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US5274499A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Battery operated projection screen with spring assisted roller and replaceable fascia

Assignee: Draper Inc
•
Filing: 1992-09-04
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Granted: 1993-12-28
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Expires: 2012-09-04
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Abstract

Abstract A casing for a projection screen and a motorized projection screen system and method for controlling the same are disclosed herein. The casing includes a fascia and endcaps which are affixed to the casing spine without the use of tools thereby providing easy access to the working components housed within the casing and providing flexibility to the consumer in the appearance of the casing. The motorized projection screen system includes a roller having a projection screen attached thereto and a reversible motor operatively connected to the roller such that rotation of the motor causes the roller to rotate and the projection screen to be raised or lowered. The system also includes a biasing mechanism operatively connected to the roller such that rotation of the roller to lower the projection screen biases the roller toward rotation in the opposite direction. The biasing mechanism reduces the power requirements of the reversible motor of the system as it assists in lifting the weight of the projection screen. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the motor utilized is a DC motor and the system includes a DC power supply thereby providing a portable system and eliminating the requirement to connect the system to an external power supply.

Inventors

  • 👤 Rick Shopp

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 16:42
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/54; G03B21/56; G03B21/58

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 63 words
A motorized projection screen system, comprising; a roller having a projection screen affixed thereto; a reversible motor engaging the roller such that rotation of the motor rotates the roller to raise or lower the projection screen; bias means operatively connected to the roller such that rotation of the roller to lower the projection screen biases the roller toward rotation in the opposite direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 63 words
A motorized projection screen system, comprising; a roller having a projection screen affixed thereto; a reversible motor engaging the roller such that rotation of the motor rotates the roller to raise or lower the projection screen; bias means operatively connected to the roller such that rotation of the roller to lower the projection screen biases the roller toward rotation in the opposite direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
The projection screen system of claim 1 wherein the reversible motor comprises a DC motor, the projection screen system further comprising: a casing to which the roller is rotatably mounted; and a DC power supply operatively connected to the reversible motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The projection screen system of claim 2 wherein the DC power supply comprises a rechargeable battery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 34 words
The projection screen system of claim 2 further comprising control means for controlling the rotation of the reversible motor, the control means operatively connected to the DC power supply and to the reversible motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The projection screen of claim 1 wherein the roller is hollow and the reversible motor and the bias means are disposed within the roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 21 words
The projection screen system of claim 4 wherein the roller is positioned between the DC power supply and the control means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 113 words
A method for controlling a motorized projection screen system, the projection screen system including a roller having a projection screen affixed thereto, a reversible motor engaging the roller such that rotation of the motor rotates the roller to raise or lower the projection screen, and bias means for biasing the roller operatively connected to the roller, such that rotation of the roller to lower the screen biases the roller toward rotation in the opposite direction, the method comprising the steps of: starting the motor with bias means in a non-biased position; and rotating the reversible motor in one direction to thereby unwind the projection screen from the roller and to bias the roller.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 113 words
A method for controlling a motorized projection screen system, the projection screen system including a roller having a projection screen affixed thereto, a reversible motor engaging the roller such that rotation of the motor rotates the roller to raise or lower the projection screen, and bias means for biasing the roller operatively connected to the roller, such that rotation of the roller to lower the screen biases the roller toward rotation in the opposite direction, the method comprising the steps of: starting the motor with bias means in a non-biased position; and rotating the reversible motor in one direction to thereby unwind the projection screen from the roller and to bias the roller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 37 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: stopping the motor; rotating the motor in the opposite direction thereby allowing the bias means to assist the motor in winding the projection screen around the roller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 47 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the projection screen system further comprises a power supply operatively connected to the reversible motor and a control means for controlling the rotation of the reversible motor, the control means operatively connected to the power supply and to the reversible motor.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3640603A Cited
US4110003A Cited
US4060310A Cited
US4059339A Cited
US4045123A Cited
US4072404A Cited
US4169658A Cited
US4159162A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-12-27 1997-06-28 1997-12-28 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-12-27 2001-06-28 2001-12-28 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-12-27 2005-06-28 2005-12-28 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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