Patents Examined by Johnnie A Shablack
  • Patent number: 11358442
    Abstract: A roller blind arrangement for a motor vehicle, the roller blind arrangement having a roller blind web and a winding shaft onto which the roller blind web can be wound or from which the roller blind web can be unwound and which has a flexible surrounding-tube arrangement penetrated by a vehicle-attached bearing strut and a corrugated tube as a surrounding-tube element, corrugated-tube ribs being formed on the a corrugated tube and being separated from each other by troughs. The corrugated tube is provided with a coupling overmold at each of its two ends, each coupling overmold being connected to a respective bearing bush and having an outer diameter which corresponds to the maximum outer diameter of the corrugated tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Andreas Rockelmann, Ulrich Schreiber
  • Patent number: 11352835
    Abstract: A roller and an insert plate-assisted roller securing device are provided. The insert plate-assisted roller securing device includes a wheel-shaped cover, an outer cover, and a bracket. The outer cover has a supported portion with different widths in different directions, and the supported portion can be engaged in the bracket without separating from the bracket. As the outer cover can be coupled to the bracket along with the roller by a single person, installation of the roller is made easier and less time-consuming than before.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Sunmaster Blinds Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi-Chin Tao
  • Patent number: 11352833
    Abstract: A barrier assembly for preventing items from falling behind domestic appliances and a method of using the same is provided. The barrier assembly provides one or more mesh nets, each mesh net extending between two pivotable columns. Each pivotal column is mounted to spaced apart surfaces along an upper periphery of an appliance. As a result, each independent mesh net may be pivoted to different angles of incident relative to the upper surface of the appliance so as to close off the space between that portion of the periphery of the appliance and an adjacent wall, preventing item from falling therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: David James O'Brien
  • Patent number: 11352807
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a hide screen for surveillance operations in urban environments. The hide screen may include a netting panel, a plurality of sleeves, and a plurality of frame poles. One or more of the sleeves may be coupled to the netting panel. The frame poles may be insertable into the sleeves to tension the netting panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Ten22Fifty Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Horton, Dagan Van Oosten
  • Patent number: 11346152
    Abstract: A curtain assembly includes a curtain lamina made of a multifunctional multilayer composite sheet material, a top retaining member disposed on top of the curtain lamina and configured to receive the curtain lamina and to suspend the curtain lamina onto a curtain rail, and a counterweight portion disposed at a bottom of the curtain lamina and configured to receive the curtain lamina and stabilize the curtain lamina. The top retaining member includes a first holding piece, a second holding piece, a top fastener, and a top fixing device. The counterweight portion includes a first vertical weight piece, a second vertical weight piece, a bottom fastener, and a bottom fixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Film Technology Industrial Limited
    Inventor: Chi Keung Wong
  • Patent number: 11345221
    Abstract: A shade device includes: guide rails extending in parallel to each other in a first direction as one direction; a winding shaft extending in a second direction as a direction orthogonal to the first direction on one end side of both of the guide rails in the first direction; a light-shielding sheet having one end portion coupled to the winding shaft; a rod extending in the second direction and coupled to the other end portion of the light-shielding sheet; sliding members attached to both of the end portions of the rod in a longitudinal direction and slidably supported by both of the guide rails; and guide members are attached to both of the end portions of the rod in the longitudinal direction, slidably supported by both of the guide rails, and fixed in a state where both of the side edges of the light-shielding sheet are folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Aisin Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 11339610
    Abstract: A chain assembly includes a wheel secured on a shaft. A chain manually rotates the wheel and the shaft. A one way bearing has an inner race secured to the shaft and has an outer race that can freely rotate in only one direction in relation to the inner race. A brake drum is coupled to the outer race. Brake shoes are in operative contact with the brake drum to apply friction to the brake drum when there is relative motion between them. A brake adjuster adjusts the braking force applied by the brake shoes on said brake drum. The one way bearing is arranged to maintain the brake drum stationary in one direction of rotation of the shaft and rotate the brake drum in the opposite direction of rotation resulting in a degree of braking of the shaft as determined by the brake adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ALPINE OVERHEAD DOORS, INC.
    Inventor: Sebastian Magro
  • Patent number: 11339607
    Abstract: A controller assembly includes a housing, first and second tube units, and first and second runners. Each of the first and second runners slides on a respective one of the first and second tube units when the respective one of the first and second tube units is driven to rotate. In response to sliding of the first runner to bring the first runner into abutment with the second runner, the first runner is prevented from sliding over the second runner, whilst impeding rotation of the first tube unit. In response to sliding of the second runner to bring the second runner into abutment with the first runner, the second runner is prevented from sliding over the first runner, whilst impeding rotation of the second tube unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Ching-Hsiang Cheng
  • Patent number: 11339608
    Abstract: A method for altering the spring constant (k) of a torsion spring for a roller blind, the method including (i) locating a dampener at a predetermined length along a longitudinal axis of the torsion spring, and (ii) tightening an end of the torsion spring against the dampener to increase the spring constant. Further disclosed is a roller blind system having a cylinder, a fabric attached to the cylinder for winding and unwinding from said cylinder, a torsion spring and a damper moveable along the longitudinal axis of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: BLINDWARE PTY LTD
    Inventor: Grant Raymond Norton
  • Patent number: 11326397
    Abstract: A roller shade actuation device includes a driver arranged in a winding drum, a shaft fixed to a support frame outside one end of the winding drum and inserted into the winding drum, and a transmission mechanism for realizing power transmission between the driver and the shaft. The driver includes a housing relatively fixed to the winding drum, a rotation power member arranged in the housing, and a driving gear coaxial with and fixed to an output shaft of the rotation power member. The transmission mechanism includes a first transmission gear meshed with the driving gear, a synchronous gear coaxial with the first transmission gear, and a fixed gear fixed to the shaft and meshed with the synchronous gear. Axial directions of the output shaft and the shaft are vertical, and the synchronous gear and the fixed gear are bevel gears whose axial directions are perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Leafy Windoware Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhenbang Lei, Xingbang Lei
  • Patent number: 11326395
    Abstract: A retractable screen device for a framed opening employing a frame track fastened to each side support of the framed opening; the frame track forming a compartment for receipt of a guide rail with a decompression gasket positioned between the frame track and the guide rail. A screen mounted on a horizontally disposed rotatable shaft secured to a header of the opening has laterally opposed side edges with an elongated flexible protrusion secured along the length of each side edge. The guide rail receives and guides the screen protrusion along a longitudinal direction, and the decompression gasket allows the guide rail to traverse the frame track side walls to permit the screen to flex while maintaining a consistent tension on the screen. Vertical tension adjustment is provided by use of a biasing member coupled to the center axle that activates when the screen is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Heissenberg
  • Patent number: 11313120
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of preparing and assembling certain prefabricated products (identified below as (a) Suspension Rods; (b) Decorative Finished Wood; (c) Locking Pin; and (d) Rubber Gasket) which, once assembled, will serve as a high end room divider or window covering (also known as window treatments). The inventive framework allows the user who is preparing and assembling the product to have an installed room divider or window coverage that is clean, with no marks, and also able to be assembled by one person, as opposed to having multiple parties present to effect installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Joseph Bibi
  • Patent number: 11306531
    Abstract: A tubular electromechanical actuator for a home-automation installation includes at least an electronic control unit, an electric motor, a reduction gear, an output shaft, a casing and a closure element. The unit includes a housing and an electronic board. The electronic board is arranged inside the housing. The casing is hollow and configured to house at least the unit, the electric motor and the reduction gear. The closure element is configured to close off an end of the casing. The housing includes at least a first section, produced in the form of a hollow tube, and a second section, produced in the form of a hollow tube. The first and second sections are configured to house the electronic board. In addition, the first section includes first fastening elements configured to cooperate with first fastening elements of the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Marc Sonzini, Florian Doche, Emilie Meynet
  • Patent number: 11306533
    Abstract: A modular shade includes at least one module that consists of a head rail unit, a foot rail unit, at least one intermediate rail unit, and a plurality of slat components. A top slat may be coupled to the head rail unit and the intermediate rail unit, and a bottom slat component may be coupled to the intermediate rail unit and the foot rail unit. Further, additional intermediate rail units and intermediate slat components may be added to the module to alter the shape and size of the module, and the module may be coupled to one or more additional modules to change the overall shape and size of the modular shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Sunflower Shades and Blinds LLC
    Inventor: Jason B. Teuscher
  • Patent number: 11299930
    Abstract: A roller blind is disclosed which provides horizontal slats for directional shading, enabling the application of a screen fabric which allows a greater portion of visible light to pass therethrough. The disclosed slatted roller blind is free from the usage of ladder cords and is simplistic in design. The disclosed slatted roller blind maintains a compact formation of a roller shade when retracted and has greater resistance to skewing along the longitudinal axis of the roller while being retracted. Furthermore, the disclosed slatted roller blind design is capable of being utilized as an outdoor or indoor blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
  • Patent number: 11299932
    Abstract: Examples of rail assemblies for architectural coverings disclosed herein stabilize motor assemblies via end caps to reduce transfers of vibrational motor forces to the rails. An example rail for an architectural covering includes a housing, a motor to be disposed in the housing, and an end cap to be coupled to said housing. The example rail includes a track defined in an exterior face of the rail. A first portion of the end cap is to be received in the track. The end cap is capable of at least two degrees of freedom of motion relative to the housing prior to the first portion being received in the track. In the example rail, the track is to restrict the at least two degrees of freedom of motion of the end cap when the first portion of the end cap is received in the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Foley, Clark D. Brace, Paul A. Brayford, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Daniel A. Huber, Douglas J. Lorenz, Paul D. Mischo, Todd M. Nelson, Mark Schwandt, Jeffrey L. Spray
  • Patent number: 11299929
    Abstract: A window blind includes a headrail, a covering assembly including a plurality of slats and a bottom rail, a lifting mechanism including a driving module and a lift cord assembly operably connected to the driving module, a tilt mechanism adapted to drive the slats to rotate, and an auxiliary unit provided between the tilt mechanism and the lifting mechanism. The lift cord assembly is connected to the bottom rail for expanding or folding the covering assembly. The covering assembly is in a first state when each and every one of the slats is substantially parallel to each other and correspondingly rotatable by the tilt mechanism, and is in a second state otherwise. When the covering assembly is in the second state, the auxiliary unit is drivable by the tilt mechanism to make the lifting mechanism further release the lift cord assembly, changing the covering assembly into the first state again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin Chen, Chin-Tai Lu
  • Patent number: 11299931
    Abstract: A wand assembly for use with an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. The wand assembly may include a first operating element (e.g., an operating cord) for moving the covering between extended and retracted positions and a second operating element (e.g., a tilt wand) for adjusting rotation of the covering between open and closed configurations. The first and second operating elements are coupled to a handle assembly via separate and distinct coupling mechanisms so that manipulation of the second operating element does not affect the first operating element thereby preventing twisting of the first operating element about the second operating element. The wand assembly may include a first, inner rotatable wand and a second, stationary outer wand. The inner wand is rotatable relative to the outer wand so that rotation of the inner wand does not rotate the outer wand, and hence the first operating element coupled to the outer wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Mcneill, Todd Michael Nelson, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Cameron Joseph Bennethum, Jeffrey L. Spray
  • Patent number: 11293225
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical actuator including a spring brake including a helical spring, a drum, an input member and an output member. The drum includes a friction surface configured to cooperate with at least one turn of the spring. The output member includes at least one lug. The lug includes a recess provided with at least a first bearing surface configured to cooperate with one of the first and second legs of the spring. The first bearing surface of the recess is inclined with respect to an axis of rotation of the brake at an angle of inclination of non-zero value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Stéphane Heredia, Rémi Sourain, Gilles Pradel
  • Patent number: 11286714
    Abstract: A window shutter actuation device includes a cord for driving window shutter slats to move, a retracting mechanism for winding an end of the cord away from the window shutter slats, a brake mechanism arranged between the retracting mechanism and the window shutter slats for controlling a retracting or releasing speed of the cord, and a power mechanism for driving the retracting mechanism to rotate to wind the cord. The retracting mechanism includes a frame, a reel rotatably mounted to the frame for winding the cord, and a wheel arranged outside and adjacent to an end of the reel. The end of the cord wound on the reel passes about the wheel and then extends to the brake mechanism after extending from the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Zhenbang Lei, Xingbang Lei