Improvements in and connected with Sun Blinds, Awnings, and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 21st May, 1895-Accepted, 22nd June, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Sun Blinds, Awnings,
and the like.
I, JOHN WOODGER, of 58 South Quay, Great Yarmouth, in the County of
Norfolk, Chemist and Druggist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
In sun blinds as usually constructed one end is attached to a roller whilst the
free end of the blind is attached to a pole, lath or the like which is supported
by stay rods hinged to the shop front or window frame from which the blind
projects.
There are certain disadvantages in this construction and my invention is designed
to overcome such.
In carrying my invention into effect I substitute for the stay rods now in use a
lazy tongs arrangement of any suitable construction, and in such a manner that
when the lazy tongs are extended the blind will assume its open position whilst
when they are in their compressed or retracted position the blind is in its closed
position, being then wound upon its roller.
The inner end of the lazy tongs may conveniently be attached to an extension
piece of a suitable base which latter may be attached to the shop front or window
frame or other equivalent part. The canvas or its equivalent of the blind or the
lath thereof may be conveniently attached to the last rod or lever of the lazy tongs
or to an extension thereof. The blind may be operated by connecting to the first
rod or lever or to the first pair of rods or levers of the lazy tongs or preferably to
extensions thereof cords or their equivalents which may pass into the building or to
cleats or the like upon the shop front window frame or equivalent.
The rolling of the blind may be effected by a spring device in the usual
manner.
J. G. LORRAIN, M. Inst. E.E., M. Inst. M.E.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, Strand, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent. .
Improvements in and connected with Sun Blinds, Awnings,
and the like.
I, JOHN WOODGER, of 58 South Quay, Great Yarmouth, in the County of
Norfolk, Chemist and Druggist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
In sun blinds as usually constructed one end is attached to a roller whilst the
free end of the blind is attached to a pole, lath or the like which is supported
by stay rods hinged to the shop front or window frame from which the blind

page_text: There are certain disadvantages in this construction and my invention is designed
to overcome such.
In carrying my invention into effect I substitute for the stay rods now in use a
lazy tongs arrangement of any suitable construction, and in such a manner that
when the lazy tongs are extended the blind will assume its open position whilst when
they are in their compressed or retracted position the blind is in its closed position,
being then wound upon its roller.
The inner end of the lazy tongs may conveniently be attached to an extension
piece of a suitable base which latter may be attached to the shop front or window
frame or other equivalent part. The canvas or its equivalent of the blind or the
lath thereof may be conveniently attached to the last rod or lever of the lazy tongs
or to an extension thereof. The blind may be operated by connecting to the first
rod or lever or to the first pair of rods or levers of the lazy tongs or preferably to
extensions thereof cords or, their equivalents which may pass into the building or to
cleats or the like upon the shop front window frame or equivalent.
The rolling of the blind may be effected by a spring device in the usual
manner.
Having thus described my invention in general terms, and so as to define its
scope, I shall now proceed to describe in detail one way in which it is to be or may
be carried into effect; and for that purpose I shall refer to the accompanying
drawings which illustrate, by way of a type or example, one form of my invention.
In the said drawings similar letters of reference apply to similar parts.
Figure 1 shows in side elevation one of the lazy tongs arrangements employed, it
being in most cases necessary to employ two of these for the majority of sun blinds
and awnings. This figure shows the parts in an intermediate position between the
extended or fully open and the retracted or fully shut positions.
Figure 2 shows in side elevation the same parts in the retracted or fully closed
position.
Figure 3 shows, also in side elevation, the lazy tongs arrangement in its extended
or fully open position. This figure also shows a modified means of operating the
blind or awning.
Figure 4 shows in isometric perspective a double lazy tongs arrangement for
an ordinary type of sun blind. This figure also shows the blind lath connecting the
extremities of the two lazy tongs arrangements, and also another modified means of
operation of the blind.
In the several figures X is the sheet of canvas or other material of the blind or
awning, A is the lazy tongs and B is the bracket Servihg to support the latter.
C is the lath connecting the two extremities of the two lazy tongs arrangements.
In the drawings the last or outer lever D of the lazy tongs is shown as of greater
length or projecting outwards. The extremity of the said projecting part forms
a convenient point of attachment for the lath C. The first or inner lever E is also
shown as projecting, but in this case it projects in both directions so as to fulfil the
functions of an operating lever. See Figures 1 and 2. For this purpose cords or
the like are attached to the said extremities so that when one or other of the said
cords is pulled the blind is extended or retracted as desired. Thus if the cord e' is
pulled the blind will be extended whereas if the corde is pulled the blind will be
retracted. F is a spring roller by means of which the canvas of the blind is always
kept taut to whatever extent the lazy tongs may be extended, and by means of
which the canvas is wound up as the lazy tongs are retracted.
In Figure 4 it will be seen that instead of employing the first or inner lever of the
lazy tongs as the operating lever, I employ a separate lever to operate the blind.
In this case the inner end of the first lever is rigidly attached to the shaft G whilst
the operating lever H is also rigidly attached 'at its centre to the said shaft. Thus
if cord be pulled the blind will be retracted, whilst if the cord * be pulled the
blind will be extended.
Cords although very convenient devices for operating blinds that are light and in
which the lazy tongs are not stiff to move, are less suitable when the blinds are

page_text: heavy and in cases where the joints of the lazy tongs are liable to become dirty or
corroded. In such cases many mechanical devices may be employed, the selection
of the particular device to be employed depending for example on the taste of the
proprietor or upon the situation of the blind or awning. One device which might
be employed is shown in Figure 3. In this case J is a sprocket wheel pivotted to
the bracket B and to which the first or inner lever of the lazy tongs is rigidly
attached. Over this sprocket wheel J passes the driving chain; which also passes
over one of a pair of sprocket wheels J rigidly attached to one another (as shown
in end elevation in Figure 34) and which may be placed for example within the
building. From the other of this pair of sprocket wheels J¹ passes the driving
chain which latter also passes over the sprocket wheel J. If now wheel J' be
rotated or chain; be pulled in one direction or another the blind will be extended
or retracted according to the direction of such rotation or pull. It is obvious that
in such an arrangement as that last described the pair of sprocket wheels J' might
be dispensed with and a single driving chain pass directly over J and J. Or, the
device might be improved by the attachment of a winch handle to wheel J.
I desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself to any particular form of
operating device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :
1. In a sun blind, awning or the like, the employment of a lazy tongs substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a suu blind, awning or the like the combination of a lazy tongs, a sheet of
canvas or other material and a spring roller substantially as set forth.
:
3. The arrangement and combination of parts substantially as set forth with
reference to Figures 1 and 2.
4. The arrangement and combination of parts set forth with reference to
Figure 4.
Dated this 21st day of May 1895.