Patents by Inventor Kelly A. Watanabe

Kelly A. Watanabe 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).

  • System and apparatus for winding a lifting cord
    Patent number: 6244532
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for winding a lifting cord. The device comprises a rotatable shaft (14), a wrapping guide (22) and a winding drum (12) mounted on the rotatable shaft (14) such that the winding drum (12) rotates with the shaft (14) and is free to move axially along the shaft (14). One end of the lifting cord (24) is attached to the winding drum (12). The wrapping guide (22) is configured to engage the lifting cord (24) such that as the shaft (14) and winding drum (12) rotate, the lifting cord (24) wraps around the winding drum (12) in even turns without overlapping and forces the winding drum (12) to travel axially along the shaft (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: BTX Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly A. Watanabe
  • Single control system for operating top-down-bottom-up shades
    Patent number: 5791390
    Abstract: A lift system for top-down, bottom-up window shades operated by a single control is provided. The preferred embodiment of the invention is compatible with, but not limited to, clutch operated shades whose cords are wound onto a shaft within the headrail. It will work with any shade that presently has top-down-bottom-up capability, using any method of lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: RollEase, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly A. Watanabe