US2103271A - Venetian blind slat and method of making - Google Patents

Description

Dec.V 28, 1937. Rig, PRA-rr `VENETIAN BLIND SLAT AND METHOD 0F MAKING Original Filed July 21, 1932 JzverzZ'O-r HAY/WON@ C PRH??- Patented Dec. 2s, 1937 UNITED STATES PAT-ENT OFFICE i Raymond C. Pratt, Chicago, Ill., assigner to EB.

Dodge and Company, tion o! Iliinois 0112080. IIL, a corporaonginai application my 21, 1932, sei-m No. o23.-

802. 1934, Serial No. 724,935

Divided and this application May 1 0 14 Claims. (Cl. 156-17) This invention relates to Venetian blind slats and the method of making same.

This application is a division oi applicants co-pending application Serial No. 623,802, led

July 21,V 1932, for Spring controlled Venetian blinds.

The primary object of the invention isto provide a highly ornamental, inexpensive, metal Venetian blind slat of relatively light weight, and which has a substantially dead sound, so as to overcome the rattle inherent in conventional blind slats.

Another object is to provide a metal Venetian blind slat, which can be made relatively thin and v-yet have considerable tensile strength, which is capable of having a highly ornamental finish applied thereto, which can be readily and economicillly manufactured, and which is strong and dura e.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a method of making Venetian blind slats which consists in rolling hollow or cylindrical tubes, so that a relatively inexpensive metal blind slat having great strength and capable oi receiving a highly polished or ornamental surface is produced.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specication.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a selected embodiment of the invention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail elevation of one form oi the improved'Venetan blind slat.

Fig. 2 is a detail transverse sectional view of the 3,-, slat shown in Fig. l.

, Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of another form oi the improved Venetian blind slat, and embodying the invention.

Fig. 4 is a detail transverse sectional view of 4o the slat shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of another formo! slat, and embodying the invention.` l Fig 6 is a detail transverse sectional view of the slat shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawing, l0 designates a Venetian blind lslat which may take any one of a variety of forms. The slat shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is shown in Figs. 22 and 27 respectively of applicants aforesaid co-pending application, of

y 50 which this application is a division. The slat shown is a't and is formed of a tubular or cylindrical member which is rolled or flattened to produce a relatively ilat slat. During the attening or rolling of the slat, the tube from which the 55 slat is rolled is pressed inwardly as designated at entire length. The slat is Il in Fig. 2, thereby providing dat portions I2 which contact as indicated at I3. The central edges of the slat, thereby rendering them somewhat hollow, and in eect providing strengthening members. 'I'he outer exterior edges I1 of the slat at the outside of the beads I6 are rounded. and present a smooth, clean-cut, ornamental edge for the slat. The slat shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and which was shown in Figs. 26 andl 31 respectively of the aforesaid co-pending application, is also pressed or attened from a hollow metal tube or cylinder. The slat shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is provided by pressing inwardly at the points indicated at 2li and 2l to provide upper and lower surfaces 22 which are relatively straight and ilat. `The innerv portions of the tube contact as indicated at 23.

' at 24 to provide rounded external beads 25 having hollow centers 26 which extend throughout s ubstantially thefull length of the slat. 'Ihis iorm 3 of s'lat is relatively rigid and may be preferred over the slat shc'wn in Figs. 1 and 2. The slat shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is strengthened by the edge beads 25, and in most purposes is preferred, inasmuch as the slats will pile up into a smaller bundle. l

The slat shown in Figs. 5 and 6 which is the slat shown in Figs. 24 and 29 respectively inthe co-pending application is somewhat along the 40 lines of the slat shown in Fig. 4, but has the outer beads of considerably larger proportions. In Figs. 5 and 6, the slat has central straight opposed surfaces 30 and 3| which contact at 32. The sides 30 and 3| spread vapart near the outer 45 edges of the slat as 'indicated at 33 to provide relatively round tubular portions or beads 34v having hollow centers 35. 'I'he beads 34 extend substantially from one end oi the slat to the other, and materially strengthen Ithe slat in its 50 formed by pressing the tube along the surfaces Bil and 3| until they contact and provide haty straight surfaces inwardly of the outer beads. This form of slat is Probably the strongest of any so far/shown, and

' ly strong to prevent bendingor twisting of the slat. If desired, the slat shown in Figs. 5 and 6 may be provided with a centraltubular section Il as shown in Figs. land 2. If the lcentrai portion I4 is added to the slat shown in Pigs. 5 and 6, an exceptionally strong and rigid slat is provided.

In carrying out the invention, the slats are provided by flattening! tubes. The flattening operation may be done by applying pressure, but in practice it has been found advantageous to pass the tubes or cylinders through pressing rolls. The rolls may be conilgurated to produce any shape of slat desired, and any type of tube may bek employed. In explaining the invention,

`the slats are shown as formed from tubes having a circular cross section. but it is of course understood that tubes of any crosssection such as square, rectangular, oval, or `any other desirable shape and cross section may be used.

The invention provides the formation of metal slats which can be -made in a continuous rela- 25 tive operation. slats constructed in accordance with the invention are relatively easy to clean and capable of having a highly ornamental polish or nish. 'Ille slats are rigidand strong, are relatively non-clattering, will not warp, and

80 are long lasting. The slats are relatively easy t'o apply in place, and they have no sharpedges. 'Ihe slats may be' formedfrom tubes and flattened to the desired configuration, and if and when desired, thejends ofthe slats may be provided with beads in the form of tubes of small l diameter extending throughout the length of the slat with a central panel which is dat. The

flattened central panel is twice the'thickness of 45 ceived within metal tilting and operating members, or the ends of the slats may be left square in the manner shown in conventional wooden slats, there being suitable attaching mechanism provided for fastening the slats t'o suitable tubes 50 or bands. One form of tape or band is shown in the aforesaid coipending application, there being a pivotal connection between the ends of the slats and the tapes or bands. Another form of tape which may be used commercially, -is the 5 conventional linen or fabric tape, whereby the slats may be mounted on the cross supporting members or strips connecting the front and rear portions of the tape. The present invention, however, does not refer to the assembly or operation of a Venetian blind, but only to blind slats llllehe method of making the slats from hollow Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts, and the method may be varied within certain degrees Awithout departing from the Spirit of the invention or sacrlcing any of the advantages thereof, and the right is hereby reserved toy make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A Venetian bland slat comprising a metal tube having flat opposing sides, and a longitudinal tubular central Portion extending throughout substantially the full length of the slat.

2. 'Ihe method of making Venetian blind slats which comprises flattening a hollow metal tube tion extending longitudinally of the slat.

5. The method of making Venetian blind slats which consists in congurating a hollow metal -tube to bring opposing surfaces thereof into contacting relationship to provide a slat having flat surfaces and hollow side beads at the side edges of the slat. f

k6. A Venetian blind slat formed of a trans- `versely closed, continuous sheet of metal, said slat being hollow and having flat opposed sides substantially parallel with each other.

'7. A nat metallic Venetian blind slat formed of a transversely closed, continuous sheet ofmetal, said slat being hollow and having generally parallel, nat opposed sides and a longitudinally extending, integral, enlarged tubularportion centrally thereof to form a Alongitudinally extending bead. 1

8. A relatively nat metallic Venetian blind slat having a substantially uniform cross-section generally throughout its length, said slat at eachsection comprising a hollow closed sheet of metal v with two generally parallel, ilat opposed sides substantially in contacting relationship, and a longitudinally extending integral bead formed along a side edge thereof.

9. A relatively ilat metallic Venetian blind slat having a substantially uniform cross-section generally throughout its length, said slat at each section comprising a hollow closed sheet of metal with two generally parallel, flat opposed sides substantially in contacting relationship, and a plurality of longitudinally extending beads integrally formed on the edges of the slats and connecting the opposite sides.

10. A relatively flat metallic Venetian blind slat having a substantially uniform cross-section generally throughout its length. said slat at each section comprising a continuous sheet of metal with two generally parallel,l flat opposed Vsides substantially in contacting relationship, and a longitudinally extending integral bead formed along a side edge thereof and substantially the full length of the slat.

11. A relatively flat metallic venetian blind slat having a substantially uniform cross-section generally throughout its length, said slat at each section comprising a hollow closed sheet of metal with two generally parallel, ilat opposed sides substantially in contacting relationship, and a longitudinally extending bead formed integrally on each side and extending outwardly therefrom to form a reinforcing rib.

12. A flat metallic Venetian blind slat formed tubular portions forming beads adjacent the edges said flat upper. and lower walls arranged in -parthereof. allelism in a closely spaced relationship. f 13. A metal slat for Venetian blinds having a 14. A metal slat for Venetian blinds having a generally at, tubular cross-section with fiat flattened tubular cross-section with rounded latupper and lower walls connected by curved side eral edges. l

Walls presenting a smooth outer surface, said RAYMOND C. PRATT.

curved side walls being arcuate in cross-section',-

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