Therefore, when raising the shade, the operator must, at the very least, provide a force equal to twice the weight of the shade, since the weight must be lifted and the brake force must be overcome. Tension in the operating cord, in the direction which winds the shade onto its roller, loosens the helical spring and reduces its frictional hold on the tubular portion of the housing. 1 shows a mounted shade and roller assembly. Clutch assembly 5 is inserted into the one end of roller 3 and is prevented from slipping by the friction of a tight fit, or by contact between some feature on the inside of roller 3 and the outside of the sleeve portion of the pulley that fits therein, as described later. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; FIG. To raise the shade, the operator pulls the other leg of the cord loop until the shade reaches the desired position, again with no further action required to hold it in position. However, clutch devices tend to be somewhat more expensive than the ratchet and pawl devices, and they require some amount of lost motion to insure proper operation. Counter-clockwise rotation tends to tighten the grip of spring 27 about cylindrical extension 21. Ratchet and pawl mechanisms are often difficult to engage and can only be set at heights corresponding to the tooth spacing of the ratchet. No. Another reason is that plastic beads break off from the chain. Another advantage is discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. When cord loop 13 is released, the weight of shade material 1 that is hanging from roller 3 produces a force that tends to rotate roller 3 in a counter-clockwise direction as seen from the clutch end. Shade material 1 is partially wound around roller 3. roller mechanism blinds clutch plastic blind larger mechanism contral Other prior art devices for controlling window shades include friction brakes as exemplified by U.S. Pat. The brackets and the pivoting assembly depicted are made according to U.S. Pat. Detach the blinds from the wall and pull out the clutch (the part with the chain). An advantage inherent in the design of our clutch is the absence of lost motion. To lower the shade, the operator pulls one leg of the cord loop until the shade is at the desired height. Prior art clutch mechanisms overcome some of the disadvantages of ratchet and pawl devices, but they have some disadvantages of their own. And, it will be easily understood that the variations shown in FIGS. The prior art also contains examples of clutch mechanisms that are adapted for the operation of roller shades. 4,323,105, 4,223,714, and 4,094,904. Spring 55 has one end formed into radially extending tail 57. Dont stress about broken chains or clutches again. Shaft portion 87 extends axially from bearing and mounting portion 85 of fixed housing 79. Since our clutch mechanism is likely to find its major application in mass produced, prefabricated shades, this consideration is not really a limitation at all. Roller blinds are considered to be the simplest way to transform a room and provide the perfect solution for the windows of your house. However, it is not necessary for the operator to apply all of the torque needed to force the clutch to slip when lowering the shade, because the weight of the depending portion of the shade itself exerts a torque in that same direction. Rotating element 35 is comprised of cylindrical sleeve 37 which is configured to fit into a shade roller, and pulley 39 adapted to receive the operating cord or chain. The preferred embodiment of our invention consists of only two parts, a pulley and a housing, both of which can be produced by injection molding of plastic. This requires expensive field service. This is an advantage in public buildings where shades are operated by those unfamiliar with cord operation. Outer rim 30 of shroud portion 19 is formed so as to keep cord loop 13 in engagement with the pulley teeth and to act as a cover and guide for the cord. In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by a number of small ribs 33 which slightly deform roller 3 upon insertion. 9, The two component parts of the clutch are fixed housing 79 and rotating pulley element 81. clutch curtain window factory china roller larger mechanism blind Embodiments are disclosed which are configured for use in roller shades and for other types of window coverings. What Are Valance Returns and Do You Need Them? The shade will remain at the selected position with no further action required of the operator. Sleeve 25 of rotating pulley element 17 is formed so as to fit irrotatably into roller 3. Copyright ZebraBlinds.com. blinds clutch roller blind spring chain mechanism shangri 38mm cassette larger No. The prior art does contain examples of other wrap spring clutch mechanisms used to operate roller shades. An alternative embodiment for the same use and of the same general configuration uses discrete wire springs. roller shade clutch mechanisms blindparts parts clutches It is to be expected that larger and non-standard window sizes would continue to be fitted with prior art clutches. Spring 59 has tail 63 which is captured in slot 65, and spring 61 has tail 67 which is captured in slot 69 on the opposite side of sleeve 71. 8 is a perspective view of a clutch similar to the embodiment of FIG. 9 has only two component parts. Here are some points to remember while taking care of custom roller blinds: By following the above-mentioned steps, you can sort out the problem of fixing a roller window blind clutch. When someone pulls the chain of custom roller blinds in the up or down position for raising or lowering the blinds, it can disturb the spring tension and makes it hard to move the blind. blind roller 38mm mechanism curtain shade accessories clutch shades chain manual ball 4sets package tube But while doing this, keep it in mind to always use a flat-head screwdriver to pop the clutch of the blinds. For the clutch shown in FIG. To prevent such expansion of spring portion 93, shaft portion 87 of fixed housing 79 has shoulder 101 whose inside diameter is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of spring portion 93. 38mm Hold the clutch in such a manner that barrel faces upwards and the base faces downwards of the blinds and slide the chain from the left side of the guard. roller alibaba mechanism clutch blinds website larger blind 7, but in which the two springs 73 and 75 are molded as a part of rotating element 77. After it is done, you can pop the clutch off. unoversal 2-4 depict the preferred embodiment of our inventive clutch. To lower the shade, the opposite side of cord loop 13 is pulled. Brackets 9 and 11 support the shade and roller assembly. Required fields are marked *. 8 shows a clutch assembly with the same operating algorithm as the clutch of FIG. The friction brake must provide a force no less than the weight of the shade that is to be supported. However, bi-directional clutch devices contain a larger number of parts which makes them more expensive to manufacture. Those with expertise in the art of spring clutch design will realize that, among the parameters that can be adjusted are, the grip of spring 55 on cylindrical extension 45, the number of turns of spring 55, and the size of the wire of which spring 55 is wound. (NEW YORK, NY, US), Click for automatic bibliography Nos. Since these shades are made to order, they are more expensive and can bear the additional cost of more expensive hardware. mechanism The device contains a means for receiving a wall or ceiling mounted window shade bracket. This increases the force tending to rotate element 17 in the counter-clockwise direction. Roller blinds consist of a little pin on the opposite side of the cord. 5-8 can, as well, be incorporated into the general design depicted in FIG. Among these are U.S. Pat. It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the construction of the inventive spring clutch without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Therefore, friction devices are usually made to be adjustable in the field. The controlling torque of the clutch is transmitted to the mechanism for lifting the blind by a rod or shaft axially affixed to the central element. The characteristics of the clutch should be chosen so that it will slip at a torque somewhat greater than the highest torque that can be realized from the weight of the largest shade to be used. The fixed and the rotating elements form a wrap spring clutch that is configured to slip in one direction almost without resistance, and to provide moderate resistance to slippage in the other direction. Rotating pulley element 17 is generally comprised of three portions, pulley 23, sleeve 25, and spring 27. By pushing the pin, it will release the blinds and allow you to pull them off of the mount. The clutch based devices are operated with cord loops that hang from one end of the shade roller. This document discloses a method of using two springs in a balanced configuration to eliminate bearing loads that otherwise occur in spring clutches of this configuration. As can be seen in FIG. 4, about which pulley 23 is piloted. This mounting is also convenient where a wooden or aluminum headboard is employed. blind 38mm Firstly, pull the clutch back into the blinds and hang them on the wall. 4,433,765, that each of the spring can have fewer turns which provides for smoother operating characteristics. 6, the clutch assembly includes cylindrical extension 45 of fixed element 41. When cord loop 13 is pulled so as to produce clockwise motion of roller 3, as seen from the clutch end in FIG. FIG. It is with the cylindrical inside surface of shaft portion 87 which spring portion 93 of rotating pulley element 81 makes contact to produce the clutching action. Easy to use and maintain cordless roller shades. A further disadvantage of friction brake mechanisms is that they require a substantial number of component parts, usually including friction pads, a spring, and an adjustment screw. Take the chain from the bottom of the roller, bring both ends together, and then fit the connector into it to shut the blinds. Fixed element 41 includes shroud portion 43 which covers pulley 39 and retains the cord or chain. However, this mounting arrangement is often inconvenient. 7 shows another embodiment of our invention. Another embodiment shows the application of our invention to installations in which the mounting is to a board or a headrail. In order for the pulley to rotate in the other, counter-clockwise direction, it is necessary for that sufficient torque be applied through the operating cord to the pulley to overcome the holding capability of the clutch and cause it to slip. Further understanding of our invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, in which: FIG. So, it may be necessary to re-position them appropriately and timely. 5 and 6, although this is clearly not a requirement. blind roller mechanism china clutch duty heavy larger Our invention provides a mechanism that is similar in many respects to a clutch device in that it is operated by means of a cord loop which hangs from one end of the shade roller. The important factors are the number of coils in the spring, the amount by which the spring must expand to fit over the cylindrical extension, the thickness, the width and the bending characteristics of the spring coils, and the coefficient of friction between the spring and the cylindrical extension. roller s6 contral mechanism No. 7 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of a third embodiment of our inventive clutch that employs two springs; and. 38mm mechanisme blinde rolgordijn 1 Is a view of a roller shade in which the clutch of our invention has been installed and mounted on brackets; FIG. The device is, in effect, an overrunning spring clutch that is designed to slip in either direction, but at different values of applied torque. FIG. Accordingly, FIG. 1, but from a different angle, and with one half of the clutch cut away; FIG. Whereas prior art clutch mechanisms for roller shades are intended not to slip, or to slip only to save themselves, in this case, lowering of the shade is accomplished by overriding the clutch, causing it to slip. Yet another object of our invention is to provide a roller shade mechanism with containing the minimum number of parts. Accordingly, it is an object of our invention to provide a mechanism for the operation of roller window shades that has the advantages of cord loop operation but is less expensive to manufacture than the similarly operated mechanisms of the prior art. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the inventive roller window shade clutch showing the end which, in use, is inserted into an opening in the end of the shade roller; FIG. Each of the two parts, fixed housing element 15 and rotating pulley element 17, can be formed in a single piece which can be injection molded using a plastic material or die cast using a metal such as zinc. In the case of roller shades, it is usually the central element of the clutch that is fixedly mounted to a wall or ceiling. An additional object of our invention is to provide a clutch controlled roller shade mechanism that does not exhibit a surging or oscillatory motion while being lowered. Also, the lost motion can contribute to an oscillating, or surging motion while the shade is lowered. The cord loop eliminates the need for handling of the shade material or a protective shield attached thereto, and the clutch mechanism allows the height of the shade to be precisely set. No. Therefore, the range of weights that such a mechanism would be expected to support can be rather limited. This introduction of an additional component part does tend to increase cost, but it simplifies the plastic molds and allows greater adaptability to differing performance requirements. As shown, the clutch assembly uses the same molded parts as are used in the embodiment of FIGS. When the fixed and rotating elements are assembled, spring 27 must be slightly expanded to fit over cylindrical extension 21. With our inventive clutch mechanism, it is possible to lower the shade by pulling directly on the shade itself without damaging the mechanism. The height of the shade is adjusted by pulling on one or the other side of cord loop 13. How to Automate My Home Getting Started with Smart Homes. The device of our invention contains fewer parts than the clutches of the prior art. It also is essentially devoid of lost motion which makes it more aesthetically pleasing to operate. The prior art mechanism most commonly used for controlling the vertical position of a roller window shade is the ratchet and pawl mechanism, a recent example of which is shown in U.S. Pat. In this embodiment, two springs 59 and 61 are employed. The clutch is held together by barbs 47 which are molded as a part of fixed element 41 and which protrude through hole 49 located at the end of rotating element 35. And, of course, the rotational direction can be more easily altered. FIG. After assembly, sleeve 37 and spring 55 rotate together, as one piece. It is objectionable to have more friction than is needed. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. As shown in FIG. This method is appropriate for the blinds which have ball and chain styles of cords. Your email address will not be published. And, as before, the weight of the shade contributes to this torque. One can also tackle the problem related to the brackets positioning. 4,729,418, but many other types would also be usable. Nos. The housing is mounted to the wall as described above so that it cannot rotate. The preferred embodiment uses only two parts, both of which can be molded. contral roller blind 38mm mechanism clutch spring china larger 9, rib 95 is visible, and ribs 97 and 99 are partially visible, having been cut away to show the interior of the clutch. Spring 27 of rotating pulley element 17 must have an inside diameter that is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of cylindrical extension 21 of fixed housing element 15. This clutch mechanism is designed to release for raising the shade so as to minimize effort. 1, shade material 1 will be elevated. If the sleeve were to have a circular outside shape, then any variation in the size of either part would cause the fit to be too loose or too tight. CUSTOM DRAPERY VALANCES AND CORNICE BOARDS, How To Put The Chain Back On A Roller Blind, How to Choose the Right Custom Roller Shades for Your Needs, The Best Color Combinations You Can Use in Blinds, Top Reasons Why Cellular Shades Are Still A Popular Home Decoration Option. All rights reserved. roller blind accessory spring mechanism larger The resistance provided by clutch assembly 5 to that rotation holds the shade in position. Other objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent from the descriptions that follow. Privacy Policy The design of the helical spring and the tubular core are such that there is sufficient holding torque to support shades of most standard sizes while not so great as to make it difficult to overcome in lowering the shade. This facilitates the mounting of the clutch to a headrail, such as is commonly used with Venetian blinds. In the direction for raising the shade, the overrunning clutch slips at a low torque because the spring tends to unwind. No additional manufacturing operations are required except for the very simple assembly operation of fitting the two parts together. 9 is a partially cut-away, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive clutch configured for mounting by the outside element rather than the inside element. However, friction brakes are quite variable, depending upon heat, humidity, wear, and even the length of time that the shade has been in position. In the downward direction, additional force is needed to overcome the holding torque of the clutch, but the weight of the shade contributes some amount of that force, depending on the amount of the shade that is unrolled, so that the total pull on the operating cord is always less than the holding torque of the clutch. Shroud portion 19 of fixed housing element 15 has bearing sleeve 29, best seen in FIG. Another object of our invention is to provide a roller shade mechanism with minimal lost motion. This invention relates to roller systems for window shades, screens, hanging lamps and the like. It also permits the shade to be operated from one end rather than from the center which can be difficult to reach if the window is behind a piece of furniture. However, sometimes, roller blinds can function in an irregular manner when they develop malfunction in their clutch. Therefore, it can be less expensive to produce. blinds 5, cut-away to show the spring; FIG. However, this embodiment provides the advantage that the characteristics of spring 55 can be easily modified to accommodate a wide range of shade sizes and weights. According to your need and design of your room, pop out or open the connector from one of the side ends and then pull the chain out to fix the problem of the blinds. Bearing and shaft portion 85 has four mounting ribs for positioning in a roll formed Venetian blind headrail. 3,135,369, 4,372,432, 4,433,765 and U.S. patent application Ser. However, the more complex and more expensive clutch mechanisms also come in various sizes to accommodate shade of differing weights. 43mm Some prior art clutches offer the advantage that they can operate in either direction of rotation. One of the advantages of using two springs in this manner are, as discussed in U.S. Pat. Our inventive mechanism provides a holding torque sufficient to support the shade at any elevation. These blinds not only impart a fascinating backdrop to your living area but also filter the sunlight and help to keep the UV rays blocked, to protect your furniture and room from harmful radiation. 6, rotating element 35 has two slots, 51 and 53, axially oriented on opposite sides of the outer walls of sleeve 37. Fixed housing element 15 is generally comprised of shroud portion 19 and cylindrical extension 21. This is the rotational direction, as explained above, in which clutch assembly 5 releases and provides little resistance to rotation. In elevating the shade, it is, of course, necessary for the operator to apply all of the torque needed to raise the shade. This deformation provides sufficient frictional contact between the roller and the clutch to permit the shade to be rolled onto the tube without slippage. This permits the external, rotating element to be fitted into the shade roller, as exemplified by the embodiments above described. The clutch of our invention requires prior determination of the direction in which the shade is to be wound onto the roller. Press the chain with full force until the position of the pulley fits into the place. These devices apply a fixed torque to resist rotation of the shade roller no matter which direction the roller is turned. However, if the problem still persists, consult your manufacturer or a professional for help. To restore the correct working of blinds, it is necessary for you to know the way of fixing roller blind clutch.
roller blind clutch mechanism