Variable force brake for a window covering operating system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An operating system for a window covering comprising:
- a spring motor;
a variable force brake including an outer race and a brake member, said brake member being operatively coupled to said outer race such that said brake member is configured to apply a braking force to said outer race;
a lift spool assembly operatively coupled to a panel for raising and lowering the panel between a raised position and a lowered position;
a shaft operatively coupled to each of said spring motor, said variable force brake, and said lift spool assembly and synchronizing said spring motor, said variable force brake, and said lift spool assembly; and
a cam rotationally coupled to said shaft, said cam defining a cam surface and being configured to actuate a cam follower as said cam is rotated relative to said cam follower, said cam follower being operatively coupled to said brake member and being actuated by said cam in a direction non-parallel to a rotational axis of said cam;
wherein;
said outer race is selectively coupled for rotation with said shaft by a one-way clutch; and
the braking force applied by said brake member to said outer race varies as a function of a position of the panel between the raised and lowered positions.
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Abstract
An operating system for a window covering includes at least one spring motor, at least one variable force brake, and at least one lift spool assembly operatively coupled to a panel for raising and lowering a panel. An effective shaft is operatively coupled to and synchronizes the spring motor, the variable force brake, and the lift spool. The variable force brake comprises a one-way clutch operatively coupled to the shaft. A brake member is operatively engaged with the one-way clutch to apply a brake force to the one-way clutch when the shaft is rotated. The magnitude of the brake force applied to the one-way clutch is determined by the rotational position of the shaft.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An operating system for a window covering comprising:
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a spring motor; a variable force brake including an outer race and a brake member, said brake member being operatively coupled to said outer race such that said brake member is configured to apply a braking force to said outer race; a lift spool assembly operatively coupled to a panel for raising and lowering the panel between a raised position and a lowered position; a shaft operatively coupled to each of said spring motor, said variable force brake, and said lift spool assembly and synchronizing said spring motor, said variable force brake, and said lift spool assembly; and a cam rotationally coupled to said shaft, said cam defining a cam surface and being configured to actuate a cam follower as said cam is rotated relative to said cam follower, said cam follower being operatively coupled to said brake member and being actuated by said cam in a direction non-parallel to a rotational axis of said cam; wherein; said outer race is selectively coupled for rotation with said shaft by a one-way clutch; and the braking force applied by said brake member to said outer race varies as a function of a position of the panel between the raised and lowered positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An operating system for a window covering comprising:
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a spring motor; a variable force brake including an outer race, a brake member, and an adjustment mechanism, said brake member being configured to apply a braking force to said outer race, said adjustment mechanism being operatively coupled to said brake member to adjust the braking force applied to said outer race by said brake member; a lever coupled to said adjustment mechanism; a lift spool assembly operatively coupled to a panel for raising and lowering the panel between a raised position and a lowered position; and a shaft operatively coupled to each of said spring motor, said variable force brake, and said lift spool assembly; wherein; said lever is configured to pivot as the panel is being moved between the raised and lowered positions to actuate said adjustment mechanism such that the braking force applied by said brake member to said outer race varies as a function of a position of the panel between the raised and lowered positions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An operating system for a window covering comprising:
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a spring motor; a variable force brake including an outer race and a brake member, said brake member being operatively coupled to said outer race such that said brake member is configured to apply a braking force to said outer race; a lift spool assembly operatively coupled to a panel for raising and lowering the panel between a raised position and a lowered position; a shaft operatively coupled to each of said spring motor, said variable force brake, and said lift spool assembly and synchronizing said spring motor, said variable force brake, and said lift spool assembly; and a cam rotationally coupled to said shaft, said cam defining a cam surface and being configured to actuate a cam follower as said cam is rotated relative to said cam follower, said cam follower being operatively coupled to said brake member via an adjustment mechanism; wherein; said outer race is selectively coupled for rotation with said shaft by a one-way clutch; the braking force applied by said brake member to said outer race varies as a function of a position of the panel between the raised and lowered positions; said outer race has a generally cylindrical shape that defines a cylindrical brake surface; and said brake member comprises a band brake that is in contact with said cylindrical brake surface around at least a portion of an outer circumference of said outer race. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification