Patents Examined by Johnnie A Shablack
  • Patent number: 11708722
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a lateral edge of a door curtain within a guide of a door, and a controller to identify when the door curtain transitions from an operational state to a breakaway state based on a signal from the sensor, the operational state corresponding to when the lateral edge of the door curtain is enclosed by the guide as the door curtain moves between open and closed positions, and the breakaway state corresponding to when a portion of the lateral edge of the door curtain below an upper end of the guide breaks away from the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, Michael Sivill, Christopher Saleh, Charles Runde, James Pelegrin, Nicholas J. Casey, Perry W. Knutson
  • Patent number: 11686153
    Abstract: A top-down bottom-up window covering has a headrail, a middle rail, a bottom rail, a lifting control structure installed at the headrail, and a covering structure installed between the middle rail and the bottom rail. The lifting control structure controls a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft to respectively receive or release a first cord and a second cord. The first cord drives the middle rail to move, and the second cord drives the bottom rail to move. A one-way clutch and a pre-stress unit are further provided at the headrail. When the bottom rail pushes the middle rail to move upward, the one-way clutch breaks a link between the first rotating shaft and the lifting control structure. Consequently, a driving force generated by the pre-stress unit immediately drives the first rotating shaft to receive the first cord to keep the first cord taut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 11680445
    Abstract: A battery-powered motorized window treatment for covering at least a portion of a window may be adjusted into a service position to allow for access to at least one battery that is powering the motorized window treatment. A headrail of the motorized window treatment may be adjusted to the service position to allow for easy replacement of the batteries without unmounting the headrail and without requiring tools. The motorized window treatment may comprise brackets having buttons that may be actuated to release the headrail from a locked position, such that the head rail may be rotated into the service position. The headrail easily rotates through a controlled movement into the service position, such that a user only needs one free hand available to move the motorized window treatment into the service position and change the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, Jr., James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Patent number: 11661793
    Abstract: A folding shade includes a supporting seat having a first plate and a second plate opposite to the first plate. The first plate has an abutting portion. A rod unit is connected between the first plate and the second plate. The rod unit includes an axle and a transmission rod rotatably disposed around the axle. An annular space is defined between the transmission rod and the axle. A returning element is mounted around the axle and is connected to the transmission rod. The rod unit extends along a longitudinal axis. A braking mechanism is disposed in the annular space. The braking mechanism includes a limiting member. The abutting portion of the first plate releasably abuts against the limiting member to move the limiting member along the longitudinal axis. A shade is coiled around the rod unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Li-Ming Cheng
  • Patent number: 11661792
    Abstract: A slat for a rolling shutter is provided that is formed as a single walled, continuous bent sheet. The slat includes a body having a hook-shaped engaging track at a first end, and a receiving track at the second end comprising a guard member and a hook-shaped lip member that form a pocket for receiving the engaging track of another slat. The guard member includes a portion of the sheet that is bent over on itself. The lip member extends from the guard member, and is spaced apart from the guard member to define an aperture that is sized and shaped to receive the engaging track of the other slat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Qualitas Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventor: James V. Miller
  • Patent number: 11653784
    Abstract: Disclosed are various examples of drapery systems one of which includes a drapery rod operatively connected to a structure by a first bracket and a second bracket. In one nonlimiting embodiment the drapery rod has an exterior surface with a guide structure and a hollow interior having a feature. At least one example drapery system includes a drive coupler and a motor operatively coupled to the drive coupler, wherein the drive coupler is configured to be inserted within the hollow interior of the drapery rod and the drive coupler is configured to engage the feature of the drapery rod, wherein when the motor operates the drive coupler rotates, and rotation of the drive coupler causes rotation of the drapery rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Current Products Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Scott Hand, Jon Smidt
  • Patent number: 11639632
    Abstract: The window treatment includes a top member, a shade unit, and an outdoor temperature indication arrangement. The top member is adapted for mounting at a ceiling of the window frame. The shade unit is downwardly suspended from the top member and being moved between a closed position and an opened position, wherein at the closed position, the shade unit is moved for covering the window glass to control an amount of light in a space, and at the opened position, the shade unit is moved for uncovering the window glass. The outdoor temperature indication arrangement is formed with the shade unit for indicating an outdoor temperature when the shade unit is moved at the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventor: Candice Cheung
  • Patent number: 11638491
    Abstract: An assembly for display of a window covering having a display case and a window covering attached to a display board. The a display case adapted to reversibly hold a display board near the top of the display case through a magnetic bond between the display case and the display board. Mounting hardware for the window covering is engaged with the display board. The window covering is engaged with mounting hardware so that the window covering with the mounting hardware, and the display board may be removed from the display case such that a different mounting board with a different set of mounting hardware and a different window covering may be inserted in the display case to demonstrate the appearance and functionality of the window covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Cato Janitorial Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Cato
  • Patent number: 11633059
    Abstract: A motorized window covering system is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and at least one drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. A motor is connected to the rotatable drive element and controls operation of the window covering. An external battery tube assembly is connected by a conduit to the rotatable drive element and is configured to provide power to the motor. The external battery tube assembly includes a switch and controls operation of the motorized window covering. When pulled or lifted the external battery tube assembly initiates movement, stops movement or reverses movement of the motor. In this way, the system provides a unique way of controlling operation of a motorized window covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Current Products Corp.
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Daniel T. Matthews, Michael D. Fox, Richard Scott Hand
  • Patent number: 11628938
    Abstract: Described are consoles for use in a passenger seat row. The console may include a base of a support material. The base may include a top surface, a first side wall, and a second side wall opposite the first side wall. A tray may be configured to be releasably affixed to the top surface of the base. The tray be manufactured as a piece of molded plastic. The molded plastic may be molded to include one or more storage compartments. A bottom of the molded plastic may be configured to fittingly mate with the top surface of the base. The base may further include one or more straps configured to secure the base to a passenger seat cushion, passenger seat support structure, or a passenger seat restrain system. The one or more storage compartments may be a cupholder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Safan Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Wade G. Matthews, Eric L. Parks, Andrew B. Severance
  • Patent number: 11624234
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a motorized wand in order to operate at least one set of blinds is disclosed herein. Certain embodiments include a motorized wand having features to enable manual or remote control of slats or louvres to at least one set of blinds, wherein a user may program specific actions through a software or app-based device. In other aspects, a user may switch between manual and automatic operation of the wand through specified, simple steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Sunsa, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Zilberbaum, Gholamali Malekpour
  • Patent number: 11619092
    Abstract: Wheel carriage assemblies and related fabric deployment systems and methods are disclosed. A wheel carriage assembly comprising at least one wheel with ball bearings on the interior of each wheel, and a pivot point that allows for position independence, is configured with a hembar coupled to a piece of fabric to allow a surface of varying shape to be covered. The system provides the ability to cover both traditional window shapes as well as surfaces of irregular shape or inclined orientation, and reduces and evens the amount of wear on certain components to extend system life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: MECHOSHADE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Eugene Miroshnichenko
  • Patent number: 11608682
    Abstract: A battery-powered, motorized window treatment may include a fascia that pivots between a conceal position wherein the fascia covers a window treatment assembly and a battery compartment, and an expose position wherein the fascia does not cover the battery compartment. The fascia may be a two part fascia that includes an arm and a cover that pivots relative to the arm when the battery compartment is operated between respective opened and closed positions. The arm may be attached to the battery compartment such that the arm remains in a fixed orientation relative to the battery compartment. The arm and the cover may define complementary pivotally interlocking connectors that define a pivot axis about which the cover may pivot relative to the arm. The fascia may be configured to generate a perceptible indication when the fascia pivots into the conceal position, and/or when the fascia pivots into the expose position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: David A. Kirby
  • Patent number: 11608679
    Abstract: An automated tilt wand controller could precisely control the tilt of a plurality of slats of installed window blinds using an actuator to turn a tilt wand. A remote or mobile device could be used to control the automated tilt wand controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11608681
    Abstract: A valance kit and mounting assembly secure a valance adjacent a window frame. A mounting block is securable in a clamp ring cavity of the window frame and includes a snap connector on the frame side thereof and a valance groove in each of the top and bottom sides thereof. The valance grooves extend in a width direction across the mounting block and have a depth dimension parallel with a plane of the window opening. A valance assembly includes a plurality of shrouds that together define the valance. Each of the shrouds is provided with a pair of snap ridges disposed facing each other and spaced substantially corresponding to a space between the top and bottom sides of the mounting block. The snap ridges are sized and positioned to engage the valance grooves in a snap fit. The universal mounting block is suitable for mounting various types of window treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Barry Grife
  • Patent number: 11608678
    Abstract: An architectural covering and a method of manufacturing the covering is provided. The panel may include multiple strips of material extending lengthwise across a width dimension of the panel. The strips of material may be overlapped and coupled to one another to define cells between adjacent strips of material. The panel may be retracted and extended across an architectural opening, and the strips of material may include a resilient support member to expand the cells as the panel is extended across the architectural opening. The panel may be manufactured by helically winding a continuous, elongate strip of material about a drum in an overlapped manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS, INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Patent number: 11598146
    Abstract: A drape element includes a sheet of flexible, non-magnetic material having opposed first and second longitudinal sheet edges, a longitudinal centerline toward which is defined an inward direction and away from which is defined an outward direction, and a first longitudinal pocket disposed proximate the first longitudinal sheet edge. A first straight magnetic wire is disposed in the longitudinal direction within an inward longitudinal portion of the first longitudinal pocket, and a first alternating sequence of magnets and non-magnetic spacers is disposed within an outward longitudinal portion of the first longitudinal pocket. Each of the magnets has opposed first and second magnetic poles, with a respective first magnetic pole of each of the magnets being disposed in contact with the first straight magnetic wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Conform International
    Inventor: John S. Conboy
  • Patent number: 11598145
    Abstract: An actuating system for a window shade includes an axle coupling part rotatable for raising or lowering a bottom part of a window shade, an arresting part and an arrester coupling part connected with each other, the arresting part having a braking state and a release state, a clutching part carried with the arrester coupling part and movable relative to the arrester coupling part between a retracted state where the clutching part is disengaged from the axle coupling part and an extended state where the clutching part is engaged with the axle coupling part, and an actuating wheel movably linked to the clutching part, the actuating wheel being rotatable in a first direction to urge the clutching part to move from the retracted state to the extended state, and in an opposite second direction to urge the clutching part to move from the extended state to the retracted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Teh Yor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Chen Huang, Kuan-Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 11598144
    Abstract: In various aspects, a covering for an architectural structure includes a bottom rail assembly that can be efficiently and effectively assembled during manufacturing of the covering. Specifically, in one embodiment, the bottom rail is configured such that one or more operating system components of the covering can be mounted within and directly supported by the bottom rail. In addition, a separate cover may be coupled to the bottom rail during the assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Levolor, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schulman, Raymond Morehouse, Eugene W. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11589698
    Abstract: A hanging weight structure for a curtain has a hanging weight member, a connecting member, and two cover caps. The hanging weight member has two sides respectively mounted with the slot and the longer slot, and then each two hanging weight members are connected by a connecting member, so that each hanging weight member located at the lower portion of the curtain sheet is connected to each other through the connecting member to ensure the stability of the hem of the curtain sheet and maintain the curtain sheets being straight when they are collected or unfolded. Furthermore, a cover cap has the positioning rod that positioning the connecting member, which helps to improve the shading and dimming effect of the curtain sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignees: ABO WINDOW FASHION CORP.
    Inventor: Shan-Chi Chuang