GB2487923A

GB2487923A - Air-tight roller blind

Info

Publication number: GB2487923A
Application number: GB1102145.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christophorus Lambertus Spoorenberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-08
Filing date: 2011-02-08
Publication date: 2012-08-15
Also published as: GB201102145D0

Abstract

A roller curtain or roller blind with sidetracks, bottom and top 5d sash pieces. The fabric 4 is in a touching mode with sidetracks and sash pieces to achieve an airtight seal. The top sash piece 5d only forms a contact with the fabric when the blind is fully lowered and the diameter of the roller fabric on the roller has decreased (cf Figs 3 and 3a). The bottom sash piece may carry a hydrophilic substrate to collect condensation and control evaporation. The device can have a plurality of fabrics running through separate sidetracks but attached to a single roller, the fabric performing different functions â for example moisture controlling, heat conducting and heat reflecting. The side tracks may be in a variety of different clamping arrangements (Fig 4a-c) which secure the blind in an airtight arrangement via deformation of the blind fabric.

Description

Title: An Insulating Roller Curtain

Field of the Invention:

s The present invention relates to treatments that reduce transfer of energy and dust through window and door openings. The invention particularly relates to curtains and blinds for reducing heat loss through a window. The invention also relates to windows where ingress of light is undesirable and to window and door openings where infiltration of dust needs to be prevented. Jo

Background to the Invention:

Windows are responsible for substantial energy loss of most houses. Most curtain and blind systems are applied for aesthetic and privacy reasons but these do not properly address the issue of energy loss even when they carry a heavy insulating fabric. Current systems do not secure a tight fit against the wall and there for allow warm air to bypass the fabric and move towards the cold window pane. The air subsequently will be cooled (transfers its heat to the cold pane) and subsequently returned to the living area, causing uncomfortable draughts and loss of energy. In the light of reducing energy consumption and costs and improving comfort it is desirable to have a device that secures an airtight fit. The device mentioned in this invention secures an airtight fit reducing heat loss substantially in a reliable and effective manner. The airtight fit also seals against the slightest ingress of light and/or dust, if desirable.

Statement of Invention:

This invention relates to a device that comprises a roller curtain made of a fabric of any thickness or properties, an operating mechanism for the fabric and an airtight seal around all sides of the fabric. The device typically s features separate tracks for fabric and bottom rods in its elongated side-elements. The track for the fabric forces the fabric into a straightened or slightly deformed shape. The contact areas in the track form a seal with the fabric in a touching mode. In the event of damaged or curled sides there can be a light pressure not higher than the flexibility of the fabric itself. A io flexible strip may be used in the case of more rigid fabric materials.

Brief Description of the Drawinjzs:

Fig 1: 3-dimensional front view of device as fitted in window casing near window frame is Fig 2: 3 dimensional rear view of device with box for roller mechanism partly dismantled, chain, side elements and bottom element Fig 2a: 3-dimensional close-up view focusing on side element and horizontal element with flexible seal in a touching mode with fabric attached to roller Fig 2b: see fig 2a but from different angle also showing box more complete Fig 3: 2-dimensional close-up side view focusing on horizontal element with flexible seal in a touching mode with fabric attached to roller Fig 3a: see fig 3 but with increased roller diameter due to raised position of fabric Fig 3b: combination of fig 3 and fig 3a Fig 4: 3-dimensional bottom view of device showing tracks for rod and fabric in side element in a series' configuration.

Fig 4a: cross-section of side element showing areas of contact with tracks for rod and fabric, in a series configuration Fig 4b: cross-section of side element showing areas of contact with tracks for rod and fabric, in a parallel configuration s Fig 4c: cross-section of side element showing areas of contact with tracks for rod and fabric, with an additional flexible flap or brush incorporated in side element Fig 5: 3-dimensional view on bottom section showing window frame, side elements and bottom element with slots and hydrophilic substrate for moisture-control and flexible seal Fig 6: 3-dimensional close up rear view focused on a parallel positioning of side elements and fabrics in case of a multiple layer configuration.

Fig 7: 3-dimensional close up rear view focused on a radial positioning of is side elements and fabrics in case of a multiple layer configuration whereby PtIesIMscripiojj; The device can be universal and retro fitted in or in front of any wall opening or casing (1) p.e. holding a window (2) or door, where two areas on either side of the curtain need to be separated in an airtight manner in order to prevent mixture and convection of air on both sides of the device. The main objective is to reduce loss of heat through a window and avoid transfer of light. While a common roller blind or curtain reduces heat loss only marginally this device contributes substantially in saving energy due to its air tightness. Operation can be done manually p.e. by means of a chain (3) or assisted by a motor.

The device contains elongated elements that are fitted in an airtight manner to their mounting surfaces around the edges of the curtain. The function of these elements is to provide an effective seal between fabric (4) and opening s at subsequently: top, sides and bottom of the device in a touching mode when the curtain is fully lowered. This touching mode is assisted by light pressure from elongated flexible elements, in which the fabric itself can also be seen as a flexible element.

io The top element (5a) can be part of the box (5) that carries the roller mechanism (Sb) supported by side plates (Sc) and has a horizontal edge in a touching mode to the fabric when the curtain is closed thus forming a seal along this horizontal edge. While operating the roller curtain its fabric automatically creates a gap (4a) due to the increase of the roller's diameter, is thus preventing abrasion.

This edge can have an additional flexible strip (Sd).

The elements at the sides (6) function as guides while operating the system and contain tracks that are designed to intrinsically make an airtight seal with the fabric. The slot (6a) between the contact areas (6b) is nominally of the same width or slightly narrower than the thickness of the fabric. The various contact areas are positioned under an offset (6c) in such a manner that the fabric is nominally forced into its flat shape or being slightly deformed to secure contact with minimised friction.

Elongated flexible flaps or brushes (6d) are attached alternatively to apply a light pressure to secure a touching mode.

S

The rod (7) has its own track in these side elements and can be positioned parallel (7a) or in series (7b) with the orientation of the fabric's track.

The element (8) at the bottom is designed to form a seal with the rod s attached at the lower end of the fabric. An additional flexible seal (8a) secures air-tightness. The element may contain ventilation openings (8b) and a strip of hydrophilic material (8c) for controlled evaporation of any occurring condensate.

io The device can be a bespoke and complete roller curtain system but also as a retro fit kit comprising the elongated elements as mentioned above only.

The device may have one or more additional layers of fabric all attached to one roller whereby each fabric will have a separate set of side elements or is tracks that are positioned parallel or under a light angle (6e) with the side elements or tracks of the other fabrics.

The device is designed in such a manner that friction and wear between fabric and seal are minimal during operation yet the air tightness is secured to a maximum when fully lowered References: 1) US.7.093.643 82 2) US.7.28i.56i ---E06B9/264 ---US.200526904l Al 3) GB 2096679 4) EP 0325368 Al

Claims

Claims: 1) An insulating device, mounted in an airtight manner into a window casing or other mounting surface, either vertically, horizontally or under any angle in between, consisting of a roller curtain or roller blind with roller operating s mechanism, operated via a manual mode, either assisted by a spring load mechanism or motor, containing elongated elements at top, bottom and sides that form an airtight seal with the edges of the curtain's fabric in a touching mode, assisted by flexible properties of said elements and fabric, thus reducing convection and preventing mixture of air from the two chambers on io either side of the curtain and preventing transfer of light, of which said element at top, either in an adjusted or fixed position, forms it's airtight seal with fabric in fully lowered position only, due to a change in roller diameter.
2) An insulating device according to claim 1 in which said bottom element with said flexible properties to provide an airtight seal when curtain is fully lowered, comprises a hydrophilic substrate for collecting condensate and openings for said condensate to access said substrate to provide controlled evaporation of said condensate when the blind is fully lowered.
3) An insulating device as claimed in any preceding claim in which side elements contain separate tracks for the fabric and its rod which is attached at the bottom of the fabric for purposes of stability and pull force by gravity, in which said tracks for the fabric contain elongated flexible elements, consisting of flaps or brushes, to provide an effective seal with the fabric by applying a light pressure from deformation of said elements.
4) An insulating device according to either of claims 1 and 2 in which side elements contain separate tracks for the fabric and its rod which is attached at the bottom of the fabric, whereby the orientation of these separate tracks is either parallel or in series, in which said tracks provide multiple contact s areas that are shaped and positioned in a manner that slightly deforms, though at least touches, the sides of said fabric to provide an effective seal, where pressure force is determined by the flexibility and deformation of the said fabric in relation to the position of said contact areas.io 5) An insulating device as claimed in any preceding claim comprises a plurality of fabrics attached to the roller and its operating mechanism, each fabric running through its own set of side elements or tracks as mentioned under claim 3 and 4, positioned in a parallel or radial orientation, in which any fabric can have different moisture controlling, heat conducting and is reflecting properties.