Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
124~ So
The present invention relates to a decorative insert
suitable for use with vertical blinds.
Vertical blinds commonly comprise a series of vertical
louvers suspended from a track. The louvers are usually no-
taxable relative to the track from a closed position where the louvers partially overlap one adjacent louver to an open post-
lion where the louvers are spaced apart from each other. The
louvers are usually curved slightly.
It is known to provide each of the louvers with a
transparent channel which runs axons the vertical side edges
of the louvers. A decorative insert can be inserted between
the channels to cover the louvers. Presently, these inserts
are of wallpaper or fabric. The problem associated with the
state of the art insert is that it does not provide a continue
out undistorted pattern across the blind when the blind is in the closed position. In the closed position, the pattern of
the wallpaper overlaps so that it is practically impossible to
have the wallpaper pattern match across the blind.
United States Patent 2,074,482 issued March 23, 1937
to Martens discloses a horizontal blind that provides a con-
tenuous design over the blind when in its closed position.
This patent, however, teaches that the portion of the horizon-
tat blind slat which is overlapped, is not provided with a de-
sign but remains naked. This may not pose a problem for horn-
zontal blinds, since the curvature of horizontal blinds causes the naked portion to be at the rear part of each blind slat
hidden from view when the horizontal blind is open.
It should be understood that the teaching ox this
patent is not believed to be in use in the horizontal blind
art and may never have been used in practice. Further, it is
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not believed that the teaching of this patent would be used in
the vertical blind art. The problem associated with the
teachings of this patent in the vertical blind art is that the
naked portion would be readily visible on each blind louver
when the blind was open. The visual effect of this feature
would not be pleasing to the eye thereby defeating the decor-
live purpose of the blind.
Accordingly, the present state of the art in vertical
blinds does not provide for the use ox a continuous undistort-
Ed pattern across the blind slats when in the closed position Further it should be remembered that these inserts are only
of wallpaper or fabric type patterns such that the distortion
of the unmatched patterns in the blind when in the closed posy
it ion is not a major flaw that defeats the purpose of the
decorative blind.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a vertical blind with a design such that the blind ox-
habits the design continuously there across when in the closed
position and yet remains anesthetically appealing when in its
open position.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention
there is provided a vertical blind comprising a plurality of
vertically elongate louvers suspended from a track. The lout-
ens are rotatable from an open position where the louvers are
spaced apart from each other to a closed position where the
louvers are positioned in an overlapping side by side arrange-
mint. Each of the louvers is adapted to carry a design sex-
mint including a visual design component portion and an ox-
strutted portion which together are not readily visually disk
tinguishable from each other and provide a continuous appear-
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1~6~'~57
ante across each louver width when the louvers are viewed in the open position. The obstructed portion and the visual
design component portion are vertically divisible from one an-
other when the louvers are in the closed position. The visual
design component portions of the louvers collectively provide
a continuous, undistorted design and the obstructed portions
are hidden from view by adjacent louvers overlapping same when
that louvers are in the closed position.
By having each design segment comprise a visual design
I component portion and an obstructed portion as described the
present invention permits for a design to be seen across the
vertical blinds without distortion while in the closed post-
lion and permits for the louvers to have a continuous appeal-
in appearance when viewed in the open position.
It should be understood that the obstructed portions
may comprise a continuation of colors or design scheme of the
visual design component portion to provide the continuous of-
foot. Alternatively it is contemplated that the obstructed
portion may comprise a portion of the visual design component
of the adjacent louver that overlaps the obstructed portion
whereby the obstructed portion is redundant. In each of these
instances, the blind may include transparent side channels
into which inserts bearing the design segments can be in-
sorted.
In accordance with another aspect of the present in
mention there is provided a plurality of inserts for use with
a vertical blind comprising a plurality of vertically elongate
louvers capable of rotating from an open position where the
louvers are spaced apart from each other to a closed position
where the louvers are positioned in an overlapping side by
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57
side arrangement. Each of said inserts includes a visual
design component portion and an obstructed portion which to-
getter are jot readily visually distinguishable from each
other and provide a continuous appearance across the width of
the insert. The obstructed portion and visual design combo-
next portion are vertically divisible from one another when
said inserts are arranged to overlap one another when said
louvers are in the closed position. The visual design combo-
next portions of each of the inserts collectively provide a
continuous, undistorted design. The obstructed portion is
hidden from vie by the visual design component portion of the
insert adjacent thereto.
It should be understood that reference throughout the
specification and claims is made to a continuous, undistorted
design. This refers to the design that will be displayed
across the louvers of the blind while in the closed position.
It should be understood that not all louvers of the blind,
particularly the ones at the sides of the blind, may necessary
fly have to include an insert or a design segment. Reference
20 it made herein to the term design segment. It should be
understood that this is that portion of the design plus the
obstructed portion which is reproduced on each louver. The
louvers may, when in the closed position, provide a poster of-
foot of fictitious and/or living characters so as to aesthetic
2 5 gaily decorate a room. It has not been possible to do this with a vertical blind of the past and no blind is believed to
be presently available in the market with a continuous undies-
lofted pattern at the writing of this application.
For a better understanding of the nature and objects
of the present invention, reference may be had by way of
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example to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a vertical
blind shown in its closed position;
Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of a portion
of the vertical blind of Figure l; and
Figures 3 and 4 are detailed perspective views of two
blind slats shown in the open position.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a Verdi-
gaily blind generally at 10 including a tract 12 having sup-
penned therefrom a plurality ox vertically elongate lovers. Each of the louvers 14 is provided with transparent side
edge channels 16 into which inserts 18 may be inserted. The
inserts 18 collectively provide a continuous undistorted de-
sign across the blind when the blind is in its close position
(Figures 1 and 2).
Referring to Figures 1 to 4, each insert 18 is provide
Ed with a design component which comprises a visible design
component portion 20, and an obstructed portion 22 (Figures 3
and 43. As is apparent from figures 3 and 4, these portions
20, 22 are not readily distinguishable from each other when
the inserts are not overlapping one another when the blind is
open. Ghost line 25 is provided to show the vertical distinct
lion between portions 20 and 22.
The inserts may be inserted in through the bottom end
of the louvers along the channels. It should be understood
that any suitable means for carrying the inserts may fall
within the scope of the invention.
Figures 3 and 4 differ from each other in respect of
the obstructed portions 22. In Figure 3 the obstructed port
lion provides a uniform appearance across the open louver 14
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but is not part of the overall design. While a simple design
has been shown, i-t should be understood that if the design was
a poster of an individual, for example, the obstructed portion
might well be a color match or fade of the same colors in
the visual portion. In Figure 4, the obstructed portion 22 is
a design similar to that design portion of the insert immedi-
lately to its right. Accordingly, the obstructed portion in
this instance could be said to be redundant.
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