# US 11,028,640 B2 · Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,640 B2 - Document ID: US11028640B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/556,416 - Filed: 2019-08-30 - Published: 2019-12-19 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2013-07-17 - Assignees: Hunter Douglas Inc. - Applicants: Hunter Douglas Inc. - Inventors: Richard N. Anderson; Eugene W. Thompson; Robert E. Fisher - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028640B2 ## CPC - E06B 9/325: Immobilising devices preventing raising - 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) - E06B 9/324: Cord-locks {(cord-locks for curtains A47H3/00)} - E06B 9/326: Details of cords, e.g. buckles, drawing knobs - E06B 9/78: for direct manual operation, e.g. by tassels, by handles - E06B 9/80: Safety measures against dropping or unauthorised opening; Braking or immobilising devices; Devices for limiting unrolling (securing devices or arrangements for direct manual operation E06B9/78) - E06B 9/90: for immobilising the closure member in various chosen positions - E06B 2009/2625: {Pleated screens, e.g. concertina- or accordion-like} - E06B 2009/3222: {Cordless, i.e. user interface without cords} - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) ## Abstract A handle is releasably secured to a rail wall by means of fasteners extending from inside the rail. An actuator shaft pushes against a contact plate to move a movable braking member to stop the rotation of a rod inside the rail. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A brake arrangement for a covering for an architectural opening, the arrangement comprising: a hollow rail; a rod extending within said hollow rail and being rotatable about an axis of rotation; a brake provided for movement into and out of engagement with said rod to prevent or allow rotation of said rod about said axis of rotation, respectively; a button assembly provided in operative association with said hollow rail, said button assembly comprising: a button housing coupled to said hollow rail; an actuator button supported by said button housing for movement relative to said button housing; and a pusher rod provided in operative association with said actuator button, said pusher rod extending between a first end proximal to said actuator button and a second end distal to said actuator button; wherein said second end of said pusher rod comprises a free end of said pusher rod configured to abut against a portion of said brake to disengage said brake from said rod with actuation of said actuator button. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The brake arrangement of claim 1, wherein: said pusher rod extends in a lengthwise direction between said first end of said pusher rod and said second end of said pusher rod; and said pusher rod is configured to engage said portion of said brake in the lengthwise direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The brake arrangement of claim 2, wherein: said portion of said brake comprises a movable portion of said brake; and said pusher rod is configured to actuate said movable portion of said brake in the lengthwise direction to disengage said brake from said rod with actuation of said actuator button. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The brake arrangement of claim 1, wherein: said first end of said pusher rod comprises a free end of said pusher rod; and a portion of said actuator button is configured to press against said first end of said pusher rod with actuation of said actuator button relative to said button housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The brake arrangement of claim 1, wherein said button housing comprises a handle configured to be grasped by a user of the brake arrangement when moving the covering relative to the architectural opening. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The brake arrangement of claim 1, wherein said actuator button is supported along a top side of said button housing such that said actuator button is configured to be actuated downwardly relative to said button housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The brake arrangement of claim 6, wherein: said first end of said pusher rod defines a ramped profile; and downward movement of said actuator button relative to said button housing moves a portion of said actuator button against said ramped profile of said first end of said pusher rod to move said pusher rod towards said portion of said brake. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The brake arrangement of claim 1, wherein: said button housing is coupled to said hollow rail by a fastener; and said button housing conceals the fastener from view from an exterior front face of said hollow rail along which said button housing extends. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The brake arrangement of claim 1, wherein said actuator button is supported by said button housing for pivotable movement relative to said button housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The brake arrangement of claim 9, wherein said actuator button is configured to move along an arcuate path relative to said button housing towards said hollow rail with actuation of said actuator button. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The brake arrangement of claim 1, wherein: said hollow rail includes a wall defining an exterior face along which said button housing is coupled to said hollow rail; and said pusher rod extends through said wall such that said first end of said pusher rod is located along an exterior of said hollow rail and said second end of said pusher rod is located within an interior of said hollow rail. ### Claim 12 A brake arrangement for a covering for an architectural opening, the arrangement comprising: a hollow rail defining an exterior front face; a rod extending within said hollow rail and being rotatable about an axis of rotation; a brake provided for movement into and out of engagement with said rod to prevent or allow rotation of said rod about said axis of rotation, respectively; and a button assembly provided in operative association with said hollow rail, said button assembly comprising: a button housing coupled to said hollow rail along said exterior front face of said hollow rail; and an actuator button supported by said button housing for pivotable movement relative to said button housing; wherein, when said actuator button is moved relative to said button housing, said brake is actuated relative to said rod to disengage said brake from said rod. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The brake arrangement of claim 12, wherein said actuator button is configured to move along an arcuate path relative to said button housing towards said hollow rail with actuation of said actuator button. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The brake arrangement of claim 12, wherein said button housing comprises a handle configured to be grasped by a user of the brake arrangement when moving the covering relative to the architectural opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The brake arrangement of claim 12, wherein said actuator button is supported along a top side of said button housing such that said actuator button configured to be pivoted downwardly relative to said button housing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The brake arrangement of claim 12, further comprising a pusher rod provided in operative association with said actuator button and extending at least partially within said hollow rail, said pusher rod being configured to actuate said brake relative to said rod with movement of said actuator button relative to said button housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The brake arrangement of claim 16, wherein: said pusher rod extends between a first end proximal to said actuator button and a second end distal to said actuator button; and said second end of said pusher rod comprises a free end of said pusher rod configured to abut against a portion of said brake to disengage said brake from said rod with movement of said actuator button relative to said button housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The brake arrangement of claim 17, wherein: said first end of said pusher rod defines a ramped profile; and pivotable movement of said actuator button relative to said button housing moves a portion of said actuator button against said ramped profile of said first end of said pusher rod to move said pusher rod towards said portion of said brake. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The brake arrangement of claim 17, wherein: said first end of said pusher rod comprises another free end of said pusher rod; and a portion of said actuator button is configured to press against said first end of said pusher rod with actuation of said actuator button relative to said button housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The brake arrangement of claim 17, wherein: said hollow rail includes a wall defining said exterior front face of said hollow rail; and said pusher rod extends through said wall such that said first end of said pusher rod is located along an exterior of said hollow rail and said second end of said pusher rod is located within an interior of said hollow rail.