ASSEMBLY STATION OF VENETIAN BLINDS WITH COMPLETE SUPPORT LADDERS

Abstract

 The invention relates to an assembly station of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders, comprising a plurality of stacking units 10 of the slats on complete support ladders. The stacking units are aligned with each other along an insertion axis X of the slats and are slidingly associated to a shared support structure 2. Each unit defines an insertion seat 11 for the slat. The insertion seats 11 of the stacking units 10 jointly define a sliding lane 9 of the slat L along the insertion axis. The station 1 comprises at least one cable 20 passing through the whole station - in suspension relative to the support structure - along a path which is superimposed to the sliding lane at the empty spaces V between one unit and the other and which instead deviates from the sliding lane at each stacking unit 10.

Description

Field of application

[0001] The object of the present invention is an assembly station of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders.

Prior art

[0002] As is known, Venetian blinds consist of a plurality of slats, arranged parallel to each other and held in position by means of rope support structures.

[0003] A very widespread support structure is called a "complete ladder", that is, consisting of two parallel ribs (arranged in the direction of the height of the blind) and by a plurality of crosspieces connecting them at regular distances. Each crosspiece is associated to a slat, in support (if the crosspiece is single) or in insertion (if the crosspiece is multiple).

[0004] The assembly of Venetian blinds on complete ladders is carried out in automated production lines that include specific automated assembly stations, in which the individual slats are associated to the complete ladders and, thus associated, progressively superimposed on one another to form the Venetian blind.

[0005] In general, as illustrated in Figure 1, an assembly station A of complete ladders comprises a plurality of stacking units B distributed along a main axis X, along which the slats are gradually arranged. Each stacking unit A supports the support ladders in height and is suitable to associate them with the single slats which are progressively inserted into the assembly station.

[0006] Operatively, once inserted along said main axis X of the assembly station A, the single slat is simultaneously engaged by all the stacking units B. After being associated to the different complete ladders, the single slat will be raised upwards, so as to allow the insertion of a new slat and continue to make the Venetian blind.

[0007] Assembly stations of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders are described for example in European patents EP3026208B1, EP2886781B1, EP2677108B1 and EP2677107B1 to the name of the same Applicant.

[0008] As shown in Figure 1, the individual stacking units B are slidingly associated with a longitudinal support bar C which develops parallel to the aforesaid main axis X. In this way, when the features of the blinds to be produced vary, it is possible to reposition the stacking units B along said bar C adapting its position according to the length of the slats (i.e. the length of the blind to be produced) and/or to the pitch required between one complete ladder and the other.

[0009] A critical assembly step is the insertion of the slats in the assembly station. Because of its weight, the single lamella slat tends to bend between one unit and the other, with the risk that the tip end of the slat itself, lowering with respect to the insertion plane, jams along the insertion path. In order to facilitate the correct insertion of the slat, each stacking unit is provided with an guide chute D at its inlet. However, in the case of particularly long slats, it may happen that the bending of the slat is particularly accentuated and that the guide chute is not sufficiently extended to guide the slat correctly.

[0010] To overcome this problem, as shown in Figure 1, assembly stations are provided with intermediate supports E for the slat, arranged between one stacking unit and the other. Each support defines a support and sliding plane for the slat, preventing it from bending excessively into the space between one unit and the other.

[0011] These intermediate supports E are slidingly associated with the same longitudinal support bar C to which the stacking units B are associated, so that their position can be adapted to the position of the stacking units.

[0012] However, these intermediate supports E, although fully performing their function, have some limits.

[0013] A first limit is related to the fact that the intermediate supports are arranged on the same axis of movement of the stacking units and can therefore hinder their freedom of positioning. The stacking units are generally moved in an automated manner by means of a rack, so as to ensure a synchronized and precise positioning thereof; otherwise, the intermediate supports can only be moved manually, as their precise positioning along the support bar is not necessary. Therefore, during the repositioning of the stacking units, it may be necessary to remove them beforehand. This complicates the operation of the assembly station, extending down times.

[0014] A second limit is linked to the size of the aforementioned intermediate supports, which in some cases may be excessive. In particular, in the production of blinds with complete ladders arranged at a particularly reduced pitch, it may be necessary to remove the intermediate supports to free up space available to the stacking units.

[0015] Therefore, in assembly stations of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders, there is a need to avoid jamming of the slats during insertion, but overcoming the operating limits related to the use of intermediate supports.

Disclosure of the invention

[0016] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to eliminate in whole or in part the drawbacks of the prior art cited above by providing an assembly station of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders, which allows preventing jamming of the slats during the insertion step without affecting the operation of the assembly station.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly station of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders which is easier to handle than similar known assembly stations.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly station of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders which is simple and cost-effective to be implemented.

Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The technical features of the invention, according to the aforesaid aims, can clearly be seen in the content of the claims below, and its advantages will become more readily apparent in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one or more purely exemplary and non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:

• Figure 1 shows an overall perspective view of an assembly station of Venetian blinds with conventional complete support ladders;
• Figure 2 shows an overall perspective view of an assembly station of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• Figure 3 shows a perspective top view of a detail of the assembly station in Figure 2, relating to the inlet portion of the assembly station.
• Figure 4 shows a perspective top view of the inlet portion in figure 3, illustrated with an inserted slat and with some parts removed to better highlight others;
• Figure 5 shows a perspective top view of a detail in figure 3, with some parts removed to better highlight others;
• Figure 6 shows a top perspective view of a further enlarged detail of Figure 5;
• Figure 7 shows the view in figure 6, illustrated with an inserted slat;
• Figure 8 shows a lateral orthogonal view of a detail in figure 4 according to arrow VIII indicated therein, illustrated complete with slat storage device; and
• Figure 9 shows an enlarged sectional view of a detail in figure 8, according to a vertical section plane passing through the insertion axis X.

Detailed description

[0020] With reference to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 designates as a whole an assembly station of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders according to the invention.

[0021] Herein and in the following description and claims, reference will be made to the assembly station 1 in use condition. Therefore, any references to a lower or upper position or to a horizontal or vertical orientation should be interpreted in such condition.

[0022] According to a general embodiment of the invention, the assembly station 1 of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders comprises a plurality of stacking units 10 of slats on complete support ladders.

[0023] Such stacking units 10 are aligned with each other along an insertion axis X of the slats in the assembly station 1 and are slidingly associated with a shared support structure 2 which extends parallel to said insertion axis X.

[0024] In particular, as shown in the accompanying Figures, the aforesaid shared support structure 2 consists of a bar which extends parallel to the insertion axis X.

[0025] Preferably, the assembly station 1 comprises motorised means for moving one or more of said stacking units 10 along said shared support structure 2 parallel to the insertion axis X. In this way, when the features of the blinds to be produced vary, it is possible to reposition the stacking units 10 along such a support structure 2 adapting its position according to the length of the slats (i.e. the length of the blind to be produced) and/or to the pitch required between one support ladder and the other.

[0026] Advantageously, at the inlet the assembly station 1 can be provided with means for moving the single slat along the insertion axis X. In particular, as illustrated in the accompanying Figures, said moving means of the single slat consist of two pairs of opposing feeding rollers 3 and 4.

[0027] The assembly station 1 according to the invention may be suitable to treat complete support ladders of the type with single cross members or it may be suitable to treat complete support ladders with double cross members. In the latter case, each of the aforesaid stacking units 10 is provided with divaricating means suitable to widen each pair of cross members in order to prepare them for the insertion of the slat. Preferably, in the latter case, each of the stacking units 10 is made according to one of the following European patents EP3026208B1, EP2886781B1, EP2677108B1 and EP2677107B1 in the name of the same Applicant, which are herein incorporated integrally as a reference.

[0028] Independently of the operating functionality of the aforesaid stacking units 10, each of said units 10 comprises:

• an insertion seat 11 of the slats L, at which in use one slat L at a time is associated to a complete ladder;
• a device 12 for positioning a ladder transversally to said insertion axis X at the insertion seat 11; and
• means for guiding 13 the slat towards the insertion seat 11, arranged upstream of the positioning device 12 of the ladder.

[0029] Preferably, as shown in figures 5 and 6, the slat guiding means 13 comprise a guide chute 13a (located at the inlet of the stacking unit 10). As an alternative or in combination with said guide chute 13a, said guiding means may comprise a guide chamfer (obtained directly at the beginning of the insertion seat 11).

[0030] The insertion seats 11 of the stacking units 10 jointly define a sliding lane 9 of the slat L along the insertion axis X inside the assembly station 1.

[0031] Operationally, each insertion seat 11 also acts as a sliding seat of the slat L in an insertion step of the slat along the aforesaid insertion axis X inside the assembly station 1.

[0032] The assembly station 1 according to the invention can be placed in line with a slat manufacturing machine, or it can be placed out of line to avoid slowing down the faster slat manufacturing process.

[0033] In general, the features and functions of the stacking units 10 usable in an assembly station of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders are known to a man skilled in the art and will therefore not be described herein in greater detail.

[0034] According to the invention, the assembly station 1 comprises at least one cable 20 which passes through the whole assembly station 1 - in suspension relative to said shared support structure 2 - according to a path which:

• is superimposed to the sliding lane at the empty spaces (V) between one stacking unit 10 and the other, and
• instead deviates from the sliding lane 9 at each stacking unit 10 so that said at least one cable 20 does not pass through the relative positioning device 12 of the ladder.

[0035] By the expression "in suspension relative to said shared support structure 2" it is meant that the cable 20 is not supported in an intermediate position directly by the shared support structure 2.

[0036] Moreover, according to the invention, the aforesaid at least one cable 20 is arranged in the vicinity of the inlet to each stacking unit 10 at a height such as to guarantee the entry of the slat into the aforesaid guiding means 13 without interfering with them, defining a support structure for the slat L in the empty spaces V comprised between one stacking unit 10 and the other.

[0037] Operationally, the cable 20 has therefore only the function of ensuring the entry of the slat into the guiding means 13. The function of correctly guiding and positioning the slat L into the insertion seat 11, instead, is left to the aforesaid guiding means 13.

[0038] Thanks to the invention, the cable 20 accompanies the slat L into each stacking unit 10, preventing the tip end of the slat itself, by lowering under its own weight, from jamming along the insertion path, without however interfering in any way with the functionality of the stacking units 10.

[0039] This is made possible by the fact that the cable 20 is positioned in the sliding lane 9 only in the empty spaces V between one stacking unit 10 and the other, and does not pass through the stacking units along the axis X. The cable 20 does not interfere with the ladder positioning means 12 and in particular with the vertical sliding movement of the ladders during the operation of the assembly station 1.

[0040] Advantageously, each of the stacking units 10 is slidingly associated to said at least one cable 20 to allow a relative movement between the cable 20 and each stacking unit 10. In this way, the cable 20 has no influence on the adjustment freedom of the position of the stacking units 10 along the aforesaid insertion axis X.

[0041] Operatively, due to the fact that the cable is held in suspension with respect to the shared support structure 2 between the two opposite ends 1', 1" of the assembly station 1 and to the fact that preferably, the stacking units 10 of the assembly station are slidingly associated with the aforesaid sliding guide 20, the cable 20 does not affect the operation of the assembly station, i.e. of the stacking units 10.

[0042] In fact, the repositioning of the stacking units can be carried out without the presence of the cable 20 constituting any constraint or limit. Unlike the prior art solutions, it is therefore not necessary to remove the cable. This simplifies the operation of the assembly station, reducing down times.

[0043] Moreover, due to the fact that the cable 20 is suspended through the assembly station and is not supported directly by the shared support structure 2, all the space of the shared support structure 2 is left free along the insertion axis X for the movement of the stacking units 10. Therefore, in no case, neither in the production of blinds with ladders arranged at a particularly reduced pitch, it is necessary to remove the cable to free up space available to the stacking units.

[0044] Thanks to the invention, the assembly station 1 is therefore easier to manage than similar assembly stations of a known type.

[0045] As already mentioned, the path of the cable 20 through the assembly station 1 deviates from the aforementioned sliding lane 9 at each stacking unit 10.

[0046] Preferably, the path is rectilinear in the sections corresponding to the empty spaces V between one stacking unit 10 and the other, in particular parallel to the insertion axis X, while in the sections corresponding to the deviations with respect to the insertion axis X, the path is broken line. Alternatively, in the sections corresponding to the deviations with respect to the insertion axis X, the path may also be curvilinear.

[0047] Preferably, as shown in the accompanying figures, at each stacking unit 10 the path of the cable 20 deviates from the sliding lane 2 by laterally bypassing (relative to the insertion axis X) at least the relative positioning device 12 of the ladder. In other words, the deviation of the path is such that the cable 20 is made to turn around (or perimetrically) at least the positioning device 12 of the ladder of each stacking unit 10. In other words, the cable 20 may engage a part of the stacking unit 20.

[0048] By the expression "lateral bypass" it is generally meant to include a deviation which develops mainly on a horizontal plane. However, it is not excluded that along such a deviation the cable may change its position in height (i.e. vertically).

[0049] According to alternative embodiments not shown in the accompanying figures, the deviation of the path of the cable 20 at the stacking units 10 may develop mainly vertically instead of laterally. In other words, the cable 20 may bypass the positioning device 12 of the ladder of each stacking unit 10 from above or below.

[0050] However, this alternative solution is not preferred since it would impose a longer and more complex deviation to be implemented on the cable 20.

[0051] In fact, in the case of bypassing from above, it should be taken into account that, when a Venetian blind is assembled, it is removed from the assembly station with a vertical extraction movement from the stationing storage devices. It would therefore be necessary to ensure a minimum space on top of the stacking units to manoeuvre the assembled Venetian blinds in extraction. In the case of bypassing from the bottom, however, the fact that under each stacking unit a ladder feeder must be positioned should be taken into account. It would therefore be necessary to ensure a minimum free space for the vertical unwinding of the ladders underneath the stacking units. It is clear that this would increase the overall dimensions of the assembly station 1.

[0052] According to a particularly preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the aforesaid at least one cable 20 extends between two opposite ends 1', 1" of the assembly station 1 and is guided along the aforesaid path by a plurality of direction changing elements 21 , 22. Such direction changing elements 21, 22 are associated with the stacking units 10.

[0053] Preferably, as illustrated in the accompanying figures, each of said direction changing elements 21, 22 consists of a pulley.

[0054] Advantageously, the pulleys have an axis orthogonal to the plane of the sliding lane 9, so as to guide the cable on a plane parallel to the plane of the sliding lane 9.

[0055] According to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, a part of the aforesaid direction changing elements 21 is arranged at the sliding lane 9. The direction changing elements 21 arranged at the sliding lane 9 are positioned below the sliding plane m of the slat L so as not to hinder the movement of the latter.

[0056] Advantageously, as illustrated in particular in figures 6, 8 and 9, each stacking unit (10) comprises adjustable means 23 for positioning the cable 20 locally in the vicinity of the guiding means 13 of the slat.

[0057] Preferably, the aforesaid adjustable means 23 for the local positioning of the cable consist of a height-adjustable appendage, intended in use to inferiorly engage the cable 20 by means of a top portion 23a. Operationally, the top portion 23a of such an adjustable appendage is positioned so as to maintain at least locally the cable 20 at a height such as to ensure that said slat, supported by the cable 20, enters the guiding means 13. The adjustment stroke of said appendage is fixed in such a way that the maximum positioning height does not exceed in height the sliding plane m of the slat defined by the insertion seat 11. This prevents the appendage itself and/or the cable 20 from interfering with the action of the guiding means 13.

[0058] Operationally, the aforementioned adjustable means 23 for the local positioning of the cable increase the operational flexibility of the assembly station 1. By means of such means 23 it is in fact possible to easily adapt the height of the cable 20 in inlet to the stacking units 10 without having to intervene on the direction changing elements 21, 22.

[0059] In particular, the use of the aforementioned adjustable means 23 for the local positioning of the cable allows for height adjustment of the cable only at the necessary points of the path (inlet to the stacking units) and therefore to keep the cable at a lower height in the rest of the path than that required at the inlet to the units 10. In this way, it is possible to keep the direction changing elements 21, 22 at a lower height than the one of inlet into the units. This reduces the risk that the cable 20 and the direction changing elements 21, 22 may accidentally interfere with the correct insertion of the slat L.

[0060] Advantageously, as shown in Figure 2, the aforesaid at least one cable 20 is fixed at the two opposite ends 20', 20" thereof to two opposite anchoring structures 31, 32. Each anchoring structure 31, 32 is arranged at one of the two opposite longitudinal ends 1', 1" of the assembly station 1.

[0061] The single anchoring structure may be mechanically supported by the shared support structure 2 of the assembly station, as shown in Figure 2, or it may be independent of such a shared support structure 2, as shown in Figure 10.

[0062] Preferably, the assembly station 1 comprises means 30 for tensioning the aforesaid at least one cable 20. In this way, an adequate support for the slats is ensured, preventing that over time the cable 20 becomes collapsed due to the weight and the sliding action of the slats on the cable itself or else due to the relative sliding between the cable and the stacking units during the operating life of the assembly station.

[0063] In particular, the tightening means 30 may consist of elastic means, axially aligned with a linear section of the cable 20. Preferably, the tightening means 30 are arranged at one of the aforesaid two opposite anchoring structures 31, 32.

[0064] The cable 20 may be made of any material that allows the cable to bend without being subjected to macroscopic extensions in length. This is functional to allow the cable to follow a non-linear path and at the same time to maintain a tension applied to the ends.

[0065] Preferably, the cable 20 is made of vulcanized/cross-linked thermoplastic polyurethane (TPV). Alternatively, the cable 20 may be made of steel, preferably in strands.

[0066] Preferably, as shown in the accompanying figures, the assembly station 1 comprises a single cable 20.

[0067] Alternatively, it is possible to provide for the presence of a pair of cables 20, each of which follows its own path according to what is provided by the present invention and as previously described. In the sections arranged in the empty spaces between one stacking unit 10 and the other, the two cables are mutually spaced transversally with respect to the insertion axis X. The distance between the two cables is less than the width of the slat L.

[0068] The presence of two cables, instead of one, allows implementing a more stable support for the slat L during insertion, reducing the risk that the slat L rotates around the insertion axis X. However, this implies a higher construction complexity.

[0069] The invention allows several advantages to be achieved, some of them already described.

[0070] The assembly station of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders allows preventing the jamming of the slats during the insertion step without affecting the operation of the assembly station.

[0071] The assembly station 1 according to the invention is also simpler to manage than similar assembly stations of a known type.

[0072] Finally, the assembly station 1 according to the invention is simple and cost-effective to be implemented.

[0073] The invention thus conceived thus achieves the intended purposes.

[0074] Of course, it may take, in its practical embodiment, also shapes and configurations other than the above without departing from the present scope of protection.

[0075] Furthermore, all details may be replaced with technically equivalent elements and dimensions, shapes and materials used may be any according to the needs.

Claims

1. Assembly station of Venetian blinds with complete support ladders, comprising a plurality of stacking units (10) of the slats on complete support ladders, wherein said stacking units (10) are aligned with each other along an insertion axis (X) of the slats and are slidingly associated to a shared support structure (2) which extends parallel to said insertion axis (X), wherein each stacking unit (10) comprises:

- an insertion seat (11) of the slats (L), at which in use one slat (L) at a time is associated to a complete ladder;

- a device (12) for positioning a ladder transversally to said insertion axis (X) at said insertion seat (11),

- means for guiding (13) the slat towards said insertion seat (11), arranged upstream of said positioning device (12) of the ladder,

wherein the insertion seats (11) of said stacking units (10) jointly define a sliding lane (9) of the slat (L) along said insertion axis (X) inside the assembly station (1),
characterized in that it comprises at least one cable (20) passing through the assembly station (1) - in suspension relative to said shared support structure (2) - along a path which is superposed to said sliding lane (9) at the empty spaces (V) between one stacking unit (10) and another and which instead deviates from said sliding lane (9) at each stacking unit (10) so that said at least one cable (20) does not cross the relative positioning device (12) of the ladder, and in that said at least one cable (20) is placed near the inlet to each stacking unit (10) at a height such as to ensure the inlet of the slat in the aforesaid guide means (13) however without interfering with them, defining a support structure for the slat (L) in the empty spaces (V) between one stacking unit (10) and the other.

2. Station according to claim 1, wherein each of said stacking units (10) is slidingly associated to said at least one cable (20) to allow a relative movement between the cable (20) and each stacking unit (10).

3. Station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said path deviates from said sliding lane at each stacking unit (10) laterally going around at least the relative positioning device of the ladder with respect to said insertion axis (X).

4. Station according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one cable (20) extends between two opposite ends (1', 1") of said assembly station (1) and is guided along said path by means of a plurality of direction changing elements, wherein said direction changing elements are associated to said stacking units (10).

5. Station according to claim 4, wherein each of said direction changing elements (21, 22) consists of a pulley.

6. Station according to claim 4 or 5, wherein some of said direction changing elements (21) are arranged at the sliding lane (9) and wherein the direction changing elements (21) arranged at the sliding lane (9) are positioned below the sliding plane m of the slat (L) so as not to obstruct the movement of the latter.

7. Assembly station according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each stacking unit (10) comprises adjustable means (23) to position said cable (20) locally in height near said guide means (13).

8. Assembly station according to claim 7, wherein said cable positioning means (23) consist of an appendage adjustable in height.

9. Assembly station according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one cable (20) is made of vulcanized thermoplastic polyurethane.

10. Assembly station according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one cable (20) is attached at its two opposite ends (20', 20") to two opposite anchoring structures (31, 32), each of which is placed at one of the two opposite longitudinal ends (1', 1") of the assembly station (1).

11. Assembly station according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising means (30) for tensioning said at least one cable (20).

12. Assembly station according to claim 10 and 11, wherein said tightening means (30) are placed at one of said two opposite anchoring structures (31, 32).

13. Assembly station according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the shared support structure (2) to which said stacking units (10) are slidingly associated, consists of a bar, which extends parallel to said insertion axis (X).

14. Assembly station according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising motorised means for moving one or more of said stacking units (10) along said shared support structure (2) parallel to said insertion axis (X) .

Drawing