Patents by Inventor Stephen T. Wisecup
Stephen T. Wisecup 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: 20150267467Abstract: A base structure and associated method for converting the base structure into an operable vane on a shade for an architectural opening. The base structure includes a back sheet and a front sheet attached together in engagement regions spaced along the length of the back sheet and front sheet. The front sheet is separated into front strip sections having a free end. Operating elements are positioned along the back sheet and situated so as to move relative thereto. The operating elements are attached adjacent to a free end of the front strip. Movement of the operating elements actuates the free end of the front strip to move from a closed position to an open position as desired by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: Ronald Holt, Marcus Long, Kelly Q. Rahn, Jason T. Throne, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Patent number: 9080377Abstract: A base structure and associated method for converting the base structure into an operable vane on a shade for an architectural opening. The base structure includes a back sheet and a front sheet attached together in engagement regions spaced along the length of the back sheet and front sheet. The front sheet is separated into front strip sections having a free end. Operating elements are positioned along the back sheet and situated so as to move relative thereto. The operating elements are attached adjacent to a free end of the front strip. Movement of the operating elements actuates the free end of the front strip to move from a closed position to an open position as desired by the user.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Ronald Holt, Marcus Long, Kelly Q. Rahn, Jason T. Throne, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Publication number: 20150176328Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly, an operating element handling assembly, and a vane handling assembly. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station to attach one portion of a vane to the operating elements, and another portion of the vane to the support structure, allowing movement of one portion of the vane relative to other portion of the vane.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2015Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Eugene M. Ballard, JR., Wendell B. Colson, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel M. Fogarty, Marjorie G. Harper, David P. Hartman, Joseph E. Kovach, Gary A. Marino, Kelly Q. Rahn, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Patent number: 8944134Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly, an operating element handling assembly, and a vane handling assembly. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station to attach one portion of a vane to the operating elements, and another portion of the vane to the support structure, allowing movement of one portion of the vane relative to other portion of the vane.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Eugene M. Ballard, Jr., Wendell B. Colson, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel M. Fogarty, Marjorie G. Harper, David P. Hartman, Joseph E. Kovach, Gary A. Marino, Kelly Q. Rahn, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Publication number: 20130306218Abstract: A base structure and associated method for converting the base structure into an operable vane on a shade for an architectural opening. The base structure includes a back sheet and a front sheet attached together in engagement regions spaced along the length of the back sheet and front sheet. The front sheet is separated into front strip sections having a free end. Operating elements are positioned along the back sheet and situated so as to move relative thereto. The operating elements are attached adjacent to a free end of the front strip. Movement of the operating elements actuates the free end of the front strip to move from a closed position to an open position as desired by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Ronald Holt, Marcus Long, Kelly Q. Rahn, Jason T. Throne, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Patent number: 8580178Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a transversely curved or formed strip of material which can be cut to length for use in a fabric for coverings for architectural opening includes a supply role of a flexible fabric strip material that is sequentially passed through a heating chamber with an elongated upwardly convex extrusion across which the strip material is drawn and a cooling station before being wrapped on a take-up drum. The apparatus includes driven rollers about which the strip material passes and the strip material is exposed to tension detectors and controlled temperatures such that the strip material formed in the apparatus is uniform along its length.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, William L. Teter, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kevin M. Dann, Steven J. Carroll, Thomas E. Sevcik, Stephen T. Wisecup, Michael J. Siebenaller
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Patent number: 8496768Abstract: A base structure and associated method for converting the base structure into an operable vane on a shade for an architectural opening. The base structure includes a back sheet and a front sheet attached together in engagement regions spaced along the length of the back sheet and front sheet. The front sheet is separated into front strip sections having a free end. Operating elements are positioned along the back sheet and situated so as to move relative thereto. The operating elements are attached adjacent to a free end of the front strip. Movement of the operating elements actuates the free end of the front strip to move from a closed position to an open position as desired by the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Ronald Holt, Marcus Long, Kelly Q. Rahn, Jason T. Throne, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Patent number: 8393080Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly, an operating element handling assembly, and a vane handling assembly. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station to attach one portion of a vane to the operating elements, and another portion of the vane to the support structure, allowing movement of one portion of the vane relative to other portion of the vane.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Eugene M. Ballard, Jr., Wendell B. Colson, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel M. Fogarty, Marjorie G. Harper, David P. Hartman, Joseph E. Kovach, Gary A. Marino, Kelly Q. Rahn, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Publication number: 20130040010Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a transversely curved or formed strip of material which can be cut to length for use in a fabric for coverings for architectural opening includes a supply role of a flexible fabric strip material that is sequentially passed through a heating chamber with an elongated upwardly convex extrusion across which the strip material is drawn and a cooling station before being wrapped on a take-up drum. The apparatus includes driven rollers about which the strip material passes and the strip material is exposed to tension detectors and controlled temperatures such that the strip material formed in the apparatus is uniform along its length.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, William L. Teter, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kevin M. Dann, Steven J. Carroll, Thomas E. Sevcik, Stephen T. Wisecup, Michael J. Siebenaller
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Patent number: 8307878Abstract: A motor-drive system for retractable covering having a headrail with a horizontally disposed roller supporting a top edge of a flexible fabric material includes an electric motor mounted within a housing and interconnected to the roller to selectively rotate the roller in opposite directions while minimizing noise created from vibrations within the system. This system includes motor mounts within the housing which separate and absorb vibrations of the motor within the housing and a drive disk of a moderately soft material, which is firm enough to transfer torque from the motor to the roller while being soft enough to absorb vibrations which would otherwise be transmitted from the motor to the roller. An interconnect mounting the drive disk to the drive shaft of the motor is also made of a third relatively soft material, which is harder than the drive disk to more ably transmit torque but soft enough so as not to unduly transmit noise.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Faller, Ronald Holt, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Patent number: 8206633Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a transversely curved or formed strip of material which can be cut to length for use in a fabric for coverings for architectural opening includes a supply role of a flexible fabric strip material that is sequentially passed through a heating chamber with an elongated upwardly convex extrusion across which the strip material is drawn and a cooling station before being wrapped on a take-up drum. The apparatus includes driven rollers about which the strip material passes and the strip material is exposed to tension detectors and controlled temperatures such that the strip material formed in the apparatus is uniform along its length.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, William L. Teter, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kevin M. Dann, Steven J. Carroll, Thomas E. Sevcik, Stephen T. Wisecup, Michael J. Siebenaller
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Patent number: 8186413Abstract: A retractable covering for an architectural opening is reversibly driven through an input assembly, a transmission and an output assembly by a reciprocal operating cord that can be pulled down by an operator and will automatically retract while the covering is held in a predetermined position. While the input assembly is always driven in a first direction, a transmission is shifted between two operative positions through movement of a shift arm depending upon the positioning of the shift arm by the operating cord. The shift arm is pivotal about an axis parallel with a roller for the covering and when the operating cord is pulled straight downwardly, the covering is moved in an upwardly or retracting direction while if the operating cord is pulled downwardly and toward the operator, i.e. away from the architectural opening, the covering is driven in a downwardly or extending direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Suzanne M. Fujita, Paul A. Pedri, Stephen P. Smith, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Patent number: 7971624Abstract: A retractable covering for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a head rail and support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. The support structure, vanes and operating elements are adapted to be wrapped around a roller in the head rail in a retracted position of the covering and unwrapped in an extended position. An inhibitor system is incorporated into the covering to permit automatic opening of the vanes when the support structure, vanes and operating elements reach an extended position.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Marjorie G. Harper, Todd R. Steele, Paul A. Pedri, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Publication number: 20110126959Abstract: A base structure and associated method for converting the base structure into an operable vane on a shade for an architectural opening. The base structure includes a back sheet and a front sheet attached together in engagement regions spaced along the length of the back sheet and front sheet. The front sheet is separated into front strip sections having a free end. Operating elements are positioned along the back sheet and situated so as to move relative thereto. The operating elements are attached adjacent to a free end of the front strip. Movement of the operating elements actuates the free end of the front strip to move from a closed position to an open position as desired by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Ronald Holt, Marcus Long, Kelly Q. Rahn, Jason T. Throne, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Publication number: 20100175838Abstract: A motor-drive system for retractable covering having a headrail with a horizontally disposed roller supporting a top edge of a flexible fabric material includes an electric motor mounted within a housing and interconnected to the roller to selectively rotate the roller in opposite directions while minimizing noise created from vibrations within the system. This system includes motor mounts within the housing which separate and absorb vibrations of the motor within the housing and a drive disk of a moderately soft material, which is firm enough to transfer torque from the motor to the roller while being soft enough to absorb vibrations which would otherwise be transmitted from the motor to the roller. An interconnect mounting the drive disk to the drive shaft of the motor is also made of a third relatively soft material, which is harder than the drive disk to more ably transmit torque but soft enough so as not to unduly transmit noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2010Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Faller, Ronald Holt, Stephen T, Wisecup
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Patent number: 7695802Abstract: A slat for use in a covering for an architectural opening is made from a base material of binder and matrix fibers which are formed into a nonwoven material by melting at least a portion of the binder fibers to thermally bond the binder and matrix fibers. A coating of resin is then applied to the thermally bonded base before the composite material is passed through a forming apparatus where the material is heated over a convex support having the desired curvature for the slat and subsequently cooled.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, William L. Teter, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kevin M. Dann, Steven J. Carroll, Thomas E. Sevcik, Stephen T. Wisecup, Michael J. Siebenaller
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Publication number: 20100018656Abstract: A retractable covering for an architectural opening is reversibly driven through an input assembly, a transmission and an output assembly by a reciprocal operating cord that can be pulled down by an operator and will automatically retract while the covering is held in a predetermined position. While the input assembly is always driven in a first direction, a transmission is shifted between two operative positions through movement of a shift arm depending upon the positioning of the shift arm by the operating cord. The shift arm is pivotal about an axis parallel with a roller for the covering and when the operating cord is pulled straight downwardly, the covering is moved in an upwardly or retracting direction while if the operating cord is pulled downwardly and toward the operator, i.e. away from the architectural opening, the covering is driven in a downwardly or extending direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2008Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Suzanne M. Fujita, Paul A. Pedri, Stephen P. Smith, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Publication number: 20090321024Abstract: A retractable covering for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a head rail and support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. The support structure, vanes and operating elements are adapted to be wrapped around a roller in the head rail in a retracted position of the covering and unwrapped in an extended position. An inhibitor system is incorporated into the covering to permit automatic opening of the vanes when the support structure, vanes and operating elements reach an extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Marjorie G. Harper, Todd R. Steele, Paul A. Pedri, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Patent number: 7549455Abstract: A retractable covering for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a head rail and support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. The support structure, vanes and operating elements are adapted to be wrapped around a roller in the head rail in a retracted position of the covering and unwrapped in an extended position. An inhibitor system is incorporated into the covering to permit automatic opening of the vanes when the support structure, vanes and operating elements reach an extended position.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Marjorie G. Harper, Todd R. Steele, Paul A. Pedri, Stephen T. Wisecup
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Publication number: 20080168637Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly, an operating element handling assembly, and a vane handling assembly. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station to attach one portion of a vane to the operating elements, and another portion of the vane to the support structure, allowing movement of one portion of the vane relative to other portion of the vane.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2008Publication date: July 17, 2008Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Eugene M. Ballard, Wendell B. Colson, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel M. Fogarty, Marjorie G. Harper, David P. Hartman, Joseph E. Kovach, Gary A. Marino, Kelly Q. Rahn, Stephen T. Wisecup