Patents Examined by Johnnie A Shablack
  • Roller shade with a counterbalancing device
    Patent number: 11466514
    Abstract: A counterbalancing device for a roller shade having a flexible sheet member and a roller shaft coupled to the flexible sheet member includes a stationary rod extending within the roller shaft, with the rod including a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The counterbalancing device also includes a rod adjuster coupled to the first end of the stationary rod and a spring winder positioned adjacent to the first end of the stationary rod. The rod adjuster is configured to selectively rotate the stationary rod and the spring winder is configured to rotate with the roller shaft. Additionally, the counterbalancing device also includes a spring having a first spring end coupled to the spring winder such that the first spring end rotates with the spring winder, and a second spring end coupled to the stationary rod such that the second spring end rotates with the stationary rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Jörg Bohlen, Lars Koop
  • Headrail for an architectural-structure covering
    Patent number: 11459821
    Abstract: A headrail for use with an architectural-structure covering including one or more features to facilitate easier assembly and/or manufacturing. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the headrail may include one or more features to provide improved operation and/or aesthetics. For example, the headrail may include a slat slidably received within an interior cavity of the headrail. The components can be coupled to the slat prior to insertion of the slat into the headrail thus facilitating easier assembly. In addition, and/or alternatively, the slat may include a light-blocking element. In addition, and/or alternatively, a covering portion of the architectural-structure covering may include face and back fabrics that are separately and independently associated with the headrail to facilitate improved aesthetics in a top portion of the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy William Fries, Kenneth M. Faller
  • Venetian blind
    Patent number: 11459819
    Abstract: A Venetian blind includes two string reels, two spring reels, a leaf spring and a wheel set. The string reels are engaged with each other. The spring reels engaged with each other. The leaf spring includes two sections respectively wound on the spring reels so that one of the sections of the leaf spring gets longer and the remaining one of the sections of the leaf spring gets shorter when the spring reels are rotated. The wheel set connects one of the string reels to one of the spring reels. None of the spring reels is engaged with any of the string reels without the wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ALWA INDUSTRIAL INC.
    Inventor: Tai-Ping Liu
  • Curtain winding device
    Patent number: 11448008
    Abstract: A curtain winding device includes a beam, a power mechanism mounted to the beam, a transmission rod driven by the power mechanism to rotate, and two reels fitted about the transmission rod and relatively fixed with the transmission rod in a circumferential direction. Each reel is wound with a drawstring. A drawstring holder is disposed on the beam to guide the drawstring to be wound on the reel. The beam is fixed with a nut. Each reel includes a screw segment screwed to the nut, and a cone segment gradually increasing in an outer diameter along an extending direction. An end of the reel away from the screw segment is provided with a fixing portion for fixing a distal end of the drawstring, and a positioning portion protruding from an outer side surface of the reel to abut against the drawstring holder to position an initial position of the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Leafy Windoware Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhenbang Lei, Xingbang Lei
  • Shading device
    Patent number: 11448009
    Abstract: A shading device including a first driving shaft that is rotatably supported within a headbox and may drive a first moving member and a second driving shaft that is rotatably supported within the headbox and may drive a second moving member, the shading device includes a first pulley that drives the first driving shaft, and a second pulley that is disposed at a position different from the first pulley in a longitudinal direction of the headbox and drives the second driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Nichibei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Otsuka, Masaki Nakajima
  • Cable tension monitor
    Patent number: 11440766
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus for a movable barrier system having a rotatable drum and an elongate member that winds up on and pays out from an external surface of the rotatable drum. The sensor apparatus includes a base portion, a sensing portion, and a controller. The sensing portion senses a first spaced apart proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion and a second spaced apart proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion. The controller detects a change in the proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion without the elongate member contacting the sensing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
    Inventors: Edward Thomas Laird, Robert J. Olmsted
  • Structure climbing safety device
    Patent number: 11433263
    Abstract: A safety device comprising a support harness that includes at least one safety cable, and preferably a pair of safety cables. The end of the safety cable has a snap hook designed to releasably connect to the structure. In application, the safety harness is worn by the worker and as the worker ascends or descends the structure, the worker continuously releases and then connects one of the snap hooks to the structure such that at least one safety cable is connected to the structure at all times. The safety harness includes sensors for detecting whether the worker is ascending or descending the structure, for detecting whether at least one of the snap hooks are connected to the structure, and detecting when the worker is attempting to open the snap hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventor: Jerry Bishop
  • Disposable curtain system, attachment therefor and method
    Patent number: 11432672
    Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable curtain system, attachment therefor and method. The disposable curtain system is for use in health care facilities to maintain a clean environment. An attachment for a curtain system having a hook on a track. The hook has a first end affixed to a sliding member, wherein the sliding member slides along the track. A shank extends from the sliding member. The hook has a bend extending from the shank, wherein the a curtain hangs from the bend by gravity when in use; and a point extending from the bend. The attachment has a cover having a first section covering a point, a second section of the cover, covering at least a portion of a shank, and a third section of the cover, covering a portion of a gap between the shank and the point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: BANNACK MEDICAL LLC
    Inventors: Arlen Olsen, Walter Balfour
  • Inclined and fixed blind system
    Patent number: 11434691
    Abstract: A system of blinds comprising louvers that are inclined in such a way as to maximize the direct solar illumination received during the winter months and to minimize same during the summer months is described. The inclinations are determined according to the terrestrial latitude of the building supporting these blinds, and the orientation of the surface of the building that is to be protected. The longitudinal slope of the louvers is determined such that the longitudinal direction of the louvers is substantially parallel to the straight line of intersection of the plane of the surface and the equatorial plane seen from the building. The transverse tilt of the louvers is determined such that these louvers face in a direction comprised between 12° and 24° below the direction of the equatorial plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: LES INGENIEURS DU SOLEIL
    Inventor: Xavier Sembely
  • Lift cord spool for a motorized treatment
    Patent number: 11434690
    Abstract: A lift cord spool assembly may be used in a motorized window treatment. The lift cord spool assembly may include a spool, a housing, and an end cap. The spool may be configured to windingly receive a lift cord of the motorized window treatment. A diameter of the spool may taper by approximately 0.5 degrees from the first end to an opposed second end. The housing may be configured to surround the spool. The end cap may be configured to attach to the housing, for example, such that the spool is retained within the housing. The end cap may include an inner surface, a shoulder, an aperture, and a guide. The guide may be configured to push the lift cord onto the spool as the lift cord is wound onto the spool. The guide may define a gradual slope around a circumference of the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Kai He, Andrew Peter Schmalz
  • Wheel carriage assembly for guided asymmetric fabric deployment
    Patent number: 11428044
    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: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: MECHOSHADE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Eugene Miroshnichenko
  • Window shade
    Patent number: 11428043
    Abstract: A window shade may include a shade, a sliding base, a weight track, a first blocking unit, and two second blocking units. The shade has two mount bars respectively formed at an upper end and a lower end thereof, and the shade is connected to the sliding base and the weight track through the two mount bars. The position of the sliding base is limited by the first blocking unit while the second blocking units are configured to limit the position of the weight track. With the first blocking unit and the two second blocking units, the shade can be replaced easily, and also the structural stability of the window shade is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventor: Shan-Chi Chuang
  • Lateral arm awning system and method of operation
    Patent number: 11428011
    Abstract: A lateral arm assembly and method of operation includes first and second articulating arms comprising first and second ends, the first ends of the articulating arms are mounted upon assembly to a support surface at separate lateral locations. The first ends each comprise separate pivoting mounting structures for forming a first pivotal connection with the first and second articulating arms. The lateral arm assembly also comprises a roller tube having spaced lateral ends supporting respective end brackets that provide a second pivotal connection to the second ends of the articulating arms. The roller tube supports a canopy coupled to a roller shaft, wherein one of the end brackets further supports a device that drives the roller shaft for furling and unfurling the canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Scott P. Thompson, Mark Lyle Goth
  • Self-tensioning magnetic tracks and track assemblies
    Patent number: 11421474
    Abstract: A magnetic track assembly including an elongate channel having an open side, an end wall, and two parallel side walls; a first magnet disposed within the elongate channel near an interior side of the end wall; a compartment defined within the elongate channel spaced from the first magnet; and a screen receiver disposed within the compartment and including a second magnet arranged facing the first magnet. In the magnetic track assembly, the first and second magnets are of opposite polarity and the screen receiver is loosely disposed within the compartment such that a magnetic bond is intact between the first and second magnets when the first and second magnets are close together and the magnetic bond is broken when the first and second magnets are pulled apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: DEFENDER SCREENS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Arthur James, Jan Gross
  • Hollow louver top operating system
    Patent number: 11421472
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hollow louver top operating system comprising a rotating mechanism configured to open and close louver blades of a curtain; and a lifting mechanism configured to lift the curtain up and down, wherein the rotating mechanism comprises a rotating rope and a top rotating controller, and the rotating rope is connected between the top rotating controller and a first side of the curtain, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a lifting rope and a top lifting controller, and the lifting rope is connected between the top lifting controller and a second side of the curtain, and wherein the top rotating controller and the top lifting controller are disposed in an upper frame portion of the window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CHANGSHU HIGH-TECH ENERGY-SAVING DORWIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chengzhe Jin, Renzhe Jin, Xiangjun An
  • Personnel lift vehicle
    Patent number: 11420858
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to personnel lift vehicles that include a carriage, a telescoping lift and a load carrying frame. The telescoping lift is connected to a rear portion of the carriage and the load carrying frame is connected to and extends forward from the telescoping lift. The load carrying frame includes a bottom portion that provides an operator platform that is disposed at a central portion of the carriage between a front portion and the rear portion of the carriage. The configuration of the disclosed personnel lift vehicle provides an integral solution for counterweight requirements for the carriage while reducing the overall driving space required for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: BIG LIFT, LLC
    Inventors: Lili Wu, Nengwen Bao, Linjie Xu, Qichen Ma
  • External motorized actuator for wand-operated venetian blinds
    Patent number: 11414927
    Abstract: A headrail-mounted motorized actuator for wand-operated venetian blinds has a bracket which attaches to the front of the headrail with a magnet. The bracket has a ferroelectric surface oriented perpendicularly to the headrail. A motor assembly has an output shaft and a second magnet which holds the motor assembly to the ferroelectric surface, so that the output shaft is parallel to the ferroelectric surface. The position and orientation of the motor assembly can be adjusted by moving and rotating the motor assembly on the ferroelectric surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Pradeep Pranjivan Popat
  • Maintenance and operation of a window shade system
    Patent number: 11414926
    Abstract: A motorized window shade system may comprise a shade tube in a pocket; a window shade attached to the shade tube; a motor configured to rotate the shade tube; an internal temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of the motor; an external temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of the pocket; and a controller configured to adjust a mode of the system from an override mode to an automated mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: MECHOSHADE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Hebeisen, Xi Ming Liarno, Eugene Miroshnichenko
  • Retrofit curtain assembly
    Patent number: 11406213
    Abstract: A curtain assembly for hanging a shortened, lighter curtain from existing curtain ceiling tracks. The assembly uses adjustable height hangers to connect the commercially available track to existing curtain systems and a lightweight disposable curtain to hang therefrom. The brackets to attach the track to the room walls and one bracket allows for the vertical insertion of the curtain hooks onto the track. A quick load bracket gathers the curtain hooks for vertical installation through the brackets. The curtain can be installed simply and quickly by one person without a ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: KLEENEDGE, LLC
    Inventor: Karen Goelst
  • Valance system for window coverings
    Patent number: 11395555
    Abstract: A valance system for a window covering that can be folded and placed within the same shipping box as a wall bracket, top bracket and track sections. The valance extends a length between opposing ends and includes a clip feature that extends out from its rearward side. The clip feature is generally C-shaped or U-shaped when viewed from the side and includes a plurality of friction members in its exterior surface. The valance is covered with a covering material. An end cap having a hinge area that facilitates bending of the end cap is connected to the ends of the valance by connection of a tongue of the end cap to a slot of the valance. The clip feature is sized and shaped to frictionally fit within and be installed within a socket of a top bracket without any tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: CURRENT PRODUCTS CORP.
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Daniel T. Matthews, Richard Scott Hand, Harry Edward Asbury