Abstract: A half rack includes a main section having a primary platform area, a secondary platform area, a side support edge, and a cutout portion. The half rack further includes a removable section adapted to be removably secured to the main section, wherein a frame of the main section includes a rear crossbar, and an elongated stiffener is provided across a portion of the primary platform area and a portion of the secondary platform area and coupled to the rear crossbar to provide strength to the main section. The main section of the half rack can include flattened areas on first and second side edges of the main section.

Abstract: A window shade for motor vehicles having a shade of approximately trapezoidal shape. An extension profile or pull rod of the shade, the ends of which are guided in guide rails, is arranged on the shortest transverse edge of the shade. In order to compensate for a varying distance between the guide rails, the extension profile is divided into a center section, on which the shade is fixed, and two end sections that move in the guide rails. Centering devices are provided in order to prevent transverse creases in the shade when it is completely extended. The centering devices, which are effective when the shade is completely extended, act upon the center section.

Abstract: A window shade for the triangular window of a rear side door of a motor vehicle is provided which includes a guide rail that extends substantially over the entire bottom edge. In the vicinity of the winding shaft, either a pocket is present or the guide rail from there becomes after a short transitional arc a section that runs at a slant. The sliding body of the slide that runs in the guide rail is rotated appropriately to align the connection arm of the slide parallel to the window post.

Abstract: In a sliding screen door in which a net is formed to be capable of expansion and contraction, and is formed to be capable of freely opening and closing by horizontal pulling, a net guide forms the net guide into a straight line shape in a condition of being led out from a frame member, and a movement of a net-holding member that follow the net guide is made smooth, and many of the guiding elements form the net guide for guiding the lower end of the net and include an approximately u-shape composed of a bottom portion and rising wall portions, and are formed into a series of guide rails that are serially in contact with each other by means of rising wall portions of the adjoining guiding elements, and a net-holding member which is engaged with the guide rails so as to be movable along the guide rail.

Abstract: Folding partitions and related methods and components are provided and may include accordion-style folding doors or partitions having multiple folding panels. In one embodiment, a folding partition includes one or more baffling devices. A baffling device may include an elongated enclosure having a first opening proximate a first longitudinal end of the elongated enclosure, a second opening proximate a second longitudinal end of the elongated enclosure, and a flow path extending from the first opening to the second opening. A sound attenuation chamber may be disposed adjacent at least a portion of the flow path. In one embodiment, one or more baffling devices may be disposed in, or otherwise associated with, a jamb component of the partition. In another embodiment, one or more baffling devices may be disposed in, or otherwise associated with, the hinged connection of panel sections of a partition panel.

Abstract: A movable partition having hinged connections and related methods are disclosed. The partition may include one or more movable structures wherein each movable structure has a plurality of panels and a plurality of hinged structures arranged in an alternating pattern. The panels may include pockets formed along the ends thereof and the hinge structures may include rods formed on the ends thereof. The rods are disposed within the pockets such that a hinged joint is formed. Retainers are removably disposed over a portion of the joint or coupling formed by the rod and associated pocket. The retainer may include a clip having a first member disposed adjacent the pocket, a second member disposed within an interior space of the rod, and a transition member coupling the first and second members and also spanning a portion of the rod and pocket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vertical structure containing a movable panel, which can become a comfortable seat, when needed. A plurality of such structures, in side-by-side relationship, create a useful space divider and/or partition screen.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for visual inspection across a barrier such as a fire door. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first movable partition is disposed adjacent, and laterally spaced from, a second movable partition. A first vision panel is disposed in the first partition and a second vision panel is disposed in the second partition in substantial alignment with the first vision panel. The position of the first vision panel is substantially constrained with respect to the position of the second vision panel along a first longitudinal direction. The first vision panel and the second vision panel are enabled to exhibit a desired amount of lateral displacement relative to each other.

Abstract: A combination garage door and roll-up curtain system that allows a flexible curtain to be lowered when the garage door is in a raised position. The system preferably comprises an automated garage door assembly wherein the drive mechanism is mounted to a bracket mounted in turn to the inside wall above the garage opening upper margin. The system preferably further comprises an automated roll-up curtain assembly having a rotatable rod mounted above the garage opening upper margin between the bracket and the inside wall. The rotatable rod has a flexible curtain wound thereabout wherein the first end of the curtain is affixed to the rod and the second end of the curtain is secured along its lateral margins within tracks mounted adjacent the garage opening lateral margins. The second end of the curtain preferably has a weighted member attached thereto to urge the curtain toward the garage opening lower margin and to keep the curtain taut.

Abstract: A retractable awning is provided, comprising a support arm forming a longitudinally extending channel, a roller, and a canopy configured to be rolled and unrolled about the roller. A rafter arm is operatively attached to the support arm and is sized to be longitudinally nestable in the channel of the support arm. A self-engaging and self-releasing locking device includes an engagement device configured to selectively engage the support arm to selectively lock a position of a slide member within the longitudinally extending channel. In addition or alternatively, the retractable awning can include a pair of support mechanisms, each support mechanism comprising a support arm, a rafter arm, and a locking device. In addition or alternatively, the retractable awning can include a control link configured to selectively disengage the engagement device from the support arm to release the position of the slide member within the longitudinally extending channel.

Abstract: A window blind safety device that fully conceals the lift cords and continuously maintains tension on the lift cords located between the slats of the blind. The present invention comprises a back plate for mounting adjacent to a window; a slide movably attached to the back plate and fastened to the lift cords; a front cover attached to the back plate for concealing the lift cords, wherein the front cover comprises a longitudinal slot and a plurality of retaining notches, wherein the front cover is adapted for receiving the lift cords; a handle engaging the slide for adjusting the height of the blinds; and a shank fastener attached to the upper portion of the back plate.

Abstract: A wall hanging system is comprised of a rigid straight load support strip securable in a horizontal position on a wall surface. The load support strip has a holding flange formed integral therewith and bent obliquely upward and outward. Two or more straight suspension rails, each having an attaching slot at upper end portion thereof extending transversely from a rear face thereof. The slot is configured to receive the holding flange there across whereby to hang the suspension rail from the load support strip at a desired location therealong. The suspension rail has a straight front central slot and a recessed connector bar spaced inwardly of an open front end of the slot for removable sercurement of article support connectors thereto. The connector bar is concealed inside the central slot.

Abstract: A architectural mesh hanging system includes an architectural mesh panel having a predetermined width, a first support member having a predetermined length substantially equal to the predetermined width of the architectural mesh panel, and a second support member having a predetermined length substantially equal to the predetermined width of the architectural mesh panel. At least two upper hanger assemblies support the first support member and are attachable to a support surface for hanging the architectural mesh panel. At least two lower hanger assemblies support the second support member and are attachable to the support surface for hanging the architectural mesh panel. The architectural mesh panel is disposed at least partially about the first support member and the second support member such that, when hanging, the first and second support members are substantially obscured from view by the architectural mesh panel.

Abstract: A security shutter having two units. Each unit has two panels hingedly connected to one another with one panel permanently affixed to a structure near one side of an opening. When closed, the panels of each unit cover the opening, and a securing mechanism is used to secure their positions. Further, each panel includes a plurality of spaced apart slats aligned in an alternating pattern relative to the plurality of slats on the adjacent panel such that, when the shutter is not in use and one panel overlays the other against the structure, the shutter unit appears as a traditional panel without spacing between slats.

Abstract: A cable manager is disclosed. The cable manager includes a backbone, a plurality of finger sections connected to the backbone to form a vertical cable channel, and a first pair of horizontal rails connected to the top end of the backbone and a second pair of horizontal rails connected to the bottom end of the backbone. The cable manager also includes a first cross brace connected to the first pair of horizontal rails and a second cross brace connected to the second pair of horizontal rails, and a door hingedly connected to the first and second cross braces. Each cross brace includes a mounting surface having a plurality of guide surfaces and an alignment aid protruding from the mounting surface and extending beyond a horizontal axis extending between the guide surfaces. The door includes a pair of latches connected to a hinge pin through a pair of windows, and a spring connected to the hinge pin and the pair of latches.

Abstract: A window covering includes a headrail, a retractable shading member having an upper end mounted on the headrail, a bottom rail having an upper end mounted on a lower end of the shading member, and a pull bar having an upper end removably mounted on a lower end of the bottom rail. Thus, the pull bar is combined with the bottom rail to drive the bottom rail to push the shading member upward or pull the shading member downward to fold or expand the shading member so that the window covering needs not to provide a lift cord to push or pull the shading member so as to provide a safety function. In addition, the pull bar can be detached from the bottom rail when not in use, thereby enhancing the aesthetic quality of the window covering.

Abstract: A spring motor and drag brake for use in coverings for architectural openings.

Abstract: A composite awning device, wherein an awning device for projected corner having a projected corner canvas windup device is combined with a rectangular awning device having a rectangular canvas windup device, mainly the awning device for projected corner is mounted near the corner of a projected corner portion, and the rectangular awning device is mounted in a linear district following the corner part when used. The windup device of the awning device for projected corner comprises projected corner canvas windup shafts and front bars. The windup shafts comprise inner rotating shafts and outer rollers supportedly inserted into the rotating shaft. The projected corner canvas front bars are supportedly inserted into the rectangular canvas front bars so as to be movably guided.

Abstract: A multi-level window shutter has a shutter frame movably supporting at least one first level external shutter panel via an external panel opening mechanism mounted on the shutter frame. The external panel movably supports at least one second level internal shutter panel via an internal panel opening mechanism mounted on the external panel and connected to the shutter frame and to the internal panel for simultaneous displacement of the internal panel upon displacement of the external panel relative to the shutter frame. The panels move between a closed position in which they are in a side-by-side configuration relative to one another in spaced apart parallel planes and an open position in which they are in an over-one-another configuration relative to each other in the spaced apart parallel planes.

Abstract: A horizontally slatted blind for an opening, such as a window, has a plurality of slats suspended from points on their two ends. One such point is the rear corner, and the other is between the front and rear corners. The edges of the slats between the rear corners are provided with stiffeners, which makes the slats rigid and provides them with additional weight. The axes of rotation of the slats lies between the points of suspension, and the slats are balanced relative thereto because of the extra weight provided by the stiffeners.