Axially driven wand for a window blind

Abstract

A blind control for a window covering having a narrow profile; and particularly relates to a control module for a window shade where the location of the drive mechanism is selected to minimize the gap between the end of the window shade and inside edge of a window opening; locating the drive mechanism in a shell disposed in a housing to rigidify a reduced thickness of the drive so as to minimize the gap; and use a single rod depending from the control module to activate the drive mechanism in a safe and secure manner.The invention also includes a housing with an end wall adjacent one end of the shade; a clutch projecting from said end wall and rotatable about a clutch axis, a drive gear engageable at one end of the clutch for rotatably driving said clutch and shade, said drive gear disposed in said housing adjacent said end wall; and a wand for driving said drive gear.The invention provides for a wand to raise and lower the window shade.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A window blind wand comprising:
 (a) a rod that extends along a longitudinal length thereof to present a longitudinal axis with a first and second end;   (b) said first end presenting engagement means for engaging a control module for moving a window blind;   (c) a motor axially engageable at the second end of said rod for selectively rotating said rod about said axis in one direction and raising said window blind and rotating said rod about said axis in an opposite direction for lowering said window blind.   
     
     
         2 . The window blind wand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said motor comprises one of a male extension or female socket while said second end of said rod comprises the other of said one of a male extension or female socket. 
     
     
         3 . The window blind wand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said engagement means comprises a hook at said first end for engagement with said control module. 
     
     
         4 . The window blind wand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said engagement means comprises a pair of fingers defining a space between said fingers for engagement with said control module. 
     
     
         5 . The window blind wand as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said control module comprises an “◯’ shaped receiver for engagement with said pair of fingers. 
     
     
         6 . The window blind wand as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said “◯” shaped receiver presents a restriction in cross section which is smaller than the space between said pair of spaced fingers so that said fingers snap into position with said ‘◯’ shaped receiver. 
     
     
         7 . The window blind wand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said motor and rod are detachable. 
     
     
         8 . The window blind wand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said motor and rod are detachable. 
     
     
         9 . The window blind wand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said motor and rod are one piece. 
     
     
         10 . The window blind wand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said motor has a switch to selectively rotate said rod about said axis in one direction and raising said window blind and rotating said rod about said axis in an opposite direction for lowering said window blind. 
     
     
         11 . The window blind rod as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said switch is activated manually or remotely. 
     
     
         12 . The window blind rod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said rod includes a pair of spiral grooves or projections, and a collar. 
     
     
         13 . The window blind rod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said motor has a battery. 
     
     
         14 . A method of moving a window blind, comprising:
 (a) providing a rod extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end;   (b) attaching the first end to a control module of a window blind;   (c) attaching a motor to said second end to selectively rotate said rod about said axis in one direction and raising said window blind and rotating said rod about said axis in an opposite direction for lowering said window blind.   
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said rod comprises a pair of helical grooves or projections and a collar and comprises;
 grasping said collar with one hand and activating said motor with another hand. 
 
     
     
         16 . A electrical motor engageable with a control module for a window blind comprising; said electrical motor having one end engageable with said control module to rotate in one direction and raise said window blind and rotate in another direction to lower said window blind. 
     
     
         17 . The electrical motor as claimed in  claim 16  including engagement means for engaging said control module for moving a window blind; 
     
     
         18 . The electrical motor as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said electrical motor comprises one of a male extension or female socket while said control module comprises the other of said one of a male extension or female socket. 
     
     
         19 . The electrical motor as claimed in  claim 18  including a rod extending between sais electrical motor and said control module. 
     
     
         20 . The electrical motor as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said electrical motor and rod are one piece.