Window covering with head rail-mounted actuator

A device for moving an operator of a window covering having slat elements, the window covering being selected from the group of window coverings including vertical blinds, horizontal blinds, cellular shades, pleated shades, and lift and tilt shades, the device comprising:

• an actuator including at least one electric motor in a head rail of the window covering and a coupling operably engaged with the motor, wherein the coupling contacts the operator in the head rail to prevent rotational relative motion between the coupling and the operator, a rotor of the motor being connected to the coupling for rotating the operator in either direction;
• at least one direct current alkaline or lithium battery;
• and
• a control signal generator for generating a control signal to cause the at least one battery to energize the motor to move the operator and thereby cause the slat elements to move.

A window covering with actuator, comprising:

• a head rail, a rod rotatably disposed therein, and a window covering member engaged with the rod for moving the window covering member between an open configuration and a closed configuration when the rod is rotated;
• an electric motor mounted in the head rail;
• a coupling operably engaged with the motor to engage the motor with the rod for rotating the rod;
• at least one dc battery mounted in the head rail;
• a control signal generator for generating a control signal;
• and
• an electronic circuit electrically connected to the control signal generator and the battery for processing the control signal to cause the battery to energize the motor to move the rod.

A device for moving an operator in a head rail of a window covering having slat elements to move the elements, comprising:

• an actuator including at least one electric motor and a coupling operably engaged with the motor, wherein the coupling contacts the operator to prevent rotational relative motion between the coupling and the operator, a rotor of the motor being connected to the coupling for rotating the operator in either direction;
• at least one alkaline or lithium battery;
• and
• a control signal generator for generating a control signal to cause the battery to energize the motor to move the operator and thereby cause the slat elements to move.

A window covering with actuator, comprising:

• a window covering member selected from the group of window coverings consisting of cellular shades, pleated shades, lift and tilt shades, horizontal blinds, and vertical blinds, the window covering including a head rail, a rod rotatably disposed therein, the window covering member being engaged with the rod for moving the window covering member between an open configuration and a closed configuration when the rod is rotated;
• an electric motor;
• a coupling operably engaged with the motor to engage the motor with the rod for rotating the rod;
• at least one primary dc battery, the battery being primary in that the battery is not designed to be rechargeable;
• a control signal generator for generating a control signal;
• and
• an electronic circuit electrically connected to the control signal generator and the battery for processing the control signal to cause the battery to energize the motor to move the rod.

A window covering with actuator, comprising:

• a window covering member selected from the group of window covering members including cellular shades, pleated shades, lift and tilt shades, horizontal blinds, and vertical blinds, the window covering member including a head rail, a rod rotatably disposed therein, the window covering member being engaged with the rod for moving the window covering member when the rod is rotated;
• an electric motor;
• a coupling operably engaged with the motor to engage the motor with the rod for rotating the rod;
• at least one dc battery, the at least one battery being the sole source of energy associated with the window covering;
• a control signal generator for generating a control signal;
• and
• an electronic circuit electrically connected to the control signal generator and the battery for processing the control signal to cause the at least one battery to energize the motor to move the rod.

A powered window covering assembly, comprising:

• a window covering including a head rail, a rod rotatably disposed therein, and a window covering engaged with the rod for moving the window covering between an open configuration and a closed configuration when the rod is rotated;
• an electric motor disposed in the head rail;
• a coupling operably engaged with the motor to engage the motor with the rod for rotating the rod;
• at least one primary dc battery, the at least one battery being the sole source of energy associated with the window covering, the at least one battery being disposable in the head rail;
• a control signal generator for generating a control signal;
• and
• an electronic circuit electrically connected to the control signal generator and the battery, the electronic circuit having an energized state for processing the control signal to cause the at least one battery to energize the motor to move the rod, the electronic circuit also having an idle state in which the at least one battery is not caused to energize the motor.