Patents by Inventor Wendell B. Colson

Wendell B. Colson 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: 20240110439
    Abstract: Various embodiments of operating systems and rail assemblies configured for use with coverings for architectural structures are described herein. Additionally, the present subject matter is also directed to coverings that incorporate one or more embodiments of the operating systems and/or rail assemblies described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Robert E. Fisher, II, Gordon Freirich, Timothy W. Fries, David Byron McNeill, Claude Mathew McNiel
  • Patent number: 11891854
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements coupled to and located between generally front and rear generally vertical support members, which in preferred embodiments are adjustable to control the amount of light transmitted through the covering. In one embodiment the covering has three dimensional multi-layered, cellular vanes, and in another embodiment, the one or more support members are formed of a dark color, the rear support member(s) may be formed of material that is darker than the front support member(s), or vise versa. In another embodiment, the support members, e.g., sheers, have an openness factor, preferably as low as about sixty-five percent (65%) to as large as about ninety percent (90%). Other embodiments include structure, assemblies and methods for controlling the closure of the covering as well as embodiments of bottom rail assemblies. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Ko Kuperus, Bonnie Earl, Kelly Rahn, Kent A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230383595
    Abstract: In one aspect, a cellular slat for a covering for an architectural structure includes an outer sock forming an outer cellular structure and an inner core configured to be positioned within the outer cellular structure. The inner core includes first and second ends and first and second fold edges formed between the first and second ends. With the inner core positioned within the outer sock, the inner core forms an inner cellular structure having a first curved profile extending along the first side of the cellular structure between the first and second fold edges and a second curved profile extending along the second side of the cellular structure between the first and second fold edges. Additionally, the inner core is in an at least partially detached state relative to the outer sock along at least a portion of an interface defined between the inner core and the outer sock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
  • Patent number: 11821260
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multi-layered fabrics and coverings for architectural features and methods for manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional multi-layered fabric having a first or front exterior layer, a plurality of intermediate or interior layers, and a second or back exterior layer, which are separable from one another, and their method of manufacture, and panels and/or coverings for architectural features having or comprised of a multi-layered fabric, and methods of making the same. The plurality of interior layers extends between the exterior layers, and the separation and stitching of the two paired intermediate layers from at least one of the front exterior layer and back exterior layer are at different locations (points), respectively, which facilitates the formation of a cell, and controls the size and shape of the cell that may form between the two paired, intermediate layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Abdel-Fattah Mohamed Seyam
  • Publication number: 20230366267
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes roll-up coverings of custom length and/or width for architectural openings, and a method of assembling the same. The custom covering includes at least one outer elongate tape, at least one inner elongate tape, and a plurality of slats. The tapes preferably have lengths along central longitudinal axis extending between first ends and second ends of the tapes that are selected to correspond to the custom length of the covering. The slats are preferably transverse to, spaced apart along, and coupled to the tapes at any desired location along the tape lengths to achieve desired spacings of the slats, thereby providing a subassembly of custom length. The slats may have lengths extending between first ends and second ends of the slats, orthogonal to the central axis of the tapes, and selected to provide a custom width of the subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
  • Publication number: 20230220727
    Abstract: In one aspect, a slatted blind includes a headrail, a bottom rail, and a plurality of horizontally oriented slats configured to be supported between the headrail and the bottom rail via one or more ladder tape assemblies. Each ladder tape assembly includes a first ladder rail, a second ladder rail, and a plurality of ladder steps extending between the first and second ladder rails, with each ladder step being configured to support a respective slat of the plurality of slats of the slatted blind. Additionally, each ladder tape assembly incorporates or includes shroud-like features and/or structure for retaining or limiting access to one or more lift cords of the blind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Claude Mathew McNiel, Gordon Freirich, Wendell B. Colson
  • Publication number: 20230184030
    Abstract: An architectural covering and a method of manufacturing the covering is provided. The panel may include multiple strips of material extending lengthwise across a width dimension of the panel. The strips of material may be overlapped and coupled to one another to define cells between adjacent strips of material. The panel may be retracted and extended across an architectural opening, and the strips of material may include a resilient support member to expand the cells as the panel is extended across the architectural opening. The panel may be manufactured by helically winding a continuous, elongate strip of material about a drum in an overlapped manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Patent number: 11608678
    Abstract: An architectural covering and a method of manufacturing the covering is provided. The panel may include multiple strips of material extending lengthwise across a width dimension of the panel. The strips of material may be overlapped and coupled to one another to define cells between adjacent strips of material. The panel may be retracted and extended across an architectural opening, and the strips of material may include a resilient support member to expand the cells as the panel is extended across the architectural opening. The panel may be manufactured by helically winding a continuous, elongate strip of material about a drum in an overlapped manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS, INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Patent number: 11377905
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control an architectural opening covering assembly are disclosed herein. An example system includes a first architectural opening covering assembly to identify a first position of a first covering as a first reference position in response to a first command to store a first speed at which the first assembly is to be driven. The first assembly is to operate a first motor to move the first covering at the first stored speed in response to a second command. The example system includes a second architectural opening covering assembly to store a second speed at which the second covering is to be driven in response to a third command. The second assembly is to operate a second motor at the second stored speed in response to a fourth command to move the second covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Daniel M. Fogarty
  • Publication number: 20220136323
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements coupled to and located between generally front and rear generally vertical support members, which in preferred embodiments are adjustable to control the amount of light transmitted through the covering. In one embodiment the covering has three dimensional multi-layered, cellular vanes, and in another embodiment, the one or more support members are formed of a dark color, the rear support member(s) may be formed of material that is darker than the front support member(s), or vise versa. In another embodiment, the support members, e.g., sheers, have an openness factor, preferably as low as about sixty-five percent (65%) to as large as about ninety percent (90%). Other embodiments include structure, assemblies and methods for controlling the closure of the covering as well as embodiments of bottom rail assemblies. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Ko Kuperus, Bonnie Earl, Kelly Rahn, Kent A. Smith
  • Patent number: 11299930
    Abstract: A roller blind is disclosed which provides horizontal slats for directional shading, enabling the application of a screen fabric which allows a greater portion of visible light to pass therethrough. The disclosed slatted roller blind is free from the usage of ladder cords and is simplistic in design. The disclosed slatted roller blind maintains a compact formation of a roller shade when retracted and has greater resistance to skewing along the longitudinal axis of the roller while being retracted. Furthermore, the disclosed slatted roller blind design is capable of being utilized as an outdoor or indoor blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20220018182
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes roll-up coverings of custom length and/or width for architectural openings, and a method of assembling the same. The custom covering includes at least one outer elongate tape, at least one inner elongate tape, and a plurality of slats. The tapes preferably have lengths along central longitudinal axis extending between first ends and second ends of the tapes that are selected to correspond to the custom length of the covering. The slats are preferably transverse to, spaced apart along, and coupled to the tapes at any desired location along the tape lengths to achieve desired spacings of the slats, thereby providing a subassembly of custom length. The slats may have lengths extending between first ends and second ends of the slats, orthogonal to the central axis of the tapes, and selected to provide a custom width of the subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
  • Publication number: 20210363818
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements extending between generally inner and outer vertical support members that can adjust and control the amount and quality of light transmitted through the covering is described. In one embodiment, the covering has elongate tapes as vertical support members that have a width substantially less than the length of the vane elements, and adjacent inner and adjacent outer elongate tapes are separated by a distance. In one embodiment, the vane elements are multi-layered, cellular vanes. The elongated multilayered vanes may include elongate stiffeners that may be associated with, coupled to, and or inserted within pockets formed in, the multilayered vanes. Also disclosed is a method of operation and manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Ko Kuperus, David P. Hartman, Matthew A. Difrancesco
  • Patent number: 11156031
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes roll-up coverings of custom length and/or width for architectural openings, and a method of assembling the same. The custom covering includes at least one outer elongate tape, at least one inner elongate tape, and a plurality of slats. The tapes preferably have lengths along central longitudinal axis extending between first ends and second ends of the tapes that are selected to correspond to the custom length of the covering. The slats are preferably transverse to, spaced apart along, and coupled to the tapes at any desired location along the tape lengths to achieve desired spacings of the slats, thereby providing a subassembly of custom length. The slats may have lengths extending between first ends and second ends of the slats, orthogonal to the central axis of the tapes, and selected to provide a custom width of the subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS, INC.
    Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
  • Patent number: 11118396
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements extending between generally inner and outer vertical support members that can adjust and control the amount and quality of light transmitted through the covering is described. In one embodiment, the covering has elongate tapes as vertical support members that have a width substantially less than the length of the vane elements, and adjacent inner and adjacent outer elongate tapes are separated by a distance. In one embodiment, the vane elements are multi-layered, cellular vanes. The elongated multilayered vanes may include elongate stiffeners that may be associated with, coupled to, and or inserted within pockets formed in, the multilayered vanes. Also disclosed is a method of operation and manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Ko Kuperus, David P. Hartman, Matthew A. Difrancesco
  • Publication number: 20210189797
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements coupled to and located between generally front and rear generally vertical support members, which in preferred embodiments are adjustable to control the amount of light transmitted through the covering. In one embodiment the covering has three dimensional multi-layered, cellular vanes, and in another embodiment, the one or more support members are formed of a dark color, the rear support member(s) may be formed of material that is darker than the front support member(s), or vise versa. In another embodiment, the support members, e.g., sheers, have an openness factor, preferably as low as about sixty-five percent (65%) to as large as about ninety percent (90%). Other embodiments include structure, assemblies and methods for controlling the closure of the covering as well as embodiments of bottom rail assemblies. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Ko Kuperus, Bonnie Earl, Kelly Rahn, Kent A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10975619
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies are disclosed herein. An architectural covering assembly including an architectural covering; a tube to which the architectural covering is coupled; a manual controller operatively coupled to the tube to rotate the tube; a motor including a motor housing and a motor shaft; and a clutch assembly including a clutch and a clutch housing in which the clutch is disposed, the motor shaft coupled to the clutch and the clutch coupled to the manual controller to hold the motor shaft substantially stationary when the architectural covering is moved under an influence of the motor to cause the motor housing to rotate with the clutch housing and the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Daniel M. Fogarty, Paul G. Swiszcz, Kevin M. Dann, William Johnson, Jörg Bohlen
  • Patent number: 10975616
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements coupled to and located between generally front and rear generally vertical support members, which in preferred embodiments are adjustable to control the amount of light transmitted through the covering. In one embodiment the covering has three dimensional multi-layered, cellular vanes, and in another embodiment, the one or more support members are formed of a dark color, and the rear support member(s) may be formed of material that is darker than the front support member(s), or vise versa. In another embodiment, the support members, e.g., sheers, have an openness factor, preferably as low as about sixty-five percent (65%) to as large as about ninety percent (90%). Other embodiments include structure, assemblies and methods for controlling the closure of the covering as well as embodiments of bottom rail assemblies. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Ko Kuperus, Bonnie Earl, Kelly Rahn, Kent A. Smith
  • Patent number: D913723
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jason T. Throne