Appeal No. 2006-0742 Page
Reexamination Control No. 90/006,013 2
I. Introduction
The subject matter on appeal generally relates to an actuator for a window
covering, i.e., a device causing the slats of a mini-blind to be opened or closed by
moving an operator, such as a tilt wand, and comprising an electric motor, at
least one battery and a control signal generator. Claims 17, 21, 30 and 48 are
illustrative and read as follows (emphasis added):
17. A device for moving an operator of a window covering
having slat elements, the window covering being selected from the
group of window coverings including vertical-blinds, horizontal-
blinds, cellular shades, pleated shades, and lift and tilt shades, the
device comprising:
an actuator including at least one electric motor in a head rail
of the window covering and a coupling operably engaged with the
motor, wherein the coupling contacts the operator in the head rail to
prevent rotational relative motion between the coupling and the
operator, a rotor of the motor being connected to the coupling for
rotating the operator in either direction, the slat elements hanging
from the head rail and not being contained therein;
at least one direct current alkaline or lithium battery; and
a control signal generator for generating a control signal
in response to a wirelessly transmitted user command signal
to cause the at least one battery to energize the motor to move the
operator and thereby cause the slat elements to move.
21. The device of Claim 17, wherein the control signal
generator generates a first control signal to energize the motor to
turn in a first direction, a second control signal to stop the motor,
and a third control signal to cause the motor to turn in a second
direction.
30. The device of claim 27,
[27. A device for moving an operator in a head rail of
a window covering having slat elements to move the
elements, comprising:
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Last modified: November 3, 2007