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US 2011/0031343 A1Published application
Single cord drive for coverings for architectural openings
AssigneeHunter Douglas Inc.
InventorsRichard N. Anderson, Steven R. Haarer, Donald E. Fraser, Robert E. Fisher, II
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A shade for architectural openings incorporating a single cord drive featuring automatic braking of the shade when the user releases the drive cord. In a preferred embodiment, an automatic tilt-open mechanism is provided to tilt the shade open when the shade is in the fully extended down position.
Claims21
An automatic brake mechanism for a cord drive, comprising:
- a drive cord spool mounted for rotation in first and second directions about a first axis of rotation;
- a drive cord including first and second ends, wherein said first end is secured to said drive cord spool;
- an actuator arm mounted for rotation about a second axis of rotation;
- and
- biasing means which bias said actuator arm to a locking position, in which said drive cord spool is prevented from rotating in said first direction, and wherein pivoting said actuator arm away from said locking position permits said drive cord spool to rotate in said first direction.
2 more elements
An automatic brake mechanism for a cord drive, comprising:
- a drive cord spool mounted for rotation in a first direction and in a second direction about a first shaft defining a first axis of rotation;
- a drive cord including first and second ends, wherein said first end is secured to said drive cord spool;
- a release arm mounted for rotation in a first direction and in a second direction about said first axis of rotation;
- and
- a spring defining a relaxed position and having a first end attached to said first shaft and a second end attached to said release arm, and defining an outer circumference of said spring wherein said outer circumference is reduced when said first end of said spring is brought toward said second end of said spring, and wherein said spring engages said drive cord spool to stop rotation of said drive cord spool when said release arm is rotated in one of said first and second directions.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.