General Clutch Corporation

Technological Resources Pty. Limited

Introl Company, L.p.

Jules Nisenson

Martin Waine

Edward T Rude

A relatively light duty cone type clutch suitable for use in window blind or shade mechanisms is disclosed. As contrasted with conventional cone type clutches, the disclosed embodiment includes a plurality of radially arranged conically shaped rollers which are maintained in position by a spider forming part of a motion input pulley. The rollers are urged into engaged condition between a fixed clutch body and a polygonally shaped motion output core. The clutch is maintained in engaged condition by residual torque upon the output core provided by the weight of the unwound portion of the shade or blind. Upon the occurrence of rotary motion imparted to the pulley in either direction, the movement of the spider dislodges the rollers in an axial direction from engagement with the clutch body, following which motion is transmitted through the spider and rollers directly to the output core. When motion ceases, the rollers are returned to static position by a pressure washer carried by the spider.

Bi-directional tapered roller clutch

An electronic type ozone generating device utilizing an elongated tube or cylinder having a negative electrode in the form of a fine wire, and a conductive coating on an inner surface of the tube connected to a source of positive potential, whereby air to be ionized forms a dilectric. In contrast to prior art devices in which the air to be treated flows in substantially continuous fashion, means is provided for injecting fixed quantities of air to be treated in pulsed fashion to provide for greater effectiveness. In a second embodiment, means is provided for moving a plurality of fine wire electrodes in an orbital path within the tube relative to the principal axis thereof to provide greater ionization.

Ozone generating device

A capstan based system for pulling and accumulating the pull-cords used to lift hanging window coverings from their bottoms. A cylindrical capstan is supported in bearings so that it is free to rotate and move axially. A splined connection to a holding device permits controlled rotation and locking of the capstan. Each of one or more cords is attached to the capstan by means of a clip which can be easily positioned to adjust the position and length of its cord. As the capstan is turned, the cords wind onto the capstan in a single layer due to the camming action of a specially configured camming surface. The capstan begins to move laterally when sufficient friction has developed between the capstan and the cord which has been wound onto it. This provides space for the cord to wind onto the capstan in a single layer. During unwinding of the cord, a guiding surface, over which the cord moves, pulls the capstan back toward its original position. The camming and guiding surfaces can be made symmetric so that bi-directional operation of the system is possible.

Headrail hardware for hanging window coverings

There is disclosed a window shade system which reduces heat transport through windows by providing an insulating seal between a shade and window sill. The insulating seal is effected by a resilient material attached to the bottom longitudinal edge section of the shade. When the bottom longitudinal edge section of the shade is positioned in engagement with the sill, the resilient material conforms to the contour of the sill, frictionally sealing the shade against the sill, thereby insulating and reducing heat transport through the window. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom longitudinal edge section includes a first depending longitudinal slat pocket for receiving a window shade slat, and a second depending longitudinal pocket configured to substantially enclose the slat pocket. A longitudinal void is provided between the pockets to permit the enclosing pocket to resiliently conform to the contour of the sill.

Window shade system for reducing heat transport through windows

A spring clutch which has multiple springs disposed between two coaxially mounted cylindrical elements. The springs are designed to slip so that all of the springs are required to support the maximum load. During the onset of rotation, tabs at the ends of the springs contact the load surfaces on one of the cylindrical elements sequentially, with some slippage occurring, so that impulse is reduced. In different embodiments, either releasing or reversing the clutch re-establishes offsets between spring tabs so that the sequential contact can again occur.

Spring clutches

A bi-directional spring clutch having a cylindrical input element mounted on a cylindrical output element, with a wrap spring disposed between them. A control element, in the form of a cylinder, is rotatably mounted on the input element for assuming one of three discrete positions relative to the input element. A key on the control element extends through a window of the input element and is disposed between the ends of the wrap spring. When the control element is in either of its extreme positions, turning of the input element controls tightening of the spring and the transmission of torque, the direction of torque transmission depending upon the position of the control element. Rotation of the input element in the opposite direction results in the key unwrapping the spring so that there is not torque transmission. When the control element is in its middle position, the key bears against neither end of the spring, and torque is transmitted in both directions of rotation of the input element.

Reversible tool handle

There is disclosed a bi-directional clutch, particularly useful in window shade applications. The bi-directional clutch includes a first or core member and an unwrap spring, that is, a spring having an inside diameter somewhat smaller than the diameter of the core, the spring being wound around the core. The unwrap spring has a number of helical turns and spring tangs which extend outwardly past the circumference of the spring and generally perpendicular to the axis of the spring. The spring is controlled by a second, control or driving member which, when rotated, applies force to one or the other of the spring tangs to unwrap or loosen the spring, thereby allowing the spring to rotate relative to the core. As the spring rotates, one of the spring tangs abuts a third or driven member. The third or driven member is rotated by the spring, allowing the third member to rotate relative to the first or core member. The third or driven member continues to rotate, relative to the first or core member, until the second, control or driving member stops rotating. However, when the driven member is rotated directly, the spring is locked onto the core member and further rotation of the driven member is prevented.

Growing community of inventors

Stamford, CT, United States of America

Jules Nisenson