Patents Examined by Johnnie A Shablack
-
Patent number: 11280131Abstract: A motorized window treatment may provide a low-cost solution for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window. The window treatment may include a covering material (e.g., a cellular shade fabric or a roller shade fabric), a drive assembly for raising and lowering the covering material, and a motor drive unit including a motor configured to drive the drive assembly to raise and lower the covering material. The motorized window treatment may comprise one or more battery packs configured to receive batteries for powering the motor drive unit. The batteries may be located out of view of a user of the motorized window treatment (e.g., in a headrail or in a battery compartment). The motorized window treatment may use various power-saving methods to lengthen the lifetime of the batteries, e.g., to reduce the motor speed to conserve additional battery power and extend the lifetime of the batteries.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt, Samuel F. Chambers
-
Patent number: 11280132Abstract: A tubular electromechanical actuator includes an electric motor, reduction gear, output shaft and casing. The casing is hollow and houses at least the electric motor and the reduction gear. The casing includes a first end and a second end. The actuator also includes a retaining element assembled at the first end of the casing, so as to close off the first end of the casing. The retaining element includes at least a first stop configured to cooperate with the reduction gear, in an assembled configuration of the actuator, and a second stop configured to cooperate with the casing, at the first end of the casing, in the assembled configuration of the actuator. Furthermore, the retaining element includes at least one accommodation configured to cooperate with at least one rib of the reduction gear, so as to participate in the sealing between the retaining element and the reduction gear.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SAInventors: Marc Sonzini, Florian Doche
-
Patent number: 11274492Abstract: A covering system for an architectural feature having a roller, the roller including a main body portion and a flapper portion pivotable relative to the main body portion. The covering system also includes a first support member operatively associated at one end to the main body portion and at a second end to a bottom rail, as well as a second support member operatively associated with and laterally moveable relative to the first support member, wherein a first end of the second support member is operatively associated with the flapper portion and a second end of the second support member is operatively associated with the bottom rail. The covering system also includes a limiting mechanism configured to interact with the flapper portion of the roller to maintain the bottom rail in a horizontally level position as the second support member is moved laterally with respect to the first support member.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.Inventors: Max W. Schroeder, Kenneth M. Faller
-
Patent number: 11274481Abstract: A door mechanism for a compartment on an aircraft that includes a door with a first lower guide, a second lower guide, a first upper guide, and a second upper guide. The door mechanism includes a first lower track, a second lower track, a first upper track, and a second upper track, each having a guide track. The first lower guide, second guide, first upper guide, and second upper guide being configured to travel along the corresponding guide track to enable the door to move between open and closed positions. The door in the open position may be positioned within a portion the compartment or may be positioned above the compartment. The first and second lower tracks may include a first a second gap that enables the door to be selectively uncoupled from the first and second lower track guides permitting the door to swing away from the compartment.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Char Damneun, Dileep Aruna Vasanthakumar, Avinash P. Peter
-
Patent number: 11261655Abstract: A spring drive system for a window shade includes a housing, a first and a second gear engaged with each other and respectively assembled about a first and a second pivot axis, two springs respectively assembled at two opposite sides of the second gear and respectively connected with two take-up reels provided on the first gear, a first cord drum and a third gear fixedly connected with each other and assembled about a third pivot axis, the first and third gears being respectively located at different levels along the first and third pivot axes and respectively engaged with a first gear train, a second cord drum and a fourth gear fixedly connected with each other and assembled about a fourth pivot axis, the second and fourth gears being respectively located at different levels along the second and fourth pivot axes and respectively engaged with a second gear train.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Teh Yor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chin-Tien Huang, Chien-Fong Huang
-
Patent number: 11255123Abstract: A control mechanism for a double pitch blind including an array of tiltable slats having a first sub-array of tiltable first slats and a second sub-array of tiltable second slats includes a first spool drive and a second spool drive, both the first spool drive and the second spool drive being configured to be rotated by a common drive shaft. The first spool drive has elongate members extendable and retractable on opposite sides of the slats and the second spool drive has elongate members extendable and retractable on opposite sides of the slats. The first and second spool drives are configured to transfer rotation of the drive shaft to spool-in and to spool-out the elongate members. The first spool drive spools by a first length, and the second spool drive spools by a second length. The first length is larger than the second length.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INDUSTRIES B.V.Inventors: Christianus Wilfred Michael Slobbe, Robert Jan Ponsen
-
Patent number: 11248416Abstract: A roll-up door including a flexible curtain having a front surface, a back surface, a first end coupled to a shaft, a second end opposite the first end, and first and second side edges extending between the first end and the second end, the flexible curtain being moveable between a retracted position wherein the flexible curtain is coiled around the shaft and a deployed position wherein the flexible curtain is uncoiled from the shaft. A first retention band is mounted along at least a portion of the first side edge of the flexible curtain, the first retention band including an inner surface at least partially facing towards the flexible curtain, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, a fixed edge attached to the flexible curtain generally parallel to the first side edge, and a free edge opposite the fixed edge and movable relative to the fixed edge.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: CORNELLCOOKSON, LLCInventors: Ian Klish, Joseph Balay
-
Patent number: 11236540Abstract: A safety curtain and system includes multiple light emitters and multiple light receivers to detect traffic approaching a doorway. The safety curtain my include pairs of multiple light emitters and receivers positioned on both sides of a passageway (doorway) so as to detect approaching traffic. The multiple light emitters and light receivers may detect a height of an approaching traffic (e.g., person or vehicle) and initiate warning lights of a possible door closing. The detected approach of traffic may cause the door to be stopped, reversed or slow down. The system may include a computer to monitor the signals from the receivers and may control the motion of the door.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: RYTEC CORPORATIONInventor: Daniel Gregoriou
-
Patent number: 11230882Abstract: A low-deflection roller tube of a motorized roller shade may have an outer diameter that does not exceed 2 inches. When a covering material is attached to the roller tube and the roller tube is supported at opposed ends thereof, deflection of a 10 foot configuration of the roller tube may not exceed ? of an inch, and deflection of a 12 foot configuration of the roller tube may not exceed ΒΌ of an inch, relative to corresponding unloaded positions of the roller tubes. The roller tube may comprise a plurality of layers of carbon fiber, or may comprise an inner tube that is made of a first material, such as aluminum, and a carbon fiber outer tube that is formed on the inner tube. At least one layer, such as an outermost layer, may comprise high modulus carbon fiber.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2016Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, Jr.
-
Patent number: 11220860Abstract: A position-fixing system includes a pole, a guiding member adjacent to the pole, and a movable member fitting around the pole. The pole is immovable relative to a window covering. The guiding member includes a principal axis parallel to an extension axis of the pole, and includes a retaining face substantially extending in the direction of the principal axis, but non-coplanar with it. The movable member corresponds to the retaining face. The movements of the movable member and the guiding member are related to that of a shaft of the window covering. When the window covering is being operated, the movable member is driven to rotate around the pole, and moves along the pole and the guiding member. Due to the retaining face, the movable member keeps contacting the pole to create a friction therebetween. Therefore, the position of a covering material of the window covering can be precisely fixed.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventors: Lin Chen, Keng-Hao Nien
-
Patent number: 11125012Abstract: A reduced visibility window/door screen includes a particularly formed narrow profile frame and mesh applied to the frame. The frame is formed from a single elongated member that is bent to form four corners and four corresponding sides, with joining of the adjacent first and second ends. A high-strength adhesive bonds the mesh to the frame, which is pinch rolled thereon for exceptional pull-out strength. Another embodiment includes a leaf spring movably secured to the frame, to bias and center the screen within the master frame. Another embodiment further includes a plunger pin slidably disposed in the frame with one end fixedly secured to the leaf spring, and handle movably connected to the other end of the plunger pin. The handle member being movable between first and second positions to respectively actuate the leaf spring between an undeformed condition, and a deformed, flattened condition permitting installation/removal of the screen.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: THE RITESCREEN COMPANY, LLCInventors: Thomas Randall Iles, John C. St. Clair, John Joseph Keller, III, John France, Christopher Seebode
-
Patent number: 11118397Abstract: A manually-operated window treatment system may include a roller tube, a covering material, and a semi-rigid chain assembly. The covering material may be attached to the roller tube and may be operable between a raised position and a lowered position via rotation of the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to be operated by a user to rotate the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to limit the size of a loop that can be formed by the semi-rigid chain assembly. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be operatively coupled to a drive pulley of the window treatment system. The semi-rigid chain assembly may include flexible outer housing and a stiffening rod. The flexible housing may surround and operate along the stiffening rod. The hollow chain may include multiple links that are connected together to form a continuous loop.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
-
Patent number: 11111722Abstract: The end piece of sunshade's edge rail comprises an end plate, which includes a first edge surface, a second edge surface and a first end surface. The end plate further includes a second end surface, which is to be placed against an end of the edge rail and which has at least one gripping protrusion adaptable to fit inside the edge rail. The end plate is further provided with a first hole for the penetration of a guiding string. The end piece is further provided with a string channel, which includes a first end opening onto the first edge surface and a second end opening onto the second edge surface. The first hole opens into the string channel. A guiding string included in the sunshade can be extended into the first hole by way of the string channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Suomen Visor OyInventor: Teuvo Haapalahti
-
Patent number: 11105148Abstract: A screen assembly includes a support structure. A roller assembly is mounted on the support structure. A flexible panel with a distal end is mounted on the roller assembly so that the flexible panel can be wound on to and off the roller assembly as the flexible panel is retracted and extended. Two opposed track assemblies are arranged on the support structure, sides of the flexible panel and each track assembly being configured so that the sides of the flexible panel can slide within the track assemblies as the flexible panel is retracted and extended. At least one of the track assemblies has a static support that is fixed relative to the support structure and a dynamic support that is displaceable relative to the static support. An adjustment mechanism is operatively connected to the static and dynamic supports to adjust a lateral position of the dynamic support relative to the static support.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Inventor: Simon Shipman
-
Patent number: 11097382Abstract: A welding screen includes a primary barrier made of a magnetic sheet. The welding screen enhances safety by halting or restricting the motion of magnetic and paramagnetic by-products, thereby preventing flame, light, magnetic material, sparks and dust from being scattered during welding or post-weld grinding. This improvement can be applied to various type of welding screens (welding curtain, welding windshield), by using a flexible magnetic sheet material as the primary barrier material.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Inventor: Thomas Power
-
Patent number: 11084652Abstract: A curtain closure for the cargo opening of an air cargo container and the air cargo containers that have the same. The curtain closures include a fabric layer, and at least one of an insulating layer or a reinforcing layer attached to the inside of the fabric layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Pherson, Garry L. Haruska
-
Patent number: 11085236Abstract: A manually-operated window treatment system may include a roller tube, a covering material, and a semi-rigid chain assembly. The covering material may be attached to the roller tube and may be operable between a raised position and a lowered position via rotation of the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to be operated by a user to rotate the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to limit the size of a loop that can be formed by the semi-rigid chain assembly. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be operatively coupled to a drive pulley of the window treatment system. The semi-rigid chain assembly may include flexible outer housing and a stiffening rod. The flexible housing may surround and operate along the stiffening rod. The hollow chain may include multiple links that are connected together to form a continuous loop.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
-
Patent number: 11078725Abstract: A window shade system includes a mounting bracket configured to couple to a structure, a shade tube bracket configured to rotatably couple with the mounting bracket, and a shade coupled to the shade tube bracket and having a solar panel. The solar panel is electrically coupled with an external system via the shade tube bracket and the mounting bracket. The solar panel is configured to receive solar energy, transform the solar energy into electricity, and provide the electricity to the external system.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: GEIGTECH EAST BAY, LLCInventor: James Geiger
-
Patent number: 11078723Abstract: A skew adjustment mechanism is used for adjusting the length of a lift cord on a window covering. The lift cord extends from a lift spool at a first end to an anchor drum at a second end. A cord wrap post is provided between the lift spool and the anchor drum so that the lift cord can be wrapped around the cord wrap post to provide friction between the lift cord and the cord wrap post when the lift cord is taut in order to reduce the amount of holding force that is needed to prevent the anchor drum from rotating.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.Inventor: Richard N. Anderson
-
Patent number: 11072975Abstract: A side-inserted cord rolling device for a non-pull cord window blind includes a base, first and second wheels disposed on the base and respectively located near an end plate and an opening provided at two ends of the base, a torsion spring, and two lift transmission cords. The first wheel has top, middle and bottom layers separated by disc portions. The torsion spring connects the bottom layer of the first wheel and the second wheel. An end of the lift transmission cords are connected to the top and middle layers of the first wheel respectively. Another end of the lift transmission cords are inserted through the opening of the base to be located out of the base for being connected with a bottom beam.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Jumbo Home Deco. Corporation (Cayman)Inventor: Po-Yu Chen