Abstract: Disclosed is a tubular core on which sheets of metal or other material can be wound and supported, for shipment, handling and dispersal, and a method for forming the core. The core comprises a metal sheet or strip which has a rectangular-ribbed cross-sectional profile comprising rectangular, flat ribs, and which is wound spirally into a tubular configuration. The core is formed by passing the strip through a plurality of roll-forming stands, to progressively form sections of the ribs and progressively define the sections into the rectangular ribbed profile in which the flat ribs collectively form a support surface for the sheets which are to be wound on the core.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tubular core on which sheets of metal or other material can be wound and supported, for shipment, handling and dispersal, and a method for forming the core. The core comprises a metal sheet or strip which has a rectangular-ribbed cross-sectional profile comprising rectangular, flat ribs, and which is wound spirally into a tubular configuration. The core is formed by passing the strip through a plurality of roll-forming stands, to progressively form sections of the ribs and progressively define the sections into the rectangular ribbed profile in which the flat ribs collectively form a support surface for the sheets which are to be wound on the core.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tubular core on which sheets of metal or other material can be wound and supported, for shipment, handling and dispersal, and a method for forming the core. The core comprises a metal sheet or strip which has a rectangular-ribbed cross-sectional profile comprising rectangular, flat ribs, and which is wound spirally into a tubular configuration. The core is formed by passing the strip through a plurality of roll-forming stands, to progressively form sections of the ribs and progressively define the sections into the rectangular ribbed profile in which the flat ribs collectively form a support surface for the sheets which are to be wound on the core.

Abstract: A spring drive system includes a housing, an extendible window cover coupled with the housing, and at least one lift cord coupled to the cover for raising and lowering the window cover. A spring drive system comprises a first spring drive spool spaced apart from a second spring drive spool and at least one spring having a storage end coupled to one of the spring drive spools and an output end coupled to the other of the spring drive spools. A first cord spool has a first cord spool axis. The lift cord extends from the first cord spool to the window cover for assisting in raising and lowering of the cover, and the spring drive system affects rotation of the first cord spool about the first cord spool axis and has no external hand-operated control cord input to raise and lower the window cover.

Abstract: A spring drive system includes a housing, an extendible window cover coupled with the housing, and at least one lift cord coupled to the cover for raising and lowering the window cover. A spring drive system comprises a first spring drive spool spaced apart from a second spring drive spool and at least one spring having a storage end coupled to one of the spring drive spools and an output end coupled to the other of the spring drive spools. A first cord spool has a first cord spool axis. The lift cord extends from the first cord spool to the window cover for assisting in raising and lowering of the cover, and the spring drive system affects rotation of the first cord spool about the first cord spool axis and has no external hand-operated control cord input to raise and lower the window cover.

Abstract: A spring drive system includes a housing, an extendible window cover coupled with the housing, and at least one lift cord coupled to the cover for raising and lowering the window cover. A spring drive system comprises a first spring drive spool spaced apart from a second spring drive spool and at least one spring having a storage end coupled to one of the spring drive spools and an output end coupled to the other of the spring drive spools. A first cord spool has a first cord spool axis. The lift cord extends from the first cord spool to the window cover for assisting in raising and lowering of the cover, and the spring drive system affects rotation of the first cord spool about the first cord spool axis and has no external hand-operated control cord input to raise and lower the window cover.

Abstract: A spring drive system includes a housing, an extendible window cover coupled with the housing, and at least one lift cord coupled to the cover for raising and lowering the window cover. A spring drive system comprises a first spring drive spool spaced apart from a second spring drive spool and at least one spring having a storage end coupled to one of the spring drive spools and an output end coupled to the other of the spring drive spools. A first cord spool has a first cord spool axis. The lift cord extends from the first cord spool to the window cover for assisting in raising and lowering of the cover, and the spring drive system affects rotation of the first cord spool about the first cord spool axis and has no external hand-operated control cord input to raise and lower the window cover.

Abstract: A window cover system includes an extendible window cover with a pair of lift cords. A lift cord pulley shaft is coupled to a pair of spaced apart lift cord pulleys. A spring drive unit has a beveled gear system with a first gear that is spring biased to resist rotation of first gear in one direction of rotation, and a second gear meshed with the first gear. The lift cord pulley shaft extends through the second gear and is configured to rotate therewith.

Abstract: A spring drive system useful for window covers is disclosed, which comprises one or more coil spring drives or flat spring drives and the combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms. The combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.

Abstract: A window cover system includes an extendible window cover that has a pair of lift cords. A lift cord pulley shaft is coupled to a pair of spaced apart lift pulleys. A spring drive unit is constructed of a beveled gear system with a first gear that is spring biased to resist rotation of the first gear in one direction of rotation, and a second gear meshed with the first gear. The lift cord pulley shaft is operably coupled to the second gear and is configured to rotate therewith. The spring drive unit has a single output and no input, and the single output is coupled to the first gear.

Abstract: A method for operating a window cover utilizes an extendible window cover having a first rail, a second rail and a pair of lift cords. The first and second rails of the window cover are movable relative to each other. According to the method, at least one of the first rail and the second rail is moved in a first direction to cause the lift cords to unwind from the lift cord pulleys, thereby rotating a lift cord pulley shaft and a set of gears. Further, at least one of the first rail and the second rail is moved in a second direction to cause the lift cords to wind on the lift cord pulleys, with the lift cord pulley shaft rotating in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A method for operating a window cover utilizes an extendible window cover having a first rail, a second rail and a pair of lift cords. The first and second rails of the window cover are movable relative to each other. According to the method, at least one of the first rail and the second rail is moved in a first direction to cause the lift cords to unwind from the lift cord pulleys, thereby rotating a lift cord pulley shaft and a set of gears. Further, at least one of the first rail and the second rail is moved in a second direction to cause the lift cords to wind on the lift cord pulleys, with the lift cord pulley shaft rotating in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A spring drive system useful for window covers is disclosed, which comprises one or more coil spring drives or flat spring drives and the combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms. The combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.