Joseph C Nichols

US Patent:

20050087313, Apr 28, 2005

Filed:

Oct 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/691850

Inventors:

Joseph Nichols - Boyertown PA, US
Mark Walker - Whitehall PA, US

International Classification:

A47H001/00

US Classification:

160310000

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:

20060137833, Jun 29, 2006

Filed:

Feb 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/361900

Inventors:

Joseph Nichols - Boyertown PA, US
Mark Walker - Whitehall PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

A47H 1/00

US Classification:

160120000

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:

20060272782, Dec 7, 2006

Filed:

Aug 16, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/505114

Inventors:

Joseph Nichols - Boyertown PA, US
M. Plazarte - West Conshohocken PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

A47H 1/00

US Classification:

160120000

Abstract:

A coupler assembly for coupling first and second roller tubes together includes first and second side assemblies. The first side assembly includes a clutch mechanism having first and second clutch members supported on a shaft for movement between a closed clutch condition in which the roller tubes rotate simultaneously and an opened clutch condition in which the tubes are uncoupled for relative rotation. The clutch mechanism includes a clutch drive member preferably including an elongated bar slidably received in an elongated groove defined on an exterior surface of the shaft. The clutch drive member may include a lug received in an interior of the second clutch member to apply a pulling force to the second clutch member. Alternatively, the clutch drive member may include a thrust member contacting the second clutch member to apply a pushing force.

US Patent:

56137338, Mar 25, 1997

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/476697

Inventors:

Michael T. Miller - Boyertown PA
Joseph M. Nichols - Boyertown PA

Assignee:

USSC Group, Inc. - West Conshohocken PA

International Classification:

A47C 102

US Classification:

2973441

Abstract:

An auxiliary release device for a seat assembly is disclosed providing a release device which is operated by an activator located in a readily accessible position for the operator. The release device includes a hydraulic power supply for activating the mechanical release lever to enable fore and aft adjustment of the seat.

US Patent:

20210367414, Nov 25, 2021

Filed:

Aug 6, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/396227

Inventors:

- Coopersburg PA, US
Joseph M. Nichols - Boyertown PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Technology Company LLC - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

H02G 3/12
F16M 13/00
H02G 3/08

Abstract:

An apparatus, such as an electrical device or a wall box, may have a mounting mechanism that may be configured to mount the apparatus to a wall in a manner that may facilitate secure fastening to the wall. The apparatus may comprise at least one mounting clamp that may have a fin and a drum that receives a mounting screw. The fin of the mounting clamp may be configured to be located within a pocket formed in the body. When a mounting screw is driven, the mounting clamp may rotate from the pocket into a position in which the drum of the mounting clamp may be received in a channel formed in the body. The drum may be configured to move through the channel as the mounting screw is further driven. The gap may be sized to retain the mounting clamp within the channel as the drum moves therethrough.

US Patent:

20210103088, Apr 8, 2021

Filed:

Sep 21, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/026936

Inventors:

- Coopersburg PA, US
Joseph M. Nichols - Boyertown PA, US
Andrew P. Schmalz - Macungie PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Technology Company LLC - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

F21V 8/00
H05B 47/19

Abstract:

A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.

US Patent:

20180246273, Aug 30, 2018

Filed:

Apr 30, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/966709

Inventors:

- Coopersburg PA, US
Joseph M. Nichols - Boyertown PA, US
Andrew P. Schmalz - Macungie PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

F21V 8/00
H05B 37/02

Abstract:

A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.

US Patent:

20150362668, Dec 17, 2015

Filed:

Jun 12, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/737724

Inventors:

- Coopersburg PA, US
Joseph M. Nichols - Boyertown PA, US
Andrew P. Schmalz - Macungie PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

F21V 8/00
H05B 33/08
H05B 37/02
F21V 23/00
F21V 3/04

Abstract:

A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.