the Adjustable Parts of Venetian Blinds.
Year: 1885

page_text: the Adjustable Parts of Venetian Blinds.
I, JOSEPH SAMUEL ORTON of 105 Upper Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birming-
ham, Draughtsman do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MODE OF RAISING, LOWERING AND SUSTAINING THE ADJUSTABLE PARTS OF
VENETIAN BLINDS to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved mode of raising and lowering the
adjustable parts of Venetian blinds. In such blinds as usually constructed, when
the lowest slats, or long, narrow, thin boards are down at their lowest position the
whole of the said slats of which such said blinds are composed are held in suspen-
sion at certain intervals apart by hanging tapes, but when these said slats-forming
the adjustable parts of Venetian blinds are raised, the lowermost slat is first lifted
by means of the actuating cords,-and, if their action is continued, it rises until it
comes in contact with the one above, which is carried with it until the next.is
reached, and, so on, each slat in its turn is raised and carried upwards by the
previously collected parts beneath. When all these parts are gathered together in
the highest position to which they may be raised the accumulated weight of the
whole of them is sustained by the actuating cords which pass over and down from
certain pulleys and are usually, secured from slipping back by means of cleats,
books or studs. In raising the adjustable parts of Venetian blinds by these means.
considerable physical exertion is necessary to overcome the collective weight of
the said parts, especially when their total accumulation is wholly or nearly
complete. The object of this invention is to obviate or remove this most objection-
able feature in the use of Venetian blinds, and to dispense with all necessity for
the employment of cleats, hooks, or studs to retain them in position.
According to this invention the adjustable parts of Venetian blinds are continually
sustained, raised, lowered and retained either in a state of complete equilibrium or
equipoise with other equipondant parts,-or, when otherwise preferred, in a state
nearly counterbalancing other counteracting parts. For this purpose in accordance
with one arrangement by which this invention may be illustrated and carried out;
the cords by which the slats or adjustable parts of a Venetian blind are raised or
lowered may be suspended direct from an elongated drum or cylinder, of any
convenient length, which is caused to. rotate, with a lateral or end play to
accommodate the coiling and uncoiling of the lifting cords-on a stationary shaft
placed longitudinally over and supported by a fixed board which in this arrange-
ment is used as a substitute for the pulley-board of an ordinary Venetian blind.
The said drum is connected by any suitable means with a pulley with which it
always rotates simultaneously but which preferably always continues in the same

page_text: plane of rotation. Over the toothed, or otherwise conveniently shaped periphery
of this pulley a chain of weights, or of weighted links in hung is such a manner
that the said pulley cannot rotate without transferring weight or gravitating force
from one hanging portion of the said chain to the other hanging portion,-and
therefore when either of these portions is caused to descend it gains in weight or
power exactly what is lost by the other in ascending. When the adjustable parts
of a blind are raised by the coiling of the lifting cords upon the drum, from one
side of which they depend, the weight suspended accumulates in their ascent and
at the same time that portion of the chain which hangs and descends from the
opposite counteracting side of the pulley also correspondingly or equally augments
in weight and power in its descent, each of these forces, therefore, per se con-
stitutes a constant counterpoise to the other-both in rising and falling. But as
the hanging portions of the chain of weights are inherently and inseparably
dependent upon each other both for their action and their varying weight, power,
or force part of the one being alternately part of the other-the theoretical state
of counterpoise just mentioned cannot exist practically until the antagonistic effect
of the third power or force-or of that portion of chain which rises simultaneously
with the ascending parts of the blind,-is neutralized or counterbalanced by a
fourth power or force, which, in harmony with the third, varies in power or
intensity inversely to the first two. The fourth power or force may consist of
weight diminishing in falling and increasing in rising: or, of the varying resisting
force of a spring. If the latter mode be preferred, a coiled-wire spiral spring may
be placed within the drum-with one end attached to the stationary shaft and
with the other so connected with the drum as to cause it to resist the descent or
uncoiling of the lifting cords. Or, if it be preferred-instead of a stationary shaft,
a rotating shaft may be employed,-in which case the chain-pulley would be keyed
or fixed to it; and if a spring be used for the purpose and with the effect herein-
before described, one end of it would be attached to the shaft and the other at a
stationary point on or near the top, supporting board of the blind.
The mechanical result of this arrangement may now be demonstrated as
follows: if the chain of weights be removed from the pulley, and if the resisting
force of the spring varies in intensity in an inverse but equal ratio to the varying
strain upon the lifting cords of the blind-these two forces, operating from opposite
points, neutralize each other midway between these points, and cause the lower
parts of the blind to occupy a similar position and to remain stationary half way
up. Now replacing the chain of weights upon the pulley so that each end hangs
equally if the blind be raised from its middle position the weight in rising
accumulates, the weight of the counterbalancing portion of the chain accumulates
in falling, and both weights or forces remain balanced: or, if the blind be lowered
from its middle position, the weight in falling diminishes, the weight of the
counterbalancing portion of the chain diminishes equally, and both weights or
forces still remain balanced. Again, it may similarly be demonstrated that if the
blind be raised from its middle position the spring in recoiling diminishes in power
or force, the other counterbalancing portion of the chain equally diminishes in
weight or force in rising, and both forces remain balanced. Or, if the blind be
lowered from its middle position, the resisting force of the spring increases, the
weight of the counterbalancing portion of the chain also equally increases in
falling, and these powers or forces also remain balanced. Thus, therefore, the
balance of all the parts, weights, powers, or forces is constantly maintained-
whether in motion or in a state of rest.

page_text: the Adjustable Parts of Venetian Blinds.
1:
I, JOSEPH SAMUEL ORTON of 105 Upper Mary Street, Balsall Heath, near
Birmingham, Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF RAISING, LOWERING AND SUSTAINING THE
ADJUSTABLE PARTS OF VENETIAN BLINDS, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
In a suspended venetian blind, as usually constructed, when the lowermost of the
slats, laths or long, thin, narrow boards, of which such blinds are composed, is at
its lowest attainable position they are all wholly sustained and held suspended at
certain intervals apart by ladder-shaped hanging tapes, but when caused to rise
from the said position the lowermost slat is the first that is lifted by the actuating
or lifting cords, and if the ascending motion of the latter be continued it rises
until it comes in contact with the slat above which is raised and carried by and
with it until the next is reached and, so on, each in its turn is raised and carried
upwards by the previously collected. parts beneath. When all the said parts are
gathered or collected together in the highest position to which they may be raised.
their combined weight is wholly sustained by the actuating cords which usually
pass over and down from certain pulleys and are generally secured-to prevent the
descent of the said parts of the blind-to hooks, cleats or studs. In raising the
adjustable parts of venetian blinds by these means considerable physical exertion.is
necessary to overcome the accumulative strain on the cords by the continued
collection of the said parts in being raised to certain positions, and especially when
their total accumulation is nearly or wholly complete. The object of this invention.
is to obviate or remove this most objectionable feature in the use of venetian blinds
and to dispense with all necessity for the employment of cleats hooks or studs to
retain them in position.
:
According to this invention the adjustable parts of venetian blinds are con-
tinually sustained in rising or falling, and retained when at rest either in a state of
perfect equilibrium or equipoise with other counteracting equipondant parts,-
a state more or less approaching that condition.
―or in
For this purpose an arrangement of parts of mechanism as hereinafter described,
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, practically exemplifies this
invention...
י
Fig. 1 represents a front elevation.-Fig. 2 an end elevation, and Fig. 3 a plan
(partly in section), of the improvements which specially constitute this invention,
in combination with the adjustable parts of an ordinary venetian blind.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
'
a, a &c. indicate the slats or laths of a venetian blind, and 6 and 6 the ladder-
shaped tapes by which the parts a, a &c.—when the lowest part of the blind.is at.
its lowest position-are wholly sustained. c and c indicate the lifting cords,
which, when the said parts a, a &c. are at their lowest positions, sustain no.
weight-all these latter being sustained by b. and 6-but which, as these said
parts collect in rising, receive and sustain their combined weight as they are

page_text: annexed or conjoined in close contact, one by one, in exact proportion to the
consequent decrease of weight on the tapes b and 6s by transference to the cords c
and c d indicates an elongated drum or cylinder, bushed by the parts d³ and d³
(Fig. 3), and having a lateral or end movement in the direction of its axis to
produce an even coiling and uncoiling of the cords cand. c. This traversing or end
movement of d is regulated or governed by the coil, worm, or screw e which may
be fixed stationary, as here represented, with a tongue f fixed to and revolving
with d, and engaging or working in the spaces between its thread, so that as the
drum d rotates and moves along its axis in obedience to the course traced by fin
the thread of e the cords c and c³ are coiled or uncoiled upon or from it after the
manner of a screw with their hanging portions always in the same vertical
position. g indicates a stationary tubular shaft, fixed at one end in the block or
support on the fixed board h³ which is here substituted for the pulley board
ordinarily used for venetian blinds.
i is a rotating shaft, one end of which rotates in the stationary tubular shaft g
and a part near the other end of which rotates in the bearing j.
On the end of i which projects beyond j is fastened the gear wheel or pulley k.
Hanging from on either side of it is a weighted chain or chain of weights acting
in the manner of a driving or gear-chain on k and here represented with its two
hanging portions m and n hanging equally.. The part o firmly secured to the
rotating shaft i carries the pivot p on which turns the antifriction roller q rolling
in contact with and along either the edge surface or r³, which are here represented
as being part of the drum d, and at its circumference, as being at the greatest con-
venient distance from its centre, in order to minimise the influence of friction.
The drum d, the shaft i and the pulley always therefore rotate together, and
the lateral or end movement of d being controlled by the screw e and tongue f, the
cords c and c² are wound and unwound upon or from d in the manner herein
described. 8 indicates a coiled wire spring extending axially within the drum d
with one end fixed stationary, as at gå in g² fixed to the stationary shaft g and with
the other end so connected with the drum d-(as at d')-as to resist the descent of
the cords c and c².
As the chain of weights with its hanging portions m and n acts as a gearing
chain with the gear wheel or pulley k, it is obvious that k cannot rotate with-
out causing weight or gravitating power to be transferred from one hanging
portion (m or n) of the said chain-to the other-and therefore, when either of
these portions is caused to descend it gains in weight or power exactly what is lost
by the other in ascending.
When the adjustable parts of a venetian blind are raised by means of this
invention as the weight suspended from the drum d by the cords c and c³ increases
in gravitating power by the accumulation of the laths a. a &c in their ascent, so at
the same time in contrary motion the hanging portion m of the chain / falling
from the counteracting side of the pulley k also correspondingly. and equally
augments in weight or power during its descent ;-each of these forces, therefore
per se constitutes a constant and equally varying counterpoise to the other whether
in motion or at rest. But as the portions m and n of the chain are inherently
and inseparably dependent upon each other for their varying weight or power-
part of the one being alternately part of the other-the theoretical. state of
counterpoise just mentioned cannot exist practically until the antagonistic effect of
the third power or force, or of the portion n of the chain is neutralized or counter-
balanced by a fourth power or force which in harmony with the third varies in
power or intensity inversely to the first two.
The fourth power or force may consist of weight or power increasing in rising
and diminishing in falling, or of the varying resisting force of a spring as illus-
trated by the coiled wire spring 8. Fig. 3 attached to d and g³ as hereinbefore
described; then the resistance of the spring a varying equally in power or force
with the weight of the portion of the chain these two forces constantly
counteract and counterbalance each other,
.1.

page_text: The mechanical result of this arrangement may now be demonstrated as follows:
If the chain of weights / be removed from the pulley and if the resisting force of
the spring & varies in intensity in an inverse but equal ratio to the varying weight
or strain upon the cords c and c² these two equally varying forces operating in
connection, but from opposite points, neutralize each other midway between those
points, and cause the lowermost parts of the blind to occupy a similar middle
position and to remain stationary half way up. Then, if the chain of weights / be,
replaced upon the pulley k so that the ends m and n hang from it equally all the
said powers or forces are equal. If the lowermost parts of the blind be raised
higher, while the slats a, a &c. accumulate in number and consequently in weight
on the cords. c and c³ in rising, the weight of the counterbalancing portion m of
the chain also accumulates in falling, and both suspended weights remain equal
in any position; or, if the same parts of the blind be lowered, the weight on c
and decreases the weight of the counterbalancing portion m of the chain ↳ also
equally diminishes in rising,-and both weights still remain equal.
Again, similarly if the lowermost parts of the blind be raised higher the spring &
in recoiling diminishes in power or force-the counterbalancing portion n of the
chain also equally diminishes in weight or power in rising, and both of these
powers or forces remain equal; or if the same parts of the blind be lowered-the
resisting force of the spring 8 increases--the weight of the counterbalancing
portion n of the chain / also increases equally in falling, and those powers or
forces also still remain equal.
Therefore, the balance of the weight of the adjustable parts of the blind on the
cords c and c³ with the portion m of the chain and of the portion n with the
spring 8 is constantly maintained whether in motion or at rest.
Fig. 4 represents a cross section through 1, 1 Fig. 6-Fig. 5 an elevational
section through 2, 2 Fig. 6-and Fig. 6 plan of one kind of weighted chain or
chain of weights which may be used for the purpose of counterbalancing venetian
blinds as herein described. a, a and a indicate weight-blocks of lead or other
suitable material, b and c indicate flat links arranged and riveted in pairs-each
shorter pair alternating with each larger as shown,-those marked b being longer
than those marked c so as to leave spaces at regular intervals, as shown at d, for
the reception of the teeth of a spur or toothed pulley. The longer links b lie or
are enclosed within the blocks a through which the rivets may pass from side to
side as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 6.
Fig. 7. represents a cross section through 3, 3 Fig. 8-Fig. 8 an elevation, partly
in section, through 4, 4 Fig. 9—and Fig. 9 a plan of another kind of chain of
weights which may be used instead of the chain last described.-, e and e indicate
weight-blocks of suitable material-ff and f pieces of thin metal bent as shown in
Fig. 7 and embedded or enclosed in each block e each said piece having in it a hole
as indicated by g for the reception of spur teeth as herein-before described h, h are
cords of any suitable material lying secured between the plates f and the blocks e
or metallic chains may be substituted for the same purpose.
Fig. 10 represents a cross section through 5, 5 Fig. 11-Fig. 11 an elevation.
partly in section through 6,6 Fig. 12, and Fig. 12 a plan of a weighted band which
may be used for the same purpose as the afore described chains of weights. i, i
and indicate weight-blocks and j a band of leather or other suitable material..
kk and k represent metallic rings similar to eyelet rings, which being expanded at
each end, as shewn, one end within a block i and the other through a hole in and
on the opposite side of j. i and ; are secured together; the holes within the
rings k serve as spaces for spur teeth as described hereinbefore.
Having now particularly described and ascertained' the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First. A drum or cylinder d governed in its lateral or end motion to and fro
in the direction of its axis by a worm or screw e-and a tongue f, or by equivalent

page_text: .
means, for coiling and uncoiling the cords of venetian blinds, substantially as
herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Secondly. In combination with a drum d the antifriction roller q with a rotating
shaft i substantially as hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Thirdly. The combination of the drum d for sustaining raising or lowering the
cords (or equivalents) of a venetian blind with a spring & substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fourthly. The combination of a spur pulley k so connected with a drum d as to
rotate with it always simultaneously in either direction with a weighted chain or
chain of weights 7 substantially as and for the purpose described hereinbefore and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fifthly. The general combination of a drum d the spur pulley k, the chain of
weights and the spring s for raising lowering or sustaining the adjustable parts
of venetian blinds in a constant state of equilibrium, substantially as herein before
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Data t
1
1000