Shading device for an architectural opening and method for adjusting an end stop position of the shading device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10487573-B2
Application number	US-201715447462-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 2, 2017
Priority date	Jan 8, 2014
Publication date	Nov 26, 2019
Grant date	Nov 26, 2019

Abstract

The invention relates to a shading device for an architectural opening comprising a shade, a drive unit for extending and retracting the shade between a first and second end position, a spindle, a first end stop, stationary connected to the spindle near a first end of the spindle and at least one travelling nut, movably arranged on the spindle and operatively connected to the drive unit so as to move towards, respectively away from the first end stop as the shade is extended, respectively retracted. The travelling nut is articulated in circumferential direction into segments, with at least two segments being detachably connectable to each other at one of their ends.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for adjusting at least one end stop position of a shade of a shade device comprising a drive unit for extending and retracting the shade between an extended end position and a retracted end position; a spindle having a longitudinal axis; an extended end stop, fixedly connected to the spindle near a first end of the spindle; a travelling nut, movably arranged on the spindle and operatively connected to the drive unit so as to move towards and away from the extended end stop along the longitudinal axis of the spindle as the shade is extended and retracted, respectively; a winding core for receiving wound layers of a flexible element during extending and retracting of the shade, the winding core having an inner surface defining an inner cavity, and the spindle being disposed within this inner cavity; and an end piece arranged at an end of the inner cavity of the winding core for mounting the winding core to a holding element for mounting to a building structure; said method comprising:
mounting the end piece to the holding element;
rotating the winding core to the extended end stop position of the shade at which the travelling nut interacts with the extended end stop of the spindle to prevent additional movement of the travelling nut towards the extended end stop and to prevent further movement of the winding core and the shade relative to the travelling nut;
disengaging the end piece from the holding element to enable movement of the shade relative to the winding core while the travelling nut remains in position at the extended end stop;
setting a desired shade length by rotating the disengaged winding core together with the end stop assembly around a longitudinal axis of the winding core for winding or unwinding the shade from the winding core; and
re-establishing a connection between the end piece and the holding element, the holding element mounted to the building structure.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein during rotating of the winding core together with the end stop assembly, the travelling nut maintains its position in relation to the spindle.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the shade device is provided with a retracted end stop fixedly connected to the spindle near a second end of the spindle.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein, prior to mounting the end piece to the holding element, the end stop assembly is inserted into the inner cavity of the winding core with the shade in its retracted end position and the travelling nut interacting with the retracted end stop.

5. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising moving the travelling nut on the spindle between the extended and retracted end stops.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the travelling nut interacts with the extended end stop to set the extended end position of the shade and the travelling nut interacts with the retracted end stop to set the retracted end position of the shade.

7. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the travelling nut comprises a first travelling nut and a second travelling nut movably arranged on the spindle between the extended and retracted end stops.

8. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising setting the extended end position of the shade by the first travelling nut interacting with the extended end stop and setting the retracted end position of the shade by the second travelling nut interacting with the retracted end stop.

9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising connecting the spindle, the extended end stop, and the travelling nut to a stationary rod, the spindle, the extended end stop, and the travelling nut forming an end stop assembly.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the winding core is a cord spool or a shade tube.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible element is a lift cord or the shade.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the holding element is a bracket.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the travelling nut is configured to be coupled to the spindle in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the spindle.

Assignees

• Hunter Douglas Ind Bv

Inventors

• Bohlen Jorg

Classifications

• E06B9/88 Primary

  for limiting unrolling · CPC title

• E06B9/78

  for direct manual operation, e.g. by tassels, by handles · CPC title

• E06B9/42

  Parts or details of roller blinds, e.g. suspension devices, blind boxes (brackets or adjustable mountings for roller blinds and drawable curtains A47H1/13) · CPC title

• E06B9/80

  Safety measures against dropping or unauthorised opening; Braking or immobilising devices; Devices for limiting unrolling (securing devices or arrangements for direct manual operation E06B9/78) · CPC title

• E06B9/50 Primary

  Bearings specially adapted therefor · CPC title