Blind connecting device and blind connecting structure

Abstract

To provide a simpler blind connecting device that can easily connects multiple blinds.SOLUTION: A blind connecting device 1 connects a first bar member 6 connected to the lower end of a shielding material of a first blind, and a second bar member 15 connected to the lower end of a shielding material of a second blind attached to the first blind. The blind connecting device 1 includes a first connecting member 16 attached to one longitudinal end of the first bar member 6, and a second connecting member 17 connectable to the first connecting member 16 and attached to the second bar member 15. The first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17 are, when they are connected to each other, connect the first bar member 6 and the second bar member 15 for simultaneous vertical movement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blind connecting device and a blind connecting structure capable of simultaneously opening and closing two connected blinds.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses, as a connecting structure for a roll screen which is a type of blind, providing a lifting mechanism including a loop-shaped operating member in any one of a plurality of roll screens to be connected, and providing an interlocking mechanism for transmitting the operation of the lifting mechanism between the roll screens. The interlocking mechanism is configured to be provided not only between roll screens connected linearly but also between roll screens connected at an angle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the conventional connecting structure, it is possible to connect roll screens connected linearly or roll screens connected at an angle so that they can be operated simultaneously. However, since the conventional connecting structure includes an interlocking mechanism composed of a plurality of gears, there are problems that the structure of the device becomes complicated and the construction is not easy.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a blind connecting device and a blind connecting structure capable of easily connecting connected blinds with a simpler structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The inventor considered that the above problems could be solved by making the lower ends of the screen parts of a plurality of blinds to be connected in series connectable to each other, and based on this, the inventor has invented the following new blind connecting device and blind connecting structure.

[0007] (1) The blind connecting device according to the present invention is a blind connecting device that connects a first bar member connected to the lower end of a shielding material of a first blind and a second bar member connected to the lower end of a shielding material of a second blind connected in series to the first blind, and includes a first connecting member attached to one longitudinal end of the first bar member, and a second connecting member that is connectable to the first connecting member and is attached to the second bar member. The first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected to each other to connect the first bar member and the second bar member so that they can be lifted and lowered simultaneously.

[0008] (2) In the above (1), the first blind and the second blind are connected in series at a predetermined angle, and it is preferable that the first connecting member and the second connecting member are configured to be connectable to each other at the predetermined angle.

[0009] (3) In the above (2), among the first connecting member and the second connecting member, at least one of the connecting members is provided with a convex portion, and at least the other connecting member is provided with a concave portion, and it is preferable that the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted to connect the first connecting member and the second connecting member at the predetermined angle.

[0010] (4) In the above (3), it is preferable that the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted in a non-detachable connection state by rotating the connecting member provided with the convex portion around the axis of the convex portion with the convex portion inserted into the concave portion so that the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected.

[0011] (5) In any one of (1) to (4) above, among the first bar member and the second bar member, at least the first bar member has a bar main body portion and a bar end portion provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the bar main body portion and having a larger diameter than the bar main body portion. Among the first connecting member and the second connecting member, at least the first connecting member has a cylindrical bar holding portion. The bar holding portion has a main body holding piece for holding the bar main body portion and an end holding piece for holding the bar end portion and having an inner diameter larger than that of the main body holding piece. The axial length of the end holding piece is preferably larger than the axial length of the bar end portion.

[0012] (6) In (2) above, it is preferable that the second connecting member is attached to the second bar member so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the second bar member.

[0013] (7) The blind connection structure according to the present invention connects the first bar member and the second bar member by the blind connection device according to any one of (1) to (6) above.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] The present invention has a configuration capable of connecting the lower ends of the screen portions of a plurality of blinds to be connected. Therefore, it is possible to provide a blind connection device and a blind connection structure that can easily connect the connected blinds to each other with a simpler structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 13

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the blind connecting device 1 of Embodiment 1 connects two blinds 2 and 3 to be connected. Among the two blinds 2 and 3 to be connected, one first blind 2 is, for example, a roll screen and is installed in an opening such as a window frame of a building. The first blind 2 is installed indoors partitioned by window glass or the like with respect to the outside of the building. When the first blind 2 is a roll screen, the first blind 2 has a conventionally known configuration. Typically, the first blind 2 has a set frame 4 as a support member, a shielding material 5 that shields an opening such as a window, a first bar member 6 connected to the lower end of the shielding material 5, and an operating member 7 capable of opening and closing the shielding material 5. In FIG. 1, in the state where the first blind 2 is installed, the longitudinal direction of the set frame 4 is the left - right direction, the direction perpendicular to the left - right and up - down directions is the front - rear direction. Also, regarding the front - rear direction, the indoor side is the front and the outdoor side is the rear.

[0018] The set frame 4 is fixed along the left - right direction to the upper surface of the opening using a pair of brackets (not shown). A pair of side plates 8, 8 are fixed to both left and right ends of the set frame 4. A winding pipe 9 is provided so as to span between the pair of left - right side plates 8, 8. The pair of left - right side plates 8, 8 rotatably support the winding pipe 9 around its axis.

[0019] The shielding material 5 is a screen, and is provided so as to be windable and unwindable around a winding pipe 9. The upper end of the shielding material 5 is connected to the winding pipe 9, and the lower end thereof hangs down from the winding pipe 9. By rotating the winding pipe 9 in one direction, the shielding material 5 can be wound around the winding pipe 9, and by rotating the winding pipe 9 in the other direction, the shielding material 5 can be unwound from the winding pipe 9. By raising and lowering the shielding material 5 in this way, the opening can be opened and closed.

[0020] The first bar member 6 is a weight bar provided at the lower end of the shielding material 5 which is a screen. In Embodiment 1, the first bar member 6 has a bar main body portion 10 and a pair of left and right bar end portions 11, 11. The bar main body portion 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape that opens in the left - right direction. The pair of left and right bar end portions 11, 11 are caps that close the left and right openings of the bar main body portion 10.

[0021] Of the pair of left and right bar end portions 11, 11, one bar end portion 11 located on the left side has an insertion portion (not shown) inserted into the bar main body portion 10 and a plate - shaped closing portion 12 that closes the opening of the bar main body portion 10. The closing portion 12 has a disk - shaped form with a larger diameter than the bar main body portion 10 of the first bar member 6 so as to be able to close the opening of the bar main body portion 10. Because of such a configuration, the insertion portion is inserted into the bar main body portion 10 until the right - hand plate surface of the closing portion 12 contacts the left - hand end surface of the bar main body portion 10, so that the bar end portion 11 located on the left side is provided on the bar main body portion 10. The bar end portion 11 located on the left side is detachably attached to the bar main body portion 10. Of the pair of left and right bar end portions 11, 11, the other bar end portion 11 located on the right side has the same configuration as the bar end portion 11 located on the left side. That is, the bar end portion 11 located on the right side has an insertion portion and a disk - shaped closing portion 12 with a larger diameter than the bar main body portion 10, and the insertion portion is inserted into the bar main body portion 10 until the left - hand plate surface of the closing portion 12 contacts the right - hand end surface of the bar main body portion 10, so that it is detachably provided on the bar main body portion 10. In this way, of the pair of left and right bar end portions 11, 11, one bar end portion 11 is provided at one longitudinal end of the bar main body portion 10, and the other bar end portion 11 is provided at the other longitudinal end of the bar main body portion 10.

[0022] The operating member 7 is provided on the first bar member 6 via a holder (not shown). The operating member 7 has a pull cord 13 hanging down from the holder and a grip 14 provided at the lower end of the pull cord 13.

[0023] For the first blind 2 configured as described above, by pulling the grip 14 downward, the winding pipe 9 can be rotated to unwind the shielding material 5 from the winding pipe 9. Then, when the hand is released from the grip 14 at an arbitrary position, the shielding material 5 is held in the pulled-out state by a stopper mechanism (not shown). When the hand is released after pulling the grip 14 downward while the shielding material 5 is in the pulled-out state, the lock by the stopper mechanism is released, and the winding pipe 9 rotates in the opposite direction to before by the biasing force of a winding spring (not shown). As a result, the shielding material 5 is wound around the winding pipe 9.

[0024] Among the two blinds 2 and 3 to be connected in series, the other second blind 3 is, for example, a roll screen and has the same configuration as the first blind 2. Specifically, the second blind 3 has a set frame 4 as a support member, a shielding material 5 for shielding an opening such as a window, a second bar member 15 connected to the lower end of the shielding material 5, and an operating member 7 capable of opening and closing the shielding material 5. The second bar member 15 has the same configuration as the first bar member 6 of the first blind 2. Specifically, the second bar member 15 has a substantially cylindrical bar main body portion 10 and a pair of bar end portions 11, 11 for closing the left and right openings of the bar main body portion 10. Each of the pair of bar end portions 11, 11 has an insertion portion (not shown) inserted into the bar main body portion 10 and a disk-shaped closing portion 12 having a larger diameter than the bar main body portion 10.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the first blind 2 and the second blind 3 are mounted in series at a 90° angle. In this case, for example, among the first blind 2 and the second blind 3, the first blind 2 is arranged to correspond to a window provided in one of the two wall portions constituting the corner of the building, and the second blind 3 is arranged to correspond to a window provided in the other of the two wall portions constituting the corner of the building. Note that the angle formed by the first blind 2 and the second blind 3 is not limited to 90°. The first blind 2 and the second blind 3 may be mounted in series at a predetermined angle.

[0026] The two blinds 2 and 3 mounted in series in this way are connected by the blind connecting device 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the blind connecting device 1 of Embodiment 1 connects a first bar member 6 connected to the lower end of the shielding material 5 of one of the two blinds 2 and 3 to be mounted in series, and a second bar member 15 connected to the lower end of the shielding material 5 of the other second blind 3 of the two blinds 2 and 3 to be mounted in series. The blind connecting device 1 includes a first connecting member 16 and a second connecting member 17.

[0027] The first connecting member 16 is attached to one longitudinal end of the first bar member 6. In the illustrated example, the first connecting member 16 is detachably provided at the left end of the first bar member 6. The first connecting member 16 has a bar holding portion 18 that holds the first bar member 6, a convex portion 19 provided on the bar holding portion 18, and a pair of attachment portions 20, 20 provided on the bar holding portion 18.

[0028] The bar holding portion 18 is cylindrical. Specifically, the bar holding portion 18 is cylindrical with an opening 21 that opens to one end side in the axial direction, and has a closing wall 22 that closes the opening at the other end side in the axial direction. The circumferential side wall 23 of the bar holding portion 18 is axially notched so as to be open in a part of the circumferential direction. Specifically, a part of the circumferential side wall 23 of the bar holding portion 18 is linearly opened along the axial direction so as to communicate the inside and outside of the bar holding portion 18. Thereby, an opening portion 24 that communicates the inside and outside is provided in the bar holding portion 18. The bar holding portion 18 has a main body holding piece 25 that holds the bar main body portion 10 and an end holding piece 26 that holds the bar end portion 11. The main body holding piece 25 is a part on one end side in the axial direction of the bar holding portion 18. That is, the main body holding piece 25 has the opening 21 of the bar holding portion 18 on one end side in the axial direction. The end holding piece 26 is a part on the other end side in the axial direction of the bar holding portion 18. That is, the closing wall 22 is located on the other end side in the axial direction of the end holding piece 26. The inner diameter of the end holding piece 26 is larger than the inner diameter of the main body holding piece 25. Therefore, a stepped portion 27 is provided between the end holding piece 26 and the main body holding piece 25.

[0029] The convex portion 19 is provided on the closing wall 22 of the bar holding portion 18. The convex portion 19 projects outward from the closing wall 22 along the axial direction of the bar holding portion 18. The outer shape of the convex portion 19 is cylindrical. A pair of ribs 28, 28 are provided at the tip of the convex portion 19. The pair of ribs 28, 28 face each other in the lateral direction and are located at positions facing each other in the radial direction of the convex portion 19. The pair of ribs 28, 28 project radially outward from the circumferential side wall of the convex portion 19. In the illustrated example, the pair of ribs 28, 28 are in the shape of a substantially rectangular block.

[0030] A pair of attachment portions 20, 20 are provided on the circumferential side wall 23 of the bar holding portion 18 so as to sandwich the opening portion 24. The outer shape of the pair of attachment portions 20, 20 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular block. The pair of attachment portions 20, 20 project outward from the circumferential side wall 23 of the bar holding portion 18. In the illustrated example, the pair of attachment portions 20, 20 have the same configuration. Therefore, here, one of the attachment portions 20 will be described.

[0031] On the tip surface of the attachment portion 20, a recess 29 is provided so as to be recessed inward. The longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the recess 29 is circular. An annular flange portion 30 is provided at the end portion on the opening side of the recess 29. The flange portion 30 extends radially inward from the end portion on the opening side of the recess 29. A pair of notch portions 31, 31 are provided on the flange portion 30. The pair of notch portions 31, 31 are substantially square-shaped. The pair of notch portions 31, 31 face each other in the vertical direction and are located at positions facing each other in the radial direction of the recess 29. The recess 29 is a stepped hole and has a large-diameter hole 32 located on the opening side of the recess 29 and a small-diameter hole 33 located on the bottom side of the recess 29. Therefore, a stepped portion 34 is provided between the large-diameter hole 32 and the small-diameter hole 33. An annular engagement groove 35 is formed by the stepped portion 34, the flange portion 30, and the large-diameter hole 32. A pair of sliding grooves 36, 36 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the small-diameter hole 33. The pair of sliding grooves 36, 36 extend along the axial direction of the recess 29 and open radially inward of the small-diameter hole 33. In the pair of sliding grooves 36, 36, the end portion located on the bottom side of the recess 29 is closed by the bottom of the recess 29. In the pair of sliding grooves 36, 36, the end portion opposite to the end portion located on the bottom side of the recess 29 opens to the opening side of the recess 29. Therefore, the pair of sliding grooves 36, 36 communicate with the large-diameter hole 32. The pair of sliding grooves 36, 36 are located at positions facing each other in the radial direction of the small-diameter hole 33. The pair of sliding grooves 36, 36 are displaced by 90° in the circumferential direction of the recess 29 with respect to the pair of notch portions 31, 31. In the illustrated example, the pair of sliding grooves 36, 36 are displaced by 90° in the circumferential direction of the recess 29 with respect to the pair of notch portions 31, 31. Since the other attachment portion 20 has the same configuration as the one attachment portion 20, it has the configuration described above for the one attachment portion 20.

[0032] The second connecting member 17 is attached to the second bar member 15. In the illustrated example, the second connecting member 17 is detachably provided at the end of the second bar member 15 on the side close to the first bar member 6 among both end portions in the longitudinal direction. The second connecting member 17 can be connected to the first connecting member 16. Therefore, in the illustrated example, since the second connecting member 17 has the same configuration as the first connecting member 16, it has the above-described configuration of the first connecting member 16. When the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17 have the same configuration, the number of parts in the blind connecting device 1 can be reduced. Thus, in Embodiment 1, the convex portion 19 and the concave portion 29 are provided on the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17.

[0033] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a method of attaching the blind connecting device 1 of Embodiment 1 to the blinds 2 and 3 will be described. Here, a case where the first connecting member 16 is connected to the second connecting member 17 will be described. When attaching the blind connecting device 1 of Embodiment 1 to the blinds 2 and 3, the second connecting member 17 may be connected to the first connecting member 16.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6(a), when connecting the first connecting member 16 to the second connecting member 17, first, the second connecting member 17 is attached to the second bar member 15. To attach the second connecting member 17 to the second bar member 15, the end portion of the second bar member 15 may be fitted into the bar holding portion 18 through the opening portion 24 of the bar holding portion 18 of the second connecting member 17. Thereby, the bar main body portion 10 of the second bar member 15 is held by the main body holding piece 25, and the bar end portion 11 of the second bar member 15 is accommodated in the end portion holding piece 26.

[0035] After the second connecting member 17 is attached to the second bar member 15, as shown in FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c), the first connecting member 16 is connected to the second connecting member 17. To connect the first connecting member 16 to the second connecting member 17, first, the convex portion 19 of the first connecting member 16 is inserted into one of the concave portions 29 of the second connecting member 17. At this time, the pair of ribs 28, 28 provided on the convex portion 19 are passed through the pair of notches 31, 31 provided in the concave portion 29. In a state where the convex portion 19 of the first connecting member 16 is inserted into one of the concave portions 29 of the second connecting member 17, the pair of attachment portions 20, 20 of the first connecting member 16 are along the vertical direction. In a state where the convex portion 19 of the first connecting member 16 is inserted into one of the concave portions 29 of the second connecting member 17, the pair of ribs 28, 28 are arranged in the engaging groove 35 and contacted with the stepped portion 34 of the concave portion 29 as the convex portion 19 is pushed toward the bottom of the concave portion 29. When the first connecting member 16 is rotated about the axis of the convex portion 19 in a state where the convex portion 19 is pushed toward the bottom of the concave portion 29, the pair of ribs 28, 28 rotate in the engaging groove 35 and are arranged at positions corresponding to the pair of sliding grooves 36, 36, so that the convex portion 19 is pushed into the small-diameter hole 33. When the convex portion 19 is pushed into the small-diameter hole 33, the pair of ribs 28, 28 move in the pair of sliding grooves 36, 36.

[0036] In this way, the first connecting member 16 is connected to the second connecting member 17. As a result, the first bar member 6 and the second bar member 15 are connected. When attempting to pull out the first connecting member 16 with respect to the second connecting member 17 in a state where the first connecting member 16 is connected to the second connecting member 17, since the pair of ribs 28, 28 of the convex portion 19 come into contact with the flange portion 30 of the concave portion 29, the first connecting member 16 does not come off from the second connecting member 17. To remove the first connecting member 16 from the second connecting member 17, an operation reverse to the operation of attaching the first connecting member 16 to the second connecting member 17 may be performed. After connecting the first connecting member 16 to the second connecting member 17, as shown in FIG. 6(d), the first connecting member 16 is attached to the first bar member 6. To attach the first connecting member 16 to the first bar member 6, the same work as in the case of attaching the second connecting member 17 to the second bar member 15 may be performed. That is, the end portion of the first bar member 6 may be fitted into the bar holding portion 18 through the opening portion 24 of the bar holding portion 18 of the first connecting member 16. As a result, the bar main body portion 10 of the first bar member 6 is held by the main body holding piece 25, and the bar end portion 11 of the first bar member 6 is accommodated in the end portion holding piece 26.

[0037] In the first embodiment, as described above, when the convex portion 19 and the concave portion 29 are fitted together, the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17 are connected to each other at a predetermined angle. Specifically, in the first embodiment, as described above, when the pair of ribs 28, 28 come into contact with the flange portion 30, it is possible to prevent the first connecting member 16 from coming off from the second connecting member 17. Therefore, the convex portion 19 and the concave portion 29 are fitted in a state where the convex portion 19 is inserted into the concave portion 29 in such a manner that the connecting state in which the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17 are connected is made non-detachable by rotating the first connecting member 16 provided with the convex portion 19 around the axis of the convex portion 19. In the first embodiment, since the convex portion 19 is provided on the closing wall 22 of the bar holding portion 18 of the first connecting member 16 and the concave portion 29 is provided on the mounting portion 20 provided on the peripheral side wall 23 of the bar holding portion 18 of the second connecting member 17, the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17 are configured to be connectable to each other at a predetermined angle.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 7, when two blinds 2 and 3 are connected by a blind connecting device 1, by operating the operating member 7 of the first blind 2 among the two blinds 2 and 3, the two blinds 2 and 3 can be opened and closed simultaneously. As shown in Fig. 7(a), by pulling the grip 14 of the first blind 2 downward, the winding pipe 9 of the first blind 2 and the winding pipe 9 of the second blind 3 are rotated simultaneously, and the shielding material 5 is unwound from the winding pipe 9 of the first blind 2 and the shielding material 5 is unwound from the winding pipe 9 of the second blind 3. Then, as shown in Fig. 7(b), when the hand is released from the grip 14 at an arbitrary position, the shielding materials 5 of both blinds 2 and 3 are held in the pulled-out state by a stopper mechanism (not shown). In the state where the shielding materials 5 of both blinds 2 and 3 are pulled out, when the grip 14 of the operating member 7 of the first blind 2 is pulled downward and the hand is released, the lock by the stopper mechanism is released, and by the biasing force of a winding spring (not shown), the winding pipe 9 of the first blind 2 and the winding pipe 9 of the second blind 3 rotate simultaneously in the opposite direction to before. As a result, both shielding materials 5, 5 are wound around the corresponding winding pipes 9 respectively. In this way, the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17 can be connected to each other so that the first bar member 6 and the second bar member 15 can be lifted and lowered simultaneously.

[0039] In the case of the blind connecting device 1 of Embodiment 1, the blind connecting device 1 includes a first connecting member 16 and a second connecting member 17. The blind connecting structure of Embodiment 1 connects the first bar member 6 and the second bar member 15 by the blind connecting device 1. Therefore, according to the blind connecting device 1 and the blind connecting structure of Embodiment 1, two connected blinds 2 and 3 can be easily connected with a simple structure. According to the blind connecting device 1 and the blind connecting structure of Embodiment 1, since it is configured to connect the bar members 6 and 15 of the two connected blinds 2 and 3, it is particularly advantageous when connecting a roll screen or the like that can be lifted and lowered by operating the bar members 6 and 15.

[0040] In the case of the blind connecting device 1 of the first embodiment, the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17 are connected to each other at a predetermined angle. Therefore, according to the blind connecting device 1 of the first embodiment, two blinds 2 and 3 connected to a corner window or the like can be connected with a simple structure.

[0041] In the case of the blind connecting device 1 of the first embodiment, when a pair of ribs 28, 28 come into contact with the flange portion 30, it is possible to prevent the first connecting member 16 from coming off the second connecting member 17. Therefore, according to the blind connecting device 1 of the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the connecting members 16 and 17 in the connected state from unintentionally coming off.

[0042] In the case of the blind connecting device 1 of the first embodiment, since the convex portion 19 and the concave portion 29 are fitted together, the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17 are connected. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5(b), a gap can be formed between the tip surface of the convex portion 19 and the bottom of the concave portion 29. Accordingly, the first connecting member 16 can move in the longitudinal direction of the first bar member 6 with respect to the second connecting member 17 in a state of being connected to the second connecting member 17. Thus, according to the blind connecting device 1 of the first embodiment, even if the winding diameter of the portion wound around the winding pipe 9 of the shielding material 5 changes as the shielding material 5 moves up and down, it is possible to cope with it. When the winding diameter changes, the distance between the bar members 6 and 15 and the window changes. In this case, if the first connecting member 16 can move with respect to the second connecting member 17, the position of the second bar member 15 can be adjusted. Therefore, the shielding material 5 can be raised from the lower limit position to near the upper limit position while maintaining the connected state of the two roll screens connected. Further, when a gap can be formed between the tip surface of the convex portion 19 and the bottom of the concave portion 29, the sway of the bar members 6 and 15 can be absorbed.

[0043] Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the blind connecting device 1 according to the modified example of the first embodiment will be described. Note that components having the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment may have the same functions, and thus the description may be omitted hereinafter.

[0044] In this modified example, the configuration of the bar holding portion 18 of the first connecting member 16 and the configuration of the bar holding portion 18 of the second connecting member 17 are different from those of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the axial length of the end holding piece 26 of the first connecting member 16 is larger than the axial length of the closed portion 12 of the bar end portion 11 of the first bar member 6. Since it is such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 9, the first bar member 6 can move in the longitudinal direction of the first bar member 6 with respect to the first connecting member 16 in a state where the first connecting member 16 is attached. At that time, by the bar end portion 11 coming into contact with the stepped portion 27, it is possible to prevent the first bar member 6 from unexpectedly coming off from the bar holding portion 18.

[0045] In this modified example, since the second connecting member 17 has the same configuration as the first connecting member 16, it has the above-described configuration of the first connecting member 16. Therefore, the second bar member 15 can move in the longitudinal direction of the second bar member 15 with respect to the second connecting member 17 in a state where the second connecting member 17 is attached.

[0046] In the case of the blind connecting device 1 of this modified example, since the axial length of the end holding piece 26 is larger than the axial length of the bar end portion 11, the first bar member 6 can be moved a predetermined distance in its longitudinal direction, and the second bar member 15 can be moved a predetermined distance in its longitudinal direction. Therefore, according to the blind connecting device 1 of this modified example, even when the two blinds 2 and 3 are connected in such an arrangement that the bar members 6 and 15 of the two blinds 2 and 3 are not aligned, the bar members 6 and 15 can be easily connected to each other.

[0047] In the case of the blind connecting device 1 of this modified example, as described above, the first bar member 6 and the second bar member 15 can be moved. Therefore, according to the blind connecting device 1 of this modified example, even if the winding diameter of the portion wound around the winding pipe 9 of the shielding material 5 changes as the shielding material 5 moves up and down, it is possible to cope with it. Specifically, the shielding material 5 can be raised from the lower limit position to near the upper limit position while maintaining the connected state of the two connected roll screens. Further, if the first bar member 6 and the second bar member 15 can be moved, the sway of the first bar member 6 and the second bar member 15 can be absorbed.

[0048] Next, the blind connecting device 1a of Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. Components having the same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment have the same functions, and thus the description may be omitted hereinafter.

[0049] In Embodiment 2, the configuration of the second connecting member 17 is different from that of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the bar holding portion 18 of the second connecting member 17 is cylindrical and open at both axial ends, and does not have a closing wall 22. Further, the bar holding portion 18 of the second connecting member 17 does not have a main body holding piece 25 and an end holding piece 26. That is, the bar holding portion 18 of the second connecting member 17 is not provided with a stepped portion 34 between the main body holding piece 25 and the end holding piece 26. Therefore, the inner diameter of the bar holding portion 18 of the second connecting member 17 is the same in the axial direction.

[0050] With such a configuration, the second connecting member 17 can be attached to an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the second bar member 15. Therefore, by connecting the first connecting member 16 to the second connecting member 17, the first bar member 6 can be connected to an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the second bar member 15. As described above, since the second connecting member 17 does not have a closing wall 22, it is detachably attached to the second bar member 15 so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the second bar member 15.

[0051] In Embodiment 2, the configuration of the second connecting member 17 is as described above, but the first connecting member 16 may have the same configuration as the second connecting member 17 described above.

[0052] In the case of the blind connecting device 1a of Embodiment 2, the second connecting member 17 is attached to the second bar member 15 so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the second bar member 15. Therefore, according to the blind connecting device 1a of Embodiment 2, for example, when connecting roll screens to each other, even if the winding diameter of the portion wound around the winding pipe 9 of the shielding material 5 changes as the shielding material 5 moves up and down, it is possible to cope with it. Specifically, the shielding material 5 can be raised from the lower limit position to near the upper limit position while maintaining the connected state of the two connected roll screens.

[0053] In the case of the blind connecting device 1a of Embodiment 2, the second connecting member 17 can be attached to an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the second bar member 15. Therefore, according to the blind connecting device 1a of Embodiment 2, even when the two blinds 2 and 3 are installed in an arrangement where the ends of the bar members 6 and 15 cannot be connected to each other, the bar members 6 and 15 can be connected so as to be able to move up and down simultaneously.

[0054] Next, the blind connecting device 1b of Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. Note that components having the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiments may have the same functions, and thus the description may be omitted hereinafter.

[0055] The blind connecting device 1b of Embodiment 3 includes a third connecting member 37 in addition to the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17. The third connecting member 37 is an intermediate member provided between the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17 when connecting the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17. The outer shape of the third connecting member 37 is cylindrical. Concave portions 29 having the same configuration as the concave portion 29 of the first connecting member 16 and the concave portion 29 of the second connecting member 17 are provided on both end faces in the axial direction of the third connecting member 37. That is, both concave portions 29, 29 of the third connecting member 37 have a flange portion 30, a pair of notch portions 31, 31, a stepped portion 34, a pair of sliding grooves 36, 36, and an engaging groove 35.

[0056] With such a configuration, the first connecting member 16 can be connected to the third connecting member 37 in the same manner as when the first connecting member 16 is connected to the second connecting member 17, and the second connecting member 17 can be connected to the third connecting member 37. Specifically, the first connecting member 16 can be connected to the third connecting member 37 by fitting the convex portion 19 of the first connecting member 16 into one of the concave portions 29 of the third connecting member 37, and the second connecting member 17 can be connected to the third connecting member 37 by fitting the convex portion 19 of the second connecting member 17 into the other concave portion 29 of the third connecting member 37.

[0057] In the case of the blind connecting device 1b of the third embodiment, the blind connecting device 1b includes a first connecting member 16, a second connecting member 17, and a third connecting member 37. Therefore, according to the blind connecting device 1b of the third embodiment, since the first bar member 6 and the second bar member 15 can be linearly connected, the first blind 2 and the second blind 3 can be linearly connected in a side-by-side state.

[0058] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and improvements within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0059] For example, in the first embodiment, at least one of the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17 may be provided with a convex portion 19, and at least the other connecting member may be provided with a concave portion 29. Further, in the modification, at least the first bar member 6 of the first bar member 6 and the second bar member 15 may have a bar main body portion 10 and a bar end portion 11 provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the bar main body portion 10 and having a larger diameter than the bar main body portion 10. In this case, at least the first connecting member 16 of the first connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 17 has a bar holding portion 18 having a main body holding piece 25 and an end holding piece 26.

[0060] In each of the above embodiments, the number of blinds to be mounted in series is two, but it is not limited to this, and three or more may be used. Also, in each of the above embodiments, the blinds to be mounted in series are roll screens, but it is not limited to this, and for example, horizontal blinds, pleated screens, honeycomb screens, Roman shades, etc. may be used. Further, in each of the above embodiments, the blinds 2 and 3 to be mounted in series are operated in such a way that the operation member 7 having the pull cord 13 and the grip 14 is pulled to perform the raising and lowering operation, but it is not limited to this, and any operation method that can raise and lower the shielding material by operating the bar material connected to the lower end of the shielding material may be used, for example, an operation method in which the grip attached to the bar material is gripped to perform the raising and lowering operation.

Explanation of Signs

[0061] 1 Connecting device for blinds 2 First blind 3 Second blind 5 Shielding material 6 First bar material 10 Bar main body part 11 Bar end part 15 Second bar material 16 First connecting member 17 Second connecting member 18 Bar holding part 19 Protrusion 25 Body holding piece 26 End holding piece 29 Recess

Claims

1. A blind connecting device that connects a first bar member connected to the lower end of a shielding material of a first blind and a second bar member connected to the lower end of a shielding material of a second blind attached to the first blind, comprising: a first connecting member attached to one longitudinal end of the first bar member; a second connecting member that can be connected to the first connecting member and is attached to the second bar member; and the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected to each other to connect the first bar member and the second bar member so that they can be lifted and lowered simultaneously, a blind connecting device.

2. The first blind and the second blind are attached in series at a predetermined angle, The first connecting member and the second connecting member are configured to be connectable to each other at the predetermined angle, the blind connecting device according to claim 1.

3. Among the first connecting member and the second connecting member, at least one of the connecting members is provided with a convex portion, and at least the other connecting member is provided with a concave portion, The blind connecting device according to claim 2, wherein the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted to connect the first connecting member and the second connecting member at the predetermined angle.

4. The convex portion and the concave portion are in a state where the convex portion is inserted into the concave portion, and by rotating the connecting member provided with the convex portion around the axis of the convex portion, the connecting state in which the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected is fitted so as not to be released, the blind connecting device according to claim 3.

5. Among the first bar member and the second bar member, at least the first bar member has a bar main body portion and a bar end portion provided at one longitudinal end of the bar main body portion and having a larger diameter than the bar main body portion, Among the first connecting member and the second connecting member, at least the first connecting member has a cylindrical bar holding portion, The bar holding portion has a main body holding piece for holding the bar main body portion and an end holding piece for holding the bar end portion and having a larger inner diameter than the main body holding piece, The axial length of the end holding piece is larger than the axial length of the bar end portion, the blind connecting device according to claim 2.

6. The second connecting member is attached to the second bar member so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the second bar member, the blind connecting device according to claim 2.

7. A blind connection structure for connecting the first bar member and the second bar member by the blind connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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