Newell Operating Company

Newell Window Furnishings, Inc.

Levolor, Inc.

Otto Kuhar

Roger C Palmer

Zazu Ciuca

Patrick Woods

Robert J Voss

Kelly L Murphy

Brian Ruggles

Bryan K Ruggles

Robert C Kross

Disclosed is a spring motor and control for use especially with window blinds. The motor comprises a storage drum having a first axis, an output drum mounted for rotation about a second axis parallel to and spaced from the first axis. A spring member is connected to and between the storage drum and the output drum to form a spring motor. The spring motor has laterally extending, spaced apart drum supports on opposite sides of the drums to support them for rotation. A coupled drive is connected to the storage and output drum whereby rotation of one of the drums in a first direction about its axis effects rotation of the other of the drums about its axis and in an opposite direction to cause winding and unwinding of the spring member between the drums. A drive actuator is connected to the coupled drive to effect rotation of the drums, and an adjustable friction member is engageable with one of the coupled drive and the drive actuator to adjustably alter the force necessary to effect movement of the coupled drive.

Cordless balanced window covering

A system for adding weight to and/or balancing the bottom rail of a window covering includes one or more body members positioned within the bottom rail, and each body member having a plurality of sockets for receiving weights. In the most preferred form of the invention, the sockets are horse-shoe shaped and are adapted to receive elongate rods having a circular cross-section. The plurality of sockets in the most preferred embodiment include sockets located adjacent the front of the bottom rail when the body member is in place and other sockets arranged toward the rear. Weighting and balancing is achieved by placing one or more rods in selected ones of the sockets.

Bottom rail weight and balancing system

A system for adding weight to and/or balancing the bottom rail of a window covering includes one or more body members positioned within the bottom rail, and each body member having a plurality of sockets for receiving weights. In the most preferred form of the invention, the sockets are horse-shoe shaped are adapted to receive elongate rods having a circular cross-section. The plurality of sockets in the most preferred embodiment include sockets located adjacent the front of the bottom rail when the body member is in place and other sockets arranged toward the rear. Weighting and balancing is achieved by placing one or more rods in selected ones of the sockets.

A cordless, balanced venetian blind or shade with a constant, or a variable force spring motor includes conventional window covering components without the outside hanging lifting cords or cord locking mechanisms. One or more spring motors are employed. A cord spool, in the preferred embodiment, is coupled to one of the spring drums to serve to wind the cords to cause the blind to be raised or lowered, simply by manipulation of the bottom bar of the blind system. Due to the spring forces, the system compensates for the increasing weight on the cords as the window covering is raised and for the decreasing weight as it is lowered.

Cordless, balanced window covering

A cordless, balanced Venetian blind or shade with a a spring motor includes conventional window covering components without the outside hanging lifting cords or cord locking mechanisms. one or more spring motors are employed. A cord spool, in the preferred embodiment, is coupled to one of the spring drums to serve to wind the cords to cause the blind to be raised or lowered, simply by manipulation of the bottom bar of the blind system. Due to the spring forces, the system compensates for the increasing weight on the cords as the window covering is raised and for the decreasing weight as it is lowered.

A cordless, balanced venetian blind or shade with a constant variable spring motor includes conventional window covering components without the outside hanging lifting cords or cord locking mechanisms. One or more constant variable force spring motors are employed, preferably comprising springs which vary in thickness or in width along their length as they are wound around storage drums. A cord spool, in the preferred embodiment, is coupled to one of the spring drums to serve to wind the cords to cause the blind to be raised or lowered, simply by manipulation of the bottom bar of the blind system. Due to the difference in thickness or width of the spring, the system compensates for the increasing weight on the cords as the window covering is raised and for the decreasing weight as it is lowered.

Cordless, balanced venetian blind or shade with consistent variable

A venetian blind (10) having a low profile headrail (18) is provided particularly useful for double-glazed and/or screened windows. A tilt mechanism (24) extends horizontally and outwardly from one end of the headrail and includes internal drive gearing and a spocket moving a horizontal beaded chain (31) held in a pair of clamping blocks (33) slidably movable to and fro in a guide channel (32) in the headrail. A tilt wand connector includes upper legs insertable into a square bore in a drive gear. The clamping blocks include clamp levers (34) for clamping the upper ends (20c) of vertical legs (20a) of the tape ladders supporting the blind slats (17) so that the orbital motion of the chain and sliding motion of the clamping blocks pulls or slackens opposite legs (20a, 20b) of the ladders effecting tilting of the blind slats. A draw cord and mounting screw guide (36) is included in the headrail which minimizes or prevents fraying of the draw cord(s) 21a. A combined chain tensioner (60) and cord lock assembly (40) is provided in an end casing (63) insertable into the other end of the headrail.

Low profile headrail venetian blind

A cord lock for a venetian blind or shade, such as a pleated shade, having a housing with a stationary pulley and a serrated cam or rivet guided in parallel, aligned S-shaped slots, the cam locking the raised lift cord of the blind or shade against the pulley. The S-shape of the slot maximizes the angle of approach of the slot with respect to the cord and pulley to thereby increase the sensitivity of the lock.

Growing community of inventors

Garfield, NJ, United States of America

Otto Kuhar