(57) @ A vertical blind system comprises a rail (1) having two outer channels (7) and
a centre channel (8). The rail ends are closed by pulley blocks (15). An endless draw
cord (2) runs along channels (7) round one pulley (16) and out through the opposite
pulley block to form a loop (20). Vertical blinds (5) are suspended from small discs
(3) that extend across the rail (1) into the outer channels (7) and rest on both runs
of the draw cord (2). Frictional contact between the cords (2) and discs (3) is increased
by a weight carried by each blind (5) and by serrating the under surface (30) of the
discs (3). A master slider (25) linked to one end of disc (3) extends across the rail
(1) and is non-slidably attached to one run of the draw cord (2). The disc (3) are
preferably linked by flat strips (14) and are attached thereto by a pivot pin (19)
for rotation about a vertical axis. Each strip (14) contains a lengthwise slot (26)
which is engaged by a cranked T-element (30) of an adjacent strip for movement along
the slot (26). To draw back the blinds the master slider (25) under the action of
draw cord (2) causes the discs (3) to move successively into contact causing the blinds
(5) to gather at one side of the window, the strips (14) sliding one beneath the other.
To move the blinds (5) in the reverse direction the master slider (25) pulls its attached
disc (3), successive discs (3) being pulled by linking strips (14) when the T-element
(30) of one strip (14) reaches the end of the slot (26) with which it is engaged.
Rotation of the discs is achieved by pulling the appropriate side of loop (20) of
draw cord (2), the frictional engagement between the disc and the draw cords causing
the discs (3) and associated blinds (5) to rotate.
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