US 6,144,177 AGranted

Drapery actuator

OwnerKai Ming Maoinventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A drapery actuator to open and close draperies, comprising a housing and a drive pulley supported by the housing to engage a drapery cord coupled to a drape. A motor, typically a D.C. motor, is supported by the housing for providing torque to reversibly rotate the drive pulley to move the drapery cord between a first extreme (typically closed) position and a second extreme (typically open) position. A first electrical switch operatively connected to the motor functions as a cut-out switch and reversing switch to stop the motor from continued turning in a given direction and thereafter switching polarity, to allow the motor to turn in an opposite direction when the switch is re-activated. A torque-activated mechanism is provided, adapted to actuate the first electrical switch when the drive pulley moves the drapery cord to the first position, and is further adapted to actuate the first electrical switch when the drive pulley is reversibly rotated by the motor to move the drapery cord to the second position.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A drapery actuator to open and close a drape, comprising:

a housing;
a drive pulley, supported by said housing adapted to engage a drapery cord operatively coupled to said drape;
a motor, supported by said housing, adapted to provide torque for reversibly rotating said drive pulley so as to move said drapery cord in a first direction to a first position to move said drapery cord in a second opposite direction to a second position;
a first electrical switch operatively connected to said motor;
torque-activated switch means, adapted to actuate said first electrical switch when said drive pulley moves said drapery cord to said first position, and further adapted to actuate said first electrical switch when said drive pulley is reversibly rotated by said motor to move said drapery cord to said second position, so as to cause said first electrical switch to deactivate said motor when said drapery cord is moved to said first position thereby preventing further movement, and to cause said first electrical switch to deactivate said motor when said drapery cord is moved to said second position thereby preventing further movement of said drapery cord in said second opposite direction.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/176,092Filed 21 Oct 1998 · continuation in part
Priority: 27 Aug 1996
Granted: 7 Nov 2000
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

A47H 5/03
Devices for opening and closing curtains: devices with guiding means and push or draw rods
A47H 5/0325
Devices with guiding means and draw cords: using electrical or electronical drive, detecting or controlling means
A47H 2005/025
Devices for opening and closing curtains: controlled by electronic sensors
A47H
Furnishings for windows or doors