Counterbalanced motorized shade roll system and method

• US 8,919,419 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2009
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Watt Stopper Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Qmotion Incorporated
• Inventors: Mullet, Willis Jay, Hand, Richard Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, Katherine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shablack, Johnnie A
• Application Number:
  US12/460,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20100269988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,995 Days
• Field of Search: 160/191, 160/192, 160/318, 160/189, 160/310, 160/311, 160/312, 160/313, 160/315
• US Class Current: 160/310
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/62 Counterweighting arrangements E06B9/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/72 comprising an electric motor positioned inside the roller

Abstract

In a window covering system with a shade roll, a counterbalanced motorized shade roll system includes a shade roll with a hollow interior connected with a window covering system. A motor is located within the hollow interior. A torsion spring is also located within the hollow interior of the shade roll and the torsion spring is connected with the motor on one end and with the hollow interior on another end. Batteries are also located within the hollow interior of the shade roll opposite from the motor and after the connection of the torsion spring with the hollow interior of the shade roll such that the torsion spring does not surround the batteries.

Claims

1. A counterbalanced motorized shade system comprising:

a shade roll extending a length from a first end to a second end, the shade roll having a hollow interior;

a shade connected to the shade roll;

a motor located within the hollow interior of the shade roll;

a drive shaft connected with the motor and the shade roll, the drive shaft positioned within the hollow interior of the shade roll;

a torsion spring extending a length from a first end to a second end, the torsion spring positioned within the shade roll;

wherein the torsion spring is operatively connected with the motor on the first end, and the torsion spring is operatively connected with the hollow interior of the shade roll on the second end;

wherein the torsion spring is positioned around the drive shaft;

wherein the torsion spring is operably connected on the second end with a drive cone, wherein the drive cone is movable along a length of the hollow interior of the shade roll;

a plurality of batteries positioned within the hollow interior of the shade roll and electrically connected to the motor;

wherein the torsion spring is not positioned around the plurality of batteries;

wherein the motor rotates the drive shaft which rotates the shade roll thereby opening or closing the shade connected to the shade roll; and

wherein when the motor rotates the drive shaft an end of the torsion spring rotates with the shade roll as an end of the torsion spring remains stationary.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a reduction gear connected with the motor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the torsion spring at least partially surrounds the motor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drive shaft is connected with a drive cone connected with the hollow interior.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the torsion spring is directly connected on one end with a drive cone which is connected with the drive shaft and the shade roll.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a liner positioned in the hollow interior of the shade roll.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the liner surrounds the torsion spring.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the torsion spring surrounds the liner.

9. A counterbalanced motorized shade system comprising:

a shade roll extending a length from a first end to a second end, the shade roll having a hollow interior;

a shade connected to the shade roll;

a motor located within the hollow interior of the shade roll;

a reduction gear connected with the motor;

a drive shaft connected with the motor and with a drive cone;

the drive cone connected with the hollow interior of the shade roll;

a torsion spring extending a length from a first end to a second end, the torsion spring positioned within the shade roll;

wherein the torsion spring is operatively connected with the motor on the first end, and the torsion spring is operatively connected with the drive shaft on the second end;

wherein the drive cone is movable along a length of the hollow interior of the shade roll;

wherein the torsion spring is positioned around the drive shaft;

a plurality of batteries positioned within the hollow interior of the shade roll opposite from the motors;

wherein the torsion spring does not surround said the plurality of batteries;

wherein the motor rotates the drive shaft which rotates shade roll thereby opening or closing the shade connected to the shade roll; and

wherein when the motor rotates the drive shaft an end of the torsion spring rotates with the shade roll as an end of the torsion spring remains stationary.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the reduction gear is a two stage planetary reduction gear positioned between the motor and the drive shaft.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the torsion spring at least partially surrounds the motor.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 further including a liner in the hollow interior of the shade roll.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the liner surrounds the torsion spring.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the liner includes a first liner that surrounds the torsion spring and a second liner that the torsion spring surrounds such that the torsion spring is located between the first liner and the second liner.

15. A method for using a counterbalanced motorized shade comprising the steps of:

providing a shade roll extending a length from a first end to a second end, the shade roll having a hollow interior;

connecting a shade to the shade roll;

positioning motor within the hollow interior of the shade roll;

positioning a drive shaft within the shade roll;

connecting the drive shaft with the motor and with the shade roll;

position a torsion spring extending a length from a first end to a second end within the shade roll;

connecting the first end of the torsion spring with the motor such that the first end of the torsion spring remains in alignment with the motor;

connecting the second end of the torsion spring with a drive cone, wherein the drive cone is movable along a length of the hollow interior of the shade roll;

positioning the drive cone within the hollow interior of the shade roll;

positioning the torsion spring around the drive shaft;

positioning a plurality of batteries within the hollow interior of the shade roll and electrically connected to the motor;

activating the batteries motor;

rotating the shade roll by the motor; and

holding one end of the torsion spring stationary as another end of the torsion spring rotates with the roll tube.

16. The method of claim 15 further including the step of connecting a reduction gear with the motor.

17. The method of claim 15 further including the step of positioning a liner in the hollow interior of the shade roll.

18. The method of claim 15 further including the step of building a counterbalancing force in the torsion spring as one end of the torsion spring rotates.