Methods for operating window covers
DCFirst Claim
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1. A window cover system, comprising:
- a housing;
an extendable window cover that is coupled to the housing, the window cover having at least one lift cord that is operably coupled to at least one lift cord pulley;
a spring drive system that is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled to the lift cord, wherein the spring drive system comprises a lift cord pulley shaft and a spring drive comprising at least one spring having a storage end that is operably coupled to a storage shaft and an output end that is operably coupled to an output shaft, a beveled gear set having a first gear operatively connected to the spring drive output shaft and a second gear operably connected to the lift cord pulley;
wherein the output shaft has two ends, wherein one of the ends terminates within the housing and is rotatable along with the first gear, thereby eliminating the need for an external hand operated cord to raise and lower the window cover.
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Abstract
A window cover system includes an extendible window cover that has a pair of lift cords. A lift cord pulley shaft is coupled to a pair of spaced apart lift pulleys. A spring drive unit is constructed of a beveled gear system with a first gear that is spring biased to resist rotation of the first gear in one direction of rotation, and a second gear meshed with the first gear. The lift cord pulley shaft is operably coupled to the second gear and is configured to rotate therewith. The spring drive unit has a single output and no input, and the single output is coupled to the first gear.
116 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A window cover system, comprising:
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a housing; an extendable window cover that is coupled to the housing, the window cover having at least one lift cord that is operably coupled to at least one lift cord pulley; a spring drive system that is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled to the lift cord, wherein the spring drive system comprises a lift cord pulley shaft and a spring drive comprising at least one spring having a storage end that is operably coupled to a storage shaft and an output end that is operably coupled to an output shaft, a beveled gear set having a first gear operatively connected to the spring drive output shaft and a second gear operably connected to the lift cord pulley; wherein the output shaft has two ends, wherein one of the ends terminates within the housing and is rotatable along with the first gear, thereby eliminating the need for an external hand operated cord to raise and lower the window cover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A window cover system, comprising:
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an extendable window cover, the window cover having a pair of lift cords; a lift cord pulley shaft coupled to a pair of spaced apart lift pulleys, wherein the lift cords are configured to wind and unwind around the lift cord pulleys when the lift cord pulley shaft is rotated; a spring drive unit having a beveled gear system with a first gear that is spring biased to resist rotation of the first gear in one direction of rotation, and a second gear meshed with the first gear, wherein the lift cord pulley shaft is operably coupled to the second gear and is configured to rotate therewith; wherein the spring drive unit has a single output and no input, and wherein the single output is coupled to the first gear. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A window cover system, comprising:
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an extendable window cover, the window cover having a pair of lift cords; a lift cord pulley shaft coupled to a pair of spaced apart lift pulleys, wherein the lift cords are configured to wind and unwind around the lift cord pulleys when the lift cord pulley shaft is rotated; a spring drive unit having a beveled gear system with a first gear that is spring biased to resist rotation of the first gear in one direction of rotation, and a second gear meshed with the first gear, wherein the lift cord pulley shaft is operably coupled to the second gear and is configured to rotate therewith; wherein the spring drive unit has only a single external rotatable connection, wherein the single external rotatable connection is coupled to the first gear. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification