JP6431053B2 - Cover for building openings with nested rollers Multiple roller cover for building openings - Google Patents

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a 35 U.S. patent application filed on 35 US Pat. S. C. No. 14/213, filed on Mar. 14, 2014, entitled “Covering for an Architectural Opening Haven Nested Rollers”. The present application further claims priority to US patent application Ser. No. 14 / 212,387, entitled “Covering for an Architectural Opening Haven Nested Rollers,” filed Mar. 14, 2014. This application is entitled “Covering for an Architectural Opening Having Nested Rollers” filed on June 12, 2013. 35U of titled U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 834,080. S. C. All claims are claimed under §119 (e), all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

  The present disclosure relates generally to a covering for a building opening, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for operating a covering for a building opening having a nested roller.

  Covers for architectural openings such as windows, doors and archways have taken many forms over the years. Some covers include a retractable shade that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the cover shade may be positioned over the opening. In the retracted position, the cover shade may be positioned adjacent to one or more sides of the opening.

  Some wraps transmit light through the material from which the wrap is constructed when in a fully extended position. In some cases, more dimming is desired even when the shroud has operable vanes that open and close to control the amount of light passing through the shroud. In addition or alternatively, in some cases, the user may desire a different pattern or appearance of the covering when in a fully extended position. Typically, these desires are achieved by having a separate roller positioned behind the primary roller for separate actuation by the user. These separate rollers for supplemental function or appearance increase the size of the headrail and may require the use of a second set of control codes and operating mechanisms, and thus cover structures Increase the size and weight.

  Examples of the present disclosure can include a covering for an opening in a building having nested rollers. In certain examples, the covering is received within the outer roller and a central longitudinal axis that defines an elongated slot extending along the length of the outer roller and an opening into the outer roller. A first shade, fixed to the inner roller, extending through an elongated slot, fixed to the outer roller, retractable onto the outer roller, and extendable from the outer roller; And a second shade that is retractable on the inner roller and extendable from the inner roller. The elongated slot may be aligned substantially horizontally with the central longitudinal axis of the inner roller when the first shade is in a fully extended position.

  In one example, the inner roller and the outer roller are coaxial about the central longitudinal axis of the inner roller. In one example, the first shade and the second shade have the same width. In one example, the width of the first shade extends along the entire length of the outer roller and the width of the second shade extends along the entire length of the inner roller. In one example, the slots are oriented orthogonal to the direction of extension of the first shade.

  In one example, the covering includes a bottom rail that is secured to the second shade and engages the outer roller when the second shade is in a fully retracted position. In one example, the outer roller defines a longitudinal seat formed along the slot and the bottom rail is received in the seat when the second shade is in a fully retracted position. In one example, the covering includes a mounting system that supports the inner and outer rollers for rotational movement about the central longitudinal axis of the inner roller. In one example, the covering includes an operating mechanism for selectively rotating the inner roller.

  In one example, the outer roller includes a first shell and a second shell, each having a longitudinally extending distal edge, the first shell edge and the second shell edge defining an elongated slot. As far as possible, they are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. In one example, the covering is a first bushing that is locked to one end of the first shell and the second shell, and a second that is locked to the opposite end of the first shell and the second shell. The first bushing and the second bushing maintain a constant width of the slot.

  In one example, the covering includes a locking mechanism that is movable between a first position that restricts rotation of the outer roller and a second position that allows rotation of the outer roller. In one example, the locking mechanism moves from the first position to the second position when the bottom rail engages the locking mechanism. In one example, the outer roller defines an elongated groove formed in the side wall, the locking mechanism includes a bearing, and the bearing is received in the groove at a first position of the locking mechanism. In one example, the locking mechanism includes a pin that is actuated by pin engagement by a bottom rail to remove the bearing from the groove. In one example, the bearing is movably engaged with the outer surface of the outer roller in the second position.

  In one example, the locking mechanism includes a locking member that pivots between a first position and a second position. In one example, the locking mechanism includes a locking member that translates axially between a first position and a second position. In one example, the locking mechanism includes a rotatable shaft positioned outside the outer roller and oriented substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the inner roller. In one example, the covering includes an end cap, the inner and outer rollers are rotatably coupled to the end cap, the locking mechanism includes a housing that is cantilevered from the end cap, and the rotatable shaft includes the housing. It is attached to the journal type. In one example, the locking mechanism includes a rotatable shaft and a gear mechanism that couples rotation of the outer roller.

  In one example, the covering is disposed on the exterior of the outer roller, a rotatable outer roller defining an elongated slot, a first shade secured to the outer roller and windable about the outer roller, and A locking mechanism that at least partially defines a lower stop for a shade, a rotatable inner roller received in the outer roller, and fixed to the inner roller and wrapable about the inner roller A second shade extendable and retractable through the elongated slot and a non-rotatable shaft extending into the inner roller and at least partially defining a lower stop for the second shade. it can.

  In one example, the locking mechanism includes a rotatable shaft positioned outside the outer roller and a locking member that translates axially along the rotatable shaft. In one example, the locking mechanism includes a pivotable locking member positioned outside the outer roller.

  Examples of the present disclosure can include a method of manipulating a shroud for a building opening. In one example, the method may be such that when the first shade reaches a fully extended position, the first shade is unwound from the periphery of the outer roller and from the periphery of the inner roller positioned within the outer roller. Paying out the second shade, the paying out the second shade through the elongated slot formed in the outer roller and positioned substantially horizontally aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the inner roller. Including extending 2 shades.

  In one example, the method includes pivoting a locking member to lock the outer roller to lock the rotation of the outer roller, and locking the second shade over the inner roller through an elongated slot formed in the outer roller. Rotating the inner roller with respect to the outer roller for retraction, and a locking member for releasing the locking engagement with the outer roller in a fully retracted position of the inner roller to allow rotation of the outer roller. Pivoting and rotating the outer roller by driving the inner roller to retract the first shade onto the outer roller.

  In one example, the method includes pivoting the locking member out of the periphery of the outer roller during the extension of the first shade and reaching the fully extended position of the first shade. Then, the rotation of the outer roller is restricted by the lock member, the nut disposed in the inner roller is moved by pivoting in the axial direction during the extension of the second shade, and the second shade is sufficiently extended. Constraining rotation of the inner roller with a nut upon reaching the designated position.

  This disclosure is provided to aid understanding, and each of the various aspects and features of the present disclosure may advantageously be separated in some cases or in combination with other aspects and features of the disclosure in other cases. One skilled in the art will appreciate that it can be used. Accordingly, although this disclosure is presented in an example, it should be understood that the individual aspects of any example may be claimed separately or in combination with aspects and features of this example or any other example. .

  The present disclosure is described in various details herein, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter by including or not including elements, components, etc. in this summary. In some cases, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the present disclosure or that obscure other details may be omitted. It is to be understood that the claimed subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific examples or configurations illustrated herein.

  The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate examples of the present disclosure and, together with the summary provided above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of these examples.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a covering with a first shade and a second shade in a fully retracted position according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the covering of FIG. 1 with a first shade in a partially extended position and a second shade in a fully retracted position according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the covering of FIG. 1 with the first shade in a fully extended position and the second shade in a fully retracted position according to an example of the present disclosure. 2 is an isometric view of the covering of FIG. 1 with a first shade in a fully extended position and a second shade in a partially extended position according to certain examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the covering of FIG. 1 with a first shade and a second shade in a fully extended position according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an isometric partial exploded view of a head rail component of a cover according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. The headrail cover and the first and second shades are not shown for clarity. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1 of a cover comprising the headrail component of FIG. 6 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 2 of a covering comprising the headrail component of FIG. 6 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 3 of a covering comprising the headrail component of FIG. 6 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 4 of a covering comprising the headrail component of FIG. 6 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 5 of a covering comprising the headrail component of FIG. 6 according to an example of the present disclosure. 3 is an isometric view of a head rail component of a cover according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. The head rail cover is not shown for clarity. FIG. 13 is an isometric partial exploded view of the headrail component of FIG. 12 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the headrail component of FIG. 12 taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of some of the headrail components of FIG. 12 depicting three intermeshed gears rotatably supported on a cover end cap according to certain examples of the present disclosure. . FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the locking mechanism of the headrail component of FIG. 12 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 16 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is another isometric view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 16 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of a dual roller unit attached to the locking mechanism of FIG. 16 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 20 is a detailed view of the locking interface between the first shell and the second shell of the outer roller of the dual roller unit of FIG. 19 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of the housing of the locking mechanism of FIG. 16 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of the housing of FIG. 21 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a shaft of the locking mechanism of FIG. 16 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the nut of the locking mechanism of FIG. 16 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 25 is another isometric view of the FIG. 24 nut according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 23 shows a shaft of FIG. 23 rotatably supported in the housing of FIG. 21 with the housing and nut according to an example of the present disclosure shown in longitudinal section, and FIG. It is a front elevation view. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the housing, nut, and shaft of FIG. 26 taken along line 27-27 of FIG. 26 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. 2 is an isometric partial exploded view of a head rail component of a cover according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. The headrail cover and the second shade are not shown for clarity. FIG. 29 is another isometric partial exploded view of the headrail component of FIG. 28 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 30-30 of FIG. 5 of a covering comprising the headrail component of FIG. 28 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 3 of a cover comprising the headrail component of FIG. 28 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the covering of FIG. 31 with the bottom rail according to an example of the present disclosure seated on the outer roller and the locking mechanism being unseatted from the outer roller. FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the covering of FIG. 32 with an outer roller according to an example of the present disclosure rotated counterclockwise with respect to the position of the outer roller in FIG. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 34-34 of FIG. 4 of a covering comprising the headrail component of FIG. 28 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the covering of FIG. 31 with the inner roller and second shade removed for clarity according to certain examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the covering of FIG. 32 with the inner roller and second shade removed for clarity according to certain examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the covering of FIG. 33 with the inner roller and second shade removed for clarity according to certain examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 29 is an isometric view of the locking mechanism of the headrail component of FIG. 28 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 39 is another isometric view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 38 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 29 is an isometric view of the bracket of the headrail component of FIG. 28 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 39 is an isometric view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 38 rotatably installed on the bracket of FIG. 40 according to certain examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 29 is a partial isometric view of some of the headrail components of FIG. 28 showing the interface between the locking mechanism of FIG. 38 and the bottom rail of a cover according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 29 is a partial isometric view of some of the headrail components of FIG. 28 showing the interface between the locking mechanism of FIG. 38 and the bottom rail of a cover according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 44 is a partial view of an end of the bottom rail of FIGS. 42 and 43 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 45 is an isometric view of the bottom rail actuator rim of FIG. 44 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one end, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1, of a cover comprising the headrail component of FIG. 28 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another end, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1, of a covering comprising the headrail component of FIG. 28 according to an example of the present disclosure.

  The present disclosure provides a covering for an opening in a building. In general, the covering can include a first shade and a second shade that are both suspended from the same head rail by a pair of nested rollers forming a dual roller unit. The first shade (the front shade in this configuration) engages the outer roller for retraction onto and extension from the outer roller by winding and unwinding from the outer roller when actuated by the user. Is done. The second shade (in this configuration, the rear shade) is the interior of the outer roller for retraction onto and extension from the inner roller by winding and unwinding from the inner roller when actuated by the user. Engage with the inner roller located at the top. The inner roller can be positioned inside the outer roller, and the inner roller and the outer roller can jointly form a roller unit, further described below. The second shade can extend and retract as guided by the user when the first shade is in a fully extended position. The operating unit that rotates the roller as guided by the user may be operated, for example, by a motor or a single control code. The operating unit can engage the inner roller and control its rotation, thereby controlling the rotation of the outer tube

  1-5, a retractable covering 10 for a building opening is provided. The retractable cover 10 can include a head rail 14, a first bottom rail 18, a second bottom rail 20, a first shade 22, and a second shade 24. The first shade 22 can extend between the head rail 14 and the first bottom rail 18. The second shade 24 can extend between the head rail 14 and the second bottom rail 20. The headrail 14 can include two opposing end caps 26a, 26b that can seal the ends of the headrail 14 to provide a finished appearance. The first bottom rail 18 can extend horizontally along the lower edge of the first shade 22 and can function as a ballast to maintain the first shade 22 in tension. The second bottom rail 20 can extend horizontally along the lower edge of the second shade 24 and can function as a ballast to keep the second shade 24 stretched.

  The first shade 22 has a plurality of horizontally extending, vertically spaced flexible, front and rear sheets 30 and 34 that are vertically suspended from a flexible material (such as a sealer). Sex vanes 38 can be included. Each vane 38 can be fixed along a horizontal attachment line with its leading edge attached to the front seat 30 and its trailing edge attached to the rear seat 34. Sheets 30, 34 and vanes 38 may form a plurality of elongated, vertically aligned, longitudinally extending cells, generally referred to as a cellular panel. The sheets 30, 34 and / or vanes 38 may be constructed of several consecutive lengths of material, or are attached or joined to each other at the edges, overlapping, or other suitable relationship. May be constructed of a strip of material. The second shade 24 may be a single panel, or may be constructed of strips of material that are attached or joined to each other at the edges, overlapping, or other appropriately related materials. .

  The first shade 22 and the second shade 24 may be constructed of substantially any type of material. For example, the shades 22, 24 may be constructed from natural and / or synthetic materials including fabrics, polymers, and / or other suitable materials. The fabric material can include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, knitted fabrics, or other suitable fabric types. The shades 22, 24 can have any suitable level of light transmission. For example, the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 may be constructed of a transparent material, a translucent material, and / or an opaque material to provide a desired atmosphere or decoration for the associated room. In one example, the first shade 22 includes transparent and / or translucent sheets 30, 34 and translucent and / or opaque vanes 38. In one example, the second shade 24 is made of a single sheet of material having zero light transmission, often referred to as a black-out shade. The second shade 24 is such that when the second shade 24 is extended behind the first shade 22, the second shade 24 itself produces an aesthetic appearance that is different from the first shade 22. A pattern or design can be included.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-6, the cover 10 may include a drive or operating mechanism 40 configured to raise or retract the first shade 22, the second shade 24, or both. The operating mechanism 40 may be mechanically and / or electrically controlled. The operating mechanism 40 can include a speed governor to control or adjust the extension of the shades 22, 24 or reduce the speed of the shades 22, 24.

  In one example, the motion mechanism 40 may be a motion element 42 (ball chain, cord, or cane) to allow a user to extend or retract the first shade 22 and / or the second shade 24. Etc.). In order to move the shades 22, 24, an operator can operate the operating element 42. For example, the operator can pull the operating element 40 downward to raise or retract the shades 22, 24 from the extended position. In order to extend or lower the shades 22, 24 from the retracted position, the operator releases the brake so that the operating elements 42 can be automatically lowered under the influence of gravity. Can be operated.

  In addition or alternatively, the operating mechanism 40 can include an electric motor 44 configured to extend or retract the shades 22, 24 upon receipt of an extend or retract command. The motor 44 may be wired to a switch and / or communicate with a transmitter, such as the remote control unit 46, to allow the user to control the extension and retraction of the motor 44 and thus the shades 22, 24. May be operatively coupled to a receiver operable to. The motor 44 can include a gravity lowering mode so that the shades 22, 24 can be lowered by gravity without motor intervention, thereby reducing power consumption.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the cover 10 may include a dual roller unit 46 that may be disposed within the headrail 14. The dual roller unit 46 can include an inner roller 48 and an outer roller 50. The inner roller 48 can be positioned inside the outer roller 50, and the rollers 48, 50 can be coaxially aligned about the same rotational axis 52. The rollers 48 and 50 may be coaxial with the central axis of the inner roller 48 as the center.

  Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner roller 48 may be generally cylindrical in shape and may be formed as a tube. The second shade 24 may be attached to the inner roller 48 at the upper edge by adhesive, corresponding retaining features, or other suitable attachment means. In one example, a longitudinally extending recess 52 is formed in the peripheral wall of the inner roller 48 to receive an adhesive bead configured to adhere the upper edge of the second shade 24 to the inner roller 48. .

  Outer roller 50 may be generally cylindrical in shape and may surround inner roller 48. The outer roller 50 may be formed of two parts that fit together. Referring to FIG. 6, the outer roller 50 can include a first shell 54 and a second shell 56 that are nested. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8-11, the longitudinally extending edges 58, 60 of the first shell 54 and the second shell 56 can overlap and fit together. The first shade 22 may be attached to the outer roller 50 at the upper edge by an adhesive, corresponding retaining features, or other suitable attachment means. In one example, a pair of channels 62 are formed in the peripheral wall of the outer roller 50 and are configured to receive and secure the upper edge of the first shade 22. With reference to FIGS. 8-11, an insert 64 may be placed in a hem formed at each upper edge and may act to hold the upper edge within a respective channel 62.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the inner roller 48 and the outer roller 50 can extend substantially the entire distance between the right end cap 26a and the left end cap 26b. Inner roller 48 and outer roller 50 may have the same or substantially the same length. The first shade 22 and the second shade 24 may have the same or substantially the same width, which may be equal to the length of the rollers 48, 50. In one example, the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 have equal widths that match the length of the inner roller 48 and the outer roller 50, which are the edges of the shades 22, 24 and the opening of the building. It is possible to eliminate the presence of a light gap between the side portions of the portion.

  Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the dual roller unit 50 may be rotatably supported by opposing end caps 26a and 26b. The operating mechanism 40 may be attached to the right end cap 26a and may be actuated by, for example, the operating element 42 or the remote control unit 46. The operating mechanism 40 may be operatively associated with the inner roller 48 to rotate the inner roller 48. The operating mechanism 40 can include an internal fitting 64 that can be received within the inner roller 48 and can be snugly engaged with the wall of the inner roller 48. The internal fitting 64 may be rotationally driven by an operating mechanism 40 such as a motor 44, and therefore the inner roller 48 can be rotationally driven. The operating mechanism 40 may include a planetary gear drive that is often used in window covering applications.

  Continuing with FIGS. 6 and 7, the limit screw 66 may be positioned inside the inner roller 48 and may be secured to the left end cap 26b so that the limit screw 66 does not rotate. A limiting nut 68 may be threadedly engaged with the limiting screw 66 and may be keyed to the wall of the inner roller 48 by rotation. The key structure may allow movement of the limiting nut 68 along the length of the inner roller 48. As the inner roller 48 rotates, the limit nut 68 can move along the threaded limit screw 66 and limit screw to define the lowest extended position of the second shade 24 (see FIG. 5). It is possible to engage with a limit stop formed on 66. Additionally or alternatively, an upper limit stop may be employed on the limit screw 66 if desired.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the right bushing 70 a and the left bushing 70 b may be axially aligned with the inner roller 48 and may be disposed adjacent to opposite ends of the inner roller 48. The right bushing 70a may be rotatably installed on the operation mechanism 40, and the left bushing 70b may be rotatably installed on the limit screw 66. Bushings 70a, 70b may lock to the end of outer roller 50 to maintain the desired spatial relationship between shells 54,56. The bushings 70a, 70b can each include a pair of axial protrusions 72a, 72b. One protrusion 72 a can engage with the first shell 54, and the other protrusion 72 b can engage with the second shell 56. When the bushings 70a, 70b are engaged with the opposite ends of the outer roller 50, the bushings 70a, 70b and the outer roller 50 may rotate together about the inner roller 48 and the rotation axis 52 of the outer roller 50. Good.

  With reference to FIGS. 8-11, the first shell 54 and the second shell 56 of the outer roller 50 may define retention features that entirely receive the axial protrusions 72a, 72b of the bushings 70a, 70b, respectively. it can. The retention feature may be formed as a circumferentially spaced shelf 74 that extends inwardly from the outer roller 50 to an interior space defined by the outer roller 50. When the bushings 70a, 70b are engaged with the ends of the outer roller 50, the axial protrusions 72a, 72b are in contact with the shelf 74 to prevent relative movement between the first shell 54 and the second shell 56. It may be completely received between the peripheral wall of the outer roller 50.

  Continuing with FIGS. 8-11, the first shell 54 and the second shell 56 define a slot 76 that extends along the length of the outer roller 50 and communicates with the interior of the outer roller 50. Can do. The slot 76 allows passage of the second shade 24 during extension and retraction of the second shade 24. Edges extending in the second longitudinal direction of the first shell 54 and the second shell 56 when the first ends 58, 60 of the first shell 54 and the second shell 56 are respectively fitted together. The portions 78, 80 may be circumferentially spaced from each other to define the slot 76. The opposing second edges 78, 80 of the first shell 54 and the second shell 56 allow passage of the second shade 24 while preventing passage of the bottom rail 20 of the second shade 24. May be separated from each other by a sufficient distance. The axial projections 72a, 72b of the bushings 70a, 70b can maintain the width of the slot 76 during operation of the cover 10. The slot 76 is positioned on the outer roller 50 so that the first shade 22 is on and adjacent to the end of the pair of channels 62 when the extended vane is in its open configuration. May be.

  With continued reference to FIGS. 8-11, the outer roller 50 can define concave seats 81 on the peripheral walls on either side of the slot 76. The seat 81 may be formed as a recess that extends along the length of the slot 76. The seat 81 can include a base wall 84 that is generally vertically oriented across a slot 76 formed by opposing edges 78, 80 of the outer roller 50. The seat 81 may be configured to receive the second bottom rail 20 when the second shade 24 is in a fully retracted position (see FIG. 8). Base wall 84 may allow for a relatively vertical tangential engagement and disengagement between second bottom rail 20 and outer roller 50. The slot 76 and the seat 81 may be positioned on the periphery of the outer roller 50 above the attachment point 62 of the rear sheet 34 of the first shade 22, and the positions of the slot 76 and the seat 81 are illustrated in FIG. 9 to 11 may be 3 o'clock. The location of the seat 81 and the slot 76 near the farthest rear position on the periphery of the outer roller 50, together with the shape of the seat 81, is pulled up vertically while the second bottom rail 20 is retracted to the seat 81. It is possible to reliably receive the second bottom rail 20 when entering (see FIGS. 8 to 10).

  The shape of the seat 81 and its orientation on the outer roller 50 facilitates a smooth and predictable disengagement of the second bottom rail 20 from the seat 81 to initiate the extension of the second shade 24. be able to. The shape and orientation of the seat 81 can allow the bottom rail 20 to fall vertically from the seat 81, which takes advantage of gravity on the relatively heavy bottom rail 20. The generally tangential orientation of the seat 81 on the outer roller 50 can help. The lower free edge of the slot 76 (defined by the edge 80 of the second shell 56 of the outer roller 50) is above the edge 80 as the second shade 24 is extended and retracted through the slot 76. It may be curved or rounded to allow smooth movement of the second shade 24.

  The second bottom rail 20 is an elongate member having a relatively high mass and defining a groove extending along its length to receive and hold the lower edge of the second shade 24. Also good. The lower edge of the second shade 24 may be held in the groove of the bottom rail 20 by an insert 82 that is placed in a hem formed on the lower edge of the second shade 24. A portion of the outer shape of the second bottom rail 20 can generally match its shape to match the shape of the seat 81 formed on the outer roller 50 when the second shade 24 is in the retracted position. .

  Referring to FIGS. 7 to 11, the first shade 22 may be coupled to and wound around the outer roller 50. The upper edges of each of the front sheet 30 and the rear sheet 34 may be attached to the outer roller 50 at locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The first shade 22 may be wrapped around or fed out from the rear side of the outer roller 50, where the rear side of the roller 50 is the road of the building opening associated with the front side of the roller 50. (In FIGS. 8 to 11, the rear side of the roller 50 is right). Generally, rotation of the outer roller 50 in a first direction (counterclockwise in FIGS. 8-11) causes the first shade 22 to be associated with the associated building by wrapping the first shade 22 around the outer roller 50. Retracting to a position adjacent to one or more sides of the opening (such as the upper side), rotation of the outer roller 50 in the second opposite direction extends the first shade 22 over the opening (eg, down). Let

  With continued reference to FIGS. 7-11, the second shade 24 may be coupled to and wound around the inner roller 48. The upper edge of the second shade 24 may be attached to the inner roller 48 as described above. The second shade 24 may be wrapped around or unrolled from the back side of the roller unit 46, where the back side of the roller unit 46 is the opening of the building associated with the front side of the roller unit 46. (The rear side of the roller unit 46 is on the right side in FIGS. 8 to 11). In general, rotation of the inner roller 48 in a first direction (counterclockwise in FIGS. 8-11) causes the second shade 24 to be associated with the associated building by wrapping the second shade 24 around the inner roller 48. Retracting to a position adjacent to one or more sides of the opening (such as the upper side), rotation of the inner roller 48 in the second opposite direction extends the second shade 24 over the opening (eg, down). Let

  The covering operation is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7 to 11. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 are in a fully retracted position and are hidden in the head rail 14. In this configuration (see FIG. 7), the second shade 24 is sufficiently wound around the inner roller 48, and the first shade 22 is sufficiently wound around the outer roller 50. In one example, the first bottom rail 18 engages a portion of the head rail 14 to define an upper limit stop.

  In order to extend the first shade 22 from the head rail 14, the user may operate the operating mechanism 40 to rotate the inner roller 48 in the extending direction (clockwise in FIGS. 8 to 11). The outer roller 50 rotates in the extending direction (clockwise in FIGS. 8 to 11) due at least in part to the weight of the first bottom rail 18 applying a downward force on the first shade 22. As the first shade 22 is extended from the rear side of the outer roller 50, the outer roller 50 rotates generally together with the inner roller 48. The dual roller unit 46 generally rotates in a direction that controls the user to rotate the inner roller 48.

  2 and 8, the first shade 22 is extended from the rear side of the outer roller 50 in a closed or folded configuration, where the front sheet 30 and the rear sheet 34 are relatively close to each other, The vane 38 extends in the vertical direction in an adjacent relationship that is substantially coplanar with the front seat 30 and the rear seat 34. When the first shade 22 is substantially unwound from the outer roller 50, continued rotation of the outer roller 50 in the extending direction causes the front sheet 30 and the rear sheet 34 to move in a generally vertical direction relative to each other, causing the vane 38 to move. Shift from the closed position (FIGS. 2 and 8) to the open position (FIGS. 3 and 9). The rear portion of the first bottom rail 18 may be heavier than the front portion of the bottom rail 18 to facilitate the full opening of the vane 38.

  Referring to FIGS. 3 and 9, the covering 10 is shown with the first shade 24 in a fully extended position and the vane 38 in an open or unfolded configuration. In this position, the front sheet 30 and the rear sheet 34 are spaced apart in the horizontal direction, and a vane 38 extends substantially horizontally therebetween, so that the front sheet 30 and the rear sheet 34 with the outer roller 50 are in contact with each other. The attachment points 62 may be arranged at the same height. In FIG. 9, for example, the position of the attachment point 62 may be 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock, and they are arranged at substantially the same height. Rotation in either direction of the outer roller 50 from the position shown in FIG. 9 moves the front sheet 30 and the rear sheet 34 towards each other, reorienting the vanes 38 to a more vertical alignment.

  When the first shade 22 is fully unwound from the outer roller 50, the slot 76 of the outer roller 50 causes the bottom rail 20 of the second shade 24 to be perpendicular to the seat 81 when the inner roller 48 further rotates in the extending direction. It is rotated and oriented in the head rail 14 so that it can fall. Due to the generally tangential orientation and generally vertical positioning of the seat 81 with the relatively vertical base wall 84 (see FIGS. 10 and 11), the second due to continued rotation of the inner roller 48 in the extending direction. When the tension of the shade 24 decreases, the bottom rail 20 can be released from the outer roller 50 by the weight of the second bottom rail 20. The actuation mechanism 40 may include a brake system that is operatively coupled to the inner roller 48 to constrain undesired downward movement of the second shade 24 and thus the first shade 22.

  To extend the second shade 24, the operating mechanism 40 is further activated by the user to rotate the inner roller 48 in the extending direction. During the extension of the second shade 24 (see FIGS. 4 and 10), the outer roller 50 and the first shade 22 may remain stationary due to the weight of the first shade 22, The weight of the bottom rail 18 maintains the rotational position of the outer roller 50 without aggressive locking. In some examples, as described below, a positive lock may be used to prevent rotation of the outer roller 50 when the first shade 22 is fully extended. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, during the extension of the second shade 24, the slot 76 defined in the outer roller 50 may be guided rearward and the rotation axis of the inner roller 48 and the outer roller 50. 52 (see FIG. 6) may be aligned substantially horizontally. In other words, the second shade 24 can be detached behind the inner roller 48 and the outer roller 50.

  During extension of the second shade 24, the inner roller 48 rotates relative to the outer roller 50 with a fitting 64 and a limiting nut 68 supported at each end of the inner roller 48. As the inner roller 48 rotates in the extending direction, the second shade 48 is unwound from the inner roller 48 as it extends through a slot 76 formed in the outer roller 50. Rotational rotation of the inner roller 48 moves the limiting nut 68 along the limiting screw 66 toward the lower limiting stop.

  Referring to FIGS. 5 and 11, the covering 10 is shown with both the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 in a fully extended position and the vane 38 in an open or unfolded configuration. . In this position, the front seat 30 and the rear seat 34 are horizontally spaced, with a vane 38 extending substantially horizontally therebetween. The second shade 24 may be a blackout shade and suppresses light from passing through the second shade 24, and thus the first shade 22. When the second shade 24 is sufficiently extended (see FIGS. 5 and 11), the second shade 24 may be offset backward from the first shade 22, but the first shade 22 and It can extend in length and width. In order to control the amount of light passing through the first shade 22, the second shade 24 may be drawn into the head rail 14 and wound around the inner rollers 48 of the dual roller unit 46.

  When the second shade 24 is in the fully extended (bottom extended) position, the limit nut 68 includes a lower limit stop formed on the limit screw 66 to prevent further rotation of the inner roller 48. It may be positioned on the limiting screw 66 (see FIG. 6) in the engaged state. The limiting screw 66 can also include an upper limit stop to define the upper limit of the cover 10. Alternatively, when the first shade 22 is fully retracted, the bottom rail 18 of the first shade 22 engages a portion of the head rail 14 to serve as the upper limit stop for the cover 10. Also good.

  At any point during the extension process, the user may stop the operating mechanism 40 or reverse the direction of the operating mechanism 40 to move the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 to the desired position. Also good. In an example that includes a motorized shroud 10, preprogrammed commands may be used to control the motor 44 and thus control the position of the first shade 22 and the second shade 24. The command is such that the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 are moved to the first position where the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 are sufficiently retracted, the first shade 22 is sufficiently extended, The motor 44 is moved to a predetermined shade position, such as a second position in which the second shade 24 is fully retracted and a third position in which the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 are sufficiently extended. You may order. The command may be transmitted to the motor 44 by the remote control unit 46.

  Retraction of the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 may be accomplished in the reverse order compared to the extension procedure described above, for example, generally in accordance with FIGS. In FIGS. 5 and 11, the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 are arranged in a sufficiently extended position. A lower limit stop 68 may be formed on the limit screw 66 when a limit nut 68 (see FIG. 6) is present when both the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 are in a fully extended position. May be engaged with the part. Activation of the operating mechanism 40 from this position, such as by the operating element 42 and / or the motor 44, moves the limiting nut 68 axially away from the lower limit stop and initiates the cover 10 retracting process. The retraction process generally involves operating the operating mechanism 40 to first rotate the inner roller 48 in the retraction direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 11) to retract the second shade 24 so that the second shade 24 is sufficient. This is related to rotating the outer roller 50 in the backward direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 11) in order to retract the first shade 22 onto the outer roller 50. This procedure is further described below.

  In order to retract the second shade 24 from the fully extended position of FIGS. 5 and 11, the user operates the operating mechanism 40 to retract the inner roller 48 (counterclockwise in FIGS. 8-11). Thus, the second shade 24 is wound around the inner roller 48 and the second bottom rail 20 is raised upward along the rear surface of the rear seat 34 of the first shade 22. During retraction of the second shade 24, the inner roller 48 rotates relative to the outer roller 50 with the fitting 64 and the limiting nut 68 supported at each end of the inner roller 48. As the inner roller 48 rotates in the retracted direction, the second shade 24 is drawn through the slot 76 formed in the outer roller 50 and is thus wound around the inner roller 48. The reverse rotation of the inner roller 48 moves the limit nut 68 along the limit screw 66 toward the opposite end of the limit screw 66. Similarly, during the backward movement of the second shade 24, the weight of the first bottom rail 18 acting on the outer roller 50 so as to suppress the rotation of the outer roller 50 and the first shade 22 suspended from the outer roller 50. The first shade 22 remains in the fully extended open position. This allows the user to move the second shade 24 between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position without affecting the position or orientation of the first shade 22.

  Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the second bottom rail 20 is reliably positioned on the seat portion 81 when the second shade 24 is further drawn into the outer roller 50 in the reverse order. When the bottom rail 20 is engaged with the seat 81 of the outer roller 50, the driving force of the operation mechanism 40 may be transmitted to the outer roller 50 through the second shade 24. That is, the operating mechanism 40 can apply a rotational force to the inner roller 48, and this rotational force is then applied to the outer roller through the engagement of the bottom rail 20 at the seat 81 under the tension of the second shade 24. May take 50. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, when the second shade 24 is fully wound on the inner roller 48 and the second bottom rail 20 is received in the seat 81 of the outer roller 50, the outer roller 50 is The drive mechanism 40 may be driven in the backward direction (counterclockwise in FIGS. 8 and 9) through the rotation of the inner roller 48 in the same backward direction. Accordingly, when the bottom rail 20 is received by the seat portion 81 and the retracting force (counterclockwise in FIGS. 8 and 9) is applied to the inner roller 48 by the operating mechanism 40, the outer roller 50 generally It rotates in conjunction.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the first shade 22 is wound around the outer roller 50 as the outer roller 50 continues to rotate in the backward direction. As the first shade 22 is wound around the outer roller 50, it is under tension due to the suspended portion of the first shade 22 and the weight of the bottom rail 18.

  When the first shade 22 is fully retracted, the first bottom rail 18 engages, eg, abuts, a portion of the head rail 14 to serve as the upper limit stop for the dual roller unit 46. Good. It is contemplated that other mechanisms may be used to define an upper retracted position, including an upper limit stop positioned on a limit screw 66 opposite the lower limit stop. For example, the upper limit stop may be formed on the limit screw 66 and positioned along the screw 66 such that the nut 68 engages the upper limit stop when the first shade 22 is fully retracted.

  As described above, the retraction of the second shade 24 and then the first shade 22 from the fully extended position is a single operating element 42 for the user to retract both shades 22, 24. Or, it occurs when the motor 44 is operated. The limiting screw 66 includes a length sufficient to allow the limiting nut 68 to move from the lower limiting stop along the screw 66 until reaching the upper retracted position. It is contemplated that the first shade 22 may be wound around or fed out from the front side of the outer roller 42. To facilitate the implementation of dual roller shade technology when applied to a front-descending shade structure, accompanying modifications to the structure described herein are required. Will.

  The covering can include a locking mechanism that constrains rotation of the outer roller 50 when the first shade 22 is in a fully extended position, whereby the first shade 22 is fully extended. It stays in position and is substantially unaffected by the rotation of the inner roller 48 during the extension of the second shade 24. The locking mechanism is movable between a first position that constrains rotation of the outer roller 50 and a second position that allows rotation of the outer roller 50 (pivotable, translatable, or other suitable position). Movement). In one example, the locking mechanism includes a locking member positioned outside the outer roller 50 that translates longitudinally along the outer periphery of the outer roller 50 and engages a stop to constrain rotation of the outer roller 50. . In another example, the locking mechanism includes a locking member positioned outside the outer roller 50 that pivots to engage the outer roller 50 to constrain rotation of the outer roller 50.

  With reference to FIGS. 12-27, a covering is provided for an opening in a building that uses a locking mechanism to positively lock the rotation of the outer roller when the first shade 22 is fully extended. Except for the locking mechanism and the retaining clip, the cover depicted in FIGS. 12-27 generally has the same features and operations as the cover depicted in FIGS. Accordingly, the above description of the features and operation of the cover depicted in FIGS. 1-11 is considered generally applicable to the cover depicted in FIGS. 12-27, except as noted in the following discussion. Should. The reference numbers used in FIGS. 12-27 generally correspond to the reference numbers used in FIGS. 1-11 to reflect similar parts and components, except that the reference numbers have been increased by 100. .

  Referring to FIG. 12, the shroud 110 is external when the first shade 22 is in a fully extended position, similar to the pivotally movable locking mechanism described below in connection with FIGS. An axially movable locking mechanism 186 that restricts rotation of the roller 50 is included. The axially movable locking mechanism 186 is threadably engaged with the housing 187, a rotatable shaft 188 journaled to the housing 187, and the shaft 188, and is axially movable along the shaft 188. A nut 189 can be included. Although the lock mechanism 186 that can move in the axial direction is drawn together with the left end cap 126b, the lock mechanism 186 may be used together with the right end cap 126a.

  Referring to FIGS. 12, 16, and 18, the housing 187 is cantilevered from the left end cap 126b and extends axially from the left end cap 126b along the outer periphery of the outer roller 150 toward the right end cap 126a. Good. One end 187 a of the housing 187 may be removably connected to the left end cap 126 b at the fastener 190, and the opposite free end 187 b of the housing 187 may be positioned laterally outward of the outer roller 150. The housing 187 extends laterally from the edge of the outer roller 150 a sufficient distance so that it does not interfere with the winding or unwinding of a first shade (not shown) around or from the outer roller 150. It may be separated. The housing 187 may be separated from the edge of the outer roller 150 by a uniform distance in the lateral direction.

  With reference to FIGS. 16, 18, 21, and 26, the opposite ends 187 a, 187 b of the housing 187 include an axially extending collar 191 and an abutment flange 192 that extends outwardly from the collar 191. Can do. The collar 191 can include an inner wall 193 (see FIGS. 22 and 26) that defines a shaft hole 194 that receives a journal portion 195 of a rotatable shaft 188 that is rotatably supported by the inner wall 193. The inner wall 193 of the collar 191 also allows passage of a rotatable shaft 188 (particularly a stop 197 formed on the rotatable shaft 188) during axial insertion or removal of the shaft 188 into and out of the housing 187. An enabling keyhole 196 can be defined. Each abutment flange 192 has a fastener hole configured to receive a fastener 190 that connects the housing 187 to a respective end cap 126a, 126b (see FIGS. 12, 14, 16, 18, and 22). Can be defined. The ends 187a, 187b of the housing 187 may be mirror images of each other to facilitate interconnection of the housing 187 with either the left end cap 126b or the right end cap 126a.

  With continued reference to FIGS. 12, 16, 18, 21, and 26, the housing 187 can include an intermediate portion 187c that interconnects the ends 187a, 187b. The intermediate portion 187c can extend in the longitudinal direction along the outer periphery of the outer roller 150 in a laterally spaced relationship. The intermediate portion 187c of the housing 187 can include a base 198 and a guide rail 199 that span the distance between opposing ends 187a, 187b of the housing 187, respectively. The base 198 of the housing 187 defines a stop receiving hole 200 in the vicinity of the ends 187a, 187b to allow the stop of the shaft 188 to pass while the shaft 188 rotates relative to the housing 187. This reduces the transverse profile of the housing 187. The base 198 of the housing 187 can also include a reinforcing rib 201 that extends longitudinally between the ends 187a, 187b, which reinforces the housing 187 and lateral displacement or buckling of the intermediate portion 187c of the housing 187. Reduce. As shown in FIG. 27, the reinforcing rib 201 can include at least one laterally extending buttress 202 that further increases the rigidity of the longitudinally extending rib 201.

  Referring to FIGS. 12, 16-19, 23 and 26, the shaft 188 of the axially movable locking mechanism 186 is offset from the rotational axis 152 of the inner roller 148, but parallel or It may be substantially parallel. The shaft 188 may be positioned outside the outer roller 150 and may extend longitudinally along the outer periphery of the outer roller 150 in a spaced relationship. The shaft 188 can include a journal portion 195 that is rotatably received within the collar 191 of the housing 187. The journal portion 195 of the shaft 188 can include a concave circumferential region that reduces the contact area (and thus friction) between the bearing surface 193 of the collar 191 and the journal portion 195 of the shaft 188. The shaft 188 can include a threaded portion 203 that extends between the journal portions 195 of the shaft 188 and between the collars 191 of the housing 187. A stop 197 may be formed on the shaft 188 near the end of the threaded portion 203 of the shaft 188. The stop 197 may extend radially outward from the shaft 188 so that the stop 197 rotates into and out of the hole 200 during rotation of the shaft 188 relative to the housing 187, and the housing 187 (see FIG. 21). ) And the hole 200 formed in the base 198 may be aligned in the axial direction. The gear 204 may be non-rotatably attached to one end of the shaft 188 and may define a central cavity for positioning the gear (and thus the shaft 188) laterally relative to the end cap 126b.

  With reference to FIGS. 12, 16, 18, and 24-27, the nut 189 of the axially movable locking mechanism 186 is positioned at least partially within the housing 187 and the intermediate portion 187c of the housing 187 is provided. In the axial direction along the shaft 188. The nut 189 is keyed to the housing 187 so that when the shaft 188 rotates, the nut 189 does not rotate about the shaft 188 but translates along the shaft 188. The nut 189 includes a body 205, which may be referred to as a half-nut 189, that extends only partially around the shaft 188. In an alternative design, the nut 189 may extend around the entire circumference of the shaft 188.

  Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, the nut 189 includes an internal thread 206 that protrudes inwardly from the main body 205 and engages with an external thread of the threaded portion 203 of the shaft 188. In order to maintain screw engagement and constrain the rotation of nut 189 about shaft 188, nut 189 includes two longitudinally extending wings 207 that project radially outward from the body of nut 189. Can do. The wing 207 slidably contacts the opposing surface of the base 198 of the housing 187 (see FIG. 27) while reducing the contact area (and hence friction) between the nut 189 and the housing 187, and the nut 189 is placed in the middle of the housing 187. An axially extending fin 208 may be included that guides axially along 187c.

  One of the wings 207 can define a longitudinally extending slot 208 that at least partially receives the guide rail 199. As shown in FIG. 27, a portion of the wing 207 defining the slot 208 can slidably abut against different sides of the guide rail 199. Thus, the wings 207 of the nut 189 can substantially prevent the nut 189 from rotating about the shaft 188, thereby providing parallelism along the shaft 188 of the nut 189 during rotation of the shaft 188 relative to the housing 187. Make it easy to move. To laterally reinforce the wing 207, the nut 189 can include laterally extending ribs 209 that are positioned outwardly of the internal thread 206 and extend between the wings 207. In alternative designs, nut 189 and housing 187 include a variety of other corresponding key structures such that nut 189 moves axially along shaft 188 as shaft 188 rotates relative to housing 187. be able to.

  As described, rotation of the shaft 188 relative to the housing 187 generally moves or translates the nut 189 axially along the shaft 188. To limit the axial extent of the nut 189, the shaft 188 can include a stop 197 that extends outward from the edge of the shaft 188. In contact with the nut 189, the stop 197 generally restricts or restricts the translation of the nut 189 relative to the shaft 188, thereby restricting or restricting further rotation of the shaft 188 relative to the housing 187. In order to ensure a firm engagement between the nut 189 and each stop 197, the nut 189 is configured such that when the nut 189 reaches a desired stop position corresponding to the full extension of the first shade 22, the shaft 188. A longitudinally extending abutment wall 211 may be included that interacts with the stop. As shown in FIG. 24, the contact wall 211 may be formed at the end of the female thread 206 of the nut 189.

  In addition or alternatively, the body 205 of the nut 189 (which may be similar to an axially extending sleeve) is in contact with the abutting flange 192 of the housing 187 to stop translation of the nut 189 along the shaft 188. You may contact. The body 205 of the nut 189 is radially spaced from the outer periphery of the shaft 188 by a distance sufficient to allow passage of the shaft stop 197 in the annular space defined between the shaft 188 and the body 205. Also good. The shaft 188 and the nut 189 may include two stoppers 197 and an abutment wall 211, respectively, to facilitate interoperability between the locking mechanism 186 and the right end cap 126a and the left end cap 126b. It provides a robust design that can accommodate the assembly and right hand side assembly.

  Referring to FIGS. 15-17, the axially movable locking mechanism 186 can include a gear mechanism or train 213 positioned outside the inner roller 148 and the outer roller 150. The gear mechanism or train 213 includes a first gear 215 that is non-rotatably coupled to the outer roller 150, a second gear 204 that is non-rotatably coupled to the shaft 188, and the first gear 215 and the second gear 215. And an idler gear 217 that meshes with each other. The idler gear 217 may be rotatably supported on a mounting plate 219 that includes a locator pin 221 that protrudes axially from the mounting plate 219 (see FIG. 17) toward the associated end cap 126. The locator pin 221 may be receivable within the end cap 126 to constrain the rotation of the mounting plate 219 relative to the end cap 126.

  The gear mechanism 213 may be changed depending on the size, weight, or other characteristics of the shade member. In one example, the gear mechanism 213 provides a 3 to 1 gear ratio between the first gear 215 and the second gear 204. That is, the shaft 188 rotates three times for each rotation of the outer roller 150. In one example, the male thread of shaft 188 has 16 threads per inch (or 1/16 pitch of 1 inch). In general, the length of threaded portion 203 of shaft 188 may be oversized relative to the operable range of nut 189 so that shaft 188 can accommodate many different shade lengths. Thus, in one example, the nut 189 interacts with only one of the stops 197 on the rotatable shaft 188 during operation, while the other stops are locked by the locking mechanism 186 by the right end cap 126a or the left end cap. 126b is provided for use with any of 126b.

  Referring to FIG. 15, the gear mechanism 213 is shown in relation to the left end cap 126b. The outer gears 204, 215, and 217 are rotatably supported by a stub shaft that protrudes in the axial direction from the left end cap 126b. The idler gear 217 is positioned in front of the first gear 215 and the second gear 204 is positioned in front of the idler gear 217, where all three gears 215, 204, 217 are adjacent to the end cap. Are arranged in the same plane. The idler gear 217 is positioned above the first gear 215, and the second gear 204 is positioned above the idler gear 217. The first gear 215 and idler gear 217 may be received in a rim 223 that protrudes axially from the end cap 126b.

  Referring to FIG. 13, a partial exploded view of a headrail component (except for generally the same right side components as shown and described in connection with FIGS. 6-11) is provided. The components are a left end cap 126b, a non-rotatable limit screw 166 attached to the left end cap 126b, a left bushing 170b that rotates on the bearing surface of the limit screw 166, and a limit screw 166 (with a limit nut 168). The inner roller 148 installed on the bosses 167 of the left bushing 170b and the right bushing 170a, the outer roller 150 receiving the inner roller 148 therein, and the axial direction attached to the left end cap 126b. A movable locking mechanism 186 is included.

  Referring to FIGS. 13, 14, 19, and 20, the outer roller 150 can include a split shell design. In particular, the outer roller 150 can include a first shell 154 and a second shell 156. In order to secure the first shell 154 and the second shell 156 together and maintain the desired spatial relationship with each other, the first shell 154 and the second shell 156 of the outer roller 150 are respectively left The axial protrusions 172a and 172b of the bushing 170b and the right bushing 170a can be completely received (see FIGS. 14, 18 and 19). The axial protrusions 172a, 172b can couple the outer roller 150 to the bushings 170a, 170b such that the outer roller 150 and the bushings 170a, 170b rotate together about the axis of rotation 152 of the outer roller 150. The first gear 215 may be non-rotatably secured to the opposing surface of the left bushing 170b relative to the axial protrusions 172a, 172b, thereby ensuring that the first gear 215 together with the outer roller 150 Rotate. To further secure the first shell 154 and the second shell 156 together, the shells 154, 156 may be clamped together by at least one retaining clip 225 (FIGS. Draws retaining clips, but more or fewer clips may be used as desired to ensure the shells are fastened together). As shown in FIG. 20, the retaining clip 225 may be resiliently snapped around the mating region 227 of the first shell 154 and the second shell 156.

  Referring to FIG. 20, the end 158 of the first shell 154 and the end 160 of the second shell 156 overlap each other and are at least partially defined by longitudinally extending lips 233, 235. Can extend into receiving channels 229, 231 that extend into the channel. The lip 233 of the first shell 158 may be positioned within the longitudinally extending edge 237 of the distal end of the second shell 160, while the lip 235 of the second shell 160 is positioned within the first shell 158. May be positioned outside the longitudinally extending edge 239 of the distal end (but this arrangement may be reversed). Retaining clips around external detents 241 and 243 formed in mating regions of the first shell 154 and the second shell 156, respectively, for clamping the first shell 154 and the second shell 156 together 225 may be snapped elastically.

  14 and 19, the split shell design of the outer roller 150 defines a longitudinally extending slot 176 through which the second shade 24 can be passed during extension and retraction of the second shade 24. When the edge 158 of the first shell 154 and the edge 160 of the second shell 156 are mated together, they extend in the opposite or second longitudinal direction of the first shell 154 and the second shell 156. The distal edges 178, 180 are circumferentially spaced from one another and define a longitudinally extending slot 176. Opposing second end edges 158, 160 of the first shell 154 and the second shell 156 allow passage of the second shade 24 while preventing passage of the bottom rail 20 of the second shade 24. May be separated from each other by a sufficient distance. The function of the outer roller 150 is generally the same as that described in connection with FIGS. 6-11 and is therefore not repeated here for the sake of brevity.

  During the covering operation, the first gear 215 drives the idler gear 217, thereby driving the second gear 204, as the outer roller 150 extends the first shade 22 across the building opening. Then, the nut 189 is moved by turning in the axial direction along the shaft 188 toward the lower end position. When the nut 189 reaches the lower end position (which may be defined by a stop 197 on the shaft 188), the nut 189 constrains further rotation of the shaft 188 in the direction of extension of the first shade 22, thereby Further rotation of the outer roller 150 in the extending direction is suppressed. With the outer roller 150 restricted from further rotation in the extension direction and the first shade 22 being fed out from the edge of the outer roller 150, the second shade 24 is fed out from the inner roller 148, and the outer roller It may extend through the 150 slots 176 and over the opening of the building. As the inner roller 148 rotates during the extension of the second shade 24, the inner limiting nut 168 rotates with the inner roller 148 and forms on the limiting screw 166 that is not axially rotatable along the limiting screw 166. Move toward the lower end stop. The internal limit nut 166 generally contacts the lower end stop and defines the lower stop of the dual roller unit 146 when the second shade 24 is fully extended across the building opening.

  During retraction of the cover from the fully extended position, the inner roller 148 passes through a slot 176 defined between opposing longitudinally extending edges 178, 180 of the shells 154, 156 of the outer roller 150. The shade 24 is pulled, and the second shade 24 is wound around the periphery of the inner roller 148 until the bottom rail 20 of the second shade 24 is seated on the outer periphery of the outer roller 150. During the retraction of the second shade 24, the weight of the bottom rail 18 of the first shade 22 keeps the bushings 170a, 170b stationary, so that the inner roller 148 is in contact with the bushings 170a, 170b and the outer roller 150. Rotate against.

  When seated, the bottom rail 20 of the second shade 24 transmits rotational torque from the inner roller 148 to the outer roller 150, thereby rotating the outer roller 150 in the backward direction and causing the first shade 22 to move to the outer roller. Wrap around the periphery of 150. Inner roller 148 and outer roller 150 continue to rotate in the retracted direction until bottom rail 18 of first shade 22 contacts an upper limit stop that may be associated with one or both of end caps 126, at which point The cover is retracted to a fully retracted position. During rotation of the inner roller 148 in the retracted direction, the inner limiting nut 168 moves by pivoting away from the lower stop of the second shade 24 along a limiting screw 166 that is not rotatable within the inner roller 148. During rotation of the outer roller 150 in the retracting direction, the outer nut 189 moves along a rotatable shaft 188 away from the lower stopper of the first shade 22 by turning.

  Referring to FIGS. 28-47, a cover for an opening in a building including a pivotable locking mechanism is provided. Except for a pivotable locking mechanism and a multi-part outer roller, the cover depicted in FIGS. 28-47 has generally the same features and operations as the cover depicted in FIGS. Accordingly, the above description of the features and operation of the cover depicted in FIGS. 6-27 is generally considered applicable to the cover depicted in FIGS. 28-47, except as noted in the following discussion. Should. The reference numbers used in FIGS. 28-47 generally correspond to the reference numbers used in FIGS. 12-27 to reflect similar parts and components, except that the reference numbers have been increased by 100. .

  28-34, the inner roller 248 is generally cylindrical in shape and forms a retaining member for securing the upper edge of the second shade 24 thereto. As described above, the inner roller 248 is positioned inside the outer roller 250 to define a dual roller unit, and in this example, both rollers 248, 250 are co-extensive about the same axis of rotation 252. The upper edge of the second shade 24 is attached to the inner roller 248, and the lower edge of the second shade 24 is received in a slot formed in the second bottom rail 220, and the lower edge of the second shade 24 is Retained in the slot by an insert 282 that is placed into the formed hem. Other attachment structures may be used to attach the bottom rail 220 to the second shade 24.

  Continuing with FIGS. 28-34, the second bottom rail 220 has a relatively high mass and is at its length to receive and hold the lower edge of the second shade 24 as previously described. An elongate member defining a slot extending along. The second bottom rail 220 has a generally triangular cross section, a portion of which is adapted to conform to the shape of the seat 281 formed on the outer roller 250 when the second shade 24 is in the retracted position. Generally matches the shape. An actuator rim 247 is defined at one end of the second rail 220 and engages the locking mechanism 286 to disengage the locking mechanism 286 from the outer roller 250 as described in more detail below.

  The outer roller 250 is generally cylindrical in this example and defines several features on its peripheral wall. The outer roller 250 defines a longitudinal central axis 252 that rotates about it, about which the inner roller 248 is also located. A pair of channels 262 are formed to receive and secure the upper edge of the first shade 22, where inserts 264 are each placed in the hem formed on each upper edge, and the inserts 264 are respectively It acts to retain the upper edge within the channel 262. Anchor grooves 245 are formed along the length of outer roller 250 to receive roller lock bearings as will be described below. A slot 276 is formed along the length of the outer roller 250 and communicates with the interior of the outer roller 250, which can be formed as a tube. A concave seat 281 is formed on both sides of the slot 276. When the second shade 24 is extended and retracted through the slot 276 and is in the fully retracted position, the second bottom rail 220 is received in the seat 281 and is of many purposes as will be described below. Nested in it for at least one. The slot 276 is an outer roller so that the first shade 22 is in its extended position and is present above and adjacent to the end of the two channels 262 when the vane is in the open configuration. Positioned on 250.

  Referring to FIGS. 28, 29, 46, and 47, the dual roller unit is rotatably supported between the right end cap 226a and the left end cap 226b, and the operating mechanism 240 rotates the inner roller tube 248. Is operatively associated with the inner roller tube 248. The operating mechanism 240 is attached to the right end cap 226a and, in one example, is actuated by the operating element 242 as described above. The operating mechanism 240 can include, in one example, a planetary gear drive that is often used in applications that cover windows. The operating mechanism 240 can include an internal fitting 264 that is rotated by the operating mechanism 240. The fitting 264 is received within the inner roller 248 and is sized to closely engage the inner wall of the inner roller 248. The inner roller 248 is rotationally driven by the internal fitting 264 when the internal fitting 264 is driven by the operating mechanism 240. The open right end of the outer roller 250 receives a right end roller cap 270a that includes a central bore having an axially extending collar that rotatably receives an axial bearing surface formed on the housing of the operating mechanism 240. The bearing surface supports the right end roller cap 270a when the outer roller 250 rotates. Inner roller 248 is rotatably received on the collar. The collar rotatably supports the right end of the inner tube 248 when rotated by the operating mechanism 240.

  As shown in FIG. 46, the right end 248a of the inner roller 248 and the right end 250a of the outer roller 250 may be aligned with each other, and the right edge 24a of the second shade 24 is aligned with the right ends 248a, 250a of the rollers 248, 250. And may be aligned. 47, the left end 248b of the inner roller 248 and the left end 250b of the outer roller 250 may each be aligned with each other, and the left edge 24b of the second shade 24 may be aligned with the left ends 248b of the rollers 248, 250, 250b may be aligned. The first shade 22 may be wrapped around the outer roller 250, and the edge of the first shade 22 may be aligned with the ends of the rollers 248, 250 and the edge of the second shade 24. The alignment of the ends of the rollers 248, 250 and the edges of the shades 22, 24 can reduce or eliminate light gaps between the edges of the shade and the corresponding sides of the building opening.

  The outer roller 250 is rotationally driven by the inner roller 248 when the second shade 24 is fully retracted onto the inner roller 248 and the second end rail 220 is received in the seat 281 of the outer tube 250. In this state, when the inner roller 248 rotates, the second shade 24 applies tension to the second end rail 220, and thereby, at the interface between the second end rail 220 and the seat portion 281. A force is applied to the outer roller 250. Accordingly, the outer roller 250 is rotated in conjunction with the inner roller 248. The outer roller 250 does not rotate with the inner roller 248 unless the second shade 24 is fully retracted about the inner roller 248. As described above, the operating mechanism 240 may be actuated by the operating element 242 to extend or retract the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 as desired by the user. Many types of mechanisms for rotating the inner roller tube 248 upon actuation of the motion element 242 are acceptable.

  Continuing with FIGS. 28 and 29, the limiting screw 266 is positioned inside the inner roller 248 and is operably secured to the left end cap 226b by the screw. The limiting screw 266 does not rotate. A limit nut 268 is threadably engaged with the limit screw 266 and is keyed by rotation within the inner roller 248, and the key structure allows movement of the limit nut 268 along the length of the inner roller 248 To. As the inner roller 248 rotates, the limit nut 268 moves along the threaded limit shaft 266 and engages a limit stop that defines the lowest extended position of the second shade 24 (see FIG. 5). To do. The retracted position of the first shade 22 is defined by the first shade 22 that is fully wrapped around the outer roller 250 in this example. In one example, the first bottom rail 18 engages a portion of the head rail 14 to define this position. Alternatively or additionally, the upper limit stop is not used on the limit screw 266 in this example, but may be employed on the limit screw 266 if desired. The left end cap 226b rotatably supports the inner roller 248 and the outer roller 250, as best seen in FIGS. 28, 29, and 47.

  Referring to FIGS. 28, 29 and 40, a pivot bracket 249 is attached to the inner surface of the left end cap 226b and has a centrally positioned annular boss 251 and a right end serving as a pivotally mounted shaft for the roller lock 255. A post 253 extending toward the cap 226a is defined. The annular boss 251 on the pivot bracket 249 is rotatably received in the central hole of the left outer roller cap 270b, which is itself received at the open left end of the outer roller 250. A collar extends axially around the central hole of the cap 270b and serves as a bearing surface for relative rotation of the outer roller 250 and the left end bracket. The open left end of the inner roller 248 is rotatably received on the outer surface of the collar, which acts as a bearing surface for the rotation of the roller 248 relative to the collar, which rotation is under selective control through the operating mechanism 240. It is in.

  A roller lock 255 is pivotally attached to a post 253 on a pivot bracket 249 (see FIGS. 40 and 41) as shown in FIGS. 28, 29, 38, and 39, and a fastener 257 (see FIG. 41). ). The roller lock 255 is pivotable relative to the pivot bracket 249 about an axis defined by the post 253. A spring member 259 (see FIG. 43) is positioned around the post 253 of the pivot bracket 249, and the spring 259 has two legs, one of which engages the outer surface of the outer roller 250 by biasing the roller lock 255. To engage, the roller lock 255 is engaged and the other leg is operatively engaged with a portion of the left end cap 226b.

  38 and 39, the roller lock 255 includes a frame plate 261 having a central body 263 from which an upper leg 265 and a lower leg 267 extend, each leg 265, 267 being coplanar with the central body 263. Exists. It is contemplated that the upper leg 265 and the lower leg 267 extend substantially perpendicular to each other, and this relative position may be adjusted as necessary to provide a particular use geometry. The end of the lower leg 267 includes a pin 269 that extends perpendicularly from the plate 261 toward the opposite end cap, which has a cylindrical shape and is relatively short. For example, the pin 269 does not extend so as to interfere with the rotation of the roller 250. The length and shape of the pin 269 facilitates moving engagement between the pin 269 described later and the actuator rim 247 on the second end rail 220.

  With continued reference to FIGS. 38 and 39, the end of the upper leg 265 rotatably supports a relatively long cylindrical bearing 271 extending perpendicularly from the upper leg 265 toward the opposite end cap 226a. The bearing 271 is rotatably supported at its opposite end by an arm 273 extending at an angle from the central plate 261. Arm 273 supports the distal end of bearing 271 from above only and does not extend far beyond the center of bearing 271. This arrangement leaves the lower portion of the bearing 271 unobstructed along its length, is received in an anchor groove 245 formed in the outer roller 250, engages with the outer surface of the outer roller 250, and will be described further below. So you can ride along its surface.

  An example operation of the covering is first described below with reference to FIGS. 30-34. As shown in FIG. 30, both the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 are in the extended position and the vane 38 is in an open configuration. Referring briefly to FIG. 30, the first shade 22 may be coupled to the outer roller 42 and windable around the outer roller 42. The upper edge of each of the front sheet 30 and the rear sheet 34 may be coupled to an inward, longitudinally extending gland or rib 275. The gland 275 can define an internal cavity 262 that is open through the periphery of the outer roller 250. The shade 22 may be wound or unwound from the rear side of the roller 250, where the rear side of the roller 250 is between the front side of the roller 250 and the road side of the associated building opening. (In FIG. 30, the back side of the roller is right). In general, rotation of the roller 250 in a first direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 30) causes the shade 22 to wrap around the outer roller 250 to cause the shade 22 to be associated with one or more sides of the building opening ( Retracting to a position adjacent to the top (such as the upper side), rotation of the roller 250 in the second opposite direction can extend the shade 22 across the opening (eg, down).

  The first shade 22 is maintained in this open position by positioning the engagement points 262 between the front sheet 30 and the rear sheet 34 of the first shade 22 and the outer roller 250 at the same height. In FIG. 30, for example, the positions of these attachment points 262 may be said to be 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock representing that they are close to the same level. As the outer roller 250 rotates in either direction from the position shown in FIG. 30, the front sheet 30 and the rear sheet 34 will move toward each other, reorienting the vanes 38 to a more vertical alignment. It will be.

  In this position with both the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 in the fully extended position, the limit nut 268 (see generally FIGS. 28 and 29) is engaged with the lower limit. . The operation of the operation mechanism 240 by the operation element 242 or the like from this position starts to retract the second shade 24 to the head rail 14. The operating mechanism 240 first rotates the inner roller 248 counterclockwise in FIG. 30 to retract the second shade 24, and when the second shade 24 is sufficiently retracted, the outer roller 250 One shade 22 is actuated to retract onto the outer roller 250. This procedure is further described here and below.

  As described above, still referring to FIG. 30, the inner roller 248 is positioned within the outer roller 250 to define a dual roller unit 246. The outer roller 250 defines a rotational axis 252 defined by a portion of the outer roller 250 having a circular shape (eg, from 9 o'clock to 2 o'clock). The inner roller 248 is positioned so as to be coaxial with the outer roller 250 as the same extension or the same axis 252 as the center.

  During retraction of the second shade 24, the inner roller 248 rotates relative to the outer roller 250, where the opposing collars of the left roller end cap and right roller end cap 270a, 270b are the respective ends of the inner roller 248. Support. The outer roller 250 is held at a fixed rotational position with respect to the inner roller 248 by a roller lock 255. The roller lock 255 is oriented such that the bearing 271 is biased by the spring 259 and received in the anchor groove 245 (see FIGS. 28-30). This position of the bearing 271 suppresses the rotation of the outer roller 250. As the inner roller 248 rotates in the retracted direction, the second shade 24 is wound on the inner roller 248 as it is pulled through a slot 276 formed in the outer roller 250. This reverse rotation moves the limit nut 268 along the limit screw 266 toward the opposite end of the limit screw 266.

  A slot 276 through which the second shade 24 extends and a seat 281 for receiving the second end rail 220 of the outer roller 250 above the attachment point 262 of the rear seat 34 of the first shade 22. Located on the periphery. This may be said to be 3 o'clock in FIG. Slot 276 is defined by opposing free edges formed in seat 281. The seat 281 is a recess formed along the length of the slot 276 and includes two outer edges that define the boundary of the seat 281 on the periphery of the outer roller 250. The shape of the recesses when oriented in FIG. 30 is a bit angular as a whole, where the base wall 284, which is oriented generally vertically, is relatively free from the second bottom rail 220 and the outer roller 250. Allows vertical tangential engagement and disengagement. The location of the seat 281 and the slot 276 in the vicinity of the farthest rearward position on the periphery of the outer roller 250, together with the shape of the seat 281, the second bottom rail 220 is pulled up vertically during retraction and the seat 281. Allows positive acceptance of the second bottom rail 220 upon entry (see FIGS. 31 and 32).

  The shape of the seat 281 and its orientation on the outer roller 250 facilitates a smooth and predictable disengagement of the second bottom rail 220 from the seat 281 to initiate the extension of the second shade 24 ( (From the position shown in FIG. 32). The shape and orientation of the seat 281 allows the bottom rail 220 to fall vertically from the seat 281, which utilizes gravity on the relatively heavy bottom rail 220. The general tangential orientation of the seat 281 on the outer roller 250 helps. Referring to FIG. 35, the upper wall 277a extends from the upper edge of the recess downward and radially inward to the lip 277b, and the lip 277b extends directly below the upper free edge 277c. This portion of the seat 281 is deepest (when measured from the periphery of the outer roller toward the center). The lower wall 279a extends upward from the lower edge of the recess at a shallow angle inward and transitions to a lip 279b that defines a lower free edge 279c of the slot 276. The lower wall 279a is relatively vertical and remains relatively vertical in combination with the upper lip 277b. The lower free edge 279c of the slot 276 is curved or rounded to allow smooth movement of the second shade 24 over this feature as it is retracted onto the inner roller 248. .

  Reliable engagement of the second bottom rail 220 at the seat 281 helps with consistent operation of the roller lock 255 to disengage the bearing 271 from the anchor groove 245. Referring to FIG. 31, when the second shade 24 is wound substantially fully around the inner roller 248, the bottom rail 220 of the second shade 24 engages the roller lock 255 to cause the roller lock 255 to engage the outer roller. The engagement is released from the outside of 250. The second bottom rail 220 is indicated by a broken line in FIGS. 31 and 35. In this position, the actuator rim 247 extending axially from the end of the second bottom rail 220 contacts a pin 269 formed on the lower leg 267 of the roller lock 255. The actuator rim 247 moves the pin 269 relative to the pivot axis of the column 253 when the second bottom rail 220 is pulled into the seat 281 by the second shade 24 being retracted. Pin 269 is moved radially inward relative to inner roller 248 and circumferentially relative to the pivot axis of roller lock 255. The movement of the roller lock 255 around the column 253 moves the upper arm 265 to start the upward movement of the bearing 271 to release the engagement with the anchor groove 245 and freely rotate the outer roller 250 (FIG. 32). , FIG. 36 and FIG. 43).

  As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the actuator rim 247 extends from the end of the second bottom rail 220 adjacent to the roller lock 255. Referring to FIGS. 44 and 45, the rim 247 is a thin curved element that follows the curved shape of the lower side of the second bottom rail 220 in this example. The rim 247 is curved along a dimension coinciding with the lower side of the second bottom rail 220, and extends in the axial direction away from the second bottom rail 220. As best seen in FIG. 43, the rim 247 extends a sufficient distance to engage the pin 269 on the roller lock 255 but not to contact the central plate 261 of the roller lock 255. The concave surface inside the fin 247 engages with the circular outer surface of the pin 269. As the second bottom rail 220 is further retracted, the pin 269 and the fin 247 maintain sliding engagement. This further movement of the second end rail 220 causes the roller lock 255 to pivot further about the pivot axis of the post 253, thus moving the roller lock bearing 271 out of the anchor groove 245.

  Referring to FIGS. 32 and 36, when the second shade 24 is further retracted into the outer roller 250, the bottom rail 220 is securely positioned on the seat portion 281, so that the bearing 271 can be sufficiently removed from the anchor groove 245. The fin 247 moves the pin 269 inward by a sufficient amount and the outer roller 250 rotates freely. Further actuation of the motion mechanism 240 applies the rotational motion of the inner roller 248 to the outer roller 250 through the engagement of the bottom rail 220 in the seat 281 under the tension of the second shade 24. This engagement causes the outer roller 250 to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the inner roller 248. When the outer roller 250 begins to rotate in the reverse direction, the actuator rim 247 on the second bottom rail 220 is disengaged from the pin 269 on the roller lock 255. Referring to FIGS. 33 and 37, when released, the roller lock 255 is biased by the spring 259 to bring the bearing 271 into contact with the outer surface of the outer roller 250 at a circumferential location spaced from the anchor groove 245. .

  Referring to FIG. 34, as the outer roller 250 continues to rotate in the backward direction, the first shade 22 wraps around the outer roller 250 and covers the anchor groove 245. As the roller lock bearing 271 approaches the anchor groove 245 as the outer roller 250 continues to rotate, the roller lock bearing 271 passes through the groove 245 by riding on the first shade 22 across the groove 245. The first shade 22 is under tension as it is wrapped around the outer roller 250, thus leaving the shade 22 extending above the groove 245 relatively tensioned. The bearing 271 may be pushed slightly into the anchor groove 245 when only one turn of the first shade 22 is present on the anchor groove 245, but after another full rotation, the bearing 271 is anchored. Ride on the surface of the first shade 22 wound around the outer roller 250 without interference from the groove 245.

  As the first shade 22 continues to retract, the first shade 22 wraps around the outer roller 250 many times, and the roller lock bearing 271 continues to ride on the outer surface of the shade 22. The dual roller unit 246 reaches the upper retreat position when the first bottom rail 18 comes into contact with, for example, the head rail housing. It is contemplated that other mechanisms may be used to define an upper retracted position, including an upper limit stop positioned on a limit screw 266 opposite the lower limit stop. As described above, the retraction of the second shade 24 and the first shade 22 from the fully extended position provides one operating element (manual for the user to retract both shades 22, 24). Or automatically). Limit screw 266 is long enough to allow limit nut 268 to move from the lower limit stop until it reaches the upper retracted position.

  Extension of the first shade 22 and the second shade 24 is accomplished, if desired, in an order opposite to that described above, eg, generally according to FIGS. This allows the user to choose between extending only the first shade 22 (between sufficient retraction and sufficient extension) or the second shade 24 as well. During the extension of the first shade 22, the user operates the operating mechanism 240 to rotate the inner roller 248 in the extending direction (clockwise in FIGS. 34 to 30), whereby the outer roller 250 rotates in the extending direction. To do. In this example, the dual roller unit 246 rotates in a direction in which the user controls the inner roller 248 to rotate. When extending the first shade 22 from the rear side of the outer roller 250, the roller lock bearing 271 rides on the outer surface of the outer roller 250 until the first shade 22 is substantially fully extended. At this point, the outer surface of the outer roller 250 is exposed.

  As the outer roller 250 continues to rotate, the roller lock bearing 271 rides on the outer surface of the outer roller 250 until it meets the anchor groove 245. The bearing 271 is biased downward by the spring 259 and enters the groove 245 to inhibit rotation of the outer roller 250 and allow continued rotation of the inner roller 248 (if desired by the user). Since the roller lock 255 is biased in a direction to contact the outer surface of the outer roller 250, the bearing 271 moves into the anchor groove 245 without further bias. At this point, the first shade 22 is in its most extended position across the opening. It is contemplated that the roller lock 255 may be biased by means other than the spring 259 in these examples. For example, the upper arm 273 of the roller lock 255 may be heavy so that the roller lock 255 automatically pivots as desired under the weight of the upper arm 273. If a spring 259 is used, this may be a wire spring, a coil spring, an elastic material spring, etc. (such as rubber, elasticity, and / or plastic).

  When the bearing 271 of the roller lock 255 is seated in the anchor groove 245, the slot 276 of the outer roller 250 causes the bottom rail of the second shade 24 when the tension of the second shade 24 is relieved by the operating system 240. It is rotated and oriented in the head rail 14 so that 220 can fall vertically from the seat 281. Due to the generally tangential orientation and generally vertical positioning of the seat 281 with the relatively vertical base wall 284, the weight of the second bottom rail 220 when the tension of the second shade 24 is released in the retracted position. This is effective for pulling out the bottom rail 220 from the seat portion 281. However, if the user does not intend to extend the second shade 24, the second shade 24 may remain retracted. The operating mechanism 240 can include a brake system to constrain undesired downward movement of the second shade 24 or the first shade 22.

  To extend the second shade 24, the operating system 240 is further activated to a level desired by the user. When the user extends the second shade 24 to its lowest position (extension), the limit nut 268 engages the lower limit stop and is positioned on the limit screw 266. Thus, to define the upper limit of the retracted first shade 22 attached to the outer roller 250 and to define the lower limit of the extended second shade 24 attached to the inner roller 248. One limiting screw 266 may be used.

  The first shade 22 of FIGS. 30-34 (which may be the same as or different from that shown in FIGS. 1-5) may be wound around or fed out of the front side of the outer roller 250. Conceivable. Concomitant modifications to the structures described herein will be required to facilitate the implementation of the dual roller shade technique when applied to shade structures that are lowered on the front side. The roller locking mechanism and the accompanying elements necessary to operate it may be used on the right end of the head rail in conjunction with or alone with the roller locking mechanism on the left end of the head rail in conjunction with the right end cap 226a. It is also intended to be good. The second bottom rail 220 may also have an operating rim 247 on either end thereof.

  The above description has wide application. While the examples provided illustrate shadow shades and shader shades, it should be understood that the concepts disclosed herein may be equally applied to many types of shades. Accordingly, the description of any embodiment is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples. In other words, while exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail herein, the inventive concept may be variously embodied and employed in other ways, and the appended claims It is understood that it is intended to be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art.

  The above description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. For example, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that various features of certain aspects, embodiments, or configurations of the present disclosure may be combined in alternative aspects, embodiments, or configurations. Furthermore, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this detailed description by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this disclosure.

  As used herein, the terms “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and / or” are unrestricted (both open and disjunctive conjunctions). end) expression.

  The term “a” or “an” entity as used herein refers to one or more of the entities. Thus, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more”, and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.

  All direction references (eg, proximal, distal, top, bottom, top, bottom, left, right, sideways, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal (Radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are used for identification purposes only to help the reader of the present disclosure and in particular create restrictions on position, orientation, or use of the present disclosure. Absent. References to connections (eg, attached, joined, connected, and joined) are to be interpreted broadly, and unless specified otherwise, intermediate members between sets of elements, and Relative motion between elements can be included. Thus, reference to a connection does not necessarily imply that the two elements are directly connected and in a fixed relationship with each other. Identification references (eg, primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to imply importance or priority, Used to distinguish from other features. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes shown in the accompanying drawings may vary.

Claims (15)

A cover for an opening in a building,
An outer roller having a central longitudinal axis and an elongated slot formed in the sidewall;
An inner roller having a medium Hisashitate shaft,
A first shade secured to the outer roller and adapted to be wrapped around the outer roller;
A second shade defining a second bottom rail, secured to the inner roller and adapted to be wrapped around the inner roller;
The inner roller is received in the outer roller;
A mounting system that supports the inner and outer rollers for rotational movement about a central longitudinal axis of the inner roller;
The second shade extends through the elongated slot, is retractable onto the inner roller through the elongated slot, and is extendable from the inner roller, and the second bottom rail is sufficiently secured by the second shade. Engaging the outer roller when in the retracted position;
An operation mechanism for selectively rotating the inner roller,
Rotation of the inner roller when in the retracted position rotates the outer roller;
The second shade has side edges aligned with ends of the inner and outer rollers;
The outer roller includes a first shell and a second shell, each having a longitudinally extending distal edge;
The longitudinally extending distal edges of the first and second shells are circumferentially spaced from each other to define the elongated slot;
Cover. The elongated slot extends between the ends of the outer roller;
The inner roller has an end aligned with an end of the outer roller;
The covering according to claim 1. A lock mechanism movable between a first position that restricts rotation of the outer roller and a second position that allows rotation of the outer roller;
The locking mechanism moves from the first position to the second position when the second bottom rail engages the locking mechanism;
Cover according to claim 1 or claim 2. The covering according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the slot is oriented perpendicular to an extending direction of the first shade. The outer roller defines a longitudinal seat formed along the slot;
The second bottom rail is received in the seat when the inner roller is in a retracted position;
The covering according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . It said longitudinal seat defines a recess having an open mouth in the extending direction of the first shade, covering of claim 5. The outer roller defines an elongated groove formed in the sidewall;
The locking mechanism includes a bearing;
The bearing is received in the groove in a first position of the locking mechanism;
The covering according to claim 3 . The locking mechanism includes a pin;
The cover according to claim 7 , wherein the locking mechanism is activated by the engagement of the pin by the second bottom rail, and the bearing is removed from the groove. 9. A cover as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 , wherein the bearing is movably engaged with an outer surface of the outer roller in the second position. The locking mechanism, wherein the first position comprises a locking member to pivot and a second position, covering according to any one of claims 1-9. The locking mechanism, wherein the first position comprises a locking member which moves parallel to the axial direction between the second position, covering according to any one of claims 1-10. The locking mechanism includes a rotatable shaft positioned outside the outer roller and oriented substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the inner roller;
The covering according to any one of claims 1 to 11 . The locking mechanism includes a housing;
The rotatable shaft is journaled to the housing;
The covering according to claim 12 . The covering of claim 13 , further comprising an end cap, wherein the housing is cantilevered from the end cap. The cover according to any one of claims 12 to 14 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a gear mechanism that couples rotation of the rotatable shaft and the outer roller.

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