Patents Examined by Abe Massad
  • Patent number: 11889958
    Abstract: A rotating shower rod is provided to change the location of a curved shower rod between one position projecting outward from shower or bathtub enclosure to a second position projecting inward to the enclosure. Surface mounts provide two axes of rotation for the shower rod. The shower rod includes two tubes that telescopically extend and retract relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: House of Atlas, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Moss, Alan Arthur Ford
  • Patent number: 11873682
    Abstract: A light absorbing and light emitting device, comprising a first structure supported by a holder. A first portion of the first structure (which can be flexible, sheet-like and/or at least partially opaque) comprises phosphorescent material and/or phase change material on a first side. The first structure is movable relative to the holder between a first position, in which the first side faces a first direction, and a second position, in which the first side faces a second direction. Also, a light admitting, light absorbing and light emitting assembly that comprises a light absorbing and light emitting device and a first light-transmitting structure. Also, a light absorbing and light emitting device that comprises a holder assembly and a plurality of first structures, with phosphorescent and/or phase change material, and each movable between first and second positions. Also, methods of absorbing light and emitting light with such structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: James F. Brown
  • Patent number: 11871882
    Abstract: A space creating shower liner can have a window with a hoop fin rotatably and removably engaging a shower rod, a plurality of stiffening folds providing partial stiffness to the window, and a height less than a distance from the shower rod to a tub. Further, a liner can be removably engaged to the window, comprising a liner height less than the distance from the shower rod to the tub. The hoop fin causes the window and the liner to rotate about the shower rod, and the height and the liner height is greater than or equal to the distance from the shower rod to the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Patrick Raymond
  • Patent number: 11859447
    Abstract: A window covering system that includes an elongated tube configured for a window covering to be wound around the tube, a clutch assembly that includes a pulley and a power spring having a first end engaging the pulley and a second end that is stationary, a limiter assembly, a booster assembly arranged between the clutch assembly and the limiter assembly, a cord arranged at least partially within the clutch assembly, and a wand fixed to the cord to selectively raise and lower the window covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLEASE ACMEDA, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Brown, II, Douglas Moore, Roccardo Santilli
  • Patent number: 11858318
    Abstract: A system for vehicular power shade control is provided. The system includes a power shade operable to selectively deploy and retract in relation to a corresponding window of a vehicle, a sensor providing data related to the vehicle, and a computerized power shade controller. The computerized power shade controller operates programming to monitor the data from the sensor, compare the data to a threshold value, and generate a command to the power shade based upon the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Elliott D. Keen
  • Patent number: 11859444
    Abstract: A header assembly and method for installing built-in retractable screens. A header assembly is installed after the structure's framing is completed but before the wall finishes are applied. The header assembly includes opposing end boxes and a header board. The side tracks from the screen unit are installed so that the upper ends open into the bottom of the end boxes. This defines a cavity customized to the selected screen unit. With the header assembly and side tracks in place, the wall surfaces can be applied around them. After the wall surfaces are completed, the screen unit is placed inside the header assembly through an access opening, which is then covered with a cover panel. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need to apply wall finishes around an undefined space, which requires multiple measurements and often results in expensive mistakes in the finished cavity dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MDM ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Michael D. McSparrin
  • Patent number: 11851948
    Abstract: An adjustable door braking system includes a shaft, a brake pad configured to be mounted to the shaft, a plate for mounting on the shaft adjacent to the brake pad, a spring for urging the plate to the brake pad, an adjustment piece, and a seat. The spring is configured to be mounted on the shaft. The adjustment piece is dimensioned and sized to be mounted on the shaft for adjusting an amount of force the spring urges the plate against the brake pad. The seat allows the adjustment piece to move axially along the shaft and limit the adjustment piece from rotating with the shaft. The seat is movable between an engaged position where it contacts the adjustment piece to prevent rotation of the adjustment piece and a disengaged position where it does not contact the adjustment piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Jones
  • Patent number: 11851947
    Abstract: In example implementations, a universal endlock is provided. The universal endlock includes a body, a first side along a first edge of the body, a second side along a second edge of the body opposite the first edge, a first lip on a first end of the first side, and a second lip on a first end of the second side. The body includes an intersecting hole pattern on a center portion of the body. The first side and the second side are each bent towards a back side of the body. The first lip is bent away from a first edge of the body and the second lip is bent away from the second edge of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: CORNELLCOOKSON, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph L. Balay, Christopher J. Rebarchak, Thomas Balay
  • Patent number: 11840885
    Abstract: A method for detecting an obstacle opposing the movement of a screen in a home automation closure or sun protection system includes an electromechanical actuator driving movement of the screen. The electromechanical actuator includes a torque support, a housing, an output shaft, and an electric motor including a stator and a rotor. The system includes a winding shaft rotating the screen and a connecting accessory between the electromechanical actuator's output shaft and the winding shaft. The method includes: determining an angular displacement value of the rotor with respect to the stator; determining angular displacement of the winding shaft relative to the housing or torque support of the electromechanical actuator; determining angular deformation of the kinematic chain between the electric motor and the winding shaft by comparing these two angular displacements; and determining the presence of an obstacle to screen movement from an angular deformation exceeding a predefined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Arnaud Darlot, Eric Lagarde, Frédéric Maraval, Héléna Robert
  • Patent number: 11821260
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multi-layered fabrics and coverings for architectural features and methods for manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional multi-layered fabric having a first or front exterior layer, a plurality of intermediate or interior layers, and a second or back exterior layer, which are separable from one another, and their method of manufacture, and panels and/or coverings for architectural features having or comprised of a multi-layered fabric, and methods of making the same. The plurality of interior layers extends between the exterior layers, and the separation and stitching of the two paired intermediate layers from at least one of the front exterior layer and back exterior layer are at different locations (points), respectively, which facilitates the formation of a cell, and controls the size and shape of the cell that may form between the two paired, intermediate layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Abdel-Fattah Mohamed Seyam
  • Patent number: 11821212
    Abstract: An awning assembly and method of construction comprising a roll bar extending laterally between first and second arms. The roll bar comprising a removable and replaceable roller tube portion defining a wide opening within the roll bar and an inner roller mechanism housed within the wide opening. The inner roller mechanism comprising a drop end bracket rotatably and slidably coupling a second roll bar to the roll bar, the second roll bar extending laterally within the roll bar, a screen supported by the second roll bar, wherein the screen is extendable or retractable responsive to rotation of the second roll bar, and a tray supporting the second roll bar during extension and retraction of the screen, the tray supported by the removable and replaceable roller tube portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Gregory Keith Heimbuck, David Thomas McMillan, Vincent J. Frerich
  • Patent number: 11821258
    Abstract: The application relates to a cover apparatus for a machine, in particular for a machine tool, comprising a cover formed by at least one cover element. The cover comprises a drive motor that is configured and adapted to move the cover from a closed position into an open position. In addition, at least one electrical component is provided that is arranged at the cover. To connect the electrical component indirectly or directly to a control device or to a power source, a connection cable is provided that extends in a receiver that extends in parallel with the guide rail in at least one guide element or in the at least one cover element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: THODACON WERKZEUGMASCHINENSCHUTZ GMBH
    Inventor: Vincent C. Vorpahl
  • Patent number: 11802441
    Abstract: A mounting element for mounting an architectural covering between two opposing mounting surfaces includes an elongate mounting member having a first end, a second end, and a guide surface. The mounting element also includes an extension mechanism arranged at the first end and operable between: i) a retracted state, and ii) an extended state, and a telescopic extender arranged at the second end and operable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The telescopic extender includes a slidable body to slide along the guide surface so as to lengthen the mounting element, and a locking member configured: i) to allow the slidable body to slide in the first translation direction, and ii) to prevent the slidable body from sliding in a second translation direction opposite the first translation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries B.V.
    Inventor: Katharina Vangberg-Brinkmann
  • Patent number: 11795697
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic awning component device, which comprises a pair of folding-unfolding units installed at an interval, wherein an awning unit is arranged between the two folding-unfolding units; the folding-unfolding unit comprises a support link, a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, a telescopic connecting rod and a fixing frame to be fixed on the mounting surface; the awning unit comprises a tarpaulin winding shaft arranged between the two support links, and a flexible tarpaulin is wound on the tarpaulin winding shaft. The automatic awning component device in the invention is installed on the corresponding mounting surface through the fixing frame, the folding-unfolding units are driven by a drive mechanism motor and a pneumatic telescoping part to realize automatic folding and unfolding. The invention has a reasonable overall structure and a high degree of automation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SUZHOU SHOOT POWER EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Liren Chen
  • Patent number: 11788298
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a retractable awning assembly. The retractable awning assembly may include a plurality of roller tube sections, at least two torsion bar sections, a pair of spring-loaded arms, a fabric cover, a plurality of front bar sections, a pair of end caps, a plurality of mounting brackets, and a plurality of hood sections. Methods of assembling the same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Glen Raven, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Bliss, Trey Davenport, Alexandra Hart, Sivan Postelnik
  • Patent number: 11788347
    Abstract: A guide rail device for laterally guiding a rolling door or rolling grille armor of a rolling door or rolling grille includes a guide rail for vertically guiding the rolling door or rolling grille armor, an infeed funnel for guiding the rolling door or rolling grille armor into an entry area of the guide rail, with the infeed funnel being movable relative to the guide rail, and a damping body connected to the infeed funnel which dampens vibrations and shocks of the infeed funnel. Further, a rolling door or rolling grille includes a first guide rail device and a second guide rail device. In particular, the guide rail of the first guide rail device is fixed laterally on the building opening, and the guide rail of the second guide rail device is fixed laterally on the opposite side of the building opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Hörmann KG Dissen
    Inventors: Bastian Zimmermann, Thomas Langkamp
  • Patent number: 11781377
    Abstract: A motorized window treatment system controls a plurality of motorized window treatments to maximize daylight autonomy, while minimizing cognitive dissonance. The system may include motorized window treatments, window sensors, and a system controller. Each motorized window treatment may be operable to adjust a respective covering material to control the amount of light entering a space. Each sensor may be mounted adjacent to at least one of the motorized window treatments, and may be configured to measure an amount of daylight shining on the sensor. The system controller may receive sensor readings from the sensors and may control the motorized window treatments in response to the sensors to keep the covering materials aligned when the sensor readings are within a predetermined amount. The system controller may dynamically group and re-group the sensors into subgroups based upon the sensor readings and may control the motorized window treatments based upon the subgroups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Lundy, Brent Protzman, Timothy Gill, Michael J. Zizza
  • Patent number: 11780301
    Abstract: A blinding arrangement for shielding a vehicle front windshield. The blinding arrangement includes at least one blinding system which includes a cassette, a spannable blinding body which can be moved out of and into the cassette, a horizontal upper guide rail for guiding the spannable blinding body in a horizontal direction, and a cassette locking arrangement. The horizontal upper guide rail is fixedly mounted above the vehicle front windscreen. The cassette pivots within a cassette pivot plane between a horizontal non-use position in which the cassette is arranged parallel to the horizontal upper guide rail and a lowered use position in which the cassette is arranged perpendicular to the horizontal upper guide rail. The cassette locking arrangement locks the cassette in the horizontal non-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: REMIS GESELLSCHAFT FUER ENTWICKLUNG UND VERTRIEB VON TECHNISCHEN ELEMENTEN MBH
    Inventors: Alexander Bornholdt, Thomas Borowski
  • Patent number: 11773649
    Abstract: A system includes a window treatment adjacent to a window of a room. At least one motor drive unit is associated with the window treatment, for varying the position of the window treatment. A sensor measures a light level (e.g., an outdoor light level) at the window. A controller provides signals to the motor drive unit to automatically adjust the position of the window treatment so as to control a penetration distance of sunlight into the room when the window treatment is partially opened. The controller is configured to position the window treatment in a bright override position if the measured light level is at least a bright threshold value. The controller is configured to select the bright threshold value from among at least two predetermined values. The selection depends on an angle of incidence between light rays from the sun and a surface normal of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Lundy, Brent Protzman, Brian M. Courtney
  • Patent number: 11773648
    Abstract: A cellular shade includes a head rail unit, an intermediate rail unit, a bottom rail unit, a blind body and a magnetically attractive unit. The head rail unit includes a head rail and a lower mounting bracket. The intermediate rail unit includes an intermediate rail and an upper mounting bracket. The magnetically attractive unit includes a first housing mounted on the lower mounting bracket, a second housing mounted on the upper mounting bracket, and a magnet mounted on one of the first and second housings. The other one of the first and second housings is magnetically attractive with the magnet. The first housing includes a first positioning member to be retainingly positioned to the lower mounting bracket. The head rail unit and the intermediate rail unit can be firmly secured to each other by means of the magnetically attractive unit so as to prevent light leaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAICANG KINGFU PLASTIC MANUFACTURE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Szu-Chang Huang