Patents Examined by Johnnie A Shablack
  • Patent number: 11970904
    Abstract: A flexible curtain defines a major surface and is configured to repeatedly actuate to move between a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration. Two sensors are configured to detect different condition and are removably attached to two sensor attachment locations. The major surface extends across an operational surface of a target system such that the sensors detect the conditions of the target system when the flexible curtain defines the deployed configuration. The flexible curtain and the sensors converge at a predetermined edge of the flexible curtain to expose the operational surface of the target system when the flexible curtain defines the stowed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christian Eggenberger, Jens Rathgeber, Toby Zenerino, Michael Egger
  • Patent number: 11970901
    Abstract: A window blind has a headrail, a bottom rail, and multiple slats provided below the headrail. In the headrail, an adjusting shaft and an auxiliary adjusting module are provided and connected. A ladder string is connected to the adjusting shaft, whereby the adjusting shaft adjusts a shape of the ladder string to tilt the slats and the bottom rail. A first cord and a second cord extend out of the headrail and are connected to opposite sides of the bottom rail. When the adjusting shaft drives the slats to tilt in a direction, the auxiliary adjusting module releases the first cord out of the headrail and retracts the second cord into the headrail. When the slats are tilted in an opposite direction, the auxiliary adjusting module retracts the first cord into the headrail and releases the second cord out of the headrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIEN MADE ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lei Luo, Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 11952836
    Abstract: A roller shutter includes a chamber with an opening, a roller curtain movable between being fully contained within the chamber and extended beyond the chamber through the opening, and at least one guide rail along and relative to which the roller curtain is movable between being retracted and extended, wherein the roller curtain includes a plurality of slat members interlocked with each other for relative pivotal movement, the plurality of slat members collectively forming first and second major surfaces, and a first layer of fire-resistant and/or heat-resistant fabric fixedly mounted to the first major surface of the slat members and a second layer of fire-resistant and/or heat-resistant fabric fixedly mounted to the second major surface of the slat members, and wherein the guide rail includes at least a first sealing member which, when the roller curtain is extended, contacts or presses into the first layer of fire-resistant and/or heat-resistant fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: CHUNG TAI ROLLER SHUTTERS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Ho Yan Lai
  • Patent number: 11939816
    Abstract: A motorized window shade system may comprise a shade tube in a pocket; a window shade attached to the shade tube; a motor configured to rotate the shade tube; an internal temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of the motor; an external temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of the pocket; and a controller configured to adjust a mode of the system from an override mode to an automated mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: MECHOSHADE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Hebeisen, Xi Ming Liarno, Eugene Miroshnichenko
  • Patent number: 11927058
    Abstract: A blind lifting control module includes a transmitting wheel, an anti-backward unit and a driving unit disposed to a supporting unit. The transmitting wheel for connecting a blind reeled horizontal axle has ratchet portions respectively meshable with corresponding ratchet portions of an anti-backward wheel and a driving reel. A pull cord is reeled on the driving reel and has a free end passing through a thrust member and a hindering member, and is pulled to release the anti-backward wheel to permit lowering of a blind. The thrust member is turned by pulling of the pull cord to thrust the driving reel to mesh with the transmitting wheel for lifting the blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SYNCPROTO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hung Lee, Lung-Yi Chiang
  • Patent number: 11913280
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating, controlling, and directing a lift cord or lift chain of an architectural opening includes a body structure having first and second upper openings that are separated by an upper medial guide member that protrudes beyond the upper openings A rotatable wheel within a cavity of the body structure is configured to engage a lift cord or lift chain provided as a loop, wherein such engagement allows free passage of first and second segments of the loop through the cavity in opposing directions, while preventing free passage of the first and second segments through the cavity in the same direction. The apparatus may be coupled to a top end of a cord channel enclosure having a slider moveably engaged thereto to actuate the lift cord or lift chain, with a fixed length loop portion of lift cord or lift chain extending upward from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Safe-T-Shade, Inc.
    Inventors: William Lynch, Michael Barclift
  • Patent number: 11891856
    Abstract: A roller shutter with dual operation modes includes a door frame, a roller shutter body, a driving motor, a connecting device, a rotating shaft and a connecting rod. The roller shutter body is slidably configured on the door frame, the rotating shaft is rotatably configured on the door frame, and the rotating shaft is connected with the driving motor through the connecting device. When the connecting device is in a connected state, the driving motor drives the connecting rod to retract or extend the roller shutter body; when the connecting device is a separated state, the rotating shaft is manually operated to drive the connecting rod to retract or extend the roller shutter body. The roller shutter can be opened or closed by manual operation in the absence of power supply or in case of circuit failure, which greatly improves the reliability and convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Dongguan City GeShengMei Industrial Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Taotao Lei
  • Patent number: 11877685
    Abstract: A window shade may include a shade, and each of a top portion and a bottom portion thereof has a mount bar. The shade is installed into a sliding unit through the mount bar on the top portion of the shade, and the mount bar on the bottom portion of the shade is coupled with a weight track. The mount bars on the top portion and the bottom portion of the shade are adapted to enable the shade to horizontally install on a top track of a window curtain and also to enable the weight of the weight track to be evenly distributed on the bottom portion of the shade, thereby smoothing the operation of the shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Shan-Chi Chuang
  • Patent number: 11867431
    Abstract: Solar photovoltaic window blind slats for power generation from internal and external light sources are provided are provided. A plurality of solar cells are attached to at least two sides of a slat core. Distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components are associated with each solar cell. The solar cells and corresponding distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components on each slat side are connected in electrical series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Sigmagen, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehrdad M. Moslehi, Pawan Kapur
  • Patent number: 11866992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety blind that operates without a cord. More specifically, there is no danger of safety accidents because a lifting cord inserted into a fabric tube of a leather cord is not exposed to the outside, the lifting and tilting operation of an entire slat can be easily and simply performed by operating a lower slat, and a driving unit can be applied to Venetian blinds, roll blinds, and various blinds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Jae-Suk Kwak
  • Patent number: 11719040
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door comprising a door leaf (10) which can be moved between an open position and a closed position and a guide arrangement for guiding the movement of the door leaf along a predefined path between the open position in the closed position, wherein the guide arrangement has at least one guide web (100) which is arranged fixedly with respect to a wall opening, extends at least along a portion of the predetermined path, and has two outer boundary surfaces (102, 104) and at least two guide devices (32, 34) which are fastened to the door leaf (10), wherein a first outer boundary surface (102) of the guide web (100) forms a surface for a first guide device (32) and the second outer boundary surface (104) of the guide web (100) forms a second guide surface (104) for a second guide device (34). Magnetic devices (1000, 1010, 1100) can be arranged on the door leaf and on the guide bar for guiding in a contactless manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Seuster KG
    Inventor: Jörg Fischer
  • Patent number: 11713619
    Abstract: A screening device includes a rail, a drive shaft, a motorized drive device, including an electromechanical actuator, and an autonomous electrical power supply device, including a battery module. The battery module includes first and second mounting brackets, each arranged inside the rail and configured to hold the battery module inside the rail. The actuator includes third and fourth mounting brackets, each arranged inside the rail and configured to hold the actuator inside the rail. The brackets are identical. Furthermore, each of the brackets includes an opening, configured to accommodate the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Frédéric Negrello, Frédéric Maraval
  • Patent number: 11713618
    Abstract: A follower arrangement, operatively coupled to a plurality of slats of a blind assembly via a flexible cord, for raising and lowering the plurality of slats via the flexible cord, may include a housing defining a first opening therethrough, a ferromagnetic or paramagnetic counterweight to act against a weight of the plurality of slats of the blind assembly to reduce forces required to be applied to the follower arrangement to raise or lower the slats, and at least one magnet received within the first opening defined through the housing and magnetically attached to the counterweight to magnetically secure the housing to the counterweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: ODL, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ben Hummel, Stacy Grant Frye, Sharlene Kluchinsky Clark, Rachel DeGraaf, Keith Philip Leyendecker, Caroline Spytman, Mark R. Elgersma
  • Patent number: 11713620
    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 rigidity 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: Norbert Marocco
  • Patent number: 11708721
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for guiding a flexible curtain for at least partially closing an opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: REMIS Gesellschaft für Entwicklung und Vertrieb von technischen Elementen mbH Köln
    Inventors: Daniel Huf, Semsi Hajredinaj
  • Patent number: 11708722
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a lateral edge of a door curtain within a guide of a door, and a controller to identify when the door curtain transitions from an operational state to a breakaway state based on a signal from the sensor, the operational state corresponding to when the lateral edge of the door curtain is enclosed by the guide as the door curtain moves between open and closed positions, and the breakaway state corresponding to when a portion of the lateral edge of the door curtain below an upper end of the guide breaks away from the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, Michael Sivill, Christopher Saleh, Charles Runde, James Pelegrin, Nicholas J. Casey, Perry W. Knutson
  • Patent number: 11686153
    Abstract: A top-down bottom-up window covering has a headrail, a middle rail, a bottom rail, a lifting control structure installed at the headrail, and a covering structure installed between the middle rail and the bottom rail. The lifting control structure controls a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft to respectively receive or release a first cord and a second cord. The first cord drives the middle rail to move, and the second cord drives the bottom rail to move. A one-way clutch and a pre-stress unit are further provided at the headrail. When the bottom rail pushes the middle rail to move upward, the one-way clutch breaks a link between the first rotating shaft and the lifting control structure. Consequently, a driving force generated by the pre-stress unit immediately drives the first rotating shaft to receive the first cord to keep the first cord taut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 11680445
    Abstract: A battery-powered motorized window treatment for covering at least a portion of a window may be adjusted into a service position to allow for access to at least one battery that is powering the motorized window treatment. A headrail of the motorized window treatment may be adjusted to the service position to allow for easy replacement of the batteries without unmounting the headrail and without requiring tools. The motorized window treatment may comprise brackets having buttons that may be actuated to release the headrail from a locked position, such that the head rail may be rotated into the service position. The headrail easily rotates through a controlled movement into the service position, such that a user only needs one free hand available to move the motorized window treatment into the service position and change the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, Jr., James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Patent number: 11661792
    Abstract: A slat for a rolling shutter is provided that is formed as a single walled, continuous bent sheet. The slat includes a body having a hook-shaped engaging track at a first end, and a receiving track at the second end comprising a guard member and a hook-shaped lip member that form a pocket for receiving the engaging track of another slat. The guard member includes a portion of the sheet that is bent over on itself. The lip member extends from the guard member, and is spaced apart from the guard member to define an aperture that is sized and shaped to receive the engaging track of the other slat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Qualitas Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventor: James V. Miller
  • Patent number: 11661793
    Abstract: A folding shade includes a supporting seat having a first plate and a second plate opposite to the first plate. The first plate has an abutting portion. A rod unit is connected between the first plate and the second plate. The rod unit includes an axle and a transmission rod rotatably disposed around the axle. An annular space is defined between the transmission rod and the axle. A returning element is mounted around the axle and is connected to the transmission rod. The rod unit extends along a longitudinal axis. A braking mechanism is disposed in the annular space. The braking mechanism includes a limiting member. The abutting portion of the first plate releasably abuts against the limiting member to move the limiting member along the longitudinal axis. A shade is coiled around the rod unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Li-Ming Cheng