Multi-section window dressing with coupling clutch
AssigneeRollease, Inc.
InventorJoseph Cannaverde
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present application pertains to a system for adjusting the height of a covering, such as window or a wall covering formed of two or more covering segments that are axially aligned. The system includes a link that selectively transmits rotation between two adjacent coverage thereby allowing the two coverings to be controlled, e.g., raised or lowered, simultaneously. The link includes a clutch that allows one of the segments to be rotated with respect to the other so that the bottom end of one of the coverings can be adjusted and aligned horizontally independently of the other. Optionally, the clutch includes an internal member that provides a mechanical advantage while the one covering is adjusted.
Claims23
A link for coupling a first window and a second window covering, said window coverings being disposed coaxially and having respective mandrels, with the mandrel of one window covering being disposed adjacent to the mandrel of the second window covering, comprising:
- a first bushing sized and shaped to be introduced telescopically into the mandrel of the first window covering, said first bushing having a shaft opening;
- a second bushing sized and shaped to be introduced telescopically into the mandrel of the second window covering, said second bushing having a shaft opening;
- a shaft extending between and through said shaft openings, said shaft transmitting rotational forces between said mandrels;
- a clutch coupled to one of said bushings and having a first mode of operation in which said mandrels are rotationally interlocked through said shaft and a second mode of operation in which one mandrel is selectively rotated with respect to the other;
- and
- a bracket disposed in between and being disconnectable from said bushings, said bracket having a hole, said shaft passing through said hole and being supported by said bracket, wherein said first bushing includes a first drum having an outer surface supporting said first window covering;
- a second drum disposed radially inwardly of said first drum and engaging said shaft and a mechanism disposed between said first and said second drums to selectively engage and disengage said drums from each other.
A link for coupling two coverings disposed end to end, said link comprising:
- a shaft extending between the adjacent ends of the two coverings and being adapted to selectively transmit rotation therebetween;
- a clutch disposed between said shaft and one of the coverings to selectively lock said one covering to said shaft to allow the shaft to rotate both coverings simultaneously, and to selectively unlock said one covering from said shaft to allow said one covering to rotate independently of said shaft;
- and
- a ring mounted on the end of one of the two coverings and arranged to selectively couple and decouple said one of the two coverings from said shaft through said clutch, said ring being accessible for manual manipulation after said coverings are mounted on a stationary support to effectuate a manual height adjustment of said one covering without moving the other covering.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.