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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Publication number: 20210388933Abstract: A method of connecting a pipe to a cast fitting, the method can include casting a body including a first body end and a second body end disposed opposite from the first body end, wherein the body defines an axis extending from the first body end to the second body end, wherein the body includes a first neck disposed proximate to the first body end wherein the body further includes an inner body surface defining a bore extending through the body from the first body end to the second body end, and wherein the body further includes an outer body surface spaced from the inner body surface a predetermined wall thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Jordan Cameron Belen, Matthew William McNamara, Mark David Kirby, Ty Schell
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Publication number: 20210363822Abstract: A motorized window treatment may include a roller tube, a flexible material attached to the roller tube, a motor drive unit, and mounting brackets configured to rotatably support respective ends of the roller tube. The roller tube may be operable between an operating position and an extended position. The extended position may include one or more ends of the roller tube being accessible while still attached to the mounting brackets. At least one of the mounting brackets may include a stationary portion, a sliding portion, and/or a translating portion. The translating portion and/or the sliding portion may be configured to translate the roller tube between the operating position and the extended position. The translating portion may define an attachment member and include an attachment aperture. The end of the roller tube may be accessible via the attachment aperture when the roller tube is in the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, Margaret A. Block, John H. Bull, David A. Kirby, Andrew P. Schmalz, John M. Steinmetz, Travis G. Wiehe, Mailing Ren Wu
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Publication number: 20210332642Abstract: A coupling for a roller tube of a window treatment system may include a body and/or one or more compliant members. The body may include a bore through a rotational axis of the coupling. The body may be configured to be received within the roller tube of the window treatment system. The body may define an outer surface. One or more compliant members may extend at an oblique angle from the outer surface of the coupling. The one or more compliant members may be configured to engage a smooth inner surface of the roller tube. The use of compliant members may enable a rigid connection of the coupling to the smooth inner surface of the roller tube surface, without the use of fasteners.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
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Publication number: 20210293088Abstract: A battery-powered, motorized window treatment may include a fascia that pivots between a conceal position wherein the fascia covers a window treatment assembly and a battery compartment, and an expose position wherein the fascia does not cover the battery compartment. The fascia may be a two part fascia that includes an arm and a cover that pivots relative to the arm when the battery compartment is operated between respective opened and closed positions. The arm may be attached to the battery compartment such that the arm remains in a fixed orientation relative to the battery compartment. The arm and the cover may define complementary pivotally interlocking connectors that define a pivot axis about which the cover may pivot relative to the arm. The fascia may be configured to generate a perceptible indication when the fascia pivots into the conceal position, and/or when the fascia pivots into the expose position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
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Publication number: 20210285283Abstract: A battery-powered motorized window treatment for covering at least a portion of a window may be adjusted into a service position to allow for access to at least one battery that is powering the motorized window treatment. A headrail of the motorized window treatment may be adjusted to the service position to allow for easy replacement of the batteries without unmounting the headrail and without requiring tools. The motorized window treatment may comprise brackets having buttons that may be actuated to release the headrail from a locked position, such that the head rail may be rotated into the service position. The headrail easily rotates through a controlled movement into the service position, such that a user only needs one free hand available to move the motorized window treatment into the service position and change the batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, JR., James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
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Patent number: 11118397Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
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Publication number: 20210254403Abstract: A manually-operated window treatment system includes a roller tube, a covering material, and a chain (e.g., a semi-rigid chain). The roller tube is supported at opposed ends thereof. The covering material is attached to the roller tube. The covering material is operable between a raised position and a lowered position via rotation of the roller tube. The chain is configured to be operated by a user to rotate the roller tube. The chain has a first minimum bend radius when bent in a first direction and a second minimum bend radius when bent in a second direction. The first minimum bend radius is less than the second minimum bend radius.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
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Patent number: 11085236Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
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Publication number: 20210222491Abstract: A sensor assembly comprises a housing having a major face and a side edge. The side edge is formed of a material that is capable of conducting light. A photosensitive element is positioned within the housing and facing the major face of the housing. A reflector is positioned within the housing. The reflector is shaped to direct light entering through the side edge onto the photosensitive element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, Stephen Lundy, Brandon L. Szoke, David A. Kirby
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Patent number: 11060353Abstract: A coupling for a roller tube of a window treatment system may include a body and/or one or more compliant members. The body may include a bore through a rotational axis of the coupling. The body may be configured to be received within the roller tube of the window treatment system. The body may define an outer surface. One or more compliant members may extend at an oblique angle from the outer surface of the coupling. The one or more compliant members may be configured to engage a smooth inner surface of the roller tube. The use of compliant members may enable a rigid connection of the coupling to the smooth inner surface of the roller tube surface, without the use of fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
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Patent number: 11060652Abstract: A cast body for a pipe fitting includes a first body end and a second body end disposed opposite from the first body end. The body defines an axis extending from the first body end to the second body end, an inner body surface defining a fitting bore that extends through the body, and an outer body surface spaced from the inner body surface at a predetermined wall thickness. At a first location on the axis, the inner body surface is a first distance and the outer body surface is a third distance from the axis, and at a second location on the axis that is proximate to the first body end, the inner body surface is a second distance from the axis that is greater than the first distance and the outer body surface is a fourth distance from the axis that is less than the third distance.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2017Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: ASC Engineered Solutions, LLCInventors: Jordan Cameron Belen, Matthew William McNamara, Mark David Kirby, Ty Schell
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Publication number: 20210189799Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: David A. Kirby, Samuel F. Chambers
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Publication number: 20210189795Abstract: As described herein, a photovoltaic film may include a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged to form a frit pattern. The photovoltaic film may be affixed to a transparent substrate to form a film-treated panel. The transparent substrate may be glass, such as a windowpane. The photovoltaic cells may be configured to convert sunlight into electrical energy. The electrical energy may be stored and used to power an electrical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
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Publication number: 20210156502Abstract: An unmachined cast body for a pipe fitting, the cast body includes a first body end and a second body end disposed opposite from the first body end, the cast body defining an axis extending from the first body end to the second body end, the cast body defining a midpoint between first body end and the second body end, a centerline of the cast body defined at the midpoint perpendicular to the axis, a first distance from the centerline to the first body end being equal to a second distance from the centerline to the second body end, an inner body surface defining a fitting bore extending through the cast body from the first body end to the second body end, and an outer body surface spaced from the inner body surface, the outer body surface defining a first frustoconical shape and a second frustoconical shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2021Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Jordan Cameron Belen, Matthew William McNamara, Mark David Kirby, Ty Schell
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Patent number: 11015387Abstract: A battery-powered motorized window treatment for covering at least a portion of a window may be adjusted into a service position to allow for access to at least one battery that is powering the motorized window treatment. A headrail of the motorized window treatment may be adjusted to the service position to allow for easy replacement of the batteries without unmounting the headrail and without requiring tools. The motorized window treatment may comprise brackets having buttons that may be actuated to release the headrail from a locked position, such that the head rail may be rotated into the service position. The headrail easily rotates through a controlled movement into the service position, such that a user only needs one free hand available to move the motorized window treatment into the service position and change the batteries.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, Jr., James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
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Patent number: 11015389Abstract: A battery-powered, motorized window treatment may include a fascia that pivots between a conceal position wherein the fascia covers a window treatment assembly and a battery compartment, and an expose position wherein the fascia does not cover the battery compartment. The fascia may be a two part fascia that includes an arm and a cover that pivots relative to the arm when the battery compartment is operated between respective opened and closed positions. The arm may be attached to the battery compartment such that the arm remains in a fixed orientation relative to the battery compartment. The arm and the cover may define complementary pivotally interlocking connectors that define a pivot axis about which the cover may pivot relative to the arm. The fascia may be configured to generate a perceptible indication when the fascia pivots into the conceal position, and/or when the fascia pivots into the expose position.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
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Patent number: 10968696Abstract: 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: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLCInventors: David A. Kirby, Samuel F. Chambers
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Patent number: 10941612Abstract: As described herein, a photovoltaic film may include a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged to form a frit pattern. The photovoltaic film may be affixed to a transparent substrate to form a film-treated panel. The transparent substrate may be glass, such as a windowpane. The photovoltaic cells may be configured to convert sunlight into electrical energy. The electrical energy may be stored and used to power an electrical device.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: David A. Kirby
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Publication number: 20210060371Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Robert Brian Seaman, David Andrew Jones, Murray David Kirby Hunter, Lee David Blattmann
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Publication number: 20210047884Abstract: A motorized window treatment system (e.g., a motorized blind system) may include a headrail, a covering material extending from the headrail, a battery compartment coupled to the headrail, a valance clip comprising a stationary portion coupled to the headrail and a movable portion configured to be coupled to the stationary portion such that the movable portion is movable from a first position to a second position, and a valance configured to be coupled to the movable portion of the valance clip. When the movable portion is in the first position, the valance may cover the battery compartment. When the movable portion is in the second position, the battery compartment may be at least partially exposed. The battery compartment may be configured to hold at least one battery for powering a drive unit of the motorized window treatment system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: David A. Kirby, Mailing Ren Wu