Patent Publication Number: US-2020284094-A1

Title: Operating system for an architectural-structure covering

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of, pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/813,898, filed Mar. 5, 2019, entitled “Operating System for an Architectural-Structure Covering,” which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of architectural-structure coverings, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for an operating system that operates a pull system for moving the covering between extended and retracted positions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Architectural-structure coverings may selectively cover an architectural structure such as, for example, a window, a doorway, a skylight, a hallway, an archway, a portion of a wall, etc. (collectively an architectural structure without the intent to limit). Generally speaking, architectural-structure coverings may include a covering that can be extendable and retractable, for example, vertically extendable or retractable (e.g., able to be lowered or raised, respectively, in a vertical direction) between an extended position and a retracted position for obscuring and exposing the underlying architectural structure. The architectural-structure covering may further include a bottom rail attached to a lower edge of the covering. The bottom rail may be utilized to add weight along the lower edge of the covering to encourage the covering to drop by gravity during deployment. 
     To move the covering between the extended and retracted positions, some architectural-structure coverings include a rotatable member (e.g., a rod or a roller). In use, rotation of the rotatable member in a first direction may retract the covering while rotation of the rotatable member in a second, opposite direction may extend the covering. The covering portion of the architectural-structure covering may be gathered or stacked adjacent to, or wrapped around, the rotatable member. For example, some retractable coverings include a plurality of slats that are raised or lowered as lift cords are wrapped about or unwrapped from the rotatable member. The architectural-structure covering may include lift cords which are coupled to the covering portion and the rotatable member. In use, rotation of the rotatable member in a first direction wraps the lift cords about the rotatable member causing the covering portion to retract adjacent to the rotatable member while rotation in a second direction causes the lift cords to unwrap about the rotatable member causing the covering portion to move in an extended configuration. Alternatively, in various embodiment, the covering may be wrapped around the rotatable member in the retracted position. For example, some retractable coverings include a flexible covering suspended from the rotatable member. The covering can either be wrapped about the rotatable member to retract the covering or unwrapped from the rotatable member to extend the covering. Regardless of the form of the retractable covering, rotation of the rotatable member generally causes movement of the covering of the architectural-structure covering. To actuate movement of the rotatable member, and thus the covering of the architectural-structure covering, an operating system may be operably coupled to the rotatable member. 
     In use, the operating system may be operatively associated with an operating element, for example, a cord, a chain, a tilt wand, or the like. In use, the operating element is manipulated by a human operator to move the covering between the extended and retracted positions. 
     One known operating system, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,131, utilizes an operating element to drive a unidirectional pull system that intermittently rotates a rotatable member (e.g., a drive shaft) in a single direction to, for example, drive lift cords associated with the covering to raise the covering from the extended position to the retracted position. Gravity is utilized to lower the covering from the retracted position to the extended position. 
     It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present improvements may be useful. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Disclosed herein is an operating system for use with an architectural-structure covering for moving a covering portion of the architectural-structure covering between an extended position and a retracted position. The covering portion may be any covering now known or hereafter developed. For example, the covering may be a flexible material which, in use, is capable of being extended or moved away from the rotatable member in an extended position and retracted in a retracted position. The operating system may include an operating element (e.g., a cord, a ball chain, etc.) for retracting or raising the covering portion. 
     In one embodiment, the operating system may include a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the operating element so that movement of the operating element rotates the drive mechanism, a driven member operatively coupled to the drive mechanism, and a clutch mechanism operatively coupled to the drive mechanism and the driven member. In use, rotation of the drive mechanism in a first direction via, for example, movement of the operating element, is transferred from the drive mechanism to the clutch mechanism to the driven member. Meanwhile, rotation of the drive mechanism in a second, opposite direction via, for example, releasing the operating element, is not transferred from the drive mechanism to the driven member. That is, the clutch mechanism prevents rotation of the drive mechanism in the second direction from being transferred to the driven member. 
     The operating system may also include a collar operatively associated with the clutch mechanism. In use, the collar is adapted and configured to receive an end portion of the clutch mechanism so that the end portion of the clutch mechanism is encased or enclosed by the collar. In this manner, the end portion of the clutch mechanism is shielded from contacting the housing of the operating system. 
     In one example of an embodiment, an operating system for use with an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. The operating system is arranged and configured to move a covering portion of the architectural-structure covering between an extended position and a retracted position. The operating system comprises a drive spool, a driven member operatively coupled to the drive spool, a wrap spring operatively coupled to the drive spool and the driven member, the wrap spring including a tail, and a collar adapted and configured to receive an end portion of the wrap spring so that the end portion of the wrap spring is encased by the collar. 
     In one example of an embodiment, an operating system for use with an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. The operating system is arranged and configured to move a covering portion of the architectural-structure covering between an extended position and a retracted position. The operating system comprises a drive mechanism, a driven member operatively coupled to the drive mechanism, a clutch mechanism operatively coupled to the drive mechanism and the driven member, and a collar operatively associated with the clutch mechanism, the collar being adapted and configured to receive an end portion of the clutch mechanism so that the end portion of the clutch mechanism is encased by the collar. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a known operating system including a drive mechanism, a clutch mechanism and a driven member; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded, top view of the drive mechanism, the clutch mechanism, and the driven member used in connection with the operating system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial, top view of an example embodiment of an improved operating system in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the improved operating system including a collar; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially, exploded view of the improved operating system shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially, top view of the improved operating system shown in  FIG. 3  positioned with a housing portion; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the collar used in connection with the improved operating system shown in  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a side, perspective view of the collar used in connection with the improved operating system shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of an example, illustrative operating system for architectural-structure coverings in accordance with various separate and independent principles of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the present disclosure are presented. The operating system of the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will convey certain aspects of the operating system to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise noted. 
     As will be generally appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, an operating system may be contained within a fully contained module or housing and may support an end of an associated rotatable member. In use, the operating system generally includes a retraction mode and an extension mode. When in the retraction mode, the operating system is operable to raise or retract a covering of the architectural-structure covering. When in the extension mode, the operating system is operable to lower or extend the covering of the architectural-structure covering. The operating system may utilize an operating element, such as a cord, a ball chain, etc. The operating element may include a connector attached to a free end thereof for coupling to, for example, a wand or flexible cord. In use, the operating system may be operatively associated with one or more lift cords in the architectural-structure covering that extends through or are adjacent to the covering. The lift cords are secured at their upper end to associated cord spools that are rotatably driven by a rotatable member such as, for example, a drive shaft. In use, the operating system is used to rotate the rotatable member that in turn rotates the cord spools causing the covering to retract. 
     One known operating system used to affect the desired operation of the covering is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, the operating system  100  includes a housing  102 , a drive mechanism  110 , a clutch mechanism  120 , and a driven member  130  operatively coupled to the drive mechanism  110 . The operating system  100  including the drive mechanism  110 , the clutch mechanism  120 , and the driven member  130  are positioned within the housing  102 . The housing  102  includes a first housing portion or base  104  and a second housing portion or cover (not illustrated). In use, the first and second housing portions are operatively coupled to each other such as, for example, via one or more interlocking projections and recesses. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the drive mechanism  110  is operatively associated with the operating element  140  so that movement of the operating element  140  rotates the drive mechanism  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the drive mechanism  110  is in the form of a drive spool  112 . In use, the operating element  140  is coupled to and wrappable about the drive spool  112  so that pulling the operating element  140  rotates the drive spool  112  for retracting the covering. 
     As illustrated, the clutch mechanism  120  is a wrap spring  122 . In use, the clutch mechanism  120  is coupled to the drive mechanism  110  (e.g., drive spool  112 ) and the driven member  130  so that when the operating element  140  is pulled, the drive spool  112  is rotated in a first direction, which in turn rotates the clutch mechanism  120  that in turn rotates the driven member  130 . For example, with the clutch mechanism  120  in the form of a wrap spring  122 , rotation of the drive spool  112  in a first direction by pulling on the operating element  140  causes the wrap spring  122  to tension or tighten against an outer circumference of the drive spool  112  and an outer circumference of the driven member  130  so that rotation of the drive spool  112  is transferred to the driven member  130  (e.g., rotation of the drive spool  112  rotates the driven member  130 ). Meanwhile, rotation of the drive spool  112  in a second or opposite direction say, for example, by releasing the operating element  140 , causes the wrap spring  122  to un-tension or loosen from the outer circumference of the drive spool  112  and the outer circumference of the driven member  130  so that reverse rotation of the drive spool  112  is not transferred to the driven member  130  (e.g., rotation of the drive spool  112  does not rotate the driven member  130 ). 
     As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the driven member  130  is coupled to an output assembly  150  for coupling to the rotatable member, which is in the form of a drive shaft, (schematically illustrated as  160 ) so that rotation of the driven member  130  in the first direction rotates the rotatable member  160 , which in turn is operatively coupled to the covering so that rotation of the rotatable member  160  operates (e.g., moves) the covering. Meanwhile, the operating system  100  may also include a return spring  170  to facilitate retraction of the operating element  140 . In use, extension (e.g., pulling) of the operating element  140  causes the return spring  170  to coil up. Release of the lift cords causes the return spring  170  to rotate the driven member  130 , causing the operating element  140  to retract and wrap about the drive spool  112 . The operating system  100  may also include a clutch/brake assembly that is operatively connected to the driven member  130  to grip the driven member  130  when it would otherwise be allowed to rotate in the second direction or the direction in which the covering would drop toward an extended position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , additional detailed information regarding the illustrated, known drive spool  112 , driven member  130 , and wrap spring  122  will be described. As illustrated, the drive spool  112  includes a first segment  114  for receiving at least a portion of the operating element  140 , a second segment  116  for interacting with the wrap spring  122 , and a third segment  118  for interacting with the driven member  130 . As illustrated, the first segment  114  has a larger diameter than the second segment  116 , which has a larger diameter than the third segment  118 . That is, the first segment  114  has a first diameter, the second segment  116  has a second diameter, and the third segment  118  has a third diameter, the first diameter is larger than the second diameter, and the second diameter is larger than the third diameter. 
     Similarly, the driven member  130  has a first segment  132  and a second segment  134 . The first segment  132  has a first diameter, and the second segment  134  has a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter. When coupled, the first segment  132  of the driven member  130  has an outer diameter substantially similar to the outer diameter of the second segment  116  of the drive spool  112  so that when assembled, the wrap spring  122  overlies and interacts with the second segment  116  of the drive spool  112  and the first segment  132  of the driven member  130 , as previously described. In the illustrated embodiment, the first segment  132  of the driven member  130  includes a cavity  136  formed in an end thereof for receiving the third segment  118  of the drive spool  112 . In addition, the second segment  134  of the driven member  130  includes a coupling mechanism  138  such as, for example, a cavity for engaging the output assembly  150 . 
     Additional information on the structure and operation of the operating system  100  and the components thereof, can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,131 entitled “Control System for Coverings for Architectural Openings”. 
     One common issue associated with the operating system of  FIG. 1  is that the first and second housing portions (first housing portion  104  shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the operating system  100  may be misaligned due to, for example, imperfect tolerances. As a result, an end or tail  125  ( FIG. 2 ) of the wrap spring  122  may hit or snag a surface formed at the meeting of the mis-aligned first and second housing portions of the operating system  100 . In turn, this may result in improper operation and/or unwanted noise. For example, during operation, a detectable clicking sound may be heard for every revolution of the wrap spring  122  as the tail  125  is rotated against a surface formed by the mis-aligned first and second housing portions of the operating system  100 . That is, for example, as a result of mis-aligned first and second housing portions, a surface, lip, wall, projection, or the like may be formed in a path of the tail  125  of the wrap spring  122 . Rotation of the wrap spring  122  causing the tail  125  to contact the surface, lip, wall, projection, or the like thus causing, for example, unwanted noise. This noise often results in consumer complaints and product returns. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an improved operating system  200  ( FIG. 5 ) is disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the operating system  200  includes, inter alia, a housing  202 , a drive mechanism  210  (e.g., drive spool  212 ), a clutch mechanism  220  (e.g., wrap spring  222 ), a driven member  230 , an operating element  240 , and an output assembly  250 . In use, the operating system  200 , including the housing  202 , the drive mechanism  210  (e.g., drive spool  212 ), the clutch mechanism  220  (e.g., wrap spring  222 ), the driven member  230 , the operating element  240 , and the output assembly  250 , are substantially similar to the housing  102 , the drive mechanism  110  (e.g., drive spool  112 ), the clutch mechanism  120  (e.g., wrap spring  122 ), the driven member  130 , the operating element  140 , and the output assembly  150  described above in connection with  FIGS. 1 and 2  except as described herein. As such, detailed description of the housing  202 , the drive mechanism  210  (e.g., drive spool  212 ), the clutch mechanism  220  (e.g., wrap spring  222 ), the driven member  230 , the operating element  240 , and the output assembly  250  are omitted for the sake of brevity. 
     In addition, as illustrated, the operating system  200  includes a bushing, a collar, or the like  300  (collectively referred to as a collar herein without the intent to limit). In use, the collar  300  is adapted and configured to receive an end portion  224  of the wrap spring  222 , for example, the end portion  224  including a tail  225  of the wrap spring  222 , so that the edge of the wrap spring  222  is covered and thereby shielded from contacting, for example, the first and second housing portions of the operating system  200 . That is, in one embodiment, the collar  300  is adapted and configured to receive an end portion  224  of the wrap spring  222  so that the end portion  224  of the wrap spring  222  is encased or enclosed by the collar  300 . 
     Additionally, in use, incorporation of the collar  300  facilitates manufacturing of the collar  300  from a first lubricated material while enabling the housing  202  of the operating system  200  to be manufactured from a second lubricated material. For example, in one example embodiment, the collar  300  can be manufactured from a higher lubricated grade of material while enabling the housing  202  to be manufactured from a lesser lubricated grade of material, and thus a less expensive material. For example, the housing  202  may be manufactured from a non-lubricated material. Moreover, the collar  300  ensures that proper friction/drag with the wrap spring  222  is achieved to ensure proper operation of the operating system  200 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in the illustrated example embodiment, the collar  300  includes a first end  302 , a second end  304 , and a through bore  306  extending from the first end  302  to the second end  304 . In use, the through bore  306  is adapted and configured to enable the driven member  230  to pass through so that the driven member  230  may be coupled, either directly or indirectly, to the rotatable member (schematically illustrated as  260 ). 
     As illustrated in the example embodiment, the collar  300  may include a first segment  310  adjacent to the first end  302  thereof and a second segment  312  adjacent to the second end  304  thereof. In use, the first segment  310  may be diametrically larger than the second segment  312 . That is, the first segment  310  has a first diameter and the second segment  312  has a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter. As such, an internally protruding shoulder  316  ( FIG. 7 ) may be formed in the through bore  306  between the larger diameter first segment  310  and the smaller diameter second segment  312 . In use, the internally protruding shoulder  316  creates a stop or resting surface for the end portion  224  of the wrap spring  222 . Meanwhile, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the through bore  306  enables the driven member  230  to pass therethrough. As illustrated, the first segment  310  may include an inner surface  318 . In one embodiment, the inner surface  318  has a smooth surface for contacting the wrap spring  222 . In this manner, due to the lubrication of the collar  300 , minimal friction exists between the inner surface  318  of the collar  300  and the wrap spring  222 . In use, the collar  300  may be keyed to the housing  202  (e.g., first housing portion  204 ) so that the collar  300  is prevented from rotation relative to the first housing portion  204 . For example, the collar  300  may include a projection  320  extending from an outer surface  322  thereof for interacting with the first housing portion  204  to prevent relative rotation between the collar  300  and the first housing portion  204  so that, in use, relative rotation of the drive spool  212  via pulling the operating element  240  causes, inter alia, the wrap spring  222  to tension. That is, in use, the collar  300  is adapted and configured to be seated within the first housing portion  204 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the second segment  312  of the collar  300  may be received within a corresponding arcuate seat  205  formed in the first housing portion  204 . In use, the seat  205  provides increased support of the collar  300 , drive spool  212 , driven member  230 , and wrap spring  222  thus resulting in less bending of the overall assembly of components. In order to prevent relative rotation of the collar  300  with respect to the first housing portion  204 , the projection  320  formed on the collar  300  may contact a corresponding groove  206  formed in the first housing portion  204 . 
     In use, with relative rotation of the collar  300  and the first housing portion  204  prevented, rotation of the drive spool  212  in a first (e.g., counter-clockwise) direction via, for example, pulling on the operating element  240 , causes the wrap spring  222  to rotate, which causes the wrap spring  222  to tension or tighten (e.g., wind up or clamp down) about an outer circumference of the drive spool  212  and an outer circumference of the driven member  230  so that rotation of the drive spool  212  rotates the driven member  230  (e.g., the drive spool  212 , the wrap spring  222 , and the driven member  230  rotate in unison). Meanwhile, rotation of the drive spool  212  in a second (e.g., clockwise) direction via, for example, by releasing the operating element  240 , causes the wrap spring  222  to un-tension or loosen (e.g., unwind or release) from the outer circumference of the drive spool  212  and the outer circumference of the driven member  230  so that reverse rotation of the drive spool  212  is not transferred to the driven member  230  (e.g., the drive spool  212  rotates relative to the wrap spring  222  and the driven member  230  so that rotation of the drive spool  212  is not transferred to the wrap spring  222  and the driven member  230 ). Thus, in use, rotation of the drive spool  212  in the first direction causes the wrap spring  222  to rotate and tension, which causes the wrap spring  222  to constrict about the drive spool  212  so that rotation is transferred between the drive spool  212  and the driven member  230 . Rotation of the drive spool  212  in the second direction causes the wrap spring  222  to come out of tension and thus expand slightly, allowing the drive spool  212  to rotate inside of and relative to the wrap spring  222  so that rotation is not transferred between the drive spool  212  and the driven member  230 . 
     The foregoing description has broad application. For example, although wrap springs and one type of clutch mechanism have been discussed, other suitable elements may be used. Additionally, the example operating system may be used with any type of shade, including, but not limited to, roller and stackable shades. Furthermore, the example operating module or system may be used in association with either end of a head rail. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be explanatory and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples. In other words, while illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art. 
     The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. For example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. However, it should be understood that various features of the certain aspects, embodiments, or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, or configurations. Moreover, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or”, as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. 
     The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. 
     The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof are open-ended expressions and can be used interchangeably herein. 
     All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of this disclosure. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. Identification references (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to connote importance or priority but are used to distinguish one feature from another. The drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.