For Strand Operated Roll Patents (Class 160/307)
  • Patent number: 11821259
    Abstract: The system includes information and data from analysis systems about optimal window covering positions that is communicated to building occupants. The analysis system communicates information to the occupant via the occupant's client computer to allow the occupant to fully or partially adjust the position of a manual shade or motorized shade, without the need for the analysis system to fully or partially electronically control the shades. The system may also adjust window covering systems and other systems to ensure desired or optimal daylight exposure in order promote optimal circadian functionality in the occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: MECHOSHADE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Hebeisen, Eugene Miroshnichenko, Xi Ming Liarno
  • Patent number: 11611189
    Abstract: In various embodiments, laser devices feature means, such as fasteners, for attaching a laser package to a cooling plate, which allow motion of the laser package in response to thermal cycles resulting from operation of a beam emitter therewithin. Embodiments of the invention additionally or instead include laser devices featuring segmented barrier layers for electrically isolating the laser package from the cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bryan Lochman, Matthew Sauter, Michael Denninger, Bien Chann, Keita Inoue, John Roethle
  • Patent number: 10260281
    Abstract: A clutch cover for a roller blind clutch. The clutch cover comprises a clutch barrel portion mounted upon and extending outwardly from a first side of a backing plate, a cover ring and one or more indexing locators to fix the position of the cover ring relative to the backing plate when the cover ring is releasably secured about the backing plate. The cover ring includes a chain guide and is releasably securable about the backing plate such that the cover ring encompasses the backing plate. The indexing locators prevent relative rotational movement between the cover ring and the backing plate when the cover ring is releasably secured about the backing plate. The indexing locators permit the chain guide to be positioned at a plurality of angles relative to the backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ZMC Metal Coating Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Ng
  • Patent number: 9758022
    Abstract: A vehicle curtain assembly has an axle tube, a reeling device, a curtain fabric, a rim board, and an auxiliary wheel mechanism. The axle tube has a side wall and a slot defined in the sidewall. The reeling device is mounted in the axle tube. The curtain fabric extends into the axle tube via the slot and is connected to and reeled around the reeling device. The rim board is connected to the curtain fabric. The auxiliary wheel mechanism is mounted on the side wall of the axle tube and is applied to abut a bottom of the curtain fabric, to rotate to push the curtain fabric to move toward the slot, and to abut a bottom of the rim board to position the rim board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: MACAUTO INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Paul Lin, Hung-Ming Yen
  • Patent number: 9593530
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening may include a brake assembly including a first housing, a clutch on which the first housing may be mounted, a sleeve, a second housing attached to the sleeve, and a spring element attached to the second housing. The brake assembly may permit relatively unrestricted rotation of the first housing in a first direction, and impart rotational resistance to rotation of the first housing in a second direction. A method for assembling a covering for an architectural opening may include coupling a clutch to a first housing, coupling the clutch to a sleeve, coupling a second housing to the sleeve, mounting the second housing over a hub, and positioning a torsion spring between the hub and the second housing. The brake assembly may be used to impart rotational resistance to extension of a shade member, such as to resist unintended extension of the shade member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Daniel Fluckey
  • Patent number: 9194177
    Abstract: An operating control system for a retractable shade including a roller reversibly rotatable within a headrail includes a clamp system for gripping an endless operating cord in a neutral position to prevent rotation of the roller and a tensioner if properly mounted in a fixed position will release the clamp system to permit rotation of the roller while positioning the runs of the endless cord in a closely spaced relationship to minimize the risk of an infant or child becoming entangled in the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Anthony, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel Fluckey, Joseph E. Kovach, Jeffrey L. Spray
  • Patent number: 8695680
    Abstract: A device for disabling a window treatment operated by a cord includes at least one member with a gear engaging the cord. When the cord is not tensioned correctly, the gear of the member intermeshes with teeth on another member impeding movement of the cord along its length. In one embodiment, two gears engage different sections of the cord and intermesh with each other. In another embodiment, a stationary member intermeshes with the gear of member selectively pivoted by the cord in accordance with the tension on the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Rollease, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Cannaverde
  • Patent number: 8672115
    Abstract: A roller shade clutch is disclosed. In exemplary embodiments the clutch may comprise a housing, a ribbed post extending axially from the housing, a sprocket wheel mounted for rotation around the post, at least one torsion spring mounted for rotation on the ribbed post, a chain guard, a boss extending axially from the sprocket wheel, and a drum disposed over the ribbed post, the torsion spring and the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventors: Maria-Teresa Jennings, Stewart Swiss
  • Patent number: 8640762
    Abstract: A blind slat controller with braking function for rotating and locating blind slats at a certain light obstruction angle. The blind slat controller includes and a base seat and a cord reel having a protruding push body. The push body serves to push a coiled spring to unbind or bind a hub section of the base seat, whereby the cord reel is permitted to rotate or is braked and prevented from rotating. When unbound, a slat control rod can be driven and rotated to control the rotational angle of the blind slats. After the blind slats are rotated to a predetermined light obstruction angle, the cord reel stops rotating. At this time, due to the coiled spring's own elasticity, the coiled spring is restored to again bind the hub section. Accordingly, the cord reel is prevented from rotating to locate the blind slats at the predetermined light obstruction angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Ming Lu Wong
  • Publication number: 20120267060
    Abstract: A covering for architectural openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. Anderson, Robert E. Fisher, II, Donald E. Fraser, Stephen R. Haarer
  • Patent number: 8286685
    Abstract: A limit mechanism for door machine for controlling the door curtain in such a manner that it stops accurately at an upper stop level and a lower stop level, the door machine including an output pulley driving a reel of the door curtain. The limit mechanism comprises: a screw rod both ends of which are rotatably supported on a frame, the end portion of one end of the screw rod being provided with a driven pulley which interlinks with the reel of the door curtain; a pair of nut blocks each having a threaded hole centrally arranged for joining with the screw rod so as to slide thereon; a pair of lock devices for locking relative positions between the pair of nut blocks; and a pair of buffer devices arranged respectively at both ends of the screw rod for limiting the sliding stroke of the nut blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Chung-Hsien Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20120090795
    Abstract: A manual roller shade system includes a rotatably-mounted roller tube, a flexible shade fabric windingly received around the roller tube, and first and second elongated telescoping structures that allow for rotating the roller tube for manually raising and lowering the shade fabric. The roller shade system also has a clutch mechanism coupled to the roller tube, and a drive chain coupled to the clutch mechanism. The first and second elongated telescoping structures receive first and second end portions of the drive chain, respectively, and are connected to the first and second telescoping structures, such that the roller tube rotates in the first angular direction to raise the shade fabric when the first telescoping structure is pulled downward, and in the second angular direction to lower the shade fabric when the second telescoping structure is pulled downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventor: David A. Kirby
  • Patent number: 8136569
    Abstract: An operating unit (5) for operating a window covering. The operating unit (5) includes a housing (11), a rotatable drive pulley (13) having an axis of rotation and first and second mounting positions in the housing, with respect to the axis of rotation, an engagement device (15), rotatable about the axis of rotation, and a brake mechanism (45, 47, 49) for, in use, arresting the engagement device when the drive pulley (13) is not rotated and preventing the engagement device and drive pulley from being back driven by the window covering. The engagement device (15) has a plurality of circumferentially spaced pins (19) parallel to the axis of rotation. The drive pulley (13) has a corresponding plurality of openings (17) facing the pins (19). In the first mounting position, the pins on the engagement device (15) engage with the corresponding openings (17) in the drive pulley and the engagement device rotates with the drive pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
    Inventors: Jorg Bohlen, Lars Koop
  • Publication number: 20080223532
    Abstract: A top down/bottom up covering for an architectural opening is disclosed in a roll-up configuration so the shade can be rolled about a roller in a head rail while having the ability to raise and lower top and bottom rails between which the shade material extends independently of each other. The roller is utilized to raise and lower the bottom rail by wrapping about or unwrapping the shade material from the roller and a control system for raising and lowering the top rail is confined within the roller. The invention is disclosed in embodiments that include a single operating element or a pair of operating elements but in each instance the top and bottom rails are independently movable so the shade material can be extended to any degree between the top and bottom rails and positioned at desired locations within the architectural opening in which the covering is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond N. Auger
  • Patent number: 6158563
    Abstract: A winding mechanism for an architectural covering such as a blind or shade in which a fixed shaft 10,110 is surrounded by an inner sleeve 16,116 and an outer sleeve 22,122. A one way clutch 20,32 is provided between the inner sleeve and the fixed shaft, and a cord 42,142 is wrapped around the outer surface 40,140 of the inner sleeve, and is connected at one end 44,144 to the outer sleeve 22,122 and at the other end 46,146 to drive member 12, 112 such as a bead pulley. The weight of the blind or shade tending to rotate the outer sleeve in one direction of rotation will tighten the helically wound cord 42,142 onto the outer surface 40, 140 of the inner sleeve locking it thereto and preventing, via the one way clutch 28,72, rotation of the outer sleeve until such time as the drive member 12,112 is rotated in one direction or the other to raise or lower the blind or shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas International N.V.
    Inventors: Konrad Welfonder, Lars Koop
  • Patent number: 6076591
    Abstract: An assembly for locking a curtain in a selected position has a hollow roller unto which a curtain is rolled and unrolled, the roller containing an elastic winding device, and a locking device for locking the roller in the selected position. The locking device has a support coupled to the roller, the support having a cavity which receives co-axially and rotatably at least one locking element that has an elastic band which frictionally engages the support to hinder free rotation of the roller. The elastic band has a first end fastened to the locking element with the band wound around the locking element so that the band is in frictional contact with the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Sunproject S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giovanni Bergamaschi
  • Patent number: 6032716
    Abstract: An inventive bottom stop mechanism uses one of the lift cords to operate. While the cord is unwinding from the shaft, the cord leaves the shaft along a line tangent to the shaft. As the last turn of cord is unwound from the shaft, and the point of attachment of the cord to the shaft passes that point of tangency, the angle of the cord with respect to the shaft changes. This change in angle of the cord is used to raise a pawl which engages a ratchet wheel to stop the shaft and prevent further rotation in that direction. When the direction of the shaft is reversed to again start winding the cord thereupon, the cord angle returns to its prior value, releasing the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: RollEase, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Mattey
  • Patent number: 5669432
    Abstract: An automatic-locking mechanical drive construction for raising and lowering a window covering, including a fixed cylindrical shaft, a rotary drive member mounted to rotate about an axis with respect to the shaft, and a rotary driven member turnable with respect to the shaft and about the axis of the drive member. The drive and driven members have pairs of facing, abuttable walls effecting a two-directional, lost-motion rotary driving connection between the members, and a helical coil spring is disposed on the shaft, so as to frictionally seize it, and selectively lock thereon. The spring has a radially-projecting shoulder intermediate its ends. Spaced-apart shoulders on the driven member are individually engageable with the projecting shoulder on the spring whereby the spring normally prevents turning of the driven member in either of opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventors: Jules Nisenson, Ronald E. Bischoff
  • Patent number: 5482105
    Abstract: A spring clutch mechanism for the operation of roller shades and other rollable items. This clutch mechanism is designed to release for raising the shade so as to minimize effort. Whereas prior art clutch mechanisms for roller shades are intended not to slip, or to slip only to save themselves, in this case, lowering of the shade is accomplished by overriding the clutch, causing it to slip. The clutch can be adapted easily to accommodate know shade weights. The inventive design provides superior operating characteristics and, because the clutch can be built with as few as two parts, much lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: General Clutch Corporation
    Inventor: Edward T. Rude
  • Patent number: 5437324
    Abstract: The present invention provides a roller shade with a variable load brake and, in a modification thereof with a lift assist. The load brake includes a compressible spring surrounding a threaded rod, the spring acting against a traveling nut mounted on the rod. The compressive friction of the traveling nut against the threads of the threaded rod continually varies during raising and lowering of the shade to provide the variable load braking capability. The lift assist uses at least one torsion spring, also associated with a shaft and coupled between a nonrotating flange and a nipple rotationally anchored to the shaft. The torsion spring system is increasingly loaded when the shade is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventor: Alan R. Sternquist
  • Patent number: 4846248
    Abstract: The strap winder has a base plate (1) with a recessed grip (2) which is arranged laterally alongside the usual spring-tensioned strap drum (11) and through which the pulling strap (3) passes transversely, the pulling strap running from the device to be operated via a strap clamping device to the recessed grip and from the latter via deflection rollers to the strap drum, so that the strap winder can, due to its relatively flat design, be fitted countersunk in a thin-walled lintel surface above a skylight and thus allowing for more convenient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: V. Kann Rasmussen Industri A/S
    Inventor: Svend A. Sonderby
  • Patent number: 4347885
    Abstract: A roller blind structure has an elongated tubular member which is mounted for rotation and displacement in elongated openings in two spaced-apart brackets. Coaxially secured to the tubular member is a pulley. The roller blind screen is secured to the tubular member, and a cord for rotating the tubular member is secured to the hub of the pulley. A tubular sleeve having a downwardly directed opening for the cord has an axial projection sliding against an upper horizontal surface of the bracket to prevent the sleeve from rotating but to allow it to be displaced with the pulley A guiding and locking means is provided at a vertical spacing below the sleeve and serves to guide the cord relative to the sleeve and to lock the cord in any desired position. For the latter purpose, it has a spring-influenced locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Inventors: Enar S. von Knorring, Torsten F. Swensson