Spring counterbalance apparatus and method

A spring counterbalance apparatus comprising:

• a shade system with a shade system torque profile, the shade system having a drive shaft;
• a first spring system connected with the drive shaft wherein the first spring system is a standard wound spring system having a spring storage spool and a spring drive spool;
• a second spring system connected with the drive shaft wherein the second spring system is a reverse wound spring system having a spring storage spool and a spring drive spool;
• wherein in combination the first spring system and the second spring system produce a counterbalance torque profile that is slightly higher than the shade system torque profile;
• wherein an axis of rotation of the spring drive spool of the first spring system and an axis of rotation of the spring drive spool of the second spring system are aligned;
• and
• wherein an axis of rotation of the spring storage spool of the first spring system and an axis of rotation of the spring storage spool of the second spring system are aligned.

A shade system comprising:

• a head rail;
• a shade connected to the head rail;
• a drive shaft positioned in the head rail;
• the drive shaft having an axis of rotation a motor positioned in the head rail;
• the motor operatively connected to the drive shaft such that operation of the motor causes rotation of the drive shaft;
• a first spring system positioned in the head rail;
• the first spring system having a spring drive spool and a standard wound spring having a first end and a second end, the first end of the standard wound spring connected to the spring drive spool of the first spring system;
• a second spring system positioned in the head rail;
• the second spring system having a spring drive spool and a reverse wound spring having a first end and a second end, the first end of the reverse wound spring connected to the spring drive spool of the second spring system;
• wherein in combination the first spring system and the second spring system produce a counterbalance torque profile.

A shade system comprising:

• a head rail;
• a shade connected to the head rail;
• a drive shaft positioned in the head rail;
• the drive shaft having an axis of rotation
• a first spring system positioned in the head rail;
• the first spring system having a spring drive spool having an axis of rotation and a standard wound spring having a first end and a second end, the first end of the standard wound spring connected to the spring drive spool of the first spring system;
• a second spring system positioned in the head rail;
• the second spring system having a spring drive spool having an axis of rotation and a reverse wound spring having a first end and a second end, the first end of the reverse wound spring connected to the spring drive spool of the second spring system;
• wherein at least one of the standard wound spring of the first spring system or the reverse wound spring of the second spring system is preloaded meaning at least portion of the spring is pre-wound around the spring drive spool a predetermined number of revolutions.

A method of operating a shade system, the steps comprising:

• providing a head rail having shade connected to the head rail and a drive shaft positioned in the head rail;
• positioning a first spring system having a standard wound spring in the head rail and operatively connecting the first spring system to the drive shaft;
• positioning a second spring system having a reverse wound spring in the head rail and operatively connecting the second spring system to the drive shaft;
• positioning a motor in the head rail and operatively connecting the motor to the drive shaft;
• activating the motor such that operation of the motor causes rotation of the drive shaft.