Control and suspension system for a covering for architectural openings
AssigneeHunter Douglas Inc.
InventorsWendell B. Colson, Brian M. Hoffmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control and suspension system for a retractable covering mounted on a rotating element includes an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-extensions of the covering and an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-retractions of the covering. The control and suspension system also includes an apparatus to compensate for any undesirable skewing of the covering that might occur. Finally, the control and suspension system also includes a bottom rail that attaches to the bottom of the covering by trapping a portion of the covering between a compression plate and a bottom plate.
Claims18
A control system for a retractable covering, wherein said retractable covering is adapted to extend across an architectural opening, said control system comprising
- a head rail including a first end, a first end cap attached to said first end of said head rail, and a roll bar rotatably mounted within said head rail;
- and
- a skew adjustment apparatus comprising
- skew plate channels on an inner surface of said first end cap;
- a plug bed on said inner surface of said first end cap;
- a skew adjustment plate for rotatably mounting said roll bar, wherein said skew adjustment plate is slidably mounted in said skew plate channels, said skew adjustment plate comprising an arcuate threaded surface;
- and
- a threaded skew adjustment plug riding in said plug bed and threadingly engaged in said arcuate threaded surface of said skew adjustment plate.
A retractable covering adapted to extend across an architectural opening, the covering comprising
- a head rail including a first end;
- a first end cap at said first end of said head rail, said first end cap having an inner surface;
- a roll bar rotatably mounted within said head rail;
- and
- a skew compensation system comprising
- skew plate channels on said inner surface of said first end cap;
- a plug bed on said inner surface of said first end cap;
- a skew adjustment plate for rotatably mounting said roll bar, wherein said skew adjustment plate is slidably mounted in said skew plate channels, said skew adjustment plate comprising an arcuate threaded surface;
- and
- a threaded skew adjustment plug riding in said plug bed and threadingly engaging said arcuate threaded surface of said skew adjustment plate.
A retractable covering adapted to extend across an architectural opening, the retractable covering comprising
- a head rail having a first end;
- a head rail mounting means for supporting said first end of said head rail;
- a covering material to selectively cover said architectural opening;
- a roll bar adapted to rotatably collect and discharge said covering material;
- a roll bar mounting means for rotatably mounting said roll bar within said head rail;
- and
- a skew compensation means for compensating for any skewing tendencies of said covering material, said skew compensation means being interposed between said head rail mounting means and said roll bar mounting means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.