Flexible or portable closure – partition – or panel – Pleating type – With power operating means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-22
2001-02-13
Purol, David M. (Department: 3634)
Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel
Pleating type
With power operating means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186211
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a window assembly with a motorized window shade mechanism and, in particular, to a window assembly that is adapted for aircraft and that is readily assembled and installed, and which provides convenient and reliable operation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A known window shade mechanism specifically adapted for aircraft windows utilizes cables and pulleys. A slidable actuator must be manually moved to operate the window shade. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,043. Reliance on manual operation is inconvenient because, for example, all the window shades on the aircraft cannot be operated simultaneously by one person. Also, the parts are particularly vulnerable to malfunction. Moreover, many components are required, and this reduces reliability while adding to the cost.
Another known approach provides a motor which is fixed in the window and operates the shade with cables and pulleys. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,515,898 and 4,998,576. However, this approach also requires numerous components which can only be manufactured, assembled and installed at considerable cost. Reliability is also compromised by the inclusion of so many parts.
Yet another approach attaches a motor to the lower bar, or rail, of the shade, and the motor moves along with the shade as it is extended and compressed. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,686. However, this approach also utilizes numerous components which raise the cost of manufacture and lower the reliability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved window assembly which includes a motorized window shade mechanism.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a window assembly which utilizes fewer components.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a window assembly having readily assemblable components.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved motorized window shade mechanism.
These and other objects are attained in accordance with one aspect of the present invention which is directed to a motorized mechanism for operating a window shade having a rail attached to one end of the shade to extend and compress the shade with movement of the rail. The mechanism includes a rail, a motor with a drive wheel coupled thereto, and an axle with traction wheels coupled to each end thereof. The motor is fixed to the rail and the axle is rotatingly coupled to the rail. The drive wheel is drivingly coupled to the axle so that motor operation to turn the drive wheel produces a corresponding rotation of the traction wheels at both ends of the axle to move the rail.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a motorized window shade assembly for operating a window shade having a rail attached to one end of the shade to extend and compress the shade with movement of the rail. The motorized window shade assembly includes a shell having two sidewalls, and a rail extending between the two sidewalls of the shell. The sidewalls have respective opposed inner surfaces with a channel therein, shoulders adjacent and perpendicular to the inner surfaces, respectively, and a traction surface on each of the shoulders. An axle is rotatingly coupled to the rail and having a traction wheel coupled to each end thereof. Opposite tips of the axle ride within the channels in the sidewalls, and the traction wheels engage the traction surface. A motor is attached to the rail and is drivingly coupled to the axle.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a motor control circuit for a motorized mechanism having two motors each of which operates one of two shade portions of a window shade. A sensing means detects arrival of the shade portions at an UP position or a DOWN position. A manually operable switch means designates operation of the window shade in either a DOWN direction or an UP direction in which the window shade is extended or compressed, respectively. A switch means is provided for automatically directing power to one of the two motors. A control means directs power to one of the motors in response to the manually operable switch means until the shade portion movable thereby reaches one of the UP and DOWN positions and, in response thereto, automatically switches the power to the other motor.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4807686 (1989-02-01), Schnebly et al.
patent: 4852627 (1989-08-01), Peterson et al.
patent: 4945969 (1990-08-01), Schnebly et al.
patent: 4998576 (1991-03-01), Moreno
patent: 5141041 (1992-08-01), Katz et al.
Aerospace Technologies Group, Inc.
Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman, Langer & Chick, P. C.
Purol David M.
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