Blind assembly

Abstract

A blind apparatus comprising at least two tracks having adjacent ends meeting at a corner defined therebetween, the tracks defining two opposite ends remote from such corner, a rotation shaft for each track, a lead traveller in each track, moving along a lead traveller path of predetermined length from an open position at one end of the path to a closed position at the other end of the path, pluralities of travellers, forming groups, associated with respective lead travellers, each traveller having a rotatable slat shaft and being connected to a rotation shaft whereby upon rotation of the rotation shaft, the slat shaft may be rotated, adjacent travellers in the same group being connected by links, each lead traveller being connected to an adjacent traveller in its respective group by a further link, a flexible control element attachable to the lead travellers, and, a flexible coupling connecting adjacent rotation shafts at the corner, with all lead travellers being movable simultaneously along respective paths by the flexible control element. Also disclosed is a corner junction member for joining the two lengths of track.

Description

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 628,223, TRACK FOR BLINDS, filed July 6, 1984 now abandoned.

The invention relates to an apparatus for operating blinds, and in particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for operating vertical blinds around a corner.

Vertical blinds generally comprise a plurality of evenly spaced vertical slats, downwardly depending from travellers held in a horizontal track. The track is affixed to the ceiling or upper casement of a window. Each slat is rotatably attached to a single traveller which is slidable within the track. Commonly, a horizontal shaft connects all the travelers. Rotation of the shaft, through a suitable means in each traveller (such as a worm gear) causes the slats to rotate. Each traveller is connected to adjacent travellers by suitable movable connection means whereby, in one direction each traveller can be moved to contact another traveller, and, in an opposite direction the travellers move apart from each other. Suitable control means (such as cords, chains, or shafts) are provided whereby the travellers can be moved longitudinally along the track, and whereby the shaft can be turned to rotate the vertical slats. Generally, such controls are located at one end of the track.

In existing vertical blinds the track is straight. In order to have vertical blinds on both sides of a corner, for instance in a bay window or in a room having glass sides joining at corners, it is necessary to have a separate vertical blind arrangement along each window. Each blind must be operated individually, independently of the other blinds. Each blind requires its own control cords or shafts. These requirements add inconvenience and added expense to the vertical blind system. As well, the additional control cords or shafts detract from the aesthetic appearance of the window.

Where the two linear blind tracks meet, in the corner, there is a gap where the slats do not meet.

Where the lengths of track contain groups of travellers of different numbers, the travellers in all groups should be capable of being moved between fully open and fully closed positions simultaneously, by a single control.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a vertical blind which could extend around corners and which would require only a single control cord or shaft. Furthermore, it would be also advantageous if such a blind could be devised to operate around a multiplicity of corners along different lengths of window. Furthermore, in certain applications it would also be advantageous if the blind apparatus could be oriented in any position including vertically, horizontally or in any other position.

With a view to overcoming the above disadvantages and to providing the above advantages, the invention comprises a blind apparatus comprising at least two tracks having adjacent ends meeting at a corner defined therebetween, the tracks defining two opposite ends remote from such corner, 32link or connector means 82 between such travellers 36a and 36 commences to pull an adjacent traveller 36 toward the closed position.

As cord 54 continues to move through apertures 74 and 77, of lead traveller 36b, a point is reached where traveller engagement means 78 passes through the first opening 74 and contacts washer 76. Thereafter, washer 76 is pulled toward panel 72. Washer 76 then abuts against panel 72. At this position, lead travellers 36a and 36b both have the same distance to travel in order to reach the fully closed position.

As cord 54 is pulled further towards the closed position, both lead travellers 36a and 36b move toward the closed position. Both travellers 36a and 36b pull, by link means 82, a group or train of travellers 36 therebehind.

At the fully closed position, travellers 36 are spaced apart along the length of tracks 32 and 34 according to the lengths of the various link means 82. In order to close the slats 38, a rotation shaft 40 is rotated by the suitable rotation control means provided (but not shown in detail). For example, cord 41 may be pulled to rotate pulley 43 and to rotate shaft 40. As one shaft 40 rotates, the flexible coupling means 44 will also rotate therewith, causing the other shaft 40 to also rotate. In such fashion, the rotation of one shaft 40 is transmitted around corner 20. The rotation of shafts 40 causes the rotation of slat shafts 37 and slats 38 to the closed position through the suitable transmission means (not shown) provided in each traveller 36. The vertical blind apparatus 28 according to the invention is now in the fully closed position.

In order to open the blinds the rotation of shafts 40 is reversed.

Subsequently, when the slats 38 are in the open position, cord 56 is now pulled to open the vertical blind apparatus 28. The pulling of cord 56 causes engagement means 78 to be released from contact with washer 76. Furthermore, because cord 56 is tied to or integral with cord 54, lead traveller 36a commences to move toward the open position. As lead traveller 36a continues to move toward the open position, link means 82 between traveller 36a and an adjacent traveller 36 telescopes, or otherwise allows lead traveller 36a to move closer towards such adjacent traveller 36.

As cord 56 continues to be pulled through lead traveller 36b, engagement means 78 passes outwardly through opening 74 in panel 70. Lead traveller 36b, however, remains in the fully closed position. Lead traveller 36a eventually will contact and push adjacent traveller 36, and thereafter will cause both travellers 36a and 36 to move toward the open position.

Eventually, engagement means 80 will pass through opening 74 in panel 72 in traveller 36b. Engagement means 80 will continue to be pulled until it contacts washer 76 and thereafter will move washer 76 toward panel 70, until washer 76 abuts against panel 70. At such position, lead traveller 36b will commence movement toward the open position. At such position, both lead travellers 36a and 36b will have to travel an equal distance to the fully open position.

As lead traveller 36b continues to move toward the open position, a connector means 82 between traveller 36b and an adjacent traveller 36 will collapse or otherwise allow traveller 36b to move closer to traveller 36. Eventually, traveller 36b will contact and push traveller 36, and thereafter, cord 56 will operate to pull both travellers 36b and 36 toward the open position.

In such fashion, all of travellers 36 close up against each other and the blind returns to the fully open position.

It will be appreciated that if the closing direction of track 34 were the same as that of track 32, engagement means 78 and 80 would be attached to cord 56. Furthermore, cord 56 would pass through openings 74 in panels 70 and 72 and through opening 77 in washer 76.

Similarly, the traveller engagement means 64, 78 and 80 will be attached to cords 54 and 56 depending on the specific desired vertical blind arrangement. By suitably positioning such engagement means 64, 78 and 80 and by providing suitable lead travellers, it is possible to design any vertical blind arrangement, such as normal opening, inverted opening, centre pull opening, inverted centre pull opening, multiple opening and double centre pull opening apparatuses as well as other designs.

In further embodiments, a vertical blind apparatus may include a multiplicity of corners and tracks of different lengths. In such an apparatus, cord 54 is fixed to a lead traveller having the longest path length. There may conceivably be more than one lead traveller having the same, but longest, path length. Cord 54 is also fixed to such other lead travellers, as well. Pairs of engagement means are attached to either cord 54 or 56, depending on the desired direction for opening and closing the vertical blind apparatus, on each side of the other lead travellers, having other shorter paths. The distance between the members of each pair of engagement means is equal to the difference in length between such other path and the longest path. The engagement means in each pair is specifically positioned, as described above.

In a further embodiment, if all lead traveller paths have the same length, the cords 54 and 56 are simply fixed to the lead travellers. They may, for example, be attached by means shown in FIG. 4 or they may simply be tied to or wrapped around a portion of the lead traveller.

In a further embodiment, a lead traveller may have a design different from other travellers. The embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrates lead travellers identical to other travellers. Such an arrangement is convenient for the manufacture of the blind apparatus. However, in certain instances a lead traveller with special different characteristics may be desired.

FIG. 6 illustrates one such alternate embodiment for a lead traveller 90. Lead traveller 90 defines only one panel 92 which allows cord 54 to pass therethrough at an opening 94. Engagement means 78 and 80 are unable to pass through opening 94. Engagement means 78 and 80 are separated by a distance about equal to the difference in lengths of the longest traveller path and the path of lead traveller 90 plus the thickness of panel 92. Lead traveller 90 may not include a slat shaft and may not have a slat affixed thereto. Furthermore, lead traveller 90 may not have a collapsible connection means connecting it to an adjacent traveller 36. Rather, lead traveller 90 may be rigidly fixed in close proximity to an adjacent traveller 36.

According to a further embodiment the use of fixed connectors on beads 64, 78 and 80 may be dispensed with.

Instead, the cords may be gripped by clutch devices associated with the lead travellers in each group.

These devices provide a form of sliding frictional grip on the cord so that the locations of the lead travellers can be self-adjusting.

One form of such a clutch device is shown in FIG. 7.

It will be seen to comprise a generally channelshaped body portion 100 having a back portion 102. Side walls 104, 106 and 108, 110 extend from back portion 102. A generally rectangular notch 111 is formed between walls 104 and 108, and 106 and 110 respectively, for reasons to be described.

An adjustment screw 112 is mounted in wall 104, and carries a pressure shoe 114. A guide groove 116 is formed in wall walls 106 and 110. Groove 116 and shoe 114 register with one another so as to embrace a cord on opposite sides.

By suitable adjusting the screw 112, a pressure can be applied to a cord between shoe 114 and groove 116. This pressure can be regulated so as to produce the desired amount of friction.

Other forms of clutch devices can be provided. For example, a clutch device could simply be an opening of a restricted size, in a traveller, or in a device such as a connector bead 64, 78 or 80, or even a washer 76.

All could be made to fit on the cord with a frictional sliding grip.

In operation in this embodiment, all lead travellers would start to move in unison. However those travellers in small groups would come to rest earlier than those in larger groups. The clutch devices would then allow the cords to slip so that the longest lead traveller could continue to move.

The clutch 100 is so designed that it can be used with various different makes of traveller. With one make of traveller, the notch 111 between can receive the lead traveller within it. In this way, movement of the cord in either direction will cause the lead traveller to move.

The clutch 100 can be associated in other ways with other forms of travellers which are now in use, and which form no part of this disclosure being in any event wellknown well known in the art.

In a further embodiment, an additional horizontal track may be provided at the bottom of the vertical blind apparatus. Control cords may be provided to operate travellers in both upper and lower tracks simultaneously. By using opposed pairs of tracks to support the slats, the blind apparatus may be supported in any position, including a vertical position, a horizontal position or any position therebetween.

In accordance with a further embodiment the corners of the tracks may be joined, by means of the corner insert member illustrated generally in FIGS. 8a and 8b.

The corner insert member is indicated generally as 130, and comprises right and left hand body members 132 and 134 hinged together by suitable hinge pin means such as 136.

The body member 132 will be seen to comprise upper and lower hinged walls 138, 140, in spaced apart parallel planes, and joined by a junction wall 142.

Walls 138 and 140 define hinge holes 144.

At the opposite ends of walls 138, 140, upper and lower track connector walls 146 and 148 extend outwardly. Walls 146-148 are located in parallel spaced apart planes, being offset inwardly with respect to the planes of walls 138-140 for reasons to be described. A side junction wall 150 extends between walls 146-148, which lies in a plane offset inwardly with respect to side wall 142 of body 132.

An end wall 152 extends between the ends of walls 146, 148 and 150.

A cord guide opening 154 is formed in wall 152, and a rod guide opening 156 is also formed in wall 152.

A pair of locating fingers 158 extend from opposite sides of wall 152.

Body 134 defines the same components, and these are therefore given the same numbers as in the case of body 132. The only exception is that the walls 138-140 are formed so as to interfit with one another in the two bodies 132-134, whereby to overlap and form a hinge.

In order to guide the cords, around the corner, a corner guide frame 160 is provided, having two fastening flanges 162, extending from one end thereof at an obtuse angle.

Pulleys 164 are mounted on a common shaft 166 within frame 160.

In operation, where it is desired to join two pieces of track at a corner, the ends of the two pieces of track are cut square, and the two pieces of track are then slid onto the walls 146, 148, 150 on each of bodies 132 and 134.

The locating members 158 fit within portions of the track.

The walls 138, 140 will then be left extending out of the two ends of the track.

The frame 160 is then introduced into position and the portions of track are then swung until the correct angle is located. The two flanges 162 are secured permanently to the walls 138 on the bodies 132, 134 by means of screws (not shown) or other suitable fastening means.

The control cords and the control shaft and its flexible junction member are then introduced through the openings in the walls 152, and are assembled together, with the control cords running around the pulleys 164.

If desired, a corner trim plate (not shown) may be attached between the two portions of track to cover the corner member 130 if desired.

It will of course be appreciated that while the corner junction member 130 is indicated as two separate parts hinged together by pin means, in accordance with well-known plastic forming techniques, plastic structures can be formed of what is known as a "self-hinge" being a flexible portion of plastic formed integrally with the plastic structure by means of which two portions may be hinged or swung relative to one another.

Clearly, such a well-known forming technique could be used in the present case, with only minor modifications.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A blind apparatus comprising:

at least two tracks having adjacent ends meeting at a corner defined therebetween, the tracks defining two opposite ends remote from such corner;

at least one corner junction member adapted to form said corner;

connection means on said corner junction member interengageable with said adjacent ends of said tracks;

an angle formation in said junction member whereby said tracks are located at an angle to one another;

a first and second slat rotation shaft means extending longitudinally located relative to each track respective ones of said tracks;

support means for supporting said slat rotation shafts means;

a plurality of travellers, forming at least two groups, said travellers being slidably received within respective tracks, each traveller having a rotatable slat shaft, each traveller in each said group being connected to a respective one of said slat rotation shafts means for rotation of said slat shafts, adjacent travellers in the same group being connected to one another;

flexible elements traverse drive means engageable with said groups of travellers and operable to move said travellers along respective ones of said tracks between open and closed positions;

rotation control means connected to a said slat rotation shaft means, and,

flexible coupling means connecting adjacent slat rotation shafts means adjacent said corner.

2. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 1 25 wherein said flexible coupling means comprises:

a helical spring, and,

collar means attached to each end of said spring, each collar means being affixed to a respective rotation shaft.

3. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 1 26 wherein a guide means is provided at said corner, whereby said flexible element may be supported around said corner.

4. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein a pulley is provided at said one end of said one track to receive said flexible element.

5. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including:

a lead traveller in each said group of travellers, at least one main lead traveller moving along a path of a predetermined length between open and closed positions, and others of said lead travellers moving along paths of a length less than said predetermined length,

wherein a said flexible element is attached to said main lead traveller to move the same along said lead traveller path, and wherein slidable lead traveller engagement means are attached to each said other lead traveller, whereby to allow said flexible element to move the full length of said longest lead traveller path.

6. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein each engagement means for said other lead travellers comprises a first bead affixed to said flexible element and wherein each said other lead traveller defines two parallel spaced apart panels defining first openings therethrough, said flexible element extending through the first openings, said openings having sufficient width to admit said first beads therethrough, and including a washer having a central aperture through which said flexible element extends, said washer being supported by said flexible element between said panels, said central aperture having insufficient width to allow said first beads to pass therethrough.

7. A bling apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said attachment means includes a second bead affixed to said flexible element, said second bead having a width greater than that of said openings in said panels.

8. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a downwardly depending slat is attached to each slat shaft.

9. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said corner junction member comprises insert portions adapted to be inserted into adjacent ends of said tracks, and hinge means joining said insert portions, whereby said tracks can be adjusted to different angles.

10. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein there are two said insert portions each having hinge wall means forming an integral structure.

11. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 9 25 including bearing means in said junction member for receiving said rotation shafts.

12. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 9 26 including guide rollers in said junction member for guiding said flexible elements.

13. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 1 26 including traveller engagement means slidable along said flexible elements.

14. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said engagement means comprises a body member, and frictional gripping means in said body member, adapted to make a sliding frictional grip on said flexible elements, said body member being connectable with a respective one of said other lead travellers whereby to move them a predetermined distance, and thereafter when said other lead travellers are at rest, said flexible elements will slide through said gripping means, to permit said main lead traveller to move along its said longest path.

15. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are three said tracks, meeting at two corners, and including two said corner angle formations.

16. A blind apparatus comprising:

at least two tracks having adjacent ends meeting at a corner defined therebetween, the tracks defining two opposite ends remote from such corner;

a relatively rigid rotation shaft longitudinally located relative to each track;

support means affixed to each track for supporting respective rotation shafts;

at least one lead traveller slidably received within each track, each said lead traveller being constrained to move along a lead traveller path of predetermined length within its respective said track from an open position at one end of said path to a closed position at the other end of said path;

a plurality of further travellers, formin at least two groups, a said group being associated with a respective said lead traveller, all said travellers being slidably received within respective said tracks, each said traveller having a rotatable slat shaft, each said traveller being connected by suitable transmission means to a respective one of said rotation shafts whereby upon rotation of said rotation shafts, said slat shafts may be rotated, adjacent travellers in the same said group being connected by a connection means, each said lead traveller being connected to an adjacent said traveller in its respective said group by a further connection means;

a flexible element traverse drive means engageable with said lead travellers and operable to move all said lead travellers simultaneously along said tracks between open and closed positions;

rotations control means attached to one of said rotation shafts, and,

flexible coupling means connecting adjacent rotation shafts at said corner.

17. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said flexible coupling means comprises:

a helical spring, and,

collar means attached to each end of said spring, each collar means being affixed to a respective shaft.

18. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 16 27 including guide means at said corner, for guiding said flexible element.

19. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein said flexible element is attached to each lead traveller constrained to move along a longest lead traveller path, and wherein lead traveller engagement means are adjustably attached to said flexible element adjacent each other lead traveller, and engage the same.

20. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said lead traveller engagement means comprises a first bead affixed to said flexible element and wherein each said other lead traveller defined two parallel spaced apart panels defining first openings therethrough, said flexible element extending through said first openings, said first openings having sufficient width to admit said first beads therethrough, and including a washer, having a central aperture through which said flexible element extends, said washer being supported between said panels, said central aperture having insufficient width to allow said first beads to pass therethrough, and including a second bead affixed to said flexible element, said second bead having a width greater than that of said first openings in said panels.

21. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein a downwardly depending slat is attached to each slat shaft.

22. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 16 including a corner junction member, adapted to form a corner between two adjacent ends of track, said corner junction member comprising portions adapted to be connected to adjacent ends of said tracks, and angle means joining said portions, whereby said tracks can be set at an angle to one another.

23. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said lead traveller engagement means comprises a body member, and frictional gripping means in said body member adapted to make a sliding frictional grip on said flexible element, whereby said body member may move a predetermined distance, and thereafter when its respective said lead traveller is at rest, said flexible element will slide through said gripping means.

24. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein there are three said tracks meeting at two corners.

25. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and in which said first and second slat-rotation means comprise first and second rotation shafts. 26. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 25 and in which said traverse drive means comprises flexible elements engageable with said groups of travellers. 27. A blind apparatus as claimed in claim 16 and in which said traverse drive means comprises a flexible

element engageable with said lead travellers. 28. A blind track assembly comprising:

at least two lengths of blind track, meeting at a corner;

blind suspension means supported by said at least two lengths of track;

blind control means extending along said at least two lengths of track;

a corner junction member at said corner, said corner junction member, in turn, comprising:

first connector means interengageable with a first one of said tracks at said corner;

second connector means interengageable with a second one of said lengths of track;

hinge means interconnecting said first and second connector means whereby said lengths of track may be set at an angle to one another, and,

guide means on said corner junction member for guiding said blind control

means therearound. 29. A blind track assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein said blind control means is rotatable, and including bearing means in said corner junction member for supporting said blind control means. 30. A blind track assembly as claimed in claim 29 including blind control means in both said lengths of track, and including flexible connector means extending between said first and second blind control means. 31. A blind track assembly comprising:

at least two lengths of blind track, meeting at a corner;

blind suspension means supported by said at least two lengths of track;

blind control means extending along said at least two lengths of track;

a corner junction member at said corner, said corner junction member, in turn, comprising:

first connector means interengageable with a first one of said tracks at said corner;

second connector means interengageable with a second one of said lengths of track;

hinge means interconnecting said first and second connector means whereby said lengths of track may be set at an angle to one another, and,

rotatable blind control means in both said lengths of track, and including rotatable connector means extending between respective said rotatable blind control means.