Improvements in "Window-blinds.”
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 8th Oct., 1892 -
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in "Window-blinds.” ·
I, WILLIAM ZAINS BROWN, Gentleman, resident of Bucklin, in Linn County,
and State of Missouri, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of
his 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 "window-blinds," and consists in the
novel arrangement and combination of parts as will be more fully hereinafter
described and set forth in the claims.
This application embodies improvements upon the window-blind shown and
described in U.S. Letters Patent, No. 478,563, issued to me July 12th, 1892.
The object of my invention is to construct a novel means for operating the slats
of a window-blind and so designed that the slats may be easily and readily locked
in any determined position.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my complete invention with some parts broken
away and others entirely removed.
Fig. 2 is an end sectional view taken on a line a æ in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a slat, and a sectional view of the stile and accom-
panying parts taken on a line y y of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the connecting-link, for connecting the slat
operator to the slat.
Fig. 5 is a detail view in perspective, with parts broken away of the slat
operator, and showing the manner in which the connecting-link made use of in
carrying out my invention, is connected with said slat operator.
Referring to the drawings:-
1 represents my complete invention constructed with a stile 2 provided with a
longitudinal recess 3 and a longitudinal projection 4 provided with tenon-holes 5
into which the tenons 6 upon the ends of the slats fit.
Adapted to fit into said longitudinal recess 3 with its outer side flush with the
surface of the stile 2, is the slat operator 7 which is shorter in length and narrower
in width than the recess 3 into which it fits and which it operates.
The slat operator 7 has an upward and downward movement in said recess 3, and
operates the slats in a manner more fully hereinafter described.
The slat operator 7 is held in the right angular recess 3 by means of removable
cleats 8, which are preferably constructed of a narrow strip of thin moulding, with
suitable recesses in its under surface, to admit of the working of parts and which is
tacked to the stile 2 and over the slat operator 7.
The connection between the slats 9 and the slat operator 7 is made by means of
the connecting-link 10, detailed in Fig. 4 and which is constructed of a piece of wire
having its ends 11 and 12 bent in an opposite position to each other from the
body 13 of said link 10, and is approximately S-shaped, when in connection with
the parts.
The end 11 is pointed and is adapted to be driven or otherwise mechanically
secured in the end of the slat 9 near the upper end of said slat 9.
The slat operator 7 is provided with a number of transverse grooves 14 into
which the ends 12 of the link 10 are secured by staples 15, and the body 13 of
said link therefore is between the side of said operator 7 and the ends of the
slats 9.
It will be understood in this connection that the ends 11 and 12 of the link 10
are necessarily round in cross-section, in order that the smooth working of the parts
will be assured.

page_text: As shown in Fig. 1, a catch is provided by which the slat operator is
manipulated.
It consists of a flat piece of metal 16 loosely secured to the operator 7 by
staples 17 driven through a perforation near its upper end, into the operator.
This bar 16 is provided upon one side with a number of notches 18 which are
adapted to engage over the sides of a square-headed staple 19 which is driven into
the stile 2.
The lower end of the said bar is bent outwardly into a handle 20, which serves
two purposes, namely, the manipulation of the operator 7 and the length of the
stroke of said operator 7 is regulated by the said projection 20.
By using this catch and sliding the same so that the notches 18 can engage
the staple 19, various angles at which it is desired to place the slats 9, can be
obtained.
Each of the series of the slats 9 are secured and connected with the operator 7
by means of the connecting-links 10, as illustrated in the drawings.
It is only necessary in the construction of window-blinds of this nature, to have
one stile provided with the recess 3 and the attachments hereinbefore described.
One of the features of my invention is the construction of same, which obviates
the necessity of having a middle operating bar connected to the middle of the slats
and by means of which the same is manipulated and which is unsightly and prevents
the ready cleaning of the slats.
The operation of the improved shutter or window-blind can be easily understood
by referring to the drawings and the preceding explanations, but for the sake of
conciseness, I will reiterate part of my statements.
In order to work the slats when they are in a normal closed position and the
operator 7 at the upward limit of its movement it being of course supposed that the
slat or cleat is tacked over same to govern the movement of the operator 7,
the catch 16 is disengaged from its position over the staple 19 and by pulling down
upon the same, the slats 9 by reason of their connection with the operator 7, are
brought down a corresponding distance and if it is desired to retain them in this
position one of the notches 18 is slid over the shank of the staple 19, and when it
is desired to turn them to a closed position, the catch is disengaged and then pushed
upwardly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. An improved window-blind having one of its stiles provided with a right
angular recess, a longitudinal projection on said stile, and provided with tenon-
holes, a slat operator located and operating in said recess, the same answering as a
device for operating the slats, substantially as set forth.
2. An improved window-blind having one stile provided with a right angular
recess, a slat operator located and operating in said recess, and a cleat adapted to be
secured to the stile, and cover the slat operator and other parts, substantially as set
forth.
3. An improved window-blind having one of the stiles provided with a right
angular recess, a slat operator located and movable in said recess, a connecting-link
connecting said slats, and said slat operator provided with a suitable catch for
manipulating said operator, substantially as set forth.
4. An improved window-blind having a slat operator, connecting-links, transverse
slots in said slat operator, and said connecting-links secured in said slots,
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 5th day of September 1892
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.