Patent Application
20070144683
The present invention relates to door glass and window assemblies, and more particularly to door glass and window assemblies that include integral blinds.
The incorporation of blinds into door glass and other window assemblies has gained widespread acceptance. Typically, such assemblies include an insulated glass (IG) defining an enclosed space between two panels. The blind is positioned between the two panels, and actuators are provided outside of the glass to operate the blind (e.g. tilt and/or to raise/lower).
As an option, the blind can be “powered,” including an electric motor. A powered blind can be tilted and/or raised/lowered in response to the actuation of one or more electric switches, or a remote control. However, the incorporation of a powered blind into insulated glass presents two challenges. Specifically, the motor can burn out if the motor remains actuated after the blind has reached a physical limit (e.g. full tilt, full raising, or full lowering). Consequently, the human operator must be attentive when operating the blind, and must deactivate the motor when any physical limit is met.
The aforementioned problems are overcome in the present invention in which a door glass or other window assembly includes an improved powered blind including a clutch between the electric motor and the blind. The clutch permits the motor to continue rotating even after a physical limit or stop on the blind is reached. This construction prevents motor burn out and therefore enhances the life of the powered blind.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings.
A door glass assembly constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and generally designated 10. The assembly 10 includes a door glass 12, a frame 14, a blind 16, a drive mechanism 18, and a power pack 20. The drive mechanism 18 is powered by the power pack assembly 20 to operate the blind 16.
The door glass 12 is generally well-known to those skilled in the art. The door glass 12 includes a pair of glass panels 22 and 24 connected to and separated by a spacer frame 26. The panels are hermetically sealed to the spacer frame 26. An enclosed space 28 is defined between the glass panels 22 and 24.
The frame 14 is also generally known to those skilled in the art. The frame 14 includes an inner frame half 30 and an outer frame half 32. The two frame halves are intersecured using screws or other well-known techniques to support the door glass 12 within a door D.
The frame 14 also includes several features illustrated in
The window blind 16 also is well known to those skilled in the art. The window blind includes an actuator assembly 34 and a plurality of slats 36 suspended therefrom on a cord ladder 38. The actuator assembly includes a header 40, supports 42; barrels 44, and a rod 46. The header extends the full width of the door glass between the spacer frame to support and enclose the other components of the actuator assembly 34. The supports 42 are secured to the header 40 and rotatably support the barrels 44. The cord ladder 38 is wound around the barrels 44. The barrels 44 are fixedly mounted on the drive rod 46 so that rotation of the rod results in rotation of the barrels. As disclosed, the blind is capable of tilting the slats 36, but not raising and lowering the slats. It will be readily appreciated to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be extended to a window blind in which the slats can be raised and lowered, and/or to blinds having combinations of features. The invention can be further extended to any window covering associated with the glass assembly 12.
The drive assembly 18 includes an electric motor 50 and a clutch 52. The motor 50 is of conventional design and includes an integral gear reducer 54 and an output drive shaft 55. In the preferred embodiment, the electric motor is sold as Model No. 12GN-A4S by Sanyo.
As illustrated in
The clutch 52 (
The power pack 20 is perhaps best illustrated in
The button plate 90 includes a pair of buttons 96 and 98 physically aligned with the switches 86 and 88, respectively. The buttons 96 and 98 protrude through the holes 31a and 31b respectively in the inner frame half 30. Conventional electrical connections (not illustrated) extend between the switches 86 and 88 and the electric motor 50. Actuation of the switch 86 drives the motor and the blind slats in a first direction, and actuation of the switch 88 drives the motor and the blind slats in the opposite direction.
The glass assembly 12, frame 14, and blind 16 are fabricated and assembled in generally conventional fashion. Only the steps, features, and functions associated with the present invention are described below.
The corner key 60 is used in fabricating one corner of the spacer frame 26 to provide a means of supporting the motor 50. Also, the first clutch piece 74 is fixedly secured to the blind actuator rod 46, and the second clutch piece is fixedly secured to the output shaft 55 of the motor 50. The motor 50 is inserted into the motor mount 66 on the corner key 60, and the electrical leads 70 and 72 fit into the receptacles 68 and 69 (see
The power pack 20 is assembled and attached to the inner frame half 30. More specifically, the button plate 90 is aligned so that the two buttons 96 and 98 are positioned in the apertures 31a and 31b respectively. Finally, the board 80 having the battery support 82 and the switches 86 and 88 thereon is mounted to the inner frame by securing the screws 94 in the corresponding bosses 37 in the inner frame. Wires 100 (not shown) extend between the switches 86 and 88 and the electric motor 50 to provide power to the motor in response to actuation of the switches.
Following installation, the door glass assembly has the appearance illustrated in
The above description is that of a current embodiment of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.
