Hunter Douglas,inc.

Blount, Inc.

Patrick E Foley

Paul F Josephson

Stephen T Wisecup

Mark A Schwandt

Emanuel Guzman

Donald J Clark

Ron Bowman

Wendell B Colson

Fred Bould

Paul G Swiszcz

Kwan Hon Anson Cheung

Byron Lee

Coty Church

Paul D Mischo

Marilena Papaianache

Benjamin J Madden

Clark D Brace

Jeffrey Lee Spray

David G Lynch

Charles Culver Gidden Cooper

Paul A Brayford

Todd Michael Nelson

Daniel A Huber

Douglas J Lorenz

Jason Carlson

Wayne Rayman

Mark Schwantdt

John Hatch

Hovan Huang

Randy Pitzer

Drew Arnold

Don Leliefeld

Nicholas P Andrews

A rail for an architectural cover no is provided. The rail may be associated with a shade material of a covering. An adjustment device may be positioned at least partially within the rail. A plurality of lift cords may be associated with the adjustment device. The adjustment device may adjust an effective length of each of the lift cords to adjust a position of the rail within an architectural opening.

Rail for an architectural covering

Examples of rail assemblies for architectural coverings disclosed herein stabilize motor assemblies via end caps to reduce transfers of vibrational motor forces to the rails. An example rail for an architectural covering includes a housing, a motor to be disposed in the housing, and an end cap to be coupled to said housing. The example rail includes a track defined in an exterior face of the rail. A first portion of the end cap is to be received in the track. The end cap is capable of at least two degrees of freedom of motion relative to the housing prior to the first portion being received in the track. In the example rail, the track is to restrict the at least two degrees of freedom of motion of the end cap when the first portion of the end cap is received in the track.

Rail assemblies for motorized architectural coverings and related methods

A perimeter light blockout system for minimizing light leakage between light gaps such as, for example, between the sides of a covering (e.g., shade) of an architectural-structure covering and the interior side surfaces of a window frame, or between the covering and the outer surface of an interior wall is disclosed. The perimeter light blockout system including a light blocking device and a mounting element for coupling the light blocking device to the interior side surface of the window frame, or the outer surface of the interior wall. The light blocking device may include rear and front channel members. The mounting element may be a mounting extrusion. Alternatively, the mounting element may be a spring clip. In use, the light blocking device may be adapted and configured so as not to contact the covering as the covering moves between extended and retracted positions. The mounting element may include a degree of adjustment so that the light blocking device may be aligned with an out-of-skew window frame.

Perimeter light blockout system

A mounting assembly for mounting an architectural-structure covering to an architectural structure, in particular a movable structure is disclosed. In use, the mounting assembly is used in combination with the architectural-structure covering so that the architectural-structure covering can be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. All the while, the mounting assembly constrains movement of the covering portion of the architectural-structure covering so that, for example, in use, when the mounting assembly is mounted to a movable structure, the covering is prevented from moving relative to (e.g., away from) the architectural structure when the movable structure is opened and closed.

Assembly for an architectural-structure covering

A system and method for laser sealing an edge portion of a covering of an architecture-structure covering is disclosed. In one embodiment, after cutting a covering of an architectural-structure covering to an appropriate size, lasering the cut edge portions or surfaces of the covering to seal the cut edge portions or surfaces of the covering to prevent fraying. The beam of the laser may be positioned to contact the cut edge portions or surfaces of the covering in a plane of the fabric. Subsequently, the beam of the laser scans or moves across the surface of the cut edge portion of the covering. In use, the beam of the laser is arranged and configured to apply heat to the surface of the fabric material at discrete points or spots to vaporize any loose fibers located along the cut edge portion of the covering.

System and method of using lasers to seal an edge of a covering of an architectural-structure covering

Example dual mode architectural structure coverings are described herein. The dual mode operation permits the covering to be operated by a motor and also manually by a user. An example dual mode architectural structure covering includes a covering, a drive shaft, a drive motor having a motor drive shaft, and a dual mode operation system. The dual mode operation system includes a bearing housing rotationally coupled with respect to the motor drive shaft and a slip clutch rotationally coupled with respect to the drive shaft. The bearing housing and the slip clutch are operatively associated with a one-way bearing. Rotation of the one-way bearing in a first direction causes the bearing to lock, while rotation of the one-way bearing in a second direction, causes the bearing to free rotate. In this manner, manual operation of the covering will not damage the motor or other shade components.

Dual mode architectural structure covering

A rail for an architectural covering is provided. The rail may be associated with a shade material of a covering. An adjustment device may be positioned at least partially within the rail. A plurality of lift cords may be associated with the adjustment device. The adjustment device may adjust an effective length of each of the lift cords to adjust a position of the rail within an architectural opening.

A kinetic log splitter having: a frame; a geared rack; a pinion coupled with the geared rack and to cause the geared rack to translate linearly based on rotation of the pinion; an actuation handle that engages the geared rack and the pinion; and a linkage system coupling the actuation handle to the geared rack that allows disengagement of at least a portion of the linkage system in response to a stall condition that occurs due to a stall of the geared rack during the operation of the geared rack of the kinetic log splitter. The kinetic log splitter may be towable and/or include a push plate splinter recovery system.

Kinetic log splitter

Embodiments provide a log splitter with an extendable, or otherwise movable, work zone to increase the accessibility of the work zone for a user and improve movability of the log splitter. The log splitter may be configurable to be in an extended position, a compact position, a vertical position, or a moving position. In the extended position, the log splitter may split logs in a horizontal direction, and in the vertical position the log splitter may split logs in a vertical direction. When the log splitter is in the moving position and/or the compact position an operator of the log splitter may manually move the log splitter to a new position and/or location, or tow the log splitter with a vehicle.

Log splitter with extendable work space

A log splitter where splitting force is generated by storing kinetic energy in a rotating flywheel. Rotational energy is converted to splitting force by means of a rack and pinion, which is coupled to the flywheels through a belt-driven clutch system. A belt rests around a driven sheave and a drive sheave. An idler pulley tensions the belt, causing the driven pulley to rotate. The idler pulley is attached to an actuation handle causing the idler to lock, by means of a latch, until the operator disengages the pulley, or until a component mounted to the rack forces the latch to disengage. The rack remains engaged to the pinion by a bearing mounting system. A spring bumper may be placed at the end of travel so that at the end of the stroke, the ram mechanism compresses the spring, and uses stored energy to reverse the ram, pinion and sheave.

Growing community of inventors

Broomfield, CO, United States of America

Patrick E Foley