Patents by Inventor Paul G. Swiszcz

Paul G. Swiszcz 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).

  • Methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies
    Patent number: 9765568
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies are disclosed herein. An example architectural opening covering assembly includes a manual controller operatively coupled to a tube to rotate the tube. The tube includes an architectural opening covering. The example architectural opening covering assembly also includes a motor operatively coupled to the tube to rotate the tube. A local controller is communicatively coupled to the motor to control the motor. The example architectural opening covering assembly further includes a gravitational sensor to determine an angular position of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Daniel M. Fogarty, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jörg Bohlen, Kevin M. Dann, William Johnson
  • Retractable shade for coverings for architectural openings
    Patent number: 9702185
    Abstract: A retractable cellular shade is illustrated in various embodiments to consist of a support structure that could assume numerous forms including cellular material, flexible sheets of material, tapes or ribbons, or flexible monofilaments or similar cords of natural or synthetic fibers with the support structure supporting a plurality of vanes or slats in various configurations and orientations. The movement of the vanes or slats is totally dependent upon movement of the support structure. The fabric so formed can be incorporated into a covering for architectural openings with the covering including a headrail with means for gathering the fabric material within the headrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kim Jelic, Daniel M. Fogarty, Jason T. Throne
  • ROLL-UP RETRACTABLE COVERING FOR ARCHITECTURAL OPENINGS
    Publication number: 20170138127
    Abstract: A retractable covering for an architectural opening includes a headrail in which a control system is mounted and a fabric suspended from the headrail. The fabric is mounted to be moved laterally between a rolled up retracted position and an extended position across the architectural opening. At least one roller about which the fabric can be wrapped is mounted at an end of the headrail for rotation about a vertical axis, and the system includes a flexible control element that is substantially horizontally disposed for moving the covering between extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Terrence M. Drew, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jason T. Thorne
  • Roll-up retractable covering for architectural openings
    Patent number: 9587430
    Abstract: A retractable covering for an architectural opening includes a headrail in which a control system is mounted and a fabric suspended from the headrail. The fabric is mounted to be moved laterally between a rolled up retracted position and an extended position across the architectural opening. At least one roller about which the fabric can be wrapped is mounted at an end of the headrail for rotation about a vertical axis, and the system includes a flexible control element that is substantially horizontally disposed for moving the covering between extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Terrence M. Drew, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jason T. Throne
  • COVERING FOR ARCHITECTURAL OPENINGS WITH COORDINATED VANE SETS
    Publication number: 20170044823
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening including a roller, an end rail, and a panel rotatable onto the roller and spanning between the roller and the end rail. The panel includes a front sheet, a rear sheet, and a cell spanning between the front and rear sheet. When the front sheet is at a first position relative to the rear sheet, the cell is open. When the front sheet is at a second position relative to the rear sheet, the cell is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, James M. Anthony
  • STIFFENED PULL CORD FOR ARCHITECTURAL COVERINGS
    Publication number: 20170009522
    Abstract: A control element for actuating an operating mechanism for a retractable shade. The retractable shade having a flexible operating cord retractable and extendable from the operating mechanism, the flexible operating cord having a free end. The control element is attached to the flexible operating cord and includes a core having a length, the core being stiffened along the length so as to resist becoming entangled and an upper end of the length that is attached to the free end of the flexible operating cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kovach, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Covering for architectural opening including cell structures biased to open
    Patent number: 9540874
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening including a support tube and a panel operably connected to the support tube and configured to be wound around the support tube. The panel includes a support sheet and at least one cell operably connected to the support sheet. The at least one cell includes a vane material operably connected to a first side of the support sheet and a cell support member operably connected to the vane material and configured to support the vane material at a distance away from the support sheet when the panel is in an extended position with respect to the support tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING A ROLLER BLIND
    Publication number: 20160354972
    Abstract: A process and system for manufacturing roller blinds is provided which includes structure for performing plural steps including a first step of helically winding slat fabric about a drum, thereby forming a slat product. A second step includes moving the slat product from the drum to a platform. A third step includes winding the slat product about a roller tube to form a roller blind. A fourth step includes moving the blind from the platform to a heat treating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, David P. Hartman, Michael Robert Stanczyk
  • COVERING FOR ARCHITECTURAL OPENING INCLUDING CELL STRUCTURES BIASED TO OPEN
    Publication number: 20160356080
    Abstract: A covering an architectural opening including a support tube and a panel operably connected to the support tube and configured to be wound around the support tube. The panel includes a support sheet and at least one cell operably connected to the support sheet. The at least one cell includes a vane material operably connected to a first side of the support sheet and a cell support member operably connected to the vane material and configured to support the vane material at a distance away from the support sheet when the panel is in an extended position with respect to the support tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Covering for architectural openings with coordinated vane sets
    Patent number: 9512672
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening including a roller, an end rail, and a panel rotatable onto the roller and spanning between the roller and the end rail. The panel includes a front sheet, a rear sheet, and a cell spanning between the front and rear sheet. When the front sheet is at a first position relative to the rear sheet, the cell is open. When the front sheet is at a second position relative to the rear sheet, the cell is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, James M. Anthony
  • Stiffened pull cord for architectural coverings
    Patent number: 9487997
    Abstract: A control element for actuating an operating mechanism for a retractable shade. The retractable shade having a flexible operating cord retractable and extendable from the operating mechanism, the flexible operating cord having a free end. The control element is attached to the flexible operating cord and includes a core having a length, the core being stiffened along the length so as to resist becoming entangled and an upper end of the length that is attached to the free end of the flexible operating cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kovach, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • RETRACTABLE SHADE FOR COVERINGS FOR ARCHITECTURAL OPENINGS
    Publication number: 20160305183
    Abstract: A retractable cellular shade is illustrated in various embodiments to consist of a support structure that could assume numerous forms including cellular material, flexible sheets of material, tapes or ribbons, or flexible monofilaments or similar cords of natural or synthetic fibers with the support structure supporting a plurality of vanes or slats in various configurations and orientations. The movement of the vanes or slats is totally dependent upon movement of the support structure. The fabric so formed can be incorporated into a covering for architectural openings with the covering including a headrail with means for gathering the fabric material within the headrail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kim Jelic, Daniel M. Fogarty, Jason T. Throne
  • Process and system for manufacturing a roller blind
    Patent number: 9458663
    Abstract: A process and system for manufacturing roller blinds is provided which includes structure for performing plural steps including a first step of helically winding slat fabric about a drum, thereby forming a slat product. A second step includes moving the slat product from the drum to a platform. A third step includes winding the slat product about a roller tube to form a roller blind. A fourth step includes moving the blind from the platform to a heat treating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, David P. Hartman, Michael Robert Stanczyk
  • CONTROL OF ARCHITECTURAL OPENING COVERINGS
    Publication number: 20160230460
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling architectural opening coverings are described herein. An example apparatus includes a roller tube, a motor including a motor drive shaft and a motor casing, the motor casing to rotate with the roller tube, and a manual control including a manual control drive shaft coupled to the motor drive shaft, the motor to apply torque to the roller tube through rotation of the motor casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Daniel M. Fogarty, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Retractable shade for coverings for architectural openings
    Patent number: 9382755
    Abstract: A retractable cellular shade is illustrated in various embodiments to consist of a support structure that could assume numerous forms including cellular material, flexible sheets of material, tapes or ribbons, or flexible monofilaments or similar cords of natural or synthetic fibers with the support structure supporting a plurality of vanes or slats in various configurations and orientations. The movement of the vanes or slats is totally dependent upon movement of the support structure. The fabric so formed can be incorporated into a covering for architectural openings with the covering including a headrail with means for gathering the fabric material within the headrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kim Jelic, Daniel M. Fogarty, Jason T. Throne
  • Double pleat cellular shade element
    Patent number: 9376860
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening is provided. The covering may include a head rail, an end rail, and a cellular panel operably connected between the head rail and the end rail. The cellular panel may include at least one cellular unit. Each cellular unit may include a primary cell having a first side and a second side. In one configuration, the first side has a single crease, and the second crease has three creases. An outer wall may be operably connected to the primary cell and extend around at least a portion of a side of the primary cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Josephson, Thomas E. Sevcik, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Control of architectural opening coverings
    Patent number: 9334688
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling architectural opening coverings are described herein. An example apparatus includes a roller tube, a motor including a motor drive shaft and a motor casing, the motor casing to rotate with the roller tube, and a manual control including a manual control drive shaft coupled to the motor drive shaft, the motor to apply torque to the roller tube through rotation of the motor casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Daniel M. Fogarty, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Double pleat cellular shade with vanes
    Patent number: 9249618
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening is provided. The covering may include a head rail, an end rail, and a cellular panel operably connected between the head rail and the end rail. The cellular panel may include at least one cellular unit. Each cellular unit may include a primary cell having a first side and a second side. In one configuration, the first side has a single crease, and the second crease has three creases. A vane may be operably connected to the primary cell and extend around at least a portion of a side of the primary cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Sevcik, Paul F. Josephson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Cellular shade component
    Patent number: D734060
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jason T. Throne
  • Portion of a cellular shade component
    Patent number: D734061
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jason T. Throne