Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to window coverings where the window coverings may be
either
raised or lowered, or drawn to one side, and in which the operation of the
window
covering is controlled by an electric motor, or motors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Window coverings are well known which can be operated by manual cords, and
others
can be operated by electric motors. While manual cords are satisfactory for
many
purposes, they may for some people be a nuisance, and in some locations it may
be
difficult to reach the cords. In addition there have been some instances where
manual
cords have been regarded as hazardous, especially for young children. Electric
motor
operated blinds which do not require manual cords, are of course more costly,
but are
regarded as being more aesthetically pleasing and safer by many customers. In
addition, electrical motor operated blinds offer the possibility of being
controlled by
remote wireless type controllers, or timers.
However, the installation of electrically operated blinds is in most cases
dependent on
the availability of a power supply near the window. If the power supply outlet
is at any
distance from the window then the electrical motors must be connected by
extension
cords trailing along the wall or floor. This is regarded as unaesthetic and
also possibly
hazardous. As a result the use of electrically operated blinds has, in many
cases, been
restricted. Clearly it is desirable to provide an electrically operated blind
system in
which the motors can be connected to a power supply in an aesthetically
pleasing
manner, or alternatively in which the motors can be battery operated, by means
of
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rechargeable batteries.
In addition to these problems, the customer demand for blinds is becoming
increasingly
sophisticated. Customers are now requiring blinds which provide both for
privacy, with
some light during the day, and blackout at night thus requiring the provision
of blinds
providing both functions. Complete light exclusion is recognized as a factor
in
improved sleep, and greater health. In these cases window coverings which are
now
becoming available, provide two separate window coverings in a single head
rail. The
one window covering is a day time sheer covering which allows some light to
enter the
building but which provides privacy, and the other window covering is an
opaque panel
which is effectively a black out, preventing any light from entering the
building.
These blinds, if operated manually, require two completely separate sets of
manual
cords which are sometimes difficult to incorporate in the head rail, and are
regarded as
undesirable by customers. Another important factor especially in the case of
double
blinds where the front blind is a sheer and the rear blind is a black out,
arises in the
case of manually operated blinds. Where there are double blinds there will be
multiple
cords and chains hanging down from the head rail. These cords tend to
interfere with
the adjacent side edges of the two blinds. The side edges of the blind can
become
worn and damaged. Alternatively, if the side edges of the blinds do not
completely fit
across the window opening, then some light will be able to filter around the
edge. This
will interfere with the black out effect of the black out blind when it is in
use. For all
these reasons, it is desirable to provide for operation of the blinds by means
of remote
control, through electric motors and remote controllers. This will then do
away with the
need for multiple cords and chains hanging down, and permit the edges of the
blind to
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fit snuggly against the window opening.
The provision of two separate electrical motors operating such blinds,
provides a
solution for these blinds, but also requires the solution of the problem of
supplying
power to two separate electrical motors.
Blinds of this type are preferably installed as close as possible to the
actual window.
Normally, a window will be located within a recessed window opening.
Preferably the blind will be installed within the opening close to the window.
Installing the blind on the surface of the building away from the window
leaves openings
around the blind through which light can pass, and which may also interfere
with the
use of the building space.
For these reasons, the provision of a double blind of the type described,
operated by
two separate motors, presents a problem. The two blinds, the head rail
enclosing them,
and the motors, must all be designed to fit within the window opening in the
building.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With a view to overcoming these various problems, the invention provides an
electrically operated window covering system, having at least one moveable
blind, and
an electric motor for operating the moveable blind, and a remotely operable
switch for
switching the motor on and off, and an electrical connection for the switch,
and having
two wire conductors in a single surface mountable insulation body, a flat
planar surface
on the insulation body, with adhesive on the flat surface, for adhering to a
building
surface, and a connecting plug on an end of the body, connecting to the wires,
for
connection to a source of low voltage electricity.
Preferably the invention provides such a window covering wherein there are two
window
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covering panels, namely a first panel on a first panel support, providing for
light
transmission and privacy, and a second panel on a second panel support,
providing for
a blackout covering, and two said electrical motors for respective said window
covering
supports and two remote switches for operating respective said motors and
wherein
said electrical wires in the insulating body are connected to both the remote
switches.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a rechargeable battery power
supply,
and a connection for the power supply whereby the same can be connected to a
source
of electrical power for recharging.
More particularly, the invention provides such an electrical operated window
covering
system wherein the electrical power is supplied first of all through a
transformer to
reduce the voltage, and then via a pair of conductors, located side by side
within a
single continuous insulation body, and wherein the insulation body is
comprised of a flat
surface on one side, an adhesive on the flat surface, and a convex contour of
generally
semi-cylindrical shape on the opposite side, extending from said transformer
to the
remote switches, and including a first pair of conductors connected to the
wires, and
connecting to a first remote switch and a second pair of conductors connected
to the
wires and connecting to the second remote sensitive switch.
More particularly the invention provides such an electrically operated window
covering
system wherein the window coverings comprise a first window covering of light
transmission material and a second window covering of blackout material, and
including
a first roller supporting the first window covering and a second roller
supporting the
second window covering, the first and second rollers being contained within a
single
head rail, with the second window covering roller located in a upper region of
the head
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rail and the first window covering roller located in a lower region of the
head rail, and
first and second motors for respective first and second rollers and first and
second
remote sensitive switches being located within the head rail, whereby the
first and
second window coverings may be fitted to a window to provide complete coverage
from
side to side of the window.
More particularly, the invention provides such an electrically operated window
covering
system wherein the blind rollers and the head rail and the motors and the
switches may
all be incorporated within the window opening defined around the window.
Preferably, the blind rollers on which the two window coverings are supported
will
extend the full width of the window, and the electrical motors and switches
will be
located inside the blind rollers.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed
out
with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and
specific
objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying
drawings
and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred
embodiments of the invention.
IN THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a general perspective illustration showing a window covering with
motor
controls, illustrating the invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective, partially cut away of the low voltage
insulation body
and wires;
Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;
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Figure 4 is a lower perspective, partially cut away of the insulation body and
wires of
Figures 2 and 3;
Figure 5 is a schematic illustration showing the connection of the two wires
to their
respective motors; and,
Figure 6 is a schematic partial illustration of an alternative embodiment
showing battery
operation.
DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT
In referring first of all to Figure 1, it will be seen that this shows in
general, a window
illustrated by the window frames (10) and (10). Typically the window frames
(10, 10),
will be located within a recessed rectangular opening space illustrated
generally as
building fabric B. It will be appreciated that this is merely an illustration
of a typical
building in a typical home with a typical window opening. However the
invention is not
restricted solely to such a window opening in a building.
The invention is illustrated as a first blind covering (12) and a second blind
covering
(14). First blind (12) is mounted on a roller (16) and second blind (14) is
mounted on a
roller (18). The rollers (16) and (18) are enclosed within a head rail (20).
Head rail
(20) is typically shaped to provide a pleasing enclosure for the blind
mechanism.
The entire assembly consisting of the head rail (20) and the first and second
rollers and
their blinds are all designed and dimensioned to fit within the window opening
B, as
close as possible to the actual window so as to provide for privacy during the
day and
blackout at night.
It will be seen that the first blind (12) is a panel of sheer material and
that the second
blind (14) is a panel of black out material. The first blind roller (16) is
located in a lower
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region of the head rail and the second blind roller (18) is mounted above
roller (16). In
this way, the head rail can accommodate and enclose the two rollers and still
have a
slim aesthetic appearance.
Roller (16) is operated by means of a first electric motor (22) and roller
(18) is operated
by a second electric motor (24). Motor (22) is operated by means of a remote
sensitive
switch (26). Motor (24) is operated through a remote sensitive switch (28) all
being
enclosed and concealed.
While for the sake of simplicity and illustration the motors and switches are
shown
spaced apart it will be appreciated that in a typical commercial installation,
the motors
and switches will be incorporated together.
The wireless remote controller is shown as (29).
The remote controller will have two separate up and down switches (30, 30) and
a
channel changing switch (31). In this way the remote can be used to control
either the
switch (26) or the switch (28) thereby operating either motor (22 or 24).
Preferably the channel switch (31) will have a further control whereby both
motors (22,
24) can be operated simultaneously.
Motors (22) and (24) are of known design and operated on a low voltage.
The switches (26) and (28) are of known design and can be operated by the
remote
controller (29) so as to rotate either of the motors (22) and (24) in both
directions, as
required for either lowering or raising the blinds.
In order to accommodate all of these components within the restricted space of
the
head rail, the motors and switches will be located within their respective
rollers (16, 18).
The rollers (16, 18) have hollow extensions (16a and 18a) so as to provide
support for
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their respective window coverings. The respective electric motors and switches
will be
located within the hollow interior of the rollers.
Power is supplied to the remote switches (26) and (28) by means of a low
voltage cable
(32), and a transformer (34). The transformer (34) is of known design and can
be
plugged in to a typical household receptacle (36).
In order to supply low voltage power from the transformer (34) to the switches
(26) and
(28), the low voltage cable (32) is provided as illustrated in Figures 2, 3
and 4.
It will be seen that the low voltage cable consists of a single continuous
insulation body
(40), typically formed of thermo plastic, in known manner. The body (40)
encloses two
separate electrical wires (42) and (44).
The body (40) defines a first surface (46) which is flat, and has an adhesive
coating
(48). The adhesive coating is protected by a removable strip (50).
On the opposite side, the body (40) is formed in a generally semi cylindrical
or arcuate
contour (52).
Within the head rail (20), the conductors (42, 44) in the low voltage cable
(32), are
both connected to respective switches (26) and (28) as shown in Figure 5.
Branch wire connections are illustrated as (54) and (56) respectively.
In order to facilitate the installation of the blind, by the occupier or home
owner, the
branch wire connections (54, 56) may be provided with suitable connecting
plugs (57)
which will allow the branch wire connections to be connected to their
respective
conductors (42,44) and concealed within the head rail without the use of any
special
tools or equipment.
It will be noted that both window coverings (12) and (14) extend the full
width of the
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window from one frame (10) to the other frame (10) thereby providing either
complete
privacy or complete blackout without any gaps down either side. The absence of
any
typical window covering control cords or chains, is made possible by the
operation of
the motors (22) and (24), all located within the head rail, and more
importantly located
within the hollow interior of their respective blind rollers, and the remote
control (29)
which do away with the need for hanging cords or chains controlling the window
coverings.
In operation, the blinds may be installed by a professional service man, or in
many
cases by the occupier of the building. The head rail will be erected and
supported by
suitable building fastenings ( not shown) which are well known in the art. The
low
voltage cable (32) will then be installed by removing the cover (50) and then
simply
pressing the adhesive side (48) on to the wall adjacent to the blind, with the
exterior
semi-cylindrical contour (52) showing outwardly. The two wires (42,44) will
then be
connected to the wiring harnesses (54, 56) by suitable plugs (57). The cable
(32) will
then be connected to the transformer (34) in known manner, and the transformer
(34)
can simply be inserted in a suitable receptacle. If the receptacle is at any
distance
from the window, then the conductor (32) can simply by extended to reach the
receptacle (36). Once this has all been connected, then the occupier of the
building
can use the remote (29) to lower the first window covering (12) while leaving
the black
out covering (14) raised. In this condition, light will pass through the
window and
partially through the window covering (12), but still providing privacy.
When complete light exclusion is required, then the occupier can simply use
the remote
(29) to lower blackout window covering (14).
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The remote (29) will be suitably programmed so that it will separate controls
on the
remote (29) and will provide control for either switch (26) or (28).
In another alternate embodiment, for example, where a suitable household
receptacle
is not available within a reasonable distance, provision may be made for
operation of
the motors, (22) and (24) by means of a rechargeable battery. This is
illustrated in
Figure 6.
The rechargeable battery is shown as (60). It will have a suitable external
plug (62) by
means of an extension cord, (not shown). The rechargeable battery can be
connected
to a receptacle at a greater distance through a suitable transformer, such as
that
already disclosed. The rechargeable battery, when fully recharged, can then be
disconnected.
It will be understood that Figure 6 is simply a schematic illustration, in
fact the battery
(60) can be located within the motor, so that the motor and its switch and the
battery
can all be incorporated in a single unit within the head rail.
By means of this system, either power operated, or battery operated, a
household is
able to have window coverings installed which do not require any hanging cords
or
chains for their operation thereby avoiding any hazzards which may result from
such
hanging devices. At the same time, the household is provided with window
coverings
which extend fully from one frame to the other of the window, providing for
complete
privacy or complete light exclusion.
The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
which
is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as
limited to any
of the specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations
thereof as
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come within the scope of the appended claims.
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