EP2436869A2 - Self-raising window covering - Google Patents
Self-raising window covering Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2436869A2 EP2436869A2 EP11195181A EP11195181A EP2436869A2 EP 2436869 A2 EP2436869 A2 EP 2436869A2 EP 11195181 A EP11195181 A EP 11195181A EP 11195181 A EP11195181 A EP 11195181A EP 2436869 A2 EP2436869 A2 EP 2436869A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- drive axle
- cord
- spring
- window covering
- winding assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 100
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 claims 3
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 11
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000013519 translation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000014616 translation Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
- E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
- E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
- E06B9/322—Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
- E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
- E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
- E06B9/322—Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives
- E06B2009/3222—Cordless, i.e. user interface without cords
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
- E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
- E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
- E06B9/322—Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives
- E06B2009/3225—Arrangements to aid the winding of cords rollers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
- E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
- E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
- E06B9/322—Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives
- E06B2009/3225—Arrangements to aid the winding of cords rollers
- E06B2009/3227—Axially moving rollers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/56—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor
- E06B9/60—Spring drums operated only by closure members
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a window covering that may be raised without the need to apply a force to either a control mechanism or the window covering itself as the window covering is opened.
- the present invention relates to a window covering having a control mechanism configured to exert an upward force on the shade element and bottom rail that is of sufficient magnitude to raise the shade element and bottom rail without additional force being applied by the user during raising.
- Window shades and coverings are found in many applications and used to regulate the amount of light entering a room, and to provide aesthetic appeal to a decor. Such window shades and coverings take many forms, including roller shades, Roman shades, Venetian blinds, and cellular shades.
- Conventional cellular or pleated shades utilize cord locks or a transmission mechanism to raise, lower and position the window covering in a desired position. With window coverings utilizing a cord lock, cords run up through the folded fabric, across the inside of a head rail and exit through a locking mechanism.
- Other cellular shades include a transmission mechanism and a continuous loop cord that is pulled by a user to raise and lower the window shade.
- Roman shades and Venetian blinds also tend to include raising cords that are secured to a lower bar or bottom rail.
- Cords present the potential hazard of a child getting caught in or strangled by the exposed control cord.
- Cords also tend to distract from the aesthetics of a window covering in that they extend along the face of the window covering and, when the window shade is opened, must either be wrapped on a hook or just left on the floor.
- window coverings that utilize cord locks the cords also experience substantial wear due to friction against surfaces as a result of raising and lowering of the window covering.
- roller shades which operate in the absence of a cord.
- These roller shades include a wound torsion-spring retraction mechanism in combination with a clutch or locking mechanism mounted with a roller onto which the shade is rolled and collected.
- a roller shade is pulled down by a user to a desired location, where it is locked in place by the clutch or locking mechanism.
- the user typically pulls on a bottom rail of the shade, extending the shade sufficiently to disengage the internal clutch or locking mechanism within.
- the clutch or locking mechanism is disengaged and the user releases the shade, the shade is retracted using the torsion-spring driven retraction mechanism.
- Known roller shades are only operable with flat shade material which rolls up neatly into a confined location.
- roller shades are not compatible with other window coverings, such as cellular shades, Venetian blinds, and Roman shades.
- window coverings such as cellular shades, Venetian blinds, and Roman shades.
- a similar lifting mechanism is typically unsuitable in cellular shades, Venetian blinds, and Roman shades.
- the material of the shade element is typically gathered by raising a bottom member, such as a bottom rail, and increasing amounts of weight are gathered on the bottom member as the window covering is raised. The reason for this is that the shade material or shade element increasingly stacks on the bottom rail as the bottom rail rises, which increases the load on the lifting mechanism.
- variable force springs have been used. Such variable force springs are substantially more complicated in use and manufacture.
- window covering raising mechanism for window coverings such as Venetian blinds, cellular shades and Roman shades that is self-raising and overcomes the foregoing problems.
- the present invention relates to a self-raising window covering and a control mechanism for the window covering.
- the window covering is a self-raising window covering that includes a head rail, a shade element, such as a cellular panel, blind slats, or Roman shade material, a bottom rail, at least one raising cord operatively connected at a first end to the bottom rail, and a control mechanism.
- the head rail may define an elongated channel wherein the control mechanism is disposed therein.
- the control mechanism includes a drive axle and a drive unit operatively connected with the drive axle.
- the drive unit which may be a constant force spring, is adapted to provide a substantially constant rotational force on the drive axle.
- At least one cord winding assembly is also provided in co-axial relation with the drive axle.
- the number of cord winding assemblies will be the same as the number of raising cords.
- one cord winding assembly may be adapted to operate with multiple cords.
- the cord winding assembly includes at least one winding drum operatively connected to a second end of the raising cord and having a tapered portion.
- the cord winding assembly also includes a rotatable positioning member for moving the cord winding assembly laterally along the drive axle upon rotation of the positioning member.
- the positioning member is a threaded tubular member connected to the winding drum.
- the cord winding assembly is adapted to translate the rotational force on the drive axle to a raising force on the raising cord, wherein the raising force is greater than a total downward force exerted by the shade element and bottom rail throughout the range of opening and closing.
- the cord winding assembly is rotationally secured with the drive axle by a hub member adapted to engage the cord winding assembly and the drive axle.
- the hub member may be in a sliding relationship with the tapered portion of the cord winding assembly.
- a clutch member or locking member is also operatively connected with the axle and adapted to releasably lock the drive axle in a desired position.
- the clutch member comprises a reciprocator disposed coaxially relative to the drive axle and movable between a released position and a locked position, and a spring member connected to the reciprocator and operable to either tighten or relax the hold of the reciprocator on the drive axle.
- the reciprocator is configured to cause the spring member to tighten on the drive axle in the locked position for blocking a rotation of the drive axle against the rotational force applied by the drive unit, and cause the spring member to relax the drive axle in the released position to permit a rotation of the drive axle under the rotational force applied by the drive unit
- FIGURE 1 an embodiment of a self-raising window covering 10 according to the present invention is shown.
- a head rail 12 defining a channel is provided.
- a pair of drive units, such as spring units 14 and 16 are coaxially mounted about a drive axle 18.
- cord winding assemblies 20 and 22 are mounted on drive axle 18.
- Each of cord winding assemblies 20 and 22 includes a frustoconical winding drum 24 and 26, and a threaded tubular member 32 and 34, respectively.
- Raising cords 28 and 30, which are shown as wound on winding drums 24 and 26, are secured at an end to the winding drums 24 and 26.
- a clutch 36 is also provided and co-axially mounted on the drive axle 18.
- Window covering 10 further includes a shade element, such as cellular shade material 38 and a bottom member, such as bottom rail 40.
- a shade element such as cellular shade material 38
- a bottom member such as bottom rail 40.
- the term "cord” as used may encompass a cord, strip, ribbon, string or any similar flexible elongated elements that are suitable for supporting the suspended shade element, and can be wound or unwound to deploy or retract the shade element.
- a relatively short length of cord 42 can also be provided so that the user can pull down the window covering and, as will be discussed in further detail, release the clutch so that the window covering will retract itself.
- the spring unit 14 comprises a spring casing 42, a spring axle 44, a constant force coil spring 46 and a cover 48.
- the coil spring 46 and the spring axle 44 are secured within the casing 42, which is closed by cover 48.
- a first end 50 of the coil spring 46 is secured to the spring axle 44, which is coaxially connected to the drive axle 18 ( FIG. 1 ).
- the coil spring is configured to provide sufficient rotational force to the drive axle 18 and winding drums 24 and 26 to raise the shade element and bottom rail.
- Other alternative embodiments of spring units are also possible, such as shown in FIGS. 3-6 .
- a suitable spring unit 114 shown in FIG. 3 may include a coiled spring member 146 having a first end secured with a first spring axle 142 that connects to the drive axle 18 shown in FIG. 1 , and a second end secured with a second spring axle 144 that is offset from the first spring axle 142.
- the coiled spring 146 in a relaxed position may be initially wound around the second spring axle 144. As the shade element is pulled downward, the coiled spring 146 may stretch out from the second spring axle 144 and progressively wind around the first spring axle 142.
- This configuration of the spring unit 114 may be suitable when the used coiled spring 146 has a greater length to allow a longer deployment range of the shade element.
- FIG. 4 illustrates another suitable spring unit 214, which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 except that the second end of the coiled spring does not connect to any second spring axle. Instead, the coiled spring 246 winds on itself at its second end, while the first end 252 of the coiled spring 246 connects to a single spring axle 218 connected to the drive axle 18 shown in FIG. 1 .
- spring unit 314 includes an assembly of two coiled springs 346 and 348 that may be used to provide a greater raising force for the shade element.
- the first coiled spring 346 has its first end connected to a first spring axle 344
- the second coiled spring 348 has its first end connected to a second spring axle 345.
- the second end of the first coiled spring 346 and the second end of the second coiled spring 348 respectively connect to a third spring axle 318 located between the first and second spring axles 344 and 345 and connected to the drive axle 18.
- the coiled springs 346 and 348 may respectively stretch out from the first and second spring axle 344 and 345 to progressively wind around the third spring axle 318 to apply an increased raising force on the drive axle 18.
- the shown embodiment is very similar to that shown in FIG. 5 except that the two coiled springs 446 and 448 that wind on the axle 418 connected to the drive axle do not connect with second spring axles.
- each of the embodiments shown utilizes a spring as the driving mechanism for the drive unit, it should be understood that any suitable mechanism for imparting a rotational force on the drive axle may be utilized.
- the rotational force exerted upon a drive axle 18 causes the cord winding assemblies 20 and 22 to rotate and translate for winding the cords 28 and 30, which thereby raises the shade element 38 vertically toward the head rail 12. Further details on a preferred embodiment of a cord winding assembly are provided with reference to FIG. 7 .
- Cord winding assembly 20 is mounted co-axially with the drive axle 18 that passes through a fixed housing comprised of a frame 64 and upper cover 65.
- the cord winding assembly 20 includes a winding drum 24 and a rotational positioning member, such as threaded tubular member 32, fixedly connected at an end of the winding drum 24.
- the cord winding assembly 20 is preferably mounted on the drive axle 18 via a hub member, such as adapter 60 that is configured to transmit rotational movement between the drive axle 18 and the cord winding assembly 20 while allowing a relative translation movement therebetween.
- the adapter 60 may be coaxially mounted inside a central hole of the winding drum 24, and include a through hole for mounting the drive axle 18.
- a peripheral surface of the adapter 60 may be provided with radial portions that contact with ribs protruding radially inward from the surface of the central hole of the winding drum 24.
- the threaded tubular member 32 engages with toothed rollers 66, which are rotatably mounted to frame 64 and bracket 68 fixedly secured in head rail 12. Rotational movements thereby can be transferred between the drive axle 18 and the cord winding assembly 20, while smooth relative translations with reduced frictions are permitted therebetween.
- the engagement via the adapter 60 and the threaded tubular member 32 allows an improved support of the load of the suspended components, e.g. shade element 38 and bottom rail 40.
- the winding drum 24 is tapered and is preferably frustoconical in shape, and may include striations or grooves to improve gripping of the cord 28 wound on the surface of the winding drum 24.
- An end of the raising cord (not shown) is secured towards the larger diameter end 62 of the winding drum 24.
- the cord winding assembly 20 rotates and translates in a direction to wind the raising cord 28, the raising cord is wrapped around increasingly narrower portions of the winding drum 24.
- FIGS. 8A and 8B the raising operation of the window covering is shown.
- the shade element 38 When the shade element 38 is fully deployed, as shown in FIG. 8A , the raising cord 28 is fully extended from a wider portion of the winding drum 24.
- the threaded engagement between the threaded tubular member 32 and rollers 66 causes the rotating cord winding assembly 20 to move laterally within the head rail 12, such that the raising cord winds along the winding drum 24 towards its narrower end.
- the load on the spring units is now described with reference to one of the spring units.
- the load on one spring unit 14 is derived with an adequate scale factor from a momentum M on the drive axle 18 that can be approximated by the product between the suspended weight W, including the weight of the bottom rail plus the amount of shade element 38 stacked thereon, and a winding radius R of the winding drum 24.
- W will increase, and R will decrease because the raising cord 28 winds on increasingly narrower portions of the tapered winding drum 24 that slide with reduced frictions owing to the adapter 60 and threaded tubular member 32 and adapter 60.
- the load M on one spring unit 14 can be kept at a level that varies slightly and can be overcome by the constant force spring 46 ( FIG. 2 ) to fully raise the bottom rail 40 and shade element 38.
- the constant force spring 46 FIG. 2
- a user exerts an approximately constant pulling force regardless of the position in height of the window covering.
- spring units 14 and 16 of constant force thus can be suitably used to raise a suspended weight charge W that increases as it rises.
- the shade element itself may have an effect on the total downward force or suspended weight.
- an inherent upward spring bias to the material may serve to decrease the total downward force. The total contribution of this spring bias varies depending on the degree to which the cellular window covering is extended.
- the clutch member 36 is provided in order to lock the shade element 38 and bottom rail 40 in a desired position.
- Clutch member 36 is mounted coaxially with the drive axle 18 and is configured to unlock the drive axle 18 as the user pulls down the bottom rail 40 to stretch the shade element 38, and to lock the drive axle 18 when the user releases the bottom rail 40 at the desired height.
- the clutch disengages and allows the bottom rail 40 to be raised by the spring units 14 and 16.
- the clutch member 36 includes a casing 70 that has fixed protrusions 72 and 74.
- a collar 76 rotating with the drive axle 18 is provided, which reciprocates axially along the drive axle 18.
- a reciprocator 78 is co-axially mounted over collar 76 and is movable both rotatably and axially therewith.
- a spring 80 having a first end 82 and a second end 84 is provided between collar 76 and reciprocator 78.
- FIGS. 9A and 9B show the clutch when the window covering 10 is in a fully raised position.
- Spring 80 is in a relaxed condition with second end 84 in an abutting relationship with protrusion 74.
- FIGS. 10A and 10B when the user pulls on the bottom rail (not shown), a clockwise rotation (as shown) of the axle 18 and the collar 76 occurs and causes the second end 84 of the spring 80 to disengage from protrusion 74.
- Spring 80 tightens on collar 76 such that rotation of the collar 76 is transmitted to reciprocator 78 via the contact between first end 82 of the spring 80 and reciprocator 78, which brings reciprocator 78 into abutment with protrusion 72.
- Window covering 510 includes a head rail 512 having a pair of spring units 514 and 516 mounted with a drive axle 518.
- Cord winding assemblies 520 and 522 are also provided. Raising cords 528 and 530 pass through shade element 538 and are connected with bottom rail 540.
- at least one deceleration member 550 is provided. Deceleration member 550 is engageable with one cord winding assembly 522 to slow down the rise of the bottom rail 540 as it approaches the head rail.
- FIGS. 15A - 15C The preferred embodiment of the deceleration member 520 is shown in FIGS. 15A - 15C .
- the cord winding assembly 522 In the position of FIG. 15A , the cord winding assembly 522 is disengaged from the deceleration member 550. As the cord winding assembly 522 winds the cord 526, the cord winding assembly 522 also moves towards the deceleration member 550. As the cord winding assembly 522 engages with a plate 552 of the deceleration member 550 as shown in FIG 15B , the rotation of the cord winding assembly 522 causes the plate 552 to rotate.
- the plate 552 is connected to an axle sleeve 554, which is in contact with a decelerating member, such as viscous oil liquid, contained inside a housing 556.
- a decelerating member such as viscous oil liquid
- the sleeve 554 is configured to achieve a resistant contact with the decelerating member to decelerate the rotation of the cord winding assembly.
- protrusions or fins may be provided on the axle sleeve 554. The rate at which the bottom rail is raised by the spring units 514 and 516 is slowed as the bottom rail reaches the head rail so that the bottom rail more smoothly stops at a fully opened position.
- a further aspect of the invention provides a control mechanism for a self-raising window covering, the window covering including a head rail, a suspended shade element, a bottom rail, and at least one raising cord operatively connected at a first end to the bottom rail
- the control mechanism comprising: a drive axle; a drive unit operatively connected with the drive axle to apply a substantially constant rotational force on the drive axle; at least one cord winding assembly mounted on the drive axle and including a winding portion having a first end with a first diameter and decreasing in diameter to a second end having a second diameter less than the first diameter, wherein the cord winding assembly is operable under the rotational force applied by the drive unit to wind the raising cord for raising a suspended weight comprised of at least the bottom rail and a portion of the shade element that is stacked on the bottom rail; and a clutch member operatively connected with the drive axle and adapted to releasably lock the drive axle and block rotation of the drive axle against the rotational force applied by the drive unit.
- the drive unit may comprise a constant force spring.
- the cord winding assembly may be rotationally secured with the drive axle through a hub member adapted to engage the cord winding assembly and the drive axle.
- the hub member may be in sliding engagement with the winding portion of the cord winding assembly.
- the cord winding assembly may include a threaded tubular member that engages with one or more toothed rollers to cause an axial translation of the cord winding assembly along the drive axle as the cord winding assembly rotates.
- the clutch member may comprise: a reciprocator disposed coaxially relative to the drive axle and movable between a released position and a locked position; and a spring member connected to the reciprocator and operable to either tighten or relax the hold of the reciprocator on the drive axle; wherein the reciprocator is configured to cause the spring member to tighten on the drive axle in the locked position for blocking a rotation of the drive axle against the rotational force applied by the drive unit, and cause the spring member to relax the drive axle in the released position to permit a rotation of the drive axle under the rotational force applied by the drive unit.
- the clutch member further may comprise an annular collar secured with the drive axle and having a peripheral surface around which the spring member is mounted.
- the control mechanism may further comprise a deceleration member engageable with the cord winding assembly to decelerate a rising movement of the bottom rail towards the head rail.
- a further aspect of the invention provides a self-raising window covering, comprising: a head rail defining an elongated channel; a bottom member; a shade element suspended between the head rail and the bottom member; and a control mechanism mounted within the channel of the head rail, the control mechanism including: a drive axle operable to rotate under a substantially constant rotational force applied by a drive unit; at least one cord winding assembly mounted on the drive axle and including a winding portion having a first end with a first diameter and decreasing in diameter to a second end with a second diameter less than the first diameter; at least one raising cord having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured towards the first end of the winding portion and the second end connected with the bottom member; and a clutch member operatively connected with the drive axle and adapted to releasably block a rotation of the drive axle.
- the drive unit may comprise a constant force spring.
- the cord winding assembly may be mounted on the drive axle by a hub member.
- the hub member may be in sliding engagement with the winding portion of the cord winding assembly.
- the cord winding assembly may include a threaded tubular member that engages with one or more toothed rollers to cause an axial translation of the cord winding assembly along the drive axle when the cord winding assembly rotates.
- the clutch member may comprise: a reciprocator disposed coaxially relative to the drive axle and movable between a released position and a locked position; and a spring member connected to the reciprocator and operable to either tighten or relax the hold of the reciprocator on the drive axle; wherein the reciprocator is configured to cause the spring member to tighten on the drive axle in the locked position for blocking a rotation of the drive axle against the rotational force applied by the drive unit, and cause the spring member to relax the drive axle in the released position to permit a rotation of the drive axle under the rotational force applied by the drive unit.
- the clutch member may further comprise an annular collar secured with the drive axle and having a peripheral surface around which the spring member is mounted.
- the control mechanism may further comprise a deceleration member engageable with the cord winding assembly to decelerate a rising movement of the bottom member towards the head rail. 17.
- the shade element may include a collapsible cellular shade.
- a further aspect of the invention provides a self-raising window covering comprising: a head rail; a plurality of raising cords suspended from the head rail; a bottom member suspended from the head rail by the raising cords; a shade element suspended between the head rail and the bottom member; a clutch member operatively connected with a drive axle and adapted to releasably lock the drive axle; the head rail further comprising a control mechanism, the control mechanism including a drive unit adapted to apply a substantially constant rotational force on the drive axle and a cord winding assembly co-axially mounted on the drive axle, the cord winding assembly configured to translate the rotational force of the drive unit to a linear raising force on the raising cords and to increase the raising force as the bottom member is raised; and wherein the linear raising force is sufficient to fully raise the bottom rail and shade element as the window covering is moved from a closed position to an open position.
- the cord winding assembly may include a winding drum having a tapered portion and a positioning member adapted to urge the cord winding assembly laterally along the drive axle when rotated.
- the cord winding assembly may be rotationally secured with the drive axle by a hub member adapted to engage the cord winding assembly and the drive axle.
- the hub member may be in sliding engagement with a tapered portion of the cord.
- the positioning member may be a threaded tubular member.
- the drive unit may comprise a constant force spring.
- the clutch member may comprise a spring member adapted to releasably secure the position of the drive axle when in a tightened condition and to permit rotation of the drive axle when in a relaxed condition; the clutch member further including a reciprocator disposed annularly about the drive axle and adapted to selectively hold the spring member in the tightened and related positions.
- the window covering may further comprise an annular collar secured with the drive axle and connected with the spring member.
- the window covering may further comprise a deceleration member engageable and in a co-axial relation with the cord winding assembly.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Operating, Guiding And Securing Of Roll- Type Closing Members (AREA)
- Blinds (AREA)
- Window Of Vehicle (AREA)
- Special Wing (AREA)
- Storage Of Web-Like Or Filamentary Materials (AREA)
- Closing And Opening Devices For Wings, And Checks For Wings (AREA)
- Curtains And Furnishings For Windows Or Doors (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a window covering that may be raised without the need to apply a force to either a control mechanism or the window covering itself as the window covering is opened. In particular, the present invention relates to a window covering having a control mechanism configured to exert an upward force on the shade element and bottom rail that is of sufficient magnitude to raise the shade element and bottom rail without additional force being applied by the user during raising.
- Window shades and coverings are found in many applications and used to regulate the amount of light entering a room, and to provide aesthetic appeal to a decor. Such window shades and coverings take many forms, including roller shades, Roman shades, Venetian blinds, and cellular shades. Conventional cellular or pleated shades utilize cord locks or a transmission mechanism to raise, lower and position the window covering in a desired position. With window coverings utilizing a cord lock, cords run up through the folded fabric, across the inside of a head rail and exit through a locking mechanism. Other cellular shades include a transmission mechanism and a continuous loop cord that is pulled by a user to raise and lower the window shade. Roman shades and Venetian blinds also tend to include raising cords that are secured to a lower bar or bottom rail.
- There are some disadvantages to these designs. Cords present the potential hazard of a child getting caught in or strangled by the exposed control cord. Cords also tend to distract from the aesthetics of a window covering in that they extend along the face of the window covering and, when the window shade is opened, must either be wrapped on a hook or just left on the floor. With window coverings that utilize cord locks, the cords also experience substantial wear due to friction against surfaces as a result of raising and lowering of the window covering.
- Other window coverings include common roller shades, which operate in the absence of a cord. These roller shades include a wound torsion-spring retraction mechanism in combination with a clutch or locking mechanism mounted with a roller onto which the shade is rolled and collected. In operation, a roller shade is pulled down by a user to a desired location, where it is locked in place by the clutch or locking mechanism. To unlock and release the shade so that it may be raised, the user typically pulls on a bottom rail of the shade, extending the shade sufficiently to disengage the internal clutch or locking mechanism within. When the clutch or locking mechanism is disengaged and the user releases the shade, the shade is retracted using the torsion-spring driven retraction mechanism. Known roller shades, however, are only operable with flat shade material which rolls up neatly into a confined location.
- The mechanism utilized in such roller shades is not compatible with other window coverings, such as cellular shades, Venetian blinds, and Roman shades. As roller shades are raised, the amount of shade being lifted decreases such that a constant force torsional spring member is capable of applying the necessary winding or upward force throughout the opening range. By contrast, a similar lifting mechanism is typically unsuitable in cellular shades, Venetian blinds, and Roman shades. In these types of window coverings the material of the shade element is typically gathered by raising a bottom member, such as a bottom rail, and increasing amounts of weight are gathered on the bottom member as the window covering is raised. The reason for this is that the shade material or shade element increasingly stacks on the bottom rail as the bottom rail rises, which increases the load on the lifting mechanism.
- In order to address this increasing weight, very strong torsional springs have been used to accommodate the maximum weight of the shade. One drawback to this approach, however, is that the rate at which the window covering is retracted may be too fast and uncontrolled. One attempt to address this problem is found in
U.S. Patent No. 6,666,252, issued to Welfonder . This patent teaches the use of a fluid brake to control the rate at which the raising cords are retracted throughout the raising process. Another approach that has been used is shown inU.S. Patent No. 6,056,036, issued to Todd , which employs a mechanical friction member to continuously slow the rate of retraction. One problem with these approaches has been that the spring utilized exerts a force that makes it difficult for a user to overcome when attempting to lower the shade. Excessive pulling force by the user often results in damage to the window covering. - Alternatively, variable force springs have been used. Such variable force springs are substantially more complicated in use and manufacture.
- Therefore, there is a need for a window covering raising mechanism for window coverings such as Venetian blinds, cellular shades and Roman shades that is self-raising and overcomes the foregoing problems.
- The present invention relates to a self-raising window covering and a control mechanism for the window covering. In particular, the window covering is a self-raising window covering that includes a head rail, a shade element, such as a cellular panel, blind slats, or Roman shade material, a bottom rail, at least one raising cord operatively connected at a first end to the bottom rail, and a control mechanism. The head rail may define an elongated channel wherein the control mechanism is disposed therein. In some embodiments, the control mechanism includes a drive axle and a drive unit operatively connected with the drive axle. The drive unit, which may be a constant force spring, is adapted to provide a substantially constant rotational force on the drive axle.
- At least one cord winding assembly is also provided in co-axial relation with the drive axle. Typically, the number of cord winding assemblies will be the same as the number of raising cords. However, in some instances, one cord winding assembly may be adapted to operate with multiple cords. The cord winding assembly includes at least one winding drum operatively connected to a second end of the raising cord and having a tapered portion. The cord winding assembly also includes a rotatable positioning member for moving the cord winding assembly laterally along the drive axle upon rotation of the positioning member. In a preferred embodiment, the positioning member is a threaded tubular member connected to the winding drum. The cord winding assembly is adapted to translate the rotational force on the drive axle to a raising force on the raising cord, wherein the raising force is greater than a total downward force exerted by the shade element and bottom rail throughout the range of opening and closing. In a preferred embodiment, the cord winding assembly is rotationally secured with the drive axle by a hub member adapted to engage the cord winding assembly and the drive axle. The hub member may be in a sliding relationship with the tapered portion of the cord winding assembly.
- A clutch member or locking member is also operatively connected with the axle and adapted to releasably lock the drive axle in a desired position. In a preferred embodiment, the clutch member comprises a reciprocator disposed coaxially relative to the drive axle and movable between a released position and a locked position, and a spring member connected to the reciprocator and operable to either tighten or relax the hold of the reciprocator on the drive axle. The reciprocator is configured to cause the spring member to tighten on the drive axle in the locked position for blocking a rotation of the drive axle against the rotational force applied by the drive unit, and cause the spring member to relax the drive axle in the released position to permit a rotation of the drive axle under the rotational force applied by the drive unit
-
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in cutaway, of a preferred embodiment of a window covering according to the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the single spring coil drive unit ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a side elevational cross section view of the single spring coil drive unit ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a side elevational cross section view of an alternative single spring coil drive unit; -
FIG. 5 is a side elevational cross section view of a double spring drive unit; -
FIG. 6 is a side elevational cross section view of an alternative double spring drive unit; -
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the cord winding assembly shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 8A is a front elevational view of the window covering ofFIG. 1 in a closed position and with the head rail in cross section; -
FIG. 8B is a front elevational view of the window covering ofFIG. 1 in a partially open position and with the head rail in cross section; -
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a preferred clutch member when the window covering is in a fully raised position; -
FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view of the clutch member ofFIG. 9A ; -
FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the clutch member ofFIG. 9A as the user pulls down on the window covering; -
FIG. 10B is a cross sectional view of the clutch member ofFIG. 10A ; -
FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the clutch member ofFIG. 9A as the user releases the window covering; -
FIG. 11B is a cross sectional view of the clutch member ofFIG. 11A ; -
FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the clutch member ofFIG. 9A as the user pulls down on the window covering to release the clutch member; -
FIG. 12B is a cross sectional view of the clutch member ofFIG. 12A ; -
FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the clutch member ofFIG. 9A as the window covering self-raises; -
FIG. 13B is a cross sectional view of the clutch member ofFIG. 13A ; -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alterative embodiment of a window covering according to the present invention with a deceleration member; -
FIG. 15A is a side elevational cross section view of the deceleration member ofFIG. 14 disengaged from one cord winding assembly; -
FIG. 15B is a side elevational cross section view of the deceleration member ofFIG. 14 engaging one cord winding assembly; and -
FIG. 15C is a side elevational cross section view of the deceleration member ofFIG. 14 when the window covering is fully raised. - The invention disclosed herein is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms. Shown in the drawings and described in detail hereinbelow are preferred embodiments of the present invention. The present disclosure, however, is only an exemplification of the principles and features of the invention, and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments.
- Referring to
FIGURE 1 , an embodiment of a self-raising window covering 10 according to the present invention is shown. Ahead rail 12 defining a channel is provided. A pair of drive units, such asspring units drive axle 18. Also mounted ondrive axle 18 arecord winding assemblies cord winding assemblies frustoconical winding drum tubular member cords drums drums drive axle 18. Each of these components is discussed in greater detail below. Window covering 10 further includes a shade element, such ascellular shade material 38 and a bottom member, such asbottom rail 40. The term "cord" as used may encompass a cord, strip, ribbon, string or any similar flexible elongated elements that are suitable for supporting the suspended shade element, and can be wound or unwound to deploy or retract the shade element. A relatively short length ofcord 42 can also be provided so that the user can pull down the window covering and, as will be discussed in further detail, release the clutch so that the window covering will retract itself. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , a preferred embodiment of thespring unit 14 is shown. Thespring unit 14 comprises aspring casing 42, aspring axle 44, a constantforce coil spring 46 and acover 48. Thecoil spring 46 and thespring axle 44 are secured within thecasing 42, which is closed bycover 48. Afirst end 50 of thecoil spring 46 is secured to thespring axle 44, which is coaxially connected to the drive axle 18 (FIG. 1 ). In this preferred embodiment, the coil spring is configured to provide sufficient rotational force to thedrive axle 18 and windingdrums FIGS. 3-6 . - For example, a
suitable spring unit 114 shown inFIG. 3 may include acoiled spring member 146 having a first end secured with afirst spring axle 142 that connects to thedrive axle 18 shown inFIG. 1 , and a second end secured with asecond spring axle 144 that is offset from thefirst spring axle 142. Thecoiled spring 146 in a relaxed position may be initially wound around thesecond spring axle 144. As the shade element is pulled downward, thecoiled spring 146 may stretch out from thesecond spring axle 144 and progressively wind around thefirst spring axle 142. This configuration of thespring unit 114 may be suitable when the usedcoiled spring 146 has a greater length to allow a longer deployment range of the shade element. -
FIG. 4 illustrates anothersuitable spring unit 214, which is similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 3 except that the second end of the coiled spring does not connect to any second spring axle. Instead, thecoiled spring 246 winds on itself at its second end, while thefirst end 252 of thecoiled spring 246 connects to asingle spring axle 218 connected to thedrive axle 18 shown inFIG. 1 . - Still other suitable embodiments of spring units are shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6 . InFIG. 5 ,spring unit 314 includes an assembly of twocoiled springs 346 and 348 that may be used to provide a greater raising force for the shade element. The firstcoiled spring 346 has its first end connected to afirst spring axle 344, and the second coiled spring 348 has its first end connected to asecond spring axle 345. The second end of the firstcoiled spring 346 and the second end of the second coiled spring 348 respectively connect to athird spring axle 318 located between the first andsecond spring axles drive axle 18. As the shade element is pulled downward, thecoiled springs 346 and 348 may respectively stretch out from the first andsecond spring axle third spring axle 318 to apply an increased raising force on thedrive axle 18. InFIG. 6 , the shown embodiment is very similar to that shown inFIG. 5 except that the twocoiled springs axle 418 connected to the drive axle do not connect with second spring axles. Although each of the embodiments shown utilizes a spring as the driving mechanism for the drive unit, it should be understood that any suitable mechanism for imparting a rotational force on the drive axle may be utilized. - Referring again to
FIG. 1 , the rotational force exerted upon adrive axle 18 causes thecord winding assemblies cords shade element 38 vertically toward thehead rail 12. Further details on a preferred embodiment of a cord winding assembly are provided with reference toFIG. 7 . -
Cord winding assembly 20 is mounted co-axially with thedrive axle 18 that passes through a fixed housing comprised of aframe 64 andupper cover 65. Thecord winding assembly 20 includes a windingdrum 24 and a rotational positioning member, such as threadedtubular member 32, fixedly connected at an end of the windingdrum 24. Thecord winding assembly 20 is preferably mounted on thedrive axle 18 via a hub member, such asadapter 60 that is configured to transmit rotational movement between thedrive axle 18 and thecord winding assembly 20 while allowing a relative translation movement therebetween. In some embodiments, theadapter 60 may be coaxially mounted inside a central hole of the windingdrum 24, and include a through hole for mounting thedrive axle 18. To transfer rotational movement while permitting smooth relative translation between the windingdrum 24 and theadapter 60, a peripheral surface of theadapter 60 may be provided with radial portions that contact with ribs protruding radially inward from the surface of the central hole of the windingdrum 24. Further, the threadedtubular member 32 engages withtoothed rollers 66, which are rotatably mounted to frame 64 andbracket 68 fixedly secured inhead rail 12. Rotational movements thereby can be transferred between thedrive axle 18 and thecord winding assembly 20, while smooth relative translations with reduced frictions are permitted therebetween. In addition, the engagement via theadapter 60 and the threadedtubular member 32 allows an improved support of the load of the suspended components,e.g. shade element 38 andbottom rail 40. - The winding
drum 24 is tapered and is preferably frustoconical in shape, and may include striations or grooves to improve gripping of thecord 28 wound on the surface of the windingdrum 24. An end of the raising cord (not shown) is secured towards the larger diameter end 62 of the windingdrum 24. As thecord winding assembly 20 rotates and translates in a direction to wind theraising cord 28, the raising cord is wrapped around increasingly narrower portions of the windingdrum 24. - Referring to
FIGS. 8A and 8B , the raising operation of the window covering is shown. When theshade element 38 is fully deployed, as shown inFIG. 8A , the raisingcord 28 is fully extended from a wider portion of the windingdrum 24. As thebottom rail 40 rises under the resilient force of thespring units FIG. 8b , the threaded engagement between the threadedtubular member 32 androllers 66 causes the rotatingcord winding assembly 20 to move laterally within thehead rail 12, such that the raising cord winds along the windingdrum 24 towards its narrower end. - Because the rising
bottom rail 40 causes theshade element 38 to collapse and stack up thereon, the total weight being raised by the resilient force applied byspring units spring unit 14 is derived with an adequate scale factor from a momentum M on thedrive axle 18 that can be approximated by the product between the suspended weight W, including the weight of the bottom rail plus the amount ofshade element 38 stacked thereon, and a winding radius R of the windingdrum 24. As thebottom rail 40 rises, W will increase, and R will decrease because theraising cord 28 winds on increasingly narrower portions of the tapered windingdrum 24 that slide with reduced frictions owing to theadapter 60 and threadedtubular member 32 andadapter 60. Accordingly, even though the suspended weight W increases, the load M on onespring unit 14 can be kept at a level that varies slightly and can be overcome by the constant force spring 46 (FIG. 2 ) to fully raise thebottom rail 40 andshade element 38. In order to lower the window covering, a user exerts an approximately constant pulling force regardless of the position in height of the window covering. With thecord winding assemblies spring units - In some embodiments, such as the one depicted, the shade element itself may have an effect on the total downward force or suspended weight. For example, where the shade element is a cellular window covering, an inherent upward spring bias to the material may serve to decrease the total downward force. The total contribution of this spring bias varies depending on the degree to which the cellular window covering is extended.
- As explained, as the window covering opens, the total weight suspended increases and the total raising force decreases. As such, the rate at which the window cover raises decreases as it nears a fully opened condition. Therefore, the shortcoming typically found in roller shade where the shade is retracted to quickly and violently avoided.
- Referring again to
FIG. 6 , theclutch member 36 is provided in order to lock theshade element 38 andbottom rail 40 in a desired position.Clutch member 36 is mounted coaxially with thedrive axle 18 and is configured to unlock thedrive axle 18 as the user pulls down thebottom rail 40 to stretch theshade element 38, and to lock thedrive axle 18 when the user releases thebottom rail 40 at the desired height. When the user pulls down slightly on the bottom rail again, the clutch disengages and allows thebottom rail 40 to be raised by thespring units FIG. 9A and 9B , theclutch member 36 includes acasing 70 that has fixedprotrusions collar 76 rotating with thedrive axle 18 is provided, which reciprocates axially along thedrive axle 18. Areciprocator 78 is co-axially mounted overcollar 76 and is movable both rotatably and axially therewith. Aspring 80 having afirst end 82 and asecond end 84 is provided betweencollar 76 andreciprocator 78. -
FIGS. 9A and 9B show the clutch when the window covering 10 is in a fully raised position.Spring 80 is in a relaxed condition withsecond end 84 in an abutting relationship withprotrusion 74. As shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B , when the user pulls on the bottom rail (not shown), a clockwise rotation (as shown) of theaxle 18 and thecollar 76 occurs and causes thesecond end 84 of thespring 80 to disengage fromprotrusion 74.Spring 80 tightens oncollar 76 such that rotation of thecollar 76 is transmitted toreciprocator 78 via the contact betweenfirst end 82 of thespring 80 andreciprocator 78, which bringsreciprocator 78 into abutment withprotrusion 72. As thereciprocator 78 abuts againstprotrusion 72, thespring 80 relaxes again and thedrive axle 18 may continue to rotate as the user further pulls on the bottom rail. Referring toFIG. 11A and 11B , as the user releases the bottom rail at a desired height,spring 80 tightens oncollar 76 and thedrive axle 18, urged by thespring units 14 and 16 (FIG. 1 ), rotatesreciprocator 78 in a counterclockwise direction until it reaches a locking position whereprotrusion 72 abuts against a stop 79 on thereciprocator 78. In this locking position, thespring 80 tightens to stop rotation of thedrive axle 18 against the raising force exerted byspring units FIGS. 12A and 12B , as the user pulls down slightly on the bottom rail, thespring 80 tightens and a resulting clockwise rotation of thedrive axle 18 andcollar 76 causes thereciprocator 78 to disengage from the locking position to a release position. When the user releases the bottom rail as shown inFIGS 13A and 13B , thespring units drive axle 18 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to bringsecond end 84 of thespring 80 into engagement withprotrusion 74, and thereby looseningspring 80, which permits driveaxle 18 to continue rotating and fully opening the window covering. - An alternative embodiment of the window covering according to the present invention is shown in
FIG. 14 . In most aspects, this embodiment is the same as the ones previously discussed. Window covering 510 includes ahead rail 512 having a pair ofspring units drive axle 518.Cord winding assemblies cords shade element 538 and are connected withbottom rail 540. In addition, at least onedeceleration member 550 is provided.Deceleration member 550 is engageable with onecord winding assembly 522 to slow down the rise of thebottom rail 540 as it approaches the head rail. - The preferred embodiment of the
deceleration member 520 is shown inFIGS. 15A - 15C . In the position ofFIG. 15A , thecord winding assembly 522 is disengaged from thedeceleration member 550. As thecord winding assembly 522 winds thecord 526, thecord winding assembly 522 also moves towards thedeceleration member 550. As thecord winding assembly 522 engages with aplate 552 of thedeceleration member 550 as shown inFIG 15B , the rotation of thecord winding assembly 522 causes theplate 552 to rotate. Theplate 552 is connected to anaxle sleeve 554, which is in contact with a decelerating member, such as viscous oil liquid, contained inside ahousing 556. Thesleeve 554 is configured to achieve a resistant contact with the decelerating member to decelerate the rotation of the cord winding assembly. For example, protrusions or fins may be provided on theaxle sleeve 554. The rate at which the bottom rail is raised by thespring units - A further aspect of the invention provides a control mechanism for a self-raising window covering, the window covering including a head rail, a suspended shade element, a bottom rail, and at least one raising cord operatively connected at a first end to the bottom rail, the control mechanism comprising: a drive axle; a drive unit operatively connected with the drive axle to apply a substantially constant rotational force on the drive axle; at least one cord winding assembly mounted on the drive axle and including a winding portion having a first end with a first diameter and decreasing in diameter to a second end having a second diameter less than the first diameter, wherein the cord winding assembly is operable under the rotational force applied by the drive unit to wind the raising cord for raising a suspended weight comprised of at least the bottom rail and a portion of the shade element that is stacked on the bottom rail; and a clutch member operatively connected with the drive axle and adapted to releasably lock the drive axle and block rotation of the drive axle against the rotational force applied by the drive unit.
- The drive unit may comprise a constant force spring.
- The cord winding assembly may be rotationally secured with the drive axle through a hub member adapted to engage the cord winding assembly and the drive axle.
- The hub member may be in sliding engagement with the winding portion of the cord winding assembly.
- The cord winding assembly may include a threaded tubular member that engages with one or more toothed rollers to cause an axial translation of the cord winding assembly along the drive axle as the cord winding assembly rotates.
- The clutch member may comprise: a reciprocator disposed coaxially relative to the drive axle and movable between a released position and a locked position; and a spring member connected to the reciprocator and operable to either tighten or relax the hold of the reciprocator on the drive axle; wherein the reciprocator is configured to cause the spring member to tighten on the drive axle in the locked position for blocking a rotation of the drive axle against the rotational force applied by the drive unit, and cause the spring member to relax the drive axle in the released position to permit a rotation of the drive axle under the rotational force applied by the drive unit.
- The clutch member further may comprise an annular collar secured with the drive axle and having a peripheral surface around which the spring member is mounted.
- The control mechanism may further comprise a deceleration member engageable with the cord winding assembly to decelerate a rising movement of the bottom rail towards the head rail.
- A further aspect of the invention provides a self-raising window covering, comprising: a head rail defining an elongated channel; a bottom member; a shade element suspended between the head rail and the bottom member; and a control mechanism mounted within the channel of the head rail, the control mechanism including: a drive axle operable to rotate under a substantially constant rotational force applied by a drive unit; at least one cord winding assembly mounted on the drive axle and including a winding portion having a first end with a first diameter and decreasing in diameter to a second end with a second diameter less than the first diameter; at least one raising cord having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured towards the first end of the winding portion and the second end connected with the bottom member; and a clutch member operatively connected with the drive axle and adapted to releasably block a rotation of the drive axle.
- The drive unit may comprise a constant force spring.
- The cord winding assembly may be mounted on the drive axle by a hub member.
- The hub member may be in sliding engagement with the winding portion of the cord winding assembly.
- The cord winding assembly may include a threaded tubular member that engages with one or more toothed rollers to cause an axial translation of the cord winding assembly along the drive axle when the cord winding assembly rotates.
- The clutch member may comprise: a reciprocator disposed coaxially relative to the drive axle and movable between a released position and a locked position; and a spring member connected to the reciprocator and operable to either tighten or relax the hold of the reciprocator on the drive axle; wherein the reciprocator is configured to cause the spring member to tighten on the drive axle in the locked position for blocking a rotation of the drive axle against the rotational force applied by the drive unit, and cause the spring member to relax the drive axle in the released position to permit a rotation of the drive axle under the rotational force applied by the drive unit.
- The clutch member may further comprise an annular collar secured with the drive axle and having a peripheral surface around which the spring member is mounted.
- The control mechanism may further comprise a deceleration member engageable with the cord winding assembly to decelerate a rising movement of the bottom member towards the head rail. 17. T
- The shade element may include a collapsible cellular shade.
- A further aspect of the invention provides a self-raising window covering comprising: a head rail; a plurality of raising cords suspended from the head rail; a bottom member suspended from the head rail by the raising cords; a shade element suspended between the head rail and the bottom member; a clutch member operatively connected with a drive axle and adapted to releasably lock the drive axle; the head rail further comprising a control mechanism, the control mechanism including a drive unit adapted to apply a substantially constant rotational force on the drive axle and a cord winding assembly co-axially mounted on the drive axle, the cord winding assembly configured to translate the rotational force of the drive unit to a linear raising force on the raising cords and to increase the raising force as the bottom member is raised; and wherein the linear raising force is sufficient to fully raise the bottom rail and shade element as the window covering is moved from a closed position to an open position.
- The cord winding assembly may include a winding drum having a tapered portion and a positioning member adapted to urge the cord winding assembly laterally along the drive axle when rotated.
- The cord winding assembly may be rotationally secured with the drive axle by a hub member adapted to engage the cord winding assembly and the drive axle.
- The hub member may be in sliding engagement with a tapered portion of the cord.
- The positioning member may be a threaded tubular member.
- The drive unit may comprise a constant force spring.
- The clutch member may comprise a spring member adapted to releasably secure the position of the drive axle when in a tightened condition and to permit rotation of the drive axle when in a relaxed condition; the clutch member further including a reciprocator disposed annularly about the drive axle and adapted to selectively hold the spring member in the tightened and related positions.
- The window covering may further comprise an annular collar secured with the drive axle and connected with the spring member.
- The window covering may further comprise a deceleration member engageable and in a co-axial relation with the cord winding assembly.
- The foregoing descriptions are to be taken as illustrative, but not limiting. Still other variants within the spirit and scope of the present invention will readily present themselves to those skilled in the art.
Claims (10)
- A control mechanism suitable for assembling with a drive axle (18) of a window covering (10), the control mechanism comprising:a housing (65);a cord winding assembly (20, 22) pivotally assembled in the housing and adapted to mount
with the drive axle mounted when the control mechanism is assembled with the window covering;a suspension cord (28) having a first and a second end, the first end being connected with
the cord winding assembly, and the second end extending outside the housing; anda spring (14) connected with the cord winding assembly, the spring being adapted to bias
the cord winding assembly for rotation in a direction to wind the suspension cord around the cord winding assembly. - The control mechanism of claim 1 in which the cord winding assembly (20, 22) includes a winding drum (24, 26).
- The control mechanism of claim 2 in which the cord winding assembly (20, 22) includes a tube (32) extending longitudinally from the winding drum (24, 26).
- The control mechanism of claim 3, wherein the tube (32) has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the winding drum (24, 26).
- The control mechanism of any preceding claim, which includes an adaptor spindle (60) formed coaxially with the winding drum (24, 26), and in which the axle (18) is assembled through the drum and adaptor spindle.
- The control mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the spring (14) is a constant force spring.
- The control mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the housing (65) has two opposite side surfaces provided with aligned openings for passage of the drive axle (18) therethrough.
- A window covering (10) comprising:a plurality of control mechanisms, each being as claimed in any preceding claim;a head rail (12);a suspended weight including window cover material (38); anda drive axle (18) placed in the head rail along the longitudinal axis.
- The window covering of claim 8, wherein the springs (14) in the control mechanisms are configured to impart a raising force that counteracts a downward weight force of the suspended weight to keep the suspension cord stationary at any height relative to the head rail.
- The window covering of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the cord winding assemblies (20, 22) are configured to rotate synchronously via the connection of the drive axle (18).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP11195181.0A EP2436869B1 (en) | 2007-07-19 | 2007-07-19 | Self-raising window covering |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP11195181.0A EP2436869B1 (en) | 2007-07-19 | 2007-07-19 | Self-raising window covering |
PCT/US2007/016365 WO2009011681A1 (en) | 2007-07-19 | 2007-07-19 | Self-raising window covering |
EP07796943A EP2181233B1 (en) | 2007-07-19 | 2007-07-19 | Self-raising window covering |
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EP07796943.4 Division | 2007-07-19 | ||
EP07796943A Division EP2181233B1 (en) | 2007-07-19 | 2007-07-19 | Self-raising window covering |
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EP2436869A2 true EP2436869A2 (en) | 2012-04-04 |
EP2436869A3 EP2436869A3 (en) | 2012-04-18 |
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EP07796943A Active EP2181233B1 (en) | 2007-07-19 | 2007-07-19 | Self-raising window covering |
EP11195181.0A Active EP2436869B1 (en) | 2007-07-19 | 2007-07-19 | Self-raising window covering |
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EP07796943A Active EP2181233B1 (en) | 2007-07-19 | 2007-07-19 | Self-raising window covering |
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EP (2) | EP2181233B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5209052B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101314077B1 (en) |
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CN103748306B (en) * | 2011-08-25 | 2015-08-12 | 金桢旼 | There is the roller shutter of single safety line |
US9192267B2 (en) | 2012-10-11 | 2015-11-24 | Roman Tsibulevskiy | Shower curtain technologies |
US9955825B2 (en) | 2012-10-11 | 2018-05-01 | Roman Tsibulevskiy | Partition technologies |
US11083344B2 (en) | 2012-10-11 | 2021-08-10 | Roman Tsibulevskiy | Partition technologies |
US10292538B2 (en) | 2012-10-11 | 2019-05-21 | Roman Tsibulevskiy | Partition technologies |
US9510711B2 (en) | 2012-10-11 | 2016-12-06 | Roman Tsibulevskiy | Partition technologies |
US9949597B2 (en) | 2012-10-11 | 2018-04-24 | Roman Tsibulevskiy | Partition technologies |
NL1040420C2 (en) * | 2013-10-01 | 2015-04-16 | Hunter Douglas Ind Bv | Rail for an architectural covering. |
GB2534082B (en) * | 2013-10-01 | 2019-10-16 | Hunter Douglas Ind Bv | Rail for an architectural covering |
EA026776B1 (en) * | 2014-10-14 | 2017-05-31 | Общество С Ограниченной Ответственностью "Алютех Инкорпорейтед" | Device for compensation of shaft deflection in a roll-down system |
CN105649517B (en) * | 2014-11-11 | 2017-11-24 | 瑞安市雅木窗饰有限公司 | Bead type shutter |
GB2544154B (en) * | 2015-09-03 | 2021-10-06 | Alplas Shutters & Louvres Pty Ltd | Motorized blind arrangement |
JP7059073B2 (en) * | 2017-09-08 | 2022-04-25 | 立川ブラインド工業株式会社 | Cloaking device |
JP7090457B2 (en) * | 2018-04-05 | 2022-06-24 | 立川ブラインド工業株式会社 | Shielding device and shielding material drive device |
CN215974326U (en) * | 2021-06-25 | 2022-03-08 | 东莞市雷富溢窗饰科技有限公司 | Curtain winding device |
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US6056036A (en) | 1997-05-01 | 2000-05-02 | Comfortex Corporation | Cordless shade |
US6666252B2 (en) | 1997-12-12 | 2003-12-23 | Hunter Douglas Industries Bv | Winding mechanism |
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US2390826A (en) * | 1943-12-16 | 1945-12-11 | Automatic Venetian Hardware Co | Cordless venetian blind |
JP3098945B2 (en) * | 1995-12-07 | 2000-10-16 | 株式会社ニチベイ | blind |
JP2000130052A (en) * | 1998-10-26 | 2000-05-09 | Tachikawa Blind Mfg Co Ltd | Lifting device for sunshade material |
US6536503B1 (en) * | 1999-03-23 | 2003-03-25 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Modular transport system for coverings for architectural openings |
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AU2003220458A1 (en) * | 2002-03-20 | 2003-10-08 | Rollease Inc. | Semi-cordless unbalanced spring driven blind system and methods for adjusting and making same |
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US20060037720A1 (en) * | 2004-08-19 | 2006-02-23 | Shien-Te Huang | Brake mechanism for curtain linkage system |
AU2006285004B2 (en) * | 2005-09-02 | 2011-09-15 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Selective tilting arrangement for a blind system for coverings for architectural openings |
US7520311B2 (en) * | 2005-12-22 | 2009-04-21 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Threaded lift cord spool for coverings for architectural openings |
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2007
- 2007-07-19 BR BRPI0721879-6A2A patent/BRPI0721879A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2007-07-19 AU AU2007229388A patent/AU2007229388B2/en active Active
- 2007-07-19 DE DE112007000007T patent/DE112007000007T5/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2007-07-19 WO PCT/US2007/016365 patent/WO2009011681A1/en active Application Filing
- 2007-07-19 CA CA2693056A patent/CA2693056C/en active Active
- 2007-07-19 EP EP07796943A patent/EP2181233B1/en active Active
- 2007-07-19 PL PL07796943T patent/PL2181233T3/en unknown
- 2007-07-19 KR KR1020107001069A patent/KR101314077B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2007-07-19 AT AT07796943T patent/ATE550512T1/en active
- 2007-07-19 JP JP2010516958A patent/JP5209052B2/en active Active
- 2007-07-19 ES ES07796943T patent/ES2381378T3/en active Active
- 2007-07-19 EP EP11195181.0A patent/EP2436869B1/en active Active
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2011
- 2011-07-28 RU RU2011131825/12A patent/RU2479704C2/en active
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US6056036A (en) | 1997-05-01 | 2000-05-02 | Comfortex Corporation | Cordless shade |
US6666252B2 (en) | 1997-12-12 | 2003-12-23 | Hunter Douglas Industries Bv | Winding mechanism |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20100052454A (en) | 2010-05-19 |
CA2693056C (en) | 2014-02-18 |
PL2181233T3 (en) | 2012-08-31 |
DE112007000007T5 (en) | 2010-06-02 |
JP5209052B2 (en) | 2013-06-12 |
CA2693056A1 (en) | 2009-01-22 |
RU2011131825A (en) | 2013-02-10 |
RU2479704C2 (en) | 2013-04-20 |
BRPI0721879A2 (en) | 2014-02-18 |
EP2181233A1 (en) | 2010-05-05 |
EP2436869A3 (en) | 2012-04-18 |
AU2007229388B2 (en) | 2011-02-03 |
ATE550512T1 (en) | 2012-04-15 |
EP2181233A4 (en) | 2010-08-18 |
WO2009011681A1 (en) | 2009-01-22 |
EP2181233B1 (en) | 2012-03-21 |
KR101314077B1 (en) | 2013-10-04 |
AU2007229388A1 (en) | 2009-02-05 |
JP2010533809A (en) | 2010-10-28 |
ES2381378T3 (en) | 2012-05-25 |
EP2436869B1 (en) | 2017-04-05 |
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