US 12,031,379 B2
Covering for architectural features, related systems, and methods of manufacture
Wendell B. Colson, Weston, MA (US); Ko Kuperus, Superior, CO (US); Bonnie Earl, Carbondale, CO (US); Kelly Rahn, Dacono, CO (US); and Kent A. Smith, Broomfield, CO (US)
Assigned to HUNTER DOUGLAS INC., Pearl River, NY (US)
Filed by Hunter Douglas Inc., Pearl River, NY (US)
Filed on Jan. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/574,206.
Application 17/574,206 is a continuation of application No. 17/196,352, filed on Mar. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,891,854.
Application 17/196,352 is a continuation of application No. 15/789,014, filed on Oct. 20, 2017, granted, now 10,975,616, issued on Apr. 13, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/525,549, filed on Jun. 27, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/414,248, filed on Oct. 28, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0136323 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. E06B 9/264 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B29C 65/18 (2006.01); B29C 65/74 (2006.01); D03D 9/00 (2006.01); D04B 1/16 (2006.01); E06B 9/262 (2006.01); E06B 9/266 (2006.01); E06B 9/34 (2006.01); E06B 9/382 (2006.01); E06B 9/386 (2006.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01); E06B 9/24 (2006.01)
CPC E06B 9/264 (2013.01) [B29C 65/18 (2013.01); B29C 65/7443 (2013.01); B29C 66/437 (2013.01); B29C 66/729 (2013.01); D03D 9/00 (2013.01); D04B 1/16 (2013.01); E06B 9/262 (2013.01); E06B 9/266 (2013.01); E06B 9/34 (2013.01); E06B 9/382 (2013.01); E06B 9/386 (2013.01); B29C 66/71 (2013.01); B29L 2031/719 (2013.01); E06B 2009/2423 (2013.01); E06B 2009/2435 (2013.01); E06B 2009/2458 (2013.01); E06B 2009/2627 (2013.01)] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A covering for an architectural feature having a width and a height, the covering for adjusting the amount of light that passes there through and comprising:
a flexible panel having a width, a top end and a bottom end defining a height of the panel, the panel comprising:
a flexible first sheer support member having a height and a width substantially equal to the width of the flexible panel;
a flexible second sheer support member having a height and a width substantially equal to the width of the flexible panel; and
a plurality of horizontally-extending, flexible vanes spaced along the height of the first sheer support member and along the height of the second sheer support member, each of the plurality of flexible vanes having a length and a width, the length of the plurality of flexible vanes corresponding to and substantially the same as the width of the panel, each of the plurality of flexible vanes operably coupled to both the first sheer support member and the second sheer support member, the plurality of flexible vanes moveable, by operation of at least one of the first sheer support member and the second sheer support member, between a first orientation that permits light to pass through the flexible panel and a second orientation that inhibits light from passing through the flexible panel;
wherein each of the plurality of the flexible vanes has a different light transmissivity than at least one of the first sheer support member and the second sheer support member;
wherein at least one of the plurality of flexible vanes forms a cellular vane wherein the cellular vane is formed from a single sheet of material that is folded over and creased to form a first fold line and has two longitudinal edges that are aligned vertically on top of each other -and are interconnected by ultrasonic welding along the two vertically aligned longitudinal edges to form a second fold line, wherein folding over the single sheet of material creates two layers that are separable to form and surround a cell space in response to the cellular vane moving to the first orientation, wherein a first layer of the two layers extends between the first fold line and the second fold line and the second layer of the two layers extends between the second fold line and the first fold line; and
wherein an outer surface of the first layer of the two layers is coupled to the first sheer support member and an outer surface of the second layer of the two layers is coupled to the second sheer support member.