CONTROL UNIT FOR LIFT SYSTEM FOR COVERINGS FOR ARCHITECTURAL OPENINGS
First Claim
1. A control unit for controlling a lift system in a covering for an architectural opening having a retractable shade component and a system for moving said shade component between extended and retracted conditions, said lift system including:
- a housing having an exit opening;
an elongated flexible element having one end extended through said exit opening and exposed for manipulation by an operator of the control unit;
a rotatable spool in said housing having first and second ends, said flexible element having a second end secured to said spool adjacent to said first end thereof such that said flexible element can be wrapped around said spool from said first end toward said second end; and
a cord guide mounted in said housing adjacent to said exit opening and said first end of said spool such that said flexible element extends across said cord guide between said spool and said exit opening, said cord guide including an arcuate horizontally disposed surface and an arcuate vertically disposed surface, said flexible element always extending across said arcuate horizontally disposed surface in passing from said spool to said exit opening and slidably engaging said vertical arcuate surface depending on the number of wraps of said flexible element around said spool.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control unit for controlling a lift system in a covering for an architectural opening includes a drive assembly and a brake assembly. The drive assembly includes a spool about which a pull cord can be wrapped or unwrapped and a spring for biasing the spool in a direction to wrap the pull cord thereabout. A drive gear is operatively associated with the spool so that upon a pulling of the pull cord and unwrapping of the cord from the spool, the drive gear is shifted axially into engagement with a driven gear in the brake assembly. The driven gear under such circumstances rotates a driven shaft, which in turn rotates a lift shaft in the covering to raise the covering from an extended position to a retracted position.
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Citations
3 Claims
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1. A control unit for controlling a lift system in a covering for an architectural opening having a retractable shade component and a system for moving said shade component between extended and retracted conditions, said lift system including:
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a housing having an exit opening; an elongated flexible element having one end extended through said exit opening and exposed for manipulation by an operator of the control unit; a rotatable spool in said housing having first and second ends, said flexible element having a second end secured to said spool adjacent to said first end thereof such that said flexible element can be wrapped around said spool from said first end toward said second end; and a cord guide mounted in said housing adjacent to said exit opening and said first end of said spool such that said flexible element extends across said cord guide between said spool and said exit opening, said cord guide including an arcuate horizontally disposed surface and an arcuate vertically disposed surface, said flexible element always extending across said arcuate horizontally disposed surface in passing from said spool to said exit opening and slidably engaging said vertical arcuate surface depending on the number of wraps of said flexible element around said spool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeHunter Douglas Incorporated (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
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Original AssigneeHunter Douglas Incorporated (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
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InventorsLesperance, Leo J.
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Application NumberUS12/355,599Publication NumberTime in Patent OfficeDaysField of SearchUS Class Current160/84.20CPC Class CodesE06B 9/322 Details of operating device...
