IP Library Granted Patent US 9,243,447
Granted Patent B2
US 9,243,447 · App. 14/045,695 · Granted Jan 26, 2016

Roller shade assembly adjustment mechanism

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,243,447
App. No.
14/045,695
Granted
Jan 26, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

In various implementations, a roller shade assembly may include an elongated body and a mechanism. The mechanism may include gears and a spring. The mechanism may allow the roller shade to be locked and/or unlocked using a driver. Internal component(s) of the roller shade may be adjusted using the driver.

Claims (26)

1. A method of adjusting a roller shade, the method comprising:

inserting a driver into at least a portion of a first gear of a roller shade;

disengaging a second gear of the roller shade disposed proximate the first gear from a third gear of the roller shade by exerting a force with the driver; and

allowing adjustment of one or more internal components of the roller shade by rotating the driver.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein rotating the driver comprises rotating the first gear.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein rotating the driver comprises rotating the first gear, and wherein rotating the first gear rotates the third gear to adjust one or more internal components.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising exerting a force with the driver on the first gear, and wherein exerting the force with the driver compresses a spring contacting the second gear.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein disengaging the second gear comprises disengaging grooves of the second gear from teeth of the third gear.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising locking the roller shade such that adjustment is inhibited.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

removing the driver;

locking the roller shade by removing the driver.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

removing the driver; and

allowing a spring of the roller shade to exert a force on the second gear such that grooves of the second gear engage with teeth of the third ring to lock the roller shade.

9. A method of adjusting a roller shade, the method comprising:

removing a driver from at least a portion of a roller shade, wherein the driver exerted a force on a first gear of the roller shade, and wherein the first gear exerts at least a portion of the force on a second gear and a spring of the roller shade;

allowing the spring of the roller shade to expand by removing driver;

allowing the second gear to move towards teeth of a third gear of the roller shade by allowing the spring to expand; and

allowing groove of the second gear to engage the teeth of the third gear to lock the roller shade.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising unlocking the roller shade.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising unlocking the roller shade by:

inserting the driver into at least a portion of the first gear of the roller shade; and

disengaging the second gear of the roller shade disposed proximate the first gear from the third gear of the roller shade by exerting a force with the driver.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising allowing adjustment of one or more internal components of the roller shade by rotating the driver.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising locking the roller shade after allowing adjustment by removing the driver from the first gear of the roller shade.

Assignments (17)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT-ABL Recorded Sep 13, 2021
From: AIRXCEL, INC.; DICOR CORPORATION, INC.; MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.; TIFFIN MOTOR HOMES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 057494/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT-TL Recorded Sep 13, 2021
From: AIRXCEL, INC.; DICOR CORPORATION, INC.; MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.; TIFFIN MOTOR HOMES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 057494/0035 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS - ABL Recorded Sep 2, 2021
From: CITIZENS BANK, N.A. (AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO CITIZENS BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA), AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: AIRXCEL, INC.; MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.; DICOR CORPORATION, INC.; VIXEN COMPOSITES, LLC; AQUA-HOT HEATING SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 057396/0775 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS - SECOND LIEN Recorded Sep 2, 2021
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: AIRXCEL, INC.; MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.; DICOR CORPORATION, INC.; VIXEN COMPOSITES, LLC; AQUA-HOT HEATING SYSTEMS, LLC; MARVAIR, INC.
Reel/Frame 057396/0767 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS - FIRST LIEN Recorded Sep 2, 2021
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: AIRXCEL, INC.; MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.; DICOR CORPORATION, INC.; VIXEN COMPOSITES, LLC; AQUA-HOT HEATING SYSTEMS, LLC; MARVAIR, INC.
Reel/Frame 057396/0759 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 26, 2021
From: TOWNSLEY INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 055431/0911 →
TERMINATION OF FEB. 2017 GRANT Recorded Jun 19, 2018
From: CITIZENS BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA
To: AIRXCEL, INC.; MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.; DICOR CORPORATION, INC.; VIXEN COMPOSITES, LLC
Reel/Frame 046390/0476 →
TERMINATION OF FEB. 2017 GRANT Recorded Jun 19, 2018
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: AIRXCEL, INC.; MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.; DICOR CORPORATION, INC.; VIXEN COMPOSITES, LLC
Reel/Frame 046390/0465 →
ABL PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 30, 2018
From: AIRXCEL, INC.; MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.; DICOR CORPORATION, INC.; VIXEN COMPOSITES, LLC
To: CITIZENS BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA
Reel/Frame 046036/0488 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 30, 2018
From: AIRXCEL, INC.; MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.; DICOR CORPORATION, INC.; VIXEN COMPOSITES, LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 046036/0474 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 30, 2018
From: AIRXCEL, INC.; MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.; DICOR CORPORATION, INC.; VIXEN COMPOSITES, LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 046036/0481 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2017
From: AIRXCEL, INC.; DICOR CORPORATION, INC.; MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.; VIXEN COMPOSITES, LLC
To: CITIZENS BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA
Reel/Frame 041196/0031 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2017
From: ANTARES CAPITAL LP
To: MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.(FORMERLY KNOWN AS TOWNSLEY INDUSTRIES, INC.)
Reel/Frame 041181/0123 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2017
From: AIRXCEL, INC.; MCD INNOVATIONS, INC.; DICOR CORPORATION, INC.; VIXEN COMPOSITES, LLC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 041165/0425 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2016
From: TOWNSLEY INDUSTRIES, INC. D/B/A MCD INNOVATIONS
To: ANTARES CAPITAL LP
Reel/Frame 039909/0069 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2016
From: TOWNSLEY, DAVID M.
To: TOWNSLEY INDUSTRIES, INC. D/B/A MCD INNOVATIONS
Reel/Frame 039615/0228 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2014
From: MACDONALD, E. ARTHUR
To: TOWNSLEY, DAVID M.
Reel/Frame 034519/0082 →