Methods and apparatus for controlling architectural opening coverings in more than one mode
AssigneeHunter Douglas Inc.
InventorsKevin Dann, Joseph Kovach, Wendell Colson, Daniel Fluckey, Matthew DiFrancesco, Michael Siebenaller, Jeffrey L. Spray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual control architectural covering is disclosed. A dual control architectural covering includes a clutch to disengage a motor when the motor is not in use. The dual control architectural covering further includes a manual control to move the covering of the architectural opening while the motor is disengaged. The dual control architectural covering further includes a braking element to resist movement of a drive element of the covering when the motor is disengaged.
Claims23
An apparatus for operating a covering of an architectural covering, the apparatus comprising:
- a clutch to mechanically disengage a motor from operating a covering of an architectural covering when the motor is not in use;
- a manual control to move the covering of the architectural covering while the motor is disengaged;
- and
- a braking element to resist movement of a drive element of the covering when the motor is mechanically disengaged.
A method for operating a covering of an architectural covering, the method comprising:
- tracking a first position of a covering by monitoring a covering position encoder;
- disengaging a motor from operating the covering to allow manual operation of the covering of the architectural covering when the motor is not in use;
- and
- tracking a second position of the motor via a motor encoder while the motor disengages.
A tangible computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:
- track a first position of a covering by monitoring a covering position encoder;
- disengage a motor to allow manual operation of the covering when the motor is not in use;
- and
- track a second position of the motor via a motor encoder while the motor disengages.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.