Abstract: The present invention relates to a screen take-up device characterized in that the output from the normal-reverse turn motor of outer-rotor type contained in a screen take-up shaft is transmitted to the take-up shaft after being reduced in speed; brake is applied by a braking mechanism on the inertia output from the motor in sync with the stopping of the aforementioned motor; the number of revolutions of the take-up shaft is counted by a counter and the motor is controlled to stop at the preset number of revolutions; and the output from the manual shaft which is manually rotated in normal-reverse way is transmitted to the take-up shaft through a self-locking mechanism after being reduced in speed.

Abstract: A roller-blind which is suitable for combination with an insulated, hollow, transparent panel. The roller-blind is located in a housing having an opening on one longitudinal side. The opening of the housing is defined by longitudinal strips which rests upon and engage the opening of the hollow panel. The opening is shaped to mate, in an airtight manner, with the corresponding opening in the transparent hollow panel. In the housing, there is a roller which is mounted on two lateral closure walls located at laterally opposite sides of the housing. A motor is provided for turing the roller. Rotation of the roller permits the blind to move into and out of the panel. Because the motor is electrically actuated and exterior rotatable shafts are not used, the airtightness of the interior of the panel is very reliable. The roller-blind insulated panel combination is practical in use, is economically manufacturable, and can be constructed as a prefabricated unit for standard window or door frames.

Abstract: An improved roller door drive assembly comprising a drum, upon which a curtain is rolled, and a gear coaxially mounted to and engaged with the drum. The means of engagement consists of a plurality of forks projecting from the gear adapted to engage drum spokes. This arrangement prevents the ends of the drum while running in a swashplate manner from dragging the gear out of alignment with its driving pinion. In so doing this engagement means prevents excessive wear.

Abstract: A structural arrangement is provided which is particularly useful in connection with solar greenhouses. The structural member is suitable for use in a parallel arrangement of the same particularly for the purpose of providing controlled shading. The structural member is provided as a hollow bar of elongated form provided with at least one longitudinally extending track channel having a relatively narrow longitudinally extended slot-mouth. The shades are transferred from one roller in the direction of a second roller. The rollers may be provided with internal motors which rotate the same.A ventilating system is provided wherein air located between the glazing and the shade is drawn up and exhausted out the top of the structure via a blower assembly.

Abstract: A motorized awning is provided having a rotatably supported winding shaft housed in an awning box for an awning cloth capable of being wound on the winding shaft, the cloth being secured along one edge on the winding shaft and along the opposite edge on an extendable rod, an immovably supported drive motor, its output shaft coupled with the winding shaft for the automatic retraction of the awning by means of a resilient coupling member which permits at least a limited relative rotary motion between the winding shaft and the output shaft of the drive motor, a first limit switch for controlling the motor current when the cloth of the awning is retracted and a second limit switch for controlling the motor current when the cloth is extended, so that after the actuation of the limit switches the drive motor can be started only with the opposite sense of rotation.

Abstract: A solar greenhouse construction is provided in which a glazing is supported by a supporting frame to define an enclosed space. The glazing is permeable to solar radiation. A shade is provided for being drawn across the glazing to intercept the solar radiation. A motor driven roller is connected to one end of the shade to play out the shade or wind the same up. To the other end of the shade is connected a constant force or constant torque device which overcomes friction and keeps the shade stretched out. This device consists of a coiled up spring which is reverse wound onto a roller to which is connected a cable connected to the shade.

Abstract: A structural arrangement is provided which is particularly useful in connection with solar greenhouses. The structural member is suitable for use in a parallel arrangement of the same particularly for the purpose of providing controlled shading. The structural member is provided as a hollow bar of elongated form provided with at least one longitudinally extending track channel having a relatively narrow longitudinally extended slot-mouth. The bar may be provided with two such channels and these channels are substantially circular in cross-section with the mouths defining reentrant angles therewith. In a solar greenhouse, members of the above type support a glazing with a curved-eave section, the bars being curved to shape and the channels therein accommodating the bulbous lateral edges of shades which are retained therein. The shades are transferred from one roller in the direction of a second roller.

Abstract: The fireplace screen comprises a frame defining a central opening and including first and second pairs of vertical guide tracks along opposite lateral sides of the opening. A housing is mounted above the frame and a first flexible covering element is mounted for movement in the first pair of guide tracks. The first flexible covering element comprises a perforate mesh formed of heat resistant material. A second flexible covering element is mounted for movement in the second pair of guide tracks. The second covering element comprises an imperforate heat resistant material. A mechanism is mounted in the housing for individually raising and lowering the first and second covering elements in the guide tracks thereby covering and uncovering the central opening.

Abstract: A winch operating a drum around which a control cable is wound, the control cable controlling the opening and closing of shutters and smoke exhaust vents. The drum is driven by a gear train which may be immobilized by an electromagnetic brake or lock, such that the shutters or vents may be held closed or open, or in any intermediary position. In addition, the drum is provided with a ratchet wheel which can be immobilized by a solenoid operated rod. The electromagnetic brake or lock and the solenoid operating the ratchet wheel rod are controlled by push-buttons, and an emergency control is provided for releasing simultaneously the ratchet wheel and the electromagnetic brake or lock, such as to operate the drum for instantaneously opening the shutters and air vents to evacuate smoke and gases from the building.

Abstract: A door for closing vehicular traffic passages is provided in which the door is a curtain fabricated from a hard flexible material. The curtain runs in opposing channels, is mounted on a counterbalanced wind-up drum and under impact changes weight, moves out of the channels and is wound up to open the vehicular passage.

Abstract: This control device for an electric motor-reduction unit is designed to permit the accurate adjustment of the point at which it is desired to stop the rotation of the unit. For this purpose, it comprises a slide controlling during its movement in one direction and during a first time period the movement of beaks of a rocker in a direction in order to open the motor control switch when said beaks are engaged in notches of cam means. In a second time period, the slide causes a two-armed sliding lever supporting the notched-cam shaft to pivot in a direction, each notched cam being rigidly associated with a heart-shaped cam and with a toothed wheel adapted, when inoperative, to mesh with toothed drive pinions. In a third time period, the slide causes the beaks of the aligning lever to bear against the heart-shaped cams in order to align the notches with the beaks. The pinions remain radially fixed.

Abstract: An electrically operated roller door driving mechanism for operating a roller door comprising a reversible electrical motor fixedly mounted to one of the roller door supporting drum wheels and housed within the core of the roller door curtain, the motor and drum wheel being arranged to rotate simultaneously, and a ring gear operatively associated with said motor via a reduction gear mechanism, the ring gear being capable of being held stationary with respect to the rotating drum wheel but also being capable of rotating in unison with the drum wheel to thereby enable the roller door to be manually opened and closed in the event of a motor malfunction or power failure.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting various articles in connection with the present invention comprises a structure for operating a retractable door which includes a shaft member, a flexible door member carried by and windable on the shaft member, a motor structure for driving the shaft member, and a gear train mechanically linking the motor and shaft member. The gear train includes a drive gear and a driven gear with the driven gear being connected to the shaft member and the drive gear being connected to and driven by the motor. The drive gear and driven gear both comprise gear teeth about only a portion of the respective circumferences. A switch member for controlling the motor is provided, and an actuating control structure is provided with respect to the drive gear for controlling the switch member.

Abstract: A roller blind includes a reversable electric motor disposed in and arranged to drive a roller winder via a reduction gear to roll-up and unroll the blind. The motor is switched off at an open and closed position of the blind by limit switches actuable by a control device drivable with the winding roller. The control device includes at least one actuating mechanism provided with first and last rotatable members. The first rotatable member can be brought into geared connection with the winding roller and the last rotatable member is associated with at least one of the limit switches and is provided with an actuator member to actuate the limit switches. The maximum rolling or unrolling-up length of the roller blind is arranged to correspond to an angular rotation of the last roller of less than 360.degree..

Abstract: A roller blind has a roller with axially projecting trunnions each of which engages in an elongated arcuate slot in a respective end bracket mounting the blind on a supporting structure such as window frame. One trunnion is connected to a reversible motor for winding up and lowering the blind. The trunnions each bear frictionally on an edge bounding the slot, and the blind is wound on the roller such that rotation of the roller in the direction to lower the blind causes movement, by frictional engagement, of the trunnions along the slots to bring the blind closer to the window frame, whereas winding up of the blind moves it farther away from the window frame.

Abstract: A roller shutter door limit sensing means comprising a screw member for rotation in response to rotation of the drum onto which the curtain of the roller shutter door is wound, a limit switch actuator means threadably carried by the screw member to advance or retreat therealong in response to its rotation operates a corresponding opposite limit switch means, whereby the switch means can be activated for the curtain fully closed or the curtain fully opened positions whereby to switch off an electric drive means which opens or closes said roller shutter door.

Abstract: A roll up divider has a flexible curtain suspended from its top marginal edge and carrying a cylindrical roll at its bottom marginal edge upon which the curtain is wound and unwound. A plurality of spaced apart webs or belts embrace the curtain as a part of a frictional drive. Each of the belts is wound upon a motor driven shaft and each is provided with a fair lead as a guide mechanism to prevent wandering of the belt as it is being wound.

Abstract: A roller-blind assembly comprises a plurality of roller blinds each windable about a respective shaft having a pair of ends. A plurality of mounting assemblies are provided some of which enclose mechanism for operating the blinds and some of which merely act as support bearings for the ends of the shaft. In addition these housings which are all identical are formed at their front and rear sides with slots in which are engageable flanges of adapters that can secure a continuous cover plate over a plurality of such housings to mask the roller blinds supported thereon. A plurality of axially aligned such housings may be secured via adjustable clamps to a ceiling-mounted rail that in turn is formed with a flange carrying the cover plate.

Abstract: An improved curtain assembly which comprises a cellophane sheet including small grains of a material which are absorptive to light and sun energy and reflective to heat provided in the building.

Abstract: A shut-off unit is disclosed. The shut-off unit is to be used to shut off a drive unit which drives a tubular shaft, the latter shaft being employed, in turn, to wind an awning or a roller blind up and down. More particularly, the drive unit includes an electric motor and a step down gear drive axially aligned therewith and the shut-off unit is adapted to be arrangeable in the drive unit so that the step down gear lies between it and the motor. Additionally, the shut-off unit includes switches for stopping the drive and members for operating such switches which have presettable positions dependent upon presettable positions of a driven part of the electric motor. In accordance with the invention, the aforesaid members are in the form of cams which have lobes and which are adapted to rotate as a function of the movement of the element to be wound and to be drivingly connectable to the central output shaft of the step down gear.

Abstract: A window shade apparatus for an automobile or the like may be fitted to a sun visor thereof, and in one embodiment the shade thereof may be raised and lowered through releasing of a brake system acting on the roller thereof. In another embodiment, an electrical switch may be actuated to drive a reversible electric motor in one and the other direction to raise and lower the shade of the apparatus.

Abstract: An awning control apparatus for connecting to the side of a support structure. The apparatus having electric motors for electrically extending an awning outwardly from the side of the support structure. One side of the awning may be lowered for draining rain water from the top of the awning, and the awning may be retracted by reversing the electric motors. The apparatus may be used on recreational vehicles, campers, trailers, mobile homes, or the like.

Abstract: A closure for an opening in an aircraft hanger includes a curtain having its top marginal edge connected to the header of the opening and its bottom marginal edge connected to and taken up on and paid out from an elongate tube. The marginal side edges of the curtain overlap the side walls which define the opening. A vertical track is supported adjacent the side marginal edges of the curtain and rollingly support respective tube guides moving therealong in a vertical direction. The tube guides are connected to the tube at one end by a rotational journal therewith and at the other end by a fixed shaft of a fluid motor which has the motor proper, or a gear reducing mechanism therefor, mounted within and connected to the interior wall of the tube. The fluid motor is reversible so as to rotate the tube to take up and pay out the curtain, the tube and tube guide following the curtain up and down along the vertical track.

Abstract: A projection screen apparatus includes an elongate roller, a flexible screen which is wound on the roller when it is in a closed position and unwound from the roller when it is in an exposed position, an electric drive motor connected to the roller for rotating the roller to move the screen between exposed and closed positions, a first switch for actuating the drive motor to move the screen toward a closed position, and a second switch for stopping the drive motor and the roller when the screen is in a fully closed position. A free marginal end portion of the screen engages a lever which moves the second switch to an inoperative position to interrupt the electric circuit leading to the drive motor.

Abstract: A projection screen apparatus includes a modular screen unit and a separate modular drive motor unit generally forming an extension of the screen unit. The screen unit has an elongate roller and a flexible screen which is wound on the roller when it is in a closed position and unwound from the roller when it is in an exposed position. The drive unit is detachably secured adjacent the screen unit and has an electric motor releasably coupled to the roller to rotate the roller to move the screen between exposed and closed positions.

Abstract: A brake mechanism for an electric motor used to drive a projection screen apparatus. The brake mechanism includes a first brake surface fixed to an exterior brake support about an end of the motor shaft projecting from the housing, a second brake surface adjustable on the shaft end and confronting the first brake surface, and a spring for normally urging the brake surfaces into engagement to prevent rotation of the shaft, and brake surfaces being urged apart and the action of the spring counteracted when the motor is operated as the rotor of the motor, which is carried by the shaft, aligns itself with the magnetic field generated by the stator of the motor.

Abstract: A projection screen apparatus includes an elongate roller, a flexible screen which is wound on the roller when it is in a closed position and unwound from the roller when it is in an exposed position, an electric drive motor connected to the roller for rotating the roller to move the screen between exposed and closed positions, a first switch for actuating the drive motor to move the screen toward an exposed position, and a second switch for stopping the drive motor and the roller when the screen is in a fully exposed position. A lever urged against the screen wound on the roller moves the second switch to an inoperative position when a predetermined amount of screen is unwound from the roller to interrupt the electric circuit leading to the drive motor.

Abstract: A shade roller, comprised of a tube into which the motor drive is inserted into one end leaving it fully adjustable in length as it is slid in or out of the tube (Main Body), using any means of screw adjustment, shims etc. One end of the motor has a standard tip to fit into a standard shade mounting bracket, the other end is made to lock into a mounted drive block which is mounted within the main body of the roller. The locking of the motor with the drive block, can be accomplished with any means of connection that will result in the motor being unable to turn within the main body of the shade roller and at the same time leave the motor free to be adjusted in or out for the length adjustment. At the other end, a sliding shaft is inserted in much the same manner as the motor. It is fully adjustable for length as is the motor end, and is fully adjustable by similar means of shims, screw adjustments etc. as is the motor end.

Abstract: A train tunnel is ventilated by closing an exit end of the tunnel as a train approaches the entrance end, so that during passage through the tunnel the train acts as a loose piston moving through a long closed cylinder, to cause a rapid airflow rearwardly around the train.