Abstract:
A spring drive system useful for window covers is disclosed, which comprises one or more coil spring drives or flat spring drives and the combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms. The combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.
Abstract:
Window cover systems include window cover material in the form of pleated panels or slats. The window cover material is suspended from a traverse track and is traversed along the track for opening and closing the window system. Arrangements for maintaining spacing and alignment of pleats or slats are provided. The alignment maintaining arrangements include traverse tapes which are substantially rigid in longitudinal and lateral directions in the plane of the tape, and are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The arrangements also include attaching the window cover material to vertical edge members and providing foldable spacer-members between adjacent edge-members. In one arrangement, a box-pleated panel of window cover fabric is suspended from a traverse track on slide-members. The slide-members are each attached to a spacer-tape at regular intervals along the spacer-tape. The spacer-tape is substantially rigid in the traverse direction and in a vertical direction perpendicular to the traverse direction. The window cover system is opened and closed by rolling and unrolling the panel and the spacer-tape around a roller located at one end of a window frame. Other arrangements include combined, tape-supported vertical slat blinds and vertical pleated drapes in which the tape(s) are supported by sprockets or wheels/pulleys.
Abstract:
A coil spring drive unit for window covers is disclosed, which comprises a coil spring drive and the combination whose elements are selected from (1) a band shift transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; and (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed. The combination permits the coil spring drive torque to be tailored to the weight characteristics of the window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the blind is opened and closed, and permits the length of the blind and the distance between the open and closed positions of the blind to be altered for a given rotational distance of the coil spring.
Abstract:
A hinge for assembling window covers is disclosed, along with associated window cover systems, including single blind systems and dual blind systems.
Abstract:
Window cover systems include window cover material in the form of pleated panels or slats. The window cover material is suspended from a traverse track and is traversed along the track for opening and closing the window system. Arrangements for maintaining spacing and alignment of pleats or slats are provided. The alignment maintaining arrangements include traverse tapes which are substantially rigid in longitudinal and lateral directions in the plane of the tape, and are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The arrangements also include attaching the window cover material to vertical edge members and providing foldable spacer-members between adjacent edge-members. In one arrangement, a box-pleated panel of window cover fabric is suspended from a traverse track on slide-members. The slide-members are each attached to a spacer-tape at regular intervals along the spacer-tape. The spacer-tape is substantially rigid in the traverse direction and in a vertical direction perpendicular to the traverse direction. The window cover system is opened and closed by rolling and unrolling the panel and the spacer-tape around a roller located at one end of a window frame. Other arrangements include combined, tape-supported vertical slat blinds and vertical pleated drapes in which the tape(s) are supported by sprockets or wheels/pulleys.
Abstract:
A track and carrier system for window blinds is disclosed, which incorporates two dimensional spacing between the carrier support wheels, and, preferably three dimensional, x, y and z spacing between the carrier support wheels. Window covering systems are disclosed which use various types of blinds.
Abstract:
A corrugated sheet metal panel can be used to form structural beams. The panel has a major central portion with transverse corrugations. A transistion step portion having transverse serrations is formed adjacent the central portion and a marginal edge portion either uncorrugated, longitudinally corrugated or relatively lightly transverse corrugated is formed adjacent the transition step portion. The panel is shaped for connection to a connection member to form a beam structure.
Abstract:
Apparatus for forming a flat metal sheet into a panel having a central region of deep corrugations and a marginal edge which is either uncorrugated or has longitudinal or light traverse corrugations therein. A corrugation roll assembly forms the corrugated panel and a tension roll assembly pulls the panel through the corrugation roll assembly. A combination of cooperative corrugation roll sections and edge roll subassemblies are mounted on respective shafts with the edge roll subassembly providing a resilient gripping of an edge panel section in an angled channel region. This resilient gripping causes inward drawing of metal from the edge section into the corrugated central section to equalize the overall lengths of the respective sections.
Abstract:
A machine for producing metal drape panels having integral male and female hinge means formed therein at preselected intervals and a preselected cross-sectional profile. A first machine and method stage employs a plurality of rotary die stations to cut initial hinge patterns for the male and female hinge means and to equalize out of the strip any remanant curl or side curve while stretching the strip to increase the interval between initial hinge patterns to a final preselected interval. A second machine stage employs a plurality of punch die stations for forming the initial hinge pattern on the strip into final male and female hinge means and a shaping-compensating die station for simultaneously shaping the preselected cross-sectional profile and compensating out of the strip any inherent remaining curl or twist therein.