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:
Feb. 15, 2005
Filed:
Mar. 20, 2003
David Cross, Westport, CT (US);
Joseph W. Zakowski, New Canaan, CT (US);
Martin Balta, Milford, CT (US);
Amnouy Athitang, Bridgeport, CT (US);
Raymond B. Churchill, Jr., Springfield, NJ (US);
David Cross, Westport, CT (US);
Joseph W. Zakowski, New Canaan, CT (US);
Martin Balta, Milford, CT (US);
Amnouy Athitang, Bridgeport, CT (US);
Raymond B. Churchill, Jr., Springfield, NJ (US);
Rollease, Inc., Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
The invention includes an unbalanced horizontal blind with a spring means to provide a lifting or retraction force for the slats of the blinds. A brake means prevents undesired movement of the slats that would otherwise result from the continuous retraction force of the spring means when the slats are set in a desired position. Controls for the release of the brake means and tilting are also provided in an embodiment of a blind of the invention. An embodiment of the invention permits the blind to be operated by a single wand that can be used to either raise the slats or tilt the slats. This eliminates the need for a loose cord or bead chain that would traditionally be used as the user interface for controlling the movement of the slats of the blind.