WO1994019573A1

WO1994019573A1 - Shade operating system

Info

Publication number: WO1994019573A1
Application number: PCT/CA1994/000074
Authority: WO
Inventors: Israel Karmel
Original assignee: Israel Karmel
Priority date: 1993-02-26
Filing date: 1994-02-11
Publication date: 1994-09-01
Also published as: AU5998194A

Abstract

A shade having a closure member able to be moved from one end of an opening to the other between a stored and an extended position for the shade. The shade has a driven drive roller (21, 30, 90, 130) at one end of the shade. At least one draw cord (54) extends from the drive roller (21, 30, 90, 130) to a distal end of the shade. The shade can be stopped at a predetermined position in the opening but the ability to allow the stopping can be overcome to allow movement of the shade by winding of the draw cord (54) onto the drive roller (21, 30, 90, 130).

Description

SHADE OPERATING SYSTEM This invention relates to a window shade.

Window shades in the form of horizontal or Venetian blinds have long been popular. They are a stylish means of covering a window and, although the shade is permanently mounted in the opening, simple movement of the slats that make up the shade, using a wand or the like that operates a drive mechanism, can tilt the slats to allow the passage of light. In addition, the blind is raised on a draw-cord to raise the whole blind structure to the top of the opening or part way. The shade may be lowered part-way. For lowering, the shade requires a weighted bottom.

In a window shade, the slats are mounted in a ladder structure comprising two strings or tapes with cross strings or tapes joining them in a ladder like structure. A draw cord is usually associated with each ladder and these draw cords extend down the front of the shade so that they can be pulled to raise the shade. The outer strings or tapes, in combination with the cross pieces of the ladder, act to tilt the blind. Separate controls are used for tilting and for raising and lowering.

Variations of the above shades include a continuous sheet having fold lines. These shades cannot be tilted but one or more draw cords is operated to move the shade to the top of the opening or part way to allow the passage of light. Release of the draw cord allows the blind to fall to close the opening partially or completely. Variations of this shade include pleated shades and gathered or Roman shades, that is of a soft material, without fold lines.

Although elegant and stylish it has been found that the above shades can be a danger in the home. It is now routine for manufacturers to include a warning concerning the draw cords. There have been a number of reported tragedies in which young children have been strangled on shade cords, particularly the draw cord, used to raise and lower the shade. According to information put out by the Consumer and Corporate Affairs Department of the

Government of Canada there were a total of five deaths in Canada and sixty nine deaths in the United States in the past ten years. These children were strangled on window shades and curtain cords; the majority were under three years of age. Typically the child became tangled in a blind cord while climbing on furniture that had been placed near a window.

It is known to have window shades, known as pull shades or pull binds, that comprise a light flexible sheet that can be drawn downwardly to close the shade. These devices have a spring loaded drive cylinder. Pulling the shade downwardly coils the spring to store energy. There is a simple ratchet and pawl mechanism to ensure that the shade remains down. A pull on the base of the shade releases the ratchet and pawl and the spring expands, rolling the shade around the drive cylinder.

These pull shades have met with some success but they are not nearly as popular as the horizontal or Venetian window shades. They are not particularly elegant in appearance and they do not have slats that can be tilted. Furthermore when the shade is of some width there is a tendency for it to curve and thus to allow the passage of light.

The present invention seeks to provide a window shade that can have the appearance of a Venetian blind and its advantages, but does not have the disadvantage of being a danger to children. The present invention lacks an external draw-cord. Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a shade having a closure member able to be moved from one end of an opening to the other between a stored and an extended position for the shade, the shade comprising, a drive roller at one end of the shade; means to drive the drive roller; at least one draw cord extending from the drive roller to a distal end of the shade; engagement means to stop the shade at a predetermined position in the opening; and means to allow the overcoming of said engagement means to allow movement of the shade by winding of the draw cord onto the drive roller.

In one embodiment the shade includes an actuator bar attached to the draw cord. The actuator bar acts to control the means to allow overcoming of the engagement means. Thus movement of the shade is controlled by downward movement of the actuator bar.

In one embodiment, the draw cord extends from the drive roller, through openings in the shade, to a distal end of the shade and movement of the actuator bar when the shade is in the extended position activates the drive roller to roll the draw cord around the drive roller to draw the closure member towards the drive roller.

The drive roller and the actuator bar may be at opposite ends of the shade or they may be at the same end of the shade.

The invention may include a spring, flat or coil, to drive the roller. The spring may be mounted in the roller. External springs and elastic cords, for example of rubber, may also be used to drive the roller.

The engagement means may comprises a pair of catches, one at each end of the actuator bar and a track at each side of the shade. Each catch can be mounted on a rod that is generally L-shaped. There is an opening in the actuator bar and the rods extend through the opening so that the rods can be gripped and moved towards each other to retract the catches.

The track may comprise a plurality of projections, each with the configuration of a ratchet. A catch can slide over the projections as the shade is closed but, when extended, engages the underside of the projections.

The closure member may be a continuous sheet, having a plurality of fold lines to allow the sheet to concertina or gather or may comprise of plurality of slats carried by a support ladder. The slats can then be tilted. Typically a wand is used in this arrangement, which is well known in the art.

In the second aspect of the invention, the slats may have projections at each end, analogous to the catches on the actuator bar. The projections are received in a channel at each side of the shade. The channel may be formed with the projections that also act to engage the catches of the actuator bar.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view, partially in section, of a shade according to the present invention and also illustrating the prior art;

Figure la shows a modification of Figure 1;

Figures lb and lc illustrate varying positions of the drive roller; Figure 2 illustrates a detail of the drive roller;

Figure 2a shows an external view of a variation of a drive roller according to the present invention;

Figures 3 to 3f show details of the actuator bar; Figure 4 shows the location of the drive mechanism at the bottom of an opening;

Figure 4a shows a detail of a variation of the actuator bar; Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a partially exploded view of a further shade according to the present invention;

Figure 8 is an exploded details of drive mechanism;

Figure 9 shows one slat that may be used with the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8;

Figure 10 illustrates an actuator bar; Figure 11 illustrates a further drive mechanism;

Figures 12a through 12d illustrate possible positioning of the drive mechanism of Figure 11; and

Figure 13 illustrates a modification of the shade structure and is analogous to Figure 6.

The drawings show a shade 10. In the majority of drawings the shade comprises a closure member comprising a plurality of slats 12 carried by support ladders comprising outer strings 14 and cross strings 16, between the outer strings 14, that carry the slats 12. Outer strings 14 include a flexible portion 15 shown at the lower end of Figures 3b, 3c, 3d and 4. Figure 1 shows a wand 18 attached to a gear box 20 that drives a shaft 22. Rotation of the wand 18 rotates the shaft 22 that draws up one end of the ladder to tilt the slats. This is known in the art. Figure 1 also shows the prior art arrangement of lowering the shade 10 in the form of elongated strings 24, extending to a handle 26 and operating a drive mechanism 28 so that pulling of the cord 24 acts to raise the slats. This is the feature that is replaced in the present invention. It is shown merely in broken lines in Figure 1. According to the embodiment of Figure 1 there is a drive roller 30 at the upper end of the shade 10 and this is so in the majority of drawings. However Figure 4 shows the drive roller 30 at the base. As shown in Figure 2 the drive roller 30 comprises an external cylinder 32 containing a coil spring 34 to supply the drive force. The coil spring 34 is positioned around a shaft 36 having an anchor slot 38 at one end to receive and anchor the spring 34. There is an end plate 40 at the end at shaft 36 that also anchors the spring 34 at 42. Plate 40 can rotate relative to shaft 36 but is fixed relative to cylinder 32. A rectangular plate 43 projects outwardly from the shaft 36, through end cap 44, to engage slot 46 in a housing 48 used to mount the drive roller 30. At the other end the roller 30 simply has a pin 50 (as shown most clearly in Figure 2a) that engages in an opening in housing 48. The end plate 40 has pawls 52 pivotally mounted at 53, and shaft 36 has a ratchet 55 engaged by pawls 52.

A draw cord 54 can wind around the drive roller 30, and extends through each slat 12 to an actuator bar 56 at the opposite end of the opening from the drive roller 30. The actuator bar 56 may take a variety of forms. Figure 3 shows the bar being of simple rectangular section housed within an arcuate housing 58. Figure 3a shows the same housing 58 but with openings 60 formed at each side to facilitate contact by the fingers. Figure 3b shows that the outer strings 14 of the ladder extend around the outer housing 58 while the draw cord 54 is attached to a hook 62 that engages the actuator bar 56. As shown in

Figure 3e this can be used to adjust the draw cord 54 by tightening or loosening the threaded hook 62 in and out in a threaded opening 64 in the actuator bar 56. The position may then be locked by a nut 66 or the like. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 3f the actuator bar 56 is a bar positioned below a lowermost member 12a. In the embodiment of Figures 3b, 3c and 3d the lowermost member is itself the actuating bar 56. When the strings 14 are attached to the actuator bar 56 then flexible portion 15 is needed to allow the downward movement of bar 56.

Figure 1 shows the lowermost member 12a to be a tiltable member, pivotally mounted to a lower housing 84 at 86. This member 12a may even be tilted to allow access to the actuating bar 56. The outer strings 14 are attached to the member 12a. This shade may be actuated even with the slats 12 tilted.

The attachment of the cord 54 to the hook 62, or the like anchor, means that the sensitivity of the actuating apparatus can be carefully adjusted. Smooth operation, rather than the violent upward movement common with the prior art roller shades, can be obtained by controlling the precise distance of movement of the actuator bar 56 necessary to actuate the ratchet and pawl mechanism.

This smooth movement is possible, in part, simply because it is only the cords 54 that go around the drive roller, not the whole shade, as in the prior art roller shades.

This control of the sensitivity also means that the shade can be stopped part-way, simply by holding the bar 56 as it goes up and releasing it at the appropriate time. Similarly the bar 56 can be stopped on its way down, in a position between the extreme positions, simply by moving downwardly on the actuator bar 56 then releasing the bar at the appropriate position.

Figure 1 shows the drive roller 30 extending the full width of the shade. Figure la shows an abbreviated drive roll 30, that is occupying only a portion of the width of the shade. Figure lb shows the use of a small off-set roller 21. The central draw cords 54 come upwardly, through openings in the top housing 48, around guides 72, around the roller 21. Figure lc shows a small roller 21, arranged laterally of the shade. Again the cords 54 are led length-wise of the housing 48 to the roller 21 using guides 72. The drawings show that the drive roller may be located in any convenient location and need not be positioned as illustrated.

Figures 3c and 3d show the use of grips 76 and 78 that can be used to grip the actuator bar 56.

In Figure 3f the actuator bar 56 is positioned below the bottom member 12a, similar to the arrangement of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows the use of decorative pieces 80 attached to brackets 82 which are common in the art. They are used merely to hide housing 48.

Figure 2a shows that the roller 30 can vary in diameter, the enlarged portion housing the spring 34.

To operate the shade of Figure 1 the shade may be drawn downwardly by pulling down on the bar 56. The spring 34 is coiled as the shade is pulled downwardly and the pawls 52 engage ratchet 55 to maintain the position of the shade, that is the downwardly closed position. The wand 18 may then be used to tilt the slats 12 in conventional, prior art manner. It should be noted that there is no external draw cord 24 that is a hazardous feature of the prior art.

If it is desired to raise the shade, then it is simply necessary to press downwardly on the actuator bar 56. Such a movement draws the draw cord 54 downwardly, releasing the pawls 52 from the ratchet 55. The spring 34 then uncoils drawing the slats 12 up rapidly by drawing in the draw cords 54, which roll around the drive roller 30. The housing 58 or 84 and, in certain embodiments, the actuator bar 56, abut the bottom slat 12 or 12a and push the slats upwardly towards the upper housing 48 of the drive roller 30.

The distance between the actuator bar 56 and the bottom of an opening, for example a window sill, or between bar 56 and housing 58 (Figures 3, 3a and 4a) can be controlled, for example, as shown in Figure 3e to provide smooth operation.

When, as shown in Figure 4, the drive roller 30 is in a lower housing 48a, that housing 48a also functions as the actuator bar. The shade is anchored at the top of the opening. Thus by pressing down on the housing 48a for the roller the draw cords 54 are drawn around the roller 30 which then moves upwardly towards the top of the opening. Figure 4a shows housing 48a mounted in a further housing or case 58a with an opening 68 to allow contact with the housing 48a.

The drive roller 30 may, of course, be operated by pulling directly on a draw cord 54, for example to avoid bending.

In all embodiments of the invention the shade may be stopped in a part-way position, that is at any position between the two extreme positions, fully opened or fully closed.

Although a coil spring 34 is shown any appropriate spring may be used. Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment closely similar in all functional aspects of the embodiment of Figure 1 except that the slats 12 are replaced by a closure member that is a continuous sheet 112 having a plurality of fold lines 114 to allow the sheet to concertina or gather.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment similar to Figure 5 except that the closure member 112 is replaced by a soft fabric closure member 116.

Figure 7 shows a modification of the apparatus of Figure 1 and, where appropriate, the same reference numbers are used. In Figure 7, drive roller 30, pawls 52 and ratchet 55 are unnecessary as described below.

Figure 8 shows a drive roller 130 that is a variation of the drive roller 30 of Figure 1 and is mounted in housing 48. The drive roller 130 includes a cylinder 132 containing coil spring 134 to supply the drive force for the shade 10. The coil spring 134 is positioned around a shaft 136. The shaft 136 receives a first housing 138 having a lug 140 and a second housing 142 having a lug 144. Lugs 140 and 144 receive the spring 134. The lugs are of an external diameter that equals the internal diameter of the cylinder 132. The shaft 136 is provided with a flattened, widened portion 146 at one end so that the housing 144 cannot be moved off the shaft 136. Housing 142 is also mounted so that the shaft 136 cannot rotate relative to the housing 142.

Housing 138 can rotate relative to the shaft 136 but is fixed relative to the cylinder 132 by the provision of a spline 148 to engage as an internal key-way 149 in the cylinder 132. At its distal end the cylinder 132 includes a stub shaft 150. Ears 152 extend from the shaft 136 and engage in an opening 46 in housing 48. By this means the shaft 136 is prevented from rotating relative to the housing 48.

Actuator bar 156 in Figure 7 is different from actuator bar 56 in Figure 1. The actuator bar 156 is shown in more detail in Figure 10. The actuator bar 156 has catches 158 extending outwardly. As shown particularly in Figure 10 there is a pair of catches 158, one at each end of the actuator bar 156. These catches 158 extend outwardly to engage a track 160 at each side of the shade 10. In the embodiment of Figure 10 each catch 158 is mounted on a rod 162 that is generally L- shaped. There is an opening 164 in the actuator bar 156 through which the rods 162 extend. Small springs 166, extend between the catches 158 and an abutment 168 fixed within the actuator bar 156. Only one such structure is shown in Figure 10 but the structure is the same at each end of the actuator bar 156. Springs 166 urge the catches 158 outwardly, to the position shown in Figures 7 and 10. However the projecting portions of the L-shaped rods 162 ensure that a user can grip the rods 162, urging them towards each other to retract the catches 158.

Each track 160 has a plurality of projections 170 of generally triangular section with an inclined upper face and a horizontal lower face - see Figure 7. Similarly the catch 158 is shown with a flat upper face and an inclined lower face. The configuration of the projections 170 produces a ratchet effect. That is the catches 158 can slide over the projections 170 as the shade is pulled closed but, when the catches 158 are extended, they engage the underside of a projection 170. Extension of catches 158 takes place automatically by the action of the springs 166 when the rods 162 are released. As shown in Figure 7 the projections 170 are mounted on an inner surface of track members 160 which is formed with a channel 172. The slats 12, in this embodiment, may be formed with projections 174 at each end and these projections 174 are received within the channel 172. By this means the shade is guided during movement and does not move indiscriminately.

Figure 9 illustrates a slat 12 having end caps 176 each formed with a projection 174 and with top 176 and bottom edges 178 that are adapted to engage corresponding edges of neighbouring slats 12 when the shade is closed, that is the slats 12 are rotated through 90° from the position shown in Figure 7. This is a means of ensuring that the shades keep out the maximum amount of light and rain if the shade is mounted externally.

The embodiment of Figure 7 thus also eliminates the necessity for external manual draw cords. In fact, the draw cord 54 shown extending through openings in the slats in Figure 7 may be housed at the end, possibly within the tracks 160 so that they are completely out of sight. In this embodiment actuator bar 156 may be provided with attachment members 179 as shown in Figure 10 to receive the draw cords 54.

To use the shade of Figure 7, first rotation of the slats 12 is as in Figure 1, conventional. That is rotation of wand 18 rotates the shaft 22 to pull in one or other side of the ladder 14, depending on the rotation of the wand 18.

To extend the shade from the stored, upper position, the actuator bar 156 is pressed downwardly. It is not necessary to touch the rods 162 as the catch members 158 will slip automatically over the projections 170. As the actuator bar 156 is moved downwardly the draw cords 54 uncoil from the drive roller 30 which is simultaneously rotated.

Rotation of the drive roller 30 or 130 tightens the coils of the spring 34 or 134 as the spring is rotated with the housing 148 or the end plate 40 where the spring, being fixed at one end and rotated at the other, coils.

At the appropriate point, the actuator bar 156 is stopped and the catch members 158 engage the underside of projections 170. This may be fully extended, that is the slats 12 occupy the full length of the opening, or may be at any point between.

Again the wand 18 can be rotated at this point to pivot the slats 12 to allow or prohibit the passage of light. To raise the shade the rods 162, where they protrude through the opening 164 are pressed together. Catches 158 are retracted, against the urging of the springs 166. The actuator bar 156, and the shade with it, are raised as the spring 34 or 134 uncoils and rotates the drive roller , coiling in the draw cord 54. A new location may be achieved simply by releasing the rods 162 so that the catches 158 are extended outwardly to engage the projections 170.

Thus the present invention provides shades that completely eliminate external manual draw cords and yet provide smooth, safe operation of the shades. Particularly in the embodiment of Figure 7, excessively vigorous movement of the shade is prevented because even if the rods 162 are inadvertently released catch members 158 will immediately spring outwardly to engage the projections 170 as the shade moves upwardly under the influence of the uncoiling of the spring 34 or 134. Figure 11 shows a drive mechanism 81 that can replace the drive mechanism of Figure 8 or Figure 2 in the structure of Figure 7. Drive mechanism 81 comprises a casing formed in two parts, 80 and 82. Part 82 has a shaft 84 that receives an inner end 86 of a coil spring 88. The coil spring 88 is mounted within a roller 90. The spring 88 extends through an opening 92 in the roller 90 and is attached to a draw cord 54 which extends from the casing through opening 94.

This drive mechanism is operated by pulling on an actuator bar 156 to move it away from the mechanism 81. Alternatively, a simple, frictional brake member can engage the cord 54 to stop it at the appropriate place. If necessary the brake member can be positioned immediately adjacent the opening 94.

Figure 11 also illustrates one form of brake that is appropriate. It should be emphasized that the brake illustrated is a mere example. Any simple means of engaging the draw cord 54 fixed in position will be appropriate. The brake shown in Figure 11 comprises an abutment 96 and a brake member 98 pivotally mounted by the provision of stub axles 100. There is a cross bar 102. Member 98 has a curved bottom surface 104 adjacent abutment 96. The draw cord 54 passes between abutment 96 and the surface 104. The position shown in Figure 11 is a brake position. That is by pushing on the member 98 in the region of surface 104 the lower surface 104 is moved about cross bar 102 to tend to close the gap between abutment member 96 and the surface 104. Draw cord 54 is gripped. It cannot move and therefore the shade cannot move. The use of a brake in this manner obviates the necessity for tracks 160 and projections 158.

However, when the upper end of the body 98 is pressed, that is above the axles 100, member 98 pivots about the axles 100 and the shaping of the bottom surface 104 is such that a gap opens between the body^~98 and the abutment member 96. Draw cord 54 is thus released and the shade is drawn in under the action of the spring 88.

An alternative brake mechanism may be operated simply by pushing or pulling on the wand 18. Such movement could contact a part of the roller, for example the end cap 44, and thus prevent rotation of the roller. The end cap 44 and wand 18 may form a ratchet and pawl mechanism or simple frictional contact may be sufficient. Again, as in Figure 11, the use of this embodiment eliminates tracks 160 and projections 158.

Various positions for the drive mechanism 81 of Figure 11 are shown in Figures 12a to 12d. Thus in Figure 12a the drive mechanism 81 is positioned at each end of a casing 48. The draw cords 54 are shown. In Figure 12b guide members 106 guide the draw cords 54 to two drive mechanisms 81, each at the right hand side of the Figure 12b. Figure 12c shows two separate drive mechanism 81 mounted in the center. The two mechanisms 81 can be replaced by a single drive mechanism with both cords 54 attached to the spring 88 and with the guides 106 repositioned accordingly to allow the use of just one drive mechanism.

Figure 12d shows the drive mechanism positioned at the bottom of the opening.

Figure 13 is included to show the use of a concertina or continuous blind 116 in place of the slats 12. The structure is otherwise as in Figure 7 and, of course, clearly resembles Figures 5 and 6.

Although the forgoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

For example the catches 158 that are illustrated in Figures 7, 10 and 13 may be replaced by engagement means that extend outwardly from the actuator bar 156 to make frictional contact with the track 160, for example they may be of rubber or plastic. The projections 170 may be replaced by simple openings in the track 160. The rods 162 need not be L-shaped. Their shape is immaterial. Slats 12 are shown with projections but the catches 158 can act as guides for the shade, making projections on the slats 12 unnecessary.

Similarly the drive roller 30 or 130 is shown at the top in Figures 7 and 13 but may be located at the bottom of the opening, similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 12d. The small springs 166 that are used to urge the catches 158 may be replaced by, for example, resilient rubber pieces that have the same effect. That is a rubber spring may be used; a coil spring is not necessary.

When the roller is at the bottom then the wand brake, discussed above, cannot be used. A frictional brake as, for example, shown in Figure 11 is then necessary.

The drive roller 30, including the coil springs 34 or 134, could be replaced by elongated coil springs extending down the inside of the opening and tending to pull the actuator bar upwardly. Rubber cords could also be used in place of such drive mechanisms positioned at the top and would provide simpler means of moving the actuator bar, and thus the slats 12 or the shades 112 or 116, upwardly.

A further variation is the use of thin coil springs or a rubber cord as a drive mechanism. That is in place of, for example, springs 34, 88 or 134 a narrow section coil spring or a rubber cord can extend down the side of the opening in the manner shown in Figure 12a where the draw cords 54 are shown. In these circumstances drive mechanism 81 is unnecessary. The necessary resilience is present in the springs or cords. Downward movement of the actuator bar stretches a spring or elastic cord until the desired position is reached. Catch members 158, or their equivalent, are then allowed to extend to prevent further movement.

Although tracks 160 are illustrated, they are not required in an embodiment where catches 158 are replaced by frictional members. Although such members could engage the tracks 160 and although tracks 160 do have the virtue of guiding movement of the shade, nevertheless the frictional members replacing catches 158 could make frictional contact with the sides of the opening. In the embodiment of Figures 11 and its operation as shown in Figures 12a to 12d, the tracks may not be necessary and catches would not be necessary as the drive mechanism is stopped by the brake, not by frictional members nor by catches engaging in projections in the track.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A shade having a closure member able to be moved from one end of an opening to the other between a stored and an extended position for the shade, the shade comprising: a drive roller at one end of the shade; means to drive the drive roller; at least one draw cord extending from the drive roller to a distal end of the shade; engagement means to stop the shade at a predetermined position in the opening; and means to allow the overcoming of said engagement means to allow movement of the shade by winding of the draw cord onto the drive roller.

2. A shade as claimed in claim 1 including an actuator bar attached to the draw cord, said actuator bar acting to control said means to allow overcoming of said engagement means.

3. A shade as claimed in claim 1 in which the draw cord extends from the drive roller, through openings in the shade, to a distal end of the shade and in which movement of the actuator bar when the shade is in the extended position activates the drive roller to roll the draw cord around the drive roller to draw the closure member towards the drive roller.

4. A shade as claimed in claim 1 in which the closure member is a plurality of slats carried by a support ladder, said slots being tiltable.

5. A shade as claimed in claim 1 in which the closure member is a continuous sheet, having a plurality of fold lines to allow the sheet to concertina or gather.

6. A shade as claimed in claim 1 in which the drive roller includes a spring to supply a drive force.

7. A shade as claimed in claim 6 in which the spring is a coil spring mounted in the roller on a shaft; an end plate on the shaft; a ratchet on the shaft; and a pawl to engage the ratchet on the end plate, whereby extension of the closure member coils the spring and the pawl locks on the ratchet at the extended position to prevent movement of the shade but a movement of the shade releases the pawl to allow the spring to rotate the drive roll to gather the draw cord around the roll and thus retract the closure member.

8. A shade as claimed in claim 1 in which the drive roller extends widthwise of the opening.

9. A shade as claimed in claim 2 in which the actuator bar is remote from the drive roller.

10. A shade as claimed in claim 9 in which the roller is at the top of the opening.

11. A shade as claimed in claim 1 in which there is at least one drive roller located at at least one side of the opening.

12. A shade as claimed in claim 2 in which the actuator bar is formed as a housing that receives the drive roller.

13. A shade as claimed in claim 12 in which the drive roller is at the bottom of the opening when the closure member is extended.

14. A shade as claimed in claim 8 in which the drive roller extends substantially all the width of the opening.

15. A shade as claimed in claim 8 in which the drive roller occupies only a portion of the width of the opening.

16. A shade as claimed in claim 8 in which the drive roller has an enlarged portion at one end to house the coil spring, the remainder of the drive roller being of reduced section.

17. A shade as claimed in claim 8 in which the drive roller is generally perpendicular to the closure member.

18. A drive roller as claimed in claim 2 in which the actuator bar is received in a housing.

19. A drive roller as claimed in claim 18 including an opening in the housing to facilitate touching the actuator bar.

20. A shade as claimed in claim 2 including means to control the draw cord to control the sensitivity of the actuator bar operation.

21. A shade as claimed in claim 20 in which the draw cord is attached to an adjustable anchor attached to the actuator bar.

22. A shade as claimed in claim 1 including a track to be received at at least one side of the opening to be engaged by said engagement means to fix the position of the closure member in the opening.

23. A shade as claimed in claim 6 in which the spring is received within a casing; the spring being a leaf spring having one end anchored within the casing and the other attached to said at least one draw cord.

24. A shade as claimed in claim 2 in which the means to drive the roller comprises elongated coil springs extending downwardly from the roller to the actuator bar, drive of the roller being provided by the tendency of the extended spring to compress and thus retract the shade.

25. A shade as claimed in claim 1 in which the means to drive the drive roller comprises an elastic cord, the tendency of the elastic cord to retract once extended providing driving power for the roller.

26. A shade as claimed in claim 2 in which the engagement means comprise a pair of catches one at each end of the actuator bar; a track at each side of the shade to be engaged by a catch; and resilient means urging said engagement means from said actuator bar;

27. A shade as claimed in claim 26 which each catch is mounted on a rod that is generally L-shaped; an opening in the actuator bar, the rods extending through said opening in the actuator bar so that the rods can be gripped and moved to retract the catches.

28. A shade as claimed in claim 26 in which the track comprises a plurality of projections.

29. A shade as claimed in claim 28 in which the track has the configuration of a ratchet, whereby the catch can slide over the projections as the shade is closed but, when extended, engages the underside of the projections.

30. A shade as claimed in claim 1 in which the engagement means is a brake.

31. A shade as claimed in claim 30 in which the brake acts on the draw cord.

32. A shade as claimed in claim 31 in which the brake comprises a brake member pivotally mounted by stub axles, whereby the brake member may pivot into or out of contact with the draw cord.

33. A shade as claimed in claim 30 in which the brake comprises a wand movable longitudinally to engage and disengage the drive roller to prevent its rotation or allows it rotation.

34. A shade as claimed in claim 4 in which each slat has a projection on each end; a guide to receive the projections at each side of the shade.

35. A shade as claimed in claim 26 in which the track is formed as a channel to be engaged by the engagement means, whereby the shade is guided in its movement along the opening.

36. A shade as claimed in claim 34 in which the slats have top and bottom edges adapted to engage neighbouring slats.