Patents Examined by Beth Stephan
  • Patent number: 11686151
    Abstract: A motorized shade assembly includes a motor assembly operably connected to adjust a position of a covering relative to an architectural opening, a bracket assembly for supporting the motor assembly relative to the architectural opening, and a control wand assembly coupled to the motor assembly by a ball and socket connection, wherein one of a ball joint or a socket is coupled to a portion of the motor assembly, and the other of the socket or the ball joint is coupled to the control wand assembly, the socket receives the ball joint to selectively connect the control wand assembly to the motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Springs Window Fashions, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Allen Graybar, Russell Monroe Jungers, Eric Nathan Krantz-Lilienthal
  • Patent number: 11674312
    Abstract: A composite building system comprising a structural frame, walls, floor, and roof is made of pultrusion fiber reinforced polymer (PFRP) material. A combination of PFRP, stainless steel screws and flexible epoxy can be used in the manufacture of a mobile or fixed structure. During assembly, an intumescent fire barrier can be applied to the PFRP components. Unlike traditional building materials, an exterior waterproof finish coating is not required when using a PFRP wall, floor, and roof assembly. The PFRP wall and wall assembly can be used with both PFRP structural framing and traditional framing materials, such as concrete, steel, or wood, allowing the PFRP wall and wall assembly to be used as a mid-rise or high-rise curtain wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: Paul A. Inglese
  • Patent number: 11668095
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a roof mount installation assembly. The roof mount installation assembly includes a roof mount, a flashing patch, and an adapter cap. The roof mount has a base and a threaded post. The flashing patch has an opening. The flashing patch is configured to surround the base. The opening is configured to allow the threaded post to extend therethrough. The adapter cap is configured to be removably mounted over the flashing patch. The adapter cap is configured to apply a force to the flashing patch for sealing the flashing patch around the roof mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: OMG, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Shadwell, Richard L. Belinda
  • Patent number: 11655672
    Abstract: A window curtain includes a rotary tube located in the top rail, and a curtain is connected between the top rail and the bottom rail. A scrolling device is located in the tube and includes a torsion spring mounted to a fixed shaft. A sleeve is connected to the fixed shaft. An adjustment unit is connected to the fixed shaft. The torsion spring is located between the sleeve and the adjustment unit. The adjustment unit includes a housing, a tubular part and a resilient member. The first end of the torsion spring is fixed to the tubular part. The torsion spring is compressed or released by rotating the adjustment unit. The tubular part includes ratchets which are engaged with a pawl in the housing to maintain the tubular part and the torsion spring from rotating reversely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: CHING FENG HOME FASHIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen Ying Liang, Jian Zhi Huang
  • Patent number: 11655673
    Abstract: A window shade system may comprise a drive hub having a dampener comprised of dampening material, wherein the drive hub engages with at least one of a shade tube or a brake hub. The dampener may include one or more tabs that engage the brake hub. The dampener may be configured to dampen the torque from a spinning of the shade tube. The dampener may be comprised of urethane. The dampener may be incorporated onto an outside surface of the drive hub. The dampener may be located within the drive hub. The drive hub may be in the form of a cap that fits over the dampener. The drive hub may include rounded corners. The dampener may be configured in the form of one or more cylindrical rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: MECHOSHADE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Miroshnichenko, Xi Ming Liarno, Stephen Hebeisen
  • Patent number: 11655630
    Abstract: A sealing element, in particular for sealing a frame element with respect to a building component, having a sandwich structure, including: a metallic primary layer which is creped at least in certain regions to form an elongation reserve of the sealing element; a secondary layer; and a bitumen-including filling layer which is arranged between the primary layer and the secondary layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Jean Georges Becker
  • Patent number: 11649674
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating mechanism for a cordless window covering such as a roller blind, comprising at least one substantially stationary inner shaft which is connectable to the fixed world and at least one axially rotatable drive shaft configured for driving and thereby lowering and/or raising the window covering. The system is in particular configured to provide controlled operation of a cordless window covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: VAKO B.V.
    Inventor: Nanne Willem Valkenburg
  • Patent number: 11649673
    Abstract: The present invention provides a constant force multiple spring curtain winding system, including a mounting bracket fixedly connected to a wall, and a revolving drum connected to a curtain, wherein one end of the mounting bracket is connected to a rotating rod through a speed change mechanism, a constant force spring mechanism fixedly connected to the revolving drum is arranged on the rotating rod, and the rotating rod is fixedly connected to a constant force elastic piece in the constant force spring mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Mingyang Windeco Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nianqing Zhang, Shehua Wei
  • Patent number: 11649665
    Abstract: An overhead garage door trim system includes a plurality of trim pieces and at least one panel. Each trim piece has a trim piece inner surface and at least one trim piece undercut formed in the trim piece inner surface along a trim piece inner edge, the trim pieces configured to be installed spaced-apart along at least one section of the overhead garage door with respective trim piece inner edges opposed. And the at least one panel is configured to be positioned on the at least one section of the overhead garage door and secured thereon by the plurality of trim pieces, each panel having edges configured to be secured within opposite trim piece undercuts of spaced-apart trim pieces. In use the at least one panel is clamped and retained on the overhead garage door so as to float within the respective trim piece undercuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: GRIDZ LLC
    Inventor: William Keith Earnest
  • Patent number: 11643874
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (11) for a closure, obscuring or solar protection installation (6) includes a motor assembly (16), including an electric motor (261) and a reduction gearbox (265), first and second (133) mechanical modules for filtering vibrations, and an output shaft (20), inserted at least partially in a casing (17), the electromechanical actuator (11) extends along a longitudinal axis (X), the first and the second mechanical modules (33, 133) being disposed on either side of the motor assembly (16) along the longitudinal axis (X) and each having a rigid transmission coupling, with at least a first degree of freedom perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (X), allowing the motor assembly (16) to move along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), the electromechanical actuator also comprising at least one elastic module (130) that limits the movement of the motor assembly (16) along the perpendicular plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Eric Lagarde, Héléna Robert, Dylan Mohamed
  • Patent number: 11643873
    Abstract: Home-automation actuator (11) comprising a motor (16), a housing (17), a mechanical module for filtering vibrations (33; 33a; 33b; 33c), a module for absorbing vibrations (130) and a torque support (21), the mechanical module comprising a first end (35, 135) and a second end (39, 139), —the first end (35, 135) being connected to the housing (17), —the second end (39, 139) being connected to the torque support (21), the mechanical module providing the connection between the housing (17) and the torque support so as to rotate around a first axis (X) of the actuator, the absorption module translationally connecting the housing (17) to the torque support (21) allowing a rotational degree of freedom between the housing (17) and the torque support (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Cyril Schuehmacher, Sébastien Lemaître, Jérôme Pezet, Adrien Brondex, Eric Lagarde
  • Patent number: 11643871
    Abstract: An idler end for roller blinds is provided. The idler end includes limiting counterparts such that the maximum length of the idler end may be adjusted. A method for using the idler end is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: LES ENTREPRISES SMARTLUX INC.
    Inventor: Fan Zhou
  • Patent number: 11634942
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes alternating conductive and dielectric layers, supported by one or more resilient polymer-based layers. A first set of electrostatic forces help cause the shutter to extend and remain in an extended position, whereas an electric field can be setup to help encourage the retraction of the shutter from an extended or at least partially extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Koskulics
  • Patent number: 11634947
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator comprises a housing, a torque support (21) and a module for filtering vibrations (33). The torque support (21) comprises a shaft (35) extending along an axis of rotation (X) of the actuator. The module (33) is arranged inside the housing and comprises a transmission element (36), a stop (38) and first and second viscoelastic elements (39, 40). The transmission element (36) is mounted around the shaft (35) and is attached to the housing. The stop (38) is connected to the shaft (35). The first viscoelastic element (39) is arranged between the torque support (21) and a first end (36a) of the transmission element (36). The second viscoelastic element (40) is arranged between a second end (36b) of the transmission element (36) and the stop (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Cyril Schuehmacher, Yann Rouxel
  • Patent number: 11634945
    Abstract: A roller blind (10) with a curtain that can be wound up on a winding shaft and can be unwound against a spring tension, with a spring (31) for generating the spring tension. The spring (31) is configured such that the curtain remains in each unwound position in a self-retaining manner. A manufacturing effort can be reduced during the assembly by the spring drive being assembled from one or more modularly connected, prefabricated partial springs (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Elmar Taubenrauch, Guido Tants
  • Patent number: 11624196
    Abstract: End fittings may be designed so that they connect to each other in more than two configurations. A first end fitting may be connected to an adjoining end fitting, removed, rotated ninety degrees and reconnected with the adjoining end fitting without jeopardizing stability of the position of each end fitting relative to the other. The first end fitting may be connected to the adjoining end fitting, removed, rotated an additional ninety degrees and reconnected with the adjoining end fitting without jeopardizing stability of the position of each end fitting relative to the other. The first end fitting may be connected to an adjoining end fitting, removed, rotated a yet further ninety degrees and reconnected with the adjoining end fitting without jeopardizing stability of the position of each end fitting relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Apache Industrial Services, INC
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Chevis, Jonathon Daub
  • Patent number: 11619093
    Abstract: An improved roller shade system provides increased support, additional adjustments and/or increased safety. The slip plate allows the brake to slip forward and minimize damage to the clutch spring when a user pulls too hard on the hembar. The center drive mechanism extends through a bracket to allow the drive shaft to distribute power in both directions and drive two shade tube simultaneously. The tube adapter absorbs force from the spinning shade tube to minimize damage to the other components and the bead chain. The sprocket has a back wall supporting the sprocket, allowing the sprocket 130 to rest on the back flange of the sun gear to minimize pressure on the gears. An adjustment arm is adjusted to help level the shade band. The shade bands may be removed without disturbing the other shade bands in the system. A height of a hembar may be adjusted by rotating a rod within the hembar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: MECHOSHADE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Miroshnichenko, Stephen Hebeisen, Xi Ming Liarno
  • Patent number: 11613891
    Abstract: A composite building system comprising a structural frame and walls which is made of pultrusion fiber reinforced polymer (PFRP) material. PFRP provides increased performance, strength, protection, and longevity for mobile and fixed building structures, enclosures or vehicles, commonly found in residential, commercial, industrial, healthcare, aerospace, government defense, energy, and agriculture sectors. The PFRP material comprises fibers embedded in a resin matrix. Exemplary fibers are glass, carbon, and synthetic fibers. PFRP products can be formed using a pultrusion method that eliminates outgassing. An intumescent fire barrier can be applied to the PFRP to meet National Fire Protection Association fire endurance codes and standards. The composite building system increases personal safety while reducing weight, labor costs, construction time, and total cost of ownership over the life of the structure while being resistant to ballistic, seismic, corrosion, rotting, impact, and insect damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Paul A. Inglese
  • Patent number: 11603656
    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: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: CENTRES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Espinosa
  • Patent number: 11598085
    Abstract: An anchor bolt for an adhesive anchor or the like that can be caused to exert substantial tensile strength at a relatively shallow embedding depth. An anchor bolt for an adhesive anchor that is fixed via adhesive to an anchor hole formed in a fixed body includes: a head part that is inserted into a hole back part of the anchor hole; a shank part that is continuous with the head part and formed to have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the head part; and a sleeve part into which the shank part is inserted, the sleeve part extending from an opening part to the hole back part of the anchor hole and having a tip end thereof abutted onto the head part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: FS TECHNICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shogo Fujita