Abstract: A vertically sliding roll-up door has a portal structure including vertical uprights provided with guide rails for guiding the sliding of blocks fixed along the lateral edges of the curtain, to allow the curtain to move vertically with respect to the portal structure. The curtain includes air-sealing gaskets which extend substantially over the entire length of the longitudinal edges of the curtain at the blocks, in order to block the passage of air between the guide rails and the blocks.

Abstract: An insulating shade assembly for an architectural opening includes a roller and an insulating shade. The insulating shade includes a shade core attached to and between first and second outer shade sheets. The shade core includes a number of inner shade sheets which are stacked upon one another and attached to one another in an offset manner. The shade core is expanded by moving the first and second outer shade sheets relative to one another, creating a number of cells for insulating air.

Abstract: A draft excluder for excluding drafts between a door and the floor. The draft excluder is made up of an elongated angled bracket, at least one clip, a flexible covering, and an elongated weight. The flexible covering can take the form of a cloth covering. The elongated angled bracket defines first and second sidewalls with an interior angle there-between. The first and second sidewalls respectively define first and second elongated terminal edges. During normal use the at least one clip holds the first sidewall of the bracket to the bottom of a door such that the interior angle faces downward and towards the floor beneath the door. The flexible covering defines a cover portion that extends between the first and second elongated terminal edges. The cover portion defines an interior surface and an exterior surface. The elongated weight is affixed to the interior surface of the cover portion.

Abstract: Barrier systems and associated methods, including vapor and/or fire barrier systems, are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a barrier system that includes a barrier coupled to a spool. The barrier is positioned to be wound onto and off of the spool as the barrier moves between a deployed position and a retracted position by a drive assembly. The system further includes a seal assembly positioned in a housing and contacting the spool to create a barrier to smoke and vapor migration through the housing. The system still further includes a sensor operably coupled to a control system and positioned to sense barrier position as the barrier moves between the deployed and the retracted positions.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller blind having at least four layers. The outer layers form one sheet and the inner layers form one sheet. A cylindrical body is provided in the inner sheet. The outer sheet has a bending stiffness which is such that, at least at the location of the cylindrical body between the layers of the outer sheet and the layers of the inner sheet, a distance is maintained. The invention furthermore relates to an assembly of a roller blind according to the invention and a double glazing unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a set of doors for closing off a bay (6) in a wall (4), comprising a first flexible door (1) and a second door (2) having at least a rigid bottom edge (17), it being possible to impart an upward movement and a downward movement to each of these doors (1, 2) respectively into an open position and a closed position, the second door (2) being disposed so as to create a slit (31) between the wall (4) and the rigid bottom edge (17) of this second door (2) as it is moved upwards into the open position. The flexible door (1) is disposed at least partially between said second door (2) and said wall (4) and can be displaced through said slit (31) between its closed position and its open position when the second door (2) is in the open position.

Abstract: A door structure, said structure for use particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to selectively close an opening between a first environment which is at a temperature which is lower than the temperature of the environment on the opposing side of the opening. The door is provided with a structure so as to define a cavity therein into which air is caused to flow. The door has formations and a structure so as to encourage uniform air flow through the cavity and hence prevent or minimise the creation of condensation and/or frost on the door structure.

Abstract: A sliding screen edge sealing device for an edge of a sliding screen of flexible material comprises a pair of sealing brushes one on each side of the screen. Each sealing brush comprises brush filaments projecting from a base that is non-pivotally mounted, the arrangement being such that the brush filaments are inclined in the same direction relative to the screen. The brush filaments may be inclined to the base.

Abstract: In connection with a rear window shade, elastomeric profiled strips are assigned to the guide rails in which the pull rod is guided. The profiled strips are capable of holding the respective end of the pull rod in the guide rail in a substantially rattle-free manner.

Abstract: A roll up door assembly for covering a door space comprising a rubber sheet having vertical side edge portions with a front lock strip secured to the front surface and a rear lock strip secured to the rear surface of each vertical side edge. The front and rear locking strips are staggered with respect to each other in the transverse direction of these strips. The sheet is coilable on a barrel mounted above the door. The staggered orientation of the lock strips assists in the tracking of the sheet during coiling on the barrel. A pair of vertically extending door guides each define a vertical slot oriented and sized to accept a respective vertical side edge portion for guided vertical movement therein. Each door guide assembly has a windbar attached thereto, positioned to narrow the opening of the slot such the narrowed opening has a smaller width than the total thickness of each side edge portion of the sheet.

Abstract: An energy saving shade system for residential dwelling windows having dimensions that vary within a range of frame widths and a range of frame heights, and including a pair of end caps, each being insertable in sealing relation against the top surface and one of the side surfaces of the frame. A pair of side rails, each having a cross-section to define channel openings of a depth equal to at least one half the range of frame widths are securable in sealing relation to respective side surfaces of the frame. A pair of shade supporting plates are receivable in the respective end caps, each of the shade supporting plates being laterally adjustable throughout approximately one half the range of frame widths. An impermeable, transparent shade and a thermal insulating shade of widths within the range of frame widths are wound on rollers mountable between the shade supporting plates, and extendible for the range of frame heights from the roller to the sill.

Abstract: An edge sealing means for an edge of a sliding screen of flexible material comprises a pair of sealing brushes one on each side of the screen. Each sealing brush comprises brush filaments projecting from a base which is non-pivotally mounted, the arrangement being such that the brush filaments are inclined in the same direction relative to the screen. The brush filaments may be inclined to the base.

Abstract: A curtain consists of a web of temperature resistant material that forms a web surface and that may be unwound from a coil that is arranged on a coil core. The curtain web has lateral edge regions on either side of the web so as to be separated by the curtain web's width and upper and lower end edge region. The curtain web includes a first outer web layer, and inner layer of fibrous material that extends over a predetermined length and that forms two opposed surfaces, one of which is adjacent to the first outer web layer. The curtain web also includes a second outer layer that is adjacent to the other surface of the inner layer. The curtain arrangement further includes a supply for a liquid fire retardant that extends with in the region of the upper end edge region and over the width of the curtain so as to supply the liquid to the fibrous material.

Abstract: A curtain consists of a web of temperature resistant material that forms a web surface and that may be unwound from a coil that is arranged on a coil core. The curtain web has lateral edge regions on either side of the web so as to be separated by the curtain web's width and upper and lower end edge region. The curtain web includes a first outer web layer, and inner layer of fibrous material that extends over a predetermined length and that forms two opposed surfaces, one of which is adjacent to the first outer web layer. The curtain web also includes a second outer layer that is adjacent to the other surface of the inner layer. The curtain arrangement further includes a supply for a liquid fire retardant that extends with in the region of the upper end edge region and over the width of the curtain so as to supply the liquid to the fibrous material.

Abstract: A self-adhesive reinforced foam gasket comprising a release liner having an upper surface which is a release surface, a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the release surface, a layer of flexible polymeric film, preferably polyester film, applied to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer, and a layer of flexible foam, preferably closed cell PVC flexible foam, thermally bonded to the flexible polymeric film layer. A length of material for die-cutting the gasket therefrom is provided. The gasket may be used in automobiles and other applications.

Abstract: An edge retainer for a slat of an overhead rolling door is formed of a plurality of elongate substantially horizontal slats each a which defines a slat plane and which has two opposing substantially parallel longitudinal edges in the lateral edge at each longitudinal end. Adjacent slats are hingedly interlocked at their longitudinal edges to enable the door to assume a rolled condition when the door is open and substantially planar when the door is closed. The retainer includes first and second members having mounting portions the lateral edge of the slat and are secured to opposite surfaces of the slat to receive at least a portion of the lateral edge sandwiched therebetween. An end lock is integrally formed with one of the mounting portions and extends from one side of the slat to the other side of the slat. A wind lock is integrally formed with the other mounting portion and extends from the other side thereof to the first side of the slot.

Abstract: A roller door sealing system including at least one sealing member carried on the curtain, and disposed adjacent the end of the curtain attached to the roller, and a seal engaging member supported adjacent the curtain. The sealing member and the seal engaging member are disposed such that the sealing member engages the seal engaging member and seals the space between the curtain and the seal engaging member as the curtain approaches the doorway-blocking position. The sealing function provided by the sealing member or members only occurs as the door approaches the door blocking position.

Abstract: A roll-up heat insulation device in the form of a planar structure which, in the unrolled state, forms a multichamber system for providing air-filled, preferably circulation-free, compartments where volume can be reduced again when being rolled up. The planar structure is constructed in the form of a heat insulating mat which possesses at least two consecutively disposed foils, where reciprocal distance is controllable with the aid of distance webs that are offset in the vertical distance (AV) and are flexibly joined to adjacent foils.

Abstract: A wind-resistant overhead door includes substantially vertical windbars mounted on the side portions of the frame, and windlocks or endlocks on the lateral edge portions of the intermediate and bottommost of endmost slats of the closure, such as a rolling door. By providing a predetermined clearance between the windbars and windlocks by substantially eliminating such clearance with respect to the lowermost or endmost slat or bar, maximum flexing of the slats in response to wind loads and positive and negative pressures acting on the closures can be substantially eliminated to thereby control and substantially eliminate undesired deflections or gaps about the periphery of the closure. This minimizes the exposure to which glass elements behind the closures are exposes to wind loads, and pressures which can damage the same.

Abstract: A roll-up door including thermal protection devices provided in the mounting arrangement thereof to prevent the transfer of cold outside air, snow, ice and the like through the doorway covered by the roll-up door, the thermal protection devices including a plastic member in the mounting arrangement to provide a thermal break therein, heating members also disposed in the mounting arrangement, and a heated hood disposed over the support roller on which the door is rolled up into in the opened position thereof. The plastic member can have a snap-on construction to facilitate the assembling thereof, and also for the removal thereof in the event replacement is necessary. The roll-up door is provided with a direct drive gearing arrangement disposed between the motor gear of the roll-up and roll-down mechanism and the support roller gear to avoid the building up of forces therethrough usually caused when the support roller becomes fixed in place or difficult to rotate due to cold weather conditions.

Abstract: A damage minimizing closure door that is moved vertically between open and closed positions in which the door is a flexible curtain and a guide assembly is mounted on the side edges of the doorway for receiving and guiding the side edges of the flexible door during vertical movement. A counterbalancing power spring is associated with the door to assist in raising and lowering the curtain. The flexible door or curtain and the guide assembly include unique features which enable the side edges of the curtain to separate from the guide assembly upon being impacted by an externally applied force, such as by a vehicle, with little if any damage occurring to the curtain or guide assembly.

Abstract: A roll-up door having a plurality of elongated adjoining metal slats hinged together to permit the slats to be arcuately pivoted when being rolled up, an elongated plastic insulation member being coextensively inserted along each slat, and a metal inner rear wall being coextensively inserted along each insulation member so that each insulation member is sandwiched therebetween. Each assembled insulation member and inner rear wall is provided with a coupling arrangement for engaging the hinges of the connected slats, and a snap-in arrangement for securing the inner rear wall to the insulation member. Each inner rear wall also has a first hook portion disposed around an associated second hook portion on the insulation member, the first hook portion having a flange which snaps onto a longitudinal free edge of the second hook portion for securement therebetween. Longitudinal recesses are provided on each inner rear wall for engagement in associated longitudinal recesses provided in each insulation member.

Abstract: A solar structure, and more particularly a greenhouse, comprising a framework formed from frame members (20, 20a) and a flexible cover (26) having portions (28) of varying optical density along its length, and wound between a pair of opposed spooled 24 mounted on respective sides of the framework such that the cover is wound from one spool to the opposed spool. The cover is constrained to move over rollers (22) extending longitudinally of the framework, and the edges of the cover are received to move within slots formed in the edges of the frame members.

Abstract: An articulated door covers storage bays of a beverage body. The articulated door is formed by engaging a plurality of polymeric panel sections into a sequence such that a hinge is formed between adjoining panel sections. Each hinge allows adjacent panel section to be positioned at varying angles with respect each other. A resilient sealant bond between adjacent panel sections is made at spaced locations along each hinge. The articulated door is guided between an open position and a closed position by a door guiding track comprised of a left channel facing a right channel across a door opening. The sequence of panel sections is slidably positioned in the door guiding track by having a left end of each panel section extending into the left channel and a right end of each panel section extending into the right channel.

Abstract: A profile assembly is disclosed for the wedge-sealing of a sheet of flexible material, especially a window shade. It comprises a set of male and female extruded plastic profiles. The female profile is U-shaped and defines an open housing, one of its legs has, at its free end, a resilient sealing lip turned into the housing while the other leg has, also at its free end, a first wedging lip. The male profile is L-shaped and has a wedging branch and a base branch, the two making between them an inner angle of less than 90.degree.. Furthermore, the base branch includes, at the end away from the wedging branch, an upright arm having a second wedging lip on its face that looks toward the first wedging lip.

Abstract: An insulated curtain slat for use in a roller curtain has inner and outer skins. The outer skin is typically made of a metal to protect against weather conditions, and the inner skin is generally made of a plastic material to minimize the transfer of heat between the inside and outside of the curtain. A space between the skins is foamed with an insulating material. The top and bottom of the outer skin are formed with hook-like ridges, so that neighboring slats may engage one another at a joint to form the roller curtain. A sealing edge is fastened to an edge of the inner skin of each slat. The sealing edge spans the joint between the neighboring slats and contacts the inner skin of the adjacent slat, thereby sealing the joint. The sealing edge is made of a rubber or elastic plastic material which, along with an air pocket created by the sealing edge, further reduces the transfer of heat between the inside and the outside of the roller curtain.

Abstract: A system for establishing a water-tight seal along a joint between articulated slats of the type which might be used along the inner edge of a retractable awning includes the use of male and female connection elements along opposite edges of the slats and a resilient strip of material bridging the space between connected male and female elements to prevent the passage of water through the joint.

Abstract: A variable solar control window assembly includes a pair of spaced parallel planar transparent sheets mounted in a frame. An induced transmission filter sheet is selectively movable between the transparent sheets for varying the solar transmission through the window assembly. The filter sheet includes a carrier layer and one or more coating layers, each coating layer formed as a layer of reflective metal material between two layers of dielectric material. The filter sheet can have bearing/protective layers or strips adhered thereto to seal against the frame and to assist in the sliding movement of the filter sheet with respect to the frame. One or both of the transparent sheets can include an anti-lacerative material layer.

Abstract: An exteriorly mounted, insulated curtain-like window covering, which can be placed in and removed from covering relation thereto from the interior of the building. The covering comprises a weatherproof envelope including a pair of metallic film layers and an intermediate insulative barrier. An overlying driven roller and idler roller, along with side mounted keyways and upper and lower contacting seals, support and controllably permit the raising and lowering of the covering relative to the window and the storing of the covering when the window is uncovered.

Abstract: There is disclosed a window shade system which reduces heat transport through windows by providing an insulating seal between a shade and window sill. The insulating seal is effected by a resilient material attached to the bottom longitudinal edge section of the shade. When the bottom longitudinal edge section of the shade is positioned in engagement with the sill, the resilient material conforms to the contour of the sill, frictionally sealing the shade against the sill, thereby insulating and reducing heat transport through the window. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom longitudinal edge section includes a first depending longitudinal slat pocket for receiving a window shade slat, and a second depending longitudinal pocket configured to substantially enclose the slat pocket. A longitudinal void is provided between the pockets to permit the enclosing pocket to resiliently conform to the contour of the sill.

Abstract: The specification of the present application discloses a self-rolling swimming pool cover which extends when connected to a pressure source and returns to a rolled position when disconnected therefrom. The cover comprises a cover member, collapsible conduit means extending in one direction of the cover member and coil spring means extending in the same general direction as the conduit means. When a fluid pressure source is connected to the conduit means, it expands and in so doing, causes the cover to unroll from its compact state. When the pressure source is disconnected the conduit means is allowed to vent and collapse as the coil springs urge the cover to its rolled state. The cover will operate on the fluid pressure readily available from the discharge side of a circulating pump with the vented water being discharged from the rolling of the cover merely entering the pool.

Abstract: An insulation and weatherstripping arrangement and associated method for a rolling door includes an insulation supporting member to support a block of expanded polystyrene or similar insulation inside a vertically extending cavity disposed between a guide track and a wall. Most advantageously, metallic parts disposed on the inside of the door are thermally isolated from metallic parts disposed on the outside of the door. Additionally, inner and outer weatherstrips are used for further minimizing heat loss.

Abstract: A method of insulating windows, glass walls and glazed doors whereby a porous insulating material such as small bodies or particles is caused to fill the major portion of the slot-shaped space between two transparent media where they are held between two sheets or limiting layers which can be folded at least horizontally and which, when pulled up out of the gap, transfer the insulating material to a magazine in the upper portion of the construction.

Abstract: A roll type closure assembly for a window opening utilizing a roller shade mounted by brackets in the window opening. Side edge guides are provided which include a channel portion for receiving the side edges of the window shade, a mounting flange portion and a connecting portion between the mounting flange portion and the channel portion. A flex line is provided in the connecting portion to allow the mounting flange portion and the channel portion to be moved relative to each other between a first position extending generally perpendicular to a plane bisecting the channel portion for mounting on the window casing inside the window opening and a second position extending generally parallel to a plane bisecting the channel portion for mounting on the window casing outside the window opening. A U-shaped roller housing is provided for enclosing the roller and is mounted by end caps on the roller mounting brackets to provide a seal between the upper portion of the window shade and the top of the window casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved thermal window shade construction characterized in that the same is sufficiently flexible to be installed in windows of a wide variety of sizes with a minimum number of stock parts. The invention is further characterized in that the shade is highly resistant to dislodgement in a lateral inward direction of the shade margins from the side seal components. A further characterizing feature of the invention resides in the novel mechanism which locks the shade in its downward or operative position and at the same time functions to form an effective top seal. Still a further characterizing feature of the invention resides in the ability of the stock parts supplied to form an effective sealing relationship with shades of a wide variety of thicknesses, whereby laminated shade constructions with desired decorative effects may be readily employed.

Abstract: A window covering sealing structure (10) adapted to seal a rollable window covering (30) having a flexible covering member (32) with a side edge (33) to a window frame (12). The window covering sealing structure (10) has strips (36) of a flexible, resilient sheet material adapted to be folded back on itself into a folded configuration having a longitudinally extending fold (38). The window covering sealing structure (10) also includes means for retaining the strips (36) in the folded configuration and for fastening the strips (36) to selected surfaces (26) of the window frame (12) with the fold (38) extending over the side edges (33) of the window covering to hold the side edges (33) thereunder against the frame (12) in sealing relation.

Abstract: A simple, relatively low cost system for sealing an ordinary roller shade with respect to the window frame sides, top and bottom is provided. The roller shade seal system essentially comprises a pair of edge seal assemblies in the form of elongate mounting strip members adapted to be permanently mounted to opposite vertical faces of the window frame trim, and a pair of sealing strip members in the form of elongate, generally U-shaped channels adapted to sealably engage the latter edges of the shade, releasably mounted to an associated mounting strip. The window shade sealing system is completed by a shade bottom edge seal comprising a rigid bottom strip reinforcing member, a sill sealing strip and a shade top sealing member.