Patents Examined by Katherine Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9745787
    Abstract: Improvements to movable closure systems which aid installability and reliability of said systems can include wheels running along the top and bottom of individual slidable elements, the wheels oriented horizontally and disposed within a track configured for receiving the horizontal wheels. The horizontal wheels reduce the vertical profile of the track-engaging portions of the slidable elements, enabling more of the slidable element to be used for glass or other aesthetically-preferable transparent materials. A track leveling system enables installers to more easily deploy and properly tune the system between floors and casings which are not perfectly flush. A compression jamb permits closure of the system via slidable elements pressing into the jamb to deflect it in order to better seal the closure comprised of the individual slidable elements. A durable hinge mechanism permits the sliding elements to rotate in order to stack the sliding elements at one end of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventor: Adam Conley
  • Patent number: 9745798
    Abstract: A seal assembly for an upward acting door that is positionable between an open and closed position. The seal assembly contains a base member having a first and second flexible sealing member extending therefrom for sealing engagement with the door. The base member is mounted adjacent the door to facilitate sliding engagement between the door and the first and second seal members as the door is moved between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Danny L. Preising, Jr., Charles A. Haba
  • Patent number: 9744383
    Abstract: A rope descent device and method capable of maintaining a fast but safe descent rate of a user carrying a heavy load or equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Roco Rescue, Inc.
    Inventor: Ishmael Antonio
  • Patent number: 9745796
    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: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Patent number: 9739586
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the safety of a working environment comprising a panel assembly including first D-Ring indicia corresponding to D-Ring height, a first slider supported for movement relative to the panel assembly, the first slider including first anchor height indicia corresponding to anchor height and a Free Fall Distance (FFD) indexing arrow, a second slider supported for movement relative to the panel assembly, the second slider including FFD indicia corresponding to FFD first lanyard length indicia corresponding to lanyard length. The first slider is moved to a first slider FFD calculation position based on a determined anchor height. The second slider is moved to a second slider FFD calculation position based on a determined lanyard length and a determined D-Ring height. The FFD is determined based on a relative position of the FFD indexing arrow on the first slider and the FFD indicia on the second slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Alberta British Columbia Safety Inc.
    Inventor: David George Whalen
  • Patent number: 9739086
    Abstract: An arched window covering having shade mount with a base, at least a spacer, and two rails wherein a shade is mounted on the shade mount and the width of the spacer is adjustable and positioned on the base such that the rails movably engage the base and a length of the shade mount is changeable by changing the width of the spacer to thereby adapt to a differing size of a shade mounted on the shade mount by adjusting the spacer rather than cutting the rail to fit the windows with different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: NIEN MADE ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 9732531
    Abstract: Systems and methods relate to a operator selectable, variable-height attachment point system for a safety harness, where the attachment point is disposed on a radial support member that can be reversibly coupled to a vertical support member, and where the attachment point height can be selected by the operator by reversing a coupled orientation of the radial support member to the vertical support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Justin S. Patton, Preston L. Anderson, Brian Montgomery, Alex Tsen, William Zachar
  • Patent number: 9732557
    Abstract: A wheel and bracket device that is removably attachable to a ladder. The present invention allows users to more conveniently transport a ladder, ladder tree stand, or other such device, along with objects that may be supported thereon. The present invention is a bracket that is adapted to enclose a rail and a rung of a ladder and be securely affixed to the ladder via a locking mechanism, such as a locking pin. A wheel is rotatably attached to the bracket, thereby allowing users to push or pull the ladder across terrain, rather than being forced to carry the ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: James Landers
  • Patent number: 9725945
    Abstract: A doorsill for forming the bottom of an entryway. The doorsill has a substrate to be disposed above a subfloor and a lifter provided on the substrate capable of extending from a bottom of the substrate. The lifter is adjustable to change the orientation or position of the bottom relative to the subfloor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Endura Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Swank, Tomasz Jaskiewicz, Bruce E. Procton, George Heid, Brent Van Camp, Michael K. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9725949
    Abstract: A roller shade may be retracted and extended. In various implementations, when a roller shade is extended it may be laterally repositioned. The roller shade may include a track and a travelling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: MCD INNOVATIONS
    Inventor: David M. Townsley
  • Patent number: 9725941
    Abstract: A system and portable device are provided for opening and closing sliding doors associated with conventional sliding doors as used in residences and businesses. The portable sliding door device attaches to a sliding door via a bracket, and moves along the same track used by the sliding door. The sliding door device can be initiated to move the sliding door to the open position through remote control, voice-activation, and proximity transmitters. The sliding door device can communicate with wireless routers and be remotely controlled and monitored by computers, netbooks and cell phones. The sliding door device has safety features, including cameras and speakers to ward off attempted break-ins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald E. Van Tassell, III
  • Patent number: 9725950
    Abstract: A shade for covering a window, a door, or a wall opening is provided comprising a shade material forming a shade portion and an integral hem bar assembly constructed by folding a bottom portion of the shade material. The hem bar assembly comprises an outer laterally extending pocket that envelopes an inner laterally extending pocket. Upon meeting a horizontal surface, the outer pocket of the hem bar assembly deflects and conforms to the horizontal surface to eliminate any light gap between the hem bar assembly and the horizontal surface without causing the shade portion of the shade material to buckle or ripple. The hem bar assembly is constructed such that no excess material, edges, or ends appear on the front surface of the shade material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Calvin Delano
  • Patent number: 9726288
    Abstract: A closure for a pressure vessel that includes a neck with a groove defined in the inner diameter, and a door assembly that pivots between opened and closed positions. The door assembly includes a door portion sized to be received in an opening of the neck, a guide plate connected to the door portion and rotatable between locked and unlocked positions, a first lock ring segment positioned radially outwardly of the guide plate and a handle. The guide plate includes a first cam path defined therein that receives a cam member of a first lug assembly that extends inwardly from the first lock ring segment. Rotation of the handle (and guide plate) from the unlocked to the locked position moves the first lock ring segment from a locked to an unlocked position. In the locked position, the first lock ring segment is received in the groove of the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: EMINENT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Kegler
  • Patent number: 9725954
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of use for a ladder support for use with a ladder, with the ladder support for use between an upper roof and a lower roof with a gutter, wherein the ladder supported is between the lower and upper roofs. The ladder support includes an extension strut that has a channel shaped structure on one end, wherein the channel is operative to receive a ladder rung, with the other end of the extension strut having an angle beam with a primary leg portion and a secondary leg portion, the primary leg portion is attached to the extension strut. Wherein the secondary leg portion is operative to be disposed within the gutter, wherein operationally the ladder support helps to secure the ladder upon the lower roof as the ladder is leaning against the upper roof making the ladder more secure between the lower and upper roofs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventor: Donald Alan Graham, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9718546
    Abstract: A system for deploying loads out of an aircraft comprises an aerial delivery parachute with an aerial-delivery parachute line and an activation means for placing the aerial delivery parachute in an enveloping flow past the aircraft. Within the aircraft a receiving device can be positioned that receives a tractive force acting on the aerial-delivery parachute line, which tractive force has been determined by a force measuring device and has been transmitted by way of a transmitting device. With the knowledge of the tractive force it is possible both to implement emergency release and to assess whether an aerial delivery parachute has correctly deployed in the flow enveloping the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Carsten Bohlen, Holger Bohlen
  • Patent number: 9719296
    Abstract: Apparatuses and systems for selectively locking a lift cord designed to lift coverings for architectural openings is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a selective locking member and a base member positioned at a bottom of an architectural opening covering. The base member and the selective locking member each have an opening through which a lift cord may pass. The selective locking member also has at least one edge configured to mate to a bottom of a groove in the base member. The selective locking member is configured to selectively engage the base member and the lift cord such that the selective locking member can be selectably moved between an open position, where the lift cord can be freely moved, and a closed position, wherein the selective locking member will pinch the lift cord between itself and the base member and prevent the lift cord from being moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SAFE-T-SHADE
    Inventors: William Lynch, William D Feather, Steve Gibbons
  • Patent number: 9719290
    Abstract: A garage door accessory is configured to increase ventilation into a garage. The garage door accessory includes at least one panel frame attached to at least one panel grate. At least one stow bar is attached to the panel frame. A lock assembly is attached to the panel grate and the panel frame; wherein the lock assembly further comprises a lock bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Francis Arroyo
  • Patent number: 9719279
    Abstract: An apparatus has a housing adapted to be secured to a window sash. A cam rotatably mounted in the housing has a cam surface and a cam boss disposed opposite the cam surface. A drive disc rotatably mounted proximate the cam has a disc boss and a projection disposed opposite the disc boss. The cam boss and disc boss are selectively engageable when the cam is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Truth Hardware
    Inventors: Edward J. Subliskey, Jimmie W. Worrell
  • Patent number: 9719293
    Abstract: A free standing barrier includes two panels that slide parallel to each other. Each of the panels includes a lower outer corner portion on which is mounted a foot. The feet, in combination with each other, hold the barrier upright and make the barrier free standing. One foot engages one sliding panel and the other foot engages the other sliding panel. Each of the feet includes an outward extension that works as a stop against, for example, a doorjamb, to prevent the barrier from being pushed, such as by a dog, through the opening that the barrier is intended to close off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Carlson Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Porter R. Million
  • Patent number: 9719282
    Abstract: A guide system (1) for a sliding door (101) comprises a pair of guides (3, 4) opposite each other to receive the respective opposite edges (103, 104) of a door (101); lifting means (5) for switching the door (101) from a resting position to a sliding position; the lifting means (5) is configured to produce a magnetic field inside one of the guides (3, 4) so as to bring the door (101) from the resting position to the sliding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ROTA INFISSI S.R.L.
    Inventor: Antonio Bellei