For Spring Operated Roller Patents (Class 160/299)
  • Patent number: 11131090
    Abstract: A roll-up wall system including a frame having a longitudinal axis, a first roller disposed in the frame, a second roller disposed in the frame, and a tube disposed in the frame. A screen may be connected to the tube. The screen may be supported by the first roller and the second roller. Further, the screen may be movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the screen is rolled around the tube which is spaced a first distance from the first roller. In the second configuration, the screen forms a barrier adjacent the frame, and the tube is spaced a second distance from the first roller. The second distance may be less than the first distance. Also, the roll-up wall system may be an acoustic barrier which achieves a Sound Transmission Class rating ranging from approximately 31 STC to approximately 53 STC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: TUDELU LLC
    Inventor: Joel Klein
  • Patent number: 10781635
    Abstract: A fast positioning structure of a safe position limiting device of a roller blind is disclosed herein. It mainly comprises a controller having an axle rod, an axial rail limiting assembly assembled to the axle rod and having a screw member, an elastic member in the screw member, and an inner tube with which a first tooth part is provided, a touch member for limiting the inner tube in the screw member, a positioning member and a position limiting member disposed at an external of the screw member, and an outer sleeve tube disposed at an external of the screw member and having a seal cap with which a second tooth part is provided at one end thereof for corresponding to the first tooth part of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Chen Tian Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Hsiang Cheng
  • Patent number: 10724298
    Abstract: A retractable covering for an architectural opening includes a headrail in which a control system is mounted and a fabric suspended from the headrail. The fabric is mounted to be moved laterally between a rolled up retracted position and an extended position across the architectural opening. At least one roller about which the fabric can be wrapped is mounted at an end of the headrail for rotation about a vertical axis, and the system includes a flexible control element that is substantially horizontally disposed for moving the covering between extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Terrence M. Drew, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jason T. Throne
  • Patent number: 10675952
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a winding device includes a screen, a winding shaft for winding the screen, a housing portion for housing the winding shaft, and a fiber assembly that supports rotatably an end portion of the winding shaft. The present invention also discloses a winding device includes a screen, a winding shaft for winding the screen, the winding shaft having an opening at an end portion, a housing portion for housing the winding shaft, a fiber assembly that is in the opening of the winding shaft, the fiber assembly having a hole along a center line direction of the winding shaft, and a support shaft that is in the hole of the fiber assembly, the support shaft supporting the fiber assembly rotatably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: HAYASHI TELEMPU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Ogawa, Shinnosuke Kawai, Ryosuke Yaguchi
  • Patent number: 10655384
    Abstract: Example dual mode architectural structure coverings are described herein. The dual mode operation permits the covering to be operated by a motor and also manually by a user. An example dual mode architectural structure covering includes a covering, a drive shaft, a drive motor having a motor drive shaft, and a dual mode operation system. The dual mode operation system includes a bearing housing rotationally coupled with respect to the motor drive shaft and a slip clutch rotationally coupled with respect to the drive shaft. The bearing housing and the slip clutch are operatively associated with a one-way bearing. Rotation of the one-way bearing in a first direction causes the bearing to lock, while rotation of the one-way bearing in a second direction, causes the bearing to free rotate. In this manner, manual operation of the covering will not damage the motor or other shade components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick E. Foley, Mark Schwantdt, Paul Mischo
  • Patent number: 10641037
    Abstract: A cord drive assembly for raising a covering relative to an architectural structure may include a housing and at least one cord drive component mounted for rotation within the housing. Additionally, in one embodiment, the cord drive assembly may include a biasing element installed relative to the housing such that the biasing element applies a biasing force against a braking member of the cord drive assembly that biases the braking member against the cord drive component to hinder rotation of the cord drive component relative to a second cord drive component positioned within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: Richard N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10472887
    Abstract: The quick release device may comprise a shade tube, a gear wheel engaging with the shade tube, a pawl removably engaging with the gear wheel and a solenoid configured to activate the pawl. The activation of the pawl disengages the pawl from the pawl wheel and allows the shade tube to rotate. The quick release device may also include a shade tube, a rotating brake plate engaging with the shade tube, a spring configured to apply pressure to the rotating brake plate and a magnet configured to apply magnetism to the spring. In response to the magnet applying magnetism to the spring, the spring contracts and releases pressure on the rotating brake plate and allows the shade tube to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: MECHOSHADE SYSTEMS, LLC.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Hebeisen, Eugene Miroshnichenko
  • Patent number: 9963933
    Abstract: A blind body braking mechanism used in a non-cord window blind assembly is disclosed to include two take-up wheels, two one-way clutch units respectively disposed adjacent to the two take-up wheels and respectively provide one clutch wheel, two guide rods respectively disposed at one lateral side relative to one respective take-up wheel in a parallel manner relative to the axis of the take-up wheels, and two transmission cords respectively extending over one respective guide rod and wound round one respective one-way clutch wheel with respective one end thereof fixedly connected to one respective one-way clutch wheel. Subject to the functioning of the guide rods, the transmission cords can be properly wound round the respective take-up wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Chin-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 9585673
    Abstract: A surgical clip includes a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm rotatably coupled to each other and prestressed against each other into a closed position by a spring in the rotational direction, a first housing part being formed or arranged on the first clamping arm and a second housing part being formed or arranged on the second clamping arm, the housing parts forming a housing in which the spring is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Gerold Zieris, Corvin Motz, Joachim Amann
  • Patent number: 9469178
    Abstract: A roller blind curtain device for a car may include a roller blind provided between a door-side door trim and an inner panel of the car, and having a wrapping roll winding and wrapping a curtain fabric that may be drawn out to a top in a longitudinal direction of a window to block sunlight that comes in through the window, a curtain holding device positioned adjacent to the wrapping roll of the roller blind and holding the curtain fabric drawn out from the wrapping roll along the window to stop at a predetermined position, and a support frame positioned at an outlet side of the roller blind, having a first end connected to a draw-out bar formed at an end of the curtain fabric, and extended as long as a length of the curtain fabric drawn out from the roller blind to support the curtain fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Seong Muk Lee
  • Patent number: 9127500
    Abstract: A cord winding device for a Venetian blind includes a receiving unit, a resilient driving unit mounted in the receiving unit, a braking unit mounted in the receiving unit and adjacent to the resilient driving unit, and a unidirectional damping unit mounted in the receiving unit. Through cooperation between the braking unit and the resilient driving unit, during winding and unwinding of pull cords, a bottom rail can be descended slowly and stopped conveniently at any desired height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Taicang Kingfu Plastic Manufacture Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Szu-Chang Huang
  • Patent number: 8905115
    Abstract: Disclosed is a blind cord winder integrating with stopping control to allow open/close operation of the cordless blind to lift or lower the cordless blind at any positions according to user's needs. The winder primarily comprises a spool installed inside a first compartment, a force-feedback mechanism, and a braking cushion mechanism installed inside a second compartment where the force-feedback mechanism is installed in a shaft cavity of the first compartment. The force-feedback mechanism includes a shaft sleeve and a volute spring. The braking cushion mechanism includes a friction ring, a friction spring, and a trigger sleeve. The friction ring is immovably installed inside the second compartment. The friction spring is tightly plugged into the friction ring and has an extrusion end for the trigger sleeve to trigger friction variation in a single directional rotation of the trigger sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Wen-Yu Wu
  • Publication number: 20120298318
    Abstract: A mechanism for blocking the rotation of a roller blind having a winding roller with a spring drive used to block the sunshade in its set position of unwinding, immovably fixed to the holder fir the roller blind holder its winding roller, characterized in that it is built from a sleeve (1) with cams (2a), (2b), (2c), (2d) formed on its inner side and in the sleeve (1) there is located a roller (3) with a guide (4) as an oblong groove, formed above the cams (2a), (2b), (2c), (2d) on its cylindrical side and in the guide there is a ball (5) which during revolution of the roller (3) against the sleeve (1), depending on the direction of that rotation, is moved between the cams (2a), (2b), (2c), (2d) or blocked in a pocket (2e) formed in the cam (2b) in positions from I to IV, blocking or releasing relative revolution of the roller (3) and the sleeve (1). In another embodiment cams (2a), (2b), (2c), (2d) are formed on the roller (3) and the guide (4) is formed on the sleeve (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Jerzy Wolek
  • Publication number: 20120241111
    Abstract: One embodiment of a mechanism for controlling the rotation of a roller blind winding roller having a spring drive and immovably fixed to a roller blind holder and its winding roller is constructed of an outer roller (1), on which a sleeve (2) is seated. In the sleeve (2) there is rotationally seated an inner roller (4), and between the sleeve (2) and the inner roller (4) there is an annular slot filled with a breaking layer (5) formed from high viscosity medium. The inner roller (4) contains a formed driver (6) and in the sleeve (2), between the inner roller (4) and the outer roller (1) there is a break shoe (3) seated with its pin (9) in the opening (7) of the outer roller (1), and a relief (8) where the driver (6) of the inner roller (4) is seated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Jerzy Wolek
  • Patent number: 8051960
    Abstract: A braking apparatus for a blind, used to reduce the speed of a shielding member of the blind when it is lifted and lowered, in which weights are stably supported and operated without an increase in the size of the braking apparatus. The braking apparatus has a casing, a rotor rotatably supported with in the casing, and weights adapted to rotate together with the rotor in such a way that they can be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the casing. A cylindrical shaft portion and weight support portions radially projecting from the peripheral surface of the shaft portion at equal intervals in the circumferential direction are formed on the rotor. One end of each weight is swingably supported by the weight support portion extending over the axial-direction entire length of the weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nichibei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8006736
    Abstract: A device for correcting skew in roll-up retractable coverings for architectural openings includes a friction device positioned within the head rail for movement between releasably fixed positions and disposed for engagement with the fabric of the covering to regulate the rate at which the fabric is wrapped about a roller in the covering at selected locations along the length of the roller to correct for any inherent skew in the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Hoffmann, Stephen P. Smith, James L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7874343
    Abstract: A spring motor having a pot shaped housing in which a flat spiral spring is housed. The flat spiral spring is connected at one outer end to the pot-shaped housing while the inner end is coupled to a shaft or axle. To prevent radial vibrations of individual spring layers when the spring motor is wound or unwound, a damping plate is housed in the pot-shaped housing and held in pressed engagement with a side edge of the flat spiral spring. This spring motor can be combined with the wind-up shaft of roller-blind arrangements for motor vehicles, including fixed roller blinds, storage-area covers, or separating screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Melf Hansen
  • Patent number: 7451799
    Abstract: Which has the following essential elements: A drive shaft (1) joined to the rolling drum (23) of a blind (21), joined by means of a first freewheel mechanism (2) with a drive cylinder (4) which has a freeing sector (5). A cogged wheel (17) which has protuberances (18) into which fit the relevant extensions (19) of the slats (20) of the blind (21), joined via a second freewheel mechanism (15) with a blocking sector (26). A brake cylinder (7) with teeth (27) housing a brake spring (9) whose ends form stops (10), with the blocking sector (25) acting on the stops (10) in the direction to increase the apparent diameter of the brake spring (9) and the freeing sector (5) in the direction to reduce its apparent diameter. Various ratchets (28) that can lock against the teeth (27) as a function of the relative position of a transmission crown (6) on which they are articulated with respect to the drive cylinder (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Miguel Emper Sanchez
  • Patent number: 6968884
    Abstract: A modular blind transport system for a window blind application. The complete system may be assembled form a relatively small number of individual modules to obtain working systems for a very wide range of applications, including especially a category of counterbalanced blinds wherein a relatively small external input force may be used to raise or lower the blind, and/or to open or close the blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Anderson, Wendell B. Colson, Steven R. Haarer
  • Publication number: 20040226669
    Abstract: A window shade apparatus [101] utilizes a shade [107] spirally wrapped about a roller assembly [103]. A bottom rail [111] attached to the bottom end of the shade incorporates spring-biased brake assemblies engaged in longitudinal slots [115A, 115B] of side rails [117A, 117B]. The roller assembly uses a helical spring with a relatively large outer diameter, long compressed length and small wire diameter to provide relatively constant tension on the shade. The apparatus allows latchless positioning of the shade and is especially effective in windows having long lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Tony F. Webb
  • Patent number: 6467714
    Abstract: A roller for a roller blind in the shape of a tube (T) comprising a mechanism known per se is braked by means of friction, in that a compression spring (7) is compressed when the blind is pulled down and establishes a force between a collar (6) on the non-rotating rod (2) of the roller blind, and a nut (8) which is rotated by the tube. The nut has a shoulder (8a) which cooperates with a corresponding shoulder (14) at the end of the non-rotating rod. An alternative spring force is obtained by means of a piston in an air cylinder in which a calibrated exhaust opening for the air reduces the braking action when rotation is slow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: A/S Chr. Fabers Fabriker
    Inventor: Ken Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6412727
    Abstract: A roller for a roller blind in the shape of a tube (T) comprising a mechanism known per se is braked by means of friction, in that a compression spring (7) is compressed when the blind is pulled down and establishes a force between a collar (6) on the non-rotating rod (2) of the roller blind, and a nut (8) which is rotated by the tube. The nut has a shoulder (8a) which cooperates with a corresponding shoulder (14) at the end of the non-rotating rod. An alternative spring force is obtained by means of a piston in an air cylinder in which a calibrated exhaust opening for the air reduces the braking action when rotation is slow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: A/S Chr. Fabers Fabriker
    Inventors: Kim Rysholt, Ken Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 5853040
    Abstract: A cassette blind with a weighting profile at the lower end of a set of blinds and a blind drive, in which coupling elements with a winding shaft mounted in the cassette profile. Complementary coupling elements with a drive member and complementary coupling elements at a pin which can be stationarily fastened are arranged, wherein coupling elements of the drive member and of the winding shaft mutually engage each other during a rotary movement of the drive member in the winding-up direction of the blinds, and coupling elements of the winding shaft and of the pin mutually engage each other in the opposite direction. The coupling elements at the winding shaft are arranged rotatably over a predetermined angle against spring action in the winding-up direction of the blinds in order to achieve a torsionally elastic tensioning of the weighting profile at the cassette profile at the end of the winding-up movement of the blinds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Benthin Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Siegfried Benthin
  • Patent number: 5437324
    Abstract: The present invention provides a roller shade with a variable load brake and, in a modification thereof with a lift assist. The load brake includes a compressible spring surrounding a threaded rod, the spring acting against a traveling nut mounted on the rod. The compressive friction of the traveling nut against the threads of the threaded rod continually varies during raising and lowering of the shade to provide the variable load braking capability. The lift assist uses at least one torsion spring, also associated with a shaft and coupled between a nonrotating flange and a nipple rotationally anchored to the shaft. The torsion spring system is increasingly loaded when the shade is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventor: Alan R. Sternquist
  • Patent number: 4856436
    Abstract: A protective cover for electronic equipment automatically expanding by the spring action of a pair of telescoping arms (24) having a cover (48) of resilient material attached between. The arms (24) are positioned contiguous with a pair of bases (20) that are located parallel with each other on the floor on either side of the electronic equipment with a hinged cover enclosure (50) between the ends forming a "U" shape. The arms (24) are connected on the ends by a strut (26) holding the cover (48). Solenoids (58) retain the arms in a tensioned position and when electrically actuated release them. The spring action pivots the arms with its accompanying cover completely enveloping the equipment. A lever (64) arrangement overrides the solenoid action manually releasing the arms. The device is reset by manually rotating and compressing the arms while folding the cover (48) into the enclosure (50). The object is to protect expensive equipment from fire, smoke and water damage if a fire is in the vicinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: Jonathan Campbell
  • Patent number: 4838333
    Abstract: A roller blind comprising a horizontal roller for supporting the blind and mounted for rotation about its own axis, a blind having an upper edge fixed to the roller and a free lower edge, resilient means tending to bias the roller towards a position in which the blind is rolled up, and a centrifugal-mass brake for slowing the rotation of the roller during rolling up of the blind. The centrifugal-mass brake is carried by a fixed support structure outside the roller and the rotor of the brake is connected to the roller through the interposition of step-up wheels and a one-way clutch device adapted to break the connection between the rotor of the brake and the roller when the blind is lowered, the one-way clutch device and the step-up wheels also being carried by the fixed support structure, outside the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Mottura S.p.A.
    Inventor: Sergio Mottura
  • Patent number: 4535830
    Abstract: One end of the retraction spring of a lateral-traction roller shade is fastened to an interior rod that is stationary once it has been installed. The other end of the spring is fastened to a carrier bushing that rotates on the interior rod. The shaft of the shade is attached to the bushing and one end of a retention and clamping spring that surrounds the rod is fastened inside the bushing in such a way that the spring will rotate along with it. The other end of the spring is positioned in the path traveled by a drive segment on a sheave when the shade is lowered and in front of a drive rib on the bushing that is also positioned in the path. The raising of the shade is thus facilitated by the retraction spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Zundwarenfabrik Stracke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans Appel, Hermann Heidenescher
  • Patent number: 4530389
    Abstract: A roll control mechanism of a retractable awning assembly includes spring clutches to operatively control the rotation of the roll bar in each of the two opposite rotational directions. Selective locking to prevent unrolling or extension of the canopy in one situation or to prevent the rolling or winding up of the canopy in another situation is achieved. A selector device for controlling the operation of the spring clutches is located on the support arm intermediate the top end connected to the roll bar and the bottom end adapted for contacting a support surface. Control of the roll control mechanism during set-up of the awning assembly is conveniently achieved. A support locking mechanism is also included within the selector device for fixing the length of two telescope support members of the support arm. Fixing the operative length occurs simultaneously as the roll control mechanism is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: The Scott & Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Anthony W. Quinn, Donald S. McKee, Richard B. Rader
  • Patent number: 4513805
    Abstract: In roller blinds of the type having a spring-motor interposed between a fixed shaft and a tube to wind up a screen on the tube, a decelerator comprising a one-way clutch mounted on the fixed shaft, an epicyclic gearing having a sun gear, planet gears rotatably supported by the one-way clutch, and a ring gear coaxially secured to the inside of the tube, and a centrifugal brake having a brake drum secured to the inside of the tube, a rotary shaft directly connected to the sun gear, and centrifugally expansible brake shoes mounted on the rotary shaft for frictional engagement with the brake drum.The one way clutch permits the planet gears to rotate about the sun gear together with the tube when the screen is payed out. But, it prevents the planet gears from rotating about the sun gear when the screen is wound up by the spring-motor, resulting in that the sun gear or rotatary shaft rotates more rapidly in the direction opposite to the tube to force the brake shoes against the brake drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Toso Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryoichi Mase
  • Patent number: 4498517
    Abstract: A braking device for use in a spring-motor type roller blind comprising cam and brake means interposed between a rotatable tube and a fixed shaft in substitution for a centrifugal clutch. The means has a brake drum mounted on the fixed shaft, a coil spring brake mounted on the brake drum, a cam sleeve mounted on the brake drum and formed with a Y-shaped cam groove, the coil spring brake having one end fixed to the cam sleeve and the other end disposed under the bottom part of the Y-shaped cam groove, and a cam casing integrally mounted in the tube and provided with a cam pin for engagement with the cam groove. The cam pin relatively moves along the cam groove and pushes either of the opposite ends to loosen the coil spring brake when the screen is drawn and when it is released after drawn from a position except the uppermost position and fasten the same on the brake drum when it is released after drawn from the uppermost position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Toso Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryoichi Mase
  • Patent number: 4188992
    Abstract: A braking device for roller blind spring loaded rods compressing a sleeve affixed to the end of the rod carrying therein several radially movable weight segments. The shaft upon which the rod rotates carries at least one non-rotatable braking element. The centrifugal force generated on the weight segments upon a rapid rotation of the rod forces the segments to press against the braking elements slowing the rod down by friction braking. The braking elements can be flange discs mounted on or affixed to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Inventor: Bo V. Segerljung
  • Patent number: 4096904
    Abstract: A roller shade braking mechanism of the type including a pair of outwardly biased braking shoes for engaging a cylindrical brake drum. The brake shoes are urged into braking engagement by an axially positionable wedge which cams against the interior surfaces of the brake shoes to thereby produce a constantly applied braking force. Externally accessible adjustment means are also provided for adjusting the pressure exerted by said brake shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: Joanna Western Mills Company
    Inventor: John D. Donofrio