Improvements in Apparatus or Appliances for Turning, Opening, Closing "Venetian" Window Blinds, Ventilators, Well Balanced Windows, and other Objects of a like Nature.
Year: 1887

page_text: or
Improvements in Apparatus or Appliances for Turning, Opening,
Closing "Venetian" Window Blinds, Ventilators, Well
Balanced Windows, and other Objects of a like Nature.
I, SAMUEL CARNABY of 91, Pitt Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Manufacturer of gas apparatus do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention has for its object primarily, an apparatus that shall turn venetian
blinds to any angle, the present arrangement only admitting of practically three
positions in which the blind is in stable equilibrio, namely, with maximum obliquity
in either direction, or horizontal. The invention is also applicable in part for adjusting
any light pivoted object at a short distance, and to some extent even for adjusting
light objects by a motion of translatian.
Describing my invention first for venetian blinds:
1st. I pivot the top lath or "swivel" on one or more central pivot at or near each
end & if a wide blind in the middle also preferably by a bracket above and
horizontal pivot, and a bearing let into and fixed to the lath, instead of simply
suspending it by tape from the top. By this means I overcome the tendency of
existing blinds to only stand at the maximum slope or the central point, as in my
arrangement the centre of gravity is unchanged in position.
2nd. Fixed rigidly to the top lath concentric with the pivot, I place a bevel wheel
or segment, and gearing into this, place a pinion on a vertical spindle. This spindle is
extended down to any convenient point, and has a hand wheel or other apparatus for
turning it. The plans, however, which prefer and which form an important part of
my invention are as follows:
For expensive blinds I form on the spindle near the end, one or more screw thread;
with a very coarse pitch, and place a hand nut thereon to work in a similar plan to
that of the ordinary jewellers hand drill holder. The spindle is, however, not portable,
but is carried in one bearing in or near the pivot of the top lath, and preferably in

page_text: two bearings, one just beyond each end of the screwed portion, these two bearings
being preferably joined by a flat back plate. The hand nut is cut away so as to leave
a flat face against the flat back plate. To work the apparatus the hand nut is slid up
or down on the screwed portion of the spindle, and being unable to revolve itself,
owing to the back plate or if that be not used, the operator's firm grasp, it causes the
spindle to revolve, turning thus the bevel wheels, and the top lath, and with the latter
all the other laths of the blind.
In the cheaper variety of blinds, however, the expense of the vertical rod and
adjuncts becomes an object. I therefore, in these, adopt a simpler and cheaper
arrangement. On the centre line of the top lath I fix a pulley at one end. This is
preferably done by placing a small flange projecting from each side of one face of the
pulley, one to nail or screw onto the upper surface, and the other onto the lower
surface of the lath. These flanges, being preferably rounded, and not opposite each
other, any thickness of lath within reasonable limits can be used. The ends of a cord
are fixed to the pulley at a point which is uppermost when the lath stands level. The
line is fixed in a double grooved pulley below, preferably by passing into and partly
through the substance of the pulley from one groove, round and back into the next
groove at a point contiguous to the point in the other groove at which it entered.
This pulley is free to revolve on a fixed axis, and is so arranged that when the top
lath is level, the point of fastening of the cord is on top of the lower pulley, and the
line passes round the pulley on each side, and passes up tightly to the pulley above.
If not tight, it can be tightened at this point. The pulleys, or either of them,
preferably the bottom one, is kept from revolving too freely by being attached to its
support by a bolt or rivet, having a spring in compression, drawing or pressing the
pulley against the support. The friction between the side of the pulley and the
support thus causes a breaking action, but other forms of brake can be used. A
button or other handle is fixed to the lower pulley to more easily turn it by hand, and
the blind is adjusted by turning this button or handle as required. It is obvious that
other variations of this method of actuating the blind can be adopted, thus the cord
could be brought tight over the ordinary tightening button used with roller blinds.
A cord with chain links round a chain pulley or two chain pulleys, and chain, could
be used, or two cords to an adjustable lever or star wheel pivoted in the centre, the
main principles of the invention being pivoting the top lath at its centre line, con-
necting the top lath with an adjustable mechanism below, so that by adjusting this
lower mechanism the exact angle at which the lath stands can be regulated.
It is obvious that this invention, almost exactly as described, can be used to turn a
ventilator or light swinging window, or other light well balanced swinging article.
Also that by substituting a straight rack and simple pinion, for the curved rack
(Segment) or bevel wheel and pinion, well balanced windows and other well balanced
objects can be adjusted rectilinearly.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus or Appliances for Turning, Opening,
or Closing Venetian Window Blinds, Ventilators, Well Balanced
Windows, and other Objects of a like Nature.
1, SAMUEL CARNABY of 91 Pitt Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Manufacturer of gas apparatus, 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 has for its object primarily, an apparatus that shall turn venetian
blinds to any angle, the present arrangement, only admitting of practically three
positions in which the blind is in stable equilibrio, namely, when it assumes its
maximum obliquity in either direction, or when it is horizontal. The invention is
also applicable in part for adjusting any light pivoted object at a short distance,
and to some extent even for adjusting light objects by transmitted power.
The invention, as applied to venetian blinds, may be described as follows, reference
being had to the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a general view of a window frame and the upper portion of a venetian
blind fitted with my improved turning device.
Figure 2 is a side view of same with parts broken away.
Figure 3 is a front view (half size) of one of the supporting pivots, showing a con-
venient method of attaching the same to the swivel bar.
Figures 4 to 7 are full size views, Figure 4 being a side view of the turning wheel
and terminal pivot attached to the swivel bar, and Figures 5, 6 and 7 being respectively
a vertical section, a plan, and a transverse vertical section of the turning knob or
button.
Figure 8 is a front view of a modified turning arrangement, and,
Figure 9 a side view of the upper portion of same.
A is the window frame, A' the usual pulley bar of venetian blinds, and B the top
lath or swivel thereof. Instead of suspending the swivel by the ordinary tapes,
pivot it to two or more pivots b so that it can turn freely about its longitudinal axis.
These pivots are placed at or near each end of the swivel, and also in a wide blind, at
intermediate points, and are preferably carried by or work in depending brackets b¹
fixed above the swivel. Each of the pivots has a bearing or bracket which is let
into the lath, or fixed upon the end thereof. Or the terminal pivot may (as shown)
be attached to or have a bearing in the wheel or segment hereinafter described.
As with the above arrangement of pivoting, the position of the centre of gravity of
the swivel remains unchanged, I overcome the tendency of existing blinds to stand
only at the maximum slope or in the central position, and, the blind being in equilibrio,
but little power is required to turn it.
In the cheaper variety of blinds I employ the following simple turning arrangement :
A pulley or wheel C is fixed on the axis of the swivel B, and at one end thereof. The

page_text: attachment is preferably made by means of a small lug e projecting from each side of
one face of the pulley, one lug intended to be nailed or screwed onto the upper surface,
and the other onto the lower surface of the swivel, as shown in Figure 4. These lugs
being preferably rounded, and not being directly opposite each other, any thickness of
top lath within reasonable limits can be used. The ends of a cord D (or one loop of
an endless cord) are fixed to the pulley C at a point which is uppermost when the
swivel stands level. The ends may be conveniently attached by passing them through
holes c¹ in the rim of the pulley, and by then knotting them. The hanging loop of
the cord is fixed to a pulley E placed against the window frame at any convenient
point below the swivel. It is convenient to form the pulley E with two grooves e, e¹
Figures 6 and 7, and the cord is preferably secured to the said pulley by passing it
into the interior of the pulley through a hole e in one of the grooves e, and then
passing it through a hole e³ into the other groove el at a point contiguous to the hole
at which it entered, or vice versa. This may be clearly seen from Figures 6 and 7.
The pulley E is free to revolve on its axis upon a plate F, and it is preferably so
arranged that when the swivel is level, the holes e², e³, or the fastening of the cord is
on top of the pulley. The cord passes from the upper pulley C down one side of the
lower pulley E, right round the same, and up the opposite side to the pulley C to
which it is attached in such a manner as to leave it taut throughout. One or both of
the pulleys C, E, preferably the bottom one C is kept from revolving too freely by
being attached to its supporting plate F by a bolt or rivet, having a spring in com-
pression, drawing or pressing the pulley against the supporting plate. In Figure 7,
the supporting plate is shown with an inner recess into which the pivot & passes,
and is surrounded by a spring ", both spring and pulley being retained in position by
a washer, and rivet head 3. The friction between the side of the pulley and the
plate F thus causes a braking action, but other forms of brake can be used. A milled
button E or other handle is fixed to or forms part of the lower pulley to more easily
turn it by hand, and the blind is adjusted by turning this button or handle as required.
Suitable stops such as e³, e, on the pulley and plate respectively, prevent the former
from being turned continuously in one direction. It is obvious that other variations
of this method of actuating the blind can be adopted, thus the cord could be drawn
tight over the ordinary tightening button used with roller blinds. A cord with chain
links round a chain pulley, or two chain pulleys and a chain could be used, or two
cords could be employed, attached to an adjustable lever or star wheel pivoted in the
centre, the main principles of the invention being the pivoting of the swivel upon its
central axis, and the connecting of the same with an adjustable mechanism below, so
that by adjusting this lower mechanism the exact angle of inclination of the swivel
and laths can be regulated.
For expensive blinds, in which a little additional cost in the adjuncts is only a minor
consideration, I provide an arrangement such as shown in Figures 8 and 9. G is a
bevel wheel or segment fixed rigidly to the swivel concentric with its pivot, and
gearing into a pinion E on a vertical spindle 1. This spindle is extended to any con-
venient point, preferably in a. downward direction, and has a hand wheel or other
arrangement for turning it. The arrangement, however, which I prefer is as
follows:
I form on the spindle near the lower end (or end most remote from the wheel H)
one or more screw threads I having a very coarse pitch, and I place a hand nut J
thereon to work in a similar manner to that of the ordinary drilling thorral." The
spindle is, however, not portable. Its upper end is supported preferably by a conical
terminal bearing in the pivot bracket and by a lateral bearing thereon, which is
open at the side (as shown in Figure 9) so as to allow of the spindle being removed
without interfering with the bracket, or with the swivel. Its lower end is supported,
preferably in two bearings,, one just beyond each end of the screwed portion I',
the said bearings being preferably carried by a flat back plate I attached to the
window frame. The hand nut J has a flat portion on its rear side, which bears against
the plate I, and prevents the nut from turning. To work the apparatus, the hand nut
is slid up or down on the screwed portion of the spindle, and being itself unable to

page_text: revolve, it causes the spindle to revolve, thus turning the bevil wheels, and the swivel,
and with the latter all the laths of the blind.
It is obvious that this invention, almost exactly as described, can be used to turn a
ventilator or light swinging window, or other light well balanced swinging article.
Also that by substituting a straight rack and simple pinion, for the curved rack
(segment) or bevel wheel and pinion, well balanced windows and other well balanced
objects can be adjusted rectilinearly.
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. In a venetian blind, a top lath or swivel mounted upon two or more pivots placed
in the longitudinal axis of said swivel, whereby the equilibrium of the latter is
unaffected by changes in the inclination thereof, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
2. An adjustable turning apparatus for venetian blinds and the like, consisting of a
pulley C secured upon the axis and to the end of a balanced top lath pivoted as
described, a braked pulley such as E mounted upon or near the window frame, and
provided with a turn-button or handle, and with a stopping device such as e, e6, and a
double cord or chain D passing over or round said pulley E, so as to be moved longi-
tudinally thereby, and having its opposite ends or loop secured to the pulley C aforesaid,
so as to turn the same, substantially as described.
3. An adjustable turning apparatus for venetian blinds and the like, consisting of a
toothed rack or segment such as G secured upon the axis and to the end of a balanced
top lath pivoted as described, a similar wheel or segment H gearing with the segment G,
a spindle carrying said wheel H at one end, and formed at its opposite end with a
coarse pitched screw, and a hand nut riding longitudinally upon said screwed part and
adapted to rotate the spindle, substantially as described and shown in Figures 8
and 9.
4. The adjustable turning apparatus for venetian blinds as a whole, constructed
substantially as described and shown in Figures 1 to 7.
5. The adjusting appliances, substantially as herein described in combination with
a balanced ventilator, window, or other well balanced object of like nature.
Dated this 27th day of July 1888.