Patents by Inventor John D. Rupel

John D. Rupel 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: 11746590
    Abstract: A vertical cellular drape configured for use as a covering for an architectural structure may include a front drape panel and a rear drape panel. The front and rear drape panels may be coupled to each other so that the drape panels are configured to be moved laterally between an extended position and a retracted position to cover or expose an adjacent architectural structure, as desired. In addition, the drape panels may be configured to be positioned relative to each other such that a plurality of vertically oriented, internal cells are defined between the drape panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Rupel, Ren Judkins, Scott R. Cheslock, Toralf H. Strand
  • Publication number: 20200173228
    Abstract: A vertical cellular drape configured for use as a covering for an architectural structure may include a front drape panel and a rear drape panel. The front and rear drape panels may be coupled to each other so that the drape panels are configured to be moved laterally between an extended position and a retracted position to cover or expose an adjacent architectural structure, as desired. In addition, the drape panels may be configured to be positioned relative to each other such that a plurality of vertically oriented, internal cells are defined between the drape panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: John D. Rupel, Ren Judkins, Scott R. Cheslock, Toralf H. Strand
  • Publication number: 20200123848
    Abstract: In one aspect, a roller shade assembly for an architectural opening may generally include a first roller, a second roller and a looped shade extending around the first and second rollers. The looped shade may include at least one outer shade web forming a continuous loop around the rollers. In addition, the roller shade assembly may include an inner shade web configured to be wrapped around the first roller or the second roller such that the inner shade web is positioned within the continuous loop. The inner shade web may be coupled to the outer shade web(s) at a location along an inner perimeter of the continuous loop. Additionally, rotation of the first roller and/or the second roller in an unwinding direction may result in the inner shade web being unwound from the first roller or the second roller along the inner perimeter of the continuous loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: John D. Rupel, Toralf H. Strand
  • Patent number: 10597935
    Abstract: A vertical cellular drape configured for use as a covering for an architectural structure may include a front drape panel and a rear drape panel. The front and rear drape panels may be coupled to each other so that the drape panels are configured to be moved laterally between an extended position and a retracted position to cover or expose an adjacent architectural structure, as desired. In addition, the drape panels may be configured to be positioned relative to each other such that a plurality of vertically oriented, internal cells are defined between the drape panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Rupel, Ren Judkins, Scott R. Cheslock, Toralf H. Strand
  • Patent number: 10513884
    Abstract: In one aspect, a roller shade assembly for an architectural opening may generally include a first roller, a second roller and a looped shade extending around the first and second rollers. The looped shade may include at least one outer shade web forming a continuous loop around the rollers. In addition, the roller shade assembly may include an inner shade web configured to be wrapped around the first roller or the second roller such that the inner shade web is positioned within the continuous loop. The inner shade web may be coupled to the outer shade web(s) at a location along an inner perimeter of the continuous loop. Additionally, rotation of the first roller and/or the second roller in an unwinding direction may result in the inner shade web being unwound from the first roller or the second roller along the inner perimeter of the continuous loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Rupel, Toralf H. Strand
  • Patent number: 10465441
    Abstract: A shade covering for a blind having a plurality of horizontal slats and at least one cord ladder configured to support the slats may generally include a plurality of attachment portions configured to be spaced apart from one another along a first direction of the shade covering. Each attachment portion may define an insertion slit. The shade covering may also include a plurality of shade portions extending between each adjacent pair of attachment portions. Moreover, the insertion slit may be defined through a rear end of each attachment portion such that an insertion end of the insertion slit is open at the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Rupel
  • Publication number: 20180209211
    Abstract: A vertical cellular drape configured for use as a covering for an architectural structure may include a front drape panel and a rear drape panel. The front and rear drape panels may be coupled to each other so that the drape panels are configured to be moved laterally between an extended position and a retracted position to cover or expose an adjacent architectural structure, as desired. In addition, the drape panels may be configured to be positioned relative to each other such that a plurality of vertically oriented, internal cells are defined between the drape panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: John D. Rupel, Ren Judkins, Scott R. Cheslock, Toralf H. Strand
  • Publication number: 20170241199
    Abstract: In one aspect, a roller shade assembly for an architectural opening may generally include a first roller, a second roller and a looped shade extending around the first and second rollers, The looped shade may include at least one outer shade web forming a continuous loop around the rollers. In addition, the roller shade assembly may include an inner shade web configured to be wrapped around the first roller or the second roller such that the inner shade web is positioned within the continuous loop. The inner shade web may be coupled to the outer shade web(s) at a location along an inner perimeter of the continuous loop. Additionally, rotation of the first roller and/or the second roller in an unwinding direction may result in the inner shade web being unwound from the first roller or the second roller along the inner perimeter of the continuous loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: John D. Rupel, Toralf H. Strand
  • Patent number: 9677331
    Abstract: In one aspect, a roller shade assembly for an architectural opening may generally include a first roller, a second roller and a looped shade extending around the first and second rollers. The looped shade may include at least one outer shade web forming a continuous loop around the rollers. In addition, the roller shade assembly may include an inner shade web configured to be wrapped around the first roller or the second roller such that the inner shade web is positioned within the continuous loop. The inner shade web may be coupled to the outer shade web(s) at a location along an inner perimeter of the continuous loop. Additionally, rotation of the first roller and/or the second roller in an unwinding direction may result in the inner shade web being unwound from the first roller or the second roller along the inner perimeter of the continuous loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Rupel, Toralf H. Strand
  • Patent number: 9657515
    Abstract: An extendable and retractable cellular shade may include a plurality of vertically aligned shade cells and one or more divider webs extending within each shade cells to as to divide the shade cell into two or more cell structures. By adjusting one or more design parameters associated with the cellular shade, the configuration of the shade cells, such as the size and/or shape of the cell structures, and/or the illumination or lighting effects associated with the cellular shade may be specifically tailored to provide a desired aesthetic look or feel for the shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Rupel
  • Patent number: 9624719
    Abstract: In one aspect, a cellular shade for an architectural opening may generally include a plurality of outer cells, with each outer cell including a first side and a second side extending between a first junction line and a second junction line. In addition, the cellular shade may include a first inner cell and a second inner cell defined within each outer cell between the first and second junction lines. The first inner cell may be formed from a first inner web forming a substantially closed shape defining a first internal cell area. The second inner cell may be formed from a second inner web forming a substantially closed shape defining a second internal cell area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Rupel
  • Publication number: 20170074036
    Abstract: A shade covering for a blind having a plurality of horizontal slats and at least one cord ladder configured to support the slats may generally include a plurality of attachment portions configured to be spaced apart from one another along a first direction of the shade covering. Each attachment portion may define an insertion slit. The shade covering may also include a plurality of shade portions extending between each adjacent pair of attachment portions. Moreover, the insertion slit may be defined through a rear end of each attachment portion such that an insertion end of the insertion slit is open at the rear end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: JOHN D. RUPEL
  • Patent number: 9506289
    Abstract: A shade covering for a blind having a plurality of horizontal slats and at least one cord ladder configured to support the slats may generally include a plurality of attachment portions configured to be spaced apart from one another along a first direction of the shade covering. Each attachment portion may define an insertion slit. The shade covering may also include a plurality of shade portions extending between each adjacent pair of attachment portions. Moreover, the insertion slit may be defined through a rear end of each attachment portion such that an insertion end of the insertion slit is open at the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Rupel
  • Publication number: 20160222726
    Abstract: In one aspect, a roller shade assembly for an architectural opening may generally include a first roller, a second roller and a looped shade extending around the first and second rollers. The looped shade may include at least one outer shade web forming a continuous loop around the rollers. In addition, the roller shade assembly may include an inner shade web configured to be wrapped around the first roller or the second roller such that the inner shade web is positioned within the continuous loop. The inner shade web may be coupled to the outer shade web(s) at a location along an inner perimeter of the continuous loop. Additionally, rotation of the first roller and/or the second roller in an unwinding direction may result in the inner shade web being unwound from the first roller or the second roller along the inner perimeter of the continuous loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Rupel, Toralf H. Strand
  • Patent number: 9316049
    Abstract: An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes a plurality of closed D-shaped cell structures aligned vertically one above another with juncture lines defined between adjacent structures. Each closed cell structure includes a front face and a separate back face that are attached to one another at top and bottom tabs. The front face of one cell structure is attached but non-continuous to the front face of an adjacent cell structure. Accordingly the horizontal width of the shade assembly is not limited by the width of the materials forming the individual cell structures. Upon collapse, the back face folds toward the front of the shade such that the back face and the front face are nested within one another, leading to a narrow depth profile for the collapsed shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Rupel, Scott R. Cheslock
  • Publication number: 20150345214
    Abstract: A shade covering for a blind having a plurality of horizontal slats and at least one cord ladder configured to support the slats may generally include a plurality of attachment portions configured to be spaced apart from one another along a first direction of the shade covering. Each attachment portion may define an insertion slit. The shade covering may also include a plurality of shade portions extending between each adjacent pair of attachment portions. Moreover, the insertion slit may be defined through a rear end of each attachment portion such that an insertion end of the insertion slit is open at the rear end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: John D. Rupel
  • Publication number: 20150322714
    Abstract: In one aspect, a cellular shade for an architectural opening may generally include a plurality of outer cells, with each outer cell including a first side and a second side extending between a first junction line and a second junction line. In addition, the cellular shade may include a first inner cell and a second inner cell defined within each outer cell between the first and second junction lines. The first inner cell may be formed from a first inner web forming a substantially closed shape defining a first internal cell area. The second inner cell may be formed from a second inner web forming a substantially closed shape defining a second internal cell area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventor: JOHN D. RUPEL
  • Patent number: 9157272
    Abstract: An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes at least a first column of cell structures aligned vertically one above another and a second column of cell structures also aligned vertically one above the other. The second column of cell structures can be positioned offset and nested with the first cell structures such that each second cell structure may be positioned in between two adjacent of the first cell structures. One or more lift cords may be encased or contained within the first cell structures. The first cell structures not only have lift cords but also provide the product with added integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Rupel
  • Patent number: D739160
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Flexo Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: John D. Rupel
  • Patent number: D764836
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Rupel