Motorized drapery apparatus, system and method of use

• US 9,999,313 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2014
• Issued: 06/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Products Corp.
• Original Assignee: Current Products Corp.
• Inventors: Mullet, Willis J, Fox, Michael D, Matthews, Daniel T, McCarthy, Dale, Brunk, Darrin W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, Katherine W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shablack, Johnnie A.
• Application Number:
  US14/786,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20160143470A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,531 Days
• Field of Search: 160331
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 1/102 for mounting curtain rods A47H1/12, A47H1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 5/02 Devices for opening and closing curtains
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 5/06 Devices with screw-threads on rods or spindles
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/68 Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/72 comprising an electric motor positioned inside the roller

Abstract

An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and a drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. In one arrangement a drive shaft having at least one bearing is then attached to the brackets such that the rotatable drive elements rotate upon the bearings. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of attaching a rotatable drive element to brackets for mounting.

Claims

1. A motorized drapery system, comprising:

a drive element;

the drive element extending a length between a first end and a second end;

the drive element having a cylindrical shape and a helical guide structure;

the drive element connected to a structure by a first bracket positioned adjacent the first end of the drive element and a second bracket positioned adjacent the second end of the drive element;

a plurality of attachment elements connected to the drive element;

shade material connected to the plurality of attachment elements;

a motor housing;

the motor housing having a motor;

the motor housing operatively connected to the first end of the drive element;

a battery assembly, which holds a plurality of batteries, electrically connected to the motor housing to supply power to the motor housing;

wherein the battery assembly is external to the drive element and the motor housing;

wherein the battery assembly is positioned adjacent the first end of the drive element;

wherein the battery assembly is electrically connected to the motor by a transmission wire;

wherein the shade material forms a stack of shade material that hangs down from the drive element;

wherein when the motor rotates the drive element the plurality of attachment elements are moved laterally along the drive element;

wherein the battery assembly is positioned vertically behind the stack of shade material positioned adjacent the first end of the drive element such that the battery assembly is hidden behind the stack of shade material when the shade material is in an open position as well as in a closed position.

2. The motorized drapery system of claim 1 wherein when the motor rotates the drive element in a first direction the shade material is driven in the first direction and wherein when the motor rotates the drive element in a second direction the shade material is driven in the second direction.

3. A motorized drapery system, comprising:

a drive element;

the drive element extending a length between a first end and a second end;

the drive element having a cylindrical shape and a helical guide structure;

the drive element connected to a structure by a first bracket positioned adjacent the first end of the drive element and a second bracket positioned adjacent the second end of the drive element;

a plurality of attachment elements connected to the drive element;

shade material connected to the plurality of attachment elements;

a motor housing connected to the drive element;

the motor housing having a motor;

a battery assembly, which holds a plurality of batteries, electrically connected to the motor housing to supply power to the motor housing;

wherein the battery assembly is external to the drive element and the motor housing;

wherein the battery assembly is positioned adjacent the first end of the drive element;

wherein the battery assembly is electrically connected to the motor by a transmission wire;

wherein the shade material forms a stack of shade material that hangs down from the drive element;

wherein when the motor rotates the drive element the plurality of attachment elements are moved laterally along the drive element;

wherein the battery assembly is positioned vertically behind the stack of shade material positioned adjacent the first end of the drive element such that the battery assembly is hidden behind the stack of shade material;

wherein the stack of shade material is present when the shade material is in an open position as well as in a closed position; and

wherein the battery assembly plugs into the first bracket.

4. A motorized drapery system, comprising:

a drive element;

the drive element extending a length between a first end and a second end;

the drive element having a cylindrical shape and a helical guide structure;

the drive element connected to a structure by a first bracket positioned adjacent the first end of the drive element and a second bracket positioned adjacent the second end of the drive element;

a plurality of attachment elements connected to the drive element;

shade material connected to the plurality of attachment elements;

a motor housing connected to the drive element;

the motor housing having a motor;

a battery assembly, which holds a plurality of batteries, electrically connected to the motor housing to supply power to the motor housing;

wherein the battery assembly is external to the drive element and the motor housing;

wherein the battery assembly is positioned adjacent the first end of the drive element;

wherein the battery assembly is electrically connected to the motor by a transmission wire;

wherein the shade material forms a stack of shade material that hangs down from the drive element;

wherein when the motor rotates the drive element the plurality of attachment elements are moved laterally along the drive element;

wherein the battery assembly is positioned vertically behind the stack of shade material positioned adjacent the first end of the drive element such that the battery assembly is hidden behind the stack of shade material;

wherein the stack of shade material is present when the shade material is in an open position as well as in a closed position; and

wherein the first bracket having a key-feature, wherein the motor housing connects to the first bracket such that the motor housing engages the key-feature of the first bracket thereby locking the motor housing in place.

5. A motorized drapery system, comprising:

a drive element;

the drive element extending a length between a first end and a second end;

the drive element having a cylindrical shape and a helical guide structure;

the drive element connected to a structure by a first bracket positioned adjacent the first end of the drive element and a second bracket positioned adjacent the second end of the drive element;

a plurality of attachment elements connected to the drive element;

shade material connected to the plurality of attachment elements;

a motor housing connected to the drive element;

the motor housing having a motor;

a battery assembly, which holds a plurality of batteries, electrically connected to the motor housing to supply power to the motor housing;

wherein the battery assembly is external to the drive element and the motor housing;

wherein the battery assembly is positioned adjacent the first end of the drive element;

wherein the battery assembly is electrically connected to the motor by a transmission wire;

wherein the shade material forms a stack of shade material that hangs down from the drive element;

wherein when the motor rotates the drive element the plurality of attachment elements are moved laterally along the drive element;

wherein the battery assembly is positioned vertically behind the stack of shade material positioned adjacent the first end of the drive element such that the battery assembly is hidden behind the stack of shade material;

wherein the stack of shade material is present when the shade material is in an open position as well as in a closed position; and

wherein electronic components that control the motor are positioned in the first bracket.

6. A motorized drapery system, comprising:

a first drive element;

the first drive element having a first end and a second end;

a first bracket connected to the first end of the first drive element;

a plurality of attachment elements connected to the first drive element;

shade material connected to the plurality of attachment elements;

a first motor housing having a first end and a second end, the second end of the first motor housing connected to the first bracket;

the first motor housing having a first motor;

a battery assembly, which holds a plurality of batteries, electrically connected to the first motor housing to supply power to the first motor housing;

wherein the battery assembly is electrically connected to the motor by a transmission wire;

wherein the shade material forms a stack of shade material that hangs down from the first drive element;

wherein the battery assembly is positioned behind the stack of shade material positioned adjacent the first end of the first drive element such that the battery assembly is hidden behind the stack of shade material;

wherein the first motor of the first motor housing rotates the first drive element while the first motor housing remains stationary;

wherein the first motor and a first motor sensor assembly are positioned within the first motor housing connected to the first bracket;

wherein a decorative finial is connected to the first motor housing such that the first motor is housed within the decorative finial on one side of the first bracket and connects to the first drive element on the opposite side of the first bracket such that the motor causes rotation of the first drive element.

7. The motorized drapery system of claim 6 further comprising a second drive element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second drive element is connected to the second end of the first drive element to form an elongated drive element.

8. The motorized drapery system of claim 6 wherein a second motor housing having a first end and a second end is connected to a second end of a second drive element.

9. The motorized drapery system of claim 6 further comprising a second drive element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second drive element is connected to the second end of the first drive element to form an elongated drive element wherein the first drive element rotates independently of rotation of the second drive element.

10. The motorized drapery system of claim 6 wherein the first motor sensor assembly is configured to sense the position or rotation of the first drive element.

11. The motorized drapery system of claim 6 wherein the first motor sensor assembly includes a magnet wheel operatively connected to a motor shaft of the first motor.

12. A motorized drapery system, comprising:

a first drive element;

the first drive element having a first end and a second end;

a first bracket connected to the first end of the first drive element;

a plurality of attachment elements connected to the first drive element;

shade material connected to the plurality of attachment elements;

a first motor housing having a first end and a second end, the second end of the first motor housing connected to the first bracket;

the first motor housing having a first motor;

a battery assembly, which holds a plurality of batteries, electrically connected to the first motor housing to supply power to the first motor housing;

wherein the battery assembly is electrically connected to the motor by a transmission wire;

wherein the shade material forms a stack of shade material that hangs down from the first drive element;

wherein the battery assembly is positioned behind the stack of shade material positioned adjacent the first end of the first drive element such that the battery assembly is hidden behind the stack of shade material;

wherein the first motor of the first motor housing rotates the first drive element while the first motor housing remains stationary;

wherein the first motor and a first motor sensor assembly are positioned within the first motor housing connected to the first bracket;

wherein a decorative finial is connected to the first motor housing such that the motor is housed within the decorative finial on one side of the first bracket and connects to the rotatable drive element on the opposite side of the first bracket such that the motor causes rotation of the drive element; and

wherein electronic components that control the first motor are positioned in the first bracket.

13. A motorized drapery system, comprising:

a first drive element, the first drive element extending a length between a first end and a second end;

a second drive element, the second drive element extending a length between a first end and a second end;

a first bracket connected to the first end of the first drive element;

a second bracket connected to the second end of the second drive element;

a first motor housing having a first motor;

a battery assembly, which holds a plurality of batteries, electrically connected to the first motor housing to supply power to the first motor housing;

wherein the battery assembly is electrically connected to the first motor by a transmission wire;

wherein the first drive element is connected to the second drive element by a center coupler;

a plurality of attachment elements connected to the first drive element and the second drive element;

a first shade material connected to the plurality of attachment elements that forms a first stack of shade material;

wherein the battery assembly is positioned behind the first stack of shade material positioned adjacent the first end of the first drive element such that the battery assembly is hidden behind the first stack of shade material;

wherein the first stack of shade material is present when the first shade material is opened or closed by rotating the first drive element or the second drive element;

wherein the first motor and a first motor sensor assembly are positioned within the first motor housing connected to the first bracket;

wherein a decorative finial is connected to the first motor housing such that the first motor is housed within the decorative finial on one side of the first bracket and connects to the first drive element on the opposite side of the first bracket such that the first motor causes rotation of the first drive element.

14. The motorized drapery system of claim 13 wherein the first drive element rotates independently of rotation of the second drive element.

15. The motorized drapery system of claim 13 wherein the center coupler binds the first drive element and the second drive element together causing simultaneous rotation of the first drive element and the second drive element.

16. The motorized drapery system of claim 13 further comprising the first motor housing connected to the first end of the first drive element and a second motor housing connected to the second end of the second drive element, wherein the first motor housing rotates the first drive element and the second motor housing rotates the second drive element.

17. The motorized drapery system of claim 13 further comprising the first motor housing connected to the first end of the first drive element and a second motor housing connected to the second end of the second drive element, wherein the first motor housing and the second motor housing are electronically controlled together or communicate with one another so as to cooperate with one another or operate in unison.

18. The motorized drapery system of claim 13 wherein the first motor sensor assembly is configured to sense the position or rotation of the first drive element.

19. The motorized drapery system of claim 13 wherein the first motor sensor assembly includes a magnet wheel operatively connected to a motor shaft of the first motor.