Patents by Inventor Ralph G. Jelic
Ralph G. Jelic 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).
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Patent number: 8580178Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20130276994Abstract: A system for incorporation into a retractable covering that includes a flexible lift cord extending from a headrail to a bottom rail. The system includes a flexible protector of a length similar to that of an associated lift cord with the lift cord being operatively connected to the protector. The protector is in turn connected to a fabric extending between the headrail and the bottom rail at predetermined spaced locations so that any loop of protector formable is limited by the spacing between the locations at which the protector is connected to the fabric. The maximum size of a loop so formed in the protector and thus the lift cord associated therewith is insufficient to encapsulate a body part of a child or infant.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: James M. Anthony, Ralph G. Jelic, Joseph E. Kovach, Robert A. Simons
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Patent number: 8474507Abstract: A system for incorporation into a retractable covering that includes a flexible lift cord extending from a headrail to a bottom rail. The system includes a flexible protector of a length similar to that of an associated lift cord with the lift cord being operatively connected to the protector. The protector is in turn connected to a fabric extending between the headrail and the bottom rail at predetermined spaced locations so that any loop of protector formable is limited by the spacing between the locations at which the protector is connected to the fabric. The maximum size of a loop so formed in the protector and thus the lift cord associated therewith is insufficient to encapsulate a body part of a child or infant.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: James M. Anthony, Ralph G. Jelic, Joseph E. Kovach, Robert A. Simons
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Publication number: 20130040010Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20120193040Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Marjorie G. Harper, Daniel M. Fogarty, David P. Hartman, Ralph G. Jelic, Kristi K. Kopecky
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Patent number: 8206633Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 8151857Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Marjorie G. Harper, Daniel M. Fogarty, David P. Hartman, Ralph G. Jelic, Kristi K. Kopecky
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Publication number: 20110203079Abstract: A system for incorporation into a retractable covering that includes a flexible lift cord extending from a headrail to a bottom rail. The system includes a flexible protector of a length similar to that of an associated lift cord with the lift cord being operatively connected to the protector. The protector is in turn connected to a fabric extending between the headrail and the bottom rail at predetermined spaced locations so that any loop of protector formable is limited by the spacing between the locations at which the protector is connected to the fabric. The maximum size of a loop so formed in the protector and thus the lift cord associated therewith is insufficient to encapsulate a body part of a child or infant.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: James M. Anthony, Ralph G. Jelic, Joseph E. Kovach, Robert A. Simons
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Publication number: 20100276088Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kim Jelic, Daniel M. Fogarty, Jason T. Throne
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Publication number: 20100276089Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kim Jelic, Daniel M. Fogarty, Jason T. Throne
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Publication number: 20100126675Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.Inventors: RALPH G. JELIC, WENDELL B. COLSON, PAUL G. SWISZCZ, KIM JELIC, DANIEL M. FOGARTY, JASON T. THRONE
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Patent number: 7695802Abstract: A slat for use in a covering for an architectural opening is made from a base material of binder and matrix fibers which are formed into a nonwoven material by melting at least a portion of the binder fibers to thermally bond the binder and matrix fibers. A coating of resin is then applied to the thermally bonded base before the composite material is passed through a forming apparatus where the material is heated over a convex support having the desired curvature for the slat and subsequently cooled.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 7686059Abstract: A control system for a top down/bottom up covering for an architectural opening includes a head rail and an independently moveable bottom rail and middle rail. A shade material extends between the middle rail and the bottom rail and control systems are provided at opposite ends of the head rail for operating the middle rail independently of the bottom rail. Each control system includes lift spools associated with lift cords that are secured to the bottom rail or middle rail with the lift spools being seated in cradles and rotated by a drive shaft connected to manually operated control elements. Each drive shaft is operatively connected to a braking system in the form of a two-way clutch so the drive shafts can be rotated in either direction to raise or lower a bottom or middle rail, but locked in any selected position.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Marek Jarosinski, Ralph G. Jelic, Paul F. Josephson, Daniel Fluckey, Ronald Holt
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Publication number: 20100059186Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Marjorie G. Harper, Daniel M. Fogarty, David P. Hartman, Ralph G. Jelic, Kristi K. Kopecky
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Patent number: 7588068Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2004Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Marjorie G. Harper, Daniel M. Fogarty, David P. Hartman, Ralph G. Jelic, Kristi K. Kopecky
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Patent number: 7513294Abstract: A mounting system for securing a non-retractable covering material in an architectural opening includes an anchor strip securable to the covering material having a plurality of openings therethrough and a three piece clip securable to the surrounding frame of the architectural opening including a taper head pin for insertion into an opening in the anchor strip with the pin being universally movable through a unique design of the clip which includes a base, a pivot arm and a slide clamp on the pivot arm.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, Terry L. Akins
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Publication number: 20080053626Abstract: A control system for a top down/bottom up covering for an architectural opening includes a head rail and an independently moveable bottom rail and middle rail. A shade material extends between the middle rail and the bottom rail and control systems are provided at opposite ends of the head rail for operating the middle rail independently of the bottom rail. Each control system includes lift spools associated with lift cords that are secured to the bottom rail or middle rail with the lift spools being seated in cradles and rotated by a drive shaft connected to manually operated control elements. Each drive shaft is operatively connected to a braking system in the form of a two-way clutch so the drive shafts can be rotated in either direction to raise or lower a bottom or middle rail, but locked in any selected position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Marek Jarosinski, Ralph G. Jelic, Paul F. Josephson, Daniel Fluckey, Ronald Holt
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Patent number: 7264687Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for forming a fabric for an architectural opening covering. The apparatus comprises a joining section, an accumulator, a cutting station, and a stacker. The joining section is configured to join together first, second, third and fourth material strips into a fabric strip. The accumulator is configured to accumulate the fabric strip upon leaving the joining section. The cutting station is configured to sever the fabric strip into an upstream fabric strip and a first downstream fabric strip. The stacker is configured to join the first downstream fabric strip with a second downstream fabric strip to form the fabric.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2006Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Dann, Ralph G. Jelic, Michael J. Siebenaller, Thomas E. Sevcik, William L. Teter, Joseph E. Kovach, Douglas W. Christensen
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Publication number: 20070175594Abstract: A cord-lock system for use in coverings for architectural openings and adapted to lock a control cord of the opening in any desired position includes a lock member that is pivotal about an axis parallel to the head rail of the covering with the lock member being movable between locked and unlocked positions by movement of the cord in a vertical plane perpendicular to the head rail. A cover plate pivotally overlying the lock member and operatively connected to the lift cords is also moved between locked and unlocked positions by movement of the lift cords in a manner that assures movement of the lock member between its locked and unlocked positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2007Publication date: August 2, 2007Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventor: Ralph G. Jelic
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Patent number: D693600Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kim Jelic, Daniel M. Fogarty, Jason T. Throne