Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6736185
-
Patent Number
6,736,185
-
Date Filed
Monday, July 22, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 18, 200420 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 160 107
- 160 8406
- 160 1681 R
- 160 170
- 160 171
- 160 172 R
- 160 173 R
- 160 1761 R
- 160 177 R
- 160 1783
- 192 17 D
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A fenestration product having a covering, such as a blind or shade, mounted between panes of viewing material or glass. The fenestration product including a sliding operator coupled to the covering for adjustment of the extension and contraction of the covering across a viewing area of the fenestration product. The sliding operator configured adjust tilt of tiltable components of the covering, such as blind slats, in a single operation with the extension or contraction of the covering. The fenestration product may include a removable viewing panel, such as a double glazing panel, with the sliding operator built into or mounted on the panel. The fenestration product also including an actuation system coupled to the sliding operator for controlling adjustment of extension and contraction and/or tilt of the covering. An insect screen having a sliding operator engageable with the sliding operator of the panel may also be provided.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fenestration products having window coverings positioned between glass panels and controlled by a sliding operator and to an actuation system for a window covering.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Within the art of fenestration products, such as windows and doors, it is well known that double panes of glass in a window provide better insulation than a single pane of glass. The provision of venetian type blinds or pleated shades between two panes of glass in a fenestration product is also known in the art to provide desired window or door coverage. A pleated blind between window panes is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,213 to Schnelker. A venetian or slat blind between panes of glass is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,687,040; 4,664,169 and 5,379,825. In order to utilize such blinds or shades effectively with the increased insulation of the double glass product, control mechanisms for lifting, lowering and tilting the blind or shade from one side of the window must be provided while maintaining the window seal. The art has provided cords and cables, sometimes driven by a motor or gear system, as the control mechanism. The most popular systems route the cord through an aperture drilled through the interior pane of glass.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,040 to Ball discloses a device for adjusting the tilt angle of slats of a slat blind positioned between the panes of glass. The device includes a hole in one pane of glass and a flexible cable passing through the hole. The cable is connected to a rectangular member which controls the rotation of the slats. When the cable is turned by external torque, the slats are tilted.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,213 discloses a pleated blind between double window panes and blind control means for raising and lowering the blind. One embodiment is comprised of an aperture in one pane of glass and a bolt with a center hole mounted in the aperture. An actuator cord passes through the bolt hole and further up and over a screen, if desired, thereby providing an external control mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,825 discloses a window blind between double panes of glass. One embodiment uses a lift cord and a control cord routed through a hollow screw passing through one of the panes of glass to provide external control of the blind.
The prior art has also developed more complicated control mechanisms that utilize cables and gear systems that pass through the window frame rather that the glass. U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,169 to Osaka et al. discloses a device for tilting slats of a venetian blind between double panes of glass. The device uses electrical power driving means to move a piezoelectric bimorph device in a horizontal plane. The piezoelectric bimorph device is mounted to a block having a threaded bore. The piezoelectric bimorph device mechanically moves an elongated V-shaped beam under two cross arms which control the rotation of the slats. When the beam is moved, the cross arms are tilted, thereby rotating the slats.
The complicated systems that require control mechanisms to be mounted in or routed through the window frame are relatively expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, in many of these systems gears and motors wear and then slip or fail. Many of these control devices require a head rail which is too wide to fit between the panes of those windows whose panes are not more than ¾ inches apart. Hence, these systems have never achieved the popularity of through the glass systems.
The problems of the prior art systems discussed above are not present if the control mechanism is a cord or cords routed between the edge of the interior glass panel and the window frame. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,213, Schnelker describes a pleated blind between window panes. In one preferred embodiment, the actuator cord is routed over the glass housing and any screen housing provided. An L-shaped guide having a single vertical and horizontal channel cut therein is fitted over the top edge of the glass housing. An actuator cord passes through the channel. A major problem with this system is that one cannot maintain a seal between the window frame and the edge of the glass housing. Another problem is that most blinds have four control cords, two lift cords and two tilt cords. If all four cords are routed through a single channel they tend to bind and interfere with one another.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,611,381, 6,006,813 and 6,070,638, Jelic describes a window having a blind between two panes of glass. A cord guide is provided at the top edge of the housing, with the cord guide including multiple slots for the lift and tilt cords. The cord guide maintains a seal between the window frame and the window panes and keeps the cords separated. However, in this window system, the blind is still controlled by multiple cords routed around the window panes, which still tend to present problems for the user.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a fenestration product having multiple sheets of viewing material, such as panes of glass, with an adjustable covering mounted between two of the sheets. The covering is length adjustable by extension or contraction to cover a viewing area of the fenestration product and may having tiltable components, such as blind slats. A sliding operator is coupled to the covering to provide length and tilt adjustment of the covering through bi-directional, linear movement of the sliding operator.
In one embodiment the fenestration product includes a removable viewing panel and the sliding operator is provided with the panel, either built into or mounted on the panel or sheet of viewing material of the panel. The sliding operator is coupled to a covering mounted on an opposite side of the panel from the operator to provide length adjustment of the covering and may provide tilt adjustment, as well.
In another embodiment, the fenestration product includes a covering actuation system that couples to the sliding operator and the covering. The actuation system includes a lift mechanism for length adjustment of the covering, and may include a tilt mechanism coupled to and driven by the lift mechanism for tilt adjustment of the covering.
The fenestration product may include an insect screen mountable to a frame of the product adjacent to an opening formed in the product when an openable portion of the product is opened. A covering to be adjusted is provided as part of the openable portion. The insect screen includes its own sliding operator configured to couple to the sliding operator on the product so that the covering may be adjusted when the screen is in place and the openable portion is closed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1
is a front, interior view of a fenestration product, such as a window, including a between the glass window covering and an interior insect screen.
FIG. 2
is a partial detail view of the window of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a front, interior view of a window panel removed from a window frame, including one embodiment of a sliding operator for a between-the-glass window covering in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a partial, cut-away view of the panel of FIG.
3
.
FIG. 5
is a partial detail view of the panel of
FIG. 3
showing a through-the-glass shaft.
FIG. 6
is front, interior view of window panel, including another embodiment of a sliding operator for a between-the-glass window covering in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7
is an exploded view of one embodiment of the handle portion of a sliding operator in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 8
is an exploded view of one embodiment of the pulley and shaft portion of a sliding operator in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 9
is an back, exterior view of a window panel including a between-the-glass blind and one embodiment of a window covering actuation system in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 10
is a detail, exterior view of a window covering actuation system.
FIG. 11
is a detail, interior view of the window covering actuation system of FIG.
10
.
FIG. 12
is an exploded view of one embodiment of a gear box usable with a window covering actuation system in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 13
is a perspective view of another embodiment of a gear box usable with a window covering actuation system in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 14
is an exploded view of the gear box of FIG.
13
.
FIG. 15
is a partial detail, exterior view of a window covering actuation system, including a lift spool, tilt drum and clutch/brake assembly.
FIG. 16
is an exploded view of the clutch/brake assembly of FIG.
15
.
FIG. 17
is a partial detail, exterior view of a window covering actuation system, including a tilt drum and gear box.
FIG. 18
is a partial detail, exterior view of an alternative window covering actuation system, including another embodiment of a tilt drum and another embodiment of a gear box.
FIG. 19
is a partial detail view of one embodiment of a bottom rail of a blind usable as a between-the-glass window covering, including a lift cord adjustment system.
FIG. 20
is a perspective view of a window panel and interior insect screen attachable to the window panel in accordance with the present invention, including a sliding screen operator that engages the sliding operator on the panel.
FIG. 21
is a partial detail interior view of the screen and panel combination shown in FIG.
21
.
FIG. 22
is a partial detail exterior view of the screen of
FIGS. 20 and 21
.
FIG. 23
is an exploded view of one embodiment of a drive assembly usable with the screen sliding operator shown in
FIGS. 21-23
.
FIG. 24
is an exploded detail view of one embodiment of a coupler, as shown in FIGS.
20
-
22
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the attached Figures, it is to be understood that like components are labeled with like numerals throughout the several Figures.
FIGS. 1 and 2
are a fenestration product
40
to be used in accordance with the present invention having multiple panes of viewing material, including an exterior pane
41
and an interior pane
42
, and an optional interior insect screen
44
, all set within a window frame
46
. One or more additional panes of viewing material, such as double pane
43
, may also be provided as needed to meet the efficiency and esthetic requirements of the fenestration product
40
. As used herein, the term “viewing material” refers to organic or inorganic materials that provide at least a partial barrier to the elements through which light can pass, including for example glass, plexiglass, screening materials, and the like. The viewing materials can be transparent, translucent, or partially opaque. Due to long-standing usage in the art, the terms “glass” and “pane” are synonymous with the term viewing material.
The panes of viewing material
41
,
42
,
43
are mounted within a sash
50
having a sash head
51
, a sash sill
52
and sash jambs
53
. The sash
50
is moveable to open the fenestration product
40
to allow for air flow into a building in which the fenestration product
40
is mounted. A handle
45
is commonly used to open and close the sash
50
, when desired. Positioned between the exterior and interior panes of viewing material,
41
and
42
, respectively, is a window covering
70
that may be adjusted by extending or contracting the covering
70
and/or by tilting components, such as slats
72
, of the covering
70
. Although disclosed primarily between two sheets of viewing material, the present window covering
70
can also be used on the interior side of a fenestration product
40
adjacent a single pane of viewing material.
Although shown as a casement window, the fenestration product
40
may be any of a number of types products having windows, including but not limited to openable and non-openable windows, double-hung windows, windows within doors, sliding glass or patio doors, or other windows now known or later developed to be mounted in an architectural opening within a building. Although shown as a horizontal slat blind, it is to be understood that the window covering
70
may be any of a number of types of window coverings, including but not limited to horizontal blinds, vertical blinds, or other types of blinds, roman shades, pleated shades, honeycomb shades or other types of shades, any of which are capable of being extended and/or contracted to provide a desired amount of coverage for the window, and may be adjusted by tilting slats or other components of the covering. The window covering may be constructed from materials that are opaque, partially opaque, or translucent. For certain applications, the window covering may be constructed from a transparent material that is treated to block certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet.
Referring now also to
FIGS. 3 and 4
, in this embodiment of the fenestration product
40
, the sash
50
includes a removable glass panel
60
, commonly know in the industry as a double glazing panel or DGP. The glass panel
60
includes the interior glass pane
42
mounted within a panel frame
69
having a panel head
61
, panel sill
62
and panel jambs or side walls
63
.
Referring now also to
FIGS. 3 and 4
, the glass panel
60
is shown removed from the window frame
46
and without the optional screen
44
, with an interior side
66
of the glass panel
60
facing forward. As used herein, the term “interior” generally refers to the side of the fenestration product inside a dwelling or other building and the term exterior generally refers to the outdoor side of the product. However, when the fenestration product is mounted totally inside a building, such as door or window between two indoor rooms (for example, an office door or window), then interior refers to the side of the product at which a user would normally operate the product or a window covering for the product and exterior refers to the opposite side. Multiple retractable tabs
65
are provided to secure the glass panel
60
within the sash
50
.
Along one panel jamb
63
, (in this embodiment shown on the left side of the glass panel
60
, however the other side may also be used), a sliding operator
80
is provided to control the extension/contraction and/or other adjustment of the window covering
70
. The sliding operator
80
may be installed within the panel jamb
63
during formation of the glass panel
60
or, alternatively, the sliding operator
80
may be provided as an add-on accessory and attached to the panel jamb
63
. In the latter situation, existing fenestration products
40
already installed in buildings may be retrofit with the present invention for added versatility for a consumer.
The sliding operator
80
includes a handle
87
that slidably moves along a slide channel
85
formed with a panel jamb
63
. Although shown in one position that is generally perpendicular to the glass pane
42
, the handle
87
may be repositioned generally parallel to the glass pane
42
, if desired, or may be placed in any other suitable position or location for manipulation and control of the slide channel
85
. The handle
87
is connected to a drive mechanism
86
, such that generally linear movement of the handle
87
along the slide channel
85
results in movement of the drive mechanism
86
. In one embodiment, the drive mechanism
86
includes a belt, such as a timing belt that may or may not include teeth. The belt
86
is shown mounted perpendicular to the glass pane
42
, however other mounting configurations are also possible. Optionally, the drive mechanism
86
may be, but is not limited to, a chain, perforated tape, rope, cord, or other suitable driving component.
At an intersection of panel jamb
63
and the panel head
61
, a pulley enclosure
81
is mounted. Referring now also to
FIG. 5
, within the pulley enclosure is a sprocket
83
mounted to a shaft portion
82
that extends through an aperture
45
in the glass pane
42
. Driving mechanism
86
is routed around shaft pulley
83
such that the shaft pulley
83
engages the driving mechanism
86
. Movement of the driving mechanism
86
, by sliding movement of handle
87
, thus results in rotation of shaft portion
82
. A seal
89
is configured around shaft portion
82
to maintain the integrity of space between the glass panes
52
.
Drive mechanism
86
is routed about a pair of pulleys
84
, also mounted within pulley enclosure
81
, which guide the drive mechanism
86
from the shaft pulley
83
toward the slide channel
85
. In this embodiment, guiding of the drive mechanism
86
by the pulleys
84
results in about a 90 degree direction change for the driving mechanism
86
. Adjacent to the panel sill
62
, a third pulley
88
is positioned so that the drive mechanism
86
routes around it at an opposite end of the glass panel
60
. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism
86
is configured as a continuous loop, however other configurations are also possible and within the scope of the present invention.
Referring to
FIG. 6
, an alternative embodiment of a sliding operator
180
of the present invention is shown for a removable glass panel
160
including glass pane
142
. In this embodiment, the sliding operator
180
is mounted to the glass pane
142
, instead of being configured as part of a panel jamb, such as jamb
63
as described above. The sliding operator
180
includes a slide channel
185
in which a driving mechanism
186
is routed. A handle
187
slides along slide channel
185
providing movement of the driving mechanism
186
.
Adjacent panel head
161
, a pulley enclosure
181
is mounted such that the drive mechanism
186
is routed around a shaft pulley
183
and a pair of pulleys
184
. The shaft pulley
183
is mounted on a shaft
182
that passes through the glass pane
142
. In this embodiment, with the sliding operator
180
mounted on the glass pane
142
, the sliding operator
180
may be substantially aligned with the shaft
182
, thereby removing the need for a 90 degree direction change of the driving mechanism
186
, as was described above with respect to driving mechanism
86
.
Adjacent panel sill
162
, a second pulley enclosure
190
is mounted to the glass pane
142
. Within this second pulley enclosure
190
, a second pair of pulleys
192
and a third pulley
191
are positioned to route the drive mechanism
186
in an aligned manner with respect to the first pulley enclosure
181
and the shaft
182
. In one embodiment, the drive mechanism
186
forms a continuous loop by attachment at the handle
187
, such that movement of the handle
187
generally parallel to the member
163
results in smooth, direct movement of the drive mechanism
186
and rotation of the shaft
182
.
Although the sliding operator
180
will partially obstruct the view through the glass pane
142
to some extent, in contrast to the offset sliding operator
80
located on a panel jamb
63
, the on-glass sliding operator
180
has other advantages. In particular, although the sliding operator
180
mounted to the glass pane
142
may be used with any type of fenestration product, it is especially useful with sliding glass doors, double-hung type windows or other sliding-type fenestration products. The on-glass mounting of the sliding operator
180
provides a lower profile for the fenestration product, and thus accommodates the passing of one component of a fenestration product relative to a closely adjacent component of that fenestration product.
Referring to
FIGS. 7 and 8
, another alternative embodiment of a sliding operator
280
is shown including a slide channel
285
in which a driving mechanism
286
is routed. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism
286
is a timing belt. A handle
287
slides along slide channel
285
providing movement of the timing belt
286
. A bracket
288
that mates with the timing belt
286
clamps the ends of the timing belt
286
at the handle
287
using fasteners
289
, thereby forming a continuous loop of timing belt
286
throughout the sliding operator
280
. A lower pulley
290
is secured by fastener
293
within a housing
291
that has a back plate
292
and is attached to one end of the slide channel
285
. The lower pulley
290
is mountable at or near the panel sill (not shown). The timing belt
286
is routed around the lower pulley
290
forming the lower end of the timing belt loop. The lower pulley
290
is adjustable within the housing
291
by rotation of fastener
293
, such that movement of the lower pulley
290
toward and away from the panel sill (not shown) adjusts the tension within the timing belt
286
for efficient operation of the sliding operator
280
.
A pulley enclosure
281
attached to the other end of the slide channel
285
is mountable adjacent a panel head (not shown) at an opposite end from the lower pulley
290
. The timing belt
286
is routed around a corresponding timing belt sprocket
283
and a pair of pulleys
284
mounted within a pulley housing
296
that is enclosed by cover
294
. The sprocket
283
is mountable to a shaft (not shown), such as previously described shaft portion
82
that passes through the glass pane
42
. In this embodiment, the sprocket
283
is mounted on bearings
295
within a shaft housing
297
to facilitate routing and function of the timing belt
286
, which is also aided by roller
299
attached by pin
298
to the shaft housing
297
.
Referring now to
FIG. 9
, an exterior side
67
of glass panel
60
is shown with a horizontal blind
90
attached. A sealing member
68
is provided around the circumference of the glass panel
60
in order to seal the glass panel
60
to the sash
50
when the glass panel
60
is secured to the sash
50
by retractable tabs
65
. The blind
90
includes a plurality of slats
91
that extend generally from one panel jamb
63
to the other with enough slats
91
to extend generally from the panel sill
62
(not shown) to an area adjacent the panel head
61
when the blind
90
is about fully extended. For clarity in this figure, only a portion of the plurality of slats
91
are shown. It is to be understood, that different configurations of blinds may also be used in keeping with the present invention.
In this embodiment, the plurality of slats
91
may be contracted by retraction of a plurality of lift cords
92
, as will be described in more detail below. The plurality of slats
91
may also be rotated or tilted from a generally horizontal position (as shown) to an angled orientation that is somewhat less than vertical, in either direction, by movement of a plurality of ladder cords
93
, which will also be described in more detail below. Extension/contraction and angular adjustment or tilting of the blind slats
91
allows an operator to provide desired light passage through and coverage of the glass pane
42
of the fenestration product
40
.
Referring now also to
FIGS. 10 and 11
, the blind
90
or other window covering is attached to a window covering actuation system
200
mounted to the glass panel
60
at a head channel
204
adjacent the panel head
61
. The head channel
204
has a general ‘L’ shaped cross-section formed by a sidewall
205
and a shelf
207
. The sidewall
205
includes an upper hook
206
to aid in mounting the head channel
204
to the panel head
61
. The shelf
207
includes a toe portion
208
for retaining components
203
of the actuation system
200
in the head channel
204
and, optionally, for connecting these components
203
to the head channel
204
.
As shown in
FIG. 11
, on an interior side
202
of the head channel
204
, the sidewall
205
is a generally flat wall providing a uniform and plain appearance to the interior of a dwelling or other building for an indoor viewer. Thus, an operator of the blind
90
or a viewer of or through the fenestration product
40
does not see the components
203
of the actuation system
200
, thereby providing a more pleasing appearance to the fenestration product
40
. As shown in
FIG. 10
, however, on an exterior side
201
of the head channel
204
, the components
203
may be exposed or may optionally be covered by another wall (not shown) coupled to the toe
208
, the shelf
207
or one or more of the components
203
.
In this embodiment, the components
203
of the actuation system
200
include two driving shafts, a rotating lift shaft
210
and a rotating tilt shaft
212
. For embodiments using only a non-tilting window covering, such as a shade, the tilt shaft
212
may be eliminated or provided, but not utilized. The components
203
also include a gear box
220
mounted to the head channel
204
and coupled to at least the lift shafts
210
at a first end
214
. The actuation system
200
connects to shaft
82
at gear box
220
, the shaft
82
passing through the glass pane
42
. The shaft
82
, in turn, is coupled to and driven by sliding operator
80
, such that linear motion of sliding operator
80
results in rotational motion of shaft
82
and corresponding operation of the actuation system
200
by rotational motion of lift shaft
210
.
Referring now to
FIG. 12
, one embodiment of the gear box
220
is shown in an exploded view. The gear box
220
includes a housing
221
with a cover
222
. A shaft
223
incorporates shaft portion
82
that protrudes through the glass pane
42
, as described above. Shaft
223
also includes a first bevel gear
224
mounted to or formed with the shaft
223
. A second bevel gear
225
is mounted with the housing
221
to mate with the first bevel gear
224
. A first spur gear
226
is coupled to, or formed with, the second bevel gear
225
, with the combined gears
225
,
226
mounted within the housing
221
so as to provide an external interface
227
for lift shaft
210
. A second spur gear
228
is also mounted within the housing
221
in a mating relationship with the first spur gear
227
and so as to provide an external interface
229
for tilt shaft
212
. In operation, when protruding shaft portion
82
is rotated, rotation of shaft
223
and the first bevel gear
224
results in rotation of lift shaft
210
. This rotation produces a corresponding rotation in the tilt shaft
212
through the spur gear set
226
,
227
.
The combination of the bevel gears
224
,
225
and sliding operator
80
preferably includes an amount of gear reduction, such that a full range of motion of the window covering
90
is achieved by relatively less motion of the sliding operator
80
. In one embodiment, this ratio of handle travel to covering travel is about 70 percent. The gear ratio of the gears
224
,
225
contributes in part to this travel ratio. However, also contributing to this travel ratio is the relationship of the sliding operator
80
structure to the covering actuation structure, as described below.
Referring to
FIGS. 13 and 14
, an alternative embodiment of a gear box
230
is shown including a housing
231
and a cover
232
. A shaft
233
incorporates shaft portion
82
and a first bevel gear
234
. A second bevel gear
235
is mounted to mate with the first bevel gear
234
and provide an external interface
237
for the lift shaft
210
. One or more bearings
236
supports the external interface
237
within the housing
231
. A first ball bearing
238
and a second ball bearing
239
are also provided to support shaft
233
within the housing
231
. In this embodiment, spur gears or other coupling mechanisms are not provided as part of the gear box
230
to couple the rotation of the lift shaft
210
to the rotation of the tilt shaft
212
. Instead, this coupling is provided as another component
203
of the actuation mechanism
200
, as described below.
Referring again to
FIG. 10
, the actuation system
200
also includes a plurality of lift spool assemblies
240
, preferably in a number equal to the number of lift cords
92
of blind
90
. Each lift spool assembly
240
includes a lift spool
241
mounted on a support cradle
242
mounted to and supported by the head channel
204
. The lift shaft
210
passes through each lift spool
241
with the lift spool
241
coupled to the lift shaft
210
so that rotation of the lift shaft
210
results in corresponding rotation of the lift spool
241
.
A protective shroud
243
is preferably positioned over the lift spool
241
to protect the spool
241
and lift cord
92
during operation, such as from dirt/dust contamination. In addition, the shroud
243
keeps the lift cord
92
on the spool
241
in the desired location, thereby minimizing unwanted unwinding and tangling of the lift cord
92
. As the spool
241
rotates, it shifts back and forth along the lift shaft
210
with respect to the location of the lift cord
92
. As a result, the lift spool
241
retracts into and emerges out of the shroud
243
as the lift cord
92
winds up or unwinds. The protective shroud
243
is optionally positioned over only a portion of the lift spool
241
. For example, the protective shroud
243
can be a discontinuous configuration, such as a plurality of elongated members or a perforated structure.
The actuation system
200
further includes a plurality of tilt drum assemblies
250
, preferably in a number equal to the number of ladder cords
93
. Each tilt drum assembly
250
includes a tilt drum
252
supported by a tilt drum support cradle
251
mounted to the head channel
204
. The tilt shaft
212
passes through each tilt drum
252
with the tilt drum
252
coupled to the tilt shaft
212
such that rotation of the tilt shaft
212
results in corresponding rotation of the tilt drum
252
. Each tilt drum assembly
250
is positioned adjacent to a lift spool assembly
240
to facilitate routing of the adjacent lift cords
92
and ladder cords
93
from the blind
90
, as will be described in more detail below.
Referring now to
FIG. 15
, one embodiment of a lift spool
241
is mounted adjacent tilt drum assembly
250
that includes tilt drum support cradle
251
. The lift spool
241
has a spiral groove or thread
244
(of which only a portion is shown for clarity) about which the lift cord
92
winds and unwinds upon rotation of the lift shaft
210
during operation of the actuation system
200
. The cradle
251
includes a pair of support legs
253
positioned at either end of the tilt drum
252
. The lift cord
92
passes from the lift spool
241
adjacent the tilt drum
252
and through an aperture
209
formed within the shelf
207
of head channel
204
, along with the ladder cords
93
.
In order to accommodate the routing requirements of the lift cord
92
, including its passage through aperture
209
, the lift cord
92
is preferably formed from monofilament material, including but not limited to fluorocarbon, nylon, and polyester. The monofilament produces less friction than conventional cordage materials used for window coverings, thus resulting in less binding and snagging of the lift cord
92
during operation of the window covering
90
. In addition, use of monofilament material results in less wear and thus longer life for the lift cords
92
, thereby increasing the overall life of the window covering
90
itself.
As the lift shaft
210
rotates, the lift spool
241
also rotates causing the lift cord
92
to wind up or unwind about the spool
241
, depending on the direction of rotation. With the lift cord
92
attached to a lower most slat or bottom rail
97
of the blind
90
, movement of the lift cord
92
results in retraction or extension, respectively, of the blind
90
. In order to control the rotation of the lift shaft
210
in both directions, a clutch/brake mechanism
270
is coupled to the lift shaft
210
at a second end
215
. In this embodiment, the clutch/brake mechanism
270
is supported by a mechanism support
271
mounted to the head channel
204
at shelf
207
. In one embodiment, the clutch/brake mechanism
270
is a spring clutch, however, other types or configurations of clutch and brake mechanisms may also be used.
Referring now also to
FIG. 16
, clutch/brake mechanism
270
includes not only a first shaft mounting
272
for lift shaft
210
, but also a second shaft mounting
274
for tilt shaft
212
. First shaft mounting
272
is provided within first spur gear
273
, which is in turn adjacent to and engaged with a second spur gear
275
that includes second shaft mounting
274
. As lift shaft
210
rotates and is controlled by clutch/brake mechanism
270
, rotation of the first spur gear
272
causes a corresponding rotation in second spur gear
275
, resulting in rotation of the tilt shaft
212
.
Clutch/brake mechanism
270
also includes the support housing
271
that is mountable to the head channel
204
. Configured to mount within the support housing
271
are a clutch drum
276
, coupled to a brake drum
278
. The brake drum
278
also couples with a brake spring
279
that is, in turn, keyed to the support housing
271
. The clutch drum
276
also couples to a clutch spring
277
that is in frictional contact with the brake drum
278
and the clutch drum
276
. When the window covering
90
is being lowered or trying to lower itself under its own weight, the clutch spring
277
cinches down on the brake drum
278
, resulting in the rotation of the brake drum
278
and subsequent cinching of the brake spring
279
. The brake spring
279
applies enough resistance to prevent the window covering
90
from dropping under its own weight, but does not inhibit deliberate lowering of the window covering
90
by a user using the slide operator
80
. When the window covering
90
is being raised or operated in the other direction, the clutch spring
277
spreads open, disengaging the brake drum
278
from the clutch drum
276
. Alternatively, the engagement between the lift shaft
210
and tilt shaft
212
may occur at the gear box, as will be described in more detail below with respect to
FIGS. 17 and 18
.
As described above, each tilt drum assembly
250
is preferably positioned adjacent a lift spool assembly
240
to facilitate routing of the lift and ladder cords
92
,
93
, as stated above. Referring now also to
FIG. 17
, one of the tilt drum assemblies
250
is shown with ladder cord
93
attached, but with the adjacent lift spool assembly
240
not shown for clarity. The ladder cord
93
includes two side cords
94
and a plurality of cross cords
95
spanning between the side cords
94
and positioned under each blind slat
91
. The side cords
94
extend upward through aperture
209
formed within the shelf
207
of head channel
204
. In one embodiment, these two cords
94
are wrapped around the tilt drum
252
from opposite sides, but are not secured to the drum
252
. Alternatively, the cords
94
may be secured to tilt drum
252
, if desired. The ladder cords
93
are preferably formed from conventional materials, including but not limited to braided polyester.
When the tilt drum
252
is rotated by rotation of the tilt shaft
212
, one side cord
94
will lift upward and the other cord
94
will move downward. As a result, the cross cord
95
will tilt, causing the slat
91
supported by the cross cord
95
to tilt, as well. Depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft
212
and drum
252
, the slat
91
will tilt in either direction.
As was described above, in the present invention, rotation of the tilt shaft
212
results from rotation of the lift shaft
210
due to coupling of the shafts
210
,
212
together, such as by gears located at the clutch/brake mechanism or at the gear box. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 17
, this coupling of the lift and tilt shafts
210
,
212
occurs at a gear box
260
that includes a first gear (not shown) mounted to lift shaft
210
within a housing
261
and a second gear
265
mounted to tilt shaft
212
and coupled to the first gear. The lift shaft
210
may rotate around many times during the raising and/or lowering of the blind slats
91
. However, only partial rotation of the tilt shaft
212
and tilt drum
252
are necessary to produce the desired amount of tilt for the blind slats
91
. In order to accommodate the different rotational requirements of the lift and tilt systems, the side cords
94
are wrapped about the tilt drum
252
in such a way that there is enough friction between the drum
252
and cords
94
to tilt the slats
91
as the drum
252
rotates. However, there is not enough friction to prevent the drum
252
from continuing to rotate after the slats
91
have tilted to their limit, in one direction or the other. Reversing rotation of the lift shaft
210
will repeat the process in the opposite direction.
Referring to
FIG. 18
, an alternative embodiment is shown in which the ladder cord
93
is attached to a tilt drum
292
at side cords
94
. In order to accommodate full rotation of the lift shaft
210
, an alternative gear box
280
is provided including a first spur gear
286
coupled to the lift shaft
210
and a second spur gear
288
coupled to the tilt shaft
212
. In this embodiment, the second spur gear
288
includes a circumferential toothless area
289
without gear teeth. The second spur gear
288
is positioned relative to the first spur gear
286
, such that the second spur gear
288
reaches the toothless area
298
at a tilt limit of the slats
91
, thus allowing the first spur gear
286
and lift shaft
210
to continue rotating without rotating the tilt shaft
212
or drum
252
. In a like manner, a reversal of direction by the lift shaft
210
results in tilt movement of the slat
91
in the opposite direction until the other tilt limit is reached. As would be apparent to one of skill in the art, other mechanisms for coupling the tilt drum
252
and tilt shaft
212
to the lift shaft
210
to achieve the desired range of motion are also possible and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The present invention provides a fenestration product having a window covering that is operated and adjusted by a sliding operator on the interior side of the product. No interior cords are provided or required to operate or adjust the window covering. The window covering of the present invention is particularly well suited for between-the-glass applications, but can also be used on the interior of a fenestration product. The present invention thus simplifies the window covering's operation and eliminates unsightly and potentially hazardous cords. By operation of the single sliding operator, both expansion/contraction and tilt adjustment of the window covering may be achieved.
With many types of window coverings usable with a fenestration product, lift or contraction of the covering is achieved by using lift cords, such as lift cords
92
described above. In the situation where control cords are provided, the control cords are commonly usable to adjust both the position and level of the bottom rail, such as bottom rail
97
shown in FIG.
9
. If one lift cord is shortened or lengthened differently than one or more other lift cords, the level of the bottom rail will be affected and it will not be generally horizontal. Level adjustment of the bottom rail usually then requires adjustment of the lift cords by the control cords. However, for window coverings without external cord control, such as those used in conjunction with the present invention, leveling of the bottom rail may be difficult to manage.
Referring now to
FIG. 19
, one embodiment of a bottom rail
300
is shown, including a bottom rail channel
301
. For standard window coverings (not shown), the lift cords are knotted or otherwise secured within the bottom rail channel
301
requiring adjustments to the cords to be made at drive system at the top of the window covering. In this embodiment, each lift cord
302
enters the bottom rail channel
301
and passes through a T-plug
303
that routes the lift cord
302
in about a 90 degree direction change, generally from vertical to horizontal. In addition, the T-plug
303
may be used to secure a corresponding ladder cord (not shown) to the bottom rail
300
. In one embodiment, the bottom rail channel
301
is covered by a lowest slat (not shown) of the window covering
From the T-plug
303
, the lift cord
302
is routed to and attached to a cord adjuster
304
. For window coverings having multiple lift cords
302
, multiple cord adjusters
304
may be provided. For window coverings with two cords
304
, two cord adjusters
304
are provided, preferably with one at each end of the bottom rail
300
. For wider window coverings normally baying four lift cords
304
, four cord adjusters
304
are provided, preferably with two at each end, as shown. The cord adjuster
304
is configured to move in at least one direction, so as to pull on the attached lift cord
302
. Optionally, the cord adjuster
304
may be configured to move in two directions, so as to provide more versatility in adjustment and/or readjustment of the lift cord
304
and, thus, the level of the bottom rail
300
. Cord adjuster
304
may be formed as a strip, rod or other suitable item for attachment to the lift cord
302
and adjustable movement within the bottom rail channel
301
. In one embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 19
, the cord adjuster
304
is a strip having notches or teeth
305
, such as a zip tie.
Cord adjuster
304
is mounted within bottom rail channel
301
adjacent to and engaged with a locking mechanism
306
. Locking mechanism
306
is configured to allow the cord adjuster
304
to move in one direction and to prevent movement in the other direction. Alternatively, the locking mechanism
306
may be configured for releasable engagement of the cord adjuster
304
, so that movement of the cord adjuster
304
may occur in more than one direction upon release of the locking mechanism
306
. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism
306
is a locking tab (not shown), either fixed or releasable, that engages the notches or teeth
305
of the cord adjuster
304
. This locking mechanism
306
may be formed from plastic, nylon, metal or other light, but suitable materials. Alternatively, the locking mechanism
306
may be configured for use with a cord adjuster
304
without notches or teeth
305
, and may be either fixed or releasable. This mechanism
306
may be formed from plastic, metal or other suitable materials.
In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 19
, the locking mechanism
306
is provided as part of an end cap
308
for the bottom rail
300
. The end cap
308
may be configured so that the cord adjusters
304
pass through one or more apertures
309
in the end cap
308
. Protruding portions
307
of the cord adjusters
304
may then be trimmed flush with the end cap
308
once adjustment to the lift cords
302
has been made, if desired in some embodiments. However, configurations with the cord adjusters
304
completely internal to the bottom rail channel
301
and/or separate from the end cap
308
are also possible.
In operation, once the window covering is mounted in place, the lift cords
302
may be adjusted by movement of the cord adjusters
304
, so as the shorten or lengthen the lift cords
302
. Adjustment of the lift cords
302
results in leveling adjustment of the bottom rail
300
, as desired.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, many fenestration products
40
include an optional interior insect screen
44
that may be removably positioned over the glass panel
60
from inside a room or building. For fenestration products
40
that include a sliding operator
80
of the present invention for manipulation and control of a between-the-glass window covering
70
, standard installation of the interior insect screen
44
would block a user's access to the sliding operator
80
and thus inhibit the user's control and operation of the window covering
70
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 20-24
, a screen assembly
400
is shown mounted on an interior side of glass panel
60
. The screen assembly
400
includes frame
405
having side members
406
, head member
407
and sill member
408
. Mounted within the frame
405
is an insect screen
409
. One of the side members
406
includes a screen operator
410
, including handle
411
mounted on an interior side
401
of the screen assembly
400
for slideable movement within channel
412
. A coupler
420
is also mounted for slideable movement along coupler channel
425
on the same member
406
, but on an exterior side of
402
of screen assembly
400
. Movement of the coupler
420
is tied to movement of the handle
411
, such that as handle
411
is slid along channel
412
, a drive assembly
414
produces corresponding sliding movement of the coupler
420
along coupler channel
425
. In this embodiment, the handle
411
and coupler
420
are offset from one another and driven in opposite directions from one another. As the handle
411
is slid through a full range of motion on screen assembly
400
, the coupler
420
also moves through a full range of motion.
When the screen assembly
400
is positioned against the glass panel
60
, the coupler
420
engages slide operator handle
87
. As best shown in
FIGS. 21 and 24
, coupler
420
includes first and second portions,
422
and
424
, respectively, between which the handle
87
is interposed upon installation of the screen assembly
400
. Thus, movement of handle
411
along slide channel
412
correspondingly moves coupler
420
along coupler channel
425
through drive assembly
414
, resulting in lift and tilt operation of the window blind (not shown) by movement of handle
87
.
In one embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 23
, the drive assembly
414
includes a drive mechanism
415
, such as a cord, chain, belt, tape, or other suitable device. The drive mechanism
415
is preferably routed about a pulley
416
rotatable about a shaft, pin or other axis
417
. In this embodiment, the pulley
416
is housed within a corner coupler
418
holding side member
406
to head member
407
. A cap or cover
419
may be included as needed to maintain the pulley
416
within the corner coupler
418
and/or for decorative purposes. The drive mechanism
415
is preferably a continuous loop connected at both ends to the coupler
420
.
In one embodiment, shown best in
FIG. 24
, a first end
426
of the drive mechanism
415
attaches to the coupler
420
with a knot
427
or other suitable fastening device. A second end
428
of the drive mechanism
415
attaches to a tensioner
423
provided within the first portion
422
of the coupler
420
. The tensioner
423
is configured with a plurality of teeth
430
that engage with a plurality of corresponding snap ends
431
in first portion
422
. The second end
428
is threaded into and secured to tensioner
423
, which is then snapped into first portion
422
such that the teeth
430
engage snap ends
431
. Rotation of the tensioner
423
within the first portion
422
, preferably by use of screw drive slot
432
, results in an adjustment to the tension in the drive mechanism
415
so as to maintain adequate control over movement of the coupler
420
and, thus, the handle
87
.
The present invention provides numerous advantages over other window covering systems. The present invention includes a number of subsystems, such as the sliding operator, the window covering and the window covering actuation system coupled together by a shaft passing through the glass panel for between-the-glass applications. These subsystems may be decoupled for ease of maintenance, repair, removal, cleaning, etc. The glass panel may be removed from the window sash and frame, with the sliding operator, the window covering actuation system and the window covering being removed along with the panel. Any of these subsystems may thus be dealt with as needed.
In addition, decoupling of the sliding operator from the window covering actuation system at the shaft allows for adjustment/readjustment of the sliding handle position relative to the overall window/fenestration product. In operation, a user may tip the window covering to disengage the shaft from the sliding operator, move the handle to a desired position, and then re-engage the shaft and sliding operator. With the gear reduction built into the sliding operator and window covering actuation system interface, the sliding handle may be repositioned along the length of the sliding channel to accommodate the user's needs. For example, in tall windows, the sliding operator handle may be positioned at the lower end of the channel because the upper end is out of reach of the average user. Alternatively, in doors, the sliding operator handle maybe positioned at the upper range of the channel because it is harder to stoop down low near the floor. For standard windows, on the other hand, it may be desirable to have the handle positioned in the middle of the available range of channel length. With the insect screen sliding operator of the present invention, the range of motion and position of the screen sliding handle may also be readjusted to match the range and position of the sliding operator on the fenestration product.
All of the patents and patent applications disclosed herein, including those set forth in the Background of the Invention, are hereby incorporated by reference. Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, the invention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof as modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the structures described in this application, but only by the structures described by the language of the claims and the equivalents of those structures.
Claims
- 1. A fenestration product having an adjustable covering for providing varying amounts of viewing coverage through the fenestration product, the fenestration product comprising:a sliding operator coupled to a lift mechanism and a tilt mechanism for the covering such that bi-directional, linear operation of the sliding operator results in extension and contraction of the covering by operation of the lift mechanism, depending on the direction of operation of the sliding operator, and tilt adjustment of the covering by operation of the tilt mechanism, in both directions of operation of the sliding operator, the sliding operator accessible external to the covering, wherein the fenestration product comprises at least two sheets of viewing material with the covering mounted between them and the sliding operator is coupled to a shaft extending through one of the sheets of viewing material.
- 2. The fenestration product of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sheets of viewing material comprises a removable sheet of viewing material and wherein the sliding operator and covering are mounted to the panel on opposite sides of the removable viewing material.
- 3. The fenestration product of claim 1, wherein the sliding operator is mounted to one of the sheets of viewing material on a side of the sheet of viewing material opposite to the covering.
- 4. The fenestration product of claim 1, wherein the two sheets of viewing material are sealed with the covering interposed between them within the fenestration product.
- 5. The fenestration product of claim 1, wherein the sliding operator comprises a drive mechanism coupled to a handle mounted in a channel and to a shaft, the drive mechanism transferring liner movement of the handle along the channel into rotation of the shaft.
- 6. The fenestration product of claim 5, wherein the drive mechanism comprises one of a belt, timing belt, chain, rope, perforated tape and a cord.
- 7. The fenestration product of claim 5, wherein the drive mechanism rotates generally in a plane that is substantially parallel to the sheetsof viewing material, so as to rotate the shaft mounted generally perpendicular to the sheet of viewing material.
- 8. The fenestration product of claim 5, wherein the drive mechanism comprises an endless loop and wherein the sliding operator further comprises at least one pulley about which the drive mechanism is routed.
- 9. The fenestration product of claim 1, further comprising a covering actuation system coupled to both the sliding operator and the covering, the covering actuation system configured to adjust the covering in response to operation of the sliding operator with the covering actuation system including the lift mechanism and the tilt mechanism.
- 10. The fenestration product of claim 1, wherein the lift mechanism comprises a lift shaft mounted generally perpendicular to an operator shaft coupled to the sliding operator, the lift shaft coupled to a gear box driven by the operator shaft, such that rotation of the operator shaft by operation of the sliding operator results in corresponding rotation of the lift shaft and wherein the tilt mechanism comprises a tilt shaft coupled to the lift shaft, such that rotation of the lift shaft results in corresponding rotation of the tilt shaft.
- 11. The fenestration product of claim 10, wherein the tilt shaft is coupled to the lift shaft at the gear box.
- 12. The fenestration product of claim 10, wherein the lift mechanism further comprises a clutch and brake mechanism coupled to the lift shaft for controlling extension of the covering due to its own weight.
- 13. The fenestration product of claim 12, wherein the tilt shaft is coupled to the lift shaft at the clutch and brake mechanism.
- 14. The fenestration product of claim 1 wherein the lift mechanism comprises a lift spool about which a lift cord is wound or unwound upon contraction or extension, respectively, of the covering during operation of the sliding operator.
- 15. The fenestration product of claim 1 comprising a monofilament lift cord.
- 16. The fenestration product of claim 1 comprising a lift cord coupled to a covering leveling mechanism mounted in an end most component of the covering, the leveling mechanism comprising a cord adjuster configured to adjust a length of the lift cord with respect to a covering actuation system.
- 17. The fenestration product of claim 1 wherein the tilt mechanism comprises a tilt drum coupled to a tilt shaft and a ladder cord coupled to the tilt drum, the ladder cord also coupled to tiltable components of the covering, such that operation of the lift mechanism results in rotation of the tilt shall and tilt drum causing movement of the ladder cord and resulting tilting of the tiltable components of the covering.
- 18. The fenestration product of claim 1 wherein the lift mechanism comprises a lift spool about which a lilt cord is wound or unwound upon contraction or extension, respectively, of the covering during operation of the sliding operator and wherein a tilt drum is located adjacent the lift spool, the tilt drum comprising a lift cord routing structure configured to routed the lift cord from the lift spool to the covering adjacent to and in general alignment with the ladder cord.
- 19. The fenestration product of claim 1 wherein the lift mechanism comprises a lift spool about which a lift cord is wound or unwound upon contraction or extension, respectively, of the covering during operation of the sliding operator and wherein a tilt drum is located adjacent the lift spool, the tilt drum comprising a lift cord routing structure configured to routed the lift cord from the lift spool to the covering adjacent to and in general alignment with the ladder cord and wherein the lift cord routing structure routes the lift cord through a plurality of bends each of about 90 degrees.
- 20. The fenestration product of claim 1 comprising a ladder cord wrapped about a tilt drum in a friction engaging configuration, such that rotation of the tilt drum beyond a tilt limit of tiltable components of the covering results in slippage of the ladder cord about the tilt drum.
- 21. The fenestration product of claim 1 comprising a ladder cord attached to a tilt drum and wherein a tilt shaft couples to a lift shaft by at least two gears, the at least two gears comprising a first gear mounted to the lift shaft and a second gear mounted to the tilt shaft, the second gear including gear teeth about only a portion of a circumference of the second gear, such that the first and second gears engage through out only a portion of the rotation of the tilt shaft, so as to limit the tilt of tiltable components of the covering.
- 22. The fenestration product of claim 1, further comprising an openable portion forming an opening within the fenestration product when the openable portion is open to allow for an inflow of air through the fenestration product, and wherein the covering is mounted to the openable portion.
- 23. The fenestration product of claim 1, further comprising an insect screen mounted adjacent to the covering.
- 24. The fenestration product of claim 1 comprising an insect screen including a screen sliding operator that couples to and operates the sliding operator.
- 25. The fenestration product of claim 1 comprising an openable portion forming an opening within the fenestration product when the openable portion is open to allow for an inflow of air through the fenestration product with the sliding operator and covering mounted to the openable portion, further comprising an insect screen including a screen sliding operator that couples to and operates the sliding operator when the openable portion of the fenestration product is closed.
- 26. The fenestration product of claim 25, wherein the screen sliding operator comprises a screen drive mechanism coupled to a screen handle mounted in a channel on a side of an insect screen opposite the sliding operator and a coupler attached to the drive mechanism and mounted on the opposite side of the insect screen, the coupler engageable with the sliding operator handle such that movement of the screen handle along its channel produces a corresponding movement of the coupler and sliding operator handle.
- 27. A fenestration product having a removable viewing panel and an adjustable covering for providing varying amounts of viewing coverage, the covering mounted between one sheet of viewing material and the removable viewing panel, the fenestration product comprising:a sliding operator mounted on the removable viewing panel and operably coupled to the covering such that linear operation of the sliding operator results in extension and contraction of the covering depending on a direction of operation of the sliding operator, the sliding operator accessible on a side of the removable viewing panel opposite to the covering wherein the sliding operator is coupled to a shaft extending through one of the sheets of viewing material.
- 28. The fenestration product of claim 27, wherein the adjustable covering further comprises tiltable components, and wherein the sliding operator additionally controls tilt of the tiltable components.
- 29. A fenestration product having an adjustable covering for providing varying amounts of viewing coverage through the fenestration product, the fenestration product comprising:a sliding operator coupled to the covering such that bi-directional, linear operation of the sliding operator results in extension and contraction of the covering depending on the direction of operation of the sliding operator and tilt adjustment of the covering in both directions of operation of the sliding operator, the sliding operator accessible external to the covering wherein the fenestration product comprises at least two sheets of viewing material with the covering mounted between them, and wherein the sliding operator is coupled to a shaft extending through one of the sheets of viewing material.
- 30. A lift and tilt system in combination with a fenestration product covering that extends and contracts to cover at least a portion of a viewing area of the fenestration product with the covering including tillable components, the system comprising:a lift mechanism coupled to the covering; and a tilt mechanism coupled to the lift mechanism and the covering, the tilt mechanism controlling tilt of the tiltable components of the covering within tilt limits of the components, wherein operation of the lift mechanism extends or contracts the covering across the viewing area and drives the tilt mechanism up to one of the tilt limits of the tiltable components of the covering, the tilt mechanism configured to operatively disengage from the lift mechanism at each tilt limit so as to facilitate continued operation of the lift mechanism to a desired amount of coverage up to an extension or contraction limit of the covering and wherein the lift mechanism comprises a lift shaft and a first gear mounted to the lift shaft, the tilt mechanism comprises a tilt shaft and a second gear mounted to tilt shaft, the second gear including gear teeth about only a portion of the circumference of the second gear, and wherein a ladder cord is attached to a tilt drum such that rotation of the lift shaft and first gear results in rotation of the second gear and tilt shaft up to the limit of gear teeth causing tilt of tiltable components up to a tilt limit, the lift shaft being free to continue rotating in a same direction without further rotation of the tilt shaft, the second gear reengaging the first gear upon rotation of the lift shaft in an opposite direction causing tilt of the tiltable components in an opposite direction up to the other tilt limit.
- 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the fenestration product covering comprises a lift cord attached to an endmost component of the covering, and wherein the lift mechanism comprises a winding unit about which the lift cord is wound or unwound during contraction or extension, respectively, of the covering during operation of the lift mechanism.
- 32. The system of claim 30, wherein the fenestration product covering comprises a lift cord attached to an endmost component of the covering, and wherein the lift mechanism comprises a winding unit about which the lift cord is wound or unwound during contraction or extension, respectively, of the covering during operation of the lift mechanism, and wherein the tilt drum is positioned adjacent to the winding unit with the lift cord and the ladder cord adjacent and generally aligned with respect to each other.
- 33. The system of claim 30, further comprising a drive unit coupled to the lift mechanism.
- 34. The system of claim 30, wherein the tilt mechanism is coupled to the lift mechanism by a drive unit.
- 35. The system of claim 30, wherein the lift mechanism comprises a lift shaft and a drive unit comprising a gear box coupled to a lift shaft.
- 36. The system of claim 35, wherein the gear box is driven by an input shaft positioned perpendicular to the lift shaft.
- 37. The system of claim 30 in combination with a sliding operator coupled to the lift mechanism such that operation of the sliding operator results in operation of the lift mechanism.
US Referenced Citations (35)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0235952 |
Feb 1987 |
EP |