Methods for operating window covers
DCFirst Claim
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1. A window cover system, comprising:
- 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 cord 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 extends through the second gear and is configured to rotate therewith, and wherein the spring drive unit is positioned between the two lift pulleys.
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Abstract
A window cover system includes an extendible window cover with a pair of lift cords. A lift cord pulley shaft is coupled to a pair of spaced apart lift cord pulleys. A spring drive unit has a beveled gear system with a first gear that is spring biased to resist rotation of first gear in one direction of rotation, and a second gear meshed with the first gear. The lift cord pulley shaft extends through the second gear and is configured to rotate therewith.
125 Citations
28 Claims
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1. 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 cord 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 extends through the second gear and is configured to rotate therewith, and wherein the spring drive unit is positioned between the two lift pulleys. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. 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 plurality of spring drive units that each comprise 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 extends through the second gear and is configured to rotate therewith, and wherein at least one of the spring drive units is positioned between the two lift pulleys.
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14. A window cover system, comprising:
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a housing having a length, a height and a depth, wherein the length is configured to extend lengthwise horizontally across a top portion of a window frame, wherein the housing has a longitudinal axis that extends along the length, and wherein the height is perpendicular to the length, wherein the housing has a vertical axis that is configured to extend vertically from the top portion of the window frame; an extendable window cover having a first end that is configured to hang generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second end that is generally parallel to the first end, and at least one lift cord that is operably coupled to a lift cord pulley, wherein the window cover is movable between an extended position wherein the second end is spaced apart from the first end and a retracted position where the second end is placed in proximity to the first end; a spring drive system that is operably coupled to the lift cord, wherein the spring drive system comprises a lift cord pulley shaft that is coupled to the lift cord pulley so as to rotate therewith, the spring drive system further comprising a spring drive unit 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 bevel 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 shaft, wherein the storage shaft and the output shafts each have a shaft axis that are parallel to each other and to the vertical axis, wherein the second gear rotates about a second gear axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the storage shaft axis and the output shaft axis. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A window cover system, comprising:
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a cellular window covering and at least a pair of lift cords; a drive system operable when moving the window covering between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the drive system comprises a lift cord pulley shaft coupled to a pair of lift cord pulleys, and a plurality of spring drive units, wherein each spring drive unit comprises 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 each spring drive unit is coupled to the lift cord pulley drive shaft via the second gear so as to hold the second end of the cover in place by tension of the spring drive units and inherent friction in the window cover. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification