Head-rail end adapter for window blinds

A method of modifying a control mechanism of a cord-operated window blind, the control mechanism comprising a control housing including a removable end plate disposed at an end of a head rail of the blind, a pulley disposed within the control housing and operatively coupled to a pivot rod of the blind through a gear mechanism, and a control cord operatively engaged with the pulley, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a kit comprising:
• an adapter unit capable of being operatively mounted on the control housing in place of the removable end plate, the adapter unit comprising a shaft opening disposed substantially co-axially with the pivot rod, and support means disposed on an exterior surface of the adapter, proximal the opening, for operatively supporting a drive unit of a conventional blind remote control;
• a gear assembly operatively mountable within the shaft opening and substantially co-axial with the opening and the pivot rod, the gear assembly including a hub shaft for operatively coupling to the drive unit;
• and
• an elongate pinion gear capable of operatively coupling the gear assembly to an input of the gear mechanism;
• (b) removing the end plate from the control housing;
• (c) removing the pulley and control cord from the pivot rod;
• (d) operatively coupling the pinion gear to the input of the gear mechanism;
• (e) operatively coupling the gear assembly to the pinion gear;
• and
• (f) affixing the adapter unit to the control housing with the hub shaft of the gear assembly substantially centrally disposed within the shaft opening;
• and
• (g) mounting a conventional drive unit of a blind remote control on the exterior of the adapter unit and operatively coupled to the gear assembly, such that the drive unit can cause rotation of the pivot rod, via the gear assembly and the pinion gear.

A method of modifying a control mechanism of a cord-operated window blind, the control mechanism comprising a control housing including a removable end plate disposed at an end of a head rail of the blind, a pulley disposed within the control housing and operatively coupled to a pivot rod of the blind via a gear mechanism, and a control cord operatively engaged with the pulley, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a kit comprising:
• an adapter unit capable of being operatively mounted on the control housing in place of the removable end plate, the adapter unit comprising a shaft opening disposed substantially co-axially with the input of the gear mechanism, and support means disposed on an exterior surface of the adapter, proximal the opening, for operatively supporting a drive unit of a conventional blind remote control;
• a direct pinion driver operatively mountable within the opening and substantially co-axial with the opening and the pivot rod, the direct pinion driver including a hub shaft for operatively coupling to the drive unit, and a drive pinion capable of operatively coupling the gear assembly to an input of the gear mechanism;
• (b) removing the end plate from the control housing;
• (c) removing the pulley and control cord from the pivot rod;
• (d) operatively coupling the drive pinion gear to the input of the gear mechanism;
• (e) affixing the adapter unit to the control housing, within the hub shaft of the direct pinion driver substantially centrally disposed within the shaft opening;
• and
• (f) mounting a conventional drive unit of a blind remote control on the exterior of the adapter unit and operatively coupled to the direct pinion driver, such that the drive unit can cause rotation of the pivot rod, via the direct pinion driver.

A method of modifying a control mechanism of a cord-operated window blind, the control mechanism comprising a control housing including a removable end plate disposed at an end of a head rail of the blind, a pulley disposed within the control housing and operatively coupled to a pivot rod of the blind, and a control cord operatively engaged with the pulley, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a kit comprising:
• an adapter unit capable of being operatively mounted on the control housing in place of the removable end plate, the adapter unit comprising a shaft opening disposed substantially co-axially with the pivot rod, and support means disposed on an exterior surface of the adapter, proximal the opening, for operatively supporting a drive unit of a conventional blind remote control;
• a drive clutch operatively mountable within the opening and substantially co-axial with the shaft opening and the pulley, the drive clutch including a hub shaft for operatively coupling to the drive unit, and a clutch stud capable of operatively engaging a corresponding opening of the pulley;
• (b) removing the end plate from the control housing;
• (c) operatively coupling the drive clutch to the pulley;
• and
• (d) affixing the adapter unit to the control housing with the hub shaft of the drive clutch substantially centrally disposed within the shaft opening;
• and
• (e) mounting a conventional drive unit of a blind remote control on the exterior of the adapter unit and operatively coupled to the drive clutch, such that the drive unit can cause rotation of the pivot rod, via the drive clutch.