Abstract: A control system for a vertical vane covering for use in an architectural opening includes a headrail having an upwardly opening channel in which a plurality of carriers are disposed for sliding movement along the length of the headrail. The headrail is of a thin profile with only a minority portion of the carriers being positioned within the hollow interior of the headrail. The carriers are interconnected by a scissors-type linkage to effect uniform separation of the vanes when the covering is expanded across an architectural opening and each carrier includes a rack and pinion system for rotating the vanes suspended thereby.

Abstract: A multiple section door system, such as an overhead residential garage door, wherein a variety of different door front configurations are formed with a limited number of panel designs by flipping or turning at least one panel relative to an adjacent panel. Each panel includes identical structured joint members along two longitudinal edges thereof which enable one panel to be "flipped" or turned such that the lower edge becomes the upper edge and vice versa, while an adjacent panel may remain in its original orientation. A third structured joint member is connected between the two adjacent joint members of adjacent panels. The third structured joint member is a male member, while the two structured joint members attached to each panel are female members. Adjacent female joint members of two panels form a universal pinch resistant joint with the male joint member.

Abstract: In a connecting arrangement on first and second parts which are to be connected, the first part carries an extension and the second part has an opening into which the extension engages when the parts are in the connected position. The extension has an aperture. A projection extending into the opening in the second part engages in the aperture when the parts are in the connected position. An arresting tongue projects into the aperture in the extension. When the two parts are brought together the arresting tongue is pivoted by the projection into the position in which it bears against a region of the boundary wall defining the opening in the first part and thus secures the parts in the connected position.

Abstract: Lockable telescopic members are known that employ separate compression fittings or spring clips, and which can with advantage be avoided. Twist locks are also known where the members can be over rotated to release the connection and cause damage to the members.

Abstract: An improved awning assembly for a recreational vehicle has the awning rolled around a roller tube. A lead rail is attached to an edge of the awning. Support arms are stowed and latched in the lead rail and pivot downwardly therefrom. A sliding and pivoting latch mechanism holds the lead rail in the retracted position. The support arms are attached to feet on the vehicle with a spring latch mechanism. Spring loaded rafter arms slide in a channel on the back of the lead rail and are positioned to tension the awning. The awning provides a compact and attractive assembly in the stowed position and is easily erected by one person.

Abstract: This invention provides a sectional bar system consisting of X-section bars and connecting elements preferably made up of pyramids. The advantages of the invention are a large variety of possible designs and high stability of the sectional bar system as well as easy and inexpensive production of the connecting elements.

Abstract: A shutter device is provided for installation onto an exterior wall of a building over a window comprising a top bracket having a top longitudinal track therealong. A component is for mounting the top bracket horizontally above the window onto the exterior wall of the building, with the top longitudinal track facing downwardly. A bottom bracket is provided having a bottom longitudinal track therealong. Another component is for mounting the bottom bracket horizontally below the window onto the exterior wall of the building, with the bottom longitudinal track facing upwardly. A plurality of vertically extending barrier members are also provided. Element are provided for interlocking the barrier members together along their sides. A top slide assembly engages with the top ends of the barrier members, so that the top slide assembly can move across the top longitudinal track in the top bracket. A bottom slide assembly engages with the bottom ends of the barrier members.

Abstract: A T-joint comprises a rung having at least one cavity and a lower face. A frame has a first side facing the rung. The frame has a longitudinal groove disposed in the first side and the groove has a floor and a plurality of upper edges, such that there is a gap disposed between the plurality of upper edges and the floor. The frame has at least one T-joint part that extends into the at least one cavity. The at least one T-joint part is fixedly connected to the groove. The lower face of the rung faces the frame and is disposed adjacent to the upper edges of the groove. At least one sealing cushion is disposed in the gap. The at least one sealing cushion is made from an elastic material and is fixedly connected to the frame such that the gap is sealed by the sealing cushion.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to facilitate mounting a first device to a second device where the first device has a plurality of first apertures and the second device has a plurality of second apertures. The apparatus includes a base member and a plurality of post members affixed to the base member at a plurality of attachment loci. Each post member is substantially in register with a first aperture and with a second aperture when the first device, the second device, and the apparatus are in a mounting orientation. Each post member includes a tab member and a mounting aperture which traverses the post member. For each post member and for each first aperture, the tab member is configured to flex from an initial position to pass through the first aperture when the post member is urged into the first aperture. The tab member returns to the initial position when the post member passes a predetermined distance into the first aperture to captively retain the first device intermediate the tab member and the base member.

Abstract: The device includes a locator on the first member for locating an end section of the second member. A movable locking lever is mounted on the second member and an operating member is provided which enables the locking lever to be moved from a position in which the end section is locked in position on the locator by the locking lever to a further position in which the locking lever permits the end section to be separated from the locator. The operating member is a rotary member rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the second member and has a surface thereon which co-operates with the locking lever whereby rotation of the rotary member effects movement of the locking lever.

Abstract: An extension spring overhead door system in which the spring may be quickly and easily placed in tension with the door in a closed position. A spring tensioning device is provided which eliminates the need for multiple installers to lift the full weight of the door and then clamp or otherwise prop the door in an open position. An extension spring containment tube is also provided which surrounds the entire periphery of the spring to fully contain the entire length of the extension spring.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a screen-rolling device, two fixing frames for mounting the screen-rolling device on the roof of a car and two support frames for mounting the screen-rolling device on the ground, wherein the screen-rolling device is designed to adjust and control stretching or rolling a canvas screen through a twisting spring set which can generate a twisting force along with the rotation of a movable tube, the fixing frames are designed to mount the screen-rolling device on the roof of a car, and the support frames are designed to mount the canvas screen of the screen-rolling device on the ground so as to form an outdoor sun shade.

Abstract: A curtain winding apparatus including a blind, a winding mechanism containing a drive motor in a winding pipe, and a drawing mechanism for drawing the blind by stretching an arm, wherein a torsion coil spring is provided for energizing the leading end portion of the arm of the drawing mechanism in the direction substantially perpendicular to the curtain surface. A cylindrical portion is formed on the base end portion of the blind, and the winding pipe is inserted in the cylindrical portion. A pressing pipe C-shaped in cross-section is fitted around the outer periphery of the winding pipe by way of the cylindrical portion so that the cylindrical portion is held between the pressing pipe and the winding pipe. The leading end side of the curtain is thus drawn from the slit of the pressing pipe. With this winding apparatus, it becomes possible to easily adjust the mounting angle of the drawing mechanism and to prevent the leakage of operational noise of the drive motor.

Abstract: A fastening device molded of a synthetic resin material and adapted to be engaged with a large number of loops on one surface of a fastener part of a mating member includes a base member having on its one surface a large number of hooks integrally molded with the base member and arranged in a plurality of rows. The hooks in each hook row generally have the same hook direction aligned with an axis of the hook row, and the hooks in one hook row and the hooks in an adjacent hook row do not always have the same hook direction. At least one hook in each hook row which is adjacent to a peripheral edge of the base member have a hook direction facing outwardly away from the peripheral edge. With this arrangement, the hooks located adjacent to the peripheral edge are capable of withstand undue force tending to fatigue and eventually break the hooks.

Abstract: An attachment for tension mounted shower rods to provide decorative accents to the shower rod. The attachment includes an L-shaped bracket extending from a circular member adapted to be positioned between the end of the shower rod and the wall. The L-shaped bracket is designed to extend out in front of the shower rod and accepts a decorative accent. The accent piece frictionally engages the bracket allowing exchange of accents for a variety of ornamental appearances.

Abstract: The present invention provides temporary protection of outside objects from wind, rain, snow, or other elements. In particular, the present invention is a system of supports and fabric or plastic panels that are erected to provide a continuous protective covering over an area, structure, or object. The components of the system may be assembled in various configurations as the situation demands. The system requires minimal labor to install and the covering can be readily raised and lowered as desired.

Abstract: A ball joint includes a socket of synthetic resin having a through-hole that accommodates a ball, a hole into which a rod is inserted and which is formed at right-angles to the through-hole and an accommodation portion that communicates with the rod insertion hole, a ball stud, the ball of which is accommodated in the through-hole, a C-ring mounted in the socket through-hole to maintain the ball in place, a cap that closes the open end of the socket and has a holder portion that locates in the accommodation portion of the socket and which holds the end of the inserted rod.

Abstract: A distance adjusting structure for a vertical blind, including a pulley seat and a distance adjusting cord. The pulley seat is composed of a seat body, a top cover and a pressing block. A slat clip is disposed under the seat body for clipping a slat. An ohm set is disposed in the seat body. Two latch ribs are disposed on outer faces of upper ends of front and rear walls of the seat body and two hooking holes are formed on upper sections of a left and a right walls of the seat body. The top cover is disposed with two projecting blocks on middle section of top face, which define a cord groove. A post is disposed on each projecting block. A stopper block is disposed under middle section of bottom face of the top cover. A rib hook is disposed under the stopper block and protrudes therefrom. Two downward extending right angle latch hooks are formed at two ends of the top cover. The pressing block is formed with a central adhesive filling hole and two sockets on bottom face beside the filling hole.

Abstract: An electric window blind comprises a driving member capable of being actuated by an action rod to cause the rotary wheels to engage the transmission wheels at the time when the power outage takes place. The rotary wheels can be therefore actuated manually so as to keep to electric window blind in an operating condition in the event of a power interruption.

Abstract: A roll-up shutter is formed of numerous, identical, horizontally elongated slats each having a pair of oppositely and downwardly extended hooks formed on its upper edge and a downwardly opening groove on its lower edge for receiving the hooks of the next adjacent slat. The lower edges of the walls forming the groove in each slat are bent inwardly and upwardly to provide inner channels. The pair of hooks of one slat are normally engaged within the corresponding pair of channels of the next adjacent slat. The hook and channel on one side of each slat are arranged at a higher level than the corresponding hook and channel on the other side of each slat. When the shutter is opened, to cover a window or doorway opening, the engaged hooks and slats, which extend substantially along the full width of the shutter, form horizontally arranged, bar-like reinforcements for the shutter.