WO2013179157A1

WO2013179157A1 - Venetian blind

Info

Publication number: WO2013179157A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/053409
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sergio Dallan
Original assignee: Dallan SpA
Current assignee: Dallan SpA
Priority date: 2012-05-31
Filing date: 2013-04-30
Publication date: 2013-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-30
Also published as: ITPD20120176A1

Description

DESCRIPTION

"VENETIAN BLIND "

Field of application

[0001] The object of the present invention is a Venetian blind.

Prior art

[0002] As is known, Venetian blinds consist of a plurality of slats, arranged parallel to one another and kept in position by means of support structures made of string or other material. Such support structures essentially are of two types.

[0003] A first type of structure is called "full ladder" and. consists of two parallel ribs (arranged in the direction of the height of the blind) and of a plurality of cross members which connect them to one another at regular distances. A slat is associated to each cross member, in abutment (if the cross member is single) or in insertion (if the cross member is multiple) .

[0004] A second type of structure is called "separate ladder" or "half-ladder" and consists of two thread-like elements separate from each other, which are associated in pairs on the opposite sides of the slats. Each thread^¬ like element constitutes a half-ladder.

[0005] Half-ladders differ from one another in the material and the type of attachment means to the slat. A first widespread type of half-ladder consists of a string provided with a plurality of eyelets in its longitudinal extension. The half-ladder is attached to the slat edges by means of clips or hooks.

[0006] A second type of half-ladder consists of a metal wire externally coated with plastic. Also this type of half-ladder is attached to the slat edges by means of clips or hooks. Compared to the string half-ladder, the metal wire ensures a higher mechanical resistance. Compared to the half-ladder with eyelets, however, the half-ladder with metal wire may be subject to longitudinal sliding over time (due to the compliance of the plastic coating) to the detriment of the attachment stability.

[0007] A half-ladder has been proposed to overcome such limitation, which is still made with a metal wire coated with plastic, but is provided with a plurality of swellings or balls, grouped in pairs along the longitudinal extension of the wire. The distance between the two swellings of a same pair is substantially equivalent to the thickness of a slat, while the pitch between two pairs of swellings is shorter than the width of the slats (to allow a partial overlapping of two adjacent slats when closed) . The swellings prevent the longitudinal sliding of the wire relative to the slat and to the attachment clip.

[0008] As already described above, the half-ladders are all associated to the slats by means of clips or hooks attached to the side edges of the same slats.

[0009] Clips are attachment elements structured for blocking a single eyelet of a half-ladder or a plastic- coated metal wire half-ladder directly in contact with the slat edge-. The eyelet or wire is interposed between the slat and the clip. This operation is generally manually carried out with the aid of guns for applying the clips.

[0010] The hooks may be of many types, but all characterised in that the eyelet is blocked on the hook and not directly on the slat.

[0011] A widespread type of hook is shown in Figure 1 and consists of a U-shaped element which defines the anchoring portion of the hook to the slat, and of an open ring which extends from the U-shaped element in a position opposite to the two free ends of the U and at which the eyelet is inserted. The ring is attached to the slat edge by forcing the u-shaped element to pierce the slat. The U-shaped portion which has crossed the slat is then clinched. The open ring is then closed after inserting the eyelet.

[0012] Hooks and clips may be applied both on simple slats (i.e. with smooth edge), and on flanged slats (i.e. with curled edge) and generally ensure excellent results in terms of stability and hooking safety of the half-ladder on the slats.

[0013] The limit of such attachment method is essentially related to the operating complexities related to the management of hooks and clips, which in fact must be steadily and safely applied on the slat edges, without aesthetically deteriorating them.

Disclosure of the invention

[0014] The object of the present invention therefore is to wholly or partly eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above by providing a Venetian blind which may be implemented by attaching the half-ladders to the slats without requiring the piercing of the slat edges by the application of hooks or clips.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a Venetian blind which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The technical features of the invention, according to the above objects, are clearly found in the contents of the claims below and the advantages of the same will appear more clearly from the following detailed description, made with reference to the annexed drawings, which show one or more purely exemplifying and non- limiting embodiments thereof, in which:

[0017] - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a hook with open ring traditionally used for attaching a half-ladder to a slat;

[0018] - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a Venetian blind according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0019] - Figure 3 shows a perspective exploded view of a detail of the blind of Figure 2, the detail being related to an assembly comprising a slat, a half-ladder (with plastic-coated metal wire and locking balls) and a clip for attaching the half-ladder to the slat;

[0020] - Figure 4 shows the detail of Figure 3 in assembled condition;

[0021] - Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a detail of a Venetian blind according to a second embodiment of the invention, the detail being related to an assembly comprising a slat, a half-ladder with eyelets and a clip for attaching the half-ladder to the slat; and

[0022] - Figure 6 shows an orthogonal plan view of the clip shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5;

[0023] - Figure 7 shows an orthogonal lateral view of the clip of Figure 6 according to arrow VII shown therein; and

[0024] - Figure 8 shows an orthogonal front view of the clip of Figure 6 according to arrow VIII shown therein. Detailed description

[0025] With reference to the annexed drawings, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a Venetian blind according to the invention.

[0026] Herein and in the following description, reference will be made to the blind in usage condition. Therefore, any references to a lower or upper position should be interpreted in such condition.

[0027] According to a general embodiment of the invention, the Venetian blind comprises:

[0028] - a plurality of slats 10, each of which comprises a profiled element which extends in a main direction of longitudinal extension X with two opposite longitudinal edges 11, 12 and defines the slat body;

[0029] - a plurality of half-ladders 20 or 40 which connect the slats (overlapped to each other) , at their longitudinal edges 11, 12; and

[0030] - a plurality of clips (30) , each of which attaches a half-ladder to one of the edges of a slat.

[0031] The profile element may be of any type. In particular, the slat may have a flat or curved section profile (as shown in the examples of the annexed figures) . The longitudinal edges of the slat may be linear (as shown in the examples of the annexed figures) or curled.

[0032] Preferably, the profiled element is made of a metal material (in particular, steel or aluminium alloy) , but it may also be of a plastic material.

[0033] As will be explained in the following description, slat 1 may be used with any type of half-ladder, and in particular both as half-ladders with eyelets (as shown in Figure 5) , and as half-ladders without eyelets (in particular, made of a plastic-coated metal wire with swellings or balls, as shown in Figures 3 and 4) .

[0034] As shown in the annexed Figures, each clip 30 comprises a support portion 31 and two gripping portions 32, 33, which extend projecting from the support portion 34.

[0035] The two gripping portions 32, 33 are facing opposite each other and define an interspace 34 inside which at least a portion of a slat 10 next to a longitudinal edge 11 or 12 is inserted.

[0036] An elongated through seat 35, 36 is made on each gripping portion 31, 32. Such through seat 35, 36 is open at the free end 37, 38 of the relative gripping portion 32, 33. By "free end" it is meant the end of the gripping portion which is opposite to the end with which such gripping portion joins the support portion 34, as clearly shown in the annexed Figures. [0037] The through seats 35, 36 of the two gripping portions 32, 33 are overlapping each other and facing interspace 34.

[0038] As can be seen in particular in Figures 4 and 5, a half-ladder 20 or 40 is blocked on the edge of a slat at a portion of it 21 or 41, which crosses the clip at said two through seats 35, 36 and at interspace 34.

[0039] Operatively, as can be seen by comparing Figures 3 and 4, half-ladder 20 is positioned between the edge of slat 10 and clip 30. Half-ladder 20 is inserted into the clip passing through the two through seats 35, 36. Clip 30, with the half-ladder thus associated thereto, is then brought to grip slat 10, inserting a portion of the slat next to a longitudinal edge (between the two gripping portions 32, 33 (i.e. in the interspace 34)). The gripping portions 32, 33 of clip 30 are overlapped (on top and to the bottom) to the slat, with the respective^, free ends 37 arranged on the slat, beyond the longitudinal edge 11, 12 of the same slat. The support portion 34 of the clip does not overlap to the slap, but remains arranged outside it relative to the longitudinal edge .

[0040] Advantageously, interspace 34 has dimensions such that the slat is inserted with interference inside the interspace itself. The two gripping portions 32 and 33 are made so that, with the gradual insertion of the slat into the interspace, they are elastically spread apart and can thus press against the portion of slat 10 so as to block it inside interspace 34.

[0041] The grip of clip 30 on the slat may be entrusted only to the engagement of the slat in the interspace, i.e. it may be entrusted only to the pressure exerted by the gripping portions on the slat.

[0042] Preferably, the grip of the clip on the slat is also or alternatively entrusted to a shape-coupling engagementbetween the slat and one or both gripping portions.

[0043] According to the embodiments described in the annexed Figures, at least one of the gripping portions 32, 33 has one or more projections 39', 39" which extend inside interspace 34. Such one or more projections 39', 39" fit inside corresponding engagement seats 13 made in the portion of slat 10 inserted inside interspace 34.

[0044] The above engagement seats 13 of projections 39', 39" are made on the slat at the points where the half- ladders must be anchored. Such seats 13 are made along both longitudinal edges of the slat.

[0045] In particular, each projection 39', 39" consists of an elastically deformable tongue which extends inside the interspace .

[0046] Advantageously, as shown in Figure 7, tongue 39', 39" extends from the relative gripping portion forming an acute angle a with a surface of the gripping portion facing the interspace. The tongue is directed with its free end 39a facing towards the support portion 31 of clip 30. In this way, when the slat enters in the interspace and the edge approaches the support portion crossing the interspace, the tongues do not oppose resistance and are elastically moved towards the relative gripping portion. Once fitted into the seats, an extraction movement of the slat would be prevented by the slats. In fact, under the traction of the slat to which they are associated, the tongues would tend to arrange orthogonally to the same slat, blocking its movement. The shape engagement which is implemented is therefore irreversible.

[0047] Projections 39', 39" may be provided on only one of the two gripping portions 32, 33. In this case, the engagement seats 13 are only made on one of the main faces.

[0048] Preferably, in order to ensure a higher attachment stability, both gripping portions 32, 33 have one or more projections 39', 39" which extend inside interspace 34. In particular, such projections consist of tongues as described above. In this case, the engagement seats 13 are made at both the two main faces 14, 15 of the portion of slat 10 inserted in interspace 34.

[0049] More in detail, according to the embodiments shown in the annexed Figures, projections 39' of a gripping portion 32 are opposite the projections 39" of the other gripping portion 33. This ensures a more balanced distribution of the strains and thus a greater attachment stability .

[0050] The engagement seats 13 may consist of lowered zones made in the slat.

[0051] Advantageously, especially in the case of opposite projections, as shown in the annexed Figures, the engagement seats 13 may consist of through apertures. In this way, the single aperture may serve as engagement seat for two opposite projections.

[0052] Advantageously, as can be seen in the annexed Figures, and in particular in Figure 6, each elongated through seat 35, 36 divides the respective gripping portion 32, 33 in two parts 32a, 32b and 33a, 33b. Said projections 39', 39" are provided on both parts 32a, 32b and 33a, 33b of each gripping portion 32, 33. This ensures a more balanced distribution of the strains and thus a greater attachment stability.

[0053] In particular, as shown in the annexed Figures, the gripping portions 32, 33 may consist of sheet-like elements. Advantageously, tongues 39', 39" may obtained by shearing of slat 10.

[0054] Clip 30 may be made of metal or plastic.

[0055] Clip 30 may have at least one axis of symmetry Y.

[0056] In particular, said axis of symmetry Y crosses the two elongated through seats 35, 36.

[0057] In particular, such axis of symmetry Y is orthogonal to the main direction of extension X of slat 10.

[0058] Advantageously, solutions may be provided wherein the projections (in particular the tongues) are made on the slat rather than the clip, and the engagement seats (in particular through apertures) are made on the gripping portions of the clip rather than the slat.

[0059] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, half-ladders with plastic-coated metal wire with swellings or balls may be used.

[0060] More in detail, half-ladder 20 consists of a threadlike element 20a comprising a metal core and an external coating of a plastic material. A plurality of swellings or balls 22 organised in pairs of two swellings 22, separated from each other by an intermediate section 21 of thread-like element, are attached along said thread^¬ like element 20a. Half-ladder 20 is inserted in the two elongated seats 35, 36 of a clip 30 at the intermediate section 21 with said two swellings 22 positioned one below and one above clip 30, and thus one below and one above slat 10.

[0061] As shown in Figure 5, half-ladders with eyelets may be used.

[0062] More in detail, half-ladder 40 consists of a thread- like element 40a from which a plurality of eyelets 41 extend. Half-ladder 40 is associated to clip 30 with an eyelet 41 inserted in the two elongated seats 35, 36.

[0063] The invention allows several advantages to be achieved, some of them already described.

[0064] The Venetian blind according to the invention may be implemented by attaching the half-ladders to the slats without requiring the piercing of the slat edges by the application of hooks or clips. The risk of aesthetically deteriorating the slats is thus prevented.

[0065] The clips for blocking the half-ladders may in fact be applied on the slats pressure-wise or by a simple shape coupling. In this latter case, the slats are already set up for coupling with the clips.

[0066] The application of clips therefore is a very simple and quick operation, which may be carried out either automatically or manually.

[0067] The blind according to the invention is mechanically resistant, thanks to the attachment stability ensured by the clips used.

' [0068] [0071] Finally, the blind according to the invention is easy and inexpensive to manufacture since besides the implementation of the clips (obtainable by moulding if they are made of a plastic material, or by shearing/bending if they are made of metal sheet) , simple mechanical processes are in fact required on the slats for making the engagement seats.

[0069] The invention thus conceived thus achieves the intended purposes.

[0070] Of course, in the practical embodiment thereof, it may take shapes and configurations differing from that illustrated above without departing from the present scope of protection.

[0071] Moreover, all the parts may be replaced by technically equivalent ones and the sizes, shapes and materials used may be whatever according to the requirements .

Claims

1. Venetian blind comprising:

- a plurality of slats (10) , each of which comprises a profile element which extends in a main direction of· longitudinal extension (X) with two opposite longitudinal edges (11, 12) and defines the slat body;

- a plurality of half-ladders (20, 40) which connect said overlapping slats to each other, at their longitudinal edges (11, 12); and

- a plurality of clips (30), each of which attaches a half-ladder to one of the edges of a slat,

characterised in that each clip (30) comprises a, support portion (31) and two gripping portions (32, 33), which extend so as to project from said support portion (31), facing opposite each other, defining an interspace (34) inside which at least a portion of a slat (10) next to a longitudinal edge (11 or 12) is inserted, an elongated through seat (35, 36) being made on each gripping portion (31, 32) open at the free end (37, 38) of the relative gripping portion (32, 33), the through seats (35, 36) of the two gripping portions (32, 33) being overlapped each other and facing the interspace (34), a half-support (20, 40) being blocked on the edge of a slat at a portion of it (21, 41) which crosses the clip at the two through seats (35, 36) and at the interspace (34).

2. Blind according to claim 1, wherein said interspace (34) has dimensions such that the slat is inserted with interference inside it, the two gripping portions (32, 33) being elastically pressed against the portion of slat (10) so as to block it inside the interspace (34).

3. Blind according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the gripping portions (32, 33) has one or more projections (39¹, 39") which extend inside the interspace (34), said one or more projections (39) fitting inside corresponding engagement seats (13) made in the portion of slat (10) inserted inside the interspace (34).

4. Blind according to claim 3, wherein each of said one or more projections (39', 39") consists of an elastically deformable tongue which extends inside the interspace.

5. Blind according to claim 4, wherein said tongue (39', 39") extends from the relative gripping portion forming an acute angle (a) with a surface of such gripping portion facing the interspace, said tongue (39', 39") being directed with its free end (39a) facing towards the support portion (31) .

6. Blind according to one or more of the claims from 3 to 5, wherein both gripping portions (32, 33) have one or more projections (39'^·, 39") which extend inside the interspace (34), said engagement seats (13) being made on both main sides (14, 15) of the portion of slat (10) inserted inside the interspace (34).

7. Blind according to claim 6, wherein the projections (39') of one gripping portion (32) are opposite the projections (39") of the other gripping portion (33).

8. Blind according to one or more of the claims from 3 to 7, wherein said insertion seats (13) consist of through apertures.

9. Blind according to one or more of the claims from 6 to 8, wherein each elongated through seat (35, 36) divides the respective gripping portion (32, 33) into two parts (32a, 32b; 33a, 33b) the projections (39', 39") being provided on both parts (32a, 32b; 33a, 33b) of each gripping portion (32, 33) .

10. Blind according to one or more of the claims from 4 to 9, wherein the gripping portions (32, 33) consists of sheet-like elements, said tongues (39', 39") being obtained by shearing of the slat (10) .

11. Blind according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said clip (30) has an axis of symmetry (Y) , passing through the two elongated through seats (35, 36) .

12. Blind according to claim 11, wherein said axis of symmetry (Y) is orthogonal to the main direction of extension (X) of the slat (10) .

13. Blind according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said half-ladder (20) is composed of a thread-like element (20a) comprising a metal core and an external coating in plastic material, along said threadlike element (20a) there being attached a plurality of swellings (22), organised in pairs of two swellings (22) separated from each other by an intermediate section (21) of thread-like element, the half-ladder (20) being inserted in the two elongated seats (35,36) at said intermediate section (21) with said two swellings (22) positioned one below and one above the clip (30) .

14. Blind according to one or more of the claims from 1 to 12, wherein said half-ladder consists of a thread-like element (40a) from which a plurality of eyelets (41) extend, the half-ladder (40) being associated to the clip (30) with an eyelet (41) inserted in the two elongated seats (35, 36) .