IMPROVEMENTS IN BLIND ROLLERS, AND IN THE APPARATUS AND FITTINGS FOR THE SAME
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Callas at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 12th July 1876.
HENRY CALLAS, of Reading, in the County of Berks, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BLIND ROLLERS, AND IN THE APPARATUS AND FITTINGS FOR THE SAME."
This Invention has for its object an improved roller and fixtures, applicable to
window and other blinds, by the use of which the blind may be rapidly and easily
drawn up to any desired height by a single side line, without the aid of the
ordinary rack and pulley; the blind being drawn down by means of a centre line
attached to the bottom roller thereof.
To carry out my Invention I proceed in the following manner:-I take any
suitable wooden or metal roller, and form therein a groove or slot running its entire
length to permit of the top edge of the blind being placed therein, and fastened by
a loose strip of wood or metal of such dimensions as to exactly fit into such slot or
groove upon being pressed therein. I make both ends of such roller, as also of such
loose strip, slightly taper, so that suitable caps or terminals either of wood or metal
may be placed thereon, one of such caps or terminals being made a fixture, whilst
the other is allowed to remain loose, so as to permit of its being removed when
desired. Such movable cap or terminal is provided with a projecting end or pin,
either turned on or fitting into it; to fix such movable cap or terminal it only
requires to be tightly pressed on one end of the roller. Projecting beyond the fixed
cap or terminal is a small pulley, round which any suitable length of cord may be
coiled; one end of this cord is fastened through a hole formed for that purpose in a
small wooden or metal disc placed just beyond such pulley; extending beyond such
pulley is an elongated pivot or spindle, having in its length two different diameters,
the smaller end passing through the pulley just described, whilst the larger end fits
loosely into a space which is hollowed out in the body of the roller itself at one
end thereof, and in which hollow a suitable spiral spring is placed, and so adjusted
as to exert the requisite amount of pressure between the blind roller itself and the
elongated spindle or pivot. At either end convenient brackets or supports are
provided, furnished with suitable slots for the reception of the pivots or studs at
each end of the roller. I prefer however to dispense with the use of such brackets
altogether, and to substitute therefor my improved blind case or box, which not
only serves to preserve the blind from becoming soiled, but can be so arranged as to

page_text: impart an extremely ornamental appearance to the room or carriage wherein it is
fitted.
I make my improved box or case either of wood or metal, and either square or of
any other convenient shape, and open at the back so as to allow of my improved
roller blind being placed therein; I form inside such case or box at either end
suitable hollows or recesses. which receive the pins or studs at the ends of the roller,
and allow the same to work easily therein. Suitable metal brackets are affixed to
the back of such case or box at each end to permit of its being screwed or otherwise
fastened to the case of the window or any other convenient bearing. On the under
side of such box or case, at the back, a narrow slot or recess is formed to allow of
the blind descending therethrough; such slot is formed of a length corresponding to
the width of the blind, and thus serves to prevent the blind from canting to either
side on its being raised or lowered. On the under side towards the right-hand end
of the case or box a second hole is formed through which the cord passes, and which
serves to keep it in proper position.
My improved roller blind and case is particularly adapted for use in railway and
other carriages, as well as in private and public buildings, and ensures not only
great convenience and facility in use, but also great elegance of appearance, and
unites with great simplicity of construction considerable economy in the cost of
manufacture over many of those hitherto in use.