Framed covering for architectural opening

• US 20030075285A1
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hunter Douglas Incorporated (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Hunter Douglas Incorporated (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Richard N., Drew, Terrence M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,957,680 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 160/90
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/3222 Cordless, i.e. user interface without cords
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/30 Peep-holes; Devices for speaking through; Doors having windows
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/264 Combinations of lamellar blinds with roller shutters, screen windows, windows, or double panes; Lamellar blinds with special devices

Abstract

A framed covering for an architectural opening includes a collapsible shade that is moveable between open and closed positions relative to the architectural opening with the collapsible shade being mounted within an enclosed framework that is adapted to be secured to a structural member having the architectural opening therein. In one embodiment of a flexible control cord system moves the shade between open and closed positions, with the control cord system being conveniently positioned adjacent the frame for easy manipulation. In a second embodiment a finger slide on the frame drives a cord lift system for moving the covering between open and closed positions.

Claims

1. A covering for an architectural opening comprising in combination:

a frame adapted to be positioned in said architectural opening in surrounding relationship therewith,

a collapsible curtain mounted in said frame and adapted to be moved between a retracted position adjacent a side of the frame and an extended position across the architectural opening, and

an operating system for moving the curtain between the retracted and extended positions, said operating system including at least one lift cord operatively connected to said curtain, at least one rotatable spool connected to said lift cord and around which said lift cord can be wrapped, a drive system for rotating said spool, and a housing surrounding said spool in closely spaced relationship therewith so as to permit said lift cord to be wrapped around said spool in only a single layer.

2. The covering of claim 1 wherein said spool has a smooth surface around which said lift cord can be wrapped.

3. The covering of claim 1 wherein said spool has a helical groove in which said lift cord can be confined while wrapped around said spool.

4. The covering of claim 2 wherein said spool is axially moveable to permit a single layer wrap of said lift cord when said spool is rotated.

5. The covering of claim 4 further including resilient means for yieldingly resisting axial movement of said spool.

6. The covering of claim 4 wherein said spool is axially moved as said cord is wrapped on or unwrapped from said spool.

7. A covering for an architectural opening comprising in combination:

a frame adapted to be positioned in said architectural opening in surrounding relationship therewith,

a collapsible curtain mounted in said frame and adapted to be moved between a retracted position adjacent a side of the frame and an extended position across the architectural opening, and

an operating system for moving the curtain between the retracted and extended positions, said operating system including at least one lift cord operatively connected to said curtain, at least one rotatable spool having a helical groove in an outer surface thereof with the spool being connected to said lift cord such that said cord can be wrapped around said spool in said groove, and a drive system for rotating said spool.