Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080230191 | Roller Clutch Assembly - The present invention is a roller clutch assembly for a roller blind which operates smoothly and quietly. The roller clutch assembly includes an elongated roller tube having first and second opposite ends and a clutch coaxially mounted to the first end of the tube. The clutch has a peripheral section rotatably mounted to a fixed hub, the peripheral section being mounted to the tube such that the tube is free to rotate. The assembly also includes an elongated rod mounted within the roller tube, the rod having opposite first and second ends, the first end of the rod being mounted to the hub of the clutch. A mount is rotatably attached to the second end of the rod for mounting the rod within the tube such that the tube and rod are substantially coaxially aligned. A coil spring is coaxially mounted onto the elongated rod, the coil spring having opposite first and second ends, the first end of the spring being fixed to the rod adjacent the first end of the rod, the second end of the spring being fixed to the mounting adaptor such that the spring can be wound and unwound on the rod by rotating the tube. The spring is stretched onto the rod sufficiently such that the spring does not kink when wound. | 09-25-2008 |
20090152422 | Adjustable Mounting Bracket for Roller Blind - The present invention is an adjustable mounting bracket for mounting a roller blind to a surface such that the roller blind can be quickly leveled. The bracket includes first and second plates, the first plate having apertures to permit the first plate to be mounted to the surface. The second plate has a mounting fixture formed thereon for mounting to the roller blind. To permit the second plate to move relative to the first plate, the second plate is provided with an elongated groove formed thereon, the second plate being movably mounted to the first member by a mounting element fixed to the first plate and passing through the groove. The mounting element and groove are dimensioned and configured to permit the second plate to slide between a first and a second position. The position of the second plate relative to the first plate is adjusted by an adjustable moving mechanism which is configured to precisely position the second plate between its first and second positions. The bracket further includes a visual indicator for visually indicating the relative position of the second plate relative to the first plate. | 06-18-2009 |
20100219311 | Chain Locking Device for Window Blind Chain - The invention is a chain locking mount for mounting the roller chain portion of a roller blind to a support surface such as a wall or window frame. The mount is configured to prevent the chain from being operated when the mount loosens from the support surface. The mount includes a housing with an aperture formed therein which is dimensioned to permit the roller chain to pass through the aperture. The mount further includes a lock member mounted adjacent the aperture, the lock member being movable between a locked position wherein the chain is prevented from moving through the aperture and an open position wherein the chain is free to move through the aperture. The mount is secured to the surface by a screw, the screw being coupled to the lock mechanism to retain the lock member in its open position when the screw is tightened to the surface. The lock member is biased towards its locked position so that the lock member moves towards its locked position when the screw is loosened from the surface. | 09-02-2010 |
20100243182 | Roller Clutch Assembly - An improved roller blind clutch assembly is disclosed for controlling the raising and lowering of a roller blind which permits the smooth raising and lowering of roller blinds even if the blinds are heavy. The improved roller blind clutch assembly includes a roller tube mount coaxially and rotatably mounted to a barrel. A clutch member is in turn coaxially and rotatably mounted to the barrel between the roller tube mount and the barrel. The clutch member has a window formed between a first and a second edge of the clutch member. A torsion locking spring is coaxially mounted to the barrel between the barrel and the clutch member. The torsion locking spring has opposite first and second ends which project into the window. The roller tube mount has an extension portion configured to extend into the window and dimensioned to fit between the first and second ends of the torsion locking spring. The extension has opposite first and second shoulders covered by a steel shim configured to fit between the extension and the torsion locking spring. The extension portion is also dimensioned and configured to maintain a gap between the extension and the torsion locking spring; thereby permitting the torsion locking spring from catching on the barrel as the clutch mechanism is used to raise and lower the blind. The extension portion has a concave face with a circular diameter less than the diameter of the torsion locking spring. | 09-30-2010 |
20110005694 | Adjustable Spring Assist for Window Coverings and Awnings - There is provided a spring assisted electric motor driven lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering a blind which permits the quick and easy matching of the spring assist pre-rotation to the torque output of the electric motor. The device includes an elongated cylinder coupled to the blind such that rotating the cylinder about its axis lifts and lowers the blind. Coupled to the elongated cylinder is an electric motor which is configured to rotate the elongated cylinder about its axis. A torsion spring is coupled to the cylinder for biasing the elongated cylinder to at least partially neutralize the weight of the blind. The torsion spring is in turn coupled to a spring preload adjuster which is configured to adjust the tension on the torsion spring by moving an adjustment member. The spring preload adjuster is further configured such that the adjustment member extends perpendicularly away from the axis of the elongated cylinder. | 01-13-2011 |
20110024064 | SPRING ASSIST FOR MULTI BAND ROLLER SHADE - A spring assist for use with multi banded roller blinds includes a plurality of torsion springs coupled between a roller tube and a shaft. Each of the torsion springs is capable of applying an individual torsion force to the roller tube relative to the shaft. Each of the torsion springs have a first and second end, the first end of each torsion spring being coupled to the shaft and the second end of each torsion spring being coupled to the roller tube. The torsion springs are coaxially aligned and each torsion spring is coupled to the shaft and to the roller tube such that the individual torsion forces of the torsion springs are applied to the roller tube in parallel and the sum total of the torsion applied to the roller tube is equal to the sum of the individual torsion forces. | 02-03-2011 |
20110114809 | Mounting Bracket for Blind - The invention is a fascia and mounting bracket combination for a blind having a head portion. The mounting bracket and fascia combination includes a mounting bracket having a first locking element and a fascia having a face portion and an extended leg. The extended leg has a proximal end adjacent the face portion and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The fascia and bracket combination further includes a second locking element formed on the fascia adjacent the distal end of the extended leg, the second locking element configured to mate with the first locking element. A release member is mounted to the mounting bracket adjacent the first locking element, the release member movable between a locked position wherein the release member is clear of the second locking element, and a release position wherein the release member bears against the second locking element sufficiently to disengage the second locking element from the first locking element. | 05-19-2011 |
20110219190 | CACHE WITH RELOAD CAPABILITY AFTER POWER RESTORATION - A method and apparatus for repopulating a cache are disclosed. At least a portion of the contents of the cache are stored in a location separate from the cache. Power is removed from the cache and is restored some time later. After power has been restored to the cache, it is repopulated with the portion of the contents of the cache that were stored separately from the cache. | 09-08-2011 |
20110226917 | Support Bracket for Mounting an End of a Roller Blind - There is disclosed a support bracket for mounting an end of a roller blind. The support bracket includes an angular bracket having a flat wall with a blind mounting element for receiving and supporting the end of the blind. A detachable support member is mounted to the flat wall, the detachable support member being configured to temporarily support the end of the blind at a position adjacent the roller blind mounting element. The detachable support member includes an elongated member having opposite first and second hooked ends, each of which is configured to hook to an aperture formed on the flat wall. A saddle portion is formed on the support member between the hooked ends. The saddle portion is movable between a locked position wherein the ends cannot be removed from the apertures and an unlocked position wherein the ends are easily removed from the apertures. | 09-22-2011 |
20110233356 | Locking Safety Bracket and Clutch for Blinds - There is disclosed an improved support bracket for mounting a clutch of a roller blind. The clutch of roller blind used with this improved bracket is the type having at least one projecting pin. The support bracket includes a bracket housing having a flat wall with at least one aperture configured to receive the projecting pin such that the pin passes through the aperture and extends past the flat wall. The aperture is configured to permit the pin to slide up and down inside the aperture between a first and second position when the pin is positioned in the aperture. The bracket also includes a spring lock member mounted to the flat wall adjacent the aperture, the spring lock positioned to partially obstruct the aperture. The spring lock member is configured such that when the pin is inserted into the aperture the spring lock is deflected out of the way to permit the pin to be inserted into the aperture. The spring lock is further configured to rebound back when the pin is moved towards its second position, the rebounded spring lock member preventing the pin from moving back towards its first position. | 09-29-2011 |
20110253657 | Roller Tube - The present invention is a roller tube for rolling up a fabric blind. The roller tube consists of an elongated tube having a length, an inner surface and an outer surface. An elongated lip is formed on the outer surface of the elongated tube and extends along the entire length of the elongated tube. The lip has a height substantially equal to the thickness of the fabric blind which is to be wound onto the roller tube. The outer surface of the elongated tube has a first cross sectional diameter at the lip and a second cross sectional diameter at an angle from the first cross sectional diameter, the first cross sectional diameter being larger than the second cross sectional diameter by the height. The inner surface of the elongated tube has a circular profile. A notch is formed on the inner surface of the elongated tube adjacent the lip, said notch extending along the length of the elongated tube. The notch and lip are parallel to the axis of the roller tube. | 10-20-2011 |
20110258814 | Cord Runner for Panel Track Window Coverings - The present invention is an improved cord runner for use with a track of a panel track window covering. The track which is used with the cord runner has a first and a second channel separated by a wall having an elongated groove separating the first and second channels. The cord runner includes a body having opposite first and second ends, opposite first and second sides, a top and a bottom, the body being dimensioned to fit within the first channel. The cord runner further includes a pair of side guides formed on the first side of the body, said pair of side guides having a T shaped profile, said pair of side guides being dimensioned to extend through the groove and into the second channel. | 10-27-2011 |
20120031572 | Low Profile Roller Shade Control Unit - There is disclosed an improved roller shade control unit having a reduced profile for use with a roller tube and roller chain. The improved roller shade control unit including a tube housing for coupling to the roller tube and a sprocket for coupling the tube housing to the chain. | 02-09-2012 |
20120061034 | Slim Bottom Bar Wedge Lock - There is disclosed a bottom bar for attachment to a lower edge of a window blind. The bottom bar includes an elongated tube having a bottom and a pair of opposing side walls separated by a space and an elongated slit extending along the tube, the slit communicating with the space. The slit is dimensioned to permit the lower edge of the window blind to pass through. The bottom bar further includes an elongated lock member dimensioned to fit within the space, the elongated lock member dimensioned to be too small to pass through the slit. The lock member has a flat side wall for attachment to the lower edge of the window blind by an adhesive. The opposing side walls of the elongated tube are tapered toward each other from the bottom towards the slit such that the opposing side walls abut the flat side wall of the lock member when the lock member moves towards the slit. | 03-15-2012 |
20120094794 | Universal Child Safety Tensioner for Roller Blind - The present invention is a tensioner for securing a loop of roller blind chain to a window frame and to a wall adjacent the window frame. The tensioner includes a member having a top portion with a peripheral edge, a bottom portion, opposite end portions, opposite side portions, and a central aperture passing through the opposite side portions and positioned between the opposite end portions and between the top and bottom portions. The central aperture is dimensioned to permit the roller blind chain to pass there through. The member has a first thickness separating the opposite first and second sides of the member and a second thickness between the central aperture and the peripheral edge, the first thickness and the second thickness each being greater than the distance separating the beads of the chain. The member is configured such that the member is mountable in both a vertical orientation on the window frame wherein the opposite side portions are oriented in horizontal alignment and the end portions are oriented in vertical alignment and a horizontal orientation wherein the opposite side portions are oriented in vertical alignment and the end portions are oriented in horizontal alignment. Finally, the top portion of the member is curved such that the loop of roller chain is positioned perpendicular to the wall when the member is mounted in its horizontal orientation. | 04-19-2012 |
20120097346 | Bottom Hem Bar - There is disclosed a bottom bar for attachment to a lower edge of a window blind. The bottom bar includes an elongated tube having a length equal to the width of the window blind. The elongated tube has first and second side walls separated by a space and an elongated slit extending along the entire elongated tube. The elongated slit communicates with the space. The elongated slit has a width. The bottom bar further includes an elongated flat member having an axis and a length equal to the width of the blind. The flat member has opposite first and second side edges, a width between the first and second side edges, and a thickness, the thickness of the elongated flat member being less than the width of the elongated slit. The width of the elongated flat member is dimensioned to be greater than the width of the slit while permitting the elongated flat member to fit entirely within the space. The first and second side walls and the width of the elongated flat member are configured such that the elongated flat member cannot rotate about its axis when the elongated flat member is within the space. The lower edge of the window blind is secured to the bottom bar by being wrapped around the elongated flat member. | 04-26-2012 |
20120177438 | Indexable Coupler for Multi-Band Roller Blinds - There is provided a coupler for coupling two adjacent roller shade bands, each band having a roller tube. The coupler includes an outer sleeve configured to couple to the roller tube of one of the roller shade bands and an inner sleeve contained within the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve having a coupler element projecting from an axis of the inner sleeve. The coupler can be partially disassembled such that the inner sleeve is movable between a retracted position wherein the inner sleeve is contained within the outer sleeve and a projected position wherein a portion of the inner sleeve projects out of the outer sleeve and away from the roller tube. The inner and outer sleeves are configured such that the inner sleeve can coaxially rotate relative to the outer sleeve when the coupler is disassembled and the inner sleeve is in its projected position. The inner and outer sleeves are further configured such that the inner sleeve cannot rotate relative to the outer sleeve when the inner sleeve is in its retracted position. | 07-12-2012 |
20120228464 | Vibration Isolation Brackets for Roller Blinds - There is disclosed a support for mounting an end of a roller blind to a structure such as a wall, ceiling and window frame. The support includes a first plate for mounting to the end of the roller blind and a second plate adjacent the first plate. The second plate has a central aperture dimensioned to receive the end of the roller blind. The support further includes a bracket for mounting the second plate to the structure. A plurality of vibration absorbing fasteners are provided for mounting the first plate to the second plate and dampening vibrations travelling from the first plate to the second plate. | 09-13-2012 |
20130068398 | Enclosure for Roller Blinds or the Like - A head box for receiving one or more roller blinds or the like. The head box comprises a pair of end plates, a front closure panel and a bottom closure panel to at least partially enclose the bottom of said head box. The end plates support one or more roller blinds when the roller blinds are received within the head box. The front closure panel extends between the end plates and is releasably securable thereto. The bottom closure panel is releasably securable to the front closure panel. | 03-21-2013 |
20130068904 | Adjustable Roller Shade Bracket - An adjustable roller shade bracket comprising a first plate, a second plate and a bracket member. The bracket member is adapted for mounting to a surface. The second plate is rotationally secured to the bracket member. The first plate is releasably securable to an end of a roller tube of a roller shade and slidably secured to the second plate such that the first plate may be slid along the second plate in a first plane. Rotation of the second plate about the bracket member through 90 degrees permits the first plate to be slid along the second plate in a plane perpendicular to the first plane. | 03-21-2013 |
20130105649 | Roller Blind End Bracket Plate | 05-02-2013 |
20130192773 | End Cap for Roller Blind Cassette - An end cap for enclosing or covering the end of a cassette of a roller blind or a roller shade. The cassette includes a roller having wound thereon a fabric having a bottom bar attached or otherwise secured thereto or thereover. The end cap comprises a wall portion and a bottom bar stop. The wall portion is releasably securable to an end of the cassette. The bottom bar stop is fixed to and extends outwardly from the wall portion and inhibits upward movement of the bottom bar beyond the elevation of the bottom bar stop when the end cap is secured to an end of the cassette. | 08-01-2013 |
20130240661 | Chain Guide for a Roller Blind or Roller Shade - A chain guide for a roller blind or roller shade of the type driven by a clutch that is activated through applying a tensile load to one end of a chain, rope or cable that engages the clutch. The chain guide comprising two or more rollers mounted to one or more structural members positioned about the end of blind. The rollers engage the chain, rope or cable and direct the chain, rope or cable onto the clutch. The rollers help to maintain the position of the chain, rope or cable adjacent the clutch and helping to eliminate contact between the chain, rope or cable and the structural members of the blind, thereby reducing the mechanical noise generated by the chain, rope or cable during operation of the blind. | 09-19-2013 |
20130306255 | Roller Tube Having Fabric Attachment Channel - There is disclosed an improved roller tube having a tubular wall, opposite ends and a channel running longitudinally on the surface of the tubular wall for receiving an attachment insert for a fabric sheet. The attachment insert includes an elongated flat member having opposite ends, opposite sides, a thickness, opposite side edges and a width. The channel includes first and second side walls with first and second lips extending perpendicularly from said walls, respectively. The first and second lips partially enclose an interior of the channel with the second lip extending further than the first lip. The lips are separated by an elongated slot having a width less than the thickness of the attachment insert. The first lip has a beveled edge angled towards the interior and the second lip has a beveled edge angled away from the interior. The insert is dimensioned to fit in the channel. | 11-21-2013 |
20140047680 | PULL CLIP FOR BOTTOM BAR OF WINDOW SHADE - A pull clip for the bottom bar of a window shade, the pull clip comprising a pair of arms joined by a bridge portion, the arms flexibly biased toward a rest position when displaced therefrom, at least a portion of the arms releasably receivable within one or more channels on the bottom bar, at least one of the arms or the bridge portion including an engagement member, the engagement member frictionally engaging the bottom bar when the arms are received within the one or more channels to restrain the movement of the pull clip along the one or more channels, the pull clip including a receiver, the receiver facilitating the attachment of a cord or wand to the pull clip. | 02-20-2014 |
20140048218 | ROLLER BLIND CONTROL MECHANISM - Here is disclosed a stopper for stopping the upward movement of a bottom bar attached to a fabric blind wound on a roller tube mounted within an elongated chamber of an elongated housing having a vertical wall. The stopper includes an elongated member having a head portion, a toe portion and a neck portion between the head and toe portion. The head portion is mountable within a mounting cavity positioned on the elongated housing adjacent the vertical wall. The mounting cavity, head portion and neck portion are dimensioned and configured to position the toe portion between the vertical wall and the roller tube when the stopper is mounted to the housing. The toe portion has a multi-position spacer element for selectively positioning the toe portion between proximate and distal positions relative to the vertical wall. | 02-20-2014 |
20140069596 | Single Cord Operated Clutch for Roller Blind - A clutch for a roller blind. The clutch comprises a drive shaft operatively connected to a drive mechanism, an idle shaft releasably coupled to the drive shaft, and a drive spring. The drive mechanism imparts rotational movement to the drive shaft. The idle shaft is operatively connected to the tube of the roller blind such that rotation of the idle shaft causes rotation of the roller blind tube. The drive spring is operatively associated with the idle shaft and with the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft in a first direction causes the drive spring to impart rotational movement to the idle shaft, thereby causing rotation of the roller blind tube. When the drive shaft is rotated in a second opposite direction the drive spring permits the drive shaft to rotate independently of the idle shaft. | 03-13-2014 |
20140166218 | Chain Guide for Dual Roller Blind - A chain guide for a dual roller blind. The dual roller blind includes a first or inner and a second or outer roller tube. The roller tubes are mounted between a common pair of end plates and have clutches at common ends that are operatively associated with the same end plate and driven by chains. The chain guide comprises at least four rollers and at least one cover plate. The rollers are each mounted on separate pins and each pin has first and second ends, with the first ends fixed to the end plate that is operatively associated with the blind's clutches. Two of the rollers are operatively associated with the inner roller tube and sized and positioned to accommodate the receipt of the chain or cord of the inner roller tube. Two of the rollers are operatively associated with the outer roller tube and sized and positioned to accommodate the receipt of the chain or cord of the outer roller tube. The cover plate covers the second ends of the pins to prevent the chains or cords from being displaced from between adjacent rollers when received therebetween. | 06-19-2014 |
20140331469 | Apparatus and Method for Use in Making Light Filtering Window Shades - An apparatus to aid in the making of a light filtering window shade from shade fabric comprised of a series of longitudinal vane members having their longitudinal edges respectively secured to front and rear fabric panels. The apparatus comprises an assembly table and a roller tube positioning rail. The table has first and second ends with the first end adapted to facilitate the cutting of the shade fabric to a desired length. The roller tube positioning rail is releasably securable to the assembly table and releasably receives a roller tube having one end of the shade fabric secured thereto. The positioning rail permits the roller tube, and the shade fabric secured thereto, to be set-off a predetermined distance from the first end of the assembly table. The positioning rail maintains the roller tube generally parallel to the first end of the assembly table. | 11-13-2014 |