Improvements in and relating to Window Blinds.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by JOHN WALKER TABB GILLIAM, of 241, North
Fulton Avenue, Baltimore City, State of Maryland, U.S.A., Carpenter and
Builder.]
Improvements in and relating to Window Blinds.
1, REGINALD WALTER BARKER, of Monument Chambers, King William
Street, London in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, 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 an improvement in inside window blinds, and the object
is to provide flexible blinds to roll up and be contained in casings at the sides of
the window when not in use and to draw out across the window in suitable guides.
To this end the invention consists in the novel features of construction and
combinations of parts hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention,
Figure 1 shows an elevation of a window from the inside with the casing at one
side in section and the two upper blinds drawn out and one of the lower blinds
partly drawn out.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows a horizontal cross-section of one side of the casing on line 3 3 of
Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shows a top view of the middle journal block or box with lid removed to
disclose the spring and shows the roller in section, and also the casing in section.
The letter A designates the window-sill; B, the top front piece of the frame;
C, the front pieces of the casing, and D the side pieces of the casing. The corners
of the window framing are boxed up by moulding strips E and the inside pieces F
to form boxes or casings extending the height of the window. The inside pieces
leave openings or slots a between them and the front pieces C of the casings. Each
of such casings has block G, secured in it at the middle and turned out in the upper
A
side to form a circular chamber b, while in the under side it has a socket c.
roller H journals at one end in a block I, secured to the top of the casing,
and at the opposite or lower end in a lid J, secured over the box G. Said box
clock-spring,
contains a spring K, in the present instance having the form of a
which is fastened at one end to the roller and at the other to the box, and is
contained in the chamber b. A similar roller L is journaled at its upper end
in the socket c of the block G and at its lower end in a box which consists of
a turned out block M, secured to the sill A, containing a spring N, fastened to
the roller and block. A flexible blind O, made up of wood strips connected by
interposed canvas or other suitable material O', is fastened to each roller by
passing one end of said canvas about the roller and suitably securing it thereto.
Grooved guide strips P are secured to the top and bottom of the window-frame,
and at the middle of the said frame, at about the position of the meeting rails
of the sashes, a cross-bar Q is fastened to the front pieces C of the casing by
screws or other means and is grooved in its upper and lower sides and extends
across the window.
The blinds slide in the grooves of the strips P and cross-bar Q and are guided
thereby.
A rack R is on the upper edge of the bar Qat each side of the window, and a
pawl d is pivoted to each upper blind O and engages one of said racks. Likewise
racks S are on the upper edge of the lower guide-strip P, and the two lower blinds
each have a pivoted pawl e for engaging the same. Each blind has a knob by
which to draw it out.

page_text: Each blind is of such a length as when drawn out to come to the middle of the
window, and it will be seen that upon drawing out a blind the spring on its roller
will be wound up, whereby said spring will draw the blind back into the casing
when released and wind it upon the roller.
The pivoted pawl on the blind dropping into the teeth of the rack on the guide-
way will hold the blind at any position it is desired to set it and serves as an
automatic means for holding the blind wherever it is stopped.
It will be observed that with my construction the blinds are wholly concealed
within the casing and out of the way when not in use; but can be very readily
brought into use by simply drawing them out in their guideways by the knobs f.
Where two blinds meet at the middle of the window, they will each have a rabbet,
so as to overlap and completely close the window.
Another advantage of my construction is that any desired portion of the window
may be shaded, as the blinds all work independently of each other, and any one of
them may be set at any position desired.
If the upper blinds are so high up as to be out of reach, a cord g will be attached
to cach and run over a pulley h at the side of the casing, and thence depend so as
to be readily accessible. It will be seen that by pulling down on these cords the
blinds will be drawn out.
When the blinds are to be opened, the pawls are lifted out of engagement with
the racks, which permits the blinds to be drawn back into the casings by their
springs.
The usual appearance of the window framing is not affected by the application
thereto of my improved blinds, as I simply utilize the boxes of the casing or jamb
for containing the wound up blinds. There is ample room left for hanging roller
shades and lace curtains, and it will be seen my style of blinds possess an advantage
over others in that they do not in any way interfere with the curtains.
A window may be very easily fitted with this style of blind. The rollers will be
first fitted into their boxes or blocks and then introduced into the casings and the
boxes or blocks secured in place and the casings closed up.
It is evident changes may be made in the construction here shown and described
without departing from my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The combination of a window frame or casing having horizontal slideways, one
side of one of which constitutes a rack, a spring roller mounted vertically in bearings
at one side of the said window frame, a flexible blind secured to and winding on
said roller and fitting said horizontal slideways of the window frame, and a pawl
carried by the flexible blind and adapted to automatically engage the said rack,
and thereby hold the blind at various positions to which it may be drawn out
against the action of the spring roller.
Dated this 21st day of December 1892.
REGINALD W. BARKER.