Covering for an architectural opening

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9260914-B2
Application number	US-201414211766-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2014
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Feb 16, 2016
Grant date	Feb 16, 2016

Abstract

A covering for an architectural opening is provided. The covering may include an accumulator roller, a shade attached to the accumulator roller, and a shade actuation system. The shade may be wrappable about the roller. The shade may include two laterally-separable sheets interconnected by a plurality of vertically-spaced vanes. The shade actuation system may be selectively engageable with a confronting face of one of the two laterally-separable sheets. Engagement of the shade actuation system and the one of the two laterally-separable sheets may restrict movement of the one of the two laterally-separable sheets relative to the other of the two laterally-separable sheets.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A covering for an architectural opening, comprising:
an accumulator roller;
a shade attached to and wrappable about the accumulator roller, the shade including two laterally-separable sheets interconnected by a plurality of vertically-spaced vanes; and
a shade actuator system that engages a confronting face of one sheet of the two laterally-separable sheets to restrict movement of the one sheet relative to the other sheet of the two laterally-separable sheets, wherein the shade actuator system comprises:
an actuation roller with a grip surface; and
a device that selectively locks rotation of the actuation roller during rotation of the accumulator roller to cause relative movement between the two laterally-separable sheets.

2. The covering of claim 1 , wherein
the shade drapes over the actuation roller.

3. The covering of claim 1 , wherein the device includes a cam mechanism that operably connects the accumulator roller and the actuation roller to selectively lock rotation of the actuation roller and open the shade based on rotation of the accumulator roller.

4. The covering of claim 3 , wherein the cam mechanism is actuated by reversing a direction of the shade.

5. The covering of claim 1 , wherein the device includes a cam plate that selectively rotates with the accumulator roller within an angular range operative to open the shade.

6. The covering of claim 5 , wherein the device includes a cam follower that contacts a cam surface of the cam plate.

7. The covering of claim 6 , wherein:
the device includes an engagement member non-rotatably coupled to the actuation roller; and
the cam follower includes a first leg and a second leg that is selectively engageable with the engagement member based on a position of the first leg along the cam surface.

8. The covering of claim 7 , wherein:
the cam follower is pivotable about an axis defined between the first and second legs.

9. The covering of claim 1 , wherein the grip surface extends around an entire periphery of the actuation roller.

10. The covering of claim 1 , wherein the grip surface extends partially around a periphery of the actuation roller.

11. The covering of claim 1 , wherein the grip surface is associated with a fin that projects outwardly from an outer surface of the actuation roller.

12. The covering of claim 1 , wherein the device includes a locking bar.

13. The covering of claim 12 , wherein:
the actuation roller includes an external gear; and
the locking bar includes a lever with a gear profile corresponding to the external gear.

14. The covering of claim 13 , wherein the shade extends between the actuation roller and the locking bar.

15. The covering of claim 1 , wherein the shade actuator system is engageable with the one sheet at a partially extended position of the shade.

16. A covering for an architectural opening, comprising:
an accumulator roller;
a shade attached to and wrappable about the accumulator roller, the shade including two laterally-separable sheets interconnected by a plurality of vertically-spaced vanes; and
a shade actuator system that engages a confronting face of one sheet of the two laterally-separable sheets to restrict movement of the one sheet relative to the other sheet of the two laterally-separable sheets, wherein the shade actuator system includes:
a grip surface that selectively engages and restricts movement of the one sheet to cause relative movement between the two laterally-separable sheets; and
a slider mechanism operably coupled with the grip surface so that the grip surface is movable between a first position in which the grip surface is held away from the one sheet and a second position in which the grip surface is held in engagement with the one sheet.

17. The covering of claim 16 , wherein the slider mechanism includes a slider plate that is constrained to axial movement towards and away from the one sheet and to which the grip surface is attached.

18. The covering of claim 17 , wherein:
the slider mechanism further includes a positioning device that defines a pathway; and
the slider plate includes a pin that extends into the pathway.

19. The covering of claim 18 , wherein the pathway forms a closed loop.

20. The covering of claim 19 , wherein the pathway defines an island.

21. The covering of claim 18 , wherein the pathway is recessed into a face of the positioning device that confronts the slider plate.

22. A covering for an architectural opening, comprising:
an accumulator roller;
a shade attached to and wrappable about the accumulator roller, the shade including two laterally-separable sheets interconnected by a plurality of vertically-spaced vanes; and
a shade actuator system that engages a confronting face of one sheet of the two laterally-separable sheets to restrict movement of the one sheet relative to the other sheet of the two laterally-separable sheets, wherein:
the shade actuator system includes a grip surface that is movable into and out of engagement with the one sheet; and
the grip surface is fixed against rotation when the grip surface is engaging the one sheet so that continued rotation of the accumulator roller while the one sheet is gripped by the grip surface causes the other sheet to move relative to the one sheet.

Assignees

• Hunter Douglas

Inventors

• Certain William S
• Faller Kenneth M
• Rhodes Galen B
• Schroeder Max W
• Smith Kent A
• Smith Stephen P
• Winters Stephen M

Classifications

• E06B2009/405

  Two rollers · CPC title

• E06B2009/2435

  Two vertical sheets and slats in-between · CPC title

• E06B9/44 Primary

  Rollers therefor; Fastening roller blinds to rollers · CPC title

• E06B9/26

  Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds {(for vehicles B60J1/2088)} · CPC title

• E06B9/38

  Other details · CPC title