Abstract: A blind for an arched window and more specifically a fan-type blind for semicircular arched windows in the form of an adjustable vertical slat-type blind for a semicircular arched window opening being constructed from semi-rigid material such as plastic or fabric-type material formed by a plurality of vertical blades rotatably suspended from a plurality of sprocket-chain driven shafts radially attached to a semicircular support frame consisting of a curved “U” section and a horizontally disposed mounting rail forming the bottom of the blind for mounting the unit. A second embodiment includes blind slats variously affixed at their proximal ends, using an attachment such as hook and loop (VELCRO). A third embodiment includes trimming a second end of the slats to remove length and bulk to fit within the supporting strip.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful garage door (12) opening/closing system (10) comprising a garage door (12) having top (32), bottom (34), and first and second sides (54, 56) and having a series of rollers (58) associated with the first and second sides (54, 56); a pair of door rails (14, 16) at the first and second sides (54, 56) of the door (12) for receiving the rollers (58) for movement of the door along the rails (14, 16), in a door opening path; at least one hinge part mounted on the door intermediate the first and second ends (54, 56); a central guide rail (18) extending outwardly from the plane of a closed position of the door (12) from a position above the top (32) of the door (12); a trolley (20) mounted on the central guide rail (18) for movement along the guide rail, the trolley (20) for operative connection to at least one hinge part; at least one cable drum (22) having a pair of cables (26, 28) thereon operatively associated with the trolley for moving the trolley (20) along the central guide r

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a vertical louver blind having a plurality of louver carrier trucks slidably mounted within a headrail, wherein each of the carrier trucks includes a louver carrier which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and an operating wand which is selectively engageable with first or second transmissions at any given time.

Abstract: A decking assembly and decking kit with hold-down clip are disclosed. The decking assembly includes a supporting substructure, first and second lengthwise extending boards with lips extending outwardly and upwardly away from a side thereof and at least one hold-down clip having two downwardly extending tabs which engage the lips of adjacent boards to fix the boards to the substructure. The decking kit includes at least two such boards and at least one such clip, and may additionally include a fastener, such as a screw, and a screwdriver bit.

Abstract: A window blinding system includes a top traverse supporter adapted for affixing to a top beam of a ceiling, a first shading arrangement, and a second shading arrangement. The first shading arrangement includes a first base member, a plurality of first slats, a first blind supporting system for spacedly and suspendedly supporting the first slats horizontally between the top traverse supporter and the first base member, and a first operating system for selectively lifting up and dropping down the first base member towards and from the top traverse supporter. The second shading arrangement includes a plurality of second slats and a second blind supporting system for spacedly and suspendedly supporting the second slats horizontally between the first slats. Therefore, by selectively adjusting positions of the first and second slats, the first and second shading arrangements are capable of providing multiple shading effects.

Abstract: A cabled platform suspension system includes a platform having first and second support points at spaced locations along a front work-access edge of the platform and a third, stabilizing/rotator support point. A platform support structure, such as the two or four towers of a dry dock, defines first, second, third and fourth platform suspension points arranged in a substantially rectangular pattern. Six cables are connected between the platform and support structure, with five cables being respectively connected between the first and fourth suspension points and the first and second platform support points, two cables being respectively connected between the second and third suspension points and the first and second platform support points and two cables being respectively connected between the second and third suspension points and the third platform support point.

Abstract: A fall protection lanyard apparatus for use in transferring loads in an elevated environment is disclosed. The fall protection lanyard may be connected to a load and used to safely transfer a human or nonhuman load in an elevated environment, such as from an airborne rotorcraft to an adjacent structure while providing fall protection for the load and emergency release capabilities for the aircraft. The lanyard apparatus provides total fall protection for the load throughout the transfer process without restricting or otherwise limiting available emergency flight options/maneuvers by incorporating an emergency release that automatically activates on demand. In a preferred embodiment, the fall protection lanyard apparatus includes first and second load-bearing lanyards, each terminating in a free end incorporating a connectable hook.

Abstract: A collapsible security system includes a door having a plurality of collapsible panels. The security system can be mounted from a cubicle partition or a wall frame of a door. In the compressed position, the door of the security system allows access to the office space within the cubicle or room. When the panels are expanded and connected to the opposite frame of the cubicle partition or an opposing door, the security system no longer allows access to the office space. In another embodiment, the security system includes a locking bar that allows the panels to stay in the expanded position. In addition, two opposing panel doors can be mounted to a wall frame using spring-loaded hinges to allow the panel doors to swing open and closed. The door panels can be rectangular or decorative shape with permanent or removable decorative or descriptive panels.

Abstract: Sectional doors for garages, industrial warehouses and the like are formed by panels joined together in an articulated manner by hinges. Advantageously, the bottom edge of each panel is provided with a tapered lug which, at the end of the rotation during closure of the door, abuts against the inclined flank of the edge of an underneath panel. The abutment thus formed ensures the correct vertical alignment of the panels, thereby providing the door with a smooth operation and appearance.

Abstract: A foldable dry erase surface, such as a temporary wall, permits writing on the surface as is typically done with a dry erase board. The dry erase surface includes individual panels that are hinged together so that the surface formed by the panels is foldable. The individual panels have a dry erase film attached to them so that writing may occur on the panels themselves. The dry erase surface may be collapsed when not in use, or it may be expanded when it is necessary to write on or read from the surface. The dry erase surface is collapsed or expanded by pivoting the panels about the hinged connections, which is typically done by pushing or pulling an end panel of the dry erase surface.

Abstract: A pole climbing and safety device has a flexible strap which in use is passed around the pole on the opposite side thereof to a climber, and a pair of handles each adjacent a respective opposite end of the strap and grippable by the climber's hands, each handle being pivotally connected to the respective opposite end of the strap for pivotal movement relative thereto about an upright axis. The device also has a pair of harness attachment arms each adjacent an opposite end of the strap and to which left and right harness members of a harness worn by the climber are respectively attached when in use, each harness attachment arm being pivotally connected to the adjacent end of the strap for pivotal movement relative to the strap and to the adjacent handle about the same upright pivotal axis.

Abstract: A sectional door movable between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position having, a series of adjacent panels, each of the panels having an upper joint member and a lower joint member, the lower joint member having a configuration to establish a clearance with the configuration of the upper joint member of an adjacent panel during angular articulation of the adjacent panels in moving between the closed vertical position and the open horizontal position, end hinge assemblies located proximate the longitudinal ends of the panels and connecting the adjacent panels at a first pivot axis, and at least one center hinge assembly connecting the adjacent panels at a second pivot axis offset from the first pivot axis, whereby a portion of the clearance is maintained irrespective of variations in the deflection of the panels in moving between the closed vertical position and the open horizontal position.

Abstract: A lockable, tubular steel saw horse scaffold support consisting of four legs, each pair of legs being joined together with a crossbar and rotatably connected to a top bar. A chain attached across the crossbars for holding the legs in an open position and an arm having a looped end moveably connected to a link on a first crossbar and a hooked end having a kinked protrusion for selectively locking the arm to a first link on the second crossbar or for locking the arm in a storage position to a second link on the first crossbar.

Abstract: A lightweight, multifunctional, robotic construction aid capable of replacing heavy, dangerous, conventional construction equipment including cranes, manlifts, scissorlifts, scaffolds, and extension ladders. More particularly, the apparatus comprises a base, a lower ladder portion, an upper ladder portion, and a support. The lower ladder portion is pivotably connected to the base and extends therefrom in a first direction. The upper ladder portion is pivotably connected to the lower ladder portion and extends therefrom in a second direction opposite the first direction and includes an access therethrough from the lower ladder portion. The support is capable of bearing the weight of the first and second ladder portions and of fixing the relative positions of the upper ladder portion, the lower ladder portion, and the base.

Abstract: A head rail for a vertical blind, the head rail being elongate and having a drive mechanism at one end for selectively tilting and retracting slats of the vertical blind along the length of the head rail, the drive mechanism including a rotatable tilt drive for tilting slats, a rotatable retract drive for retracting and deploying slats, and a transmission for rotating the tilt drive and the retract drive by means of a single rotatable source, wherein the transmission includes a clutch for rotating the tilt drive, the clutch incorporating a lost motion mechanism whereby, after a predetermined number of rotations in the same direction, transmission by the clutch to the tilt drive is disengaged and wherein the transmission includes a control gear which is located at a position along the length of the head rail so that it can be meshed with teeth of an external drive source.

Abstract: A personal stand incorporating a ladder, a user supporting platform and a load sensitive pliant suspender that is easily adapted for use with an extension ladder. The personal stand improves the user's footing as well as the user's comfort. Pliancy of the suspender allows the user to move the platform, without requiring the user to dismount the ladder. When sufficient load is applied to the platform, the pliant suspender is transiently transformed into a rigid suspender yoking an upper rung of the ladder.

Abstract: A holder device and method for stowing window covering pull cords to be out of reach of a small child involving the use of a first piece of hook and loop material secured at the end of the pull cords and a second matable piece of hook and loop material attached to the window frame so as to enable the pull cords to be looped and thus held at a higher level than that at which they would otherwise hang. A notch in the first piece allows a second loop to be draped therein allowing the stowed pull cords to be held even higher above the floor.

Abstract: A through-screen access assembly for hose, power cords and the like for allowing a user to pass power cords, hoses or the like through a screen. The through-screen access assembly for hose, power cords and the like includes a first through-screen access member being adapted to securely and removably mount upon an inner side of a screen; and also includes a second through-screen access assembly including a second through-screen access member being adapted to securely and removably mount upon an outer side of the screen; and further includes a closure member for removably closing access through the first and second through-screen access members.

Abstract: A wind resistant rolling shutter assembly having a flexible barrier made of a plurality of interconnected slats. Each individual slat is hollow, has inner and outer surfaces, two opposing ends and one or more support ribs. Two brackets each having two opposing ends, run internally from one opposing end of each slat to the other. Four slat end retainers, each having a head and a point, are disposed point first one in each bracket end. The flexible barrier rides in two track assemblies positioned vertically on the frame of a door or window. The track assemblies have track channels and retention arms located therein. When the slats are flexed the slat retainers interact with retention arms and prevent the dislodgement of the flexible barrier.

Abstract: A fire shield for mounting over air ventilation holes on the bottom of a computer chassis. The shield includes an offset for holding a fire-impenetrable surface away from the air ventilation holes. The surface blocks a path that passes through the ventilation holes and extends orthogonally outward from the computer chassis, thus preventing flaming particles that fall through the air holes from passing beyond the shield. The shield establishes an air cavity that is in fluid communication with the air holes and with ambient air for cooling purposes. It may be constructed of sheet metal with first and second folded portions serving to create the offset. Hooks along the first elongate fold engage the air holes. A clearance hole on the second elongate fold receives a fastener. The air cavity may vent to ambient air on either end of the shield between the two folds.