Patents by Inventor Claus Graichen

Claus Graichen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7836936
    Abstract: A vertical blind panel including a plurality of substantially opaque louvers and a plurality of sheer transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of louvers. At least one of the plurality of louvers includes a first vertically oriented louver portion connected to a second vertically oriented louver portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Lace Lastics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Patent number: 7757743
    Abstract: A vertical drapery panel including a plurality of louvers and a plurality of transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of louvers. At least one of the plurality of louvers includes a first vertically oriented louver portion connected to a second vertically oriented louver portion. Each of the first and second louver portions includes a first portion that is substantially opaque and a second portion that is substantially transparent or translucent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Patent number: 7730927
    Abstract: A frangible connection for connecting parts of a knitted textile into a single panel is disclosed. The frangible connection is formed of a yarn having a lower tensile strength than that used to knit the parts of the panel so that the parts can be readily disconnected by tearing the frangible connection without damaging the structure of the parts themselves. Thus, a plurality of vertical blind louvers may be knitted into a single panel on a single knitting machine and separated later, preferably prior to installation. Knitted patterns which extend across multiple louvers may thus be practically manufactured without the difficulties in alignment which might be present if each louver were manufactured separately. The frangible connection also functions as a hinge for pivotably connecting the louvers of a combination blind together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Lace Lastics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Publication number: 20090139667
    Abstract: Forming, by weaving or warp knitting, a vertical blind comprising a single fabric sheet having a series of vertical panels. The vertical panels include at least one relatively translucent panel and a plurality of vertical pocket panels. The vertical blind can be formed by weaving or knitting a fabric in width-for-width or width-for-length arrangements on a weaving loom or a double needle bar knitting machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Publication number: 20090139664
    Abstract: A vertical blind comprising a single fabric sheet having a series of vertical panels. The vertical panels include at least one relatively translucent panel and a plurality of vertical pocket panels. Each vertical pocket panel includes a vertical pocket. A vane is disposed and contained within the pocket for moving the associated pocket panel between open and closed positions. The vertical pocket panel along with the vane form a relatively opaque panel such that the vertical blind includes relatively translucent and relatively opaque panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Publication number: 20090004939
    Abstract: An insect screen comprised of knitted synthetic yarns and having a knitted pattern incorporated therein. First and second groups of yarns, such as polypropylene, are knitted with the first group of yarns forming a grid or mesh while the second group of yarns form a pattern. Once the insect screen is knitted, the insect screen is subjected to a finishing operation. In finishing the insect screen is stretched and placed in tension using selvages formed of a third group of yarns. The tensioned insect screen is heated causing the yarns to at least slightly plasticize and causing heat fusion of at least some stitches. Thereafter the insect screen and yarns are cooled, resulting in the insect screen becoming more rigid and generally assuming the stretched configuration in the absence of stretching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Patent number: 7415845
    Abstract: A non-laminated window shade having simultaneously formed and interconnected layers is provided. Pattern is produced by revealing portions of an intermediate layer. An intermediate layer comprises solution dyed yarns of a dark color. Pad dyeing and yarn selection produces contrast between a front layer and revealed portions of an intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Patent number: 7404429
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to window treatments such as vertical blinds manufactured from a knitted textile material. Each of a plurality of louvers is knitted into a single panel and attached together by a frangible hinge which permits the louvers to pivot relative to each other, or may be torn to separate the louvers from each other without damage to the louvers. In installations requiring multiple panels to be attached together, a terminus may be provided to permit attachment of one panel directly to the other. Alternately, a connection strip may be employed between two panels. In the event that the knitted textile louvers are not sufficiently opaque, auxiliary louvers may be provided and attached in alignment over the louvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Lace Lastics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Patent number: 7347245
    Abstract: A vertical blind assembly including at least one vertical blind panel, the at least one vertical blind panel including a plurality of partially opaque louvers, and a plurality of sheer transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of partially opaque louvers. A substantially opaque auxiliary louver is disposed behind each one of the plurality of partially opaque louvers. A frangible hinge is disposed between each partially opaque louver and an adjacent spacer. A louver hook is attached to a top edge portion of each partially opaque louver, wherein each louver hook hooks over a top edge of a corresponding auxiliary louver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Lace Lastics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Publication number: 20070281154
    Abstract: A portfolio of textile furnishings for a health care facility room includes a substantial array of such furnishings commonly used in health care facilities. Furnishings include silver containing yarns disposed within fabrics to provide a silver content effective to reduce microbial and allergenic effects and to reduce odor and infections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Lace Lastics Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Publication number: 20060180280
    Abstract: A vertical drapery panel including a plurality of louvers and a plurality of transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of louvers. At least one of the plurality of louvers includes a first vertically oriented louver portion connected to a second vertically oriented louver portion. Each of the first and second louver portions includes a first portion that is substantially opaque and a second portion that is substantially transparent or translucent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Publication number: 20060021717
    Abstract: A vertical blind assembly including at least one vertical blind panel, the at least one vertical blind panel including a plurality of partially opaque louvers, and a plurality of sheer transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of partially opaque louvers. A substantially opaque auxiliary louver is disposed behind each one of the plurality of partially opaque louvers. A frangible hinge is disposed between each partially opaque louver and an adjacent spacer. A louver hook is attached to a top edge portion of each partially opaque louver, wherein each louver hook hooks over a top edge of a corresponding auxiliary louver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Publication number: 20050257898
    Abstract: A vertical blind panel including a plurality of substantially opaque louvers and a plurality of sheer transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of louvers. At least one of the plurality of louvers includes a first vertically oriented louver portion connected to a second vertically oriented louver portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Publication number: 20050230060
    Abstract: A frangible connection for connecting parts of a knitted textile into a single panel is disclosed. The frangible connection is formed of a yarn having a lower tensile strength than that used to knit the parts of the panel so that the parts can be readily disconnected by tearing the frangible connection without damaging the structure of the parts themselves. Thus, a plurality of vertical blind louvers may be knitted into a single panel on a single knitting machine and separated later, preferably prior to installation. Knitted patterns which extend across multiple louvers may thus be practically manufactured without the difficulties in alignment which might be present if each louver were manufactured separately. The frangible connection also functions as a hinge for pivotably connecting the louvers of a combination blind together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Publication number: 20050230064
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to window treatments such as vertical blinds manufactured from a knitted textile material. Each of a plurality of louvers is knitted into a single panel and attached together by a frangible hinge which permits the louvers to pivot relative to each other, or may be torn to separate the louvers from each other without damage to the louvers. In installations requiring multiple panels to be attached together, a terminus may be provided to permit attachment of one panel directly to the other. Alternately, a connection strip may be employed between two panels. In the event that the knitted textile louvers are not sufficiently opaque, auxiliary louvers may be provided and attached in alignment over the louvers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Patent number: 5885910
    Abstract: A non-slip knitted lace fabric has opposed first and second surfaces of yarn and a stretchable tacky layer of cured and foamed, oleophobic and hydrophobic plastisol disposed at least partially on one of the first and second surfaces to provide enhanced frictional engagement of the fabric with a surface adjacent to the tacky layer. Preferably the fabric has a loop-forming yarn knitted therein so as to provide a plurality of loops of the loop-forming yarn as the one surface. The tacky layer extends through the openings of at least some of the loops. Optimally, the loop-forming yarn is elastic and tacky.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lace Lastics Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Claus Graichen