Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. 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 the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A battery holder apparatus and method includes a sleeve with an inside surface and an outside surface where the sleeve is flexible. A battery receiving space is created within the sleeve where the battery receiving space expands and the sleeve flexes to accommodate a battery when inserted therein and the inside surface at least partially contacts the battery. And a connection device is provided on the outside surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides methods for manually and/or remotely controlling a motorized roller shade that includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a DC gear motor disposed within the shade tube and a microcontroller. One method includes detecting a manual movement of the shade using a sensor, determining a displacement associated with the manual movement, and, if the displacement is less than a maximum displacement, moving the shade to a different position by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube. Another method includes receiving a command from a remote control, and moving the shade to a position associated with the command by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. 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 the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A panel (10) for protecting a portion of a structure such as a window (11) includes a frame member (13) made up of four channel members (16-19) interconnected by corner members (20). One end of each channel member (16-19) includes an opening to receive an edge of a sheet (33) of flexible material. The sheet (33) is provided with a thickened area (34) near each edge thereof. A fabric locking and stretching member (15) closes the opening in each channel member (16-19) and engages the thickened area (34) of the fabric sheet (33) to stretch the sheet (33) within the frame member (13).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a flexible curtain as disclosed and claimed. Edges of a polymeric material are folded back on themselves. A portion of the edges are secured and a portion is left unsecured or free. The flexible curtain is used in a windlocking apparatus to prevent the unwanted intrusion of wind, water and debris into a building opening. The free, or unsecured flap of the folded edge absorbs shock associated with storm disturbances. Edge rollers are used to laminate the edges of the curtains selectively such that only a portion of the edge is secured leaving the flap unsecured. Stitching, ultrasonic welding and gluing are alternative ways and/or additional ways of providing for the securement of a portion of the edge to itself. Perforations are made in the secured portion of the folded edge.

Abstract: A panel (10) for protecting a portion of a structure such as a window (11) includes a frame member (13) made up of four channel members (16-19) interconnected by corner members (20). One end of each channel member (16-19) includes an opening to receive an edge of a sheet (33) of flexible material. The sheet (33) is provided with a thickened area (34) near each edge thereof. A fabric locking and stretching member (15) closes the opening in each channel member (16-19) and engages the thickened area (34) of the fabric sheet (33) to stretch the sheet (33) within the frame member (13).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a flexible curtain as disclosed and claimed. Edges of a polymeric material are folded back on themselves. A portion of the edges are secured and a portion is left unsecured or free. The flexible curtain is used in a windlocking apparatus to prevent the unwanted intrusion of wind, water and debris into a building opening. The free, or unsecured flap of the folded edge absorbs shock associated with storm disturbances. Edge rollers are used to laminate the edges of the curtains selectively such that only a portion of the edge is secured leaving the flap unsecured. Stitching, ultrasonic welding and gluing are alternative ways and/or additional ways of providing for the securement of a portion of the edge to itself. Perforations are made in the secured portion of the folded edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a flexible curtain as disclosed and claimed. Edges of a polymeric material are folded back on themselves. A portion of the edges are secured and a portion is left unsecured or free. The flexible curtain is used in a windlocking apparatus to prevent the unwanted intrusion of wind, water and debris into a building opening. The free, or unsecured flap of the folded edge absorbs shock associated with storm disturbances. Edge rollers are used to laminate the edges of the curtains selectively such that only a portion of the edge is secured leaving the flap unsecured. Stitching, ultrasonic welding and gluing are alternative ways and/or additional ways of providing for the securement of a portion of the edge to itself. Perforations are made in the secured portion of the folded edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a flexible curtain as disclosed and claimed. Edges of a polymeric material are folded back on themselves. A portion of the edges are secured and a portion is left unsecured or free. The flexible curtain is used in a windlocking apparatus to prevent the unwanted intrusion of wind, water and debris into a building opening. The free, or unsecured flap of the folded edge absorbs shock associated with storm disturbances. Edge rollers are used to laminate the edges of the curtains selectively such that only a portion of the edge is secured leaving the flap unsecured. Stitching, ultrasonic welding and gluing are alternative ways and/or additional ways of providing for the securement of a portion of the edge to itself. Perforations are made in the secured portion of the folded edge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for windlocking a curtain over an opening in a building is disclosed and claimed. The windlocking curtain can reside to the exterior or to the interior of the window, door or other opening and protects it from the intrusion of air, water or debris. In its upper position the windlocking curtain permits normal use of the opening and in its lower position it secures the opening. A flexible corrugated curtain has tension rods therethrough and the tension rods run in tracks on each side of the curtain and necessarily on each side of the opening. Interengagement of the tension rods with the tracks is accomplished by deformations in the rods that are referred to as interrupts. In one embodiment the rods are successively longer from top to bottom of the curtain and their interrupts matingly wedge with angled tracks to secure the curtain. In another embodiment the interrupts matingly engage parallel tracks upon the application of force due to wind, fluid (usually water or sea water) or debris.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for windlocking a curtain over an opening in a building is disclosed and claimed. The windlocking curtain resides to the exterior of the window, door or other opening and protects it from the intrusion of air, water or debris. In its upper position the windlocking curtain permits normal use of the opening and in its lower position it secures the opening. A flexible corrugated curtain has tension rods therethrough and the tension rods run in tracks on each side of the curtain and necessarily on each side of the opening. Interengagement of the tension rods with the tracks is accomplished by deformations in the rods that are referred to as interrupts. In one embodiment the rods are successively longer from top to bottom of the curtain and their interrupts matingly wedge with angled tracks to secure the curtain. In another embodiment the interrupts matingly engage parallel tracks upon the application of force due to wind, fluid (usually water or sea water) or debris.