Patents Examined by Abe Massad
  • Patent number: 12781564
    Abstract: An exemplary method involves operating a storm shutter system installed to a building adjacent an opening. The storm shutter system includes a panel, a motor operable to drive the panel between a first position and a second position, and a control assembly operable to control the motor. The method includes receiving, by the control assembly, information from an external device. The method further includes operating the motor to linearly drive the panel from the first position to the second position in response to receiving the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2026
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Jack R. Lehner, Jr., Shannon Ballard, David J. Wells
  • Patent number: 12781567
    Abstract: In one aspect, a leveling assembly for adjusting the levelness or skew angle of a bottom rail of a covering for an architectural structure includes at least one movable or slideable component configured to be moved or slid laterally relative to the bottom rail or a headrail of the covering to adjust the length(s) along which one or more of the lift cords extend within the bottom rail or headrail, which, in turn, adjusts the effective length of such lift cord(s) defined between the bottom rail and the headrail of the covering. Such adjustment of the effective length(s) of the lift cord(s) results in the horizontal orientation or skew angle of the bottom rail being varied, thereby allowing the levelness of the bottom rail to be adjusted, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2026
    Assignee: Levolor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Travis Stout, Alberto Alexander Gonzalez, Justin Lin Zhu, Kevin Macaraeg Daffon
  • Patent number: 12781568
    Abstract: A window treatment retention system may include a roller shade assembly and one or more retention brackets that at least partially enclose the roller shade assembly and do not interfere with operation of the roller shade assembly. The retention brackets may be configured to absorb an impact force associated with detachment of the roller shade assembly from a mounted position. The retention brackets may deflect upon absorbing the impact force, and may limit displacement of the detached roller shade assembly from the mounted position. The retention brackets may deflect such that the roller shade assembly does not pass through openings defined by the retention brackets. The retention brackets may deflect such that the width of at least one of the openings defined by the retention brackets does not expand beyond a distance that is equivalent to the diameter of a roller tube of the roller shade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2026
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, James J. Wilson, Andrew P. Schmalz
  • Patent number: 12760525
    Abstract: A window cover system and control system designed to provide selective control over sunlight entry and privacy for buildings. The window cover system comprises a planar glass window cover, precisely shaped to overlap a window, with frame brackets for secure attachment to the window frame. The system includes upper and lower telescoping arms, controlled by an integrated control box within the building, enabling automatic extension and retraction of the arms. The control box enables the transition of the window cover between an overlapping position and an inclined position. In the inclined position, the window frame makes approximately 45 degree angle relative to the window frame, enabling sunlight and fresh air while maintaining privacy. Users can selectively extend or retract the arms to achieve different positions, including the inclined position, parallel position, or any desired configuration, effectively managing sunlight penetration and privacy levels within the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2026
    Inventor: Martha Tiefry
  • Patent number: 12752931
    Abstract: A barrier door system to control movement of persons through an opening within a cabin area of an aircraft. The barrier door system includes a track with an elongated shape with a first end and a second end. A barrier door includes panels that are pivotally connected together and one or more pins that extend outward from a top edge of the barrier door and are configured to engage with the track. The panels are configured to pivot together in a folded configuration at a stowed position, and to pivot outward away from the track in an extended configuration to extend across the opening at the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2026
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel Bryan Nunes, Steven Ellis Rhynard, Gregory Staton Smith, Hakeem Haj-Musa, Justin Tabora, Paul Addis
  • Patent number: 12747631
    Abstract: A motorized window treatment may include a roller tube, a flexible material, a motor drive unit, and mounting brackets. The roller tube may be configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis that defines a longitudinal direction to operate the flexible material between a raised position and a lowered position. The motor drive unit may include a housing that defines a cavity that receives a motor and one or more batteries for powering the motor drive unit. The motor drive unit may include a printed circuit board to which a control circuit is mounted. The control circuit may comprise a switch. The motor drive unit may comprise an actuation member configured to transfer a first force applied in a first direction at an end portion of the motor drive unit to a second force in a second direction within the cavity of the housing to actuate the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2026
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: William Taylor Shivell
  • Patent number: 12741516
    Abstract: A roller blind arrangement for a vehicle roof of a motor vehicle, having a fixed glass element, two mutually opposite guide rails which extend along a longitudinal direction and are each curved such that a distance between the guide rails changes along the longitudinal direction, a roller blind web which is displaceably guided in the guide rails along the longitudinal direction, wherein a guide rail has a receiving channel for receiving part of the roller blind web, an insertion element is arranged on the fixed glass element and extends along the receiving channel, the roller blind web is guided between the receiving channel and the insertion element, wherein the insertion element has an extent which changes along the longitudinal direction such that a greater or lesser amount of the roller blind web is received in the receiving channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2026
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Andreas Rockelmann, Georg Rossmair, Tobias Mech
  • Patent number: 12742357
    Abstract: An adjustable door braking system including a shaft, a brake pad configured to be mounted to the shaft, a plate configured to be mounted on the shaft adjacent to the brake pad, a spring, and a threaded adjustment piece. The spring is configured to be coiled around the shaft to urge the plate toward the brake pad. The adjustment piece is dimensioned and sized to be threaded on the shaft on a first side of the plate and is configured to adjust an amount of force with which the spring urges the plate against the brake pad disposed on a second side of the plate as the shaft rotates with respect to the adjustment piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2026
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Jones
  • Patent number: 12735940
    Abstract: A drive system for an overhead roll-up door assembly having a motor, a drive drum coupled to the motor, a first drive gear coupled to the drive drum, a second drive gear coupled to the drive drum, a first column of drive teeth fixed to a first side of a door panel and engaging the first drive gear, and a second column of drive teeth fixed to a second side of the door panel and engaging the second drive gear. The drive system includes a first drive guide positioned above the first drive gear to facilitate alignment between the first drive gear and the first column of drive teeth, and a second drive guide is positioned above the second drive gear to facilitate alignment between the second drive gear and the second column of drive teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2026
    Assignee: Rytec Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Gabriel John Biertzer
  • Patent number: 12735941
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to a self-contained, self-regulating intelligent automated window treatment with increased energy efficiency. In at least one embodiment, the window treatment consists of: (1) a headrail; (2) a tube located within the headrail; (3) a motor located within the headrail, preferably within the tube; (4) window treatment fabric with one terminus of the fabric affixed to the tube within the headrail, and with the fabric extending from the tube and out from the headrail; (5) a smart bottom rail attached to the terminus of the shade fabric furthest from the tube with the bottom rail containing, at least one sensor, at least one control button, and a battery that provides power to the sensor(s) and control button(s), and wherein the smart bottom rail communicates with the motor in the headrail. Types of sensors used may include environmental sensors, motion sensors, and inertial sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2026
    Assignee: MDC INTERIOR SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Tyrone John Anthony Pereira
  • Patent number: 12723463
    Abstract: To prevent two frontages from being simultaneously opened on lower sides thereof, a rack includes a shelf, a first frontage, a second frontage, and a shutter. The shelf can hold an article at a position spaced from a floor surface. The first and second frontages face each other to access to the shelf. The shutter opens one of the two frontages and closes the other. When moving to switch the frontage to be closed, the shutter passes through a space between the floor surface and the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2026
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Hayami, Satoshi Maeno, Minehiro Tahara
  • Patent number: 12716291
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a roll-drop curtain assembly having enhanced stability for supporting curtains of a variety of materials while maintaining structural integrity, shape, and form of the overall assembly itself. The invention utilizes a series of one or more tension cables operatively coupled to the distal end plates of a roll-drop assembly and traversing the length of an inner portion of the roll-drop assembly in a specific manner. The design effectively applies a high degree of tension force to the inner walls of the roll-drop assembly, resulting in increased structural rigidity of the roll-drop assembly overall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2026
    Inventor: Brian Oliver Phillips
  • Patent number: 12716290
    Abstract: In one aspect, a slatted blind includes a headrail, a bottom rail, and a plurality of horizontally oriented slats configured to be supported between the headrail and the bottom rail via one or more ladder tape assemblies. Each ladder tape assembly includes a first ladder rail, a second ladder rail, and a plurality of ladder steps extending between the first and second ladder rails, with each ladder step being configured to support a respective slat of the plurality of slats of the slatted blind. Additionally, each ladder tape assembly incorporates or includes shroud-like features and/or structure for retaining or limiting access to one or more lift cords of the blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2026
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Mathew McNiel, Gordon Freirich, Wendell B. Colson
  • Patent number: 12716271
    Abstract: A slat for a rolling shutter comprises a body having a longitudinal channel and a side opening to the channel. A stop bar is slidably received in the body channel and is moveable between an extended position projecting from the body and a withdrawn position retracted toward the body. The stop bar comprises a rack that is actuatable through the side opening to move the stop bar between the extended and withdrawn positions. A pinion is positioned in the body channel in engagement with the rack, the rotation of the pinion actuating the rack to move the stop bar. The pinion is accessible for rotation through the side opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2026
    Assignee: Qualitas Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig N. Zarbeck, Orlando Amil
  • Patent number: 12702876
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to backplates comprising a base portion attached to a strap of the wearable safety harness; and a connector element secured relative to the base portion and comprising a first safety device interface configured to engage a first safety device so as to couple the first safety device to the backplate. In various embodiments, the connector element is selectably detachable from the base portion. In various embodiments, the connector element comprises a second safety device interface configured to engage a second safety device so as to couple the second safety device to the backplate. In various embodiments, the connector element operably secures both the first safety device and the second safety device relative to the base portion. In various embodiments, the connector element operably secures a first safety device comprising a personal fall limitor and a second safety device comprising a D-ring relative to the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2026
    Assignee: Honeywell Safety Products USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Ling Lin, Xiaojuan Zhu, Zheng Gu, Lyndon Liu, Peng Zhou
  • Patent number: 12698669
    Abstract: An overhead door operator system (1) for opening and closing an opening (2), comprising a door frame (3) comprising a first frame section (4) at a first side (5) of the opening (2) and a second frame section (6) at a second side (7) of the opening (2). The operator system further comprises a door (8) arranged to be moved between an open and closed (C) position, the door (8) being movably connected to the door frame (3) and a drive unit (10) mounted on the door (8), the drive unit (10) comprising at least one motor (11) arranged to move the door (8) from the closed position (C) to the open position (O). An elongated transmission member (19) extends along the first side (5) of the opening (2) and the first frame section (4). The drive unit (10) further comprises a driven transmission member (18) in driving connection with the motor (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2026
    Assignee: Assa Abloy Entrance Systems AB
    Inventors: Magnus Abrahamsson, Anton Hansson, Daniel Eliasson
  • Patent number: 12698673
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a flight deck barrier apparatus or device including a frame having a first jamb, a second jamb, and a header. A foldable barrier mechanically coupled to the second jamb. An edge beam mechanically coupled to the foldable barrier. The edge beam configured to mechanically cooperate with strikers along the first jamb and mechanically cooperate with strikers along the second jamb. The edge beam including a plurality of catches. Respective ones of the plurality of catches interlock with corresponding ones of the strikers along the first jamb when the foldable barrier is in a stowed position such that a flight deck of an aircraft is accessible. Respective ones of the plurality of catches interlock with corresponding ones of the strikers along the second jamb when the foldable barrier is in an expanded position limiting access to the flight deck barrier of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2026
    Assignee: HARPER ENGINEERING COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: David Chadwell
  • Patent number: 12686252
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a sunshade have a collapsible body with a first elongated compartment and a second elongated compartment slidably coupled to the first elongated compartment. A first retractable substrate is coupled to the first elongated compartment where the first retractable substrate is configured to retract within the first elongated compartment. Likewise, a second retractable substrate is coupled to the second elongated compartment where the second retractable substrate is configured to retract within the second elongated compartment. A first and second attachment components are coupled to the first and second retractable substrates, respectively. The first and second attachment components are configured to engage with clips disposed on visors of a vehicle for maintaining the first and second retractable substrates in a deployed state for covering a windshield of the vehicle for blocking sunlight and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Inventor: Yuen Mao
  • Patent number: 12680376
    Abstract: A door, in particular a rolling door, comprising a door leaf that can be moved along a track including a deflecting portion between an open position, in which it at least partially exposes a wall opening, and a closed position, in which it at least partially closes the wall opening, which includes at least one bending region that is deformable during the door leaf movement along the deflecting portion and is made of a flexible base material such as polycarbonate, wherein a functional film is laminated onto at least one part of at least one bounding surface of at least one bending region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignee: Seuster KG
    Inventor: Jörg Fischer
  • Patent number: 12672728
    Abstract: The disclosure belongs to the field of gates and discloses a retractable baby gate. The retractable baby gate includes at least a piece of gate fabric; a roller, mounted on one side of the gate fabric, wherein a rolling shaft is coaxially arranged in the roller, one end of the gate fabric is fixed to the rolling shaft and winds the periphery of the rolling shaft, a longitudinal opening through which the gate fabric comes in and goes out is formed in the peripheral surface of the roller, a shell is fixedly connected to the upper end of the roller, and a base fixedly connected to a mounting fixed surface is connected to the lower end of the shell; and a control portion, arranged in the shell to control rotation and locking of the rolling shaft, wherein the control portion includes a gear coaxially connected to the rolling shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2025
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2026
    Assignee: Ningbo Kony Metal Products Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Guowen Lin