Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VENETIAN BLIND STRUCTURE, DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOW UNIT AND
METHOD OF ASSEMBLING THE VENETIAN BLIND STRUCTURE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a venetian blind
structure for a double glazed sealed window unit, and more
particularly to an alignment member for the driving shaft
of a venetian blind structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that a double glazed window is
very advantageous for its efficient thermal insulation.
This is a result of the two glass panels trapping an air
layer therebetween. Of course, it is necessary that the
double glazed window unit be thoroughly sealed, else said
unit would lose its particular insulating properties.
Venetian blinds are often used with window
structures for they can they can be positioned anywhere
between a first and a second position that respectively
allow most of the light to come through the window or block
most of it, venetian blinds being relatively aesthetic and
inexpensive.
It is known in the art to incorporate a venetian
blind structure into a double glazed window unit, the slats
of the venetian blind being positioned between the two
glass panels. The slats still allow an air layer to exist
between the glass panels, and therefore the window unit
does not lose its insulating properties, unless it is not
properly sealed. One of the main advantages with this
structure is that both slats and window form a single
integral structure, and consequently simplifies the
handling of the structure.
U.S. patent n°3,702,040 issued in 1972 to the
applicant Fernand ROY (hereafter the '040 patent) shows a
typical venetian blind structure for a double glazed sealed
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window unit. The window unit 1 comprises a peripheral
frame 3, 4 spacing the glass panels 2 in a parallel
relationship and a plurality of stud shafts 10, 11, axially
aligned in pairs, that are engaged by and support the slats
9 in a parallel fashion. On one side of the window unit,
inside the frame, the stud shafts have an enlarged diameter
19 and have outwardly protruding pins 20 that are inserted
into complementary openings 21 inside an elongated vertical
actuator bar 22. If actuator bar 22 is lifted or lowered,
it will rotate pins 20 which will cause the reciprocating
movement of stud shafts 10, 11 and slats 9. This will
allow the user to position slats 9 as desired, i.e.
anywhere between a closed overlapping position wherein the
venetian blind structure blocks most of the light and an
opened spaced position wherein the venetian blind structure
allows most of the light to pass through. An outer gear
wheel 42 allows an operator to lift or lower the actuator
bar, and thus to simultaneously pivot the slats at the
desired angle.
There are three main problems related to such
structures. The first problem is that the control
mechanism, e.g. wheel 42 in the X040 patent, is positioned
outside the window unit. It therefore requires space to
be installed around the window, e.g. a hole fitted in the
wall adjacent to the window for the casing of the wheel.
This is not desirable, since the conventional window
openings cannot be used without modifications to
accommodate such a window and venetian blind assembly,
complicating the installation of the assembly
significantly. The second problem is that, due to the
moving parts that link the control mechanism with the
actuating mechanism, it is difficult if not impossible to
perfectly seal the window unit. The double glazed window
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unit therefore loses a fraction of its efficiency because
of this leak in its insulation. The third problem is
related to the fact that it is very complicated to reach
the venetian blind structure once the window unit is sealed
and installed. However, the problem only comes up if it is
necessary to reach the venetian blind structure: some
parts, such as moving parts, are prone to breaking, and in
the known art, these moving parts are not installed very
securely. Indeed, the driving shaft, linking the power
means (the manually operated gear wheels 40 to 42 in the
'040 patent) to the actuating means (the actuator bar 22 in
the '040 patent), will be prone to loosen its engagement
with the actuating means since it is supported at its two
extremities by two moving parts, namely the power means and
the actuator means. If there is to be a problem with the
venetian blind structure, it becomes very expensive to
repair them.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the main object of this invention to
provide a venetian blind structure incorporated in a double
glazed sealed window unit, wherein the control mechanism is
located inside the frame of the window structure so as to
provide an integral unit of standard shape.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a venetian blind
structure for use in a double glazed window unit, said
window unit comprising:
a) two spaced-apart glass panels; and
b) a window frame spacing said glass panels,
comprising a number of peripheral elongated channel members
and an equal number of corner members, the latter being
adapted and correctly dimensioned to engage said peripheral
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channel members in an anchoring fashion, each corner member
linking two channel members, so as to close said window
frame on all sides between said glass panels;
said window unit defining an inner chamber between said
glass panels and inside said window frame, said venetian
blind structure being positioned inside said inner chamber
and comprising:
a) a plurality of parallel and pivotable slat
members;
b) reversible power means having a driving shaft
parallel to and near one of said window frame peripheral
channel members;
c) actuating means linking said power means driving
shaft to said slat members, causing a reversible pivoting
movement of said slat members upon powering of said power
means; and
d) an alignment member for correctly and securely
positioning said power means driving shaft relative to said
actuating means, said alignment member being anchored to
2o said actuating means.
Preferably, said venetian blind structure further
comprises an elongated support channel member being
spacedly positioned in a generally parallel fashion near
one of said window frame peripheral channel members, said
power means resting on said support channel member and said
alignment member being anchored thereto.
Alternately, the invention relates to the
combination of a venetian blind structure and a double
glazed window unit, said window unit comprising:
a) two spaced-apart glass panels; and
b) a window frame spacing said glass panels,
comprising a number of peripheral elongated channel members
and an equal number of corner members, the latter being
adapted and correctly dimensioned to engage said peripheral
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channel members in an anchoring fashion, each corner member
linking two channel members, so as to close said window
frame on all sides between said glass panels;
wherein said window unit defines an inner chamber between
5 said glass panels and inside said window frame, said
venetian blind structure being positioned inside said inner
chamber and comprising:
a) a plurality of parallel and pivotable slat
members;
b) reversible power means having a driving shaft
parallel to and near one of said window frame peripheral
channel members;
c) actuating means linking said power means driving
shaft to said slat members, causing a reversible pivoting
movement of said slat members upon powering of said power
means; and
d) an alignment member for correctly and securely
positioning said power means driving shaft relative to said
actuating means, said alignment member being anchored to
said support channel member.
Advantageously, the combination further comprises
an elongated support channel member being spacedly
positioned in a generally parallel fashion near one of said
window frame peripheral channel members, said power means
resting on said support channel member and said alignment
member being anchored thereto.
Preferably, said support channel member defines
a female end engageable by said alignment member.
Advantageously, said venetian blind structure
comprises an alignment sleeve and said alignment member
defines a first and a second leg and a bore through said
second leg, said female end of said support channel member
being engaged by said alignment member first leg, said
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second leg abutting against said actuating means, being
fixedly anchored thereto and being fixedly engaged by said
alignment sleeve through said bore, said power means
driving shaft being axially inserted in said alignment
sleeve to be supported and correctly aligned therein and to
axially rotate freely therein.
Advantageously, each of said slats defines a
pivoting axis, two extremities and at least one integral
pivot shaft coaxial to its pivoting axis and positioned at
IO one extremity of said slat, said actuating means comprising
at least one rail member fixedly anchored to said window
frame and a corresponding actuator bar movable in a linear
displacement along said rail member, said actuator bar
having a plurality of spaced transverse openings engaged by
said slat member pivot shafts and comprising carrying means
for imparting a simultaneous pivoting movement to said
pivot shafts when said actuator bar moves in said linear
displacement, said alignment member second leg abutting
against said rail member without hindering the linear
movement of said actuator bar, said driving shaft imparting
with its rotation a linear displacement to said actuator
bar.
Preferably, said alignment member is L-shaped,
said first leg and said second leg thus being perpendicular
to one another.
Advantageously, said venetian blind structure
comprises a blocking collar axially and fixedly engaging
said power means driving shaft and slidably abutting
against said alignment sleeve for securing the latter
against said alignment member second leg.
Preferably, said venetian blind structure
comprises a blocking collar axially and fixedly engaging
said power means driving shaft and slidably abutting
against said alignment sleeve for securing the latter
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against said alignment member second leg.
Advantageously, said peripheral channel members
and said support channel member have a similar and constant
cross-section.
Alternately, the invention relates to a method of
assembling a venetian blind structure inside a double
glazed window unit, said window unit of the type comprising
two glass panels, a number of peripheral elongated channel
members and an equal number of corner members, said
venetian blind structure comprising a plurality of slat
members having pivot shafts, an elongated support channel
member, a driving shaft, power means, actuating means, an
al ignment member def fining a f first and a second leg and a
bore through said second leg, and an alignment sleeve, said
method comprising the following steps:
a) attaching said actuating means along at least one
of said peripheral channel members;
b) pivotally engaging said actuating means with said
slat member pivot shafts;
c) abutting said second leg of said alignment member
against said actuating means and fixing it thereto;
d) engaging said driving shaft in said actuating
means, through said bore of said alignment member second
leg;
e) axially engaging said alignment sleeve around said
driving shaft;
f) fixing said alignment sleeve in said alignment
member second leg bore, thus axially positioning said
driving shaft relative to said alignment member and said
actuating means;
g) engaging said alignment member first leg in said
support channel member and fixing it thereto;
h) connecting said power means to said driving shaft;
and
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i) fixing said power means to said support channel
member.
Preferably, said venetian blind structure
comprises a blocking collar, said method further comprising
the following step between steps f) and g): engaging said
blocking collar around said driving shaft, abutting it
against said alignment sleeve and securely fixing it to
said driving shaft.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the annexed drawings:
Figure 1 is an elevation of a double glazed
sealed window unit with a venetian blind structure
according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an elevation, at an enlarged scale,
of the area circumscribed in line 2 of figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 3-3 of figure 2;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 4-4 of figure 2;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 5-5 of figure 2;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of two slat
members, showing their common pivoting relationship;
Figure 7 is an exploded view of the frame
structure of the double glazed sealed window unit; and
Figure 8 is a partial exploded perspective view,
at an enlarged scale, of the actuator bar and idle wheels
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows a double glazed window unit l0 in
which is incorporated a venetian blind structure 12.
Window unit 10 comprises two spaced-apart glass
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panels 14, 16 (figures 3 and 4) and a rectangular window
frame 18 (figures 1 and 7). Figures 1 and 7 show that
window frame 18 comprises four elongated peripheral channel
members 20 (20a to 20d) linked in an alternate fashion by
means of four L-shaped corner members 22 that slidingly
engage the inner channels 24 of peripheral channel members
20. Corner members 22 each define a pair of legs 26
integrally attached to an abutment plate 28 being wider
than legs 26. It is thus the male legs 26 that engage the
female inner channels 24 of channel members 20, the latter
abutting on abutment plate 28 to provide a continuous,
closed window frame 18. Frame 18 spaces glass panels 14,
16 which are fixed onto it, as is known in the art, in a
parallel fashion. An inner chamber is thus defined by the
area marked by window frame 18 and glass panels 14, 16.
Figure 3 shows that the cross-section of each
peripheral channel member has a pair of longitudinal
outwardly-extending webs 30, each defining an upwardly-
extending flange 32 and a downwardly-extending and
inwardly-oriented lip 34. Upward flange 32 is
longitudinally grooved on its inner surface 36, as is
peripheral channel member 20 on both its outer narrow sides
at 38, the grooved surfaces 36, 38 thus facing each other.
Figure 1 shows that venetian blind structure 12
is located inside the inner chamber of window unit 10 and
comprises a plurality of known louver members or slat
members 40 which are equally spaced and horizontally
disposed. As shown in figure 6, slat members 40 can pivot
from a first generally vertical position (shown in full
lines) in which they slightly overlap one another so as to
form a generally uniform vertical surface that may block
almost completely the light streaming through the window,
to a second generally horizontal position (shown in phantom
lines) that will let the light pass almost completely
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through window unit 10. Each slat member 40 preferably
defines small edgewise inter-connectable abutment members
42 at their top and bottom edges that can each hook
themselves with the abutment member 42 of the upwardly and
5 downwardly adjacent slat members 40 for a better
overlapping relation of slat members 40. Each slat member
40 defines a first and a second extremity and has at least
one pivot shaft (not shown) at its first extremity coaxial
with its pivoting axis; in the case of horizontal slat
10 members, such as is illustrated in figures 1 to 8, slat
members 40 also has a second pivot shaft at its second
extremity, axially aligned with the first pivot shaft.
Figure 3 shows that venetian blind structure 12
further comprises a channel member 44 that is similar, if
not almost identical, to peripheral channel members 20.
Indeed, the cross-section of support channel member 44
defines a pair of longitudinal outwardly-extending webs 46,
each having upwardly-extending flanges 48, grooved at their
inner surfaces 50 to face the grooved outer narrow sides 52
of support channel member 44, and a downwardly-extending
and inwardly-oriented lip 54. An inner channel 56 is
located inside support channel member 44. The reason for
these identical cross-sections is that both support channel
member 44 and peripheral channel members 20 are made
exactly the same way, but each are cut at a possibly
different desired length. This allows to cut manufacturing
costs significantly, since there does not have to be two
different designs but only one, for two different parts of
the window unit and venetian blind assembly.
Support channel member 44 spans the whole width
of the inner chamber of window unit 10 and it is spacedly
positioned in a parallel fashion near the upper peripheral
channel member 20a of window frame 18. An elongated strip
57 , as shown in f figure 3 , has a snap f it with 1 ips 54 of
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support channel member 44, a short, elongated, central
downwardly extending flange 59 depending therefrom. The
topmost slat member 4o will abut on and slightly overlap
flange 59.
Figures 1 to 5 and 7, 8 show that venetian blind
structure 12 finally comprises power means 58, actuating
means 60 and alignment means 62.
Power means 58 is preferably a small reversible
electrical motor 63, connected to an electrical source (not
shown) by a feeder cable 64. Power means 58 can be
activated by means of a remote control or a switch.
Power means 58 further includes a small output
shaft 66 powered by electrical motor 63. Shaft 66 is
inserted into the complementary coaxial bore 68 at the
first end 70a of a driving shaft 7o and steadfastly fixed
thereto with a pair of set screws 72, 72 so that shafts 66,
70 share the same rotation movement imparted by motor 63.
Driving shaft 70 defines a second end 70b opposite first
end 70a.
Motor 63 is mounted on a support 74 that rests on
support channel member 44 and is fixed thereto by means of
bolts 76, steadfastly holding motor 63 over support channel
member 44.
Actuating means 60 comprises a known system
described in the '040 patent in the background of the
invention. One rail member 78a, 78b (figure 7) is fixedly
attached to each of the side peripheral channel members
20c, 20d. Indeed, rail members 78a, 78b define outward
flanges 79 (figure 4) that are adapted to engage lips 34 in
a snap fit relationship. Rail members 78a, 78b span the
whole height of the inner chamber of window unit 10 and
have a shoulder 80a, 80b (figure 7) for support channel
member 44 to rest upon, the latter thus being supported at
both its extremities.
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Each rail member 78a, 78b, e.g. rail member 78a
seen in figures 4 and 5, has a pair of rails 82 which
define a plane surface 83 to be tangentially engaged by a
plurality of idle wheels 84.
Actuating means 60 also comprises an actuator bar
88 positioned in one rail member, namely rail member 78a,
movable between rails 82, being almost as long as rail
member 78a and being positioned between peripheral channel
member 20d and a cover plate 89 (figure 3). Actuator bar
88 has a plurality of spaced edgewise openings 90 on both
of its edges (figure 8), openings 90 being correctly
dimensioned and adapted to receive radial grooves 91 cut in
idle wheels 84, the thickness of actuator bar 88 being
equal or slightly smaller than the width of radial groove
91 so as to trap actuator bar 88 in grooves 91 of idle
wheels 84.
In use, idle wheels 84 are positioned between
rails 82 and actuator bar 88, which they engage in a
rolling relationship, and can guide the movement of
actuator bar 88 along rail member 78a in an upward or
downward linear displacement.
Figures 5 and 8 show that actuator bar 88 has a
plurality of equally spaced, transverse openings 92 in its
intermediate portion. one such transverse opening 92
corresponds to each slat member 40. Carrying means link
openings 92 to slat members 40, for imparting a pivoting
movement to slat members 40 when actuator bar accomplishes
a linear displacement. The carrying means can be, as shown
in figure 5, an integral toothed rack 94 cut inside each
opening 92 to be engaged by a complementary toothed wheel
96 integrally and coaxially fixed to said first pivot shaft
of a corresponding slat member 40. Thus, when actuator bar
88 accomplishes a linear displacement, rack 94 imparts a
rotation movement to wheel 96 and consequently pivots slat
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members 40. The length of opening 92 (and of rack 94) is
correctly dimensioned to allow the slat members to pivot
from their first vertical position to their second
horizontal position. Slat members 40 are also sustained at
their second extremity by their second pivot shaft, which
pivotally engages a support member (not shown) in rail
member 78b.
Actuator bar 88 further comprises a widthwise,
transverse groove 98 (figure 5) at its upper end.
As shown in figures 3 and 4, alignment means 62
comprises an alignment member 100, an alignment sleeve 102
and a blocking collar 104.
Alignment member 100 is a generally flat, L
shaped plate having a first and a second leg 106 and 108
(figure 7). Male first leg 106 is correctly dimensioned to
engage channel 56 at the female end 110 of support channel
member 44 and be secured thereto by means of bolts 76 that
hold motor support 74 by passing through the upper surface
of channel member 44 and first leg 106. Second leg 108 is
fixedly anchored to rail member 78a (e. g. with bolts 111)
and is bored and threaded in its bore to be threadingly
engaged by alignment sleeve 102. Driving shaft 70 axially
engages, near its second end 70b, alignment sleeve 102 and
can freely rotate therein, though little or no radial
displacement is possible. Driving shaft 70 defines a
radial flange 112 at its second end lob which abuts against
a corresponding shoulder 114 on alignment sleeve 102
(figure 4). Blocking collar 104 axially abuts against
alignment sleeve 102 and is secured thereon by means of a
set screw 116, for preventing alignment sleeve 102 from
unscrewing itself from alignment member 100.
The end of driving shaft 70 opposite motor 63 is
flat and has a small eccentric rotatable stud 118
protruding therefrom. Stud 118 engages groove 98 of
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actuator bar 88.
Driving shaft 70 will thus be supported securely
by alignment means 62 since the latter does not move and
offers a steady support. Alignment member 100 and
alignment sleeve 102 prevent any radial displacement of
driving shaft 70, while the abutment of collar 104 on
alignment sleeve 102 and the abutment of radial flange 112
on shoulder 114 will prevent any axial displacement of
driving shaft 70. Therefore, driving shaft 70 will not be
allowed to move in any direction, except for an axial
rotation. Since actuator bar 88 is also prevented from any
undesired movement by being guided in rail member 78a, the
moving parts of venetian blind structure 12 will likely not
diverge from the field of positions they were intended to
take.
It is an important advantage of this invention
that alignment means 62 prevent driving shaft 70 from
radially moving. It is very important that shaft 70 always
stay aligned, for once window unit 10 is sealed and
embedded into a wall, then repairing a faulty venetian
blind structure can become a very tedious and expensive
job. Therefore, to align properly the different moving
parts is very important, since these are the parts that are
more prone to breaking. This is why driving shaft 70 is
aligned through the instrumentality of alignment means 62
which are relatively resistant and precise.
Of course, the fit between alignment sleeve 102
and driving shaft 70 will probably not be perfect, i.e.
there will be a small radial play between the two, but
since shaft 70 is not destined to have a high rotation
speed nor to be submitted to torques of important values,
this play will not significantly hamper the movement of
shaft 70.
In use, when motor 63 is powered, driving shaft
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70 rotates through the instrumentality of output shaft 66
and stud 118 rotates around the rotation axis of driving
shaft 70. Stud 118 can freely roll or slide sideways in
groove 98 while its upward or downward movement will impart
5 a same displacement to actuator bar 88. Thus, when driving
shaft 70 rotates, actuator bar 88 moves upwards or
downwards and consequently pivots slat members 40.
Since there are no moving parts other than those
inside the inner chamber of window unit 10, the window can
10 be completely sealed. A proper sealing material 120
(figures 3 to 5) is used all around window unit 10, as is
known in the art, being installed over the peripheral
channel members 20. It is embedded between the teeth 36
and 38 of upward flange 32 and the narrow side of
15 peripheral channel members 20, so that, once it is dry, it
will be held in place by said teeth, sealing window unit 10
in an air-tight fashion.
To assemble venetian blind structure 12 inside
window unit 10, a precise order must be followed step by
step. The assembling of the venetian blind structure must
be done while the window unit is not yet assembled itself.
The method generally comprises the following steps:
a) attaching the actuating means along at least one
peripheral channel member;
b) pivotally engaging the actuating means with slat
member pivot shafts;
c) abutting the second leg of the alignment member
against the actuating means and fixing it thereto;
d) engaging the driving shaft in the actuating means,
through the bore of the alignment member second leg;
e) axially engaging the alignment sleeve around the
driving shaft;
f) fixing the alignment sleeve in the alignment
member second leg bore, thus axially positioning the
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driving shaft relative to the alignment member and the
actuating means;
g) engaging the alignment member first leg in the
support channel member and fixing it thereto;
h) connecting the power means to the driving shaft;
and
l) fixing the power means to the support channel
member.
Preferably, the following step is inserted
l0 between steps f) and g): engaging said blocking collar
around said driving shaft, abutting it against said
alignment sleeve and securely fixing it to said driving
shaft.
It is understood that, although a conventional
rectangular window unit has been disclosed in the present
invention, any other shape may be suitable. For example,
an hexagonal window unit could be used, the window frame
then comprising six peripheral channel members and a like
number of corner members, which will not be L-shaped but
will form an obtuse angle. There would have to be two
actuator bars linked to one another, one carrying the other
under the movement of the driving shaft, and the radius of
the toothed wheel or the pitch of the toothed wheel and
rack would have to be modified on the carried actuator bar
to compensate the displacement difference resulting from
the angle between the two actuator bars.
Also, it would be possible to provide non
parallel window panels, by providing the desired angle to
the sides of the channel members where the panels are
fixed.
Moreover, within the scope of the invention,
vertical slat members could be provided, only a single
support shaft at their upper end then being necessary since
the slat members would keep their vertical position by
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means of their own weight bearing them down. The actuator
bar would of course be horizontal, at the top of the inner
chamber of window unit 10.
It is also understood that the actuating means
could be of another type than that of the character
described. For example, it could be a long actuator rod
instead of the actuator bar, and small metal rods
eccentrically linked to the actuator rod instead of the
rack and gear assembly.
