1. An actuating system for a window shade, comprising:
a transmission axle;
a spring drive unit operable to urge the transmission axle to rotate in a first direction for raising a shading structure of the window shade; and
a control module including an arrester assembled around the transmission axle, an operating cord operatively connectable with the transmission axle, and a release unit having an actuator operatively connected with the arrester, the actuator having an elongated shape extending along a lengthwise axis, and the operating cord extending through an interior of the actuator;
the arrester having a locking state in which the arrester acts against the spring drive unit to block a rotational displacement of the transmission axle in the first direction, and an unlocking state in which rotation of the transmission axle is allowed;
the operating cord being operable to turn the arrester from the locking state to the unlocking state and to drive rotation of the transmission axle in a second direction opposite to the first direction for lowering the shading structure of the window shade; and
the actuator being operable to rotate about the lengthwise axis to drive the arrester to switch from the locking state to the unlocking state.
2. The actuating system according to claim 1, wherein the spring drive unit includes a torsion spring operatively connected with the transmission axle.
3. The actuating system according to claim 1, wherein the operating cord is operable to drive rotation of the transmission axle in the second direction against a spring force applied by the spring drive unit on the transmission axle.
4. The actuating system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission axle is affixed with a sleeve, and the arrester includes a spring mounted around the sleeve, the spring tightening on the sleeve when the arrester is in the locking state, and the spring loosening when the arrester is in the unlocking state.
5. The actuating system according to claim 4, wherein the release unit further includes:
a collar operable to rotate about a rotation axis of the transmission axle; and
a plurality of transmission members connected between the collar and the actuator, wherein a rotation of the actuator about the lengthwise axis is transmitted via the transmission members and drives a rotational displacement of the collar about the rotation axis to cause the spring to loosen.
6. The actuating system according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is a hollow stick, and the operating cord extends through an interior of the stick.
7. The actuating system according to claim 1, wherein the control module further includes:
a cord drum connected with the operating cord; and
a coupling and decoupling device connected with the arrester and the cord drum;
wherein a pulling action on the operating cord drives the cord drum to rotate and turns the coupling and decoupling device to a coupling state, whereby rotation of the cord drum is transmitted through the coupling and decoupling device in the coupling state to drive the transmission axle to rotate in the second direction.
8. The actuating system according to claim 7, wherein the cord drum, the coupling and decoupling device, and the spring drive unit are assembled coaxially about the axis of the transmission axle.
9. The actuating system according to claim 8, wherein the coupling and decoupling device is maintained in a decoupling state when the transmission axle rotates in the second direction, whereby the cord drum remains stationary when the transmission axle rotates in the second direction.
10. The actuating system according to claim 9, wherein the cord drum is further connected with a spring, the spring being operable to cause rotation of the cord drum for winding the operating cord around the cord drum.
11. The actuating system according to claim 10, wherein the transmission axle is affixed with a sleeve, the arrester includes a spring assembled around the sleeve, the spring tightening on the sleeve when the arrester is in the locking state, the spring loosening when the arrester is in the unlocking state, and a pulling action on the operating cord causes the spring to turn to the unlocking state.
12. The actuating system according to claim 11, wherein the release unit further includes:
a collar operable to rotate around a rotation axis of the transmission axle; and
a plurality of transmission members connected between the collar and the actuator, wherein the actuator is rotatable about the lengthwise axis so as to drive a rotational displacement of the collar about the rotation axis of the transmission axle to cause the spring to loosen.
13. The actuating system according to claim 12, wherein the transmission members include a first and a second transmission member, the collar has a toothed portion that engages with the first transmission member, and the second transmission member is connected with the actuator and engages with the first transmission member via a gear transmission.
14. The actuating system according to claim 13, wherein the second transmission member has a hollow body, and the operating cord extends through the second transmission member and the actuator.
15. A window shade comprising:
a head rail;
a shading structure;
a bottom part disposed at a lowermost end of the shading structure;
at least one suspension cord connected with the head rail and the bottom part;
at least one cord winding unit assembled with the head rail and connected with the suspension cord; and
the actuating system according to claim 1 assembled with the head rail, wherein the transmission axle is connected with the cord winding unit, the rotation of the transmission axle in the first direction causing the cord winding unit to wind the suspension cord for raising the bottom part, and the rotation of the transmission axle in the second direction causing the suspension cord to unwind from the cord winding unit for lowering the bottom part.
16. The window shade according to claim 15, further including a limit mechanism coupled with the transmission axle, the limit mechanism being operable to stop the bottom part at a lowest position relative to the head rail.
17. The window shade according to claim 16, wherein the limit mechanism includes:
a screw affixed with the transmission axle;
a stop member affixed with the screw; and
a gear member having a threaded hole through which is engaged the screw, wherein the rotation of the transmission axle in the second direction causes the gear member to move axially along the screw toward the stop member.
18. An actuating system for a window shade, comprising:
a transmission axle;
a spring drive unit operable to urge the transmission axle to rotate in a first direction for raising a shading structure of the window shade; and
a control module including an arrester assembled around the transmission axle, an operating cord operatively connectable with the transmission axle, and a release unit having an actuator operatively connected with the arrester, the actuator having an elongated shape extending along a lengthwise axis;
the arrester having a locking state in which the arrester acts against the spring drive unit to block a rotational displacement of the transmission axle in the first direction, and an unlocking state in which rotation of the transmission axle is allowed;
the operating cord being pulled downward to turn the arrester from the locking state to the unlocking state and to drive rotation of the transmission axle in a second direction opposite to the first direction for lowering the shading structure of the window shade; and
the actuator being operable to rotate about the lengthwise axis to drive the arrester to switch from the locking state to the unlocking state.
19. The actuating system according to claim 18, wherein the actuator is a hollow stick, and the operating cord extends through an interior of the stick.
20. The actuating system according to claim 18, wherein the transmission axle is affixed with a sleeve, the arrester includes a spring assembled around the sleeve, the spring tightening on the sleeve when the arrester is in the locking state, the spring loosening when the arrester is in the unlocking state, and a pulling action on the operating cord causes the spring to loosen.
21. The actuating system according to claim 20, wherein the release unit further includes:
a collar operable to rotate around a rotation axis of the transmission axle; and
a plurality of transmission members connected between the collar and the actuator, wherein the actuator is rotatable about the lengthwise axis so as to drive a rotational displacement of the collar about the rotation axis of the transmission axle to cause the spring to loosen.
22. The actuating system according to claim 21, wherein the transmission members include a first and a second transmission member, the collar has a toothed portion that engages with the first transmission member, and the second transmission member is connected with the actuator and engages with the first transmission member via a gear transmission.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An improved motor vehicle speed and braking control system comprising:
a throttle pedal moveable by a driver’s throttle-foot, to control an engine of said vehicle to regulate provided engine power;
said throttle pedal operatively positioned above a support surface of a driver’s foot well, and being moveable between an accelerated position and idle position;
a brake control in such position as most favorable for the immediate and natural application of brake by said throttle-foot;
a throttle safety switch in close proximity to the throttle pedal and the driver’s throttle-foot;
said safety switch positioned to continuously occupy a position slightly higher above said support surface than that of said throttle pedal in both said accelerated and said idle positions;
said safety switch, when activated by the slightest communication with said throttle-foot, or any other object, causing an immediate reduction state of said power to that of said idle position;
said reduction state of said power continuing until said throttle control pedal has been returned to said idle position and said communication with said throttle-foot or object has ceased; and
whereby said driver’s instinctual physiological and psychological response to a perceived need to de-accelerate said vehicle is encouraged and accommodated.
2. The improved motor vehicle speed and braking control system of claim 1, additionally comprising:
such throttle pedal having a shape which is substantially rectangular and to fit said driver’s foot;
said throttle pedal angled to the right 10 to 20 degrees forming a parallelepiped; and
wherein such safety switch will attach along a left side of the parallelepiped throttle control pedal or panel.
3. A forwardly oriented motor vehicle speed and braking control system comprising:
a throttle pedal moveable by a driver’s throttle-foot, to control an engine of said vehicle to regulate provided engine power;
said throttle pedal operatively slidingly engaged at a base, above a support surface of a driver’s foot well, and being moveable between an accelerated position and idle position and to cause a corresponding output of said engine power;
said throttle control pedal in close proximity to a safety switch;
said safety switch is activated to cause said engine to change to that of said idle position, any time said throttle foot forces a first forward sliding of said throttle pedal toward a front end of said vehicle; and
said throttle pedal operatively communicating with brake linkage of said vehicle wherein any further said forward sliding pressure, forward of said first forward sliding, is communicated as to said brake linkage to cause a braking of said vehicle.
4. The forwardly oriented motor vehicle speed and braking control system of claim 3, additionally comprising:
said first sliding being at least one inch; and
a return of said throttle pedal in excess of one inch causing said braking to cease and to allow movement of said throttle pedal between said accelerated and idle position to cause a corresponding output of said engine power.
5. An angularly oriented motor vehicle speed and braking control system for right foot braking comprising:
a brake pedal engaged to a support surface of a driver’s foot well, having an angular right side of which is of the same angular shape as an adjacent throttle pedal;
said right side being within 316 of an inch of a left side of said throttle pedal;
said brake pedal having a left side which is forwardly oriented forming a fan shape; and
a power reduction safety switch running the full length of the angular right side of the brake control and parallel to and within 316 inch from the throttle safety switch.
6. The system of claim 1, additionally comprising:
any space within said driver’s foot well not covered by said throttle pedal, being covered by said brake pedal.
7. The system of claim 3, additionally comprising:
any space within said driver’s foot well not covered by said throttle pedal, being covered by said brake pedal.
8. The system of claim 5, additionally comprising:
any space within said driver’s foot well not covered by said throttle pedal, being covered by said brake pedal.