Motorizable tilt shade system and method

• US 9,091,115 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2013
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Watt Stopper Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Qmotion Incorporated
• Inventors: Mullet, Willis Jay, Rodriguez, Yan, Brunk, Darrin W., Hand, Richard Scott, Oakley, Lucas Hunter
• Primary Examiner(s): PUROL, DAVID M
• Application Number:
  US13/908,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20130255890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 160/170, 160/171, 160/176.1 P, 160/168.1 P, 160/310, 160/DIG.17
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/3222 Cordless, i.e. user interface without cords
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/3227 Axially moving rollers
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/30 liftable
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/307 Details of tilting bars and their operation
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/308 with coaxial tilting bar and raising shaft
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/322 Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives operating devices E06B9/68 ; devices of general interest specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material B65H75/34
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/323 Structure or support of upper box

Abstract

A motorizable tilt shade system includes a header system where the header system includes an integral header attachment connection. At least one cord spool is provided within the header system and is connected with at least one suspension cord. A shade is suspended from the at least one suspension cord and a tilt cord pulley is connected with the at least one cord spool. A tilt cord is connected with the tilt cord pulley and with the shade such that the tilt cord and tilt cord pulley cooperate to tilt the shade. A drive shaft receiver is connected with the tilt cord pulley such that movement of the drive shaft receiver moves the tilt cord pulley. A counterbalance assembly including a negative gradient spring is connected to the drive shaft thereby providing an approximately constant tension on the tilt cord pulley.

Claims

1. An architectural covering, comprising:

a header;

a drive shaft connected to the header;

a first drive spool and a first tilt pulley fixedly connected to the drive shaft such that the first drive spool and the first tilt pulley rotate in unison with the driveshaft;

a counter balance assembly connected to the drive shaft;

a bottom bar;

a first tilt ladder connected to the first tilt pulley and the bottom bar;

a plurality of slats connected to the first tilt ladder;

a first suspension cord connected to the first drive spool and the bottom bar;

a motor operably connected to the drive shaft such that rotation of the motor rotates the drive shaft, the first drive spool and the first tilt pulley;

a battery holder having a plurality of batteries positioned within the header and electrically connected to the motor to power the motor;

wherein the architectural covering has an architectural covering torque profile that varies between an open position and a closed position;

wherein an upper end of the tilt ladder loops over the tilt pulley such that rotation of the motor causes the plurality of slats to tilt in the direction of rotation until are fully tilted at which point the tilt pulley spins within the loop of the tilt cord;

wherein the counterbalance assembly includes at least one spring having a negative gradient wherein the counterbalance assembly produces a counterbalance torque profile that closely corresponds with the architectural covering torque profile as it varies between an open position and a closed position such that the counterbalance assembly maintains approximately constant tension on the first tilt pulley by the loop of the tilt cord;

wherein rotation of the drive shaft simultaneously tilts and raises or lowers the slats;

wherein the approximately constant tension on the first tilt pulley by the loop of the tilt cord facilitates accurate tilting of the plurality of slats across the operating range of the architectural covering.

2. The architectural covering of claim 1 wherein the counterbalance assembly includes a standard wound spring.

3. The architectural covering of claim 1 wherein the counterbalance assembly includes a reverse wound spring.

4. The architectural covering of claim 1 wherein the counterbalance assembly includes a standard wound spring and a reverse wound spring.

5. The architectural covering of claim 1 wherein when opening the architectural covering the plurality of slats are tilted in a fully closed upwardly angled position.

6. The architectural covering of claim 1 wherein when the bottom bar is opened when slats are in a fully closed upwardly angled position the first tilt pulley rotates within the first tilt ladder which does not rotate.

7. The architectural covering of claim 1 wherein when the architectural covering is closed the plurality of slats are tilted in a fully closed downwardly angled position.

8. The architectural covering of claim 1 wherein when the bottom bar is closed when slats are in a fully closed downwardly angled position the first tilt pulley rotates within the first tilt ladder which does not rotate.

9. The architectural covering of claim 1 wherein after moving the bottom bar in an open or closed direction, the angle of the plurality of slats is adjusted by reversing the direction movement of the bottom bar.

10. The architectural covering of claim 1 wherein a top end of the first tilt ladder is looped around the first tilt pulley to provide additional friction for tilting the plurality of slats.

11. An architectural covering comprising:

a header;

a drive shaft connected to the header;

a first drive spool and a first tilt pulley fixedly connected to the drive shaft such that the first drive spool and the first tilt pulley rotate in unison with the driveshaft;

a counter balance assembly connected to the drive shaft;

a bottom bar;

a first tilt ladder connected to the first tilt pulley and the bottom bar,

a plurality of slats connected to the first tilt ladder;

a first suspension cord connected to the first drive spool and the bottom bar;

a motor operably connected to the drive shaft such that rotation of the motor rotates the drive shaft, the first drive spool and the first tilt pulley;

a battery holder having a plurality of batteries positioned within the header and electrically connected to the motor to power the motor;

wherein the architectural covering has an architectural covering torque profile that varies between an open position and a closed position;

wherein an upper end of the tilt ladder loops over the tilt pulley;

wherein when opening or closing the architectural covering the first tilt pulley moves the plurality of slats to a fully tilted position; and

wherein when opening or closing the architectural covering after the plurality of slats are in a fully tilted position, the first tilt pulley spins with respect to the tilt ladder;

wherein the counterbalance assembly includes at least one spring having a negative gradient wherein the counterbalance assembly produces a counterbalance torque profile that closely corresponds with the architectural covering torque profile as it varies between an open position and a closed position such that the counterbalance assembly maintains approximately constant tension on the first tilt pulley by the loop of the tilt cord;

wherein rotation of the drive shaft simultaneously tilts and raises or lowers the slats;

wherein the approximately constant tension on the first tilt pulley by the loop of the tilt cord facilitates accurate tilting of the plurality of slats across the operating range of the architectural covering.

12. The architectural covering of claim 11 wherein the counterbalance assembly includes a standard wound spring.

13. The architectural covering of claim 11 wherein the includes a reverse wound spring.

14. The architectural covering of claim 11 wherein the counterbalance assembly includes a reverse wound spring and a standard wound spring.

15. The architectural covering of claim 11 wherein after opening or closing the architectural covering the direction of rotation of the drive shaft is reversed to adjust the angle of the plurality of slats.

16. The architectural covering of claim 11 wherein the friction between the first tilting ladder and the first tilting pulley help to prevent the bottom bar from rising when lowered to a closed position.