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).

  • ROLL-UP RETRACTABLE COVERING FOR ARCHITECTURAL OPENINGS
    Publication number: 20140299281
    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: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Terrence M. Drew, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jason T. Throne
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CONTROL ARCHITECTURAL OPENING COVERING ASSEMBLIES
    Publication number: 20140290870
    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: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Daniel M. Fogarty, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jörg Bohlen, Kevin M. Dann, William Johnson
  • DOUBLE PLEAT CELLULAR SHADE WITH VANES
    Publication number: 20140284004
    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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Sevcik, Paul F. Josephson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • DOUBLE PLEAT CELLULAR SHADE ELEMENT
    Publication number: 20140224432
    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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Paul F. Josephson, Thomas E. Sevcik, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • CONTROL OF ARCHITECTURAL OPENING COVERINGS
    Publication number: 20140224437
    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: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.1 Blue Hill Plaza
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Daniel M. Fogarty, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Retractable shade for coverings for architectural openings
    Patent number: 8763673
    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 1, 2014
    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
    Patent number: 8757239
    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: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    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: 20140138037
    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: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CONTROL AN ARCHITECTURAL OPENING COVERING ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20140090787
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control an architectural opening covering assembly are disclosed herein. An example architectural opening covering assembly includes a tube and a covering coupled to the tube such that rotation of the tube winds or unwinds the covering around the tube. A motor is operatively coupled to the tube to rotate the tube. The example architectural opening covering assembly also includes a gravitational sensor to generate tube position information based on a gravity reference. The example architectural opening covering assembly further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the motor to control the motor. The controller is to determine a position of the covering based on the tube position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Wendell Colson, Dan Fogarty, Paul G. Swiszcz, William Johnson
  • COVERING FOR ARCHITECTURAL OPENING INCLUDING CELL STRUCTURES BIASED TO OPEN
    Publication number: 20140053989
    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: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • COVERING FOR ARCHITECTURAL OPENING INCLUDING THERMOFORMABLE SLAT VANES
    Publication number: 20140034251
    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 vane or slat connected to the support sheet. The at least one vane includes a vane material operably connected to a first side of the support sheet and a 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: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • STIFFENED PULL CORD FOR ARCHITECTURAL COVERINGS
    Publication number: 20130319622
    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: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kovach, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Method and apparatus for forming slats for fabric in coverings for architectural openings
    Patent number: 8580178
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a transversely curved or formed strip of material which can be cut to length for use in a fabric for coverings for architectural opening includes a supply role of a flexible fabric strip material that is sequentially passed through a heating chamber with an elongated upwardly convex extrusion across which the strip material is drawn and a cooling station before being wrapped on a take-up drum. The apparatus includes driven rollers about which the strip material passes and the strip material is exposed to tension detectors and controlled temperatures such that the strip material formed in the apparatus is uniform along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, William L. Teter, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kevin M. Dann, Steven J. Carroll, Thomas E. Sevcik, Stephen T. Wisecup, Michael J. Siebenaller
  • Process And System For Manufacturing A Roller Blind
    Publication number: 20130105094
    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: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS, INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, David P. Hartman, Michael Robert Stanczyk
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SLATS FOR FABRIC IN COVERINGS FOR ARCHITECTURAL OPENINGS
    Publication number: 20130040010
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a transversely curved or formed strip of material which can be cut to length for use in a fabric for coverings for architectural opening includes a supply role of a flexible fabric strip material that is sequentially passed through a heating chamber with an elongated upwardly convex extrusion across which the strip material is drawn and a cooling station before being wrapped on a take-up drum. The apparatus includes driven rollers about which the strip material passes and the strip material is exposed to tension detectors and controlled temperatures such that the strip material formed in the apparatus is uniform along its length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, William L. Teter, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kevin M. Dann, Steven J. Carroll, Thomas E. Sevcik, Stephen T. Wisecup, Michael J. Siebenaller
  • Tubular slat for coverings for architectural openings
    Patent number: 8277591
    Abstract: A slat or vane for use in a covering for an architectural opening is suitable for use in either a horizontal or vertical orientation and in a horizontal orientation will not sag or droop, and in a vertical orientation will rotate uniformly along its length when rotated from end thereof. The slat is formed in a tubular configuration and has a base material of glass fibers bonded together in a thermoformable resin so as to maintain the arcuate curvature desired for the tubular slat or vane. The slat can be repeatedly deformed and will always return to its original configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, James M. Anthony, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jason T. Throne
  • Cellular shade component
    Patent number: D685210
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Josephson, Thomas E. Sevcik, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Cell for a shade
    Patent number: D691397
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Cell for a shade
    Patent number: D692684
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Covering for an architectural opening
    Patent number: D693600
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kim Jelic, Daniel M. Fogarty, Jason T. Throne