Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
297 words
Apparatus installable within a window opening for selectively at least partially absorbing, reflecting, and transmitting light, said apparatus comprising an upper roller assembly, a lower roller assembly, and an elongate flexible web substantially longer than the spacing between said upper and lower roller assemblies, each of said roller assemblies comprising an elongate tubular roller, bearing means engageable with the ends of each of said roller assemblies for rotatably journaling the ends of said roller with respect to said window opening, said web being scrolled onto and from said rollers as the latter are rotated about their respective longitudinal axes in one rotational direction or the other, and means for selectively driving each of said rollers in one rotational direction or the other so as to scroll and unscroll said web, said driving means comprising a gearmotor having an output shaft substantially coaxial with said gearmotor, said gearmotor being received within each said roller with said output shaft being substantially coaxial with said roller, said gearmotor being fixed against rotation relative to said frame, and means for maintaining said web taut as said web is scrolled and unscrolled from one of said rollers onto the other of said rollers and while said web is stationary, this last said means comprising a torsional spring operatively connecting said output shaft of a respective said gearmotor and a respective said roller, with one end of said torsional spring being fixed with respect to said roller and with the other end of said torsional spring being fixed with respect to said output shaft, one of said torsional springs operatively associated with one of said roller assemblies being wound in one direction, and the other of said torsional springs associated with the other of said roller assemblies being wound in the opposite direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
297 words
Apparatus installable within a window opening for selectively at least partially absorbing, reflecting, and transmitting light, said apparatus comprising an upper roller assembly, a lower roller assembly, and an elongate flexible web substantially longer than the spacing between said upper and lower roller assemblies, each of said roller assemblies comprising an elongate tubular roller, bearing means engageable with the ends of each of said roller assemblies for rotatably journaling the ends of said roller with respect to said window opening, said web being scrolled onto and from said rollers as the latter are rotated about their respective longitudinal axes in one rotational direction or the other, and means for selectively driving each of said rollers in one rotational direction or the other so as to scroll and unscroll said web, said driving means comprising a gearmotor having an output shaft substantially coaxial with said gearmotor, said gearmotor being received within each said roller with said output shaft being substantially coaxial with said roller, said gearmotor being fixed against rotation relative to said frame, and means for maintaining said web taut as said web is scrolled and unscrolled from one of said rollers onto the other of said rollers and while said web is stationary, this last said means comprising a torsional spring operatively connecting said output shaft of a respective said gearmotor and a respective said roller, with one end of said torsional spring being fixed with respect to said roller and with the other end of said torsional spring being fixed with respect to said output shaft, one of said torsional springs operatively associated with one of said roller assemblies being wound in one direction, and the other of said torsional springs associated with the other of said roller assemblies being wound in the opposite direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said web has a plurality of regions thereon for variously absorbing, reflecting, or transmitting light therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said film has an opening therein which, when in register with said window opening, permits the passage of air therethrough, escape, or cleaning.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gearmotor is of a diameter somewhat smaller than said roller such that said gearmotor is received coaxially within its respective said roller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said bearing means comprises an inner race carried on the outer surface of said gearmotor, an outer race carried on the inner surface of said roller, and a plurality of roller bearing elements interposed between said races such that said roller is substantially coaxial with respect to said gearmotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said bearing means further comprises another rolling element bearing at the end of said roller opposite of said gearmotor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a shaft coupled to and rotatable with said gearmotor output shaft, said shaft extending at least partially lengthwise within said roller, a bushing carried by said shaft opposite said gearmotor rotatable within said roller for maintaining said shaft substantially centered within said roller, said bushing being slidable with respect to said roller, said spring being a torsional coil spring having a central opening therethrough disposed on the exterior of said shaft, one end of said spring being affixed to said shaft and the other end of said spring being affixed to said roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said film web is clear.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said film web is optically coated so as to provide segments thereon registerable with said window opening wth each segment having a desired coating thereon.