U.S. patent application number 11/318809 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-28 for door glass assembly with powered blind.
Invention is credited to Lee W. Davis, Richard L. Homer, Douglas F. Hutchings, Andrew R. Krochmal.
Application Number | 20070144684 11/318809 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38192239 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070144684 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hutchings; Douglas F. ; et
al. |
June 28, 2007 |
Door glass assembly with powered blind
Abstract
A self-contained, electrically powered door glass unit including
a glass assembly, a window covering within the glass assembly, an
electric motor driving the window covering, a battery pack powering
the motor, and a frame adapted to support the unit within a door.
The frame includes first and second frame halves, and the battery
pack is supported by only one of the frame halves.
Inventors: |
Hutchings; Douglas F.;
(Rockford, MI) ; Homer; Richard L.; (Grand Haven,
MI) ; Davis; Lee W.; (Holland, MI) ; Krochmal;
Andrew R.; (Grand Haven, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP
900 FIFTH THIRD CENTER
111 LYON STREET, N.W.
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503-2487
US
|
Family ID: |
38192239 |
Appl. No.: |
11/318809 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/32 20130101; E06B
7/30 20130101; E06B 3/5892 20130101; E06B 9/264 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/107 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/00 20060101
A47H001/00 |
Claims
1. A door glass assembly comprising: a glass assembly; an
electrical component requiring electrical power; a self-contained
electrical power source electrically connected to said electrical
component; and a frame adapted to support said glass assembly, said
electrical component, and said power source within a supporting
door so that said power source is hidden from normal view.
2. A door glass assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said
electrical component comprises an electric motor.
3. A door glass assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein: said glass
assembly comprises an insulated glass defining an enclosed space;
and said door glass assembly further comprises a window covering
within said enclosed space and having a component driven by said
electric motor.
4. A door glass assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame
includes first and second frame halves, said power source supported
by only one of said frame halves.
5. A door glass assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein: said power
source includes replaceable batteries; and said frame further
includes an access door providing access to said replaceable
batteries.
6. A door glass assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein: said power
source further includes a switch; and said frame includes an
actuator button operatively connected to said switch, said actuator
button movable to permit actuation of said switch.
7. A window assembly comprising: a panel; a device requiring
electrical power; an electrical power source; and a frame adapted
to support said panel, said device, and said power source.
8. A window assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein: said frame
includes first and second frame halves; and said power source is
supported by only one of said frame halves.
9. A window assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein: said power
source includes replaceable batteries; and said frame includes an
access door providing access to said replaceable batteries.
10. A window assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein: said power
source includes at least one switch; and said frame includes at
least one actuator button each operatively connected to one of said
switches and permitting actuation of said aligned switch.
11. A window assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said device
requiring electrical power comprises a window covering and an
electric motor driving said window covering.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to door glass and window
assemblies, and more particularly to door glass and window
assemblies that include integral blinds.
[0002] The incorporation of blinds into door glass and other window
assemblies and has gained widespread acceptance. Typically, such
assemblies include an insulated glass (IG) defining an enclosed
space between two panels. The blind is positioned between the two
panels, and actuators are provided outside of the glass to operate
the blind (e.g. tilt and/or to raise/lower).
[0003] As an option, the blind can be "powered," including an
electric motor. A powered blind can be tilted and/or raised/lowered
in response to the actuation of one or more electric switches, or a
remote control. However, the incorporation of a powered blind into
insulated glass presents a challenge. Specifically, electrical
power must be provided to the electric motor. This is particularly
challenging in the environment of door glass and other window
assemblies where electrical power typically is not readily
available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The aforementioned problems are overcome in the present
invention in which a door glass or other window assembly includes
an improved powered blind having a clutch between the electric
motor and the blind. The clutch permits the motor to continue
rotating even after a physical limit or stop on the blind is
reached. This construction prevents motor burn out and therefore
enhances the life of the powered blind. The door glass assembly
includes a pair of frame halves and a power pack secured between
the frame halves. The power pack is secured to only one of the two
frame halves. Consequently, the frame halves may be separated
without fear of the power pack coming loose and/or falling out of
the assembly. In a preferred aspect, the one frame half includes a
battery compartment door to permit access to replaceable batteries
in the battery pack. The invention has applicability beyond the
disclosed powered blinds and can be used in conjunction with any
electrically powered device or option in a door glass or other
window assembly.
[0005] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the
invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by
reference to the description of the current embodiment and the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the door glass assembly of the
present invention installed within a door;
[0007] FIG. 2A is an interior view of the upper portion of the door
glass assembly showing the interior of the blind header;
[0008] FIG. 2B is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along
line 2-2 in FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper corner
of the door glass assembly with a portion of the blind header
removed to show the motor and the clutch;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the corner key and
the electric motor;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lower corner
of the door glass assembly in which the power pack is
installed;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but with the battery
compartment door removed;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view showing
the power pack from the front;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view showing
the power pack from the back.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT
[0015] A door glass assembly constructed in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the
drawings and generally designated 10. The assembly 10 includes a
door glass 12, a frame 14, a blind 16, a drive mechanism 18, and a
power pack 20. The drive mechanism 18 is powered by the power pack
assembly 20 to operate the blind 16.
[0016] The door glass 12 is generally well-known to those skilled
in the art. The door glass 12 includes a pair of glass panels 22
and 24 connected to and separated by a spacer frame 26. The panels
are hermetically sealed to the spacer frame 26. An enclosed space
28 is defined between the glass panels 22 and 24.
[0017] The frame 14 is also generally known to those skilled in the
art. The frame 14 includes an inner frame half 30 and an outer
frame half 32. The two frame halves are intersecured using screws
or other well-known techniques to support the door glass 12 within
a door D.
[0018] The frame 14 also includes several features illustrated in
FIGS. 7-8 that are not well known. First, the inner frame half 30
defines a pair of apertures 31a and 31b which receive actuator
buttons as will be described. Second, the inner frame half 30
includes a battery access opening/compartment 33 covered by a door
35. Suitable constructions for the access opening 33 and the door
35 are and will be known to those skilled in the art. Third, the
inner frame half includes power pack mounting bosses 37a, 37b, and
37c. The functions of these elements will be described below in
conjunction with the description of the power pack 20.
[0019] The window blind 16 also is well known to those skilled in
the art. The window blind includes an actuator assembly 34 and a
plurality of slats 36 suspended therefrom on a cord ladder 38. The
actuator assembly includes a header 40, supports 42; barrels 44,
and a rod 46. The header extends the full width of the door glass
between the spacer frame to support and enclose the other
components of the actuator assembly 34. The supports 42 are secured
to the header 40 and rotatably support the barrels 44. The cord
ladder 38 is wound around the barrels 44. The barrels 44 are
fixedly mounted on the drive rod 46 so that rotation of the rod
results in rotation of the barrels. As disclosed, the blind is
capable of tilting the slats 36, but not raising and lowering the
slats. It will be readily appreciated to those skilled in the art
that the present invention can be extended to a window blind in
which the slats can be raised and lowered, and/or to blinds having
combinations of features. The invention can be further extended to
any window covering associated with the glass assembly 12.
[0020] The drive assembly 18 includes an electric motor 50 and a
clutch 52. The motor 50 is of conventional design and includes an
integral gear reducer 54 and an output drive shaft 55. In the
preferred embodiment, the electric motor is sold as Model No.
12GN-A4S by Sanyo.
[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the motor 50 is supported within a
corner key 60 of the spacer frame 26. The corner key includes a
pair of arms 62 and 64 for receiving aluminum spacer frame pieces
in conventional fashion. The corner key 60 also includes an
integral motor mount 66 for closely receiving and supporting the
motor 50. The corner key 60 also defines a pair of electrical clip
receptacles 68 and 69 for receiving the electrical leads 70 and 72
on the motor. Although not specifically shown, the leads are
connected through the corner key 60 to electrical wires (not shown)
extending to the battery pack.
[0022] The clutch 52 (FIG. 3) includes a first clutch piece 74 and
a second clutch piece 76. The first clutch piece 74 is fixedly
secured to the rod 46 for rotation therewith. Similarly, the second
clutch piece 76 is connected to the output shaft 55 of the motor 50
for rotation therewith. Each clutch piece 74 includes a button
magnet (not visible). The two magnets together provide adequate
attraction between the two pieces such that the motor 50 rotates
the rod 46 when the blind is between its physical travel limits.
The magnetic attraction permits relative movement between the
pieces 74 and 76 when the rod 46 reaches a physical or travel
limit. In that case, the clutch.52 permits the electric motor 50 to
continue rotating even after the rod 46 stops at one of the
physical limits of the blind 16. In the current embodiment, the
physical limits are the two opposite directions in which the blind
slats may be tilted. Alternatively, the physical limits could be
the raising and/or lowering of the blind, or any other physical
parameter of the blind 16 or other window covering.
[0023] The power pack 20 is perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 7-8
and includes a board 80, a battery cradle 82, batteries 84,
switches 86 and 88, and a button plate 90. The board 80 supports
the battery cradle 82 and the switches 86 and 88 in conventional
fashion. The batteries 84 are replaceable within the battery cradle
82 also in conventional fashion. Three screws 94 attach the board
to the inner frame half.
[0024] The button plate 90 includes a pair of buttons 96 and 98
physically aligned with the switches 86 and 88, respectively. The
buttons 96 and 98 protrude through the holes 31a and 31b
respectively in the inner frame half 30. Conventional electrical
connections (not illustrated) extend between the switches 86 and 88
and the electric motor 50. Actuation of the switch 86 drives the
motor and the blind slats in a first direction, and actuation of
the switch 88 drives the motor and the blind slats in the opposite
direction.
Assembly and Operation
[0025] The glass assembly 12, frame 14, and blind 16 are fabricated
and assembled in generally conventional fashion. Only the steps,
features, and functions associated with the present invention are
described below.
[0026] The corner key 60 is used in fabricating one corner of the
spacer frame 26 to provide a means of supporting the motor 50.
Also, the first clutch piece 74 is fixedly secured to the blind
actuator rod 46, and the second clutch piece is fixedly secured to
the output shaft 55 of the motor 50. The motor 50 is inserted into
the motor mount 66 on the corner key 60, and the electrical leads
70 and 72 fit into the receptacles 68 and 69 (see FIG. 4). As the
components are assembled, the two clutch pieces 74 and 76 come into
contact with one another as illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0027] The power pack 20 is assembled and attached to the inner
frame half 30. More specifically, the button plate 90 is aligned so
that the two buttons 96 and 98 are positioned in the apertures 31a
and 31b respectively. Finally, the board 80 having the battery
support 82 and the switches 86 and 88 thereon is mounted to the
inner frame by securing the screws 94 in the corresponding bosses
37 in the inner frame. Wires 100 (not shown) extend between the
switches 86 and 88 and the electric motor 50 to provide power to
the motor in response to actuation of the switches.
[0028] Following installation, the door glass assembly has the
appearance illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5-6. Depression of either of
the buttons 96 or 98 will result in tilting of the blind in either
of its two opposite directions. Consequently, the homeowner can
easily depress one of the buttons to actuate tilting. The batteries
may be easily accessed for installation and/or removal by removing
the battery compartment cover 35 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The
present invention provides a means of preventing motor overheating.
Specifically, the clutch mechanism enables the motor to continue
turning even if the rod is prevented from turning. Also, the
present invention provides a unique power arrangement integration
into a door glass or other window assembly.
[0029] The above description is that of a current embodiment of the
invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without
departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as
defined in the claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance
with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of
equivalents.
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