BLIND FOR A WINDOW

Abstract: A blind (50) comprises a plurality of blind slats (52), each of which is pivotally coupled <i>via</i> a linkage (56) to a support member (55). Each linkage (56) is pivotally coupled to a reciprocating member (58), the position of which determines the orientation of the slats (52) to the support member (55). Each slat (52) is configured to pivot about an axis located to one lateral side (52A) of the slat. In this way, the reciprocating member (58) may be housed within the support member (55).

Description: TITLE: BLIND FOR A WINDOW DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a blind for a window, particularly but not exclusively a window m a non-vertical plane and for example a skylight or a glazed panel of a conservatory roof. BACKGROUND ART A known Venetian blind (10) for a glazed panel of a conservatory roof is illustrated m Figures 1 and 2. The known blind (10) comprises a plurality of adjustable slats (12) (which may be horizontally or vertically aligned), the inclination of which determines the amount of light transmitted through the blind. The ad ustable slats (12) are mounted m slat clips (14) each of which is pivotally coupled to - essentially adjacent the longitudinal axis (15) of the respective slat - a separate arm (16) depending from an associated support beam (18) . The support beam (18) is suspended from the conservatory roof using brackets (20) which are secured to glazing bars. Each slat clip (14) has a rigid linkage (22) which is pivotally coupled to an operating strip (24) . The position of the operating strip (24) is determined by a crank (26) which is coupled thereto through linkage (28) . A gearbox or motor (not shown) would be provided for driving the drive shaft (32) which in turn moves the crank (26) . In use, a gearbox for example - which may be powered manually or electrically - rotates the drive shaft (32) and crank (26) . Rotation of the crank (26) causes the reciprocal motion of the operating strip (24) with the direction of motion depending upon the sense of rotation (clockwise or anti-clockwise) of the drive shaft (32) . With the operating strip (24) m its extended position (see left hand side of Figure 2) , the slat clips (14) are substantially horizontal and would thus hold the slats in the "closed" position, i.e. blind closed. Clockwise rotation of the drive shaft (32) causes retraction of the operating strip (24) , with the movement of the latter bringing pivotal motion of each slat clip (14) about its pivotal coupling to its respective arm (16) . In this way, the slat clips (14) may be aligned substantially vertically (see right hand side of Figure 2) and would thus hold the slats m the "open" position i.e. blind open. The present applicant has appreciated that there are certain disadvantages to the known blind. Firstly, the known blind occupies a significant amount of space, greatly reducing the headroom available after installation. This is because of overall depth of the blind, necessitated m part by the operating mechanism. Another disadvantage relates to the number of components which are highly visible when the blind is open. Such a consideration may be highly relevant to cost if the components have to colour match to surrounding fixtures and fittings. The present applicant has taken these disadvantages into consideration and provided a novel blind which obviates or at least alleviates them. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a blind for a window, comprising a pair of support members and at least one slat pivotally coupled to the support members, the at least one slat having a linkage coupled to a reciprocating member for pivoting the at least one slat to determine its orientation relative to the support members, characterised m that the at least one slat pivot axis is located laterally of the at least one slat . In the present case, "located laterally" means that the pivot axis is spaced closer to one lateral side of each slat than the other. Thus, the pivot axis will be radially offset from a notional centre line or longitudinal axis extending the length of the slat. Generally, the pivot axis will be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the at least one slat. Therefore, the at least one slat is cantilevered m the sense that one lateral edge projects further away from the pivot axis than the other. This is m contrast to the known blind illustrated m Figures 1 and 2, where the respective pivot axes are substantially adjacent the longitudinal axes of the slats. The pivot axis may be located beyond one lateral side of the at least one slat. The at least one slat may be pivotally coupled to the support members via the linkage. The support member may comprise a casing for housing the reciprocating member. The casing may thus help to conceal the reciprocating member from view which may be advantageous. The casing may be formed m two parts, and the two parts may m use be hinged together. A two-part casing may assist m housing the reciprocating member therein, and the hinged arrangement facilitates fixing the two parts together with a fastener spaced from the hinge The pivot axis of the at least one slat may extend through the casing. In this way, the linkage may be contained within the casing. In the case of a two-part casing, the pivot forming the pivotal coupling between the at least one slat and the support member may also fasten the two parts together. The linkage may include means for engaging the at least one slat. The linkage may be metal and may comprise a length of metal wire, part of which may be coiled around the at least one slat pivot axis. The metal wire may be shaped with the two ends forming opposed hooks between which the at least one slat is retained. Alternatively, the linkage may comprise a slat clip integrally formed (e.g. cut from a single piece) therewith. Each of the support members may have a reciprocating member associated therewith. The blind may further comprise a shaft extending between, and mounted m bearings m, the pair of support members, the shaft being arranged such that rotation causes reciprocating motion of the reciprocating members associated with the support members. In this way, rotation of the shaft can be used to drive both reciprocating members simultaneously, ensuring the slats do not twist as they move between the open and closed positions. The shaft may comprise more than one section, with adjacent sections being mterlockable . For example, the shaft may comprise end portions separated by a middle portion disposed therebetween. The end portions may have an angular periphery, and for example may have a hexagonal cross-section. In contract, the middle portion may have a smooth periphery, and for example may have a circular cross-section. A shaft comprising sections may assist with installation of the blind. The blind may comprise more than one pair of support members, particularly if the window is relatively large (there is a need to support the slats at regular intervals to prevent sagging) or if the window has a complex, non- rectangular geometry. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blind for a window comprising at least one support, a linkage pivotally coupled to the at least one support, a slat mounted to a first part of the linkage, and a reciprocating member pivotally coupled to a second part of the linkage spaced from the first part, the reciprocating member determining the slat's orientation relative to the at least one support, wherein the linkage is configured to pivot with respect to the at least one support around an axis located laterally of the slat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying Figures m which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part -assembled blind known from the prior art; Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of the blind of Figure 1, showing slats m open (right hand side only) and closed (left hand side only) orientations; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a blind embodying the present invention m the closed position; Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of the blind of Figure 3 ; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a blind embodying the present invention m the open position; Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of the blind of Figure 5 ; and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing detail of one of the support members of the blind of Figures 3 to 6. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A blind (50) embodying the present invention is illustrated m Figures 3 to 6, and comprises a plurality of blind slats (52) which are each pivotally coupled via a linkage (56) to a pair of support members (54,55) aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axes of the slats. Each linkage (56) is pivotally coupled to a common reciprocating member (58) for pivoting the slats (52) to determine their orientation relative to the support members (54,55). Each blind slat (52) pivots about a respective pivot axis (60) which is located laterally beyond side (52A) of the said blind slat. The blind slat illustrated is a 45mm wood slat, although the system can be adapted easily to suit slats m any material at most sizes between 25mm and 100mm wide, by virtue of altering the spacing of pivot points (60) and linkage dimensions. The support members (54,55) each comprise a casing (62) formed m two parts (64,65). The two parts (64,65) are extruded components, formed with mterengagable hook (66) and socket (68) profiles which provide a hinge (70) along the top of the assembled casing (62) . In use, the two parts of the casing (64,65) may be held together by a fastener (60A) providing a pivotal coupling between support member (54) and slat linkage (56) . The two parts (64,65) additionally have protrusions (72) around which brackets (74) may be fastened, or to which an accessory block (76) may be attached. The bracket (74) may fit the top as well as the side of the casing (62) and may be fastened to glazing bars (not shown) from which the blind (50) may hang. The accessory block (76) may facilitate the mounting of a gearbox (78) to the side of the casing (62) . The reciprocating member (58) which is of U-shaped cross-section is housed m the casing (62) . One end of each linkage (56) is pivotally mounted m the U-shaped channel (79) of the reciprocating member (58) using a pivot fastener (80) . Each linkage (56) thus extends from its respective pivot fastener (80) to the pivot axis (60) and beyond to the blind slat (52). The linkages (56) are formed from a length of spring steel wire, coiled and shaped in such a way that the two ends (82,83) provide opposed hooks between which a slat (52) may be held. In between the two ends (82,83), the wire is coiled about the pivot axis (60) and the pivot fastener (80) . In this way, movement of the reciprocating member (58) causes each of the linkages (56) to rotate around their respective pivot axis (60) , thereby moving the blind slat between the open and closed positions . Movement of the reciprocating member (58) is controlled by gearbox (78) . Input energy (mechanical or electrical) is applied to the gearbox (78) through rotation of input shaft (90) . The gearbox (78) m turn drives a lay shaft (92) which extends between and is mounted m bearings in the support members (54,55) . Rotation of gears m the gearbox (78) causes torque to be applied to a crank (94) . Applying an anticlockwise torque to the crank (94) m the position shown in Figure 4 applies a force through driving the link arm (96) to a secondary crank (98) causing the lay shaft (92) to rotate m a clockwise direction. The crank (94), link arm (96) and secondary crank (98) are external to the channel (79) . A drive crank (99) is mounted within the channel (79) , and has its rotational axis centred on the lay shaft (92) and distal end linked to the reciprocating member (56) . Rotation of the lay shaft (92) and drive crank (99) causes the reciprocating member (58) m each support member (54,55) to move m an arcuate path until it achieves the position shown m Figure 6. The lay shaft (92) is formed m sections, comprising drive end portions of hexagonal cross-section which are received m recesses of corresponding profile m the ends of a middle portion spanning between the support members (54,55) . Although the arrangement described makes use of a gearbox, this is not essential. Instead the gearbox (78) could be replaced - along with crank (94) and link (96) - by a linear action motor coupled to the lay shaft (92) . The linear action motor would rotate the lay shaft (92) clockwise/anticlockwise as appropriate to open/close the slatting . The embodiment described provides a compact blind arrangement for use with glazed panels m conservatory roofs and the like. Many of the moving components are concealed m the casing which form the support members. In particular, the reciprocating members and linkages are contained within the casings, due m part because the pivot axes for the blind slats pass through the casings. This arrangement is achieved because each slat is pivotally coupled to the support members such that the pivot axis is located laterally of each respective slat.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A blind (50) for a window, comprising a pair of support members (54,55) and a slat (52) pivotally coupled to the support members, the slat having a linkage (56) coupled to a reciprocating member (58) for pivoting the slat to determine its orientation relative to the support members, characterised in that the slat is configured to pivot with respect to the support members around an axis (60) located laterally of the said slat. 2. A blind (50) according to claim 1, in which the pivot axis (60) is located laterally beyond one lateral side (52A) of the slat (52) . 3. A blind (50) according to claim 1, in which at least one of the support members (54,55) comprises a casing (62) which provides a housing for the reciprocating member (58). 4. A blind (50) according to claim 3, in which the casing (62) comprises at least two parts (64,65). 5. A blind (50) according to claim 4, in which the two parts (64,65) of the casing (62) are hinged together at a location spaced from the pivot axis (60) . 6. A blind (50) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in which the pivot axis (60) of the slat (52) extends through the casing (62) . 7. A blind (50) according to claim 6, when appendent to claim 4 or 5, in which a pivot (60A) forming the pivotal coupling between the slat (52) and one of the support members (54,55) fixes the two parts (64,65) together. 8. A blind (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the linkage (56) includes means (82,83) for engaging the at least one slat (52) . 9. A blind (50) according to claim 8, in which the linkage (56) comprises a length of metal wire. 10. A blind (50) according to claim 9, in which the length of metal wire is shaped with the two ends forming opposed hooks (82,83) between which the at least one slat is retained. 11. A blind (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each of the support members (54,55) has a reciprocating member (58) associated therewith. 12. A blind (50) according to claim 11, further comprising a shaft (92) extending between and mounted in bearings in the pair of support members (54,55), with rotation of the shaft causing reciprocating motion of the reciprocating members (58) associated with the support members. 13. A blind (50) according to claim 12, in which the shaft comprises more than one section, the sections of the shaft being interlockable . 14. A building structure having at least one glazed panel in a non-vertical orientation and a blind for altering the light transmitted through the at least one glazed panel, the blind being in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 13.

Inventors: DIBBEN MARTIN ROSS MOULSON, ZOTOV NIKOLAI VICTROVICH, DIBBEN, MARTIN, ROSS, MOULSON, ZOTOV, NIKOLAI, VICTROVICH
Applicants: DIBBEN MARTIN ROSS MOULSON, IDEAS BY DESIGN LTD, ZOTOV NIKOLAI VICTROVICH, DIBBEN, MARTIN, ROSS, MOULSON, ZOTOV, NIKOLAI, VICTROVICH
Application year: 2001
Main classification: E06B7
IPC codes: E06B7