Patent Publication Number: US-6705379-B1

Title: Shutter simulation venetian blind

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to blinds and, more specifically, to a shutter simulation Venetian blind that simulates the outer appearance of a shutter. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     FIG. 1 shows a typical conventional shutter  90  made of solid wooden material or metal (normally, aluminum). The shutter  90  comprises a shutter frame  92 , louvers  96  transversely arranged in parallel within the shutter frame  92  between the top and bottom blocks of the shutter frame  92  and respectively pivoted with the respective opposite ends to the two opposite side blocks of the shutter frames  92  at an equal pitch, and an operating rod  98  pivoted to each of the louvers  96  and vertically disposed at the front side of the shutter frame  92  on the middle, When the user pulled the operating rod  98  upwards or downwards, the louvers  96  are tilted between the open position and the close position. Because this design of shutter has a nice look, it decorates the window, making the room (house) beautiful. However, due to high manufacturing cost, many consumers are hesitating about buying a shutter when selecting a blind. Further, when regulating the view field through, the user can only move the operating rod to tilt the louvers. Even when the louvers maintained in horizontal, the louvers and the operating rod still block a certain part of the view field. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a shutter simulation Venetian blind, which simulates the outer appearance of a shutter. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a shutter simulation Venetian blind, which decorates the window, making the room (house) beautiful. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shutter simulation Venetian blind, which has a simple structure, and is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shutter simulation Venetian blind, which enables the user to tilt the slats as well as to extend out or receive the slats. 
     To achieve these objects of the present invention, the shutter simulation Venetian blind comprises a plurality of longitudinal blocks including two side blocks fixedly provided at two opposite lateral sides of the window, a headrail, a top block, a bottom rail, a plurality of slats arranged in parallel between the headrail and the bottom rail, at least two ladder tapes, a tilting control mechanism, and a lift lock adapted to lock the bottom rail at a desired elevation. Each longitudinal block is comprised of at least two block elements detachably connected in a line and has a top end and a bottom end respectively extended to the elevations of top and bottom sides of the window and a longitudinally extended front shielding wall facing the inside of the room in which the window is formed. The headrail is transversely and fixedly fastened to the top side of the window between the top ends of the side blocks. The top block is fixedly provided at the top side of the window between the top ends of the side blocks to keep the headrail from sight. The bottom rail is transversely suspended below the headrail and vertically moveable relative to the headrail. The slats have two opposite ends respectively suspended behind the front shielding walls of the side blocks. The ladder tapes are longitudinally arranged in parallel to join the slats. The ladder tapes include a first ladder tape and a second latter tape longitudinally arranged in parallel at two sides and respectively connected to the ends of the slats behind the front shielding walls of the side blocks. The ladder tapes each have a top end and a bottom end respectively fastened to the headrail and the bottom rail. The tilting control mechanism has a tilt rod pivotally mounted inside the headrail for free rotation to drive the ladder tapes to tilt the slats, and at least one operating rod suspended between the side blocks and suspended from the headrail for twisting by the user to rotate the tilt rod. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional shutter. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a shutter simulation Venetian blind constructed according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view in an enlarged scale of one longitudinal side block according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a front view in section in an enlarged scale of a part of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the longitudinal sideblock assembled. 
     FIG. 7 is a front sectional view showing an alternate form of the longitudinal side block according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view in transverse direction of a shutter simulation Venetian blind constructed according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view in transverse direction of a shutter simulation Venetian blind constructed according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view in transverse direction of a shutter simulation Venetian blind constructed according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 2, a Venetian blind  10  in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprising a headrail  12 , a transverse top block  13 , two longitudinal side blocks  14 , a transverse bottom block  19 , a bottom rail  22 , a set of slats  24 , two ladder tapes  32 , a tilting control mechanism  42 , and a lift lock  48  (see also FIG.  4 ). 
     The headrail  12  is a tubular member slightly shorter than the transverse length of the window and fixedly provided at the top side of the window (according to this embodiment, the headrail is fixedly fastened to the wall inside the house above the window, alternatively, the headrail can be fixedly fastened to the top wall within the window). 
     The longitudinal side blocks  14  are fixedly provided at the left and side sides of the window. The length of the longitudinal side blocks  14  is approximately equal to the longitudinal length of the window. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side blocks  14  are shaped like an angle bar, each having a flat mounting wall  16  and a flat shielding wall  18  connected at right angles. The flat mounting wall  16  is fixedly fastened to one lateral sidewall within the window, keeping the flat shielding wall  18  suspended at the front side of the window (if the headrail is fixedly fastened to the top wall in the window, the flat shielding wall shall be maintained in flush with the wall inside the house in which the window is formed). Because the length of the longitudinal side blocks  14  is approximately equal to the longitudinal length of the window, which may be longer than 2 meters (normally, the longitudinal length of a regular window is longer than its transverse length), it is inconvenient to store, pack, or delivery long longitudinal side blocks. In order to eliminate this problem, the longitudinal side blocks are preferably formed of multiple segments. According to this embodiment, each longitudinal side block  14  is comprised of a top block element  141 , a bottom block element  142 , and a coupling member  143  joining the top block element  141  and the bottom block element  142 . The top block element  141  and the bottom block element  142  are about one half of the longitudinal length of the window. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the coupling member  143  has an upwardly extended recessed top coupling hole  144  and a downwardly extended recessed bottom coupling hole  145  respectively formed in the top and bottom sides thereof The top block element  141  has a bottom end terminating in a bottom plug portion  146  detachably press-fitted into the upwardly extended recessed top coupling hole  144  of the coupling member  143 . The bottom block element  142  has a top end terminating in a top plug portion  147  detachably press-fitted into the downwardly extended recessed bottom coupling hole  145  of the coupling member  143 . When assembled, the top block element  141 , the bottom block element  142  and the coupling member  143  have the respective surfaces maintained in flush. Alternatively, each longitudinal side block  14  can be formed of a top block element  141 ′ and a bottom block element  142 ′ as shown in FIG.  7 . The top block element  141 ′ and the bottom block element  142 ′ are detachably connected in a line by means of, for example, a tongue-and-groove joint. 
     The transverse top block  13  is fixedly provided at the top side of the window and connected between the top ends of the side blocks  14 , keeping the headrail  12  from sight. 
     The transverse bottom block  19  is fixedly provided at the bottom side of the window and connected between the bottom ends of the side blocks  14 . 
     The bottom rail  22  is shorter than the transverse length of the window and provided below the headrail  12  for vertical movement between the top block  13  and the bottom block  19 . The two opposite ends of the bottom rail  22  are respectively suspended in the side blocks  14  behind the flat shielding walls  18  of the side blocks  14  (see FIG.  4 ). 
     The slats  24  are equal to the bottom rail  22  in length, and arranged in parallel between the headrail  12  and the bottom rail  22 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, each slat  24  has end notches  26  symmetrically disposed at front and rear sides of the two distal ends thereof, forming two end protrusions  28  at the two distal ends. The end protrusions  28  of the slats  24  are respectively suspended behind the flat shielding walls  18  of the side blocks  14 . When the slats  24  held in horizontal as shown in FIG. 3, the front edge of each slat  24  is maintained in flush with the front surfaces of the flat shielding walls  18  of the side blocks  14 . 
     The ladder tapes  32  are longitudinally arranged in parallel to hold the slats  24  between the headrail  12  and the bottom rail  22 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, the ladder tapes  32  are respectively fastened to the end protrusions  28  of the slats  24 , and kept from sight by the flat shielding walls  18  of the side blocks  14 . Each ladder tape  32  comprises a longitudinal front tape  3 . 4  and a longitudinal rear tape  36  longitudinally arranged in parallel at two sides of the end protrusions  28  of the slats  24 , and a plurality of transverse connecting cords  38  respectively fastened to the end protrusions  28  of the slats  24  and connected between the longitudinal front tape  34  and the longitudinal rear tape  36 . 
     The tilting control mechanism  42  is comprised of a transverse tilt rod  44  and an operating rod  46 . The transverse tilt rod  44  is pivotally provided inside the headrail  12  for rotation on its own axis. The top ends of the longitudinal front tape  34  and longitudinal rear tape  36  of the ladder tapes  32  are respectively fixedly fastened to the front and back sides of the two distal ends of the tilt rod  44 . When rotating the tilt rod  44 , the longitudinal front tape  34  and longitudinal rear tape  36  of each ladder tape  32  are moved vertically relative to each other, thereby causing the slats  24  to be synchronously tilted. The operating rod  46  is longitudinally disposed on the middle (equally spaced between the longitudinal side blocks  14 ) in front of the slats  24 , having a top end pivoted to the headrail  12 . When twisting the operating rod  46 , the tilt rod  44  is rotated to adjust the tilting angle of the slats  24 . (Remark: because the transmission mechanism between the tilt rod  44  and the operating rod  46  and the transmission mechanism between the tilt rod  44  and the ladder tapes  32  are of the known art not within the scope of the claims of the present invention, no further detailed descriptions in this regard is necessary). 
     The lift lock  48  is adapted to lock the bottom rail  22  at the desired elevation. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the lift lock  48  comprises two elongated first magnetic elements  52  respectively longitudinally located on the back side of the flat shielding wall  18  of each of the side blocks  14  (each first magnetic element  52  may be formed of several parts respectively fastened to the top block element  141 , bottom block element  142  and coupling member  143  of the corresponding longitudinal side block  14 ), and two second magnetic elements  54  respectively located on the front side near the two distal ends of the bottom rail  22  corresponding to the first magnetic elements  52 . When the bottom rail  22  pulled forwards, the first magnetic elements  52  attract the second magnetic elements  54  respectively, holding the bottom rail  22  in position. On the contrary, when pushed the bottom rail  22  backwards to disengage the second magnetic elements  54  from the first magnetic elements  52 , the user can then adjust the elevation of the bottom rail  22 . Alternatively, the side blocks  14  can be directly made of iron for securing the magnetic elements  54  at the ends of the bottom rail  22  by means of magnetic attraction. In this case, the first magnetic elements  52  are eliminated; or the bottom rail  22  can be made of iron for fastening to the magnetic elements  52  at the side blocks  14  by means of magnetic attraction. In this case, the magnetic elements  54  are eliminated. 
     Referring to FIG. 2 again, the Venetian blind  10  according to the first embodiment of the present invention has an outer appearance apparently different from conventional Venetian blind, i.e., the Venetian blind  10  simulates the outer appearance of a shutter. In comparison with conventional shutters, the Venetian blind  10  is less expensive and, highly acceptable to consumers. By means of the tilting control mechanism  42  and the lift lock  48 , the user can conveniently adjust the tilting angle of the slats  24  and the elevation of the bottom rail  22  to regulate the light. 
     According to the aforesaid first embodiment, each longitudinal side block  14  is comprised of a top block element  141  and a bottom block element  142 . In actual practice, each longitudinal side block can be formed of multiple block elements of different lengths. For example, the supplier can provide block elements subject to three specifications, 36″, 72″, and 84″ so that the consumer can connect two 36″ block elements to form a 72″ longitudinal side block, one 36″ block element and one 72″ block element to form a 108″ longitudinal side block. 
     In the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention, magnetic elements are used to lock the bottom rail at the desired elevation. Other lift lock structures may be selectively used. For example, the teaching of keeping spring force and article gravity in balance as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,012,506; 6,024,154; 6,029,734 (equivalent to Taiwan patent publication Nos. 392792, 363677; 363672) issued to the present applicant may be employed to lock the bottom rail at the desired elevation. The lift lock designs as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,889 and Taiwan application No. 91204732 can also be used. According to these designs, two positioning cord members are respectively extended from the headrail, and then inserted in parallel through the slats into the bottom rail, and then extended along the length of the bottom rail in reversed direction across each other to the outside of the ends of the bottom rail, and then respectively fastened to two vertical side rails outside the blind body. The invention eliminates the use of an exposed lift cord. The use of an exposed lift cord destroys the beauty of the shutter-like outer appearance of the Venetian blind, and may cause an accident when played by a child. 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a Venetian blind  60  according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to FIG. 3 of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention). According to this design, the slats  62  are relatively longer than the slats of the aforesaid first embodiment, and the two ladder tapes  64   a  and  64   b  may be insufficient to support the slats  62  in balance. In order to eliminate this drawback, a third ladder tape  64   c  is installed in the slats  62  on the middle between the first ladder tape  64   a  and the second ladder tape  64   b . Because the third ladder tape  64   c  is disposed behind the operating rod  66 , the operating rod  66  keeps the third ladder tape  64   c  from sight (if necessary, the operating rod  66  can be thickened, or the ladder tapes  64   a ˜ 64   c  can be made of transparent belts or cord members.). 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a Venetian blind  70  according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to this design, three ladder tapes  72  are provided to join the slats  71 ; a flat middle block  73  is vertically connected between the top and bottom sides of the window on the middle in front of the slats  71 , forming a shield  74  that keeps the middle ladder tape  72  from sight. According to this embodiment, the side blocks  75  and  76  are fixedly provided at the left and right sides of the window, and the flat middle block  73  divides the window into left and right halves, Further, two operating rods  77  and  78  are arranged in parallel and respectively spaced between the flat middle block  73  and the side blocks  75  and  76  on the middle for operation by hand to adjust the tilting angle of the slats  71  (the user can operate either of the operating rods  77  and  78  to adjust the tilting angle of the slats  71 ). Alternatively, two flat blocks may be vertically connected between the top and bottom sides of the window in front of the slats  71  to divide the window into three equal parts, and three operating rods may be respectively suspended in the three equal parts of the window to join the slats for operation by the user to adjust the tilting angle of the slats. 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to this design, two Venetian blinds  80 A and  80 B are arranged in parallel. The length of headrails (not shown), slats  81   a  and  81   b  and bottom rails (not shown) of the Venetian blinds  80 A and  80 B is about half of the transverse length of the window. The two Venetian blinds  80 A and  80 B are respectively arranged in the left and right halves of the window. The two Venetian blinds  80 A and  80 B each comprise a tilting control mechanism (having an operating rod  82   a  or  82   b ) and a lift lock. The user can adjust the tilting angle and elevation of the slats  81   a  and  81   b  of the two Venetian blinds  80 A and  80 B separately. The two Venetian blinds  80 A and  80 B are used with two side blocks  83   a  and  83   b  and a middle block  83   c . Similar to the aforesaid embodiments, the side blocks  83   a  and  83   b  are shaped like an angle bar. The middle block  83   c  is an elongated bar of T-shaped cross section comprising a front flat shielding wall  84 , which keeps the protruded right ends of the slats  81   a  of the first Venetian blind  80   a  and the protruded left ends of the slats  81   a  of the second Venetian blind  80   b  from sight, and a back partition wall  85  perpendicularly extended from the back side of the front flat shielding wall  84  to separate the slats  81   a  and  81   b  of the Venetian blinds  80   a  and  80   b.