Vincent T Brown

US Patent:

6402110, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Sep 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/408228

Inventors:

Joel Berman - Hewlett NY
Vincent J. Brown - Valley Stream NY

Assignee:

Joel Berman Associates, Inc. - Long Island City NY

International Classification:

A47G 110

US Classification:

2483162

Abstract:

The present invention provides a sheet material mounting device having two channels, namely, a mounting channel for receivably engaging a rod for gripping the sheet material and a spacer channel for receivably engaging a spacer support configured to engage a lift cord and, optionally, a spacer cord. The spacer channel may be positioned above the mounting channel such that the center of gravity of the mounting device is located above the center of the mounting channel, thereby reducing asymmetric tilt of the sheet material engaged by the mounting channel and reducing friction against the lift cord. Alternatively, the mounting channel may be positioned above the spacer channel. The mounting channel and the spacer channel are preferably both C-shaped, and each channel has an opening which faces in a direction opposite the direction faced by the opening of the other channel. Thus, a side view of the mounting device may resemble either an âSâ or a reverse âSâ.

US Patent:

20010005002, Jun 28, 2001

Filed:

Feb 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/784708

Inventors:

Joel Berman - Hewlett NY, US
Vincent Brown - Valley Stream NY, US
Viktor Erlikh - Brooklyn NY, US

International Classification:

A47G001/10

US Classification:

248/316200

Abstract:

The present invention provides a sheet material mounting device having two channels, namely, a mounting channel for receivably engaging a rod for gripping the sheet material and a spacer channel for receivably engaging a spacer support configured to engage a lift cord and, optionally, a spacer cord. The spacer channel may be positioned above the mounting channel such that the center of gravity of the mounting device is located above the center of the mounting channel, thereby reducing asymmetric tilt of the sheet material engaged by the mounting channel and reducing friction against the lift cord. Alternatively, the mounting channel may be positioned above the spacer channel. The mounting channel and the spacer channel are preferably both C-shaped, and each channel has an opening which faces in a direction opposite the direction faced by the opening of the other channel. Thus, a side view of the mounting device may resemble either an “S” or a reverse “S”. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus and method for assembling the components of a sheet material mounting device, such that the assembled components of each sheet material mounting device are capable of maintaining vertical alignment with respect to every other sheet material mounting device comprised by the window covering system. Moreover, there is provided an apparatus and method for adjusting and re-aligning assembled components of a sheet material gripping apparatus.

US Patent:

20020190175, Dec 19, 2002

Filed:

May 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/153544

Inventors:

Joel Berman - Hewlett NY, US
Vincent Brown - Valley Stream NY, US
Viktor Erlikh - Brooklyn NY, US
Dmitry Gomelsky - New York NY, US
Helen Brown - Valley Stream NY, US

International Classification:

A47G001/10

US Classification:

248/316200

Abstract:

The present invention provides a sheet material mounting system having a lifting sleeve, a center support bracket, an engaging rod and two or more lifting cords. The outer circumference of a left portion of the lifting sleeve is greater than the outer portion of a right portion of the lifting sleeve. The outer surface of the lifting sleeve forms a smooth concave surface. The lifting sleeve is configured to support a winding tube during operation of the mounting system. The lifting sleeve abuts against the center support bracket. The center support bracket includes guides for directing the lift cords onto the lifting sleeve. The lift cords are attached to a bottom leveling system for ensuring that the shade material remains parallel during system operation. As the shade is raised, the lifting cords wind around the outer surface of the lifting sleeve. The center support guides ensure that the lifting cords contact the lifting cone at an angle ensuring that the cords are wound (and unwound) unstacked during mounting system operation. The cords are wound in unison and the shade remains parallel during raising and lowering.

US Patent:

61644285, Dec 26, 2000

Filed:

Aug 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/379065

Inventors:

Joel Berman - Hewlett NY
Vincent J. Brown - Valley Stream NY
Victor Erlikh - Brooklyn NY
John Wilk - SI NY

Assignee:

Joel Berman Associates, Inc. - Long Island City NY

International Classification:

E06B 956
F16D 1308

US Classification:

1922234

Abstract:

A shade positioning system which employs a wrap spring clutch system includes a shade operator, a shade roller, and an idle end bracket for supporting the shade roller when mounted. The shade operator includes a self-lubricating central stud around which a helical coil spring is wrapped, a manually operated pulley mounted on the wrap spring, and a support bushing to ensure positive engagement of the aforementioned elements. The central stud is composed of a plastic or metal, which allows the smooth rotation of the wrap spring around the stud. The tangs of the wrap spring project substantially radially outward from the spring central axis, and are shaped to accommodate for the coefficient of friction between the stud and the spring. A first preferred spring construction allows for decreased spring surface area to contact the stud. A second preferred spring construction allows for an increased spring surface area to contact the stud.