Environmentally interactive automatic closing system for blinds and other louvered window coverings
Patent 5275219 Issued on January 4, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date: 
December 12, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
December 12, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 3177367 3436016 3646985 3675023 3860055 Cyclical bi-directional rotary actuator Motor driven drapery closure and control circuit combination Device for automatically adjusting angle of louver Automatic takeup and overload protection device for shape memory metal actuator Remote control apparatus for opening and shutting a blind InventorApplicationNo. 806609 filed on 12/12/1991US Classes:160/6, Nonfusible thermal initiator160/176.1RWith angle adjusting meansExaminersPrimary: Purol, David M.International ClassE05F 015/20AbstractA louvered window covering, such as a vertical or horizontal venetian blind, is provided with a thermal actuator to automatically rotate slats forming the louvered window covering between open and closed positions. The actuator includes at least one memory alloy spring that, when heated above a predetermined temperature, extends to engage and move a rack that drives a pinion gear. The pinion gear rotates, through a coupling mechanism, a rod extending the length of the blind. A second memory alloy spring may be installed to rotate the rod in the opposite direction. The rod intercouples the slats in a rewiner such that the rotation of the rod rotates the slats in unison between closed and open positions. The memory alloy spring may be heated with a current supplied to a controller in response to a predetermined environmental condition.Other References
| |
