(12) Unrted States Patent
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,283,192 B1
`
`T0ti
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Sep. 4, 2001
`
`U5006283192B1
`
`(54) FLAT SPRING DRIVE SYSTEM AND
`WINDOW COVER
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Andrew J. T0ti, 311 W. River St.,
`MOdeStO’ CA(US) 95351
`Subject. to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U~S-C~ 154(b) by 0 daYS-
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/229,595
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 13, 1999
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation—in—part of application No. 08/989,142, filed on
`Dec. 11, 1997, now abandoned, which is a continuation—in—
`part of application No. 08/963,774, filed on NOV. 4, 1997,
`now abandoned
`Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... E0613 3/322
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`................................... 160/170 R; 160/8404;
`185/39’ 185/45
`(58) Field Of Search ............................ 160/170 R, 171 R,
`160/168.1 R, 192, 172 R, 84.02, 84.06,
`84.04, 191, 193; 267/155, 156; 185/37,
`39, 45
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`2,276,716
`2,324,536
`273907826
`39352928:
`’
`’
`3,139,877
`3,151,704
`3,194,343
`
`U~S~ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`7/1855 Bixler.
`7/1937 Muffly ................................ 267/39 X
`12/1941 Burns .
`3/1942 Cardona.
`7/1943 Pratt .
`12/1945 C011“ -
`i132; gusumano ‘
`/
`tten '.
`7/1964 Graybill
`............................. 185/39 X
`
`10/1964 Clarke .............. 185/37
`7/1965 Sindlinger .......................... 185/39 X
`
`3,358,612
`3,363,891
`3,756,585
`27433373?)
`,
`,
`4,635,755
`2:213:
`5,054,162
`5,105,867
`5,133,399
`5,157,808
`5,170,830
`5,482,100
`5,531,257
`5,615,729
`5,813,447
`
`12/1967 Bleuer .............................. 267/156 X
`1/1968 Foster ............................... 267/180 X
`9/1973 Mihalcheon ......................... 267/156
`313::
`films“ ~
`160/189
`a .......................................
`1/1987 Arechaga ......................... 267/156 X
`1313:; ggfia'm .
`10/1991 Rogers .
`............................. 160/192 X
`4/1992 Coslett
`..
`..... 160/171 R
`7/1992 Hiller et al.
`
`10/1992 Sterner ........... 267/156 X
`............................. 160/192 X
`12/1992 Coslett
`1/1996 Kuhar .
`7/1996 Kuhar.
`.
`4/1997 Matsumoto et al.
`9/1998 Lysyj
`................................. 160/84.04
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0796994A2
`9/1997 (EP) .
`883709
`7/1943 (FR) .
`1068583
`1/1984 (SU) ..................................... 160/313
`Primary Examiner—David M. Purol
`(74) Attorne A em or Firm—Phili A Dalton
`V’
`g
`’
`p
`‘
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`~
`~
`~
`~
`~
`.
`Aspring drive system for Window covers is disclosed, Wthh
`includes a so-called flat spring drive and the combination
`whose elements are selected from a group which includes
`(1) a band transmission which provides varying ratio power
`transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) a gear system
`selected from various gear sets which provide frictional
`holding force and fixed Power transfer ratiOS; and (3) a gear
`transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the
`cover is opened or closed. The combination permits the
`spring drive force at the cover to be tailored to the weight
`and/or compression characteristics of the window cover
`such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover
`is opened and closed.
`
`44 Claims, 18 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 1
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 1
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Sep.4,2001
`
`Sheet1,0f18
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 2
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 2
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Sep.4,2001
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`SheetZ 0f18
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 3
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 3
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 4, 2001
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`Sheet 3 0f 18
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`151
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`
`
`FIG. 11A
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`
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`158
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`FIG. 33A
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`
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`156
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 4
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 4
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 4, 2001
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`Sheet 4 0f 18
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`
`
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 5
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 5
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 4, 2001
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`Sheet 5 0f 18
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 6
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 6
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 4, 2001
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`Sheet 6 0f 18
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 7
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`US. Patent
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`Sep.4,2001
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`Sheet7 0f18
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 8
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 4, 2001
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`Sheet 8 0f 18
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 9
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 9
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 4, 2001
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`Sheet 9 0f 18
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`44C
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 10
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 10
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Sep.4,2001
`
`Sheet10 0f18
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 11
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 11
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 4, 2001
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`Sheet 11 0f 18
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 12
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 12
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`US. Patent
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`Sep.4,2001
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`Sheet 12 0f 18
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 13
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 13
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 4, 2001
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`Sheet 13 0f 18
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 14
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 14
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`Sep. 4, 2001
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`Sheet 14 0f 18
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 15
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`Sep. 4, 2001
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`Sheet 15 0f 18
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`26A, 31A, 41A
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 16
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 16
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`Se .4 2001
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`Sheet 16 0f 18
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 17
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`Sep.4,2001
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`Sheet17 0f18
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 18
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 18
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`Sheet 18 0f 18
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`133
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 19
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 19
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`US 6,283,192 B1
`
`1
`FLAT SPRING DRIVE SYSTEM AND
`WINDOW COVER
`
`This is a continuation-in-part of US. patent application
`Ser. No. 08/989,142, titled FLAT SPRING DRIVE SYS-
`TEM AND WINDOW COVER, filed Dec. 11, 1997, inven-
`tor Andrew J. Toti now abandoned; which is a continuation-
`in-part of US. patent application Ser. No. 08/963,774, titled
`FLAT SPRING DRIVE SYSTEM AND WINDOW
`COVER, filed Nov. 4, 1997, inventor Andrew J. Toti now
`abandoned.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`invention relates generally to flat spring
`The present
`drives or motors, which are useful in numerous applications
`and, in particular, relates to the application of such flat spring
`drives in window cover systems.
`2. Definitions and Applicability
`Typically, as used here, “cover” refers to expandable or
`extendible structures. These include slat structures such as
`so-called venetian or slat blinds and so-called mini-blinds.
`
`These structures also include pleated folding structures such
`as single and plural pleat structures and box, hollow and
`cellular structures. “Cover” also refers to fla g, sheet-type
`covers such as roller blinds. In this document, “cover” and
`“blind” are frequently used interchangeably. As applied to
`such covers, “operate” refers to the process of closing and
`opening the covers,
`typically (for horizontal covers) to
`lowering and raising the cover.
`As used here, “horizontal” window cover refers to hori-
`zontally oriented covers such as horizontal slat blinds,
`horizontal folded pleat blinds and horizontal cellular blinds.
`The present invention is applicable generally to horizontal
`window cover systems and to flat window cover systems. It
`is understood that “window,” as used for example in “win-
`dow cover,” includes windows, doorways, openings in gen-
`eral and even non-opening areas or regions to which covers
`are applied for decoration, display, etc.
`As used here, the terms “operatively connected,” “opera-
`tively coupled,” “operatively connected or coupled” and the
`like include both direct connections of one component to
`another without intervening components and connections
`via intervening components including gears, transmissions,
`etc.
`3. Current State of the Relevant Field
`
`Typically a horizontal cover or blind is mounted above the
`window or space which is to be covered, and is operated
`using lift cords to extend the cover and lower it across the
`area, stopping at a selected position at which the blind
`partially or fully covers the area. For most horizontal slat
`blinds, the lift cords are attached to a bottom rail and the
`“rungs” or cross-members of a separate cord ladder are
`positioned beneath the slats of the blind. When the blind is
`fully lowered, each slat is supported by a rung of the blinds
`cord ladder and relatively little weight is supported by the
`lift cords. However, as the blind is raised,
`the slats are
`“collected” on the bottom rail, and the support of the slats is
`thus increasingly transferred from the cord ladder to the
`bottom rail and the weight supported by the rail and the lift
`cords increases.
`
`Many pleated, cellular, box, etc., blinds are formed of
`resilient material having inherent spring-like characteristics.
`As the resilient pleated blind is raised toward the fully open
`position, the blind material is increasingly compressed, and
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
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`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`requires increasingly greater force to overcome the com-
`pression force and move the blind and hold the blind in
`position. Effectively, then, both the slat blind and the pleated
`blind require increasingly greater force to open the blind and
`to maintain the blind open than is required to close the blind
`and maintain the blind closed.
`
`The operating characteristics of conventional constant
`torque flat spring drives, especially long blinds, make it
`difficult
`to assist
`the opening and closing operation of
`horizontal and flat blinds. As applied to downward-closing
`embodiments of such blinds, spring drives usually are
`mounted at the top of the blind, and are operatively con-
`nected or coupled to the shaft about which the blind lift
`cords are wound. As described above, as the blind is
`lowered, the slat weight supported by the lift cords decreases
`and the compression of the pleats decreases. However, the
`torque force of the spring remains relatively constant, with
`the result that the spring torque may overcome the decreas-
`ing supported weight or the decreasing compression force,
`and raise the blind in fast, uncontrolled fashion. Also, it may
`be difficult
`to keep the blind at a selected position.
`Furthermore, if the blind is heavy, and requires a strong
`spring to maintain the blind open, the blind is particularly
`susceptible to instability and uncontrolled raising operation
`when partially or fully closed.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In one embodiment, the present invention is embodied in
`a spring drive which comprises a storage drum or spool, an
`output drum or spool, and a flat spring wound on the two
`drums or spools. In a preferred embodiment, the flat spring
`is adapted for providing a torque which varies along al least
`a section of the length of the spring.
`In a specific
`embodiment, at least one section of the spring has a cove of
`selected curvature which varies along the length of the
`spring for providing torque which varies proportional to the
`cove as the spring winds and unwinds. In another specific
`embodiment, at least one section of the spring has holes of
`selected size and location along the spring axis for providing
`torque which varies indirectly proportional to the transverse
`size of the holes and the resulting effective width of the
`spring as the spring winds and unwinds.
`In another embodiment, the present invention is embodied
`in a plural spring drive system comprising an output drum;
`and a plurality of storage drums, each having a flat spring
`wound thereon. The plurality of flat springs extend to and are
`wound together in overlapping fashion on the output drum,
`such that the system torque at the output drum is a multiple
`of the torques associated with the individual flat springs.
`Various alternative arrangements can be used, for example,
`the storage drums can be arranged in approximately a
`straight line; the output drum and the storage drums can be
`arranged in approximately a straight line; the storage drums
`can be arranged in a cluster; and the output drum and the
`storage drums can be arranged in a cluster. In a preferred
`embodiment, at least one of the flat springs is adapted for
`imparting a torque component to the system torque which
`varies along the length of the said one spring. In one specific
`embodiment, the said one spring has a cove or transverse
`curvature which selectively varies along the length of the
`said spring for providing torque which varies proportional to
`the transverse curvature of the said spring at a position
`closely adjacent the output drum as the said spring winds
`and unwinds. In another specific embodiment, the said one
`spring has holes along its length for providing torque which
`varies proportional to the transverse size of the holes and the
`resulting effective width of the said spring when one or more
`
`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 20
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`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 20
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`3
`holes is positioned closely adjacent the output drum as the
`spring winds and unwinds.
`the spring drive further com-
`In another embodiment,
`prises a magnetic brake comprising one or more magnetiz-
`able regions or magnets at selected positions along the flat
`spring, or at least one of the flat springs; and a magnet brake
`member mounted adjacent
`the flat spring, so the brake
`member stops the flat spring at the selected positions.
`In yet another embodiment, the spring drive further com-
`prises a detent brake comprising one or more holes at
`selected positions along the flat spring, or at least one of the
`flat springs; and a detent brake member biased against the
`flat spring for engaging the holes and stopping the flat spring
`at the selected positions.
`Other embodiments of spring drives in accordance with
`the present invention include constant cove section(s); and/
`or sections selected from varying cove(s), including reverse
`curvature cove(s); and/or perforated section(s).
`Still additional specific embodiments of the present inven-
`tion include individual spring drives comprising plural
`springs, and spring drive systems comprising plural spring
`drive units, including individual spring drive units which
`comprise single or plural springs.
`The present invention is also embodied in window cover
`systems which include one or more spring drives of the type
`described herein.
`
`Additionally, the present invention is embodied in spring
`drives and spring drive cover systems which include drive
`and/or transfer systems selected from mechanisms which
`include gear and band systems and transmissions, bevel gear
`sets, and varied ratio cord pulley systems in accordance with
`the present invention; braking devices selected from mecha-
`nisms including detent, magnetic and recoiler brakes, in
`accordance with the present invention; operating mecha-
`nisms selected from cranks and cord pulley systems in
`accordance with the present invention; and battery-assisted
`systems.
`In specific applications embodying the present invention,
`one or more of the spring drives are incorporated in window
`cover systems for providing torque or force tailored to the
`operating characteristics of the cover. In another application,
`the spring drive (or drives) is used in combination with one
`or more band shift transmissions for varying the drive force
`of the spring; one or more gear transmissions for providing
`a fixed gear ratio to fixedly alter the drive force of the spring;
`and one or more connecting gear sets and mechanisms. In
`addition to controlling the applied force of the spring, the
`transmissions alter the length of the cover and provide
`inertia and friction for maintaining the blind at selected
`positions between and including open and closed positions.
`Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention
`are described in the specification, drawings and claims.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The above and other aspects of the invention are
`described below in conjunction with the following drawings.
`FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a horizontal slat blind
`
`window cover system, showing the cover in a lowered
`(closed) condition.
`FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the window cover
`
`system of FIG. 1, showing the cover in a near fully-raised
`(near open) condition.
`FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a horizontal pleated
`blind window cover system, showing the cover in a lowered
`(closed) condition.
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`FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the window cover
`
`system of FIG. 3, showing the cover in a near fully-raised
`(near open) condition.
`FIG. 5 is a perspective of a band shift transmission in
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a perspective of a flat spring drive.
`FIG. 7 is a perspective of a varied torque, flat spring drive
`having varied cove in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is a perspective of a varied torque, flat spring drive
`having holes in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the band of FIG. 5.
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the flat spring of FIG. 6.
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the varied cove spring of
`FIG. 7.
`
`FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are, respectively, a perspective
`view, an end elevation view sans spring, and a schematicized
`side elevation view of a roll forming assembly for forming
`springs of constant or varied cove.
`FIGS. 11D, 11E and 11F are transverse cross-section
`views of springs having, respectively, constant cove, rela-
`tively shallow reverse edge curvature, and relatively deep
`reverse edge curvature.
`FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the perforated spring of
`FIG. 8.
`
`FIGS. 13—19 are top plan views of spring drive units
`embodying the present invention.
`FIGS. 14A and 14B depict the use of bevel gear sets to
`interconnect non-parallel components such as the pulley(s)
`and spring drives.
`FIGS. 14C and 14D depict the wound/unwound condition
`of a spring drive when the associated cover or blind is in the
`raised and lowered position, respectively.
`FIG. 15A depicts a spring drive unit which is similar to
`unit the unit depicted in FIG. 15, and includes a recoil roll.
`FIGS. 20—28 and 42 depict additional embodiments of the
`perforated spring of FIG. 12.
`FIGS. 29 and 30 are top and side views, respectively, of
`a perforated spring comprising separate sections joining by
`various joining means or members.
`FIGS. 31 and 32 are top and side views, respectively, of
`a non-perforated sectioned spring.
`FIGS. 33—37 depict magnetic and detent brakes and
`components useful in spring drives.
`FIG. 33A depicts a braking device embodied in a recoiler
`roll
`
`FIG. 33B depicts yet another braking device, one embod-
`ied in a coil spring recoiler.
`FIG. 38 depicts a single spring drive unit which includes
`three lift cords and pulleys.
`FIG. 39 depicts a window cover which includes a pair of
`drive units, each of which is similar to that of FIG. 38, but
`includes two pulleys and associated lift cords.
`FIG. 39A depicts a multiple spring drive unit which
`includes a recoiler unit of the type depicted in FIG. 33A.
`FIG. 40 depicts a window cover comprising a pair of
`spring drive units similar to those of FIG. 38 without the
`power transfer bar and with only one pulley in each drive
`unit.
`
`FIG. 40A depicts an increased torque window cover drive
`system similar to that of FIG. 40, in which each spring drive
`comprises a pair of springs mounted in parallel.
`FIG. 41 depicts representative examples of the lift cord
`paths for two and four cord systems.
`
`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 21
`
`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 21
`
`

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`US 6,283,192 B1
`
`5
`FIG. 42 depicts another alternative perforated spring, one
`which comprises two laterally spaced parallel rows of lon-
`gitudinally spaced,
`longitudinally elongated slots 42, for
`providing uniform torque characteristics.
`FIG. 42A depicts yet another perforated spring, one
`comprising longitudinally-overlapping elongated slots hav-
`ing round, semi-circular ends 42B, for providing uniform
`torque characteristics.
`FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a varied torque, torque-
`multiplying, plural flat spring drive in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 44 is a simplified front elevation depiction of FIG. 43
`illustrating the relationship of the two spring drives and their
`overlapping springs.
`FIG. 45 is a top plan view of a spring drive unit embody-
`ing the plural spring drives of FIG. 43.
`FIGS. 46—48 depict embodiments of electric motor-
`assisted spring drive systems.
`FIGS. 49 and 50 are, respectively, a front perspective
`view, partially broken away, and a top plan view of a
`compact, simple, plural-drive high torque spring drive sys-
`tem.
`
`FIG. 51 is a perspective view of a direct or varied ratio
`cord pulley system.
`FIG. 52 is a top plan view of a section of a simple high
`torque spring drive system which includes the varied ratio
`cord pulley of FIG. 51.
`FIG. 53 is a top plan view of a section of a simple high
`torque spring drive system which includes the automatic
`cord locking mechanism of FIG. 54.
`FIG. 54 is a front perspective view, partially cut away, of
`an automatic cord locking mechanism in accordance with
`the present invention.
`FIGS. 55 and 56 are partial front elevation section views
`taken along lines 55—55 and 56—56 in FIG. 53 and
`respectively showing the locking mechanism in the locked
`position and unlocked position.
`FIG. 57 is an end elevation section view taken along line
`57—57 in FIG. 53.
`
`FIG. 58 is a top plan view of a section of a simple,
`crank-operated, high torque spring drive system in accor-
`dance with the present invention.
`FIG. 59 is a top plan view of a section of an alternative
`simple, crank-operated, high torque spring drive system in
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 60 is an end elevation section view taken along line
`60—60 in FIG. 58.
`
`FIG. 61 is an end elevation section view taken along line
`61—61 in FIG. 59.
`
`FIGS. 62 and 63 depict a crank which is suitable for use
`in the systems disclosed in FIGS. 58 and 59.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
`1. Examples of Applicable Blinds
`FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a conventional horizontal slat
`(venetian) window cover system 10 in closed (fully lowered)
`and nearly fully open positions, respectively. The cover
`system 10 comprises an elongated top housing or support 11
`within which a spring drive unit such as unit 15, FIG. 13, is
`mounted. The associated blind 12 comprises horizontal slats
`13 and a bottom rail 14 which can be the same as the slats
`
`but, preferably, is weighted to enhance the stability of the
`blind 12.
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`FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a conventional horizontal pleated
`blind cover system 20 in closed and nearly fully open
`positions, respectively. The blind cover system 20 comprises
`housing 11 within which the spring drive unit 15 is mounted.
`The associated blind 22 typically comprises light weight
`fabric or other material which is resilient and maintains the
`
`shape of horizontal pleats 23. The blind also includes a
`bottom rail 24 which is sufficiently heavy, or weighted, to
`provide stability to the blind 22.
`Regarding slat blind 10, FIGS. 1 and 2, and as is typical
`of such blinds, spaced cord ladders 17 are suspended from
`the support 11 and the rungs 21 of the ladders are routed
`along and/or attached the underside of the individual slats 13
`so that when the ladders are fully extended (lowered) and the
`blind 12 is thus fully lowered, as depicted in FIG. 1, the
`weight of each slat is supported by the ladders, with little
`weight on the lift cords. In contrast, as the blind 12 is raised
`from the lowermost position, for example to the partially
`raised/lowered position depicted in FIG. 2,
`the slats are
`sequentially “collected” on the bottom rail 14, starting with
`the bottommost slats, so that an increasing weight is sup-
`ported on the bottom rail and by the lift cords 16. Thus, and
`perhaps counter-intuitively, the weight supported by the lift
`cords is a maximum when the blind is fully open (raised),
`and a minimum when the blind is fully closed (lowered).
`As discussed previously, the force requirements of hori-
`zontal pleated blinds such as blind 20, FIGS. 3 and 4 are
`somewhat similar to the slat blind 10 in that the compression
`of the pleats 23 increasingly opposes movement of the blind
`as it is raised. thus increasing the force required to open the
`blind and to maintain the blind in position. Conversely, the
`decreasing compression of the material as the blind is
`lowered toward the closed position decreases the force
`requirement.
`The following exemplary spring drives and transmissions
`are used in any combination to provide easy-to-use, stable
`window covering operation. Section 2 below contains a brief
`discussion of the spring drives shown in FIGS. 5—12 and two
`transmissions.
`In section 3,
`the various combinations
`depicted in FIGS. 13—19 are discussed.
`2. Spring Drives and Transmissions
`a. Band Shift Transmission
`
`FIGS. 5 and 9 depict a band shift transmission or gear unit
`21 which comprises a pair of drums or spools 22, 23, about
`which is wound a cord or band 24. Preferably the band is an
`elongated strip of thin cloth or thin steel having a flat
`rectangular cross-section. However, other suitable materials
`can be used, and other cross-section shapes can be used
`which provide controlled variation in the radii on the drums.
`For example, a circular or oval cross-section cord-type band
`can be used. As used here,
`the term “band” includes, in
`accordance with the preferred embodiment, a thin,
`flat
`rectangular shape, but also includes other suitable cross-
`section shapes as well.
`The band shift transmission (also, simply “band transmis-
`sion” or “shift transmission”) provides a varying drive ratio
`which is used to increase or diminish the torque or force of
`the spring drive unit. The band shift transmission applies the
`varying drive ratio between the spring drive and the lift cord
`pulleys. The ratio of the band transmission is determined by
`the radius of the band stored on each drum. The radii vary
`as the band winds and unwinds, varying the associated gear
`ratio. Thus,
`increasing (decreasing) the thickness of the
`band,
`increases the rate at which the radii increase and
`decrease, and increases the gear ratio provided by the
`transmission. By way of example but not limitation, a band
`thickness of 0.014 inches has given satisfactory results.
`
`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 22
`
`Norman Int. Exhibit 1001 Page 22
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`US 6,283,192 B1
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`7
`The manner of mounting the band can be used to decrease
`or increase the ratio of the speed of the spring output drum
`relative to that of the lift cord pulleys as the blind is lowered.
`Preferably, the band 24 is mounted so the band radius on
`output drum 23 increases relative to the band radius on
`storage drum 22 as the blind is lowered, and decreases as the
`blind is raised, thus offsetting or decreasing the power with
`which the spring would otherwise oppose the blind, enhanc-
`ing or increasing somewhat the lifting power of the spring
`during raising of the blind, increasing the distance traveled
`by the blind relative to the spring drive, and increasing the
`maximum operational
`length of the blind (the distance
`between the fully raised and fully lowered positions). Of
`course, the band shift transmission 21 can be arranged so the
`output drum radius decreases relative to the storage drum
`radius as the blind is lowered and increases relative to the
`
`storage drum radius as the blind is raised, thereby increasing
`the force during lowering of the blind, decreasing the force
`during raising of the blind and decreasing blind length.
`b. Flat Spring Drives
`Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 10, conventional “flat”
`spring drive unit 26 comprises a pair of drums or spools 27,
`28, about which is wound a flat metal spring 29 that provides
`nearly constant torque regardless of its wound position on
`the drums.
`
`Referring next to FIGS. 7 and 11, varied torque fiat spring
`drive unit 31 comprises a flat metal spring 34 of varying
`cove, which is wound around drums or spools 32, 33. One
`drum, such as left drum 32 is a storage drum; the other drum
`33 is the output drum. The torque or force of the spring 34
`is directly proportional to the degree of cove or transverse
`curvature of the spring. Thus, for example, and in one
`preferred embodiment,
`the cove varies from a relatively
`small degree of transverse curvature (nearly flat, small cove)
`at end 36 to a relatively large degree of curvature (large
`cove) at the opposite end 37. Examples, representative, but
`by no means limiting, are 3/8 WXl/lo R of curvature or
`“coveness” at the shallow coved end and 3/8 W><3/s R of
`
`coveness at the highly coved end (W and R are, respectively,
`width and radius in inches).
`FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are, respectively, a perspective
`view, an end elevation view sans spring, and a schematicized
`side elevation view of a roll form assembly 140 for forming
`springs of constant or varied cove. As illustrated, the form-
`ing assembly 140 is used to form a non-coved or coved
`spring 34 into a spring 34A having a cove configuration
`having at least a section thereof which varies longitudinally,
`along the length of the spring, and/or transversely, along the
`width of the spring. In a preferred embodiment, at least a
`longitudinal section of the spring 34A comprises a reverse
`curvature or cove, FIGS. 11E and 11F, in which the con-
`figuration of one or both edges is different from the cove of
`the intermediate transverse region of the spring. That is, one
`or both edges (1) has less curvature than the intermediate
`region, (2) is flat (no curvature), or (3) has a curvature
`opposite to that of the intermediate region, All three cases
`provide decreased torque, torque of smaller magnitude than
`would be available from a spring having the curvature of the
`intermediate region edge-to-edge. Specifically, a spring of
`configuration (1) or (2) provides lesser torque than is pro-
`vided by a spring having the intermediate curvature edge-
`to-edge and, opposite curvature, configuration (3), actually
`provides a net spring torque which is less than the magnitude
`of the torque provided by the intermediate region.
`Illustratively, the forming assembly 140 comprises upper
`and lower support block assemblies 141 and 142 which
`include shafts 143 and 144 mounting upper and lower rolls
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