Patent ID: 6298897
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: E06B,Y10T

Abstract:
In combination, a covering for an architectural opening wherein said covering includes a rotatable shaft and a drive system for impararting a rotational drive to said rotatable shaft, said drive system comprising, in combination,an elongated hollow intermediate shell having an interior, a first end, and a second end, wherein said first end of said intermediate shell has at least one transverse circular opening therethrough;an elongated drive rod rotatably positioned within said interior of said intermediate shell and adapted to be operatively connected to said rotatable shaft for unitary rotation therewith, said drive rod having a length and defining at least one helical guide path along its said length; andat least one rotatable bearing rotatably supported in said at least one circular opening at said first end of said intermediate shell, wherein said at least one circular opening is cupped to rotatably retain said at least one rotatable bearing in operative engagement with said at least one helical guide path, such that linear movement of said intermediate shell along said length of said drive rod effects relative rotational movement between said intermediate shell and said drive rod.