Improvements in Collapsable Blinds for Arched Windows.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Mar., 1898-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Collapsable Blinds for Arched Windows.
I, GEORGE WELLS, of Canada Life Building, corner St. James and St. Peter
Streets, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Architect, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in collapsable blinds for arched windows
more particularly of those forming the arched upper part of large windows in
public buildings, the rectangular lower part of which are shaded by ordinary
Venetian blinds; and the object of the invention is to devise a form of blind
which will harmonize with the Venetian blinds in the lower portion of the window
and be capable of an equally ready adjustment; and my invention consists sub-
stantially in forming two fan-shaped collapsable blinds, the slats of which are
suitably pivoted near the centre of the circle forming the arch, and are suitably
connected near their outer ends by a flexible band, so as to allow them to open
to a limited extent, the slats furthest from the window being guided inwardly
toward the window by a suitable guide rod as they are being raised, the parts
being otherwise arranged as hereinafter more particularly explained and shown
in the drawings hereunto attached.
Fig. 1 is a perspective interior view of an arched window having a collapsable
blind made in accordance with my invention attached thereto, and the lower
rectangular part of window partly broken away, showing suitable means for
operating the blind.
Fig. 2 is a central vertical cross-sectional perspective view of left hand portion
of arched window showing blind raised.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of outer lower portion of slats and attach-
ment, as shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 3 is a central vertical cross-sectional perspective view of right hand portion
of arched window, showing blind lowered.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section of slats in Fig. 3 near outer end thereof.
Fig. 4 is a detail view of upper part of one side of an alternative form of guide
rod showing raising cord from blind on opposite side guided down to side of
window thereby.
In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each
figure.
A is a fan shaped blind of which two are preferably used, one for the right
and one for the left hand portions of the arched window.
The blind A is composed of a plurality of thin slats a, one end of each being
pivoted on the bolts B, which is fixed to the casing of the arched window near
its centre, and projects at right angles therefrom. The opposite ends of the
slats are loosely connected together by flexible bands C, which are preferably
arranged as a continuous band constructed in the following manner. The lower
end of the band C is firmly attached to the lower casing of the arched window
at c, and is brought up over nearest slat a, and down the other side of the slat
CD

page_text: where it is attached to it by tacks c¹ or other suitable means, then around the
lower edge and up again, forming altogether a complete loop around the slat.
The band C, continues upwardly and around the next slat in an exactly similar
manner, and is tacked at the back leaving enough slack to allow the end of the
slat to be raised almost as high as the top of the preceding slat. Thus the band C,
continues throughout the free ends of the several slats.
To the last slat is attached the raising cord D, which passes over a grooved
wheel E, suitably supported in the bracket E' attached to the upper casement of
the window, slightly to the opposite side of the centre from the blind to which
it is attached. The loose end of the cord falls down the centre of the window
where it may be attached to a cleat or otherwise suitably held when the blind
is raised.
F is a curved guide rod fastened at the ends to the outer ends of brackets G,
attached to the bottom casement near each side and standing out at right angles
thereto. These brackets form rests for the slats when down.
The guide rod F, follows the curve of the arch slightly inside the ends of the
slats a, but continually approaches the window towards the top where it is held
by the bracket H.
Where the lower window is formed of one sheet of glass I preferably form the
guide rod F of tubing open at the bottom and having slots f on its upper side
in proximity to the top.
The raising cord D passes from the pulley E through the slot f to the interior
of the tube F down which it passes coming out at the open lower end in close
proximity to the side of the window where it is suitably fastened as in Fig. 3.
See also Figs. 2, 2, 3 and 4.
By means of the guide rod F, the first slat a, as it is raised by the cord D,
dragging the rest of the slats, one after the other after it, is gradually forced
inwardly toward the window, thus giving a snug fit when raised. It will be
noticed that either blind may be raised independently of the other, and may be
adjusted to any intermediate height. The slats are made sufficiently heavy that
when the cord D, is let go, the blind will naturally fall to the position shown
in Fig. 3.
The first slat is shown in full lines in the act of being raised in Fig. 3ª, and in
dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3.
I show the blinds and all their attachments fixed to the casement of the arched
window, which may be opened for ventilation, by being horizontally swung on a
central pivot or otherwise, carrying the blind with it.
Or the blind and attachment might equally well be attached to the transom
and frame, space being left when the blind is down for the window to swing
clear.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A blind for arched windows comprising a series of slats pivotally held in
fan shape on a bolt substantially central to the arc of the arch such slats being
arranged so that their outer edges follow substantially the arc of the arch when
open as and for the purpose specified.
2. In a blind for arched windows and the like, in combination a series
of slats pivotally held in fan shape on a bolt substantially central to the arc of
the arch and having their outer edges following such arc when open, a continuous
band secured to the casing and looped successively around and attached to each
slat, and means for spreading the slats at their outer end, as and for the purpose
specified.
3. In a blind for arched windows and the like, in combination a series of slats
pivotally held in fan shape on a bolt substantially central to the are of the arch
and having their outer edges following such arc when wide open, a continuous

page_text: band secured to the casing and looped successively around and attached to each
slat, and a cord attached to an end slat and passing over a suitable pulley, as
and for the purpose specified.
4. In a blind for arched windows and the like, in combination a series of slats
pivotally held in fan shape on a bolt substantially central to the arc of the arch
and having their outer edges following such arc when open, a continuous band
secured to the casing and looped successively around and attached to each slat,
means for spreading the slats at their outer ends, and a slantingly arranged arc-
shaped guide rod connected at both ends to the casing alongside the outer most
ends of the slats, as and for the purpose specified.
5. In a blind for arched windows and the like, in combination a series of slats
pivotally held in fan shape on a bolt substantially central to the arc of the arch
and having their outer edges following such arc when open, a continuous band
secured to the casing and looped successively around and attached to each slat,
a cord attached to an end slat and passing over a suitable pulley and a curved
guide tube adapted to guide such cord to the side of the window, such tube having
a slot adapted to allow such cord to enter the tube as and for the purpose specified.
The 2nd day of Verch 1808
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.