IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR BRINGING TENSION UPON THE CORDS OF WINDOW BLINDS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO THE DRIVING CORDS OR BANDS OF SEWING AND OTHER MACHINES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Speirs Simpson, of Battersea, in the County of
Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR
BRINGING TENSION UPON THE CORDS OF WINDOW BLINDS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO
THE DRIVING CORDS OR BANDS OF SEWING AND OTHER MACHINES."
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Speirs Simpson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th January 1879.
WILLIAM SPEIRS SIMPSON, of Battersea, in the County of Surrey. IMPROVE
MENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR BRINGING TENSION UPON THE CORDS OF
WINDOW BLINDS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO THE DRIVING CORDS OR BANDS OF SEWING
AND OTHER MACHINES."
The object of my Invention is to keep the cord of a window blind or any cord or
band used to rotate a pulley, drum, or analogous device, always pressing against
part of the periphery of such pulley or other device; my apparatus also
compensates for any expansion or contraction of the driving cord or belt from
atmospheric changes.
In applying my Invention to the roller of a window blind I propose to fix upon
pins projecting from the bracket supporting that end of the roller which carries the
pulley two discs or rollers of india-rubber or other elastic or semi-elastic material, or
carrying a band or tire of such material; these elastic discs being so arranged that
when the blind roller is put into the bracket the discs will be on opposite sides of
the blind pulley, each pressing upon the blind cord in its groove.
Thus the usual rack with all its inconveniences is dispensed with; the endless
cord may either hang loose or be passed through a simple eyebolt at any convenient
spot, and when the cord is pulled, whether to raise or to lower the blind, my elastic
discs or rollers will always press upon it, and give it sufficient friction or purchase
on the pulley to cause this latter to revolve in the required direction to raise or
lower the blind.
E
I now find it preferable to use two elastic discs or rollers, but I do not proposo
to limit myself to any particular number, and I may arrange them in any suitable
manner to press upon the blind cord in its groove.
I may also prevent the driving belts, bands, or cords of sewing and other
machines from slipping over their pulleys or drums by the pressure of my elastic or
semi elastic discs or rollers suitably arranged for this purpose around the pulley,
drum, or other device, to be rotated by such cord or band.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Speirs Simpson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
July 1879.
WILLIAM SPEIRS SIMPSON, of Battersea, in the County of Surrey. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR BRINGING TENSION UPON THE CORDS OF
WINDOW BLINDS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO THE DRIVING CORDS OR BANDS OF SEWING
AND OTHER MACHINES."
The object of my Invention is to keep the cord of a window blind, or any cord or
band used to rotate a pulley, drum, or analogous device, always pressing against
part of the periphery of such pulley or other device.
My apparatus also compensates for any expansion or contraction of the driving
cord or belt from atmospheric changes.
In applying my Invention to the roller of a window blind I fix upon pins
projecting from the bracket supporting that end of the roller which carries the
pulley two discs or rollers of india rubber or other elastic or semi-elastic material,
or carrying a band or tire of such material; these elastic discs being so arranged
that when the blind roller is put into the bracket the discs will be on opposite sides
of the blind pulley, cach pressing upon the blind cord in its groove.
Upon the accompanying Sheet of Drawing forming part of this Specification,-
Figure 1 represents a roller for window blind fitted with my Invention, as above
described;
Figure 2 being an end view of same, and
Figure 3, a plan view showing portion of frictional discs.
A, A, indicate the frictional discs; B, the blind pulley; C, the roller for blind;
D, D, the brackets supporting pulley B; E, the cord for raising and lowering the
blind.
It will be seen that the usual rack with all its inconveniences is here dispensed
with; the endless cord may either hang loose or be passed through a simple eyebolt
at any convenient spot, and when the cord is pulled, whether to raise or to lower
the blind, my elastic discs or rollers will always press upon and give it sufficient
friction or purchase on the pulley to cause this latter to revolve in the required
direction to raise or lower the blind.
I now find it preferable to uso two elastic discs or rollers as shown on the
Drawing, but I do not propose to limit myself to any particular number, and I
may arrange them in any suitable manner to press upon the blind cord in its
groove.
I may also prevent the driving belts, bands, or cords of sewing and other
machines from slipping over their pulleys or drums by the pressure of my elastic
or semi-elastic dies or rollers suitably arranged for this purpose around the pulley,
drum, or other device to be rotated by such belt, cord, or band.
An arrangement embodying this part of my Invention is shown, Figures 4 and 5
of the accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
Figure 4 illustrates the application of my frictional discs or rollers to an ordinary
driving pulley or drum; Figure 5 being an end view of the same.
A, A, indicate the frictional discs; B, the pulley or drum; D, D, brackets or
standards supporting pulley or drum B; E, the driving belt.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, what
I claim as secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent
is,-
Firstly. The use of the frictional discs or rollers in their application to a window
blind, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated,
Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying Sheet of Drawing.

page_text: Secondly. The use of the frictional discs or rollers in their application to belts
for driving machinery, substantially as herein before described and illustrated,
Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Speirs Simpson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
W. S. SIMPSON. (LS.)