Slat angle adjustment mechanism for window blinds
AssigneeHome Depot Product Authority, LLC
InventorsNicholas Jackson, Nicholas Servies
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for adjusting a tilt angle of a plurality of slats in a window blind. The window blind includes a headrail having disposed therein a shaft that rotates responsive to rotation of an externally accessible angle adjustment wand. The apparatus includes a pulley coupled with the shaft and the slats. The pulley causes adjustment of the tilt angle of the slats in response to rotation of the shaft, provides a first torque at a first position corresponding to an open position of the slats and a second torque at a second position corresponding to an approximately closed position of the slats, where the second torque is greater than the first torque.
Claims12
An apparatus for adjusting a tilt angle of a plurality of slats in a window blind, the window blind including a headrail having disposed therein a shaft that rotates responsive to rotation of an externally accessible angle adjustment wand, the apparatus comprising:
- a pulley coupled with the shaft and the slats, wherein the pulley causes adjustment of the tilt angle of the slats in response to rotation of the shaft, wherein the pulley provides a first torque when turned from a first position corresponding to an open position of the slats, wherein the pulley provides a second torque when turned from a second position corresponding to an approximately closed position of the slats, and wherein the second torque is greater than the first torque;
- wherein the pulley comprises a first semicircular arced portion that is adapted to be coupled with a first cord that is coupled with first edges of the slats, and a second semicircular arced portion that is adapted to be coupled with a second cord that is coupled with second edges of the slats, wherein the second edges are opposite the first edges.
An apparatus for adjusting a tilt angle of a plurality of slats in a window blind, the window blind including a headrail having disposed therein a shaft, the apparatus comprising:
- a gear assembly comprising:
- a rod having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to couple with a wand;
- a first bevel gear coupled with the rod;
- and
- a second bevel gear in mechanical communication with the first bevel gear and coupled with the shaft,
- wherein a rotation of the wand causes a corresponding rotation of the shaft;
- and
- a pulley coupled with the shaft, the pulley comprising:
- a first semicircular arced portion adapted to be coupled with a first cord that is coupled with first edges of the slats;
- and
- a second semicircular arced portion adapted to be coupled with a second cord that is coupled with second edges of the slats that are opposite the first edges;
- wherein the pulley causes adjustment of the tilt angle of the slats in response to rotation of the shaft, wherein the pulley provides a first torque when turned from a first position corresponding to an open position of the slats, wherein the pulley provides a second torque when turned from a second position corresponding to an approximately closed position of the slats, and wherein the second torque is greater than the first torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.