Device for slidably supporting blinds

Abstract

 A device for slidably supporting blinds comprising a guide section-member (1) for guiding the blind pulling strip (2), having a closed contour and entrained on a driving reel (15) and on a guiding reel, respectively supported on the end portion of the section member (1), the driving reel (15) being rotatably driven by a R.P.M. multiplier assembly (10) coupled to a driving rod.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for slidably supporting blinds in general.

[0002] As is known, conventionally systems for slidably supporting blinds comprise a supporting rail thereon there are slidably supported sliders which in turn support the blind and are driven by pulling on strips or the like, entrained on transmission pulley, arranged at the end portions of the blind sliding interval.

[0003] Even if these known devices are broadly used, they have the drawback that they are not adapted for a high speed displacement of the blind, since the blind opening movement substantially corresponds to the displacement of the pulling strip.

[0004] Another drawback of these known devices is that the pulling strips or lines are subjected to frequent breakages because of the friction they are subjected to.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a device for slidably supporting blinds and the like, which can operate or drive the blind without using strip or line members and which, moreover, is specifically designed for providing the blind with an even high speed motion both during its opening stroke and its closing stroke.

[0006] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a device for slidably supporting blinds which is very simple construction-wise and very reliable in operation.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a device for slidably supporting blinds which can be assembled in a very quick and simple way and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a device for slidably supporting blinds, characterized in that said device comprises a guiding section member, for the blind pulling strip, having a closed-loop extension and entrained on a driving reel and a guiding reel, said driving and guiding reels being respectively supported at the end portions of said section member, said driving reel being adapted to be rotatably driven by a revolution multiplier assembly coupled to a driving rod element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure of a device for slidably supporting blinds and the like, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a schematic front view illustrating the device according to the present invention applied to a pair of slidable blinds;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a driving block included in the device according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a top plan view showing a bottom half-shell of the driving block, the gear coupling being also clearly represented;

Figure 4 illustrates a top half-shell element, and specifically shows guiding grooves or channels for the blind operating strip;

Figure 5 is a further illustration of the driving or control block, the outer casing therefor being represented in cross-section;

Figure 6 illustrates the driving or control block and a gear assembly therefor shown as partially cross-sectioned;
and

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the control or driving block, and specifically shows the coupling clutch of a driving reel element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the device for slidably supporting blinds and the like according to the present invention, comprises a guide section member, overally indicated at the reference number 1, in the inside of which is slidably supported a pull strip element 2.

[0011] The guide section member has a substantially C-shape configuration which, on the inner portion of the arms 5 thereof, is provided with open channels 6 for housing the strip element 2, whereas, on the top coupling portion, indicated at 8, there are provided channels 9 for engaging the section member to a support element therefor.

[0012] At the end portion of the section member 1 there are connected a control or driving block, overally indicated at the reference number 10, and a transmission block, overally indicated at the reference number 11.

[0013] Inside the driving block there is rotatably supported a driving reel 15, provided with pointed portions 6 adapted to engage in holes 17 of the strip element 2, which is also entrained on a transmission reel 18 supported by the transmission block 11.

[0014] More specifically, the driving block or assembly comprises an outer casing, including a bottom half-shell 20 and a top half-shell 21, coupled to one another and to be connected to the end portion of the section member.

[0015] The bottom half-shell 20 rotatably supports a main driving shaft 22 projecting at the bottom and which can be coupled to a driving rod element, overally indicated at the reference number 23.

[0016] On the main shaft 22 there is keyed a first gear 25, meshing with a second gear 26, in turn keyed on an auxiliary shaft 27, also rotatably supported by said casing, by means of ball bearings 28.

[0017] The auxiliary shaft 27 is provided with a pin 29 making said auxiliary shaft rotatably rigid with a bush 30 arranged inside the driving reel 15.

[0018] The bush 30 is provided at the bottom thereof with a flange arrangement 31 abutting on a first clutch disk 32 rigid with the reel 15.

[0019] Axially of the flange 31 a threaded end piece 35 extends, and rigid with said threaded end piece 35 there is coaxially arranged a second clutch disk 36 which is pressed against the first clutch disk 32 rigid with said reel 15.

[0020] The second clutch disk 36 is resiliently pushed against the first clutch disk 32 by means of a cup-spring jack 38, the springs of which have been preloaded by a preloading bolt 40 which can be screwed on the threaded end piece 35 in order to adjust the friction force.

[0021] With the disclosed arrangement, it should be apparent that, by operating the rod element 23, the first gear 25 will be turned, said first gear having a number of teeth larger than that of the second gear 26 keyed on the auxiliary shaft 27 which, by means of the above disclosed clutch assembly, causes the driving reel 15 to rotate.

[0022] Thus, the disclosed assembly provides a revolution multiplier device allowing the strip element 2 to be driven with a very high speed.

[0023] The strip element 2, which extends through the open channels of the section member 1, is guided by the top half-shell 21 which comprises a plurality of slots 50 aligned with said channels of said section member, so as to properly guide and drive the strip element inside said section member.

[0024] In particular, the blind will be coupled, by means of hook elements or the like, to the strip elements 2 which can be caused to slide either in a direction or in the opposite direction, by turning the rod 23 so as to cause the driving reel 15 to be rotatably driven.

[0025] The strip element driving speed will be very high, owing to the provision of the disclosed revolution multiplier assembly.

[0026] In addition, if an excessive drag or friction occurs, the clutch assembly will operate so as to cause the first and second clutch disks to slip for preventing excessive stresses to be transmitted.

[0027] From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

[0028] In particular, the fact must be stressed that the invention provides a device for slidably supporting and driving blinds which is very simple construction-wise and can slidably drive the blind with a very high speed both in its opening stroke and in its closing stroke.

[0029] While the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for slidably supporting blinds, characterized in that said device comprises a guiding section member, for a blind pulling strip, having a closed-loop extension and entrained on a driving reel and a guiding reel, said driving and guiding reels being respectively supported at end portions of said section member, said driving reel being adapted to be rotatably driven by a revolution multiplier assembly coupled to a driving rod element.

2. A device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said section member has a substantially C-shape cross-section, on the legs of said C-shape being formed open guide channels for housing and slidably driving said pulling strip element.

3. A device according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said section member comprises a coupling portion thereon there are formed channels for coupling said section member to a supporting element and/or to a ceiling.

4. A device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said driving reel and transmission reel are respectively supported by a driving assembly and a transmission assembly, associated with the end portions of said section member.

5. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said driving assembly is provided with an outer casing including a bottom half-shell and a top half-shell, coupled to one another and associated with said section member, the driving assembly supporting said revolution multiplier assembly.

6. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said driving assembly comprises a clutch assembly, arranged between said driving reel and said revolution multiplier assembly.

7. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said revolution multiplier assembly comprises a first gear keyed on a main shaft coupled to said driving rod element and meshing with a second gear keyed on an auxiliary shaft rotatably supported by said outer casing.

8. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device further comprises a pin arranged on said auxiliary shaft, engaging with a bush having a flange arrangement abutting on a first clutch disk rigid with said driving reel, from said flange arrangement a threaded end piece axially extending, said end piece rigidly supporting a second clutch disk engaging with said first clutch disk, means being moreover provided for resiliently preloading the second clutch disk.

9. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for resiliently preloading said second clutch disk comprise a cup spring pack the springs of which can be preloaded by a bolt rotatably engaging with said threaded end piece.

10. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said top half-shell of said driving assembly and of said transmission assembly is provided with guide slots for housing said strip element and for aligning said strip element with said open channels of said section member.

Drawing