United States Patent [19J
`Todd et al.
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006056036A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,056,036
`*May 2, 2000
`
`[54] CORDLESS SHADE
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: David Todd, Glenville; Robert F.
`White, Jr., Ganesvoort; Matthew K.
`Sleasman, Loudonville, all of N.Y.
`
`[73] Assignee: Comfortex Corporation, Watervliet,
`N.Y.
`
`[ *] Notice:
`
`This patent issued on a continued pros(cid:173)
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53( d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/847,264
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`May 1, 1997
`
`Int. Cl? ....................................................... A47H 5/00
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ..................................... 160/84.05; 160/84.01;
`160/84.04; 242/422.5
`[58] Field of Search .............................. 160/84.01, 84.04,
`160/84.05, 170 R, 171 R, 193; 242/422.5,
`615
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,444,242
`4,606,157
`4,687,041
`4,832,271
`4,838,333
`5,105,867
`5,184,660
`
`4/1984 Amsler et a!. .......................... 160/172
`8/1986 Esposito ................................ 52/173 R
`8/1987 Anderson ......................... 160/84.01 X
`5/1989 Geleziunas ........................... 242/55.53
`6/1989 Mottura ................................... 160/305
`4/1992 Coslett ................................... 160/84.1
`2/1993 Jelic ................................. 160/84.01 X
`
`5,279,472
`5,307,855
`5,311,729
`5,482,100
`5,519,562
`5,531,257
`5,706,876
`5,791,393
`5,799,715
`5,868,893
`
`1!1994 Hongo et a!. ........................ 242/422.5
`5/1994 Martensson, IV ........................ 160/66
`5/1994 Viaud ........................................ 56/341
`1!1996 Kuhar .................................. 160/170 R
`5/1996 Argumedo et a!. ................ 360/130.21
`7/1996 Kuhar ................................... 160/168.1
`1!1998 Lysyj .................................... 160/84.05
`8/1998 Judkins ............................ 160/84.05 X
`9/1998 Biro eta!. ........................ 160/84.04 X
`2/1999 Kipper et a!. ........................... 156/277
`
`Primary Examiner-Daniel P. Stodola
`Assistant Examiner-Bruce A. Lev
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm---Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC
`ABSTRACT
`
`[57]
`
`A cordless drive mechanism for use in a top rail of a shade
`having inherent spring characteristics. The drive mechanism
`includes a constant torque spring assembly, at least two tape
`spool assemblies, and a brake/clutch mechanism, all inter(cid:173)
`connected via a shaft. The shaft is driven by at least one
`spring assembly to drive the tape spool assembly, which
`retracts a bottom rail of the shade by acting as a reel upon
`which tape is wound. The brake/clutch assembly locks the
`shade into a position desired by the user, and applies a
`braking force to the shaft when the shade is retracting,
`forcing a virtually constant retraction speed. The constant
`torque spring assembly is modular, constructed of identical
`housing pieces, a spring take-up spool and a rolled constant
`torque spring. More spring assemblies may be added to the
`drive mechanism for larger and heavier shades. The tape
`spool assembly includes a tape guide retainer fitted with an
`angled tape retention wall which prevents slack tape from
`accumulating with the top rail.
`
`3 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`Norman Int. Exhibit 1002 Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`6,056,036
`
`/6
`
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`
`IFig-1
`
`30
`
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`
`Norman Int. Exhibit 1002 Page 2
`
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1002 Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`6,056,036
`
`Norman Int. Exhibit 1002 Page 4
`
`

`

`6,056,036
`
`1
`CORDLESS SHADE
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a window shade
`adjustment apparatus. More particularly, the present inven-
`tion is directed to a cordless window shade.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`spring, tending to return to a collapsed condition at the top
`of a window opening where it is usually stored. When fully
`retracted at the top of a window opening, the weight of the
`cellular shade still requires supplementary retention,
`because in that fully collapsed condition of the cells, the
`cellular shade has no remaining upward bias force of its own
`due to its own spring characteristics when retracted. On the
`other hand, when a cellular shade is fully extended to cover
`a window opening, it exerts a maximum upward bias force
`10 due to its own spring characteristics. Additionally, conven(cid:173)
`tional roller shades utilize traditional torsional coil springs
`which also provide maximum upward bias force when fully
`extended. In order to support the weight of a fully retracted
`shade, a torsional coil spring would have to be pre-loaded,
`15 which would greatly increase the force of the spring on the
`shade when it is fully extended. A combination of the
`upward bias force of a shade demonstrating its own inherent
`spring characteristics and the upward bias force of a tradi(cid:173)
`tional torsional coil spring at maximum extension would
`20 create excessive force and acceleration in retraction of the
`shade, causing danger of striking a person or of damaging
`the shade itself when it reaches the top of the stroke.
`In addition, the large variation among window areas
`covered by pleated, cellular or multi -cellular shades leads to
`a large variation in the weight of the shade itself. Conven(cid:173)
`tional torsional coil spring shade retraction mechanisms
`require more torsional spring length as the weight of the
`shade increases. For long but relatively narrow window
`openings, the take-up roller of a conventional roller shade
`30 retraction mechanism does not have enough length along the
`roller for the required torsional spring length. Therefore, a
`need exists for a roller spring mechanism which may be
`utilized with pleated, cellular or multi -cellular shades to
`eliminate the requirement of a cord in a lock or clutch
`35 mechanism, to limit the velocity and force of upward travel
`of the shade as it retracts, and to use with heavier shades in
`narrower window openings.
`
`Shades are used in a wide variety of applications to
`regulate the amount of light entering a given location and to
`enhance the overall appearance of the location in which the
`shades are placed. Shades normally employ several strings
`which are vertically placed through the shade and are
`bundled into a single shade cord. The shade cord is used to
`raise or lower the shade in conjunction with a shade posi(cid:173)
`tioning apparatus.
`Conventional cellular or pleated shades utilize cord locks
`or a clutch system to raise, lower and position a shade. With
`the cord lock mechanism, cords run up through the folded
`fabric, across the inside of a head rail and exit through a cord
`lock mechanism. Based on the width of a given shade, there
`can be no fewer than two and up to six or more cords coming
`out of the lock mechanism. In systems which utilize a clutch
`system, a continuous loop cord, not unlike the system use in 25
`raising and lowering a flag on a flagpole, is used. While
`shade positioning apparatuses allow for the desired posi(cid:173)
`tioning of the shades, they suffer from many drawbacks.
`First, the mere presence of a cord increases the danger of
`a child getting caught in or strangled by the exposed control
`cord. Second, excess cord usually is arranged around a
`wall-mounted cup hook or a cord cleat after the shade is
`adjusted. Wrapping the cord keeps it from hanging down to
`the floor but takes extra time and effort on the part of the
`person adjusting the shade. If left alone, the cords puddle on
`the floor, looking unsightly and leaving the window area
`unsafe to children and adults alike. Third, cords hanging
`from the lock or clutch mechanism are often perceived as
`aesthetically displeasing and detract from the decorative
`function of the shade. Fourth, ordinary shades with lock 40
`mechanisms regularly go out of alignment, making the
`bottom rail uneven. Finally, many of the shade positioning
`apparatuses utilizing cords frequently tangle or otherwise
`twist the shade cord after continued use of the apparatus.
`Common roller shades are known which operate in the 45
`absence of a cord. These roller shades include a wound
`torsion-spring retraction mechanism in combination with a
`catch mechanism mounted along a take-up roller onto which
`the shade rolls. In operation, a roller shade is pulled down
`manually to a desired location, where it locks and stays until
`the shade is released. To release the shade, an operator tugs
`along a bottom rail of the shade, extending the shade
`sufficiently to disengage an internal clutch within the catch
`mechanism of the shade. When the clutch is disengaged, the
`shade then retracts under its power, using the torsion-spring
`driven retraction mechanism. Known roller shades are only
`operable with fiat shade material which rolls up neatly into
`a confined location. As the shade retracts, the operator must
`keep some downward force on the shade to prevent violent
`shade retraction which may cause injury or damage to the 60
`shade.
`Cellular, pleated or multi-cellular window covering treat(cid:173)
`ments have superior light-blocking, insulation, and aesthetic
`properties over conventional roller shades. However, physi(cid:173)
`cal properties of pleated, cellular, and multi -cellular shades
`have heretofore prevented their use with roller shade mecha(cid:173)
`nisms. In particular, a cellular or pleated shade is itself a
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is directed to a cordless window
`shade which offers an alternative to cord-operated shades,
`with added safety and improved aesthetics. The shade uti(cid:173)
`lizes a retraction mechanism which includes a constant
`torque spring system for lift, and a clutch/brake system for
`positioning and retraction speed control. A shaft is driven by
`the constant torque spring system, the speed and force of
`travel of which is regulated by the brake/clutch system. A
`tape spool system attached to the shaft provides the means
`by which the shade is raised or lowered. The tape spool
`50 system includes a length of tape determined by the length of
`the shade, a tape spool, a tape guide, a tape guide retainer
`and a bottom plug. The tape spool, also driven by the shaft,
`serves as a reel upon which the tape winds. The tape is
`connected at one end to the tape spool and at the other end
`55 to a bottom rail at the bottom of the shade via the bottom
`plug, which is threaded onto the tape at a fixed location and
`inserted into pre-drilled holes in the bottom rail. The tape
`guide serves as a bearing support for the tape spool, and also
`as a guide for the tape to direct it through an aperture in the
`top rail. The tape guide retainer is secured to the tape guide
`at one end. At its other end, the tape guide retainer is
`provided with a curved finger which is resiliently biased
`against a portion of the external circumference of the tape
`spool, thereby preventing the tape from coming unraveled
`65 from the tape spool. The tape guide retainer is further
`provided along an intermediate portion with an angled tape
`retention wall located substantially vertically above the
`
`Norman Int. Exhibit 1002 Page 5
`
`

`

`6,056,036
`
`3
`aperture in the top guide through which the tape passes. If
`a user pushes the shade up rather than operating it, slack tape
`would normally be forced up through the tape guide retainer
`and into the upper housing area of the top rail, presenting the
`danger of the tape coming off of the spool or of the tape
`being caught within the spring mechanism. The angled
`retention wall traps the tape within the shade and prevents
`slack tape from entering and accumulating within the top rail
`away from the tape spool.
`The roller drive of the present invention operates no
`differently than the prior art roller shades. By simply holding
`the bottom rail in the center and gently pulling downward,
`the shade can be extended to the desired length. The
`brake/clutch system features one way operation that locks
`the shade in position when manually pulled to the desired
`location. To raise the shade, a gentle tug on the bottom rail
`will disengage an internal clutch within the brake/clutch
`mechanism of the shade, thereby allowing the spring system
`to drive the tape spool system, causing the tape spool to reel
`in the tape within the shade, thereby raising the shade to a
`desired height. The spring system produces virtually con(cid:173)
`stant torque on the shaft throughout its operational cycle.
`However, the retraction speed of the shade is regulated by
`the centrifugal braking system which applies increasing
`braking force along the shaft as its rotational velocity
`increases, resulting in virtually constant retraction speed of
`the tape onto the tape spool. Further, the spring system may
`be pre-loaded to support the weight of the fully retracted
`shade, with the magnitude of the pre-load dependent upon
`the size of the shade.
`The present invention thus provides a cord-free, child(cid:173)
`safe alternative lift system for existing pleated, honey(cid:173)
`combed cell or multi-cellular shades currently on the market.
`The constant velocity spring retention system eliminates any
`possibility of injury due to exposed lift chords, and prevents
`violent retraction of the shade due to the combined forces of
`the internal spring mechanism and the inherent spring char(cid:173)
`acteristics of the shade material. The tape guide retainer of
`the present invention further prevents fouling of the tape
`spool and prevents the tape from becoming unraveled from
`the tape spool. The compact nature of the retraction mecha(cid:173)
`nism and its modularity enable use with shades of all sizes,
`and especially with narrow, heavier shades with which
`conventional torsional coil springs are insufficient.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a cordless window
`shade of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially
`along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the drive system of FIG. 2
`FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a spool mechanism of
`the present invention taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art spool
`mechanism.
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a spring mechanism of
`the present invention taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`The roller shade of the present invention is demonstrated
`in FIG. 1. Shade assembly 10 includes a lower rail assembly
`1~, a cellular shade 14, and an upper rail assembly 16. Upper
`rail assembly 16 further includes a decorative top rail18 and
`a drive mechanism 20. As seen in FIG. 1, shade assembly 10
`
`4
`is mounted within window frame 22 such that the drive
`mechanism 20 is hidden within decorative top rail 18.
`Typically, shade 14 is attached to lower rail assembly 12 and
`up~er rail. assembly. 1~ with fabric stiffeners (not shown)
`5 which are mserted withm terminal cells and extend the entire
`width of shade 14. Because shade 14 includes cells, pleats or
`folds 15, shade 14 is itself a spring.
`Drive mechanism 20 is further illustrated in FIG. 2. When
`assembled, drive mechanism 20 is housed within decorative
`10 top rail18. According to the present invention, drive mecha(cid:173)
`nism 20 includes at least two spool assemblies 24, at least
`one modular spring assembly 26 (two spring assemblies 26
`are shown in FIG. 2) and a brake/clutch mechanism 28.
`Spool assemblies 24 are connected and driven by spring
`15 assemblies 26 via shaft 30, which is also interconnected with
`brake/clutch mechanism 28. Brake/clutch mechanism 28
`attaches to end cap 68 on connector 66, while spool assem(cid:173)
`blies 24 and spring assemblies 26 are sized to fit snugly
`within top rail18, thus securing drive mechanism 20 within
`20 top rail 18. The length of shaft 30 may be adjusted as the
`width of shade 14 increases or decreases. Similarly, the
`number of spool assemblies 24 and modular spring assem(cid:173)
`blies 26 may be adjusted based upon the width of shade 14.
`As shade 14 becomes longer, and therefore heavier, more
`25 spools assemblies 24 and spring assemblies 26 will be
`required. A pre-load of varying magnitude may be applied to
`spring assemblies 26 in order to support the weight of shade
`14 when it is fully retracted to a position at the top of the
`window opening. The position of spring assemblies 26
`30 relative to spool assemblies 24 is maintained through the use
`of spacers 62 placed along shaft 30.
`The individual components of drive assembly 20 are
`shown in FIG. 3. Spool assembly 24 attached to shaft 30
`includes tape 32, the length of which is determined by the
`35 length of shade 14, a tape spool 34, a tape guide 36, and a
`tape guide retainer 38. Tape spool 34 is driven by shaft 30
`and serves as a reel for tape 32 to wind upon. Tape 32 is
`connected at one end to tape spool 34 and at the other end
`to lower rail assembly 12 through pre-drilled holes (not
`40 shown) in lower rail assembly 12. Tape spool 34 includes a
`hub 40 which is received upon bearing portion 42 of tape
`guide 36. Tape guide 36 therefore serves as a bearing support
`for tape spool34, and also as a guide for tape 32. Tape guide
`36 includes an aperture 44 through which tape 32 passes. An
`45 aligned aperture (not shown) is provided in top rail 18.
`Aperture 44 in tape guide 36 therefore guides tape 32 into
`proper position with respect to shade 14 and spool34. Tape
`guide retainer 38 is secured to tape guide 36 at one end. At
`its other end, tape guide retainer is provided with a curved
`50 finger 46 which is resiliently biased against a portion of the
`external circumference of tape spool 34. Resilient finger 46,
`because of its bias against tape spool 34, prevents tape 32
`from becoming unraveled from tape spool 34.
`As shown in FIG. 5, prior art tape guide retainers do not
`55 include an angled tape retention wall, though they may
`include resilient fingers for holding tape on a tape spool.
`With prior art tape guide retainers, if a user pushed the shade
`up rather than activating the shaft and spool, tape 32 would
`normally be forced up through the prior art tape guide
`60 retainer 50 and into the upper housing area 52 within top rail
`18. As tape 32 is forced out of shade 14, it becomes
`unraveled from tape spool 34 and presents a danger of
`becoming fouled with the spool assembly or the drive
`mechanism. As shown in FIG. 4, angled retention wall 48
`65 positioned substantially vertically above aperture 44 on tape
`guide retainer 38 traps tape 32. Because of the position of
`angled retention wall 48, tape 32 is forced into contact with
`
`Norman Int. Exhibit 1002 Page 6
`
`

`

`6,056,036
`
`5
`angled retention wall 48, which prevents tape 32 from being
`forced up through tape guide 36 into area 52 within the
`decorative top rail 18. Tape 32 is therefore in no danger of
`unraveling from spool 34. Moreover, angled retention wall
`48 is upwardly angled towards tape spool 34. Positioned in
`this way, angled retention wall 48 does not interfere with
`tape 32 during normal operation of spool assembly 24.
`Returning to FIG. 2, drive mechanism 20 includes at least
`one spring assembly 26. Spring assembly 26 includes hous(cid:173)
`ings 54, a spring take-up spool 56 and a constant torque
`spring 58. Housings 54 are modular in design such that two
`identical housings 54 snap together to enclose one constant
`torque spring 58 and one spring take-up spool 56. In order
`to add a second spring take-up spool and a second constant
`torque spring, only one additional housing 54 need be
`provided. Two spring assemblies 26 are shown in FIGS. 2
`and 3; however, more or fewer spring assemblies may be
`necessary to retract the weight of shade 14 depending upon
`the size of shade 14. Spring assemblies 26 are therefore
`modular, allowing stacking of spring assemblies to achieve
`torque necessary to retract any size shade 14. Because spring
`assembly 26 utilizes a constant torque spring 58, the torque
`produced by the springs remains virtually constant through(cid:173)
`out its operational cycle. Inexpensive rolled constant-torque
`springs such as spring 58 are well known for use in other
`applications. However, rolled springs have not been used in
`window shade drive assemblies because the diameter of the
`spring is large relative to an equivalent torsional coil spring,
`requiring greater space within which to house the spring.
`The present application, however, supplies ample space
`within which to house the spring. Additionally, because the
`spring assemblies 26 are modular, any required additional
`force, eg. to raise a longer shade, may be applied to shaft 30
`merely by increasing the number of spring assemblies 26
`attached thereto. Thus the axial dimension, rather than the
`diametrical dimension, increases with increased spring
`capacity.
`As seen in FIG. 6, constant torque spring 58 lies freely
`within housing 54 and rests upon shelves 70 formed inte(cid:173)
`grally with housing 54. Spring 58 includes an end 72 which
`is received within opening 74 of spring take-up spool 56. As
`shaft 30 turns in a counter-clockwise direction, spring 58 is
`drawn upon take-up spool 56 (as a result of the driving
`relationship between the hexagonal shaft 30 and hexagonal
`hole 60 in spool 56), thereby exerting a force along shaft 30 45
`in a clockwise direction. When one-way operation of brake/
`clutch mechanism 28 is released, the clockwise force exerted
`upon shaft 30 by spring 58 causes shaft 30 to rotate in a
`clockwise direction, allowing spring 58 to wind back upon
`itself. Spring 58 is pre-loaded depending upon the size of the 50
`shade to apply enough tension to shaft 30 to support shade
`14 when it is in a fully retracted position.
`Brake/clutch mechanism 28 features one-way operation
`that locks shade 14 in position when manually pulled to the
`desired location. Brake/clutch system allows shade 14 to 55
`retract when shade 14 is pulled a predetermined additional
`amount and then released. When shade 14 is released, its
`retraction speed is regulated by a centrifugal braking system
`contained within brake/clutch system 28, which applies
`increasing braking force as the rotational velocity of shaft 30 60
`increases, resulting in a constant retraction speed of shade
`14.
`Brake/clutch systems such as the one described are well
`known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the present
`invention utilizes a Yeil brand ratchet unit as its brake/clutch
`mechanism 28. Brake/clutch mechanism 28 includes a
`modified end cap 64 which is received upon a connector 66
`
`6
`integrally formed with end cap 68. Drive mechanism 20 is
`thereby anchored within decorative top rail18. As best seen
`in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, top rail18 includes projections 76 and
`ledges 78, under which spool assembly 24 and spring
`5 assembly 26 frictionally engage. Projections 76 prevent
`vertical movement of drive assembly 20 under normal
`operating circumstances, thus fixing the position of drive
`assembly 20 within top rail18.
`Operation of the present invention may be demonstrated
`10 with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As a user pulls shade 14
`downwardly and extends it to a desired position, tape 32 is
`unrolled from spool34 to a length equal to the desired length
`of shade 14. As shade 14 is pulled to its desired position,
`constant torque spring 58 is wound upon spring take-up
`spool 56. Though constant torque spring 58 exerts the force
`15 along shaft 30, one-way operation of brake/clutch 28 pre(cid:173)
`vents shade 14 from retracting and locks shade 14 into the
`position desired by the user. Brake/clutch 28 utilizes a
`conventional spring-loaded cam pin (not shown) which
`locks into a steel guide (not shown) within the clutch when
`20 the shade pulled to a desired length. If shade 14 is raised or
`pushed upwardly without releasing the locked brake/clutch
`mechanism 28, angled retention wall 48 traps slack tape 32
`within shade 14. However, if shade 14 is pulled downwardly
`an additional predetermined amount, the spring-loaded cam
`25 pin is released from the steel guide, allowing retraction of
`the shade. The rotational velocity of shaft 30 driven by
`spring assembly 26 is sufficient to prevent the cam pin from
`seating unless the user manually retards upward movement
`of the shade. When one-way operation of brake/clutch
`30 mechanism 28 is released and upward movement of the
`shade is not restrained, force exerted by constant torque
`spring 58 along shaft 30 causes shaft 30 to rotate, which
`causes tape spool 34 to begin reeling in tape 32, which in
`turn causes shade 14 to rise. Shaft 30 is connected to a rotor
`35 (not shown) through a planetary gear (not shown), creating
`a speed increase by the rotor. Brake shoes (not shown) on the
`rotar are spun into an extended position where they engage
`against a stationary brake housing (not shown), thereby
`applying increasing braking force as the rotational velocity
`40 of shaft 30 increases. In combination, the force exerted by
`constant torque spring 58 upon shaft 30 and the centrifugal
`braking exerted in an opposite rotational direction along
`shaft 30 result in a constant and controlled retraction speed
`of shade 14.
`Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
`disclosed. A person of ordinary skill in the art would realize,
`however, that certain modifications would come within the
`teachings of this invention. Therefore, the following claims
`should be studied to determine the true scope and content of
`the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. In a roller type retraction system adapted for use in
`driving a shade having inherent spring properties tending to
`retract the shade to a stowed position from a deployed
`position, a spool assembly including a rotatably mounted
`spool having its rotational axis oriented parallel to the plane
`of the deployed shade and having a perimeter from which a
`shade supporting tape is unwound during shade deployment
`and onto which it is rewound during shade retraction, and a
`tape access aperture through which the tape passes during
`winding and unwinding, the spool being positioned relative
`to the tape access aperture such that the tape extends in a
`substantially vertical path from said tape access aperture to
`its point of tangency with the spool perimeter, an improved
`65 tape guiding means which comprises:
`a tape guide retainer having a base portion and an upper
`portion, said upper portion including a finger curved to
`
`Norman Int. Exhibit 1002 Page 7
`
`

`

`6,056,036
`
`7
`resiliently engage a partial outer circumference of the
`spool to prevent the tape from unraveling off the spool;
`and
`said base portion including the tape access aperture and a
`deflection plate located immediately adjacent to said 5
`vertical path and between said point of tangency and
`said access aperture, said deflection plate being also
`located so that said vertical path passes between said
`deflection plate and the spool, said deflection plate
`being inwardly angled toward the spool so that any 10
`slack tape which may be formed above said access
`aperture during rewinding thereof will be deflected
`toward the spool, to thereby prevent the tape from
`fouling the spool assembly.
`2. In a cordless roller type shade retraction system for a 15
`shade having inherent spring properties tending to retract the
`shade to a stored position from a deployed position, and
`having a head rail assembly including a rotatable shaft and
`spool assembly on which a shade-retracting tape is wound,
`an improved shaft-rotating drive means for causing said 20
`shaft and spool assembly to wind up the tape, comprising:
`a constant torque roll spring extending between a first
`coiled portion adjacent to the shaft and a second portion
`having an end fixed to a spool mounted on the shaft for
`rotation therewith;
`
`8
`said spring being attached to said spool such that when
`said spool is driven by said shaft in a first direction
`during deployment of the shade, said spring rolls onto
`said spool from said first coiled portion and provides a
`biasing force on said shaft tending to rotate the shaft in
`a shade-retracting direction which is opposite to said
`first direction;
`at least one spring housing in which said shaft is rotatably
`mounted, said housing having mounting means for
`fixedly securing it within the head rail assembly and
`coil-positioning means for accommodating and posi(cid:173)
`tioning said first coiled portion of said roll spring
`during transfer of portions of said spring between said
`coiled portion and said spool;
`the drive means being modular to permit similar drive
`units to be added to the head rail assembly when
`additional spring force is required, said spring housing
`being axially slidable along the shaft and axially stack(cid:173)
`able with adjacent spring housings and snap together.
`3. The improved shaft-rotating drive means of claim 2,
`wherein a pre-load is applied to said spring in said shade(cid:173)
`retracting direction to support the shade in the fully-retracted
`stored position.
`
`* * * * *
`
`Norman Int. Exhibit 1002 Page 8
`
`