Vertical blinds

Abstract

To provide designability with unity in a fully-closed state of a louver.SOLUTION: A vertical blind has a hanger rail, a tilt shaft 150 that is rotatably supported around a shaft line in the hanger rail, a first runner 1 and a second runner 3 that are movably supported with respect to the tilt shaft 150, and a louver suspended from the first runner 1 and the second runner 3, respectively. The first runner 1 and the second runner 3 respectively have worms 11, 31 inserted and fitted to the tilt shaft 150, worm wheels 12, 32 that are engaged with the worms 11, 31, and hooks 13, 33 that are fitted with the worm wheels and rotatably support the louvers. The worm wheel 12 of the first runner 1 and the worm wheel 32 of the second runner 3 are disposed on different sides across the tilt shaft 150 and rotate in different directions to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to vertical blinds. [Background technology]

[0002] A vertical blind is known that includes a clothes rail, a plurality of runners movably attached to the clothes rail, and louvers (slats) suspended from each runner, and allows the amount of light entering a room to be adjusted by changing the angle of the louvers. The louvers are suspended from each runner within the clothes rail (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The vertical blinds described in Patent Document 1 are equipped with two types of louvers: translucent, which allows light to pass through, and semi-translucent, which allows a portion of the light to pass through. The two types of louvers are hung from runners alternately along the length of the clothes rail. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-161910 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the vertical blinds described in Patent Document 1, all of the hooks on each runner that rotatably support the louvers are aligned in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the clothes rail. Therefore, adjacent louvers overlap each other when fully closed. For example, if two different types of louvers with different appearances overlap each other, the vertical blind loses its overall sense of design unity when the louvers are fully closed.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a design that has a sense of unity when the louvers are in a fully closed state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the vertical blind of the present invention is a vertical blind comprising a hanger rail, a tilt shaft supported within the hanger rail so as to be rotatable around an axis, first and second runners supported so as to be movable relative to the tilt shaft, and louvers suspended from the first and second runners, respectively, wherein the first runner and the second runner each have a worm inserted into the tilt shaft, a worm wheel that engages with the worm gear, and a hook to which the worm wheel is attached and that rotatably supports the louver, and the worm wheel of the first runner and the worm wheel of the second runner are arranged on different sides of the tilt shaft and rotate in different directions from each other.

[0008] In one embodiment of the vertical blind of the present invention, the first runner and the second runner each have a case that houses the worm and the hook and is inserted into the tilt shaft, and the case has two storage portions formed as holes that can house the hook on either side of the tilt shaft.

[0009] In the vertical blind according to one aspect of the present invention, the first runners and the second runners are alternately arranged on the tilt shaft.

[0010] In one embodiment of the vertical blind of the present invention, the louvers of the first runner overlap at their ends with the louvers of the adjacent first runner when fully closed, and the louvers of the second runner overlap at their ends with the louvers of the adjacent second runner when fully closed, and the louvers of the first runner do not come into contact with the hooks of the adjacent second runner when rotated, and the louvers of the second runner do not come into contact with the hooks of the adjacent first runner when rotated.

[0011] In a vertical blind according to one aspect of the present invention, the louvers of the first runner are either light-transmitting or non-light-transmitting, and the louvers of the second runner are either light-transmitting or non-light-transmitting. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a unified design when the louvers are in a fully closed state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view illustrating a configuration of a vertical blind according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the vertical blind shown in FIG. 1 with the louvers in a fully open state, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the vertical blind taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing only a tilt shaft and a runner of a vertical blind. [Figure 4] FIG. 1(a) is an exploded perspective view of a first runner, and FIG. 1(b) is an exploded perspective view of a second runner. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the runner case, where (a) is an oblique view of the runner case as seen from above, (b) is an oblique view of the runner case as seen from below, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the runner case along line BB in (a). [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which the runner is attached to the tilt shaft. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the rotation range of each louver in a vertical blind. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the rotational progress of each louver of a vertical blind at predetermined angles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating the configuration of a vertical blind 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the vertical blind 100 shown in FIG. 1 with louvers 141 and 142 fully open, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the vertical blind 100 taken along line AA in (a). The vertical blind 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a solar shading device that includes multiple louvers 141 and 142 and allows adjustment of the angles of the louvers 141 and 142 (more precisely, the rotation angles within the horizontal plane in the horizontal cross section of the louvers 141 and 142). This allows, for example, visibility of the outside from inside the room, blocking visibility of the inside of the room from outside, and adjusting the amount of light entering the room. The vertical blind 100 according to this embodiment is a known vertical blind that is attached to a window frame or the like, and is not limited to a specific vertical blind.

[0016] A vertical blind 100 according to the present invention includes a hanger rail 110, a tilt shaft 150 supported within the hanger rail 110 so as to be rotatable around an axis x1, first runner 1 and second runner 3 supported so as to be movable relative to the tilt shaft 150, and louvers 141, 142 suspended from the first runner 1 and second runner 3, respectively. The first runner 1 and second runner 3 each have a worm 11, 31 inserted into the tilt shaft 150, a worm wheel 12, 32 engaging with the worm 11, 31, and a hook (hereinafter also referred to as a "runner hook") 13, 33 to which the worm wheel 12, 32 is attached and which rotatably supports the louvers 141, 142. The worm wheel 12 of the first runner 1 and the worm wheel 32 of the second runner 3 are disposed on different sides of the tilt shaft 150 and rotate in different directions. The configuration of the vertical blind 100 will be described in detail below.

[0017] <Configuration of vertical blinds> The vertical blind 100 includes a hanger rail 110, a drive mechanism (not shown), an operating rod 120, an operating cord 130, two types of louvers 141, 142, a tilt shaft 150, and runners 1, 3. For ease of explanation, in the drawings, as shown in FIG. 1, the extension direction of the hanger rail 110 of the vertical blind 100 is referred to as the longitudinal direction LR. The direction in which the louvers 141, 142 hang down from the hanger rail 110 is referred to as the height direction UD. The left-right direction in FIG. 2(b) is referred to as the front-rear direction (width direction) FB. The side where the operating rod 120 is attached to the vertical blind 100 is referred to as the indoor side F, and the side where the vertical blind 100 is attached to a window frame or the like is referred to as the outdoor side B.

[0018] The clothes rail 110 is a hollow box-like member extending in the longitudinal direction LR, and has a substantially rectangular cross section in the width direction FB. Both ends of the clothes rail 110 in the longitudinal direction LR are closed by end caps. In the height direction UD when the vertical blind 100 is installed, the clothes rail 110 has an opening 111 that opens toward the lower side D so that multiple louvers 141, 142 can be hung from the clothes rail 110.

[0019] An operating rod 120, an operating cord 130, and a drive mechanism are provided on one end side (right side R) of the closed end of the hanger rail 110. The operating rod 120 is suspended from and supported by the hanger rail 110. By rotating the operating rod 120, a tilt shaft 150 (described later) is rotated via a gear (not shown) of the drive mechanism. As the tilt shaft 150 rotates, runner hooks 13 and 33 of runners 1 and 3 (described later) rotate, causing louvers 141 and 142 suspended and supported by the runners 1 and 3 to rotate.

[0020] The operating cord 130 hanging down from one end cap is arranged so that it can be wound around within the hanger rail 110, and more specifically, is attached to runner 1 or runner 3 on the other end cap side of the multiple runners 1 and 3 described below.

[0021] For example, louver 141 is made of a light-transmitting (transparent) material that transmits light, and louver 142 is made of a light-opaque (non-transparent) material that does not transmit light. In this embodiment, louver 141 is attached to runner 1, and louver 142 is attached to runner 3, but the reverse is also possible. Note that louver 141 may also be made of a semi-light-transmitting (semi-transparent) material that transmits a portion of light.

[0022] Tilt shaft 150 is supported rotatably around its axis x1 within hanger rail 110. Tilt shaft 150 is a shaft member having multiple splines formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of tilt shaft 150. The splines extend along axis x1.

[0023] The vertical blind 100 has a plurality of runners (first runners) 1 and a plurality of runners (second runners) 3. Each of the runners 1, 3 is provided so as to be movable relative to the tilt shaft 150 along the longitudinal direction LR.

[0024] 3 is a perspective view showing only the tilt shaft 150 and the runners 1 and 3 of the vertical blind 100. The runners 1 and 3 are alternately provided along the longitudinal direction LR. Adjacent runners 1 and 3 are connected to each other by spacer links (not shown), which limits the maximum distance between them.

[0025] Fig. 4(a) is an exploded perspective view of the runner (first runner) 1, and Fig. 4(b) is an exploded perspective view of the runner (second runner) 3. The runner 1 has a worm gear (worm 11 and worm wheel 12) 10, a runner hook 13, and a runner case 20. The runner 3 also has a worm gear (worm 31 and worm wheel 32) 30, a runner hook 33, and a runner case 40. Note that the worm gears (worms 11 and 31 and worm wheels 31 and 32) 10 and 30, the runner hooks 13 and 33, and the runner cases 20 and 40 of the runners 1 and 3 are common members.

[0026] Worm gears 10 and 30 are formed on runners 1 and 3 by worms 11 and 31 and worm wheels 12 and 32. The worms 11 and 31 are each formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and have a plurality of teeth 11a and 31a on their outer circumferential surfaces. The teeth 11a and 31a are formed in a spiral shape around axes x2 and x3, which pass through the centers of the worms 11 and 31 and serve as the centers of rotation. The worms 11 and 31 are fitted onto the tilt shaft 150 so as to be slidable along the axis x1.

[0027] In Figure 4, the worm wheel 12 is disposed on the left side of the worm 11, and the worm wheel 32 is disposed on the right side of the worm 31. In other words, when the tilt shaft 150 is inserted through each of the worms 11 and 31, the worm wheels 12 and 32 engage with the corresponding worm wheels 12 and 32 from different sides. The twist directions of the teeth 11a and 31a of the worms 11 and 31 are upward and to the right. In other words, the twist directions of the teeth 11a and 31a of the worms 11 and 31 are the same.

[0028] The worms 11 and 31 have convex ridges 11b and 31b arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on their inner peripheral surfaces and protruding toward the axes x2 and x3. The ridges 11b and 31b extend along the axes x2 and x3 and engage with, for example, spline grooves N (see FIG. 3) of the tilt shaft 150.

[0029] The worm wheels 12, 32 are formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and are fitted into runner hooks 13, 33, which will be described later. The worm wheels 12, 32 have a plurality of teeth 12a, 32a on their outer circumferential surfaces. The teeth 12a, 32a extend obliquely along axes x4, x5, which pass through the centers of the worm wheels 12, 32 and serve as the centers of rotation. In FIG. 4, the twist direction of the teeth 12a, 32a of the worm wheels 12, 32 is, for example, upward to the right. The twist directions of the teeth 12a, 32a of the worm wheels 12, 32 may be upward to the left as long as they are in the same direction.

[0030] The runner hooks 13, 33 are rod-shaped members that have lower portions 13a, 33a that partially protrude outside the runners 1, 3 when supported by the runners 1, 3, and upper portions 13b, 33b that are housed within the housing space S. A louver 141 is attached to the lower portion 13a so as to rotate around an axis x4 of the runner hook 13. A louver 142 is attached to the lower portion 33a so as to rotate around an axis x5 of the runner hook 33.

[0031] Worm wheels 12, 32 are attached to the upper portions 13b, 33b of the runner hooks 13, 33. When the worm wheels 12, 32 are fitted into the upper portions 13b, 33b of the runner hooks 13, 33, the worm wheels 12, 32 and the runner hooks 13, 33 do not rotate relative to each other.

[0032] The worm wheels 12, 32 mesh with the worms 11, 31 that rotate together with the tilt shaft 150. When the tilt shaft 150 rotates while the worm wheels 12, 32 mesh with the worms 11, 31, the rotational output is transmitted to the runner hooks 13, 33 via the worms 11, 31 and the worm wheels 12, 32, and the louvers 141, 142 rotate in directions different from each other as the runner hooks 13, 33 rotate.

[0033] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the runner case 20;40, where (a) is a perspective view of the runner case 20;40 as seen from above, (b) is a perspective view of the runner case 20;40 as seen from below, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the runner case 20;40 taken along line BB in (a). The runner case 20;40 is supported within the hanger rail 110 so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction LR relative to the hanger rail 110 and the tilt shaft 150. The runner case 20;40 is a housing-like member that houses the worm 11;31, the worm wheel 12;32, and the runner hook 13;33.

[0034] The runner case 20; 40 has a pair of first wall portions 21; 41 through which the tilt shaft 150 is inserted, and a pair of second wall portions 23, 25; 43, 45 supported by the hanger rail 110. In the runner case 20; 40, an accommodation space S is defined by the pair of first wall portions 21; 41 and the pair of second wall portions 23, 25; 43, 45. When the runners 1; 3 are accommodated in the hanger rail 110, the runner case 20; 40 is closed by a bottom wall portion 27; 47 on the side where the louvers 141, 142 hang from the hanger rail 110, and is open toward the side opposite the bottom wall portion 27; 47.

[0035] The pair of first wall portions 21; 41 are provided at a predetermined interval from each other in the extension direction of tilt shaft 150 and so as to intersect with the extension direction when tilt shaft 150 is inserted. The first wall portions 21; 41 have insertion holes 22; 42, respectively, through which tilt shaft 150 is inserted.

[0036] The pair of second wall portions 23, 25; 43, 45 extend along the extension direction of tilt shaft 150 when tilt shaft 150 is inserted through runners 1; 3, and connect the pair of first wall portions 21; 41. The second wall portions 23; 43 have arm portions 24; 44 that slidably hold the spacer link on a surface along the extension direction of tilt shaft 150. The arm portions 24; 44 have protruding portions 24a; 44a and opposing portions 24b; 44b.

[0037] The protruding portion 24a; 44a extends a predetermined amount in a direction away from the second wall portion 23; 43. The opposing portion 24b; 44b extends from the tip of the protruding portion 24a; 44a on the side opposite the second wall portion 23; 43 to the side opposite the bottom wall portion 27; 47, and faces the second wall portion 23; 43. The space between the second wall portion 23; 43 and the opposing portion 24b; 44b is formed so as to accommodate a spacer link.

[0038] The arm portion 24; 44 has a protrusion 24c; 44c on the surface of the opposing portion 24b; 44b facing away from the second wall portion 23; 43. As shown in Fig. 5, the protrusion 24c; 44c is formed in an inverted C shape or a substantially inverted C shape. The protrusion 24c; 44c is designed to allow the operation cord 130 to pass through.

[0039] The second wall portion 25; 45 has a protrusion 26; 46 on a surface along the extension direction of the tilt shaft 150 that is movably supported on the hanger rail 110. As shown in Fig. 5, the protrusion 26; 46 is formed in a C-shape or a substantially C-shape. The protrusion 26; 46 is designed to allow the operation cord 130 to pass through.

[0040] The bottom wall portion 27; 47 has two holes 27a, 27b; 47a, 47b, which are holes through which the runner hooks 13; 33 are inserted. The two holes 27a, 27b; 47a, 47b are provided at a predetermined interval along the first wall portion 21; 41, and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the insertion holes 22; 42 in the first wall portion 21; 41. In this embodiment, the runner hook 13 is inserted through the hole 27a, and the runner hook 33 is inserted through the hole 47b.

[0041] When the worms 11, 31, worm wheels 12, 32, and runner hooks 13, 33 are housed in the runner cases 20, 40, the worms 11, 31 are arranged concentrically with the insertion holes 22, 42 of the runner cases 20, 40. Furthermore, when housed in the runner cases 20, 40, the worm wheels 12, 32 and runner hooks 13, 33, which are attached so as not to be able to rotate relative to each other, are located within the housing space S, and the lower portions 13a, 33a of the runner hooks 13, 33 protrude from the holes 27a, 47b.

[0042] 6 is a plan view showing the state in which runners 1 and 3 are attached to tilt shaft 150. Multiple worms 11 and 31 are attached to tilt shaft 150 alternately at equal intervals along the extension direction of tilt shaft 150. As shown in the figure, for example, worm wheel 12 on runner 1 is on the indoor side F with respect to tilt shaft 150, and worm wheel 32 on runner 3 is on the outdoor side B with respect to tilt shaft 150. In other words, worm wheel 12 on runner 1 and worm wheel 32 on runner 3 are on different sides with respect to tilt shaft 150. Runner hook 13 of runner 1 rotates clockwise (see arrow), and runner case 40 of runner 3 rotates counterclockwise (see arrow).

[0043] 7 is a diagram schematically showing the rotation ranges R1, R2 of each louver 141, 142 in the vertical blind 100. Runner 1 and runner 3 are attached to the tilt shaft 150 so that when the louver 141 rotates, the louver 141 does not come into contact with the runner hook 33 of the adjacent runner 3, and when the louver 142 rotates, the louver 142 does not come into contact with the runner hook 13 of the adjacent runner 1. In other words, the rotation ranges R1, R2 of each louver 141, 142 do not include the runner hooks 13, 33 to which other louvers 141, 142 are attached.

[0044] 8 is a diagram showing the rotation progress of each louver 141, 142 of the vertical blind 100 by a predetermined angle. Runner 1 and runner 3 are attached to tilt shaft 150 so that the ends of adjacent louvers 141 overlap when fully closed (0° and 180°), and so that the ends of adjacent louvers 142 overlap when fully closed. When operating rod 120 is rotated, tilt shaft 150 rotates, and louver 141 rotates 180° clockwise and louver 142 rotates 180° counterclockwise.

[0045] In the vertical blind 100 as described above, the worm wheels 12 and 32 in each of the runners 1 and 3 are located on different sides of the worms 11 and 31. As a result, when the tilt shaft 150 is rotated in a predetermined rotational direction, the worm wheel 12 and runner hook 13 in the runner 1 and the worm wheel 32 and runner hook 33 in the runner 3 rotate in different directions, for example, clockwise and counterclockwise.

[0046] For example, with conventional vertical blinds, the louvers remain parallel to each other and rotate in the same direction until they are fully open, so they simply adjust the amount of light entering the window at an angle. In other words, the gaps between the louvers gradually narrow as they move diagonally from the front of the room, adjusting the amount of light entering the room.

[0047] In contrast to this, in the vertical blind 100, when the tilt shaft 150 rotates, the louvers 141, 142 can always adjust the distance (amount of gap) between each other in stages (for example, 45° to 135°) in directions opposite to each other (directions facing each other) inside and outside the room, as shown in Fig. 8. This allows for fine adjustment (dimming) of the amount of light entering the room from the front through the window.

[0048] Furthermore, when the louvers 141, 142 are adjusted to open or close (dimmed) (for example, 15° to 60°), the non-translucent louvers 141 can be seen between the translucent louvers 142, preventing visibility from outside into the room and maintaining privacy.

[0049] Furthermore, when the louvers 141, 142 are fully closed, for example, only the non-translucent louvers 141 are visible from the inside of the room, i.e., the translucent louvers 142 are not visible from the inside of the room, thereby enhancing the design (unity) of the vertical blind 100.

[0050] Furthermore, when the louvers 141, 142 are in a fully closed state (0° and 180°), a predetermined space is provided between the louvers 141 and 142. This creates an air layer between the louvers 141, 142 when fully closed, thereby providing a heat insulating effect.

[0051] Furthermore, since the runner cases 20, 40 of the runners 1, 3 have two holes 27a, 27b; 47a, 47b for accommodating the runner hooks 13, 33, respectively, the same runner cases 20, 40 can be used for the runners 1, 3.

[0052] Furthermore, since the ends of the louvers 141 between runners 1 and the louvers 142 between runners 3 overlap, when the vertical blind 100 is viewed from the inside of the room F, only the louvers 141 are visible, and when the vertical blind 100 is viewed from the outside of the room B, only the louvers 142 are visible, resulting in a unified design.

[0053] While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above and includes all aspects encompassed by the concept and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, various configurations may be selectively combined as appropriate to achieve at least some of the above-described problems and advantages. Furthermore, for example, the shape, material, arrangement, size, etc. of each component in the above embodiment may be modified as appropriate depending on the specific use of the present invention. For example, while the runners 1 and 3 support translucent louvers 141 and non-translucent louvers 142 in the above embodiment, the type of louvers is not particularly limited, and the two types of louvers used may be selected as appropriate depending on the interior design, such as by using different colors.

[0054] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the runner cases 20, 40 used were identical to each other, but they may also be configured to have only a hole portion for accommodating a specific runner hook 13, 33 on the side that matches the supporting louvers 141, 142. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 runner (first runner), 3 runner (second runner), 10 worm gear, 11 worm, 11a teeth, 11b protrusion, 12 worm wheel, 12a teeth, 13 runner hook (hook), 13a lower portion, 13b upper portion, 20 runner case, 21 first wall, 22 insertion hole, 23, 25 second wall, 24 arm, 24a protruding portion, 24b opposing portion, 24c protruding portion, 26 protruding portion, 27... bottom wall portion, 27a, 27b... hole portion, 30... worm gear, 31... worm, 31a... teeth, 31b... protrusion portion, 32... worm wheel, 32a... teeth, 33... runner hook (hook), 33a... lower portion, 33b... upper portion, 40... runner case, 41... first wall portion, 42... insertion hole, 43, 45... Second wall portion, 44...arm portion, 44a...projecting portion, 44b...opposing portion, 44c...protruding portion, 46...protruding portion, 47...bottom wall portion, 47a, 47b...hole portion, 100...vertical blind, 110...hanger rail, 111...opening, 120...operating rod, 130...operating cord, 141, 142...louvers, 150...tilt shaft

Claims

1. Clothes rail and a tilt shaft supported within the hanger rail so as to be rotatable about an axis; a plurality of runners that are movably supported relative to the tilt shaft and that can support louvers at predetermined intervals in the indoor / outdoor direction; an indoor louver suspended on the indoor side of the plurality of runners; and an outdoor louver suspended on the outdoor side of the plurality of runners. A vertical blind comprising: When fully closed, the outdoor louvers overlap with adjacent outdoor louvers at their ends, and when fully closed, the indoor louvers overlap with adjacent indoor louvers at their ends. Vertical blinds feature:

2. The plurality of runners include a first runner that supports the indoor louvers and a second runner that supports the outdoor louvers.

2. The vertical blind according to claim 1.

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