GB2384165A

GB2384165A - Timer control of curtain operation

Info

Publication number: GB2384165A
Application number: GB0201118A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Young Inglis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-18
Filing date: 2002-01-18
Publication date: 2003-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-18
Also published as: GB0201118D0; GB2384165B

Abstract

Mains timer unit 1 supplies low voltage current to unit 10 which includes a low voltage winch motor 11 for the curtain cords, a rechargeable battery 12 and a rocker switch 13. Unit 1 includes a polarity reversal switch 6 with a manual override 5. The timer allows curtain open/close times and the periods for which the battery is recharged to be set. Switch 13 is operated by stops 15 on the cords to cut current to the motor on completion of opening/closing. The timer can be plugged directly into a mains socket and is connected by a suitable cable to unit 10.

Description

CURTAIN ACTIVATOR This invention relates to a device for opening and closing curtains at predetermined times.

Curtains or window blinds are well known for screening the interior of premises from the outside. But unfortunately this action of opening or closing curtains requires the assistance of an operator. The curtain activator eliminates the operator. It can be preset to perform the function when the premises are vacated, and will act as an extra security measure by giving the impression the premises are occupied.

The curtain activator may also be beneficial to people with mobility problems, as it will simplify the action of repositioning curtains.

According to the present invention there are two units. The first unit comprising of a timer mechanism, clockwork, electrical, or a combination of both. This unit will have provisions to select times for opening and closing curtains, and will provide power for a transformer to charge a battery when a rechargeable battery is employed. The unit will also select the appropriate polarity for the rotational direction of the low voltage winch motor. The unit will also be fitted with controls to enable the automatic system to be overridden.

The time required for recharging the battery will also be determined by the unit, as charge times can vary and are dependant on the power output of the low voltage winch motor.

The charge to the battery will only occur when a curtain movement has been initiated.

The second unit comprising of a low voltage reversible electrical motor geared to a divided winch drum. The drum will wind and unwind cords attached to curtains or window blinds, and adjust them to a preset position. The unit will also have a battery and a rocker switch to stop the motor when the curtains have reached a selected position. The cords will be fitted with stops to activate the rocker switch, and will be adjustable to control the extent of curtain travel. The cords will also be fitted with attachments to accommodate a common curtain hook for attaching curtains. The stops, and attachments for the curtains will be able to be fitted and removed without dismantling the cord system. The first and second units will be joined together by a multi-core low

voltage electric cable. The cable is essential, as it will allow each unit to be mounted at an ideal position.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- Figure 1 shows in perspective, the timer unit 1, Joined to winch motor and battery unit 10, by the low voltage multi-core cable 14. The drawing illustrates the relative position of the dial select segments 2, the twenty four hour time dial 3 which is fitted with a cam or pin 4, for altering the polarity switch 6. The polarity switch 6, is also fitted with a select knob 5, to facilitate manual override. The battery charge unit 20, is coupled to a charge indicator light 9, which is illuminated when battery 12, is being charged. The charge isolating and low voltage power switch 7, is activated by selecting segments 2, on the dial, or by pressing the manual override button 8. Also shown are the winch motor 11, attached to gears or worn drive located in box 11, which will drive the winding drum 18. The position of the battery 12, is optional, but the rocker switch 13, must be positioned relative to the winch drum 18, as it will be activated by the draw cord stops 15. In the event of a cord failure the remaining length of cord with stop dz still attached will be wound onto the drum, irrespective of direction, and will move the rocker switch 13, to a neutral position.

The illustration shown is electrical, and utilises mains power electricity for operating the twenty four hour timer mechanism and for charging the battery 12.

Figure 2 shows the wiring diagram of the low voltage system, with a broken line representing the multi-core low voltage cable 14, drawn between the internal wiring of unit 1, and that of unit 10. Also shown is the various positions of the rocker switch 13. Positions'A'and'E'are fail safe neutral positions.'B'is contact with the negative pole.'C'is contact with both positive and negative poles, this is essential before power is cut from the live wire (the other wire will be dead due to the position of the polarity switch) which will stop the winch motor 11.'D'is contact with the positive pole.

Figure 3 shows in perspective a typical arrangement of an installed system, and shows details of curtain attachments 16, and rocker switch stops 15.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 3 shows the two units of the curtain activator. Unit 10, is secured with suitable screws (not shown) to a wall at the window where the curtains are to be activated. Unit 1, can be plugged into a suitably located mains electricity supply socket, one within reach of the multi-core low voltage cable 14, (preferably about waist high). The stops 15, and curtain attachments 16, have been magnified to show connection and attitude of the draw cord.

In order to operate the system. The timer is set by depressing one segment 2, on the dial 3, for the curtain opening time, and another segment 2 on the dial 3, for the curtain closing time. Thereafter further segments can be depressed after these settings, (four initially) as these extra segments will determine the charging time of battery 12.

When the settings have been established on the dial 3, the unit should then be synchronise to the actual time of day, and plugged into a conveniently located mains electricity supply socket. The operating time of the mains electricity supply will be constant to maintain the clock mechanism, but the low voltage switching will vary and be dependent on the time set for recharging the battery 12. The low voltage system which supplies power to the winch motor 11, will only be live during the time taken to open or close the curtains, and that will be irrespective of the time set for recharging the battery 12.

Claims

Claims 1 A curtain activator comprising of two units. The first unit is a mains electricity powered timing device with means of selecting specific time settings. This timing device will also alter low voltage polarity, and activate a low voltage switch for starting the winch motor and for recharging the battery. The second unit is Joined to the first unit with a low voltage electric cable. The second unit has a battery, and a low voltage electric motor geared to a divided winch drum for winding and unwinding draw cords fitted with curtain attachments. The draw cords are also fitted with stops to activate the rocker switch which will cut low voltage power to the winch motor when the desired position of the curtains has been attained.
2 A curtain activator as claimed in claim 1 wherein a cam or pin is attached to the mains powered timing dial which will alter the position of the low voltage polarity switch reversing the polarity at approximately noon and midnight, the low voltage polarity switch will also be fitted with a manual override button which will allow the polarity to be altered at any time.
3 A curtain activator as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein a double contact low voltage switch is activated by the mains powered timing dial and by an override push button.
4 A curtain activator as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the first unit is connected to the second unit by a multi-core low voltage electric cable.
5 A curtain activator as claimed in any preceding claims wherein draw cords are provided with attachments to hook curtains.
6 A curtain activator as claimed in claim 5 wherein draw cords are provided with rocker switch stops to cut low voltage power to the winch motor.
7 A curtain activator substantially as described herein with reference to Figures-1-3 of the accompanying drawings.

7 A curtain activator substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawings.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1 A curtain activator comprising of two separate units, one unit is a mains electrically powered time switch with means for selecting time settings, after each set movement of the curtains the settings on the dial can be varied to alter the time required for recharging the low voltage battery which powers the reversible winding motor, both of which are incorporated in the second unit which is the power unit, there is a pin or cam attached to the timing dial to alter the low voltage polarity switch located below at noon and midnight, the polarity switch has a protrusion through the front of the dial to determine the direction of manual override ; open or shut, at the side of the unit there is a second switch which energises both low and mains voltage, when override power is required, the time setting unit is connected to the power unit via a low voltage five core cable connecting the battery, the motor driving the winch drum through a reduction gearbox, and the rocker switch which is located directly above the divided winding drum; the winding drum is divided to facilitate wind- on and wind-off characteristics and to ensure non entanglement of the draw cords, the cords have stops which can be positioned to suit any curtain or blind travel distance and will activate the rocker switch when the desired position of curtains has been attained, the attachments for curtains and the rocker switch stops can be removed or replaced without dismantling the cord arrangement 2 A curtain activator as claimed in claim 1 wherein a cam or pin is attached to the mains powered timing dial which will alter the position of the low. voltage polarity switch reversing the polarity at approximately noon and midnight, the low voltage polarity switch will also be fitted with a manual override button which will allow the polarity to be altered at any time.

3 A curtain activator as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein a double contact low voltage switch is activated by the mains powered timing dial and by an override push button.

4 A curtain activator as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the first unit is connected to the second unit by a multi-core low voltage electric cable.

5 A curtain activator as claimed in any preceding claims wherein draw cords are provided with attachments to hook curtains.

6 A curtain activator as claimed in claim 5 wherein draw cords are provided with rocker switch stops to cut low voltage power to the winch motor.