In GB 2222192, there is shown a window blind having horizontally extending slats and a structure for moving the blinds between closed and open positions. It is an object of the invention to provide a simplified structure.

In one aspect the invention provides a screen comprising generally horizontal extending elongate slats which are held together in spaced apart relation by vertical columns, each slat being generally rectangular as seen in section, the columns comprising generally parallel vertically extending elongate elements which are shaped to engage the slats.

In another aspect the invention provides a screen to be located outside a window area, the screen comprising generally horizontally extending elongate slats which are held together in spaced apart relation by vertical columns, each column comprising generally parallel elongate elements which are deformed at intervals to engage slats between the adjacent elements, the slats being inclined at an angle to the horizontal, whereby when the screen is in use in front of a window the vertical distance between the spaced apart slats allows light to reach the window but the slats absorb or deflect the radiant heat from the sun away from the window area.

Preferably the slats are generally rectangular as seen in section and the major side presents a face to the exterior. If necessary, the slats will be flattened or otherwise deformed to increase the surface area of slat to be gripped by the column. The slats may be formed from flat strip, cable, wires, flattened wires or the like.

The slats may be made of any material which will absorb or reflect the sun's rays. Typically the slats are made of metal, e. g. stainless steel or brass; or a ceramic or plastic or a composite material. They may also be formed of a laminate built up of layers of plastics.

The columns may be made of lengths of metal, wires, cable or the like. Preferably, each column comprises three wires, the two outer wires being in phase with each other and the intermediate wire being out of phase so that opposite sides of the slat can be engaged. The wires may be crimped or twisted, welded or the like. The number of wires may be varied.

Lengths of metal may be spot welded to the slats.

The invention includes the specific structure of the column disclosed herein.

In order that the invention may be well understood, exemplary embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of part of a screen of the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in section of the area in the circle marked A in Figure 1 showing the folds of the wires; Figure 3 is an elevation of another screen; and Figure 4 is a side elevation partly in section of the screen of Figure 3.

In one embodiment, the screen 1 of Figures 1 and 2 is mounted in front of a building, e. g. suspended from fixing units at the top and anchored near the ground. For example, the structure is in front of a window, not shown. The screen comprises spaced apart elongate slats 3 held in vertical column C which are preferably parallel. These are usually made of metal, e. g. stainless steel or brass (or other suitable material) and as shown they are held at an inclination to the substrate. This may be varied but is usually about 45°. The slats are solid, i. e. there are no holes to receive columns of string or wire; instead as shown the slats are gripped from the exterior and cannot move from their assigned inclination. Each column is made up of a plurality of wires, located close together, the columns C being spaced apart along the slats. In this embodiment, the column is made up of three wires. The wires are bent or woven to grip the slats, and the outer two wires W1 and W3 have the same profile and, one or more of the inner one (s) W2 is out of phase with the outer wires W1, W3.

In this embodiment, each slat is of rectangular section, as can be seen from Figure 2 having longer faces L1 and L2 and shorter faces L3 and L4. The wires are woven so that an angled portion grips the shorter sides L3 and L4; as shown the wires W1 and W3 grip the sides L1 and L3 and the wire W2 the sides L3 and L4. In this way the slat is held on all four surfaces and cannot move. As shown, the slat is held at about 45° to the horizontal.

In use, the screen is mounted in front of a building wall which may be of all glass or have specific windows. The slats are set at, preferably, 45° so that they deflect the radiant heat of the sun away from the glass, making the atmosphere within the building more congenial for the occupants and requiring less consumption of power for air conditioning or other climate control. Because the slats are spaced apart light can still reach the building via the spaces between the slats so that occupants can see out. However, there is no glare effect. If the window is open, air will be able to enter, and may be blown in by wind, but the effect will not be disruptive. If there is rain, little if any, will be able to pass through the gaps between slats.

The vertical screen 10 in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 comprises elongate horizontal slats 11 held together in parallel spaced apart relation by horizontally spaced apart columns 12. Like the first embodiment, the slats 11 are preferably rectangular metal, which has been deformed at intervals to provide side extensions 11A, 11B for engagement by the columns 12. The slats are solid, i. e. there are no holes to receive string or wire and they are at a 45° angle to the horizontal. Each column comprises a plurality of pairs of wires, for example, three pairs of wires W4, W5 and W6, the outer two pairs W4 and W6 being in phase and the inner W5 being out of phase with the outer ones. The wires are bent to grip the portions 11A, 11 B of the slats and hold them at the predetermined angle.

The portions of the slats between the wires has also been bent to improve the grip and contact portion between the slats and wires. Alternatively, and preferably, if the slats are further apart, they could be aligned with the body of the slats, without departing from the scope of the invention.

In Figures 3 and 4, the outer wires are present on the front of the slats in one column and alternate with those of the neighbouring column. This however is not an essential feature of the invention.