Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~'7~
WINDOW SHADE ROLLER ASSE~LY
TECHNICAL FIELD
.
The present invention relates to shade
rollers, preferably for windows, and employs a
5 roll having an opening at one end thereof for
accepting a roll operating device. In its
preferred form, the roll operating device com-
prises a chain operated sprocket wheel having an
extension which projects into and is disen-
l0gageably mounted in the roll. In another form,projections on the roll engage openings in the
spxocke~ wheel. In either case, the hub is
adapted to engage the roll to cause the roll to
rotate in response to movement of the chain.
For best results, a pair of brackets is
provided for attachment to the wall t ceiling
surfaces or frame surrounding the window. The
roll operating device is mounted to one of the
brackets. The other end of the roll may be
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provided with a pin extending therefrom, and
the other bracket with means for rotatably
receiving the pin. The mounting of the roll
to both brackets is preferably non-permanent to
allow for removal and replacement of the roll,
as well as easy access to operating parts for
- service and tension adjustment should this ever
be needed.
The roller drive mechanism is completely
10 hidden by the shade mounting which is provided
with a snap in facia covering the entire roller
shade assembly. The roller drive mechanism
itself includes a novel form of sprocket wheel of
paddle-shape design which prevents the bead chain
15 from riding up and hitting the surrounding re-
tainer. An adjustable novel disc brake is
provided, whose readily accessible tension is
adjustable from 0 to 100~ of the shade weight.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention
: are described in more detail below with refer-
ence to tl-e drawings in which like numerals refer
to li]ce parts and in which various preferred
11~7~35Z8
embodiments of the invention are depicted:
Fig. 1 is a detail view of a preferred
embodiment of a window shade roller assembly
in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. la is a general front elevation of
a shade as installed;
Fig. 2 is a detail view of the bracket
which accepts the roll operating device, taken
along line 2-2 in Fig. l and with the roll
10 operating device removed;
Fig. 3 is a detail view of the bracket
of Fig. 2 taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a detail view of the bracket
of Fig. 5 taken along line 4-4 in Fig. 5;
Fig. 5 is a detail view of the other
bracket taken along line 5-5 in Fig. l (and
omitting the roll pin);
Fig. 6 is a partial detail view showing the
upper half of another embodiment of a roller
20 assembly in accordance with the invention and
including the bracket which accepts the roll
operating device;
Fig. 7 is a detail view of still another
embodimen-t of a window shade roller assembly
25 in accordance with the present invention;
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t Fig. 8 is a detail view of the bracket ln
the er~odiment of Fig. 7, the said detail taken
along line 8-8 in Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is an isometric view of still
5 another preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
- Fig. 10 is an isometric view of an embodi- ;
ment in accordance with the invention ln which
the window shade rollers are ganged;
Fig. 11 is a partial horizontal cross- ¦
sectional view of a further embodiment of the
present invention, taken along the line 11-11
of Fig. la;
Fig. 12 is a partial exploded perspective
15 view showing construction of a modified form of
sprocket wheel;
Fig. 13 is a partial vertical cross-
sectional view along the line 13-13 of Fig. 11;
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view along
20 the line 14-14 of Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view along the
line 15-15 of Fig. 13;
Fig. 16 is a partial vertical cross-
sectional view along the line 16-16 of Fig. la;
Fig. 17 is a horizontal cross-sectional view
along the line 17-17 of Fig. 16, and
~1 7~Zt3
t Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the
idle end of the roller.
Fig. 1 generally illustrates a window
shade roller with mounting brackets, while Fi~.
5 la illustrates installation in a window frame 1.
! With specific reference to Fig. 1, the
numeral 10 denotes a roll for receiving a
conventional shade (not shown). The roll 10 has
an opening 12 and two slots 14 at one end into
10 which is inserted a roll operating mechanism
denoted generally by the numeral 16. More slots
can be used if desired.
The roll operating mechanism 16 is mounted
on a bracket 18. The bracket 18 is provided
lS with a plurality of holes 20, 22 for mounting to
the window frame, to the ceiling, or to the wall,
depending on which holes are used. Preferably,
holes 20 should be used for ceiling or window
frame mounting while holes 22 should be used for
20 wall mounting.
The other end of the roll contains a pin
or equivalent extension 24, the extension being
fixedly mounted in plug 26 which in turn is
fixedly mounted in roll 10. Thus, the pin and
plug assembly rotate with the roll~
~1~785Z8
t The pin 24 rotatabiy engages a second
mounting bracket 28 which may also be mounted
to the ceiling, wall or window frame in the
same manner as bracket 18. The mounting holes
5 in second bracket 18 are denoted by the numerals
20' and 22'.
The roll operating device 16 comprises a
sprocket wheel 30 having an extension 32 thereon. I
The hub 30 is larger in diameter than the roll J
10 10 and is provided with a plurality of indenta-
tions or depressions 34 for receiving a conven-
tional bead chain (denoted by the numeral 36)
or other operating device, such as a sprocket
chain. As illustrated, the extension 32 is an
15 integral part of the hub 30, although it should
be understood that the extension may be pro-
vided as a separate piece which is then affixed
to the hub 30.
Bracket 18 has a projecting non-rotatable
20 extension or pin 38 on which the hub 30 and
extension 32 are journalled via a nylon or other
low friction material bushing 102. The extension
38 extends a selected distance past the end of
hub extension 32 and is preferably provided with
25 screw threads 40 as illustrated. A washer 42
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t785Z8
t is mounted on the extension 38 adjacent the hub
extension, along with a spring 44 and a washer
and nut assembly 46. Preferably, the nut is of
the self-locking variety. Alternatively, a
pair of nuts can be used, or a nut with a set
screw, such as that denoted by the numeral 100,
can be used. As is readily appreciated, the
spring 44, braced by the washer and nut assembly
46, urges the entire roll operating device to
the left as viewed in Figure 1. This tends to
insure continuing frictional contact of the hub
30 with the inner surface 48 of the bracket 18
both before and after installation of the bracket
on the ceiling or wall. This frictional force
15 between hub and bracket tends to prevent the roll
from rotating and unwinding the shade which may
occur due to the weight of a partially lowered
shade.
The hub extension 32 is provided with two
20 or more bores 50 which accept an equal number of
operating pins 52. Operating pins 52 project
from the hub and ride in the roll slots 14. Upon
rotation of the roll operating device 16, operating
pins 52 will engage the sides of the slots t~
25 rotate the roll to raise or lower the shade.
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t Although two bores 50 are shown, it is to
be understood that three or more, and preferably
four, bores may be used. If four bores are used,
the roller, when mounted in a window, can be
S adjusted to horizontally level the shade by
simply separating the roll from the hub, rotating
the roll one-quarter turn, and replacing it on
the hub. Of course, the nurnber of operating
pins 52 rnay be made equal in number to the bores
10 50.
The bracket 18 may be made of metal, plastic
or wood and may be molded or machined or otherwise
fabricated to obtain the illustrated configura-
tion. The bracket 18 is formed with a plurality
15 of bead chain receiving channels 56, 56' which
are recessed in the face 58 of the bracket.
As can be readily appreciated, hub 30 is
app;roximate]y the same in diameter as the dia-
meter of the recess indicated by the arrows 62
20 in Figure 2. When the hub is installed on the
bracket, the bead chain is entrained in the
recesses 56 or 56', as the case may be, between
the hub 30 and the overhanging portions 64 of
the bracket.
The channels 56 and 56' will permit the
bead chain to exit and hang down from the bracket
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t regardless of whether the bracket is mounted to
the wall, ceiling or window frame.
Referring now to the other end of the roll
10, bracket 28 is seen to be similar in external
appearance to bracket 18. This permits it to
be mounted in the same manner as bracket 18 to
provide an aesthetically balanced effect for the
window roller assembly. However, the face 66 of
this bracket is different than the face of
bracket 18. Bracket 28 is provided with a mount-
ing panel 68 which in turn is mounted on the
bracket face via a pair of screw receiving
openings 70.
The mounting panel 68 is provided with a
raised section 72 which has an elongated slot
74 therein for rotatably receiving the pin 24.
In its preferred form, the brackets 18
and 28 have their respective ro.l.l operating
mechanism 16 and mounting panel 68 preassembled
thereon. The brackets are then affixed to the
ceiling wall or frame surrounding the window.
Roll 10 is then brought into position by first
placing opening 12 over the roll operating
mechanism.
With two or even four operating pins 52,
it will be appreciated that the roll 10 may pivot
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35~3
t on the pins in all directions, the extent of ;
pivoting motion being limited only by contact
of the steel bumpers 76 or contact of the washer
and nut assembly 46 with the inside wall of the
S roll. This then permits the roll to be moved
into position and pln 24 dropped into the slot
74 in mounting panel 68 to complete the installa-
tion. Adjustments in horizontal tilt of the roll
may then be made by simply moving mounting panel
68 to correct for alignment error.
The bumpers preferably fill the space
between the hub extension 32 and roll 10 so
that play in the roll diameter is eliminated, and
the roll can turn silently and not deviate from
level.
- Figure 6 depicts another embodiment in
which the mounting bracket 18 is replaced by a
bracket 78 which, instead of the type of over-
hangs 64 shown in Figure 2, is provided with a
plurality of overhangs consisting of plate 80
spaced around the circumference of the hub 30
to retain the bead chain in place. In addition,
a face of leather or other friction material 82,
as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6, may be used
in both embodiments described above if it is
desired to help insure consistent friction
S~8
f lo~ding on the hub 30.
The embodiment shown inFigures 7 and 8
utilizes a bracket 86 which is somewhat different
from the bracket 18. In this embodiment, a
separate insert 88 having an arched overhang 90
is fixedly mounted to the bracket 86, the
overhang 90 retaining the bead chain (not shown)
in the link depressions 34 after the hub has
been placed on the bracket. The insert 88 may be
10 made of any material, such as plastic, to give
consistent friction loading on the hub for the
reasons set forth above. In addition, the insert
88 and its corresponding recess may be other than
round to prevent rotation without the use of
mounting screws.
Figure 9 discloses still another preferred
embod:iment of the present invention. The bracket
1~' ir, simpler in construction as compared to the
bracket 18 shown in Figure 1. A face plate 200,
which can be an injection molded plastic part,
is secured to bracket 18' by conventional screws
(not shown). Face plate 200 is further provided
with elongated bores 204 into which the bead
chain 36' is fed. Hub 30' is in the form of a
paddle wheel and is designed to accept one bead,
or more if desired, between adjacent paddles.
~lt785~8
The bead chain 36' exits the face plate 200
through bores 204.
Paddle 30' has a bore 206 to permit mounting
of the paddle and the hub extension 38', which is
in turn mounted on bracket 18'. Extension or
plug 32' accepts operating pins 52' and in turn
mounts on extension 38'. The assembly is com- -
pleted by spring 44' and nut and washer assembly
46', in the same manner as in the other embodi-
ments described in this specification.
The face plate 200 can be oriented in any
of three different positions on the bracket 18'.
For instance, the face plate can be mounted so
that bores 204 have their axes oriented parallel
to the top portion 54', instead of perpendicular
thereto as shown in the drawing. This will permit
the bracket 18' to be mounted to the frame of the
wi.ndow, or to the ceiling, as desired. The face
plate is simply repositioned to orient the bead
chain verticall.y.
The shade rollers may be ganged to cover
multiple windows, the drive being taken from
one bracket and hub assembly of the type denoted
by the numerals 18, 18' in the foregoing embodi-
ments. To achieve this, pin 24' (Figure 1) is
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~1'78S~3
t fitted into the leading end of the other roll
(See Figure 10). Pin 24' is preferably provided
with a cross-shape as shown, which fits into a
cvrresponding cross-shaped opening in the
second roll. Alternatively, the bracket 18'
can be placed in the center, between the two
rolls. Any number of ganged rolls can be used:
However, if has been found desirable to use a
conventional detent (not shown) in connection
with the bead chain to prevent gravity forces
from unwinding the shades due to the weight
loading of the multiple shade system. Turning
now to the form of ro]ler shade mounting and
drive shown in Figs. 11, 13 and 14, the bracket
lS 18 is again provided with mounting holes and a
nonrotat~ble projecting pin 38 welded thereto on
which is journalled a modified form of sprocket
wheel 31.
As shown more clearly in Figs. 11, 12 and 13,
the internal drive is in the form of a modified
sprocket wheel and is preferably formed of two
sectivns molded together, i.e., a principal
section 33 having a hub 35, rotatably mounted
on pin 38, and a complementary section 37 mounted
on hub 35 and joined to section 33 through pin
1 ~ '7~8
t extensions 39 fitting into appropriate receiving
holes 41. There are preferably a plurality of
such pins equally spaced about the meeting surface
of section 37 and molded into section 33 to form
- 5 the unitary sprocket wheel 31.
As is more clearly shown in Fig. 12, the
peripheries of the two sections 33 and 37 are
forrned with cut-out portions containing comple-
mentary teeth 43 and 45 which when the two
sections are joined form i.ndividual spaced
pockets into which the individual beads of bead
chain 36 fall to permit movement and control of
the sprocket wheel and the movement of the shade
roll as a whole, these pockets preventing the
bead chain from riding up and hitting the top of
the retainer. There are preferably 24 of these
teeth spaced at 15. The sprocket wheel is pre-
ferably formed of a mou1dab].e p].astic such as the
one known under the trade mark "Delrin".
About the inner face of sprocket wheel 31,
i.e., the face opposing the bracket 18, and
more particularly the face of section 33, there
is mounted a flat annulus of frictional material
49.
It wi]l thus be apparent that as in the
form of invention shown for example in Fig. 1,
-15-
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through the use of spring 44 and nu~ 100 in the
threaded end of pin 38~ the face of sprocket
wheel 31 is urged against the vertical face of
bracket 18, except that in this case the inter-
posed frictional material 49 controls the dragon the roller shade instead of direct friction
per se between these two parts. It differs in
this respect from the form of invention above
" described in reference to Fig. 6 in which
frictional material is interposed between the
entire opposed surfaces of the sprocket wheel
and bracket. The type of construction illustrated
in Figs.ll and 13 permits better frictional
control when, for example, the opposed surfaces
are not exactly in parallel and thus better takes
care of tolerances in manufacture. Adjustment of
the friction for supporting the weight of the
extencled shade is accomplished through spring 44
and nut 100, as previously described. This
adjust:ment is readily available upon removal of
the shade roller.
Attachment of the sprocket wheel to the
shade roll is effected in this embodiment by
providing the hub 35 with a pair of opposed
recesses 51 engageable by a pair of inward
extensions 53 on hollow shade roll 55.
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Surrounding the sprocket wheel 31 and the
interconnection between it and the shade roll is
an end cover 57 which may be attached to the
vertical face of the bracket 18 or directly to
the window frame as by screws 59. The end cover
has an opening 61 of such diameter that it forms
a retainer surrounding sprocket wheel 31 being
spaced therefrom only such distance as to aid in
preventing the bead chain from leaving the
pockets in the periphery of the wheel. Appropri-
ate opening 63 in the lower end of the cover permit
passage of the bead chain.
For supporting the idle end of the shade
roll a bracket 18' (Fig. 17) is provided, identi-
cal in all substantial respects to bracket 18,and this is surrounded by end cover 57' which
again is substantially the same as end cover 57
except that no openings are provided for a bead
chain. An adjustable support 65 receives idle
end pin 67 which in turn fits in plug 69 of the
shade roll.
The entire front of the roller shade
assembly is preferably covered by a facia 71
(see Fig. la) extending across the upper portion
of the window frame and snapped on the end covers
as shown in Figs. 14 and 16. This facia may be
made of metal or suitable springable plastic
8~Z8
ma~erial. This construction avoids the use of
screws and provides a tight fit against the
ceiling or window frame.
A preferred manner of attaching the shade
to the roller is illustrated in Fig. 15 in
which one end of shade 73 is attached to a
spring clip 75 and fits into a slot 77 extending
longitudinally the length of the roll 55. This
arrangement facilitates a change in shades with-
out removing the roller. By providing the rollerwith opposed slots, the use of a double shade
is made possible, as illustrated.
Many modifications in and to the above-
described embodiments will be apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art. It is intended
to cover all such modifications which fall within
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined
in the claims appended hereto.
