Patents Examined by Jaime F Cardenas-Garcia
  • Patent number: 8607845
    Abstract: A vehicle awning framework comprises a base stand (1), above which a pair of driving axles (2) is parallelly arranged from the front to the rear. A pair of driving axle supports (3) is sleeved on each driving axle(2). Two shaft gears(4) are sleeved respectively at the two ends of said driving axle(2), and respectively fixedly connected with a driving axle supports(3). The two ends of the driving axle (2) are respectively fixedly connected with a gear connection connectors (5) through which a laterally-turning axle (6) rotated around the gear connecting connectors (5) is arranged. The laterally-turning axle (6) rotates around itself when it turns outward, so that laterally-turning shafts (8) on the laterally-turning axle (6) are spread to the left and right sides, and the awning can be closed and folded entirely along with the turning of the laterally-turning shafts (8). Therefore the vehicle awning framework can be operated automatically and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Meizhong Wu
  • Patent number: 8584731
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a shutter slat for a rolling shutter system that has a one piece integral construction with a first end and a second end that pivotally interlock with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Rollac Shutter of Texas, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter M. Konrad, Stefan A. Poetsch, Ricardo Gomez, Crista Renouard
  • Patent number: 8579007
    Abstract: An improved hunting blind having a mirrored outwardly facing surface and a camouflaged inwardly facing surface. The blind includes four panels that are hingedly connected together with invisible hinges for allowing the blind to be foldably compacted in the manner of an accordion for conveniently storing and transporting the blind. The top edge of the blind is formed with an irregular, zig-zag shaped contour for allowing the blind to blend in with a natural surrounding environment. When the blind is expanded and erected for use, the mirrored front surface of the blind is tilted forward. A game animal looking onto the front of the blind from a distance therefore sees only a reflection of the terrain surrounding the blind, thereby making the blind substantially indiscernible from the surrounding terrain and effectively obscuring a hunter positioned behind the blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: GhostBlind Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Pottmeyer, Chester W. Burdette
  • Patent number: 8579009
    Abstract: An architectural mesh hanging system including a hanger assembly for an architectural mesh panel of predetermined size and a mechanism for mounting the hanger assembly on a support surface, the mounting mechanism including a plurality of support brackets connected to the hanger assembly and at least one of the support brackets including a pivotable support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventor: George Howard Messick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8550141
    Abstract: A novel hollow glass device with a built-in window shutter includes an inner glass layer, an outer glass layer, a window shutter sandwiched between the inner and outer glass layers, and a frame sealing and connecting the inner and outer glass layers. The window shutter is formed by connecting a plurality of blades by a turning cord in series, and the frame is provided with a window shutter lift mechanism and a window shutter turning mechanism. The window shutter turning mechanism employs a rigid component as a transmission structure, which is not liable to deformation and extension phenomena and loosening and is firm, practical and reliable, thereby ensuring long-term normal use of the hollow glass device. The hollow glass device is overall structurally compact and conveniently and quickly operable, and therefore can easily be further spread and used in more broad fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: CMECH (Guangzhou) Industrial Ltd.
    Inventor: Guokun Ding
  • Patent number: 8544525
    Abstract: A pull cord mechanism for a window shade includes a frame (1), a shade (2), a shade driving mechanism (3), and a bead chain or pull cord (4) for driving the shade driving mechanism (3). A sliding block (7) is slideably received in a barrel (5) receiving the pull cord (4). A handle (8) is mounted outside of the barrel (5) and connected to the sliding block (7). A pivotal plate (12a) is pivotably supported in a passageway (11) of the sliding block (7). A recess is defined in one of a rear side (12a1) of the pivotal plate (12a) and a wall (11a) of the passageway (11) facing the rear side (12a1). A positioning block (12c) is located between the rear side (12a1) of the pivotal plate (12a) and the wall (11a) of the passageway (11). A gear (12b) is located between the section (4a) of the pull cord (4) and a front side (12a2) of the pivotal plate (12a) opposite to the rear side (12a1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Xiang-Rong Zhu
  • Patent number: 8499814
    Abstract: The invention is a chain locking mount for mounting the roller chain portion of a roller blind to a support surface such as a wall or window frame. The mount is configured to prevent the chain from being operated when the mount loosens from the support surface. The mount includes a housing with an aperture formed therein which is dimensioned to permit the roller chain to pass through the aperture. The mount further includes a lock member mounted adjacent the aperture, the lock member being movable between a locked position wherein the chain is prevented from moving through the aperture and an open position wherein the chain is free to move through the aperture. The mount is secured to the surface by a screw, the screw being coupled to the lock mechanism to retain the lock member in its open position when the screw is tightened to the surface. The lock member is biased towards its locked position so that the lock member moves towards its locked position when the screw is loosened from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Philip Ng
  • Patent number: 8479397
    Abstract: In an electric shaver moving inner blades reciprocally and linearly, outer blades which are elongated in longitudinal direction are respectively held on outer blade frames and the outer blade frames are further held in floatable in floating direction on a frame holder. An outer blade mounting base has a pair of protrusions formed at positions near to both ends thereof in the longitudinal direction to protrude in the floating direction and the frame holder has a pair of end walls arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction and a pair of engaging rims formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The engaging rims enclose the protrusions so as to position the frame holder to the outer blade mounting base when the frame holder is attached to the outer blade mounting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Hiroaki Shimizu, Shin Hosokawa, Takeshi Shiba
  • Patent number: 8459325
    Abstract: An operating system for a retractable covering for an architectural opening wherein one edge of the covering is fixed and the opposite edge is movable between extended and retracted positions, includes an endless cord loop having a finger slide that is slidably mounted adjacent to the fixed edge of the covering to effect circulation of the cord loop. Also included in the cord loop is an anchor plate secured to the fabric of the covering adjacent to its movable edge, with the anchor plate also moving with circulatory movement of the cord loop to move the movable edge of the covering between extended and retracted positions. The tension in the cord loop is adjustable through the connection of opposite ends of the cord loop to the finger slide and the routing of the cord loop is directed through cord guides of low friction material so that the entire operation of the covering is smooth and reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Faller, Christopher P. Gruner
  • Patent number: 8453708
    Abstract: In order to facilitate mounting of a roller blind one end of the roller blind tube is fitted with a spring-loaded insert (M). To prevent this from being pushed back a grub screw may be used, but it requires tools and precise alignment. According to the invention a releasable pawl-and-ratchet structure (2, 4) is provided in the end plug (1). The release is obtained by rotating the holder (5) of the pawls (2), whereby they are directed into axial grooves (3 or 3?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Faber A/S
    Inventor: Kim Rysholt
  • Patent number: 8448340
    Abstract: A power operated rotary knife having a large diameter, annular rotary knife blade and interfitting blade housing wherein the rotary knife blade includes notched bearing race providing for an enhanced or enlarged area of bearing contact between the blade bearing race and the corresponding blade housing bearing structure. The enhanced area of bearing contact is offset radially inwardly of and axially from a radial outer surface of a drive gear region of the blade thereby reducing wear on the radial outer surface of the blade drive gear region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Whited
  • Patent number: 8439099
    Abstract: A dual curtain closure system for reversibly covering a portal opening, wherein the upper end of each curtain is attached across an upper margin of the opening and the lower end of each curtain is folded back on itself to form an upwardly opening pocket. Each pocket supports an elongated rod, the ends of which are engaged by opposing channel members defining the lateral margins of the portal opening. The sides of each curtain comprise loop fastening material and the channel members comprise hook fastening material such that the curtains are sealed to the channel members when activated to cover the opening. The hook fastening material has only downwardly facing hooks to prevent curtain hang up and promote proper operation of the closure system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Grant W. Crider
  • Patent number: 8408486
    Abstract: A length adjustable fitting for blind systems, including a housing and a drive member fitted to said housing; a core component including a core member shaped for engaging a drive portion of said drive member, the core component including a support portion shaped for engaging a support member for supporting said fitting; wherein, the selective adjustment of the drive member relative to the housing moves the core member along an axis to a different position relative to the housing, wherein at each said position, the drive member engages the core member to resist movement of the core member along the axis from said position relative to said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Carmelo Joseph Licciardi Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 8403022
    Abstract: A security device and method for a garage door opening system mounted within the dwelling, for preventing an unauthorized access to the garage door opening system from outside of the garage and mechanically disconnecting the carriage assembly of the system from the remaining part of the system by pulling the release cord toward the garage door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: William Womacks
    Inventor: William Womacks
  • Patent number: 8397787
    Abstract: A door mechanism includes a bracket and a door shaft, rotationally mounted to the bracket, to operate a door. The door mechanism includes a gear assembly having a ring gear, set of planetary gears, sun gear, and drive sprocket. The ring gear fixed to the door shaft. The door mechanism includes a holding brake to counter the closing bias of the door. The door release has an engaged position in which rotation of the door shaft in the second direction is impeded by a first brake; and a disengaged position in which rotation of the door shaft in the second direction is unimpeded by the first brake. The door mechanism includes a link and a second brake. The link is configured to melt in response to a predetermined temperature. The second brake is configured to provide resistance in response to component rotation exceeding a predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Daus, Alvin R. Eiterman
  • Patent number: 8360130
    Abstract: A tension device that prevents a window covering from operating properly until the tension device is installed. The tension device incorporates a drive wheel, casing, anchoring arm and drive stud. The drive stud has two sections, one keyed and one cylindrical. Before the tension device is installed, the keyed section of the drive stud engages the drive wheel and the casing, thereby preventing them from rotating relative to each other. When the tension device is installed, the drive stud must be inserted into the anchoring arm causing the keyed section of the drive stud to disengage the drive wheel and thereby allow the drive wheel to rotate relative to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Rollease Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Cannaverde, Roger Redin
  • Patent number: 8353326
    Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric with three-layered structure is provided. The three-dimensional fabric comprises a surface layer, a backing layer, an intermediate layer, a first interconnection portion for connecting the surface layer and the backing layer, and a second interconnection portion for connecting the intermediate layer and the backing layer. The three-dimensional fabric with three-layered structure can be woven on a single loom in a batch operation and undergo transformation between two-dimensional shape and three-dimensional shape. This fabric is applicable as materials for blinds with high light-shielding rate because intermediate portions have a multi-layered structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignees: Woongjin Chemical Co., Ltd., Youil Corporation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoo-Sung Chang, Il-Sun Ryu
  • Patent number: 8347935
    Abstract: A rigid retractable patio or window awning includes a number of rigid panels disposed in a tiered relationship with each other. Each lower panel is slidably connected with its respective upper panel via a set of slides. The top panel remains stationary. An awning operating mechanism includes arms connected via swivel joints with the bottom panel. Each arm also is connected via a threaded nut with a drive screw. The awning is extended by rotating the drive screw, which causes the nuts to travel along the drive screw causing the arms to push the bottom panel outwardly and the bottom panel to pull along any intermediate panels. The awning is retracted by rotating the drive screw in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Alexander Svirsky, Vladimir Svirsky
  • Patent number: 8347937
    Abstract: A window blind apparatus having a first magnetically active track, a second magnetically active track, a first rod, a second rod, a first magnet located at the first end of the first rod, and a second magnet located at the second end of the first rod, a third magnet located at the first end of the second rod, a fourth magnet located at the second end of the second rod, and a window covering material adapted to be disposed between the first rod and the second rod, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be used to wholly or partially cover the window over which it is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: No Strings Attached LLC
    Inventor: Mary B. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8316993
    Abstract: A house clamp assembly having a fixed jaw and a slide bar mounted movable jaw, the fixed jaw opposing the movable jaw. A one-way drive means, by operation of a trigger handle grip, releasably engages the slide bar and advances the movable jaw towards the fixed jaw. The one-way drive means is incapable of moving the slide bar and movable jaw away from the fixed jaw. A return motion of the movable jaw (separating) is accomplished manually when the one-way drive means is disengaged. A braking lever, which is biased to bind the slide bar, prevents reverse motion of the slideable jaw away from the fixed jaw, except when the first lever is disengaged from the slide bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: David Michael Rudd