Patent ID: 6672691
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: E05D,E05Y,E06B

Abstract:
In a combination, a control mechanism for tambour type closures operatively received within a cabinetry enclosure, with said cabinetry enclosure comprising frame means with wall panels secured thereto for creating said enclosure and with at least one of said wall panels having a tambour receiving access opening formed therein, and with said tambour type closure including a flexible door panel wound about a winding spool means mounted for relative rotation with spindle means coupled to said frame means, and manually operated spring tension adjustment means coupled to said frame means, with said spindle means comprising a rotatable winding spindle; the improvement comprising:(a) spring means comprising a coil spring helically wound about a periphery of said rotatable winding spindle and having two opposed ends, with one end of said coil spring being anchored to a circumferential surface of said rotatable winding spindle at a point spaced from an end thereof and with the opposed end of said coil spring being coupled to said spring tension adjustment means; (b) said spring tension adjustment means comprising a worm and pinion gear combination for adjusting tension within said coil spring, with said pinion gear being fastened upon one end of said coil spring and in mesh with said worm, said worm being coupled to an elongated shaft between opposed ends of said shaft, with said elongated shaft further including releasable locking means for preventing free rotation of said worm, and with a knurled peripheral control surface adjacent one end of said elongated shaft for hand manipulation of said elongated shaft.