Fred Robert Gross

US Patent:

6425432, Jul 30, 2002

Filed:

Sep 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/664689

Inventors:

Keith A. Gross - Sun Valley CA 91352
Fred J. Gross - Sun Valley CA 91352

International Classification:

E06B 930

US Classification:

1601761R, 160177 R, 74527

Abstract:

A venetian blind cord tilter, mounted in a head rail, that interfaces and drives a tilt rod, with the tilter itself having a wheel gear ( ) to which lines are wound for rotating the tilt rod and subsequently slats held within ladders for opening and closing the blind. The wheel gear has a split wheel ( ) which separates the lines that open and close the slats and an integral worm gear ( ) is mounted on a shaft ( ) to drive a separate helical gear ( ) in which the tilt rod is inserted. The gears have an elevated start gear ratio to achieve a fast action when rotating the slats in the blind. A housing ( ) retains the shaft and helical gear rotatably in place and provides for mounting the tilter within, a head rail ( ). A cradle ( ) is snapped into place beneath the housing and has a beveled projection ( ) which is inserted into a square or rectangular hole in the bottom of the head rail ( ) for mounting. An incremental positioning bushing ( ) is disposed over the teeth ( ) in the shaft to prevent backlash and permit positive angular displacement of blind slats used in conjunction with the tilter.

US Patent:

59571845, Sep 28, 1999

Filed:

Mar 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/042446

Inventors:

Fred J. Gross - Sun Valley CA
Keith A. Gross - Sun Valley CA

International Classification:

E06B 938

US Classification:

160177R

Abstract:

A tilter for horizontal slotted blinds which incorporates a hollow housing (22) and lid (34) constructed of a thermoplastic. A spool (48) and gear (50) are attached to a shaft (46) which is retained by the housing and lid. The spool gear intermeshes with a reduction gear cluster which in turn drives a gear driven sleeve (68) through which a tilt rod (74) penetrates. A pair of lines or cords (32) are wound around the spool and hang beneath the blind head rail (28) for manual blind slat tilting. By pulling downward on a selected line the tilter rotates the tilt rod, which in turn rotates conventional drums upon which ladders are attached. The slats of a blind are tilted by gears which are selected to have a ratio that decreases the necessary throw of the line to achieve a full 180 degree tilt of the blind with minimal movement.