Patents by Inventor Edward J. Blair

Edward J. Blair 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: 10032112
    Abstract: A fabric selection tool provides an automated procedure for recommending and/or selecting a fabric for a window treatment to be installed in a building. The recommendation may be made to optimize the performance of the window treatment in which the fabric may be installed. The recommended fabric may be selected based on performance metrics associated with each fabric in an environment. The fabrics may be ranked based upon the performance metrics of one or more of the fabrics. One or more of the fabrics, and/or their corresponding ranks, may be displayed to a user for selection. The recommended fabrics may be determined based on combinations of fabrics that provide performance metrics for various façades of the building. Using the ranking system provided by the fabric selection tool, the user may obtain a fabric sample and/or order one or more of the recommended fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Laura M. Gabriel, Michelle L. Greene, Andrew J. Lawler, Joseph Roy Parks, Brent Protzman, Staci L. Quirk
  • Patent number: 9982482
    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: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, Jr., James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Publication number: 20170362891
    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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Patent number: 9810020
    Abstract: A motorized window treatment may provide a low-cost solution for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window. The window treatment may include a covering material (e.g., a cellular shade fabric or a roller shade fabric), a drive assembly for raising and lowering the covering material, and a motor drive unit including a motor configured to drive the drive assembly to raise and lower the covering material. The motorized window treatment may comprise one or more battery packs configured to receive batteries for powering the motor drive unit. The batteries may be located out of view of a user of the motorized window treatment (e.g., in a headrail or in a battery compartment). The motorized window treatment may use various power-saving methods to lengthen the lifetime of the batteries, e.g., to reduce the motor speed to conserve additional battery power and extend the lifetime of the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt, Samuel F. Chambers
  • Publication number: 20170260806
    Abstract: A motorized window treatment provides a low-cost solution for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window. The window treatment includes a covering material, a drive shaft, at least one lift cord rotatably received around the drive shaft and connected to the covering material, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft for raising and lowering the covering material. The window treatment also includes a spring assist unit for assisting the motor by providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the cords that lift the covering material at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions, which helps to minimize motor usage and conserve battery life if a battery is used to power the motorized window treatment. The window treatment may comprise a photosensor for measuring the amount of daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, JR., Peter W. Ogden, Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Publication number: 20170260808
    Abstract: A motorized window treatment may provide a low-cost solution for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window. The window treatment may include a covering material (e.g., a cellular shade fabric or a roller shade fabric), a drive assembly for raising and lowering the covering material, and a motor drive unit including a motor configured to drive the drive assembly to raise and lower the covering material. The motorized window treatment may comprise one or more battery packs configured to receive batteries for powering the motor drive unit. The batteries may be located out of view of a user of the motorized window treatment (e.g., in a headrail or in a battery compartment). The motorized window treatment may use various power-saving methods to lengthen the lifetime of the batteries, e.g., to reduce the motor speed to conserve additional battery power and extend the lifetime of the batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, JR., Peter W. Ogden, Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt, Samuel F. Chambers
  • Patent number: 9745796
    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: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Publication number: 20170159355
    Abstract: A motorized sheer shading system may move a sheer shade material between an open position, a closed position, and a view position. The shading system may move the sheer shade material from the open position to the closed position at a first average rotational speed, and from the closed position to the view position at a second average rotational speed. The shading system may automatically determine a control limit that corresponds to the closed position of the sheer shade material after control limits have been set for the open position and the view position. The shading system may cause the sheer shade material to stop moving once it reaches the closed position if the raise button of a remote control is still depressed, and may cause the sheer shade material to stop moving once it reaches the closed position if the lower button of the remote control is still depressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Stephen Lundy
  • Patent number: 9611689
    Abstract: A motorized sheer shading system may move a sheer shade material between an open position, a closed position, and a view position. The shading system may move the sheer shade material from the open position to the closed position at a first average rotational speed, and from the closed position to the view position at a second average rotational speed. The shading system may automatically determine a control limit that corresponds to the closed position of the sheer shade material after control limits have been set for the open position and the view position. The shading system may cause the sheer shade material to stop moving once it reaches the closed position if the raise button of a remote control is still depressed, and may cause the sheer shade material to stop moving once it reaches the closed position if the lower button of the remote control is still depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Stephen Lundy
  • Patent number: 9605478
    Abstract: A motorized window treatment provides a low-cost solution for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window. The window treatment includes a covering material, a drive shaft, at least one lift cord rotatably received around the drive shaft and connected to the covering material, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft for raising and lowering the covering material. The window treatment also includes a spring assist unit for assisting the motor by providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the cords that lift the covering material at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions, which helps to minimize motor usage and conserve battery life if a battery is used to power the motorized window treatment. The window treatment may comprise a photosensor for measuring the amount of daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Publication number: 20160362932
    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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, JR., James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Publication number: 20160326801
    Abstract: A low-deflection roller tube of a motorized roller shade may have an outer diameter that does not exceed 2 inches. When a covering material is attached to the roller tube and the roller tube is supported at opposed ends thereof, deflection of a 10 foot configuration of the roller tube may not exceed ? of an inch, and deflection of a 12 foot configuration of the roller tube may not exceed ¼ of an inch, relative to corresponding unloaded positions of the roller tubes. The roller tube may comprise a plurality of layers of carbon fiber, or may comprise an inner tube that is made of a first material, such as aluminum, and a carbon fiber outer tube that is formed on the inner tube. At least one layer, such as an outermost layer, may comprise high modulus carbon fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden
  • Patent number: 9488000
    Abstract: A battery-powered window treatment, such as a roller shade, may include a battery compartment that provides access to batteries while the window treatment is assembled and mounted to a structure. The battery compartment may be supported along a pivot axis by a housing of the window treatment, and operable between opened and closed positions by pivoting the battery compartment about the pivot axis. The batteries may be concealed when the battery compartment is closed, and may be accessible when the battery compartment is open. The battery compartment may define a central axis that is offset relative to the pivot axis, and along which the batteries may be aligned. The window treatment may include a fascia that is operably connected to the battery compartment, such that when the battery compartment is opened, the fascia does not obstruct access to the batteries, and does not interfere with the shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: David A. Kirby, Samuel F. Chambers, Edward J. Blair
  • Patent number: 9447636
    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 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, Jr., James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Patent number: 9347261
    Abstract: A motorized shading system may include a housing, a roller tube, a sheer shade material, and a bottom bar. The shading system may be configured such that opposed ends of the roller tube are adjustable relative to the housing. The shading system may include first and second sliding members that couple opposed ends of the roller tube to the housing and that are configured to translate along first and second rails defined by the housing. The bottom bar may define a cross-sectional profile such that when the shade material is in a closed position, a first lower most edge of the bottom bar is spaced from the roller tube by a first distance, and when the shade material is in a view position, a second lower most edge of the bottom bar is spaced from the roller tube by a second distance that is substantially equal to the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Stephen Lundy, Nathan Butler
  • Patent number: 9328556
    Abstract: A motorized transitional shade system may move a covering material between open, closed, view, and privacy positions. The covering material may define respective pluralities of opaque and transparent sections that are arranged in an alternating pattern. A bottom bar that is movably supported by the covering material may define first and second portions of the covering material. The opaque and transparent sections in the first and second portions of the covering material may permit visibility through the covering material in a view position, and may impede visibility through the covering material in a privacy position. If movement of the covering material is halted at an intermediate position that is between the open and closed positions, the motorized transitional shade system may cause the motor to rotate the roller tube to move the covering material to a next lowest privacy position or to a next highest view position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Stephen Lundy, Robert J. Thompson
  • Patent number: D771072
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Protzman, Michelle L. Greene, Erica L. Clymer, Jennifer Wong, Laura Marie Friedlander, Joseph Roy Parks, Edward J. Blair
  • Patent number: D771102
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Protzman, Michelle L. Greene, Erica L. Clymer, Jennifer Wong, Samuel F. Chambers, Laura Marie Friedlander, Edward J. Blair, Stephen Lundy, John N. Callen
  • Patent number: D815652
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Protzman, Michelle L. Greene, Erica L. Clymer, Jennifer Wong, Samuel F. Chambers, Laura Marie Friedlander, Edward J. Blair, Stephen Lundy, John N. Callen
  • Patent number: D815653
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Protzman, Michelle L. Greene, Erica L. Clymer, Jennifer Wong, Laura Marie Friedlander, Joseph Roy Parks, Edward J. Blair