US3911992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shade position latch device
Assignee: WEBB TEXTILES Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-26
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Granted: 1975-10-14
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Expires: 1994-03-26
Abstract
Abstract The latch devices incorporate latch pawls received in channels guiding the lower end of the shade and selectively engage stop elements within the channels. The latch pawl has a major dimension greater than the transverse width of the channel, and a minor dimension less than that width. A torsion spring maintains the pawl in engagement with opposite sides of the channel so that the upper end thereof will engage and be positioned by a stop element. When the shade is moved transversely of the channel in the direction away from the stop elements, the latch pawl are cammed out of engagement with the stop elements and the tension on the shade roller raises the shade.
Inventors
- 👤 Tony Fulton Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:45
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06B; E06B9/00; E06B9/56; E06B9/78; B; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/02; B65D90/021; E06B9/80; E06B9/82
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A device for use on shades carried on a spring loaded shade roller and guided at the shade bottom edge in opposed generally U-shaped channels, including at least one stop element extending from a wall of said channel into said channel, and wherein the improvement comprises: latch means comprising a latch unit carried on said shade and having a latch pawl for selective engagement with said stop elements to hold said shade at preselected levels, said latch pawl is received in said channels and has a major dimension greater than the unobstructed width of said channel, said latch unit includes a spring barrel housing resilient means, said resilient means for torsionally biasing the upper portion of said latch pawl into engagement with the wall of said channel mounting said stop elements and for biasing said latch pawl axially outwardly, said resilient means comprising a single helical spring secured at one end to said barrel and at the opposite end to a shaft connected to said latch pawl to form a combined compression and torsion spring means for providing axial resiliency as well as torsional resiliency, whereby said pawl is biased axially into engagement with said channel and torsionally into engagement with said stop element until said shade is moved transversely of said channel to cause said pawl to be cammed out of engagement with said stop member and to permit said spring loaded shade roller to draw said shade upwardly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
240 words
A device for use on shades carried on a spring loaded shade roller and guided at the shade bottom edge in opposed generally U-shaped channels, including at least one stop element extending from a wall of said channel into said channel, and wherein the improvement comprises: latch means comprising a latch unit carried on said shade and having a latch pawl for selective engagement with said stop elements to hold said shade at preselected levels, said latch pawl is received in said channels and has a major dimension greater than the unobstructed width of said channel, said latch unit includes a spring barrel housing resilient means, said resilient means for torsionally biasing the upper portion of said latch pawl into engagement with the wall of said channel mounting said stop elements and for biasing said latch pawl axially outwardly, said resilient means comprising a single helical spring secured at one end to said barrel and at the opposite end to a shaft connected to said latch pawl to form a combined compression and torsion spring means for providing axial resiliency as well as torsional resiliency, whereby said pawl is biased axially into engagement with said channel and torsionally into engagement with said stop element until said shade is moved transversely of said channel to cause said pawl to be cammed out of engagement with said stop member and to permit said spring loaded shade roller to draw said shade upwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The latch device for shades as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said channel has flanges extending from the walls to partially close the open end of said channel, said shaft is notched to receive one of said flanges in transverse movement of said shade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A latch device for shades as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said latch pawl includes a stop element engaging surface configured to provide a diametrically opposed engaging surface to the generally transversely extending stop element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The latch device for use on shades according to claim 1 wherein: said latch pawl comprises an elongated generally eliptical pawl member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The latch device for use on shades according to claim 1 wherein: said helical spring is closely contained within the bore of said spring barrel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The latch device for use on shades according to claim 1 wherein: said latch pawl has a dimension in the direction along the axis of said shaft which is substantially equal to the depth of said channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The latch device for shades according to claim 1 wherein: said latch pawl is comprised of plastic material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |