Patent Grant
8498747
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to window coverings and more specifically to drapery assemblies.
2. Background Art
Drape assemblies are used to cover openings or fixtures such as windows, screens or stages and are well known in the prior art.
Large windows may be covered by multiple drapes if necessary. However, drape assemblies most commonly fall into one of two categories: single drape assemblies or double drape assemblies. Single drape assemblies include one drape which covers the entire opening. Double drape assemblies include two drapes, each covering half the opening. Each drape in a double drape assembly is attached to a primary carrier located at the foremost edge which closes toward and opens away from the center of the opening. The two primary carriers are usually mechanically synchronized to move in unison (i.e. both are opening or both are closing).
Drape assemblies may be controlled both manually and mechanically. The simplest method involves pulling a wand attached at the foremost end of the drape or pulling the drape itself. The secondary carriers are then pushed along the drapery rod by the primary carrier or pulled along the drapery rod by tension in the drape. Although this is a simple, low-cost option, there are significant disadvantages with opening and closing drapes in this manner. Manually pulling the drape requires someone to walk the length of the opening. Additionally, it may be impractical to close large drapes with a wand due to the weight of the drapes and the force required to overcome friction in a large number of secondary carriers. Finally, the tension in the drape required to move the secondary carriers along the drapery rod 12 when closing causes damage or premature wear in the drape.
Pulley operated drape assemblies, both manual and mechanical, are among the most popular types of drape assemblies employed. Most commonly, the primary carrier is attached to a drive cord that is guided inside the drapery rod. At each end of the drapery rod, the drive cord is normally guided through a free-wheel pulley at the non-drive end and through a drive pulley at the drive end. The drive cord may be manually operated or mechanically driven.
Motor powered drapery assemblies are known in either a direct drive version or an indirect drive version. Prior Art
Those skilled in the art will recognize that despite their popularity there are significant disadvantages associated with pulley operated drape assemblies. Tension in the drape causes unnecessary wear and damage. The motors used are hard to conceal and are often noisy and distracting. Additionally, such systems are inefficient due to the indirect application of force and the friction of the pulleys and extra components. Finally, the friction and slippage in the pulleys causes the motion of the drape to be jerky and intermittent.
It is known in the prior art to directly drive the primary carrier of a drapery assembly with a motor mounted on the primary carrier. Zeeb (U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,189) discloses such a motorized drapery track assembly. The motorized drapery track assembly includes a motorized drive wheel receiving electric power through wires interconnected to the drapery trollies and controlled through external switches. Alternatively, the motorized drive wheel may be remotely controlled and receive electric power though a battery. The motorized drapery track assembly disclosed in Zeeb is particularly suited for traversing a curved track.
Those skilled in the art will recognize certain disadvantages to the prior art drapery track assembly. Routing wires along the length of the drapery rod is not aesthetically pleasing. This power and communication scheme may potentially cause mechanical malfunction as well. Wires routed in such a manner may easily become tangled in the drapery assembly components or surrounding environment. Even in the battery powered and remote controlled embodiment of the drapery track assembly, there are significant limitations. Control options are limited. Only the primary carrier may be controlled from the external switch and only by visually observing the moving primary carrier.
It is to be understood that both the general and detailed descriptions that follow are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved drapery assembly for extending and retracting a drape. The embodiments of the present invention provide these advantages and others not specifically mentioned above but described in the sections to follow.
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a drapery assembly for extending and retracting a drape. The drapery assembly includes a drapery rod comprising an electrically powered surface, a carrier held in movable linear mechanical restraint with the drapery rod, and a controller. The carrier comprises a position sensor and is configured for supporting a portion of the drape and receiving electric power from the electrically powered surface of the drapery rod. The controller is configured for supplying an electric power signal and a desired position command signal to the carrier via the electrically powered surface.
According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a drapery assembly for extending and retracting a drape. The drapery assembly includes a drapery rod comprising an electrically powered surface, a carrier held in movable linear mechanical restraint with the drapery rod, and a controller. The carrier comprises a position sensor and is configured for supporting a portion of the drape, receiving electric power from electrically powered surface, and transmitting position information to the electrically powered surface. The controller comprises a Power over Ethernet interface and is configured for receiving an electric power signal and a control input at the Power over Ethernet interface, supplying an electric power signal to the carrier via the electrically powered surface. The controller is also configured for transmitting a desired position command signal to the carrier via the electrically powered surface.
According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a drapery assembly for extending and retracting a drape. The drapery assembly includes a drapery rod comprising an electrically powered surface, a plurality of carriers, each being separately addressable and held in movable linear mechanical restraint with the drapery rod, and a controller. Each of the carriers comprises a position sensor and is configured for supporting a portion of the drape and receiving electric power from the electrically powered surface of the drapery rod. The controller is configured for transmitting a plurality of desired position command signals via the electrically powered surface. Each of the desired position command signals comprises and address and is associated with and corresponding to one the plurality of carriers.
The accompanying figures further illustrate the present invention.
The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Prior Art
The following is a list of the major elements in the drawings in numerical order.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of the disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.
The present invention involves an inventive drapery assembly. More specifically, the present invention provides a drapery assembly that extends and retracts a drape by providing power and control information to one or more carriers through a drapery rod. Advantageously this allows for advanced control of the drapery assembly.
To extend and retract the drape 13, the carrier 22 moves linearly along the length of the drapery rod 21 according to the desired position command signal transmitted by the controller 23. In an embodiment of the invention, the controller transmits the desired position signal in response to receiving a control input, which may be provided by an external control point 26. Undriven carriers 25 also support portions of the drape 13, as necessary, and are pushed or pulled along the drapery rod 21 by the carrier 22.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the desired position command signal also comprises information pertaining to the desired speed of the carrier 22. The speed of the carrier 22 may be varied to account for circumstances or application. In some instances a smooth non-disruptive motion of the drape 13 is preferred. In other instances, the drape 13 may need to be closed suddenly. This is particularly useful in certain applications such as in a theatre where large drapes are opened and closed at various times and speeds for dramatic effect.
In this embodiment, the carrier 22 fits substantially inside the hollow cavity of the drapery rod 21. The carrier 22 is free to move linearly in both directions along the length of the drapery rod 21 but is mechanically constrained from moving in either of the other two axes of motion (i.e forward/backward and up/down) with respect to the drapery rod 21. The carrier 22 additionally comprises a position sensor 221 to facilitate accurate movement along the rail. A connector 222 on the carrier 22 fits through a slot opening running the length of the bottom surface of the drapery rod 21 and is configured for connecting to the drape 13. The carrier 22 is conductively coupled to the electrically powered surface by at least two wheels in physical contact with the surface. A first wheel 223a is conductively coupled to the source path 212 and a second wheel 223b is conductively coupled to the return path 213.
In other embodiments, the drapery rod 21 may have a cross section that is non-uniform or of different dimensions. Alternatively, the drapery rod 21 may not follow a straight path and instead may follow a curved or twisted path. Additionally, the carrier 22 may couple to the drapery rod 21 in a different orientation. The carrier 22 may sit on top of the drapery rod 21, hang below the drapery rod 21 or substantially surround the drapery rod 21, so long as the carrier 22 is conductively coupled to the electrically powered surface and is held in movable linear mechanical restraint with the drapery rod 21.
The memory 226 stores information accessible by the processor 224, including instructions for execution by the processor 224. The memory 226 may be of any type capable of storing information accessible by the processor 224. Data may be retrieved, stored or modified by the processor 224 in accordance with the instructions.
The carrier 22 further comprises a position sensor 346 for providing position information to the processor 224. For example, an optical encoder may count the rotations of the drive wheel and transmit position information to the processor 224 as a digital signal. The processor may then employ the position information as feedback for accurate control of the carrier 22.
Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, the carrier 22 transmits the position information to the controller 23 for feedback and display purposes via the electrically powered surface.
To avoid interference, the carrier transmits the position information to the controller at a frequency different frequency than the controller transmits the desired position signal to the carrier. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the controller modulates the desired position command signal onto a direct current (DC) voltage signal at a first frequency, such as 100 kilohertz (kHz), and provides the modulated DC signal to the carrier 22 via the electrically powered surface of the drapery rod 21. The carrier 22 transmits the position information to the controller 23 via the electrically powered surface at a second frequency, such as 20 kHz.
In another embodiment of the invention, the carrier 22 further comprises an RF transceiver 227. The RF transceiver 227 is configured for transmitting a wireless position signal 51 comprising the position information to the controller 23 or an external control point 26 via a wireless communication channel.
In an embodiment of the invention, the controller 23 transmits the desired position command signal in response to receiving a control input. The control input received by the controller 23 may be a direct user input to the controller 23 or a wired or wireless signal from an external control point 26, such as a button panel 52 or touchpanel 53. For example, the controller 23 may receive a control input from a wall-mounted button panel 52 in response to a button actuation or similar action by the user.
The control input may also originate from a signal generator such as a timer 54 or a sensor 55. In an embodiment of the invention, a timer 54 is configured for transmitting a control input to the controller 23 at a predetermined time. The timer 54 may be set according to personal preferences or for security reasons. In another embodiment, a light sensor 55 is configured for transmitting a control input to the controller 23 in response to sensing a predetermined level of sunlight.
In embodiments of the invention, the controller 23 comprises a Power over Ethernet (PoE) interface 231. The controller 23 receives both the electric power signal and the control input from a network through the PoE interface 231. For example, the Power over Ethernet interface may be connected through category 5 cable (CAT 5) to a local area network (LAN) which contains both a power supply and multiple control points and signal generators. Additionally, through PoE interface controller 23 may interface with the internet and receive control inputs remotely, such as from a homeowner running an application on a smart phone.
The controller may also provide information to the network through the PoE interface. For example, the controller may transmit this position information received from the carrier 22 to external control points 26. In an embodiment of the invention in which the controller is connected to the Internet, the controller may transmit position information to a device in a remote location.
Each carrier 72 moves linearly along the length of the drapery rod 21 according to its corresponding desired position command signal, thereby extending and retracting the drapes 13, 63. Each carrier 72 additionally comprises a position sensor to facilitate accurate movement along the rail.
Advantageously, the plurality of carriers 72 allows for coordinated movement of and increased control options for the drapery assembly. For example, in one exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, the desired position command signals are configured to facilitate controlled and uniform movement of the carriers along the drapery rod 21. Instead of all carriers 72 travelling at the same speed and arriving at each corresponding desired position at different times, the motion of the carriers 72 is coordinated so that all carriers 72 begin movement and cease movement at substantially the same time.
Providing a plurality of carriers 72, capable of being individually addressed allows for multiple drapes to be supported and controlled along a single drapery rod 21 without any complicated mechanical connections. The extension and retraction of two drapes 13, 63 in a double drapery assembly is coordinated through the plurality of desired position command signals from the controller 23. Similarly, more than two drapes may be extended and retracted through the transmission of desired position command signals from the controller 23.
Furthermore, multiple carriers 72, each capable of being individually addressed, may be distributed on more than drapery rod, each including an electrically powered surface and in communication with the controller 23. Each of the carriers 72 further comprise a position sensor and are held in movable linear mechanical restraint with their respective drapery rod. The controller 23 is further configured to transmit an electric power signal and a plurality of desired position command signals to the carriers 72 via the electrically powered surface of the plurality of drapery rods. Advantageously, the controller 23 may coordinate the extension and retraction of multiple drapes throughout an environment.
Alternatively buttons “1” and “2” 524 may correspond to a room setting of which the shade position is one variable. For example, button “1” may correspond to a predefined setting for a dinner party. Button 1 may be programmed to dim lights, light a fireplace and fully open the shades. Button “2” may correspond to a predefined setting for vacation in which the lights are shut off and the shades are fully closed. The wireless touchpanel 53 also includes buttons 534 for selecting various shades to control, in addition to the extend, retract 531, and predefined position buttons 532.
In addition to providing control inputs, the control points shown in
To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention is a unique system in which a carrier or a plurality of carriers extend and retract a drape upon receiving electric power and a command signal from a drapery rod 21.
The following is a list of the acronyms used in the specification in alphabetical order.
Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. For example, the drapery rod may have a generally rounded cross section.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4062146 | Grossman | Dec 1977 | A |
| 4437506 | Ogita | Mar 1984 | A |
| 4471275 | Comeau | Sep 1984 | A |
| 5371447 | Boss | Dec 1994 | A |
| 5467808 | Bell | Nov 1995 | A |
| 5676189 | Zeeb | Oct 1997 | A |
| 5729103 | Domel et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
| 6085825 | Swink et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6283190 | Hu et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6755230 | Ulatowski et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
| 7832052 | Vrielink | Nov 2010 | B2 |
| 20060000558 | Fennell | Jan 2006 | A1 |
| 20070056697 | Chen | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20090283225 | Luger | Nov 2009 | A1 |
| 20110253320 | Baugh et al. | Oct 2011 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 19605273 | Aug 1997 | DE |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20120173024 A1 | Jul 2012 | US |
