Patents by Inventor Brian L. Kolb

Brian L. Kolb has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12173553
    Abstract: A fenestration assembly includes a sash, a frame surrounding the sash, and at least one screen assembly mounted in at least one of: the top portion and the bottom portion. The frame includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and two jambs forming first slots extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the jamb. The first slots each include a screen edge retention feature. The screen assembly includes a roller assembly substantially hidden from view, a screen material attached to the roller assembly, and a plurality of raised features. Edges of the screen material extend into the first slots. The raised features are attached to each of the edges of the screen material. The raised features are configured to engage the screen edge retention features and retain each of the edges of the screen material at least partially within the first slot of each of the two jambs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Hoogland, Evan R. Vande Haar, Brian L. Kolb, Scot C. Miller, Steven D. Lauritsen, Jennifer A. Tuetken, Todd A. Bernhagen
  • Publication number: 20240401403
    Abstract: A fenestration unit may include a frame, a first panel to selectively allow and limit ingress and egress through an opening defined by the fenestration unit, a second panel, and a screen assembly. The screen assembly may include a pleated screen, a screen frame, and a control member. The pleated screen may include a first lateral end and a second lateral end and may be operable to extend across the opening when the screen assembly is in a deployed configuration and operable to allow ingress and egress through the opening in a stowed configuration. The pleated screen may be substantially flatter in the deployed configuration and may be folded into pleats in the stowed configuration. The screen frame may be coupled to the first lateral end of the pleated screen and may engage with and translate relative to the frame and across the opening. The control member may be coupled to the second lateral end of the pleated screen and may be slidingly engaged with the screen frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Applicant: Pella Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Kolb, Evan R. Vande Haar
  • Publication number: 20240401407
    Abstract: A screen assembly for a fenestration unit having a frame and a window sash, the screen assembly including a screen assembly frame having a first side member, a second side member, and an upper member, and a screen housing extending between the first side member and the second side member of the screen assembly, the screen housing having a first housing member and a second housing member, wherein the housing forms a screen retention space between the first and second housing members when the screen assembly is in a closed position, a screen positioned between the first and second housing members when the screen assembly is in the closed position, the pleated screen including a first end coupled to the first housing member and a second end coupled to the second housing member, and a catch element extending from the housing and configured to be coupled to the window sash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Applicant: Pella Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Kolb, Adam C. Austin, Evan R. Vande Haar
  • Publication number: 20230175311
    Abstract: A fenestration assembly includes a sash, a frame surrounding the sash, and at least one screen assembly mounted in at least one of: the top portion and the bottom portion. The frame includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and two jambs forming first slots extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the jamb. The first slots each include a screen edge retention feature. The screen assembly includes a roller assembly substantially hidden from view, a screen material attached to the roller assembly, and a plurality of raised features. Edges of the screen material extend into the first slots. The raised features are attached to each of the edges of the screen material. The raised features are configured to engage the screen edge retention features and retain each of the edges of the screen material at least partially within the first slot of each of the two jambs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Pella Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Hoogland, Evan R. Vande Haar, Brian L. Kolb, Scot C. Miller, Steven D. Lauritsen, Jennifer A. Tuetken, Todd A. Bernhagen
  • Patent number: 11643864
    Abstract: A fenestration assembly includes a sash, a frame surrounding the sash, and at least one screen assembly mounted in at least one of: the top portion and the bottom portion. The frame includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and two jambs forming first slots extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the jamb. The first slots each include a screen edge retention feature. The screen assembly includes a roller assembly substantially hidden from view, a screen material attached to the roller assembly, and a plurality of raised features. Edges of the screen material extend into the first slots. The raised features are attached to each of the edges of the screen material. The raised features are configured to engage the screen edge retention features and retain each of the edges of the screen material at least partially within the first slot of each of the two jambs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Hoogland, Evan R. Vande Haar, Brian L. Kolb, Scot C. Miller, Steven D. Lauritsen, Jennifer A. Tuetken, Todd A. Bernhagen
  • Patent number: 11643865
    Abstract: A fenestration assembly includes a sash, a frame surrounding the sash, and at least one screen assembly. The sash includes at least one magnet. The sash is slideably engaged with the frame. The at least one screen assembly includes a roller assembly, a control bar, and screen material attached to the roller assembly and the control bar. The roller assembly is substantially hidden from view. The control bar includes a ferromagnetic material. The screen assembly is configured to apply tension to the screen material to wind the screen material around the roller assembly and to permit the screen material to unwind from the roller assembly under a tension applied to move the control bar away from the roller assembly. The control bar automatically engages the at least one magnet of the sash when the sash is in the closed configuration to attach the control bar to the sash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Hoogland, Brian L. Kolb, Jennifer A. Tuetken, Evan R. Vande Haar
  • Patent number: 11604168
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for demonstrating acoustic properties of a fenestration unit are provided herein. A system includes a sound demonstration apparatus having a sound insulating member defining an acoustic chamber, wherein the sound demonstration apparatus includes at least one open face. The system also includes a sound emitter operable to be positioned in the acoustic chamber of the sound demonstration apparatus, wherein the sound demonstration apparatus is operable to engage the fenestration unit at the open face of the sound demonstration apparatus. The method includes positioning the sound demonstration apparatus and a fenestration unit, such that the fenestration unit and the sound demonstration apparatus are operably engaged and form an acoustic chamber. The method includes activating a sound emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Brian L. Kolb
  • Publication number: 20210164942
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for demonstrating acoustic properties of a fenestration unit are provided herein. A system includes a sound demonstration apparatus having a sound insulating member defining an acoustic chamber, wherein the sound demonstration apparatus includes at least one open face. The system also includes a sound emitter operable to be positioned in the acoustic chamber of the sound demonstration apparatus, wherein the sound demonstration apparatus is operable to engage the fenestration unit at the open face of the sound demonstration apparatus. The method includes positioning the sound demonstration apparatus and a fenestration unit, such that the fenestration unit and the sound demonstration apparatus are operably engaged and form an acoustic chamber. The method includes activating a sound emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventor: Brian L. Kolb
  • Publication number: 20190284867
    Abstract: A fenestration assembly includes a sash, a frame surrounding the sash, and at least one screen assembly. The sash includes at least one magnet. The sash is slideably engaged with the frame. The at least one screen assembly includes a roller assembly, a control bar, and screen material attached to the roller assembly and the control bar. The roller assembly is substantially hidden from view. The control bar includes a ferromagnetic material. The screen assembly is configured to apply tension to the screen material to wind the screen material around the roller assembly and to permit the screen material to unwind from the roller assembly under a tension applied to move the control bar away from the roller assembly. The control bar automatically engages the at least one magnet of the sash when the sash is in the closed configuration to attach the control bar to the sash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Hoogland, Brian L. Kolb, Jennifer A. Tuetken, Evan R. Vande Haar
  • Publication number: 20190226270
    Abstract: A fenestration assembly includes a sash, a frame surrounding the sash, and at least one screen assembly mounted in at least one of: the top portion and the bottom portion. The frame includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and two jambs forming first slots extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the jamb. The first slots each include a screen edge retention feature. The screen assembly includes a roller assembly substantially hidden from view, a screen material attached to the roller assembly, and a plurality of raised features. Edges of the screen material extend into the first slots. The raised features are attached to each of the edges of the screen material. The raised features are configured to engage the screen edge retention features and retain each of the edges of the screen material at least partially within the first slot of each of the two jambs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Hoogland, Evan R. Vande Haar, Brian L. Kolb, Scot C. Miller, Steven D. Lauritsen, Jennifer A. Tuetken, Todd A. Bernhagen