IP Library Granted Patent US 12,303,056
Granted Patent B2
US 12,303,056 · App. 17/545,405 · Granted May 20, 2025

Grommet drapery system

Inventors: Willis J. Mullet (Gulf Breeze, FL); Darrin W. Brunk (Pensacola, FL); Samuel D. Schemmer (Pensacola, FL); Scott Hand (Milton, FL); Phillip Dugger (Pensacola, FL)
Assignee: CURRENT PRODUCTS COMPANY, LLC
A47H5/06A47H1/02A47H1/142A47H13/02A47H13/16A47H2005/025
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,303,056
App. No.
17/545,405
Granted
May 20, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wirelessly controllable, motorized and battery powered drapery apparatus is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure in its surface. The rotatable drive is inserted through the open interior of a plurality of grommets in the shade material. A grommet driver is positioned over the rotatable drive element and connected to one of the plurality of grommets. The grommet driver has at least one tooth that is in communication with the guide structure in the rotatable drive element. As the rotatable drive element is rotated, the grommet drive is driven along the length of the rotatable drive element thereby moving the shade material between an open position and a closed position.

Claims (66)

1. A drapery system comprising:

a drive element;

the drive element extending a length between a first end and a second end;

the drive element having a guide structure;

a shade material;

the shade material having a plurality of tabs;

a grommet driver;

the grommet driver operably connected to the drive element;

the grommet driver operably connected to a first one of the plurality of tabs;

a lead;

the lead operably connected to the plurality of tabs;

the lead operably connected to the grommet driver; wherein when the drive element is rotated the grommet driver is configured to move along a length of the drive element, thereby pulling the lead; and a plurality of tacks;

wherein the plurality of tacks are configured to be inserted through the plurality of tabs and operably connect with the lead.

2. The drapery system of claim 1 , wherein when the lead is pulled tight the plurality of tabs are stopped at predetermined positions so as to cause the shade material to form vertical folds;

wherein the vertical folds are evenly spaced.

3. A drapery system comprising:

a drive element;

the drive element extending a length between a first end and a second end;

the drive element having a guide structure;

shade material;

the shade material having a plurality of tabs;

a grommet driver;

the grommet driver operably connected to the drive element;

the grommet driver operably connected to an inward most tab of the plurality of tabs;

a beaded cable;

the beaded cable operably connected to the plurality of tabs;

the beaded cable operably connected to the grommet driver;

wherein when the drive element is rotated the grommet driver is configured to move the shade material along a length of the drive element;

a plurality of tacks;

wherein the plurality of tacks are configured to be inserted through the plurality of tabs and operably connect with the beaded cable.

4. The drapery system of 3 , further comprising:

the grommet driver having a socket;

wherein the socket is configured to receive and hold a tack therein;

wherein the tack is configured to be inserted through the inward most tab of the plurality of tabs;

wherein when the tack is inserted through the inward most tab, a cap is connected to the tack, thereby facilitating secure connection between the grommet driver and the inward most tab of the plurality of tabs.

5. The drapery system of 3 , further comprising:

a plurality of caps;

the plurality of caps operably connected to the beaded cable at predetermined positions;

wherein when the tacks are inserted through the plurality of tabs, the plurality of caps are connected to the plurality of tacks thereby operably connecting the beaded cable and the plurality of tabs.

6. The drapery system of 3 , wherein when the drive element is rotated the grommet driver moves along a length of the drive element, thereby pulling the beaded cable; and wherein when the beaded cable is pulled the shade material is moved along a length of the drive element.

7. The drapery system of 3 , wherein when the drive element is rotated the grommet driver moves along a length of the drive element, thereby pulling the beaded cable; and wherein when the beaded cable is pulled tight the plurality of tabs are stopped at predetermined positions.

8. A drapery system comprising:

a drive element;

the drive element extending a length between a first end and a second end;

the drive element having a guide structure;

shade material;

the shade material having a plurality of tabs;

a grommet driver;

the grommet driver operably connected to the drive element;

the grommet driver operably connected to an inward most tab of the plurality of tabs;

a beaded cable;

a plurality of tacks;

the beaded cable operably connected to the plurality of tabs by the plurality of tacks;

the beaded cable operably connected to the grommet driver;

wherein when the drive element is rotated the grommet driver is configured to move along a length of the drive element, thereby pulling the beaded cable; and

wherein when the beaded cable is pulled tight the plurality of tabs are stopped at predetermined positions.

9. The drapery system of 8 , further comprising:

the grommet driver having a socket;

wherein the socket is configured to receive and hold a tack therein;

wherein the tack is configured to be inserted through the inward most tab of the plurality of tabs;

wherein when the tack is inserted through the inward most tab, a cap is connected to the tack, thereby facilitating secure connection between the grommet driver and the inward most tab of the plurality of tabs.

10. The drapery system of 8 , further comprising:

a plurality of caps;

wherein the plurality of tacks are configured to be inserted through the plurality of tabs;

the plurality of caps operably connected to the beaded cable at predetermined positions;

wherein when the tacks are inserted through the plurality of tabs, the plurality of caps are connected to the plurality of tacks thereby operably connecting the beaded cable and the plurality of tabs.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 12, 2025
From: CURRENT PRODUCTS CORP.
To: CURRENT PRODUCTS COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 070189/0931 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2021
From: MULLET, WILLIS J.; BRUNK, DARRIN W.; SCHEMMER, SAMUEL D.; HAND, SCOTT; DUGGER, PHILLIP
To: CURRENT PRODUCTS CORP.
Reel/Frame 058409/0675 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16256662 · Jan 24, 2019
Provisional Application 62622202 · Jan 26, 2018
Related Publication 20220095824A1 · Mar 31, 2022
References Cited (13)
US 3861001A · Pape · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 4214622A · Debs · 1980 [cited by applicant]
US 4843675A · Diamantis · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 5109912A · Gary · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 20070246174A1 · Barrese · 2007 [cited by examiner]
US 20100325836A1 · Lai · 2010 [cited by examiner]
US 20110010891A1 · Rowley · 2011 [cited by examiner]
US 20150327705A1 · Mullet · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20160143470A1 · Mullet · 2016 [cited by examiner]
DE 6937686U · 1970 [cited by applicant]
GB 2394647A · 2004 [cited by examiner]
WO WO2010055326A1 · 2010 [cited by examiner]
Extended European Search Report—Pinch Pleat and Ripplefold Drapery Attachment System—Application No. EP 20863071—Jul. 12, 2023. [cited by applicant]