Patent · US Expired

Control system for coverings for architectural openings

US6129131A · kind A · utility

88Cited by
9References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 25, 1998
Grant dateOct 10, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 25, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE06B2009/905
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A control system for a vertically moveable covering for an architectural opening includes a uni-directional drive assembly that is operated with a single pull element such that upon pulling of the pull element, the covering can be raised in increments. A clutch/brake assembly selectively prevents the covering from dropping by gravity between pulling strokes on the pulling element, but a release of the brake allows the shade to drop by gravity from its retracted position to any degree of extension. A governor is further provided to regulate the rate at which the covering drops by gravity. A cord lift system which is operated by the main drive assembly and the clutch/brake assembly includes a rotatable and axially slidable spool about which a lift cord can be wound. The lift cord has one end anchored to the spool and its opposite end extended through a supporting bracket for the spool and downwardly through the covering where the opposite end is anchored to a bottom rail such that a wrapping of the lift cord about the spool lifts the bottom rail thereby causing the covering to be raised adjacent to the lift spool. The lift cord is tangentially fed to the lift spool and forced into an…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.