Abstract:
A blind and tilt mechanism therefore, adapted to be secured within a cut-out in a headrail, the tilt mechanism comprising a casing, adapted to accommodate a cog-wheel rotatable about a first axis. The casing comprising two counter-positioned tilter hook-receiving channels, each leading to the cog-wheel sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of a rotatable tilter hook adapted to engage and rotate the cog-wheel. The tilter hook is designed for insertion into either one of the channels, thus being able to gain a left or right orientation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to Venetian type blinds, in particular to reversible direction tilting and cord-lock mechanisms of Venetian blinds. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Venetian type blinds, pleated shades, roman shades and roll up blinds usually comprise lift cords for raising and lowering the window covering material, in conjunction with a cord lock mechanism, adapted to allow the user to maintain the blinds in any desired position from fully raised to fully lowered, by locking the length of the lift cord. Venetian type blinds usually also comprise a tilting mechanism adapted for tilting the blinds for regulating the amount of light passing through the window. Both mechanisms are usually located in a support rail, commonly known as a “headrail”. 
         [0003]    Known in the art are blinds having the cord-lock mechanism on one end of the headrail and the tilt mechanism on the other end, as well as headrails having both mechanisms located at the same end. However, nearly all blinds, pleated shades etc. are fabricated in a factory and taken in finished form, already having a right or left orientation, to the place where they are to be displayed or installed. In the installation process, the headrail is mounted on a wall portion, usually above the window such that the cord lock or tilt mechanism maintain either a right or left orientation. In addition, during installation the length of the lift cord is set. 
         [0004]    Prior to purchase of the blinds, the customer must decide on the desired left or right orientation of the cord lock and tilt mechanism, so it may be manufactured or purchased accordingly. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,894 to Judkins discloses a headrail for a Venetian type blind that has reversible modular controls that can be easily switched from a right side of the blind to the left side of the blind or vice versa by the installer. The headrail has an elongated body having a base, a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The first and second sidewalls are spaced apart, generally parallel and attached to the base. Each sidewall has a slot sized to receive a plug or a fitting through which the lift cords and tilt or hook for a tilt wand pass. The slots are opposite one another and of a same size. One changes the controls from one end of the headrail to the opposite end of the headrail by moving the lift cords and tilt cord or hook from one slot to the other slot. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,156 to James D. Tyner discloses a headrail for a Venetian type blind or pleated shades that has an insert that carries a cord lock. The insert fits into the end of the headrail and is carried by a slot or rib on the sidewalls of the headrail. A pair of pockets is provided on the insert. The pockets are positioned so that one pocket is adjacent each sidewall when the insert is attached to the end of a headrail. The pockets are sized and configured to receive a cord lock such that the cord lock can be easily removed from one pocket and placed in the other pocket by an installer. The pockets preferably are oriented so that a cord passing through the cord lock will run along a path that is not parallel to the sidewalls but is at an angle of about 10°. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tilt mechanism for Venetian type blinds adapted to be secured within a cut-out in a headrail, said tilt mechanism comprising a casing, adapted to accommodate a cog-wheel rotatable about a first axis, said casing comprising two counter-positioned hook-receiving channels, each leading to said cog-wheel and sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of a rotatable tilter hook adapted to engage and rotate said cog-wheel, said tilter hook designed for insertion into either one of said channels, thus being able to gain a left or a right orientation. 
         [0008]    Any of the following design variations may be applied to the headrail and the tilt mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention:
       The arrangement of the tilt mechanism is such that it allows switching from right to left orientation. This is accomplished without the need of removing any of the covers of said headrail, should such covers exist.   In addition, the arrangement is such that does not involve the lift cord.   The casing is comprised of two shell elements adapted to be connected to each other; each of said elements is further formed with at least a portion of the hook-receiving channels.   The shell elements may be identical and adapted to be snapped onto one another. Pins, screws or the like may be further implemented for firmer connection of said elements to one another.   Each of the channels of said casing further comprises a leader hole adapted for receiving a tip protrusion of said tilter hook, providing axial support about which the tilter hook is rotatable.   The hook is in the form of a cylindrical bar having a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted for coupling with a torque applying rod or motor, and/or manual gripping, said second end comprising a worm gear for engagement and rotation of the cog-wheel.   The tilter hook also comprises a part of a snapping mechanism adapted to prevent said hook from displacing from said hook-receiving channels, while still allowing it to rotate about its axis.   The tilter hook may further comprise a tip protrusion adapted to fit into the leader hole in either one of the shell elements, adapted to provide further axial support for said hook.   The cog-wheel is adapted to engage with a tilt bar adapted to transfer rotation of said cog-wheel to the blinds. One or more of the teeth of said cog-wheel may be intentionally chipped on one side in order to disengage from the worm gear of said tilter hook, thus preventing over rotation of the cog-wheel in one direction, and consequently over rotation of the blinds.   The tilt mechanism may comprise protrusions adapted for secure snap fitting of the tilt mechanism into the appropriate cut-out of the headrail. Insertion of said mechanism to said headrail may be achieved either by snapping the mechanism straight into the cut-out or sliding it through one of the headrail&#39;s open ends into appropriate cut-out.       
 
         [0019]    According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a cord lock mechanism for blinds adapted to be secured within a cut-out in a headrail, said mechanism comprising a housing shaped with a slope, and accommodating a fixed stopper member, and a rotatable cog-wheel to be rolled on said slope, said housing being designed for a lift cord to extend therethrough; in addition, two perpendicular shoulders are connected to the housing of said cord lock mechanism, allowing it to be attached to either corner of the headrail&#39;s respective cut-out in a removable manner, thus being able to gain a left or a right orientation respectively. 
         [0020]    Any of the following design variations may be applied to the headrail and cord-lock mechanism according to the second aspect of the present invention:
       The cord-lock mechanism according to the second aspect of the present invention may be used in various blinds including: Roman blinds, Venetian blinds, pleated shades and the like.   The arrangement of the cord-lock mechanism is such that allows switching from a right to a left orientation without the need of removing any of the covers of said headrail, should such covers exist.   In addition, switching from a right to a left orientation, does not involve removal of the lift cord from the cord-lock mechanism and its re-threading after the switching.   The housing is formed such as to accommodate the cog-wheel without it being able to fall or slip out of said housing. This may be achieved either by alignment bars fixed to the housing or simply by the form of the casing itself.   One or more cog-wheels may be used. In case two or more cog-wheels are used, said cog-wheels may be mounted on a mutual shaft.   The cord lock mechanism attaches to the headrail using a snapping mechanism, slide lock or the like.       
 
         [0027]    According to a third aspect of the present invention there is also provided a positioning cover, adapted to close the cut-out side opposite to that in which the cord lock mechanism is positioned, for better positioning of the cord lock mechanism within the cut-out prevention of its sinking into said cut-out, and also for esthetical purposes. 
         [0028]    According to a forth aspect of the present invention there is provided a headrail for Venetian type blinds having a main cavity adapted, among other things, for accommodating a lift cord and a tilt bar therein, said headrail comprising a first and second cut-outs, the first cut-out being in the form of two rectangular counter positioned punctures, adapted to receive a tilt mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention, and the second cut-out being in the form of a rectangular aperture adapted to receive a cord-lock mechanism according to the second aspect of the present invention. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, several aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a Venetian blind fitted with a tilt mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention, a cord lock mechanism according to the second aspect of the present invention, a positioning cover according to the third aspect of the present invention, and a headrail according to the forth aspect of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  an isometric view of an end portion of the headrail, fitted with the tilt mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the tilt mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a shell element of the tilt mechanism of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a tilter hook of the tilt mechanism of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the tilt mechanism of  FIG. 3  with one of the shell elements removed; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the cord-lock mechanism according to another aspect of the present invention, fitted within the headrail seen in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the cord-lock mechanism of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a longitudinal side section view of the cord-lock mechanism of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional front view of the cord-lock mechanism of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are isometric views of the cord-lock mechanism of  FIG. 8  with a single alignment bar, and with a lift cord passing over and under the alignment bar respectively; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a positioning cover of  FIG. 1  used in conjunction with the cord-lock mechanism of  FIG. 8 ; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0042]      FIG. 1  shows a Venetian type blind assembly, generally designated  100 , comprising a headrail  70 , a tilt mechanism, generally designated  10 , a cord lock mechanism, generally designated  60 , and a cover  80 . Blinds  102  are held by a lift cord  106  passing through apertures  104  in the blinds. The lift cord  106  is first threaded through cut-outs  79  in the cavity of the headrail  70  and then through the cord lock mechanism  60 . The end of the cord is equipped with a small knob  108  for convenient pulling thereon. Two sets of tilter cords  109  are positioned on left side the and right side of the blinds  102 , each set comprising a front cord  109 F and a rear cord  109 R, and being connected to one another using threads  110 . A tilter rod  107  is articulated to a tilter hook  30  of the tilter mechanism  10 , adapted for rotation thereof. The function of the sets of tilt cords  109  and the tilter rod  107  and hook  30  are to allow tilting the blinds  102  as known per se. 
         [0043]    The cord lock mechanism  60  is of right orientation and the tilter hook  30  is fitted in the tilt mechanism  10  such that it acquires a left orientation. The tilter hook  30  may optionally be inserted into the opposite channel  22  as can be seen by the tilter hook marked in phantom lines. The cover  80  is inserted into the cut-out  78  such that it closes the rest of the cut-out  78  on the opposite side of the cord lock mechanism  60 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  shows the tilt mechanism  10  attached to the headrail  70 . The headrail is formed with a base  73 , side walls  72 , curved edges  74  forming a recess  76 , and a cut-out formed of two apertures  78  on opposite sides of the frame, only one of which is seen in  FIG. 1 . The tilt mechanism  10  is inserted into the cut-out  78  of the headrail  70  and is fixed therein using positioning protrusions  28 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  shows the reversible tilt mechanism  10  comprising two identical shell elements  20 , a tilter hook  30 , a cog-wheel  40  (only its axis visible) housed between the shell elements  20  and a coupling screw  50 . A tilter hook  30  is articulated at one of two positions. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 4 , the Shell element  20  of the tilt mechanism  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown formed with, two tilter hook-receiving channels  22  of semi-circular cross section, each formed with a snapping protrusion  23 , two partial hook centering holes  24 , a cog-wheel hole  25 , a hollow snapping pin  26 , a snapping aperture  27  and two positioning protrusions  28 . 
         [0047]    The shell elements  20  are designed such that two identical elements  20  are adapted to be connected to each other by snapping the hollow snapping pin  26  of one element  20  into the snapping hole  27  of the other element and vice versa. The hollow snapping pin  26  allows the insertion of a screw  50  ( FIG. 3 ) through both shell elements  20  for further fixation of the elements  20  to one another. 
         [0048]    The shell elements  20  are designed such that, once attached to each other, the two semi circular tilter hook-receiving channels  22  combine to create two circular cross section channels adapted to receive the tilter hook  30  (not shown). The two partial centering holes  24  combine to create two centering holes adapted to receive a protruding tip  33  of the tilter hook  30 . The protrusions  23  at the end of each channel are adapted to snap into a recess  37  of the tilter hook  30  for retention thereof. Furthermore, once assembled, the shell elements  20  are adapted to accommodate a cog-wheel  40  in the cog-wheel hole  25 , allowing said cog-wheel  40  to be rotated by a corresponding geared end of the tilter hook  30 . The positioning protrusions  28  allow securing of the tilt mechanism  10  within the headrail  70  (not shown). 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  shows an isometric view of the tilter hook  30  comprising a first portion  31  and a second portion  34 . The first portion  31  is adapted to be inserted into either of the channels  22  of the shell elements  20  shown in  FIG. 6 . The end of the first portion  31  has a worm gear  32  adapted to engage with the cog-wheel  40  (shown  FIG. 4 ) and rotate it. A tip protrusion  33  is adapted to fit into the leader hole  24  of the shell element  20  (shown  FIGS. 4 and 6 ). The snapping protrusions  23  of the shell elements  20  are snapped into recess  37  of the tilter hook  30 . The second portion  34  of the hook  30  comprises a flat end  35  with a hole  36  therein, adapted to connect to various rotating means, usually in the form of a long rod, such as tilter-rod  107  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 6  an assembled tilt mechanism  10  is shown with one of the Shell elements  20  removed. The cog-wheel  40  is inserted into the cog-wheel hole  25  and the tilter hook  30  is inserted into one of the channels  22  of the tilt mechanism  10  such that the tip protrusion  33  of the tilter hook  30  is supported in a rotatable manner within a leader hole  24  and the worm gear  32  of the tilter hook  30  engages the cog-wheel teeth  42 . The snapping protrusion  23  is snapped into the recess  37  of the tilter hook  30 , fixing it into place, i.e. prevents it from spontaneous disengagement. 
         [0051]    In operation, when the tilter hook  30  is rotated, the worm gear  32  rotates the cog-wheel  40  causing the tilter bar within the headrail (not shown) connected to the lead hole  43  of the cog-wheel  40 , to rotate. This rotation, depending on its direction, subsequently raises the front tilt cord  109 F and lowers the rear tilt cord  109 R of visa versa, causing the blinds  102  to tilt in the desired direction. 
         [0052]    The tilter hook  30  may be inserted into either one of the channels  22  of the tilt mechanism  10  to allow a left or a right orientation. In order to move from one orientation to the other, the second portion  34  of the tilter hook  30  is moved in an upward direction, to allow disengagement of the tilter recess  37  from the snapping protrusion  23  of the shell element  20 . The tilter hook  30  may then be pulled out of one channel  22  and displaced into the opposite channel  22 . It is important to note here, that switching from a right to a left orientation and visa versa, does not require removal of the headrail covers  71  (shown  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  shows the cord lock mechanism  60  within the headrail  70 . The shoulders  64  bear against the side walls  72  and base wall  73  of the headrail  70 . The other side of the cut-out  77  is shown open although in operation it is closed by a cover  80  (shown  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 to 10 , a cord-lock mechanism  60  is shown comprising a housing  62  formed with two rims  69 , each having two indentations  61  adapted for receiving alignment bars  63  by snap connection, two diagonal shoulders  64  having an angle of 90° therebetween and a jagged slope  90 . The housing  62  further comprises, a snapping arrangement consisting of a wedge  65  and a snap release arm  66 . Accommodated within the housing are a stopper member  68  fixed between both sided of the housing  62 , and a cog-wheel  67 , which rests within the housing  62  in a freely rotatable manner, due to which, a gap between the cog-wheel  67  and the stopper member  68  may be created, allowing threading of a lift cord (shown  FIG. 1 ) therethrough. 
         [0055]    In operation, the lift cord  106  is threaded between the cog-wheel  67  and the stopper member  68 , and between the two alignment bars  63 . During the raising of the blinds  102 , the lift cord is pulled until the blinds  102  are at a desired position, and released. When the lift cord  106  is released, the weight of the blinds  102  pulls on the cord, forcing the cog-wheel  67  to roll along the slope  90  (shown  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) in an upward direction until the cord is snapped tight between the cog-wheel  67  and the stopper member  68 , preventing the blinds  102  from further downward displacement. During lowering of the blinds, when the lift cord  106  is pulled a bit downwards and slightly to a direction opposite of the cog-wheel  67 , the lift cord  106  disengages the cog-wheel  67  reducing pressure thereon, letting it fall to the bottom of the housing  69  whereby the lift cord is free to slip against the stopper member  68 . Once the lift cord  106  is pulled towards the cog-wheel  67  and released, the weight of the blinds forces it to roll against the slope  90  and the cord is snapped as previously described. 
         [0056]    In order to switch from a right to a left orientation, the snapping release arm  66  is pressed and the entire cord-lock mechanism  60  may be removed from the cut-out  78  in which it was positioned. Upon removal of the cord-lock mechanism  60  from the cut-out  78 , it may be replaced in the opposite cut-out  78  of the headrail  70 , thus gaining an opposite orientation, wherein the above process neither involves removal of the lift cord  106  and its re-threading into the housing  62 , nor does it require removal of either of the headrail covers  71 . 
         [0057]    In accordance with  FIGS. 11A and 11B , it is important to emphasize the function of the alignment bars  63 . When switched from one orientation to the other, the lift cord  106  must remain aligned with the cog-wheel  67  in order to allow proper raising and lowering of the blinds. In standard blinds this alignment is achieved by a single alignment bar, wherein the lift cord passes over the alignment bar ( FIG. 11A ). However, in this situation, switching the orientation of the cord-lock mechanism from a left orientation to a right orientation will cause the lift cord to pass under the alignment bar, essentially hanging loose ( FIG. 11B ), thus being susceptible to malfunction during operation of the blinds due to improper alignment with the cog-wheel. For this purpose, among others, two alignment bars  63  are used in the present embodiment, allowing the lift cord  106  to pass over either one or the other alignment bar  63 , remaining aligned with the cog-wheel  67  regardless the orientation of the cord-lock mechanism  60 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 12  shows a cover  80 , adapted for closing a part of the cut-out  78  not being used by the cord lock mechanism  60 . The cover  80  is formed with a vertical plate  81  connected to a bent plate having a vertical portion  82  and a horizontal portion  83 . The vertical plate has two raised protrusions with chamfered tips  85  and connected thereto, horizontal extensions  86 . 
         [0059]    In operation, the cover  80  is inserted into the headrail (shown  FIG. 1 ) such that the chamfered tips  85  are inserted into the recess  76  of the headrail  70 . In this position, the horizontal portion  83  of the bent plate covers the bottom side of the headrail  70  whereas the vertical portion  82  of the bent plate covers the side of the headrail  70 . The vertical plate  81  is flush against the inner side of the headrail  70 , further fixing it into position. The horizontal portion  83  of the bent plate presses against the cord lock mechanism  60 , preventing it from sliding into the cavity of the headrail  70 . 
         [0060]    Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention mutatis mutandis.