Abstract: An office panel partition includes a panel frame having at least two uprights and a horizontal structural member rigidly interconnecting the uprights. The panel frame has a first side and a second opposite side, and the panel frame defines at least four apertures on the first side thereof. The partition also includes a cover member having a major planar surface defining an exterior surface of the partition. The cover member includes at least four projections that are removably insertable into the at least four apertures to removably secure the cover member to the frame. The apertures are arranged in at least two vertically spaced horizontal rows and at least two horizontally spaced vertical columns. The apertures in a first one of the columns have different horizontal dimensions than those of the apertures located in the other of the columns. Each of the projections has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of the apertures.

Abstract: A frame for a ventilation screen-frame assembly includes a body having a mounting surface for receiving ventilation screen material. In one example, the body has at least three V-shaped cuts partially through it. Each V-shaped cut leaves an edge of the body uncut. The body is folded about each uncut edge so that the ends of the body meet at a corner. Each V-shaped cut subtends an angle &thgr; that is slightly less than 90 degrees, so that the folded corners are in compression. The assembly further includes a single corner key for joining the ends of the body into a closed frame. A reinforcement clip can be used in each folded corner.

Abstract: A reinforcing block for a closure tilt latch, comprising a body fastened in a closure track fastened to a frame, said body having a top and bottom and having a locking detent extending therein said locking detent providing a vertical face extending toward said top of said body from intermediate said top and bottom, the tilt latch being compatible with the vertical face of said locking detent, wherein when said latch engages said detent said block provides a reinforcement path to the closure frame to strengthen the loading capability of said closure and to reduce the risk of the latch from disengaging said track under loading which track would be subject to distortion had the block not been utilized.

Abstract: A vertical blind having a head rail, one or more trolleys being movable along the head rail and blind slats being suspended therefrom. The vertical blind has a fabric panel with folds enfolding the blind slats. The vertical blind has attachments by which the fabric panel is secured to the upper ends of the blind slats and at least partially enfolds the blind slats, without requiring modification of the trolleys. A kit or attachment to the blind slats of an existing vertical blind has panel clip attachments being on an upper end of a fabric panel, and panel clips each being mounted to the upper edge of each blind slat to straddle over and hang on both sides of the upper edge of each of the blind slats.

Abstract: Structure for maintaining a sliding window sash at an intended position with respect to a frame within which the sash moves. The invention serves to retain the sash at a position along an axis generally perpendicular to a plane defined by the window frame. An inwardly facing surface of the frame has formed therein an elongated trough which extends generally parallel to a direction of intended sliding movement of the sash. A blade is mounted within a cavity in the sash and disposed for pivotal movement between a first position, wherein the blade is retracted within an outwardly facing surface of the sash, and a second position, wherein the blade is extended through the outwardly facing surface of the sash into the trough defined within the inwardly facing surface of the frame. The blade is normally biased to the second position, but it can volitionally be retracted to the first position to enable tilting inward or removal of the sash from the window frame.

Abstract: A plurality of barriers cover windows in French doors in which the window in each door has a first area smaller than a second area of the French door in which it is located. Each barrier includes a rigid frame defining a third area larger than the first area. First and second fabric covers stretched on opposite sides of the frame provide opacity and decoration. The barrier is hung on a French door so that the window is covered by the barrier without tools or manipulation of parts. The decorative fabric covers cooperate with one another to make a unitary decorative scene.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable bracket for mounting a valance to a headrail includes a clip having a tongue and an arm for attachment to a headrail. A slide has a groove which receives the tongue and a twist and lock cam connector which releasably and lockingly engages an elongated groove on the rear of a valance. A rib on the slide and a ridged surface on the tongue make the bracket adjustable in small increments. Another embodiment includes a second tongue and groove connection which makes the horizontal distance between the valance and the headrail similarly adjustable.

Abstract: A ladder incorporating a vertical support structure and a set of removable rungs. The vertical support structure is formed by stacking a series of interlocking sticks. The sticks incorporate features allowing the removable installation of the rungs. The rungs are small and light, so that a set of such rungs may be easily carried by a user. The vertical sticks generally remain attached to the object to be climbed—such as a tree or pole. When the user wishes to climb the object, the user installs the rungs as he or she climbs. The rungs are then removed upon descent. In this manner, unauthorized climbing of the object is inhibited. Locking features are also included to prevent unauthorized access by another person having a set of removable rungs. Several different embodiments of the removable rungs are disclosed. The common feature of all these embodiments is the fact that the rungs cannot come loose from the vertical stick while they are under load.

Abstract: A shading device includes a shell member mounted on a roof of an automobile in a direction transverse to a front-to-rear direction of the automobile and having a receiving space, a winding shaft pivotally mounted in the receiving space of the shell member, a shading member wound around the winding shaft and received within the shell member, a pair of spaced apart base members adapted to be mounted on the automobile and spaced from the shell member in the front-to-rear direction, at least one pair of supporting legs mountable on the base members respectively, and an operating bar connected to one end portion of the shading member and operable to unwind the shading member. The operating bar is mountable detachably on the supporting legs to stretch out the shading member.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a folding ladder or stairway. The control apparatus comprises a control base attachable to a section of the ladder and a control arm pivotally attached to the control base. The control arm has a distal end which may be gripped by an operator to manipulate the ladder between folded and unfolded positions while the operator is positioned away from the ladder so that unexpected pivotation of ladder sections cannot result in the ladder sections striking the operator. A clamp may be attached to the ladder to retain the distal end of the control arm when not in use. The control arm is telescoping and may be positioned in any of a variety of extended positions. A lock is provided to lock the telescoping control arm at a desired length.

Abstract: A worker back support which is laterally and slidably attached to a scaffold plank. The back support has a grip which is releasably attached about the waist of the worker. The back support provides the worker with backward support and a safe attachment to the scaffold. A high pressure hose used for washing or sand blasting a wall surface may be attached to and braced by the back support, thereby reducing the working pressure on a worker.

Abstract: A scaffolding system for volumes of various shapes that present a bottom and end walls. The system includes at least a first scaffolding structure having a gantry with at least two interconnected vertical poles; guides secured to the bottom of the volume to guide the poles in rectilinear displacement in a longitudinal direction; a horizontal main platform defining at least a working floor, and guides for guiding the main platform in vertical translation along the poles; at least two horizontal auxiliary platforms each defining a working floor mounted to move in horizontal translation relative to the main platform; and structure for displacing each auxiliary platform separately relative to the main platform between a retracted position and an extended position in which the outer edge of the auxiliary platform is substantially in register with the outer edge of the main platform.

Abstract: A quick-action rolling shutter door and to modules thereof. Quick-action rolling shutter doors are used for closing openings in tie walls of warehouses or factory buildings in order to restrict the loss of energy from heated or cooled rooms, and to protect the environment by keeping escaping noise, odours and dust emissions to a minimum. Known quick-action rolling shutter doors have disadvantages in relation to heat insulation. The object is to provide an improved quick-action rolling shutter door with corresponding modules. According to a first aspect, a flexible quick-action rolling shutter door hanging (12) can be wound up onto a roller, is guided on at least one side by a guiding device and has at least one thick-walled insulating layer (36, 38) consisting of plastic foam material.

Abstract: A screen mounting apparatus for mounting a graphic display screen for use with display stands or booths, such as those used in trade shows and other exhibitions. The apparatus is designed to receive, generally by adhesive affixation, a display graphics screen such that generally the entire length of one of the screen edges is affixed to the apparatus, with the length of the screen edge and the apparatus generally equaling that of the corresponding display frame segment. Additionally, the screen mounting apparatus includes an elastic portion which permits a limited degree of resilient movement when force is placed upon the screen at assembly and disassembly. The tension force required to mount the apparatus and the affixed screen to a display frame is thus distributed along the entire surface of the apparatus and screen, and not at isolated fastening points.

Abstract: A stabiliser for ladders comprises a rigid, generally flat base (10; 71) having a linear channel (11; 70) extending along a first, upper surface thereof, which channel is defined by a pair of generally parallel, upwardly-extending side members having upper edges directed towards each other, and at least one ladder attachment (18, 19; 30, 35; 50, 53) by means of which a ladder stile (17; 66, 67) may be extended downwardly.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall and roof unit for easy and cost efficient home construction. The wall unit is formed of a steel frame, a molded external panel formed into the shape of traditional building materials and features, and a layer of insulation material. The wall unit may be assembled in a quality controlled off-site factory.

Abstract: A rail system for an equipment rack includes a removable bracket on each rail of the system which can be exchanged between the rails to enable the rail system to be coupled between the posts of an equipment rack in multiple configurations. Each rail additionally includes a front bracket, a fixed center bracket, and a rear bracket. In one mounting configuration, the front bracket and the removable center bracket are coupled to a post of the equipment rack. In a second configuration, the removable center brackets of the rails are exchanged with one another so that the rail system can be mounted in a center mount configuration in which the removable center bracket and the fixed center bracket are mounted on opposite sides of the post. The rail system includes a rear bracket with cable management features.

Abstract: A height-adjusting medical crutch having a fixed globe (6) whose center is penetrated so that a middle bottom frame (4) can pass therethrough, a side frame (8), a rivet (10) which fixes a fixed globe (6) on a lower part of the side frame (8) and the middle bottom frame (4) which is moved through the inner side of the fixed globe (6) so that the height of the medical-adjusting crutch can be adjusted. A tight coupler (12) having an arc form is formed continuously on the inner radial surface,of the fixed globe (6) so that the tight coupler (12) adheres to the space between the middle bottom frame (4) and the side frame (8). A side frame (8a) is penetrated to be inserted into both sides of the inner radial surface of the fixed globe (6a) and the side frame (8a) is fixed on the upper edge and lower edge of the medical crutch.

Abstract: A garage door bottom seal retainer (10) comprises a seal cavity (36), a exterior tension member (38), and an interior tension member (40). In use, an installer slides a retaining member (20) of a seal (12) into the seal cavity (36). Then the installer seats an exterior gripping edge (58) of the exterior tension member (38) upon an exterior shelf (32) of a bottom surface (14) of a garage door (16). The installer then applies force to the interior tension member (40) so as to seat an interior gripping edge (66) into place upon an interior shelf (34) of the bottom surface (14). In this manner, the seal (12) is secured to the retainer (10) and the retainer (10) is then secured to the garage door (16) without the use of any tools or fasteners.

Abstract: A merchandise display shelf comprising a display surface with integral divider assemblies, each such assembly including a folding partition, the divider assemblies being movable between a closed position wherein the partitions occupy recesses in the surface, and an upright position, such that display channels formed between folding partitions can be variably sized to accommodate a variety of merchandise on the display surface.