US2413754A - Venetian blind - Google Patents

Description

J. w. DUNN VENETIAN BLIND Filed Sept. 20/ 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR. W WM Jan. 7, 1947.

a 4 nfinfia n aa a a z a E E QEEQEEEWE FFEPFFEFFFFFEFEFFFMFFEE? G 40. 7 L .1 r WW Patented Jan. 7, 1947 nsist UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENETIAN BLIND John William Dunn, Alhambra, Calif.

Application September 20, 1945, Serial No. 617,568

15 Claims. 1

My present invention involves novel improvements in means for mounting Venetian blinds upon window-s, doors, or the like, where such blinds are customarily employed. A problem involved in the use and operation of Venetian blinds heretofore lies in the fact that previous to my invention it has been customary to support the Venetian blind in relation to the window or door by mourting means carried by the window or door, which means is stationary relatively to the latter. The Venetian blind comprises, ordinarily, a series of vertically arranged slat-s capable of assuming horizontal or tilted positions, and the slats are slightly spaced from the window when horizontally disposed. Under these conditions, when the slats are tilted or collapsed, they nece sarily assume positions a greater distance from the window th n when the slats are in their horizontal positions.

The foregoing action of slat movements makes for a special disadvantage in the operation of closing the bind, the closed position of the slats ordinarily being that in Which they are inclined upwardly and inwardly from the window. Disposing the slats in such inclined closed positions results virtually in such movement of the slats that cracks between the sides of the window and the ends of the blind slats are created, through which visibility may be had.

Now it is the primary object of my invention to devise a means for supporting a Venetian blind upon a window or door, or other support, which is to carry the same, in such a manner that the tilting of the blind slats to their closed positions inclining upwardly and inwardly from the window will effect a bodily movement of the entire blind unit upon its supporting means to carry said unit in the direction of or toward the window to a position such that when the blind is closed, it is sufficiently close to the window as With the above objects in view, I have provided as the main feature of my invention, in combination with the window and blind slat unit, novel bracket mounting means for supporting the said unit on the frame of the window, door, or

7 similar support, wh ch bracket means is preferably of the type utilizing what is known in the Venetian blind art today as a worm gear tilter. The worm gear tilting mechanism of the bracket supporting means for the blind unit is of novel design in that in the operation of the tilter the tilt bar which is directly engaged with the tilter and bracket supporting means, and from which tilt bar the blind slats are usually hung by means of tapes, is bodily shifted outwardly toward the window and inwardly from the window incident to the tilting of said tilt bar for the corresponding tilting adjustment of the slats of the blind to assume downwardly and outwardly inclined closed positions, and thereafter assume horizontal or inwardly and downwardly inclined positions, respectively. In this manner, according to the premises concerning the object of my invention, I am able to utilize the tilting mechanism to bodily shift the blind slat unit outwardly for fully closing the blind when the slats are tilted properly for such purpose, to the extent of eliminating the vision opening or cracks between the ends of the slats and window, said tilting means acting to effect reverse bodily movement on the opening of the blind slats to admit light, at which time the forming of the vision openings or cracks at the end of the blind is immaterial.

In the operation of my Venetian blind construction it will be understood that the action of the bodily movement of the blind slat unit re-' ferred to is incident to the normal operations of the tilting mechanism.

Another object of my invention has been to construct a tilting bracket which may be made of either die castings or stampings which require no expensive machine work.

Another advantage or" my tilting bracket con- 1 struction is that the same may be quickly and easily attached to any window jamb without adjustment.

A full understanding of my invention will be had upon reference to the following description and tothe accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a window equipped with a Venetian blind supported by the bracket means and worm tilting devices of my present invention, the adjustment of the blind being shown with the slats horizontal or open.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the position of the blind unit with its slats closed, at which time the unit is at its outward limit of bodily movement on the window frame.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the worm tilter bracket forming a part of my Venetian blind operating mechanism.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the construction of Figure 3 and taken about on the line 4-4 of the latter.

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 1, but showing the construction of the supporting bracket used at the side of the window opposite the worm tilter bracket.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken about on the line 66 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view of the upper portion of the window frame looking toward the same from the inner side thereof and showing the general arrangement of the Venetian blind and operating features.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, A designates the frame of a window on the sides or jambs of which, near the top of the window, are attached certain bracket means of my invention to be hereinafter set forth. The Venetian blind shown in position on the window frame A is generally designated as B and is comprised of the usual slats supported by tapes C on the tilt bar D which is carried directly on the bracket means above referred to. In regard to the above features of construction, it may be noted that they are generally conventional in that the blind unit B composed of the tilt bar D, and the tapes, and supported slats, are those commonly in use today.

Bracket means of my invention now to be set forth are employed for mounting the ends of the tilt bar upon the window frame A in such a manner as to permit of the bodily movement of the blind unit toward and from the window for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.

Describin the bracket means of my invention, I first refer to Figures 1 and 2 which show a tilting bracket constructed in accordance with my invention, the same comprising a plate I which is fastened to one side or jamb of the window frame A by means of screws passing through the holes 2.

A bracket 3 is riveted, welded, or otherwise affixed to the plate I and forms the journal for the worm 4. The worm 4 has a, shaft 5 upon which is positioned a pulley wheel 6. This pulley wheel is of the usual construction well known in the art and carries a cord I for rotating the worm 4. The usual guide 8 for retaining the cord I in place is provided. A bracket 9 riveted or otherwise affixed to the plate I has a slot ID for the reception of the worm gear I I. The worm gear I I is free to move back and forth in the slot IE3. To attach the worm gear II to the bracket 9, the gear has a boss I2 on its rear surface which is circular in shape and has a diameter substantially that of the width of the slot II), so that the gear II may rotate on the boss I2 in the slot II A projection I 3 on the boss I2 engages the rear side of the bracket 9 while the gear II engages the front side of the bracket 9 to maintain the gear I I in rotating position in the slot III. The slot IiI has grooves I4 and I5 on its lower side for engaging the pins I 6 and 29 on the rear surface of the gear II. The two pins I6 on the gear II are spaced to-match the grooves I 4 and I5 so that when the gear is rotated in the slot III until the pin I 6 enters the grooves I4, the gear is at the front end of the slot III, and when the pin enters the groove I 5, the gear is in the rear end of the slot III. The teeth ll of the gear I I mesh with the thread I8 of the worm 4.

In the operation of this device, when the worm 4 is rotated it causes the teeth I! to follow the thread I8, causing a rotation of the gear I I, but as the pin I6, as shown in the drawings, is in the slot I4, rotation of the gear will cause the gear to rotate about the pin I6 until pin 20 engages the groove I5. It is thus seen that the gear II will travel back and forth in the slot III as the worm 4 is rotated.

In Figure 5 is shown the follower which supports the opposite end'of the tilt bar D. The tilt bar is supported between the follower and the tilting mechanism of Figures 3 and 4 by means of a square rod or pintle member atone end of the bar D which enters the square hole 2I in the gear II, and a fiat bar pintle member at the other end of bar D enters the groove 22 in the follower 23. The tilt bar D is thus supported in the square hole 2I and the slot 22 by the square rod and flat bar emerging from the ends of the tilt bar. The follower mechanism is substantially the same as the mechanism for the gear I I except that it does not require a worm gear or teeth on it. The entire follower comprises a plate 24 on which is attached a bracket 25 having a slot 26 of the same size and dimensions as the slot ID from which emerg the grooves 21 and 28 which are substantially identical in position and size with the grooves I4 and I5. The traveler 23 has a boss and projection to maintain it in the slot 26 similar to the boss I2 and projection I3 and it has pins 29 and 36 for engaging the grooves 21 and 28 identical with the pins I6 and 20. The follower 23, of course, follows the same movement as the gear I I, as the tilting bar naturally forces it to move in the same manner.

In mounting a Venetian blind in my tilting bracket, the blind is supported by engagement of its tilt bar with the members II and 23 of the brackets I and 24 respectively, so that when the blind is closed with the slats inclined downwardly into the room,'the gear II is in position as shown in Figure 1, i. e., at the front or inner end of the slot I 0. When the blind is wide open, the gear II is in mid-position with the pins I6 and 20, both just entering their grooves I4 and I5. When the blind is closed with the slats inclined upwardly into the room, the gear II is at the back or outer end (nearest the window) of the slot III.

Other brackets now in use hold the entire blind at all times in what would correspond to the mid-position of the slot II), thus spacing the blind away from the window. The blind cannot be moved closer to the window by merely decreasing the distance that it is hung, as then the blind would strike the window when it is open.

When my bracket is used and the blind is placed in the upwardly closed position, it moves the blind in against the window. However, the blind can be freely rotated as movement to open the blind spaces the blind away from the window.

0 While I have described the embodiments of my invention, I am not limited to any of the details herein set forth except as described in the appended claims.

My invention contemplates broadly the provision of means to bodily adjust a Venetian blind toward and from the window opening with which it is associated, and, secondarily, to perform such adjustment of the blind in said manner coincident with tilting of the slats thereof.

70, This application is a continuation-in-part of my pending application for patent, Serial No. 581,089, filed March 5, 1945.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In combination, a window, a window frame, a Venetian blind comprising tiltable slats, supporting means for mounting the blind upon the window frame, and means on the supporting means for tilting the slats and simultaneously bodily moving the blind to vary the distance thereof relatively to the window.

2. In combination, a window, a window frame, a Venetian blind comprising tiltable slats, supporting means for mounting the blind upon the window frame, and means on the supporting means for tilting the slats and simultaneously bodily moving the blind to shift same toward and from the window.

1'3. In combination, a window, a window frame, a Venetian blind comprising tiltable slats, supporting means for mounting the blind upon the window frame, and means for tilting the slats in one direction and simultaneously shifting the blind relatively to the window, and tilting the slats in an opposite direction and simultaneously shifting the blind bodily but in an opposite direction to its bodily movement first mentioned.

4. In combination, a window, a window frame, a Venetian blind comprising tiltable slats, supporting means for mounting the blind upon the window frame, tilting mechanism for oppositely tilting the slats relative to the window and including parts for at the same time moving the blind bodily on its mounting means toward the window on tilting of the slats at one angle, and moving the blind bodily, oppositely to said first mentioned bodily movement, on tilting the slats at an opposite angle.

5. In combination, a window frame, Venetian blind supporting brackets attached to opposite sides of a window frame, a window in the frame, a Venetian blind comprising a tilt bar, and tiltable slats carried thereby, devices coacting with the brackets to support the tilt bar for tilting, and means to operate said devices to carry the blind toward and from the window incident to tilting of the slats.

6. In combination, a window frame, Venetian blind supporting brackets attached to opposite sides of a window frame, a window in the frame, a Venetian blind comprising a tilt bar and tiltable slats carried thereby, devices coacting with the brackets to support the tilt bar for tilting, and means to operate said devices to tilt the slats at one angle and move the blind bodily toward the window, and tilt the slats at an opposite angle and move the blind bodily away from the window.

'7. In combination, a window frame, Venetian blind supporting brackets attached to opposite sides of a window frame, a window in the frame, a Venetian blind comprising a tilt bar and tiltable slats carried thereby, rotating devices coacting with the brackets to support the tilt bar for tilting, and means to operate said devices to tilt the tilt bar and slats, said brackets formed with parts engaging the said devices to move them transversely to the window on rotation thereof, thereby to shift the blind bodily relatively to the window.

8. In combination, a window, a window frame, a Venetian blind comprising tiltable slats, supporting means for mounting the blind upon the window frame, and means to shift the blind bodily to adjusted positions toward and away from the window.

9. The combination of parts of claim 8, in which the last means is manual.

10. In combination, a window, a window frame, a Venetian blind comprising tiltable slats, supporting means for mounting the blind upon the window frame, and means to shift the blind bodily to adjusted positions toward and away from the window and simultaneously tilt the slats of the blind.

11. In combination, a window, a window frame, a Venetian blind comprising tiltable slats, supporting means for mounting the blind upon the window frame, and means to shift the blind bodily to adjusted positions toward and away from the window and simultaneously tilt the slats 0f the blind upwardly and inwardly relatively to the window as the blind shifts toward the latter, and to horizontal and then to downwardly and inwardly inclined positions as the blind moves away from the window.

12. In a tilting mechanism for a Venetian blind, a bracket, a worm journaled on said bracket, and a gear meshing with said worm, said gear being carried by said bracket by means facilitating lateral movement of said gear in said bracket.

13. In a tilting mechanism for a Venetian blind, a bracket, a worm journaled on said bracket, a slot in said bracket, and a gear meshing with said worm and movably retained in said slot.

14. In a tilting mechanism for a Venetian blind, a bracket, a worm journaled on said bracket, a slot in said bracket, a gear meshing with said worm and movably retained in said slot, and means for connecting the tilting bar of a Venetian blind to said gear.

15. In a tilting mechanism for a Venetian blind, a bracket, a worm journaled on said bracket, a slot in said bracket, a gear meshing with said worm and movably retained in said slot, means for connecting the tilting bar of a Venetian blind to said gear, a follower substantially identical with said gear and carried in a bracket in the same manner as said gear for supporting the other end of said tilting bar, and means for attaching said tilting bar to said follower.

JOHN WILLIAM DUNN.

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