Improvements in and Relating to Venetian Blinds.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th July, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 6th Apr., 1898-Accepted,.7th May, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Relating to Venetian Blinds.
I, JAMES RUSSELL, of 15, Windsor Road, Ealing, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in and connected with Venetian blinds and
its principal object is to facilitate the removal of the slats or laths from the blind.
I propose to form transverse slots or recesses in the lath, such slots being
approximately in the centre of the lath and being connected with its sides by means
of narrow slits or grooves in such a way that the laths may be easily passed on to the
supporting cords by means of which the blind is operated.
The slots may be of any desired shape but are preferably oblong with round corners,
and the entering grooves are preferably curved in to the longer sides of these latter.
Any number of slots furnished with entering grooves may be used, and in all cases
I have found advantage in arranging them so that these grooves communicate with.
the slots from alternate sides of the laths or slats.
If desired I may arrange to close the ends of the grooves by means of a catch or
similar device.
Improvements in and Relating to Venetian Blinds.
I, JAMES RUSSELL, of 15, Windsor Road, Ealing, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in and connected with Venetian blinds
and its principal object is to facilitate the removal of. the slats or laths from the
blind.
I propose to form transverse slots or recesses in the lath, such slots being approxi-
mately in the centre of the lath and being connected with its sides by means of
narrow slits or grooves in such a way that the laths may be easily
passed on to the supporting cords by means of which the blind is operated.
The slots may be of any desired shape but are preferably oblong with round corners
and the entering grooves are curved in to the longer sides of these latter, or consist
of extensions of the slots to the edges of the lath.

page_text: Any number of slots furnished with entering grooves may be used and in all cases
I have found advantage in arranging them so that these grooves communicate with
the slots from alternate sides of the laths or slats..
If desired I may arrange to close the ends of the grooves by means of a catch or
similar device.
Upon the accompanying sheet of drawings:-
Figure 1 is a plan view of a lath or slat made according to my invention,
Figure 2 being a similar view of a modified form of channel into the slot.
Figure 3 is a similar view of another form of channel.
Figure 4 shews a side elevation of a suitable form of catch for closing the
channel,
Figure 5 being a cross-section of the same. -
$
On these drawings a a represent the ordinary slots or recesses in the laths b,
these slots being approximately at the centre transversely of the lath-and they
are connected with the sides of the laths by means of narrow slits or grooves, c c...
These slits or channels c. are preferably narrower than the recesses a but, they may
be of any width sufficient to allow the blind-cord d to be passed freely into the
recesses a.. The channel may also be formed by an extension of the recess a (see
right hand portion of Figure 1) where such a modification is shewn in dotted lines,
this straight channel being, if desired, covered by a clip, as hereafter described.
I find it advantageous to arrange the communication-slits on alternate sides of the
laths, as shewn on the drawings.
On Figures 4 and 5, I have shewn a clip device'e for closing the entrance, to the
channels when this is desired. This clip is forced on the edge of the lath over
the entrance of the channel c after the cord d has passed along same. 'It is, however,
not always necessary to use such catch device, but any other suitable form of catch
might be used.
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 the laths of Venetian blinds, a channel leading from the edge or side of the
lath to the usual slot for the cord:
2. In laths for. Venetian blinds, the combination with the slots or recesses for the
blind-cords, of slits or channels leading to said slots from the edges or sides of
the blinds, substantially as described.
3. In laths for Venetian blinds, the combination with slots or recesses for the
blind-cords, of channels leading to said slots from the edges or sides of the laths, and
of a clip or a catch device for closing the entrances of the channels after the cords
have been passed along the same, substantially as described.
Dated this 6th day of April 1898.
Won the Ant

page_text: with is a cam I mounted on the shaft I and actuated by means of the lever H.
The cam and lever are so arranged that when the latter is in the extreme forward
position, the cylinder will be in the position shown; but when the lever H is
moved to the left, the cam I' engaging with the collar P₁ will lift the cylinder
bodily to a position where its contacts will be opposite the second set of stationary
brushes and in position to co-operate therewith. Surrounding the cylinder A is a
suitable case provided with bearings for the shaft P, and also for the cam shaft I.
The cylinder A can be actuated by any suitable means, a handle G being shown.
In electric controllers when employed for heavy work, it is necessary to employ
a large number of contacts which are suitably spaced one from the other to
maintain good insulation; this involves the use of a contact cylinder having a
large number of rows of contacts, the number of contacts being at times so great
that it is necessary to provide two cylinders and gear them together. In the
present invention we reduce the vertical height of the cylinder by mounting
certain of the contacts on the inner periphery of the cylinder as described. It
is immaterial which of these contacts are so placed; it is, however, desirable to
place thereon contacts which are liable to the least amount of sparking, it being
well known that in controllers, sparking is less liable to occur at some points than
others, due to the particular connection which the contact brush at this point
makes with the motor or motors.
Referring to Fig. 1, the operation of the controller will be described in con-
nection with the electric brakes. Assuming, for example, that it is desired to
propel the vehicle, the cylinder A is brought to the position shown in full lines
and current entering by the trolley T passes to brush I, to the contact opposite
it on the cylinder A, thence to the brush 2, by contacts and cross-connection on
the cylinder A, through the resistance R, wire a to brush 23 by the contact on
the cylinder B to brush 24, thence to armature of motor M, to brush 25, thence by
contact on switch B to brush 26, to the field of motor M, to brush 9, to contact
on cylinder A, by cross-connection on the cylinder to brush 10, to brush 27, by
contact on the reversing switch B, to brush, 28, to the armature of motor M', to
brush 29, by contact on switch B to brush 30, to the field of motor M¹ to ground g.
This will establish the series relation of motors with full resistance in circuit.
As the cylinder A is rotated from right to left, one section after another of the
resistance R is cut out of circuit until the motors are connected directly between
the trolley and ground.
If it is desired to brake the vehicle, the cylinder A, by means of the lever H
and the mechanism previously described, will be raised to the position shown.in
dotted lines; at the same time, by suitable mechanism, the reversing switch B
will be moved so that the brushes 23 to 30 inclusive will be in position to engage
with the middle row of contacts and the circuit will be as follows:-
Assuming the circuit to begin at the point c at the end off the resistance R,
it is as follows:-by wire a to brush 23, to brush 25 by means of cross connection
on the switch B, through the armature of motor M in the direction indicated by
the dotted arrow, to brush 24, to brush 26 by means of the contacts on the
reversing switch, to the field of motor M, the current flowing in the same direction
as when used for propelling the vehicle to brush 21, to the opposite contact on
the cylinder A, by cross-connection to the next lower contact, to brush 22, to
ground g¹.
Starting again at point c, the second circuit is through brush 19, by cross-
connected contacts on the cylinder A to brush 20, to brush 27, by cross-connected..
contacts on the reversing switch to brush 29, to armature of motor M', in the
direction indicated by the dotted arrow, to brush 28, by cross-connected contacts
on the reversing switch to brush 30, to the field of motor M', in the direction
indicated by the dotted arrow, to brush 28, by cross-connected contacts on the
reversing switch to brush 30, to the field of motor M', and to ground g.
current then passes from the grounds 9 and g' of both machines to the ground g³,
thence through the brake magnets S in series to brush 11, thence by cross-con-
The

page_text: nected contacts on the cylinder A to the brush 12, through the sections, of
resistance R to the starting point c.
It will be seen that the motors are connected in multiple and are supplying
current to the brake magnets S which are connected in series.
Further movement of the cylinder A to the left will cut the sections of
resistance R out of circuit step by step until it is entirely removed.
It will be observed from the above that one set of the stationary brushes is
so connected with the motor circuits that when current is supplied thereto through
the cylinder A, the motors are connected to perform one operation, and that
when the cylinder A is shifted to its upper position, the brushes which will then
engage with the contacts on cylinder A establish a different set of circuit relations
and in this case are employed for a different purpose, namely that of braking the
vehicle.
In Fig. 2 we have shown a modification of our invention, in which the circuits
and contacts are so arranged as to establish high and low speed combinations.
The brushes 1 to 8 inclusive are so arranged that when the circuit is established
through the switch A, a series relation of the motors is established; and when the
brushes 11 to 20 are in engagement with the contacts on the cylinder A a parallel
relation is established. The cylinder A in this figure is shown in its upper or
parallel position, the dotted lines showing its lower or series position.
circuit through the motors being fully traced, further description is unnecessary.
In a controller of this kind it is necessary to bring the cylinder A to the off
position, which will interrupt the circuit, before shifting it to its upper position
either for braking or for high speed purposes.
:
The
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention (as communicated to us from abroad) and in what manner the same is to
be performed, we declare that what we claim is:-
I. In an electric controller, the combination of a single set of moving contacts,
two sets of brushes mounted for dissimultaneous engagement therewith, the two
sets of brushes establishing different circuit combinations of the dynamo electric
machines, and means for changing the relation between the contacts and sets of
brushes.
2. In an electric controller, the combination of a contact cylinder mounted
for rotary movement, stationary brushes mounted for engagement therewith,
means for imparting a rotary movement to the cylinder, and means for moving
the cylinder in a direction parallel to its axis when it is desired to establish a
new relation of the motors.
3. In an electric controller, the combination of a cylinder mounted for rotary
movement, a set of contacts mounted thereon, means for moving the cylinder
parallel to its axis, two sets of brushes mounted for engagement with the contacts
on the cylinder, one set of brushes being arranged to establish one combination of
circuits when in engagement with the cylinder contacts, the other set of brushes
establishing a different combination of circuits when engaging with the same
-
contacts.
4. In an electric controller, for electrically propelled vehicles, the combination
of a single set of moving contacts, a set of brushes so connected to the motors that
the latter will propel the vehicle when the power circuit is completed by the
cylinder contacts, a second set of brushes so connected as to establish the brake
circuit when the circuit is closed by the contacts on the cylinder.
5. In an electric controller, the combination of a contact cylinder mounted for
rotary movement, means for moving the cylinder in a direction parallel to its
axis, brushes mounted for engagement with the cylinder, certain of them engaging
with the cylinder contacts when the motor is in one position, the remainder after
the cylinder has been moved to a new position.
6. In an electric controller, the combination of a cylinder, a single set of
contacts mounted thereon, a set of brushes so connected to the motors that the

page_text: latter will propel the vehicle when the circuit is completed by the cylinder
contacts, a second set of brushes normally out of engagement with the cylinder
contacts and so connected as to establish the brake circuit when the latter is
closed by the cylinder contacts, and means for moving the cylinder contacts,
into a position for co-operation with the brushes connected to the brake circuit.
7. In an electric controller, the combination of a cylinder provided with a
single set of contacts permanently connected to give any desired motor com-
bination, two sets of brushes mounted on a vertical support, the brushes of one
set alternating with those of the second set, the stationary brushes and cylinder
contacts bearing such a relation to each other that only one set of brushes can be
in contact at a given time, and means for moving the cylinder into position for
engagement with either of the sets of brushes.
8. In an electric controller, the combination of a contact cylinder provided
with contacts mounted on the outer periphery of the drum, contacts mounted on the
inner periphery, stationary brushes engaging with the outer peripheral contacts
and stationary brushes engaging with the inner peripheral contacts.
9. In an electric controller, the combination of a spider or support, insulation
mounted thereon forming the drum, contacts mounted on the inner periphery,
the inner and outer peripheral contacts being staggered, stationary brushes
engaging with the outer set of contacts, and stationary brushes mounted on a
suitable support within the drum making contact with the inner contacts.
For the Applicants,
J. C. CHAPMAN,
Chartered Patent Agent, 70 Chancery Lane, London, W.C.