Covering for an architectural opening including multiple stage spring assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016130866-A1
Application number	US-201514937694-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 10, 2015
Priority date	Nov 10, 2014
Publication date	May 12, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a multiple stage spring assembly. The spring assembly may include a non-rotatable first member, a first spring including a first end portion and a second end portion, and a second spring including a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first spring may be coupled to the first member. The first end portion of the second spring may be coupled to the second end portion of the first spring to rotate with the second end portion of the first spring.

First claim

1 - 17 . (canceled)

18 . A multiple stage spring assembly, comprising:
a non-rotatable first member; a first spring including a first end portion coupled to said first member and a second end portion; and a second spring including a first end portion coupled to said second end portion of said first spring to rotate with said second end portion of said first spring and a second end portion.

19 . The spring assembly according to claim 18 , further comprising:
a rotatable second member; and a rotatable third member, and wherein:
said first end portion of said first spring is coupled to said first member;
said second end portion of said first spring is coupled to said second member;
said first end portion of said second spring is coupled to said second member; and
said second end portion of said second spring is coupled to said third member.

20 . The spring assembly according to claim 19 , wherein said first member, said second member, and said third member are axially aligned with one another.

21 . The spring assembly according to claim 19 , wherein said first spring is positioned radially between a portion of said first member and a portion of said second member.

22 . The spring assembly according to claim 19 , wherein said second spring is positioned radially between a portion of said second member and a portion of said third member.

23 . The spring assembly according to claim 19 , wherein:
said second member defines an interior space; and said first spring is received at least partially within the interior space of said second member.

24 . The spring assembly according to claim 23 , wherein:
said first member defines an axially-extending sleeve positioned at least partially within the interior space defined by said second member; and said first end portion of said first spring is coupled to said sleeve of said first member.

25 . The spring assembly according to claim 19 , wherein:
said third member defines an interior space; and said second spring is received at least partially within the interior space of said third member.

26 . The spring assembly according to claim 25 , wherein:
said second member defines an axially-extending sleeve positioned at least partially within the interior space defined by said third member; and said first end portion of said second spring is coupled to said sleeve of said second member.

27 . The spring assembly according to claim 19 , wherein said third member has a larger outer dimension than said first member and said second member.

28 . The spring assembly according to claim 19 , wherein said first spring and said second spring are torsion springs that are axially aligned with each other.

29 . A multiple stage spring assembly, comprising:
a non-rotatable shaft; a first stage including a first spring having a first tang and a second tang, said first tang non-rotatably coupled to said non-rotatable shaft, said second tang rotationally movable relative to said non-rotatable shaft; and a second stage including a second spring having a first tang and a second tang, said first tang of said second spring operably coupled to said second tang of said first spring such that said first tang of said second spring and said second tang of said first spring rotate together about said non-rotatable shaft, said second tang of said second spring rotationally movable relative to said first tang of said second spring.

30 . The spring assembly according to claim 29 , wherein said second stage is coupled to said non-rotatable shaft via said first stage and is positioned axially adjacent said first stage.

31 . The spring assembly according to claim 29 , wherein:
said first stage further includes a first housing non-rotatably coupled to said second tang of said first spring and said first tang of said second spring; and said second stage further includes a second housing non-rotatably coupled to said second tang of said second spring.

32 . The spring assembly according to claim 29 , further comprising an intermediate stage coupled to said first stage and said second stage.

33 - 49 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Hunter Douglas

Inventors

• Buccola Jr Nickolas C
• Faller Kenneth M

Classifications

• E06B9/62

  Counterweighting arrangements (E06B9/60 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E06B9/72

  comprising an electric motor positioned inside the roller · CPC title

• E06B9/322 Primary

  Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives ({operating devices E06B9/68} ; devices of general interest specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material B65H75/34) · CPC title

• E06B9/34

  roller-type; {Roller shutters with adjustable lamellae} · CPC title

• F03G1/00

  Spring motors (spring-driven toys A63H; springs in general F16F; precision time mechanisms, e.g. for clocks or watches, G04B) · CPC title