Mark Larue Walker

US Patent:

7051782, May 30, 2006

Filed:

Oct 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/691850

Inventors:

Mark A. Walker - Whitehall PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

E06B 9/11

US Classification:

160310, 160120, 160241

Abstract:

A coupling assembly for a multiple-tube roller shade includes a support assembly for rotatably supporting and connecting adjacently located tube-end portions and a clutch mechanism providing relative rotation therebetween. The support assembly includes a tube-end fitting and a torque-transferring drive transfer member contacting the tube. The clutch mechanism includes first and second clutch members respectively engaged and separated in closed and opened positions. A pull bar is translatable within one of the shafts and is moved by a draw pin received in aligned openings of the second clutch member, the shaft and the pull bar. The shaft openings are elongated for movement of the second clutch member between the closed and opened positions. An adjustment member threadedly engages the tube-end fitting for vertical adjustment of the fitting with respect to a support panel. The tube-end fitting is secured to a bracket having elongated openings for horizontal adjustment.

US Patent:

7063124, Jun 20, 2006

Filed:

Feb 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/770812

Inventors:

Mark A. Walker - Whitehall PA, US
Michael S. Kokolus - Northampton PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

A47H 13/00

US Classification:

160392, 160395

Abstract:

An insert having a peripheral contact surface is received by a roller tube channel to engage a shade fabric. The insert is adjustable to compress the shade fabric within the channel. The insert may include a body having opposite side edges and at least one elongated slot. The insert member may include pivotable prongs or deflectable slot walls adjacent the slots. Pivoting of the prongs or deflection of the slot walls urges the body toward a channel side wall to compress the shade fabric. The insert may, alternatively, include a body having diametrically opposite portions respectively defining a curved outer periphery and a planar outer periphery, the body being wider between the curved portions. The insert is pivotable about an axis to grip the shade fabric between a channel side wall and one of the curved portions of the body.

US Patent:

7240716, Jul 10, 2007

Filed:

Feb 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/361900

Inventors:

Mark A. Walker - Whitehall PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

E06B 9/11

US Classification:

160310, 160120

Abstract:

A coupling assembly for a multiple-tube roller shade includes a support assembly for rotatably supporting and connecting adjacently located tube-end portions and a clutch mechanism providing relative rotation therebetween. The support assembly includes a tube-end fitting and a torque-transferring drive transfer member contacting the tube. The clutch mechanism includes first and second clutch members respectively engaged and separated in closed and opened positions. A pull bar is translatable within one of the shafts and is moved by a draw pin received in aligned openings of the second clutch member, the shaft and the pull bar. The shaft openings are elongated for movement of the second clutch member between the closed and opened positions. An adjustment member threadedly engages the tube-end fitting for vertical adjustment of the fitting with respect to a support panel. The tube-end fitting is secured to a bracket having elongated openings for horizontal adjustment.

US Patent:

7281565, Oct 16, 2007

Filed:

Feb 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/774919

Inventors:

David J. Dolan - Center Valley PA, US
Mark A. Walker - Whitehall PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

A47G 5/02

US Classification:

160310, 160188, 318268

Abstract:

A system for controlling a roller shade having a roller tube windingly receiving a shade fabric varies roller tube rotational speed for constant linear shade speed. The desired linear shade speed, roller tube diameter and shade fabric thickness and length are stored in a memory for use by a microprocessor. Preferably, the roller tube rotational speed is varied by the microprocessor depending on shade position determined by signals from Hall effect sensors. The microprocessor maintains a counter number that is increased or decreased depending on direction of rotation. Based on the counter number, the microprocessor determines shade position and a corrected rotational speed for the desired linear shade speed. Preferably, the microprocessor controls roller tube rotational speed using a pulse width modulated signal. The system may be used to control first and second roller shades having roller tubes of differing diameters or shade fabrics of varying thicknesses.

US Patent:

7537040, May 26, 2009

Filed:

Aug 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/897325

Inventors:

David J. Dolan - Center Valley PA, US
Mark A. Walker - Whitehall PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

A47G 5/02

US Classification:

160120, 160188, 160310

Abstract:

A system for controlling a roller shade having a roller tube windingly receiving a shade fabric varies roller tube rotational speed for constant linear shade speed. The desired linear shade speed, roller tube diameter and shade fabric thickness and length are stored in a memory for use by a microprocessor. Preferably, the roller tube rotational speed is varied by the microprocessor depending on shade position determined by signals from Hall effect sensors. The microprocessor maintains a counter number that is increased or decreased depending on direction of rotation. Based on the counter number, the microprocessor determines shade position and a corrected rotational speed for the desired linear shade speed. Preferably, the microprocessor controls roller tube rotational speed using a pulse width modulated signal. The system may be used to control first and second roller shades having roller tubes of differing diameters or shade fabrics of varying thicknesses.

US Patent:

7635018, Dec 22, 2009

Filed:

Aug 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/897326

Inventors:

David J. Dolan - Center Valley PA, US
Mark A. Walker - Whitehall PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Electronics Co. Inc. - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

A47G 5/02

US Classification:

160310, 160188, 318268

Abstract:

A system for controlling a roller shade having a roller tube windingly receiving a shade fabric varies roller tube rotational speed for constant linear shade speed. The desired linear shade speed, roller tube diameter and shade fabric thickness and length are stored in a memory for use by a microprocessor. Preferably, the roller tube rotational speed is varied by the microprocessor depending on shade position determined by signals from Hall effect sensors. The microprocessor maintains a counter number that is increased or decreased depending on direction of rotation. Based on the counter number, the microprocessor determines shade position and a corrected rotational speed for the desired linear shade speed. Preferably, the microprocessor controls roller tube rotational speed using a pulse width modulated signal. The system may be used to control first and second roller shades having roller tubes of differing diameters or shade fabrics of varying thicknesses.

US Patent:

20040129849, Jul 8, 2004

Filed:

Jan 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/338065

Inventors:

Mark Walker - Whitehall PA, US
Jason Gottschall - Harleysville PA, US
Joseph Nichols - Boyertown PA, US
Frank Guntz - Telford PA, US

International Classification:

A47H001/10

US Classification:

248/266000

Abstract:

A roller shade mounting bracket assembly includes a first bracket securable to a fixed support member. A landing board having a printed circuit board is secured to the first bracket. The landing board preferably includes a connector mounted to the circuit board for attachment of a wiring harness of a roller shade motor unit. Projecting standoffs may be included to space the landing board from a base plate of the first bracket. A second bracket includes a first portion adapted for attachment to the first bracket, the first portion preferably including an access opening accommodating the landing board. The second bracket further includes a second portion having openings for attachment of a shade roller. The second bracket may include hooked members engaging support members secured to the first bracket.