Patent ID: 7628195
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: E06B

Abstract:
1. A nonretractable covering for an architectural opening comprising in combination: a fabric defined by a plurality of elongated horizontally disposed vertically spaced vanes having front and rear edges and a support structure including a front and/or rear vertically oriented support element secured to said front and/or rear edges respectively such that movement of said front and/or rear elements in a vertical plane causes said vanes to pivot about horizontal axes between an open position wherein said vanes are substantially horizontally oriented defining spaces therebetween and a closed position wherein said vanes are vertically oriented substantially in a vertical plane, said fabric having upper and lower edges, a horizontally disposed active tilt bar secured to one of said upper or lower edges of said fabric mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis to simultaneously move said front and/or rear elements in a vertical plane, and a passive horizontally disposed tilt bar secured to the other of said upper and lower edges of said fabric and mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis in response to pivotal movement of said active tilt bar. mounting brackets for pivotally supporting said active tilt bar and wherein at least one of said mounting brackets includes a variably resistant braking system to vary the amount of force necessary to pivot said active tilt bar, said braking system including a pivotal component securable to said active tilt bar such that pivotal movement of said pivotal component affects pivotal movement of said active tilt bar, a pivot shaft securable to said pivotal component such that said pivotal component pivots about said pivot shaft, said pivotal component including a cylindrical passage and said pivot shaft including two confronting shaft components received in opposite ends of said cylindrical passage and a system for selectively moving said shaft components toward and away from each other, a resilient cylindrical component positioned within said cylindrical passage and between said shaft components, said resilient component being compressible axially to effect radial expansion against the wall of said cylindrical passage, said resilient component further being radially contractible upon release of said axial compression, and said resilient component frictionally engaging said wall when radially expanded to resist pivotal movement.