Abstract: A window with multiple elements which are suitable for installation in a building exterior wall as part of designing and/or retrofitting building facades is disclosed. The building structure comprises one or more movable members movably attached to a frame member where the frame member is secured in a wall opening. The building structure may further comprise a sash member attached to the one or more movable members. The connection of these members may be such that an enclosure is created when the building structure is in an extended or open position.

Abstract: A light shelf for controlling solar radiation that impinges on a building has a panel with a pair of support brackets. The brackets run along tracks secured to the building and engage the tracks to assume a variety of elevations. The brackets can be moved independently, allowing the panel to be tilted and may have pivot joints to facilitate tilting. The panel may be mounted to the brackets in a way that allows the panel to translate horizontally. The panel may have a plurality of elements that can be adjusted to change the surface area and may be automated to respond to ambient conditions.

Abstract: A window assembly comprising an upright window frame defining a frame opening, and an upper sash and a lower sash mounted in the window frame. The frame of the upper sash has its top corners pivotally mounted to the window frame. The frame of the lower sash has its bottom corners pivotally mounted to the window frame. The bottom rail of the upper sash is hingedly connected to the bottom rail of the upper sash. At least one of the upper and lower sashes is also slidably mounted to the frame jambs of the window frame, allowing the slidable sash to slide vertically within the window frame. The upper and lower sashes are movable between an extended closed configuration and a folded open configuration.

Abstract: A sensor assembly and method for detecting the position of an openable pane in a sliding vehicle door includes a window regular mechanism having a main lift arm supporting the pane and a drive mechanism for moving the pane in downward and upward directions. The main lift arm includes a sector gear plate at one end thereof. The sector gear plate is drivingly rotated by the drive mechanism. A slot is defined in the sector gear plate and the guide of a sensor mechanism is received in the slot. The guide is moved along the slot as the sector gear plate is rotated such that the guide is moved into a first portion of the slot when the sector gear plate is driven in a first rotatable direction to move the window pane toward its closed position and moved into a second portion of the slot when the sector gear plate is driven in a second, opposite rotatable direction to move the window pane toward its open position.

Abstract: A system and method for actuating a hatch door. One embodiment includes a vertical launcher system that has a hatch door disposed in a plane at the top of a hold. The hatch door includes a leading edge and a trailing edge at opposite ends of the hatch door. When an actuator arm for maneuvering the hatch door is extended, the leading edge is lifted away from the plane by the actuator arm while the trailing edge remains in the plane and slides across the top of the plane toward the point where the leading edge was first lifted away. Such a sliding hatch mechanism allows for quick opening and closing of a hatch door while providing more efficient use of mechanical energy for breaking ice build up or prevent intrusion.