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:
Sep. 03, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 16, 2000
Konrad Welfonder, Bremerhaven, DE;
Hunter Douglas Industries BV, Rotterdam, NL;
Abstract
A winding mechanism for controlling the retraction and deployment of an architectural covering, such as a window blind or shade having a winding element , about which the covering, or its lift cord or tapes are wound and unwound with rotation of the winding element about a first axis of rotation, and a fluid brake for retarding the rotation of the winding element in at least one direction about the first vaxis. The fluid brake comprises a fluid tight compartment containing a liquid and an impeller . The compartment and the impeller are adapted for relative rotation about a second axis, which can be the same as or coaxial with the first axis. Either the compartment or the impeller is operatively connected to the winding element. In operation the liquid rotates with the rotation of the compartment or the impeller about the second axis. Rotation of the liquid relative to the impeller or to the compartment in at least a first direction about the second axis is effective to retard the rotation of the winding element in at least a second direction about the first axis. The impeller , or a peripheral wall surface of the compartment has a first surface B that extends generally radially and substantially parallel with respect to the second axis.