The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 25, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 10, 1998
Michael R Bauer, Oaklawn, IL (US);
Tao Xu, Woodbridge, IL (US);
Harold F Marcoux, Aurora, IL (US);
Eugene D Rider, Naperville, IL (US);
Risk Analysis & Management, Oak Brook, IL (US);
Abstract
A window blind assembly is provided. A header mounts near a window. A window blind is moveable between a raised position near the header and a lowered position over a portion of the window. A shaft is rotatably mounted in the header and connected to the blind such that rotation in a first direction raises the blind, and rotation in a second direction lowers the blind. A brake engages the shaft to prevent rotation in the first direction, but allows rotation in the second direction to lower the blind when a downward force is applied to the blind. A brake release is engaged with the brake and is configured such that activation of the brake release releases the brake, allowing the shaft to rotate in the first direction and raise the blind, until deactivation of the brake release causes the brake to reengage the shaft.