WO2000055466A1

WO2000055466A1 - Routless horizontal blind

Info

Publication number: WO2000055466A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/005631
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rory A. Mcneil; Rosa Mcneil
Original assignee: Mcneil Rory A; Rosa Mcneil
Priority date: 1999-03-17
Filing date: 1999-03-17
Publication date: 2000-09-21
Also published as: AU3005299A

Abstract

A routless horizontal blind having a head rail (20), a bottom rail (22), a retracting cordage means (24), an adjusting cordage means (26), and a plurality of ladders (32) all of which are known in the art of horizontal blinds. The ladders incorporate a plurality of loops (38) on vertical legs (34) which hold a like plurality of horizontal slats (30). Lift cords (28) are positioned outboard of the slats (30) thus eliminating center slots and forming a routless blind. The slats are formed of a single segment of material having a flange (50) along the inside edge (48) with notches (52) to correspond with the ladder legs and lift cords. A pair of pockets (54 and 56) are integrally formed into each slat and a stiffening rod (58) is inserted into the pockets for strength and rigidity. In one embodiment, the slats (30) are designed so that when rotated, the inside edges (48) overlap the outside edges (46) to provide a full closure of the blind.

Description

ROUTLESS HORIZONTAL BLIND

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains generally to horizontal or Venetian blinds and more particularly to a routless horizontal blind having no openings in the middle of the slat. The blind is constructed of a resilient material which incorporates a pair of stiffeners for rigidity, and an edge which includes a notch for captivating a lift cord for retracting or lifting the blind.

BftCKGRQUriD ART

Ever since structures have been used for habitation, one of the most fundamental needs has been to control the amount of light that enters the interior of the structure. As a result of the need for natural and artificial light, structures are constructed with windows and doors made of a transparent material, such as glass, which allows light to enter. Transparent windows can also provide protection against natural and un-natural elements. However, windows are incapable of providing visual privacy. To solve the visual privacy problem drapes and blinds are utilized to cover the window area.

While drapes can provide a fairly effective means of privacy, and are simple to operate, they do have drawbacks. One of the biggest drawbacks to drapes is that they are usually constructed of a fabric. Even though marr fabrics are strong, they are still subject to the effects of "wear and tear". After a certain amount of time a fabric will experience degradation, which can cause the color to fade, the drapes to tear easily and/or lose their shape, especially in the folds.

Blinds can be designed to hang either horizontal Ivor vertically, and because they are manufactured from a plastic, or similar material, are not subject to the degradation that affects fabric drapes. Recently, plastic blinds have also been covered in a fabric material and, particularly when hanging vertically, are able to closely replicate the appearance of hanging drapes while avoiding much of the care and maintenance that is necessary for fabric drapes.

The problem with blinds is that they tend to become more noticeablv soiled than other window coverings. This is especial lv true with horizontal blinds onto which dust and dirt are able to easilv settle. Due to the fact that most conventional horizontal blinds utilize a hole located in the center of the slat, through which a pull cord is placed, it is difficult to remove the slats for cleaning. If one or more of the slats become soiled, a time consuming and difficult cleaning must be performed. If a single slat happens to become damaged it is often necessary, to replace the entire blind assembly. Also, the hole through the slats allows unwanted light to enter "hen the blinds are closed. A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention, however the following U.S. patents are considered related:

PATENT NO. INVENTOR JL≥SUEn

.5 , t i. t , Ό O > Debs 17 Apπ 1 1973

3, 71 ,427 Coldewey, et al i --l ".7 J l 1 76

4, 154, 281 S hluep 1 May 1 79

4, 593, 38 Chi Yu 10 June 1 86

4,6 1,67 Georgopoulos et al 11 November 1986

5,632,3 6 Cohen -. -i i- t May 1997

De . 390,739 Zorbas 17 February 1998 5,829,506 zorbas 3 November 1 98

Patent number 3,727,665 issued to Debs, discloses a blind with lift cords operated by a pendant cord guide and lock. Patent number 3,971,427 issued to Coldewey, et al discloses a Venetian blind having profiled slats and an opening or passage in the middle to receive a pull tape to retract the blind.

Patent number 4,154,281 issued to Schluep discloses a Venetian blind with channel -shaped marginal portions and flexible cord carriers for the slats. Adjacent marginal portions are bent over the slats to establish a permanent connection therebetween.

Patent number 4,593,738 issued to Chi Yu discloses a Venetian blind using an elongated slat suspended by a pair of lines, with a second slat connected to a third line which moves one end portion along the top of the first slat.

Patent number 4,621,673 issued to Georgopoulos, et al discloses a Venetian blind having a clutch mechanism for controlling the tilt rod of the blind which is operated by a beaded cord. Lifting of the bottom rail and slats is accomplished by a thin lift tape wound on a reel on the tilt rod. The top ends of the ladders of the blind are connected to a sled slidably mounted on the reel .

Patent number 5,632.316 issued to Cohen discloses a Venetian blind having individually adjustable slats that are mounted directly above one another in the unextented position. Each slat can be individually extended in length to allow the blind to be used on windows of varying widths. The cords used to control the position of the slats and the cord used to raise and lower the slats are mounted on the edge of the slats which do not have holes.

Patent number Des . 390,739 issued to zorbas discloses a fabric blind with a stiffening rod placed into pockets on each outside horizontal surface.

Patent number 5,829,506 issued to Zorbas discloses a fabric blind slat having at least on one edge an integral ly formed longitudinally extending pocket. Into the pocket is inserted a relatively rigid support member.

For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention relates reference may be made to the following additional patents:

PATENT NO.. INVENTOR ISSUED

2, 275.273 Taylor 7 March 1 42

4,487, 243 Debs 11 December 1984

5, 92, 52 Ju kins -l' December 1997

5,727,61 Jud ins 17 March 1998

5, 769, 43 Morgan et al June 1998

5, 806, 79 Judkins 15 September 1998

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Prior art conventional Venetian blinds have a significant drawback in that when the slats are tilted closed, the holes that are located in the middle of the slats for the lift cords admit an annoying amount of light from sunlight or other light sources when complete deletion of light from a window is wanted. This undesirable effect is overcome by the invention and may be considered, the primary object, which is to utilize a routless blind that completely eliminates the slat holes and places the lift cord on the outside of the blind. This is accomplished by using a series of loops that are formed into the legs of the ladders adjacent to the rungs, thereby constituting retainers for the lift cord. The cord is then threaded through these loops and attached to the bottom rail with the retraction achieved in a conventional manner using a mechanical device positioned in the head rail, which is well known in the art.

An important object of the invention is that bousing a ladder with the loops on the outside, friction of the slats against the ladder is reduced as there is no lift cord in the middle to impede the rotational and vertical movement of the slat.

Another object of the invention is that the alignment of the slats is assured by a notch cut into each slat on the inside edge adjacent to the leg of the ladder. The lateral movement of the slats was previously governed by the retention of the lift cord '■'i thin a middle hole in a conventional blind, and ince that hole has now been omitted the notch easily takes its place. The notch further simplifies the installation of the lift cord as it may be accomplished prior to the slats being mounted into the ladders.

Still another object of the invention is an improved closure of the blind as the stiffening rods change the contour of the slat from a flat to an irregular surface with a radial edge on the front. This pattern assures that light is obstructed when the blind is rotated into a closed position, as the light is blocked b" the raised portions on both sides, thereby eliminating the crack that is prevalent if the slats are completely flat.

Yet another object of the invention is the ability to remove individual slats for cleaning. Unlike conventional blinds that Iwe all of the slats tied together with the lift cords, the present invention permits an^τ' or all of the slats to be removed from one of the sides bv simply compressing the edges of the slat until the notch clears the lift cord and ladder leg and then slid outwardly from the blind. This unique feature is particularly useful in areas where there is a great deal of airborne dust and the fact that the entire blind does not have to be removed is particular A beneficial.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

PRTFF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a partial isometric vie¹'' of the preferred embodiment.

FIGURE z is a partial isometric ie¹-¹ of a single slat, ladder and lift cord completely removed from the invention for clarity.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 Of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a partial isometric view of the portion of a double loop ladder completely removed from the invention for clarity.

FIGURE 5 is a partial isometric view of the portion of a single loop ladder completely removed from the invention for clarity.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded view of an individual slat with the stiffening rods separated.

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIGURE 1 with two double loop ladders.

FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional vie¹') taken along lines 8-8 of FIGURE 1 with three single loop ladders and the slat broken into three distinct segments indicating an extended length. FIGURE is a perspective view of a set of blind slats that have been 'rotated so that the outside edges overlap the inside edges to provide full closure of the blind. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment. The preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGURES 1 through 9, is comprised of elements that are found in conventional Venetian blinds including a head rail 20, a bottom rail 22, retracting cordage means 24, adjusting cordage means 26 and a plurality of ladders 32. These component parts of a horizontal blind are presently in use and are well known in the art, and as such require little explanation. However, the head rail 20 may be in almost any configuration with a channel shape most widely used to form the substructure which retains the retracting and adjusting cording means 24 and 26 which include tape drums, rollers, lift cord actuators and locks, tilting mechanisms, tilt rods and the like. The retracting cording means lifts the blind using the lift cords 28 and the adjusting cordage means 26 changes the angular pitch of the blind slats 30. The bottom rail 22 may be rectangular in shape however a trapezoid shape, as depicted in FIGURE 1, is preferred.

The plurality of ladders 32, which are formed from knit yarn, include a pair of vertical legs 34 with a series of rungs 36 spaced apart at predetermined intervals as shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4. The rungs 36 are formed in pairs, thereby permitting slats to be inserted therebetween, which hold them in place when angularly rotated. It should be noted that not all of the rungs 36 are used in a split manner. When two ladders are used, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, only one ladder is split top and bottom, and the other is positioned underneath the slat. Both may be split if desired but normal lv onl" one is used to conserve labor. The split rungs 36 are usually staggered one side to the other, as depicted in FIGURE 1. The ladder legs 34 also include a plurality of loops 38 that are substantially adjacent to the rungs 36 either above, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, or below not illustrated. The rungs 36 and loops 38 are knitted into place during the manufacturing process. This ladder system has been utilized in the past on 1-inch width slats but not on 2- inch slats. Two types of ladders 32 may be used: a "double loop" type 40 as depicted in FIGURE 4, or a "single loop" type 42 as shown in FIGURE 5. The "double loop" type 40 has loops 38 integrally formed on both legs 34 whereas in the "single loop" type 42 the loops 38 occur on only one leg 34. If the blind is relatively narrow a pair of the "double loop" type 40 are used, one on each side, as shown in FIGURE 7, however, if the blind is wide, it is necessary to use more than two to prevent sagging. Therefore the "single loop" type 42 is utilized, as depicted in FIGURE 8, in as many multiples as required to simplify the retracting and adjusting cordage means, thus limiting the number of cords required.

An improvement to the ladders 32 in either configuration is accomplished by color bath dying which matches the hue of the slats 30, and also to autoclave the yarn and add a spiral twist prior to knitting, thereby preventing twisting or figure-eighting of the loop. This procedure is accomplished by turning the single ply of yarn in a first direction eight times and reversing, by turning the opposite direction five times. This, along with the autoclaving, creates balanced yarn with minimal twisting of the ladder when it is assembled. It should be noted that the autoclaving procedure is not necessary if rnonof11 lrnent material is used in the fabrication of the ladders 32. Autoclaving and this unique twisting configuration were not manufacturing methods used in the knitting of 1-inch double loop ladders.

Regardless of whether a single or double loop is utilized, the vertical legs are joined to the bottom rail 22 and to the adjusting cordage means 26 through the head rail 20. Tilting is accomplished bv rotating a t liter rod 44, as shown in FIGURE 1, or some other method such aa pull cords or the like both well known in the art.

The significant feature of the invention is the design of the horizontal slats 30. The slats are disposed within the rungs 36 of the ladders 32, which are angularly positioned relative to the head rail 20 and bottom rail 22 by the adjusting means 26. Each slat 30 is unitaπly formed of a discrete segment of material including an outside edge 6 and an inside edge 48. The material is preferably a woven fabric coated with polyester or acrylic for stiffness. The weaving process creates a single distinct element with a flange 50 along the inside edge 48, as shown in FIGURE 3.

The slats 30 are dimensioned to allow the slat's outside edge 46 to overlap the inside edge 48 of an adjacent slat 30, thereby providing full closure of the blind. A plurality of notches 52 are cut into the flange 50, in vertical alignment with the adjusting cordage means 26 and ladder leg 34 for clearance. The plurality of notches 52 permit the removal of individual slats 30 for cleaning when the slats 30 are compressed within the ladders disengaging connection, between the notches 52 and ladders 32. Each notch 52 is preferably sealed with polyvmylchloπde (PVC) resin or acrylic to prevent fraying. Various acrylic resins can be used to heat seal the notches, thus rendering the material flame retardant . The slat 30 is integrally formed with a first pocket 54 that is contiguous with the flange 50 on a surface which extends from the outside edge 46, and a second pocket 56 along the inside edge 48. The pockets 54 and 56 have material on either side and are basically parallel with each other as they are the same wi th.

A resilient stiffening rod 58 is disposed within each slot pocket 54 and 56 for supporting the slat in a flat orientation, planer with the rails 20 and 22. The rod 58 is preferably made of fiberglass, which is known for its stiffness and resistance to bending. It should be noted however that any other material may be substituted with equal ease, such as thermoplastic in all of its varieties, or wood, metal, etc. The diameter of the rod 58 is dependent upon the span length of the slat and the number of ladders required, however it has been found that 0.095 inch (2.4 MM) diameter is best suited for the application. hile polyester-coated woven fabric is preferred for the slat material, the invention is not limited to this substance alone, as other matter in sheet material may be utilized, such as a polymer in many varieties of thermoplastics that are currently available. To complete the invention a number of lift cords 28 are slidably disposed within the loops 38 of the ladders 32. These cords 28 are attached to the retracting cordage means 24 in a conventional manner, and also to the bottom rail 22. hen the retracting means are actuated the lift cords 28 draw the bottom rail 22 and the lowest slat 30 into the desired relationship with the head rail 20. If the cords 28 are partially retracted, only the lower portion of the slats 30 rest on the bottom rail 22, and if the cords 28 are fully retracted, all of the slats 30 rest one on top of the other and the window covered by the blind is ful 1v expose .

In order to provide consistency and aesthetics, each cord 28 may be color bath dyed to match the color of the blind or the valance of the blind. It may also be seen that colors, textures and surface designs can be incorporated into the slats 30 to enhance the overall appearance of the blind. other features well known in the art may be utilized, such as the so-called "EZ release tassel" 60, as shown in FIGURE 1, which holds the lift cords 28 together into one pull cord 62 therebv creating a desirable child safe characteristic. Additionally, the slats 30 can be designed so that when the slats 30 are full" rotated in one direction, the outside edges 46 overlap the inside edges 48 as shown in FIGURE 9. Likewise, when the slats 30 are fully rotated in an opposite second direction (not shown), the inside edges 48 overlap the outside edges 46 of the slats. In either rotational direction the slats 30 provide a full closure of the blind.

While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorial ly shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLA I M S

l. An improved routless horizontal blind having a head rail, a bottom rail, retracting cordage means, adjusting cordage means and a plurality of ladders each including a pair of vertical legs with a plurality of rungs therebetween, with the legs attached to the adjusting cordage means through the head rail and joined to the bottom rail, said vertical legs having a plurality of loops substantially adjacent to said rungs, said improvement comprising: a⁾ a plurality of horizontal slats disposed within the rungs of the ladders angularly positioned relative to the head rail and bottom rail as rotated by the adjusting means ,

(I; said slat unitaπlv formed of a discrete segment of material having an outside edge and an inside edge, (2> said slat having a flange along said inside edge with a plurality of notches within the flange in vertical alignment with the adjusting cordage means for ladder leg clearance, (3) said slat having a first pocket contiguous with the flange on a surface a a" from the outside edge, and a second pocket along the inside edge, both pockets formed integrally with the slat, and b a resilient stiffening rod disposed within each slat pcc et for supporting the slat in a flat orientation planner with the rails, and c) a plurality of lift cords slidably disposed within the loops of each ladder also attached to the retracting means and the bottom rail such that when the retracting means are actuated the lift cords draw the bottom rail and the slats into a desired relationship with the head rail exposing a window covered by the blind.

2. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim 1 wherein said slat is constructed of a woven fabric.

3. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim 2 wherein said slat woven fabric is acrylic coated.

4. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim 2 wherein said slat woven fabric is polyester coated.

5. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim 1 wherein said slat is constructed of polymer sheet material.

6. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim 1 wherein said slat flange notch is heat sealed with acrylic resin to prevent fraying.

7. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim l wherein said slat flange notch is heat sealed with polyvinylchloride (PVC) resin to prevent fraying.

8. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim 1 wherein said stiffening rod is constructed of fiberglass .

9. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim 1 wherein said ladder is constructed of knit yarn.

10. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim 9 wherein said yarn is rotatably turned in a single strand and autoclaved to prevent twisting or figure-eight ing of the loop.

11. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim lo wherein said single strand of yarn is rotatablv turned eight times in a first direction and followed bv five turns in an opposite direction prior to aυtcclavmg.

12. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim 1 wherein said ladder has double loops, one set of loops on each of the vertical legs.

13. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim i wherein said ladder has single loops, only one set of loops on a ingle vertical leg.

14. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim l wherein said ladder is color bath dyed.

15. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim l wherein said lift cord is color bath dyed.

16. The routless horizontal blind as specified in claim 1 wherein said slats are designed so that when said slats are fully rotated in one direction the outside edges of said slats overlap the inside edges of said slats to provide a full closure of said blind.

17. The routless horizontal blind as specified in claim 16 wherein said slats are designed so that when said slats are fully rotated in a second direction the inside edges of said slats overlap the outside edges of said slats to provide a full closure of said blind.

18. A routless horizontal blind having a head rail, a bottom rail, retracting cordage means, adjusting cordage means and a plurality of ladders each including a pair vertical legs with a plurality of rungs therebetween, with the legs attached to the adjusting cordage means through the head rail and joined to the bottom rail, said vertical legs having a plurality of loops substantially adjacent to said rungs, comprising: a) a plurality of horizontal slats disposed within the rungs of the ladders angularly positioned relative to the head rail and bottom rail as rotated by the adjusting means ,

( ) said slat un11ar I 1 formed of a discrete segment of woven fabric material having an outside edge and an inside edge,

(2⁾ said slat having a flange along said inside edge with a plurality of sealed notches within the flange in vertical alignment with the adjusting cordage means for ladder leg clearance, (3i said slat having a first pocket contiguous with the flange on a surface away from the outside edge, and a second pocket along the inside edge, both pockets formed integrally with the slat, and b) a resilient fiberglass stiffening rod disposed within each slot pocket for supporting the slat in a flat orientation planner with the rails, and

C a plurality of lift cords slidably disposed within the loops of each ladder also attached to the retracting means and the bottom rail such that when the retracting means are actuated the lift cords draw the bottom rail and the slats into a desired relationship with the head rail exposing a window covered by the

19. A routless horizontal blind having a head rail, a bottom rail, retracting cordage means, adjusting cordage means, ladders with rungs and pull cords comprising: a) a plurality of horizontal slats disposed within the rungs of the ladders angularly positioned relative to the head rail and bottom rail as rotated by the adjusting means,

(l> said slat umtarily formed of a discrete segment of material having an outside edge and an inside edge, <2i said slat having a flange along said inside edge. (3) said slat having a first pocket contiguous with the flange on a surface away from the outside edge, and a second pocket along the inside edge, both pockets formed integrally with the slat, and b⁾ a resilient stiffening rod disposed within each slot pocket for supporting the slat in a flat orientation planner with the rails.

20. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim 19 wherein said slat flange having a plurality of notches within the flange in vertical alignment with the adjusting cordage means for ladder leg clearance and to prevent lateral movement of said slat within the ladder.

21. The routless horizontal blind as recited in claim 20 wherein said plurality of notches permit removal of individual said slats for cleaning when said slats are compressed within said ladders disengaging connection between the notches and ladders.