Abstract: An accordian type folding door of the type disclosed in Holloway U.S. Pat. No. 3,233,147 in which each cover of the door is in the form of consecutive cover sections, connected to the door lazytongs in side by side relation, each of which cover sections defines a fold or pleat of the door and includes a pair of relatively wide slats of substantially equal width disposed on either side of a relative narrow slat, with such slats being pivoted together by inner and outer flexible sheets that are respectively adhered to the opposite faces of the respective slats; for each cover section of the door covers, the flexible sheets extend beyond the relatively wide slats thereof to define sheet end portions, with such sheet end portions of adjacent cover sections being clamped together by a spline that extends the height of the cover that the cover sections define.

Abstract: An elongated strip of stiff material formed with a series of transverse folds across the strip. At least two adjacent panels between folds turn inwardly to form pleats between spaced control panels. Each control panel has at least two parallel string encasement means aligned with encasement means on other control panels. A control string through the control panels and extending beyond the strip draws all of the control panels into close proximity with adjacent control panels all in the same plane. Between adjacent control panels pleat panels are folded inwardly to form pleats which are then tacked to the control panels. All of the pleats are formed simultaneously and automatically. The top of the drapery material is folded over the strip and tacked together to form a sleeve over the strip. Each panel may be tacked to the drapery material. The strip may be extruded of synthetic material and the folds formed by stamping living hinges at desired intervals in the strip.

Abstract: An improved garage door opener which has an all plastic outer case in which is mounted a metal motor supporting bracket so as to add strength and rigidity. The unit utilizes a cable drive system which moves in a vertical loop which eliminates side to side racking of the rail and which allows a less expensive rail such as a tube to be used. The all plastic housing is designed so that when the cover is removed all components are accessible and the entire operator is easily serviced, the components fit into nested areas that are molded into the plastic housing. The limit and force adjustments are conveniently located and identified on the outside of the housing. A simplified improved hanging bracket is provided wherein the hanging bracket is attached to the metal motor supporting bracket which supports the motor and the gear housing on opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: A roll-up screen door includes a long, narrow housing having a length adapted to extend vertically for the full height of a door casement opening. The housing contains a conventional spring-biased roll upon which is initially wound a large sheet of flexible screen material, one end of which is secured to the roll so that the screen material can be unwound from the roll against the tension of the roll. When the housing is mounted adjacent to one side of the vertical trim strip along one side of the door casement opening, the screen material passes through a longitudinal exit slot in the housing in a plane located inwardly of the front face of the vertical trim strip, so that the screen material sealingly engages the adjacent vertical trim strip when it is stretched across the door opening.

Abstract: An insulating window shade assembly includes a shade frame having a pair of vertical side channels open in a direction facing one another and designed to be mounted on the inside of the window to be insulated. A flexible insulating shade having inner and outer spaced apart parallel panels extends downwardly from the top of the channels, and the margins of the panels extend into the channels. Edge seals are provided in each channel made up of a pair of flexible polyester film strips with the adjacent sides of the strips being spring biased towards one another but being separable so that the margins of the shade panels may lie between them. The flexible character of the strips forms an effective insulating seal about the margins. A rerailer assembly is provided at the tops of the edge seals to guide the margins of the each panel between the strips of the edge seal should they become dislodged.

Abstract: A venetian blind is disclosed having a drive transmission, a lift safety, and an anti-twist safety. The slats are arranged in a stationary frame, and a movable carriage is coupled to at least one of the slats. The carriage moves along a part of the stationary frame for raising and lowering the slats. The lift safety includes a lever or locking pawl mounted on the carriage and positioned to be engaged by a projection on a lift chain or strap. The lever is mounted on the carriage so that the distance between the point of mounting and a point of contact between the lever and the stationary frame decreases as the lever becomes perpendicular to the raising direction. As a result, the lever locks the carriage in position at unauthorized lifting and stops are positioned on the carriage for holding the lever in the locking position. In addition, when the lever is pulled upward from the locking position, it pivots quickly around one of the stops and away from the stationary frame.

Abstract: A boat window having a removable screen which, in one embodiment, directly carries a louver and which can be easily installed in the window frame or removed therefrom as a single unit, so as to facilitate replacement with a conventional window screen, if desired. The louver forms a water shield which directly engages the screen frame adjacent to its top edge, so as to reduce the likelihood of water splashing through upper portions of the screen. The window comprises a frame body having a mounting flange and spigot, for installation in an opening in the boat hull. A window pane is hingedly connected to the mounting flange, and adapted to close off the space formed by the spigot. Most or all portions of the louver lie within the confines of the spigot, so as not to protrude any substantial extent, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the louver from inadvertent contact with other objects.

Abstract: A Venetian blind has U-shaped mounting rail with lead-in holes for ladder-tapes, cords and slat operating means. The Venetian blind comprises an operating shaft and bearing blocks, bearing bushings hold-down means, a driving device therefor, and a cord lock. These details are designed as snap-in components adapted to be mounted in said mounting rail without necessitating the use of any special mounting means. The operating shaft is non-rotatable relative to and extends through the bearing bushings and is locked against axial displacement, on the one hand by means of an abutment face provided on said hold-down means at one shaft end and, on the other hand, by means of the shaft driving device at the other end of the shaft.

Abstract: A tensioning frame for stretching and keeping stretched upon it a canvas sheet in a plane configuration and with uniform tension, some or all of the outer edge of the canvas sheet being capable of sliding motion over the outer edge of the rigid structure covered by it and attached to it by means of springs. The force of each spring may be adjusted in situ to the tension desired in the canvas sheet. The tension and plane configuration of the canvas sheet is thus maintained in spite of the effects of temperature, humidity, or weight. Sliding of the contacting surfaces is facilitated by layers of a low-friction substance.

Abstract: A barrel ring for use in rolling closures comprising at least two ring sections. One of the ring sections defines a part-circular outer surface. Another of the ring sections defines a part-spiral outer surface. The ring sections are joined together end-to-end to form a barrel ring with the part-spiral surface, at one end, merging smoothly into the part-circular surface.A method for producing the barrel ring is also disclosed.

Abstract: An insulated closure panel for a rolling closure. The panel has a metallic section with an outer wall and side walls, and a thermoplastic section with an inner wall. Both panel sections have male and female hinge sections on their sides. The thermoplastic panel section snaps into the metallic panel section to form a tubular panel with the male hinge sections cooperating to form a male hinge element on one side of the panel and with the female hinge sections cooperating to form a female hinge element on the other side of the panel. The panel can be filled with insulating material.A rolling closure is formed from a plurality of the above panels, the male hinge element of each panel pivotally connected to the female hinge element of an adjacent panel.

Abstract: A louver having clear transparent C-shaped holding flanges for holding decorative panels. The transparent holding flange on each longitudinal edge of each louver in a vertical louver system is held vertical by a louver track system. The louvers are moveable from an overlapped closed position to an open position. Each louver has a main body portion of opaque material. The C-shaped holding flanges or edge portions include two transparent longitudinal edge portions, one on each longitudinal edge of the long louver. The transparent edge portion is equal in width to a transparent inwardly facing flange portion positioned over each longitudinal edge portion. The transparent edge portion and transparent inwardly facing portion are connected together and separated by a transparent mid portion of a width generally equal to the thickness of a decorative member. The transparent material allows the edges of an inserted piece of decorative material to be viewed through the transparent, inwardly facing portions.

Abstract: A vertical blind assembly of the type capable of positioning a plurality of vertical blinds in depending relation along the length of a head casing and selectively and concurrently rotate each of said vertical blinds in a predetermined angular orientation about its own longitudinal axis wherein a holder for each vertical blind is removably supported by a carrier frame and further wherein a first gear and a second gear are removably mounted on the carrier frame so as to cause the aforementioned rotation and angular orientation of the vertical blinds. The assembly further comprises a plurality of connecting links removably attached to one another in an interlocking fashion so as to interconnect the various carrier frames along the length of the casing head. A first positioning pull-cord or like assembly is operable to extend the plurality of blinds along the length of the head casing or retract such plurality at one end thereof.

Abstract: A venetian blind having a clutch mechanism for controlling the tilt rod of the blind. The clutch mechanism is operated by a beaded cord. Lifting of the bottom rail and slats is accomplished by an extremely thin lift tape to be wound on a reel on the tilt rod. The top ends of the ladders of the blind are connected to a sled slidably mounted on the reel.

Abstract: An air tight shutter is provided having a set of pre-made bifold doors in conjunction with a frame wherein the shutters are manufactured to have tight tongue-in-groove reception area not only with respect to the bifold doors but also with respect to the bifold doors and frame. A burglar proof latch mechanism is provided such that a ball crank is turned by means of a handle thereby withdrawing elongated rod-like members from the frame section which then permits the bifold doors to open, or in the alternative, the ball crank is turned in the opposite direction causing the elongated members to penetrate an aperture in the frame and thereby lock the shutters in place. An assembly method for producing the shutter is also disclosed, along with the machinery particularly adapted for said assembly method. The machinery disclosed achieves the close tolerance required in assemblying of the shutter.

Abstract: A hinged structure comprising two substantially cylindrical supports (13, 14) and one or more hinges (11, 12) hinging the supports together so that they are parallel and closely adjacent, wherein the hinge comprises two members (1, 2) each made of resiliently flexible strip material, each member being S-shaped, passing partially round each support and together with the other member forming a letter script letter X or figure 8 configuration as seen in a direction along the supports, respective means (5, 6; 9, 10) being provided fastening together the ends of the members alongside each support so that the members are tensioned round the supports.

Abstract: A semi-adjustable shade and roller combination is provided in which an essentially non-stretchable shade material is mounted on a telescoping roller made up of an outer roller and an inner roller with the shade secured to the outer roller, and the inner roller having a split plastic sleeve over it to make up for the difference in outside diameter between the inner and outer rollers, the inner roller having an enlarged flanged head.

Abstract: An edging, preferably a skirting-board, in one flat side of which at least one longitudinal groove is provided.The edging according to the present invention is characterized in that the groove or grooves (2, 3) is outwardly open and ends in the flat side directed outwards when the edging is positioned e.g. at a wall, wherein the distance between the upper and lower boundary surfaces of the groove or grooves is so dimensioned, that between these surfaces a flex (4, 5) of an electrical appliance is from outside directly insertable over an arbitrary length of the edging.

Abstract: A unitized secondary glazing frame venetian blind assembly. The secondary frame and blind assembly is adapted to be installed with a prepositioned primary glazing frame such that the blind assembly is positioned between a primary glazing and a secondary glazing. The secondary frame has mounting portions between which the blind assembly is suspended and side extensions overlapping the ends of the slats of the blind assembly.

Abstract: An insulating window shade assembly includes a first roller carrying an insulating shade and a second roller carrying a cover fabric. The shade and cover fabric are supported in essentially face to face relationship, and their bottoms are secured together by a Velcro-type fastener. The cover fabric conceals the insulating shade, it may be removed from the shade for cleaning or may be changed and it may be adjusted for smoothness and to compensate for any stretching which occurs in the materials.