Improvements in Roller Mounting for Window Blinds.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roller Mounting for Window Blinds.
I, JOHN PULLAR, of 9 Meadow Entry, Dundee, in the County of Forfar, North
Britain, Window Blind Maker and Bell-hanger, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to ship and unship window blind rollers in an
improved manner and by means of improved apparatus.
The type of rollers to which my improved apparatus may be applied are chiefly
those which are rolled up by pulling and unwinding a cord wound round the roller
drum as the blind is being drawn down although part of my improvements are
equally applicable to the type of roller which is made to rotate in either direction,
by means of an endless cord.
The accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings illustrates the method of
carrying out my invention.
Figure 1. is a longitudinal section through D. D. Figure 2. a section at A. A.
Figure 3. a section at B. B. and Figure 4. a section at C. C. of my invention.
In these drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the same or
like parts wherever they are repeated.
In carrying out my invention I affix to one end of the roller 5. a socket 6. in the
axis of which is a hole-the axis of the socket and the roller being in one--and in
said hole 1 place a combined flanged drum and arbor 7. upon and to which the cord S.
for rolling up the blind 9. is wound and secured in the countersunk hole 10.
The combined drum and arbor is made to slide transversely by a spiral spring 11.
within the socket 6. placed around the square portion of the arbor. The roller,
socket, and combined drum and arbor are made to rotate together in one direction
by pulling the cord 8. wound round the drum, and in the cther, by pulling the
blind 9. In the axis of the combined drum and arbor is a round hole which
receives a stud 12. projecting from the hanging bracket 13. the stud and the round
hole forming the journal or bearing for one end of the roller. It is to this method
of supporting and unshipping the roller I previously referred when I stated that
part of my improvements are equally applicable to the type of roller which is
"inade to rotate in either direction, by means of an endless cord."
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At the other extremity of the roller is a hanging bracket 14. with projecting
stud 15. which supports the roller at that end. On a stud or pivot 16. is a lever 17.
which may be made to act as a right or a left handed pawl, according as the stop 18.
is in the hole 1S. or 19. The ratchet-wheel 20. upon the roller 21. is free to rotate
upon same, but with a certain amount of friction by means of the dished washer or
spring 22. pressing it against the shoulder at the extremity of the roller 21. The
pressure of the ratchet wheel against the spring may be regulated by moving out
or in the stud 21. and then securing it in position by the screwed pin 23. In the stud 21.
is a round hole 24. into which the stud 15. goes, thus forming the other journal
or bearing for the roller.
As previously explained the roller may be made to support the blind so as to
hang as shown in the drawing, or it may be made to hang the reverse way by
winding the cord 8. in the opposite direction, and by removing the stop 18. to the
hole 19.
To unship the roller it is pressed in the direction of the arrow, that is to say
towards the bracket 13., compressing the spring 11. withdrawing the socket in 21.
from the stud 15. and then by depressing that end the socket in 7. may be with-
drawn and the roller removed. Although I have shown the roller supported by
brackets hanging vertically, yet it may be supported and used should they be fixed

page_text: horizontally. In rolling or unrolling the blind the action is as follows:-The cord 8.
being wound in the opposite direction to the blind, or otherwise the blind being
rolled up and the cord wound; by unrolling the blind, the lever 17. engages
with the ratchet wheel 20. and prevents it from turning; the friction between the
ratchet wheel and the dished washer or spring being rather more than sufficient to
support the weight of the blind in any position. When the blind is drawn down
the cord 8. is wound up so that when it is required to roll up the blind it rotates
the roller in the opposite direction and at the same time throws the lever 16. out of
gear with the ratchet wheel, thus allowing it to rotate with its arbor and in this
manner permitting the blind to be rolled up freely.
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 :
(1) In roller mounting for window blinds, the use of the combined flanged drum
and arbor 7. capable of sliding transversely by means of the spring 11. within the
socket 6., substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(2) In roller mounting for window blinds the use of the lever 17. in combination
with the stop 18, placed in either the hole 18. or 19., the ratchet wheel 20., the
dished washer or spring 22., and the adjustable roller 21., secured in the most
suitable position by the screwed pin 23. substantially as described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
(3) In roller mounting for window blinds, the improved combination of parts
herein before described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 28th day of January 1891.
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
Applicant's Agents.