Patents Examined by Scott Denion
  • Patent number: 8991101
    Abstract: A door entryway system can include a door sweep capable of attachment to a bottom of a door panel. The system also includes a threshold assembly having a self-articulating threshold cap configured to self-adjust toward the door sweep and interact therewith to form a sealing barrier when the door panel is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Endura Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Van Camp, Bruce E. Procton
  • Patent number: 8991100
    Abstract: A door entryway system can include a door sweep capable of attachment to a bottom of a door panel. The system also includes a threshold assembly having a self-articulating threshold cap configured to be biased toward the door sweep and interact therewith to form a sealing barrier when the door panel is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Endura Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Van Camp, Bruce E. Procton
  • Patent number: 8984811
    Abstract: A door apparatus includes a door, actuating mechanism, and tie rod mechanism, the actuating mechanism actuating the tie rod mechanism to impart a substantially translating motion to the door. The actuating mechanism can include a drive yoke coupled to the tie rod mechanism with a one-way coupling. The tie rod mechanism can include a primary tie rod coupled to a secondary tie rod coupled to a latch. In another aspect a door apparatus includes an actuator, a first door, a second door, a first linkage assembly coupling the actuator to the first door, and a second linkage assembly coupling the first door to the second door, the actuator configured to activate the first linkage assembly to move the first door, the first door imparting motion to the second linkage assembly to move the second door in a synchronous and opposite motion with respect to the motion of the first door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Greenpoint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean J. Fairchild
  • Patent number: 8978303
    Abstract: An easy to assemble tilt latch includes a spring loaded bolt. The latch housing includes a plurality of clips to engage the sash to hold it in place in a precut opening. A driver fixed to a top slide passes through an opening in the housing and engages the bolt for retracting the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hughes Supply and Mfg. Co. of Thomasville, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Rogers, Farrell D. Smith
  • Patent number: 8967225
    Abstract: A leading end assembly for a movable partition may include a frame, an exterior skin coupled to the frame for covering a leading surface and two opposing side surfaces of the frame, the exterior skin including a leading member forming at least a portion of a leading surface of the leading end assembly and at least two side members, each side member being formed separately from the leading member and forming at least a portion of a lateral side portion of the leading end assembly. Movable partitions may include leading end assemblies and leading end assemblies may be formed by related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Won-Door Corporation
    Inventors: William Michael Coleman, Michael D. George, Paul Saccomano
  • Patent number: 8959836
    Abstract: A sliding door apparatus for closing and opening in a wall. The sliding door apparatus includes a sliding door having top and bottom edges, a door frame, a carriage secured to the top edge of the door and a drive mechanism for opening and closing movement of the door. The drive mechanism preferably includes a bi-directional effector, a power-storing power source and a controller configured to enable the door to be continuously closed but not locked when a continuously-closed signal is received by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hydra DoorCo LLC
    Inventor: Gary Gayhart
  • Patent number: 8950121
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door inner panel that has a header portion that at least partially defines a window opening. A reinforcement panel is configured to abut the door inner panel along the header portion and further defines the window opening. The door inner panel and the reinforcement panel each have a respective first flange extending at least partially outboard and a respective second flange extending at least partially inboard. The first flange of the door inner panel abuts the first flange of the reinforcement panel and the second flange of the door inner panel abuts the second flange of the reinforcement panel. A trim member is secured to the reinforcement panel and to the header portion to cover the second flanges without contacting the second flanges and has an inboard-facing planar portion as a furthest inboard extent of the trim member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Koichi Inaba, Rinaldo M. Lucchesi, James C. O'Kane, Michael G. Poss
  • Patent number: 8938913
    Abstract: A door interlock apparatus is disclosed. The door interlock apparatus has a body configured to couple to a first one of a door and an enclosure structure, the body having one or more angled self-locating features, a locking protrusion extending from a surface of the body and configured to couple with the locking member of an interlock mechanism, and a misalignment-accommodating mechanism configured and adapted to allow motion of the body. The door interlock apparatus aligns the locking protrusion and locking member during door closing, even when the door and enclosure structure are substantially misaligned. Electrical component enclosures, door interlock assemblies, and methods of assembling a door interlock assembly are also provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Truett Ramsey Thompson, Juan Carlos Cortes Arreygue, Terrance Woodyard
  • Patent number: 8939419
    Abstract: An impact absorbing and resistant bumper comprising: an elongated body comprised of at least two extruded or molded layers of polymeric materials, the elongated strip having a longitudinal axis and being resistant to impact, the elongated strip comprising: a first body layer comprised of a first polymeric material having a first selected degree of hardness; a second layer of a second polymeric material having a second degree of hardness; the first body layer being extruded or molded such that it has a configuration taken along a section transverse or radial to the longitudinal axis that comprises a center aperture and a pair of recesses laterally adjacent the center aperture and extending along and through the longitudinal length of the elongated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Retail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Wallace, Lawrence A. Ellis
  • Patent number: 8938916
    Abstract: A door interlock apparatus is disclosed. The door interlock apparatus has a body configured to couple to a first one of a door and an enclosure structure, the body having one or more angled self-locating features, a locking protrusion extending from a surface of the body and configured to couple with the locking member of an interlock mechanism, and a misalignment-accommodating mechanism configured and adapted to allow motion of the body. The door interlock apparatus aligns the locking protrusion and locking member during door closing, even when the door and enclosure structure are substantially misaligned. Electrical component enclosures, door interlock assemblies, and methods of assembling a door interlock assembly are also provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Truett Ramsey Thompson, Juan Carlos Cortes Arreygue, Terrance Woodyard
  • Patent number: 8919043
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for closing off an opening formed in a structure, comprising an essentially flat fixed part in which an aperture is defined, and at least one sliding panel which an aperture is defined, and at least one sliding panel which is guided along two rails mounted on one face of said fixed panel, between at least a closed position that closes off said aperture and an open position which uncovers said aperture. At least one of said rails at each of its ends bears a closure end piece to which a first end of a flexible or semi rigid first element is secured, the second end of which element is intended to be secured to said structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Comfort Systems France SAS-ACS France
    Inventors: Michel Jincheleau, Regis Leboeuf
  • Patent number: 8915021
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integrated regulator device of a glass and a curtain for a door, including: a motor provided in a door panel; a drive gear inserted into the motor in a vertical direction, rotatably provided, and having a shaft shape; a glass drum operated together with a glass provided in the door and inserted into the drive gear to move in the vertical direction according to rotation of the drive gear; and a curtain drum operated together with an electric curtain provided in the door, inserted into the drive gear, positioned beneath the glass drum, and moving in the vertical direction according to the rotation of the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jung Ho Han, Hoo Sang Park
  • Patent number: 8910424
    Abstract: A push-out screen frame including: a fixed frame member having a fixed body portion and an arcuate flange portion extending along one edge thereof; a hinged frame member having a hinged body portion and an arcuate channel along one edge thereof and formed to receive the arcuate flange portion for hinged connection therewith; a swinging frame member having a swinging body portion, a closure formation along an edge thereof and conforming substantially with the arcuate flange portion, and complementary latching and locking formations for latching and locking the hinged frame to the fixed frame; a latching assembly attachable to the fixed body portion and having a latching body portion and a latching formation for latching to the complementary latching formation; and a locking member attachable to a swinging frame member and having a locking body and a locking formation formed for locking engagement with the latching member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Secure Rite Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Patrick William Harris
  • Patent number: 8898871
    Abstract: Provided is an endless operation cord that is easy to replace. The present invention provides an operation cord including: a main cord having one and the other ends; a first coupling part disposed at the one end; and a second coupling part disposed at the other end. The first and second coupling parts can be coupled together directly or via a coupling member and can be coupled or uncoupled by means of a relative rotation between the adjacent coupling parts or between the adjacent coupling parts and coupling member or a relative movement in a direction other than a length direction of the main cord between the adjacent coupling parts or between the adjacent coupling parts and coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Tachikawa Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Nakamura, Seiya Abo, Eiji Kawai, Masaya Yamaguchi, Shojiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 8887785
    Abstract: An awning control system provides automatic retraction of an extended awning upon detection of awning motion in multiple dimensions caused by windy conditions. The awning control system includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based accelerometer for motion-based auto-retraction. A single, combined motion sensor/controller module may be located in the motor head and connected to switches and a 12V power source through wires routed along or within the awning framework. The control system operates by gauging the vertical, horizontal (inward/outward), and lateral motion of the leading edge or lead rail of the awning when in a fully or partially extended position. When persistent motion or gust exceeds preset thresholds, the control system will automatically engage the motor to retract the awning. The control system provides full automatic retraction of the awning unless halted or interrupted by additional user input. Manual switching also controls the extension and retraction of the awning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Co.
    Inventor: Mark Goth
  • Patent number: 8882174
    Abstract: An operating system and method for a vehicle having an automatically closing hatch, includes an operating switch, a programmable electronic controller, and a device for monitoring the hatch opening when the hatch is open. The operating switch generates an operating request signal for closing the hatch when the switch is actuated, the signal being an input signal to the controller. The monitoring device is a light barrier device having at least one light-emitting actuator and at least one light-detecting sensor arranged at the edge region of the hatch opening and also connected to the controller by electrical cables. The controller is programmed such that, when the operating request signal is present and the hatch is open, the controller outputs a pivot command to a closing system for closing the hatch only if the presence of an obstacle is not detected by the monitoring device for the hatch opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Wechs
  • Patent number: 8875444
    Abstract: A low-profile barrier and method of installation is provided including a barrier door located in an opening defined by a frame having a pair of upwardly extending arms connected to a lower cross member. In an un-installed position, the lower cross member has a curvature biasing the upwardly extending arms outward. In an installed position, the curvature of the lower cross member is compressed to zero so that the lower cross member lays flat against a lower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Bryan Dunn
  • Patent number: 8869865
    Abstract: There is provided a hanging partition. The hanging partition comprises at least one flexible, hanging panel having a plurality of pleats, each pleat having a hemmed portion. The hanging partition further comprises a plurality of magnets positioned within two or more of the hemmed portions. The hanging partition further comprises a plurality of hanging elements for suspending the hanging panel from a longitudinal hanging device. The magnets are aligned with respect to each other to cause a magnetic attraction between adjacent magnets in order to hold the hemmed portions together when the hemmed portions overlap when the hanging partition is in a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Will J. Roach
  • Patent number: 8863811
    Abstract: A gate has an expandable barrier and a horizontal rail located at a top of the barrier. A post may be coupled to the barrier and may have a portion extending above the horizontal rail. A lock is movably coupled to the post above the rail to provide for the locking and unlocking of the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam John Yates, Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Thomas Birkert
  • Patent number: 8857494
    Abstract: A window treatment may include one or more lift cord adjustment mechanisms for leveling of a bottom bar of the window treatment. The mechanisms may allow for fine-tuning adjustment of the levelness of the bottom bar. The mechanisms may be disposed at respective ends of the botom bar. The mechanisms may be directly accessible through the ends of the bottom bar. Each mechanism may include a pulley having a circumferential groove to receive a corresponding lift cord. A portion of the pulley may protrude relative to an exterior surface of the bottom bar. The mechanisms may be hidden from view on the sides of the bottom bar, such that the mechanisms do not detract from the appearance of the window treatment. Manual operation of a mechanism may adjust an amount of a corresponding lift cord that extends from the drive shaft to the pulley of the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Kirby, James J. Wilson