# US 9,752,380 B2 · Cover for architectural openings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,380 B2 - Document ID: US9752380B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/677,987 - Filed: 2015-04-03 - Published: 2015-07-30 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2003-07-16 - Assignees: Hunter Douglas Inc. - Applicants: Hunter Douglas Inc. - Inventors: Richard Anderson; Robert E. Fisher; Donald E. Fraser; Steven R. Haarer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752380B2 ## CPC - E06B 9/322: Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives ({operating devices E06B9/68} ; devices of general interest specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material B65H75/34) - E06B 9/262: with flexibly-interconnected horizontal or vertical strips; Concertina blinds {, i.e. upwardly folding flexible screens} - E06B 9/324: Cord-locks {(cord-locks for curtains A47H3/00)} - E06B 9/80: Safety measures against dropping or unauthorised opening; Braking or immobilising devices; Devices for limiting unrolling (securing devices or arrangements for direct manual operation E06B9/78) - E06B 2009/3225: {Arrangements to aid the winding of cords rollers} - E06B 2009/3227: {Axially moving rollers} - E06B 2009/807: {Brakes preventing fast screen movement} - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) ## Abstract A cord wrapping mechanism converts linear motion to circular motion for use in coverings for architectural openings. The cord is guided onto a spool. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A covering for an architectural opening, comprising: an extendable material movable from an extended position for covering the opening to a retracted position for uncovering the opening; a drive spool mounted for rotation and operatively connected to a lift spool, with said lift spool being operatively connected to said extendable material, said drive spool configured to rotate in a first direction about a fixed axis of rotation to rotate said lift spool and extend said extendable material, said drive spool configured to rotate in a second direction about said fixed axis of rotation to rotate said lift spool and retract said extendable material, said drive spool and said lift spool being housed in a fixed rail; a drive cord having first and second ends, said first end of said drive cord being coupled to said drive spool, said drive cord extending from said drive spool, through a fixed cord emanation point, and then to said second end at a location outside of said fixed rail; and a compound arcuate guide surface which guides said drive cord between said drive spool and said cord emanation point; wherein: said guide surface projects radially outwardly away a greater distance from said drive spool where said guide surface is axially aligned with said cord emanation point and tapers to be a smaller radial distance away from said drive spool as an axial distance from said cord emanation point increases; pulling on said second end of said drive cord operates said drive spool; and said drive spool has a tapered cord-receiving surface having a larger diameter at a first axial position than at a second axial position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A covering for an architectural opening as recited in claim 1, wherein said cord-receiving surface of said drive spool has different angles of taper at different axial positions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A covering for an architectural opening as recited in claim 1, wherein: said second end of said drive cord is free; and a tassel weight is coupled to said second end. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A covering for an architectural opening as recited in claim 1, and further comprising means for providing tension on said drive cord. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A covering for an architectural opening as recited in claim 4, wherein said means for providing tension includes a tassel weight coupled to said second end of said drive cord. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A covering for an architectural opening as recited in claim 1, wherein said guide surface is shaped such that said drive cord is oriented at an angle between 80 and 100 degrees relative to said fixed axis of rotation of said drive spool as said drive cord winds around and unwinds from said cord-receiving surface. ### Claim 7 A covering for an architectural opening, comprising: an extendable material movable from an extended position for covering the opening to a retracted position for uncovering the opening; a drive spool mounted for rotation and operatively connected to a lift spool, with said lift spool being operatively connected to said extendable material, said drive spool configured to rotate in a first direction about a fixed axis of rotation to rotate said lift spool and extend said extendable material, said drive spool configured to rotate in a second direction about said fixed axis of rotation to rotate said lift spool and retract said extendable material; a drive cord having first and second ends, said first end of said drive cord being coupled to said drive spool, said drive cord extending from said drive spool and through a cord emanation point, and then to said second end at a location outside of said fixed rail; and a compound arcuate guide surface which guides said drive cord between said drive spool and said cord emanation point; wherein said guide surface is shaped such that said drive cord is oriented at an angle between 80 and 100 degrees relative to said fixed axis of rotation of said drive spool as said drive cord winds around and unwinds from said drive spool. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A covering for an architectural opening as recited in claim 7, wherein said drive spool has a tapered cord-receiving surface having a larger diameter at a first axial position than at a second axial position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A covering for an architectural opening as recited in claim 8, wherein said cord-receiving surface of said drive spool has different angles of taper at different axial positions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A covering for an architectural opening as recited in claim 7, wherein said guide surface projects radially outwardly away a greater distance from said drive spool where said guide surface is axially aligned with said cord emanation point and tapers to be a smaller radial distance away from said drive spool as an axial distance from said cord emanation point increases. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) A covering for an architectural opening as recited in claim 7, and further comprising means for providing tension on said drive cord. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A covering for an architectural opening as recited in claim 11, wherein said means for providing tension includes a tassel weight coupled to said second end of said drive cord.