Motorized slat angle adjustment mechanism for window blinds
AssigneeHome Depot Product Authority, LLC
InventorsNicholas Jackson, Nicholas Servies
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for adjusting a tilt angle of a plurality of slats in a window blind is disclosed. The window blind includes a headrail having disposed therein a shaft that causes the tilt angle of the slats to be adjusted when the shaft is rotated. The apparatus comprises a first bevel gear, a second bevel gear in mechanical communication with the first bevel gear and coupled with the shaft, and a motor coupled to the shaft. Actuation of the first bevel gear causes a corresponding rotation of the shaft to adjust the tilt angle of the slats, and actuation by the motor causes a rotation of the shaft to adjust the tilt angle of the slats.
Claims17
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 causes the tilt angle of the slats to be adjusted when the shaft is rotated, the apparatus comprising:
- a rod having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to couple with a wand;
- a rotational position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the tilt angle of the slats;
- a first bevel gear coupled with the rod;
- a second bevel gear in mechanical communication with the first bevel gear, the second bevel gear comprising a bore passing axially therethrough that is sized and shaped to receive the shaft and coupled with the shaft;
- and
- a motor comprising a bore passing axially therethrough that is sized and shaped to receive the shaft and coupled to the shaft;
- wherein a rotation of the wand causes a corresponding rotation of the shaft to adjust the tilt angle of the slats;
- wherein actuation by the motor causes a rotation of the shaft to adjust the tilt angle of the slats;
- wherein actuation by the motor causes a rotation of the first bevel gear, second bevel gear, rod, and wand;
- and
- wherein actuation by the motor automatically ceases in response to the signal from the rotational position sensor indicating that the window blind is closed.
A system comprising:
- 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 causes the tilt angle of the slats to be adjusted when the shaft is rotated, the apparatus comprising:
- a rod having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to couple with a wand;
- a rotational position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the tilt angle of the slats;
- a first bevel gear coupled with the rod;
- a second bevel gear in mechanical communication with the first bevel gear, the second bevel gear comprising a bore passing axially therethrough that is sized and shaped to receive the shaft and coupled with the shaft;
- and
- a motor comprising a bore passing axially therethrough that is sized and shaped to receive the shaft and coupled to the shaft;
- wherein a rotation of the wand causes a corresponding rotation of the shaft to adjust the tilt angle of the slats;
- wherein actuation by the motor causes a rotation of the shaft to adjust the tilt angle of the slats;
- wherein actuation by the motor causes a rotation of the first bevel gear, second bevel gear, rod, and wand;
- and
- an input command mechanism configured for communication with the motor, wherein user actuation of the input command mechanism causes the input command mechanism to command actuation of the motor, and wherein actuation of the motor automatically ceases in response to the signal from the rotational position sensor indicating that the window blind is closed.
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 causes the tilt angle of the slats to be adjusted when the shaft is rotated, the apparatus comprising:
- a rotational position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the tilt angle of the slats;
- a first bevel gear comprising a bore passing axially therethrough that is perpendicular to the shaft;
- a second bevel gear in mechanical communication with the first bevel gear, the second bevel gear comprising a bore passing axially therethrough that is sized and shaped to receive the shaft and coupled with the shaft;
- and
- a motor comprising a bore passing axially therethrough that is sized and shaped to receive the shaft and coupled to the shaft;
- wherein actuation of the first bevel gear causes a corresponding rotation of the shaft to adjust the tilt angle of the slats;
- wherein actuation by the motor causes a rotation of the shaft to adjust the tilt angle of the slats;
- wherein actuation by the motor causes a rotation of the first bevel gear and second bevel gear;
- and
- wherein actuation of the motor automatically ceases in response to the signal from the rotational position sensor indicating that the window blind is closed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.