Strips, Slats, Or Panels Slidably Interconnected Patents (Class 160/197)
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Patent number: 11920365Abstract: A modular partition track system includes a modular base portion configured to be positioned on a ground surface. A first track subsystem is positioned on at least a portion of a first surface of the modular base portion. The first track subsystem includes one or more slidable partition coupling assemblies configured to slide along the first track subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Inventors: Joseph Schwartz, Gunter Felix, Daniel Gittler
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Patent number: 11242712Abstract: A vertical blind structure has: an upper track, at least one track set and a plurality of blades. The upper track with an adjustable length has an inner track and an outer track, and the inner track and the outer track are disposed on a same side and connected to each other with a connecting track. The inner and outer tracks of the upper track respectively have an engaging portion and further have a plurality of clamping members. The at least one track set has a plurality of sliding tracks parallel with each other, and each sliding track has a positioning groove and a corresponding limiting groove at two opposite sides and a storing groove at a bottom side. An end of each positioning groove of the sliding track comprises a sliding block.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: ABO WINDOW FASHION CORP.Inventor: Shan-Chi Chuang
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Patent number: 11060346Abstract: A window curtain may include a top track, at least a sliding unit, and a plurality of shades, and the top track has at least two track rods sleeved together, which reduces the packaging and shipping costs. Each of the track rods is hollow to form a channel therein, and the channel comprises two vertical guide tracks. The sliding unit comprises a plurality of first sliding bases formed in parallel, and each of the first sliding bases other than the innermost one is connected to a second sliding base. Each of the second sliding bases comprises a pulley support, and each of the pulley supports has at least a pulley set installed thereon. The pulley sets are adapted to slide along the track rods through the guide tracks which have no height difference so as to improve the smoothness of sliding movement of the pulley sets.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Inventor: Shan-Chi Chuang
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Patent number: 10465383Abstract: A wall panel storage device includes a looped element and a motor for driving the looped element. A plurality of spacers is attached to the looped element with at least one spacer of the plurality of spacers being configured to fit between a pair of panels to move a panel of the pair of panels into or out of a storage area when the motor drives the looped element. According to one aspect, a wall panel storage system includes a first wall panel storage device adjacent a first track and a second wall panel storage device adjacent a second track. According to another aspect, the wall panel storage system includes a corner drive mechanism with a contact element configured to contact a wall panel to change a direction of travel of the wall panel as the contact element runs along a curved guide.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Advanced Equipment CorporationInventor: Scott Dickson
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Patent number: 9856684Abstract: A sliding door guide system for replacing a traditional floor track for sliding doors includes a first sliding door that is suspended from a support. A second sliding door is suspended from a support. The second sliding door is aligned with the first sliding door. A guide is coupled to the first sliding door. The guide slidably engages the second sliding door. Thus, the second sliding door is retained at a position relative to the first sliding door.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Inventor: William Edward Sidwell
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Patent number: 9708848Abstract: A magnetic curtain and a sliding panel formed therefrom are revealed. A magnetic curtain includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a plurality of a plurality of middle portions arranged between the upper portion and the lower portion, and a plurality of magnetic parts disposed on an interface between two adjacent portions of the magnetic curtain. While the magnetic curtain is retracted, the two adjacent middle portions are folded in half in turn to form a curved part respectively. The two adjacent curved parts are away from each other so as to prevent protrusion and extension caused by overlapping of the curved parts. Thus the magnetic curtain has more applications and higher use efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2016Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: NEO-KINGSTONE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventor: Chen-Ho Chu
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Patent number: 9169690Abstract: A window treatment can include a headrail that is configured to be mounted to a structure. A covering material can be attached to the headrail and configured to be raised and lowered. The window treatment can also include a bottom bar that is attached to an opposite end of the covering material as the headrail. The window treatment can also include a light source that is configured to illuminate a side of the covering material when the covering material is in a lowered position. In this manner, the light source may be configured to adjust the transparency level of the covering material to thereby adjust the privacy settings of the interior space that is enclosed by the window treatment.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventor: Edward J. Blair
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Patent number: 8973643Abstract: The multipanel sliding door comprises at least two panels which are supported for travel in substantially parallel planes along runners, and is characterized in that a rack and wheelwork arrangement is provided for the movement of the door panels.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2009Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Unifor S.p.A.Inventor: Piero Molteni
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Patent number: 8925618Abstract: A collapsible sunshade according to the present invention has a panel comprising a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member defining a periphery for the panel with an interior space inside of the peiphery, a meshed material covering the interior space defined by the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, and a shade fabric having at least a portion thereof removably attached to the panel so that the shade fabric can assume a first position in which the shade fabric completely overlies, in a planar manner, the meshed material, and a second position where the portion of the shade fabric that is removably attached to the panel is disengaged from the panel to expose a portion of the meshed material.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Patent Category Corp.Inventor: Yu Zheng
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Patent number: 8833427Abstract: A panel-type curtain that can be attached easily to a curtain rail even after attachment of a curtain member, and that can allow the curtain member to slide smoothly. Specifically, a panel-type curtain is hung on runners of a curtain rail via supports, the panel-type curtain including an elongated holding frame capable of catching the supports, and curtain members supported by the holding frame, wherein the holding frame has a first coupling bar having a rail portion on a front side thereof, and a second coupling bar having a projecting slider slidably fitted in the rail portion of the first coupling bar on a back side thereof, and the slider and the rail portion constitute a bayonet structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Kazuma Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kuniharu Kazuma
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Publication number: 20140144597Abstract: A protective barrier, the protective barrier comprising: a substantially elongated beam; a beam support for supporting the beam and allowing longitudinal movements of the beam relative thereto; and a protective element mounted to the beam and configurable between a protective element extended configuration and a protective element retracted configuration, wherein the protective element extends along a larger portion of the beam in the protective element extended configuration than in the protective element retracted configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Inventors: Robert Collard, Mario Boisvert
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Patent number: 8579006Abstract: A space divider system having a track beam with opposed ends and parallel tracks along its length. The ends are removably mounted to opposed walls, below the ceiling without intermediate support. Light weight substantially frameless, translucent/transparent panels are provided to allow uninterrupted passage of light. The top edge of each panel is slidably mounted to a track of the track beam, sliding between the opposed walls on its own track, independently of the other panels. The planar surfaces of the panels are parallel to the track beam and the bottom edges are spaced a distance from the floor. The widths of the panels when added together are at least equal to the length of the track beam and can be positioned along the beam to permit complete closure of the space between the walls or to overlap each other to provide an opening through the space between the walls.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Inventor: Adrian Mario Levin
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Publication number: 20120291967Abstract: A stacking panel covering for an architectural opening includes a headrail and a plurality of suspended from the headrail. The panels form an overlapped stack at one end of the headrail when the stacking panel covering is opened, and cover the architectural opening when the stacking panel covering is closed. The panels are piggybacked on those adjacent thereto, so that they stack, one behind the next, when the stacking panel covering is opened, and so that each pulls the next adjacent thereto as the stacking panel covering is being closed. The panels themselves may be planar, or convexly curved in a horizontal direction and substantially straight in a vertical direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: Hunter Douglas, Inc.Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
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Patent number: 8297334Abstract: A sliding panel includes multiple connecting/adjacent carrier tracks such as two/three/four carrier tracks while connectors of each carrier track are disposed in opposite directions or at intervals. Thus the multiple connecting/adjacent carrier tracks slide in parallel under the same channel. Moreover, the positions of each connector on top surface of respective carrier track are in alternating arrangement so as to allow runners of multiple connecting/adjacent carrier tracks being mounted inside the same channel simultaneously. The runners of the connecting/adjacent carrier tracks move inside the channel of a rail at the same time and the connecting/adjacent carrier tracks slide in parallel under the same channel. Therefore, the number of channels of the rail is decreased and the amount of material used for producing the rail is reduced. Furthermore, the rail can be designed to have two-step inner and outer rails for adjusting length of the rail.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Inventor: Chen-Ho Chu
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Patent number: 8256490Abstract: A stacking panel covering for an architectural opening includes a headrail and a plurality of suspended from the headrail. The panels form an overlapped stack at one end of the headrail when the stacking panel covering is opened, and cover the architectural opening when the stacking panel covering is closed. The panels are piggybacked on those adjacent thereto, so that they stack, one behind the next, when the stacking panel covering is opened, and so that each pulls the next adjacent thereto as the stacking panel covering is being closed. The panels themselves may be planar, or convexly curved in a horizontal direction and substantially straight in a vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2006Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.Inventor: Wendell B. Colson
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Patent number: 8176964Abstract: A curtain system includes several flat panels made of curtain fabric or other planar materials. The top of each flat panel is provided with a horizontal metal, wood or plastic horizontal slat on which the curtain fabric or flat panel hangs in a loose manner. Both ends of the horizontal slat include a fastening device for rollers or sliders. The rollers or sliders at one end of each horizontal slat are guided inside a first common track, while the rollers or sliders located on the other end of each horizontal slat are guided inside a second common track, such that the flat panels can be slid on top of each other. The flat panels extend at an acute angle relative to the first and second common tracks and can be slid on top of each other until the flat panels nearly overlap when the first and second common tracks are mounted parallel to each other, because the fastening device therefore is designed so that the fastening device does not laterally protrude from the horizontal slat or the alignment thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Hinno AGInventor: Walter E. Janach
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Publication number: 20120018104Abstract: A header assembly for a movable partition includes an overhead track and a header pan. The header pan is configured to extend from the overhead track to an adjoining structure. The header pan, the overhead track, or a combination of both may form a fire-resistant barrier extending from a wall of the adjoining structure to an opposing wall of the adjoining structure. Movable partition systems may include header assemblies. Methods of forming header assemblies include positioning a header pan proximate to an overhead track and extending the header pan between a first wall and a second wall to at least substantially occlude a section of space therebetween. Methods of installing a movable partition include securing an overhead track to an overhead support structure, securing a retainer clip to an adjoining structure, extending a header pan from the overhead track to the retainer clip, and suspending a partition from the track.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATIONInventor: Michael D. George
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Patent number: 7958926Abstract: A single-track stacking panel covering for an architectural opening has a headrail for mounting the covering above and in front of the opening, such as a window or door. The headrail has a single track. Suspended from the headrail and translatable therealong are panels oriented at a small angle relative to the headrail. When the covering is open, the panels form an overlappingly stacked array at one end of the headrail.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2005Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Jeffrey A. Park
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Publication number: 20110132553Abstract: A stacking panel covering for an architectural opening includes a headrail and a plurality of suspended from the headrail. The panels form an overlapped stack at one end of the headrail when the stacking panel covering is opened, and cover the architectural opening when the stacking panel covering is closed. The panels are piggybacked on those adjacent thereto, so that they stack, one behind the next, when the stacking panel covering is opened, and so that each pulls the next adjacent thereto as the stacking panel covering is being closed. The panels themselves may be planar, or convexly curved in a horizontal direction and substantially straight in a vertical direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2006Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS, INCLInventor: Wendell B. Colson
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Publication number: 20110061820Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for visual inspection across a barrier such as a fire door. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first movable partition is disposed adjacent, and laterally spaced from, a second movable partition. A first vision panel is disposed in the first partition and a second vision panel is disposed in the second partition in substantial alignment with the first vision panel. The position of the first vision panel is substantially constrained with respect to the position of the second vision panel along a first longitudinal direction. The first vision panel and the second vision panel are enabled to exhibit a desired amount of lateral displacement relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATIONInventors: W. Michael Coleman, Michael D. George, E. Carl Goodman
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Patent number: 7895784Abstract: Some embodiments of sign assembly include a secondary sign that at least partially fits within a side cavity defined by a larger, primary sign. In particular embodiments, the primary sign includes an internal frame that defines a channel to receive a side portion of the secondary sign and thereby retain the secondary sign in a generally parallel, side-by-side configuration relative to the primary sign.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, David Cheney, Michael A. Whittier, Joseph R. Guggenberger
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Patent number: 7886757Abstract: A portable temporary aircraft hanger that includes a lightweight frame covered with a durable, main outer cover. The frame includes a plurality of transverse frame members attached to a rigid base frame. Each frame member includes two opposite straight lower sections, two curved eave sections, two straight roof sections and a curved, central peak section. Adjacent frame members are interconnected by a plurality of purlins. Disposed over one end opening is a flexible end cover. Formed on one end panel of the shelter is wide rectangular door opening designed to allow wide equipment, such as a winged aircraft to easily enter and exit the shelter. In the first embodiment, the door opening is covered by two hinged door panels including a longitudinally aligned sliding door section. Disposed above the wide opening is an optional upper opening which is selectively closed and opened by a retractable door panel.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Inventor: Doug Hotes
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Patent number: 7878575Abstract: A livestock trailer with sliding safety door having a trailer with a two section sliding door mounted at the rear and hung from a slidable rail assembly at the top and retained by a guide at the bottom wherein the guides are steel reinforced. The sliding safety door, being secured at top and bottom, facilitates the loading and unloading of livestock by minimizing injuries sustained from kicking the door and eliminating injuries sustained when utilizing prior art swinging door type livestock trailers. The sliding door mechanism further eliminates the need to reposition the trailer while docking to a loading ramp so as to provide clearance to operate the door.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Inventors: Roy Wall, Tonja Wall
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Publication number: 20090199491Abstract: A rail-mounted movable wall element comprises on the top and/or lower side thereof at least one sealing element displaceable between the traveling and operating positions of the movable wall element with the aid of a powered drive unit. The movable wall motor-driven element is provided with a sealing element. For this purpose, the drive unit is introducible into receiving openings arranged on the faces of the wall body on the top and/or lower side in such a way that it is detachably connected to the sealing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2006Publication date: August 13, 2009Inventor: Wilfried Boldt
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Publication number: 20080295979Abstract: An invention is provided for an independently operable ventilating security garage door system. The invention includes a ventilating security garage door that is permeable to light and air, and is wider than the existing garage door. The system also includes a plurality of ventilating security garage door rails that allow the ventilating security garage door to move between open and closed positions. Each rail is disposed to an outside of an existing garage door rail. Connected to the ventilating security garage door via cables is a rear torsion assembly, which is disposed behind the ventilating security garage door. In operation, the rear torsion assembly provides torque to assist in opening and closing the ventilating security garage door.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventor: Rodney D. Carlsen
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Patent number: 7458410Abstract: A joining assembly for “ganging” respective doors together such that by movement of one door causes the other doors to follow. A connecting plate and a spacer plate is screwed to the bottom of a primary door while the connecting plate includes a cam follower to ride in a groove in the bottom of a first secondary door. In this manner, both doors are “ganged” together. If other secondary doors are required to be joined with the previous two doors, a connecting angle plate is employed for securing to the secondary door so as to guide the third, fourth, etc. doors. A guide stop, hinge floor guide, and cam follower assembly is mounted to the last door in the multi-door series and the cam follower “tracks” in a floor guide hidden in a “pocket” when a storage pocket is employed in the installation. By ganging these doors, stability is imparted by the weight and mass of the doors.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2004Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Inventor: Dan Bronner
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Publication number: 20080128098Abstract: A single-track stacking panel covering for an architectural opening has a headrail for mounting the covering above and in front of the opening, such as a window or door. The headrail has a single track. Suspended from the headrail and translatable therealong are panels oriented at a small angle relative to the headrail. When the covering is open, the panels form an overlappingly stacked array at one end of the headrail.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2005Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Jeffrey A. Park
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Publication number: 20080060770Abstract: A curtain system comprising several panels of a flat material, each panel having along a top edge thereof a mounting member including a horizontal slat from which the flat material hangs freely, the slat being provided with fastening members on either end thereof and a central slat body extending therebetween, one end of each said slat being guided in a first common rail and another end of each slat being guided in a second common rail so that the panels at least partially overlap one another, the fastening members of the slats being integrated with the central slat body thereof and include mounting hooks for engagement with displacement members received within the first and second common rails for sliding displacement therewithin.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventor: Ian ELLBOGEN
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Patent number: 7299852Abstract: A vertical blind includes a headrail, a fixing bracket, a plurality of juxtaposed movable brackets, a drive bracket, a plurality of driven blocks, a plurality of drive blocks, a plurality of mounting seats, a plurality of shades, a pull cord unit, and a positioning unit. Thus, the vertical blind contains multiple movable brackets movable between the fixing bracket and the drive bracket, so that the length of the vertical blind is expanded freely to fit the size of the window, thereby enhancing the versatility of the vertical blind. In addition, the mounting seats have different lengths corresponding to the positions of the fixing bracket and the movable brackets, so that the movable brackets are movable smoothly without interfering with each other, thereby facilitating operation of the vertical blind.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Inventor: Shan-Chi Chuang
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Publication number: 20070261799Abstract: A sliding panel includes multiple connecting/adjacent carrier tracks such as two/three/four carrier tracks while connectors of each carrier track are disposed in opposite directions or at intervals. Thus the multiple connecting/adjacent carrier tracks slide in parallel under the same channel. Moreover, the positions of each connector on top surface of respective carrier track are in alternating arrangement so as to allow runners of multiple connecting/adjacent carrier tracks being mounted inside the same channel simultaneously. The runners of the connecting/adjacent carrier tracks move inside the channel of a rail at the same time and the connecting/adjacent carrier tracks slide in parallel under the same channel. Therefore, the number of channels of the rail is decreased and the amount of material used for producing the rail is reduced. Furthermore, the rail can be designed to have two-step inner and outer rails for adjusting length of the rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2006Publication date: November 15, 2007Inventor: Chen-Ho Chu
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Patent number: 7270165Abstract: A vertical curtain includes a track having two ends each provided with a plurality of support brackets juxtaposed to each other, and two drawing blocks movably mounted on the two ends of the track and connected to one of the support brackets to push the support brackets. Each of the support brackets is movably mounted on the track and provided with a slide member, a fastening member, a limit member and a stop member. Thus, the slide member has a plurality of passages having different positions for mounting the vertical slats so that the track can be used to combine with multiple vertical slats, and the vertical curtain is available for windows having larger sizes, thereby enhancing the versatility of the vertical curtain.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Inventor: Shan-Chi Chuang
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Patent number: 7174944Abstract: A triple slide assembly for a three panel door system that mounts on a two track header and allows the panels to slide easily and sequentially with an interlocking function that provides a means to align the panels. The outer rails or panels each have an inward facing track to support rollers mounted to the middle rail or panel in an alternating configuration. The track and roller assembly interlocks the three panels and has stops, positioned in the ends of the inward facing tracks, keep the panels interlocked. The inward facing tracks and middle rail or panel remain aligned with the header when the outer panels are adjusted to align with adjacent door jambs to provide a smooth sliding operation. The triple slide assembly can be used for a six-door, center opening enclosure and for a five panel sliding assembly mounted on a three track header.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Shower Enclosures, Inc.Inventors: Mike Clark, Mike Guidos
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Patent number: 6990771Abstract: An access system for a building structure includes an access opening formed in the structure and a horizontally oriented track extending across the opening. Panels are slidably mounted on the track. A pulley—track system opens and closes the panels. The system is controlled with a manually operated control panel mounted on the building structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Architectural Automations, L.L.C.Inventor: Eric Dant Pfaff
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Patent number: 6923238Abstract: A multi-panel sliding door includes a main drive to directly move a leading door panel and includes an auxiliary drive to smoothly accelerate a lagging door panel. In some embodiments, the auxiliary drive includes a hanging weight that urges the lagging panel to its open position. In another embodiment, the auxiliary drive includes a belt and sheave arrangement attached to the lagging panel. The leading panel is coupled to move the belt around two sheaves as the leading panel moves relative to the lagging one. The belt's movement is limited by a bumper that is attached to one point on the belt and is constrained to travel between one of the sheaves and a fixed stop attached to a wall or the track. As the main drive starts moving the leading panel to its open position, the relative movement between the two panels causes the belt to move the bumper up against the fixed stop. From there, continued opening movement of the leading panel continues rotating the belt around the sheaves.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Rodney Kern, James Schwingle
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Patent number: 6892783Abstract: A nested multiple panel track system supporting a desired window covering provides for a window covering assembly capable of holding even an extremely heavy window covering, and providing an efficient operation therefor.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Inventors: Paul E. Comeau, William F. Uecker
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Publication number: 20020062932Abstract: A multi-panel sliding door includes a main drive to directly move a leading door panel and includes an auxiliary drive to smoothly accelerate a lagging door panel. In some embodiments, the auxiliary drive includes a hanging weight that urges the lagging panel to its open position. In another embodiment, the auxiliary drive includes a belt and sheave arrangement attached to the lagging panel. The leading panel is coupled to move the belt around two sheaves as the leading panel moves relative to the lagging one. The belt's movement is limited by a bumper that is attached to one point on the belt and is constrained to travel between one of the sheaves and a fixed stop attached to a wall or the track. As the main drive starts moving the leading panel to its open position, the relative movement between the two panels causes the belt to move the bumper up against the fixed stop. From there, continued opening movement of the leading panel continues rotating the belt around the sheaves.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Inventors: Rodney Kern, James Schwingle
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Patent number: 6360487Abstract: A resilient, insulated door panel for a sliding door includes a resilient core protected by a compliant outer covering with a seal disposed about the perimeter of the panel. The panel has sufficient resilience to recover from an impact that temporarily deforms it, yet has sufficient rigidity to transmit a compressive force needed for effectively setting the seals. Much of the core is filled with air to not only provide effective insulation and resilience, but to also provide an extremely lightweight door panel that can be operated to travel rapidly along an overhead track. Some embodiments include relatively rigid backup plates that provide a solid foundation to which the perimeter seals can be attached. The backup plates are segmented so as not to completely restrict the flexibility of the door panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Rodney Kern, Joe Korman, Dave Leppert, Peter Schulte, James Schwingle, Dean Shanahan
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Patent number: 6352097Abstract: A multi-panel sliding door includes a main drive to directly move a leading door panel and includes an auxiliary drive to smoothly accelerate a lagging door panel. In some embodiments, the auxiliary drive includes a hanging weight that urges the lagging panel to its open position. In another embodiment, the auxiliary drive includes a belt and sheave arrangement attached to the lagging panel. The leading panel is coupled to move the belt around two sheaves as the leading panel moves relative to the lagging one. The belt's movement is limited by a bumper that is attached to one point on the belt and is constrained to travel between one of the sheaves and a fixed stop attached to a wall or the track. As the main drive starts moving the leading panel to its open position, the relative movement between the two panels causes the belt to move the bumper up against the fixed stop. From there, continued opening movement of the leading panel continues rotating the belt around the sheaves.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1999Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Rodney Kern, James Schwingle
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Patent number: 6209612Abstract: Door system with a locking device which has top and bottom locking elements which can be displaced by a drive unit to realize a door system which is simple and easy to install, whereby the functional and operational reliability of the system are increased. For this purpose, associated with each of the top and bottom locking elements is an actuator element whereby the actuator elements are fastened to a single slide which is held on a beam so that it can move perpendicular to the sliding direction of the leaf and which can be moved indirectly by the drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2000Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: DORMA GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Arnold Schack, Heinz Kleyer, Torsten Niederste-Ostholt
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Patent number: 6155327Abstract: A counterbalance spring adjustment mechanism, particularly adapted for a rollup type upward-acting door which is supported between spaced apart wall brackets on a rotatable shaft. One end of the torsion spring is connected to a hub including a tubular hub member and a circumferential radially extending flange. The tubular hub member is disposed in a bore formed in one of the wall brackets and is retained in assembly therewith by a cylindrical collar. The door support shaft is disposed in a self-lubricating polymer bushing which is supported in the tubular hub member.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1999Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Overhead Door CorporationInventors: David M. Wells, Craig S. Ward, Jr.
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Patent number: 5832980Abstract: A swinging slide panel construction has panels which can slide relative to one another to open half of an opening, such as a doorway, and then swing together in a break-away mode for full access to the opening. One panel, which is pivotally fixed in the opening, has a support thereon which engages with a track on the other panel to support the same when the two panels are overlapped and swung open. A floating pivot assembly further engages the panels along the bottoms thereof, with the pivot assembly being entirely carried by the panels.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1997Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: NT Dor-O-Matic Inc.Inventor: John S. Cianciolo
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Patent number: 5233724Abstract: A cushioned stop member is provided for attachment to a sliding panel for limiting movement of that panel relative to opposed abutment surfaces on a similar panel; this allows a series of sliding panels to be used in self aligning manner. The stop member has a base part with a flat surface suitable for securement to a flat surface of the sliding panel and retaining elements projecting outwardly from the base part. These retaining elements hold a resilient cushioning member which is an interference fit on the retaining elements and which has opposed side surfaces which can engage on the opposed abutment surfaces of the other panel in a cushioned manner.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1991Date of Patent: August 10, 1993Assignee: Stanley Acmetrack LimitedInventors: Andre T. Lei tert, Stephen J. Hughes
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Patent number: 5109910Abstract: A vertical curtain panel assembly, to be used to cover windows, sliding glass doors, etc. with a plurality of large, wide, highly decorative panels. The panel assembly includes a plurality of interconnectable frame units having a plurality of channels with movable carriers positioned therein, and disposed such that by utilizing a single draw string attached to a single carrier, the plurality of carriers having decorative panels extending therefrom, may be readily moved between an opened position, wherein all the panels are concealed behind an outermost fixed panel, and a closed window covering position, wherein each panel is exposed and covers a designated area.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1991Date of Patent: May 5, 1992Inventors: Osmar Tortorella, Yolanda Tortorella
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Patent number: 5038531Abstract: An assembly for forming removable, non-load bearing walls, such as partitions for offices, fairs, exhibitions, etc., consists of a plurality of generally modular panels slidably disposed between upper and lower support rails. The panels include a substantially flat central section and projecting surfaces on the longitudinal sides thereof. In assembled condition, the projecting surfaces on adjacent panels engage one another to form a continuous wall assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1989Date of Patent: August 13, 1991Assignee: Dolmen Engineering & Systems Ltd.Inventor: Anna Olewska
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Patent number: 5022454Abstract: A collapsible double door assembly includes a number of serially connected panels each provided with a pair of inwardly and outwardly deviated pivotal suspension rollers, a horizontal guide rail constituted by an inner rail member and an outer rail member arranged in parallel in close proximity for separately guiding the suspension rollers, and one or two door storage areas extending perpendicularly from the guide rail at one or both ends thereof and formed by separating and independently bending the two rail members with different radiuses of curvature each defining an arc of a quarter of a circle. The radius of curvature of the outer rail member is relatively greater than that of the inner rail member. The distance between the two rail members in a door storage area is slightly smaller than the distance between the two suspension rollers of a panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1989Date of Patent: June 11, 1991Assignee: Toyo Exterior Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsuru Kobayashi, Keishirou Hori
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Patent number: 4998577Abstract: A device for stabilized opening and closing of a sliding panel includes a gear-like driving roller made of synthetic resin and provided with a number of low profile teeth arranged with a fin and constant pitch. The driving roller is arranged on the inside of the device and a pinch roller is arranged on the outside of the device in juxtaposition with the driving roller. A rack-like plate made of synthetic resin and arranged horizontally all the way along on the inner side wall of a sliding panel is engaged with and driven by the driving roller. A biasing device arranged at least on one of the driving roller or the pinch roller biasing it toward the sliding panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1989Date of Patent: March 12, 1991Assignee: Toyo Exterior Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsuru Kobayashi, Hori Keishirou
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Patent number: 4841689Abstract: Presented is a two-shell telescopic element for a movable partition that has a wall section and a horizontally extendable telescoping part. The cover panels of the telescoping part are disposed on the telescoping part in transversally movable fashion to their principal plane. With extended telescoping part, the cover panels run out formt he overlapping area formed with the cover panels of the wall section and can be brought into an end position aligning with the cover panels of the wall section, transversally to the running planes, by an actuating mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1987Date of Patent: June 27, 1989Assignee: Huppe GmbHInventor: Karl Schussler
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Patent number: 4833840Abstract: Presented is a two-shell telescopic element of a movable partition containing (holding) two external cover panels on the supporting frame of a wall section, between which, at the upper and/or lower edge, are guided packing strips, and that are extendable out toward the ceiling and/or the floor. An edge-side telescoping part has a vertical edge strut to which are also attached cover panels that overlap the cover panels of the wall section, or that continue in surface-flush fashion. The packing strips have an edge section projecting inwardly between the cover panels of the telescoping part, said edge section being horizontally displaceable together with the telescoping part. In order to achieve an improved noise damping, provided are intermediate panels that engage behind the cover panels of the wall section and of the telescoping part.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1987Date of Patent: May 30, 1989Assignee: Huppe GmbHInventors: Rolf Kalischewski, Gerd Petersen, Karl Schussler
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Patent number: 4457106Abstract: A system for suspending at least one shutter and for elevating the shutter or shutters for use as an awning. The shutters are slidable along rails and are engageable so as to cover a predetermined width when closed.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1981Date of Patent: July 3, 1984Assignee: Security Shutter Corp.Inventor: William F. Forquer
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Patent number: 4221255Abstract: A decorative panel assembly wherein a valance board receives and maintains a plurality of tracks, the tracks receiving rollers connected to decorative panels. The panels and valance board are provided with edge clamps, acting as mouldings, or used for securing decorative coverings thereto. A first source of illumination is provided in the valance board and in front of the panels to cast light upon the same. A second light source is vertically positioned behind the end panels for creating an indirect lighting or ghosting effect. A spring-biased curtain rod holder may be maintained within the valance board and behind the panels, if so desired.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1978Date of Patent: September 9, 1980Inventor: Erica C. Barkemeyer