Abstract: A drum for rolling up and unrolling protective covers has a driven pendulum within for applying a rotary moment to cause the drum to roll. The pendulum is powered in one rotary direction or the other by an electrical motor according to a signal from outside the drum, and battery packs are enclosed with the drive elements to provide a power source. A sealed drum is provided to float in swimming pools. In another embodiment, a common electric drill is used for the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A scrolling device includes a first disk, a second disk and a middle disk wherein a shaft extends through the disks and two setting devices are respectively disposed between the middle disk and the respective one of the first and the second disk. A casing receives the three disks therein and is driven by a motor which is controlled by two control members disposed to the first and second disk. Each of the setting devices include a base gear and a plurality of wheels each of which has a toothed periphery and a cam member formed in a first side thereof, and two teeth extending laterally from a second side thereof, a setting member and a positioning member pivotally and respectively disposed between the middle disk and the respective one of the first and the second disk. The setting members each have gears engagable with the wheels and base gear, and a plurality of plates engagable with the cam members to set the wheels.

Abstract: A delayed closing mechanism for a rolling fire door is provided wherein an AC solenoid having its sliding rod pivoted to one end of a connecting rod which is also pivoted at a central portion while the other end of the connecting rod is pivoted to the lower end of a spring biased actuation rod, a recess is provided on a side of the actuation rod to form a shoulder, the upper end of a latch rod pivoted at its central portion swings into the recess of the actuation rod and its lower end is acted on through a DC solenoid which can be controlled by an operator or activated through the discharge from a capacitor in the event power is cut off, the DC solenoid sliding rod is activated to swing the latch rod to move away from its position blocking the actuation rod, and cutting off power to the AC solenoid. The spring biased actuation rod pushes the braking rod in the braking device to pivot and thereby release the brake so as to permit the door to open or close.

Abstract: An elongated reelable shade, first and second spaced support brackets removably connected to first and second and opposite ends of the elongated reelable shade for supporting the reelable shade from a fixed support, an electrical drive motor having an output shaft for rotating the elongated reelable shade around its axis to selectively reel and unreel the shade, an electrical circuit for energizing and operating the motor, the electrical circuit including a controller coupled to and controlling the operation of the drive motor, a single shade limit switch for stopping the motor when the shade reaches a fully reeled or fully extended position, and a coupler for removably coupling the output shaft of the motor to the first end of the elongated reelable shade, a single housing having the first bracket fixed thereto, the single housing containing and supporting the motor, the electrical circuit and the coupler, the coupler comprising an output driver which removably receives the first end of the shade with rotata

Abstract: The device comprises a control point (CP) equipped with Up and Down contacts, the actuation of which causes the rotation of the motor in the desired direction, a control and supply box (CB) containing a logic processing unit (LPU), switching means controlled by the logic unit and means for establishing a direction of rotation of the motor. The means for establishing a direction of rotation of the motor furthermore comprise means (LPU, CLK, DC) for recognizing the direction of rotation of the shutter or roller blind, a memory of EEPROM type (MI) for recording the direction of rotation of the motor instruction issued by the control point and a programmed processor for comparing the recognized direction of displacement with the instruction emanating from the control point.

Abstract: An automatic clutch type chain pulling mechanism for a motor rolling door for releasing the brake and winding up the door curtain by pulling the chain during electricity cutoff. The chain pulling mechanism is enclosed in a housing and is provided on the rotating shaft of the motor from the outside end inward with a drive block fixed on the rotating shaft of the motor which forms along its circumference a plurality of lugs protruding radially outward, an intermediate disk having an elongated radial slot and formed with a raised circular flange on its circumference with a friction clamping ring inserted within the inner surface of the flange, and a releasing rod mechanism. The releasing rod mechanism includes a brake releasing rod with one end fixed with a pin inserted into the elongated slot and the other end pivoted and having a pair of wing plates inclined upward fixed on the pivoted end for pushing an intermediate lever.

Abstract: A roll-up apparatus including a curtain suspended within a room to be divided or partially closed off and a roll member at the bottom edge of the curtain around which the curtain winds and unwinds. The curtain is raised by rolling the curtain up from the bottom around the roll member, and lowered by unrolling the curtain from around the roll member. Belts spaced along the width of the curtain are looped under the curtain wound roll member and windably attached to a motor driven take-up shaft. When wound around the take-up shaft, the belts are pulled upward to effect a rolling of the curtain around the roll member that raises the curtain. The belts are structured, such as by the provision of a coating material, to adhere to the material of the curtain to prevent belt slippage relative to the curtain and to thereby effect a relatively tight curtain winding. Crowned rollers which achieve a self-centering effect on the belts are also provided to cause the belts to wind about themselves on the take-up shaft.

Abstract: A device for controlling the tilt angle of window blind blades having a motor with an output shaft and a slip clutch coupling the output shaft to a tilt control mechanism. A receiver and demodulator receives a modulated infra red carrier signal modulated with a code and to demodulate the carrier to produce corresponding electrical pulses. A decoder is coupled to an output of the receiver and demodulator and when powered provides an output on one of several output lines depending upon the coding of pulses from the receiver and demodulator. A motor driver circuit has an input coupled to the decoder and an output coupled to the motor, is operative to drive the motor in either a forward or reverse direction depending upon the output from the decoder, and a decoupler decouples the motor from the wand upon reaching an extreme of tilting of the blade when the motor is still running.

Abstract: Electromechanical or manually operable vertical-moving roller curtains for windows which consist of a curtain made of thin and flexible material, wrapped around a self-winding upper roller and a lower edge fastened to a rigid horizontal crossbar. The crossbar is connected by vertical worm screw linkages to sliders. The worm screws and sliders have a matching thread meshing for driving connection therebetween. A geared motor or a crank drives the worm screws through a drive shaft and through bevel gear pairs. A surrounding hollowed frame consists of vertical and horizontal section bars, connected by linkage so that when the motor or crank is driven a rotation is imparted to the worm screws which, via sliders, vertically move the lower edge of the curtain upwards or downwards, thereby winding and unwinding the curtain on the upper roller.

Abstract: The operating device comprises a drive shaft (1) driven by a geared motor unit (4) via a transmission mechanism allowing the closure element being lowered to be disengaged when a resistive force opposes the lowering thereof. The device has no brake. By contrast, it comprises a spring (8) for compensating for the weight of the closure element and the transmission mechanism (6) consists of a friction coupling and, possibly, of a one-way coupling mechanism.The absence of a brake and the weight compensation make it possible for the closure element to be raised easily and quickly by hand in an emergency, while the friction coupling allows the closure element to be driven downward by the motor.

Abstract: An electric-powered shutter apparatus to be mounted to a building. A winding drum (4) of an electric-powered shutter device (1) is provided with a driving mechanism including an electric motor (7) and a single-directional rotary clutch device (8). A balance tension device (9) is provided at the other end of the apparatus. The clutch device (8) is configured to slip when the load of the rotation in the direction of the curtain being fed exceeds a certain load. Further, the load at which the clutch device (8) slips is set so as to be greater than the force for forcibly rotating the electric motor when disconnected from electric power. The balancing tension device (9) is balanced against the sum of the weight of the shutter curtain (2) and the load for forcibly rotating the electric motor (7). Thus, the need for a braking device for the electric-powered shutter apparatus to be mounted to a building is eliminated.

Abstract: An overhead door including a door panel vertically movable between a lowered position when the door is closed and a raised position when the door is open, and a motor drivingly connected to a lower end of the door panel to selectively drive the lower end of the door panel downwardly. The motor is drivingly connected to the lower end of the door panel to drive the door panel downwardly in response to actuation of the motor. Preferably, the connection includes a flexible drive element (e.g., an endless belt) driven by the motor and connected to the lower end of the door panel. A pivot member releasably connects the door panel to the guide member, and is pivotable relative to at least one of the door panel or the guide member in response to a force on the door panel. The pivot member includes a first pivot segment pivotally connected to the door panel and a second pivot segment pivotally connected to the guide member, the first and second pivot segments releasably engaging each other.

Abstract: A brake actuator for use in conjunction with a door barrier for preventing closure of the door barrier when the actuator comes in contact with an obstruction. The brake actuator includes a bumper mounted on a leading edge of the barrier and movable between an operative position and an inoperative position. A load carrying linkage is provided which is activated when the bumper is moved to the operative position. The linkage is connected to a brake which becomes engaged when the linkage is activated, thus preventing movement of the door barrier to a closed position when the bumper contacts the obstruction.

Abstract: A motor driven roller shutter (10) employs a curtain (11) having a leading edge (12) and being adapted to slide vertical in a guide channel (14) between a raised position and a lowered position. A locking assembly (13) is secured to the channel (14) and is engageable with the shutter adjacent the leading edge (12) to inhibit the leading edge being levered away from the lowered position. The leading edge includes a flange (15) d the locking assembly includes a retractable foot (16) extending from a housing (17) so that in order to raise the shutter (11), the foot (16) must be retracted into the housing (17). A solenoid inner circuit is used to retract the foot (16) which then engages a limit switch to make the circuit to a motor to raise the curtain. Typically, the two locking assemblies are used opposite ends of the leading edge of the curtain.

Abstract: An operating device for a rolling shutter assembly comprising a reeling shaft for a shutter wherein the shaft is rotated by a motor connected to a flange. The flange is fixed to a toothed wheel that can mesh with a thread of a screw so as to immobilize the rotation of the flange. The thread of the screw is provided with at least one flat, so that the mechanical connection between the toothed wheel and the screw can be disengaged when a flat is positioned adjacent the toothed wheel. Disconnection of the screw from the wheel allows a rapid operation of the shutter for reasons of security or maintenance.

Abstract: A mechanism for detecting an obstacle preventing the proper operation of a sectional shutter of a warehouse-type door which includes a detection member mounted in the vicinity of a horizontal shaft around which the sectional shutter is wound by the operation of a motor. The detection mechanism is connected to a switch for controlling the motor and thus the rotation of the horizontal shaft about which the sectional shutter is wound. The detection member consists of at least one member which extends adjacent to but spaced from the horizontal shaft and which is engageable by a slack portion of the sectional shutter caused by the engagement of an obstacle with the sectional shutter as it is being lowered.

Abstract: An automobile front and rear windshield sunshade device includes a base, a housing for containing a sunshade unit, two support arm units able to be folded in the housing and to be swung up to lift a shade curtain of the sunshade unit by rotation of a motor. When the shade curtain is lifted to shade the front or the rear windshield of an automobile, the motor is cut off by an actuating extension of the lower arm of one of the support arm unit pressing a contact block of a first contact switch. The first contact switch can be adjusted in its position to change the height the the shade curtain is lifted. The housing can be adjusted in its angle relative to the base to adapt to various angles of different front or rear windshields of automobiles.

Abstract: An electrical sunshade assembly includes a tubular mounting unit adapted to be secured in an automobile adjacent to a window of the latter and formed with a longitudinally extending slot. A pinion is disposed rotatably in the mounting unit and is driven to rotate in opposite first and second directions. Two racks are disposed movably in the mounting unit on two sides of the pinion. Each rack meshes with the pinion and has a connecting end portion. Rotation of the pinion in the first direction causes the connecting end portions of the racks to move away from each other, while rotation of the pinion in the second direction causes the connecting end portions to move toward each other. A screen unit is located adjacent to the slot of the mounting unit and includes a sun screen and an axially rotatable roller which is biased to wind the sun screen normally thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a driving device for a roller shutter 1. For driving the roller shutter 1 into the open position there is provided a motor 8 with a drive 7 and a chain drive 5 which acts on the bearing shaft 3 of the roller 2 winding up the roller shutter 1. When using such shutters 1 as fire-resistant shutters 1, they must be transferable into the closed position under the influence of their dead weight, i.e. without involving any external energy. To allow the closing movement to proceed in a controlled way, the viscous coupling 10 constitutes a braking element whose housing is held non-rotatably and whose coupling hub is rotatably connected to the bearing shaft 3.

Abstract: A flexible roll-up door assembly includes opposed, elongated frame members supporting guides for longitudinal side edges of the door and for slide members connectable to a bottom beam of the door closure member by a latch mechanism which includes opposed latch members which engage the slide members, respectively. The slide members rotate to permit the latch members to separate in response to a predetermined force acting on the door closure or the bottom beam. The latch members are spring biased to retract out of or extend into cooperating slots in the slide members and may be reinserted in the slide members to reconnect the door to the guides. The latch members may include retaining projections cooperable with reentrant edges or other surfaces in the slots to retain the latch members engaged with the slide members. Alternate embodiments include latch members formed on the slide members and engaged in slots formed in a transverse bottom beam for the door closure member.

Abstract: A motor-driven screen roller assembly is provided that consists of each of two motor-driven screen rollers controlled by a FORWARD/STOP/BACKWARD control switch through a selector switch. Each motor-driven screen roller includes a mounting plate fixed to the ceiling inside an automobile, two reversible DC motors fastened on opposing ends of the mounting plate, at the bottom. A roller is coupled between the reversible DC motors, and a screen having one end fixed to the roller and an opposing end thereof being coupled to a slat. The FORWARD/STOP/BACKWARD control switch and the selector switch are connected in series between the reversible DC motors of the motor-driven screen rollers and the battery power supply circuit of the automobile. The FORWARD/STOP/BACKWARD control switch operates in cooperation with the selector switch to selectively control the operation of the DC motors of the first motor-driven screen roller or the second motor-driven screen roller.

Abstract: A rolling shutter includes a plurality of elongated shutter elements each having a plurality of alternate ribs and valleys formed on each side thereof is pivotally coupled by a plurality of link elements interleaved between the shutter elements. The shutter element and link array thus formed includes a repeated subset combination of coupling links and shutter elements which facilitate the pivotal motion of a shutter element pair about a common link to form a reinforcing portion of the shutter element array. A tractor drive mechanism includes a plurality of drive belts having engaging teeth for coupling to the alternate ribs and valleys of the shutter elements to provide positive drive force in either direction. A spring-biased take-up roll is supported in proximity to the tractor drive to receive the portion of the shutter element array withdrawn into the tractor drive.

Abstract: Fire control systems and release mechanisms. The release mechanisms of the present invention comprise a digital logic circuit for processing signals which are indicative of a condition in an outside environment, and for providing a trigger that will actuate the mechanical release mechanism in response to the condition, a power circuit for providing regulated power to the electronic circuit in response to the input power, the regulated power being used to operate the digital logic circuit, and a power backup circuit interfaced to the power circuit for providing the regulated power for a predetermined time in the event of an input power failure so that the digital logic circuit can be operated for the predetermined time during the input power failure.

Abstract: A driving and tensioning device for a flexible protective member such as a strip, curtain or skirt includes a rolling-up driving-shaft and an unrolling driving-shaft which are driven by electric motors provided with a brake activated in order not to brake any longer when one of these motors is under power. This driving and tensioning device furthermore includes a device for controlling the power supply to the motors so that a torque is generated by one of the motors withstanding the operation of the other motor, during the phase of either unrolling or rolling-up of the flexible protective member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor-driven roller blind comprising, on the one hand, an apron rolling up onto and unrolling from a winding shaft inside which is accommodated a tubular-type driving gear-motor and, on the other hand, means providing an electrical signal representative of the movement of the apron and an electrical-signal processing unit capable of acting on the running of the driving gear-motor, viz. to control the stopping of same in the event an obstacle is present. As a matter of fact, said means providing an electrical signal representative of the movement of the apron are comprised of at least one inductive sensor extending at least partly along the path followed by the apron, this inductive sensor being capable of creating an electromotive force under the action of the passing of a permanent magnet associated with the lower portion of the apron, which electromotive force is detected by the processing unit.

Abstract: A self-powered drum for rolling up and unrolling protective covers has a driven pendulum within for applying a rotary moment to cause the drum to roll. The pendulum is powered in one rotary direction or the other by an electrical motor according to a signal from outside the drum, and battery packs are enclosed with the drive elements to provide a power source. A sealed drum is provided to float in swimming pools.

Abstract: A flexible partition suspended from a ceiling of a gymnasium or the like. The flexible partition includes a drive cylinder which extends the length of and intermediate the curtain forming the partition. The cylinder is provided with a drive motor internally of the cylinder, and a reaction device is provided externally of the curtain such that the motor device when activated will drive the cylinder to wind up the upper and lower portions of the curtain. The upper and lower portions of the curtain are attached at diametrically opposed locations on the cylinder, and hook and loop type fastening strips are provided on the edges of the curtain and the side walls so as to seal the curtain against noise or dust.

Abstract: The lifting door has slatted armor for closing the door aperture, the armor having hinge straps including hinge members connected to one another by pins for articulation of the straps relative to one another. The hinge straps are supported in guide tracks at the sides of the door aperture. The adjoining slats attached to the hinge members are spaced from one another and sealing strips extending approximately the entire door width afford a seal between the opposed registering opposite edges of adjoining slats.

Abstract: A power-operated automobile sunshade including a double-threaded screw rod turned by a motor through a single-threaded screw rod via a worm gear to move screw nuts inward toward each other along the double-threaded screw rod so as to move two linked rods in lifting the shade body of a shade roller over the rear windshield of the automobile.

Abstract: A roll-up strip curtain barrier apparatus is provided which provides a curtain member suspended from a support roller rotatably mounted about a door opening. The curtain member has plurality of flexible curtain-like strip panels which are adapted to span the door opening and provide an air-blocking seal. In one embodiment, the plurality of the strip panels are disposed in a plurality of rows, each row having a plurality of adjacent strip panels. The panels in one row are in abutting and overlapping relationship with the panels in the adjacent row. In one mode of operation, the flexible strip panels deflect in response to personnel and material passing through the door opening and then return to their original suspended position. In another mode of operation, the support roller may be rotated so as to wind and elevate the curtain member about the roller and create an unobstructed door opening. Reverse rotation of the support roller lowers the curtain member to the sealing position.

Abstract: An electric gear motor with reduction gears and automatic brake for shutters, wherein an emergency control is provided to allow the shutter to be manually maneuvered in the event of motor brake down or loss of power. A toothed ring is normally retained in a non-rotatable position relative to the reduction gears under the influence of a yieldable leg of a spring pin. The yieldable leg is movable away from the ring to permit the ring to rotate with the reduction gears and free of a motor drive shaft in the event the motor fails to activate in a normal manner thus enabling the shutters to be manually operated.

Abstract: A flexible partition suspended from a ceiling of a gymnasium or the like. The flexible partition includes a drive cylinder which extends the length of and intermediate the curtain forming the partition. The cylinder is provided with a drive motor internally of the cylinder, and a reaction device is provided externally of the curtain such that the motor device when activated will drive the cylinder to wind up the upper and lower portions of the curtain. The upper and lower portions of the curtain are attached at diametrically opposed locations on the cylinder, and hook and loop type fastening strips are provided on the edges of the curtain and the side walls so as to seal the curtain against noise or dust.

Abstract: A roller shade comprising a spring-loaded retractor, a screen sheet having a trailing edge connected to the retractor, and a rod member attached to a leading edge of the screen sheet. The two ends of the rod member are guided by a pair of guide rails so that the rod member may be moved toward and away from the retractor by using a power drive unit in such a manner that the screen sheet may be paid out from the retractor and extended against the spring force acting on the retractor, and retracted or wound around the retractor, as desired. The rod member incorporates therein a telescopic structure which allows its length to be varied according to the change in the distance between the guide rails as the rod member is moved toward and away from the retractor. Thus, the roller shade can be adapted to windshields, windows or other openings having trapezoidal, curved or other non-rectangular shapes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly and reliably sealing off a selected opening from an adjacent path of smoke, noxious fumes or contaminated air which comprises a reel of reinforced transparent, temperature, chemical or radiation resistant material having flexible magnetic edge strips on each side thereof mounted and centered above said opening, and causing the reel to drop in vertical fall adjacent to the opening and simultaneously causing the flexible magnetized strips to become rapidly and magnetically attached to ferromagnetic side rails or ferromagnetic door frame used for fire doors and to expand under pressure while maintaining an air tight seal of the opening. This apparatus is elegantly simple and reliable in both its construction and operation and has an extremely high price/performance figure of merit.

Abstract: A window shade located between the two window panes of a window is automatically driven by two electric motors attached to the roller of the window shade so as to place the window shade in a raised position or a lowered position in accordance with the polarity of the power supplied to two electric motors. A relay, when activated, provides power to a manually activated switch having two positions to control the polarity of the power supplied to the electric motors. When deactivated, the relay bypasses the manually activated switch and provides power to the electric motors having a polarity to place the window shade in its lowered position.

Abstract: A roll-up door has a bottom bar attached to the flexible curtain of the door. The bottom bar has transverse openings at each end adjacent to the jambs of the door frame. A breakaway shaft travels in a track in each jamb and has one end normally seated in a respective transverse opening by the interaction of spring loaded ball detents and detent recesses in the shaft and bar. The opposite ends of the shafts are connected to a counterforce mechanism that urges the shaft downwardly and are also connected to a strap wound with the curtain drum to urge the shafts upwardly against the counterforce. The breakaway shafts will separate from the bar upon impact to free the bar from engagement with the jamb and prevent damage to the door. The breakaway shafts may then be reconnected with the bottom bar and reset by unwinding the curtain to an overtravel position that is beyond the normal closed position of the door.

Abstract: The present invention is provided with a mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of a door comprising a speed reduction means for reducing a rotational speed. A high speed shaft is connected to the speed reduction means and is connectable to a means for rotating the input shaft, and a low speed output shaft is connected to the speed reduction means. A governor is mounted on the input shaft for limiting the rotational speed thereof, to also regulate the rotational speed of the output shaft. A brake is provided for preventing rotation of the output shaft, and a self-closing mechanism is operatively connected to the door. The self-closing mechanism is adapted for storing energy when the door is opened to an open position, and a connecting means operatively connects the output shaft to the self-closing mechanism.

Abstract: A roller door apparatus is provided that includes a roller means and a means journalling the roller means for reversible rotation about a central longitudinal roller axis. The roller door also includes end rail means for a reciprocal linear movement between a first position adjacent the roller means and a second position away from the roller means. Also included is a flexible curtain means with one end attached to the end rail means and the other end attached to the roller means, such that the curtain means closes a door opening with the end rail means in the second position. The curtain means winds onto the roller means when the end rail moves from the second position to the first position and vice versa.

Abstract: A closure assembly which is adapted to be used with structural members has a pair of guides and a closure member which is in mechanical interengagement with the guides so as to permit relative sliding movement in opening and closing the closure. The closure member has a pair of tracking members disposed on opposite edges which may take the form of tape members. These tracking means are retained within the guides.The guides may have secured thereto shoes which are engaged within guide channels secured to frame members so that relative lateral movement between the guides and frames is permitted. A biasing assembly which enhances lateral tension on the closure member may be employed.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved roller shutter assembly 10 including a cylindrical core 12 having end blocks 14 rigidly located at each end. At least one end block is provided with a mounting block 16 rotated mounted in a hole 20 in the end block 14. Provided between the mounting block 16 and the end block 14 is an annular space 32 which encloses a coiled spring 30. One end of the spring 30 is attached to the end block 14 and the other end to the mounting block 16. Thus as the blocks are rotated with respect to each other the spring is tensioned to provde a counteracting spring force to aid rewinding. Enclosure of the spring at the end blocks provides for easy maintenance and simplified construction. Each end block 14 may be provided with springs if desired. In a further embodiment the end block 14 is provided with an external peripheral cam shaped surface so as to facilitate even winding of a slatted blind.

Abstract: A screen projection apparatus includes a housing within which a pair of projection screens are stored in a rolled position on motor driven rollers. A pair of access doors are mounted on the housing and support an idler roller over which a screen passes. The access doors open, one at a time, and the idler roller ensures that each of the screens when unrolled hangs in a common plane thereby eliminating the need to refocus the optical projection equipment which is used with the apparatus.

Abstract: An automatically retractable awning includes a plurality of extendable rafter arms operatively connected at their upper ends to a vertical support surface, a lead bar connected to the lower ends of the rafter arms, a roll bar located adjacent to and operatively connected to the support surface, and an awning sheet or canopy connected at a first end to the roll bar and at a second end to the lead bar. A sensor operatively connected to at least one of the rafter arms detects pivotal movement of the rafter arm relative to the support surface and automatically commands a roll drive motor to roll the canopy about the roll bar and thus retract the awning.

Abstract: A tape drive extendable and retractable awning assembly wherein a sprocket driven apertured tape is connected to the leading end of an awning adjacent the opposite lateral edges of the awning. The apertured tapes are guided in channel members housed in frames positioned in proximity to the lateral edges of the awning, and each frame is provided with a weather seal to prevent dirt and dust from accumulating in the guide channels and apertured tapes.

Abstract: A top closure for a rectangular box includes a tarpaulin having one edge connected to one top edge of the box, and having the opposite edge wound around an elongated shaft. A reversible motor is connected to the shaft for winding and unwinding the tarpaulin to open and close the top closure. A remote transmitter is adapted to send either a wind or an unwind signal to a receiver which is connected through solenoids to the reversible motor. By pressing one button on the remote transmitter it is possible to rotate the motor in one direction, and by pressing the other button on the remote transmitter it is possible to rotate the motor in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A roll-up door has a bottom bar attached to the flexible curtain of the door. The bottom bar has transverse openings at each end adjacent to the jambs of the door frame. A breakaway shaft travels in a track in each jamb and has one end normally seated in a respective transverse opening by the interaction of spring loaded ball detents and detent recesses in the shaft and bar. The opposite ends of the shafts are connected to a counterforce mechanism that urges the shaft downwardly and are also connected to a strap wound with the curtain drum to urge the shafts upwardly against the counterforce. The breakaway shafts will separate from the bar upon impact to free the bar from engagement with the jamb and prevent damage to the door. The breakaway shafts may then be reconnected with the bottom bar and reset by unwinding the curtain to an overtravel position that is beyond the normal closed position of the door.

Abstract: In an electric drive arrangement for a cord winding and dewinding winch (22), in particular for cord-operated screening and opening/closing devices for windows and doors, in which the operating cord (4) is connected with said device for moving it in one direction when winding up the cord on said winch (22), the latter being turned in one direction by means of an electric motor (12), while movement in the other direction is effected by a spring force acting on the device while dewinding the cord from the winch (22), the latter being turned by the electric motor (12) in the opposite direction, the winding and dewinding winch (22) for the cord is combined into a drive unit with the electric motor (12) and connected thereto by a transmission device, which is influenced by a braking force, means being provided for stopping the electric motor in response to suspension of the tension in the cord (4) caused by the movement in said other direction effected by the spring force, when dewinding the cord, said stopping me

Abstract: A motor-driven blind for a curved back window of a motor vehicle. A winder roller has an end of a cloth fixed thereto and the other end fixed to a pull-bar. Two arms are hinged at ends to the pull-bar and hinged at the other ends to carriages slidable in slideway which is substantially parallel to the axis of the winder roller. A drive device synchronously moves the carriages, and hence the ends of the arm in opposite directions in the slideway to thereby deploy the cloth. The pull-bar is elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the cloth.

Abstract: An auxiliary drive unit (30) intended for driving a chain (11) in a horizontal track (12) is arranged to operate only when a forward end (33) of the chain passes a predetermined point. A drive sprocket (16) engages with the chain and initially freewheels until the forward end (33) of the chain contacts a switch (34), actuating a drive motor (13) of the auxiliary drive (30). The drive sprocket (16) is normally "parked" in a precisely orientated position so as to engage the forward end (33) of the chain (11) cleanly. The sprocket (16) has a plurality of circumferentially spaced alternating polarity magnetic poles (22, 23) which park the sprocket (16) precisely in position relative to opposite polarity magnetic poles (27) provided on a fixed member of the auxiliary drive unit. The auxiliary drive unit (30) is particularly designed for driving a rolling shutter (10) suspended from a chain (11) running in a horizontally extending track (12).

Abstract: A fire door release mechanism includes a pair of levers engaging a bearing disc to hold a toothed clutch in engagement between a shaft of the fire door and a shaft of its operator. One of the levers has, at its end remote from the bearing disc, a pin on which a holding block is pivotally mounted. The other lever also has a pin at its remote end which is retained within a pocket on the holding block so long as tension is applied to the block, which tension is normally provided by a fuse link chain. When the tension is released, the levers, which are lightly spring biased, pivot out of engagement with the bearing disc to allow the clutch to disengage and separate the operator shaft from the fire door shaft.

Abstract: A double-layer window includes a window panel consisted of two transparent panels attached together with a narrow space defined on the inside, and a shade roller unit attached to the window panel on the bottom and controlled by a reversible motor to automatically deliver a shade body into the narrow space by two shade guide-rolls in blocking up the window from the light, or to automatically take up the shade body permitting the light to pass through the window.