Patents by Inventor Samuel F. Chambers

Samuel F. Chambers 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: 9447636
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, Jr., James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Patent number: 9347261
    Abstract: A motorized shading system may include a housing, a roller tube, a sheer shade material, and a bottom bar. The shading system may be configured such that opposed ends of the roller tube are adjustable relative to the housing. The shading system may include first and second sliding members that couple opposed ends of the roller tube to the housing and that are configured to translate along first and second rails defined by the housing. The bottom bar may define a cross-sectional profile such that when the shade material is in a closed position, a first lower most edge of the bottom bar is spaced from the roller tube by a first distance, and when the shade material is in a view position, a second lower most edge of the bottom bar is spaced from the roller tube by a second distance that is substantially equal to the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Stephen Lundy, Nathan Butler
  • Patent number: 9328556
    Abstract: A motorized transitional shade system may move a covering material between open, closed, view, and privacy positions. The covering material may define respective pluralities of opaque and transparent sections that are arranged in an alternating pattern. A bottom bar that is movably supported by the covering material may define first and second portions of the covering material. The opaque and transparent sections in the first and second portions of the covering material may permit visibility through the covering material in a view position, and may impede visibility through the covering material in a privacy position. If movement of the covering material is halted at an intermediate position that is between the open and closed positions, the motorized transitional shade system may cause the motor to rotate the roller tube to move the covering material to a next lowest privacy position or to a next highest view position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Stephen Lundy, Robert J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20160108665
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, James J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9249624
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Publication number: 20150368970
    Abstract: A window treatment retention system may include a roller shade assembly and one or more retention brackets that at least partially enclose the roller shade assembly and do not interfere with operation of the roller shade assembly. The retention brackets may be configured to absorb an impact force associated with detachment of the roller shade assembly from a mounted position. The retention brackets may deflect upon absorbing the impact force, and may limit displacement of the detached roller shade assembly from the mounted position. The retention brackets may deflect such that the roller shade assembly does not pass through openings defined by the retention brackets. The retention brackets may deflect such that the width of at least one of the openings defined by the retention brackets does not expand beyond a distance that is equivalent to the diameter of a roller tube of the roller shade assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, James J. Wilson, Andrew P. Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20150286939
    Abstract: A fabric selection tool provides an automated procedure for recommending and/or selecting a fabric for a window treatment to be installed in a building. The recommendation may be made to optimize the performance of the window treatment in which the fabric may be installed. The recommended fabric may be selected based on performance metrics associated with each fabric in an environment. The fabrics may be ranked based upon the performance metrics of one or more of the fabrics. One or more of the fabrics, and/or their corresponding ranks, may be displayed to a user for selection. The recommended fabrics may be determined based on combinations of fabrics that provide performance metrics for various façades of the building. Using the ranking system provided by the fabric selection tool, the user may obtain a fabric sample and/or order one or more of the recommended fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Laura M. Gabriel, Michelle L. Greene, Andrew J. Lawler, Joseph Roy Parks, Brent Protzman, Staci L. Quirk
  • Publication number: 20150286940
    Abstract: A fabric selection tool provides an automated procedure for recommending and/or selecting a fabric for a window treatment to be installed in a building. The recommendation may be made to optimize the performance of the window treatment in which the fabric may be installed. The recommended fabric may be selected based on performance metrics associated with each fabric in an environment. The fabrics may be ranked based upon the performance metrics of one or more of the fabrics. One or more of the fabrics, and/or their corresponding ranks, may be displayed to a user for selection. The recommended fabrics may be determined based on combinations of fabrics that provide performance metrics for various façades of the building. Using the ranking system provided by the fabric selection tool, the user may obtain a fabric sample and/or order one or more of the recommended fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Laura M. Gabriel, Michelle L. Greene, Andrew J. Lawler, Joseph Roy Parks, Brent Protzman, Staci L. Quirk
  • Publication number: 20150286941
    Abstract: A fabric selection tool provides an automated procedure for recommending and/or selecting a fabric for a window treatment to be installed in a building. The recommendation may be made to optimize the performance of the window treatment in which the fabric may be installed. The recommended fabric may be selected based on performance metrics associated with each fabric in an environment. The fabrics may be ranked based upon the performance metrics of one or more of the fabrics. One or more of the fabrics, and/or their corresponding ranks, may be displayed to a user for selection. The recommended fabrics may be determined based on combinations of fabrics that provide performance metrics for various façades of the building. Using the ranking system provided by the fabric selection tool, the user may obtain a fabric sample and/or order one or more of the recommended fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Laura M. Gabriel, Michelle L. Greene, Andrew J. Lawler, Joseph Roy Parks, Brent Protzman, Staci L. Quirk
  • Publication number: 20150286938
    Abstract: A fabric selection tool provides an automated procedure for recommending and/or selecting a fabric for a window treatment to be installed in a building. The recommendation may be made to optimize the performance of the window treatment in which the fabric may be installed. The recommended fabric may be selected based on performance metrics associated with each fabric in an environment. The fabrics may be ranked based upon the performance metrics of one or more of the fabrics. One or more of the fabrics, and/or their corresponding ranks, may be displayed to a user for selection. The recommended fabrics may be determined based on combinations of fabrics that provide performance metrics for various façades of the building. Using the ranking system provided by the fabric selection tool, the user may obtain a fabric sample and/or order one or more of the recommended fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Laura M. Gabriel, Michelle L. Greene, Andrew J. Lawler, Joseph Roy Parks, Brent Protzman, Staci L. Quirk
  • Publication number: 20150240560
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, JR., James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Publication number: 20150226001
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 9045939
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, Jr., James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Publication number: 20150083350
    Abstract: A motorized transitional shade system may move a covering material between open, closed, view, and privacy positions. The covering material may define respective pluralities of opaque and transparent sections that are arranged in an alternating pattern. A bottom bar that is movably supported by the covering material may define first and second portions of the covering material. The opaque and transparent sections in the first and second portions of the covering material may permit visibility through the covering material in a view position, and may impede visibility through the covering material in a privacy position. If movement of the covering material is halted at an intermediate position that is between the open and closed positions, the motorized transitional shade system may cause the motor to rotate the roller tube to move the covering material to a next lowest privacy position or to a next highest view position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Stephen Lundy, Robert J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150034260
    Abstract: A motorized shading system may include a housing, a roller tube, a sheer shade material, and a bottom bar. The shading system may be configured such that opposed ends of the roller tube are adjustable relative to the housing. The shading system may include first and second sliding members that couple opposed ends of the roller tube to the housing and that are configured to translate along first and second rails defined by the housing. The bottom bar may define a cross-sectional profile such that when the shade material is in a closed position, a first lower most edge of the bottom bar is spaced from the roller tube by a first distance, and when the shade material is in a view position, a second lower most edge of the bottom bar is spaced from the roller tube by a second distance that is substantially equal to the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Stephen Lundy, Nathan Butler
  • Publication number: 20150034257
    Abstract: A motorized sheer shading system may move a sheer shade material between an open position, a closed position, and a view position. The shading system may move the sheer shade material from the open position to the closed position at a first average rotational speed, and from the closed position to the view position at a second average rotational speed. The shading system may automatically determine a control limit that corresponds to the closed position of the sheer shade material after control limits have been set for the open position and the view position. The shading system may cause the sheer shade material to stop moving once it reaches the closed position if the raise button of a remote control is still depressed, and may cause the sheer shade material to stop moving once it reaches the closed position if the lower button of the remote control is still depressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Stephen Lundy
  • Patent number: 8931541
    Abstract: A motor drive unit assembly for a motorized drapery system having a drapery fabric can include a motor having a drive shaft, an output member rotatable about a drive axis, such that rotation of the output member about the drive axis causes the drapery fabric to move, and a clutch member operatively coupled between the drive shaft of the motor and the output member. The clutch member is configured to automatically couple the output member to the drive shaft such that rotation of the motor drive shaft causes the output member to rotate about the drive axis when the motor drives the drive shaft. The clutch member is further configured to automatically decouple the output member from the motor drive shaft so that the output member rotates about the drive axis relative to the motor drive shaft when the output member is manually driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel F. Chambers, Matthew R. Hontz, David A. Kirby, Daniel W. Mistarz, Peter W. Ogden, Jr., James J. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140374033
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, David A. Kirby, Peter W. Ogden, James J. Wilson, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Patent number: D721662
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel F. Chambers, Elliot G. Jacoby, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Stephen Lundy, John A. Mensinger
  • Patent number: D745044
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Samuel F. Chambers, Elliot G. Jacoby, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Stephen Lundy, John A. Mensinger