Patents Examined by Justin Rephann
  • Patent number: 8984810
    Abstract: A device for sliding door leaves with co-planar closure, particularly for furniture and the like, including a bracket system for connection to each one of the door leaves and with which a first pair of wheels is associated in a lower region. The device includes a second pair of wheels which are, together with the first pair of wheels, slideably engaged with the head respectively of a first guide and of a second guide which are T-shaped in cross-section, arc-shaped in plan view and the stem of which protrudes from the top of the piece of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Bortoluzzi Lab S.R.L.
    Inventors: Guido Bortoluzzi, Adriano Girotto, Bruno Sponga, Rodolfo Dal Castel
  • Patent number: 8984813
    Abstract: A one-piece seal for use on the bottoms of doors or windows of uniform cross-section has a planar base and upwardly extending members on each side of the base with engagement members at the top of the upwardly extending members. The seal also has downwardly extending fins and semicircular walls to engage a threshold. The seal is held upon a door by action of the flexible engagement members being pressed against the sides of the doors by the upstanding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Shurtech Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Vulpitta, Daniel Festa, Scott Sommers, Vageesh Bakhshi
  • Patent number: 8978304
    Abstract: A fenestration operation hardware assembly includes latch mechanisms configured for coupling to respective top and bottom sashes, and a paddle member configured for coupling the latch mechanisms. The latch mechanisms include movable latch bolts, and at least one of the latch mechanisms includes an operator interface feature movable between at least initial and operating positions. In an initial position, the latch bolts are in respective projected positions, and the top and bottom panels are immobilized. In a first withdrawn position, at least one of the top and bottom panels is movable, and in a second withdrawn position, at least one of the top and bottom panels is tiltable. In an example, a top latch bolt is moved by the paddle member according to movement of the bottom latch bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Marvin Lumber and Cedar Company
    Inventors: Ross Michael Hollermann, Nathan H. DeBoer
  • Patent number: 8973303
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (10) for use in an ambient light control system (20) for controlling ambient light entering a space (1) through an opening (2). An ambient light prediction unit (11) provides ambient light prediction values, which are predictions of an ambient light property at the opening (2). An ambient light adjusting unit (12) provides, at different ambient light adjusting time points, an ambient light adjusting signal depending on the ambient light prediction values for an upcoming ambient light prediction time period. The ambient light adjusting signal is adapted for use by an ambient light modifying element (22) for modifying the entering of ambient light into the space (1) through the opening (2). By taking the predicted ambient light conditions at the opening (2) into account, necessary adjustments can be made at temporally spaced ambient light adjusting time points, resulting in fewer disturbances of the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijkle Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Dagnachew Birru
  • Patent number: 8967227
    Abstract: A roller curtain fixing bracket assembly includes a left support, a right support, a decoration board and two cover boards covering the left and right supports. A roller curtain device can be installed between the main bodies of the left and right supports. Each of the left and right supports has a plane board main body and several fixing boards protruding from outer edges of the plane board main body. Front edge of each of two fixing boards extending from two sides of the plane board main body is formed with a split. The decoration board has a horizontal panel and a vertical panel. A top end and a certain section of the vertical panel are formed with hook bars inserted and latched in the splits of the left and right supports and assembled therewith. The cover boards serve to conceal the seams between the supports and the decoration board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Tser Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 8966822
    Abstract: An air and/or debris dam for moving coil balance assembly for a hung window is disclosed. The air and/or debris dam is located between the carrier and a mounting location of a moving coil window balance assembly. The air and/or debris dam can travel within the jamb channel of a window frame assembly to inhibit airflow and/or the deposition of dust and/or debris in the jamb channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caldwell Manufacturing Company North America, LLC
    Inventors: Jay Sofianek, Wilbur James Kellum, III, John Kessler
  • Patent number: 8966712
    Abstract: A door operator includes an installation box, an operating mechanism, a pneumatic apparatus and a moveable sleeve. The installation box has a housing and a lid. The housing has an assembling space and an opening communicating with the assembling space; the lid is mounted in the opening and covers the assembling space. The operating mechanism is rotatably mounted in the installation box and has a gear. The pneumatic apparatus is installed in the assembling space and has a cylinder and a piston rod. The moveable sleeve is movably mounted on the cylinder and connected with the piston rod and engaged with the gear of the operating mechanism. Because a rotation axis of the gear and a central axis of the moveable sleeve are perpendicular to each other, the volume of the installation box can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Chia-Chu Yu
  • Patent number: 8970795
    Abstract: A sliding panels system for hiding a flat screen television, has a wall attachment panel, a pair of post members spaced from one another and attached to the wall attachment panel. Extendable upper and lower rail assemblies attached between the post members. A first side support bracket assembly connected between the upper and lower rail assemblies on first ends thereof, and a second side support bracket assembly connected between the upper and lower rail assemblies on second ends thereof, such that the space between the first and second support bracket assemblies can be adjusted by the extendable upper and lower rail assemblies; and first and second panel members respectively attached to the first and second support bracket assemblies, such that the first and second panel members can be moved between an open and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Alain Lemieux
  • Patent number: 8966825
    Abstract: A door module for a door of a motor vehicle. The door module has a support for receiving a window lifter drive and fixing points at which the door module can be fixed to the corresponding door. At least one sensor electrode of a capacitive and/or inductive control device is attached to the support in order to contactlessly operate an actuator in the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Joerg Uebelein, Oscar Mauricio Ayala Guzman, Christian Thomann, Christian Hermann
  • Patent number: 8967680
    Abstract: In a planetary gear mechanism of a vehicle door closer device, a planetary gear meshes with a sun gear and a ring gear. When the ring gear turns in one direction, the planetary gear orbits while it turns on its own axis. A closing lever is pivoted on the planetary gear and turns with orbiting of the planetary gear to move the latch to a full-latch position to enable the door to close. When the ring gear turns in the other direction, the planetary gear turns on its own axis and the sun gear turns to allow the ratchet to release from the latch to to enable the door to open. The planetary gear mechanism slows down a motor and a motion is transmitted to the ratchet to enable the ratchet to release from the latch. When the motor stops, the motion is disconnected to enable the ratchet to return to engagement with the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhito Yokomori, Kohei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8959835
    Abstract: A window unit (102), comprising: a first sheet (301); a second sheet portion (304); a third sheet portion (308); and an actuation means. The first sheet (301) defines first high transmittance regions (302A, 302B) and first low transmittance regions (303A, 303B). The second sheet portion (304) is positioned substantially parallel to the first sheet, and defines second high transmittance regions (306A, 306B) and second low transmittance regions (307A, 307B). The third sheet portion (308) is positioned substantially parallel to the second sheet portion, and defines third high transmittance regions (309A, 309B) and third low transmittance regions (310A, 310B). The actuation means (507, 523, 524) is configured to simultaneously move the second sheet portion and the third sheet portion from an open configuration, to a closed configuration. In the open configuration the second and third high transmittance regions are aligned with the first high transmittance regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Graham Midgley
    Inventor: Robert Steven Drohan
  • Patent number: 8959838
    Abstract: A vehicle door security system comprising at least one deadbolt and respective operational elements, wherein the deadbolt secures at least one of a pivoting door and a roll up cargo door. The deadbolt toggles between an engaging configuration and a released configuration. The deadbolt can include an inertial release mechanism that disengages the deadbolt from the engaging configuration when the vehicle is subjected to a sudden impact. Alternatively, the deadbolt can be opened using a manual release mechanism located externally from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Vittorio Marinelli
  • Patent number: 8955255
    Abstract: A fenestration operation hardware assembly includes at least one latch mechanism and an operation hardware assembly configured for coupling with a panel slidable within a frame. The latch mechanism includes a latch bolt and a latch biasing element coupled with the latch bolt. An operator of the operation hardware assembly is remote from the latch mechanism and is coupled with the panel. The operator includes an operator interface feature movable between initial and operating positions. In the initial position the latch bolt is in a projecting position, and in the operating position the operator interface feature moves the latch bolt into one or more withdrawn positions. The operation hardware assembly includes a retention assembly for retaining the latch bolt in a withdrawn position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Marvin Lumber and Cedar Company
    Inventors: Nathan H. DeBoer, Eric Salentine
  • Patent number: 8955253
    Abstract: A detecting unit (14) forms a plurality of detection spots arranged two-dimensionally on a floor surface near a door panel (12). Each detection spot is capable of detecting a human or an object by infrared light independently from other detection spots. Region distinguishing means (30) distinguishes a region formed by plural ones of the said detection spots that have detected the human or object. Person's movement judging means (44) judges the direction in which the distinguished region moves. A signal which causes a door panel (12) to be opened is supplied to a door controller (34) only when the direction of movement of the distinguished region is the direction toward the door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nabtesco Corporation
    Inventors: Hisayuki Kanki, Toru Iriba, Shinya Ikeda, Yasutaka Kanda, Kenji Nishigaki, Yasuteru Kitada, Takashi Wada
  • Patent number: 8950117
    Abstract: A sliding door drive assembly is provided for a vehicle. The assembly includes at least one grooveless drum. The drum has a cable wrap surface and is rotatable to wind cable thereon and unwind cable therefrom. A guide is positioned to be aligned generally with a first axial edge of the cable wrap surface. As cable is wrapped on the drum, the angle of the cable (due to the position of the guide) biases the cable towards the first axial edge, so that successive wraps of cable are snuggly positioned adjacent prior wraps. In another aspect, a cable drum includes a ramp at a second axial edge of the cable wrap surface, which guides the cable radially outwardly to start a second layer of wraps of cable on the first layer of wraps. In another aspect, an absolute position sensor is provided for a powered sliding door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Nebojsa Djordjevic, Kristopher B. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8926773
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a drive device for a rotor of s carousel door, In addition to a main drive motor (10), which has a main-drive-motor shaft (12), the drive device according to the invention comprises a secondary drive motor (12) with a secondary-drive-motor shaft (22). The main-drive-motor shaft (12) is coupled at least indirectly to the secondary-drive-motor shaft (22, 62) in terms of rotation, and therefore the secondary-drive-motor shaft (22, 62) is coupled to the rotor in terms of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Agtatec AG
    Inventors: Heinz-Peter Aeppli, Samuel Hedinger
  • Patent number: 8925251
    Abstract: An electromagnetic shielded door with constant force spring perimeter seal may include a door panel and door jamb. The door panel may include a sealing member around a perimeter of an inside face of the door panel. In certain embodiments, the sealing member may have a raised sealing surface. The door jamb may have at least one spring containment member along an inside perimeter facing the door panel. A spring mechanism may attach to the at least one spring containment member. The spring mechanism may include a plurality of continuous force flat torsion roller springs attached to at least one spring containment member which may be part of a channel. The raised sealing surface may engage with the plurality of continuous force flat torsion roller springs on the at least one spring containment member of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen Vincent Rust
  • Patent number: 8919046
    Abstract: An explosive breach training system comprising a frame having a lock jamb with two opposing ends and an inner surface, first and second opposing frame members connected to the opposing ends of the lock jamb, and a third frame member having ends connected to the first and second frame members opposite of the lock jamb. The frame defines an interior space. A cylindrical elongate member is within the interior space and has ends attached to the first and second frame member at attachment points. A door member has a hinge side and a lock side, and is within a door space at least partially defined by the lock jamb and the portions of the first and second frame members extending between the attachment points and the opposing ends of the lock jamb. A lock bracket is adjacent to the lock jamb, and defines an elongate slot intersecting with a portion of the door space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Darron Phillips
  • Patent number: 8915018
    Abstract: A vehicular slider window assembly (10) includes upper and lower rails (22, 24), at least one fixed window panel (16, 18) and a movable window panel (20). The lower rail comprises a channel (26) and a guide element (28) received in and secured to the channel. The guide element extends at least partially along the fixed window panel and the opening and the channel extends at least partially along the fixed window panel and beyond an end of the guide element and receives a carrier (30) of the movable window therein during loading of the movable window. The movable window is received in the channel at a first depth during the loading process and is raised to a second depth to generally align the carrier with the guide portion (28a) of the guide element for insertion of the carrier into the guide portion for movement along the guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Darin J. Snider
  • Patent number: 8893436
    Abstract: An invisible sliding door link structure includes a door bracket disposed at an inner surface of a door sliding part of a vehicle body to open or close, a body bracket provided in an invisible slider to slide the door, a main arm with one end connected to one side of the door bracket and the other end connected to one side of the body bracket, a first link having one end rotatably connected to the other side of the body bracket, a second link having one end rotatably connected to the other end of the first link and the other end connected to the other side of the door bracket, and a third link having one end rotatably connected to one side of the main arm and the other end connected to a hinge point at which the first and second links are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kwangjin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hong Choi, Seung Tae Kim