Covering for an architectural opening

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9322214-B2
Application number	US-69665010-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 29, 2010
Priority date	Feb 9, 2009
Publication date	Apr 26, 2016
Grant date	Apr 26, 2016

Abstract

The present invention relates to end stops for use in retractable coverings for architectural openings where the end stops have impact-absorbing means which are bi-directionally cushioning. The end stop will remain at a dedicated position even after being impacted.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A covering for an architectural opening comprising:
a driven member connected to a covering member and able to displace the covering member between an open and a closed position;
a pair of first and second stationary end stops spaced apart on a stationary member;
a traveling member movably arranged on the stationary member between the first and second end stops and drivable by the driven member; and
a single impact absorber flexibly connecting the driven member with the stationary member such that at least a portion of kinematic energy generated by the traveling member contacting each of the first and second end stops is cushioned or absorbed, wherein one of the first or second end stops is positioned between the traveling member and the impact absorber such that the traveling member does not contact the impact absorber.

2. A covering according to claim 1 , wherein the impact absorber comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being rotatably arranged with respect to the second portion and being operatively connected thereto by an elastic body.

3. A covering according to claim 2 , wherein the elastic body is resilient.

4. A covering according to claim 2 , wherein the elastic body comprises a torsion spring.

5. A covering according to claim 3 , wherein the elastic body comprises a torsion spring.

6. A covering according to claim 1 , wherein the covering member comprises at least one sheet of flexible material and adapted to be at least partially wrapped about a blind roller driven by the driven member.

7. The covering of claim 1 , wherein when the traveling member contacts the first and second end stops, the traveling member can no longer be displaced along the stationary member.

8. The covering of claim 2 , wherein the elastic body is substantially fully enclosed in the impact absorber.

9. A covering for an architectural opening comprising:
a driven member operably connected to a covering and configured to extend and retract the covering;
a threaded shaft operably connected to the driven member;
a first end stop positioned at a first location on the threaded shaft;
a second end stop positioned at a second location on the threaded shaft spaced apart from the first location;
a traveling member movably connected to the threaded shaft between the first end stop and the second end stop and movable along the threaded shaft from the first end stop to the second end stop; and
an impact absorber operably connected to the driven member and the threaded shaft; wherein
the impact absorber cushions an impact force caused by the traveling member when the traveling member engages the first end stop and when the traveling member engages the second end stop, wherein one of the first or second end stops is positioned between the traveling member and the impact absorber such that the traveling member does not contact the impact absorber.

10. The covering of claim 9 , further comprising a drive unit operably connected to the driven member, wherein the impact absorber is operably connected between the drive unit and the threaded shaft.

11. The covering of claim 10 , wherein the drive unit comprises
a substantially stationary member; and
a driven end operably connected to the stationary member and the driven member; wherein
the driven end is configured to rotate the driven member in a first direction to extend the covering and rotate the driven member in a second direction to retract the covering; and
the impact absorber is operably connected to the stationary member.

12. The covering of claim 11 , wherein the impact absorber includes
a first spring holder non-rotatably connected to the stationary member;
a second spring holder non-rotatably connected to the threaded shaft and operably connected to the first spring holder; and
an elastic body operably connected to the first spring holder and the second spring holder; wherein
the first spring holder and the second spring holder are rotatable with respect to each other; and
the elastic body experiences torsion due to the rotatable connection between the first spring holder and the second spring holder.

13. The covering of claim 9 , wherein the elastic body includes a first tang and a second tang, wherein the first tang operably connects the elastic body to the first spring holder and the second tang operably connects the elastic body to the second spring holder.

14. The covering of claim 9 , wherein the traveling member is a nut configured to interact with a thread of the threaded shaft to move between the first end stop and the second end stop.

15. The covering of claim 12 , wherein:
the first spring holder includes an inner tubular body portion;
the second spring holder includes an inner tubular body portion; and
the inner tubular body portion of the first spring holder is rotatably held within the inner tubular body portion of the second spring holder.

16. The covering of claim 15 , wherein the elastic body lies circumferentially on the inner tubular body of the second spring holder.

17. The covering of claim 13 , wherein the first and second tangs are received in respective slots of the first and second spring holders.

18. A covering for an architectural opening comprising:
a driven member connected to a covering member;
a drive unit connected to the driven member, the drive unit including:
a substantially stationary member; and
a driven end connected to the stationary member and to the driven member, the driven end operable to rotate the driven member in a first direction to extend the covering member and rotate the driven member in a second direction to retract the covering member;

a threaded shaft connected to the driven member;
a first end stop positioned at a first location on the threaded shaft;
a second end stop positioned at a second location on the threaded shaft, the second location spaced apart from the first location;
a traveling member movably connected to the threaded shaft between the first and second end stops, the traveling member movable along the threaded shaft from the first end stop to the second end stop; and
an impact absorber operably connected to the driven member, the stationary member, and the threaded shaft and between the drive unit and the threaded shaft such that the impact absorber absorbs an impact force caused by the traveling member contacting the first and second end stops, the impact absorber including:
a first spring holder non-rotatably connected to the stationary member;
a second spring holder non-rotatably connected to the threaded shaft and operably connected to the first spring holder; and
a spring operably connected to the first and second spring holders, wherein:

the first and second spring holders are rotatable with respect to each other; and
the spring experiences torsion due to the rotatable connection between the first spring holder and the second spring holder.

Assignees

• Bohlen Jorg
• Koop Lars
• Hunter Douglas Ind Bv

Inventors

• Bohlen Jorg
• Koop Lars

Classifications

• E06B2009/6881

  Mechanical counters · CPC title

• E06B9/88 Primary

  for limiting unrolling · CPC title