Electric Operation Or Control Patents (Class 160/310)
  • Patent number: 12152440
    Abstract: Included is a method for adjusting window shade settings of a window shade. At least one sensor captured environmental data of surroundings. A processor actuates at least one window shading setting to be applied to the window shade based on at least one of the environmental data, window shade setting preferences of a user, and at least one input received by an application of a communication device paired with the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: AI Incorporated
    Inventor: Azadeh Afshar Bakooshli
  • Patent number: 12116840
    Abstract: An architectural covering including a motor assembly is provided. The covering may include a head rail, an end cap enclosing an end of the head rail, a roller tube rotatably supported within the head rail at least partially by the end cap, and a motor assembly including a housing in splined engagement with the end cap to non-rotatably secure the motor assembly to the end cap. The motor assembly may be received at least partially within the roller tube and may be in driving engagement with the roller tube. A covering material may be attached to the roller tube such that rotation of the roller tube extends or retracts the covering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolas C. Buccola, Jr., Kenneth M. Faller
  • Patent number: 12091914
    Abstract: A roller shade comprising a motor pretensioned counterbalancing spring that lowers the torque load on the motor of the roller shade throughout the rolling up or rolling down cycles. The roller shade comprises a motor drive unit including a motor adapted to drive a drive wheel through a clutch. The motor drive unit further comprises a first spring carrier adapted to be stationary during operation of the motor and a second spring carrier adapted to rotate during operation of the motor. The motor drive unit further comprises a counterbalancing spring connected at its first end to the first spring carrier and at its second end to the second spring carrier. The counterbalancing spring is pretensioned using the motor prior to inserting the motor drive unit into the roller tube by driving the drive wheel and thereby rotating the second end of the counterbalancing spring with respect to the first end of the counterbalancing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Campagna, Bruce Ryan Dahlgren
  • Patent number: 12000209
    Abstract: A rolling curtain mounting housing and an electric rolling curtain are provided. The rolling curtain mounting housing includes a housing body, the housing body is disposed with an accumulator compartment, the accumulator compartment is disposed with an accumulator placement opening. The rolling curtain mounting housing is further disposed with a cover plate, the cover plate is configured to close the accumulator placement opening. The housing body includes an accumulator installation part and a housing extension part connected with each other, the housing extension extends outwards relative to the accumulator installation part, the accumulator installation part is disposed with the accumulator compartment. The cover plate further covers a side surface of the housing extension part on a same side as the accumulator placement opening when the cover plate closes the accumulator placement opening. The provided electric rolling curtain is more convenient to replace the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Guangdong RAEX Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jinbin Tan, Yusheng Li
  • Patent number: 11993136
    Abstract: A roller blind device for a vehicle interior including a roller blind shaft and a flexible textile sheet material, an end region of which is secured to the roller blind shaft in order to be wound and unwound relative to the roller blind shaft. The end region of the textile sheet material surrounds an outer casing of the roller blind shaft in the form of a loop which is annularly closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Stanislav Larin
  • Patent number: 11957943
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a blocking apparatus comprising: a holding apparatus; a receiving element mounted in the holding apparatus about an axis of rotation, defining a through-opening with a through-axis parallel to the axis of rotation; a wrap spring mechanically prestressed in the holding apparatus, with a winding arranged around the receiving element; and a thermocouple made of a material having a lower melting temperature than the holding apparatus and/or the wrap spring. The thermocouple holds at least one end of the wrap spring with respect to the holding apparatus in the prestressed state in such a way that the receiving element can be freely rotated in both drive directions about the axis of rotation. The receiving element is blocked in one of the two drive directions in the relaxed state of the wrap spring and in the triggered state of a thermal fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Andreas Pally, Beat Kälin
  • Patent number: 11905757
    Abstract: Photoelectric window blinds, which consist of a plurality of elongated lamellas, which are arranged in parallel and connected between each other by at least two stripes, equipped with a drive for their assembling, disassembling and changing an inclination angle, on which solar panels are mounted, the panels being connected between each other and equipped with a means for transmission of an obtained electric energy to external networks or to a means for storage. According to the invention, each solar panel is formed by at least two sections of solar elements, which are arranged on a base made of an electrically insulating material and covered by a temperature and moisture stable layer, coupled to each other and by a means for electrical connection embedded therein, and it is configured to receive at least one additional section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Erik Yevgen Valeriiovych
  • Patent number: 11859447
    Abstract: A window covering system that includes an elongated tube configured for a window covering to be wound around the tube, a clutch assembly that includes a pulley and a power spring having a first end engaging the pulley and a second end that is stationary, a limiter assembly, a booster assembly arranged between the clutch assembly and the limiter assembly, a cord arranged at least partially within the clutch assembly, and a wand fixed to the cord to selectively raise and lower the window covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLEASE ACMEDA, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Brown, II, Douglas Moore, Roccardo Santilli
  • Patent number: 11840884
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a blind system. The system includes an elongate rod for supporting a length of fabric. The system includes a motor that is connected to a spindle that is configured to rotate the rod about the longitudinal axis to extend and retract the blind in use. The motor may be disposed at a first end of the rod and may have a recess formed therein that is configured to receive a projecting portion of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rollease Acmeda Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Stefan Botha
  • Patent number: 11821212
    Abstract: An awning assembly and method of construction comprising a roll bar extending laterally between first and second arms. The roll bar comprising a removable and replaceable roller tube portion defining a wide opening within the roll bar and an inner roller mechanism housed within the wide opening. The inner roller mechanism comprising a drop end bracket rotatably and slidably coupling a second roll bar to the roll bar, the second roll bar extending laterally within the roll bar, a screen supported by the second roll bar, wherein the screen is extendable or retractable responsive to rotation of the second roll bar, and a tray supporting the second roll bar during extension and retraction of the screen, the tray supported by the removable and replaceable roller tube portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Gregory Keith Heimbuck, David Thomas McMillan, Vincent J. Frerich
  • Patent number: 11815755
    Abstract: Display units for digital out of home advertising with orientation-based operations adjustment and related methods are provided. The display unit includes an electronic display. A controller for the display unit receives orientation data from an orientation detection device, determines an orientation of the display unit, and adjusts operations of the display unit based, at least in part, on the orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventor: William Dunn
  • Patent number: 11773638
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a movable barrier operator including a body, a motor supported by the body, and a rotatable drive supported by the body and configured to be connected to an elongated driven member. The movable barrier operator further includes a shaft supported by the body and a compound gear mounted on the shaft. The compound gear includes a first gear operably coupled to a drive shaft of the motor and a second gear operably coupled to the rotatable drive. The first and second gears connected such that turning of the first gear causes turning of the second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
    Inventors: Brian Phillip Mastros, Zoltan Sostarecz
  • Patent number: 11761263
    Abstract: The present application provides a balance force component of a cordless window shade, which relates to the technical field of window shade components. A balance force component of a cordless window shade, comprising a windows shade tube, a core tube component is respectively provided at both ends inside the window shade tube, a deceleration component is respectively provided at the outer ends of the core tube component, and the outer ends of the deceleration components are respectively provided with a mounting component, the core tube component comprises an outer bracket, a number of clamping holes are equidistantly arranged on one side of the outer bracket, both sides of the outer wall of the outer bracket are provided with limiting grooves, and the outer ends of the inner wall of the outer bracket are provided with tooth grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Cheng Xu
  • Patent number: 11744339
    Abstract: A retractable jewelry travel scroll includes a frame, a spring-loaded tube rotatably suspended between the frame, and a sheet attached along one end to the tube. The sheet has one or more jewelry retention members connected thereto and one or more pockets thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventors: Carrie K. Kelsch, Ryan J. Humphreys, David K. Kelsch, Jean B. Kelsch
  • Patent number: 11740529
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to optically-switchable devices, and more particularly, to systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling optically-switchable devices. In some implementations, the apparatus includes an interface for communicating with window controllers, and the apparatus includes one or more processors. A processor can be configured to cause status information received from a window controller to be processed. The status information can indicate at least a tint status of one or more optically-switchable devices controlled by the window controller. In response to receiving the status information, one or more tint commands can be sent via the interface to the window controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Clark Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava
  • Patent number: 11692393
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an adjustable roller shade. In certain embodiments, the adjustable roller shade includes: a roller shade fabric winding shaft, a roller shade fabric wound on the roller shade fabric winding shaft forming upper edge of adjustable roller shade, a weight bar attached to bottom of roller shade fabric forming lower edge of adjustable roller shade, a pair of movable pulleys, two pairs of upward lifting ropes and downward pulling ropes, four winders, four driving motors, and a controller. The controller controls rotations of four driving motors, independently and in concert. Each of the four winders is independently driven by four driving motors respectively. Rotations of four driving motors cause rotations of four winders. Ups and downs of the upper edge and the lower edge of the adjustable roller shade can be achieved by controlling the rotational directions of the four winders, separately and independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Nanyang Kunyuan Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jiwen Zhang
  • Patent number: 11643861
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator release mechanism includes an operator chassis having a first side. A shaft extending in a first direction from the first side of the chassis. A brake assembly coupled to the chassis and the first shaft extends into the brake assembly. The brake assembly includes a lever, mounted to a mounting plate of the brake assembly on end and freely movable at the other end. A cable attached to the lever that when pulled pivots the lever about its mounting point. When moved, the lever disengages the brake assembly allowing for free movement of the movable barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: GMI HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Williams, Walter Dennis Reber
  • Patent number: 11639633
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermal management system configured to control a temperature of a building and having a controller configured to determine an adjustment to a window setting of the building based on current weather data, forecasted weather data, or both. The thermal management system also includes a display configured to display instructions related to the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventor: Andrew M. Boyd
  • Patent number: 11579506
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a transparent structure. The structure may include at least one light source, a transparent light-carrying guide layer optically coupled with the at least one light source. The structure may include refractive layers where a light absorbing feature is operably associated with the light-carrying guide layer to absorb any light not internally reflected in the light guide layer, at least adjacent the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Clarisse Mazuir, Matthew E. Last, Ryan J. Garrone, Budhadipta Dan, Khadijeh Bayat, Gregory A. Cohoon, Jack E. Graves
  • Patent number: 11560754
    Abstract: Provided is a window shading system including a means for shading one or more windows; a means for manually controlling at least one window shading setting; one or more sensors; a processor; and a tangible, non-transitory, machine readable medium storing instructions that when executed by the processor effectuates operations including capturing, with the one or more sensors, environmental data of surroundings; predicting, with the processor, the at least one window shading setting using a learned function of an artificial neural network that relates the environmental data to the at least one window shading setting; and, applying, with the processor, the at least one window shading setting predicted to the window shading system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: AI Incorporated
    Inventor: Azadeh Afshar Bakooshli
  • Patent number: 11480012
    Abstract: A motorized window treatment for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window includes a covering material, a drive shaft, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft for raising and lowering the covering material. The window treatment also includes a spring assist unit for assisting the motor by providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the cords that lift the covering material at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions to minimize motor usage and conserve battery life. The window treatment may comprise a photosensor for measuring the amount of daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window. The position of the covering material may be automatically controlled in response to the photosensor and the temperature sensors, or in response to an infrared or radio-frequency remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Edward J. Blair, Andrew Karl Cooney, Soumya Jain, David A. Kirby, Stephen Lundy, Justin J. Mierta, Daniel W. Mistarz, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Jonathan L. Roe, Chen Ming Wu, Justin M. Zernhelt
  • Patent number: 11472269
    Abstract: An improved retractable screen and doorframe assembly for a vehicle is presented. The novel construction is provided wherein the window and the retractable screen reside in the housing of a vehicle doorframe once the retractable screen and window are deployed. A plurality of axially connected wheel sets residing within an inner frame track facilitates the frictionless movement of the retractable screen in a horizontal direction and secures movement of the same as it is recoiled in a backward disposition onto the screen storage reel of a screen cartridge. Forward movement is further facilitated with a positive magnetic border that quickly advances with positive magnetic force towards the doorframe assembly having a negative magnetic rod being provided therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Larhonda Quinn
  • Patent number: 11378925
    Abstract: Motorized window treatments may each adjust a position of a covering material to allow light into a space in a building. The control information for controlling the motorized window treatments may be stored and/or accessed to understand how the motorized window treatments are operating. The control information may indicate a control state and/or a position of the covering material when an identified daylight intensity is being received at the space. The control information may inform a user of the operation of the motorized window treatments and allow the user to adjust various control parameters by which the motorized window treatments may be controlled. Recommended adjustments may also be provided to the user based on a user-identified problem with the operation of the motorized window treatments. The recommended adjustments to the control parameters may be accepted by the user and may be stored for being accessed and/or edited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Lundy, Brent Protzman
  • Patent number: 11268322
    Abstract: A shade assembly comprising a roller tube, a shade material connected at its one end to the roller tube, and a motor disposed inside the roller tube and adapted to rotate the roller tube to roll and unroll the shade material onto and from the roller tube while the motor remains stationary. The shade assembly further comprises a motor head disposed at a terminal end of the roller tube, the motor head comprises a substantially disc shaped motor head locking member having at least one locking tab extending from a side surface thereof and at least one contact pin extending from a terminal end thereof. The shade assembly further comprises a first installation bracket adapted to be secured to an architectural structure and comprising a substantially disc shaped installation bracket locking member comprising at least one locking arm and at least one contact pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Campagna
  • Patent number: 11261659
    Abstract: A cordless blind device that can be operated in various types such as manual, semiautomatic, and automatic types is proposed. The cordless blind device includes: a winding roll, a screen, a driving motor, a weight connected to a lower end of the screen; a torsion spring applying torque in a direction in which the screen is wound; and a rotation conversion module transmitting power in two directions between the driving motor and the winding roll, in which when the driving motor does not generate driving force, the torque applied by the torsion spring, the torque applied by the weight, and resistance by the rotation conversion module and the driving motor make equilibrium, so the screen remains stopped, and when an external force is applied upward or downward to the weight, the equilibrium of the forces breaks, so the screen is wound on or unwound from the winding roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: WINTEC KOREA INC.
    Inventor: Seong-Ryong Jang
  • Patent number: 11220858
    Abstract: Quick-release control systems for architectural opening coverings and associated control systems and methods for rapidly deploying the coverings to extended positions. In one embodiment coupling assemblies are provided for controllably coupling and decoupling portions of lifting mechanisms in a variety of covering systems, including roller and cellular shade systems. In yet other embodiments, control systems for controlling a plurality of coverings are provided, which may be configured to remotely and simultaneously deploying each of the plurality of coverings to an extended position in response to a trigger signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SecurShade Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon M. Clements, Stephen Knieriem, Brian McCarthy, Christopher C. Coulter
  • Patent number: 11187036
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to operate a covering of an architectural covering are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a clutch to disengage a motor when the motor is not in use. The dual control architectural covering further includes a clutch to disengage a motor from moving a covering to facilitate manual operation of the covering of an architectural covering when the motor is not in use; and a controller: to track a covering position based on a first encoder measurement from a first encoder; and to track a motor position when the motor disengages based on a second encoder measurement from a second encoder different from the first encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Dann, Joseph Kovach, Wendell Colson, Daniel Fluckey, Matthew DiFrancesco, Michael Siebenaller, Jeffrey Spray
  • Patent number: 11174676
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. The shutter extends towards a bottom stopper in a controlled manner by virtue of a conductivity difference that is introduced in an area proximate to the bottom stopper. This conductivity difference affects the electrostatic forces in that area in a manner that can be used to alter shutter extension speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventor: Yabei Gu
  • Patent number: 11078722
    Abstract: A screen (1) is provided comprising at least a first and a second elongate guidance element (27, 28) extending in a first direction (D1) and a structured foil (10) with a front surface and a back surface, having a variable length (L) in a first direction (D1) carried by the elongate guidance elements. The screen has slat shaped portions (11a1+11a2, 11b1+11b2) and connection portions (12ab, 2ab?) bridging the slat shaped portions. The slat shaped portions, which extend in a second direction (D2) transverse to the first direction are provided with photovoltaic elements (20) that are connectable to external terminals for supply of electric energy. The slate shaped portions are slidably coupled with the guidance elements, to allow them to slide in said first direction along said guidance elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuarwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Johannes Andreas Maria Ammerlaan, Hieronymus Antonius Josephus Maria Andriessen, Gerardus Titus van Heck, Jeroen van den Brand, Harmannus Franciscus Maria Schoo
  • Patent number: 10961775
    Abstract: A venetian blind drive, with a geared motor, consisting of an electric motor and a reduction gear unit, a drive housing, a motor mount for the geared motor, a damping device arranged between the motor mount and the geared motor, and a damping mechanism for the damping means on the geared motor. A generic drive that can be produced and mounted in an easy and economical manner, has a low number of parts, and has reliable structure-borne sound insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: BÜHLER MOTOR GMBH
    Inventor: Bernd Reinecker
  • Patent number: 10865598
    Abstract: Hinged window drive systems and window assemblies incorporating them provide for a combination of powered or motorized operation in addition to manual operation using a hand crank, with the opportunity for a user to switch between motorized operation and manual operation as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Andersen Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Wernlund, David Plummer
  • Patent number: 10863846
    Abstract: A motor driven system for raising and lowering a window covering executes motor ramp trajectory speed control. The motor ramp trajectory limits acceleration of an external motor from the idle (stationary) state to full operating speed, and limits deceleration of the motor from full operating speed back to the idle state. This function reduces stresses on a continuous cord loop drive mechanism. A control system manages solar heating effects in response to sunlight entrance conditions such as system sensor outputs, external weather forecasts, and other data sources. The system automatically opens or close the window covering to increase or decrease admitted sunlight under appropriate conditions. The input interface of the control system includes a visual display and input axis, which are aligned vertically if the window covering mechanism raises and lowers the window covering, and are aligned horizontally if the window covering mechanism laterally opens and closes the window covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Axis Labs Inc.
    Inventors: Trung Duc Pham, Alan Cheng, Marc Bishara, Clifton Pereira
  • Patent number: 10809587
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to optically-switchable devices, and more particularly, to systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling optically-switchable devices. In some implementations, the apparatus includes an interface for communicating with window controllers, and the apparatus includes one or more processors. A processor can be configured to cause status information received from a window controller to be processed. The status information can indicate at least a tint status of one or more optically-switchable devices controlled by the window controller. In response to receiving the status information, one or more tint commands can be sent via the interface to the window controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Clark Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava
  • Patent number: 10704325
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motor assembly for a motor unit for driving a shaft for rolling a blind, the assembly including a rotary motor and an output shaft connected to the rotary motor in order to transmit the torque supplied by the rotary motor to the rolling shaft, the output shaft including a first socket for receiving a drive member of the rolling shaft of a roller blind. The output shaft also includes a second socket, separate from the first socket, for securing a non-roller blind to the rolling shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Ronan Georgeault, Stephane Thumerel, Frederic Volle
  • Patent number: 10675957
    Abstract: A device for covering at least part of a container using a tarpaulin. The device includes an actuator assembly operable selectively in a manual mode and in a motorized mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: FABRICATION ELCARGO INC.
    Inventors: Real Royer, Keven Boutin
  • Patent number: 10590701
    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: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Daniel M. Fogarty
  • Patent number: 10428579
    Abstract: A device (1) is described for stopping, releasing and restoring the position of roller-type window nets (3, 48), comprising: a fixing shaft (13) having a coupling groove (15) formed in a front external circumferential surface thereof and an insertion groove (16) formed in a rear surface thereof; a ball rotor (18) inserted into the fixing shaft (13) and coupled to the external circumferential surface of the fixing shaft (13), including a front portion coupled by means of a spring (30) and having a conveying groove (20) formed in a surface thereof for conveying a ball (40) and a guide jaw (38) formed in a central part thereof, wherein the ball (40) is inserted into the conveying groove (20); and an outer rotor (42) coupled to the conveying groove (20) via the ball (40) and having a rotation groove (44) formed in an internal circumferential surface thereof, wherein the ball (40) is coupled to the rotation groove (44) to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventor: Roberto Brioschi
  • Patent number: 10300780
    Abstract: A support structure for rotating shafts of a vehicle, including: a drive shaft operatively connected to a power transmitting shaft to which a drive force of an engine is transmitted; and a rotor shaft of an electric motor spline-coupled to the drive shaft, each of the rotor shaft of the electric motor and the drive shaft is being supported by at least one bearing, in the support structure, one of the rotor shaft and the drive shaft is constituted by a first rotary shaft and a second rotary shaft which are operatively connected to each other, and an elastic member is interposed between the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft such that the first and second rotary shafts are operatively spline-connected to each other through the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Yokouchi, Hiroki Kuwamoto, Haruo Isomura, Akitaka Ichikawa, Hiroatsu Endo
  • Patent number: 10227821
    Abstract: An electrically and manually adjustable screening device for screening a window. The screening device has a screen with a variable length and a positionable free end. The longitudinal position of the free end determines the length of the screen. An electric drive is operably connected to the screen for adjusting the longitudinal position of said free end. A sensor arrangement is configured to detect manual movement of the longitudinal position of the free end and for outputting a detection signal. A circuit or processor is configured to control the speed of the electric drive and is configured to ramp up the speed of the electric drive in response to a detected manual movement starting the ramp up at a speed similar to the speed of the detected movement to gradually take over from the manual movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Rasmus Klercke Pedersen, Karsten Engholm Rasmussen, Jan Thomsen
  • Patent number: 10221623
    Abstract: A shade motor power bracket assembly for a shade system is provided comprising a first electrical and mounting interface adapted to provide electrical power to a shade motor and to provide a quick connect-disconnect mounting surface for a shade system that comprises the shade motor, and wherein the first electrical and mounting interface comprises a first bracket adapted to be mounted on a mounting surface and that comprises a plurality of first electrical contacts, and a shade end cap adapted to enclose a first end of a shade tube, the shade motor disposed within the shade tube, the shade end cap comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts adapted to electrically interface with respective ones of the plurality of first electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Derk, Jr., Benjamin Slivka, Michael Campagna
  • Patent number: 10146187
    Abstract: A clock comprises an alarm clock housing having a front face, a clock display occupying at least a portion of the front face, a control on the housing for activating a shade positioning function, and a processor within the housing. The processor is responsive to the control for generating at least one shade positioning command to be transmitted to at least one motorized window shade, so as to cause the motorized window shade to move to one or more position at one or more corresponding predetermined interval relative to an alarm time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Erica Patton, Daniel Raneri
  • Patent number: 10072460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a screen device (10) comprising a screen (16) movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, bearing on a load bar (12), and motorized by an installation comprising at least two winding units (24), each comprising a winding coil (26) associated with a driving gear motor (28), the winding coils (26) being guided to rotate relative to the box (18) mechanically independently from one another. A control circuit (32) synchronizes the two winding units (24) by driving each gear motor (28) so as to ensure the horizontal position of the load bar. To that end, the control circuit (32) is connected to one or more sensors (34), for example accelerometers, delivering a signal representative of the levelness of the load bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Pierre-Emmanuel Cavarec, Sebastien Lemaitre
  • Patent number: 9963934
    Abstract: A device and method for controlling the speed of a rolling door is disclosed. The door panel is controlled to accelerate or decelerate by means of the real-time rolling speed of the door panel, such that speed control is applicable to door panels of different specifications. When the real-time rolling speed of a door panel reaches a predetermined acceleration value, a control module actuates the driving module to speed up opening or closing of the door panel. When the real-time rolling speed of the door panel reaches a predetermined deceleration value, the control module controls the driving module to speed down opening or closing of the door panel; when the real-time rolling speed of the door panel is in between the acceleration value and the deceleration value, the control module actuates the driving module to maintain the opening or closing speed of the rolling door at current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Chung-Hsien Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9725951
    Abstract: A motorized system that allows for calibration by a user, and that features circuit protection and detection of motor stoppage. A motorized window-blind system is an example of such a system and is disclosed herein. In particular, a circuit is featured that comprises a TRIAC, or “triode for alternating current,” and TVS diodes, or “transient-voltage-suppression diodes,” providing voltage protection to various types of motor-related electronic components. A controller is disclosed that features measurement of voltage that is induced on a secondary winding of a motor, in order to detect certain events that occur during the operation of the motor. A calibration method is also disclosed that can account for one or both of the protection circuit and event-detecting controller. The calibration method accounts for human interaction and, in doing so, is intended toward making a calibration process of a motorized household system less prone to human error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Silvair Sp. z o.o.
    Inventors: Szymon Slupik, Maciej Witalinski, Adam Gembala
  • Patent number: 9696693
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, system, method, computer program, and computer program product for controlling window coverings to adjust admitted daylight. More particularly, the present disclosure plates to a control system for controlling the amount of daylight admitted through adjustable window coverings. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a stand-alone open loop proportional control subsystem including a calculation or algorithm that is operable to convert a sunlight sensor signal to a blind slat position based on a predetermined curve stored in memory. In another embodiment of the present invention, the system is operable to transmit the sunlight sensor information, for example, such as in Lux, to an external system, which may then provide blind slat position requests based on some other curve, algorithm, or user need. The blind slat position may be controlled by the system to avert undesirable solar heat gains and also achieve significant daylight harvesting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Richard Geraint Element
  • Patent number: 9587422
    Abstract: A direction switchable ratchet device for a door operator is provided. The door operator includes an electric motor, an electromagnetic brake and the direction switchable ratchet device. The direction switchable ratchet device comprises a first and second direction restricting devices and a manually operable mechanism. A drive shaft of the electric motor is braked by a brake baffle disk when the electric motor is electrically de-energized and is released when the electric motor is electrically energized. The first and second direction restricting devices are provided to prevent the drive shaft from being rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise respectively by holding the brake baffle disk. In the event of power failure, the manually operable mechanism is effective to open the door once a pawl of the direction restricting device at the free side is retracted. The manually operable mechanism of the door operator is prevented from being incorrectly mounted in a cost-effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Chung-Hsien Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9587431
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods of attractive, low cost, controllable, or other featured motorized window covering assemblies. The use of a motor assembly with an integrated WiFi interface enables eliminating a setup box, resulting in lower cost. Eliminating the setup box and any associated wires further eliminates the eye sore that they may pose. These eliminations, along with an elongated motor assembly used in some embodiments, further enable the motor to be made less noticeable by, for example, making it easier to hide or camouflage. As one example, an elongated motor assembly, comprising an elongated casing surrounding the motor and the control board, is hidden inside a window covering holder. An IP address can be assigned to each motor, which enables addressing and controlling each motor individually from any remote device located anywhere with access to the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Jackson Global Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong Kun Choo, Hong Seng Tan
  • Patent number: 9467076
    Abstract: A position limiting device includes a magnetic element, a detecting element, a motor, and a controller. The magnetic element is disposed in the center of the position limiting device, the motor is coupled to the detecting element, and the controller is electrically coupled to the detecting element and the motor. The detecting element is configured to detect magnetic fields generated by the magnetic element, and correspondingly generate and transmit a magnetic field intensity signal. The controller is configured to receive and process the magnetic field intensity signal to obtain a magnetic field intensity value. In addition, the controller is further configured to compare the magnetic field intensity value and a magnetic field intensity boundary value. When the magnetic field intensity value is less than the magnetic field intensity boundary value, the controller drives the motor so that the motor makes the detecting element to move correspondingly to the magnetic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Pin-Hao Fang
  • Patent number: 9366082
    Abstract: A control system (700) is disclosed that includes a room controller (704) transmitting signals to both a shade control network (716) and a light control network (718), directing that motorized roller shades (106) and dimmable lights (714) be set to desired intensity levels. The control system further includes an intelligent hub (710) that provides a trickle-charge re-charge current via power-over-Ethernet cables to batteries associated with each of the motorized roller shades for re-charging the batteries, thereby eliminating power supplies being installed within walls. The intelligent hub provides for communication with the room controller based on streaming protocol and with the shade control network based on event-based protocol. A computer (414) running user interface software may be connected to the system to facilitate programing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: George Feldstein
  • Patent number: 9309717
    Abstract: Powered safety curtains are disclosed herein. An example safety barrier assembly to control access to equipment includes a track and a barrier including a receptacle. The barrier is to be moveable within the track between an open position and a closed position. The open position is to enable access to the equipment, the closed position to substantially prevent access to the equipment. The example safety barrier assembly also includes a sensor to identify when the safety barrier is in the closed position and a securing device comprising a portion to be received by the receptacle when the barrier is identified as being in the closed position. An interaction between the portion and the receptacle is to prevent the barrier from moving out of the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carl David Hardison, III, David Swift, Ryan Pfaff, Ryan P. Beggs