Patents by Inventor David A. Kirby
David A. Kirby 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).
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Patent number: 11578531Abstract: A battery-powered window treatment, such as a roller shade, may include a battery compartment that provides access to batteries while the window treatment is assembled and mounted to a structure. The battery compartment may be pivotally supported by a housing of the window treatment, and operable between opened and closed positions. The batteries may be concealed when the battery compartment is closed, and may be accessible when the battery compartment is open. The battery compartment may be operated opened and closed while a shade of the window treatment is at any position, such that removal of the batteries does not result in the loss of tracking information for the shade. The window treatment may include a fascia that is operably connected to the battery compartment, such that when the battery compartment is opened, the fascia does not obstruct access to the batteries, and does not interfere with the shade.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: David A. Kirby, Samuel F. Chambers
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Publication number: 20230042244Abstract: A battery-powered Roman shade system may comprise first and second brackets for mounting the shade system to a structure, a roller tube rotatably supported by the first and second brackets, and a housing configured to receive, at a first end of the housing, one or more batteries for powering a motor drive unit inside the roller tube. The housing may also be configured to support a lift assistance subsystem at a second end of the housing. The lift assistance subsystem is configured to provide variable lift assistance to the motor drive unit. The shade system may also comprise a battery holder for holding the one or more batteries. For example, the housing may comprise an internal compartment for housing the battery holder and the lift assistance subsystem. In addition, the shade system may comprise a gear assembly configured to mechanically couple the roller tube to the lift assistance subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
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Publication number: 20230036910Abstract: A motorized window treatment system may include a roller tube, a flexible material, a motor drive unit, and mounting brackets. The mounting brackets may include a stationary portion configured to be attached to a structure surrounding a window. The mounting brackets may include a movable portion configured to receive an end portion of a housing of a motor drive unit. The movable portion may be configured to operate the motorized window treatment between the operating position and the extended position in a circular-shaped path. A portion of the motor drive unit may be accessible when the motorized window treatment is in the extended position. The mounting brackets may include a stopping mechanism that is configured to prevent the motorized window treatment from extending beyond the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
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Publication number: 20230014160Abstract: A motorized window treatment for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window includes a covering material, a drive shaft, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft for raising and lowering the covering material. The window treatment also includes a spring assist unit for assisting the motor by providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the cords that lift the covering material at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions to minimize motor usage and conserve battery life. The window treatment may comprise a photosensor for measuring the amount of daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window. The position of the covering material may be automatically controlled in response to the photosensor and the temperature sensors, or in response to an infrared or radio-frequency remote control.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, JR., Peter W. Ogden, JR., Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt
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Patent number: 11517780Abstract: A lever for use in a trampoline includes a frame attachment, a rigid element and a tensioner. The frame attachment is configured for connection to a supporting frame of the trampoline; the frame attachment includes a stop formation. The rigid element is connected to the frame attachment and is configured to pivot about a fulcrum connected to the frame attachment. The rigid element includes a lug configured to contact the stop formation to limit an extent of a pivot motion of the rigid element about the fulcrum. The rigid element comprises a jump mat end and a frame end, the jump mat end being configured for connection to a jumping mat. The tensioner is connected to the rigid element and is configured for attachment to the trampoline supporting frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Action Sports Equipment Pty Ltd.Inventors: Robert Brian Seaman, David Andrew Jones, Murray David Kirby Hunter, Lee David Blattmann
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Publication number: 20220381085Abstract: A motorized window treatment may comprise an antenna that allows for wireless communication. The motorized window treatment may comprise a roller tube, a motor drive unit, and at least one mounting bracket. The roller tube may be configured to windingly receive a flexible material and to be rotated to raise and lower the flexible material. The mounting bracket may be configured to support a bearing assembly of the motor drive unit to allow the roller tube to rotate with respect to the mounting bracket. The bearing assembly may be located between the roller tube and the mounting bracket, so as to form a gap between the roller tube and the mounting bracket. The antenna may comprise an electrical conductor wrapped around the motor drive unit adjacent to the gap between the roller tube and the mounting bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: Lutron Techology Company LLCInventors: Marissa Diehl, David A. Kirby, Sheng Qu, John M. Steinmetz
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Publication number: 20220356755Abstract: A window treatment may include a headrail, a weighting element, a plurality of slats, one or more first ladder cords, one or more second ladder cords, a plurality of ladder rungs, and one or more couplings. The plurality of slats may be located between the headrail and the weighting element. Each of the plurality of slats may include an upper surface and a lower surface. The plurality of ladder rungs may extend between a first ladder cord and a second ladder cord. The lower surface of each of the plurality of slats may rest on a respective ladder rung of the plurality of ladder rungs. The one or more couplings may be configured to be attached to respective slats of the plurality of slats. The coupling may be configured to be removed such that the slat can be removed from the window treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2020Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: David A. Kirby, Glenn S. Laverty, IV, Mailing Ren Wu
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Publication number: 20220341256Abstract: A motorized window treatment may include a roller tube, a covering material that is attached to the roller tube, and a motor drive unit configured to be located within the roller tube. The motor drive unit may include a motor drive shaft defining a motor drive shaft rotational axis in a longitudinal direction. The motor drive shaft may be configured to rotate the roller tube to adjust the covering material between a raised position and a lowered position. The motorized window treatment may be configured to adjust a visible light transmittance of the covering material by rotating the roller tube, for example, when the covering material is in a fixed position between the raised position and the lowered position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2020Publication date: October 27, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Craig Alan Casey, Kevin Dalbey, David A. Kirby, Sanjeev Kumar, Joan S. Kurylak, Somesh Rahul
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Patent number: 11480012Abstract: A motorized window treatment for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window includes a covering material, a drive shaft, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft for raising and lowering the covering material. The window treatment also includes a spring assist unit for assisting the motor by providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the cords that lift the covering material at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions to minimize motor usage and conserve battery life. The window treatment may comprise a photosensor for measuring the amount of daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window. The position of the covering material may be automatically controlled in response to the photosensor and the temperature sensors, or in response to an infrared or radio-frequency remote control.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt
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Publication number: 20220307321Abstract: A motorized window treatment may provide a low-cost solution for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window. The window treatment may include a covering material (e.g., a cellular shade fabric or a roller shade fabric), a drive assembly for raising and lowering the covering material, and a motor drive unit including a motor configured to drive the drive assembly to raise and lower the covering material. The motorized window treatment may comprise one or more battery packs configured to receive batteries for powering the motor drive unit. The batteries may be located out of view of a user of the motorized window treatment (e.g., in a headrail or in a battery compartment). The motorized window treatment may use various power-saving methods to lengthen the lifetime of the batteries, e.g., to reduce the motor speed to conserve additional battery power and extend the lifetime of the batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, Peter W. Ogden, Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt, Samuel F. Chambers
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Publication number: 20220235609Abstract: A manual drive assembly for a manually-operated window treatment based on a drive chain formed as a loop, may incorporate one or more intermediate tensioners disposed between two ends of the loop. The loop may be formed between a manual clutch mechanism coupled to the window treatment and an end tensioner. The one or more intermediate tensioners may serveto limit slack in the loop such that sides of the loop cannot be pulled to create a large loop, for example, having a gap of four inches or greater, between the hanging sides of the cord.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Evan T. Graham, David A. Kirby, Robert T. Nachtrieb
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Publication number: 20220112767Abstract: A low-deflection roller tube of a motorized roller shade may have an outer diameter that does not exceed 2 inches. When a covering material is attached to the roller tube and the roller tube is supported at opposed ends thereof, deflection of a 10 foot configuration of the roller tube may not exceed ? of an inch, and deflection of a 12 foot configuration of the roller tube may not exceed ¼ of an inch, relative to corresponding unloaded positions of the roller tubes. The roller tube may comprise a plurality of layers of carbon fiber, or may comprise an inner tube that is made of a first material, such as aluminum, and a carbon fiber outer tube that is formed on the inner tube. At least one layer, such as an outermost layer, may comprise high modulus carbon fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, JR.
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Publication number: 20220112765Abstract: A hembar may define a front portion and a rear portion configured to slidably engage each other. The front portion and the rear portion, when slidably engaged, may define a slot configured to receive a piece of fabric. The front portion and the rear portion may be configured to clamp the piece of fabric within the slot. The front portion and the rear portion may be configured such that a width of the slot is adjustable. The front portion may define a first attachment surface and the rear portion may define a second attachment surface. The first attachment surface may define a rib. The second attachment surface may define a groove configured to receive the rib when the front portion is slidably engaged with the rear portion such that the piece of fabric is clamped within the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, David A. Kirby, Vladislav Pejic
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Patent number: 11280131Abstract: A motorized window treatment may provide a low-cost solution for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window. The window treatment may include a covering material (e.g., a cellular shade fabric or a roller shade fabric), a drive assembly for raising and lowering the covering material, and a motor drive unit including a motor configured to drive the drive assembly to raise and lower the covering material. The motorized window treatment may comprise one or more battery packs configured to receive batteries for powering the motor drive unit. The batteries may be located out of view of a user of the motorized window treatment (e.g., in a headrail or in a battery compartment). The motorized window treatment may use various power-saving methods to lengthen the lifetime of the batteries, e.g., to reduce the motor speed to conserve additional battery power and extend the lifetime of the batteries.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt, Samuel F. Chambers
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Publication number: 20220065040Abstract: A manually-operated window treatment system may include a roller tube, a covering material, and a semi-rigid chain assembly. The covering material may be attached to the roller tube and may be operable between a raised position and a lowered position via rotation of the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to be operated by a user to rotate the roller tube. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be configured to limit the size of a loop that can be formed by the semi-rigid chain assembly. The semi-rigid chain assembly may be operatively coupled to a drive pulley of the window treatment system. The semi-rigid chain assembly may include flexible outer housing and a stiffening rod. The flexible housing may surround and operate along the stiffening rod. The hollow chain may include multiple links that are connected together to form a continuous loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
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Patent number: 11236547Abstract: A manual drive assembly for a manually-operated window treatment based on a drive chain formed as a loop, may incorporate one or more intermediate tensioners disposed between two ends of the loop. The loop may be formed between a manual clutch mechanism coupled to the window treatment and an end tensioner. The one or more intermediate tensioners may serve to limit slack in the loop such that sides of the loop cannot be pulled to create a large loop, for example, having a gap of four inches or greater, between the hanging sides of the cord.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Evan T. Graham, David A. Kirby, Robert T. Nachtrieb
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Patent number: 11230882Abstract: A low-deflection roller tube of a motorized roller shade may have an outer diameter that does not exceed 2 inches. When a covering material is attached to the roller tube and the roller tube is supported at opposed ends thereof, deflection of a 10 foot configuration of the roller tube may not exceed ? of an inch, and deflection of a 12 foot configuration of the roller tube may not exceed ¼ of an inch, relative to corresponding unloaded positions of the roller tubes. The roller tube may comprise a plurality of layers of carbon fiber, or may comprise an inner tube that is made of a first material, such as aluminum, and a carbon fiber outer tube that is formed on the inner tube. At least one layer, such as an outermost layer, may comprise high modulus carbon fiber.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2016Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, Jr.
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Patent number: 11215008Abstract: A hembar may define a front portion and a rear portion configured to slidably engage each other. The front portion and the rear portion, when slidably engaged, may define a slot configured to receive a piece of fabric. The front portion and the rear portion may be configured to clamp the piece of fabric within the slot. The front portion and the rear portion may be configured such that a width of the slot is adjustable. The front portion may define a first attachment surface and the rear portion may define a second attachment surface. The first attachment surface may define a rib. The second attachment surface may define a groove configured to receive the rib when the front portion is slidably engaged with the rear portion such that the piece of fabric is clamped within the slot.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, David A. Kirby, Vladislav Pejic
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Patent number: D953148Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Mailing Ren Wu, Margaret A. Block, David A. Kirby, Vladislav Pejic
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Patent number: D962043Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Mailing Ren Wu, Margaret A. Block, David A. Kirby, Vladislav Pejic