Patents by Inventor Mark Schwandt

Mark Schwandt 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).

  • Publication number: 20250012142
    Abstract: A protective case arranged and configured to constrain, encapsulate, or at least partially encapsulate, a transmission and one or more motors (e.g., spring motors) associated with an operating system of an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. In use, the protective case is positioned about (e.g., receives) the transmission and one or more motors to prevent the transmission and motor(s) from excessive movement during, for example, shipping, installation, etc., and thus prevent the transmission and motor(s) from damage associated with the interlocking or intercoupling tabs breaking during, for example, shipping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Schwandt, Ronald Holt, Sam Nesmith
  • Patent number: 11299932
    Abstract: Examples of rail assemblies for architectural coverings disclosed herein stabilize motor assemblies via end caps to reduce transfers of vibrational motor forces to the rails. An example rail for an architectural covering includes a housing, a motor to be disposed in the housing, and an end cap to be coupled to said housing. The example rail includes a track defined in an exterior face of the rail. A first portion of the end cap is to be received in the track. The end cap is capable of at least two degrees of freedom of motion relative to the housing prior to the first portion being received in the track. In the example rail, the track is to restrict the at least two degrees of freedom of motion of the end cap when the first portion of the end cap is received in the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Foley, Clark D. Brace, Paul A. Brayford, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Daniel A. Huber, Douglas J. Lorenz, Paul D. Mischo, Todd M. Nelson, Mark Schwandt, Jeffrey L. Spray
  • Patent number: 11261658
    Abstract: A perimeter light blockout system for minimizing light leakage between light gaps such as, for example, between the sides of a covering (e.g., shade) of an architectural-structure covering and the interior side surfaces of a window frame, or between the covering and the outer surface of an interior wall is disclosed. The perimeter light blockout system including a light blocking device and a mounting element for coupling the light blocking device to the interior side surface of the window frame, or the outer surface of the interior wall. The light blocking device may include rear and front channel members. The mounting element may be a mounting extrusion. Alternatively, the mounting element may be a spring clip. In use, the light blocking device may be adapted and configured so as not to contact the covering as the covering moves between extended and retracted positions. The mounting element may include a degree of adjustment so that the light blocking device may be aligned with an out-of-skew window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick E. Foley, Paul Josephson, Mark Schwandt, Donald J. Clark, Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Stephen T. Wisecup, Benjamin J. Madden, Fred Bould, Kwan Hon Anson Cheung, Byron Lee
  • Patent number: 11149489
    Abstract: A transmission for use with an architectural-structure covering for moving a covering of the architectural-structure covering between an extended position and a retracted position is disclosed. The transmission may include a drive shaft, a driven shaft including a tapered shaft portion, a transmission cord operatively coupled to the drive shaft and the driven shaft for transferring rotation between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, and a geared assembly. The geared assembly may include an intermediate member, first and second gears coupled to the intermediate member, a first shaft, and an end cover coupled to the intermediate member and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Spray, Mark Schwandt, Paul D. Mischo
  • Publication number: 20200362627
    Abstract: A perimeter light blockout system for minimizing light leakage between light gaps such as, for example, between the sides of a covering (e.g., shade) of an architectural-structure covering and the interior side surfaces of a window frame, or between the covering and the outer surface of an interior wall is disclosed. The perimeter light blockout system including a light blocking device and a mounting element for coupling the light blocking device to the interior side surface of the window frame, or the outer surface of the interior wall. The light blocking device may include rear and front channel members. The mounting element may be a mounting extrusion. Alternatively, the mounting element may be a spring clip. In use, the light blocking device may be adapted and configured so as not to contact the covering as the covering moves between extended and retracted positions. The mounting element may include a degree of adjustment so that the light blocking device may be aligned with an out-of-skew window frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick E. FOLEY, Paul JOSEPHSON, Mark SCHWANDT, Donald J. CLARK, Wendell B. COLSON, Paul G. SWISZCZ, Stephen T. WISECUP, Benjamin J. MADDEN, Fred BOULD, Kwan Hon Anson CHEUNG, Byron LEE
  • Patent number: 10774585
    Abstract: A perimeter light blockout system for minimizing light leakage between light gaps such as, for example, between the sides of a covering (e.g., shade) of an architectural-structure covering and the interior side surfaces of a window frame, or between the covering and the outer surface of an interior wall is disclosed. The perimeter light blockout system including a light blocking device and a mounting element for coupling the light blocking device to the interior side surface of the window frame, or the outer surface of the interior wall. The light blocking device may include rear and front channel members. The mounting element may be a mounting extrusion. Alternatively, the mounting element may be a spring clip. In use, the light blocking device may be adapted and configured so as not to contact the covering as the covering moves between extended and retracted positions. The mounting element may include a degree of adjustment so that the light blocking device may be aligned with an out-of-skew window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC
    Inventors: Patrick E. Foley, Paul Josephson, Mark Schwandt, Donald J. Clark, Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Stephen T. Wisecup, Benjamin J. Madden, Fred Bould, Kwan Hon Anson Cheung, Byron Lee
  • Publication number: 20200284094
    Abstract: An operating system for use with an architectural-structure covering for moving a covering portion of the architectural-structure covering between an extended position and a retracted position is disclosed. The operating system may include a drive mechanism (e.g., a drive spool), a driven member operatively coupled to the drive mechanism, a clutch mechanism (e.g., a wrap spring) operatively coupled to the drive mechanism and the driven member, and a collar operatively associated with the clutch mechanism. The collar may be adapted and configured to receive an end portion of the clutch mechanism so that the end portion of the clutch mechanism is encased by the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Spray, Mark Schwandt
  • Publication number: 20200284089
    Abstract: A transmission for use with an architectural-structure covering for moving a covering of the architectural-structure covering between an extended position and a retracted position is disclosed. The transmission may include a drive shaft, a driven shaft including a tapered shaft portion, a transmission cord operatively coupled to the drive shaft and the driven shaft for transferring rotation between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, and a geared assembly. The geared assembly may include an intermediate member, first and second gears coupled to the intermediate member, a first shaft, and an end cover coupled to the intermediate member and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Spray, Mark Schwandt, Paul D. Mischo
  • Publication number: 20190106938
    Abstract: Examples of rail assemblies for architectural coverings disclosed herein stabilize motor assemblies via end caps to reduce transfers of vibrational motor forces to the rails. An example rail for an architectural covering includes a housing, a motor to be disposed in the housing, and an end cap to be coupled to said housing. The example rail includes a track defined in an exterior face of the rail. A first portion of the end cap is to be received in the track. The end cap is capable of at least two degrees of freedom of motion relative to the housing prior to the first portion being received in the track. In the example rail, the track is to restrict the at least two degrees of freedom of motion of the end cap when the first portion of the end cap is received in the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick Foley, Clark D. Brace, Paul A. Brayford, Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Daniel A. Huber, Douglas J. Lorenz, Paul D. Mischo, Todd M. Nelson, Mark Schwandt, Jeffrey L. Spray
  • Publication number: 20180283098
    Abstract: A perimeter light blockout system for minimizing light leakage between light gaps such as, for example, between the sides of a covering (e.g., shade) of an architectural-structure covering and the interior side surfaces of a window frame, or between the covering and the outer surface of an interior wall is disclosed. The perimeter light blockout system including a light blocking device and a mounting element for coupling the light blocking device to the interior side surface of the window frame, or the outer surface of the interior wall. The light blocking device may include rear and front channel members. The mounting element may be a mounting extrusion. Alternatively, the mounting element may be a spring clip. In use, the light blocking device may be adapted and configured so as not to contact the covering as the covering moves between extended and retracted positions. The mounting element may include a degree of adjustment so that the light blocking device may be aligned with an out-of-skew window frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick E. FOLEY, Paul JOSEPHSON, Mark SCHWANDT, Donald J. CLARK, Wendell B. COLSON, Paul G. SWISZCZ, Stephen T. WISECUP, Benjamin J. MADDEN, Fred BOULD, Kwan Hon Anson Cheung, Byron LEE
  • Publication number: 20180106100
    Abstract: Example dual mode architectural structure coverings are described herein. The dual mode operation permits the covering to be operated by a motor and also manually by a user. An example dual mode architectural structure covering includes a covering, a drive shaft, a drive motor having a motor drive shaft, and a dual mode operation system. The dual mode operation system includes a bearing housing rotationally coupled with respect to the motor drive shaft and a slip clutch rotationally coupled with respect to the drive shaft. The bearing housing and the slip clutch are operatively associated with a one-way bearing. Rotation of the one-way bearing in a first direction causes the bearing to lock, while rotation of the one-way bearing in a second direction, causes the bearing to free rotate. In this manner, manual operation of the covering will not damage the motor or other shade components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick E. Foley, Mark Schwandt, Paul Mischo
  • Patent number: D414764
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: I-See-You Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Hwang, Niel Mazurek, Mark Schwandt
  • Patent number: D425054
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: I-See-You Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Hwang, Niel Mazurek, Mark Schwandt