Patents by Inventor Daniel A. Huber

Daniel A. Huber 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: 20250043628
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus can be used to reduce noise in motor assemblies, such as those used in architectural coverings. An example apparatus includes a first driver configured to be coupled to and rotated by an output shaft of a motor, a second driver, and a plurality of vibration-absorbers disposed between the first driver and the second driver. The second driver is configured to be coupled to a rotating member to transfer rotational motion from the first driver to the rotating member via the vibration-absorbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Daniel M. Fogarty, Paul A. Brayford, Robert Fisher, Daniel A. Huber, Jan Pruegner, Clark Brace, Kevin Dann, Max Oelschlager, Todd Nelson, Nickolas C. Buccola, Michael Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20250027367
    Abstract: Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example architectural covering assembly includes an architectural covering movable between an upper limit position, a lower limit position, and a transition limit position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position. The example architectural covering assembly also includes a motor, a consumer touchpoint, and an architectural covering controller. In response to detecting a first gesture at the consumer touchpoint, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering to the transition limit position and stop, and in response to detecting a second gesture at the consumer touchpoint, different from the first gesture, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering through the transition limit position and to the upper limit position or the lower limit position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel A. Huber, Paul A. Brayford, Douglas J. Lorenz, James Kolozs, Ronald Holt, Todd Nelson, Shelby Jared Yenzer, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Peter Zagone, Stephen T. Wisecup, Jan Pruegner, Robert Witt, Joerg Schierz
  • Patent number: 12152438
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus can be used to reduce noise in motor assemblies, such as those used in architectural coverings. An example apparatus includes a first driver configured to be coupled to and rotated by an output shaft of a motor, a second driver, and a plurality of vibration-absorbers disposed between the first driver and the second driver. The second driver is configured to be coupled to a rotating member to transfer rotational motion from the first driver to the rotating member via the vibration-absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Daniel M. Fogarty, Paul A. Brayford, Robert Fisher, Daniel A. Huber, Jan Pruegner, Clark Brace, Kevin Dann, Max Oelschlager, Todd Nelson, Nickolas C. Buccola, Michael Goldberg
  • Patent number: 12139967
    Abstract: Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example architectural covering assembly includes an architectural covering movable between an upper limit position, a lower limit position, and a transition limit position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position. The example architectural covering assembly also includes a motor, a consumer touchpoint, and an architectural covering controller. In response to detecting a first gesture at the consumer touchpoint, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering to the transition limit position and stop, and in response to detecting a second gesture at the consumer touchpoint, different from the first gesture, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering through the transition limit position and to the upper limit position or the lower limit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel A. Huber, Paul A. Brayford, Douglas J. Lorenz, James Kolozs, Ronald Holt, Todd Nelson, Shelby Jared Yenzer, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Peter Zagone, Stephen T. Wisecup, Jan Pruegner, Robert Witt, Joerg Schierz
  • Publication number: 20240291349
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure relate to various aspects of architectural structure coverings. A particular aspect relates to using controlling a motorized architectural covering that includes a motor and a magnetic brake. In an example, a shaft of the motor is controlled to enter a rest position, in which south and north poles of the magnetic brake are aligned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Goelz, Joshua A. Johnson, Robert E. Fisher, Daniel A. Huber
  • Publication number: 20240052700
    Abstract: Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example motor assembly includes a motor, a first switch to trigger the motor to retract an architectural covering, a second switch to trigger the motor to extend the architectural covering, and an actuator positioned to activate the first switch when the actuator is rotated in a first direction and to activate the second switch when the actuator is rotated in a second direction. Also described herein are example lever actuators for motor assemblies of architectural coverings. An example lever actuator detaches from the motor assembly to prevent excess force on the motor assembly that could otherwise detrimentally affect the motor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel A. Huber, Paul Brayford, Douglas J. Lorenz, James Kolozs, Ronald Holt, Todd Nelson, Shelby Jared Yenzer, Charles Cooper, Peter Zagone, Stephen T. Wisecup, Jan Prugner, Robert Witt, Jorg Schierz
  • Patent number: 11834903
    Abstract: Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example motor assembly includes a motor, a first switch to trigger the motor to retract an architectural covering, a second switch to trigger the motor to extend the architectural covering, and an actuator positioned to activate the first switch when the actuator is rotated in a first direction and to activate the second switch when the actuator is rotated in a second direction. Also described herein are example lever actuators for motor assemblies of architectural coverings. An example lever actuator detaches from the motor assembly to prevent excess force on the motor assembly that could otherwise detrimentally affect the motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel A. Huber, Paul Brayford, Douglas J. Lorenz, James Kolozs, Ronald Holt, Todd Nelson, Shelby Jared Yenzer, Charles Cooper, Peter Zagone, Stephen T. Wisecup, Jan Prügner, Robert Witt, Jörg Schierz
  • Publication number: 20230018256
    Abstract: Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example architectural covering assembly includes an architectural covering movable between an upper limit position, a lower limit position, and a transition limit position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position. The example architectural covering assembly also includes a motor, a consumer touchpoint, and an architectural covering controller. In response to detecting a first gesture at the consumer touchpoint, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering to the transition limit position and stop, and in response to detecting a second gesture at the consumer touchpoint, different from the first gesture, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering through the transition limit position and to the upper limit position or the lower limit position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel A. Huber, Paul A. Brayford, Douglas J. Lorenz, James Kolozs, Ronald Holt, Todd Nelson, Shelby Jared Yenzer, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Peter Zagone, Stephen T. Wisecup, Jan Pruegner, Robert Witt, Joerg Schierz
  • Patent number: 11486198
    Abstract: Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example architectural covering assembly includes an architectural covering movable between an upper limit position, a lower limit position, and a transition limit position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position. The example architectural covering assembly also includes a motor, a consumer touchpoint, and an architectural covering controller. In response to detecting a first gesture at the consumer touchpoint, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering to the transition limit position and stop, and in response to detecting a second gesture at the consumer touchpoint, different from the first gesture, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering through the transition limit position and to the upper limit position or the lower limit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel A. Huber, Paul A. Brayford, Douglas J. Lorenz, James Kolozs, Ronald Holt, Todd Nelson, Shelby Jared Yenzer, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Peter Zagone, Stephen T. Wisecup, Jan Pruegner, Robert Witt, Joerg Schierz
  • Patent number: 11299932
    Abstract: Examples of rail assemblies for architectural coverings disclosed herein stabilize motor assemblies via end caps to reduce transfers of vibrational motor forces to the rails. An example rail for an architectural covering includes a housing, a motor to be disposed in the housing, and an end cap to be coupled to said housing. The example rail includes a track defined in an exterior face of the rail. A first portion of the end cap is to be received in the track. The end cap is capable of at least two degrees of freedom of motion relative to the housing prior to the first portion being received in the track. In the example rail, the track is to restrict the at least two degrees of freedom of motion of the end cap when the first portion of the end cap is received in the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Foley, Clark D. Brace, Paul A. Brayford, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Daniel A. Huber, Douglas J. Lorenz, Paul D. Mischo, Todd M. Nelson, Mark Schwandt, Jeffrey L. Spray
  • Patent number: 11072976
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus can be used to reduce noise in motor assemblies, such as those used in architectural coverings. An example apparatus includes a first driver configured to be coupled to and rotated by an output shaft of a motor, a second driver, and a plurality of vibration-absorbers disposed between the first driver and the second driver. The second driver is configured to be coupled to a rotating member to transfer rotational motion from the first driver to the rotating member via the vibration-absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Daniel M. Fogarty, Paul A. Brayford, Robert Fisher, II, Daniel A. Huber, Jan Pruegner, Clark Brace, Kevin Dann, Max Oelschlager, Todd Nelson, Nickolas C. Buccola, Jr., Michael Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20210198941
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus can be used to reduce noise in motor assemblies, such as those used in architectural coverings. An example apparatus includes a first driver configured to be coupled to and rotated by an output shaft of a motor, a second driver, and a plurality of vibration-absorbers disposed between the first driver and the second driver. The second driver is configured to be coupled to a rotating member to transfer rotational motion from the first driver to the rotating member via the vibration-absorbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Daniel M. Fogarty, Paul A. Brayford, Robert Fisher, Daniel A. Huber, Jan Pruegner, Clark Brace, Kevin Dann, Max Oelschlager, Todd Nelson, Nickolas C. Buccola, Michael Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20210148167
    Abstract: Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example motor assembly includes a motor, a first switch to trigger the motor to retract an architectural covering, a second switch to trigger the motor to extend the architectural covering, and an actuator positioned to activate the first switch when the actuator is rotated in a first direction and to activate the second switch when the actuator is rotated in a second direction. Also described herein are example lever actuators for motor assemblies of architectural coverings. An example lever actuator detaches from the motor assembly to prevent excess force on the motor assembly that could otherwise detrimentally affect the motor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel A. Huber, Paul Brayford, Douglas J. Lorenz, James Kolozs, Ronald Holt, Todd Nelson, Shelby Jared Yenzer, Charles Cooper, Peter Zagone, Stephen T. Wisecup, Jan Pruegner, Robert Witt, Joerg Schierz
  • Patent number: 10851587
    Abstract: Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example motor assembly includes a motor, a first switch to trigger the motor to retract an architectural covering, a second switch to trigger the motor to extend the architectural covering, and an actuator positioned to activate the first switch when the actuator is rotated in a first direction and to activate the second switch when the actuator is rotated in a second direction. Also described herein are example lever actuators for motor assemblies of architectural coverings. An example lever actuator detaches from the motor assembly to prevent excess force on the motor assembly that could otherwise detrimentally affect the motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Peter Zagone, Stephen T. Wisecup, Jan Pruegner, Robert Witt, Joerg Schierz, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel A. Huber, Paul A. Brayford, Douglas J. Lorenz, James Kolozs, Ronald Holt, Todd Nelson, Shelby Jared Yenzer
  • Publication number: 20200332595
    Abstract: Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example architectural covering assembly includes an architectural covering movable between an upper limit position, a lower limit position, and a transition limit position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position. The example architectural covering assembly also includes a motor, a consumer touchpoint, and an architectural covering controller. In response to detecting a first gesture at the consumer touchpoint, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering to the transition limit position and stop, and in response to detecting a second gesture at the consumer touchpoint, different from the first gesture, the architectural covering controller is to activate the motor to move the architectural covering through the transition limit position and to the upper limit position or the lower limit position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel A. Huber, Paul A. Brayford, Douglas J. Lorenz, James Kolozs, Ronald Holt, Todd Nelson, Shelby Jared Yenzer, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Peter Zagone, Stephen T. Wisecup, Jan Pruegner, Robert Witt, Joerg Schierz
  • Publication number: 20190106938
    Abstract: Examples of rail assemblies for architectural coverings disclosed herein stabilize motor assemblies via end caps to reduce transfers of vibrational motor forces to the rails. An example rail for an architectural covering includes a housing, a motor to be disposed in the housing, and an end cap to be coupled to said housing. The example rail includes a track defined in an exterior face of the rail. A first portion of the end cap is to be received in the track. The end cap is capable of at least two degrees of freedom of motion relative to the housing prior to the first portion being received in the track. In the example rail, the track is to restrict the at least two degrees of freedom of motion of the end cap when the first portion of the end cap is received in the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick Foley, Clark D. Brace, Paul A. Brayford, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Daniel A. Huber, Douglas J. Lorenz, Paul D. Mischo, Todd M. Nelson, Mark Schwandt, Jeffrey L. Spray
  • Publication number: 20180223595
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce noise in motor assemblies, such as those used in architectural coverings, are described herein. An example apparatus includes a first driver configured to be coupled to and rotated by an output shaft of a motor, a second driver, and a plurality of vibration-absorbers disposed between the first driver and the second driver. The second driver is configured to be coupled to a rotating member to transfer rotational motion from the first driver to the rotating member via the vibration-absorbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Daniel M. Fogarty, Paul A. Brayford, Robert Fisher, II, Daniel A. Huber, Jan Pruegner, Clark Brace, Kevin Dann, Max Oelschlager, Todd Nelson, Nickolas C. Buccola, JR., Michael Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20180106105
    Abstract: Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example motor assembly includes a motor, a first switch to trigger the motor to retract an architectural covering, a second switch to trigger the motor to extend the architectural covering, and an actuator positioned to activate the first switch when the actuator is rotated in a first direction and to activate the second switch when the actuator is rotated in a second direction. Also described herein are example lever actuators for motor assemblies of architectural coverings. An example lever actuator detaches from the motor assembly to prevent excess force on the motor assembly that could otherwise detrimentally affect the motor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel A. Huber, Paul A. Brayford, Douglas J. Lorenz, James Kolozs, Ronald Holt, Todd Nelson, Shelby Jared Yenzer, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Peter Zagone, Stephen T. Wisecup, Jan Pruegner, Robert Witt, Joerg Schierz
  • Patent number: 8371004
    Abstract: A cord locking system that allows easy, rapid, and effective locking/unlocking of any size or type lace in a single handed, swift motion. The device includes a pair of arms that freely rotate about a swivel point within a base housing in a scissors-like motion that lock teeth against the lace by using compression forces from a spring. The arms protrude outside the base for easy disengagement, using a mechanical advantage of leverage to work against the spring force at the teeth on the lace to disengage the lock. Lifting finger upward on the arms to disengage the lock so that the teeth open allows the device to slide up and down the laces toward the preferred location. To lock, let go of the arms as the spring force presses the teeth into the lace at each side of the locking compartment to both lace ends within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel A. Huber, Bogdan R. Ulatowski
  • Publication number: 20110067211
    Abstract: A cord locking system is provided that allows a user to easily, rapidly, and effectively lock/unlock a lace in one single-handed, swift motion. The locking device includes a pair of arms that can freely rotate around a swivel point within a base that lock teeth against the lace by using compression forces controlled by a spring. The arrangement of the arms protrude outside the base for easy engagement/disengagement, with a mechanical advantage using leverage to reduce the required forces to act against the spring force at the teeth. The arms are configured in a curved scissors-like handle for an easy swift grasp contoured to the shape of your fingers with a single-handed motion. The most basic application is in outdoor sports, such as snowboarding. A snowboard rider can easily lock the boot laces with a swift motion and just as easily disengage the locking device under harsh, frozen, winter conditions while wearing gloves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Alpine Mountain Sports, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Huber, Bogdan R. Ulatowski