Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
  • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
  • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
  • E06B9/40—Roller blinds
  • E06B9/42—Parts or details of roller blinds, e.g. suspension devices, blind boxes
  • E06B9/44—Rollers therefor; Fastening roller blinds to rollers
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
  • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
  • E06B9/56—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor
  • E06B9/60—Spring drums operated only by closure members

Definitions

• the invention relates to shade systems and mechanisms and methods for assisting in the movement of the shade system.
• the invention relates, in a shade system with a bracket supporting a shade storage roll, to a modular anti- reversible power spring apparatus including a biasing member and a housing with a first cover and a second cover where the housing encloses the biasing member and the first cover and the second cover contain the biasing member within the housing.
• a connector device is connected with the housing and a receiver device is connected with the housing where the connector is connectable with a receiver and where the receiver is connectable with a connector.
• shade systems include shade rolls to which the shade is attached.
• the shade is rolled onto the shade roll and dispensed from the roll and taken up by the roll as required.
• a major difficulty is caused by the requirements to keep the shade system small enough to not be obtrusive and to fit in the window or door space while still enabling the easy operation and movement of the shade.
• Motors are utilized to assist the movement of the shade but the weight of the shade can require very large, noisy and expensive motors.
• a window shade support roller having an improved spring motor construction and method of manufacture includes a spring retaining structure which holds a driving spring and a spear structure having an integral spear.
• the spear structure and the spring retaining structure cooperate together, and with a ball, to form a ball clutch mechanism.
• the spring retaining structure has ball-receiving recesses with canting floors which simplify assembly.
• Assembly steps include inserting balls into the spring retaining structure, inserting the spear structure into the spring retaining structure, inserting a dowel into the spear structure, positioning a spring around the dowel, and inserting one end of such spring between portions of the spring retaining structure, which uniquely capture and retain the end without other securement, for torsional winding of the spring.
• this device must be mounted horizontally so gravity can move the balls in the channel of the ratchet surface arrangement. If the device is mounted vertically, such that there is no force from gravity the balls will not move in the channel.
• a spring drive system for window covers which includes a so-called flat spring drive and the combination whose elements are selected from a group which includes (1) a band transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) a gear system selected from various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; and (3) a gear
• combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms.
• the combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.
• a screw transmission mechanism for a motor-driven blind is constructed to include a driving unit, and at least one cord roll-up unit controlled by the driving unit to lift/lower or tilt the slats of the motor-driven Venetian blind.
• Each cord roll-up unit includes an amplitude modulation set controlled by the driving unit to liMower the slats and bottom rail of the Venetian blind, a frequency modulation set for rotation with the amplitude modulation set to tilt the slats of the Venetian blind, and a linkage adapted to control connection between the frequency modulation set and the amplitude modulation set.
• the invention includes an unbalanced horizontal blind with a spring means to provide a lifting or retraction force for the slats of the blinds.
• a brake means prevents undesired movement of the slats that would otherwise result from the continuous retraction force of the spring means when the slats are set in a desired position.
• Controls for the release of the brake means and tilting are also provided in an embodiment of a blind of the invention.
• An embodiment of the invention permits the blind to be operated by a single wand that can be used to either raise the slats or tilt the slats. This eliminates the need for a loose cord or bead chain that would traditionally be used as the user interface for controlling the movement of the slats of the blind.
• cross referenced application goes a long way to eliminating the prior art problems but others still remain. It has been determined that the cross referenced housing limits the number of biasing members by its own dimensions. That is, while the housing may contain multiple biasing members only a certain definite number may be contained in any one preconstructed housing.
• the entire group of biasing members and the entire housing must be removed, the housing opened, the biasing members) added or removed, and then the housing resealed and reinserted for operational use.
• a modular anti-reversible power spring apparatus in a shade system with a bracket supporting a shade storage roll, includes a biasing member and a housing with a first cover and a second cover where the housing encloses the biasing member and the first cover and the second cover contain the biasing member within the housing.
• a connector is connected with the housing and a receiver is connected with the housing where the connector is connectable with a receiver and where the receiver is connectable with a connector.
• Module is used to describe a device that includes identical or nearly identical attributes such as form and dimension, for example only, such that one may be added to and removed from another, for example only, in a simple, predicable manner.
• Connector and “receiver” describe structures that cooperate together to hold two items together.
• female connector and “male connector” describe structures designed to cooperate with each other to secure one to the other.
• biasing member describes a device that can exert pressure in a system to move it or resist movement, for example only, such as a spring, for example only and not by way of limitation.
• a second housing enclosing a second biasing member is provided and a connector on one housing connects with a receiver on the other housing such that the two housings are locked together.
• the invention further includes a support connected with the bracket, such that the support does not move. The support is also connected with the biasing member within the housing.
• a first end cap and a second end cap are provided where one end cap is connected to the shade storage roll at each end of the shade storage roll and also to the support such that the first end cap and the second end cap are held stationary along with the support but the shade storage roll is free to rotate about the end caps.
• a connector is connected with the first end cap and a receiver is connected with the second end cap where, again, the connector is connectable with a receiver and the receiver is connectable with a connector.
• connectable means “capable of being connected” and describes a structure or combination of structures that provide the ability, when combined, to result in joining together, at least temporarily, two or more separate structures.
• the biasing member further includes a first end and a second end where the first end of the biasing member is connected with the housing and where the second end of the biasing member is connected with the support.
• the support has a length and the housing has a length and the support is conformed in length to approximately the length of the housing.
• the shade storage roll includes a female connector and the housing includes a male connector and the male connector is conformed to connect with the female connector and to lock the housing with the shade storage roll.
• connection of the second end of the biasing member with the support is such that the biasing member is held in place when the housing rotates in one direction and is released when the housing rotates in an opposite direction.
• the support includes a groove that accepts the second end and holds the second end against movement when the storage roll is rotated in one direction but which allows passage of the second end past the groove when the storage roll is rotated in the opposite direction.
• the biasing member is selected from a group consisting of: a spring and a coiled flat spring.
• a modular anti-reversible power spring apparatus in a shade system with a bracket supporting a shade storage roll, includes a biasing member and a housing with a first cover and a second cover where the housing encloses the biasing member and the first cover and the second cover contain the biasing member within the housing.
• a connector is provided that is connected with the first cover and a receiver is provided that is connected with the second cover where the connector is connectable with a receiver and where the receiver is connectable with a connector.
• a support is connected with the bracket, such that the support does not move, and where the support is also connected with the biasing member within the housing.
• a first end cap and a second end cap are provided where one end cap is connected to the shade storage roll at each end of the shade storage roll and to the support such that the first end cap and the second end cap are held stationary with the support and the shade storage roll is free to rotate about the end caps.
• a connector is connected with the first end cap and a receiver is connected with the second end cap where the first end cap connector is conformed to connect with the second cover receiver and the second end cap receiver is conformed to connect with the first cover connector.
• the support has a length and the housing has a length and the support is conformed in length to approximately the length of the housing.
• the shade storage roll includes a female connector and the housing includes a male connector and the male connector is conformed to connect with the female connector and to lock the housing with the shade storage roll.
• connection of the second end of the biasing member with the support is such that the biasing member is held in place when the housing rotates in one direction and is released when the housing rotates in an opposite direction.
• the support includes a groove that accepts the second end and holds the second end against movement when the storage roll is rotated in one direction but which allows passage of the second end past the groove when the storage roll is rotated in the opposite direction.
• a modular anti-reversible power spring method in a shade system with a bracket supporting a shade storage roll, includes the steps of:
• the method includes the steps of
• a. providing a support connected with the bracket, such that the support does not move, and also connected with the biasing member within the housing; a first end cap and a second end cap where one end cap is connected to the shade storage roll at each end of the shade storage roll and to the support such that the first end cap and the second end cap are held stationary with the support and the shade storage roll is free to rotate about the end caps; and a connector connected with the first end cap and a receiver connected with the second end cap where the first end cap connector is conformed to connect with a receiver and the second end cap receiver is conformed to connect with a connector; and
• the biasing member further includes a first end and a second end where the first end of the biasing member is connected with the housing and where the second end of the biasing member is connected with the support such that the biasing member is held in place when the housing rotates in one direction and is released when the housing rotates in an opposite direction .
• the method includes the steps of:
• each housing is conformed to connect with at least one additional housing
• FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a shade roll and bracket assembly for the modular anti-reversible power spring apparatus of the present invention according to one embodiment
• FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the invention of Figure 1 showing three separate housings each including one biasing member;
• FIGURE 3 is a close up, exploded perspective view of the invention of Figures 1 and 2;
• FIGURE 4 is a close up, exploded perspective view of one end cap and one housing with one biasing member
• FIGURE 5 is a close up, exploded perspective view of Figure 4 from the opposite view from Figure 4;
• FIGURE 6 is an end section view of the invention
• FIGURE 7 is a side perspective view of the invention showing three housings and a support approximately the same length as the total length of the three separate housings;
• FIGURE 8 is a side perspective view of the invention showing two housings and a support approximately the same length as the total length of the two separate housings;
• FIGURE 9 is a side perspective view of the invention showing one housing and a support approximately the same length as the total length of the one housing.
• the preferred embodiment of the modular anti- reversible power spring apparatus 10 of the present invention includes an associated roll shade assembly 12 consisting of a shade material 14, mounting bracket 16, a shade storage roll 18 and at least one arbor shaft or support 20.
• the shade material 14 is attached to the storage roll 18 as is known in the art.
• shade material is used in its common manner to indicate a substance used to provide shade. It thus includes fabric and plastic, for example only and not by way of limitation, and any other flexible material now known or hereafter developed capable of being rolled onto and off of a storage roll.
• the inside of the storage roll 18, is hollow. It thus is capable of including within the hollow interior 22 many mechanisms such as, for example only, a motor assembly 24, including a motor and gearbox (not shown) for example, and a power supply 26, including batteries (not shown) for example only.
• the motor assembly 24 and the power supply 26 have one or more male connectors 28, such as a spline or ridge as shown for example only, that mate with an internal longitudinal groove(s) or female connector 30 in the interior surface of the hollow interior 22 of storage roll 18.
• the figures show one or two longitudinal female connectors 30 but there may be more.
• first end cap 32 and a second end cap 34 are provided.
• First end cap 32 is connected with support 20 and storage roll 18 on one end of storage roll 18 and second end cap 34 is connected with support 20 and storage roll 18 on the other end of storage roll 18 as illustrated.
• the connection of support 20 with mounting bracket 16 is fixed. That is, support 20 does not move with relation to bracket 16 once it is secured thereto.
• support 20 is connected with first end cap 32 and second end cap 34 in a fixed relation such that once secured in place, the end caps 32 and 34 do not move either.
• Storage roll 18 although it is supported between and by the two end caps 32 and 34 is free to move in relation to the end caps 32 and 34. This movement may be facilitated by the use of bearings 36 at end caps 32 and 34, for example only. In this manner, output from motor assembly 24 which is connected with storage roll 18 as described above, turns shade roll 18 about end caps 32 and 34 when power from power supply 26 is applied.
• FIGS 2 and 3 illustrate housing 38 with a first cover 40 and a second cover 42.
• housing 38 is cylindricaUy shaped and similar in dimension to the inside diameter of storage roll 18.
• housing 38 and first cover 40 and second cover 42 enclose biasing member 44 (see Figures 4 and 5) and retain biasing member 44 inside housing 38.
• housing 38 encloses only a single biasing member 44 as will be described more fully hereafter.
• housing 38 includes male connectors 28 that cooperate with female connectors 30 to secure housings 38 in place within storage roll 18, as discussed above with regard to the motor assembly 24 and the power supply 26.
• support 20 is connected with each housing 38 as will be described more fully hereafter.
• first cover 40 connected with housing 38.
• Second cover 42 is not shown (see Figure 4) but is opposite from first cover 40 and connected with housing 38 as well.
• support 20 is conformed, according to a preferred
• first end cap 34 and housings 38 to pass through first end cap 34 and housings 38 and to connect with power out put shaft 46. Again, because support 20 is fixed and does not move, and because motor assembly 24 is connected with storage roll 18, which is allowed to move, when operated power out put shaft 46 turns storage roll 18.
• Figure 3 also clearly illustrates receiver 48.
• Receiver 48 preferably consists of one or more keyed slots as illustrated.
• Figure 4 shows connector 50.
• Connector 50 preferably consists of one or more extended keys as illustrated.
• Connector 50 cooperates with receiver 48 to lock two separate housings together, as will be discussed more fully hereafter.
• biasing member 44 is a spring, such as a coiled, flat spring as shown.
• Biasing member 44 has a first end 52 and a second end 54. The first end 52 is connected with housing 38. Preferably, first end 52 fits within slot 56 in housing 38 and is held in that position after installation in that position.
• Second end 54 fits within groove 58 on support 20. Importantly, second end 54 and groove 58 cooperate together to prevent movement between them when housing 38 rotates with storage roll 18 in one direction. However, second end 54 is released from groove 58 when rotated in the opposite direction as is more clearly seen from Figure 6 and as will be discussed more fully hereafter.
• second end cap 34 includes connectors 50 as described above.
• connectors 50 on second end cap 34 cooperate with receivers 48 on second cover 42 of housing 38 to secure housing 38 to the end cap.
• First end cap 32 may also include connectors 50 for the same purpose.
• FIG. 5 clearly shows second cover 42 of housing 38 with receivers 48.
• FIG. 6 a cross section view shows storage roll 18 with female connectors 30 and housing 38 with male connectors 28 connected within female connectors 30.
• Four female connectors 30 are shown in the cross section and only two male connectors 28, which is acceptable for the purposes of the invention.
• Slot 56 in housing 38 is clearly shown as is first end 52 of biasing member 44. Also shown are second end 54 of biasing member 44 formed, for example into a rounded end and set within groove 58 of support 20. In this position, when rotated in the direction of direction arrow 60 the second end 54 is held against movement by groove 58 in stationary support 20 and the biasing member 44 is wound up. When rotated in the direction of direction arrow 62, the opposite direction from arrow 60, the second end 54 ramps over the top of groove 58 and unwinds. This feature of the invention prevents reverse or back winding of the biasing member 44.
• support 20 has a length and the length of support 20 may, according to one embodiment, be approximately the same as the combined length of the total number of housings 38, each with a single biasing member 44.
• Figure 7 shows support 20 approximately as long as three combined housings 38, Figure 8, two and Figure 9 only one.
• housings 38 and the single enclosed biasing member 44 may easily be added to or removed from the storage roll 18. This is a tremendous advantage over the prior art which requires complicated removal of a large housing, if present, opening the housing, adding or removing biasing members 44 re-closing and re-installing the housing. According to the present invention, counterbalance tension as provided by the biasing members 44 may be accurately and easily adjusted to fit the needs. Further repair and replacement is just as easily accommodated.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Operating, Guiding And Securing Of Roll- Type Closing Members (AREA)
• Blinds (AREA)
• Storing, Repeated Paying-Out, And Re-Storing Of Elongated Articles (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=46051232

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (22)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (25)

• 2010
  • 2010-11-10 US US12/927,212 patent/US8807196B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2011
  • 2011-11-09 CA CA2817727A patent/CA2817727C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-11-09 JP JP2013538705A patent/JP5992428B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-11-09 CN CN201180059350.XA patent/CN103261556B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-11-09 WO PCT/US2011/001872 patent/WO2012064359A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2011-11-09 AU AU2011326816A patent/AU2011326816C1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2011-11-09 BR BR112013011540A patent/BR112013011540A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2011-11-09 EP EP11839542.5A patent/EP2638229B1/en not_active Not-in-force

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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