# US 2018/0323628 A1 · Rechargeable Powered Covering for a Architectural Opening > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0323628 A1 - Document ID: US20180323628A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/587,862 - Filed: 2017-05-05 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-05 - Assignees: Hall Labs LLC - Inventors: David R. Hall; Andrew Priddis; Joe Fox - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180323628A1 ## CPC - H02J 7/00: Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries - E06B 9/262: with flexibly-interconnected horizontal or vertical strips; Concertina blinds {, i.e. upwardly folding flexible screens} - E06B 9/32: Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor (operation of tilting bars E06B9/307) - E06B 9/388: Details of bottom or upper slats or their attachment - 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 9/72: comprising an electric motor positioned inside the roller - E06B 2009/2625: {Pleated screens, e.g. concertina- or accordion-like} - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - 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 The invention is an automated covering for an architectural opening—such as a window blind, a roller shade, a cellular shade, or roller wall—that can be easily recharged through a charging device that is integrated into the lower edge. The automated covering includes a housing that holds a motor and a battery. An electrical conductor extends from the battery, down the automated covering, to the charging device at the bottom of the covering. The charging device may be a charging port, an electrical plug, or a magnetic charging device that engages with a magnetic charging dock. The invention allows automated coverings to be easily recharged without the inconvenience of removing batteries or of extending lengthy extension cords to out-of-reach places. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a powered covering for an architectural opening comprising at least one charging device at a lower periphery of the powered covering and at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor that extends vertically and concealably along the powered covering; and a housing atop the powered covering, the housing comprising a motor and a battery that powers the motor, wherein the at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor connects the battery to the at least one charging device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the powered covering is an automated blind. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor is interwoven between slats of the automated blind alongside a lift cord. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor is wound around a spring-loaded reel displaced within the housing that retracts the at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor when the automated blind is lifted. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor comprises nylon-braided cable. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a headrail. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the powered covering is an automated roller shade or retractable wall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the housing is a drum that the automated roller shade or retractable wall winds around. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one bendable insulated electrical conductor is woven into the automated roller shade or retractable wall. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the powered covering comprises mass-loaded vinyl. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the powered covering is an automated cellular shade. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one charging device is a charging port. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the charging port is a USB port. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one charging device is connected to a power supply by means of an extension cord. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one charging device is an electrical plug. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one charging device is magnetic. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one charging device engages with a charging dock. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the charging dock is magnetic. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the powered covering is automatically aligned and supplied with power when the at least one charging device engages magnetically with the charging dock. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor is concealed by its camouflaged color.