With Supporting Or Journaling Means Or With Roller End Structure Patents (Class 160/323.1)
  • Publication number: 20130062023
    Abstract: A window covering system includes a window blind and a pet curtain. The window blind has an upper region and a lower region. The upper region is coupled to a window frame such that the window blind hangs from the window frame. The pet curtain is coupled to the window blind and extends downwardly past a lower region of the window blind towards a lower portion of the window frame. At least a portion of a dog or cat can move past the pet curtain of the window system to view out of the window without raising the window blinds. The pet curtain includes pass-through features that allow the pet to pass therethrough and that can move back into position after the pet has passed therethrough to substantially cover the window frame or that can be removed from the curtain or reattached to the curtain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Lauren Little
  • Patent number: 8336598
    Abstract: A safety device for a roller blind comprises: a housing, a cover and a locking member, a drive mechanism and an elastic member that are disposed between the cover and the housing. The locking member is disposed between the drive mechanism and the housing, so that when an excessively big pulling force is applied to the bead chain, the bead chain and the drive mechanism will be automatically disengaged from the driven mechanism. Hence, the security of the safety device for the roller blind is considerably improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Rising Sun Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tso-Shn Chang
  • Publication number: 20120318468
    Abstract: This invention provides improved lightweight reinforced roll-up door panels (20) The improvement includes: the panel being formed of an extruded plastic material, such as EX75 Resin ABS, and having upper and lower longitudinal edges (25, 31); the panel having an outer skin (22) and an inner skin (22) spaced from said outer skin; at least one pocket (24) positioned between the skins; and an insert (28) positioned within the pocket. The insert is so configured and arranged as to resist flexural deformation of said panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Mark J. Szczygielski
  • Patent number: 8322396
    Abstract: In a screening arrangement comprising a top element, a bottom element, and a screening body, the top element includes two end pieces (410) and a spring-biased roller bar mounted on a roller shaft (461). The roller shaft (461) and one of the end pieces (410) constitute an integral one-piece unit formed by molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Hans Gram Andersen, Steffen Stenulm
  • Publication number: 20120285633
    Abstract: A sun shield assembly includes: a spool housing provided with first and second supporting seats; a spool-supporting unit disposed in the spool housing and having first and second studs opposite to each other in an axial direction and coupled to the first and second supporting seats, respectively; a spool mounted rotatably to the spool-supporting unit; and a sun shield member mounted movably on the spool. The first supporting seat includes a casing, and a coupler disposed in the casing and formed with an insert hole. The first and second studs extend into the insert hole in the coupler and the first supporting seat, respectively. The first supporting seat further includes an urging member mounted in the casing to urge resiliently the coupler in a first radial direction relative to the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Lin
  • 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: 20120255688
    Abstract: A winding shaft for a roller blind system with a main body for holding a rolled up planar structure that can be unwound from the winding shaft, wherein the main body takes the form of a partial cone around a winding shaft axis. The main body is formed as a hollow metal tube shaped as a partial cone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Markus HINTENNACH
  • Publication number: 20120255684
    Abstract: A fire or smoke protection device (12) with a flexible partition device (16) which can be put in a protection arrangement in which the partition element (16) can work to its full protective effect, and a storage arrangement, and a winding shaft (18) upon which the partition element (16) is wound up in the storage arrangement, and a mounting device (20) for fixing the fire or smoke protection device (10) on a building section (14), wherein at least one anchoring device (22) positively interacts with the winding shaft (18) if and only if the partition element (16) is in the protection arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Frank Krueger, Christian Meier, Frank Ottmers, Stefan Siller, Stefan Tappe
  • Patent number: 8276642
    Abstract: A trough shade system and method of use provide improved support for a roller tube and shade material. The roller tube and wound shade material are located within a support cradle to minimize unwanted deflection by the roller tube and associated wrinkling and deformation of the shade material. Various mechanisms allow the roller tube a limited range of movement within the support cradle. The system is suitable for shading larger areas than other shading systems which rely on roller tubes with fixed supports at the ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: MechoShade Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Berman, Xi Ming Li, Eugene Miroscnichenko
  • 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: 8256491
    Abstract: A screening device for mounting in a frame structure, which has at least one pair of opposed frame pieces, has two opposite ends and carries at each end a coupling member for supporting the screening device in the frame structure, wherein at least one of said coupling members has a recess having at least one coupling member engagement side for engaging a bracket member in a frame structure and an electrical terminal in the recess. The electrical terminal is resilient and movable in directions towards and away from a body part of the screening device, and the resilience of the electrical terminal is configured so that retaining of the coupling member on the bracket member may, at least in part, be fulfilled by the resilience of the resilient electrical terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventor: Martin Birkkjær
  • Patent number: 8251120
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cordless blind structure including a blind body further comprising a batten and a shade having an end disposed at an outer edge of the batten; a first end holder movably disposed at a first end of the batten; a second end holder movably disposed at a second end of the batten; and a limiting mechanism disposed between the blind body and the second end holder, the limiting mechanism including a resilient unit and an axial unit, the resilient unit being movably disposed at the second end holder, and the axial unit being movably disposed at the second end holder, controllably coupled to the resilient unit, and coupled to the second end of the batten. The shade is lifted or lowered by exerting a force thereon in conjunction with the limiting mechanism so as to ensure ease of use and enhance user safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Chicology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ju-Huai Chen
  • Publication number: 20120193042
    Abstract: A mounting system for an architectural covering including a pair of mounting brackets, a roller operably connected to each of the mounting brackets, and an end plug at least partially received within the roller and operably connected to one of the mounting brackets. The end plug selectively transitions between an extended position and a retracted position and includes a sleeve, a plunger received within the sleeve, and a spring at least partially received within the plunger for biasing the plunger away from the sleeve. The plunger includes a center or body section and at least two radially spaced tongues extending from a first end of the center section. In the extended position a first portion of the plunger projects from the sleeve and in the retracted position at least a portion of the first portion of the plunger is received within the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
    Inventors: Lars Koop, Jorg Bohlen
  • Publication number: 20120186756
    Abstract: A sunshade device includes a winding shaft, two track rails, a sunshade cloth with two ends respectively connected to a cross bar and a winding shaft, two end piece units connected respectively to two opposite ends of the cross bar and each having a headed pivot, and two sliding units each having a pivot plate pivotally and detachably attached to one of the end piece units through the headed pivot. Because the pivot plate can be easily and quickly attached to or detached from the headed pivot, assembly or disassembly of the sunshade device of the present invention is convenient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: MACAUTO INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Paul Lin
  • Patent number: 8220520
    Abstract: A support assembly is provided for a roller tube that holds sheet material. The support assembly has opposed first and second mounts adapted to support the roller tube when rotatably coupled to the mounts. The mounts can include slides having a slide member that slides within a slide bracket. A support cradle is disposed between the first and second mounts. The support cradle is configured to support the roller tube along a length thereof. Various spring elements can be arranged to apply a force to the roller tube in an upward direction when the roller tube is positioned to dispense material therefrom in a downward direction, thereby preventing the sheet material from telescoping and/or from dragging or binding against the support cradle as it winds and/or unwinds, while also keeping the material from being wound tighter at the ends than across the rest of the roller tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen Lukos
  • 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: 20120152471
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for closing off an opening above, below, or between electronic equipment in a rack. The rack includes a pair of equipment rails. The electronic equipment is mounted to the equipment rails. The apparatus includes a base, a roller shade, and a handle. The roller shade is rotatably connected to the base and includes a free end extending from the base when the roller shade is rotated. The handle is connected to the free end of the roller shade. The base is removably connected to the equipment rails at a first position. The handle is removably connected to the equipment rails at a second position spaced apart from the first position such that the free end of the roller shade is extended to close off the opening in the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: PANDUIT CORP.
    Inventors: Gary L. Zernach, Nathan W. Pascarella, Darron J. Wright, Travis M. Samples, Joseph Allen Dukes, Mark A. Acklin, James N. Fleming, Samuel C. Ramey, Frank J. Graczyk
  • Patent number: 8201790
    Abstract: A window blind includes a rod and a support unit. The support unit is disposed on an end portion of the rod, and includes an end cover, a fixing pillar, a support pillar, an inserting tube, and a metallic brace member. The end cover has an outer surface and an inner surface. The fixing pillar includes a rectangular pillar body having a pair of opposing wide faces and a pair of opposing narrow faces. The support pillar extends from the inner surface of the end cover and into the rod. The inserting tube is sleeved rotatably on the support pillar and inserted fixedly into the rod. The metallic brace member includes a ring portion, two wing portions, and two engaging portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Macauto Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Lin
  • Publication number: 20120103541
    Abstract: Disclosed is a retractable weatherproof blind that extends across an existing railing system of a deck or balcony. The device originates from a first spindle and connects an outstretched length of blind to a second spindle to afford weather protection and privacy. The device is quickly deployable, thereby enabling users to enjoy the sun, breeze and the view, or to provide a level of privacy and protection therefrom as desired. The device can be installed without modification to the existing deck or balcony railing, and can be quickly set up or taken down as desired. The present invention may be used on residential and commercial decks and balconies, including either tubular spindle railings or on glass railing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Linda Maxwell, Andrew Maxwell
  • Patent number: 8156993
    Abstract: A roll screen control member is revealed. The roll screen control member consists of a sprocket wheel, a chain protection cover, a sprocket support, a cover spring, a splined bush and a central pin. The splined bush is mounted with a roll screen tube while the central pin includes a central pin head with a plurality of cutting surfaces. After the central pin being locked into the sprocket support, each cutting surface of the central pin is corresponding to each cutting surface on the sprocket support. When a chain is pulled, due to the precise locking between the central pin and the sprocket support, splined bush is moved along with the cover spring so as to drive the roll screen tube to rotate along with the movement and further control extension or retraction of the roll screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Uni-Soleil Ent. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Ting Kao
  • Patent number: 8151859
    Abstract: A roller blind mounting system including at least one roller, at least one telescopic end plug and at least two brackets. The telescopic end plug is engageable within an end-opening of one of said rollers. The end plug includes a hollow body and a telescopically movable member or plunger co-axially positionable with respect to the hollow body such that a first axial extending length portion of the plunger projects from the hollow body and a second axial extending length portion is held within the hollow body. The plunger is telescopically movable between a first end position in which the first portion of the plunger projects from the cylindrical body and a second end position in which at least part of the first portion is inserted into the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
    Inventors: Lars Koop, Jörg Bohlen
  • 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
  • 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: 20110315328
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a garage door screen assembly for covering a garage opening comprising: a cylindrical enclosure, where said enclosure is positioned above the opening; a tracking assembly on each side of the opening; a retractable screen, where said screen is stored within the enclosure when a retracted position and said screen extends downwardly over the opening when in a released position, where said tracking assembly guides the screen between the retracted position and the released position. In one exemplary embodiment, the screen is spring loaded within the enclosure and may include a handle attached to the screen, where said handle provides a means to move the screen between the retracted position and the released position. In another exemplary embodiment, the screen covers the entire garage opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: CHARLES HAZEL
  • Patent number: 8051891
    Abstract: A bracket member (9) of a supporting means for supporting a screening device in a frame structure, which has at least one pair of opposed frame pieces (5, 6), said supporting means comprising a pair of bracket members (9, 9?) provided for mounting on a respective frame piece (5, 6) of said pair of opposed frame pieces and a pair of coupling members (30) positioned at either of two opposing ends of the screening device. The bracket member (9) comprises a base (10) for abutment on the frame piece (5), a main face (11) opposite the base (10) and at least one bracket member engagement side (12) for engaging a coupling member of the screening device. A part of the main face (11) is provided by a releasable cover member (15), below which an electrical contact point is provided. The coupling member comprises a recess having at least one coupling member engagement side for engaging a bracket member (9) and an electrical terminal in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventor: Martin Birkkjær
  • Publication number: 20110253323
    Abstract: A bottom bar apparatus for a door curtain includes a bottom bar mountable on a lower end of the curtain and two bar connectors for slidably connecting opposite ends of the bar to guide members mounted along sides of the door opening. The apparatus includes two pivot mechanisms each joining a respective one of the bar connectors to a respective end of the bar. Each mechanism includes a pivot shaft and a shaft receiver into which the shaft extends. One of the shaft and the receiver is connected to a respective one of the bar connectors and the other is mounted on the bottom bar. At least one stop device is arranged to limit pivotal movement of the bar and each is mounted on one of the group consisting of the pivot mechanism and the bar connector. Pivotal movement of the shaft is restricted when the curtain is subject to windload.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: TNR INDUSTRIAL DOORS INC.
    Inventor: Russell Bowman
  • Publication number: 20110253324
    Abstract: A window blind window blind includes a winding roller rollably mounted a window to lift or lower a roll-up piece, a blind curtain disposed forwardly of the roll-up piece and having elongate loop members, and a plurality of modular clip devices. Each loop member defines a lengthwise hole, and has an anchoring head portion having an access slot, marginal and gripped regions disposed at two sides of the lengthwise hole. Each clip device includes a grip body and a holding tongue. The grip body has loop-side and roll-up piece-side gaps to form a middle gripping finger portion, and internal and external gripping finger portions. The internal gripping finger portion and he holding tongue are placed in the lengthwise hole by virtue of inserting through the access slot to abut against the gripped and marginal regions, respectively. The roller-up piece is snugly engageable in the roll-up piece-side gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Shih-Ming Lin
  • Publication number: 20110227371
    Abstract: A sunshade assembly includes a sunscreen of which the longitudinal edges are provided with guide strips which are substantially rigid in transverse direction. Opposed elongated longitudinal guide rails each include a guide channel section defining a guide channel in which the respective guide strip is accommodated when the sunscreen is moved between open and closed positions. The guide channel of each guide rail being bounded on the side facing the opposed guide rail by a guide flange (14) supporting the guide strip in a direction towards the opposed guide rail. A part of the guide channel section of at least one guide rail is resilient such that at least the portion of the guide flange supporting the guide strip is resiliently yieldable in a direction towards the opposed guide rail under the influence of forces exerted by the sunscreen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Stephan Christiaan Vervoort
  • Patent number: 8016016
    Abstract: A trough shade system and method of use provide improved support for a roller tube and shade material. The roller tube and wound shade material are located within a support cradle to minimize unwanted deflection by the roller tube and associated wrinkling and deformation of the shade material. Various mechanisms allow the roller tube a limited range of movement within the support cradle. The system is suitable for shading larger areas than other shading systems which rely on roller tubes with fixed supports at the ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Mechoshade Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Berman, Xi Ming Li, Eugene Miroscnichenko
  • Publication number: 20110209838
    Abstract: A removable barrier having a housing; at least one barrier band retractable from the housing which is intended to be wrapped around furniture legs, where latching an end of the barrier band to either the housing or a second barrier band when retracted forms a physical barrier preventing objects from going under furniture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Kevin SANTORA
  • Patent number: 8006737
    Abstract: An adjustment device for an awning is provided comprising an engagement member and a resilient adjustment member having an outer diameter. The outer diameter of the adjustment member is adapted to be selectively adjustable. A retainer element is provided to maintain a desired outer diameter. In one example, the resilient adjustment member can be adapted to engage the engagement member. In addition or alternatively, the engagement member can have a plurality of angular splines that are keyed into corresponding internal grooves of the adjustment member. In addition or alternatively, the resilient adjustment member can be adapted to splinably engage the engagement member. In addition or alternatively, the resilient adjustment member can have a plurality of support members and a plurality of flexible connectors, wherein each support member is connected to an adjacent support member by a flexible connector to form an enclosed cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Dometic, LLC
    Inventor: Gheorghe Popa
  • Publication number: 20110139381
    Abstract: A system for operating and positioning a roller shade may include a roller shade clutch and an idler which are mounted to brackets for attachment to a structure. Each bracket may include a mounting plate, an attachment member slidably mounted to the mounting plate, and a wall or ceiling engaging member mounted to the mounting plate. The roller shade clutch may include a housing having a guard defining a cavity, a chain outlet, and a chain guard spanning the chain outlet, a post extending axially from the housing, at least one torsion spring mounted on and frictionally engaging said post, a sprocket wheel being mounted for rotation over the post and seated within the cavity, a chain guard cover disposed over at least a portion of the chain guard, and a follower cap mounted over the post that is rotatable in conjunction with the sprocket wheel. The idler may include an inner drum, an outer drum rotatably and slidably disposed over the inner drum, and an end cap fixed over the forward end of the outer drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph Daniels
  • Publication number: 20110126993
    Abstract: A fabric receiving element for a blind assembly, the fabric receiving element having at least two axially extending slots, each slot defining an opening for receiving blind material, the openings being of different respective widths, the slots including a floor opposite the openings, and wherein the middle portion of the floor of the slot is at a greater distance from the opening than the end portions of the floor of the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Reginald Allsopp, Antony Barnes
  • Publication number: 20110119823
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for covering a surface such as a swimming pool, a sports field, a glazed surface, a vehicle body, including: (a) a drum rotatingly mounted and capable of winding or unwinding a cover, said drum being mounted on longitudinal translation mechanisms including rails provided on either side of said surface; (b) an attachment system for said cover at one transverse end of the surface to be covered so that the translation and the rotation of the drum results in the winding/unwinding of the cover above the surface to be covered; (c) a system for continuously locking the longitudinal edges of the cover onto said rails that is progressively fitted during the unwinding operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: BECOFLEX S.A.
    Inventor: Benoît Coenraets
  • Publication number: 20110108211
    Abstract: A rail system is provided having two profile rails, between which a lamellar configuration having multiple lamellar elements is provided. The lamellar element is implemented for a roller blind device, which can be guided in a rail system like a folding blind, having a lamellar body and having at least two guide elements, which are situated on diametrically opposing sides of the lamellar body and extend in the transverse direction of the lamellar element, for holding and/or guiding in at least one guide groove of the rail system, at least one first guide element having at least one extension differing in the transverse direction in relation to at least one second guide element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Uwe SUESS
  • Publication number: 20110108207
    Abstract: A roof for a computer rack aisle is provided. The roof has a canopy that may be flexible and/or fire-resistant. The canopy has a retracted position an extended position. In the retracted position, the canopy may be wound around a spool. In the extended position the canopy may cover the top of an aisle between two computer racks. A selectively releasable retainer holds the canopy in the extended position while releasing the canopy to return to the retracted position when a predetermined condition is met. The canopy retractor is provided to return the canopy to a retracted position. The canopy having first and second lateral edges with flanges running from a position approximate a front portion of the canopy and to a position approximate a rear portion of the canopy. The flanges can be received within a canopy guide track to facilitate the smooth movement from the extend position to the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: LDM Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mainers, Mark A. Goyen, Vincet Michael Lake
  • Publication number: 20110088317
    Abstract: A retractable high-reflectivity wall provides improved lighting conditions for growing plants. The wall is retractable, so that it does not get in the way when the user wishes to work in the grow area. The wall can also be retracted so that it is easier to move, carry, reposition, resize, and/or remove as needed. The wall may be implemented as a sheet including a reflective surface adhered or otherwise mounted onto a flexible backing such as a vinyl surface for additional support/reinforcement. The resulting flexible reflective wall is mounted onto a roller assembly which allows the wall to be extended or retracted. A support bar can be affixed to the roller assembly via brackets or other hardware. The entire apparatus can be suspended from or affixed to a ceiling, wall, fixture, or other object, or it can be supported by a stand or other assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20110061822
    Abstract: A system for protecting building penetrations is disclosed. The system can include a screen comprising flexible, strong fabric-like material suitable for resisting high winds, driving rain, and wind-driven missiles. The screen can further include loops sewn, or otherwise manufactured, into the span sides of the screen. The system can further include one or more retention channels having an internal hem rod. The loops in the screens can slide over the hem rod to guide and retain the screen in the retention channels. The hem rod can include a tapered end and a loop opener to facilitate the loops sliding over the end of the hem rod. The system can further include an enclosure for housing a take-up roll and a powered or manual rotating system. The system can include a deflection device to enable the screen to unroll off the take-up roll smoothly and vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: STORM SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Burton G. TREMAINE, III, Victor Rivera
  • Publication number: 20110048658
    Abstract: A cargo shade for an automotive vehicle includes a shade storage device contained within a cargo area trim panel, and a retractable shade attached to the storage device. One end of the retractable shade is attached to a liftgate, such that opening the liftgate will cause the shade to be selectively elevated, to permit access to the cargo area without the necessity of retracting the shade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marc David Nedelman, Chi Li
  • Patent number: 7891399
    Abstract: Two neighboring roller blinds on the same drive shaft may be adjusted with respect to each other by letting one end plug comprise an un-coupling device. This un-coupling device may advantageously be made by means of an unwrap spring that is actuated by means of a ring that surrounds one end plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Faber A/S
    Inventor: Ken Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7857034
    Abstract: A side cover of a roller blind frame rail for closing an opening of a tail end of the roller blind frame rail. The side cover includes: a closing board as a main body, the closing board having a fixing rest shelf perpendicularly projecting from the closing board and positioned adjacent to an upper edge thereof, two vertical breaking flutes being respectively formed on two sides of an inner face of the closing board, the breaking flutes extending through the closing board from a lower edge of the closing board to the upper edge thereof; a locating post projecting from a center of the inner face of the closing board; and three insertion plates perpendicularly projecting from the inner face of the closing board. The three insertion plates are a transverse insertion plate and two vertical insertion plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Tser Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 7854419
    Abstract: The present invention is an adjustable mounting bracket for mounting a roller blind to a surface such that the roller blind can be quickly leveled. The bracket includes first and second plates, the first plate having apertures to permit the first plate to be mounted to the surface. The second plate has a mounting fixture formed thereon for mounting to the roller blind. To permit the second plate to move relative to the first plate, the second plate is provided with an elongated groove formed thereon, the second plate being movably mounted to the first member by a mounting element fixed to the first plate and passing through the groove. The mounting element and groove are dimensioned and configured to permit the second plate to slide between a first and a second position. The position of the second plate relative to the first plate is adjusted by an adjustable moving mechanism which is configured to precisely position the second plate between its first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventors: Philip Ng, Norman Wills
  • Publication number: 20100300631
    Abstract: A design wall has a design surface attached to a roller, which is attached to a wall and allows the design surface to be rolled up out of the way when not in use. An ideal design surface has a fabric backing and batting front, which will hold design elements, such as fabric samples in place. Another design surface is made of a flexible material, and design elements are attached by adhesive applied to the design surface, or by pinning or other means of attachment. Design elements are applied to the design wall and moved around to test different designs. When not in use, the design wall is rolled up and can be hidden behind a valance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Marilyn Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20100294438
    Abstract: A shade system comprises a shade fabric, such as a roman shade fabric, a roller tube, at least one wide flexible lift band (i.e., a section of flexible material) windingly received around the roller tube and extending from the roller tube to a bottom end the of the shade fabric, and a plurality of coupling structures for holding the flexible material adjacent to a rear surface of the shade fabric. Each coupling structure is attached to the rear surface of the shade fabric at attachment points that are spaced apart, such that the coupling structures and the shade fabric form openings for slidingly receiving the lift band. The lift band is coupled to the bottom end of the shade fabric, such that bottom end of the shade fabric moves up and down as the roller tube is rotated in respective directions, so as to raise and lower the shade fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Kirby, James J. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100294440
    Abstract: An automated shade system that shades windows on different planes is disclosed. The automated shade system comprises a roller tube with shade material wound on the roller tube connected to a second roller tube with a second shade material wound on the second roller tube, wherein each roller tube is at an angle to the other. The roller tubes are connected by an off axis connector that transmits torque between the two roller tubes. The system has only one drive mechanism to operate the non coaxial roller tubes, whereas other shade systems would require separate drive mechanisms for each roller tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: MECHOSHADE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Xi Ming Li, Eugene Miroshnichenko
  • Publication number: 20100288452
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device with a curtain which can be rolled up and unrolled between a shut position and an open position, whereby this curtain (1) comprises a belt (2,3) on each of its faces, whereby each belt (2,3) has successive teeth (5,6) in the longitudinal direction, whereby these belts (2,3) are situated opposite one another in such a way that they can mesh when the curtain (1) is being rolled up. At least one of these belts (2,3) comprises teeth (5,6) having at least one recess (8,9) in which at least one protruding part (10,11) of the teeth (5,6) of the other belt (2,3) can engage in such a way that the two belts (2,3) can mesh and such that one of these belts (2,3) can push the other belt (2,3) in their longitudinal directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Dynaco International S.A.
    Inventor: Benoit Coenraets
  • Patent number: 7823620
    Abstract: A roller shade mounting system provides a tube-in-tube arrangement for reducing sagging of a roller tube windingly supporting a shade fabric. The mounting system includes a mounting tube received within a roller tube, and first and second annular drive rings located on an outer surface of the mounting tube. The drive rings are secured to the mounting tube and the roller tube secured to the drive rings such that rotation of the mounting tube results in rotation of the roller tube. Each drive ring is located at a distance from an end of the roller tube for limiting sagging deflection of the roller tube. The tube-in-tube arrangement provided by the mounting system provides controlled deflection for the roller tube without necessitating undesirably large increase in the diameter of the roller tube, which could create an undesirable appearance in many roller shade installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Kirby
  • Publication number: 20100269985
    Abstract: A window treatment is disclosed. The window treatment includes a panel having a front portion, a rear portion, a top edge and a bottom edge. A plurality of guides extends from the rear portion of the panel. The guides are configured and arranged to allow a lifting mechanism to slide therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: KENNEY MANUFACTURING CO.
    Inventors: Michael Hanley, Leo E. LaBarre, Mathew A. Mello, Vincent J. DeSanto
  • Publication number: 20100269987
    Abstract: A window covering for a window having a window casement, or other opening in a wall, such as a doorway or a case-less window opening, with an inside portion adjacent to the window and an outside portion adjacent to the inside portion, the outside portion having a left side portion and a right side portion is disclosed. The window covering comprising includes a support assembly configured and arranged to attach to an inside portion of a window casement and a window treatment suspended from the support assembly and overlapping at least a portion of a left side portion and a right side portion of an outside portion of the window casement whereby the window treatment covers the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: KENNEY MANUFACTURING CO.
    Inventors: Carolyn Martin, Michael Hanley
  • Patent number: RE42198
    Abstract: A roll-up closure device for typically collapsible vehicle shelters of the type having a structure made of assembled tubular members and cross-members and a complementary covering therefor made of a flexible plastics material and defining at the front end thereof a door opening. The side walls of the shelter are inclined in such a way as to diverge from top to bottom, whereby the door opening has generally a isosceles trapezoidal shape. The device includes a pair of opposed side guide rails mounted at laterally opposite sides of the door opening so as to follow the angled sides thereof, an overhead motor driven roll-up boom extending above the door opening, and a flexible closure shaped like the door opening and having its lateral side edges slidably engaged in the guide rails, whereby the closure device does not substantially reduce the lateral dimensions of the door opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Robert LePage, Michel Paradis