Abstract: A self-sealing membrane sleeve assembly including a sleeve member having a tubular body extending between first and second ends. At least one shield assembly extends about at least a portion of the circumference of the sleeve member from the first end to the second end. The at least one shield assembly made from a generally rigid, fire resistant material. A first sealing membrane assembly is secured to the first end of the tubular body and a second sealing membrane assembly is secured to the second end of the tubular body.

Abstract: A sealing membrane assembly including a flange having a body with a through passage. A first sealing membrane defines a first flexible panel with a first axial sealed opening extending therethrough. The first axial sealed opening extends at an acute angle. A second sealing membrane defines a second flexible panel with a second axial sealed opening extending therethrough. The second axial sealed opening extends at an obtuse angle. The first and second sealing membranes are secured relative to the flange such that the first and second axial sealed openings crisscross one another and the first and second sealing membranes seal the through passage except through the first and second sealed openings.

Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein relate to a fenestration supplement system and methods of using such a system. In one aspect, the fenestration supplement system includes a fenestration supplement frame member that is configured to accept three or more fenestration supplements. In another aspect, a fenestration supplement frame member has opposing first and second ends that each receives fenestration supplements, connectors and/or hardware (such as mounting hardware). In yet another aspect, a fenestration supplement frame member includes specially shaped grooves that can accept and retain different types of connectors.

Abstract: The seat back portion of a passenger aircraft seat is built of an elastomer mesh type diaphragm without conventional cushions or dress covers, in order to maximize space available to the passenger while reducing costs and weight. The diaphragm is attached and tensioned into a structural frame, which also supports a slide-in rear shroud closeout. The frame is designed to remain exposed, showing a decorative finish.

Abstract: Cloth retention apparatus for retaining the edges of a filter cloth comprises an edge strip having a bead, which can engage with a channel in a frame member, and be retained therein by a wedging member. The wedging member may be separate or attached to the bead, or incorporated therein. The wedging member may be a spring member.

Abstract: A window insertable pet door devised for removable installation in a window without tools and without altering the window by including a center frame having a U-shaped bracket on a top side thereof and a pair of side panels that slidingly extend from the center frame to engage a bottom railing and a respective one of a right railing and a left railing of a window frame. Each side panel includes an outer trim and a static barrier wall therewithin formed of a plurality of vertical popoid pleats. An annular door frame is centrally disposed in the center frame, with a gasket being disposed between the door frame and the center frame. A plurality of pliable triangular flaps, radially disposed within the door frame, converge at a center point of the door frame to simultaneously fold inwardly and outwardly for passage of a cat therethrough.

Abstract: A vehicle seat including a seat structure member, and a fan device installed on the seat structure member is provided. The seat structure member may include a cushion material which configures an outer shape of the seat and supports an occupant, an air flow passage which communicates a seating side of the seat structure member with a surface of the cushion material at a side different from the seating side of the seat structure member, and a cover member which is configured to cover the air flow passage to allow a fan device to feed air to an occupant via the air flow passage. The cushion material and the cover member may be provided with a recess portion which is positioned around the air flow passage, and the cover member is fixed to the surface of the cushion material with an adhesive in the recess portion.

Abstract: A drapery system for forming a window drapery of user-selected length. The system includes first and second drapery sections and at least one fastener for selectively and overlappingly attaching the drapery sections without stitching or sewing. A method of forming a drapery of user-selectable length is also provided.

Abstract: A plural panel vertically hung horizontally adjustable light transmitting window shade apparatus for varying the amount of light from zero to maximum that can pass through alternate transparent and opaque portions of the plural panels. The plural panels hang vertically downward from separate mounting elements of a control mechanism. The control mechanism, when actuated, moves either one or two of the plural panels horizontally relative to the other panel, thus changing the position of the transparent portions and opaque portions of each panel. The control mechanism also vertically deploys or retracts the dual panels using the same control mechanism used to move the panels horizontally. A bottom rail maintains the lower ends of the panels in a closely adjacent position, and also allows relative vertical movement of each panel relative to the other when the panels are either deployed or retracted.

Abstract: An example of a door with a pliable curtain includes various washdown features that make the door particularly suitable for use in food and drug related environments that demand cleanliness. To prevent product contamination, such as bacteria and other microorganisms, some examples of the door include a curtain storage track with a spiral groove machined in a unitary block of plastic, a ventilated side frame with a removable curtain guide track and a removable seal, and various curtain seams that not only join multiple sheets of the curtain together but also promote and strategically direct liquid runoff to avoid creating water-holding surfaces and to prevent liquid from dripping on products passing through the doorway.

Abstract: A storm door assembly for a doorway to a building comprises a frame configured for hinged mounting at a doorway of a building. The frame comprises an opening through the frame, the opening comprising a depth and at least two channels disposed in parallel around an inner surface of the depth. At least two removable frame inserts are provided, each comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and an insert perimeter comprising a plurality of recesses positioned about the perimeter. A plurality of twisting cams are each disposed within one of the plurality of recesses and not extending beyond the front and rear surfaces, and the at least two frame inserts are each held in a fixed position with respect to the frame via placement of the twisting cams within the at least two channels.

Abstract: A vertical blind panel including a plurality of substantially opaque louvers and a plurality of sheer transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of louvers. At least one of the plurality of louvers includes a first vertically oriented louver portion connected to a second vertically oriented louver portion.

Abstract: A vertical drapery panel including a plurality of louvers and a plurality of transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of louvers. At least one of the plurality of louvers includes a first vertically oriented louver portion connected to a second vertically oriented louver portion. Each of the first and second louver portions includes a first portion that is substantially opaque and a second portion that is substantially transparent or translucent.

Abstract: A multi-sided frame assembly for screening has a fastening strip with male and female pads. The male pad has a first face from which spaced stems project in an ordered arrangement. The female pad has a second face formed with at least one receptacle extending into a thickness of the female pad. Each stem is located and sized for insertion into the receptacle. A woven, knit or knotted material of open texture having holes, preferable evenly spaced, such as those of a screen, is secured between the pads of the multi-sided frame by passing the stems through the mesh and into the receptacle. A cover can be removably engaged and selectively fastened to the assembled fastening strip. The cover envelops the pads, including fasteners, if any, used to fasten the male and female pads together or used to attach the multi-sided frame assembly to a supporting structure to hold the assembled frame in place.

Abstract: A frangible connection for connecting parts of a knitted textile into a single panel is disclosed. The frangible connection is formed of a yarn having a lower tensile strength than that used to knit the parts of the panel so that the parts can be readily disconnected by tearing the frangible connection without damaging the structure of the parts themselves. Thus, a plurality of vertical blind louvers may be knitted into a single panel on a single knitting machine and separated later, preferably prior to installation. Knitted patterns which extend across multiple louvers may thus be practically manufactured without the difficulties in alignment which might be present if each louver were manufactured separately. The frangible connection also functions as a hinge for pivotably connecting the louvers of a combination blind together.

Abstract: A universal removable liner attaches to a Roman shade to block sunlight and provide privacy. The shade retraction mechanism draws the shade up in tiers with one or more lift cords. The liner links to the shade across the top of the shade and at the lift cords, with the tiers formed in the shade lifting the liner in tiers as well. Links between the lift cords and the liner at the shade tier tops are closable loops. A hook-and-loop tape is preattached to the top edge of the liner, while a separate strip of adhesive-backed, mating hook-and-loop tape is furnished for user attachment to the top edge of substantially any tier-lift shade. Once the user joins the shade and liner at the tier tops, the liner forms tiers mirroring the tiers of the shade as the two are raised together.

Abstract: A storm panel attachment and retaining system designed to accept one or more rectangular storm panels covering an opening in a building as a means of protection from the winds and flying debris associated with severe storm or hurricane forces. The system includes two interchangeable and substantially identical, storm panel attachment and retaining units, fabricated of plastic materials, minimizing the corrosive and rusting affect of coastal salt air environments upon such systems. The attachment units are mounted above and below an opening in a building to be protected, to receive, retain, and support storm panels properly sized to cover the opening. The system configuration accepts a variety of readily available storm panel materials, providing a wide selection during storm related emergency periods. The system is of a design to allow a home owner or do-it-yourselfer to install the attachment units following a severe storm warning, with minimum effort and direction.

Abstract: An improved curtain structure comprises a curtain body including a plurality of elongated pieces disposed thereon, a shading member including a plurality of retaining sections and fitting sections formed on the upper and lower ends thereof and having intervals arranged therebetween respectively, since the retaining sections and the fitting sections of the shading member include a plurality of intervals arranged therebetween, and each retaining section includes an opening facing downward, yet each fitting section includes an opening formed thereon, accordingly the retaining sections may be attached onto the upper ends of the elongated pieces directly, and the lower ends of the elongated pieces may be inserted into the fitting sections for a positioning purpose, such that the shading member may be wound in a waved manner along the orderly arranged elongated pieces to couple with the front and back planes of the elongated pieces, thus assembling and disassembling the entire related components easily.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for shielding the interior of an aircraft cockpit. The system utilizes a number of individual shades that can be deployed over the various windshields that make up the canopy of an aircraft cockpit. Each shade has both a substantially flat, deployed configuration and a folded, stowed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the edges of the shade can be secured within the edges surrounding an associated canopy windshield. In this manner the shade is retained adjacent the windshield and is used to reflect sunlight and otherwise protect the internal components of the cockpit from direct sunlight. The shade can be deployed over a windshield in any orientation due to a resilient wire loop that is positioned within a peripheral edge of the shade. In the stowed configuration, the shade is folded over onto itself for storage and transport. The various details of the present invention, and the manner in which they inter-relate, and are described in greater detail hereinafter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to window treatments such as vertical blinds manufactured from a knitted textile material. Each of a plurality of louvers is knitted into a single panel and attached together by a frangible hinge which permits the louvers to pivot relative to each other, or may be torn to separate the louvers from each other without damage to the louvers. In installations requiring multiple panels to be attached together, a terminus may be provided to permit attachment of one panel directly to the other. Alternately, a connection strip may be employed between two panels. In the event that the knitted textile louvers are not sufficiently opaque, auxiliary louvers may be provided and attached in alignment over the louvers.

Abstract: A vertical blind assembly including at least one vertical blind panel, the at least one vertical blind panel including a plurality of partially opaque louvers, and a plurality of sheer transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of partially opaque louvers. A substantially opaque auxiliary louver is disposed behind each one of the plurality of partially opaque louvers. A frangible hinge is disposed between each partially opaque louver and an adjacent spacer. A louver hook is attached to a top edge portion of each partially opaque louver, wherein each louver hook hooks over a top edge of a corresponding auxiliary louver.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixed structure of attaching curtain and blackout fabric, comprising: a blackout fabric, a plurality of straps and a plurality of fixed objects. A plurality of holes are provided on a surface area of the blackout fabric, and the holes of the blackout fabric are corresponding to gaps of a curtain. Head portions are formed at the straps for locking in between the gaps of the curtain, and locking units also are provided within the straps for passing through the holes of the blackout fabric. A plurality of fixed openings are formed in the fixed objects for the straps to penetrate through. The blackout fabric is attached onto the black side of the curtain, thus the fixed structure of the present invention can block the sunlight off without affecting or changing the appearance of the curtain.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an insect screen and a security barrier contained within a removable frame installable to replace a conventional screen or storm window, the assembly functioning both as a barrier to insect penetration, and as a security barrier to deter an intruder from entering the building through the window or door. The main components of the window guard insert comprise a frame assembly, a security barrier, an insect screen, a spline, and a weather strip. The assembled frame includes a security barrier channel to retain the security barrier, a weather strip channel to retain the weather strip and an insect screen channel, partially formed by the security barrier to retain the insect screen. An optional clip retaining channel is used to increase the window guard insert's ability to withstand an unauthorized entry attempt.

Abstract: The present invention is a window system for convertible motor vehicles that incorporates the use of woven fabric made from vinyl coated polyester yarn in such a way that it (1) reduces the “greenhouse effect” that occurs when the soft-covering system is on the vehicle, whether the window is open or not, (2) reduces the harmful unwanted effects the sun can have on the driver, the passengers and the interior of the passenger compartment, (3) reduces the airflow that occurs when the vehicle is driven with one or more flexible windows down, (4) makes it more difficult for a passerby to see into the passenger compartment, while still allowing an occupant to see the outside from inside the passenger compartment and (5) protects the flexible window from being scratched or otherwise damaged.

Abstract: A garage door decorative cover assembly for use on an exterior surface of a garage door made of a plurality of door panels permitted to rotate relative to each other when the garage door moves from a closed position to an open position includes at least one flexible panel and, for each flexible panel, a first fixing means and at least one resilient second fixing means. Each flexible panel has a first end, a second end, a front surface and a back surface. With respect to each flexible panel, the first fixing means attaches the first end of the flexible panel to the exterior surface of the garage door, and the resilient second fixing means couples the second end of the flexible panel to the exterior surface of the garage door such that the flexible panel is held taut when the garage door is in both open and closed positions. The flexible panels are provided with fanciful holiday, seasonal, or other celebratory indicia.

Abstract: A decorative cover for a movable garage door and method of attachment thereof are provided that allow festive ornamentation of ordinary garage doors while maintaining full use of such garage doors. The decorative cover can be made of weather resistant material and printed with various festive designs on its surface. The decorative cover is installed by draping it onto the front of the garage door. The cover is then joined together by any of several tethering and attaching methods to secure the cover to the garage door to allow full opening and closing without the cover riding up or down relative to the door. The attachment methods also take up slack in the cover.

Abstract: A decorative cover for a movable garage door and method of attachment thereof are provided that allow festive ornamentation of ordinary garage doors while maintaining full use of such garage doors. The decorative cover can be made of weather resistant material and printed with various festive designs on its surface. The decorative cover is installed by draping it onto the front of the garage door while the garage door is in its open position. The cover is then wrapped around the garage door and top and bottom ends of the cover are joined together on a back side of the garage door by any of several tethering methods to secure the cover to the garage door.

Abstract: A child saver safety screen apparatus for use with an associated window casing. The apparatus includes a first generally rectangular frame having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side and a second generally rectangular frame having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The apparatus also includes a plurality of fiber strands and a generally rectangular conventional window screen. The apparatus also includes apparatus for interlocking the second frame to the first frame. The apparatus also includes apparatus for mounting the plurality of fiber strands in substantially parallel relationship in the second frame and apparatus for connecting the conventional window screen to the second frame. The apparatus for interlocking the second frame to the first frame may include a first channel that connects to the inside edges of said first, second, and third sides of the first frame.

Abstract: A rectangular rigid lattice structure contained in a frame that is adapted to be inserted between the upper and lower trackways of a conventional sliding door, with one vertical side of the structure abutting the door jamb and the other vertical side abutting the outer edge of the sliding door. The latter vertical side is equipped with flanges that wrap around the edge of the sliding door and prevent the extraction of the insert without opening or also removing the door. Locking mechanisms suitable for cooperation with the lock and jamb plate of the sliding door may be provided on each side of the insert to fasten the assembly in a closed position. The lattice may constitute a large grille with ornamental features, a small mesh screen capable of preventing insects and small animals from entering the premises, or both.

Abstract: An animal gate and a method for using the animal gate are provided for the self-grooming of a pet animal. The animal gate has closure panels made up of contiguous triangular flaps attached in a peripheral frame with their apices convergent at a common central point. Each of the triangular flaps has numerous bristles disposed perpendicular to the plane of each flap. As the animal traverses the animal gate by pushing aside the triangular flaps, the bristles disposed within the flaps engage the animal's fur and groom the fur.

Abstract: A hoop for holding a piece of textile and a backing web for embroidery on the textile piece comprises outer, intermediate and inner rings. The outer ring is generally rigid, formed of a limitedly elastically deformable synthetic resin, and has a generally polygonal inner periphery generally centered on an axis. The intermediate ring is formed of a limitedly elastically deformable synthetic resin and has an outer periphery generally complementary to and axially fittable with limited play within the inner periphery of the outer ring and a generally polygonal inner periphery. Thus the intermediate ring can be elastically deformed and snapped into the outer ring with the backing web gripped between the inner periphery of the outer ring and the outer periphery of the intermediate ring. The inner ring is formed of a limitedly elastically deformable synthetic resin and has an outer periphery generally complementary to and axially fittable with the limited play within the inner periphery of the intermediate ring.

Abstract: A gate or animal access door is disclosed which is assembled in an opening to permit passage of an animal from one room or area to another. The gate comprises two coacting elastic diaphragms or membranes, each of which has gaps to form membrane flaps. The membranes are held around the periphery thereof in a frame or holder in such a manner that as a result of their assembly in the frame the change of shape of the membranes causes them to be pressed together. The method of training the animal to use such gate contemplates employing in succession training membranes each having a progressively smaller central opening, inclusive of a membrane essentially devoid of any central opening, to thereby condition the animal to pass through the gate when it is ultimately assembled in the opening.

Abstract: A two piece extrusion for use in forming storm windows or the like is cut to frame an existing window opening. One extrusion comprises a locking element of which the main portion is formed of a substantially rigid plastic material, which is provided with spaced integral, flexible projections extending angularly outwardly from the stem of the element. The locking element is adapted to be inserted in a channel which comprises the second extrusion. The second extrusion is formed into a rectangular frame so as to hold a flexible translucent, transparent, or opaque sheet locked in the channel by the first extrusion. In assembly the flexible sheet is forced into the channel by the insertion of the locking element. In so doing the flexible sheet is stretched to give a smooth appearance. A second channel is formed by the second extrusion which also extends completely around the frame but is located inwardly of the first channel.

Abstract: Energy losses from market refrigerated display cases, which are normally open, can be dramatically reduced by use of an access shield according to the present invention. The access shield comprises a plurality of transparent and resilient panels, each panel being adjacent to at least one other and having an overlapping relationship with the adjacent panel. The panels may be mounted in a rigid frame and allow access therethrough by stretching and bending of one or more of the panels along the overlapped line. The plurality of panels may also be fitted to a spring tensioned roller and stretched across the aperture of the display refrigeration case. In another embodiment, the plurality of panels may each be attached at an opposite ends to a holder having a bow tie shaped protrusion which is urged into a receiving indentation a fixture to temporarily lock the panel in a predetermined position and yet to permit free rotation within a sector to facilitate access.

Abstract: Burglar-proof screening for use with conventional screen doors, and the like, includes a framework provided with an opening and removably clampable into the conventional cutout provided in a screen door for removably receiving screening. A screen is removably arrangeable on the framework covering the opening provided therein, together with a grille arrangeable disposed substantially coextensive with, but spaced from the screen. The grille is removably mounted on the framework by connectors constructed in such a manner as to make it virtually impossible to remove the grille from outside of the structure associated with the door or other closure.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated cat door is provided wherein the owner's cat can wear a magnet and go freely in and out of the door while other cats are effectively barred from entering.