Patents Examined by Beth A. Stephan
  • Patent number: 11566469
    Abstract: A cordless retractable shade including an operating system for the shade that varies a biasing force of a spring to counterbalance the shade. The bottom rail of a retractable shade can be raised or lowered, and due to the operating system remains in any selected position of the covering between fully extended and fully retracted, without the use of operating cords. The system includes a method of negating and reversing the spring bias effect at a strategic position whereby the flexible vanes of the shade can be adjusted between open and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Smith, Kent A. Smith, Galen B. Rhodes, Stephen M. Winters, Kenneth M. Faller
  • Patent number: 11560718
    Abstract: A louver roof system having a simplified assembly and installation methods. The louver roof system is constructed with multi-functional mechanical components by means of pre-molded parts to reduce skilled installation time. Louvers of the roof system each include a louver body defining an integrally formed channel configured to direct water internally from the louver body, through the integrally formed channel of the respective louver, within a frame, and out of the louver roof system when the louvers are in a closed position. The louver body of each of the louvers includes a top surface with an uppermost portion of the top surface that defines, when in the closed position, a non-perpendicular angle relative to the vertical direction such that water is directed to the integrally formed channel of the respective louver Thus, a water drainage path is an integral part of the main structural assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Renaissance Patio Products Inc.
    Inventor: Lisa Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 11555308
    Abstract: In one implementation, a metal deck is provided that includes one or more deck components formed in a contiguous metal sheet. Each of the deck components includes one or more folded ribs formed along the length of the metal deck. Each of the one or more folded ribs are configured such that one or more trusses of a building may fit between the one or more folded ribs. The metal deck may be used to complete the structural diaphragm without using concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: PATCO, LLC
    Inventors: John Louis Vanker, Michael J. Lastowski
  • Patent number: 11549261
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a building material, a stacked body of building materials, and a building-material construction method capable of improving the construction properties while suppressing a design surface from being damaged. [Solution] A building material includes a substantially rectangular plate-shaped building material body 2 that includes a first face 2F and a design surface 3 within the first face 2F; and a protective sheet S1 that is affixed to the building material body 2 in a peelable manner. The design surface 3 includes a covered region C1 that is covered with the protective sheet S1 and thereby protected and an exposed region B1 that is not covered with the protective sheet S1 and that extends along a first design end portion 3D, which is an end portion of the design surface 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: NICHIHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Shimatani
  • Patent number: 11549280
    Abstract: A fencing system and method includes: a first vertical post secured at least partially below ground; a second vertical post secured at least partially below the ground; a first rail member having a first slot attached to the first vertical post; a second rail member having a second slot attached to the second vertical post; a third rail member having a third slot; a fourth rail member having a fourth slot; a plurality of generally horizontally arranged cement composite slats positioned in a common plane formed by the first slot and the second slot forming a floating arrangement of horizontally positioned cement composite slats; and wherein the first rail member, the second rail member, the third rail member, and the fourth rail member form a frame for the floating arrangement of horizontally positioned cement composite slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventor: Steven Walker
  • Patent number: 11549267
    Abstract: A snow hook (1) is described, the snow shook comprising a plate (2) having at least two folding lines (3) delimiting an inclined portion (4) between two parallel portions (5, 6) of the plate (2), the two parallel portions (5, 6) having a predefined distance between them in the rest condition. A predetermined amplitude (?) of at least one angle between a parallel portion (5) and the inclined portion (4) in the rest condition can be reduced by moving the parallel portions (5, 6) closer together, in order to insert the snow hook (1) between two solar panels (100), the parallel portions (5, 6) returning into their spaced rest condition when released, so as to cause the pressing contact of each parallel portion (5, 6) against a surface (110a) of a respective solar panel of the two solar panels (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventor: Yavuz Apak
  • Patent number: 11549309
    Abstract: A system for mounting a window treatment to a structure includes a beam supporting or forming a portion of the window treatment, a flange of a trim ring or an accessory thereof, and a clip connectable to the beam and to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Lippert Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Grife
  • Patent number: 11542043
    Abstract: A trussed collapsible tubular mast includes a deformable beam having an extended state, a flattened state, and a rolled state, where a stiffness and strength of the deformable beam in the extended state is greater than a different stiffness and a different strength of the deformable beam in the flattened state. At least one collapsible tubular mast wall has a plurality of truss members of a first material having a first material thickness. At least one truss member is disposed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the trussed collapsible tubular mast. Disposed between the truss members is a wall area of a second material thickness less thick than the first material thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Opterus Research and Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Murphey, Levi Nicholson, Michael Folkers, Kyle Egan, Erik Pranckh
  • Patent number: 11536067
    Abstract: A system for exerting torque on a shaft includes: a spring assembly having; a spring; a companion member to the spring, wherein at least one of the spring and the companion member is in compression and the other of the spring and companion member is in tension; connecting structure for transmitting a force associated with the spring outside of the gear assembly; and a gear train for connecting the connecting structure to the shaft to apply torque to the shaft. A method of exerting torque on a shaft includes: arranging a plurality of spring assemblies arranged in an array around the shaft, each spring assembly having; a spring; connecting structure for transmitting a force associated with the spring; attaching a gear train to the connecting structure; and configuring the gear train to apply the force associated with the spring to the shaft in the form of torque on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: OVERHEAD DOOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark Daus
  • Patent number: 11536028
    Abstract: The panel includes a water resistant barrier layer secured atop its outward facing surface. The water resistant barrier layer includes a skid resistant surface. The panels are made of lignocellulosic material. The water resistant and skid resistant surface may include indicia for aligning strips of tape or for aligning fasteners. A method for manufacturing the water resistant building panels is also disclosed and includes the steps of feeding paper onto a forming belt, depositing lignocellulosic material and the binding agent onto the forming belt so as to form a lignocellulosic mat, applying heat and pressure so as to impart the skid resistant surface on the paper, and cutting panels to predetermined sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: HUBER ENGINEERED WOODS LLC
    Inventors: John L. Bennett, Joel F. Barker, Rick D. Jordan, Thomas L. Schuman, Nian Ou, Neil C. Swiacki, Kelly R. Flaherty
  • Patent number: 11536034
    Abstract: Support members for a roof system are provided to allow for positioning panels of a roof apart from building members so that building components, such as insulation may be placed between the roof panels and the building members. The support members may be utilized in new buildings or to retrofit existing buildings. Each of the support members may comprise a single support member that has a base portion operatively coupled to an offset portion that is operatively coupled to an upper portion. One or more channels may be provided in the base portion, offset portion, and/or the upper portion to provide structural support and to allow the support members to be operatively coupled to each other and other building members without the need for additional components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian K. Cluck
  • Patent number: 11525301
    Abstract: A window cover may include a cover body, a mounting feature, a first roll-up-securing feature, a second roll-up-securing feature, a pull-strap, and a weight. The cover body can be moved between a rolled-up position and a deployed position. The mounting feature may be secured to a first side of the cover body and can attach the cover body above a window. The first roll-up-securing feature is secured to a second side of the cover body. The second roll-up-securing feature is secured to the first side of the cover body and is configured to engage the first roll-up-securing feature to retain the cover body in the rolled-up position. The pull-strap may be attached to the first side of the cover body and is accessible when the cover body is in the rolled-up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph Curtis Taylor, Jack Roy Taylor
  • Patent number: 11519220
    Abstract: A vertically sliding roll-up door has a portal structure including vertical uprights provided with guide rails for guiding the sliding of blocks fixed along the lateral edges of the curtain, to allow the curtain to move vertically with respect to the portal structure. The curtain includes air-sealing gaskets which extend substantially over the entire length of the longitudinal edges of the curtain at the blocks, in order to block the passage of air between the guide rails and the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventor: Danilo Benotto
  • Patent number: 11515829
    Abstract: The invention herein disclosed and claimed is an L-bracket and flashing assembly used to mount a rack for supporting a solar-panel array. It uses fewer sub-assemblies and is simpler and faster to install than prior art L-bracket and flashing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventor: David Katz
  • Patent number: 11512467
    Abstract: A ceiling module for the construction of a clean room cell, where the ceiling module includes at least a module support for arrangement on and connection to a support structure, a technical device including at least one filter unit, and a ceiling support which is spaced apart from the module support such that a technical space is formed between the ceiling support and the module support, wherein the technical device is arranged inside the technical space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Exyte Management GmbH
    Inventors: Luca Mussati, Martin Gerhard Wenz, Stefan Kappeler, Stephan Hofheinz, Sebastian Ellinger, Igor Rod
  • Patent number: 11505943
    Abstract: A one-piece truss adapter for supporting single-axis trackers with truss foundations. A y-shaped structure has a pair of legs with an angularly adjustable connector for securely joining the one-piece adapter to a pair of driven screw anchors at different angular orientations. Each leg terminates in a ball-shaped connector that is received in a socket integral to a driving coupler at the head of each screw anchor. A retaining nut holds the connector in place to complete the angularly adjustable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ojjo, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Almy
  • Patent number: 11505988
    Abstract: The present application discloses a climate chamber comprising at least one housing comprising a door, with an interior volume which is closable with the at least one door, wherein the at least one door comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall is formed of a unitary and bendable base body which comprises a polygonal wall section enclosed by side regions, wherein from each of the side regions projects a tongue with its free end, wherein the tongue in a first edge is canted from the wall section into a first section to form a tray and wherein the free end of the tongue is canted back by a second edge into a second section in order to form a sealing seat into which a sealing can be set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Binder GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Husseck, Nina Seligmann, Jan Moll
  • Patent number: 11499368
    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: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor M. Menendez
  • Patent number: 11499307
    Abstract: A system includes an anchor body, having a head and a hollow chamber shaft coupled to the head. The system includes a housing component configured to support the anchor body. The system also includes one or more fasteners supported by the housing component. At least one of the fasteners is coupled to the head of the anchor body, and an apex of each fastener is positioned to be above the head of the anchor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matteo Spampatti, Marc Schaeffer, Philipe Simek
  • Patent number: 11486198
    Abstract: Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example architectural covering assembly includes an architectural covering movable between an upper limit position, a lower limit position, and a transition limit position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position. The example architectural covering assembly also includes a motor, a consumer touchpoint, and an architectural covering controller. In response to detecting a first gesture at the consumer touchpoint, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering to the transition limit position and stop, and in response to detecting a second gesture at the consumer touchpoint, different from the first gesture, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering through the transition limit position and to the upper limit position or the lower limit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel A. Huber, Paul A. Brayford, Douglas J. Lorenz, James Kolozs, Ronald Holt, Todd Nelson, Shelby Jared Yenzer, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Peter Zagone, Stephen T. Wisecup, Jan Pruegner, Robert Witt, Joerg Schierz