Hunter Douglas,inc.

Daniel M Fogarty

Wendell B Colson

David P Hartman

Ralph G Jelic

Marjorie G Harper

Kevin M Dann

Paul G Swiszcz

Kristi K Kopecky

Joseph E Kovach

Jason T Throne

Stephen T Wisecup

Kelly Q Rahn

Gary A Marino

Eugene M Ballard, Jr

Kim Jelic

William Johnson

Jörg Bohlen

James M Anthony

Michael Scott Goldberg

Clark D Brace

Nickolas C Buccola, Jr

Paul A Brayford

Todd Michael Nelson

Daniel A Huber

Jan Pruegner

Max Oelschlager

Robert E Fisher

Robert E Fisher, Ii

Todd B Jaramillo

Majorie G Harper

Jr Ballard Eugene M

Example methods and apparatus can be used to reduce noise in motor assemblies, such as those used in architectural coverings. An example apparatus includes a first driver configured to be coupled to and rotated by an output shaft of a motor, a second driver, and a plurality of vibration-absorbers disposed between the first driver and the second driver. The second driver is configured to be coupled to a rotating member to transfer rotational motion from the first driver to the rotating member via the vibration-absorbers.

Methods and apparatus to reduce noise in motor assemblies

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.

Methods and apparatus to control an architectural opening covering assembly

Methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies are disclosed herein. An architectural covering assembly including an architectural covering; a tube to which the architectural covering is coupled; a manual controller operatively coupled to the tube to rotate the tube; a motor including a motor housing and a motor shaft; and a clutch assembly including a clutch and a clutch housing in which the clutch is disposed, the motor shaft coupled to the clutch and the clutch coupled to the manual controller to hold the motor shaft substantially stationary when the architectural covering is moved under an influence of the motor to cause the motor housing to rotate with the clutch housing and the tube.

Methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies

Example architectural opening coverings powered by rotary motors are described. An example an architectural covering comprises a rotatable member, a covering mounted to said rotatable member, a motor to rotate a drive shaft, and a drive shaft coupling structured to: couple the drive shaft to said rotatable member to rotate said rotatable member to raise said covering when said motor is energized to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction, and substantially prevent the drive shaft from applying torque to said rotatable member when said motor is energized to rotate the drive shaft in a second direction to lower said covering.

Architectural opening coverings powered by rotary motors

A method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening. The method includes operatively coupling a support material and at least one operating element to a roller for selective rotative movement during use. The at least one operating element extending along at least a part of the length of the support material. The method also includes extending a plurality of vanes relative to the support material. Each vane including an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the upper edge of each of the vanes is fixed against movement relative to the support material, the lower edge of each of the vanes is fixed against movement relative to the at least one operating element, and the lower edge of each of the vanes moves relative to the upper edge of each of the vanes by moving the at least one operating element.

Apparatus and method for making a window covering having operable vanes

A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.

Retractable shade with collapsible vanes

Apparatus and methods for controlling architectural opening coverings are described herein. An example apparatus includes a roller tube, a motor including a motor drive shaft and a motor casing, the motor casing to rotate with the roller tube, and a manual control including a manual control drive shaft coupled to the motor drive shaft, the motor to apply torque to the roller tube through rotation of the motor casing.

Control of architectural opening coverings

A unitary assembly for an architectural fenestration, providing dynamic solar heat gain control, which (1) provides a track-based frame structure/blind combination in which the blind is self-correcting should the blind material fall outside of the track; (2) provides directional shading, where the assembly provides for dynamically controlling the amount of light allowed to reach the heat storage unit; (3) provides a blind motor without limiter switches and with a quick-release slip-ring; and (4) provides a heat storage unit which is a thermally efficient, transparent and translucent structure, with which gain from sunny winter days is greater than nighttime loss, so as to provide supplemental heat.

Unitary assembly for an architectural fenestration, providing dynamic solar heat gain control

A method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening is disclosed. The covering including a support, at least one vane, and at least one operating element. The method for manufacturing the covering includes extending the vane across the support; extending the operating element along a length of the support, and coupling the covering to a roller for selective rotative movement for extending and retracting the covering during use. The operating element being movable with respect to the support. In use, an upper portion of the vane is fixed with respect to the support while a lower portion of the vane is fixed with respect to the operating element so that the lower portion of the vane is movable relative to the upper portion by moving the at least one operating element.

Method for making a window covering having operable vanes

Example architectural opening coverings powered by rotary motors are described. An example architectural opening covering apparatus includes a rotatable member, a covering mounted to the rotatable member, a motor having a drive shaft which is capable of rotating the rotatable member in a first direction to raise the covering and in a second direction opposite the first direction to lower the covering, and a drive shaft coupling substantially preventing the motor from applying torque in the second direction.

Methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies are disclosed herein. An example architectural opening covering assembly includes a manual controller operatively coupled to a tube to rotate the tube. The tube includes an architectural opening covering. The example architectural opening covering assembly also includes a motor operatively coupled to the tube to rotate the tube. A local controller is communicatively coupled to the motor to control the motor. The example architectural opening covering assembly further includes a gravitational sensor to determine an angular position of the tube.

Growing community of inventors

Framingham, MA, United States of America

Daniel M Fogarty