Abstract: A modifiable transmitter is used with an operator to control a position of a barrier. The operator includes a controller for comparing radio frequency transmissions received with stored serial numbers so that the controller can move the barrier when a radio frequency transmission matches any one of the stored serial numbers. The transmitter includes a housing that carries an encoder. A function button is carried by the housing, wherein actuation of the button generates in a non-standard way a new serial number that can be learned by the controller to allow the modifiable transmitter to move the barrier by emitting the radio frequency transmission. A restricted access may also be activated to generate a new serial number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a flexible curtain as disclosed and claimed. Edges of a polymeric material are folded back on themselves. A portion of the edges are secured and a portion is left unsecured or free. The flexible curtain is used in a windlocking apparatus to prevent the unwanted intrusion of wind, water and debris into a building opening. The free, or unsecured flap of the folded edge absorbs shock associated with storm disturbances. Edge rollers are used to laminate the edges of the curtains selectively such that only a portion of the edge is secured leaving the flap unsecured. Stitching, ultrasonic welding and gluing are alternative ways and/or additional ways of providing for the securement of a portion of the edge to itself. Perforations are made in the secured portion of the folded edge.

Abstract: A track system for use in a windlocking apparatus is disclosed and claimed. One embodiment includes a housing piece and an interfitting piece. The housing piece includes a channel and the interfitting piece includes a key which slidingly mates with the channel. The housing piece and the interfitting piece each have flanges having smooth contours thereon. Another embodiment employs a track having a first piece and a second piece with the first piece having at least one groove therein and the second piece having at least one protrusion thereon. The protrusion of the second piece interfits with groove of the first piece interlocking the first and second pieces together.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for windlocking a curtain over an opening in a building is disclosed and claimed. The windlocking curtain can reside to the exterior or to the interior of the window, door or other opening and protects it from the intrusion of air, water or debris. In its upper position the windlocking curtain permits normal use of the opening and in its lower position it secures the opening. A flexible corrugated curtain has tension rods therethrough and the tension rods run in tracks on each side of the curtain and necessarily on each side of the opening. Interengagement of the tension rods with the tracks is accomplished by deformations in the rods that are referred to as interrupts. In one embodiment the rods are successively longer from top to bottom of the curtain and their interrupts matingly wedge with angled tracks to secure the curtain. In another embodiment the interrupts matingly engage parallel tracks upon the application of force due to wind, fluid (usually water or sea water) or debris.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for windlocking a curtain over an opening in a building is disclosed and claimed. The windlocking curtain resides to the exterior of the window, door or other opening and protects it from the intrusion of air, water or debris. In its upper position the windlocking curtain permits normal use of the opening and in its lower position it secures the opening. A flexible corrugated curtain has tension rods therethrough and the tension rods run in tracks on each side of the curtain and necessarily on each side of the opening. Interengagement of the tension rods with the tracks is accomplished by deformations in the rods that are referred to as interrupts. In one embodiment the rods are successively longer from top to bottom of the curtain and their interrupts matingly wedge with angled tracks to secure the curtain. In another embodiment the interrupts matingly engage parallel tracks upon the application of force due to wind, fluid (usually water or sea water) or debris.

Abstract: The instant invention is an apparatus for maintaining approximately constant tension of a curtain between a drive roller and a storage roller. The constant tension is achieved by pre-tensioning the curtain between the drive roller and the storage roller and then maintaining approximately the same amount of tension by rotating the reference to which one end of a spring is attached. The rotating reference is a shaft which is affixed to and rotates with a shaft gear. The other end of the spring is affixed to a cylindrical tube member, i.e., the storage roller, upon which the flexible curtain is stored. A motor driven gear drives a gear affixed to the drive roller. The gear affixed to the drive roller in turn drives idler gears which in turn drive the shaft gear. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A jamb bracket (10, 40) and track (30, 60) assembly for the support of overhead sectional doors and the like. The assembly comprises bracket means (10,40) having tab means (20,50) and track means (30,60) having tab slots (34,74). The tab means (20,40) engage the tab slots (34,74) for attachment of the bracket means (10,40) to the track means (30,60). A related jamb bracket (10,40) comprises a U-shaped main body (14,44), providing first and second perpendicularly disposed legs (16,46 and 18,48) and, tab means (30,60) offset from the main body (14,44).

Abstract: An improved slat assembly and curtain for a rolling door assembly employing the improved slat are provided. The slat assembly has a primary slat with a lower bead having a downwardly facing cavity which is used to retain an elastomeric sealing strip which seals the space between adjacent interlocked slats in the curtain. The slat assembly may be provided with a backer slat and material filling a void between the primary slat and backer slat to improve the thermal insulation and/or acoustical insulation and absorption properties of the slat assembly and curtain.