Patent Application
20060081342
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a window blind, and more particularly to a compound window blind system equipped with different sized hanging arrangements for providing multiple shading effects.
2. Description of Related Arts
Blind and the like such as drapes and portieres are commonly used for sheltering window, separating spaces, and etc., since they are easily maneuverable and aesthetically appealing. Most of the blind comprise a traverse supporter adapted to be affixed to a ceiling, a sliding track mounted on a bottom of the traverse supporter, and a plurality of slats horizontally and suspendedly supported by hanging nets respectively in such a manner that, by operating a pulley system, the slats are shift in a vertical movable manner, or individually rotated at the same time.
However, the blind has several drawbacks. When the blind is opened, sunlight can directly enter the window that not only heating up the interior of a house but also unpleasing to people's eye. On the other hand, when the blind is fully closed, it blocks all the sunlight effectively. Then, people may alternatively need to turn on the light lamp in order to brighten up the house. Furthermore, the user has no privacy at all because the interior of the house is easily viewed from outside when the blind is opened, so that people may merely close the blind for privacy and security or open the blind for enjoying the sunlight.
Besides, when the blind is fully opened, the sunlight is allowed to enter the house through a plurality of slat gaps. However, the size of the slat gap is predetermined by the manufacturer so that the user may have no other alternation. In order to allow more sunlight passing through the blind, the slat gap must be increased intentionally such that the width of the slat must be increased correspondingly for covering up the widen slat gap when the blind is closed.
In short, since the conventional window blind bears serious drawbacks, the users have to make a decision between sunshine and privacy. Based on this situation, an amended window blind, which is capable of providing multifunctional shading effects, have emerged into existence nowadays. This multifunctional window blind comprises two independent shading systems extended downwardly from the top traverse supporter, wherein two shading system comprises respective hanging arrangement for horizontally and rotationally supporting respective set of slats. Meanwhile, the two shading system are vertically disposed at the same time to provide an alternate design for creating multiple shading effects. This is to say, the alternate design ensures each slat supported by the first hanging arrangement of first shading system is positioned adjacent to a slat supported by the second hanging arrangement of second shading system. In other words, the user could independently adjust each set of two hanging arrangement to control the distance between first set of slats and second set of slats, thus controlling the blind gap.
Ordinarily, the hanging arrangement of window blind comprises at least an elongated ladder-shaped hanging net having a plurality of grids into which a blind slat is inserted to be supported. The ladder-shaped hanging net comprises two longitudinal cords and a plurality of traverse cords spacedly connected the two longitudinal cords to form a plurality of identical grids between two longitudinal cords for supporting the blind slats. Here, in this multifunctional window blind, the distance between any two slats (respectively belong to the first and the second shading system) is as same as the distance between two slats of a conventional window blinds.
As a result, under the normal circumstance, this multifunctional window blind just looks like a conventional window blind. However, in case of either set of shading system is operated, this amended window blind is capable of allowing lights penetrate into the interior from a distance range from regular gap (distance between neighboring slats of conventional window blind) to a distance twice as large as the regular gap.
This is to say, in order to allow light penetrate from a wider gap, the size of grids of this multifunctional window blind are designed to have a bigger size, preferably, twice as the size as conventional window blind.
However, this kind of amended duplex window blind are not compatible with standardized size of conventional window blinds. As mentioned above, the hanging net grids of this amended window blind are twice as the size of the grid units of conventional window blinds. In other words, in this multifunctional window blind, the hanging net grid of this kind of shading system has a doubled size in comparison with the hanging net grid of conventional window blinds. In addition, this kind of multifunctional window blinds requires vertically and simultaneously disposing two individually operated blind system together for ensuring that one set of blind slats must be adjacent to another set of blind slats belong to another shading system. This is unfortunate for those manufacturers as well as assembling workers since its assembling process is so awesome and laborious thus causing the production costs of this kind of multifunctional window blind rather high.
Conclusively, it is desirable to further amend this kind of multifunctional window blinds arrangement.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a window blind system which is capable of providing multiple shading effects, wherein the assembling process is simple, the components are standardized for amending above mentioned multifunctional window blinds arrangement.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a window blind system, which comprises at least two shading arrangement for cooperatively controlling one set of blind slats so as to selectively shade the intensity of sunlight entering into the interior room.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a window blind system, wherein a predetermined section of the set of the slat slats can be independently operated by the second operating system such that the compound window blind is capable of providing different shading effects.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a window blind system, wherein two shading arrangement are compatible with the standards of conventional window blinding system, in such way, the compound window blind of the present invention could act as an amended mode to conventional window blind without changing any standard size of conventional window blind.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a window blind system, wherein the operation system is simple and efficient, only a single operating member is provided for controlling both the open/close and light intensity adjusting function. Therefore, the maneuverability of this window blinding system is efficient and effective.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a window blind system which is capable of achieving all features of conventional blind such as easy operation, less expensive, sunlight softening, privacy protection, and aesthetical appearance. In other words, the present invention is an all-in-one window blinding system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a window blind system, wherein no expensive and complicated structure is employed in the present invention in order to achieve the above mentioned objects. Therefore, the present invention successfully provides an economic and efficient solution for providing multiple shading effects.
Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a window blind system, which comprises a top traverse supporter adapted for affixing to a top beam of a ceiling, a first shading arrangement, a second shading arrangement;
The first shading arrangement, which is downwardly extended from the top traverse supporter, comprises a first base member, a plurality of slats, a first hanging system for spacedly and suspendedly supporting the slats horizontally between the top traverse supporter and the first base member and for controlling a tilt angle of each of the slats, and a first operating system for selectively lifting up the first base member towards the top traverse supporter and unlifting the first base member to drop downwardly away from the top traverse supporter;
The second shading arrangement, which is downwardly extended from the top traverse supporter, comprises a second hanging system for spacedly and suspendedly supporting a predetermined portion of the slats horizontally between the top traverse supporter and the first base member, a second operation system for lifting up the second hanging system towards the top traverse supporter, so that the predetermined portion of the slats are capable of being lifted for selectively allowing a light of desirable intensity passing through from one side to another side of said wind blind system.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
Referring to
The shading arrangement 20 comprises a base member 21, a plurality of first and second slats 221, 222 aligning in a sequence manner, a slat hanging device 23 comprising a supporting element 232 extended from the top traverse supporter to spacedly and suspendedly support the first and second slats 221, 222 between the top traverse supporter 10 and the base member 21, and an operating unit 24 for selectively folding the first and second slats 221, 222 between a shading position and a folded position. In which, at the shading position, the base member 21 is dropped downwardly from the top traverse supporter 10 to allow the first and second slats 221, 222 spacedly supported therebetween for providing shading function and at the folded position, the base member 21 is lifted up to overlappedly fold the first and second slats 221, 222. Accordingly, a light passing gap G is defined between the first and second slats 221, 222 for allowing light passing therethrough.
The alternation hanging device 30 comprises an elongated hanging unit 31 extended from the top traverse supporter 10 to couple with the first slats 221 and an alternation-operating device 32 connected to the elongated element 31 to fold the first slats 221 to overlap with the second slats 222 respectively so as to double the light passing gap G therebetween.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slat hanging device 23 and the alternation hanging device 30 are operated independently for coordinately controlling the first slats 221 so as to selectively allow a light of desirable intensity passing through from one side to another side of the window blinding system 1.
The elongate hanging unit 31 comprises two elongated cords 311, 312 downwardly extended from the top traverse supporter 10 at a position that the first and second slats 221, 222 are positioned between the two elongated cords 311, 312 and a plurality of slat seats 313 spacedly extended between the two elongated cords 311, 312 to support the first slats 221 respectively such that when the elongated cords 311, 312 are pulled upwardly, the first slats 221 are driven to lift up by the slat seats 313 to overlap underneath the second slats 222 respectively.
The supporting element 232 comprises two supporting cords 2321, 2322 downwardly extended from the top traverse supporter 10 at a position that the first and second slats 221, 222 are positioned between two elongated cords 2321, 2322 and a plurality of traverse cords 2324 spacedly extended between the two elongated cords 2321, 2322 to support the first and second slats 221, 222 respectively.
The window blind system further comprises a slat angle adjuster 231 coupling with the slat hanging device 23 to selectively adjust a tilt angle of each of the first slats 221 and the second slats 222, wherein the slat angle adjuster 231 comprises an angle rotor 2311 rotatably mounted at the top traverse supporter 10 to couple with the supporting element 232 such that when the angle rotor 2311 is driven to rotate, the supporting element 232 is pulled to tip each of the first and the second slats in an inclined manner.
According to the present invention, at least two supporting element 232 vertically extended from two ends of the angle rotor 2311 for suspendedly supporting the first slats 221 and the second slats 222. Furthermore, the two supporting cords 2321, 2322 are extending from two ends of the angle rotor 2311 all the way to the first base member 21, and the plurality of traverse cords 2324 are spacedly extended between the first supporting cord 2321 and the second supporting cord 2322 to form a plurality of vertically and consecutively arranged first hanging grids 2325, wherein the first slats 221 and the second slats 222 are positioned between the first and second supporting cords 2321, 2322 and separated by the first hanging grids 2325.
In other words, the elongated supporting element 232 is a ladder shaped hanging system, wherein each slat 22, including the first slats 221 and the second slats 222, is supported by an individual traverse cord 2324 and spacedly separated by the first hanging grids 2325 with a distance of the length of the grids 2325, i.e. the gap G between the first slat 221 and the second slat 222. As a result, the first slats 221 and the second slats 222 can be rested and supported on the traverse cords 2324 respectively within the first hanging grid 2325.
Furthermore, the tilt angle of the slats 22 can be controlled by rotating the angle rotor 2311 to reversely lift up and drop down the first and second supporting cords 2321, 2322 at the same time. This is to say, the first supporting cord 2321 and the second supporting cord 2322 are reversely moved in a vertical direction so that the rotation of the angle rotor 2311 will lead to the variation of the tilt angle of the slats 221, 222 supported in the first hanging grid 2325. Accordingly, the first and second supporting cords 2321, 2322 are preferred to be integrally formed in one-piece member wherein lower ends of the first and second supporting cords 2321, 2322 are connected together to the base member 21.
The operating unit 24 comprises a lift lock 241 rotatably mounted on the top traverse supporter 10 and a pair of lift cords 242 each having a first end portion extended to the first base member 21. Each of the two lift cords 242 upwardly extends to penetrate through the slats 22 and then traversely extends through the top traverse supporter 10, wherein a second end portion of each of the lift cords 242 is extended out of the top traverse supporter 10 via the lift lock 241 to control the folding and unfolding of the shading arrangement 20. Accordingly, the lift cords 242 can integrally form in one piece member wherein the first end portions of the lift cords 242 are integrally connected together along the first base member 21 so as to enhance the folding and unfolding operations of the shading arrangement 20.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first shading arrangement 20 is traditional shading arrangement containing a standard gap G defined between each of the first slats 221 and the second slats 22. That is to say, the distance between the traverse cords 2324 of the hanging device 23, from which the light is passed through, is the same as the gap of conventional window blind available on the market.
In the present invention, the alternating hanging device 30 is acted as a supplemental shading system for assisting the shading arrangement 20 to provide a varying shading effect. Here, the alternating hanging device 30 also comprises at least two hanging unit 31 vertically extended from two ends of the angle rotor 2311 to the first base member 21 for supporting the first slats 221. Moreover, the hanging unit 31 comprises a first and second elongate cords 311 and 312, and a plurality of slat seats 313 spacedly extended between the two elongate cords 311, 312 to form a plurality of vertically and consecutively arranged second hanging grids 314, wherein the first slats 221 are positioned between the elongate cords 311, 312 and supported by the slat seats 313.
Furthermore, the alternation-operating device 32 comprises an actuation member 321 having an upper end attached to the hanging unit 31 to control the first slats and arranged in such a manner that the upper end of the actuation member 321 detachably couples to the angle rotor 2311 to control the tilt angles of the first and second slats 221, 222. In short, the alternation hanging device 30 further provides a double-purpose actuation member 321 for not only controlling the rotation of the angle rotor 2311 with respect to the top traverse supporter 10, but also for operating the hanging unit 31.
What is more, the alternation-operating device 32 comprises at least a pair of retaining cords 322 connected to the hanging unit 31 for lifting up the alternation hanging device 30, and a locking member provided on a side of the shading arrangement 20 to detachably engage with the actuation member 322 so as to securely lock up the first salts 221 overlapping with the second slats 222 respectively.
It is noted that the elongate cords 311, 312 upwardly extend to a front and back side of the angle rotor 2311 then the free end portions of the elongate cords 311, 312 are merged together to form a retaining cord 322 coupled with the actuation member 321 in the present invention. Through the retaining device 323, the user is able to lift up the retaining cord 322 and hold the alternation hanging device 30 in a lifted position. As a result, the vertical displacement of the alternation hanging device 30 is controllable thus ensuring the varying shading effects of the window blinding system 1. Here, it is worth to mention that the retaining device 323 could be embodied as an electrical device or a manual operable device.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the slats 22 is unexceptionally supported by the first hanging grids 2325 of the first hanging system 33. At the same time, to ensure the window blind 1 are capable of fully blocking sunlight penetrating through, the height of each of the first hanging grid 2325, i.e. the gap G, is at least larger than the width of the each hanging grid 2325. That is to say that the distance between two adjacent traverse cords 2324 is shorter than the length of the traverse cord 2324 for ensuring the blocking effect.
It is noted that the first slats 22 are positioned between the two elongate cords 3322 and supported by both traverse cords 2324 and slat seat 3324. As described before, the elongate hanging unit 31 has a similar structure in comparison with the hanging device 23. Nevertheless, the difference is that the second hanging grid 314 has a different size in comparison with the first hanging grids 2325. According to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length of the second hanging grids 314 (i.e. the distance between adjacent slat seats 313) is at least twice the length of the first hanging grids 2325(the distance between adjacent traverse cords 2324, gap G).
As shown in
For instance, if the slats 22 are divided into two sets, namely, even numbered first slats 221 and odd numbered second slats 222, only one set of the slats 22 are supported by both hanging device 23 and hanging unit 31. As a result, if the hanging unit 31 is lifted by the retaining cord 322, the first slats 221 supported by the hanging unit 31 will be lifted until the first slats 221 overlapped with the second slats 222 which are not supported by the hanging unit 31. Since every two adjacent slats 22 are overlapped, sunlight are allowed through from a gap twice as the size of conventional gap G as shown in
Conclusively, the slats 22 of the shading arrangement 20 are supported by both the hanging device 23 and the hanging unit 31. The hanging unit 31 of the alternation hanging device 30 is functioned as an auxiliary means for only supporting the first slats 221. In the preferred embodiment, every single second slat 222 not supported by the hanging unit must be adjacent to a first slat 221 supported by the hanging unit 31. So, the second slats 222 not supported by the second hanging system 23 and the first slats 221 supported by the hanging unit 33 are vertically disposed from the top traverse supporter 10 to the base member 21 in a crossed cyclic manner.
As described before, the shading arrangement 20 is just embodied as a conventional window blind. So, the appearance and the function of the window blind of the present invention shows no difference compared with conventional window blind. Sunlight is allowed through the window blind from a normal gap G which is the distance between adjacent traverse cords 2324 as shown in
What is more, the hanging unit 31 is merely another hanging device having a larger grids size. The assembling process of the window blind of the present invention is convenient and simple. The manufacturers are least likely to worry about installing two shading arrangement and complicated assembling process. In short, the present invention is just provide a supplemental hanging net to conventional window blind to achieve a varying shading effect as above mentioned multifunctional shading device. However, this amended window blind is compatible with standardized components of conventional window blinds, easy to assemble, and efficient.
As shown in the
Referring to the
As know in the art, by rotating an adjusting rod, the angle rotor 2311 rotatably mounted on the top traverse supporter 10 are capable of rotating with respect to the top traverse supporter 10. Commonly, there is a fixed gear truck provided on one end of the angle rotor 2311, and a rotatable hook is protruded from the gear truck for detachably coupling the adjusting rod. Accordingly, the top end of the adjusting rod is provided with a loop element for detachably engaging with the rotatable hook. Therefore, by rotating the adjusting rod, the rotatable hook will be rotated as well thus driving the gear truck to rotating the angle rotor 2311 into rotation.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slat angle adjuster 231 has a non-circular engaging groove 2312 protruded from a gear truck 2313 coupled one end of the angle rotor 2311, and the upper end of the actuation member 322 has a corresponding non-circular cross section such that the upper end of the actuation member 322 is detachably inserted into the engaging groove 2312 to rotate the angle rotor 2311 so as to selectively adjust said tilt angles of the first and second slats 221, 222.
In other words, the actuation member 322 is capable of not only uplifting the alternation shading device 30 to adjust the shading effect, but also controlling the tilt angle of each slat 22.
As shown in the
As shown in
As shown in
Preferably, the retaining cord 323 is coupled to a rotatable edge defined on the actuation member 322. Therefore, if the user wishes to adjust the tilt angle of slats 22, he or she could insert the actuating member 322 into the engaging groove 2312, then rotate the angle rotor 2311 to adjust the tilt angle of slats 22, further, he or she could pull down the actuating member 322 to lift up the hanging unit 31 allowing lights penetrate through the window blind from a wider gap 2G. Finally, he or she could rotate the actuating member 322 to engage with locking member 324 to hold the displacement.
According to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top traverse supporter 10 has a U-shaped cross section comprises two guiding shafts 11 transversely and spacedly extended between two inner walls of said top traverse supporter 10, wherein the hanging unit 31 is upwardly extended through a bottom wall of the top traverse supporter 10 to slidably engage with two guiding shafts 11 for minimizing a friction between the guiding shafts 11 and the hanging unit 31 when the hanging unit 31 is pulled upwardly to fold the first slats 221.
Here, the two guiding shafts 11 are functioned as abrasion proof members provided within the top traverse supporter 10 for prolonging the lifespan of the retaining 323. The top traverse supporter 10 is U-shaped defined so that the angle rotor 2311 is rotatably received therein for adjusting the tilt angle of the slats 22. For the convenient reason, a plurality of central slots are defined on the bottom side of the top traverse supporter 10, so that the supporting cords or retaining cords for operating the blind could be penetrated through. Within the art, there is only one abrasion proof member, commonly made of metal materials, are alignedly defined above the central slots so that the retaining cords 242 for lifting up the base member towards the top traverse supporter 10 could slip along the abrasion proof members.
According to the present invention, the retaining cord 323 is adapted for uplifting the hanging unit 31. As result, two corresponding edge slots 12 are defined on the edge portion of the bottom side of the top traverse supporter 10 as show in the
In other words, the traditional one abrasion proof member which is shortly defined above the central slot for penetrating the retaining cord 242, the pair of guiding shafts 11 are provided spanning across the top traverse supporter 10 for penetrating the elongate cords 311, 312 from two edge portion.
One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
