Patents by Inventor Craig N. Zarbeck

Craig N. Zarbeck 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).

  • Publication number: 20240110409
    Abstract: A slat for a rolling shutter comprises a body having a longitudinal channel and a side opening to the channel. A stop bar is slidably received in the body channel and is moveable between an extended position projecting from the body and a withdrawn position retracted toward the body. The stop bar comprises a rack that is actuatable through the side opening to move the stop bar between the extended and withdrawn positions. A pinion is positioned in the body channel in engagement with the rack, the rotation of the pinion actuating the rack to move the stop bar. The pinion is accessible for rotation through the side opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Craig N. Zarbeck, Orlando Amil
  • Publication number: 20240102342
    Abstract: A locking system for a rolling shutter comprises a housing, a body, and a lock bar. The housing has a longitudinal housing channel. The body has a body channel, and is positioned in and moveable transversely within the housing channel. The lock bar is positioned within the body channel, and is moveable longitudinally to the body and housing between a locked position extending away from the body and an unlocked position retracted toward the body. The movement of the body within the housing channel is coupled to the movement of the lock bar between the locked and unlocked positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Craig N. Zarbeck, Tyler Hinckley, Tyler Czerwinski
  • Publication number: 20220396997
    Abstract: A utility slat for a rolling shutter comprises a single-walled slat body with a U-shaped channel formed in the slat body that defines an interior space for receiving additional features, such as a rolling shutter locking device. A cover is removably coupled to the slat body to enclose the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Craig N. Zarbeck, Orlando Amil
  • Publication number: 20220396996
    Abstract: A rolling shutter comprises first and second slats, each slat having inner and outer sides, a first edge with an engaging track, and a second edge with a receiving track. The receiving track comprises a lip member and a guard member that are spaced apart to form an aperture that is sized and shaped to receive the engaging track of another slat. The engaging track of the first slat is received in the receiving track of the second slat to form an articulating hinge. The hinge has a vertical position with the maximum extension of the first and second slats, and the hinge is rotatable from the vertical position in a backward direction. In one embodiment, the engaging track is hook-shaped and comprises a bend that curves toward the inner side, and a rib positioned at the first edge that projects from the inner side. The hinge is rotatable from the vertical position in the forward direction, and the rib of the first slat contacts the lip member of the second slat to stop the forward rotation of the hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: James V. Miller, Craig N. Zarbeck, Orlando Amil
  • Publication number: 20220396984
    Abstract: A locking system for a rolling shutter that includes a plurality of rolling shutter slats, comprises a guide track with a U-shaped guide channel having a channel base, and first and second channel walls. A lock bar is coupled to the rolling shutter slats. In a locked position, the lock bar extends transverse to the channel base. The lock bar has a notch covered by a breakaway wall that is aligned with the channel base in the locked position. The lock bar may be slidably received in a sleeve that is positioned in the guide channel to increase resistance to torsional forces on the locking system. In an alternative embodiment, the locking system comprises a unitary extruded body, a lock bar, and a handle. A longitudinal channel is formed integrally in the body for receiving the lock bar and handle. The lock bar is slidable in the channel between an extended locked position and a retracted unlocked position. The handle is positioned in the channel to stop the retraction of the lock bar at the unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Craig N. Zarbeck, Orlando Amil, James V. Miller