Patents by Inventor Darrin W. Brunk

Darrin W. Brunk 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: 11744393
    Abstract: A wirelessly controllable, motorized and battery powered drapery apparatus is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure in its surface. The rotatable drive is inserted through the open interior of a plurality of tabs in the shade material. A grommet driver is positioned over the rotatable drive element and connected to one of the plurality of tabs. The grommet driver has at least one tooth that is in communication with the guide structure in the rotatable drive element. As the rotatable drive element is rotated, the grommet drive is driven along the length of the rotatable drive element thereby moving the shade material between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Current Products Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Samuel D. Schemmer, Scott Hand, Phillip Dugger
  • Publication number: 20220095824
    Abstract: A wirelessly controllable, motorized and battery powered drapery apparatus is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure in its surface. The rotatable drive is inserted through the open interior of a plurality of grommets in the shade material. A grommet driver is positioned over the rotatable drive element and connected to one of the plurality of grommets. The grommet driver has at least one tooth that is in communication with the guide structure in the rotatable drive element. As the rotatable drive element is rotated, the grommet drive is driven along the length of the rotatable drive element thereby moving the shade material between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Samuel D. Schemmer, Scott Hand, Phillip Dugger
  • Patent number: 11234549
    Abstract: A wirelessly controllable, motorized and battery powered drapery apparatus is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure in its surface. The rotatable drive is inserted through the open interior of a plurality of grommets in the shade material. A grommet driver is positioned over the rotatable drive element and connected to one of the plurality of grommets. The grommet driver has at least one tooth that is in communication with the guide structure in the rotatable drive element. As the rotatable drive element is rotated, the grommet drive is driven along the length of the rotatable drive element thereby moving the shade material between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: CURRENT PRODUCTS CORP.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Samuel D. Schemmer, Scott Hand, Phillip Dugger
  • Patent number: 11033138
    Abstract: An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and a drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. In one arrangement a drive shaft having at least one bearing is then attached to the brackets such that the rotatable drive elements rotate upon the bearings. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of attaching a rotatable drive element to brackets for mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: CURRENT PRODUCTS CORP.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Michael D. Fox, Daniel T. Matthews, Dale McCarthy, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Publication number: 20190387912
    Abstract: An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and a drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. In one arrangement a drive shaft having at least one bearing is then attached to the brackets such that the rotatable drive elements rotate upon the bearings. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of attaching a rotatable drive element to brackets for mounting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Willis J. MULLET, Michael D. FOX, Daniel T. MATTHEWS, Dale MCCARTHY, Darrin W. BRUNK
  • Patent number: 10405684
    Abstract: An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and a drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. In one arrangement a drive shaft having at least one bearing is then attached to the brackets such that the rotatable drive elements rotate upon the bearings. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of attaching a rotatable drive element to brackets for mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Current Products Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Michael D. Fox, Daniel T. Matthews, Dale McCarthy, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Publication number: 20190231110
    Abstract: A wirelessly controllable, motorized and battery powered drapery apparatus is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure in its surface. The rotatable drive is inserted through the open interior of a plurality of tabs in the shade material. A grommet driver is positioned over the rotatable drive element and connected to one of the plurality of tabs. The grommet driver has at least one tooth that is in communication with the guide structure in the rotatable drive element. As the rotatable drive element is rotated, the grommet drive is driven along the length of the rotatable drive element thereby moving the shade material between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Samuel D. Schemmer, Scott Hand, Phillip Dugger
  • Publication number: 20190231109
    Abstract: A wirelessly controllable, motorized and battery powered drapery apparatus is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure in its surface. The rotatable drive is inserted through the open interior of a plurality of grommets in the shade material. A grommet driver is positioned over the rotatable drive element and connected to one of the plurality of grommets. The grommet driver has at least one tooth that is in communication with the guide structure in the rotatable drive element. As the rotatable drive element is rotated, the grommet drive is driven along the length of the rotatable drive element thereby moving the shade material between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Samuel D. Schemmer, Scott Hand, Phillip Dugger
  • Patent number: 10285527
    Abstract: A wirelessly controllable, motorized and battery powered drapery apparatus is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure in its surface. The drapery apparatus includes brackets that house conventional batteries which power the apparatus. The brackets connect to a motor assembly which houses a motor and a motor controller. The rotatable drive element includes at least one key feature in its hollow interior. The guide structure is indexed to the key feature such that two rotatable drive elements can be connected together in such a manner that the guide structure is aligned on the two rotatable drive elements ensuring that the shade material opens and closes evenly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: CURRENT PRODUCTS CORP.
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Derek Scott Paquette
  • Publication number: 20180255953
    Abstract: An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and a drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. In one arrangement a drive shaft having at least one bearing is then attached to the brackets such that the rotatable drive elements rotate upon the bearings. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of attaching a rotatable drive element to brackets for mounting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Willis J. MULLET, Michael D. FOX, Daniel T. MATTHEWS, Dale MCCARTHY, Darrin W. BRUNK
  • Patent number: 9999313
    Abstract: An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and a drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. In one arrangement a drive shaft having at least one bearing is then attached to the brackets such that the rotatable drive elements rotate upon the bearings. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of attaching a rotatable drive element to brackets for mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: CURRENT PRODUCTS CORP.
    Inventors: Willis J Mullet, Michael D Fox, Daniel T Matthews, Dale McCarthy, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Patent number: 9896882
    Abstract: A roll shade system is disclosed. The roll shade system includes a motor configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, a support shaft supporting the motor wherein the support shaft is configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, and a roll shade tube configured to be rotatable about the motor and the support shaft during operation of the motor. The roll shade system further includes stationary components including a wiring connector, an input wiring system, a bearing, an antenna, a coaxial cable, a motor controller, a counterbalance spring. The roll shade system also includes rotatable components including a bearing housing and one or more O-rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: THE WATT STOPPER
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, William Ashton Lee Cutts Lucas, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Patent number: 9890585
    Abstract: An architectural covering is provided. The architectural covering includes: shade material; the shade material operatively connected to a motor unit such that movement of the motor unit causes movement of the shade material; the motor unit comprising a DC motor and a shaft connected to the DC motor; a power supply unit electrically connected to the motor unit; a controller unit electrically connected to the motor unit, the controller unit having a microprocessor; and a rotation detector configured to detect rotation of the motor unit and upon detection of rotation of the motor unit transmit a signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor of the controller unit is configured to power an encoder unit in response to determination of manual movement of the shade material. A motor and control unit for an architectural covering may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Harry Edward Asbury, Richard Scott Hand, Yan Rodriguez, Benjamin Bruckner
  • Publication number: 20170298689
    Abstract: An architectural covering is provided. The architectural covering includes: shade material; the shade material operatively connected to a motor unit such that movement of the motor unit causes movement of the shade material; the motor unit comprising a DC motor and a shaft connected to the DC motor; a power supply unit electrically connected to the motor unit; a controller unit electrically connected to the motor unit, the controller unit having a microprocessor; and a rotation detector configured to detect rotation of the motor unit and upon detection of rotation of the motor unit transmit a signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor of the controller unit is configured to power an encoder unit in response to determination of manual movement of the shade material. A motor and control unit for an architectural covering may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Harry Edward Asbury, Richard Scott Hand, Yan Rodriguez, Benjamin Bruckner
  • Publication number: 20170298690
    Abstract: A roll shade system is disclosed. The roll shade system includes a motor configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, a support shaft supporting the motor wherein the support shaft is configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, and a roll shade tube configured to be rotatable about the motor and the support shaft during operation of the motor. The roll shade system further includes stationary components including a wiring connector, an input wiring system, a bearing, an antenna, a coaxial cable, a motor controller, a counterbalance spring. The roll shade system also includes rotatable components including a bearing housing and one or more O-rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, William Ashton Lee Cutts Lucas, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Patent number: 9771755
    Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Richard Scott Hand, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Patent number: 9745797
    Abstract: An architectural covering is provided. The architectural covering includes: shade material; the shade material operatively connected to a motor unit such that movement of the motor unit causes movement of the shade material; the motor unit comprising a DC motor and a shaft connected to the DC motor; a power supply unit electrically connected to the motor unit; a controller unit electrically connected to the motor unit, the controller unit having a microprocessor; and a rotation detector configured to detect rotation of the motor unit and upon detection of rotation of the motor unit transmit a signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor of the controller unit is configured to power an encoder unit in response to determination of manual movement of the shade material. A motor and control unit for an architectural covering may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Christopher Lee Wysocynski, Harry Edward Asbury, Richard Scott Hand, Yan Rodriguez, Benjamin Bruckner
  • Patent number: 9725952
    Abstract: A roll shade system is disclosed. The roll shade system includes a motor configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, a support shaft supporting the motor wherein the support shaft is configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, and a roll shade tube configured to be rotatable about the motor and the support shaft during operation of the motor. The roll shade system further includes stationary components including a wiring connector, an input wiring system, a bearing, an antenna, a coaxial cable, a motor controller, a counterbalance spring. The roll shade system also includes rotatable components including a bearing housing and one or more O-rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, William Ashton Lee Cutts Lucas, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Publication number: 20170167189
    Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Richard Scott Hand, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Patent number: 9611690
    Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Richard Scott Hand, Darrin W. Brunk