With Rotating Means Patents (Class 160/309)
  • Patent number: 11713620
    Abstract: A blind control for a window covering having a narrow profile; and particularly relates to a control module for a window shade where the location of the drive mechanism is selected to minimize the gap between the end of the window shade and inside edge of a window opening; locating the drive mechanism in a shell disposed in a housing to rigidity a reduced thickness of the drive so as to minimize the gap; and use a single rod depending from the control module to activate the drive mechanism in a safe and secure manner. The invention also includes a housing with an end wall adjacent one end of the shade; a clutch projecting from said end wall and rotatable about a clutch axis, a drive gear engageable at one end of the clutch for rotatably driving said clutch and shade, said drive gear disposed in said housing adjacent said end wall; and a wand for driving said drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: Norbert Marocco
  • Patent number: 11142945
    Abstract: A blind having a blind operating mechanism and an endless loop blind control element for operating the blind mechanism, comprising: an enclosure extending from an upper end to a lower end, with the endless loop blind control element enclosed within the enclosure between the upper end to the lower end of said enclosure, when in a first position; a connector supporting the upper end of the enclosure adjacent to the blind operating mechanism and depending downwardly from it; and the lower end of said enclosure moveable from said first position towards that upper end to a second position so as to permit operation of said endless loop blind control element. The invention also relates to a lower housing displaceable towards the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: MAXXMAR INC.
    Inventor: Norbert Marocco
  • Patent number: 11072967
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems, methods, and devices for protecting service personnel by deploying a physical barrier are described. Further embodiments describe additional security features such as lights, sirens, cameras, electronic locks, timers, and/or notifying security personnel or local law enforcement when the system is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: CAPITAL ONE SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Abdelkader Benkreira, Daniel John Marsch, Joshua Edwards, Michael Mossoba
  • Patent number: 9018868
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: QMotion Advanced Shading Systems
    Inventors: William Ashton Lucas, Willis Jay Mullet, Victoria Baynes Mullet, Yan Rodriguez, Ben L. Garcia, Matthew Warren Kirkland
  • Publication number: 20150107786
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Marjorie G. Harper, Daniel M. Fogarty, David P. Hartman, Ralph G. Jelic, Kristi K. Kopecky
  • Publication number: 20150101765
    Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening, the door assembly having a pair of spaced apart, parallel side columns for vertically guiding a door panel, the door panel having at least one wind lock attached proximate each marginal edge of the door panel, each of the wind locks having an angled portion facing the interior of the opening having a first durometer and a substantially rectangular portion having a second durometer different from the first durometer, the wind locks engaging the side column to prevent disengagement of the door panel from the side columns when a wind load is applied to the door panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Publication number: 20150096696
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting door assembly (1A), in particular a clean room door assembly, comprising a lifting door (2) which has a door leaf (3), an end plate (4), and a door leaf accommodating device (5). The lifting door assembly (1A) also contains a door lintel sealing device (20A) which is provided in the area of a door lintel in such a way that the door lintel sealing device produces a sealing effect between the lifting door (2) and the door lintel. At least one part (10B) of the door lintel sealing device (20A) is pivotably retained by means of a hinge and, when the lifting door (2) is opened, can be pivoted from a door leaf plane by an actuating device in the area of the end plate (4) in such a way that the end plate (4) is arranged substantially completely outside the area of a door opening (O) in the opened state of the lifting door (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: EFAFLEX INZENIRING D.O.O. LJUBLJANA
    Inventor: Matjaz Sentjurc
  • Publication number: 20150068691
    Abstract: In one aspect, a multilayer material comprises a first layer formed from a thermoplastic elastomeric material, a second layer formed from a fabric and secured to a first side of the first layer, and a third layer formed from a fabric secured to a second side of the first layer. The multilayer material may be incorporated into a window shade for use in a vehicle, e.g., an aircraft or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Perkins S. Thomas, John P. Baron, John N. Harris, Brian J. Lennon, David E. Sterling
  • Patent number: 8953310
    Abstract: A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments where the first segment includes a first plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a first edge of the flap and where a second segment includes a second plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a second edge of the flap opposite the first edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventors: Samuel G. Smith, Jared A. Sartee, Florence W. Ow, Andrew D. Lauder, Jeremy C. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20140374035
    Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening, the door assembly having a door panel with two faces and opposing marginal and lateral edges, and at least two wind locks attached proximate each marginal edge. The at least two wind locks extend away from one face of the door panel in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, and are spaced apart vertically along each respective side edge of the door panel. The assembly further includes a drum for winding and unwinding the door panel to permit and prohibit access to the opening, and, a pair of opposing parallel side columns aligned and spaced apart such that each of the opposing side edges engage one of the side columns in a manner in which at least a portion of the side columns guide vertical movement of the door panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Christopher Gontarski
  • Publication number: 20140360679
    Abstract: A roll-up curtain closure system having an impact resistant tension rod, wherein the system includes at least one flexible curtain having a first end fixedly attached adjacent a portal along a first end thereof and a second end folded back on itself to define a pocket opening towards the portal first end, an elongated tension rod captured within the pocket, and a curtain driving mechanism operably connected to the curtain second end for varying the height of the pocket. The elongated tension rod comprises an inner flexible fiberglass bar surrounded by an outer soft closed cell foam material, whereby the tension rod is flexible to bend in response to impact force and is resilient to return to its original position after the impact force is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Grant W. Crider
  • Patent number: 8887792
    Abstract: A winder, including a support member having a wall portion and a spindle; and a housing rotatably mounted onto said spindle, said housing having a drive portion for receiving a cord that controls the rotation of said housing for extending and retracting a blind; wherein said housing is selectively moveable along the spindle between an open position and a closed position, such that when the housing is placed in the open position, the drive portion is exposed for receiving said cord, and when the housing is placed in the closed position, the wall portion covers at least a part of the drive portion to resist disengagement of the entire cord from the drive portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Carmelo Joseph Licciardi Di Stefano
  • Publication number: 20140250804
    Abstract: A sound attenuating covering for an architectural opening is provided. The covering may include a frame, a first shade, and a second shade. The frame may include opposing side members, each defining an opposing channel extending along at least a portion of the side member. The first shade may be positioned forward of the frame and may define a plurality of horizontally-extending, transversely-collapsible cells. The second shade may be positioned rearward of the first shade and may be slidably received within the channels of the side members. The first and second shades may be operably coupled to a roller and may move in conjunction with one another across the architectural opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Ko Kuperus, Fabian Ruffo
  • Patent number: 8791658
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a microcontroller and a DC gear motor disposed within the shade tube. The DC gear motor includes a housing fixed to the shade tube and an output shaft coupled to a support shaft fixed to a mounting bracket. The method includes receiving a command from a remote control, and moving the shade to a position associated with the command by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube and the DC gear motor housing while the DC gear motor output shaft and support shaft remain fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Richard Scott Hand, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Publication number: 20140196857
    Abstract: A braking mechanism for a roller shade control system. The braking mechanism includes a stationary member and a rotating member rotatable relative to the stationary member. The rotating member is rotatable in a winding direction or an unwinding direction. The braking mechanism also includes a connecting assembly operatively connecting the stationary member and the rotating member. The connecting assembly frictionally engages the rotating member when the rotating member is rotated in the unwinding direction and is frictionally disengaged from the rotating member when the rotating member is rotated in the winding direction. A control mechanism includes such a braking mechanism and an operating handle for operating the control mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Gianni BERGAMASCHI
  • Publication number: 20140196371
    Abstract: A child safety gate has a flexible barrier sheet (102) which is moveable between an open and a closed position. The gate (100) also has a locking device (110) for locking the barrier sheet (102) in the locked position. The locking device (110) includes or is connected to a locking indicator which indicates a first state corresponding to the locked state of the locking device (110) and a second state corresponding to an unlocked state of the locking device (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Joran Lundh
  • Patent number: 8739854
    Abstract: A movable assembly having a counterbalance gear tensioner includes a covering, a rotatable storage roll with a hollow interior that carries the covering, and a counterbalance assembly that is received in the hollow interior to assist in movement of the covering. A gear tensioner is also received in the hollow interior, rotates with the rotatable storage roll, and is coupled to the counterbalance assembly to adjust a tension force of the counterbalance assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Qmotion Incorporated
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Harry E. Asbury
  • Publication number: 20140130989
    Abstract: A window dressing control device includes a housing defining a base, an axially extending hollow cylinder, and an axially extending central shaft, the cylinder and shaft each projecting from the base so as to be substantially parallel and coaxial. The device also includes at least one resilient member between the cylinder and the shaft; a rotatable spool coupled to the housing about the cylinder, and a clutch device mounted on the spool. The resilient member engages the spool and the clutch device, providing a friction brake that bears on the inner wall of the cylinder (or a reinforcing insert within the cylinder) to resist rotation of the spool and clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Louis Chan, Zhao Jun, Ding Chun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140130990
    Abstract: Herein is provided a self-rolling sunshade that includes a self-rolling sheet which has a first polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film that carries an image layer, has a thickness in a range of about 25 ?m to about 50 ?m, preferably about 30 ?m to about 45 ?m, more preferably about 35 ?m to about 40 ?m, even more preferably about 38 ?m, and has an elastic state selected from a stretched state and a relaxed state. The self-rolling sheet further includes the image layer disposed between the first PET film and an aluminized PET film and including a photostable ink, preferably a UV absorbing ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ROLLAWORLD LLC
    Inventor: Tai Chow Wong
  • Patent number: 8723455
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade conduit having an outer surface upon which a shade is attached and an inner surface defining an inner cavity. The motorized shade also comprises a motor disposed within the inner cavity along with a controller coupled to the motor that controls the motor. The motorized roller further comprises a power supply sleeve having an interior space, wherein the power supply sleeve is disposed within the inner cavity, wherein the power supply sleeve is coupled to the motor. The sleeve may be accessed by an access port that extends between the outer surface and the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Homerun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Richard Scott Hand, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Patent number: 8659246
    Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Richard Scott Hand, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Publication number: 20140014281
    Abstract: A roller shade is provided. The roller shade may include: a roller; an axle located in the roller; an adjustable counterbalancing mechanism configured to counter balance a rotation of the roller wherein the counterbalancing mechanism is configured to impart a rotational force on the roller and the rotational force is adjusted by rotating the axle; and a locking mechanism attached to the roller and configured to lock the axle at a given angular orientation, wherein the locking mechanism includes a shear pin. A method of tensioning a counterbalancing mechanism may also be provided. The method may include: mounting the counterbalancing mechanism to a shaft; mounting the lock wheel to the shaft; turning the shaft to tension the counterbalancing mechanism; and inserting a shear pin into a hole in the lock wheel to lock the shaft in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Patent number: 8575872
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Yan Rodriguez, Ben L. Garcia, Victoria Baynes Mullet, Matthew Warren Kirkland
  • Patent number: 8561667
    Abstract: A window treatment, in which a shade is raised and lowered, is comprised of a roller upon which shade material is reeled and unreeled. A wand drives a universal joint, preferably a uniquely configured knuckle joint, and the universal joint drives a flexible shaft which is connected to the roller. Special shaping of the parts and slots of the U shape links of mating knuckles enables smooth and positive universal joint operation. A user may pull down on the wand, to bend the flexible shaft and bring the knuckles into alignment, whereupon turning of the wand rotates the roller. When the wand is released the resilience of the flexible shaft helps lift the driven knuckle so it is parallel to the horizontal roller, and the drive roller moves to a home position which inhibits counter-rotation of the roller due to the weight of the shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Kenney Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Michael Hanley, Leo E. LaBarre
  • Patent number: 8522854
    Abstract: An operating device for rotating a winding roller of a window blind, includes an upright rotating shaft rotatable to cause rotation of the winding roller and having a thread segment, a sleeve shell movably surrounding the thread segment, a carrier disposed within the sleeve shell to be movable axially between pressed and non-pressed positions to hold a force transmitting member that is engaged with the thread segment, and a rotation preventing unit disposed between the sleeve shell and the carrier so as to transmit an axially manual force applied to the sleeve shell to move the carrier axially so as to rotate the rotating shaft through engagement of the force transmitting member with the thread segment in the pressed position, thereby winding up a window covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Shih-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 8517081
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for a roller blind has a mounting frame, a roller, a coil spring, a spring axle, a turning element, a torsional spring, a major damper, a positioning device and a blind cloth device. The roller is mounted in the mounting frame. The coil spring is mounted in the roller. The spring axle is mounted in the coil spring. The turning element is connected to the spring axle. The torsional spring is mounted in the turning element. The major damper is connected to the coil spring and has a turning rod. The positioning device is mounted in the roller and has a rotating mount, a rail mount and a positioning ball. The rail mount is mounted in the rotating mount and has two rails. The positioning ball is mounted between the rotating mount and the rails. The blind cloth device is mounted the mounting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: K.E. & Kingstone Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Chong Huang
  • Publication number: 20130068404
    Abstract: A motor-drive system for retractable covering having a headrail with a horizontally disposed roller supporting a top edge of a flexible fabric material includes an electric motor mounted within a housing and interconnected to the roller to selectively rotate the roller in opposite directions while minimizing noise created from vibrations within the system. This system includes motor mounts within the housing which separate and absorb vibrations of the motor within the housing and a drive disk of a moderately soft material, which is firm enough to transfer torque from the motor to the roller while being soft enough to absorb vibrations which would otherwise be transmitted from the motor to the roller. An interconnect mounting the drive disk to the drive shaft of the motor is also made of a third relatively soft material, which is harder than the drive disk to more ably transmit torque but soft enough so as not to unduly transmit noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: Hunter Douglas Inc.
  • Patent number: 8368328
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides methods for manually and/or remotely controlling a motorized roller shade that includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a DC gear motor disposed within the shade tube and a microcontroller. One method includes detecting a manual movement of the shade using a sensor, determining a displacement associated with the manual movement, and, if the displacement is less than a maximum displacement, moving the shade to a different position by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube. Another method includes receiving a command from a remote control, and moving the shade to a position associated with the command by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Harry Edward Asbury, Richard Scott Hand, Yan Rodriguez, Benjamin Anthony Bruckner
  • Publication number: 20130025805
    Abstract: An operating device for rotating a winding roller of a window blind, includes an upright rotating shaft rotatable to cause rotation of the winding roller and having a thread segment, a sleeve shell movably surrounding the thread segment, a carrier disposed within the sleeve shell to be movable axially between pressed and non-pressed positions to hold a force transmitting member that is engaged with the thread segment, and a rotation preventing unit disposed between the sleeve shell and the carrier so as to transmit an axially manual force applied to the sleeve shell to move the carrier axially so as to rotate the rotating shaft through engagement of the force transmitting member with the thread segment in the pressed position, thereby winding up a window covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Shih-Ming LIN
  • Publication number: 20130008619
    Abstract: A shade device is configured to shield a window through a slit. The shade device includes: a windup device including a windup shaft supported so as to pivot about an axis; a shade that includes a short side edge and a long side edge opposed to each other and is configured to be drawn from and housed in the windup device, the long side edge being attached to the windup shaft; a stay attached to the short side edge of the shade; a cover body movable between a closed position and an open position; and an association mechanism that is configured so as to move the cover body in an association manner with the pivot of the windup shaft, and moves the cover body to the closed position so as to cover the slit with the stay and the cover body in a housed state of the shade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naochika Katada
  • Publication number: 20120318465
    Abstract: An insulating shade assembly for an architectural opening includes a roller and an insulating shade. The insulating shade includes a shade core attached to and between first and second outer shade sheets. The shade core includes a number of inner shade sheets which are stacked upon one another and attached to one another in an offset manner. The shade core is expanded by moving the first and second outer shade sheets relative to one another, creating a number of cells for insulating air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
  • Publication number: 20120291969
    Abstract: A temporary barrier apparatus (1) is provided, and comprises a base member (2) and at least one spool assembly (3) including a spool (5) upon which a temporary barrier is wound. The spool (5) is remote from the base member (2) and rotatable relative thereto in order to deploy and recoil the barrier. At least one drive shaft (21) is non-rotatably connected to the spool, and a biasing member (17) is located in the base member (2) and adapted to bias the drive shaft (21) and spool (5) to recoil the barrier. A belt feed control device is provided to control the deployment and retraction of the belt from such an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey Robinson, George Robinson
  • Publication number: 20120273142
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rolling protective shutter having an improved manual drive mechanism. The improved manual drive mechanism may include a hand crank pole having a female connector that demountably attaches to a male connector of the rolling protective shutter to rotate a drive shaft. The female connector may be attached to the hand crank pole by a universal joint so that the female connector may pivot relative to the hand crank pole. A resilient alignment mechanism, such as an elastomeric sleeve or coil spring, may be disposed on and engage the universal joint to axially align the female connector with the hand crank pole while allowing the female connector to pivot relative to the elongated pole section when a force is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Qualitas Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Miller, Brian Peterson
  • Publication number: 20120273140
    Abstract: The apparatus for covering a window includes a first support member and a second support member spaced apart from the first support member and substantially parallel to the first support member. The apparatus also includes a fabric extending between the first support member and the second support member. The fabric is movably coupled to the first support member and the second support member. The fabric forms a continuous loop through which the first support member and the second support member extend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Ruben N. Morales
  • Publication number: 20120273141
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rolling protective shutter having an improved manual drive mechanism. The improved manual drive mechanism may include a hand crank pole having a female connector that demountably attaches to a male connector of the rolling protective shutter to rotate a drive shaft. The female connector may be attached to the hand crank pole by a universal joint so that the female connector may pivot relative to the hand crank pole. A resilient alignment mechanism, such as an elastomeric sleeve or coil spring, may be disposed on and engage the universal joint to axially align the female connector with the hand crank pole while allowing the female connector to pivot relative to the elongated pole section when a force is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Qualitas Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Miller, Brian Peterson
  • Patent number: 8299734
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Harry Edward Asbury, Richard Scott Hand, Yan Rodriguez, Benjamin Anthony Bruckner
  • Publication number: 20120267060
    Abstract: A covering for architectural openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. Anderson, Robert E. Fisher, II, Donald E. Fraser, Stephen R. Haarer
  • Patent number: 8281842
    Abstract: A window blind assembly includes a roller blind unit, a curtain member unit, and a clamping unit. The roller blind unit includes a roller rod that extends horizontally and that is rotatably mounted at or in proximity to an upper edge portion of the window, and a roller blind piece a top edge of which is connected to the roller rod and which is able to be wound around and extended from the roller rod. The curtain member unit includes a curtain member having a sheltering portion and a plurality of partitioning portions. The clamping unit includes a plurality of connecting members associated respectively with the partitioning portions. Each of the connecting members has a confining portion, and two securing portions connected to opposite ends of the confining portion and that connect the confining portion to a respective one of the partitioning portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Shih-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 8251118
    Abstract: The present invention is a device that provides protection for a window from exterior fires which might ignite combustibles by radiation through the glass and/or break the glass and allow direct flame impingement, and also operates as a non-solid shutter or shade allowing privacy and shade. The shutter consists of metal or other noncombustible screen, mesh or slats spaced or pierced so that they allow some light to penetrate for shade control but protect the window glass from heat radiation and flying debris created by an external firestorm. The shutter can be raised and lowered manually, or with mechanical assistance, as by means of a chain lift or other roll-up/down mechanism for shade and privacy control, but will drop (close) automatically when released by a fusible link of the appropriate temperature setting to provide the fire protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald J. Loar
  • Publication number: 20120145335
    Abstract: An anti-fall transmission device for a handling door (1) having a flexible curtain (5) to be stacked or rolled about a drive shaft (4) during the movements thereof between an open and a closed position, includes a separate electric motor or gear motor (7) attached along a rotational axis which is offset and parallel to that of the drive shaft (4), as a protective anti-fall device (8) for connecting the motor or the gear motor (7) to the drive shaft (4) and for preventing the flexible apron (5) from accidentally falling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: SOFINECO
    Inventors: Anne-Sophie Panseri, Romain Simon
  • Publication number: 20120118513
    Abstract: A shield system adapted for use in an air cooler structure (100). The shield system includes at least one flexible sheet (304) and at least one arrangement (106) for fixing, in use, the at least one flexible sheet to an air cooler structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Simon Melhuish, Richard Collins, Andrew John Gardner
  • Publication number: 20120061032
    Abstract: A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald P. Snyder, Jason D. Miller, Donald P. Grant, Paul J. Maly, Mike Gallenberger, Aaron J. Wiegel, Daniel M. Anderson, Daniel Quarles, Eric Bublitz, James Oates, Joe Korman, Matthew C. McNeill, Jason Dondlinger
  • Publication number: 20120061036
    Abstract: A method and mechanism for allowing a Retractable Window Mat to help car drivers avoid blinding effects of direct sunlight, to protect furnishings and occupants inside home from UV Rays and keep items inside a home or car from outside passerby. Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a window mat that comprises a film or mat, a guide, housing, a drive motor and a control. Princedez Window Tint Mat can be deployed during the day and retracted at night, giving the same protection as regular window tinting without its permanence. Effectiveness is easy with Princedez Window Tint Mat because it's controlled manually or by remote. It ease of use and convenience for commercial, residential, outdoor, solar panels manufacturer and advertising customers around the world makes it a great and unique invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Agbegnenou Desire Agbozouhoue
  • Publication number: 20120024485
    Abstract: In a shade system with a bracket supporting a shade storage roll, an anti-reversible power spring apparatus includes a biasing member and a housing with a receiver end and a connector end where the housing encloses the biasing member and the receiver end and the connector end contain the biasing member within the housing. A connector device is connected with the housing and a receiver device is connected with the housing where the connector is connectable with a receiver and where the receiver is connectable with a connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Publication number: 20120025685
    Abstract: There is described a horizontally slidable self-closing screen assembly which comprises at least one screen material connected to a roller biasing the screen to an open position, the roller being operably connected to a counterweight and wherein the load provided by the weight is greater than the force provided by the roller biasing the screen. There are also described a housing unit containing the slidable screen assembly and a cabinet fitted with such a housing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLATHERM DESIGNS LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Clegg, Kirin Kopalan
  • Publication number: 20120000614
    Abstract: A sunshade assembly comprises a flexible sunscreen having two opposite lateral edges, a forward edge and a rearward edge. A rotatable winding shaft is provided for winding and unwinding the sunscreen at its rearward edge, and an operating beam connected to the forward edge of the sunscreen as well as two spaced guiding members cooperating with the opposite lateral edges of the sunscreen. The sunscreen near to each lateral edge is provided with a receiving arrangement for slideably receiving a tensioning member. Each receiving arrangement extends bow-shaped with its outer ends closer to the respective lateral edge than its parts between said outer ends. Each tensioning member further is a longitudinal member extending through a corresponding receiving arrangement and being tensioned in its longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Petrus Martinus Josephus Clephas, Michael Cornelis Anthonius Relouw, Harry Schrans
  • Publication number: 20110290433
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for covering a surface comprising a drum mounted to rotate and able to wind up or unwind a cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: BECOFLEX S.A.
    Inventor: BenoƮt Coenraets
  • Publication number: 20110277945
    Abstract: The drive device, which serves for the transport of the cover of a liquid container, particularly a swimming pool, is installed or installable in device compartment, which is arranged separate from the liquid container. The drive device includes at least one winding shaft that interacts with the cover and that is coupled to a first drive unit. The winding shaft serves for the rolling-up of the cover, which can be guided over a deflection device to an outlet opening of the device compartment and, at the end facing the winding shaft, is connected to an outer tractive element, which is acting against the side of the cover that is opposite to the side which faces the deflection device, which outer tractive element presses the cover under tension against the deflection device, and which outer tractive element is held and can be tensioned by a first traction device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Arthur Schwerzmann
  • Publication number: 20110272106
    Abstract: In a shade system with a bracket supporting a shade storage roll, an anti-reversible power spring apparatus includes at least one biasing system connected with the storage roll wherein the biasing system includes a biasing member with a first end and a second end wherein the first end moves with the storage roll as the storage roll rotates and wherein the second end is held stationary with reference to the storage roll when the storage roll rotates in one direction but not when the storage roll rotates in a second direction. A support for the at least one biasing system is provided wherein the support includes a protrusion that holds the second end against movement when the storage roll is rotated in the one direction but which allows passage of the second end past the protrusion when the storage roll is rotated in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Darrin W. Brunk, Richard Scott Hand
  • Publication number: 20110259530
    Abstract: A roller cover and mechanism of operation of a roller cover is described. The roller cover comprises a body portion and at least one track along which the body portion is adapted to move. The mechanism of operation of the roller cover comprises a winding system, and winder and a drive system for raising and lowering the track. The winding system comprises a first spindle and a second spindle and a supporting sheet. The winder comprises an arm secured substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the first spindle. The drive system comprises an articulated arm rotatably attached at one end thereof to the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: DEROLO LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter T. Brook, David Walker