Patents Examined by Beth A. Stephan
  • Patent number: 11814897
    Abstract: An operating assembly for a roller shade including a shade mount rotationally connected to the roller shade concurrent to movement thereof between lowered and raised orientations. A bracket assembly interconnects opposite ends the shade mount and a supporting surface and a drive assembly, a drive unit and an idler unit, is interconnected between the bracket assembly and the shade mount in rotationally driving relation to said shade mount. The bracket assembly includes at least one bracket disposed in supporting interconnection between said drive unit and a support surface and structured for supporting interconnection with different types of drive units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: VERTILUX LIMITED
    Inventor: Edwin Chiquin
  • Patent number: 11795698
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a patio cover system. The system comprises a frame comprising support beams; support posts configured to support the frame; cover panels rotatably coupled to the support beams; an actuator, and/or other components. The actuator may be mounted to the frame and coupled to the cover panels, may be configured to rotate the cover panels between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and comprises a motor; a piston coupled to the motor; an arm coupled to the piston and configured to extend from the piston toward the cover panels; a linking member coupled to the arm and the cover panels, and/or other components. The linking member may be configured to rotate the cover panels in unison between the open configuration and the closed configuration when driven by the arm, the piston, and/or the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: JACKSON DESIGN & REMODELING
    Inventor: Todd Raymond Jackson
  • Patent number: 11788274
    Abstract: A reinforced building wall includes a foundation and an anchor rod anchored to the foundation; a first stud wall disposed above the foundation; the first stud wall having a first bottom plate, a first top plate and first and second vertical studs operably joined to the first bottom plate and the first top plate; a horizontal first bridge member disposed between the first stud and the second stud, the first bridge member having a first vertical opening; a rod post having one end operably connected to the anchor rod and operably connected to the first bridge member to transfer downward forces from the first bridge member and the second bridge member to the rod post; the anchor rod is attached to an anchor; and the anchor is disposed in an upper portion of the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CETRES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Espinosa
  • Patent number: 11788348
    Abstract: A motorized window treatment may include a roller tube, a flexible material attached to the roller tube, a motor drive unit, and mounting brackets configured to rotatably support respective ends of the roller tube. The roller tube may be operable between an operating position and an extended position. The extended position may include one or more ends of the roller tube being accessible while still attached to the mounting brackets. At least one of the mounting brackets may include a stationary portion, a sliding portion, and/or a translating portion. The translating portion and/or the sliding portion may be configured to translate the roller tube between the operating position and the extended position. The translating portion may define an attachment member and include an attachment aperture. The end of the roller tube may be accessible via the attachment aperture when the roller tube is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Margaret A. Block, John H. Bull, David A. Kirby, Andrew P. Schmalz, John M. Steinmetz, Travis G. Wiehe, Mailing Ren Wu
  • Patent number: 11781378
    Abstract: A shading device comprises a power supply device comprising a battery, a first and a second electrical connection elements and a resilient element. The battery is disposed at a holding device for holding the screen. The first element is disposed at a load bar or the screen and configured so as to be electrically connected to an external electrical supply source. The second element is disposed at the holding device and configured to cooperate with the first element. The resilient element is configured to be fixed on the load bar or on the screen. The first element is integral with the resilient element. Furthermore, the resilient element is configured to compensate a misalignment of the first electrical connection element with respect to the second electrical connection element, when the screen reaches a position for recharging the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Stéphane Caregnato, Miguel Leleu, Clément Stephan, Eric Lagarde, Norbert Dupielet
  • Patent number: 11773644
    Abstract: Molded articles are provided. An exemplary molded article includes an inner panel portion, a main body portion, and a contoured portion extending between and interconnecting the inner panel portion and the main body portion so as to surround the inner panel portion and be surrounded by the main body portion. The contoured portion includes contoured corner segments and contoured elongated segments extending between respective pairs of the contoured corner segments. The contoured corner segments have a first maximum thickness. The contoured elongated segments have a second maximum thickness that is greater than the first maximum thickness. Related methods, assemblies, and apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy D. Gouge, Robert C. Allen, Allen R. Hill
  • Patent number: 11773643
    Abstract: A method of making a door involves providing a first door facing including a first raised region and a first panel recessed from the first raised region by a first dimension, and securing a first core insert having a thickness equal to the first dimension to the first raised region. A second door facing including a second raised region and a second panel recessed from the second raised region by a second dimension is provided. A second core insert having a thickness equal to the second dimension is secured to the second raised region. A central core component is secured to the first panel and the first core insert after the first core insert has been secured to the first raised region. The second panel and the second core insert are secured to the central core component after the second core insert has been secured to the second raised region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C Moore, Jr., James K. Kingry, Robert C. Allen
  • Patent number: 11773597
    Abstract: A roof mount assembly mounts a structure to a roof having a rafter and a substrate supported by the rafter. The roof mount assembly includes a piece of flashing positioned on the substrate. The flashing includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and an aperture extending through the flashing. A fastener extends through the flashing aperture. A bracket is connected to the flashing via the fastener, and the bracket is sized to support at least one roof-mounted structure on the roof. A seal is positioned between the flashing aperture and the fastener. The seal is sized to form a water-tight seal with the aperture to inhibit flow of fluid through the aperture. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion is positioned to abut the flashing first surface and the second portion is positioned to extend through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: EcoFasten Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Douglas Timothy Lounsbury
  • Patent number: 11761263
    Abstract: The present application provides a balance force component of a cordless window shade, which relates to the technical field of window shade components. A balance force component of a cordless window shade, comprising a windows shade tube, a core tube component is respectively provided at both ends inside the window shade tube, a deceleration component is respectively provided at the outer ends of the core tube component, and the outer ends of the deceleration components are respectively provided with a mounting component, the core tube component comprises an outer bracket, a number of clamping holes are equidistantly arranged on one side of the outer bracket, both sides of the outer wall of the outer bracket are provided with limiting grooves, and the outer ends of the inner wall of the outer bracket are provided with tooth grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Cheng Xu
  • Patent number: 11760175
    Abstract: A winding shade device includes a sheet-form member, a winding shaft for winding the sheet-form member, and a support member that is secured to a hinge door and that rotatably supports the winding shaft. The support member has a plurality of elastically deforming parts that push on and rotatably support the outer periphery of the winding shaft, which is passed through a through-hole. The plurality of elastically deforming parts have a plurality of first elastically deforming parts which are arranged along a closing direction with respect to the hinge door from the center of the winding shaft, and which are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a line passing through the center of the through-hole and extending in the opening and closing direction of the hinge door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Shimohira
  • Patent number: 11753830
    Abstract: The invention relates to a paver supporting apparatus. The paver supporting apparatus has a pedestal with a top plate. A modular grid is positioned on the top plate and has a ballast receiving opening and a ballast is located in the ballast receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Hanover Prest-Paving Company
    Inventors: Kevin Repasky, Brian Repasky
  • Patent number: 11746530
    Abstract: A building including a roof and a rooftop mechanical unit, the rooftop mechanical unit being supported on top of the roof by at least a first roof curb and a second roof curb, a gap being provided between the roof curbs, each of the roof curbs being less than 15 feet in length; wind can blow snow through the gap and out the other side, which inhibits the buildup of a snowdrift which undesirably increases roof load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: AUSTIN BUILDING AND DESIGN INC.
    Inventors: Barry A. Rogers, Jeffrey J. Morris, Alex Sestak
  • Patent number: 11746593
    Abstract: A roller blind apparatus comprising a control apparatus; an idle end; and a roller tube located between the control apparatus and the idle end, wherein the control apparatus is coupled to a first corner bracket; the idle end includes one of an idle end spindle and an aperture and a second corner bracket includes the other the idle end spindle and an aperture, wherein the idle end spindle is rotatably mounted within the aperture such that the idle end is rotatably coupled to the second corner bracket; a first frame forming element is located between the first and second brackets; and wherein the frame forming element covers the roller tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: LOUVER-LITE LIMITED
    Inventor: Andrew Greening
  • Patent number: 11746591
    Abstract: A smart sunshade curtain with a replaceable battery is provided which comprises a cross beam and mounting components covered on both ends of the cross beam; a power mechanism is disposed in the cross beam and has a drawer that may be pulled out of or pushed into one end of the cross beam, and battery assemblies are arranged in the drawer; a drive mechanism is disposed at the other end of the cross beam opposed to the power mechanism; the power mechanism transmits power to the drive mechanism to drive an output mechanism to move a curtain cloth. In the above structure, the batteries are arranged in sequence in the drawer mounted inside the cross beam, which facilitates spatial arrangement design of internal elements of the cross beam and prevents the batteries from being exposed to the outside, thereby improving aesthetics of the smart curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: NINGBO SUNFREE MOTOR TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Chun Jiang, Baoguo Tan
  • Patent number: 11738593
    Abstract: A cover for a garage door which includes a front portion adapted to cover a street facing surface of the garage door, and a pair of rear portions adapted to be arranged covering a garage facing surface of the garage door. The cover also includes at least four collars adapted to be arranged at corners of the garage door. Each collar defines a cutout extending inwardly from an edge of the cover to facilitate an extension of an associated corner of the garage door outside the cover, a first coupling portion extending along the rear portion from the cutout to a lateral edge of the cover, and a second coupling portion extending from the cutout in a direction opposite to the first coupling portion. The first coupling portion is adapted to engage with the second coupling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventor: William Gardiner Webster, III
  • Patent number: 11731904
    Abstract: In general, the present invention is directed to a building panel, such as a gypsum board, comprising a core having a first side and a second side opposing the first side and at least one facing material having a coating comprising at least one fungicide, at least one polymeric binder, and at least one pigment. The panel satisfies at least one of the following: the board exhibits a rating of 2 or less when tested in accordance to ASTM G21-15 or the board exhibits a rating of at least 8 when tested in accordance to ASTM D3273-16. The panel may also exhibit at least a Level 3 finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Gold Bond Building Products, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Wilson, Joseph J. Bailey
  • Patent number: 11725455
    Abstract: A hem bar assembly adapted to secure to a shade material of a roller shade that selectively covers or uncover an architectural opening. The hem bar assembly comprises a first hem bar portion adapted to attach to a second hem bar portion. The first hem bar portion comprises a longitudinal flexible locking member recessed in the inner wall of the first hem bar portion and comprising a channel longitudinally extending therein. The hem bar assembly further comprises a longitudinal spline comprising a longitudinal male plug adapted to wedge and retain the shade material within the locking member channel of the first hem bar portion. The hem bar assembly is configured to attach to the shade material without welding and in exposed, half-wrap, or full-wrap configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor M. Menendez
  • Patent number: 11728759
    Abstract: A system includes a roof deck having a slope of 0.25 inch to 3 inches per foot and a roofing membrane is composed of a first material, and at least one photovoltaic module installed on the roof deck. The photovoltaic module includes at least one solar cell, an encapsulant, a frontsheet, and a backsheet. The backsheet includes a head flap located at a first end of the backsheet, and a bottom flap located at a second end of the backsheet. The backsheet is composed of the first material. At least a first portion of the head flap is attached to the roofing membrane, and at least a second portion of the bottom flap is attached to the roofing membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: GAF Energy LLC
    Inventors: Thierry Nguyen, Gabriela Bunea, Gary Rossi, Nicholas Boitnott, Richard Perkins, David Kavulak
  • Patent number: 11724137
    Abstract: In order to develop a fire-protection rolling door of the type in question such that the fire resistance duration and thermal insulation are improved and increased and in particular heat transfer points extending through the door are avoided, a fire-protection rolling door is proposed which is composed of: —a rolling-door armor of profiled plates which interconnected in an articulated manner; —a sheet-shaped intermediate layer of fire-retardant and thermally insulating material; and—overlapping cover plates, which fire-protection rolling door is held, in the open state, above an opening to be closed in the event of a fire, such that the fire-protection rolling door can be guided in guide rails disposed on both sides, the sheet-shaped intermediate layer having planar carrier segments, which are covered with at least one layer of fire-retardant and thermally insulating material on both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Effertz Tore GmbH
    Inventors: Felix Kuster, Michael Kahle, Claus Schwenzer
  • Patent number: 11725390
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a patio cover control system. The system comprises a frame comprising support beams, support posts configured to support the frame, cover panels rotatably coupled to the support beams, an actuator mounted to the frame and coupled to the cover panels, a gutter coupled to the frame, a light source coupled to the gutter, a precipitation sensor, a fan, and/or a portable controller wirelessly coupled to the actuator, the light source, the precipitation sensor, and/or the fan. The actuator may be configured to rotate the cover panels between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The light source may be configured to light an area under the cover panels. The portable controller may be configured to control the actuator, the light source, the precipitation sensor, the fan, and/or other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: JACKSON DESIGN & REMODELING, INC.
    Inventor: Todd Raymond Jackson