Insulated glass blind assembly

• US 20030066614A1
• Filed: 10/04/2001
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Odl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Odl Incorporated
• Inventors: Hummel, Benjamin P., Sun, Luann Y.
• Granted Patent: US 6,601,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 160/107
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2646 Magnetic screen operator
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/264 Combinations of lamellar blinds with roller shutters, screen windows, windows, or double panes; Lamellar blinds with special devices

Abstract

An insulated glass window with an integral blind assembly. At least one of the glass spacer corner keys includes an integral pulley for cords associated with the blind. An operator on an exterior surface of the glass includes a leg slidably retained between the frame and the glass to maintain the operator in contact with the window and the blind mechanism enclosed therein.

Claims

1. - A window/blind assembly comprising:

an insulated glass including a spacer and a pair of glass panels sealed to said spacer;

a frame supporting said insulated glass;

a blind within said insulated glass between said glass panels; and

a mechanism for raising and lowering said blind, said mechanism including an operator outside of said insulated glass, said operator including a portion interfitting with said frame between said frame and said insulated glass to restrict movement of said operator to a linear direction parallel to said glass.

2. - The window/blind assembly of claim 1 wherein said spacer further comprises:

a plurality of individual rail members interconnected by a plurality of corner keys; and

a rotatable pulley supported by one of said corner keys.

3. - The window/blind assembly of claim 2 further comprising a pair of bushings supporting said rotatable pulley within said one corner key.

4. - The window/blind assembly of claim 1 wherein said mechanism for raising and lowering said blind further comprises a follower inside said insulated glass, said follower and said operator being magnetically coupled.

5. - A window comprising:

a window assembly;

a frame assembly surrounding said window assembly, said frame assembly defining an internal groove facing said window assembly;

a window covering within said window assembly;

an operator including a secured portion slidably received within said internal groove; and

means for moving said window covering in response to movement of said operator.

6. - The window of claim 5 wherein said means for moving said moving means comprises:

a follower within said window assembly;

first and second magnets carried by said operator and said follower respectively; and

a cord attached to said follower and said window covering.

7. - The window of claim 5 wherein said window assembly includes a spacer frame including a plurality of individual rails and a plurality of corner keys connecting said rails, one of said corner keys including an integral pulley support.

8. - The window of claim 7 further comprising a pulley supported by said integral pulley support.

9. - The window of claim 8 wherein said pulley comprises a pin supported by a pair of grommets.

10. - The window of claim 5 wherein said glass unit is sealed in an insulated construction.

11. - A window comprising:

a spacer frame including a plurality of frame members and a plurality of corner keys, said corner keys interconnecting the frame members;

a pulley supported by one of said corner keys;

a pair of glazing panels sealed to said spacer frame; and

a window covering between said panels, said window covering including a cord extending over said pulley.

12. - The window of claim 11 wherein said pulley comprises a pin and a bushing rotatably supporting said pin within said one corner key.

13. - The window of claim 11 wherein said frame defines a groove facing one of the glazing panels, said operator including a protrusion fitting within said groove, said protrusion slidably operable in said groove, said operator slidably operating said window covering.

14. - The window of claim 13 wherein said protrusion further comprises a first leg and a second leg, said first leg connecting said second leg to the main body portion of said operator.

15. - The window of claim 14 wherein said second leg is secured within said interior groove.

16. - The window of claim 11 further comprising:

a cover attached to said internal frame;

a magnetic follower within said secondary inner frame;

a plurality of magnets being disposed in said operator and said follower;

an attachment point on said follower; and

a cord attached to said attachment point.

17. - A window unit comprising:

a plurality of rail members;

a pair of glass panes sealed to said rail members forming a glass assembly;

a window covering sealed within said glass assembly;

a plurality of corner keys interconnecting said rail members; and

a pulley mounted on at least one corner key.

18. - The window unit of claim 17 wherein said pulley comprises a pin supported by a pair of grommets.

19. - The window unit of claim 17 wherein said corner key includes an integrally molded pulley mount said pulley being mounted thereon.

20. - The window unit of claim 17 wherein said glass unit is in an insulative construction.