Patent ID: 8113264
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: E04F,E06B

Abstract:
1. A tensioned roller shade system comprising: first and second spaced-apart parallel side channels, each of the side channels having a proximal end and a distal end; a roller tube having a first tube end rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the first side channel, and a second tube end rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the second side channel, the roller tube adapted to rotate about a tube axis; a first conical, grooved spool having a first spool end adjacent the first tube end of the roller tube and a second spool end, the first spool adapted to rotate about the tube axis as the roller tube rotates, the first spool having a single groove wrapping around the spool from the first spool end to the second spool end; a shade fabric having a first fabric end connected to the roller tube, such that the shade fabric is windingly received around the roller tube, the shade fabric having a second fabric end opposite the first fabric end; a hembar connected to the shade fabric at the second fabric end, the hembar comprising a first hembar end having first hembar wheels and a second hembar end having second hembar wheels, the first hembar wheels received by a first hembar slot of the first side channel and the second hembar wheels received by a second hembar slot of the second side channel; a first pulley located in the first side channel adjacent the distal end of the first side channel; and a first tensioning cord operatively coupled between the first spool and the second fabric end, the tensioning cord coupled to the spool for winding receipt about the spool, the tensioning cord windingly received around the first pulley, the tensioning cord adapted to bias the hembar toward the distal ends of the side channels, such that the hembar is adapted for translational movement between the distal ends and the proximal ends of the first and second side channels as the roller tube is rotated; wherein the first and second side channels each include respective flanges and interior walls, the first and second hembar slots formed between the flange and the interior wall of each side channel, the first and second hembar slots each defining sidewalls between the respective flange and the respective interior wall, each sidewall having a non-planar surface to allow for rolling contact with the sides of the respective wheels of the hembar.