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US 9,095,908 B2Granted
Rotatable drive element for moving a window covering
AssigneeQmotion Incorporated
InventorsWillis Jay Mullet, Daniel T. Matthews, Michael D. Fox
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A curtain assembly comprises a rotatable drive element wherein at least one helical guide structure is formed on, or into, the outer surface of the drive element. A drive attachment element having a structure that communicates with the helical guide structure to move the drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated. Specific embodiments incorporate either a manual or motor-driven rotation assembly for rotating the drive element. Further specific embodiments involve a helical guide structure that comprises a helical groove and a structure that comprises a tooth that engages with the helical groove.
Claims29
A window covering assembly, comprising:
- a drive element extending a length from a first end to a second end;
- the drive element having at least one guide structure formed on or into an outer surface of the drive element;
- wherein the at least one guide structure includes at least one clockwise helical groove;
- wherein the at least one guide structure includes at least one counterclockwise helical groove;
- wherein the at least one clockwise helical groove and the at least one counterclockwise helical groove periodically intersect one another along a length of the drive element;
- a first drive attachment element having a corresponding first structure that communicates with one or more of the at least one guide structure to move the first drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated about a longitudinal axis of the drive element;
- wherein at least a portion of the drive element is hollow;
- and
- wherein the outer surface of the drive element has a circular cross-sectional shape.
6 more elements
A window covering assembly, comprising:
- a drive element having at least one guide structure formed on or into an outer surface of the drive element;
- and
- a first drive attachment element having a corresponding first structure that communicates with one or more of the at least one guide structure to move the first drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated about a longitudinal axis of the drive element;
- wherein the at least one guide structure comprises a helical guide structure;
- wherein the helical guide structure comprises a first helical groove formed into the outer surface of the drive element,
- wherein the at least one guide structure comprises a second helical groove formed into the outer surface of the drive element;
- wherein the second helical groove rotates in the same direction as the first helical groove;
- wherein the second helical groove is positioned approximately on the opposite side of the drive element from the first helical groove;
- and
- wherein the first drive attachment element further comprises a corresponding second structure that communicates with the second helical groove to move the first drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the drive element.
7 more elements
A window covering assembly, comprising:
- a drive element having a one guide structure formed on or into an outer surface of the drive element;
- a first drive attachment element having a corresponding first structure that communicates with a first groove of the guide structure and a corresponding second structure that communicates with a second groove of the guide structure to move the first drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated about a longitudinal axis of the drive element;
- and
- a second drive attachment element having a corresponding first structure that communicates with a third groove of the guide structure and a corresponding second structure that communicates with a fourth groove of the guide structure to move the second drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated about a longitudinal axis of the drive element;
- wherein when the first drive attachment element is engaged with the guide structure, rotating the drive element in a first rotational direction moves the first drive attachment element in a first axial direction along the drive element, and rotating the drive element in a second rotational direction, opposite to the first rotational direction, moves the first drive attachment element in a second axial direction along the drive element;
- and
- wherein when the second drive attachment element is engaged with the guide structure, rotating the drive element in the first rotational direction moves the second drive attachment element in the second axial direction along the drive element, and rotating the drive element in the second rotational direction moves the second drive attachment element in the first axial direction along the drive element.
4 more elements
A window covering system, comprising:
- a drive element extending a length from a first end to a second end;
- the drive element having a guide structure formed on or into an outer surface of the drive element;
- wherein the guide structure includes at least one clockwise helical groove;
- wherein the guide structure includes at least one counterclockwise helical groove;
- a first drive attachment element;
- the first drive attachment element having a first structure that communicates with a first groove of the guide structure;
- a rotation assembly for rotating the drive element operatively connected to the drive element;
- wherein the rotation assembly comprises an electrically powered motor;
- wherein the motor is positioned in alignment with the drive element such that an axis of rotation of the motor aligns with an axis of rotation of the drive element;
- and
- wherein the outer surface of the drive element has a circular cross-sectional shape;
- wherein when the drive element is rotated about a longitudinal axis, the first drive attachment element is moved along a length of the drive element.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.