Patents by Inventor Robert S. Pharr

Robert S. Pharr 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).

  • Publication number: 20160069130
    Abstract: An enclosed drive system for use in conjunction with a lift cord extending from a headrail of an architectural cover. The enclosed system encases and engages the lift cord with a drive mechanism within the enclosure, thereby avoiding hazardous loops. A method for retro-fitting an architectural cover lift cord assembly including a lift cord associated with a cord lock and extending from a headrail of the architectural cover is also described, for modifying the architectural cover to eliminate hazardous loops therefrom. Also disclosed in this disclosure is a cord lock mechanism that pinches the cord, a handle that actuates the cord lock mechanism, and a driving mechanism having a cord guide that engages the cord and a slider that slides along the handle to actuate the cord while the cord is enclosed within an enclosure defined by the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: William D. Vestal, Robert S. Pharr
  • Patent number: 9187952
    Abstract: An enclosed drive system for use in conjunction with a lift cord extending from a headrail of an architectural cover. The enclosed system encases and engages the lift cord with a drive mechanism within the enclosure, thereby avoiding hazardous loops. A method for retro-fitting an architectural cover lift cord assembly including a lift cord associated with a cord lock and extending from a headrail of the architectural cover is also described, for modifying the architectural cover to eliminate hazardous loops therefrom. Also disclosed in this disclosure is a cord lock mechanism that pinches the cord, a handle that actuates the cord lock mechanism, and a driving mechanism having a cord guide that engages the cord and a slider that slides along the handle to actuate the cord while the cord is enclosed within an enclosure defined by the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: SAFE-T-SHADE
    Inventors: William D. Vestal, Robert S. Pharr
  • Patent number: 9151110
    Abstract: A cord enclosure assembly to encase one or more lift cords extending from the headrail of an architectural covering, such as a blind or shade system, is disclosed, for the purpose of avoiding exposed cords capable of creating a hazardous loop. The cord disclosure assembly comprises an enclosure having a pivot cup portion and an adaptor. The adaptor is configured to be selectively attached to the pivot cup portion about a pivot point. The adaptor is also configured to connect the enclosure to the headrail about a swivel point. At least one of the pivot point and the swivel point at a top of the enclosure allows the enclosure to swivel, or move in a lateral direction when attached to the headrail. This lateral movement allows the enclosure to be positioned substantially horizontally such that it may be stored under the headrail behind the blind or shade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SAFE-T-SHADE
    Inventors: William D. Vestal, Robert S. Pharr
  • Patent number: 8950463
    Abstract: An architectural cover operating assembly comprising a roller mechanism adapted to drive a roller to operate an architectural cover, a cord mechanism adapted to drive the roller mechanism; and an enclosure adapted to conceal at least a portion of the cord mechanism. The enclosure comprises a clutch assembly configured to receive the roller mechanism. The clutch assembly comprises a hinge portion configured to receive a swivel, such that the clutch assembly is hingedly attached to the enclosure and the enclosure is allowed to pivot about the swivel in a lateral direction. A method comprises providing an enclosure configured to receive a cord mechanism; disposing a clutch assembly having a hinge portion and a swivel at an end of the enclosure, and attaching a roller mechanism to the clutch assembly, wherein the clutch assembly is hingedly attached to the enclosure to allow the enclosure to pivot in a lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: SAFE-T-SHADE
    Inventors: William D. Vestal, Robert S. Pharr
  • Publication number: 20110308745
    Abstract: An architectural cover operating assembly comprising a roller mechanism adapted to drive a roller to operate an architectural cover, a cord mechanism adapted to drive the roller mechanism; and an enclosure adapted to conceal at least a portion of the cord mechanism. The enclosure comprises a clutch assembly configured to receive the roller mechanism. The clutch assembly comprises a hinge portion configured to receive a swivel, such that the clutch assembly is hingedly attached to the enclosure and the enclosure is allowed to pivot about the swivel in a lateral direction. A method comprises providing an enclosure configured to receive a cord mechanism; disposing a clutch assembly having a hinge portion and a swivel at an end of the enclosure, and attaching a roller mechanism to the clutch assembly, wherein the clutch assembly is hingedly attached to the enclosure to allow the enclosure to pivot in a lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: SAFE-T-SHADE
    Inventors: William D. Vestal, Robert S. Pharr
  • Publication number: 20110283485
    Abstract: A cord enclosure assembly to encase one or more lift cords extending from the headrail of an architectural covering, such as a blind or shade system, is disclosed, for the purpose of avoiding exposed cords capable of creating a hazardous loop. The cord disclosure assembly comprises an enclosure having a pivot cup portion and an adaptor. The adaptor is configured to be selectively attached to the pivot cup portion about a pivot point. The adaptor is also configured to connect the enclosure to the headrail about a swivel point. At least one of the pivot point and the swivel point at a top of the enclosure allows the enclosure to swivel, or move in a lateral direction when attached to the headrail. This lateral movement allows the enclosure to be positioned substantially horizontally such that it may be stored under the headrail behind the blind or shade assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: SAFE-T-SHADE
    Inventors: William D. Vestal, Robert S. Pharr
  • Publication number: 20110259534
    Abstract: An enclosed drive system for use in conjunction with a lift cord extending from a headrail of an architectural cover. The enclosed system encases and engages the lift cord with a drive mechanism within the enclosure, thereby avoiding hazardous loops. A method for retro-fitting an architectural cover lift cord assembly including a lift cord associated with a cord lock and extending from a headrail of the architectural cover is also described, for modifying the architectural cover to eliminate hazardous loops therefrom. Also disclosed in this disclosure is a cord lock mechanism that pinches the cord, a handle that actuates the cord lock mechanism, and a driving mechanism having a cord guide that engages the cord and a slider that slides along the handle to actuate the cord while the cord is enclosed within an enclosure defined by the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: SAFE-T-SHADE
    Inventors: William D. Vestal, Robert S. Pharr
  • Patent number: 5926015
    Abstract: A machine readable unit for meter devices of the type presenting a changeable, readable indicia proportional to a changeable input thereto, to include electric rate meters, gas meters, water meters, and other data registers, includes an assembly for displaying alphanumeric indicia in a machine readable format and an assembly for changing the displayed indicia responsive to input to the meter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Robert S. Pharr