Window Shade Device

The present invention provides a sealing apparatus for a window shade that is vertically raised and lowered. The sealing apparatus can include a first side seal assembly having a first side air seal member that is vertically oriented. The first side seal member can be movably connected to a first side frame member by a first movable arrangement for moving the first side seal member laterally into and out of sealing position relative to a first side of the window shade.

BACKGROUND

Vertically raised and lowered window shades can be installed on windows to save energy for heating and cooling. However, airflow around the sides of the window shade can decrease the thermal insulating efficiency of the window shade. Differences in the density of the cold air near the window glass and less dense warm air inside buildings results in convective air movement around the gaps at the sides and bottom of standard thermal shades. Specifically, the heavy, cold air builds up on the backside of shades near the glass. The density of cold air between the glass and shade, causes air to drop under and leak around the sides of standard thermal shades. Fixed, non-movable end air seals have been used to seal the edges of some prior shades, but when the seals are tight enough to form an air seal, they often cause alignment problems or binding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can provide a thermal window shade with a sealing apparatus that can seal the sides of the window shade, preventing or restricting airflow for improving thermal insulating efficiency, while at the same time not interfering when the window shade is lowered and raised. The present invention can also provide a sealing apparatus for a window shade that is vertically raised and lowered. The sealing apparatus can include a first side seal assembly having a first side air seal member that is vertically oriented. The first side seal member can be movably connected to a first side frame member by a first movable arrangement for moving the first side seal member into and out of sealing position relative to a first side of the window shade. The first side seal member can be moved laterally.

In particular embodiments, the first movable arrangement can include a linkage for moving the first side seal member into and out of sealing position relative to the first side of the window shade. The first side seal member can move vertically and laterally. The linkage can be biased by a spring in a non-sealing direction. A first side seal activation tab can extend laterally from a bottom of the first side seal member for being engaged by a bottom of the window shade when lowered for pulling the first side seal member downwardly and laterally against the first side of the window shade. The linkage, the first side seal member and the first side frame member can form at least one four bar linkage. The first side frame member can include a vertically oriented channel member for securing to a window frame. A vertically oriented adjustable linkage base can be secured within the channel member. The first side seal member can be movably connected to the adjustable linkage base by the linkage. At least one lateral adjustment mechanism can be included between the channel member and the adjustable linkage base for adjusting to compensate for non-square window frames. A second side seal assembly having a second side air seal member that is vertically oriented can be included. The second side seal member can be movably connected to a second side frame member by a second movable arrangement for moving the second side seal member into and out of sealing position relative to a second side of the window shade. The second side seal member can move laterally. The sealing apparatus can include the window shade, thereby forming a window shade system with movable side seals. The first and second side seal members can be normally in a non-sealing position to allow the window shade to be vertically raised and lowered without interference by the side seal members. The first and second side seal members can be activated to move by the respective movable arrangements into sealing position to seal relative to the first and second sides of the window shade when the window shade is in the lowered position. The first and second side seal members can move laterally to seal against the first and second sides of the window shade.

In some embodiments, the first movable arrangement can move the first side seal member in a lateral direction into and out of sealing position relative to a side edge of the first side of the window shade. The first movable arrangement can include an electrically or electronically controlled actuator or activator. The first movable arrangement can also include a linkage actuated by the actuator for moving the first side seal member into and out of sealing position. The actuator can include a telescoping extension arm connected to the linkage by a pivoting actuator link. The actuator can be positioned laterally relative to the first side seal member and above the window shade. The electronically controlled actuator can be controlled with at least one of sensors and switches.

The present invention can also provide a sealing apparatus for a window shade that is vertically raised and lowered, including a first side seal assembly having a first side seal member that is vertically oriented. The first side seal member can be movably connected to a first side frame member by a first movable arrangement for moving the first side seal member into and out of sealing position relative to a side edge of a first side of the window shade. A second side seal assembly can have a second side seal member that is vertically oriented. The second side seal member can be movably connected to a second side frame member by a second movable arrangement for moving second the side seal member into and out of sealing position relative to a side edge of a second side of the window shade. The first and second side seal members can move towards each other when moving into sealing position, and away from each other when moving out of sealing position.

The present invention can also provide a method of releasably sealing a window shade that is vertically raisable and lowerable, with a vertically oriented first side air seal member of a first side seal assembly. With the first side seal member being out of sealing position, the window shade can be vertically lowered downwardly until reaching a lowered position. A first movable arrangement can be activated when the window shade is near or at the lowered position to move the first side seal member into sealing position relative to a first side of the window shade for sealing therebetween. The first side seal member can be movably connected to a first side frame member by the first movable arrangement. Vertically raising the window shade can activate the first movable arrangement to move the first side seal member out of sealing position relative to the first side of the window shade so as not to interfere with the raising of the window shade. The first side seal member can move laterally.

In particular embodiments, the first movable arrangement can include a linkage for moving the first side seal member into and out of sealing position relative to the first side of the window shade. The first side seal member can move vertically and laterally. The linkage can be biased in a non-sealing direction with the spring. A first side seal activation tab can extend laterally from a bottom of the first side seal member. The tab can be engaged with a bottom of the window shade when lowered for pulling the first side seal member downwardly and laterally against the first side of the window shade. The linkage, the first side seal member and the first side frame member can form at least one four bar linkage. The first side frame member can include a vertically oriented channel member for securing to a window frame. A vertically oriented adjustable linkage base can be secured within the channel member. The first side seal member can move relative to the adjustable linkage base with the linkage that is movably connected therebetween. At least one lateral adjustment mechanism can be adjusted between the channel member and the adjustable linkage base to compensate for non-square window frames. A second side seal assembly having a second side air seal member that is vertically oriented can be included. The second side seal member can be moved into and out of sealing position relative to a second side of the window shade with a second movable arrangement. The second side seal member can move laterally. The first and second side seal members can be normally positioned in a non-sealing position to allow the window shade to be raised and lowered without interference by the side seal members. The first and second side seal members can be activated to move by the respective movable arrangements into sealing position to seal relative to the first and second sides of the window shade when the window shade is in the lowered position. The first and second side seal members can move laterally to seal against the first and second sides of the window shade.

In some embodiments, the first side seal member can move in a lateral direction into an out of sealing position relative to a side edge of the first side of the window shade. The first movable arrangement can include an electrically or electronically controlled actuator or activator. The first movable arrangement can also include a linkage actuated by the actuator for moving the first side seal member into and out of sealing position. The actuator can include a telescoping extension arm connected to the linkage by a pivoting actuator link. The actuator can be positioned laterally relative to the first side seal member and above the window shade. The electronically controlled actuator can be controlled with at least one of sensors and switches.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-13, an embodiment of window shade system12in the present invention can be installed within a window10. The window10can have a pane of window glass35mounted or supported within a window frame30having two side window frame members30a, a top or upper window frame member30band a bottom or lower window frame member or sill30c.

The window shade system12can include an upper or top shade section45, to which an insulative thermal window shade40is attached, for vertically raising and lowering. The construction of the window shade40can include a number of different configurations or styles as desired, such as flexible sheet, pleated, quilted or accordion shades40.FIG. 1Adepicts some examples of collapsible accordion profile shades40formed of flexible sheet material40chaving two opposite lateral sides or edges40a, internal insulative cavities40band a width W.FIG. 1Bdepicts an embodiment of Shade40having rectangular or square cavities40b. The bottom of the shade40can have a weighted bottom section or portion42and a bottom shade seal41, such as a gasket seal for sealing against the bottom window frame member30cto prevent or limit airflow therebetween, when the shade40is in the down position. The lateral upright or vertical sides40aof the shade40can be sealed by two side seal assemblies17providing two movable upright or vertically oriented opposing side channel seals, side seals or side seal members67, which can seal the width W of the lateral sides40aalong the height H (FIG. 12) of the shade40when extended in the down position, to prevent or limit airflow around the two lateral sides40aof the shade40. As a result, window shade system12can prevent cold air in the winter, and hot air in the summer from flowing and escaping around the sides40aand bottom seal41of the shade40, thereby providing increased thermal insulating efficiency of the window shade system12, resulting in savings in heating and cooling of a building.

The two side air seals67can be movably mounted to opposing or opposite side frame members, which can include upright or vertically oriented elongate side channels or side channel members60extending along an upright longitudinal axis60a. The side channel members60can be secured to the two sides window frame members30aby screws88(FIG. 13), and extend between and from the bottom window frame member30cto the top window frame member30b. Each side channel member60can have two sides or side walls60bthat are connected to each other by a rear wall60d(FIG. 2). A central elongate ridge60ccan extend from rear wall60dalong axis60a, protruding into the interior60eof the side channel member60. This can form an inward, forward or front facing wider U-shaped channel between sides60b, and a reverse, outward or rear facing narrower channel formed by central ridge60c. An elongate adjustable linkage base85extending along a longitudinal axis85a(FIG. 2) can be secured to side channel member60within the interior60eby a series of lateral adjustment mechanisms86(FIGS. 6 and 7), for example three (FIGS. 11-13). Each adjustable linkage base85can also be generally channel shaped, with two sides or side walls85b(FIG. 4) connected to each other by a rear wall85d. An elongate central ridge85ccan extend from rear wall85dalong axis85a, protruding into the interior85eof the adjustable linkage base85. This can form an inward, forward or front facing wider channel between sides85b, and a reverse, outward or rear facing narrower channel formed by central ridge85c, which can nest within side channel member60. The lateral adjustment mechanisms86can secure the adjustable linkage base85to the side channel member60by adjustably securing the central ridges60cand85ctogether at evenly spaced intervals. Central ridge85cof adjustable linkage base85can be wider than the central ridge60cof side channel member60, and the sides85bare narrower than sides60b, so that the central ridge85ccan nest over central ridge60cand sides85bcan nest between sides60bwithin the interior60eof side channel member60. Central ridges85cand60ccan be shaped in reverse channel configuration with the open side facing in the opposite direction as the openings into the sides85band60bof adjustable linkage base85and side channel member60.

Each side seal member67can be secured, attached or mounted to a generally channel shaped movable seal mount component, platen or plate68, which can be movably, rotatably or pivotably attached to the adjustable linkage base85by a series of movable, rotating or pivoting links, link members or mechanical linkages65(FIGS. 3, 4andFIGS. 8-13) such as four, pivotably secured at evenly spaced intervals to adjustable linkage base85. Each link65can have an arm65aand two legs65b. Two legs65bof each link65can be pivotably secured by two short axles or pins79between sides85band central ridge85calong axis79aforming pivoting or rotating joints, and the arm65acan be pivotably secured to the movable seal mount68by long axles or pins78along axis78abetween sides68bof movable seal mount68forming pivoting or rotating joints. Axes78aand79acan be parallel to each other, and generally transverse, orthogonal or perpendicular to axes60aand85a. The adjustable linkage base85, the link65and the movable seal mount68, can form at least one pivoting or rotating four bar linkage77which can pivot or rotate the movable seal mount68and side seal member67from an open or outward retracted position, downwardly and inwardly as shown by the arrows. When in the retracted position, the adjustable linkage base85, links65, movable seal mount68, and side seal member67can be generally hidden from view within the side channel member60. InFIGS. 9 and 12, downward and inward rotation can move the movable seal mount68and side seal member67in an extended or closed position laterally inwardly as shown by arrow80inFIG. 3to laterally move side seal member67across the gap80between the side seal member67and the lateral side40aof the shade40to engage and seal against the lateral side40a.

Referring back toFIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7, if the window opening or window frame30is not square or has dimensions that vary from the top to bottom, and/or the side channel member60is not square to the shade40, the series of lateral adjustment mechanisms86can be selectively adjusted to adjust the position of one or both adjustable linkage bases85relative to a side channel member60so that the side seal member67can engage the lateral side40asquarely and evenly for an even consistent surface contact and sealing therebetween along the whole height H of the end or edge surface of the lateral side40a. Each lateral adjustment mechanism86can include a threaded insert83mounted within a hole83ain the central ridge60cof side channel member60, and a threaded fastener or adjustment member such as a flathead screw82extending through a hole82cin the central ridge85cof the adjustable linkage base85and threadably engaging the threaded insert83along a lateral axis82a. A spring82band a retaining ring84can be positioned over or around the screw82between the threaded insert83and the adjustable linkage base85to provide a spring-loaded bias therebetween. Referring toFIG. 7, the lateral adjustment mechanisms86can be selectively adjusted to skew or tilt the longitudinal axis85aof the adjustable linkage base85relative to the longitudinal axis60aof the side channel member60to compensate for dimensional variations of an uneven or non-square window frame30.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 11, each movable seal mount68and side seal member67can be spring biased by a biasing mechanism76in the open or retracted position away from the lateral side40aof the shade40. A resilient extension member such as a coil extension spring70can be secured to each adjustable linkage base85and extend upwardly. The pulley line, cable or string75can extend upwardly from the spring70and around a pulley73that rotates around a pulley axle or pin71about axis73a. The pulley line75can extend downwardly from the pulley73and can be secured to the far end of a selected link65at the movable seal mount68, or to the seal mount68itself. This can rotatably or pivotably bias the movable seal mount68and side seal member67in an upward and outward retracted position where the side seal member67is laterally moved away from the lateral side40aof the shade40in the direction of arrow80bforming a gap80therebetween, and the bottom of the side seal member67being raised above the bottom frame member30cof the window frame30(FIG. 10). The bottom of each side seal member67can have a laterally inwardly extending side channel or seal closure engagement or actuation member or tab66which can be engaged by the weighted bottom42and bottom seal41of the shade40when in the down position to pull the movable seal mount68and side seal member67downwardly and inwardly (FIGS. 9 and 10) against the spring loaded bias of mechanism76.

In operation, referring toFIGS. 1, 3, 10 and 11, when shade40is in the up, open or partially up/open position, the two biasing mechanism76can bias the movable seal mounts68and the side seal members67upwardly and outwardly laterally in the retracted non-sealing position away from the two opposite lateral sides40aof the shade by a gap80, and can be recessed within the sides60bof the side channel members60. This allows the shade40to be moved evenly in the up U and down D directions within the window10without any contact or engagement of the side seal members67with the lateral sides40a, so as not to bind, twist, misalign or restrict movement of the shade40. Referring toFIGS. 2, 4, 5, 9 and 12, when the shade40is moved in the down direction D to close the shade40, the side seal assemblies17remain in the open retracted position until the weighted bottom section42and the bottom seal41, or the bottom of shade40nears the bottom of the window10and engages the two seal engagement or actuation tabs66laterally extending from the movable seal mount68out of side channel member60spaced just above the bottom window frame member30c. The weight of the bottom of the shade40pushes the seal engagement or actuation tabs66downwardly with further downward movement D of the shade40until reaching the bottom of window10where the bottom seal41engages and seals against the bottom window frame member30cand around tabs66to prevent airflow therebetween. This pulls the movable seal mounts68and side seal members67from each side seal assembly17downwardly and inwardly towards each other against the bias of springs70, pivoting or rotating about the pivot axis79aof links65in the direction of the downwardly rotational arrows, thereby moving the two side seal members67inwardly laterally in the direction of arrow80atowards each other to engage against and seal the ends or edges of opposite lateral sides40aof the shade40. Referring toFIG. 4, the side seal member67can be made of material such as foam soft enough to compress around the edges of the lateral sides40aof the shade40and can be wide enough to indent and wrap around slightly over the front and rear faces of the shade40. This can provide a seal against the two lateral sides40aof the shade40along the entire height H (FIG. 12) and with W (FIGS. 1A and 1B) to prevent or restrict airflow around the sides40aor between sides40aand side seal member67or the side window frame members30a. In some embodiments, other suitable seal materials can be used such as rubber or fibrous compressible materials. In one example, a fabric or backing having long or elongate flexible strands, members or fibers extending in the perpendicular, lateral or horizontal direction can be used. In another example, the seal material can have a scrambled or mixed configuration of fine curly fibers such as in a wool-like or fiber-glass consistency that is compressible. Containing the adjustable linkage bases85and movable seal mounts68within the side channel members60which are in turn, mounted to the side window frame members30a, and sizing the side channel member60to closely surround such components with sides60bthat extend adjacent to the lateral sides40aof the shade40, airflow through the side channel members60is generally prevented, restricted or limited due to the channel shape. In this manner, the sides and bottoms of the shade40can be continuously or completely sealed relative to the bottom and sides of the window10so that the shade40can provide thermal insulating for the window10without air flowing around shade40which can compromise the thermal insulating properties of the shade40, preventing hot air from entering the building from window10during the summer, or cold air during the winter, which can provide cost savings in heating and air-conditioning.

Referring toFIG. 10, when the shade40is opened or raised in the up direction U, the bottom of the shade40is lifted off the engagement or actuation tabs66, and the springs70of biasing mechanisms76pull, rotate or pivot the movable seal mounts68and side seal members67about axes79aof links65, upwardly and outwardly away from each other and the lateral sides40aof the shade40in the direction of the rotational arrows. This laterally moves the side seal members67outwardly away from each other and the lateral sides40ain the direction of arrow80b. This also retracts the movable seal mounts68and side seal members67back within the side channel members60, allowing the shade40to move upwardly or downwardly without any interference by the side seal members67. In some embodiments, the shade40can be raised and lowered by hand. In other embodiments, the shade40can be raised and lowered by at least one motor50(can be two), optionally shown inFIG. 13, attached to or within the top shade section45.

Referring toFIGS. 14-20, another embodiment of a window shade system14in the present invention can be installed within a window10. The window shade system14can include two side seal assemblies17that differ from those in window shade system12in that the biasing mechanism76and engagement or actuation tab66in each side seal assembly17can be replaced with a seal actuator assembly25and a sensor or switch, or sensor/switch assembly, arrangement or system94, for opening and closing the side seal members67. System94can activate the seal actuator assembly25when the shade40is sensed or directed to be closed, and can also detect if the shade40has problems, for example not level or obstructing objects being on the bottom frame member or sill30c.

Referring toFIGS. 14-16 and 20, each actuator assembly25can be mounted on the top shade section45inwardly from a corresponding side seal assembly17. The actuator assembly25can include an electrically or electronically controlled actuator19, for example an electrical solenoid. Actuator19can laterally reciprocate an actuator extension arm, rod or member20in extended and retracted positions in a telescoping manner as indicated by arrows20aalong a longitudinal axis19athat is generally transverse, orthogonal or perpendicular to side seal member67. The distal end of the extension arm20can be pivotably connected to a pivoting actuator link or linkage21by a pivoting or rotating joint having a linkage pin or axle22extending along axis22a. The actuator link21can be pivotably connected to the movable seal mount68at or near the top by a pivoting or rotating joint having a linkage pin or axle22extending along axis21athrough a protrusion21bextending from movable seal mount68.

Referring toFIGS. 15 and 16, when an actuator extension arm20is in the extended position from actuator19, the movable seal mount68and side seal member67is in the rotated upward and outward retracted position within the corresponding side channel member60, spacing the side seal member67apart from the lateral side40aof the shade40by a gap80. This retracted position allows the shade40to be moved up and down without interference, binding or misalignment by the side seal members67. To engage the side seal members67with the lateral sides40aof the shade40when the shade40is in the down position, each actuator19is actuated to retract the actuator extension arm20inwardly in the direction of arrow20awithin the actuator19. This pulls the movable seal mounts68and side seal members67towards the corresponding actuator19and the lateral side40aof the shade40. The pivoting joints of the actuator link21allow the actuator extension arm20to translate along axis19awhile pulling and rotating or pivoting the movable seal mount68and side seal member67on each side downwardly and inwardly about axes79a(FIG. 18) in the direction of the arrows to laterally move the movable seal mount68and side seal member67laterally inwardly in the direction of arrow80aclosing gap80to seal against the lateral sides40aof shade40. To raise the shade40, each actuator19can be activated to extend the actuator extension arm20in the extended position to retract side seal members67away from the shade40. Extending the actuator extension arm20along axis19aoutwardly in the direction of arrow20atoward side seal member67moves the moveable seal mount68and the side seal member67away from the actuator19and the lateral side40aof the shade40. The pivoting joints of the actuator link21allow the actuator arm to translate along axis19awhile pushing and rotating or pivoting the movable seal mount68and side seal member67upwardly and outwardly about axes79a(FIG. 17) in the direction of the arrows to laterally move the movable seal mount68and side seal member67laterally outwardly in a direction of arrow80bopening gap80. With the side seal members67being in the retracted position, shade40can be raised.

Referring toFIGS. 19 and 20, in one embodiment, each sensor, switch or sensor/switch system94can include a switch or sensor component such as a proximity magnet90on or within a side of the bottom of shade40. A bottom switch or sensor such as a proximity sensor91can be located within the bottom of the corresponding side channel member60and a leveling switch or sensor such as a proximity sensor92can be located midway within the side channel member60, and which can be electrically connected to each other and a controller95by lines or a wire harness93. The controller95can be connected to the two actuators19for control thereof, and can be connected to at least one motor50. Each actuator19can move and close or engage the side seal member67against the shade40when the switch91is activated when the bottom of the shade40reaches and engages the bottom window frame member30c, and proximity magnet90is sensed by switch91. Alternatively, the actuator19can move and open and retract the side seal member67away from the shade40when the bottom of the shade40is lifted from the bottom window frame member30cand/or is commanded by controller95to open so that the shade40can be raised, for example by a user pressing an up button. Two proximity sensors92together with controller95can determine if the shade40is level or travelling at the same speed at both sides, or if no obstructions are on the bottom frame member or sill30c, and if not, the shade40can be pulled back up into a retracted position and an alarm sent out, or can be stopped in place. In another embodiment, two leveling proximity sensors92can work in conjunction with each other via controller95to adjust the at least one motor50to keep shade40level. In some embodiments, only one sensor, switch, or sensor/switch system94can be used for operating two actuators19for opening and closing both side seal assemblies17and/or can also include mechanical, manual or limit switches. In some embodiments, actuator19can be other suitable linear actuators, such as motor driven lead screws, or can be a rotary actuator for rotating a link65about its axis79a. The shade40can be manually raised or lowered, or by at least one motor50.

Referring toFIGS. 21 and 22, in another embodiment, sensor, switch, or sensor/switch system94can be replaced by switch, sensor, or sensor/switch assembly, arrangement or system98, which differs from system94in that system98can include a radio-based proximity sensor96positioned at each side of the bottom of shade40, and electrically connected by a line or wire harness97to controller95. System98can close side seal assemblies17when sensor96senses the shade40is in the down position, and open side seal assembly17when shade40is sensed to be raised and/or commanded to open by controller95, as previously described. Sensors96can have distance and leveling sensing capabilities and can be used to detect interference or obstructions by objects on the bottom frame member or sill30c, or if the bottom of the shade40is not level. In some embodiments, sensors96can be placed additionally or alternatively at or within the bottom of the side channel members60and face or look upwards. In various embodiments, systems94and98can use other suitable sensors or switches, such as laser, optical, IR, sensors/switches, etc.

Although various directional designations such as upper, top, bottom, lower, sides, inwardly, outwardly etc., have been described for embodiments, it is understood that the shade40and sealing assemblies can be positioned in other orientations. Various features described for the embodiments can be combined together or omitted. In some embodiments, linkage base85can be mounted to side window frame member30a, and in other embodiments, the links65can be rotatably mounted to the side window frame members30a, wherein the side window frame members30acan be considered a side frame member of the sealing apparatus. Suitable materials for the side channel members60and components of the side seal assemblies17can include metals such as steel and aluminum, plastics, composite materials and wood products.