JP7743368B2 - Pleated screens - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to pleated screens.

A conventional pleated screen is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The pleated screen disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a head rail, a bottom rail that is suspended from the head rail via a bottom rail lifting cord so that it can be raised and lowered, a screen material that is stretched between the head rail and the bottom rail so that it can be folded up and down, and pitch keep cords (hereinafter referred to as pitch cords) that are stretched between the head rail and the bottom rail to maintain the pleat pitch of the screen material.
The pitch cord is guided by a cord guide attached to the head rail and hangs down close to the pleat ridge on the rear surface of the screen material, and its upper end is configured to be attached to a cord terminal that is elastically and detachably fixed to an attachment groove on the bottom or rear surface of the head rail.
With this configuration, the length of the pitch cord can be easily adjusted by removing the cord terminal from the head rail.
However, with the pleated screen, the head rail must also be modified to allow the cord terminal to be attached and detached, which poses a problem in that existing head rails cannot be used.
The above problem is not limited to cases where the cord terminal is detachable from the head rail, but also applies to cases where the cord terminal is detachable from the bottom rail, or to an intermediate rail that connects multiple screens arranged above and below.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-336824

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned issues, and aims to provide technology that allows for easy adjustment of the pitch cord length while maintaining a simple structure that can reuse existing rail materials.

The pleated screen of the present invention comprises a screen formed with multiple pleats that can be folded and unfolded in the vertical direction, a rail material to which one end of the screen is connected via a fixing member, a pitch cord that hangs down to maintain the pitch between the multiple pleats, and a cord fastener to which one end of the pitch cord is engaged and which is removably fixed to the fixing member.

This invention provides a technology that allows for easy adjustment of the pitch cord length while maintaining a simple structure that can utilize existing rail materials.

A front view of the pleated screen of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view of the head box showing the internal structure of the head box of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the pleated screen of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting plate and pitch cord fastener of the first embodiment. FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view of the pitch cord fixture of the first embodiment as seen from above, and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view of the pitch cord fixture of the first embodiment as seen from below. FIG. 6( a ) is a side view showing the state in which the pitch cord fixture is attached to the mounting plate of the first embodiment, and FIG. 6( b ) is a side view showing the state in which the pitch cord fixture is attached to the mounting plate of the first embodiment. FIG. 7( a ) is a perspective view of the mounting plate with the pitch cord fastener of the first embodiment attached, as viewed from the top side of the mounting plate, and FIG. 7( b ) is a perspective view of the mounting plate with the pitch cord fastener of the first embodiment attached, as viewed from the bottom side of the mounting plate. FIG. 8( a ) is a plan view of the mounting plate with the pitch cord fastener of the first embodiment attached, as viewed from the top side of the mounting plate, and FIG. 8( b ) is a plan view of the mounting plate with the pitch cord fastener of the first embodiment attached, as viewed from the bottom side of the mounting plate. 1A and 1B are top views of a mounting plate with a pitch cord fixture of the first embodiment attached thereto, showing the state before and after adjusting the length of the pitch cord. 1A and 1B are side views of the pleated screen of the first embodiment, showing the state before and after adjusting the length of the pitch cord. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing a pitch cord attachment device of a second embodiment, in which FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing the state before the pitch cord fastener is attached to the attachment plate, FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing the attachment plate with the pitch cord fastener attached, and FIG. 11C is a top view showing the attachment plate with the pitch cord fastener attached.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals.

First Embodiment
The pleated screen of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG.
First, the overall configuration of the pleated screen will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a front view of the pleated screen 1 of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a top view of the head box 12 showing the internal structure of the head box 12 of this embodiment. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the pleated screen 1 of this embodiment.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the pleated screen 1 is configured as a two-tier system using two screens, one above the other. The pleated screen 1 includes a bracket 11, a head box 12, an upper screen 13, an intermediate bar 14, a lower screen 15, a bottom rail 16, a lifting cord 17a, a dimming cord 17b, pitch cords 18a and 18b, and a drive unit 19.

The directions used in the explanation are defined as follows. In Figure 1, the longitudinal direction of the pleated screen 1 is indicated by D1. This longitudinal direction D1 is referred to as the side direction. When viewing the pleated screen 1 from the side, the direction of the pitch cords 18a and 18b relative to the lift cord 17a is referred to as the rear, and the opposite direction is referred to as the front.
Furthermore, when the pleated screen 1 is in use, the direction from the bottom rail 16 to the head box 12 is referred to as the upward direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the downward direction.

The pleated screen 1 will be described below from top to bottom.
First, a description will be given of the head box 12. The head box 12 is a box body having a long box shape.
A bracket 11, which is a member for fixing the pleated screen 1 to a window frame or the like, is provided on the upper part of the head box 12. A pitch cord fixing device 12a for fixing the upper end of the pitch cord 18a is provided on the lower part of the head box 12. A drive unit 19 is built into the head box 12.
A mounting plate 121 is also provided at the bottom of the head box 12. The mounting plate 121 has insertion holes 121a formed therein, through which the lift cord 17a and the dimmer cord 17b are inserted. The mounting plate 121 and the upper end of the upper screen 13 are connected with staples or the like, and the mounting plate 121 is inserted into the mounting space at the bottom of the head box 12. As a result, the upper end of the upper screen 13 is connected to the bottom of the head box 12 over the entire length in the longitudinal direction D1.

The upper screen 13 is made up of multiple pleats 131 connected in the vertical direction so that they can be folded and unfolded. Each of the multiple pleats 131 has an insertion hole 131a through which the lift cord 17a and the dimmer cord 17b pass.

The lower portion of the upper screen 13 is connected to the intermediate bar 14. The intermediate bar 14 is a member configured in the shape of a long rectangular parallelepiped.
The intermediate bar 14 includes mounting plates 141 and 142 provided on the upper and lower sides thereof, respectively, and a cord clip 143 provided inside the intermediate bar 14 at approximately the center in the short side direction.
The upper mounting plate 141 has insertion holes 141a through which the lift cord 17a and the dimmer cord 17b pass. The lower end of the upper screen 13 is connected to this mounting plate 141 with staples or the like, and the mounting plate 141 is inserted into the mounting space above the intermediate bar 14. In this way, the lower end of the upper screen 13 is connected to the top of the intermediate bar 14 over the entire length in the longitudinal direction D1.
In this way, the intermediate bar 14 and the head box 12 are connected by the upper screen 13. In addition, the lower ends of the pitch cords 18a are fixed to the intermediate bar 14 by sandwiching the lower ends of the pitch cords 18a between the mounting plate 141 and the intermediate bar 14.
In addition, the cord clip 143 guides the lift cord 17a inserted into the insertion hole 141a downward to the intermediate bar 14, and also fixes the lower end of the dimmer cord 17b or guides the dimmer cord 17b to turn toward the end of the intermediate bar 14.
The lower mounting plate 142 has openings 142a through which the lifting cord 17a and pitch cord 18b are inserted. The upper end of the lower screen 15 is connected to this lower mounting plate 142 with staples or the like, and the mounting plate 142 is inserted into the mounting space below the intermediate bar 14. This connects the upper end of the lower screen 15 to the lower part of the intermediate bar 14 over its entire length in the longitudinal direction D1. The lower mounting plate 142 has locking portions 144e that secure the upper ends of the pitch cords 18b to the mounting plate 142, and the pitch cords 18b are secured to these locking portions 144e.

Like the upper screen 13, the lower screen 15 has multiple pleats 151 connected vertically so that they can be folded and unfolded. Each of the multiple pleats 151 has an insertion hole 151a formed through which the dimmer cord 17b passes.

The bottom rail 16 is a long, rectangular parallelepiped member configured to have approximately the same size as the intermediate bar 14. The bottom rail 16 includes a mounting plate 161 provided on its upper side and a cord holder 162 provided inside the mounting plate 161.
The mounting plate 161 has an insertion hole 161a through which the lifting cord 17a passes. The lower end of the lower screen 15 is connected to the mounting plate 161 with staples or the like, and the mounting plate 161 is inserted into the mounting space above the bottom rail 16. This connects the lower end of the lower screen 15 to the top of the bottom rail 16 over the entire length in the longitudinal direction D1.
In this way, the intermediate bar 14 and the bottom rail 16 are connected by the lower screen 15. In addition, the pitch cord 18b is fixed to the bottom rail 16 by sandwiching the lower end of the pitch cord 18b between the mounting plate 161 and the bottom rail 16.

Next, the cord provided on the pleated screen 1 will be described.
The lifting cord 17a is a cord that suspends and supports the bottom rail 16 so that it can be raised and lowered. One end of the lifting cord 17a is connected to the drive device 19 in the head box 12. The other end passes through the insertion hole 121a and hangs down from the head box 12. The other end is inserted sequentially from top to bottom through the insertion holes 131a of each pleat 131 of the upper screen 13, the insertion holes 141a of the mounting plate 141 of the intermediate bar 14, the openings 142a of the mounting plate 142, the insertion holes 151a of each pleat 151 of the lower screen 15, and the insertion holes 161a of the mounting plate 161 of the bottom rail 16, and is connected to the cord holder 162 of the bottom rail 16. With this connection, the bottom rail 16 is suspended and supported so that it can be raised and lowered by the lifting cord 17a.

The dimmer cord 17b is a cord that suspends and supports the intermediate bar 14 so that it can be raised and lowered. One end of the dimmer cord 17b is connected to the drive unit 19. The other end passes through the insertion hole 121a and hangs down from the head box 12. It is inserted sequentially from top to bottom through the insertion holes 131a of each pleat 131 of the upper screen 13 and the insertion hole 141a of the mounting plate 141 of the intermediate bar 14, and is connected to the cord clip 143 of the intermediate bar 14 or to a cap attached to the end of the intermediate bar 14. With this connection, the intermediate bar 14 is suspended and supported so that it can be raised and lowered by the dimmer cord 17b.

The pitch cord 18a is a cord that maintains the pitch between the multiple pleats 131 when the upper screen 13 is unfolded. The pitch cord 18a connects the head box 12 and the intermediate bar 14, and is equipped with multiple loop cords 181. Each of the multiple loop cords 181 is connected to the lifting cord 17a in a one-to-one correspondence with each pleat 131 of the upper screen 13. This connects the pitch cord 18a and the lifting cord 17a.

Furthermore, each of the multiple loop cords 181 is arranged so that the distance between adjacent loop cords 181, i.e., the pitch, is maintained at the same pitch. As a result, when the upper screen 13 is unfolded, the pitch between the multiple pleats 131 is maintained at the same pitch.

Pitch code 18b has the same configuration as pitch code 18a. Pitch code 18b and pitch code 18a correspond to different screens. Pitch code 18a corresponds to the upper screen 13, while pitch code 18b corresponds to the lower screen 15.

The pitch cord 18b connects the intermediate bar 14 and the bottom rail 16, and includes a plurality of loop cords 182. Each of the loop cords 182 is connected to the lifting cord 17a in a manner that corresponds one-to-one with each of the pleats 151 of the lower screen 15. This connects the pitch cord 18b and the lifting cord 17a.
Furthermore, each of the plurality of loop cords 182 is arranged such that the pitch between adjacent loop cords 182 is maintained at the same pitch, so that when the lower screen 15 is unfolded, the pitch between the plurality of pleats 151 is maintained at the same pitch.

Next, the drive unit 19 will be described. The drive unit 19 includes a first rotating shaft 191a, a first winding drum 192a, a second rotating shaft 191b, a second winding drum 192b, a first stopper 193a, a second stopper 193b, a first brake 194a, a second brake 194b, an operation unit 195, a pulley 196, an operation chain 197, an interlocking mechanism 198, and a lower limit 199.

The first rotation shaft 191a and the second rotation shaft 191b are rotation shafts arranged side by side inside the head box 12. The first rotation shaft 191a is disposed at the front inside the head box 12, and the second rotation shaft 191b is disposed at the rear inside the head box 12.
The first winding drum 192a is inserted through the first rotary shaft 191a so as to be rotatable therewith, and the second winding drum 192b is inserted through the second rotary shaft 191b so as to be rotatable therewith.

In addition, one end of the lifting cord 17a introduced into the head box 12 is connected to the first winding drum 192a, and one end of the dimmer cord 17b introduced into the head box 12 is connected to the second winding drum 192b.

The bottom rail 16 rises and falls as the connected lifting cord 17a is wound on and unwound from the first winding drum 192a. Similarly, the intermediate bar 14 rises and falls as the connected dimmer cord 17b is wound on and unwound from the second winding drum 192b.

The first stopper 193a is provided on the first rotating shaft 191a and restricts the rotation of the first rotating shaft 191a. The second stopper 193b is provided on the second rotating shaft 191b and restricts the rotation of the second rotating shaft 191b.
The first brake 194a is provided on the first rotating shaft 191a and reduces the speed of rotation of the first rotating shaft 191a. The second brake 194b is provided on the second rotating shaft 191b and reduces the speed of rotation of the second rotating shaft 191b.

The operation unit 195 is provided near one end of the head box 12, and switches the destination of the rotational force transmitted by the pulley 196 to either the first rotating shaft 191a or the second rotating shaft 191b in accordance with the operation of the operation chain 197.
The pulley 196 transmits the rotational force to the first rotating shaft 191a or the second rotating shaft 191b in accordance with the switching of the transmission destination by the operation unit 195.

The operating chain 197 is wound around the pulley 196 and hangs down from the head box 12 , and functions as an operating part that operates the rotational drive of the pulley 196 .
The interlocking mechanism 198 switches between an independent state in which the first rotating shaft 191a and the second rotating shaft 191b rotate independently, and an interlocking state in which the first rotating shaft 191a and the second rotating shaft 191b rotate in interlocking fashion.
The lower limit 199 defines the lowest position of the bottom rail 16, etc.

(Pleated screen operation)
Next, the operation of the pleated screen will be explained.
1 shows a state in which the upper screen 13 and the lower screen 15 are unfolded. In this state, the bottom rail 16 is lowered, and the rotation of the second rotation shaft 191b is restricted by the second stopper 193b so that the intermediate bar 14 is positioned between the head box 12 and the bottom rail 16.

To fold the upper screen 13 from this state, the operating chain 197 is operated to rotate the second rotating shaft 191b in a predetermined direction. This causes the second winding drum 192b to wind up the dimmer cord 17b, and the middle bar 14 rises along with the other end of the dimmer cord 17b. As the middle bar 14 rises, the upper screen 13 is gradually folded from bottom to top. When the upper screen 13 is completely folded, only the lower screen 15 remains unfolded. After the upper screen 13 is completely folded, operation by the operating chain 197 is completed, and the second stopper 193b restricts the rotation of the second rotating shaft 191b, maintaining the state in which only the lower screen 15 remains unfolded.

When folding the lower screen 15 downward from the state shown in FIG. 1, the operating chain 197 is operated to rotate the second rotating shaft 191b in a predetermined direction, and the restriction on rotation of the second rotating shaft 191b by the second stopper 193b is released.
As a result, the second rotating shaft 191b is released from the restraint of the second stopper 193b and becomes free to rotate, the light-dimmer cord 17b wound around the second winding drum 192b is unwound by the weight of the intermediate bar 14, and the intermediate bar 14 descends together with the other end of the light-dimmer cord 17b. This descent of the intermediate bar 14 causes the lower screen 15 to gradually fold downward. When the lower screen 15 is completely folded, only the upper screen 13 remains unfolded.

Furthermore, the operation when both the upper screen 13 and the lower screen 15 are folded is as follows.
When both the upper screen 13 and the lower screen 15 are deployed, the light control cord 17b is in a tensioned state. Therefore, the interlocking mechanism 198 is in a stand-alone state. Therefore, the operation chain 197 is operated to rotate only the first rotating shaft 191a in a predetermined direction. This causes the first rotating shaft 191a to rotate, and the first winding drum 192a winds up the lifting/lowering cord 17a, causing the lower screen 15 to be folded up sequentially from bottom to top.

After the lower screen 15 is completely folded, the operating chain 197 is continued to be operated to wind the lifting/lowering cord 17a onto the first winding drum 192a. The folded lower screen 15 then contacts the intermediate bar 14, causing the bottom rail 16 to push up the intermediate bar 14. At this time, the tension on the dimming cord 17b slackens because it is no longer subjected to the weight of the intermediate bar 14, and the interlocking mechanism 198 enters an interlocking state. As a result, the first rotating shaft 191a and the second rotating shaft 191b rotate together, causing the first winding drum 192a to wind up the lifting/lowering cord 17a and the second winding drum 192b to wind up the dimming cord 17b. As the lifting/lowering cord 17a and dimming cord 17b are wound up, the bottom rail 16 and intermediate bar 14 rise together, and the upper screen 13 is gradually folded up from bottom to top.

After the upper screen 13 and lower screen 15 are completely folded, operation by the operating chain 197 is terminated, and the rotation of the first rotating shaft 191a and second rotating shaft 191b is restricted by the first stopper 193a and second stopper 193b, respectively. This restriction keeps the upper screen 13 and lower screen 15 in their folded state.

Furthermore, when the upper screen 13 and lower screen 15 are to be unfolded from their folded state, the operating chain 197 is operated to release the restraints imposed by the first stopper 193a and second stopper 193b. This causes the bottom rail 16 and lower screen 15, as well as the intermediate bar 14 and upper screen 13, to descend under their own weight, and the upper screen 13 and lower screen 15 are unfolded together.

When the bottom rail 16 and the intermediate bar 14 are lowered, the rotation of the first rotating shaft 191a is slowed down by the first brake 194a, and the rotation of the second rotating shaft 191b is slowed down by the second brake 194b. This reduces the impact during the lowering.
When only the upper screen 13 is deployed, or when only the lower screen 15 is deployed, the upper screen 13 descends together with the intermediate bar 14, and the lower screen 15 descends together with the bottom rail 16, just as when both are deployed.

(Pitch code on bottom screen)
Next, the fixing of the pitch cord 18b corresponding to the lower screen 15 to the intermediate bar 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the pleated screen 1 of the first embodiment, the pitch cord 18 b is fixed to the intermediate bar 14 via a mounting plate 142 and a pitch cord fastener 144 .

First, the structures of the mounting plate 142 and the pitch cord fixture 144 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mounting plate 142 and pitch cord fastener 144. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are both perspective views of the pitch cord fastener 144. Figure 5(a) shows the surface of the pitch cord fastener 144 that faces upward when the pitch cord fastener 144 is attached to the mounting plate 142, i.e., the top surface of the pitch cord fastener 144. Figure 5(b) shows the surface of the pitch cord fastener 144 that faces downward when the pitch cord fastener 144 is attached to the mounting plate 142, i.e., the bottom surface of the pitch cord fastener 144.

The pitch cord fastener 144 is fixed to the mounting plate 142 when in use. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the mounting plate 142 has an opening 142a formed therein for fastening the pitch cord fastener 144. This opening 142a is a through-hole with a roughly rounded rectangular shape. The pitch cord fastener 144 is fixed to the mounting plate 142 by fitting into this opening 142a.

The shape of the opening 142a formed in the mounting plate 142 corresponds to the planar shape of the pitch cord fixture 144. In this embodiment, since the pitch cord fixture 144 has a rounded rectangular shape, the opening 142a also has a rounded rectangular shape.

In Figure 4, the longitudinal direction of the opening 142a is indicated by D2, and the transverse direction is indicated by D3. Similarly, the longitudinal direction of the pitch cord fastener 144 or the base portion 144a of the pitch cord fastener 144 is indicated by D4, and the transverse direction is indicated by D5.

The base portion 144a of the pitch cord fastener 144 is formed so that it is longer than the length of the opening 142a in at least one of the longitudinal direction D2 and lateral direction D3 of the opening 142a. This prevents the pitch cord fastener 144 from passing through the opening 142a, and allows the pitch cord fastener 144 to be fixed to the mounting plate 142 by fitting the pitch cord fastener 144 into the opening 142a.

The mounting plate 142 is fixed to the intermediate bar 14 by being inserted into the intermediate bar 14 from the side. The pitch cord fastener 144 fixed to the mounting plate 142 is then fixed to the intermediate bar 14 via the mounting plate 142.

One end of the pitch cord 18b is fixed to the pitch cord fixture 144. The length of the pitch cord 18b can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the pitch cord 18b fixed to the pitch cord fixture 144.

In order to guide the pitch cord 18b from below the mounting plate 142 to the pitch cord fixture 144, a pitch cord insertion portion 142b extending from the opening 142a of the mounting plate 142 is formed in the opening 142a. Like the opening 142a, the pitch cord insertion portion 142b is a through-hole formed in the mounting plate 142. The pitch cord insertion portion 142b is formed in a shape that extends from the center of the opening 142a in the longitudinal direction D2 toward the outside in the lateral direction D3. By inserting the pitch cord 18b through the pitch cord insertion portion 142b, it passes from below to above the mounting plate 142. This allows one end of the pitch cord 18b to be fixed to the pitch cord fixture 144 on the upper surface of the pitch cord fixture 144.

4, pitch cord fixture 144 is formed with lift cord insertion portion 145c and lead-in portion 145d. Lift cord insertion portion 145c is a through-hole formed in the center of base portion 144a of pitch cord fixture 144. This through-hole has a rounded rectangular shape in plan view.
The introduction portion 145d is a cutout portion of the base portion 144a that connects the outer periphery 145a of the base portion 144a to the lift-cord insertion portion 145c. The introduction portion 145d allows the lift-cord 17a to be easily inserted into the lift-cord insertion portion 145c.

Next, a description will be given of how to fasten the pitch cord fixture 144 to the mounting plate 142. In the following description, reference will be made to FIG. 6 in addition to FIGS.
Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are side views of the mounting plate 142 and the pitch cord fastener 144, showing the state when the pitch cord fastener 144 is being fitted to the mounting plate 142. Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show the side views of the mounting plate 142 and the pitch cord fastener 144 in the short direction D3 of the opening 142a. Figure 6(a) shows the state when the pitch cord fastener 144 begins to be fitted to the mounting plate 142, and Figure 6(b) shows the state after the pitch cord fastener 144 has been fitted to the mounting plate 142.

First, the structure of the upper surface of the pitch cord fixture 144 will be described with reference to FIG.
The pitch cord fixture 144 has a base portion 144a that is a rectangle with rounded corners. As a structure for fitting the pitch cord fixture 144 to the mounting plate 142, the base portion 144a is formed with a first fitting claw 144b, a second fitting claw 144c, and a position restriction portion 144d.

The first engagement claw 144b has a portion 144b1 that protrudes upward from the base portion 144a, and a portion 144b2 that extends from the portion 144b1 in a direction parallel to the base portion 144a.
Two first engagement claws 144b are formed near one side of the base portion 144a along the longitudinal direction D4. A portion 144b2 of each first engagement claw 144b extending in a direction parallel to the base portion 144a extends in the short direction D5 of the base portion 144a.

Two second engagement claws 144c are formed on the side of the base portion 144a opposite to the side on which the first engagement claws 144b are formed.
Similar to the first engagement claw 144b, the second engagement claw 144c has a portion 144c1 that protrudes upward from the base portion 144a and a portion 144c2 that extends from the portion 144c1 in a direction parallel to the base portion 144a (shown in FIG. 6(a)).

The length of the portion 144c2 of the second engagement claw 144c extending in a direction parallel to the base portion 144a is shorter than the length of the same portion 144b2 of the first engagement claw 144b. Furthermore, the direction in which this portion extends is opposite to the direction in which the same portion of the first engagement claw 144b extends.

A position restricting portion 144d is formed on the base portion 144a. The position restricting portion 144d is a protrusion that extends in the longitudinal direction D4 of the base portion 144a. The position restricting portion 144d restricts the position of the pitch cord fastener 144 in the longitudinal direction D4 when the pitch cord fastener 144 is fixed to the mounting plate 142.

Next, the procedure for fixing the pitch cord fixture 144 to the mounting plate 142 will be described.
When fixing the pitch cord fixture 144 to the mounting plate 142, as shown in Figure 6(a), first, the first engagement claw 144b is fitted into the mounting plate 142. Then, as shown in Figure 6(b), the second engagement claw 144c is fitted into the mounting plate 142. This allows the pitch cord fixture 144 to be fixed to the mounting plate 142.

Specifically, first, the first engagement claw 144b is fitted into the mounting plate 142 so that the mounting plate 142 abuts against the rear of the first engagement claw 144b.
6A, a sloped portion 146 is formed near the edge of the base portion 144a on which the first engagement claw 144b is formed. The sloped portion 146 is a portion where the thickness of the base portion 144a decreases toward the end face of the base portion 144a.
By forming the inclined portion 146, when fitting the first engagement claw 144b into the mounting plate 142, it becomes easier to fit the first engagement claw 144b into the mounting plate 142 so that the mounting plate 142 abuts against the back of the first engagement claw 144b.

After the first engagement claw 144 b is fitted to the mounting plate 142 , the second engagement claw 144 c is fitted to the mounting plate 142 .
Here, the length of the portion 144c2 of the second engagement claw 144c extending in a direction parallel to the base portion 144a is shorter than the length of the portion 144b2 of the first engagement claw 144b extending in a direction parallel to the base portion 144a. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6(b), after fitting the first engagement claw 144b to the mounting plate 142, it is easy to fit the second engagement claw 144c to the mounting plate 142 and complete the fixation of the pitch cord fastener 144 to the mounting plate 142.
In this manner, the pitch cord fixing device 144 is detachably fixed to the opening 142 a of the mounting plate 142 .

Next, the fixing of the pitch cord 18b to the pitch cord fixing device 144 will be described.
As shown in Figure 5(a), a locking portion 144e is formed on the base portion 144a of the pitch cord fixture 144 as a structure for fixing the pitch cord 18b. The locking portion 144e is a protrusion that stands upright in a substantially perpendicular direction from the base portion 144a. The locking portion 144e has a portion 144e1 that extends in the longitudinal direction D4 of the base portion 144a and a portion 144e2 that is continuous with this portion and extends in the lateral direction D5 of the base portion 144a.

An insertion hole 144f is formed in the portion 144e1 of the locking portion 144e that extends in the longitudinal direction D4 of the base portion 144a. The insertion hole 144f is a through-hole formed in the portion of the locking portion 144e that rises from the base portion 144a.

The portion 144e2 of the locking portion 144e extending in the short-side direction D5 of the base portion 144a has the same function as the position restricting portion 144d. That is, the portion 144e2 of the locking portion 144e extending in the short-side direction D5 of the base portion 144a and the tip portion of the position restricting portion 144d are positioned approximately symmetrically in the longitudinal direction D4 of the pitch cord fastener 144.
This restricts the position of the mounting plate 142 relative to the longitudinal direction D2 of the opening 142a when the pitch cord fastener 144 is fitted into the opening 142a of the mounting plate 142. The restriction of the position of the pitch cord fastener 144 will be described later.

In addition, a notch 145b is formed in the outer periphery 145a of the base portion 144a. The notch 145b is a portion of the base portion 144a cut out from the outer periphery 145a of the base portion 144a. The notch 145b is formed in the center of the outer periphery 145a of the base portion 144a in the longitudinal direction D4.

Next, the manner in which the pitch cord 18b is fixed to the pitch cord fixture 144 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are both perspective views of the mounting plate 142 fitted with the pitch cord fastener 144. Figures 8(a) and 8(b) are both plan views of the mounting plate 142 fitted with the pitch cord fastener 144. Figures 7(a) and 8(a) show the upper surface, i.e., the top surface, of the mounting plate 142, and Figures 7(b) and 8(b) show the lower surface, i.e., the bottom surface, of the mounting plate 142.
7(b) and 8(b), the pitch cord 18b is inserted from below the mounting plate 142 into the notch 145b of the pitch cord fixture 144. After passing through the notch 145b, the pitch cord 18b passes through the pitch cord insertion portion 142b of the mounting plate 142 and reaches above the mounting plate 142.

7(a) and 8(a), the pitch cord 18b that has reached the top of the mounting plate 142 passes between the two first engagement claws 144b and passes through an insertion hole 144f formed in the locking portion 144e. A knot 18c is formed at the tip of the pitch cord 18b that has passed through the insertion hole 144f.
The size of this knot 18c is larger than the size of the insertion hole 144f. Therefore, the pitch cord 18b is locked into the insertion hole 144f of the locking portion 144e by the knot 18c. This prevents the pitch cord 18b from slipping downward from the mounting plate 142 and secures it to the pitch cord fastener 144.

When securing the pitch cord 18b to the mounting plate 142 in this manner, the knot 18c of the pitch cord 18b is first engaged with the insertion hole 144f, and then the pitch cord fastener 144 is fitted into the mounting plate 142, allowing the pitch cord 18b to be easily secured to the mounting plate 142.

In addition, the cutout 145b is positioned so that it is located behind the intermediate bar 14 when the pitch cord fixing device 144 is fitted into the mounting plate 142 and the mounting plate 142 is attached to the intermediate bar 14. This allows the pitch cord 18b to hang down toward the rear of the pleated screen 1 via the cutout 145b. As a result, the pitch cord 18b can be prevented from becoming pinched between the pitch cord fixing device 144 and the mounting plate 142.

Next, the positioning of the pitch cord fixture 144 relative to the mounting plate 142 will be described.
As described above, the locking portion 144e not only locks the pitch cord 18b but also positions the pitch cord fastener 144 relative to the mounting plate 142.
6(a) and 6(b), the positioning of the pitch cord fixture 144 in the short direction D3 of the mounting plate 142 is performed by the first engagement claw 144b and the second engagement claw 144c because the first engagement claw 144b and the second engagement claw 144c abut against the inner periphery 142c of the opening 142a.

On the other hand, the positioning of the pitch cord fastener 144 in the longitudinal direction D2 of the mounting plate 142 is determined by the position restricting portion 144d and the locking portion 144e. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the portion 144e2 of the locking portion 144e extending in the short direction D5 of the pitch cord fastener 144 abuts against the inner periphery 142c of the opening 142a. Furthermore, the position where the locking portion 144e abuts against the inner periphery 142c of the opening 142a and the position where the position restricting portion 144d abuts against the inner periphery 142c of the opening 142a are opposite each other in the longitudinal direction D2 of the opening 142a. Therefore, the positioning of the pitch cord fastener 144 in the longitudinal direction D2 of the mounting plate 142 is determined by the locking portion 144e and the position restricting portion 144d.

Next, adjustment of the length of the pitch cord 18b will be described with reference to FIGS.
Fig. 9 is a top view of the mounting plate 142 fitted with the pitch cord fastener 144. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the pleated screen 1 as seen from the side, particularly showing the configuration in the vicinity of the intermediate bar 14.
9 and 10, the diagram to the left of the arrow is the diagram before the length of the pitch cord 18b is adjusted, and the diagram to the right of the arrow is the diagram after the length of the pitch cord 18b is adjusted so that the length of the pitch cord 18b is shortened.

When the pleated screen 1 is viewed from the front, the intermediate bar 14 and the bottom rail 16 are preferably parallel to each other.
When the intermediate bar 14 and the bottom rail 16 are not parallel, the distance between the intermediate bar 14 and the bottom rail 16 differs on the left and right sides of the pleated screen 1.
The distance between the intermediate bar 14 and the bottom rail 16 is determined by the pitch cord 18b. Therefore, if the intermediate bar 14 and the bottom rail 16 are not parallel, the intermediate bar 14 and the bottom rail 16 can be made parallel by adjusting the length of the pitch cord 18b.

Specifically, the distance between the intermediate bar 14 and the bottom rail 16 can be adjusted by adjusting the length L3 shown in FIG.
10 is the point where the first loop cord 182 is connected to the pitch cord 18b from the intermediate bar 14. Lengths L3 and L4 shown in FIG. 10 both indicate the lengths of the pitch cord 18b from the pitch cord fixture 144 to point P.

The distance from point P on the loop cord 182 to the bottom rail 16 is the same on the left and right sides of the pleated screen 1. This is because a series of loop cords 182 are connected to the pitch cord 18b at regular intervals from point P to the bottom rail 16.
Therefore, if the intermediate bar 14 and the bottom rail 16 are not parallel, the length of the pitch cord 18b from the intermediate bar 14 to the point P, i.e., the length L3, is adjusted. This makes it possible to adjust the distance between the intermediate bar 14 and the bottom rail 16, thereby making the intermediate bar 14 and the bottom rail 16 parallel.

Specifically, the length L3 of the pitch cord 18b on the left and right sides of the bottom rail 16 is shortened on the side where the bottom rail 16 is lowered. This allows the bottom rail 16 on the lowered side to be lifted, thereby making the intermediate bar 14 and bottom rail 16 parallel to each other.

To shorten the length L3 of the pitch cord 18b, the length from the end of the pitch cord 18b to the knot 18c is shortened, as shown by the change from the view to the left of the arrow in Figure 9 to the view to the right of the arrow.

In Figure 9, the length from the end of the pitch cord 18b to the knot 18c in the diagram to the left of the arrow is designated L1. Also, the length from the end of the pitch cord 18b to the knot 18c in the diagram to the right of the arrow is designated L2. Length L2 is longer than length L1.

By increasing the length from the end of the pitch cord 18b to the knot 18c, the length of the pitch cord 18b shown in Figure 10 can be shortened from length L3 to length L4. In other words, length L3 can be shortened to length L4 by the difference between length L2 and length L1. This allows the lowered side of the bottom rail 16 to be raised, thereby making the intermediate bar 14 and bottom rail 16 parallel.

Second Embodiment
Next, a pleated screen 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11( a ) is a perspective view showing the mounting plate 142 and the pitch cord fastener 144 before the pitch cord fastener 144 is fitted into the mounting plate 142, FIG. 11( b ) is a perspective view of the mounting plate 142 with the pitch cord fastener 144 fitted into it, and FIG. 11( c ) is a top view of the mounting plate 142 with the pitch cord fastener 144 fitted into it.

Unlike the pleated screen of the first embodiment, the pitch cord fixture 144 of the second embodiment does not have a locking portion 144e or an insertion hole 144f. The pitch cord fixture 144 of the second embodiment has a position restricting portion 144d formed at the position where the locking portion 144e and the insertion hole 144f are formed in the pitch cord fixture 144 of the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the base portion 144a of the pitch cord fixture 144 has a total of two position restricting portions 144d, one on each side in the longitudinal direction D4, sandwiching the lift cord insertion portion 145c.

The fixing of the pitch cord 18b to the mounting plate 142 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b).
Unlike the first embodiment, the locking portion 144e is not formed on the pitch cord fixture 144. In the second embodiment, the pitch cord 18b is locked by the pitch cord insertion portion 142b.

The pitch cord 18b is inserted from below the mounting plate 142 into a notch (not shown) in the pitch cord fixture 144. After passing through the notch, the pitch cord 18b passes through a pitch cord insertion portion 142b of the mounting plate 142 and reaches above the mounting plate 142.
A knot 18c is formed at the tip of the pitch cord 18b. The size of this knot 18c is larger than the size of the pitch cord insertion portion 142b. Therefore, the pitch cord 18b is locked in the pitch cord insertion portion 142b of the mounting plate 142 by the knot 18c. This prevents the pitch cord 18b from slipping downward from the mounting plate 142 and secures it to the mounting plate 142.

When securing the pitch cord 18b to the mounting plate 142 in this manner, the pitch cord 18b with the knot 18c formed thereon is inserted through the opening 142a so that the knot 18c is positioned above the mounting plate 142, and in this state the pitch cord fastener 144 is fitted into the mounting plate 142, thereby easily securing the pitch cord 18b to the mounting plate 142.

The size of the knot 18c in the second embodiment is preferably larger than the size of the knot 18c in the first embodiment. The width of the pitch cord insertion portion 142b in the longitudinal direction D2 of the mounting plate 142 may be larger than the diameter of the insertion hole 144f in the first embodiment. In this case, the knot 18c is preferably not simply a knot of the pitch cord 18b, but a large knot that can also be called a bulge, which is sufficiently larger than the width of the pitch cord insertion portion 142b.
This allows the pitch cord 18b to be securely fastened to the pitch cord insertion portion 142b of the mounting plate 142 by the knot 18c.

In the above explanation, it was explained that the knot 18c is locked at the pitch cord insertion portion 142b. However, the position at which the knot 18c is locked is not limited to the pitch cord insertion portion 142b. For example, the knot 18c can also be locked in the area surrounded by the notch 145b of the pitch cord fastener 144 and the mounting plate 142.

Next, the positioning of the pitch cord fixture 144 in the longitudinal direction D2 of the mounting plate 142 will be described.
11(b) and 11(c), when the pitch cord fastener 144 is fitted into the mounting plate 142, the two position restricting portions 144d abut against the inner periphery 142c of the opening 142a of the mounting plate 142. Therefore, the positioning of the pitch cord fastener 144 in the longitudinal direction D2 of the mounting plate 142 is determined by the two position restricting portions 144d.
In the first embodiment, the pitch cord fastener 144 is positioned in the longitudinal direction D2 of the mounting plate 142 by the locking portion 144e and the position restricting portion 144d. The method of positioning the mounting plate 142 in the longitudinal direction D2 differs between the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

In the above-described embodiments, the intermediate bar 14 is used as an example of the rail material, and the pitch cord 18b corresponding to the lower screen 15 is used as an example of the pitch cord. However, the rail material and the like in the present invention are not limited to the above-described examples. For example, the rail material may be the head box 12. In that case, the pitch cord may be the pitch cord 18a corresponding to the upper screen 13.
The rail material may also be a bottom rail 16. Furthermore, when the rail material is an intermediate bar 14, the fixing member may be an upper mounting plate 141 of the intermediate bar 14 instead of a lower mounting plate 142 of the intermediate bar 14.

With the above-described configuration, the pleated screen of each embodiment has a simple structure that allows existing rail materials to be reused, yet allows the length of the pitch cord to be easily adjusted.
The characteristic configuration of the pleated screen 1 and the effects obtained from this configuration will be explained in more detail below.

The pleated screen 1 comprises a screen formed with multiple pleats that can be folded and unfolded in the vertical direction, a rail material to which one end of the screen is connected via a fixing member, a pitch cord that hangs down to maintain the pitch between the multiple pleats, and a cord fixing device to which one end of the pitch cord is attached and which is removably fixed to the fixing member.

Here, the pleats include pleats 131 and 151. The screens include upper screen 13 and lower screen 15. The fixing members include mounting plates 121, 141, 142, and 161. The rail members include head box 12, intermediate bar 14, and bottom rail 16. The pitch cords include pitch cords 18a and 18b. The cord fasteners include pitch cord fasteners 12a and 144.

With the above-described configuration, the cord fastener, to which one end of the pitch cord is attached, can be attached and detached to the fixing member. Therefore, when adjusting the length of the pitch cord, the cord fastener can be removed without removing the fixing member from the rail material. As a result, the pitch cord length can be easily adjusted despite the simple structure using existing rail material.

Furthermore, in the pleated screen, the cord fixing device may have a locking portion 144e to which one end of the pitch cord is detachably locked.

With the above-described configuration, the pitch cord can be removed from the cord fastener and its length can be easily adjusted. For example, if the pitch cord is configured so that the knot at one end is fastened to the fastening portion, the length of the pitch cord can be adjusted simply by adjusting the position of the knot.

The pleated screen comprises a screen with multiple pleats that can be folded and unfolded in the vertical direction, a rail material to which one end of the screen is connected via a fixing member, a pitch cord that hangs down to maintain the pitch between the multiple pleats, a bulge 18c provided at one end of the pitch cord, and a cord fixing device that is detachably fixed to the fixing member with one end of the pitch cord inserted through an opening 142a formed in the fixing member, and the bulge prevents the pitch cord from falling off.

The above-described configuration allows the pitch cord to be attached to and detached from the fixing member without having to be locked into the cord fixing device. This makes it easier to adjust the length of the pitch cord.

Furthermore, in a pleated screen, the cord fixing device can have a base portion 144a formed wider than the opening formed in the fixing member in at least one of the short and long directions of the opening, and at least one or more engaging claws standing up from the base portion, and the engaging claws can be engaged with the fixing member in the opening, thereby being removably fixed to the fixing member.
Here, the engagement claws include a first engagement claw 144b and a second engagement claw 144c.

The above-described configuration allows the cord fastener to be easily attached and detached from the fixing member. Furthermore, the cord fastener can be secured in place so that it will not come loose from the fixing member and fall off even when a load is applied to the pitch cord.

The pleated screen may further include a lifting/lowering cord 17a that hangs down through the opening to enable the screen to be raised and lowered, and the base portion may have a lifting/lowering cord insertion portion 145c that is opened so that the lifting/lowering cord can be inserted therethrough, and an introduction portion 145d that is formed so that the lifting/lowering cord can be introduced into the lifting/lowering cord insertion portion from the outer periphery.

With the above-described configuration, the cord fixing device can be attached and detached from the fixing member while the lifting cord remains hanging down.

Furthermore, in the pleated screen, the base portion further has a notch 145b formed in part of the outer periphery, and the notch is formed on the rear side in the front-to-rear direction of the screen when the cord fixing device is attached to the fixing member, and the pitch cord can hang down to the rear side of the screen through the notch.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the pitch cord can be hung down toward the rear of the screen without being pinched between the cord fixing device and the fixing member.

In addition, in the pleated screen, the cord fixing device further has a position restriction portion 144d that stands up from the base portion, and the position restriction portion abuts against the inner periphery 142c of the opening when the cord fixing device is attached to the fixing member, thereby restricting misalignment of the cord fixing device with respect to the fixing member.

The above-described configuration prevents the cord fastener from shifting out of position when attached to the fixing member.

Furthermore, in a pleated screen, the fixing member can be attached by being inserted longitudinally into the rail material, and the cord fastener can be attached and detached to the fixing member while the fixing member remains attached to the rail material.

According to the above-described configuration, even in a configuration in which the fixing member must be inserted into the rail material from the longitudinal direction and attached, the pitch cord can be adjusted by removing only the cord fixing device without removing the fixing member from the rail material, making the adjustment work easier.
Furthermore, if a screen or other shielding material is fully closed when there are differences in the lengths of the pitch cords hanging from the rail material, the bottom rail or intermediate bar will move left or right, causing it to "slant" and hit the window frame, etc. In this regard, if the pitch cord adjustment work is made easier as described above, it will be possible to easily make adjustments so that "slant" does not occur.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be embodied in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

1 Pleated screen 11 Bracket 12 Head box (rail material)
13 Upper screen (screen)
14 Intermediate bar (rail material)
15 Lower screen (screen)
16 Bottom rail (rail material)
17a Lifting cord 17b Dimming cord 18a Pitch cord 18b Pitch cord 18c Knot (bulge)
121 Mounting plate (fixing member)
121a Insertion hole 131 Pleats 131a Insertion hole 141 Mounting plate (fixing member)
141a Insertion hole 141
142 Mounting plate (fixing member)
142a: Opening; 142b: Pitch cord insertion portion; 142c: Inner circumference; 144: Pitch cord fixture (cord fixture)
144a Base portion 144b First engagement claw 144c Second engagement claw 144d Position regulating portion 144e Locking portion 144f Insertion hole 145a Outer periphery 145b Notch portion 145c Lifting cord insertion portion 145d Lead-in portion 146 Inclined portion 151 Pleats 151a Insertion hole 161 Mounting plate (fixing member)
161a Insertion hole

Claims (8)

A screen having a plurality of pleats formed thereon so as to be foldable and unfoldable in the vertical direction;
a rail member to which one end of the screen is connected via a fixing member;
a pitch cord that hangs down to maintain the pitch between the plurality of pleats;
A pleated screen comprising: a cord fixing device to which one end of the pitch cord is engaged and which is detachably fixed to the fixing member. The pleated screen according to claim 1, wherein the cord fastener has a locking portion to which one end of the pitch cord is detachably locked. A screen having a plurality of pleats formed thereon so as to be foldable and unfoldable in the vertical direction;
a rail member to which one end of the screen is connected via a fixing member;
a pitch cord that hangs down to maintain the pitch between the plurality of pleats;
a bulge provided at one end of the pitch cord;
a cord fastener that is detachably fastened to the fixing member with one end of the pitch cord inserted through an opening formed in the fixing member,
The pleated screen has a bulging portion that prevents the pitch cord from falling off. The cord fixture includes a base portion formed to be wider than the opening in at least one of a short-side direction and a long-side direction of the opening formed in the fixing member;
At least one engagement claw standing upright from the base portion,
The pleated screen according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fitting claws are fitted into the fixing members in the openings, thereby being detachably fixed to the fixing members. a lifting cord suspended through the opening to enable the screen to be raised and lowered;
The pleated screen according to claim 4, wherein the base portion has a lift cord insertion portion that is opened so that the lift cord can be inserted therethrough, and an introduction portion that is formed so that the lift cord can be introduced into the lift cord insertion portion from the outer periphery. the base portion further has a notch formed in a part of the outer periphery,
the notch is formed on the rear side in the front-rear direction of the screen when the cord fastener is attached to the fixing member,
The pleated screen according to claim 4, wherein the pitch cord hangs down on the rear side of the screen through the notch. The cord fastener further includes a position restricting portion that stands upright from the base portion,
The pleated screen according to claim 4, wherein the position regulating portion abuts against the inner periphery of the opening when the cord fixing device is attached to the fixing member, thereby regulating misalignment of the cord fixing device relative to the fixing member. The fixing member is attached by being inserted into the rail material from the longitudinal direction,
The pleated screen according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cord fixing device is detachable from the fixing member while the fixing member remains attached to the rail material.