Headrail of a window covering with safety device for assessing the stability of the headrail mounting

• US 10,214,959 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2017
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hall Labs, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hall Labs, LLC
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Brimhall, Emily, Carlson, Austin, Madsen, Mark, Pearman, Terrece
• Primary Examiner(s): Cahn, Daniel P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shablack, Johnnie A.
• Application Number:
  US15/436,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20180238107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 1601681 R, 160173 R, 1601781 R, 160902, 2482001, 248265, 248269, 248270, 248271, 248272
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/323 Structure or support of upper box
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

The invention is an intelligent headrail for a window covering which includes an extensible end cap which applies force to the adjacent window or door frame to hold the headrail in place. The end cap includes a pressure sensor or a force sensing resistor to detect whether sufficient force is present to safely hold the headrail in place. The headrail may include a controller which is connected to the pressure sensor or a force sensing resistor. The controller may include program code which identifies the safety status of the window covering based on the pressure or force reading. The controller may include a data transmission port which transmits pressure or force readings to an output device. The program code may also send a report to the output device to indicate whether the force or pressure is moderately low or so low that the window covering is in danger of falling.

Claims

1. A headrail with a safety device for assessing the stability of a headrail mounting comprising:

a first end and a second end of the headrail;

an extensible end cap assembly disposed at least at the first end of the headrail,

the extensible end cap assembly comprising;

a piston, the piston comprising at least one spring, and a mounting bracket, wherein each of the at least one spring comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the at least one spring is connected to and applies pressure to the mounting bracket when the at least one spring is compressed;

a floating bearing, wherein the floating bearing is connected to the second end of the at least one spring;

a crankshaft, wherein the crankshaft is connected to the floating bearing, and wherein, upon rotation, the crankshaft either compresses or extends the at least one spring;

a lever arm, wherein the lever arm is connected to the crankshaft, wherein the lever arm rotates the crankshaft causing the crankshaft to push against the piston thereby compressing the at least one spring when the lever arm is in a first position to thus create a compression fit between the mounting bracket and a window casing in which the headrail is mounted;

a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is connected to the piston and contacts the mounting bracket and wherein the pressure sensor detects the amount of pressure applied by the piston to the mounting bracket.

2. The headrail of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor consists of one of the following:

a strain gage pressure transducer, variable capacitance pressure transducer, and piezoelectric pressure transducer.

3. The headrail of claim 1, further comprising a controller, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the pressure sensor.

4. The headrail of claim 3, wherein the controller comprises a memory, wherein the memory comprises program code.

5. The headrail of claim 4, wherein the controller further comprises a data transmission port.

6. The headrail of claim 5, wherein the program code sends a signal through the data transmission port to an output device when the controller receives a signal from the pressure sensor that is below a defined value.

7. The headrail of claim 6, wherein the output device uses the signal from the pressure sensor to indicate whether the headrail is safely mounted, needs adjustment, or is in danger of falling.

8. The headrail of claim 6, wherein the output device reports a pressure measurement between the piston and the mounting bracket.

9. The headrail of claim 6, wherein the signal is a wireless transmission.

10. The headrail of claim 9, wherein the output device is a mobile device.

11. A headrail with a safety device for assessing the stability of a headrail mounting comprising:

a first end and a second end of the headrail;

an extensible end cap assembly disposed at least at the first end of the headrail,

the extensible end cap assembly comprising;

a piston, the piston comprising at least one spring, and a mounting bracket, wherein each of the at least one spring comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the at least one spring is connected to and applies pressure to the mounting bracket when the at least one spring is compressed;

a floating bearing, wherein the floating bearing is connected to the second end of the at least one spring;

a crankshaft, wherein the crankshaft is connected to the floating bearing, and wherein, upon rotation, the crankshaft either compresses or extends the at least one spring;

a lever arm, wherein the lever arm is connected to the crankshaft, wherein the lever arm rotates the crankshaft causing the crankshaft to push against the piston thereby compressing the at least one spring when the lever arm is in a first position to thus create a compression fit between the mounting bracket and a window casing in which the headrail is mounted;

a force sensing resistor, wherein the force sensing resistor is connected to the piston and wherein the force sensing resistor detects the amount of force applied by the piston to the mounting bracket.

12. The headrail of claim 11, wherein the force sensing resistor is screen printed on the mounting bracket.

13. The headrail of claim 11, further comprising a controller, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the force sensing resistor.

14. The headrail of claim 11, wherein the controller comprises a memory, wherein the memory comprises program code.

15. The headrail of claim 14, further comprising a data transmission port.

16. The headrail of claim 15, wherein the program code sends a signal through the data transmission port to an output device when the controller receives a signal from the force sensing resistor that is below a defined value.

17. The headrail of claim 16, wherein the output device uses the signal from the force sensing resistor to indicate whether the headrail is safely mounted, needs adjustment, or is in danger of falling.

18. The headrail of claim 16, wherein the output device reports a measurement from the force sensing resistor of the amount of force applied to the piston.

19. The headrail of claim 16, wherein the signal is a wireless transmission.

20. The headrail of claim 19, wherein the output device is a mobile device.