Actuation device for a venetian blind or the like arranged inside a double-glazing unit

An actuation device for a Venetian blind or the like arranged inside a double-glazing unit comprises a first magnet, which is arranged inside the double-glazing unit and is directly connected to the respective actuation system, and a second external magnet. The second magnet is associated, in a box-like structure which is applied horizontally on the outside of the double-glazing unit, with a kinematic element extending between two end elements, one of which is arranged on an actuation rod which can rotate about its own axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an actuation device for a Venetian blind 
or the like arranged inside a double-glazing unit. 
Venetian blinds or the like arranged inside a double-glazing unit with 
magnet-type actuation means are already known, wherein the blind is 
accommodated in the hermetic interspace formed between the two glazed 
surfaces of the double-glazing unit and is actuated, as regards the 
adjustment of the packing and/or inclination of its slats, by means of a 
magnetic coupling, through one of the glazed surfaces, between a first 
internal magnet, which is directly connected to respective actuation 
systems, and a second external magnet. 
The internal mechanical devices are constructed so that they are actuated 
by means of a straight-line translatory motion of the magnets. 
In home installations, actuation is mostly manual: the user moves the 
second magnet in a straight line along the border of the double-glazing 
unit inside which the first magnet is arranged. 
There are vertically-arranged actuations and actuations which are mostly 
adapted only to adjust the inclination of the slats of the double-glazing 
unit which are arranged on the horizontal upper border, mainly due to 
aesthetic impact concerns, and are therefore not particularly handy, 
especially for short people. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The aim of the present invention is to provide an actuation device for a 
Venetian blind arranged inside a double-glazing unit which eliminates the 
drawback described above in conventional types. 
A consequent primary object is to provide an actuation device in which the 
part that can break or malfunction lies outside the double-glazing unit 
and can be replaced simply and quickly. 
Another important object is to provide an actuation device which can be 
easily applied even to existing double-glazing units. 
Another object is to provide an actuation device which has a simple 
structure and a low cost. 
This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter 
are achieved by an actuation device for a Venetian blind or the like 
arranged inside a double-glazing unit of the type comprising a first 
magnet, which is arranged inside the double-glazing unit and is directly 
connected to the respective actuation system, and a second external 
magnet, said device being characterized in that said second magnet is 
associated, in a box-like structure applied horizontally to the outside of 
the double-glazing unit, to a flexible element which is stretched in a 
loop between two guiding elements, one of which is arranged on an 
actuation rod which can rotate about its own axis.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a Venetian blind is designated by the 
reference numeral 10 and comprises a plurality of slats which are 
connected to the upper side of the framework 15 of the double-glazing unit 
13 in which the Venetian blind 10 is inserted. 
Conventionally, the double-glazing unit 13 is substantially constituted by 
a pair of glazed surfaces 14 which are mutually spaced by an aluminum 
framework 15 which is hermetically coupled thereto by sealing. 
The Venetian blind 10 has means for adjusting the inclination of the slats 
comprising a shaft 16 which is rotatably connected to the framework 15 and 
has a helical median portion 17. 
As shown in the figures, the shaft 16 is arranged inside the horizontal 
upper portion of the frame 15. 
A bush 18 is connected to the median portion 17 of the shaft 16 and is 
internally shaped complementarily to the helical profile; a first magnet 
19 is fixed to said bush, also rests internally on the corresponding 
glazed surface 14, and is slidingly coupled thereon. 
Pulley-type supports 20 are also fixed to the shaft 16; the cords 21 
surround said supports and, through their vertical movement, synchronously 
turn all the slats of the Venetian blind 10 about a longitudinal axis 
thereof. 
On the outside of the double-glazing unit 13, in a box-like structure 22 
which is fixed thereto by means of double-adhesive or other movable 
systems, a kinematic system 23 is provided and is composed of a flexible 
element, such as a cord 24, which is stretched in a loop between two 
pulley-type guiding elements which have a vertical axis and are designated 
respectively by the reference numerals 25 and 26; the first guiding 
element is arranged on an actuation rod 27 which protrudes downward and is 
rotatable about its own axis. 
The cord 24 surrounds several times the first pulley 25 in order to avoid 
slippage during actuation. 
A second magnet 29 is fixed to the cord 24, either directly or by means of 
a support 28, and is coupled to said first magnet 19 through the glazed 
surface 14. 
The box-like structure 22 is conveniently composed of two complementarily 
shaped profiles 22a and 22b which are substantially C-shaped; the first 
profile is fixed, as mentioned, to the double-glazing unit 13 and 
rotatably supports the pulleys 25 and 26, while the second profile acts as 
a covering which can be coupled by snap action onto the first profile by 
way of interlocking elements which are not shown in the figures. 
The actuation rod 27 has a length which makes it available, in a downward 
region, to the action of the user at a region where a grip knob 27a is 
provided. 
In practice, by actuating the rod 27 the cord 24 is moved, accordingly 
producing a translatory motion of the magnets 29 and 19 and of the bush 18 
and a rotation of the shaft 16. 
This entails a movement of the cords 21 and therefore a variation in the 
inclination of the slats of the blind 10. 
Since the kinematic actuation system is arranged outside the double-glazing 
unit 13, it can be easily replaced or repaired in case of breakage or 
malfunction simply by disconnecting the box-like structure 22 from the 
rest. 
It should also be observed that the kinematic system used for the movement 
for adjusting the inclination can also be used to adjust the packing of 
the blind or, if said blind is constituted by a sheet, its rolling-up; in 
this case, however, it is convenient to provide the rod 27 with a 
crank-shaped lower end to facilitate the maneuver, which entails a 
considerable number of turns. 
In a further embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a Venetian blind 110 
has adjustment means which comprise, in this case, on the outside of the 
double-glazing unit, now designated by the reference numeral 113, and 
inside a box-like structure 122 which is fixed to said unit by means of a 
double-adhesive element or other removable fixing systems, a kinematic 
system 123 which is composed of a rack 124 which is parallel to the shaft, 
now designated by the reference numeral 116, and is supported by a 
C-shaped guide 126. 
A pinion 125 is coupled to said rack 124 and is associated, at one end, 
with an actuation rod 127 which protrudes downwards and can rotate about 
its own axis. 
In this case, a second magnet 129 is associated with one end of said rack 
124 and is coupled to the first magnet, now designated by the reference 
numeral 119, through the glazed surface 114. 
Conveniently, the first magnet 119 is fixed to the bush, now designated by 
the reference numeral 118, which is internally shaped complementarily to 
the helical profile of the shaft 116. 
Still another embodiment can be provided by arranging, inside the box-like 
structure, a kinematic system which is composed of a worm screw coupled to 
a nut, arranging the worm screw so that it is parallel to the shaft and 
associating the actuation rod with the nut. 
In this manner, the movement produced by the actuation of the nut on the 
worm screw must be transmitted, by means of an adapted transducer, to the 
second magnet and, by means of the magnetic coupling, to the first magnet. 
In practice it has been observed that the intended aim and objects of the 
present invention have been achieved. In practice, the materials employed, 
so long as they are compatible with the contingent use, as well as the 
dimensions, may be any according to requirements. 
The disclosures in Italian Utility Model Application No. PD97U000063 from 
which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by 
reference.