Diverse Types Patents (Class 160/89)
  • Patent number: 11326395
    Abstract: A retractable screen device for a framed opening employing a frame track fastened to each side support of the framed opening; the frame track forming a compartment for receipt of a guide rail with a decompression gasket positioned between the frame track and the guide rail. A screen mounted on a horizontally disposed rotatable shaft secured to a header of the opening has laterally opposed side edges with an elongated flexible protrusion secured along the length of each side edge. The guide rail receives and guides the screen protrusion along a longitudinal direction, and the decompression gasket allows the guide rail to traverse the frame track side walls to permit the screen to flex while maintaining a consistent tension on the screen. Vertical tension adjustment is provided by use of a biasing member coupled to the center axle that activates when the screen is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Heissenberg
  • Patent number: 11274492
    Abstract: A covering system for an architectural feature having a roller, the roller including a main body portion and a flapper portion pivotable relative to the main body portion. The covering system also includes a first support member operatively associated at one end to the main body portion and at a second end to a bottom rail, as well as a second support member operatively associated with and laterally moveable relative to the first support member, wherein a first end of the second support member is operatively associated with the flapper portion and a second end of the second support member is operatively associated with the bottom rail. The covering system also includes a limiting mechanism configured to interact with the flapper portion of the roller to maintain the bottom rail in a horizontally level position as the second support member is moved laterally with respect to the first support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Max W. Schroeder, Kenneth M. Faller
  • Patent number: 10286758
    Abstract: A drive device for a shade arrangement for vehicles, in particular for a rear window or side window roller blind including a slider that is supported along a movement path and that supports a rod which rod facilitates moving the shade arrangement into a pulled out position or a pulled in position; a rope at which the slider is attached and which is run over an upper deflection arrangement proximal to the pulled out position and a lower deflection arrangement remote from the pulled out position; a drive roller at which the rope is at least attached by friction locking; and a drive motor which rotates the drive roller and moves the slider by the rope between the pulled out position and the pulled in position, wherein the lower deflection arrangement and the upper deflection arrangement are configured without a drive, and wherein the drive motor with the associated drive roller is arranged between the upper deflection arrangement and the lower deflection arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Macauto Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Holger Seel, Sven-Oliver Seel
  • Patent number: 10047522
    Abstract: A building cover element is described with at least one, preferably stationary arranged fastening device, which comprises an exterior section aligned to the exterior of a building to be provided with the building cover element, comprising at least one film element, which shows an exterior film layer to be arranged at the exterior of the building and anchored with an edge section at the fastening device, and with at least one thermally insulating element. The thermally insulating element is arranged with a first section at the exterior section of the fastening device and with at least one second section resting on the edge section of the exterior film layer of at least one film element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Vector Foiltec GMBH
    Inventors: Carl Maywald, Thomas Langner, Sebastian Gerhold, Horst-Hermann Schutze
  • Patent number: 9609776
    Abstract: A visual display includes a plurality of display panels. Each of the display panels is secured to a common support device and independently movable relative to an axis associated with the common support device. The display panels are positionable in a first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Tait Towers Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Frank Opsomer, Adam Davis
  • Patent number: 9493982
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for controlling the spacing between louvers, e.g. in a blind. The louvers are secured to a top rail and a bottom rail. The connections are at an angle to each other so that the louvers are naturally twisted. The louvers extend through slots in a comb 16 that can be moved up and down the louvers. The function of the comb is to alter the position of the twist as it is moved up and down the louvers, thereby opening and closing the blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Kia Utzon-Frank
  • Patent number: 9004142
    Abstract: A blind for a building opening, having; an upper blind roller, located in an upper region of the head rail, a lower blind attachment located in a lower region of the head rail, an upper blind stored on the upper blind roller, a lower blind stored on the lower blind attachment, upper and lower blind control mechanism operable to operate the blinds and in which the upper blind roller is located in an upper plane in the head rail and the lower blind attachment is located in a lower plane, the axes being displaced vertically from one another, and in which the upper blind depends down beside the lower blind attachment, and in which the lower blind depends down alongside said upper blind, so as to provide a head rail having a slim, aesthetically pleasing profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Maxxmar Inc.
    Inventor: Mario M. Marocco
  • Patent number: 8997824
    Abstract: A window covering specially designed and attached to indoor residential shutters is disclosed. The window cover is removably attached by various means in various embodiments and provides a user with more control over light transmission, solar transmission and view through properties, as desired. In a preferred embodiment, holes are drilled into as shutter at respective corner. Subsequently, circular magnets are provided to each of the holes to mate with ferromagnetic material configured to the window covering. A variety of fabrics and color options are additionally provided to the window covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Brent Walker
  • Publication number: 20150047793
    Abstract: A vertical blind assembly module includes a head rail unit with opposite sides and a unit axis extending between the sides, a housing and an axle pivotally connecting the housing to the head rail unit so that the housing can pivot about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the unit axis. A slat is coiled in the housing so enabling the slat to be extended from the housing a selected distance and retracted into the housing. A foot rail unit is pivotally connected to the projecting end of the slat, the pivotal connection being collinear to the pivot axis. By turning the axle relative to the head rail unit about the pivot axis when the slat is extended, the slat can be turned between a closed position wherein the slat is parallel to the unit axis and an open position wherein the slat is perpendicular to the unit axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Jason T. Birkestrand
  • Patent number: 8857495
    Abstract: A blind for a building opening, and having a head rail attachable adjacent to the building opening; a blind panel stored in the head rail, and adapted to be lowered, over the building opening; and, blind panel control mechanism in the head rail and control guides leading the control so as to hang free of the blind panel, and permitting the blind panel to fill the building opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Mario M. Marocco
  • Publication number: 20140299279
    Abstract: A movable mosquito screen, particularly for windows, doors and the like, which comprises a fine mesh net which is provided with a substantially perimetric frame, which can be installed in an opening in an element of the type of a wall and the like, comprises a fixed box, which is coupled to an edge of the net and is associated stably with a corresponding margin of the opening, and a movable box, which is fixed on the side opposite to the net and can perform a translational motion on command, along a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the fixed box, for transition from a first configuration, in which the net is substantially gathered around the fixed box, to a second configuration, in which the net is extended so as to block the opening, and vice versa, the frame comprises at least one flexible tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: MV LINE S.P.A
    Inventor: Paolo Montanaro
  • Patent number: 8763671
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a cordless architectural passage covering system, apparatus and method for making the same. The covering may include a support member, a roller attached to the support member, a first material having a proximal portion secured to the roller, whereby the first material can be wound about the roller or unwound therefrom, a second material having a proximal portion secured to the support member and a distal portion secured to a distal portion of the first material, and at least one guide member attached to the second material, whereby the at least one guide member guides the second material about the first material as the first material is wound about the roller or unwound therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Safe-T-Shade
    Inventor: William D. Vestal
  • Patent number: 8726969
    Abstract: A double shade includes a head rail, at least one end cap having an end panel disposed with the head rail and a bracket arm extending from the end panel, a first window treatment being disposed with the head rail, a second window treatment being disposed with the bracket arm, and a clip engaged with the first window treatment and the second window treatment. A double shade includes a head rail extending between first and second ends, first and second end caps including respective end panels mounted with the first and second ends of the head rail and respective bracket arms extending from the end panels, a cellular shade mounted with the head rail, and a roller shade extending between first and second ends respectively mounted with the bracket arms of the first and second end caps, wherein the cellular shade is independently movable relative to the roller shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Owen Lin
  • Patent number: 8695676
    Abstract: A window blind assembly includes a curtain having multiple partitioning portions, and a curtain control unit for bringing the curtain to fold upwardly and unfold downwardly. The curtain control unit includes a winding rod, a blind piece wound around and extended from the winding rod, and a plurality of connecting members each mounted on a respective one of the partitioning portions. Each connecting member and a corresponding partitioning portion define a slot therebetween. Each connecting member includes a connecting strip, a support rod mounted at the connecting strip to stiffen the connecting strip, and a fastener for removably fastening the connecting strip to the corresponding partitioning portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Shih-Ming Lin
  • Publication number: 20140069593
    Abstract: In a sectional overhead garage door assembly, the problem of opening the garage door for aeration or else, while preventing small animals to enter, is solved by i) making the last and the next to last panels of the door detachable so that the last panel may remain on the ground, ii) by providing the last panel with at least one first attachment, and iii) by mounting a screen to one of a) the frame of the door and b) the next to last panel, so as to be deployable in front of the opening when the last panel is detached and the other panels are raised. The deployable screen has at least one second attachment for cooperating with the at least one first attachment for removably attaching the deployable screen to the last panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Manon Gravel
  • Patent number: 8668002
    Abstract: A roller-shade winding roman style shade is provided. A technical feature thereof is to utilize an actuating member of a cord or a band-shaped long strip of fabric to connect a blind material and a roller shade. Thus, as the roller shade rises, the parts where the blind material and the actuating member are connected are pulled up sequentially from the bottom up, and when reaching the top end, the points where the blind material and the actuating member are connected are kept at approximately the same height, such that the roman style shade is in a retracted and folded state. The blind material of the whole roman style shade can be folded up or dropped down merely through connection of the actuating member between the blind material and the roller shade, the roller shade has diversified applications and is more flexible in use and pleasant to look at.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 8567475
    Abstract: Overhead gate systems include a gate assembly having a barrier and that defines a passage. When in a deployed configuration, the barrier is adjacent to the ground and restricts ingress to and egress from the installation site, and the passage is distal the ground surface relative to the barrier, permitting access to and from the installation site via the passage. When in a stowed configuration, the barrier is not adjacent to the ground surface and does not restrict ingress to and egress from the installation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth Eugene Boone
  • Publication number: 20130233497
    Abstract: A blind assembly including a Roman blind sheet secured at one end thereof to a headrail, wherein the Roman blind sheet carries a plurality of horizontal bars arranged in a spaced relationship; and a roller blind sheet secured at one end thereof to a roller tube rotatably coupled to the headrail, the roller blind sheet including at the opposite end thereof a bottom bar, wherein the roller blind bottom bar is coupled to the Roman blind sheet such that rotation of the roller tube causes the roller blind sheet to be raised or lowered and a consequent raising or lowering of the Roman blind sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Stephen William Birtles
  • Patent number: 8511363
    Abstract: A window covering includes a roller attached to a mounting device and an actuation device attached to the roller to rotate the roller in at least one of a first direction and a second direction. A front member is attached to the mounting device. A second member is attached to the roller. A plurality of ballast members are attached to the front member. Each ballast member has a portion that extends to the second member to engage the second member to cause the front member to form substantially parallel folds when the second member is wound about the roller to retract the front member to a retracted position. Preferably, the folds are similar to or exactly like the transverse folds in shade material that are formed when a conventional Roman shade is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Whole Space Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Tzong-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 8453704
    Abstract: An improved connection system for window blind treatments comprising tape having loops for retaining locking members. The treatment comprises a sheet member that hangs downward covering the blinds on the side away from the window. One or more strips of tape are vertically attached to the sheet member on the interior side closest to the blinds. The tape contains loops at predetermined intervals along its length. Locking members are attached to the loops of the tape and to the blind's ladders at the predetermined intervals to secure the treatment to the blinds. When secured, the treatment will raise and lower when the blinds are raised and lowered. Rods are inserted through the locking members and rod pocket and extend horizontally across the sheet member and blinds. The rods provide weight and support to the sheet member, such that when the blinds are closed, the rods and sheet member will rise with the blinds, thereby creating cascading folds in the sheet member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: James D. Dollard
  • Publication number: 20130087292
    Abstract: A welding curtain comprises a substrate comprising a fire-resistant material and a number of magnets coupled to a portion of the substrate. A welding curtain comprises a substrate, a number of sliding mechanisms attached to at least a portion of an edge of the substrate, a track defining a groove within a front surface and comprising a back surface, and a number of magnets attached to the back surface of the track, in which the grooved front surface receives the sliding mechanisms, and in which the sliding devices, upon placement within the grooved front surface, slide along the length of the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Don Gould
  • Publication number: 20130075047
    Abstract: The invention provides a mounting system for holding one or more affinity displays upon a window in an exceptionally stable manner. The apparatus comprises a drape that is capable of being wrapped around the edge or frame edge of a window, and the drape is also attached to a plurality of surface mounting components. The drape is further linked to the affinity display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Fanz, LLC
    Inventors: Sean C. Larson, Shane D. Lewis, C. Jennifer Jones
  • Publication number: 20130038093
    Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes outer and inner window panels and a spacer element disposed there-between to establish an interpane cavity between the inner and outer window panels. At least one of (a) the outer window panel has a larger cross dimension relative to the inner window panel to provide overhang regions, and (b) the inner window panel has a different contour or curvature than that of the outer window panel so that the interpane cavity varies in gap distance across the window assembly. A roller shade is disposed in the cavity and is electrically deployable to coil and uncoil between a coiled light transmitting condition, where the roller shade functions to substantially allow light transmission through the window assembly, and an at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition, where the roller shade functions to at least partially attenuate light transmission through the window assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Darin J. Snider
  • Patent number: 8291959
    Abstract: A Roman shade includes an upper rail, a Roman shade assembly attached to a lower side of the upper rail that is pendent and foldable, and a rolling shade retractable in the upper rail and retained at the backside of the Roman shade assembly. The Roman shade assembly includes a fabric shade, and the fabric shade has at least one pressing rod on the backside and a positioning means at a distal end. The rolling shade includes a main shaft in the upper rail with a winding means and a shade surface. The shade surface has one end fastened to the main shaft and another end running through the pressing rods and anchored on the positioning means. The winding means can be used to reduce a holding space and retraction and extension of the Roman shade can be controlled by the rolling shade. Operation is simpler with less effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Li-Ming Cheng
  • Publication number: 20120241103
    Abstract: A window blind assembly includes a top rail, a drawable curtain unit, a protective netting, and a pull cord unit. The drawable curtain unit is hung from the top rail, and has a curtain section with a cord-connecting part. The protective netting is hung from the top rail, is disposed at one side of the drawable curtain unit, and includes a fabric net that defines a cord space. The pull cord unit includes at least one connecting section extending into the cord space and being connected securely to the cord-connecting part of the curtain section of the drawable curtain unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Shih-Ming LIN
  • Patent number: 8261807
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening with improved insulating properties in one embodiment includes face-to-face cellular insulative components defining a fabric with dual layers of cells with the fabric being retractably mounted in a headrail so as to either be rolled about a roller or gathered adjacent to the bottom of the headrail. A first component of the fabric includes a pair of spaced parallel sheets of material interconnected with horizontally-extending flexible vanes so as to define a plurality of horizontally-extending, vertically adjacent cells of generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration. A second component of the fabric is mounted on one sheet of the first component of the fabric so as to form a plurality of vertically adjacent drooping segments of fabric forming a roman-shade appearance. Single or multiple layers of the components can be used with or without the other type of component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Dann, Michael J. Siebenaller, Gary A. Marino, Joseph E. Kovach
  • Publication number: 20120186590
    Abstract: A wrappable sterile radiation shield drape, a wrappable sterile radiation shield drape in combination with a radiation shield, and a method of providing a sterile surface about a suspended radiation shield is provided. The drape includes a flexible wall having a sterilized outer surface. The wall has opposite side edges extending between upper and lower ends. The upper end has an everted portion providing an inverted pocket. The wall includes an upper fastener adjacent its upper end. The upper fastener is configured to releasably fix the upper end of the wall relative to the radiation shield. The wall further includes an edge fastener adjacent at least one of its side edges. The edge fastener is configured for releasable attachment adjacent the opposite side edge to releasably maintain the wall in a wrapped configuration about the radiation shield with the side edges being releasably maintained in overlapping relation with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Terry M. Byers, Michael W. Czop, Samba Toure, Richard A. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8220521
    Abstract: A device for darkening a cabin window, with a drive shaft (11) for moving a first shading member (6), which is guided in two guide rails (3, 4), for to and fro movement, wherein the drive shaft (11) and the guide rails (3, 4) are combined in a common mounting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Diehl Aircabin GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Tischer, Erik Martinus Johannes van den Dolder
  • Publication number: 20120168095
    Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to insulated window shades, and more particularly to window shades of various designs which incorporate an aerogel blanket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Martin J. Augustyniak
  • Patent number: 8186412
    Abstract: A window blind window blind includes a winding roller rollably mounted a window to lift or lower a roll-up piece, a blind curtain disposed forwardly of the roll-up piece and having elongate loop members, and a plurality of modular clip devices. Each loop member defines a lengthwise hole, and has an anchoring head portion having an access slot, marginal and gripped regions disposed at two sides of the lengthwise hole. Each clip device includes a grip body and a holding tongue. The grip body has loop-side and roll-up piece-side gaps to form a middle gripping finger portion, and internal and external gripping finger portions. The internal gripping finger portion and the holding tongue are placed in the lengthwise hole by virtue of inserting through the access slot to abut against the gripped and marginal regions, respectively. The roller-up piece is snugly engageable in the roll-up piece-side gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Shih-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 8186411
    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 cloth 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 folding curtain cloth a top edge of which is mounted at or around the upper edge of the window. The clamping unit includes a connecting clamp that extends horizontally, and has a first clamping portion that clamps onto the folding curtain cloth and a second clamping portion that clamps onto the roller blind cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Shih-Ming Lin
  • Publication number: 20120103538
    Abstract: A window treatment assembly that results in a plurality of horizontal folds when raised, the assembly having a decorative panel member, a liner panel member attached to the decorative panel member, a plurality of loop guide members positioned in horizontal rows on the front side of the liner panel member, horizontal slat members received by the loop guide members, a plurality of vertically oriented, substantially stiff, lifting band members passing freely between the slat members and the liner panel member, the band members being attached at or adjacent the lowermost row of the loop guide members, such that when the band members are retracted in the vertical direction, the decorative panel member and liner panel member are raised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Herbert Gleinser
  • Patent number: 8127821
    Abstract: Present invention teaches to make a Roman shade window curtain where a sliding locking mechanism is provided at the bottom beam of the rolling spool at the back side of the Roman shade, where the engaging positions between the rolling spool bottom beam and the pair of auxiliary rods can be set according to user preference, by sliding the locking tubes towards the middle to move the engaging point up and down, and by sliding the licking tubes to the left and right extremities for engaging the bottom to the desired fold line on the Roman shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Pacific Heritage Home Fashions Inc.
    Inventors: Kai-Sheng Hsu, Chih Yung Wang
  • Patent number: 8113261
    Abstract: A window covering includes a roller attached to a mounting device and an actuation device attached to the roller to rotate the roller in at least one of a first direction and a second direction. A front member is attached to the mounting device. A second member is attached to the roller. A plurality of ballast members are attached to the front member. Each ballast member has a portion that extends to the second member to engage the second member to cause the front member to form substantially parallel folds when the second member is wound about the roller to retract the front member to a retracted position. Preferably, the folds are similar to or exactly like the transverse folds in shade material that are formed when a conventional Roman shade is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Whole Space Industries Ltd
    Inventor: Tzong-Fu Lin
  • Publication number: 20110278092
    Abstract: Described are girt panel assemblies including a panel, at least two hinges coupled to the panel, and at least one fabric girt coupled to the panel. The fabric girt may also be configured to couple to an evacuation slide. The evacuation slide may, but not necessarily, include a sill tube, where an upper fabric girt is coupled to an upper surface of the sill tube and a lower fabric girt is coupled to a lower surface of the sill tube. In these examples, the sill tube applies pressure to the upper fabric girt and the lower fabric girt when inflated. As a result, the sill tube is positioned between a lower surface of the panel and the passenger vehicle when inflated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: FRANK JOHN BROWN
  • Patent number: 8016014
    Abstract: A combination garage door and roll-up curtain system that allows a flexible curtain to be lowered when the garage door is in a raised position. The system preferably comprises an automated garage door assembly wherein the drive mechanism is mounted to a bracket mounted in turn to the inside wall above the garage opening upper margin. The system preferably further comprises an automated roll-up curtain assembly having a rotatable rod mounted above the garage opening upper margin between the bracket and the inside wall. The rotatable rod has a flexible curtain wound thereabout wherein the first end of the curtain is affixed to the rod and the second end of the curtain is secured along its lateral margins within tracks mounted adjacent the garage opening lateral margins. The second end of the curtain preferably has a weighted member attached thereto to urge the curtain toward the garage opening lower margin and to keep the curtain taut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventors: Grant W. Crider, Shawn J. Crider, Lesley R. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20110180219
    Abstract: A replaceable shade system and method of using it according to certain embodiments of the invention may include at least one at least one replaceable shade, a permanent shade, and a means for attaching the at least one replaceable shade to the permanent shade. The replaceable shade system may further include an image applied to the at least one replaceable shade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Tyrone John Anthony Pereira, James Evan McCoy
  • Publication number: 20110168337
    Abstract: A window dressing system for installation within a window structure is disclosed. The window dressing system has at least one dressing element. The dressing element includes a frame structure and engagement members outwardly extendable from the frame structure and adapted to forcibly engage a surface of the window structure to maintain the dressing element fixed within the window structure. The engagement members on the frame are arranged in manner that several dressing elements may be modularly attached together. The engagement members may be replaced by linking members when attaching adjacent dressing systems together. A method for installing such a window dressing system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Alain Guillotte
  • Publication number: 20110120661
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional curtain sheet fabric having front and rear bands in the integrated-weaving type, and the invention provides three-dimensional curtain sheets 2 and 200 in the integrated triple-woven type on which front and rear bands 114 and 110 isolated at certain intervals right and left are arranged on the front and the back of a plurality of awning sheets 112 which are arranged up and down, wherein rear connecting portions 116 for connecting the central awning sheets 112 and the rear bands 110 in the warp and weft integrated-weaving type are formed on upper side edges of the central awning sheets 112 while front connecting portions 118 for connecting the front bands 114 and the central awning sheets 112 in the warp and weft integrated-weaving type are formed on lower side edges of the central awning sheets 112, thereby configuring the three-dimensional curtain sheet fabric 200.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Ok-Ja Kim
  • Patent number: 7926539
    Abstract: A flood vent access door assembly having a frame assembly defining a fluid entrance aperture; a door pivotally mounted in said frame assembly, where in the door includes at least one ventilation opening formed through the door; and at least one latching/release mechanism for releasably maintaining the door in a fixed position relative to the frame assembly if a level of fluid is not above a determined level and releasing the door to pivot relative to the frame assembly if the level of fluid is above the determined level, wherein the at least one latching/release mechanism comprises a float means coupled to an elongate release arm for determining the level of fluid and releasing a latch of the at least one latching/release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventors: Steven L. Hurst, William R. Higdon
  • Patent number: 7886757
    Abstract: A portable temporary aircraft hanger that includes a lightweight frame covered with a durable, main outer cover. The frame includes a plurality of transverse frame members attached to a rigid base frame. Each frame member includes two opposite straight lower sections, two curved eave sections, two straight roof sections and a curved, central peak section. Adjacent frame members are interconnected by a plurality of purlins. Disposed over one end opening is a flexible end cover. Formed on one end panel of the shelter is wide rectangular door opening designed to allow wide equipment, such as a winged aircraft to easily enter and exit the shelter. In the first embodiment, the door opening is covered by two hinged door panels including a longitudinally aligned sliding door section. Disposed above the wide opening is an optional upper opening which is selectively closed and opened by a retractable door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Doug Hotes
  • Publication number: 20110000626
    Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Jason D. Miller, Donald P. Grant, Paul J. Maly, Joseph A. Manone, Daniel M. Anderson, Ronald W. Bennett, Mark G. Petri, Ronald P. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7849907
    Abstract: A multiple choice shade system includes a main frame, a first winding roller rotatably supported on the main frame, a second winding roller rotatably supported on the main frame in a spaced-apart relationship with the first winding roller, a multiple choice shade element having a succession of screen sections, and an actuator for rotating at least one of the first winding roller and the second winding roller. The shade element has a first end fixedly secured to the first winding roller and a second end fixedly secured to the second winding roller. The shade element is suspended from the first winding roller and the second winding roller in such a manner that one of the screen sections is extended into or retracted from a target area as the first winding roller and the second winding roller are rotated by the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Wintec Korea Inc.
    Inventor: Seong-Ryong Jang
  • Patent number: 7836936
    Abstract: A vertical blind panel including a plurality of substantially opaque louvers and a plurality of sheer transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of louvers. At least one of the plurality of louvers includes a first vertically oriented louver portion connected to a second vertically oriented louver portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Lace Lastics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Patent number: 7802607
    Abstract: A combination garage door and roll-up curtain system that allows a flexible curtain to be lowered when the garage door is in a raised position. The system preferably comprises an automated garage door assembly wherein the drive mechanism is mounted to a bracket mounted in turn to the inside wall above the garage opening upper margin. The system preferably further comprises an automated roll-up curtain assembly having a rotatable rod mounted above the garage opening upper margin between the bracket and the inside wall. The rotatable rod has a flexible curtain wound thereabout wherein the first end of the curtain is affixed to the rod and the second end of the curtain is secured along its lateral margins within tracks mounted adjacent the garage opening lateral margins. The second end of the curtain preferably has a weighted member attached thereto to urge the curtain toward the garage opening lower margin and to keep the curtain taut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventor: Grant W. Crider
  • Patent number: 7775251
    Abstract: A customizable garage door screen is disclosed that requires few components to deploy and store. Four elastic straps with hooks at each end are used with six grommets strategically placed on the screen for stability, and approximately one dozen screw and snap fasteners are installed around the perimeter of the screen and garage door frame for a tight enclosure to keep out pests. A partially oversized screen that can fit the average American garage door frame and requires little pre-fabrication effort is now possible with so few components. To open the garage door screen for egress and ingress, one simply unhooks one or both of the lower elastic straps, after unsnapping the desired number of end-caps, and latching upon the upper elastic straps or guide rails on either side. The elastic straps are also used to store the folded screen inside the top, backside of the garage door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: James K. Ward
  • Patent number: 7775250
    Abstract: An end stem for a soft vertical blind includes an arm spaced from an end louver of the blind, and a fabric panel connected to the arm and the end louver forms a column surrounding the end louver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Springs Window Fashions, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Paul Filipiak, Jr., Gerald Alfred Moisan
  • Publication number: 20100186904
    Abstract: A cover assembly for vertical blinds comprising a front cover having an aesthetically pleasing design having a front cover top, bottom, and two sides; a back cover having a back cover top, bottom, and two sides, the back cover secured to the front cover at their respective two sides and bottom; and a securing means for closing the front cover top and back cover top that does not close a middle section of the top to permit the stem to pass through, the securing means taken from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, elastic ribbon, and a drawstring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Shannon Merritt
  • Patent number: 7757743
    Abstract: A vertical drapery panel including a plurality of louvers and a plurality of transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of louvers. At least one of the plurality of louvers includes a first vertically oriented louver portion connected to a second vertically oriented louver portion. Each of the first and second louver portions includes a first portion that is substantially opaque and a second portion that is substantially transparent or translucent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Claus Graichen
  • Patent number: 7730927
    Abstract: A frangible connection for connecting parts of a knitted textile into a single panel is disclosed. The frangible connection is formed of a yarn having a lower tensile strength than that used to knit the parts of the panel so that the parts can be readily disconnected by tearing the frangible connection without damaging the structure of the parts themselves. Thus, a plurality of vertical blind louvers may be knitted into a single panel on a single knitting machine and separated later, preferably prior to installation. Knitted patterns which extend across multiple louvers may thus be practically manufactured without the difficulties in alignment which might be present if each louver were manufactured separately. The frangible connection also functions as a hinge for pivotably connecting the louvers of a combination blind together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Lace Lastics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Claus Graichen