Vertical blinds

Abstract

To provide a designability with a sense of unity when louvers are fully closed.SOLUTION: A vertical blind 1 includes: a hanger rail 10; a tilt shaft 20 supported in the hanger rail 10 so as to be rotatable around an axial line x1; runners 50, 60 supported by the tilt shaft 20; a plurality of louvers 70, 80 suspended at the runners 50, 60, respectively; and worm gears 51, 61 which transmit rotation of the tilt shaft 20 to the runners 50, 60. The worm gears 51, 61 corresponding to the runners 50, 60 are arranged on different sides across the tilt shaft 20. The runners 50, 60 have respective runner hooks 54, 64 which are engaged with the worm gears 51, 61 to rotatably support the louvers 70, 80. The plurality of louvers 70, 80 include louvers 70, 80 which are supported by the runner hooks 54, 64 in positions set with an offset from the center in a crossing direction crossing in a suspension direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vertical blind.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a vertical blind including a hanger rail, a plurality of runners movably attached to the hanger rail, and louvers (slats) suspended from each runner, and the amount of daylight entering the room can be adjusted by changing the angle of the louvers. The louvers are supported while being suspended from each runner within the hanger rail (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The vertical blind described in Patent Document 1 includes a light-transmitting louver through which light passes and a semi-light-transmitting louver through which part of the light passes. The two types of louvers are alternately suspended from the runners via hooks along the longitudinal direction within the hanger rail.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the vertical blind described in Patent Document 1, all the hooks provided on each runner for rotatably supporting the louvers are arranged in series in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the hanger rail. Therefore, adjacent louvers overlap each other when fully closed. For example, when two types of louvers with different appearances overlap each other alternately, the unity of the design as a whole of the vertical blind when the louvers are fully closed is lost.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a technology that makes it possible to present a unified design when the louvers of a vertical blind are fully closed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the vertical blind according to the present invention comprises a hanger rail, a tilt shaft rotatably supported within the hanger rail, a first runner and a second runner supported on the tilt shaft, a plurality of louvers suspended from the first runner and the second runner respectively, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the tilt shaft to the first runner and the second runner, wherein the transmission mechanism for the first runner and the second runner respectively is arranged on opposite sides of the tilt shaft, the first runner and the second runner each have hooks that engage with the transmission mechanism and rotatably support the louvers, and the plurality of louvers include louvers that are supported by the hooks at a position offset from the center in an intersecting direction that intersects the suspension direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a unified design can be achieved even when the louvers are fully closed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front view of the vertical blind according to the present invention, with the louvers in the fully closed position. [Figure 2] (a) is a front view of the vertical blind according to the present invention with the louvers fully open, and (b) is a cross-sectional view along line bb in (a). [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the vertical blind according to the present invention with the hanger rail removed. [Figure 4](a) is an exploded perspective view of one runner, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the other runner. [Figure 5] These diagrams illustrate the structure of the runner case. (a) is a perspective view of the runner case from above, (b) is a perspective view of the runner case from below, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the runner case along line c in (a). [Figure 6] (a) is a cross-sectional view of a vertical blind along line AA in Figure 2, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of a vertical blind along line BB in Figure 2. [Figure 7] This is a plan view showing the runners supporting the louvers attached to the tilt shaft. [Figure 8] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the rotation range of each louver in a vertical blind according to a comparative example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the rotation range of each louver in a vertical blind according to the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows the rotational progress of each louver in the vertical blind according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] <Overview of the Embodiment> First, a general overview of a typical embodiment of the present invention will be given. In the following description, as an example, reference numerals on the drawings corresponding to the components of the invention are indicated in parentheses.

[0011] [1] The vertical blind (1) according to this embodiment comprises a hanger rail (10), a tilt shaft (20) rotatably supported within the hanger rail (10) around an axis (x1), a first runner (50) and a second runner (60) supported by the tilt shaft (20), a plurality of louvers (70, 80) suspended from the first runner (50) and the second runner (60), respectively, and worm gears (51, 61) that transmit the rotation of the tilt shaft (20) to the first runner (50) and the second runner (60), and the first runner (50) and The worm gears (51, 61) for each of the first and second runners (60) are arranged on opposite sides of the tilt shaft (20), and each of the first runner (50) and second runner (60) has runner hooks (54, 64) that engage with the worm gears (51, 61) and rotatably support the louvers (70, 80), and the plurality of louvers (70, 80) include louvers (70, 80) that are supported by the runner hooks (54, 64) at a position offset from the center in an intersecting direction that intersects the suspension direction.

[0012] [2] In one embodiment of the vertical blind (1) according to this embodiment, at least when the louvers (70, 80) are fully open, the shorter width portion (70s, 80s) on the side where the distance from the position of the runner hook (54, 64) to the end of the louvers (70, 80) in the intersecting direction is shorter faces the other adjacent runner hook (64, 54) in the extending direction of the tilt shaft (20).

[0013] [3] In one embodiment of the vertical blind (1) according to this embodiment, among the plurality of louvers (70, 80), the louvers provided at both ends in the extending direction of the tilt shaft (20) are louvers that are supported by runner hooks (54, 64) at the center position in the intersecting direction that intersects the suspension direction.

[0014] 〔4〕In one aspect of the vertical blind (1) according to the present embodiment, the louvers (70) supported by the runner (50) and the louvers (80) supported by the runner (60) are on the side opposite to the side supported by the runner hooks (54, 64), and in the fully closed state of the louvers (70, 80), they are connected by the bottom cords (71, 81) on the side of the edges (70e, 80e) farthest from the tilt shaft (20).

[0015] 〔5〕In one aspect of the vertical blind (1) according to the present embodiment, the plurality of runners (50) and the plurality of runners (60) are alternately arranged on the tilt shaft (20).

[0016] 〔6〕In one aspect of the vertical blind (1) according to the present embodiment, the louver (70) of the runner (50) is light-transmissive or non-light-transmissive, and the louver (80) of the runner (60) is non-light-transmissive or light-transmissive.

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that in the following description, the drawings are schematic, and it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the dimensional relationships between elements, the ratios of each element, etc. may be different from reality. There may also be parts where the dimensional relationships and ratios between the drawings are different from each other.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a front view of the vertical blind 1 according to the present invention in which the louvers 70, 80 are in the fully closed state. FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the vertical blind 1 according to the present invention in which the louvers 70, 80 are in the fully open state, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line b-b of (a). FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vertical blind 1 according to the present invention in a state where the hanger rail 10 is removed. The vertical blind 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of louvers 70, 80, and by making it possible to adjust the angle of the louvers 70, 80 (specifically, the rotation angle in the horizontal plane in the horizontal cross-section of the louvers 70, 80), for example, it is possible to allow external viewing from the interior, prevent external viewing of the interior, and also adjust the amount of light incident on the interior. It is a solar shading device. The vertical blind 1 according to the present 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.

[0019] The vertical blind 1 according to the present invention includes a hanger rail 10, a tilt shaft 20 that is rotatably supported within the hanger rail 10 about an axis x1, runners (first runners) 50 and runners (second runners) 60 supported by the tilt shaft 20, a plurality of louvers 70, 80 respectively suspended from the runners 50 and 60, and transmission mechanisms 51, 61 that transmit the rotation of the tilt shaft 20 to the runners 50 and 60. The transmission mechanisms 51, 61 for the runners 50 and 60 are arranged on different sides with the tilt shaft 20 interposed therebetween, and the runners 50 and 60 each have runner hooks 54, 64 that engage with the transmission mechanisms 51, 61 and rotatably support the louvers 70, 80. The plurality of louvers 70, 80 include louvers 70, 80 supported by the runner hooks 54, 64 at positions offset from the center in the intersecting direction that intersects the suspension direction UD. Hereinafter, the configuration of the vertical blind 1 will be specifically described.

[0020] <Configuration of Vertical Blind> The vertical blind 1 comprises a hanger rail 10, a tilt shaft 20, a drive mechanism (not shown), an operating rod 30, an operating cord 40, a runner (first runner) 50, a runner (second runner) 60, and two types of louvers 70 and 80. For the sake of explanation, in the drawings, as shown in Figure 1, the extension direction of the hanger rail 10 of the vertical blind 1 is defined as the longitudinal direction LR. The direction in which the louvers 70 and 80 hang down from the hanger rail 10 (hanging direction) is defined as the height direction UD. In Figure 2(b), the left-right direction is defined as the front-back direction (width direction) FB. The side on which the operating rod 30 is attached to the vertical blind 1 is the indoor side F, and the side on which the vertical blind 1 is attached to a window frame, etc., is defined as the outdoor side B.

[0021] The hanger rail 10 is a hollow, casing-shaped member extending along its longitudinal direction LR, with a roughly rectangular cross-sectional shape in the width direction FB. Both ends of the hanger rail 10 in the longitudinal direction LR are closed by end caps. The hanger rail 10 has an opening 11 that opens downward D in the height direction UD when the vertical blind 1 is attached, and multiple louvers 70, 80 are suspended from the hanger rail 10.

[0022] The tilt shaft 20 is provided within the hanger rail 10 along its extending direction (longitudinal direction LR). The tilt shaft 20 is supported within the hanger rail 10 so as to be rotatable around an axis x1 extending along the longitudinal direction LR. The tilt shaft 20 is a shaft member having a plurality of spline grooves 21 formed on its outer circumferential surface at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The spline grooves 21 extend along the axis x1. A drive mechanism is connected to one end of the tilt shaft 20 (for example, the right side R).

[0023] An operating rod 30, an operating cord 40, and a drive mechanism are provided on one end (right side R) of the closed end of the hanger rail 10. The operating rod 30 is supported by the hanger rail 10 and suspended from the hanger rail 10. By rotating the operating rod 30, the tilt shaft 20 is rotated via the gears (not shown) of the drive mechanism. As the tilt shaft 20 rotates, the runner hooks 54 and 64 of the runners 50 and 60 (described later) rotate, and the louvers 70 and 80 supported by the runner hooks 54 and 64 rotate.

[0024] The operating cord 40 hanging from one end cap is provided to be able to rotate within the hanger rail 10, and is specifically attached to one of the multiple runners 50, 60 described later, either runner 50 or runner 60 on the other end cap side.

[0025] Runners 50 and 60 are arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction LR. Adjacent runners 50 and 60 are connected to each other by spacer links (not shown), which limit the maximum distance between them. Multiple runners 50 and 60 are mounted on the tilt shaft 20 so as to be relatively movable along the longitudinal direction LR.

[0026] Figure 4(a) is an exploded perspective view of one runner 50, and Figure 4(b) is an exploded perspective view of the other runner 60. Runner 50 has a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the tilt shaft 20 to the louver 70, for example, a worm gear 51, a runner hook 54, and a runner case 55. Runner 60 has a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the tilt shaft 20 to the louver 80, a worm gear 61, a runner hook 64, and a runner case 65. Note that the worm gears 51, 61, runner hooks 54, 64, and runner cases 55, 65 of runners 50 and 60 are common components.

[0027] The worm gears 51 and 61 are provided between the tilt shaft 20 and the runners 50 and 60, and in this embodiment, they are housed in the runners 50 and 60. Each worm gear 51 and 61 has a worm 52 and 62 and a worm wheel 53 and 63. The worms 52 and 62 are formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and have multiple teeth 52a and 62a on their outer circumferential surface. The teeth 52a and 62a are formed spirally around axes x2 and x3 that pass through the center of the worms 52 and 62 and serve as the rotation centers. The worms 52 and 62 are slidably fitted onto the tilt shaft 20 along axis x1, and their respective axes x2 and x3 coincide with or substantially coincide with axis x1 of the tilt shaft 20.

[0028] In this embodiment, the worm wheel 53 is positioned on the indoor side F relative to the tilt shaft 20 and worm 52, and the worm wheel 63 is positioned on the outdoor side B relative to the tilt shaft 20 and worm 62. In other words, with the tilt shaft 20 inserted through each of the worms 52 and 62, the worm wheels 53 and 63 engage with each other from different sides. In Figure 4, the twist direction of the teeth 52a and 62a on the worms 52 and 62 is, for example, upward to the left. Note that the twist direction of the teeth 52a and 62a on the worms 52 and 62 only needs to be in the same direction, and may be upward to the right.

[0029] Each worm 52, 62 has a plurality of protrusions 52b, 62b. Each protrusion 52b, 62b is formed convexly on the inner circumferential surface of the worm 52, 62 toward the axes x2, x3. The protrusions 52b, 62b are arranged at equal intervals from each other in the circumferential direction. Each protrusion 52b, 62b extends along the axes x2, x3 and engages with, for example, a spline groove 21 (see Figure 3) of the tilt shaft 20. The worms 52, 62 rotate with the rotation of the tilt shaft 20 and are movable along the spline groove 21 in the direction of extension of the tilt shaft 20.

[0030] The worm wheels 53 and 63 are formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and are fitted onto runner hooks 54 and 64, which will be described later. The worm wheels 53 and 63 have multiple teeth 53a and 63a on their outer surfaces. The teeth 53a and 63a extend diagonally along axes x4 and x5 that pass through the center of the worm wheels 53 and 63 and serve as the rotation centers. In Figure 4, the twist direction of the teeth 53a and 63a on the worm wheels 53 and 63 is, for example, upward to the right. Note that the twist direction of the teeth 53a and 63a on the worm wheels 53 and 63 only needs to be in the same direction, and may be upward to the left.

[0031] The runner hooks 54 and 64 are rod-shaped members. The runner hooks 54 and 64 are housed in runner cases 55 and 65 (described later) so as to be rotatable around axes x4 and x5, and support the louvers 70 and 80 (described later) at one end. The runner hooks 54 and 64 have support portions 54a and 64a and mounting portions 54b and 64b. The support portions 54a and 64a are parts that partially protrude downward D from the runners 50 and 60 when the runner hooks 54 and 64 are supported by the runners 50 and 60. The support portions 54a and 64a support the louvers 70 and 80 so as to allow them to rotate.

[0032] The mounting portions 54b and 64b are located within the storage space S of the runner cases 55 and 65, which will be described later. The worm wheels 53 and 63 are fitted over the mounting portions 54b and 64b. When the worm wheels 53 and 63 are fitted over the mounting portions 54b and 64b, the worm wheels 53 and 63 and the runner hooks 54 and 64 are configured not to rotate relative to each other.

[0033] The worm wheels 53 and 63 mesh with the worms 52 and 62, which rotate together with the tilt shaft 20. As the tilt shaft 20 rotates, the rotational power is transmitted to the runner hooks 54 and 64 via the worms 52 and 62 and the worm wheels 53 and 63, causing the runner hooks 54 and 64 to rotate around axes x4 and x5. Since the runner hooks 54 and 64 rotate in different directions from each other, the louvers 70 and 80 also rotate in different directions from each other.

[0034] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the runner cases 55;65, where (a) is a perspective view of the runner cases 55;65 seen from above, (b) is a perspective view of the runner cases 55;65 seen from below, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the runner cases 55;65 along line cc in (a). The runner cases 55;65 are slidably supported within the hanger rail 10 along the longitudinal direction LR relative to the tilt shaft 20. The runner cases 55;65 are housing members that contain the worm gears 51, 61 and the runner hooks 54, 64. The runner cases 55;65 are supported on the tilt shaft 20 at predetermined intervals from each other in the extending direction of the tilt shaft 20.

[0035] Each runner case 55;65 has a pair of side walls 56;66, a front wall 57;67, a rear wall 58;68, and a bottom wall 59;69. Each runner case 55;65 defines a storage space S for housing worm gears 51,61 and runner hooks 54,64, etc., by its pair of side walls 56;66, front wall 57;67, rear wall 58;68, and bottom wall 59;69. When attached to the tilt shaft 20, the runner cases 55;65 are open to the upper side U in the height direction UD.

[0036] The side walls 56;66 are walls facing the longitudinal direction LR when the runner cases 55;65 are supported by the tilt shaft 20, and extend intersecting the tilt shaft 20 (in the front-rear direction FB). Each of the side walls 56;66 has an insertion hole 56a;66a, through which the tilt shaft 20 is inserted. The worms 52,62 are arranged concentrically with respect to the insertion holes 56a,66a.

[0037] The front wall portions 57;67 are provided to connect a pair of side wall portions 56;66 on the side facing the interior side F when the runner cases 55;65 are supported by the tilt shaft 20. The front wall portions 57;67 have protruding portions 57a;67a and opposing portions 57b;67b.

[0038] The protruding portions 57a;67a extend by a predetermined amount in the direction away from the front wall portions 57;67 (indoor side F). The opposing portions 57b;67b extend from the tip of the protruding portions 57a;67a to the side opposite to the bottom wall portions 59;69 and face the front wall portions 57;67. The space between the front wall portions 57;67 and the opposing portions 57b;67b slidably holds the spacer link. Protrusions 57c;67c are formed on the surface of the opposing portions 57b;67b that faces away from the front wall portions 57;67. The protrusions 57c;67c are formed in an inverted C shape or a substantially inverted C shape, as shown in Figure 5. The operating cord 40 is passed through the protrusions 57c;67c.

[0039] The rear wall sections 58;68 are provided to connect a pair of side wall sections 56;66 on the side facing the exterior B when the runner cases 55;65 are supported on the tilt shaft 20. The rear wall sections 58;68 have protrusions 58a;68a. The runner cases 55;65 are movably supported on the hanger rail 10 at the protrusions 58a;68a. The protrusions 58a;68a are formed in a C-shape or substantially C-shape, as shown in Figure 5. An operating cord 40 is passed through the protrusions 58a;68a.

[0040] The bottom wall portions 59;69 close the runner cases 55;65 at the lower side D in the height direction UD. The bottom wall portions 59;69 have holes 59a;69a and holes 59b;69b. When the runner cases 55;65 are supported by the tilt shaft 20, the holes 59a;69a are on the indoor side F relative to the tilt shaft 20, and the holes 59b;69b are on the outdoor side B relative to the tilt shaft 20. Runner hooks 54,64 can be inserted through each of the holes 59a;69a, 59b;69b. The holes 59a;69a, 59b;69b are provided at predetermined intervals along the side wall portions 56;66 and are arranged on either side of the insertion holes 56a;66a in the side wall portions 56;66. In the vertical blind 1 according to this embodiment, the runner hook 54 is inserted through the hole 59a, and the runner hook 64 is inserted through the hole 69b, with the support portions 54a and 64a protruding downward D from the runner cases 55 and 65, respectively.

[0041] Figure 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the vertical blind 1 along line AA in Figure 2, and Figure 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the vertical blind 1 along line BB in Figure 2. In the vertical blind 1 according to this embodiment, the louvers 70 are supported by runners 50, and the louvers 80 are supported by runners 60. Alternatively, the louvers 70 may be supported by runners 60 and the louvers 80 may be supported by runners 50. In the vertical blind 1 according to this embodiment, the louvers 70 and 80 are arranged alternately such that louvers 70 are positioned at both ends in the longitudinal direction LR (see Figure 2(a)).

[0042] In this embodiment, the louvers 70 are formed of, for example, an opaque material that does not transmit light, and the louvers 80 are formed of a translucent material that transmits light. However, the louvers 70 may be formed of a semi-translucent material that transmits some light. Alternatively, the louvers 80 may be formed of an opaque material that does not transmit light, and the louvers 70 may be formed of a translucent material that transmits light. In this case, the louvers 80 may be formed of a semi-translucent material that transmits some light. The louvers 70 and 80 are formed in a rectangular or substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The dimensions of the louvers 70 and 80 along the height direction (hanging direction) UD are set to lengths 70L and 80L, and the dimensions of the louvers 70 and 80 along the direction intersecting the height direction HD (intersecting direction) are set to widths 70W and 80W.

[0043] In the longitudinal direction LR, the louvers 70 of the vertical blind 1, excluding those positioned at both ends, are supported by runner hooks 54 at a position offset from the center in the direction along the width 70W. When the louvers 70 and 80 are fully open, the shorter portion 70s of the louver 70 on the shorter side of the width 70W is on the exterior side B, and the longer portion 70l on the longer side of the width 70W is on the interior side F, relative to the runner hooks 54. When the louvers 70 and 80 are fully open, the shorter portion 70s of the louver 70 faces the runner hook 64 supporting the adjacent louver 80 in the longitudinal direction LR. Also, when the louvers 70 and 80 are fully open, the shorter portion 70s of the louver 70 overlaps with the tilt shaft 20 at the lower side D in the height direction UD. For example, in the case of a louver 70 with a width of 70W, the ratio of the short portion 70s to the long portion 70l is "short portion 70s:long portion 70l = 4:6". Note that when louvers 70 and 80 are fully open, the short portion 70s may be on the indoor side F as long as it faces the runner hook 64 supporting the adjacent louver 80 in the longitudinal direction LR, and the long portion 70l on the longer side of the width 70W may be on the outdoor side B.

[0044] Louvers 70 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction LR are connected to each other by a bottom cord 71 (see Figures 2(a) and 7) at the lower side D in the height direction UD, that is, the side opposite to the side supported by the runner hook 54, and at the edge 70e on the side of the long width portion 70l of the louvers 70. The bottom cord 71 is provided at a predetermined distance from the lower end of the louvers 70 to the upper side U.

[0045] The louver 80 is supported by runner hooks 64 at a position offset from the center in the direction along the width 80W. When the louvers 70 and 80 are fully open, the shorter side of the width 80W of the louver 80, the short portion 80s, is on the indoor side F, and the longer side of the width 80W, the long portion 80l, is on the outdoor side B, relative to the runner hooks 64. When the louvers 70 and 80 are fully open, the short portion 80s of the louver 80 faces the runner hook 54 supporting the adjacent louver 70 in the longitudinal direction LR. Also, when the louvers 70 and 80 are fully open, the short portion 80s of the louver 80 overlaps with the tilt shaft 20 at the lower side D in the height direction UD. For example, in the width 80W of the louver 80, the ratio of the short portion 80s to the long portion 80l is "short portion 80s:long portion 80l = 4:6". Furthermore, when the louvers 70 and 80 are fully open, the shorter portion 80s may be located on the outdoor side B if it faces the runner hook 54 supporting the adjacent louver 70 in the longitudinal direction LR, and the longer portion 80l on the longer side of the width 70W may be located on the indoor side F.

[0046] The short portion 70s and the long portion 70l of louver 70, and the short portion 80s and the long portion 80l of louver 80, are located on opposite sides of each other on the indoor side F and the outdoor side B when louvers 70 and 80 are fully open, and the long portions 70l and 80l do not face the runner hooks 64 and 54 of adjacent louvers 80 and 70.

[0047] Louvers 80 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction LR are connected to each other by a bottom cord 81 (see Figures 2(a) and 7) at the lower side D in the height direction UD, that is, the side opposite to the side supported by the runner hook 64, and at the edge 80e on the side of the long width portion 80l of the louver 80. The bottom cord 81 is provided at a predetermined distance from the lower end of the louver 80 to the upper side U.

[0048] <Opening and closing operation of vertical blinds> Next, the opening and closing operation of the vertical blind 1 described above will be explained. Figure 7 is a plan view showing the state in which runners 50 and 60 supporting the louvers 70 and 80 are attached to the tilt shaft 20. Multiple worms 52 and 62 are attached alternately at equal intervals along the extension direction of the tilt shaft 20. As shown in the figure, for example, the worm wheel 53 on runner 50 is on the indoor side F relative to the tilt shaft 20, and the worm wheel 63 on runner 60 is on the outdoor side B relative to the tilt shaft 20. In other words, the worm wheel 53 on runner 50 and the worm wheel 63 on runner 60 are on different sides relative to the tilt shaft 20. For example, the runner hook 54 on runner 50 rotates clockwise (see arrow), and the runner hook 64 on runner 60 rotates counterclockwise (see arrow).

[0049] Figure 8(a) schematically shows the rotation ranges 700R and 800R of each louver in a comparative example of a vertical blind, and Figure 8(b) schematically shows the rotation ranges 70R, 70r, 80R, and 80r of each louver 70 and 80 in the vertical blind 1 according to the present invention. In the comparative example of a vertical blind, the louvers 700 and 800 are supported by runner hooks at the center of their width. For example, in order to increase the overlap between adjacent louvers 700 and 800 when the louvers 700 and 800 are fully closed, it is conceivable to increase the width of the louvers 700 and 800. However, when the width of the louvers 700 and 800 is increased, they may come into contact (interfere) with adjacent louvers 700 and 800 at the positions of the runner hooks 540 and 640 during rotation. To avoid contact between louvers 700 and 800, increasing the spacing between runners 500 and 600 in the longitudinal direction LR reduces the amount of overlap between the ends of adjacent louvers 700 and 800.

[0050] In the comparative example of the vertical blind, in order to avoid contact between the louvers 700 and 800, for example, the distance between the runner hooks must be increased in the indoor-outdoor direction (FB). As a result, the hanger rail in the comparative example of the vertical blind becomes larger in the indoor-outdoor direction (FB), and when the louvers 700 and 800 are fully closed, a gap is created between the louvers 700 and 800, which is undesirable from the viewpoint of ensuring shielding between the indoor side F and the outdoor side B.

[0051] In contrast to the vertical blinds of the comparative example, the vertical blind 1 according to the present invention has louvers 70, 80 supported by runner hooks 54, 64 at offset positions in their respective widths 70W, 80W. Furthermore, when the louvers 70, 80 are fully open, the short portions 70s, 80s of each louver 70, 80 face the runner hooks 64, 54 of the adjacent louvers 80, 70. When the louvers 70, 80 rotate in the opening direction, the short portions 70s, 80s rotate within a small rotation range 70r, 80r below the tilt shaft 20 D, while the long portions 70l, 80l rotate within a large rotation range 70R, 80R at a position that does not overlap the tilt shaft 20.

[0052] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the rotation process of each louver 70, 80 in the vertical blind 1 according to the present invention. Runners 50, 60 are attached to the tilt shaft 20 at intervals such that the ends of adjacent louvers 70, 80 overlap when the louvers 70, 80 are fully closed (0° and 180°). In other words, when the louvers 70, 80 are fully closed, the end of one louver 70, excluding the ends of both ends of the vertical blind 1, overlaps with the end of the adjacent louver 70, and the end of one louver 80 overlaps with the end of the adjacent louver 80. When the operating rod 30 is rotated, the tilt shaft 20 rotates, causing the louver 70 to rotate 180° clockwise and the louver 80 to rotate 180° counterclockwise.

[0053] For example, in conventional vertical blinds, where the louvers remain parallel to each other and rotate in the same direction until they are fully open, only the amount of light entering the room at an angle from the window was adjusted. In other words, the gaps between the louvers gradually narrow as they move diagonally from the front of the room, thus adjusting the amount of light entering the room.

[0054] In contrast, in the vertical blind 1, as the tilt shaft 20 rotates, the louvers 70 and 80 can always adjust the distance between them (gap amount) in steps (for example, from 45° to 135°) in the direction facing the interior and exterior (directly facing direction), as shown in Figure 9. This allows for fine adjustment (dimming) of the amount of light entering the room from the front through the window.

[0055] Furthermore, when the louvers 70 and 80 are opened or closed (dimmed) (for example, from 15° to 60°), the opaque louvers 70 become visible between the translucent louvers 80, thus obstructing visibility from the outside into the room and maintaining privacy.

[0056] Furthermore, when the louvers 70 and 80 are fully closed (0° and 180°), for example, only the non-transparent louvers 70 are visible from the indoor side F, meaning that the translucent louvers 80 are not visible from the indoor side F, thereby enhancing the overall design uniformity of the vertical blind 1.

[0057] Furthermore, when the louvers 70 and 80 are fully closed (0° and 180°), a predetermined space is provided between the louvers 70 and 80 in the indoor-outdoor direction (FB). This creates an air layer between the louvers 70 and 80 when fully closed, providing an insulating effect.

[0058] According to the vertical blind 1 described above, the louvers 70 and 80 are supported by runner hooks 54 and 64 at offset positions, respectively, and the shorter width portions 70s and 80s of width 70W and 80W rotate on the lower side D of the tilt shaft 20. As a result, for example, when the louvers 70 and 80 rotate in the opening direction, louver 70 approaches the adjacent louver 80 on the side of its shorter width portion 70s, and louver 80 approaches the adjacent louver 70 on the side of its shorter width portion 80s, so that the louvers 70 and 80 rotate within a small rotation range 70r and 80r. This makes it possible to increase the distance between the louvers 70 and 80 and other adjacent louvers 80 and 70 when they rotate in the opening direction, thereby avoiding interference. Furthermore, the distance between the runner hooks 54 and 64 in the indoor-outdoor direction (FB) can be made smaller compared to, for example, the vertical blinds in the comparative example (see Figures 8(a) and (b)), and the hanger rail 10 can be made smaller in the indoor-outdoor direction (FB).

[0059] Furthermore, the louvers 70 provided at both ends of the tilt shaft 20 are supported by runner hooks 54 at the center or approximately center position in the width 70W. Therefore, when the louvers 70 and 80 are fully closed, the edge position of the louvers 70 in the width 70W direction does not change regardless of the rotation direction of the louvers 70 and 80. As a result, regardless of the rotation direction of the louvers 70 and 80, the amount by which the louvers 70 at both ends of the vertical blind 1 overlap with (cover the window) in the longitudinal direction LR when the louvers 70 and 80 are fully closed is always the same. Therefore, variations in the gap between the louvers 70 and, for example, the window frame in the longitudinal direction LR, depending on the rotation direction of the louvers 70 and 80, are suppressed, and stable shielding performance is obtained.

[0060] Furthermore, adjacent louvers 70 and 80 in the longitudinal direction LR are connected to each other by bottom cords 71 ​​and 81 at the edges 70e and 80e on the sides of the long width portions 70l and 80l, respectively. This prevents the louvers 70 and 80 from flapping due to wind or vibration, for example. Note that bottom cord 71 connects only louver 70, and bottom cord 81 connects only louver 80, so the rotation of louvers 70 and 80 is not hindered by bottom cords 71 ​​and 81.

[0061] Furthermore, since the runner cases 55 and 65 of the runners 50 and 60 each have two holes 59a, 59b, 69a, and 69b for accommodating the runner hooks 54 and 64, the same runner case 55 and 65 can be used for each runner 50 and 60.

[0062] Furthermore, when the louvers 70 and 80 are fully closed, the ends of the louvers 70 supported by the runners 50 and the ends of the louvers 80 supported by the runners 60 overlap. For example, when viewing the vertical blind 1 from the indoor side F, only the louvers 70 are visible, and when viewing the vertical blind 1 from the outdoor side B, only the louvers 80 are visible, resulting in a unified design.

[0063] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and includes all aspects included in the concept and claims of the present invention. Furthermore, each configuration may be selectively combined as appropriate to achieve at least some of the above-described problems and effects. In addition, for example, the shape, material, arrangement, size, etc. of each component in the above embodiments may be appropriately changed depending on the specific use of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiments, translucent louvers 70 and non-translucent louvers 80 were supported on the runners 50 and 60, but the type of louvers is not particularly limited, and the two types of louvers used can be appropriately determined according to the interior design, such as by different colors.

[0064] Furthermore, although the runner cases 55 and 65 were identical in the above embodiment, they may also have holes for accommodating specific runner hooks 54 and 64 on the side that aligns with the supporting louvers 70 and 80. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Vertical blinds 10. Hanger rail, 20...Tilt shaft 30...operation rod 40... Operation Code 50... Runner (first runner), 51... Worm gear (transmission mechanism), 52... Worm, 53... Worm wheel, 54... Runner hook, 55... Runner case 60... Runner (second runner), 61... Worm gear (transmission mechanism), 62... Worm, 63... Worm wheel, 64... Runner hook, 65... Runner case 70, 80... Louvers, 71, 81... Bottom cord (cord)

Claims

1. Hanger rail and A tilt shaft is supported within the hanger rail so as to be rotatable about an axis, The first runner and the second runner are supported on the aforementioned tilt shaft, Multiple louvers suspended from the first runner and the second runner, A transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the tilt shaft to the first runner and the second runner, Equipped with, The transmission mechanisms for the first runner and the second runner, respectively, are arranged on opposite sides of the tilt shaft. The first runner and the second runner each have hooks that engage with the transmission mechanism and rotatably support the louvers. Of the plurality of louvers, the louvers supported by the first runner are supported by the hook at a position offset to one side on the indoor or outdoor side in the intersecting direction that intersects the suspension direction, and of the plurality of louvers, the louvers supported by the second runner are supported by the hook at a position offset to the other side on the indoor or outdoor side in the intersecting direction. A vertical blind characterized by the following features.

2. At least in the fully open state of the louvers, the portion of the louvers on the side where the distance from the position of the hook to the end of the louvers in the intersecting direction is shorter faces another adjacent hook in the direction of extension of the tilt shaft. The vertical blind according to feature 1.

3. The vertical blind according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, among the plurality of louvers, the louvers provided at both ends in the extending direction of the tilt shaft are louvers that are supported by the hook at the central position in the intersecting direction.

4. The vertical blind according to claim 1, characterized in that the louvers supported by the first runner and the louvers supported by the second runner are connected by a cord on the side opposite to the side supported by the hook, and on the edge furthest from the tilt shaft when the louvers are fully open.

5. The vertical blind according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of first runners and a plurality of second runners are alternately arranged on the tilt shaft.

6. One of the louvers of the first runner and the louvers of the second runner is either light-transmitting or opaque. The other of the louvers of the first runner and the louvers of the second runner is either light-transmitting or opaque. The vertical blind according to feature 1.

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