Improvements in Window Blinds, partly applicable to Window Sashes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 18th Dec., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Window Blinds, partly applicable to Window
Sashes.
I, JOHN HEMPSTALK, Shipwright, of Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand. 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 that class of window shades which are known as
"Venetian Blinds" embodying a series of slats adapted to fold into closed
position. The object of my invention is to provide a simple and improved shade
or blind of this character which will possess advantages in point of positive action,
ease and convenience in operation, durability, effectiveness, and general efficiency.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, illustrating my improved window
shade or blind.
Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view, taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.
Figures 3 and 4 are detail transverse sectional views.
Figure 5 is an elevation, illustrating an adaptation of my invention to window
sashes.
Figure 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the construction shown in
Fig. 5.
Referring to the drawings, A designates the window casing, at the top of which
is mounted a transverse fixed shaft or rod, B, which may have its end secured in
suitable brackets, C. The shaft is preferably surrounded by a fixed cylinder or
casing, D, enclosing the operating mechanism.
Depending from the brackets Cat each side, are vertical guide rods E, which
pass through elongated openings in the respective ends of the slats, F, and serve
to guide and retain the latter in position but at the same time permit of their
folding or opening movement. The series of slats F, are connected at their front
and rear edges by flexible straps or tapes G, which may be formed of leather and
are secured to each slat, as shown át g, Fig. 2.
H designates metallic spring strips or bands, which thus form separate spring
bands which are respectively mounted and wound upon shive-wheels or pulleys, I,
arranged in a series at each end of the shaft or rod B. One of said spring
bands extends and is secured to each slat F, preferably at a central point with
respect to the width or diameter of the slat, and said series of bands pass through
or are accomodated in elongated slots in the respective slats, as shown at h.
The operation of the wound spring bands is such that their tension is con-
stantly exerted to draw the slats up into folded position, as shown at the top
portion of Fig. 2, and when the slats are drawn down into overlapping position
so that the shade or blind is closed, as shown in Fig. 1), the spring strips or bands
are correspondingly extended. To retain the spring strips or bands in this
extended position, against the normal tendency to wind upon the shive-wheels
r pulleys and thus fold up the series of slats, I provide an operating mechanism
mounted upon the shaft or rod B. This mechanism embodies friction brakes cr
.
027

page_text: collars, J, (See Figs. 1 and 3) which surround the shaft B and have laterally pro-
jecting guide arms, j, which operate in longitudinally arranged slots, K, in the
side walls of the cylinder or casing D. One of these collars or brakes J is
provided at each end of the operating mechanism and arranged to bear upon each
respective series of shive-wheels or pulleys I, and they are held in normal bearing
or compression against said series of wheels by means of coiled springs, L,
mounted upon the shaft B, and bearing against a fixed collar or flange, M. Thus,
normally, the brake collars J bear against the series of shive-wheels or pulleys I
and retain the same against rotary movement, so that the slats remain in the
folded position to which they may have been adjusted when the shade or blind is
pulled down. To release said collars from contact with the series of wheels or
pulleys, and thus enable the automatic folding up of the slats by action of the
spring strips or bands H, I provide a rock arm, N, centrally embracing the shaft B
and having bearings, as shewn at , in the sides of the cylinder or casing 1).
The body of this rock arm has an elongated slot, n', for the accomodation of the
shaft B, to permit its proper movement with relation thereto.
Respectively extending from the rock arm N, in opposite directions, are cords, o,
having their outer ends connected respectively to the brake collars J.
The front bearing n of the rock arm is elongated and carries a crank arm, P,
outside the casing D, to which is connected a vertically depending cord, Q, by
means of which the rock arm may be operated to simultaneously draw the brake
collars J from the series of shive-wheels or pulleys I and thus enable the
automatic operation of the spring strips or bands H to cause the folding up of the
series of slats F.
A handle, R, may be provided at the front edge of the bottom slat F, to
facilitate the pulling down of the series of slats into overlapping position.
In Figs. 5 and 6, I have illustrated a modification of my invention and im-
provements, by which the same are adapted for effective use in relation to window
sashes in lieu of shades or blinds. In this adaptation, the shafts, B, are suitably
mounted at the top of the window casing A and carry wheels or pulleys, I, around
which are wound spring straps or bands H which have their free ends respectively
connected to the upper and lower sash, S and S¹, respectively. In this adaptation,
the tension of the spring bands is preferably so regulated to the weight of the
respective sashes that a counter balance will be ensured and the sash will thus
remain in the position to which it has been adjusted.
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 a window shade or blind of the class described, the combination, with the
series of slats, of shive-wheels or pulleys mounted upon a transverse shaft or rod,
and a series of spring strips or bands wound upon said wheels or pulleys and
connected respectively to the individual slats, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
2. In a window shade or blind of the class described, the combination, with the
series of slats, of shive-wheels or pulleys mounted upon a shaft or rod, spring
strips or bands wound upon the said wheels or pulleys and respectively connected
to the individual slats, means for clamping or binding said series of wheels or
pulleys, and means for operating said binding mechanism to release the same,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a window shade or blind of the class described, the combination, with a
series of slats, of a shaft or rod mounted at the top of said series, shive-wheels or
pulleys carried by said shaft, spring strips or bands wound upon said wheels or
pulleys and respectively connected to the individual slats, brake collars carried
by the shaft, means for holding said brake collars in normal bearing against said
series of wheels or pulleys, a rock arm respectively connected with said brake
collars, and means for operating said rock arm, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.

page_text: 4. An improved window shade or blind of the class described, comprising the
series of slats, a shaft or rod mounted above said series, shive-wheels or pulleys
carried by said shaft, spring strips or bands wound upon said wheels or pulleys
and respectively connected to the individual slats, brake collars mounted upon the
shaft and adapted to bear against said series of wheels or pulleys, controlling
springs for holding said brake collars in normal position, a rock arm connected
with said brake collars and provided with operating means, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
5. An improved window shade or blind of the class described, comprising the
series of slats, the shaft or rod arranged above said series, shive-wheels or pulleys
mounted upon said shaft, spring strips or bands wound upon said wheels or
pulleys and respectively connected to the individual slats, brake collars operating
with respect to the said series of wheels or pulleys, controlling springs for
governing said brake collars, a rock arm mounted upon the shaft and connected
to said collars and provided with a crank arm, and an operating cord extending
from said crank arm, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In a window shade or blind of the class described, the combination, with the
series of slats and the shaft or rod, of shive-wheels or pulleys carried by said
shaft, automatically operating spring strips or bands wound upon said wheels or
pulleys and respectively connected to the individual slats, and vertical guide rods
to which said slats are connected, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In a window shade or blind of the class described, comprising a series of
slats connected with automatically operating spring strips or bands by which said
slats are carried into folded position, the vertical guide rods for retaining and
guiding said slats, said rods passing through slots in the slats and being retained
in connection therewith, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination, with members
adapted to be relatively operated and raised or lowered, of shive-wheels or pulleys
relatively mounted with respect to said members, and spring strips or bands
wound upon said wheels or pulleys and respectively connected to the operative
members, whereby the spring tension of the strips or bands automatically operates
to control the position of said operative members, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Dated this 7th day of October 1897.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE
40 Chancery Lane London W.C. Agents.