IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,850,017
Granted Patent B1
US 6,850,017 · App. 09/454,723 · Granted Feb 1, 2005

Head rail-mounted actuator for window coverings

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,850,017
App. No.
09/454,723
Granted
Feb 1, 2005
Kind
B1
Abstract

A mini-blind actuator has a motor and a housing that holds the motor and a dc battery. The rotor of the motor is coupled to the baton of the mini-blind for rotating the baton and thereby opening or closing the slats of the mini-blind. Alternatively, the rotor is coupled to the tilt rod of the blind to rotate the tilt rod and thereby open or close the slats of the mini-blind. A control signal generator generates a control signal for completing the electrical circuit between the battery and the motor. The control signal can be generated in response to a predetermined amount of daylight or in response to a user-generated remote command signal. The actuator can be used to rotate the slats of horizontal or vertical blinds, or the sections of a pleated shade. Or, the actuator can be used to rotate the hollow rotatable tube of a roll-up shade.

Claims (6)

1. A device for moving an operator of a window covering, the window covering being selected from the group of window coverings including vertical blinds, horizontal blinds, cellular shades, pleated shades, and lift and tilt shades, the device comprising:

an actuator including at least one electric motor in a head rail of the window covering and coupled to the operator in the head rail, a rotor of the motor being provided for rotating the operator in either direction, the head rail defining a length; and

at least one direct current battery supported by the head rail, the battery energizing the motor to move the operator in response to a control signal, the window covering extending substantially the length of the head rail such that, when the window covering is in a closed configuration, the window covering covers the entire surface area of a window with which the head rail is engaged.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the battery is mounted in the head rail of the window covering.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one battery is the sole source of power for the motor.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one battery is an alkaline or lithium battery.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2003
From: HARMONIC DESIGN, INC., NOW INNOVISION, INC.
To: HARMONIC DESIGN, INC., FORMERLY SOMFY ACQUISITION, INC.
Reel/Frame 013943/0898 →