Rechargeable Powered Covering for a Architectural Opening

• US 20180323628A1
• Filed: 05/05/2017
• Published: 11/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hall Labs, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hall Labs, LLC
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Priddis, Andrew, Fox, Joe
• Granted Patent: US 10,547,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2625 Pleated screens, e.g. concertina- or accordion-like
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/262 with flexibly-interconnected horizontal or vertical strips; Concertina blinds , i.e. upwardly folding flexible screens
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/32 Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor operation of tilting bars E06B9/307
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/388 Details of bottom or upper slats or their attachment
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/42 Parts or details of roller blinds, e.g. suspension devices, blind boxes brackets or adjustable mountings for roller blinds and drawable curtains A47H1/13
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/72 comprising an electric motor positioned inside the roller
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries

Abstract

The invention is an automated covering for an architectural opening—such as a window blind, a roller shade, a cellular shade, or roller wall—that can be easily recharged through a charging device that is integrated into the lower edge. The automated covering includes a housing that holds a motor and a battery. An electrical conductor extends from the battery, down the automated covering, to the charging device at the bottom of the covering. The charging device may be a charging port, an electrical plug, or a magnetic charging device that engages with a magnetic charging dock. The invention allows automated coverings to be easily recharged without the inconvenience of removing batteries or of extending lengthy extension cords to out-of-reach places.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a powered covering for an architectural opening comprising at least one charging device at a lower periphery of the powered covering and at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor that extends vertically and concealably along the powered covering; and

a housing atop the powered covering, the housing comprising a motor and a battery that powers the motor,

wherein the at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor connects the battery to the at least one charging device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the powered covering is an automated blind.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor is interwoven between slats of the automated blind alongside a lift cord.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor is wound around a spring-loaded reel displaced within the housing that retracts the at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor when the automated blind is lifted.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor comprises nylon-braided cable.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a headrail.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the powered covering is an automated roller shade or retractable wall.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the housing is a drum that the automated roller shade or retractable wall winds around.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor is woven into the automated roller shade or retractable wall.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the powered covering comprises mass-loaded vinyl.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the powered covering is an automated cellular shade.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one charging device is a charging port.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the charging port is a USB port.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one charging device is connected to a power supply by means of an extension cord.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one charging device is an electrical plug.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one charging device is magnetic.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one charging device engages with a charging dock.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the charging dock is magnetic.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the powered covering is automatically aligned and supplied with power when the at least one charging device engages magnetically with the charging dock.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor is concealed by its camouflaged color.