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:
Jun. 12, 2007
Filed:
Nov. 28, 2000
Michael D. Hillman, Campbell, CA (US);
Evan T. Ward, Chicago, IL (US);
Paul B. Specht, Wilmette, IL (US);
Michael D. Hillman, Campbell, CA (US);
Evan T. Ward, Chicago, IL (US);
Paul B. Specht, Wilmette, IL (US);
Sundberg-Ferar, Inc., Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A cordless blind includes a headrail, a bottom rail suspended from the headrail by a first cord and a second cord, a wall covering disposed between the headrail and the bottom rail, and a drive actuator. The drive actuator includes a spring motor, a spool coupled to the spring motor, a first tensioning mechanism, and a second tensioning mechanism. The first and second tensioning mechanisms are configured to impact a resistant force on movement of the first and second cords. The drive actuator may include a spool, a spring motor, a biasing element configured to provide a force biased against movement of the bottom rail, and a bias relief mechanism that is configured to provide for selective application and relief of the biasing force by the biasing element. The drive actuator may include a constant biasing element, a generally rigid strap, a mandrel, a biasing member, and a traction wheel including a plurality of cogs extending from the circumference of the traction wheel such that movement of the strap rotates the traction wheel.