Back to results
US 6,644,375 B2Granted
Cordless blind brake
AssigneeNewell Window Furnishings, Inc.
InventorRoger C. Palmer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A window blind comprising a head rail, a bottom rail and a window covering extending between and operatively connected to the head rail and bottom rail. At least one lift cord extends between the bottom rail and the head rail. A spring motor operatively coupled to the lift cord applies an upward force on the bottom rail toward the head rail. A one way brake prohibits the bottom rail from moving toward the head rail but permits the bottom rail to be moved away from the head rail by an operator.
Claims42
A window blind comprising:
- a head rail;
- a bottom rail;
- a window covering extending between and operatively connected to the head rail and bottom rail;
- a lift cord extending between the bottom rail and the head rail;
- a cord spool rotatably mounted in one of the head rail and the bottom rail, an end of the lift cord proximate the one of the head rail and the bottom rail being coupled to the cord spool;
- a spring motor operatively coupled to the cord spool, the spring motor being adapted to rotate the cord spool to wind the lift cord thereon when the bottom rail moves toward the top rail, wherein the spring motor biases the bottom rail toward the head rail;
- and
- a one way brake engaging a moving component of the window blind, wherein friction of the one way brake prevents rotation of the cord spool when the bottom rail is moved toward the head rail, and permits rotation of the cord spool when the bottom rail is moved away from the head rail.
5 more elements
A window blind comprising:
- a head rail;
- a bottom rail;
- a window covering extending between and operatively connected to the head rail and bottom rail;
- a lift cord extending between the bottom rail and the head rail;
- a cord spool rotatably mounted in one of the head rail and the bottom rail, an end of the lift cord proximate the one of the head rail and the bottom rail being coupled to the cord spool;
- a spring motor operatively coupled to the cord spool, the spring motor being adapted to rotate the cord spool to wind the lift cord thereon when the bottom rail moves toward the top rail, wherein the spring motor biases the bottom rail toward the head rail;
- and
- a releasable one way brake engaging a moving component of the window blind, wherein friction of the one way brake prevents rotation of the cord spool when the bottom rail is moved in a first direction relative to the head rail, and permits rotation of the cord spool when the bottom rail is moved in a second direction relative to the head rail.
5 more elements
A window blind comprising:
- a head rail;
- a bottom rail;
- a window covering extending between and operatively connected to the head rail and bottom rail;
- a lift cord extending between the bottom rail and the head rail;
- a cord spool rotatably mounted in one of the head rail and the bottom rail, an end of the lift cord proximate the one of the head raid and the bottom rail being coupled to the cord spool;
- a spring motor operatively coupled to the cord spool, the spring motor being adapted to rotate the cord spool to wind the lift cord thereon when the bottom rail moves toward the top rail, wherein the spring motor biases the bottom rail toward the head rail;
- and
- a one way brake engaging a moving component of the window blind, wherein friction of the one way brake prevents rotation of the cord spool when the bottom rail is moved away from the head rail, and permits rotation of the cord spool when the bottom rail is moved toward the head rail.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.