Year: 1886

page_text: We THOMAS ELCOME, 38 Athelstan Road, Margate, Gardener & Florist, and
JAMES PEMBLE 35 Grosvenor Place Margate, Gardener do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A case or box for a greenhouse blind to fix on brackets at the bottom of the
roof of greenhouse instead of at the top the roller of the blind will remain in the
case when drawn out, instead of the roller running out with the blind from
the top, this plan will not require more than half the labour of the old plan & it
will not stop up the top ventalation-as blinds do started from the top of the
greenhouse.

page_text: Figure 1 is a longitudinal view of our improved case for greenhouse blinds.
Figure 2 is an end view of the same on an enlarged scale.
Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line xx figure 1 also on an enlarged scale..
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a greenhouse showing our
improved method of fixing and working the blind.
Like letters indicate like parts in all the figures.
Our improved case A for greenhouse blinds is formed of sheet zinc or other
suitable material and of cylindrical or other suitable form, and it is constructed in
halves a and b longitudinally. The said halves are binged together at c, the hinge
being on the outerside of the case when fixed, and the said hinge is protected from
the weather by a guard d attached to the upper half a of the case. The lower
half of the case is fitted with ends e which are formed with central cylindrical
sockets f. A round or other suitably shaped roller g extends the length of the case
and its ends are fitted in and revolve freely in the said sockets, one end g¹ of the
said roller projecting from the end of the case as shown in figure 1. On the inner
side of the case, or that side which is towards the roof of the greenhouse when the
said case is fixed, the lower half has a portion cut away so that when the upper
balf a is shut down and the case closed, an opening or slot is left for the blind
to work through; the said slot extending nearly the entire length of the case.
The upper half a of the case has at each end a semi-annular flange i which flanges
when the case is closed, cover the upper-portion of the ends e and effectually close
the ends of the said case. The two halves of the case may be secured together
when closed by a hook j at each end of the upper half taking into an eye k on
each end of the lower half, or by any other suitable means. To the underside of
the lower half b of the case and near the hinged joint c are secured strap pieces
running in the direction of the length of the case and varying in number according
to the length of the said case. The case is secured upon the roof of the greenhouse
by brackets m of the form shown in figures 2 and 4. The curved portion m¹ of
the said brackets passes between the straps and the case, and the other ends of
l

page_text: the said brackets are secured to the top of the greenhouse by screw-bolts n. The
case is thus supported by the brackets in the position as shown in figure 2 so that
the slot h is towards the roof of the greenhouse and just above the level of the
said roof. The blind o can thus pass freely through the said slot on to and off the
roof as it is unwound from or wound upon the roller g. The case may be fixed so
that the curved portions m¹ of the brackets rest upon the top of the greenhouse,
the said case being thus raised sufficiently from the roof to admit of the passage of
rain water beneath it; or the said case may be fixed so as to slightly overhang the
edge of the roof, but so that the blind can work freely through the slot h up and
down the roof of the greenhouse.
.
Figure 4 shows a blind on the roof of a greenhouse, fitted in our improved case
and fixed and worked according to our invention. The blind o is fixed to and
winds upon the roller within the case A and the said case is fixed at the bottom
of the roof of the greenhouse in the manner herein before described. On the roof
of the greenhouse, at the sides of the blind o we fix wire rope or other suitable
guides p extending from the case A to the top of the roof and at each corner of
the outer end of the blind o we secure a ring q. The guides p are passed through
the rings q and the said rings travel upon the said guides as the blind is raised or
lowered. A cord r is attached to each of the said rings q and passed upward over
a small pulley into the interior of the greenhouse and a weight s is suspended from
the end of each of the said cords inside the greenhouse. To the centre of the outer
or upper edge of the blind is secured a cord t which passes around a pulley u at
the top of the greenhouse and down again over the top of the greenhouse, the end
of the said cord hanging down the side of the greenhouse as shown in figure 4.
By pulling the cord t the blind is unwound from the roller g and raised up the
roof of the greenhouse, being guided in its ascent and kept stretched across the
roof by the guides p and rings q, and by the cords r and weights 8. The entire
roof can thus be shaded when necessary without obstructing the openings w for
the top ventilation of the greenhouse. The blind is wound into the case A by the
gear wheels y and z as shown in figure 4 fixed at either end of the greenhouse, the
former being fixed upon the projecting end of the roller g and the latter.mounted
on the end of the greenhouse so as to gear with the wheel y, and revolved by a
bandle z¹. Or any other suitable means may be employed for winding the blind
on the roller g within the case A.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
First: A case for a roller blind for the roof of a greenhouse, constructed and
arranged substantially as herein set forth and illustrated in the accompanying
drawing.
Second-The method of fixing and working roller blinds upon the roofs of
greenhouses, substantially as herein set forth and illustrated in the accompanying
drawing.