Abstract: An improved expandable and contractible window covering comprising a series of elongated cells is disclosed. Each cell is formed by joining a pleated sheet of material with an unpleated sheet in an area of creases on the pleated sheet. The rear wall of the cell is of less height than the front wall of the cell and the material of the cell is chosen to be relatively soft and flexible so that the front wall of each cell droops downwardly and outwardly away from the rear wall. The covering is mountable on a roll bar so as to be retracted by rolling about the roll bar and extended by unrolling from the roll bar.

Abstract: A shelf unit with a spring in a communication system includes a front plate having a fixing portion and a projecting portion with a recessed portion backwardly extended at both ends thereof, respectively, and a spring inserted into the projecting portion of the front plate. The spring having a substantial v-shaped configuration includes a plurality of spring members defined in a predetermined size at one side thereof and a body integrally formed at the other side thereof. Each of the spring members includes an elastic portion having a bending portion inwardly bent at an end thereof and a compressing portion provided within the elastic portion and inwardly bent relative to the elastic portion, thereby allowing the compressing portion to be tightly fitted into the recessed portion.

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 window operator for rotating drive members which extend out a window sash. The operator handle has at least two positions, one position being extended in an operable position and the other position being a folded, non-operable position.

Abstract: A safety cover (36) for an opening (16) formed by an automotive service pit (14). The cover (36) is formed of a plurality of longitudinal columns (46) of a webbing material, and a plurality of transverse rows (48, 50) of webbing material stitched to each other to form a flexible safety cover. Looped ends (60) of alternate rows (48) of the webbing material are mounted by end support members (54) for sliding movement along a pair of side guide rails (38) between covered and uncovered positions of the opening (16). One end of the movable cover (36) has a fixed bar (70) on which looped columns (46) of the webbing material are secured. The other opposite end of the cover (36) have looped columns (46) around a movable end bar or rod (80) which may be releasably locked by a locking mechanism (90). One embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 10-14 discloses a safety cover (36C) supported on cables (41C) for sliding movement between open and closed portions.

Abstract: A dual pendulum display apparatus comprising a housing, a motor which is fixed to the housing and which has an output shaft, an output gear which is driven by the output shaft, which is mounted on the housing for rotation relative thereto about an output gear axis, and which has thereon a projection spaced from the output gear axis, a pivot arm mounted on the housing for pivotal movement relative thereto about a pivot arm axis spaced from the output gear axis, the pivot arm having therein a longitudinal slot receiving the projection for reciprocal sliding movement of the projection in the slot, such that rotation of the output gear and movement of the projection in the slot causes pendulum type motion of the pivot arm, the pivot arm having opposite first and second ends spaced from the pivot arm axis, first advertising material mounted on the first end of the pivotal arm, and second advertising material mounted on the second end of the pivot arm, such that the first advertising material and the second adverti

Abstract: A support assembly for doors, garage doors, or window shutters that cover building apertures. A support bar is mounted on a pivoting mount. Spring loaded locking assemblies are actuated by a lever assembly. With the locking assemblies retracted, the support can be pivoted from a horizontal passive position to a vertical engaged position. As the support assembly bar approaches the vertical position, the top lock assembly engages a top fixture and the bottom lock assembly engages a bottom fixture which are attached to the structure. External forces on the door or the shutter are transferred through the engaged support bar, through the fixtures, and to the building. The support bar mountably stays attached to the aperture cover, or door, in the passive position when the cover or door is opened.

Abstract: A frame construct for holding at least one planar mesh or membrane in set-apart relationship from a structural port(a1). Individual frame pieces, top, bottom and sides, are cut to desired lengths and joined to form a glazable frame. Shapes other than of rectangular geometry are obtainable through use of variously angled joiners. Peripheral grooving on both frame faces is receptive of a spline that secures the planar mesh or membrane to the frame, which is then dogged to or otherwise secured in place on/over an opening such as a window, door or the like. Corner elements of the construct also serve as joiners; and, one spline may also comprise a weather strip.

Abstract: A gate closer for a gate is provided. The gate closer includes a first housing which is mounted to a supporting structure of the gate. A hydraulic gate closer is installed within the first housing. A second housing is attached to the gate and an adjustable arm is installed within this second housing. The first and second housings are installed such that a rotatable shaft of the hydraulic gate closer engages the adjustable arm so that the gate closer can safely and securely close the gate.

Abstract: A retractable awning is provided with a multiple position pivot support adapted for mounting the awning in different installations. A flange of a mounting bracket fits in one of several slots in the support according to a wall and awning rail structure. A roller is provided with a notch into which is wedged a rope in a hem pocket of the awning. The notch retains the rope and holds the awning taut. Rafter arms a pivotably attached to slides held in slideways on external faces of support arms. A stop and latch mechanism hold the rafter in an extended position so that pivoting of the support arms does not change tension of the awning. An improved roller lock uses a pair of pawls engaging a gear. A spring biases the lock to either of two engaged positions.

Abstract: A secure currency deposit system having a cabinet with one or more compartments, each for containing a cassette wherein each cassette has an openable front wall, a cavity, and a slotted upper panel for receiving currency therethrough. Each of the cassettes has a locking arrangement to selectively permit insertion access to its slotted upper panel. Associated with each of the compartments is another locking arrangement which, in conjunction with the cassette locking arrangement and an unlatching arrangement, selectively permits contents removal access to the cavity of the respective cavity and, in conjunction with a latching arrangement, selectively permits removal of the respective cassette from the respective compartment. Each cassette has dividers partitioning its cavity into a plurality of bins. Each cassette may be removable from, or semi-permanently installed in, the respective compartment.

Abstract: A device for attachment to screens including a body in turn having arms by which the device is attached to the screen and legs by which the device is stabilized in position. The body preferably includes an element such as a hook such that an ornament may be suspended from the device so that the device serves as a visual warning so that people will be aware of its presence.

Abstract: A stand for supporting a conventional baseball-style cap consisting of a hole in the stand. The hole is circular in shape, with linear horizontal extensions. A plurality of the holes can be set in a self-supporting stand, thereby allowing caps to be stored or displayed in the stands.

Abstract: A ring insert assembly comprising a pair of rings for accommodating an engagement or other ring therebetween is provided. The ring insert assembly includes a first ring and a second ring spaced from and substantially parallel to the first ring. The rings are interconnected by means of one or more spacing elements or bars such that the space between the two rings of the insert assembly can receive and accommodate a third ring, such as a solitaire, therebetween. One or more hinge assemblies are fixed to the first and second rings, and preferably to the spacing element, for selectively closing off the opening between the rings through which the third ring is inserted.

Abstract: A suspension cord guide for a window blind includes an L-shaped guide member positioned within the head rail of the blind. The guide member is positioned adjacent an opening in the head rail through which the suspension cord extends. Also, the suspension cord guide includes a hollow spindle surroundingly engaged with a tilt rod in the head rail, and the spindle is formed with an abutment surface on its end nearest the opening. A finger of the L-shaped member extends toward the spindle, with the suspension cord being fed onto the spindle next to the abutment surface by the guide member. In addition to guiding the cord onto the spindle, the finger of the L-shaped guide member contacts the coil of the suspension cord that is established on the spindle nearest the finger.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting and locking tubular elements in preselected angular relationships. The connector assembly includes a pair of clevis having tube engaging elements at one end and three clevis rings at the other. The clevis rings of each clevis are interengaged and define a bore. The bore has a plurality of grooves therein. Locking elements, including a locking pin and a locking plug are inserted in the bore. The locking pin and locking plug each have a pair of opposed raised ribs and a pair of opposed resilient locking arms that engage the grooves in the bore. Detents on the ends of the resilient arms engage a space between the interengaged clevis rings to secure the locking elements in place. The tubular elements can be interconnected in a system of frames to suspend function and decorative panels.

Abstract: A door closure for a patio sliding screen door includes an elastic band having one end connected to the sliding screen door and its opposite end connected to the door frame to bias the sliding screen door toward a closed position.

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 impact panel assembly is provided for use with a sectional overhead door. The assembly includes a rigid impact panel structure. A frame structure is pivotally connected with the impact panel structure for supporting the impact panel structure and allowing the impact panel structure to pivot up to 90.degree. from the frame structure from a closed position with the impact panel structure generally vertically oriented to an impacted position with a lower horizontally extending portion of the impact panel structure being outwardly extendible. A resilient member is operatively connected between the frame structure and the impact panel structure for automatically and resiliently moving the impact panel assembly from the impacted position to the closed position.

Abstract: Water shield panels which are used in a car wash. The panels prevent water from dripping onto a header over the exit of a car wash. The exit is covered by a door which is made of plastic strips. The water shield panels capture the water during the wash. After the wash and before the car exits the car wash, the panels and the door are opened to avoid dripping water or soap onto the exiting car and to allow it to exit. The panels and the door are folded open by a motor and push/pull rods. The plastic strips making up the door are covered with carpet at their lower ends to prevent their scratching of a car when it exits when the motor is not functioning.