Roll Type Patents (Class 160/120)
  • Patent number: 8800632
    Abstract: A twin roller smoke or fire barrier having: two parallel rollers and a curtain comprised of narrow curtain portions rolled on the rollers and arranged along the length of the rollers of alternate rollers with end margins overlapping opposite each other; the barrier including: a mechanism for varying separation of the rollers by at least the change in the overall diameter of one roller and its curtain portions between wound-up and unwound states, the mechanism including: movable supported roller or rollers; whereby in the unwound state of the curtain, the overlapping margins abut or at least are separated by a negligible amount at the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Cooper, Derek Kearney
  • Patent number: 8777516
    Abstract: An improved tarp and ballast system that includes a plurality of panels attached to one another along the lengths thereof, wherein the lengths of the panels correspond to the length of the tarp. The tarp also includes chain pockets located at the sides of the tarp which run the length of the tarp and have chains secured therein. The tarp further includes a plurality of cable pockets and associated ballast anchors oriented across the width of the tarp which are adapted to secure a plurality of ballast cables to the tarp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: JMW Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Slutz
  • Patent number: 8763674
    Abstract: First and second lifting and lowering units are connected to first and second shielding members hung from a head rail, and an operating cord drives the units to lift and lower the shielding members independently. An operating cord is wound around a rotating member. Between a first input shaft to which the turning force of the rotating member is transferred and a first output shaft that can lift and lower the first shielding member, a first clutch of the first lifting and lowering unit is provided, and a first stopper is provided in the first output shaft. Between a second input shaft to which the turning force of the rotating member is transferred and a second output shaft that can lift and lower the second shielding member, a second clutch of the second lifting and lowering unit is provided, and a second stopper is provided in the second output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toso Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kouichi Kataoka, Shin Imai, Shunsuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8757697
    Abstract: Mechanically or powered activated, retractable, partition-able enclosure-panels with or without custom brackets for any style open-air-vehicle having roof structures, including cars and boats, is taught. The partition-able enclosure panels for a driver's side, passenger's side, or rear opening of an open-air car, each include two or more partition-sections, and a rotatable spindle, where each of the partition-sections is designed to be attached to and detached from an adjacent partition-section, and each of the partition-sections is fixedly or non-fixedly attachable to the rotating spindle, so that when the partitions are attached to each other and the spindle is rotated all partitions are controlled by said rotating spindle and when the partitions are detached from each other, only the fixedly attached partition is controlled by the rotating spindle providing for deployment or un-deployment of either a panel or a partition-section. A roof or roof-support with built-in panel supporting devices is also taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Michael P Held
  • Patent number: 8757237
    Abstract: In a blind with two shields, it is possible to perform different operations by operating one operating means and reduce the dimension of an operating device by reducing the number of parts. The operating device comprises an operating shaft rotated upon receiving an operation force, a clutch rotating integrally with the operating shaft and axially sliding on the operating shaft, and a first transmission member 50 and a second transmission member disposed at both axial sides of the clutch to transmit driving force to a first driving shaft and a second driving shaft, respectively. The sliding direction of the clutch is determined by the rotational direction of the operating shaft, such that as the clutch sliding on the operating shaft is engaged with one of the transmission members and, the rotation of the operating shaft is transmitted to any one of the driving shafts and through one of the transmission members and.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Nichibei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaaki Aoki
  • Publication number: 20140166218
    Abstract: A chain guide for a dual roller blind. The dual roller blind includes a first or inner and a second or outer roller tube. The roller tubes are mounted between a common pair of end plates and have clutches at common ends that are operatively associated with the same end plate and driven by chains. The chain guide comprises at least four rollers and at least one cover plate. The rollers are each mounted on separate pins and each pin has first and second ends, with the first ends fixed to the end plate that is operatively associated with the blind's clutches. Two of the rollers are operatively associated with the inner roller tube and sized and positioned to accommodate the receipt of the chain or cord of the inner roller tube. Two of the rollers are operatively associated with the outer roller tube and sized and positioned to accommodate the receipt of the chain or cord of the outer roller tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Philip Ng
  • Publication number: 20140096916
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system and article of manufacture for a door assembly for rolling and unrolling, or retracting and extending, a door curtain. The door assembly may include various mechanisms to protect a door curtain from wear and abrasion, as well as muffle noise associated with the operation of the door curtain. The door assembly may comprise a curtain shaft. A door curtain may roll and/or unroll (e.g., open and/or close) on the curtain shaft. The door assembly may further include an insulator shaft, which may receive or hold a door curtain insulator or insulators. A door curtain insulator may attach to the insulator shaft as well as the curtain shaft and/or door curtain itself. In operation, as the door curtain is rolled up, one or more lengths of insulator may be unrolled from the insulator shaft and layered, or interleaved, between consecutive layers of rolled up door curtain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: CORNELL IRONWORKS ENTERPRISES
    Inventor: David Lueker
  • Patent number: 8678488
    Abstract: A roll blind system for a panorama sun roof of a vehicle opens front and rear roll blinds independently by dividing the panorama sun roof into two parts. The roll blind system includes: front and rear roll blinds disposed between right and left guide rails, disposed in front of and behind of the panorama sun roof and includes front and rear blind bars disposed on opposite ends of the and rear roll blinds; one cable engaged with a motor gear; a front shoe attached to a left end of the front blind bar and movable via the cable and a second cable end; a rear shoe attached to a right end of the rear blind bar and being movable via the cable and third and fourth cable ends; and a return spring connected to a front blind shaft extendable when the front blind bar is moved in the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Do Won Kim
  • Publication number: 20140027069
    Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic blind (1) comprising a rotating drum (2) and several flexible photovoltaic panels (10-12) that can be rolled up and unrolled around this rotating drum to close respectively unfold the blind. The device comprises a ventilation tube (19) and a ventilator (190) powered by the photovoltaic panels in order to create an air flux under the photovoltaic blind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: ILAND GREEN TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventor: Daniele Oppizzi
  • Publication number: 20140000816
    Abstract: A duet power-driven window shade comprises a controlling device to receive an external controlling signal, which is then analyzed, determined and compared with a preset value in a memory unit of the controlling device. A driving signal is output via a processing unit according to a comparing result. A power source thence brings convolutions of a first covering sheet and a second covering sheet in sequence or concurrently for increasing the rolling speed and the using convenience and allowing the connecting members connected to the covering sheets to be efficiently rolled up without entanglement so that the duet power-driven window shade is smoothly operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BINTRONIC ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: WEI-CHENG YEH
  • Patent number: 8612056
    Abstract: Method of configuring a home automation installation comprising a plurality of mobile screens driven by actuators identified by an identifier, the method comprising the following steps: a) a step of constructing a first list of identifiers of actuators of the installation, b) a step of locating all the locations of the screens that make up the part of the installation to be configured, c) a step of associating a list of possible actuator identifiers with each screen location, d) a step of transmitting a movement control command to each actuator of a group of actuators, e) a step of designating locations that correspond to a group of screens that have reacted to the control command, f) a step of updating the lists of possible actuator identifiers for each location, the steps d) to f) being reiterated as long as at least one list of possible actuator identifiers for a screen location comprises more than one actuator identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Mattias Klasson, Samuel Spanberger, Tommy Carlsson, Christian Magnusson
  • Publication number: 20130306250
    Abstract: A multiple shade apparatus and method includes a shade system with a shade header with end caps. A first shade roll is provided with a first shade connected with the first shade roll and the first shade includes a first bottom bar. The first shade roll is connected with the shade header. A second shade roll is provided with a second shade connected with the second shade roll and the second shade includes a second bottom bar. The second shade roll is also connected with the shade header. A first connector device is provided that is connected with the first shade and a second connector is connected with the second shade. A detachment device connected with the shade system is provided for automatically disconnecting the first connector and the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Gerald Ashley Lee
  • Patent number: 8579005
    Abstract: An individually operative roll blind type panorama roof may include a planetary gear set including a sun gear to which a driving force of a motor may be applied, at least a planetary gear engaged with the sun gear, a ring gear engaged with the at least a planetary gear, and a carrier gear to which the at least a planetary gear may be rotatably mounted, a first roll blind interlocked with the ring gear through a first cable and configured to be driven by the ring gear, a second roll blind interlocked with the carrier gear through a second cable and configured to be driven by the carrier gear, and a gear stopping device selectively engaged with gear teeth of the ring gear or the carrier gear so as to stop the ring gear or the carrier gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ho Ryul Lee
  • Patent number: 8579004
    Abstract: The present application pertains to a system for adjusting the height of a covering, such as window or a wall covering formed of two or more covering segments that are axially aligned. The system includes a link that selectively transmits rotation between two adjacent coverage thereby allowing the two coverings to be controlled, e.g., raised or lowered, simultaneously. The link includes a clutch that allows one of the segments to be rotated with respect to the other so that the bottom end of one of the coverings can be adjusted and aligned horizontally independently of the other. Optionally, the clutch includes an internal member that provides a mechanical advantage while the one covering is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rollease, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Cannaverde
  • Patent number: 8550142
    Abstract: A plural panel vertically hung horizontally adjustable light transmitting window shade apparatus for varying the amount of light from zero to maximum that can pass through alternate transparent and opaque portions of the plural panels. The plural panels hang vertically downward from separate mounting elements of a control mechanism. The control mechanism, when actuated, moves either one or two of the plural panels horizontally relative to the other panel, thus changing the position of the transparent portions and opaque portions of each panel. The control mechanism also vertically deploys or retracts the dual panels using the same control mechanism used to move the panels horizontally. A bottom rail maintains the lower ends of the panels in a closely adjacent position, and also allows relative vertical movement of each panel relative to the other when the panels are either deployed or retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Robert D. Gaskill, Ernest DiSilvestro
  • Publication number: 20130240156
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual roll blind enabling to control its light transmission amount and open and close with one hall-chain and to easily reset the roll screen. The dual roll blind comprises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: WINTEC KOREA INC.
    Inventor: Seong-Ryong Jang
  • Patent number: 8511735
    Abstract: A panoramic roof apparatus for a vehicle may include a front roll blind and a rear roll blind that may be slidably mounted to a rail, a worm wheel gear coupled to a motor, first cables connected to both sides of the front roll blind respectively and disposed in parallel each other across the worm wheel gear, and second cables connected to both sides of the rear roll blind respectively and disposed in parallel each other across the worm wheel gear, wherein the first and second cables may be spaced in a predetermined distance along an axial direction of the worm wheel gear, and wherein the worm wheel gear selectively moves along the axial direction thereof and may be selectively engaged with and actuates the first cables or the second cables so as to individually open and close the front roll blind or the rear roll blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ho Ryul Lee
  • Patent number: 8459329
    Abstract: A system positioning a flexible partition at a desired vertical position includes an elongated cylinder extending across the entire partition, connected to the partition to divide the partition into upper and lower portions. An outer bearing is fixed to an outside surface of a first end of the elongated cylinder. A proximal end of an arm is coupled to the outer bearing outer surface, the outer bearing permitting rotation of the elongated cylinder with respect to the arm. A counterweight is fixed to a distal end of the arm, to inhibit movement of the arm during any rotation of the elongated cylinder. A rotor portion of a motor is coupled to the elongated cylinder for rotating the cylinder, and a bracket is fixed to stator portion of the motor and to the arm proximal end to inhibit rotation of the stator during any rotation of the elongated cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Gared Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: James J. Connerley
  • Publication number: 20130133841
    Abstract: A roller blind coupling (101) for use in coupling a pair of adjacent roller blinds (102, 104) which are angled relative to each other, the coupling (101) including a first splined bush (2) adapted to engage a first roller tube (106), a second splined bush (4) adapted to engage a second roller tube (108) and a flexible shaft (6), wherein the flexible shaft (6) includes a first connector which engages the first splined bush (2) and a second connector (20) which engages the second splined bush (4), whereby the flexible shaft (6) connects the first and second splined (2, 4) bushes and rotation of the first splined bush (2) is transmitted to the second splined bush (4) via the flexible shaft (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: LOUVER-LITE LIMITED
    Inventors: Antony Barnes, Andrew Greening
  • Publication number: 20130105093
    Abstract: A draft arrester for an overhead door. An exemplary embodiment may include a flexible draft curtain extending between a ceiling structure and a wound-up portion of the overhead door. The draft arrester may include a follower assembly, which may include one or more rollers arranged to roll against the overhead door. An exemplary embodiment may include a repositionable arm arranged to press the rollers against the wound-up portion of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: RYTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rytec Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130098564
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual roll blind enabling to control its light transmission amount and open and close with one ball-chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: WINTEC KOREA INC.
    Inventor: Seong-Ryong Jang
  • Publication number: 20130098563
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual roll blind enabling to control its light transmission amount and open and close with one ball-chain and to easily reset the roll screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: WINTEC KOREA INC.
    Inventor: Seong-Ryong Jang
  • Patent number: 8403020
    Abstract: A roller blind device includes a drive shaft and two neighboring roller blinds on the drive shaft that are adapted to be adjustable with respect to each other. At least one of the roller blinds may be uncoupled from the drive shaft without the use of tools. Once uncoupled, the roller blinds may be adjusted with respect to each other. The roller blind may then be coupled to the drive shaft, allowing for the two neighboring roller blinds to be lowered and raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Faber A/S
    Inventor: Ken Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20130068400
    Abstract: According to some aspects provided are curtains assemblies comprising a curtain selectably moveable between an open position and a closed position, a track guide having a first and second side, wherein the first and second side define a plane of operation for the curtain as it moves between the open position and the closed position, and a first track and second track insert coupled to respective sides of the track guide, wherein the curtain is moveably coupled to the first and second track inserts, wherein the first and second track inserts each define a respective channel of operation at which the track insert and the curtain are moveably coupled, and wherein the curtain travels along the channel of operation during transition between the open and the closed position. In some embodiments, the assembly is configured for operation at differing installation angles while maintaining the curtain in a plane of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Rajiva A. Dwarka
  • Patent number: 8393378
    Abstract: According to the method of the invention, the movement of movable screen ends for a group of motor-driven screens to a common position is controlled in a grouped manner. The method includes a step (E150) consisting of moving the end of a screen when said end becomes the farthest from the common position after moving the end of at least one other screen to said common position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Pierre Geriniere, Stephane Lapierre
  • Publication number: 20130048228
    Abstract: A window shade device for vehicles covers a first window and a second window provided adjacent to each other to be shielded and opened. The window shade device for vehicles includes: a guide and support mechanism including a guide rail disposed along a drawing/housing direction of the second window shade and a movable member movable along the guide rail; a rack member connected with the movable member and configured to move along the guide rail; and an intermediate transmission mechanism including a first bevel gear and a second bevel gear and transmitting the rotation of a windup shaft member of the first windup device as a force for moving the rack member along the guide rail, the first bevel gear being connected to the windup shaft member so as to rotate in association therewith, the second bevel gear being disposed to mesh with the first bevel gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinya Ojima
  • Publication number: 20130042981
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system and article of manufacture for a door assembly for rolling and unrolling, or retracting and extending, a door curtain. The door assembly may include various mechanisms to protect a door curtain from wear and abrasion, as well as muffle noise associated with the operation of the door curtain. The door assembly may comprise a curtain shaft. A door curtain may roll and/or unroll (e.g., open and/or close) on the curtain shaft. The door assembly may further include an insulator shaft, which may receive or hold a door curtain insulator or insulators. A door curtain insulator may attach to the insulator shaft as well as the curtain shaft and/or door curtain itself. In operation, as the door curtain is rolled up, one or more lengths of insulator may be unrolled from the insulator shaft and layered, or interleaved, between consecutive layers of rolled up door curtain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: CORNELL IRONWORKS ENTERPRISES
    Inventor: David Lueker
  • Patent number: 8353326
    Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric with three-layered structure is provided. The three-dimensional fabric comprises a surface layer, a backing layer, an intermediate layer, a first interconnection portion for connecting the surface layer and the backing layer, and a second interconnection portion for connecting the intermediate layer and the backing layer. The three-dimensional fabric with three-layered structure can be woven on a single loom in a batch operation and undergo transformation between two-dimensional shape and three-dimensional shape. This fabric is applicable as materials for blinds with high light-shielding rate because intermediate portions have a multi-layered structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignees: Woongjin Chemical Co., Ltd., Youil Corporation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoo-Sung Chang, Il-Sun Ryu
  • Patent number: 8342225
    Abstract: A connector for a multiple element blind assembly includes a first coupling element for association with a first blind element, said first coupling element having a body and a projection extending therefrom. The projection includes a keying portion. Also provided is a second coupling element for association with a second blind element. The second coupling element has a body defining a bore therein, which includes a keyway portion. The keying portion is insertable into and keys with said keyway to a torque transferring portion such that torque applied to one of said coupling elements is transferred to the other coupling element. Also, the keying portion is only insertable into said keyway to said torque transferring portion when said first and second coupling elements are aligned within a single relative rotational range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Damorgold Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Vito Fortunato, Ross Lava, Graeme John Whitty
  • Publication number: 20120291965
    Abstract: A blind for a building opening, and having; an upper blind roller, located in an upper region of the head rail, a lower blind attachment located in a lower region of the head rail, an upper blind stored on the upper blind roller, a lower blind stored on the lower blind attachment, upper and lower blind control mechanism to operate the blinds and the upper blind roller being located with an upper axis along an upper plane in the head rail and the lower blind attachment is located on a lower axis along a lower plane within the head rail, the axes being displaced vertically from one another, and in which the upper blind depends down beside a predetermined side of the lower blind attachment, and in which the lower blind depends down alongside said upper blind, so as to provide a head rail having a slim, aesthetically pleasing profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Mario M. Marocco
  • Publication number: 20120291963
    Abstract: A blind for a building opening, and having a head rail attachable adjacent to the building opening; a blind panel stored in the head rail, and adapted to be lowered, over the building opening; and, blind panel control mechanism in the head rail and control guides leading the the control so as to hang free of the blind panel, and permitting the blind panel to fill the building opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Mario M. Marocco
  • Publication number: 20120291962
    Abstract: A blind for a building opening, and having a head rail, attachable adjacent to the building opening; a first blind panel stored in the head rail, and adapted to be lowered as a loop defing two loop parts, over the building opening; a second blind panel stored in the head rail and adapted to be lowered over the building opening, and wherein the first panel is formed of light permeable material, whereby to admit at least some light into the interior of the building, and the second panel is formed of light impermeable material; transverse blind strips on the first panel, at spaced intervals there across; and, blind panel control mechanism in the head rail whereby the first blind panel loops can be adjusted so as to adjust the transverse blind strips between open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Mario M. Marocco
  • Publication number: 20120291964
    Abstract: A blind for a building opening, having; an upper blind roller, located in an upper region of the head rail, a lower blind attachment located in a lower region of the head rail, an upper blind stored on the upper blind roller, a lower blind stored on the lower blind attachment, upper and lower blind control mechanism operable to operate the blinds and in which the upper blind roller is located in an upper plane in the head rail and the lower blind attachment is located in a lower plane, the axes being displaced vertically from one another, and in which the upper blind depends down beside the lower blind attachment, and in which the lower blind depends down alongside said upper blind, so as to provide a head rail having a slim, aesthetically pleasing profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Mario M. Marocco
  • Publication number: 20120273140
    Abstract: The apparatus for covering a window includes a first support member and a second support member spaced apart from the first support member and substantially parallel to the first support member. The apparatus also includes a fabric extending between the first support member and the second support member. The fabric is movably coupled to the first support member and the second support member. The fabric forms a continuous loop through which the first support member and the second support member extend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Ruben N. Morales
  • Publication number: 20120267058
    Abstract: An application for a multi-section screen system includes a first of the flexible sheets of screen material that has zipper teeth along at least one side edge and a neighboring second flexible sheet of screen material that has mating zipper teeth along an abutting side edge. Mechanisms retract and deploy each of the flexible sheets in unison. A fastener is fixedly disposed between each two of the mechanisms and the fastener automatically joins the zipper teeth with the mating zipper teeth as the mechanisms deploy the flexible sheets and the fastener automatically separates the zipper teeth from the mating zipper teeth as the mechanisms retract the flexible sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Richard C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8267234
    Abstract: A force transmitting coupling for drivingly coupling winding devices of adjacent architectural coverings. The coupling includes first coupling member, a second coupling member, and mating engagement means on the first and second coupling members adapted to establish mating engagement between the first and second coupling member to transmit a drive force from one of the first and second coupling members to another of the first and second coupling members. The second coupling member includes a hub and the engaging means on the second coupling member are resiliently connected to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
    Inventors: Lars Koop, Jörg Bohlen
  • Patent number: 8261808
    Abstract: A window shade system and method of installing the shade system. The shade system includes first and second shade units and brackets for interconnecting the shade units. The first shade unit includes a first headrail, a roller mounted beneath the first headrail, a first shading material spooled onto the roller, and a device for deploying the first shading material from the roller. The second shade unit includes a second headrail, a second shading material attached to the second head rail, and a device for deploying the second shading material from the second headrail. The brackets secure the headrails together so that, when installed in the window, the first headrail is positioned vertically above and rearward of the second headrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: David Perkowitz
  • Patent number: 8235086
    Abstract: A multi-section screen system includes a first of the flexible sheets of screen material that has zipper teeth along at least one side edge and a neighboring second flexible sheet of screen material that has mating zipper teeth along an abutting side edge. Mechanisms retract and deploy each of the flexible sheets in unison. A fastener is fixedly disposed between each two of the mechanisms. The fasteners automatically join the zipper teeth with the mating zipper teeth as the mechanisms deploy the flexible sheets and the fasteners automatically disengaging the zipper teeth from the mating zipper teeth as the mechanisms retract the flexible sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Richard C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120152468
    Abstract: An acoustic panel assembly may have one or more panels adaptable for reflecting sound waves and a support member to which the one or more panels may be attached. The support member may be extendable and retractable. The one or more panels and the support member may be collapsible into a housing. The one or more panels may be configured in one or more substantially planar portions, one or more substantially curved portions, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Jimmie Ray Melhart
  • Publication number: 20120111507
    Abstract: A door for closing an opening in a wall, preferably a wall which separates two different temperature zones from one another, in particular one belonging to a cold store, having a door leaf (22), which can be moved in front of the wall opening, and having a heater for heating at least one door component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Troodon Torsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Craney
  • Patent number: 8146646
    Abstract: A window covering system used to adjust the position of window covers. Each cover hangs from a support that includes a roller. The covers are adjusted in position by the rotation of the roller. A slave gear is attached to each roller to facilitate rotation. A drive gear is provided that is sized to intermesh with each of the slave gears on the rollers. An adjustment mechanism is provided for rotating the drive gear. A second adjustment mechanism is provided for selectively moving the drive gear between various positions. At different points in its movement, the drive gear engages different slave gears from different rollers. Accordingly, a selected roller can be rotated. Thus, a single drive gear and a single manually operated mechanism can be used to individually rotate any number of rollers, thereby adjusting any number of window coverings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Ellis Toder
  • Publication number: 20120061032
    Abstract: A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald P. Snyder, Jason D. Miller, Donald P. Grant, Paul J. Maly, Mike Gallenberger, Aaron J. Wiegel, Daniel M. Anderson, Daniel Quarles, Eric Bublitz, James Oates, Joe Korman, Matthew C. McNeill, Jason Dondlinger
  • Patent number: 8127821
    Abstract: Present invention teaches to make a Roman shade window curtain where a sliding locking mechanism is provided at the bottom beam of the rolling spool at the back side of the Roman shade, where the engaging positions between the rolling spool bottom beam and the pair of auxiliary rods can be set according to user preference, by sliding the locking tubes towards the middle to move the engaging point up and down, and by sliding the licking tubes to the left and right extremities for engaging the bottom to the desired fold line on the Roman shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Pacific Heritage Home Fashions Inc.
    Inventors: Kai-Sheng Hsu, Chih Yung Wang
  • Publication number: 20120050596
    Abstract: Presented is a system for synchronizing movement of roller shades each from a first position to a common second position. The system includes a master controller, a plurality of optical assemblies each configured to obtain information related to the position of one of the roller shades, and a plurality of motor assemblies. Each of the motor assemblies is configured for receiving the position information from one of the plurality of optical assemblies, receiving a master shade movement time from the master controller, and moving one of the of roller shades from the first position to the common second position in response to the received position information so that the roller shade arrives at the common second position simultaneously with the other roller shades in a time equal to the master shade movement time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: George Feldstein, Mark Labosco
  • Patent number: 8122932
    Abstract: The present application pertains to a system for adjusting the height of a covering, such as window or a wall covering formed of two or more covering segments that are axially aligned. The system includes a link that selectively transmits rotation between two adjacent coverage thereby allowing the two coverings to be controlled, e.g., raised or lowered, simultaneously. The link includes a clutch that allows one of the segments to be rotated with respect to the other so that the bottom end of one of the coverings can be adjusted and aligned horizontally independently of the other. Optionally, the clutch includes an internal member that provides a mechanical advantage while the one covering is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: RollEase, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Cannaverde
  • Publication number: 20120037321
    Abstract: A head rod is for mounting a roll-up window blind in a window frame. The head rod has two tubular rods slidably mounted with one another. An elongated is formed throughout the entire bottom of the first tubular rod. A first window blind panel is secured to the first tubular rod and a second window blind is secured to the second tubular rod and extending downward through the bottom slot formed in the first tubular rod. A fixed length inner rod or a telescopic inner rod is slidably mounted in the first and second tubular rods. The telescopic inner rod can be adjusted in length for mounting the blind in windows of various inner widths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Dung Viet Pham
  • Publication number: 20120012704
    Abstract: Indicated herein is a lounge module for crewmembers of an aircraft, which exhibits a screen device, such as a privacy roller blind. This privacy roller blind can be used to visually demarcate a first aisle area from a second aisle area, thereby creating a private area for the aircraft crew.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Mosler, Jovan Ulbrich-Gasparevic
  • Patent number: 8082970
    Abstract: A flexible hurricane shutter or barrier to protect buildings from over pressure has inflatable cushions held in place by a fabric material capable of withstanding winds in excess of 100 mph. The barrier can be stored on site in a rolled fashion. Retainers are mounted on a building to guide and secure the longitudinal edges of the fabric to permit ease of deployment. The retainers may be spaced apart over one side of a building and the barrier may be deployed over an entire surface of a multi-story building by raising and lowering the fabric. Inflatable cushions are held between the fabric and the building. The inflated cushions reinforce the material and distribute the force of impact throughout the surface of the cushions and act as spacers to both hold the fabric off the structure and focus the forces onto stranger portions of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Ted Gower
  • Publication number: 20110259530
    Abstract: A roller cover and mechanism of operation of a roller cover is described. The roller cover comprises a body portion and at least one track along which the body portion is adapted to move. The mechanism of operation of the roller cover comprises a winding system, and winder and a drive system for raising and lowering the track. The winding system comprises a first spindle and a second spindle and a supporting sheet. The winder comprises an arm secured substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the first spindle. The drive system comprises an articulated arm rotatably attached at one end thereof to the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: DEROLO LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter T. Brook, David Walker
  • Patent number: 8025088
    Abstract: A dual roll blind system is able to adjust a light shading rate or extent and comprises a winding roll which includes a roll casing rotatably supported between both side plates of a ceiling bracket; a driving winding roll which includes a moving member disposed between both side plates in parallel with the winding roll and is thread-engaged with a screw shaft rotating by means of a blind winding device of one side, a straight moving member which is provided for left and right straight movements by restricting the rotation of the moving member, and a roll casing engaged with the moving member and the straight moving member; a first blind material of which upper end is fixed at the winding roll and in which a light transmission part and a light non-transmission part having constant widths are alternately formed in a width wise direction; a second blind material of which upper end is fixed at the driving winding roll and which has a light transmission part and a light non-transmission part corresponding to the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: Jung-Min Kim