ATTIC DOOR ROPE APPARATUS

• US 20150197973A1
• Filed: 01/10/2014
• Published: 07/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dayco Holdings, Lp
• Original Assignee: Dayco Holdings, Lp
• Inventors: Day, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 9,364,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/28 Combinations of handles with other devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2404/10 Rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2553/20 using electric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2553/40 using optical, e.g. photographic, elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/35 Ropes, lines
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4486 Electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/48 Automatic re-storing devices
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 1/0015 Knobs or handles which do not operate the bolt or lock, e.g. non-movable; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 11/04 with cords, chains or cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 11/54 for doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/21 Brakes
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/484 Torsion springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors

Abstract

An attic door rope apparatus for retractably storing an attic door rope may comprise a spool rotatably coupled with a rotation mechanism, and a stored-energy mechanism having a first end coupled with the spool and a second end coupled with the rotation mechanism, wherein the stored-energy mechanism is configured to impart a torque on the spool about a rotation axis of the spool. Another attic door rope apparatus for retractably storing an attic door rope may comprise a winding mechanism configured to rotate in an unwinding direction and a winding direction, a motor coupled with the winding mechanism configured to turn the winding mechanism in at least the unwinding direction, a sensor configured to detect a user command and send a command signal to the motor, and a power source in electrical communication with the motor and the sensor.

Claims

1. An attic door rope apparatus for retractably storing an attic door rope, the apparatus comprising:

a spool rotatably coupled with a rotation mechanism; and

a stored-energy mechanism having a first end coupled with the spool and a second end coupled with the rotation mechanism;

wherein the stored-energy mechanism is configured to impart a torque on the spool about a rotation axis of the spool.

2. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stored-energy mechanism is disposed within a substantially hollow portion of the spool.

3. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stored-energy mechanism comprises a torsion spring.

4. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a rope guide configured to guide a rope extending from the spool towards a predetermined location.

5. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the rope guide comprises one or more rollers.

6. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 1, the rope comprising a stop between a first end and a second end of the rope, the stop configured to catch on a portion of the apparatus when the rope is extended.

7. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the stop is configured to catch on a rope guide.

8. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a housing having a rope port.

9. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a substantially hollow elongated member protruding therefrom, the member in substantially concentric alignment with the rope port.

10. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 9, comprising a substantially hollow end cap configured to mate with the substantially hollow elongated member.

11. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a braking mechanism.

12. An attic door rope apparatus for retractably storing an attic door pull rope, the apparatus comprising:

a winding mechanism configured to rotate in an unwinding direction and a winding direction;

a motor coupled with the winding mechanism configured to turn the winding mechanism in at least the unwinding direction;

a sensor configured to detect a user command and send a command signal to the motor; and

a power source in electrical communication with the motor and the sensor.

13. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 12, comprising a stored-energy mechanism configured to apply a torque to the winding mechanism in the winding direction.

14. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 13, the stored-energy mechanism comprising a torsion spring.

15. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the motor is configured to turn the winding mechanism in the winding direction.

16. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the sensor is configured to command the motor to turn the winding mechanism in the unwinding direction in response to a first user command, and in the winding direction in response to a second user command.

17. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the motor is a stepper motor.

18. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.

19. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the user command comprises a hand waving motion in detectable range of the optical sensor.

20. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the sensor is a touch sensitive mechanism.

21. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the sensor is configured to command the motor to turn the winding mechanism for a duration proportional to the duration of the user command.

22. An attic door rope apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the sensor is configured to issue the command signal to the motor only after detecting the user command for a predetermined duration.