With Spring Anchor Patents (Class 160/318)
  • Patent number: 11230884
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drive system for driving a screen, that includes an actuator designed to drive in rotation a winding tube acting on the screen, and a compensation spring which is mounted around the actuator and has several turns formed by winding a wire. The drive system includes at least one ring made of plastic material that is placed between two adjacent turns of the compensation spring, and an external radius of the ring is larger than a maximum external radius of the compensation spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventor: Adrien Brondex
  • Patent number: 9067480
    Abstract: A winding mechanism for a sunscreen for use in an open roof construction for a vehicle includes a winding tube which is rotatable around a central axis of rotation for winding and unwinding the sunscreen. At least one spring member biases the winding tube in a direction for winding the sunscreen thereon. A sleeve protects the spring member from causing noises and is manufactured of a flexible layered material, having at least a first and a second layer connected to each other and having different properties so that the layer in contact with the spring is wear resistant and the other layer has an elastic ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Johnny Elizabertus Anna Wulms
  • Patent number: 8807196
    Abstract: In a shade system with a bracket supporting a shade storage roll, an anti-reversible power spring apparatus includes a biasing member and a housing with a receiver end and a connector end where the housing encloses the biasing member and the receiver end and the connector end contain the biasing member within the housing. A connector device is connected with the housing and a receiver device is connected with the housing where the connector is connectable with a receiver and where the receiver is connectable with a connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Qmotion Incorporated
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Patent number: 8800633
    Abstract: In a shade system with a bracket supporting a shade storage roll, an anti-reversible power spring apparatus includes at least one biasing system connected with the storage roll wherein the biasing system includes a biasing member with a first end and a second end wherein the first end moves with the storage roll as the storage roll rotates and wherein the second end is held stationary with reference to the storage roll when the storage roll rotates in one direction but not when the storage roll rotates in a second direction. A support for the at least one biasing system is provided wherein the support includes a protrusion that holds the second end against movement when the storage roll is rotated in the one direction but which allows passage of the second end past the protrusion when the storage roll is rotated in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Qmotion Incorporated
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Darrin W. Brunk, Richard Scott Hand
  • Patent number: 8567476
    Abstract: A device for creating an angular biasing force for the roller tube of a security shade, which roller tube is mounted to a fixed structure of a vehicle. The device comprises an element attached to the fixed structure of the vehicle and a plurality of force units, each including a torsion spring exerting a biasing force between the structure and the roller tube, wherein the torsion springs each have a first inner end associated with the fixed structure and a second outer end associated with the roller tube so the torsion biasing force of each spring is in a direction from the fixed structure to the roller tube. The total angular force of the device is the sum of the biasing forces of all of the torsion spring force units when the units are connected in parallel. When connected in series, the magnitude of angular rotation is the sum of the angle of rotation of all units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Barnes Group Inc.
    Inventors: Philip G. Costello, Mehieddine Rababeh, Charles K. Rogers, Ronald D. Stebbeds, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8393380
    Abstract: The present invention provides a roll-up shade apparatus for a vehicle with enhanced assemblability. This roll-up shade apparatus includes a shade that opens and closes an internal opened part of a roof; a retractor that rolls up the shade from a base-end thereof; second wire drums disposed in coaxial with the retractor, a wire being wound around each of the second wire drums that winds up or feeds the wire together with an opening/closing of the shade; elastic members that engage the retractor with the second wire drums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuaki Uehara, Yoshikazu Ikeda, Hisanori Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8322396
    Abstract: In a screening arrangement comprising a top element, a bottom element, and a screening body, the top element includes two end pieces (410) and a spring-biased roller bar mounted on a roller shaft (461). The roller shaft (461) and one of the end pieces (410) constitute an integral one-piece unit formed by molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Hans Gram Andersen, Steffen Stenulm
  • Publication number: 20120167474
    Abstract: A weight compensation system is provided for a motor driven door having a door leaf that is driven by a mechanism inside guide rails on a side of the door leaf to move the door between an opened position and a closed position. The weight compensation system includes a weight-compensation device comprising a cable unit and a spring unit arranged at least on one side of the door leaf, wherein the cable unit comprises a single cable. A cable-tension compensation device at which the single cable is deflected creates two cable strands that are secured against breakage within the cable-tension compensation device. The cable-tension compensation device is positioned locally fixed or secured to the door leaf so that two cable strands move at a distance to each other, and the exposed ends of the cable are guided together and attached to the door leaf or are positioned locally fixed, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SOMMER ANTRIEBS-UND FUNKTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Gerd Schaaf
  • Patent number: 8210230
    Abstract: The invention relates to a winding shaft for a roller blind device with a winding tube (2) and a torsional tensioning device (7) that, with a first end (7a), is coupled to the winding tube (2) in a manner that enables it to rotate in relation thereto. The torsional tensioning device (7), at least with a second end, is coupled to the winding tube (20 so that it is rotationally fixed and axially displaceable in relation thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventor: Sebastian Glasl
  • Patent number: 8162026
    Abstract: A spring assembly is provided for an upward acting door that travels on a travel path while opening. The assembly includes a shaft, a torsion spring and a second spring. The torsion spring is connected to the shaft and provides a lifting force for the door throughout the travel path. The second spring is connected to the shaft and provides a lifting force for the door during only a portion of the travel path. In another aspect, a spring assembly is provided for an upward acting door that travels on a travel path while closing. The torsion spring is connected to the shaft and provides a weight supporting force for the door throughout the travel path. The second spring is connected to the shaft and provides a weight supporting force for the door during only a portion of the travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Spring Company
    Inventor: Karl Harvey Lundahl
  • Publication number: 20100236729
    Abstract: The invention concerns a gate with a section that is movable, along a preferably prescribed track that features a, for the most part, rectilinear running section, between a closed position and an open position, a controller that is designed for the purposes of controlling the gate section movement and for the generation of first control signals for preferably the purpose of stopping the gate section movement in the event of leaving the prescribed track, whereby associated with the controller is a transmitter arrangement for the purposes of generating two, three or more signals that run along approximately perpendicular to the prescribed track and approximately parallel to a, during the closing movement, preceding edge of the gate section as well as spread on sequentially arranged signal paths, in the direction of the gate section movement, whereby the signal paths during the course of the closing movement are chronologically sequentially interrupted and/or during the course of the opening movement are chronol
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: SEUSTER KG
    Inventor: Jörg Fischer
  • Patent number: 7717156
    Abstract: A device for creating an angular biasing force for the roller tube of a security shade, which roller tube is mounted to a fixed structure of a vehicle. The device comprises an element attached to the fixed structure of the vehicle and a plurality of force units, each including a torsion spring exerting a biasing force between the structure and the roller tube, wherein the torsion springs each have a first inner end associated with the fixed structure and a second outer end associated with the roller tube so the torsion biasing force of each spring is in a direction from the fixed structure to the roller tube. The total angular force of the device is the sum of the biasing forces of all of the torsion spring force units when the units are connected in parallel. When connected in series, the magnitude of angular rotation is the sum of the angle of rotation of all units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Barnes Group inc.
    Inventors: Philip G. Costello, Mehieddine Rababeh, Charles K. Rogers, Ronald D. Stebbeds, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7597132
    Abstract: A window shade for use in an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The window shade includes a roll tube having a shade panel fixed to the roll tube at one end thereof. The window shade also includes a center bearing ranged within the roll tube. The window shade also includes an end bearing arranged at each end of the tube. The window shade also includes a cord arranged over the center bearing and within, the roll tube. The window shade also has an axle arranged in each end thereof with the cord passing through an orifice and wrapped around the end of each axle within the interior of the roll tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Wieczorek, Bryan Busha
  • Publication number: 20090223641
    Abstract: A cordless roller shade includes at least an upper elongate support, a lower elongate support, an anchor seat and an automatic winding means. The anchor seat and the automatic winding means are installed on two end of the upper elongate support. A shade assembly also is provided that has an axle at one side coupling with the anchor seat and rotatable. The automatic winding means has a second cap assembly hinged a second cap inside that has a second shaft on another side. The second cap holds a wound elastic element inside. The second shaft is coupled with the axle of the shade assembly. Through rotation of the second cap the cordless roller shade can be retracted and extended easily and smoothly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Li-Ming Cheng
  • Patent number: 7549457
    Abstract: A security shade for use in an automotive vehicle. The security shade includes a roll tube having shade panel affixed to the roll tube at one end thereof. The security shade also includes a center bearing arranged around the cord and within the roll tube. The security shade further includes a compression bearing arranged at each end of the tube. The security shade may also include an end cap arranged over each end of the tube and compression bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Wieczorek, Bryan Busha
  • Patent number: 7325584
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism comprising at least one spring (3) for compensating the weight of a closing screen, said spring (3) being fixed, at one of its ends (32), to a ring (6) which is rotatably arranged around a shaft (4) having a circular cross-section. A stop spring (7) which is arranged around the shaft (4) ensures a one-way coupling between the ring (6) and the shaft (4), means (8) being provided for controlling the centripetal effort exerted on said shaft (4) by the stop spring (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: SIMU
    Inventor: Benjamin Bousson
  • Patent number: 6988527
    Abstract: A plug for operatively connecting a torsion spring onto a corresponding component of a counterbalancing mechanism of a door assembly. The plug includes a connecting portion for removably connecting the plug onto the corresponding component, a substantially cylindrical collar insertable into an end portion of the torsion spring, an anchoring portion disposed on a bottom section of the collar for cooperating with a coil of the end portion of the torsion spring so as to pivotally anchor the collar onto the end portion of the torsion spring, and a clip projecting from a top section of the collar, and being disposed at a location on the collar substantially diametrically opposite from where the anchoring portion is disposed on the bottom section of the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Canimex Inc.
    Inventors: Normand Savard, Yannick Funk
  • Patent number: 6959751
    Abstract: A winding system for winding a rolling door assembly. The winding system includes a support bracket, first and second gears. The support bracket is preferably rigidly connectable to a fixed structure of the rolling door assembly, and has a receiving device and a supporting device. The first gear is pivotally mounted about the receiving device of the support bracket and rotatable thereabout along opposite first and second directions of rotation. The second gear is pivotally mounted about the supporting device of the support bracket and rotatable thereabout along opposite first and second directions of rotation. The first gear is operatively connected to a corresponding end of the counterbalancing spring of the rolling door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Canimex Inc.
    Inventors: Normand Savard, Pierre-Louis Foucault, Philippe Larochelle
  • Patent number: 6615897
    Abstract: An apparatus for winding a spring on a shaft, such as for counterbalancing a roll-up door, includes a housing that carries a transmission which is positionable over the shaft. The transmission is configured to be coupled via a connector to one end of the spring, while the other end of the spring is fixed to the shaft. Rotation of the transmission results in a turning of the connector and a winding and/or elongation of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Industrial Door Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Dorma
  • Patent number: 6510886
    Abstract: Header to support one end of a rewind roll and to close off at least one end of the casing, used particularly for fly screens, includes: a bottom from which, along the perimeter of the side close to the casing, there is a discontinuous border that protrudes, with a number of seats for fitting the corresponding end of the said header; and a flat, monolithic part formed in the said bottom that protrudes downwards, with holes formed on the surface in order to fasten it to the uprights of an opening; wherein, in a bottom, there is a central hole with a key-way into which the end of a pin is connected and thus fixed to the part of the header. The end is mushroom shaped and is flexible, and fits into a hollow in the rear part, that is, on the side on the outside of the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Bettio Group Srl
    Inventors: Denis Bettio, Loris Bettio
  • Patent number: 6502281
    Abstract: A plug for use in a counterbalancing mechanism of a cable-operated door. The plug is mounted about an overhead shaft and used for operatively connecting the overhead shaft to a torsion spring coaxially mounted thereon. The plug includes a cylindrical collar and a cylindrical flange. The cylindrical collar has opposite first and second portions. The collar is provided with a hooking slot for hooking a free end of the torsion spring therein and the torsion spring has a segment coaxially mounted about the first portion of the collar. The cylindrical flange is rigidly affixed to the second portion of the collar. The flange is used for transferring a torque between the torsion spring and the overhead shaft when the flange is securely fixed about the overhead shaft. The plug further includes a shouldering floor of a given length faced against the hooking slot and extending inside the collar, from the second portion towards the first portion thereof, between the collar and the overhead shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Canimex Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre-Louis Foucault, Normand Savard, Rafael Guay, Samuel Tousignant
  • Patent number: 6453975
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modular roll-up partition assembly, such as a rolling protective shutter, implementing an improved tension adjustment mechanism for torsion springs used in roll-up partition assemblies. In one embodiment, the roll-up partition assembly of the present invention includes a tension adjustment mechanism to adjust the tension of a torsion spring connected between a support rod and the partition support member. The tension adjustment mechanism rotates the support rod to move the end of the torsion spring connected to the rod relative to the end of the torsion spring connected to the partition support member. Unlike previous roll-up partition assemblies which permitted adjustment of the torsion spring tension only in increments of a full rotation of the support member, the tension adjustment mechanism facilitates fine adjustment of the torsion spring in increments of less than a full rotation of the partition support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: James V. Miller
  • Publication number: 20020043351
    Abstract: A plug for use in a counterbalancing mechanism of a cable-operated door The plug is mounted about an overhead shaft and used for operatively connecting the overhead shaft to a torsion spring coaxially mounted thereon. The plug includes a cylindrical collar and a cylindrical flange. The cylindrical collar has opposite first and second portions. The collar is provided with a hooking slot for hooking a free end of the torsion spring therein and the torsion spring has a segment coaxially mounted about the first portion of the collar. The cylindrical flange is rigidly affixed to the second portion of the collar. The flange is used for transferring a torque between the torsion spring and the overhead shaft when the flange is securely fixed about the overhead shaft. The plug further includes a shouldering floor of a given length faced against the hooking slot and extending inside the collar, from the second portion towards the first portion thereof, between the collar and the overhead shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Pierre-Louis Foucault, Normand Savard, Rafael Guay, Samuel Tousignant
  • Patent number: 6123140
    Abstract: Elastic means for rolling up a roller curtain include a plurality of springs (26,27,28) fastened rigidly to a common support (15) connected to a shaft (2) and with respective support and constraint elements (36,37,38) which are geometrically coupled to the roller (19). A device for connecting the springs to a stationary frame (35) of the curtain (20) reduces the number of springs torsional turns with respect to the number of turns of the roller (19) by interposition of a speed reducer between the shaft (2), to which the springs are fastened, the stationary frame (35) and the roller (19). The shaft (2) end is located closer to the most external support and constraint element (36) and its extremity has a disc (11) mounted thereto. The coupling device together with the springs (50), their supports (15,36,37,38), the shaft (2) and an external support cylindrical body (6) form a compact assembly, which is introduced into one head of the roller (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Sunproject S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giovanni Bergamaschi
  • Patent number: 5964426
    Abstract: A roller for rewinding and tensioning a flexible element, the element having a greater length than width, includes a tubular body to which one end of the flexible element is fixed; a shaft positioned so that it is coaxial to the tubular body, the two being attached in such a way that they may rotate relative to one another about a shared axis; at least one helical spring driving element made of wire, housed in the tubular body, the ends of the spring being connected, by means of support and connecting parts, to the shaft and the tubular body so as to contrast the reciprocal rotation in the direction of unwinding of the flexible element, at least one of the support and connecting parts being able to slide along the axis of the roller on relative guides so as to position itself along the shaft, adapting each time to the variations in the axial length of the spring driving element, the variations being caused by the unwinding and rewinding of the flexible element on the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: P.E.I. PROTEZIONI ELABORAZIONI INDUSTRIAL S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giorgio Tabellini
  • Patent number: 5544691
    Abstract: A reversing mechanism for an overhead door opener is described. The reversing mechanism includes a channel-form trolley track. A centrally positioned longitudinal slot extends for the length of a bottom of the trolley track. Side openings are provided at a first end and the second end of the trolley track. A trolley plate is positioned in the trolley track with a control arm edge extending through the slot. A chain/cable return guide having an axial chain/cable receiving passage is secured to one of the opposed faces of the trolley plate. Channel engaging guide blocks project from opposed faces of the trolley plate to engage a top and the bottom of the trolley track thereby preventing the trolley plate from being withdrawn through the slot. A chain/cable is extended through the axial chain/cable receiving passage of the chain/cable return guide, looped into the trolley track from the first end and the second end and secured to the trolley plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Raymond Wandio
  • Patent number: 5172744
    Abstract: A roll-up or curtain type door is disclosed which is for use in large doorways, the door having an improved support apparatus, an improved spring mounting mechanism, and a unique bearing block which also functions to support the door as it is rolled up. The roll-up door has a substantially stronger hollow hexagonal barrel assembly which is less susceptible to flexural stress, and a spring mounting arrangement which allows the springs to shrink or grow longitudinally as the door is rolled up or down. The barrel assembly is mounted on pivoting support means allowing the barrel assembly to move away from and toward the guide tracks as the door is rolled up and down, whereby the variation in diameter of the barrel assembly does not affect the performance of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Inventors: Harry E. Finch, Geza J. Szayer
  • Patent number: 4817927
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel anchor cone and winding cone apparatus and method for mounting a coil torsion spring to an overhead door. Indicia are provided on the cones to assure proper orientation of the cones to the spring and the cone/spring assembly to the overhead door. The winding cone includes arrow indicia to clearly indicate the direction of rotation for the winding cone to increase tension on the coil torsion spring. A groove break is provided in each cone to substantially reduce chafing and wear of the corresponding coil of the coil torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Martin Door Manufacturing
    Inventor: David O. Martin
  • Patent number: 4030567
    Abstract: A spring drum including a coil spring for rotation about a shaft is provided with a cone shaped member located within a cylindrical drum. The cone shaped member is disposed in the drum coaxially with the drum and one end of the coil spring is fixed to the cone shaped member. The coil spring is shaped to have a conical form and provided around the cone shaped member. One end of the coil spring is fixed to the drum and the other end to the shaft, or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Assignees: Toshihiro Kondo, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Kondo