CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BLIND ROLLERS FOR WINDOWS FORMED OUT OF SHEET METAL OR OTHER SUITABLE MATERIAL, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Hands, Glass Button Manufacturer, of Moseley,
in the County of Worcester, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN BLIND ROLLERS FOR WINDOWS FORMED OUT OF SHEET METAL OR OTHER
SUITABLE MATERIAL, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER
USEFUL PURPOSES,"
Sealed the 25th February 1879, and dated the 27th August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Hands at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th August 1878.
SAMUEL HANDS, Glass Button Manufacturer, of Moseley, in the County of
Worcester. "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BLIND ROLLERS FOR WINDOWS FORMED
OUT OF SHEET METAL OR OTHER SUITABLE MATERIAL, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE
ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES,"
Firstly. In forming hollow blind rollers of metal or other suitable material,
having at the ends, soldered or otherwise secured, the ordinary plates carrying the
axles and cord pulley, the said roller having a horizontal groove running through-
out its entire length of sufficient width for the fabric or material of which the
blind is formed to pass through, the said blind having a round or other shaped rod
of wood or metal, round which the top end of the blind is sewn or otherwise
attached, and in the plate at one end of the said roller we cut away or otherwise
form an orifice or opening corresponding to the shape of the before-mentioned wood
or metal rod at the top of the blind. By this means it is easily seen that the
trouble of taking down and putting up blinds is greatly simplified, as this would
be done in a very short space of time by simply withdrawing from or inserting
into the groove the said rod with the blind attached, the taping, sewing, and tacking
now in present use being entirely dispensed with.
Secondly. My improvements consist in forming the above-mentioned roller so as
to be easily and readily adjusted to suit almost any width of window. In the

page_text: first place we take a tube of zinc or other suitable material and of any suitable
length, to the one end of which is secured by soldering or otherwise the ordinary
grooved pulley for the purpose of holding the blind cord, and in the other end wo
insert for a short distance a second suitable length of tubing, the outside diameter
of which corresponds with the inside diameter of the length first mentioned, these
two length being secured together by soldering or otherwise. Over the last-
mentioned or small piece I pass another or third piece of the same length, or nenly
so, as the second-mentioned piece, and the said third piece being equal in diameter
outside and inside to the length first mentioned, and to the outside end of which is
secured the ordinary plate and axle for the roller to revolve on, the small groove
before mentioned running lineable through the entire length of the three pieces,
forming the complete roller. In the third-mentioned length, which we pass over
the second one, I also form a second groove, wider by preference than the before-
mentioned first groove, and diametrically opposite to it, the said second groove
terminating at a short distanco from each end of the third length of roller in which
it is formed. Through the said second groove in the third length is inserted a
small screw, which is screwed into the end or near the end of the inner or second
length or roller before referred to, the object being to keep the said second groove
in correct position relative to the first or smaller one, and also the head of which
scrow by impinging on the outside of the third length before mentioned holds the
roller secure at any length to which it may be adjusted, the adjustable width being
regulated by the second groove before mentioned, thereby enabling the width of
the roller to be made greater or smaller, as desired, thus giving a large lateral scope
for adjustment, one part of the roller being constructed in a telescopic form, and at
the same time the two ends of. the roller having equal diameters, which is most
desirable.
This improved roller is also applicable for receiving maps, plans, and charts
treated in the same way that are hung invariably in various large public halls and
other buildings, as well as for receiving diagrams for the lecture room.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Hands in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th February
1879.
"
SAMUEL HANDS, Glass Button Manufacturer, of Moseley, in the County of
Worcester. CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BLIND ROLLERS FOR WINDOWS FORMED
OUT OF SHEET METAL OR OTHER SUITABLE MATERIAL, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE
ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
Firstly. In forming hollow blind rollers of metal or other suitable material,
having at the ends, soldered or otherwise secured, the ordinary plates carrying the
axles and cord pulleys, the said roller having a horizontal groove running through-
out its entire length of sufficient width for the fabric or material of which the blind
is formed to pass through, the said blind having a round or other shaped rod of
wood or metal, round which the top end of the blind is sewn or otherwise attached,
and in the plate at one end of the said roller we cut away or otherwise form an
orifice or opening corresponding to the shape of the before-mentioned wood or metal
rod at the top of the blind; by this means it is easily seen that the trouble of
taking down and putting up blinds is greatly simplified, as this would be done in
a very short space of time by simply withdrawing from or inserting into the groove
the said rod with the blind attached, the taping, sewing, tacking now in present
use being entirely dispensed with.
Secondly. My improvements consist in forming the above-mentioned roller so aa
to be easily and readily adjustable to suit almost any width of window. In the
first place we take a tube of zinc or other suitable material and of any suitable
length, to the end of which is secured by soldering or otherwise the ordinary
grooved pulley for the purpose of holding the blind cord, and in the other end we
insert for a short distance a second suitable length of tubing, the outside diameter
of which corresponds with the inside diameter of the length first mentioned, theso
two lengths being secured together by soldering or otherwise. Over the last-
mentioned or smaller piece wo pass another or third piece of the same length, or
nearly so, as the second-mentioned piece, and the said third piece being equal in
diameter outside and inside to the length first mentioned, and to the outside end
of which is secured the ordinary plate and axle for the roller to revolve on, the
small groove before mentioned running lineable through the entire lengths of the
three pieces, forming the complete roller. In the third-mentioned length, which we
pass over the second one, we also form a second groove, wider by preference than
the before-mentioned first groove, and diametrically opposite to it, the said second
groove terminating at a short distance from each end of the third length of roller,
in which it is formed. Through the said second groove in the third length is
inserted a small screw, which is screwed into the end or near the end of the inner
or second length or roller before referred to, the object being to keep the said second
groove in correct position relative to the first or smaller one, and also the head of
which screw by impinging on the outside of the third length before mentioned
holds the roller secure at any width to which it may be adjusted, the adjustablo
width being regulated by the second groove before mentioned, thereby enabling the
width of the roller to be made greater or smaller, as desired, thus giving a large
lateral scope for adjustment, one part of the roller being constructed in a telescopic
form, and at the same time the two ends of the roller having equal diameters, which
is most desirable.
This improved roller is also applicable for receiving maps, plans, and charts,
treated in the same way, that are hung invariably in various large public halls and
other buildings, as well as for receiving diagrams for the lecture room.
But in order that my Invention may be fully understood, I will now proceed
to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the several Figures on the

page_text: Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are longitudinal views of my improved blind roller, but
broken off for convenience of space. Fig. we will term a front elevation; Fig. 2,
a longitudinal section taken through Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4,
a longitudinal section of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is an end view of the roller shewing the axle and plate marked A, with an
orifice or opening marked C formed in the said plate; the same end view also
shews a narrow groove or opening marked D formed in the bottom of the blind
roller, and which is also shewn, and the opening or orifico C in the transverse
sections at Figures 6, 7, and 8, in longitudinal section at Fig. 2, in plan at Fig. 4,
and in dotted lines at Fig. 3.
The said opening or orifice marked C formed in the plate A can be of any con-
venient shape or size, through which we insert a rod of wood or metal corresponding
in shape to the said opening or orifice marked C. To this said rod is attached the
blind, n hem being formed in the fabric, through which we insert the rod, which
said rod we there insert in the opening or orifice C the fabric forming the blind
falling or sliding through the groove D before referred to, which said groove can be
of any convenient width; thus it will be readily seen and understood that when it
is desired to take down or put up the blind or other article it is necessary only to
withdraw or insert at the end (marked A) the small rod carrying the blind. The
said opening or groove marked D running the wholo length of the said roller is
formed in each length of tubing forming the blind roller, and is kept in exact
position by means of a screw marked E working in another slot diametrically
opposite to the before-mentioned groove D, and which will hereafter be described.
Thus it is self-evident that a great amount of time, superfluous labor, and trouble
is saved by means of my improved roller in the taking down and putting up of
blinds, &c. This method, dispensing with all the trouble of taping, nailing, and
sewing on of the blinds, this must in itself be a great desideratum in largo hotels,
public halls, and other buildings, and insuring as it does the parallel and the even
winding up of the fabric forming the blind.
Fig. 9 is a view of the end of the roller carrying the plate forming the cord
pulley marked B (the plate and axle being formed if preferred out of one piece of
metal in both cases); Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken through the dotted
line a, b, of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken through the dotted line c, d,
of Fig. 1; and Fig. 8 is also a transverse sectional view taken through the dotted
line e, f, of the same Figure.
The two end plates A and B before mentioned can be secured to their respective
ends of the tubular pieces, of which the blind roller is partly formed, by soldering
or otherwise.
The outside length of tube marked F, shewn in elevation at Fig. 1 and in section
at Fig. 2, has a second slot or groove cut out or otherwise formed in it (though
somewhat wider than the groove marked D before mentioned) running nearly the
whole of its length, the said slot or groove being shewn in section at Fig. 2, in
plan at Fig. 3, and in transverse section at Fig. 6. The object and use of the said
slot or groove will be fully described hereafter.
In the second length of tubing (as described) marked G, at the other end of the
blind roller (to which the plate forming the cord pulley is secured), we insert for a
short distance the end of another length of tubing marked H, shewn in section at
Fig. 2, which can be secured by soldering or otherwise to the length marked G
before mentioned, which may be of any convenient length, and at or near the other
end of the said piece of tubing marked H I tap a small hole to take a convenient
size screw, marked E, before referred to, shewn in. elevation at, Fig. 2, and in plan

page_text: at Fig. 3, and also seen in Figures 6, 7, and 8. The object of the screw E working
through the part of the blind roller marked H in connection with the slot formed
in the length marked F before referred to can be readily understood by referring
to the Drawings, the outside diameter of the piece marked H being a shade smaller.
than the inside diameters of the two end pieces forining a portion of the roller
marked F and G. The part marked H having been inserted into the length of
tubing first mentioned marked F the screw E is then inserted into the length of
tubing marked H, passing through the longitudinal slot before mentioned formed
in the length F, the two ends or lengths of the tubing forming the blind roller
marked F and G being exactly of the same diameters; thus it is evident that a
blind roller so constructed can be lengthened or shortened by simply unscrewing
the screw E and either withdrawing or inserting further the length of tubing
marked H before referred to, which can be pulled out or extended to the length of
the slot formed in the pieco F, the screw being afterwards screwed in to secure the
tubes in position, the head of the screw impinging on the outside length of tube
marked F, thus the roller can be easily adjusted to any window, and made secure
at any suitable length.
This telescopic arrangement for blind rollers is also applicable for cornice poles,
hollow curtain rods, awning or outside window blinds for shop purposes, &c., and
must be a very great desideratum on account of its being so readily and easily
adjusted, the two end plates carrying the axles being always secured to the two
end pieces of tubing forming a portion of the roller.
The extent of the lengthening or shortening of my improved roller depends upon
the length of the slot or groove formed in the length marked F, and the length of
the inside tubular pieces marked H.
Having thus given a general description of my Invention, and the manner of
giving effect to the same, I wish it particularly understood that I do not contine
myself to the exact details as herein set forth and exhibited, as the same are
capable of diversification, nor to the size and form shewn on the Drawings, as for
instance the lengths forming the roller may be hexagonal or octagonal in form, and
could be ornamented on the surface if preferred, nor to the materials of which the
roller is made, but what I do claim as of my Invention, and wish to protect by
these my Letters Patent is, the making and forming of blind rollers for giving
effect to the purposes and objects herein described, set forth, and illustrated by this
Specification and accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Hands, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of February, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-nine.
Witness,
ALFRED PERRY, C.E.,
Handsworth,
Birmingham.
SAMUEL HANDS. (LS)