System for coupling roller shade tubes

Abstract

A coupler assembly for coupling first and second roller tubes together includes first and second side assemblies. The first side assembly includes a clutch mechanism having first and second clutch members supported on a shaft for movement between a closed clutch condition in which the roller tubes rotate simultaneously and an opened clutch condition in which the tubes are uncoupled for relative rotation. The clutch mechanism includes a clutch drive member preferably including an elongated bar slidably received in an elongated groove defined on an exterior surface of the shaft. The clutch drive member may include a lug received in an interior of the second clutch member to apply a pulling force to the second clutch member. Alternatively, the clutch drive member may include a thrust member contacting the second clutch member to apply a pushing force.

1 . A coupler assembly for coupling first and second roller tubes together for simultaneous rotation of the roller tubes, the coupler assembly comprising: 
 a first side assembly adapted to rotatingly support the first roller tube; and    a second side assembly adapted to rotatingly support the second roller tube, each of the first side assembly and the second side assembly including a shaft, the shafts of the first and second side assemblies adapted for attachment to each other for simultaneous rotation of the shafts,    the first side assembly including a clutch mechanism movable between a closed clutch condition in which the first and second roller tubes are coupled for simultaneous rotation and an opened clutch condition in which the first and second roller tubes are uncoupled for relative rotation between the first and second roller tubes,    the clutch mechanism including first and second clutch members adapted to engage each other for torque transfer between the first and second clutch members when the clutch mechanism is in the closed condition, the first clutch member rotationally coupled to the first roller such that the first clutch member rotates with the first roller, the second clutch member rotationally coupled to the shaft such that the second clutch member rotates with the shaft,    the clutch mechanism including a clutch drive member adapted to drive the second clutch member axially with respect to the shaft when the clutch mechanism is moved to the opened clutch condition such that the first and second clutch members are separated from each other to provide for relative rotation between the first and second clutch members.    
   
   
       2 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the clutch drive member comprises an elongated bar adapted to slide along an exterior surface of the shaft of the first side assembly.  
   
   
       3 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the elongated bar of the clutch drive member is received in an elongated groove defined by the shaft of the first side assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the clutch drive member is a first clutch drive member, the clutch mechanism further including a second clutch drive member located on an opposite side of the shaft of the first side assembly from the first clutch drive member.  
   
   
       5 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the clutch drive member includes a lug adjacent an end of the elongated bar, the lug adapted for receipt within an interior of the second clutch member for applying a pulling force to the second clutch member to separate the second clutch member from the first clutch member.  
   
   
       6 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the clutch drive member further includes a tool formation adjacent an end of the elongated bar opposite the lug, the tool formation defining an eyelet opening for receipt of a tool adapted to apply a pulling force to the clutch drive member.  
   
   
       7 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the clutch drive member includes a thrust member adjacent an end of the elongated bar, the thrust member adapted to contact a surface of the second clutch member for applying a pushing force to the second clutch member to separate the second clutch member from the first clutch member.  
   
   
       8 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the clutch drive member further includes a tool formation adjacent an end of the elongated bar opposite the thrust member, the tool formation defining a concavely curved surface for receiving a tool adapted to apply a pushing force to the clutch drive member.  
   
   
       9 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the clutch mechanism further includes a compression spring received on the shaft and contacting the second clutch member to apply a biasing force to the second clutch member urging the second clutch member towards the first clutch member.  
   
   
       10 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaft of the first side assembly includes at least one lug extending longitudinally with respect to the shaft, the lug on the shaft adapted for receipt by a groove defined in an interior of the second clutch member of the clutch mechanism to limit relative rotation between the second clutch member and the shaft, the lug on the shaft of the first side assembly and the groove in the interior of the second clutch member of the clutch mechanism adapted to permit axial sliding of the second clutch member with respect to the shaft for movement of the second clutch member between the closed clutch condition and the opened clutch condition.  
   
   
       11 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaft of the first side assembly includes a circumferential flange adjacent a first side of the first clutch member of the clutch mechanism, the clutch mechanism including a retainer received in a notch defined by the shaft adjacent an opposite second side of the first clutch member, the circumferential flange and the retainer respectively adapted for contact with the first and second sides of the first clutch member of the clutch mechanism to limit axial sliding of the first clutch member with respect to the shaft of the first side assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second clutch members of the clutch mechanism of the first side assembly respectively include first and second halves of a face-gear, each of the first and second halves of the face-gear defining a plurality of teeth adapted for interfitting engagement with the teeth of the other one of the first and second halves of the face-gear when the clutch mechanism is in the closed condition.  
   
   
       13 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first clutch member of the clutch mechanism includes a plurality of tabs spaced about a periphery of the first clutch member, the tabs adapted for engagement with an inner surface of the first roller tube to transfer rotation between the first clutch member and the first roller tube.  
   
   
       14 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first side assembly also includes a tube-end fitting having inner and outer portions that are rotatable with respect to each other, the inner portion of the tube-end fitting adapted for attachment to a fixed support member, the outer portion adapted for engagement with an inner surface of the first roller tube to transfer rotation between the outer portion of the tube-end fitting and the first roller tube, and wherein the first clutch member of the clutch mechanism is defined by an end wall of the outer portion of the tube-end fitting.  
   
   
       15 . The coupler assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second roller tubes are adapted for winding receipt of first and second flexible shade fabrics, respectively, each of the first and second flexible shade fabrics defining a bottom edge, such that when the clutch mechanism is moved to the opened clutch condition the first and second clutch members are separated from each other to provide for relative rotation between the first and second clutch members, thereby providing for relative adjustment of the bottom edges of the associated flexible shade fabrics.  
   
   
       16 . A shade roller system comprising: 
 first and second elongated roller tubes each windingly supporting a flexible shade fabric, each of the flexible shade fabrics defining a bottom edge; and    a tube support assembly supporting the first and second roller tubes, the tube support assembly rotatably mounted to a fixed support for rotation of the first and second roller tubes about an axis of rotation,    the tube support assembly including a clutch mechanism having first and second clutch members, the first clutch member coupled to the first roller tube such that the first clutch member rotates with the first roller tube about the axis of rotation, the clutch mechanism adapted for movement between a closed clutch condition and an opened clutch condition, the first and second clutch members engaging each other in the closed clutch condition for torque transfer therebetween such that the first and second roller tubes are coupled together for simultaneous rotation about the axis of rotation, the first and second clutch members disengaged from each other in the opened clutch condition such that relative rotation between the first and second roller tubes is permitted, thereby providing for relative adjustment of the bottom edges of the associated flexible shade fabrics.    
   
   
       17 . The shade roller system according to  claim 16 , wherein the tube support assembly includes a shaft supported for rotation about the axis of rotation, each of the first and second clutch members of the clutch mechanism defining an opening in which the shaft is received, and wherein the second clutch member slides axially along the shaft to disengage the second clutch member from the first clutch member when the clutch mechanism is moved to the opened clutch condition.  
   
   
       18 . The shade roller system according to  claim 17 , wherein the clutch mechanism includes a clutch drive member contacting the second clutch member to drive the second clutch member between the closed and opened conditions of the clutch mechanism, the clutch drive member including an elongated bar adapted to slide with respect to the shaft of the tube support assembly.  
   
   
       19 . The shade roller system according to  claim 18 , wherein the bar of the clutch drive member is received in an elongated groove defined on an exterior surface of the shaft.  
   
   
       20 . The shade roller system according to  claim 18 , wherein the clutch drive member includes a lug adjacent an end of the elongated bar, the lug adapted for receipt within an interior of the second clutch member for applying a pulling force to the second clutch member to separate the second clutch member from the first clutch member.  
   
   
       21 . The shade roller system according to  claim 20 , wherein the clutch drive member further includes a tool formation adjacent an end of the elongated bar opposite the lug, the tool formation defining an eyelet opening for receipt of a tool adapted to apply a pulling force to the clutch drive member.  
   
   
       22 . The shade roller system according to  claim 18 , wherein the clutch drive member includes a thrust member adjacent an end of the elongated bar, the thrust member adapted to contact a surface of the second clutch member for applying a pushing force to the second clutch member to separate the second clutch member from the first clutch member.  
   
   
       23 . The shade roller system according to  claim 22 , wherein the clutch drive member further includes a tool formation adjacent an end of the elongated bar opposite the thrust member, the tool formation defining a concavely curved surface for receiving a tool adapted to apply a pushing force to the clutch drive member.  
   
   
       24 . The shade roller system according to  claim 16 , wherein the clutch mechanism further includes a compression spring received on the shaft and contacting the second clutch member to apply a biasing force to the second clutch member urging the second clutch member towards the first clutch member.  
   
   
       25 . The shade roller system according to  claim 16 , wherein the tube support assembly includes first and second drive transfer members respectively adapted to engage an inner surface of the first and second roller tubes, each of the drive transfer members including a plurality of flexible tabs located about a periphery of the drive transfer members.  
   
   
       26 . A motorized shade system comprising: 
 a plurality of elongated roller tubes each having opposite end portions, the roller tubes substantially aligned along a common axis of rotation and arranged to define at least one pair of adjacently located tube end portions, each of the roller tubes adapted for winding receipt of a flexible shade fabric, each of the flexible shade fabrics defining a bottom edge; and    a mounting assembly for each pair of tube end portions, the mounting assembly including first and second tube support assemblies respectively engaging a first tube end portion and a second tube end portion of the pair of tube end portions and adapted to rotatably support the tube end portion, the first and second tube support assemblies secured together to provide for simultaneous rotation of the associated roller tubes,    the first tube support assembly of each mounting assembly including a clutch mechanism having first and second clutch members and adapted for movement between a closed clutch condition and an opened clutch condition, the first and second clutch members adapted to engage each other for torque transfer therebetween when the clutch mechanism is in the closed condition, the first clutch member rotationally coupled to the first tube end portion such that the first clutch member rotates with the first roller, the second clutch member rotationally coupled to a shaft of the first tube support assembly such that the second clutch member rotates with the shaft,    the clutch mechanism including a clutch drive member adapted to drive the second clutch member axially with respect to the shaft of the first tube assembly when the clutch mechanism is moved to the opened clutch condition such that the first and second are separated from each other to provide for relative rotation between the first and second clutch members, thereby providing for relative adjustment of the bottom edges of the associated flexible shade fabrics.    
   
   
       27 . The motorized shade system according to  claim 26 , wherein the clutch drive member comprises an elongated bar adapted to slide along an exterior surface of the shaft of the first side assembly.  
   
   
       28 . The motorized shade system according to  claim 27 , wherein the elongated bar of the clutch drive member is received in an elongated groove defined by the shaft of the first side assembly.  
   
   
       29 . The motorized shade system according to  claim 27 , wherein the clutch drive member is a first clutch drive member, the clutch mechanism further including a second clutch drive member located on an opposite side of the shaft of the first side assembly from the first clutch drive member.  
   
   
       30 . The motorized shade system according to  claim 27 , wherein the clutch drive member includes a lug adjacent an end of the elongated bar, the lug adapted for receipt within an interior of the second clutch member for applying a pulling force to the second clutch member to separate the second clutch member from the first clutch member.  
   
   
       31 . The motorized shade system according to  claim 30 , wherein the clutch drive member further includes a tool formation adjacent an end of the elongated bar opposite the lug, the tool formation defining an eyelet opening for receipt of a tool adapted to apply a pulling force to the clutch drive member.  
   
   
       32 . The motorized shade system according to  claim 27 , wherein the clutch drive member includes a thrust member adjacent an end of the elongated bar, the thrust member adapted to contact a surface of the second clutch member for applying a pushing force to the second clutch member to separate the second clutch member from the first clutch member.  
   
   
       33 . The motorized shade system according to  claim 32 , wherein the clutch drive member further includes a tool formation adjacent an end of the elongated bar opposite the thrust member, the tool formation defining a concavely curved surface for receiving a tool adapted to apply a pushing force to the clutch drive member.  
   
   
       34 . The motorized shade system according to  claim 26  further comprising a drive system including a motor operably engaged with one of the roller tubes for rotating the roller tube about the common axis of rotation.