Screw Operated Brake Or Stop Patents (Class 160/295)
  • Patent number: 11459822
    Abstract: A tilt-control assembly for use with an operating mechanism of an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. The tilt-control assembly includes a limiter having an external screw thread and a ball operatively associated with the screw threads so that rotation of the limiter moves the ball relative to the limiter. The screw threads may include variable pitch threads. For example, the screw thread may include a middle thread pitch in a middle portion of the screw thread and an end thread pitch adjacent to the ends of the screw thread, the middle thread pitch being smaller than the end thread pitch. In addition, the limiter and/or screw threads may include a variable diameter. The ball may be positioned within a groove including a contoured surface that substantially corresponds to the variable diameter. The ends of the screw thread may include substantially spherically shaped end portions for receiving the ball therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: David McNeill
  • Patent number: 11286715
    Abstract: A roller blind assembly includes a blind roller, a clutch assembly that includes a bracket engagement member, and a pre-torsioned spring assembly that includes a spring. The pre-torsioned spring assembly is positioned in an interior cavity of the blind roller, and exerts a torque proportional to a preset torsion of the spring to promote rotation of the blind roller relative to the bracket engagement member. Rotation of the blind roller relative to the bracket engagement member in a first direction decreases torsion in the spring while rotation of the blind roller relative to the bracket engagement member in a second direction increases torsion in the spring. The pre-torsioned spring assembly is preferably selected from a group of at least two pre-torsioned spring assemblies, each spring assembly having a different spring preset torsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Antonio Marzilli
  • Patent number: 11220860
    Abstract: A position-fixing system includes a pole, a guiding member adjacent to the pole, and a movable member fitting around the pole. The pole is immovable relative to a window covering. The guiding member includes a principal axis parallel to an extension axis of the pole, and includes a retaining face substantially extending in the direction of the principal axis, but non-coplanar with it. The movable member corresponds to the retaining face. The movements of the movable member and the guiding member are related to that of a shaft of the window covering. When the window covering is being operated, the movable member is driven to rotate around the pole, and moves along the pole and the guiding member. Due to the retaining face, the movable member keeps contacting the pole to create a friction therebetween. Therefore, the position of a covering material of the window covering can be precisely fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin Chen, Keng-Hao Nien
  • Patent number: 11125009
    Abstract: An actuating system for a window shade includes a fixed support shaft, a rotary drum pivotally connected with the support shaft and rotatable for winding or unwinding a shading structure, and a limiting mechanism at least partially disposed inside the rotary drum and including a threaded portion provided on the support shaft, a stop portion and a limiting part respectively adjacent to a first and a second end of the threaded portion, and a follower engaged with the threaded portion, the follower being rotationally coupled to the rotary drum and slidable relative to the rotary drum. The rotary drum is rotatable in a first direction to drive the follower to slide toward a first position for engagement with the limiting part, and in a second direction to drive the follower to slide toward a second position for engagement with the stop portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Teh Yor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Tien Huang, Chien-Lan Huang
  • Patent number: 10895107
    Abstract: A power assist module for use in roller tube driven products, such as roller shades. The module may be pre-wound prior to installation in a roller tube and retains its pre-wound condition, even after use, when removed from the roller tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Haarer, Richard N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10883308
    Abstract: A power assist module for use in roller tube driven products, such as roller shades. The module may be pre-wound prior to installation in a roller tube and retains its pre-wound condition, even after use, when removed from the roller tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Haarer, Richard N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10753148
    Abstract: A limiter assembly to limit extension or retraction of a blind, the limiter assembly comprising an actuator having a limit position and a free position; a first limit member selectively engageable with a blind cylinder, for movement in response to rotation of a blind cylinder during extension or retraction of the blind, the first limit member moving with respect to a stop position only when the actuator is set to the limit position; and a stop to resist movement of the first limit member past the stop position when the actuator is set to the limit position, thereby resisting further rotation of the blind cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Rollease Acmeda Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Dean John Jay
  • Patent number: 10731408
    Abstract: A displacement controlling device comprises a shaft having a displacement region, a movable unit connected to the shaft and configured to move within the displacement region, a damper connected to one end of the shaft, and a restraint unit arranged between the movable unit and the damper, wherein the restraint unit is configured to be driven by the movable unit from a first position toward a second position; the damper outputs a resistance when the restraint unit is at the first position, and the damper stops outputting the resistance if the restraint unit is at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: NIEN MADE ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shui-Dong Wei, Keng-Hao Nien
  • Patent number: 10641040
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a rotatable outer tube, a rotatable inner tube, a shade attached to the outer tube, and an operating element secured to the inner tube. The outer tube may define an elongated slot extending along a length of the outer tube and opening to an interior of the outer tube. The inner tube may be received within the outer tube. The shade may be retractable to and extendable from the outer tube. The operating element may extend through the elongated slot and may be retractable onto and extendable from the inner tube. The inner tube may rotate relative the outer tube to open and close the shade once the support sheet is in a fully extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Holt, Marcus Long, Stephen T. Wisecup
  • Patent number: 10487573
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shading device for an architectural opening comprising a shade, a drive unit for extending and retracting the shade between a first and second end position, a spindle, a first end stop, stationary connected to the spindle near a first end of the spindle and at least one travelling nut, movably arranged on the spindle and operatively connected to the drive unit so as to move towards, respectively away from the first end stop as the shade is extended, respectively retracted. The travelling nut is articulated in circumferential direction into segments, with at least two segments being detachably connectable to each other at one of their ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INDUSTRIES B.V.
    Inventor: Jorg Bohlen
  • Patent number: 10451145
    Abstract: A damping adjustment device for adjusting a damping force to a window covering system while the window covering system is expanding, wherein the damping adjustment device comprises a damping module comprising first and second damping units. The damping force is outputted by the damping module to the window covering system when the first and second damping units generate an interaction force in between by a relative motion therebetween. An adjusting module is connected to the damping module for operating with the damping module simultaneously, wherein the damping force from the damping module is adjusted by the adjusting module altering a relative position of the first damping unit and the second damping unit when the relative motion occurs therebetween. A window covering system comprises the damping adjustment device, wherein expansion speed of a covering material of the window covering system can be effectively controlled and adjusted by the damping adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin Chen, Keng-Hao Nien
  • Patent number: 10364602
    Abstract: A spring pre-tensioning device for a roll blind is provided. The pre-tensioning device includes a rotation shaft including a threaded part, with a restraining protrusion provided on the threaded part, and a locking groove. The pre-tensioning device also includes a restraining nut engaged with the threaded part of the rotation shaft, and disposed on the restraining protrusion, so as to prevent the restraining nut from moving further forward; a restraining body provided with a shaft insertion hole therein, and provided with a locking protrusion and a locking clip and a spring. The restraining body is fitted over the outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft and is fixedly connected to the spring is rotated to apply a predetermined pretension value to the spring, and is engaged with the restraining nut that is prevented from forward rotation, thereby restraining pretension of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Jae-Suk KWAK
    Inventor: Jae-Suk Kwak
  • Patent number: 10145160
    Abstract: The invention relates to a weight compensation device for a drive of a lifting door, for the position-dependent compensation of the weight force of a door leaf of the lifting door, with a force transmission unit which can be coupled to the drive in order to carry out an opening movement which raises the door leaf and a closing movement which lowers the door leaf, wherein at least one compression spring is provided which is arranged in such a way that it supports the opening movement. The invention also relates to a lifting door, in particular an industrial lifting door, which has a door leaf, with a drive, such as a motor, and with a weight compensation device according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventor: Gabrijel Rejc
  • Patent number: 9353570
    Abstract: A cordless retractable shade including an operating system for the shade that varies a biasing force of a spring to counterbalance the shade. The bottom rail of a retractable shade can be raised or lowered, and due to the operating system remains in any selected position of the covering between fully extended and fully retracted, without the use of operating cords. The system includes a method of negating and reversing the spring bias effect at a strategic position whereby the flexible vanes of the shade can be adjusted between open and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Smith, Kent A. Smith, Galen B. Rhodes, Stephen M. Winters, Kenneth M. Faller
  • Patent number: 9322214
    Abstract: The present invention relates to end stops for use in retractable coverings for architectural openings where the end stops have impact-absorbing means which are bi-directionally cushioning. The end stop will remain at a dedicated position even after being impacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Jorg Bohlen, Lars Koop
  • Patent number: 9194176
    Abstract: A damping positioner is installed in a headrail track of an automatic roll-up blind and works with an automatic winding mechanism of the roll-up blind. The damping positioner includes a positioner that is disposed in the headrail track as well as a damper that is connected at an end of the positioner and is able to rotate freely. An interior of the damper is provided with a spring assembly, a gear assembly and a brake set. The winding speed of the roll-up blind is controlled by the gear assembly and the brake set, such that the roll-up blind can be rolled up moderately. Moreover, the damping positioner is installed in the headrail track without being exposed; therefore, the integrity of appearance of the roll-up blind can be reserved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventor: Hsiao-Yin Chen
  • Publication number: 20140262076
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a stop configured to be positioned in a track channel of a guide rail for guiding a shade. Further embodiments relate to a guide rail and stop combination, where the guide rail and stop combination are configured to be used for guiding a shade. Still further embodiments relate to a shade system incorporating one or more guide rails for guiding a shade and at least one stop positioned with respect to the guide rail to control the travel of bottom bar interconnected with the shade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HOMERUN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: WILLIS JAY MULLET, DANIEL T. MATTHEWS, RICHARD SCOTT HAND
  • Patent number: 8752607
    Abstract: A covering for architectural openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. Anderson, Robert E. Fisher, II, Donald E. Fraser, Stephen R. Haarer
  • Patent number: 7857033
    Abstract: End-of-travel device (10) for roller blind actuating systems, comprising a member (22) displaceable as far as an end-of-travel position (26), coupling means (20) in engagement with the displaceable member (22) and rotationally actuated by a motor, and lever means (40) for converting the displacement of the displaceable member (22) into activation of an end-of-travel switch (60). The lever means (40) comprise a movable member (50) pivotably hinged on a frame and engageable with pressure by the displaceable member (22) when its reaches the end-of-travel position (26). The member (50) can be engaged with an actuating member (58) of the switch (60) where an actuating member of the switch (60) is positioned radially with respect to the axis of displacement of the member (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Nice SpA
    Inventor: Andrea Malausa
  • Patent number: 7234503
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reduction device for a roll screen, as a compressive piston of a reduction part comes in and out inside of a cylinder combined with a one end of inside of a winding bar, to a device being capable of winding and loosening the roll screen easily and conveniently, more particularly to a device being capable of preventing a noise, an impact and a safety-accident and being capable of operating easily without distinction of age or sex, young and old, men and women all alike, due to a winding of the roll screen by way of reducing a speed of the roll screen with a definite section while the roll screen is wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Jae-Suk Kwak
  • Patent number: 6470951
    Abstract: A structure of a blind adjustment is operated by a rail and a shaft, and comprises a leading screw, a sliding seat, two confining parts, two adjustors and a housing. The leading screw is sleeved onto the shaft and having its two ends insert through connecting ends of the housing, respectively. The sliding seat and the confining parts are both threaded sleeved onto the leading screw and accommodating in the housing. The sliding seat will be linked by rotation of the leading screw to move whereas the two confining parts are designed to rotate without moving, thus upon one post of the sliding seat reaches to a protuberance of one of the confining part, the rotation of the sliding seat is blocked which then confines movement of the adjustor to adjust the height or angle of the blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Hsiu-Chih Tao
  • Patent number: 6330903
    Abstract: A variable pitch screw is manufactured by twisting a prepared blank to the desired shape. The blank varies along its length such that it naturally twists to the desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Steve Weinreich
  • Patent number: 6135192
    Abstract: In a blind device, comprising a fixed frame 1, at least a pair of arms 5 each having an end pivotally attached to the fixed frame, a moveable frame 4 which is adapted to move toward and away from the fixed frame in a parallel relationship by rotational movements of the two arms, and a light-shielding screen 3 having one end fixedly attached to and wound around a roll 2 which is pivotally supported by the fixed frame, and another end fixedly attached to the moveable frame, characterized by that; a pivot shaft for pivotally supporting each arm on the fixed frame is incorporated with spring means 16 which resiliently urges the corresponding arm toward its upright position, and the blind device further comprises an electric actuator 17 having reverse drive preventing means for applying a rotative force to the roll so as to wind the screen thereon against a spring force of the spring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Suzuki, Masaru Inoue, Ichiro Sasuga
  • Patent number: 4429729
    Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided to prevent over tensioning of the spring motor of a window shade. The clutch assembly includes sleeve means, connected to one end of the spring motor, having an axial bore formed with internal threads which are engageable with threads formed along the window shade dowel, and also having sleeve locking means operable to engage retaining means formed on the interior surface of the window shade tube. The clutch assembly is operable to permit tensioning of the spring motor a predetermined number of turns of the window shade tube in one direction and then prevent further tensioning of the spring motor without restricting rotation of the tube in such one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Clopay Corporation
    Inventor: Randy Winslow
  • Patent number: 3965960
    Abstract: A practical and safe shower shade that is retractable for storage and extensible for use, and embodied in a housing that is anchored by opposed plates to the opposite stiles of a stall or the like, the retractile force and the extensibility being adjustable upon installation, and manual control being provided for release of the shade for its retraction into the housing for storage. The shade per se, the supporting roller and the housing elements are formed to a dimension (nominal or specified) to accomodate the stall opening, while the mounting plates, retraction means and extension limiting means remain the same for all installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Inventor: Peyton L. Massey