# US 2015/0308186 A1 · Spring counterbalance apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2015/0308186 A1 - Document ID: US20150308186A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/713,499 - Filed: 2015-05-15 - Published: 2015-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2013-04-13 - Assignees: Qmotion Incorporated - Applicants: Qmotion Incorporated - Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet; Richard Scott Hand; Lucas Hunter Oakley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150308186A1 ## CPC - 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 9/262: with flexibly-interconnected horizontal or vertical strips; Concertina blinds {, i.e. upwardly folding flexible screens} - E06B 9/34: roller-type; {Roller shutters with adjustable lamellae} - E06B 9/42: Parts or details of roller blinds, e.g. suspension devices, blind boxes (brackets or adjustable mountings for roller blinds and drawable curtains A47H1/13) - E06B 9/62: Counterweighting arrangements (E06B9/60 takes precedence) - E06B 9/72: comprising an electric motor positioned inside the roller - E06B 9/56: Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor (devices of general interest specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material B65H75/34) - E06B 2009/2627: {Cellular screens, e.g. box or honeycomb-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 spring counterbalance apparatus and method consists of a shade system with a torque profile, where the shade system is connected with a drive shaft. A first spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the first spring system is a standard wound spring system. A second spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the second spring system is a reverse wound spring system and where, in combination, the first spring system and the second spring system produce a counterbalance torque profile approximately equal to the shade system torque profile. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-20. (canceled) ### Claim 21 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. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the drive shaft extends through a spool of the first spring system and a spool of the second spring system. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein a spool of the first spring system and a spool of the second spring system rotate upon an axis in alignment with the drive shaft. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the first spring system includes a spring with a first end and a second end wherein the first end is connected with the spring storage spool and the second end is connected with the spring drive spool and wherein the spring drive spool is connected with the drive shaft and wherein the second spring system includes a spring with a first end and a second end wherein the first end is connected with the spring storage spool and the second end is connected with the spring drive spool and wherein the spring drive spool is connected with the drive shaft. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein a spring of the standard wound spring system and a spring of the reverse wound spring system have a width and the width is varied. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the standard wound spring system includes one or more springs selected from a group consisting of constant gradient, negative gradient and positive gradient springs. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the reverse wound spring system includes one or more springs selected from a group consisting of: constant gradient, negative gradient and positive gradient springs. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the counterbalance torque profile is higher than the shade system torque profile and further including a removable bottom bar weight connected with the shade system. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the first spring system and the second spring system are connected to the drive shaft toward the middle of the drive shaft and away from the ends of the drive shaft. ### Claim 30 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. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, wherein an axis of rotation of the motor is aligned with the axis of rotation of the drive shaft. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, wherein the first spring system and the second spring system are housed in a single spring housing. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, wherein the first spring system is housed in a first spring housing, and the second spring system is housed in a second spring housing separate from the first spring housing. ### Claim 34 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, wherein the shade system has a shade system torque profile and the counterbalance torque profile is approximately equal to the shade system torque profile. ### Claim 35 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, wherein the shade system has a shade system torque profile and the counterbalance torque profile is slightly higher than the shade system torque profile. ### Claim 36 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, wherein the second end of the standard wound spring of the first spring system is connected to a spring storage spool. ### Claim 37 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, wherein the second end of the reverse wound spring of the second spring system is connected to a spring storage spool. ### Claim 38 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, further comprising a third spring system positioned in the head rail, the third 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 third spring system. ### Claim 39 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, further comprising a third spring system positioned in the head rail, the third 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 third spring system. ### Claim 40 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, wherein the standard wound spring of the first spring system and the reverse wound spring of the second spring system are selected from the group consisting of positive gradient springs, constant gradient springs, and negative gradient springs. ### Claim 41 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, wherein the standard wound spring of the first spring system and the reverse wound spring of the second spring system are coiled flat springs. ### Claim 42 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, wherein the standard wound spring of the first spring system is preloaded, meaning the standard wound spring is pre-wound around the spring drive spool a predetermined number of revolutions. ### Claim 43 (depends on 30) The shade system of claim 30, wherein the reverse wound spring of the second spring system is preloaded, meaning the reverse wound spring is pre-wound around the spring drive spool a predetermined number of revolutions. ### Claim 44 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. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, wherein the predetermined number of revolutions is between two revolutions and forty two revolutions. ### Claim 46 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, wherein the axis of rotation of the spring drive spool of the first spring system and the axis of rotation of the spring drive spool of the second spring system are aligned. ### Claim 47 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, wherein the drive shaft extends through the drive spool of the first spring system and the drive spool of the second spring system. ### Claim 48 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, wherein in combination the first spring system and the second spring system produce a counterbalance torque profile. ### Claim 49 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, further comprising a motor operatively connected to the drive shaft such that operation of the motor causes rotation of the drive shaft. ### Claim 50 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, wherein the first spring system and the second spring system are housed in a single spring housing. ### Claim 51 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, wherein the first spring system is housed in a first spring housing, and the second spring system is housed in a second spring housing separate from the first spring housing. ### Claim 52 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, wherein the second end of the standard wound spring of the first spring system is connected to a spring storage spool. ### Claim 53 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, wherein the second end of the reverse wound spring of the second spring system is connected to a spring storage spool. ### Claim 54 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, further comprising a third spring system positioned in the head rail, the third 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 third spring system. ### Claim 55 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, further comprising a third spring system positioned in the head rail, the third 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 third spring system. ### Claim 56 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, wherein the standard wound spring of the first spring system and the reverse wound spring of the second spring system are selected from the group consisting of positive gradient springs, constant gradient springs, and negative gradient springs. ### Claim 57 (depends on 44) The shade system of claim 44, wherein the standard wound spring of the first spring system and the reverse wound spring of the second spring system are coiled flat springs. ### Claim 58 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. ### Claim 59 (depends on 58) The shade system of claim 58, wherein the first spring system and the second spring system are housed in a single spring housing. ### Claim 60 (depends on 58) The shade system of claim 58, wherein the first spring system is housed in a first spring housing, and the second spring system is housed in a second spring housing separate from the first spring housing.