A WINDING DEVICE FOR A CORD GUIDANCE SYSTEM OF A SCREENING DEVICE FOR THE SCREENING OF A WINDOW

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a winding device for a cord guidance system of a screening device for the screening of a window, the winding device comprising a winding reel with a rotational axis, said winding reel comprising a rewinding surface sunk between two end guides located substantially perpendicular to said rotational axis at the ends of said rewinding surface.

[0002] Winding devices of this type are known in the art and are used in screening devices of the type comprising a screening body which is movable in a longitudinal direction of a window parallel to the plane of the window between a first end position in which it occupies a rolled-up, pleated or folded position at one of the top and bottom frame or sash members of the window and a second, active end position in which for the screening of the window, it is extended between said top and bottom frame or sash members. The movement of the screening body from the first to the second end position is obtained by a cord guidance comprising two cords, each in one end being connected to a winding device at one of said frame or sash members, and in the other end being connected to a bottom bar, the cords being spring-loaded at their respective other ends. At the sides of the window the cords are guided in guide rails. Examples of such screening devices are described in e.g. EP 0 546 297 A WO 02/06621 A1, EP-B1-0 804 674 and DK 174 398 B1.

[0003] Such screening devices are known in many forms and comprise e.g. awning blinds, roller blinds and roller shutters, where the screening body in the non-screening position is rolled-up on a reception means in the form of a roller. In screening devices of this type, the winding reels are usually located in a top box at the ends of the roller. The winding of the cord on the rewinding surface of the winding reel is normally obtained by winding of the cord in several cord layers on the winding reel. However, during winding of the cord, one or more windings of an upper cord layer may suddenly fall down between the windings of a lower cord layer, resulting in the forming of knots and a more difficult winding of the cord, and/or a disturbing, loud noise that may be perceived, by the user, as a malfunction of the screening device.

[0004] As is described in DK 174398 B1, one solution to these problems would be to wind the cord in a single layer. This solution entails, however, equally significant problems since the winding reel must be provided with a corresponding, large width. In many situations, e.g. if two or more windows are to be placed next to one another in the immediate proximity of each other, only a limited winding reel space is available at each side of the window. In order to reduce the accumulated width of the screening device, the winding reels are often offset inwards with respect to the guiding of the cords at the sides of the window sash. Usually, the width of the winding reel thus determines the greatest width of a screening body that may be used with the current window. The cause of this is the position of the winding reel in the top box of the screening device, occupying part of the roller. Thus, the offset of the winding reels makes it difficult and often impossible to provide a screening body wide enough to completely cover the aperture of the window. In many cases, e.g. in the case of a blackout screening, such an inadequate screening is a significant drawback.

[0005] Also, when the cord is wound on a wide winding reel, the guide rails at the sides of the window must be provided with an equivalent width so that the cord may be wound on the reel by means of an oscillating movement from side to side. As a result, the guide rails will often project over the window aperture, decreasing the view trough the window and, particularly in the case of outside mounting of the screening device, providing the window with an unpleasant appearance. The width of the guide rails may be reduced by providing a guiding device in the form of e.g. an auxiliary reel at the winding reel. This, however, complicates and raises the production costs of the screening device.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a winding device of the type mentioned in the introduction, which provides for a reliable and smooth winding up of a screening body of a screening device and, at the same time, takes up a sufficiently small amount of space in the lateral direction of the screening device in order to rectify or lessen the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] To meet this object the winding device according to the invention is characterized in that said rewinding surface comprises a cord track threaded in said rewinding surface for winding a cord in a first, inner layer on said winding reel, and said winding device further comprises a cord guidance means separate from said winding reel for winding said cord in a second, outer layer on said winding reel.

[0008] The combination of a cord track and a separate cord guidance means provides for a controlled, tight winding of the cord in layers on the winding reel and an optimum solution regarding space taken up by the windings. In this connection, the word "separate" is to be understood in the sense that the cord guidance means is not 'fixed' to the rotating rewinding surface of the winding reel. The cord may be wound up completely in two layers on a winding reel with a limited width, making it possible for two adjoining windows, avoiding space problems, to both be equipped with screening devices comprising the winding device according to the invention. Further, the tight winding of the cord solves the problems regarding a cord section from an upper layer falling to a lower layer.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention said cord guidance means comprises a guiding surface located substantially parallel to said rotational axis, opposed to and spaced apart from said rewinding surface of said winding reel. The guiding surface may e.g. be provided on a curved panel. These features provide for a reliable guidance of the cord and avoid wear of the cord.

[0010] Advantageously, said guiding surface is slightly inclined in the cord rewinding direction of the first layer, parallel to the rotational axis of said winding reel, whereby the guiding surface may push each winding of the second layer against a previous winding, ensuring a tight winding of the cord.

[0011] Preferably, said winding reel and said guiding surface are integrated in a reel house, such a house strengthening the general construction of the winding device and being cheap in manufacture.

[0012] In another embodiment, a screening device for the screening of a window comprises a screening body movable in a longitudinal direction of the window parallel to the plane of the window between a first end position in which it occupies a rolled-up, pleated or folded position at one of the top and bottom frame or sash members of the window and a second, active end position in which for the screening of the window, it is extended between said top and bottom frame or sash members, in which the movement of the screening body from said first to said second end position is obtained by a cord guidance comprising at least one cord, which in one end is connected to a winding device at one of said frame or sash members, and in the other end is connected to a bottom bar or the like, the at least one cord being spring-loaded at its respective other end, in which said winding device is according to one of the above embodiments.

[0013] In an embodiment of the screening device, movement of the screening body from said first to said second end position is obtained by a cord guidance comprising two cords, each in one end being connected to a winding device at one of said frame or sash members, and in the other end being connected to a bottom bar or the like, the cords being spring-loaded at their respective other ends.

[0014] In another embodiment of the screening device, the cord is wound in two and only two layers on said winding reel when said screening body is in said second end position.

[0015] The invention will be explained in detail in the following by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the schematic drawing, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a screening device mounted on the exterior of a standard window, the screening device comprising an embodiment of a winding device according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a cross section through the winding device of the screening device according to Fig. 1 in more detail, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the winding device seen from the right in Fig. 1.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a view of an embodiment of a screening device with two winding devices 1a, 1b according to the invention. The screening device is an external awning blind with a screening body in the form of an awning cloth 2 which in one end is fastened to a roller 3 constituting a reception means for the screening body and mounted in a top casing 4 at the top frame member of the window. The opposite free end of the awning cloth 2 is connected to a tubular bottom bar 5.

[0017] The screening device further comprises a side guide rail (not shown) on each side of the window, the guide rails in a mounted position being connected to the side members of the sash structure. The side guide rails accommodate and lead the ends of the bottom bar 5 and the edges of the awning cloth 2. The awning cloth 2 is shown in an extended position substantially covering the window aperture 6.

[0018] For movement of the bottom bar 5 and the connected end of the awning cloth 2 from a first end position in which the bottom bar 5 is positioned at or in the top casing 4 such that the window is not screened by the awning cloth 2, to a second end position in which the bottom bar 5 is positioned at the bottom frame or sash member of the window, the bottom bar 5 is connected to a cord guidance comprising two cords 8 and 9 which are led each in their side guide rail.

[0019] Referring now also to Figs 2 and 3, the winding devices each comprise a reel house 15, a winding reel 1c, 1d and a cord guidance means in the form of a curved panel 11 supported by two supports 13, 14. Each cord 8 and 9 is in one end fastened to their respective winding reel 1c and 1d, which in the shown design are placed on each end of the roller 2. The winding reels 1c and 1d are coupled to an electric drive unit in the form of an electric motor (not shown) with an associated transmission such that the displacement of the bottom bar 5 from the first to the second end position is effected by electric operation of a keyboard designed for this purpose, perhaps a remote control. The electric motor may e.g. be in the form of a small motor device located inside the roller 3, the roller being provided e.g. as a hollow, tubular member.

[0020] From the winding reels 1c, 1d, each cord 8, 9 is through the associated side guide rail led around a cord return element e.g. in the form of a pulley 17, 18 placed at the bottom frame or sash member and into one and the other, respectively, end of the tubular bottom bar 5, where the free cord end is connected to one end of a screw compression spring 19, 20, the other end of said spring 19, 20 being connected to the bottom bar 5 in the same side.

[0021] Figs 2 and 3 show the winding device 1a of Fig. 1 in more detail. The winding reel 1c is designed with a circumferential abutment or rewinding surface 7 for the cord rewinding in order to assure the rewinding of the cord 8 on the associated winding reel 1c in a first, tightly packed layer of cord windings, the rewinding surface 7 comprising a cord track in the form of a thread 7a. The threading of the thread 7a may be given a semi-elliptical shape in order to accommodate the compression of the cord 8 against the rewinding surface 7 during rewinding of the cord 8, the optimum shape of the threading depending on the hardness of the cord 8.

[0022] The panel 11 has a guiding surface 12 located substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the winding reel 1c, opposed to and spaced apart from the rewinding surface 7 of the winding reel 1c and is fixed in relation to the winding reel 1c in order to assure the rewinding of each cord 8 on the winding reel 1c in a second layer of cord windings.

[0023] In the shown embodiment, the rewinding surface 7 of the winding reel 1c is sunk between two end guides 21, 22, and the associated cord 8 is fastened to the winding reel 1c at one end guide 22, whereas the cord guide 21 is designed as a disk element positioned opposite the rewinding surface 7. The reel house 15 is located at one end of the top casing 4.

[0024] During rotation of the winding reels 1c, 1d, the bottom bar 5 will be displaced from the first towards the second end position. During this displacement, each cord 8 and 9 will, as a consequence of the spring load from the screw compression springs 19, 20, be kept tightly extended.

[0025] As is seen best from Fig. 3, in order to rewind the cord 8, the cord 8 is initially led across the guiding surface 12, after which it is wound up, from one end guide 21 to the other 22, in an inner layer, guided by the thread 7a on the winding reel 1c. When the cord 8 reaches the end guide 22, the winding is reversed and continues in the opposite direction, forming a second cord layer. The windings of the second layer are wound tightly packed against the first layer and each other because of the spring load from the screw compression springs 19, 20 in combination with the influence of the panel 11. When the cord 8 once more reaches the end guide 21, the bottom bar 5 will be in its second end position; this is the situation shown in Fig. 2. The winding of the cord 9 on the winding reel 1d is analogous to the winding of the cord 8 on the winding reel 1c.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, the winding device 1a further comprises two supports 13, 14 integrated in and supporting the panel 11 against the reel house 15. In the embodiment shown, the reel house 15 encloses the panel 11, the supports 13, 14 and the reel 1c, the reel house 15, panel 11 and supports 13, 14 being manufactured from a plastics material and cast in one piece. In consideration to the draught angle of the casting process, the panel 11 and thus the guiding surface 12 are slightly inclined in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of said winding reel against the end guide 22. This provides the advantageous side effect that the cord windings of the second layer are pressed even tighter against the previous windings of said layer. Depending on the design of the winding device, this inclination of the guiding surface may not be necessary since a previous winding of the cord 8 may push or urge the next winding into place next to the previous winding.

[0027] Referring again to Fig. 1, instead of being positioned in the top casing 4, the winding reels 1c, 1d may along with the associated electric drive unit be arranged in a bottom casing at the bottom frame or sash member of the window, which may entail the advantage that the length of the winding cords 8, 9 may be shortened such that the width of the winding reels 1c, 1d can be further reduced.

[0028] In an embodiment as shown in the drawings, the movement of the screening body 2 in the opposite direction may be effected by impact from the roller by a constant force, e.g. a spring force, or electrically by means of a separate rewinding motor.

[0029] Even though the invention in the above has been described only for an external awning blind as an embodiment example, it may also be used in other current forms of screening arrangements such as roller shutters.

[0030] Further, the cords 8, 9 may be wound up on the winding reels 1c, 1d, respectively, in more than two layers, e.g. three or four layers. Also, the guiding surface may be provided in any other suitable way, such as part of a recess in a panel, or a pin as e.g. shown in WO 02/06621.

Claims

1. A winding device (1a, 1b) for a cord guidance system of a screening device for the screening of a window, the winding device (1a, 1b) comprising
a winding reel (1c, 1d) with a rotational axis, said winding reel (1c, 1d) comprising a circumferential abutment or rewinding surface (7) with two ends, said rewinding surface (7) being sunk between two end guides (21, 22) located substantially perpendicular to said rotational axis at said ends of said rewinding surface (7), and
a cord guidance means separate from said winding reel (1c, 1d) for winding said cord (8, 9) in a second, outer layer on said winding reel (1c, 1d),
characterized in that
said rewinding surface (7) comprises a cord track (7a) threaded in said rewinding surface (7) for winding a cord (8, 9) in a first, inner layer on said winding reel (1c, 1d).

2. A winding device (1a, 1b) according to claim 1, characterized in that said cord guidance means comprises a guiding surface (12) located substantially parallel to said rotational axis, opposed to and spaced apart from said rewinding surface (7) of said winding reel (1c, 1d).

3. A winding device (1a, 1b) according to claim 2, characterized in that said guiding surface (12) is provided on a curved panel (11).

4. A winding device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said guiding surface (12) is slightly inclined in the cord rewinding direction of the first layer, parallel to the rotational axis of said winding reel (1c, 1d).

5. A winding device (1a, 1b) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said winding reel (1c, 1d) and said cord guidance means are integrated in a reel house (15).

6. A screening device for the screening of a window, comprising
a screening body (2) movable in a longitudinal direction of the window parallel to the plane of the window between a first end position in which it occupies a rolled-up, pleated or folded position at one of the top and bottom frame or sash members of the window and a second, active end position in which for the screening of the window, it is extended between said top and bottom frame or sash members,
in which the movement of the screening body (2) from said first to said second end position is obtained by a cord guidance comprising at least one cord (8, 9), which in one end is connected to a winding device (1a, 1b) at one of said frame or sash members, and in the other end is connected to a bottom bar (5) or the like, the at least one cord (8, 9) being spring-loaded at its respective other end,
characterized in that
said winding device is according to one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A screening device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that movement of the screening body (2) from said first to said second end position is obtained by a cord guidance comprising two cords (8, 9), each in one end being connected to a winding device (1a, 1b) at one of said frame or sash members, and in the other end being connected to a bottom bar (5) or the like, the cords (8, 9) being spring-loaded at their respective other ends.

8. A screening device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that when said screening body (2) is in said second end position, the at least one cord (8, 9) is wound in two and only two layers on said winding reel (1c, 1d).

Ansprüche

1. Wickelvorrichtung (1a, 1b) für ein Schnurführungssystem einer Abschirmvorrichtung für das Abschirmen eines Fensters, wobei die Wickelvorrichtung
eine Wickelrolle (1c, 1d) mit einer Drehachse aufweist, wobei die Wickelrolle (1c, 1d) eine in Umfangsrichtung verlaufende Anlage oder Rückspulfläche (7) mit zwei Enden aufweist, wobei die Rückspulfläche (7) zwischen zwei Endführungen (21, 22) eingelassen ist, die im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Drehachse an den Enden der Rückspulfläche (7) angeordnet sind, und
ein Schnurführungsmittel aufweist, das getrennt ist von der Wickelrolle (1c, 1d) zum Wickeln der Schnur (8, 9) in einer zweiten äußeren Schicht auf der Wickelrolle (1c, 1d),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Rückspulfläche (7) eine Schnurbahn (7a) aufweist, die gewindeartig in die Rückspulfläche (7) zum Wickeln einer Schnur (8, 9) in einer ersten inneren Schicht auf die Wickelrolle (1c, 1d) eingebracht ist.

2. Wickelvorrichtung (1a, 1b) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Schnurführungsmittel eine Führungsfläche (12) aufweist, die im Wesentlichen parallel zu der Drehachse angeordnet ist und die der Rückspulfläche (7) der Wickelrolle (1c, 1d) gegenüberliegt und davon beabstandet ist.

3. Wickelvorrichtung (1a, 1b) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Führungsfläche (12) an einer gekrümmten Platte (11) vorgesehen ist.

4. Wickelvorrichtung nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Führungsfläche (12) in der Schnurrückwickelrichtung der ersten Schicht parallel zu der Drehachse der Wickelrolle (1c, 1d) leicht geneigt ist.

5. Wickelvorrichtung (1a, 1b) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Wickelrolle (1c, 1d) und das Schnurführungsmittel in einem Rollengehäuse (15) integriert sind.

6. Abschirmvorrichtung zum Abschirmen eines Fensters umfassend
einen Abschirmkörper (2), der in einer Längsrichtung des Fensters parallel zu der Ebene des Fensters zwischen einer ersten Endstellung, in der er eine aufgerollte, plissierte oder gefaltete Stellung an einem aus den oberen und unteren Rahmen- oder Flügelelementen des Fensters einnimmt, und einer zweiten, aktiven Endstellung, in der er sich zum Abschirmen des Fensters zwischen den oberen und unteren Rahmen- oder Flügelelementen erstreckt, beweglich ist, wobei die Bewegung des Abschirmkörpers (2) von der ersten zu der zweiten Endstellung durch eine Schnurführung erreicht wird, die wenigstens eine Schnur (8, 9) umfasst, die in einem Ende mit einer Wickelvorrichtung (1a, 1b) an einem der Rahmen- oder Flügelelemente, und in dem anderen Ende mit einer unteren Stange (5) oder ähnlichem verbunden ist, wobei die wenigstens eine Schnur (8, 9) an ihrem entsprechenden anderen Ende federvorgespannt ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Wickelvorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5 ist.

7. Abschirmvorrichtung nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Bewegung des Abschirmkörpers (2) von der ersten zu der zweiten Endstellung durch eine Schnurführung erreicht wird, die zwei Schnüre (8, 9) umfasst, wobei jede in einem Ende mit einer Wickelvorrichtung (1a, 1b) an einem der Rahmen- oder Flügelelemente verbunden ist und in dem anderen Ende mit der unteren Stange (5) oder ähnlichem verbunden ist, wobei die Schnüre (8, 9) an deren entsprechenden anderen Enden federvorgespannt sind.

8. Abschirmvorrichtung nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die wenigstens eine Schnur (8, 9) in zwei und nur zwei Schichten auf der Wickelrolle (1c, 1d) gewickelt ist, wenn der Abschirmkörper (2) in der zweiten Endstellung ist.

Revendications

1. Dispositif d'enroulement (1a, 1b) destiné à un système de guidage de cordon d'un dispositif écran pour masquer une fenêtre, le dispositif d'enroulement (1a, 1b) comprenant
une bobine d'enroulement (1c, 1d) présentant un axe de rotation, ladite bobine d'enroulement (1c, 1d) comprenant une surface circonférentielle de butée ou de rembobinage (7) présentant deux extrémités, ladite surface de rembobinage (7) étant encastrée entre deux guides d'extrémité (21, 22) placés de façon sensiblement perpendiculaire au dit axe de rotation au niveau desdites extrémités de ladite surface de rembobinage (7), et
des moyens de guidage de cordon séparés de ladite bobine d'enroulement (1c, 1d) pour enrouler ledit cordon (8, 9) en une seconde couche externe sur ladite bobine d'enroulement (1c, 1d),
caractérisé en ce que
ladite surface de rembobinage (7) comprend une piste pour le cordon (7a), filetée dans ladite surface de rembobinage (7) pour enrouler un cordon (8, 9) en une première couche interne sur ladite bobine d'enroulement (1c, 1d).

2. Dispositif d'enroulement (1a, 1b) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de guidage de cordon comprennent une surface de guidage (12) placée de façon sensiblement parallèle au dit axe de rotation, opposée à, et distante de, ladite surface de rembobinage (7) de ladite bobine d'enroulement (1c, 1d).

3. Dispositif d'enroulement (1a, 1b) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ladite surface de guidage (12) est fournie sur un panneau courbé (11).

4. Dispositif d'enroulement selon la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite surface de guidage (12) est légèrement inclinée dans la direction de rembobinage du cordon de la première couche, parallèle à l'axe de rotation de ladite bobine d'enroulement (1c, 1d).

5. Dispositif d'enroulement (1a, 1b) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que ladite bobine d'enroulement (1c, 1d) et lesdits moyens de guidage de cordon sont incorporés dans un logement de bobine (15).

6. Dispositif écran pour masquer une fenêtre, comprenant
un corps d'écran (2) pouvant se déplacer dans une direction longitudinale de la fenêtre, parallèlement au plan de la fenêtre, entre une première position d'extrémité, dans laquelle il occupe une position enroulée, plissée ou repliée au niveau de l'un des éléments supérieur et inférieur de cadre ou de châssis de la fenêtre et une seconde position d'extrémité active dans laquelle, en vue de masquer la fenêtre, il est étendu entre lesdits éléments supérieur et inférieur de cadre ou de châssis,
dans lequel le déplacement du corps d'écran (2), de ladite première position d'extrémité à ladite seconde position d'extrémité, est obtenu par l'intermédiaire d'un guidage de cordon comprenant au moins un cordon (8, 9), lequel, dans une extrémité, est raccordé à un dispositif d'enroulement (1a, 1b) au niveau de l'un desdits éléments de cadre ou de châssis, et dans l'autre extrémité, est raccordé à une barre inférieure (5), ou analogue, le au moins un cordon (8, 9) étant actionné par ressort au niveau de son autre extrémité respective,
caractérisé en ce que
ledit dispositif d'enroulement est un dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5.

7. Dispositif écran selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que le déplacement du corps d'écran (2) de ladite première position d'extrémité à ladite seconde position d'extrémité est obtenu par l'intermédiaire d'un guidage par cordon comprenant deux cordons (8, 9), chacun, dans une extrémité étant raccordé à un dispositif d'enroulement (1a, 1b) au niveau de l'un desdits éléments de cadre ou de châssis, et dans l'autre extrémité étant raccordé à une barre inférieure (5), ou analogue, les cordons (8, 9) étant actionnés par ressort au niveau de leurs autres extrémités respectives.

8. Dispositif écran selon la revendication 6 ou 7, caractérisé en ce que, lorsque ledit corps d'écran (2) se trouve dans ladite seconde position d'extrémité, le au moins un cordon (8, 9) est enroulé en deux, et seulement deux, couches sur ladite bobine d'enroulement (1c, 1d).

Drawing