of simple construction, and can be implemented as a modular unit adapted for ready attachment to almost all types of blinds and shutters, including existing ones.

It is further possible to arrange that the device of this invention affords the possibility of opening blinds and shutters by an adjustable amount, through a plurality of open positions, to thus allow a variable admission of light into a room or enclosed space.

It is also possible to arrange that the device as indicated is extremely reliable in operation and virtually maintenance-free.

It is further possible to arrange that the device according to the invention is equipped with a locking mechanism effective to hold blinds, shutters and/or the like locked in a closed position.

Also possible is to arrange that the device of this invention comprises a minimized number of component parts, and can be implemented from materials and/or elements which are readily available on the market, while being relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for closing and opening, from within a room or enclosed space, blinds, shutters, and hinged window members in general, characterised in that it comprises first and second linkages having each at least a first lever hinged to supporting means made substantially rigid with a room or enclosed space wall and/or a window frame, and at least a second lever operatively interconnected and cooperating with said first lever and being hinged to a respective blind or shutter element, said first and second linkages being operatively interconnected together, actuating means being also provided adapted for controllably actuating said linkages to substantially simultaneously open and close the blind or shutter elements.

Further features and advantages of this device for closing and opening blinds, shutters, and hinged window members in general will be more clearly apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of example and not of limitation in the accompanying diagramatic drawings, where:: Figure 1 is a top general view of a first embodiment of the device according to this invention, showing the blinds in their closed condition; Figure 2 is a partly sectional side view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partly sectional top plan view showing the left-hand half of the device of Figure 1, with a blind element in the fully open condition; Figure 4 is a detail view showing the closing and opening actuation assembly associated with the first embodiment of the inventive device; Figures 5 to 7 are schematical views illustrating the operation of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention, and specifically, Figure 5 illustrates the device as fully closing the blinds, Figure 6 illustrates the device as holding the blinds open by a preset angle, and Figure 7 illustrates the inventive device upon effecting the opening of the blinds;; Figure 8 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the inventive device, in the condition thereof where the blinds and/or the like (not shown in this particular figure) are in a partly open position; Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section and broken away of the device of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a bottom view of figure 9; Figure 11 is a schematic top view of a third embodiment of the inventive device; Figure 12 is a schematic top view of a fourth embodiment of the inventive device; and Figures 1 3A and 1 3B are schematic views of a security mechanism which may be associated with the various embodiments of the inventive device.

With reference to the drawing figures, and specifically to Figure 1, there is shown a general top plan view of the device for closing and opening blinds and the like according to this invention. The device is generally indicated at 1, the installation of said device 1 being either toward the interior or exterior of the walls and indifferently in the proximity of the upper portion or lower portion of the window aperture. As may be seen, the device 1 substantially spans the entire width of the window aperture, between the wall portions 2, respectively 2'. In the preferred embodiment illustrated by the figures, the device includes first levers, respectively 3 and 4, and second levers or connecting rods, respectively 5 and 6.The levers 3 and 4 have a generally L-like configuration and are hingedly connected with one end, respectively 7 and 8, to the connecting rods 5 and 6, they being hinged with their other ends, through respective pivot elements 9 and 10, to respective supports which are substantially fixed and/or rigid with the wall portions or window frame portions, 2 and 2'. On the pivots 9 and 10, there are furtherjournalled sprocket wheels 11 and 12, respectively, which ere rigid with the levers 3 and 4, around which sprockets a drive chain 13 is run, the drive chain 13 being a closed loop type with substantially "figure eight" configuration. Said chain 13, while being only schematically illustrated, may be a conventional drive chain design, such as a roller chain.

Advantageously, the chain 13 is provided with a break or interrupted portion which is replaced with a spring 14, the function of which will be explained hereinbelow. The connecting rods 5 and 6, have their respective other ends pivotally connected at 15 and 16 to supporting blocks 17 and 18, respectively, which are substantially rigid with blind or the like elements 19 and 20. To operate said blinds 19 and 20 for closing or opening purposes, an actuating assembly is provided, as generally indicated at 21 and shown in detail in Figure 4. The actuating assembly 21 comprises an electric motor 22 which, via a reduction gear 23 which may be of the worm and gear type, drives a sprocket wheel 24 around which the chain 13 is passed. As may be seen, the actuating assembly 21 is located between the two levers 3 and 4, substantially close to the pivot point 10 of the lever 4.However, in other embodiments of the inventive device, it may be located at any other suitable location, or two assemblies 21, one for each blind, may be provided.

Advantageously, also provided is a torque limiter assembly which comprises a lever 25 biased by a suitably calibrated spring 26. The lever 25 is pivoted at 27, substantially at an intermediate location, and has its end 28 arranged to rest, under the bias of the spring 26, onto the chain 13. In practice, the spring loaded lever 25 will keep the chain 13 onto the sprocket wheel, thereby it affords the possibility of creating a torque limiter, the amount of torque being determined by the setting of the spring 26, which limiter is effective, as said torque is exceeded, to cause the sprocket 24 to "slip" over the chain 1#3, by causing the chain to move backwards and rolling over the rollers of the chain. Thus, as the expert will readily recognize, the need, and complexity, for end-of-travel elements adapted to detect the full closing and/or opening of the window is eliminated.Moreover, the spring loaded lever 25 also serves the function of allowing the window to be opened and or closed manually in the event of power outage or failure of the electric motor 22.

The operation of this device will be apparent from the foregoing description. More specifically, as the user energizes the electric motor 22, such as by depressing a suitably provided pushbutton control switch (not shown), which may be located, for example, in the proximity of the window, the electric motor rotates, and the reduction gear 23 rotatively drives the sprocket wheel 24, which will in turn entrain the chain 13, thus producing, depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor 22, the opening or closing of the blind element 1 9 or 20, which will be pushed open and/or pulled closed by its respective connecting rod 5,6.It should be noted that during the closing and/or opening movements, the spring 14 acts as a chain tensioner and at the same time allows one blind element, e.g. the element 20, to be closed, and then the other element 19, which abuts against said blind element 20. In Figure 3, the blind element 19 is shown in its fully open position, with the linkage comprising the lever 3 and lever or connecting rod 5 in the extended condition. In Figure 5, the device is shown in the closed condition of the blinds; in Figure 6 the device is shown in the partly opened or ajar condition of the blinds; and in Figure 7 the device is shown in the blind fully opened condition.

As shown in particular in Figure 6, a peculiar feature of this invention is that it affords plural partly opened conditions for the blinds and/or shutters, thus enabling a desired condition of light admission into the room. This is a feature which cannot be generally afforded by conventional blinds, unless they are locked in the desired open position through some rather complex means.

Making now reference to Figure 8, a second embodiment of the device according to the invention will be described.

The inventive device is generally indicated at 1A, the installation of the'device 1A being either toward the interior or exterior of the walls, and indifferently close to the upper or lower portions of the window aperture, similaly to the embodiment described hereinabove. Of course, also in this case the device 1A will span substantially the entire width of the window aperture. In this second embodiment of the invention, which is in part similar to the previous one, the device 1A includes, within a box-like enclosure 2A, e.g. one made of metal and provided with suitable openings, first levers 3A and 4A, respectively, and second levers or connecting rods 5A and 6A, respectively.

The levers 3A and 4A have a generally L-like configuration and are pivotally connected with one end thereof, respectively 7A and 8A, to the connecting rods 5A and 6A, and with their other ends, through pivot elements 9A and 1 OA, respectively, to respective supports which are substantially fixed and/or rigid with supporting wall portions (not shown). Through the pivots 9A and 1 OA, there are also journalled pulleys 1 1A and 1 2A, respectively rigid with the levers 3A and 4A, around which pulleys a drive string 1 3A is run for controlling the blinds, the string 1 3A being a closed-loop substantially "figure of eight" configuration.Advantageously, the string 1 3A is provided with a break or interruption, and the missing portion replaced with a spring 14A performing a similar function to that of the spring 14 in the first embodiment of the invention. The connecting rods 5A and 6A have their respective other ends pivotally connected at 15A and 16A to supporting block 17A and 18A, respectively, which are substantially rigid with the blind and/or the like elements. Up to this point, it will be appreciated that the device 1A is substantially identical to the device of the first embodiment.

According to a further aspect of the invention, for the blind closing and opening operations, there is provided a torque-limited actuating or control assembly, which is generally designated with the reference character 21A. The torque-limited actuating or control assembly 21A, which is shown to an enlarged scale in Figures 2 and 3, comprises an electric motor 22A having a shaft 23A which extends substantially horizontal and carres in sliding relationship a blind swinging unit 24A, which will be described hereinafter. The shaft 23A of the motor 22A is rotatably supported, at its other end, by a crossmember 25A made rigid with the box-like body 2A. The shaft is carried rotatably on said crossmember by means of a bearing assembly generally indicated at 26A and no further described because known per se.

The blind swinging unit 24A (Figure 9) with torque limiter, according to the invention, comprises a lower plate 26A and an upper plate 27A in which are formed seats adapted to accommodate respective suitably angled bearings 28A,29A,30A. The center ball bearing 29A is biased upwardly with the inside surface of its inner race to contact the shaft 23A of the motor, by a spring loaded screw 31A received in a respective receptacle formed in the lower plate 26A. The adjustment feature afforded by 31A is such that the bearings 28A and 30A are caused to arrange themselves to contact the shaft 23A with a portion of their inner side, as shown in Figure 9. The bearings 28A,29A,30A, as may be seen, are retained in a common frame including said lower plate 26A and upper plate 27A, which are secured by means of suitable bolts 32A.

Rigid with the upper plate 27A, a block 33A is provided which has a hole through which is passed said drive string 13A, only partly shown in Figures 9 and 10. The string 13A is made rigid with the block 33A, and accordingly with the entire assembly 24A, by means of a screw 34A.

As mentioned, and in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the bearings 28A,29A,30A are set at a certain angle to the shaft 23A of the motor 22A, and in particular, as the expert will recognize, can only transmit small drive forces for given normal torque outputs of the motor 23A. Thus, upon energization of the motor, for rotation in either directions, and depending on whether it is desired to close or open the windows, the control assembly 24A, with its "slanted" bearings, will travel horizontally along the shaft 23A of the motor and pull, either to the left or right, the string 13A, thereby the windows are either closed or opened. It should be noted that also in this case, and similarly to the device of the first embodiment, plural window opening positions can be achieved, to vary accordingly the amount of light admitted through the window.

By contrast, upon the linkages associated with the blinds and/or windows reaching preset closing or opening movement travel limits, e.g. with said frame abutted against the embossment 34A on the shaft 23A of the motor, the bearing assembly 24A can no longer transmit a drive force and behaves as a clutch, with an action similar to that of the device according to the described first embodiment although the effect is achieved here without using chains, sprockets, spring loaded levers, and the like contrivances.

Another significant aspect of this second embodiment of the inventive device is represented by the closure system for at least one end of the box-like body 2A. In fact, and with reference to Figure 9, it may be seen that at least one end, and in this specific case the left end of the box-like body 2A shown fragmentarily, is provided with a closure assembly which enables the device to be readily adjusted to fit a wide range of window apertures by the simple manipulation of screws. To this aim, the end of the box-like body 2A is closed by means of a first plate 38A which is welded, for example, to the box-like body 2A, to which are screw fastened two further plate-like portions 39A and 40A, respectively, in mutual overlapping relationship.

The fastening method provides for two side screws 41A having their free ends slotted to receive, for example, an adjusting screwdriver, and for a further screw 42A. Thus, by manipulating the two screws 41A; the assembly including the two plates 39A and 40A may be brought closer or further away, so that the device can be made to fit against the wall. In particular, at least one of the plates 39A,40A can be formed from a suitable material exhibiting a certain resiliency, to thus further enhance the fitting of the device to the walls by application of a slight pressure.

Therefore, by virtue of the aforesaid feature, also the device according to the second embodiment of the invention presents itself as a modular unit, which for attachment toward the interior and exterior'of the walls, and indifferently close to the upper or lower portions of the window aperture, requires no masonry work, the installation being within the capabilities of the user him/herself.

With reference now to Figure 11 , there is shown a third embodiment of the invention. It will be noted that this embodiment is basically similar to the previous one, excepting that said bearing assembly is here replaced with a worm and nut assembly, and said drive string is replaced with a chain, like in the first embodiment of the device.

More specifically, this third embodiment of the inventive device comprises an electric motor 21A', to the shaft of which is keyed a reduction gear 40A' which drives a worm 50A' in operative engagement with a nut 51A'. The other end of the worm drives a bevel gear pair 52A', only schematically shown, in which a bore 53A' is provided for the insertion of a crank handle 54A' therein. For the remaining part, the construction of this embodiment is, as mentioned, basically similar to that of the first embodiment.From Figure 11, it may be seen that this embodiment, compared to the previous one, exhibits.essentially the characteristics of allowing the blind opening the closing assembly to be operated even in the event of power outages, through the cited crank handle 54A'. As for the rest, the operation is essentially similar to the one already described above.

With reference now to Figure 12, there is shown a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention. This embodiment differs from the previous ones only by the arrangement of the opening and closing control assembly or unit for the blinds P which are shown, in Figure 12, in their closed condition.

Therefore, for simplicity of exposition, only the differences from the previous embodiments will be described herein. Specifically, the torquelimited control assembly comprises a motor 22B to the shaft of which is keyed a reduction gear 40B which transmits the rotation movement, in either directions, from the motor 22B to a torsion bar SOB extending substantially over the entire length of the device. With the two ends of the torsion bar 50B, are associated two bevel gear pairs 60B and 70B, respectively, the main gear of said bevel pairs 60B and 708 being made rigid with the levers 3B,4B, already described in the foregoing.Thus, upon rotation of the motor in one direction or the other, to either close or open the blinds, the motor motion will be transferred to the torsion bar SOB, thus driving the bevel pairs 60B and 70B and causing the linkages to retract or extend. Once the closing or opening movement limit positions are reached, however, the torsion bar, by acting as a torsion spring proper, prevents, as the expert will recognize, the overloading of the motor. Also in this embodiment, as may be seen, the torque-limited control/clutch mechanism has been greatly simplified over the device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Understandably, there may be provided in any of the embodiments just described circuit means of automatically shutting off the power supply to the electric motor upon reaching the travel limit positions, as detected by the foregoing contcoltorque limiting assemblies. By contrast, through suitable manipulation of the power supply to the motor, one can lock the blinds at any desired opening position to thus achieve, in a most advantageous way, a desired condition of lighting in the room.

Finally, with reference to Figures 1 3A and 13B, a security mechanism will be described, in accordance with this invention, which may be associated, where desired, with any of the four embodiments just described of this device.

More specifically, with reference to the cited Figures 1 3A and 13B, this security mechanism comprises an electromagnet assembly, generally indicated at 100, the movable core 101 of which is connected, with the interposition of a return spring 102, to a blind locking assembly, generally indicated at 103. Of course, the electromagnet 100 will be secured, with any suitable means, to one of the blinds P. In particular, the locking assembly includes two pin elements 104 and 105 which are set respectively in the sill and upper wall portion of a window aperture, on which a retaining element, respectively 106 and 107, is allowed to rock through a closing and opening movement.The retaining elements 106 and 107 are associated, in a substantially rigid manner, with a conventional latch 108 for locking the blinds from the inside, which latch is in turn made pivotally rigid with the blinds, as by brackets 109 and 110 and fastening screws.

The operation of the locking mechanism will be apparent from the foregoing description. In particular, and as indicated by the double arrowhead A in Figure 1 3A, the energization of the electromagnet 100, as timed by the actuation of the closing and opening device described hereinabove, will cause the retainer element 106 to rock either in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby the blinds are unlocked, by moving the element 106 away from the pin 104, or in a clockwise direction, thus causing the retainer 106 to engage the pin element 104. During that movement, it will be noted that the element 106 rocks in sliding contact with its respective bracket retaining the latch 108.

Of course, and as mentioned already, the energization of the electromagnet 100 shall have to be timed to the energization of the motor of the foregoing closing and opening device. The spring 102 will automatically move the retaining element 106 into the locked position upon deenergization of the electromagnet to close the blinds. Thus, the mechanism described introduces an added security factor which can fully meet, for example, the strictest standards imposed by insurers.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the invention fully achieves its objects.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is not to be construed as limited to such embodiments, and is susceptible to many modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the instant inventive concept.

Of course, the materials utilized, as well as the dimensions and contingent shapes of the inventive device, may be any selected ones for a specific application.

Claims

1. A device for closing and opening, from within a room or enclosed space, blinds, shutters, and hinged window members in general, characterised in that it comprises first and second linkages having each at least a first lever hinged to supporting means and made substantially rigid with a room or enclosed space wall and/or a window frame, and at least a second lever operatively interconnected and cooperating with said first lever and being hinged to a respective blind or shutter element, said first and second linkages being operatively interconnected together, actuating means being also provided adapted for controllably actuating said linkages to substantially simultaneously open and close the blind or shutter elements.

2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that each said linkage includes two mutually hinged levers at one respective end thereof, the first lever being of substantially L-like shape and having its other end hinged to said support means made substantially rigid with the room wall and/or window frame, and the second lever being a straight connecting rod element and having its other end hinged to a hinge point substantially rigid with its respective blind element.

3. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that said first levers of said linkages are hingedly connected, at their ends to said support means, with a respective sprocket wheel, a chain element being arranged in a substantially figureeight closed loop configuration around said sprocket wheels of said first levers, and being operated and/or moved by said actuating means such as to cause said first levers to swing angularly by a preset angular distance to substantially simultaneously close and/or open said blind elements.

4. A device according to Claim 1 or any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said actuating means comprises an automatic actuation assembly including an electric motor and a speed reducer adapted to drive, when driven by said motor, a sprocket wheel around which said chain is run.

5. A device according to Claim 4, characterised in that said automatic actuation assembly is located between said first levers of said linkages substantially in the proximity of said hinge connection support of one of said first levers.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a torque limiting means is provided adapted to prevent, for a given torque amount, the driving engagement of said sprocket wheel with said chain.

7. A device according to Claim 6, characterised in that said torque limiting means comprises a spring loaded lever pivoted substantially at the centre and urged with one end against said chain on said sprocket wheel by a bias spring means engaging the other end of said spring loaded lever.

8. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes a further spring means operatively cooperating with said actuation means to enable the closing of one blind element and subsequent closing of the other blind element in abutment relationship with said one blind element.

9. A device according to Claim 8, characterised in that said further spring means makes up a portion of said chain.

10. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said further spring means is interposed between said connecting rod and said blind element.

11. A device for closing and opening, from within a room or enclosed space, blinds, shutters, and hinged window members in general, according to any of the preceding claims, comprising first and second interconnected linkages having each at least one first lever hingedly connected to a supporting means substantially rigid with a wall of the room or enclosed space and/or with a window frame, at least one second lever hinged to said first lever and to a respective blind element, a reversible electric driving motor energizable to actuate said linkages to substantially simultaneously close and open said blind elements, characterised in that it further includes, operatively associated with the shaft of said driving motor and interconnected with said first levers of said linkages, a torquelimited control assembly receiving its rotary motion from said shaft of said motor and controlling, in accordance with said.motor direction of rotation, the closing and opening swinging movements of said blind, said assembly being at the same time adapted to limit the torque on said shaft upon said blinds reaching preset opening and/or closing travel limit positions.

12. A device according to Claim 11, characterised in that said torque-limited control assembly includes a rolling bearing assembly, said bearings being commonly carried, with a preset inclination, on a supporting frame, on said shaft of said motor, each said bearing having at least a portion of the inside surface of its inner race in constant contact with said shaft of said motor, said bearings being adapted to apply a translation drive force on said frame therefore while the torque of said motor has normal values and to act as clutches as the torque of said motor tends to exceed said normal value upon said frame reaching travel limit positions.

13. A device according to Claims 11 and 12, characterised in that said torque-limited control assembly is interconnected to said levers of said linkages through a string and pulley type of connection.

14. A device according to Claim 13, characterised in that said pulleys are made rigid with said first levers and said string has a substantially figure eight configuration, said string being run around a respective pulley associated each with said first lever and substantially fixedly engaged with a portion of said frame.

15. A device according to Claim 11, characterised in that said control assembly includes a worm and nut pair and is interconnected with said first levers of said linkages through a chain drive.

16. A device according to Claim 11, characterised in that said torque-limited assembly includes a torsion bar assembly.

17. A device according to Claim 16, characterised in that said torsion bar assembly is interconnected with said first levers of said linkages through a bevel gear pair drive.

18. A device according to Claim 16, characterised in that said torsion bar assembly is operatively connected to said shaft of said motor through a reduction gear.

19. A device according to Claim 11, characterised in that it includes electromagnetic locking means adapted for locking said blinds in said closed positions thereof.

20. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said actuating means comprises a manual actuation means including a crank handle element.

21. A device for closing and opening, from within a room or enclosed space, blinds, shutters, and hinged window members in general, according to any of the preceding claims and as herein described and illustrated.