Patent ID: 7640964
Filing Date: 2010-01-05
Classification: E06B

Abstract:
1. A venetian blind assembly, comprising: a multi-pane window having at least first and second panes; a plurality of slats disposed between said first and second panes; an internal housing disposed between said first and second panes adjacent to said slats along a periphery of said window, said internal housing defining a movement track; an inner follower carriage disposed in said internal housing and being operable to actuate said slats when moved along said movement track, said inner follower carriage having a first end and a second end disposed opposite said first end; an external carriage disposed outside said window and magnetically coupled to said inner follower carriage, said external carriage being moveable to thereby move said inner follower carriage; a plurality of magnetic assemblies each comprising a plurality of movable magnets maintained in a cooperating relationship with each other and being operable such that said magnetic couple is a floating magnetic couple between said inner carriage when moved along said movement track and said external carriage when moved to thereby move said inner follower carriage; and a bumper element disposed on said first end of said inner follower carriage, said bumper element comprising a resilient material to absorb shock between said inner follower carriage and an end of said movement track.