Shielding device

Abstract

To provide a technique for further easily adjusting an ascent limit position.SOLUTION: A shielding device, which is capable of adjusting an upper limit position being the maximum upper limit position of a shielding material that is raised and lowered, includes a first rotating member 302 that is a gear whose rotation axis direction faces the front-to-rear direction, a second rotating member 303 that meshes with the first rotating member 302 and is a gear whose rotation axis direction faces the right-to-left direction, and an upper limit position regulating mechanism that can adjust the upper limit position by rotation of a lifting shaft that raises and lowers the shielding material, the rotation being resulted from rotation of a screw shaft that is provided so as to be rotatable together with the second rotating member 303.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This embodiment relates to adjusting the position of a shielding material. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional shading device is known from Patent Document 1. This shading device includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the upper winding limit position of the screen and an operating unit for driving the adjustment mechanism. The operating unit is housed between a base connected to the side plates and a base cover that covers the base, and can be operated from the outside through an opening formed in a surface of the base cover that is perpendicular to the screen width direction. The base cover is also provided with a removable closing cover that closes the opening.

[0003] With this type of shielding device, when adjusting the winding limit position, the blocking cover can be removed from the base cover to operate the operating part, and when not performing adjustment, the blocking cover can be attached to the base cover to prevent damage to the aesthetic appearance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-117464 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-148113 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when adjusting the winding limit position of the above-mentioned shading device, the operator performing the adjustment must operate the operating unit from the side. Therefore, if there is not enough space on the side of the shading device to operate the operating unit, the operator must remove the shading device before operating it. As such, depending on the installation conditions of the shading device, the adjustment work of the lift limit position of the shading material, including the winding limit position, can be complicated.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a technique that allows for easier adjustment of the lift limit position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a shielding device that can adjust the upper limit position, which is the upper limit position of a shielding material that is raised and lowered, and includes a first rotating member that is a gear whose rotational axis direction faces in the front-to-back direction, a second rotating member that meshes with the first rotating member and is a gear whose rotational axis direction faces in the left-to-right direction, and an upper limit position regulating mechanism that can adjust the upper limit position by rotating an elevating shaft that raises and lowers the shielding material by rotating an adjustment shaft that is arranged to be rotatable integrally with the second rotating member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the lift limit position can be adjusted more easily. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a shading device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of an ascent limit position restriction mechanism. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a clutch mechanism. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the operating device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configurations of a first clutch device, a second clutch device, and an operating device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a drive mechanism in the operating device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a drive mechanism in the operating device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an adjustment mechanism in the operating device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first rotating member. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a cover. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the adjustment mechanism in a restricted state. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the adjustment mechanism in an unrestricted state. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a shading device in which the first screen is raised. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the configuration inside the first and second take-up pipes when the first screen is lifted. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a shielding device that is adjusted upward. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an adjustment mechanism for upward adjustment. [Figure 17] 15 is a cross-sectional view of the shielding device adjusted upward, taken along the line AA in FIG. 14. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a shielding device that is adjusted downward. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an adjustment mechanism that is adjusted downward. [Figure 20] 15 is a cross-sectional view of the shielding device adjusted downward, taken along line AA in FIG. 14. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the configuration of an adjustment mechanism according to a second embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the configuration of an adjustment mechanism according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a shading device that is a roll screen equipped with a liftable screen as a shading material will be described as an example. In this embodiment, the indoor side of the shading device when installed will be referred to as the front, the outdoor side as the back, the direction consisting of the front and back as the front-to-back direction, and the width direction of the shading device as the left-to-right direction. Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functions will be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] First Embodiment (Overall composition) The overall configuration of the shading device according to the first embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the shading device according to this embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the shading device 1 of this embodiment comprises a set frame 2, a first screen 21, a second screen 22, a first winding pipe 210 (see Figure 2), a second winding pipe 220 (see Figure 2), two side brackets 23, an operating device 3, and an operating chain 39.

[0013] The set frame 2 is formed long in the left-right direction, supports the first winding pipe 210 and the second winding pipe 220 via two side brackets 23, and is fixed to a window frame, a wall, etc. by two mounting brackets 29. The two side brackets 23 are provided at both ends of the set frame 2 in the longitudinal direction, respectively.

[0014] The first take-up pipe 210 and the second take-up pipe 220 are both formed in a long cylindrical shape and are rotatably supported by two side brackets 23 so that their rotation axes, which face the longitudinal direction, face the left-right direction. The operation chain 39 is a looped, roughly string-like member that is wound around pulleys 304 (see FIG. 2) that rotate the first take-up pipe 210 and the second take-up pipe 220 and hangs down below the set frame 2.

[0015] The first screen 21 and the second screen 22 are both thin-film members formed into a long, rectangular shape. One end of the first screen 21 in the longitudinal direction is connected over substantially the entire length to the first winding pipe 210 so as to be able to be wound and unwound by the first winding pipe 210, and the other end of the first screen 21 in the longitudinal direction is connected over substantially the entire length to the first weight bar 211. One end of the second screen 22 in the longitudinal direction is connected over substantially the entire length to the second winding pipe 220 so as to be able to be wound and unwound by the second winding pipe 220, and the other end of the second screen 22 in the longitudinal direction is connected over substantially the entire length to the second weight bar 221.

[0016] (Configuration of the lift limit position restriction mechanism and clutch device) The configurations of the upper limit position restriction mechanism and the clutch mechanism according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the upper limit position restriction mechanism, and Fig. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the clutch device. In Fig. 2, the first screen and the second screen are omitted, and the first winding pipe, the second winding pipe, and the set frame are visible. In Fig. 3, the operating device and the right side bracket are omitted, and the shielding device is shown as seen from the right side.

[0017] 2, a first clutch device 41, a stopper 42, a movable top 43, and a screw shaft 44 are housed within the first winding pipe 210. A second clutch device 51 is housed within the second winding pipe 220. The stopper 42, the movable top 43, and the screw shaft 44 constitute an ascent limit position regulation mechanism that regulates the amount of the first screen 21 taken up by the first winding pipe 210, i.e., the ascent limit position of the first weight bar 211 connected to the lower end of the first screen 21.

[0018] The first clutch device 41 is formed into a cylindrical shape with its bottom surface facing the left-right direction as a whole, and a cylindrical case forming the outer periphery is inserted into the first winding pipe 210 so as to rotate integrally with the first winding pipe 210, and is composed of a first clutch mechanism and a second clutch mechanism. The first clutch device 41 is journaled by a first shaft 410 whose axial direction faces the left-right direction. The right end of the first shaft 410 is connected to a second rotating member 303 (described later) (see FIG. 8) via a first bearing portion 303B (see FIGS. 4 to 8) formed on the second rotating member 303 so as to rotate integrally with the second rotating member 303. The left end of the first shaft 410 is connected to a threaded shaft 44 so as to rotate integrally with the first clutch device 41. The first clutch device 41 is provided at its right end, and a rotational force is input from the operating device 3 via three insertion holes 411H formed in a cam drive 411.

[0019] The first clutch mechanism of the first clutch device 41 switches the first clutch device 41 between a transmission state in which the rotational force is transmitted to the first winding pipe 210 and a non-transmission state in which the rotational force is not transmitted to the first winding pipe 210, depending on the direction of rotation input from the operating device 3. The second clutch mechanism of the first clutch device 41 switches the first clutch device 41 between a fixed state in which the case, which rotates integrally with the first winding pipe 210, cannot rotate relative to the first shaft 410, and an non-fixed state in which the case can rotate relative to the first shaft 410, depending on the amount of rotation input from the operating device 3.

[0020] The second clutch device 51 is formed into a cylindrical shape with its bottom surface facing the left-right direction as a whole, and a cylindrical case forming the outer periphery is inserted into the second winding pipe 220 so as to rotate integrally with the second winding pipe 220. Similar to the first clutch device 41, the second clutch device 51 is composed of a first clutch mechanism and a second clutch mechanism. The second clutch device 51 is journaled by a second shaft 510 whose axial direction faces the left-right direction. The right end of the second shaft 510 is journaled non-rotatably by a second bearing portion 30B (see FIGS. 4 to 7) formed in the base cover 30, which will be described later. The second clutch device 51 is provided at its right end, and a rotational force is input from the operating device 3 via three insertion holes 511H formed in the cam drive 511.

[0021] The first clutch mechanism of the second clutch device 51 switches the second clutch device 51 between a transmission state in which the rotational force is transmitted to the second winding pipe 220 and a non-transmission state in which the rotational force is not transmitted to the second winding pipe 220, depending on the direction of rotation input from the operating device 3. The second clutch mechanism of the second clutch device 51 switches the second clutch device 51 between a fixed state in which the case, which rotates integrally with the second winding pipe 220, cannot rotate relative to the second shaft 510, and an non-fixed state in which the case can rotate relative to the second shaft 510, depending on the amount of rotation input from the operating device 3.

[0022] 3, the first clutch mechanism and second clutch mechanism of the second clutch device 51 are configured to switch between the above-mentioned states by rotating in the opposite direction to the first clutch device 41, because the direction in which the second screen 22 is wound by the second take-up pipe 220 that houses the second clutch device 51 is opposite to the direction in which the first screen 21 is wound by the first take-up pipe 210 that houses the first clutch device 41. For detailed configurations and operations of the first clutch device 41 and the second clutch device 51, please refer to Patent Document 2.

[0023] The screw shaft 44 is a long, approximately cylindrical member extending in the left-right direction, and has a male screw formed on its outer circumferential surface. The right end of the screw shaft 44 is connected to the left end of the first shaft 410 so as to be rotatable together. The moving top 43 is a member formed in a generally annular shape, and has a female screw formed on its inner circumferential surface that screws onto the male screw of the screw shaft 44. The moving top 43 is attached to the first winding pipe 210 so as to rotate integrally with the first winding pipe 210 and to be movable in the left-right direction relative to the first winding pipe 210. As a result, when the screw shaft 44 and the first winding pipe 210 rotate relative to each other, the moving top 43 moves in the left-right direction on the screw shaft 44 in accordance with the rotation direction. The stopper 42 is attached to the right end of the screw shaft 44, and has a locking portion 421 that protrudes to the left. The moving top 43 has a locked portion 431 that is locked in the rotation direction by the locking portion 421. When the movable piece 43 is moved to the right on the screw shaft 44 to the position where the stopper 42 is provided, the engaging portion 431 is engaged with the engaging portion 421 of the stopper 42, thereby stopping the rotation of the movable piece 43 and preventing further movement of the movable piece 43 to the right.

[0024] (Drive mechanism configuration) The configuration of the drive mechanism according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the operating device. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the configurations of the first clutch device, the second clutch device, and the operating device. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are an exploded perspective view and a side view, respectively, showing the configuration of the drive mechanism in the operating device.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 6, the housing of the operating device 3 is composed of the right side bracket 23, a base cover 30, and a base 32. The side bracket 23 and the base cover 30 define a storage space that houses the components of the operating device 3. The base 32 is located between the side bracket 23 and the base cover 30 in the left-right direction, and divides the storage space into two spaces in the left-right direction. Of the two divided spaces, the left space houses the components of the drive mechanism.

[0026] 6 and 7, the drive mechanism includes a first drive gear 611, a second drive gear 612, an intermediate gear 613, a first transmission member 621, and a second transmission member 622. The intermediate gear 613 is a gear that meshes with the input gear 305, which will be described in detail later, and transmits the rotation of the pulley 304, which is rotationally driven by the operation chain 39. Both the first drive gear 611 and the second drive gear 612 are gears that mesh with the intermediate gear 613, and the rotation of the pulley 304 is transmitted via the intermediate gear 613.

[0027] Both the first transmission member 621 and the second transmission member 622 are flat plates formed in a substantially annular shape. The first transmission member 621 is rotatably provided about the rotation axis of the first drive gear 611, and the second transmission member 622 is rotatably provided about the rotation axis of the second drive gear 612. Three engagement protrusions 621P protruding in an out-of-plane direction are formed on one surface of the first transmission member 621, and the three engagement protrusions 621P are spaced apart at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Similarly, three engagement protrusions 622P protruding in an out-of-plane direction are formed on one surface of the second transmission member 622, and the three engagement protrusions 622P are spaced apart at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0028] The first drive gear 611 has three slots formed corresponding to the three engagement protrusions 621P, and the second drive gear 612 has three slots formed corresponding to the three engagement protrusions 622P. Each of the three slots of the first drive gear 611 extends circumferentially, and the three slots are equally spaced apart circumferentially. Similarly, each of the three slots of the second drive gear 612 extends circumferentially, and the three slots are equally spaced apart circumferentially.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first transmission member 621 is arranged so that its three engagement protrusions 621P are inserted from the right side into the three slots of the first drive gear 611. Similarly, the second transmission member 622 is arranged so that its three engagement protrusions 622P are inserted from the right side into the three slots of the second drive gear 612. The first transmission member 621 rotates relative to the first drive gear 611 until the three engagement protrusions 621P engage with the circumferential ends of the three slots of the first drive gear 611, and then rotates integrally with the first drive gear 611 as the first drive gear 611 further rotates. Similarly, the second transmission member 622 rotates relative to the second drive gear 612 until the three engagement protrusions 622P engage with the circumferential ends of the three slots of the second drive gear 612, and then rotates integrally with the second drive gear 612 as the second drive gear 612 further rotates.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the three engagement protrusions 621P and the three engagement protrusions 622P are exposed to the outside on the left side surface of the operating device 3. The three engagement protrusions 621P are inserted into three insertion holes 411H formed in the cam drive 411 of the first clutch device 41. As a result, the rotation of the first drive gear 611 is transmitted to the cam drive 411 via the first transmission member 621. Similarly, the three engagement protrusions 622P are inserted into three insertion holes 511H formed in the cam drive 511 of the second clutch device 51. As a result, the rotation of the second drive gear 612 is transmitted to the cam drive 511 via the second transmission member 622.

[0031] (Configuration of adjustment mechanism and pulley) The configurations of the adjustment mechanism and pulley according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the adjustment mechanism in the operating device. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first rotating member. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cover.

[0032] 8, a holder 301, a first rotating member 302, a second rotating member 303, and a pulley 304 are accommodated in an accommodation space defined between the base cover 30 and the base 32. The adjustment mechanism includes the cover 31, the holder 301, the first rotating member 302, and the second rotating member 303.

[0033] The first rotating member 302 and the second rotating member 303 form a worm gear. The first rotating member 302 is a cylindrical worm and is journaled to the base 32 so as to be rotatable around an axis facing the front-rear direction. The second rotating member 303 is a worm wheel that meshes with the first rotating member 302 and is journaled to the base 32 so as to be rotatable around an axis facing the left-right direction. The second rotating member 303 is formed with a first bearing portion 303B, which is a hole formed so that the right end of the first shaft 410 can be inserted into. The right end of the first shaft 410 fits into this first bearing portion 303B, causing the second rotating member 303 and the first shaft 410 to rotate integrally. The holder 301 has two engaging claws that can engage with two holes formed in the base 32, and holds the first rotating member 302 and the second rotating member 303 by engaging with the base 32 while the first rotating member 302 and the second rotating member 303 are journaled to the base 32.

[0034] The storage space defined between the base cover 30 and the base 32 communicates with the outside through an upper opening and a lower opening formed on the front side. The upper opening is formed so that the first rotating member 302 can be operated from the outside, as will be described in detail later, and is closed or opened by the cover 31. The lower opening is formed so that the operating chain 39 wound around the pulley 304 can hang down, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 9 , the first rotating member 302 has a worm 302W and an operating unit 302O. The worm 302W is a screw-like gear formed on the outer periphery of the first rotating member 302, which is formed in a generally cylindrical shape overall. The operating unit 302O is a generally disk-shaped member provided at one end of the first rotating member 302 in the rotational axis direction, and has four grooves 302G formed on its surface facing outward in the rotational axis direction. All of the four grooves 302G pass through the rotational axis of the first rotating member 302 and extend in the radial direction of the first rotating member 302. The four grooves 302G include two grooves 302G that are perpendicular to each other and two grooves 302G that are tilted 45° circumferentially from the two grooves 302G and are perpendicular to each other.

[0036] The four grooves 302G form eight circumferentially adjacent protrusions on the surface of the operating unit 302O facing outward in the rotation axis direction. Of the eight protrusions, four have two inclined surfaces 302S. The two inclined surfaces 302S are formed on the surface of the protrusion facing outward in the rotation axis direction, from approximately the circumferential center to the circumferentially outer ends, and each gradually slopes toward the bottoms of the two grooves that circumferentially sandwich the protrusion. The four protrusions with two inclined surfaces 302S and the four protrusions without two inclined surfaces 302S are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction on the operating unit 302O. This allows the tip of a screwdriver DR (see FIGS. 15 and 18), which is a jig for rotating the first rotating member 302, to be easily inserted into the grooves 302G, and ensures that the cover 31, described later, can reliably restrict rotation of the first rotating member 302.

[0037] The cover 31 has a cylindrical portion 310 and a closing portion 311. The cylindrical portion 310 is a substantially cylindrical member with a through-hole formed as a hinge hole, and the closing portion 311 and two recesses 310R are formed on its outer periphery. The closing portion 311 is a substantially plate-shaped member formed to be able to close the upper opening, and one end of the closing portion 311 is connected to the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 310. A rotation restricting portion 311R, which is a plate-shaped member extending in the front-rear and up-down directions, is formed on the surface of the closing portion 311 facing the upper opening. The cylindrical portion 310 of the cover 31 is pivotally supported by the base 32 around an axis facing the left-right direction (see FIGS. 11 and 12), allowing the cover 31 to rotate to close or open the upper opening.

[0038] The base 32 is formed with a protrusion 231 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) that protrudes upward and is formed to bend in the up-down direction so as to fit into the two recesses 310R. The two recesses 310R are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 310. Specifically, one recess 310R is provided at a position where the protrusion 231 fits when the closure portion 311 closes the upper opening, and the other recess 310R is provided at a position where the protrusion 231 fits when the closure portion 311 opens the upper opening.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 8, the pulley 304 is provided with the above-mentioned input gear 305 so that they can rotate together. The pulley 304 is journaled on the base 32 so that the input gear 305 protrudes into the accommodation space defined between the side bracket 23 and the base 32 (see Fig. 6). This allows the rotation of the pulley 304 to be input to the drive mechanism.

[0040] (Adjustment mechanism operation) The operation of the adjustment mechanism according to this embodiment will be described. FIGS. 11 and 12 are side views showing the adjustment mechanism in the restricted state and the unrestricted state, respectively. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a shading device in which the first screen is raised. FIG. 14 is a front view showing the configuration inside the first and second winding pipes in which the first screen is raised. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a shading device in which the raising is adjusted. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an adjustment mechanism in which the raising is adjusted. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the AA cross-section of FIG. 14 in a shading device in which the raising is adjusted. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a shading device in which the lowering is adjusted. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an adjustment mechanism in which the lowering is adjusted. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the AA cross-section of FIG. 14 in a shading device in which the lowering is adjusted. In FIGS. 16 and 19, (a) shows the worm gear as viewed from the front, and (b) shows the worm gear as viewed from the right side.

[0041] 11, when cover 31 is in a closed state in which the upper opening is closed, at least a portion of rotation restricting portion 311R fits into one of grooves 302G, thereby placing the adjustment mechanism in a restricted state in which rotation of first rotating member 302 is restricted. At this time, convex portion 231 fits into one of recesses 310R, so that cover 31 is maintained in the closed state, and therefore the restricted state, until an operator operates cover 31.

[0042] 12, when cover 31 is in an open state in which the upper opening is open, rotation restricting portion 311R moves away from groove 302G, releasing the restricted state and putting cover 31 in a non-restricted state. At this time, convex portion 231 fits into the other concave portion 310R, so that cover 31 maintains the state in which the upper opening is open without the operator having to grip cover 31. This allows the operator to easily perform the work required to adjust the upper limit position.

[0043] Prior to adjusting the upper limit position, the operator operates the operating chain 39 so that the first screen 21 is wound around the first take-up pipe 210 until the first weight bar 211 reaches the current upper limit position, as shown in Fig. 13. This causes the stopper 42 to stop the rotation of the moving top 43, as shown in Fig. 14. When the first shaft 410 rotates in this state, the first shaft 410 and the first take-up pipe 210 rotate integrally via only the moving top 43. Here, it is assumed that the second clutch mechanism of the first clutch device 41 is in an unlocked state, and the first shaft 410 is rotatable relative to the case of the first clutch device 41.

[0044] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, an operator opens the cover 31, inserts the tip of a driver DR, which may be shaped like a cross or a minus, into the upper opening, and engages the tip with the groove 302G of the operating unit 302O and rotates it counterclockwise as viewed from the front, thereby adjusting the lift limit position. At this time, as shown in Figure 16(b), the second rotating member 303 and the first shaft 410 rotate clockwise as viewed from the right side. As a result, as shown in Figure 17, the screw shaft 44, which rotates integrally with the first shaft 410, as well as the moving top 43 and the first winding pipe 210, rotate clockwise as viewed from the right side, thereby winding up the first screen 21 and raising the lift limit position of the first weight bar 211.

[0045] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, when the operator engages the tip of the driver DR with the groove 302G and rotates it clockwise as viewed from the front, a lowering adjustment is performed to lower the upper limit position. At this time, as shown in Figure 19(b), the second rotating member 303 and the first shaft 410 rotate counterclockwise as viewed from the right side. As a result, as shown in Figure 20, the screw shaft 44, which rotates integrally with the first shaft 410, and further the moving top 43 and the first winding pipe 210 rotate counterclockwise as viewed from the right side, thereby unwinding the first screen 21 and lowering the upper limit position of the first weight bar 211.

[0046] As described above, with the shading device 1 according to this embodiment, an operator can rotate the operating unit 302O from the front side, making it possible to more easily adjust the upper limit position without removing the shading device from a window frame or the like. Furthermore, since the first rotating member 302 and the second rotating member 303 form a worm gear, the upper limit position can be finely adjusted almost continuously, and a self-lock occurs, which makes it difficult to transmit rotation from the second rotating member 303 to the first rotating member 302. This maintains the adjusted upper limit position. Furthermore, the rotation of the first rotating member 302 is restricted by the rotation restricting portion 311R of the cover 31, so that the upper limit position is more reliably maintained.

[0047] Second Embodiment An adjustment mechanism according to a second embodiment will now be described. Figures 21 and 22 are a front view and a side view, respectively, showing the configuration of the adjustment mechanism according to this embodiment.

[0048] As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the adjustment mechanism of this embodiment differs from the adjustment mechanism of the first embodiment in that it includes a first rotating member 308 and a second rotating member 309 instead of the first rotating member 302 and the second rotating member 303.

[0049] Both the first rotating member 308 and the second rotating member 309 are configured as bevel gears. The first rotating member 308 is provided with its rotation axis direction facing the front-rear direction, and an operation unit 308O formed similarly to the operation unit 302O is provided on its front surface. The second rotating member 309 is provided with its rotation axis direction facing the left-right direction, and meshes with the first rotating member 308. A first bearing unit 309B formed similarly to the first bearing unit 303B is formed on the left surface of the second rotating member 309. A first shaft 410 is fitted into this first bearing unit 309B, so that the second rotating member 309 rotates integrally with the first shaft 410.

[0050] As described above, the adjustment mechanism can be configured using not only worm gears but also bevel gears. Note that self-locking does not occur when the adjustment mechanism is configured using bevel gears. Therefore, it is desirable that the adjustment mechanism further include a rotation locking means that disables the rotation of either the first rotating member 308 or the second rotating member 309. An example of such a rotation locking means is a rotation locking means that is biased downward from above by an elastic member to engage with the teeth of the first rotating member 308 or the second rotating member 309, and is released from the engagement when the operator lifts the rotation locking means upward against the biasing force.

[0051] In the first and second embodiments, the present invention has been described as being applied to a roller blind equipped with a screen, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to any shading device equipped with a shielding body that shields an opening such as a window. Examples of such shading devices include electric or manual horizontal blinds, pleated screens, honeycomb screens, Roman shades, and shutters.

[0052] The present invention can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main characteristics thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited to the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications, improvements, substitutions, and alterations within the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Shielding device 3 Operating device 21 Screen 1 31 Cover 42 Stopper 43 Moving Piece 44 Screw shaft (adjustment shaft) 210 First winding pipe (lifting shaft) 302 First rotating member 303 Second rotating member 410 First Shaft

Claims

1. A shielding device capable of adjusting an upper limit position of a shielding material that is raised and lowered, a first rotating member that is a gear whose rotation axis direction faces the front-rear direction; a second rotating member that is a gear that meshes with the first rotating member and has a rotation axis that faces the left-right direction; an ascent limit position regulating mechanism that can adjust the ascent limit position by rotating an elevation shaft that elevates the shielding material by rotating an adjustment shaft that is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the second rotating member; A shielding device comprising:

2. 2. The shielding device according to claim 1, wherein the first rotating member is a worm and the second rotating member is a worm wheel.

3. The shading device according to claim 2, characterized in that an operating portion is provided on the front side of the first rotating member in the rotation axis direction, the operating portion having at least one groove portion formed therein and extending in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction.

4. The shading device according to claim 3 , wherein the operating portion is formed with a plurality of grooves that intersect with each other.

5. the first rotating member and the second rotating member are accommodated in an accommodation space defined in a housing; 5. The shading device according to claim 3, wherein the housing has an opening for exposing the operation unit to the front.

6. Further, a cover configured to be able to open and close the opening is provided, The shading device according to claim 5, wherein the cover is formed with a rotation restricting portion that engages with the groove portion so as to restrict rotation of the first rotating member when the opening is closed.

7. The shading device according to claim 6 , wherein the cover is configured to be switchable between a closed state in which the opening is closed and an open state in which the opening is open.

8. 5. The shading device according to claim 3, wherein the operating portion has an inclined surface that slopes toward the bottom of the groove.

Images