Abstract: An evacuation system includes an inflatable device, and a charged cylinder configured to store a compressed gas. The evacuation system further includes an aspirator configured to receive the compressed gas and to inflate the inflatable device in response to receiving the compressed gas. The evacuation system further includes a firing cable having a maximum length and an elastic component configured to cause the firing cable to have an at-rest length that is less than the maximum length in response to a lack of force applied to the firing cable, the firing cable being coupled to the charged cylinder and configured to cause the charged cylinder to release the compressed gas in response to sufficient force being applied to the charged cylinder via the firing cable.

Abstract: A retrofitable retractable screen system for use with windows or doors. Instead of using a spring based tensioning arrangements to rewind the screen onto the roller assembly, the arrangement uses a pulley located on the spindle, around which is wrapped a cord. A guide assembly guides the cord around a tension adjustment arrangement that adjusts the tension in the cord as the screen is wound and unwound from the spindle to provide a smooth mechanism to extend and retract the screen. When the screen is extended, pushing the edge of the screen to force retraction of the screen is translated into a pulling action on the cord to unwind the cord off a pulley, which drives rotation of the spindle to wind the screen back on. Conversely, pulling the distal edge to extend the screen rotates the spindle and pulley to wind the cord back onto the pulley.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a rotatable outer roller, a rotatable inner roller, a first shade secured to the outer roller, and a second shade secured to the inner roller. The outer roller may define an elongated slot extending along a length of the outer roller and opening to an interior of the outer roller. The inner roller may be received within the outer roller and may define a central longitudinal axis. The first shade may be retractable onto and extendable from the outer roller. The second shade may extend through the elongated slot and may be retractable onto and extendable from the inner roller. The elongated slot may be substantially horizontally aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the inner roller when the first shade is in a fully extended position.

Abstract: A saw horse may include a center beam, a first leg connected to the center beam, and a second leg connected to the center beam. The first leg may rotate and may traversely extend and retract to move between an open and a stowed position. The second leg may rotate and traversely extend and retract to move between the open and the stowed position. The saw horse may include a flexible axis biasing device to connect to the first leg. The saw horse may include a flexible axis biasing device to connect to the second leg.

Abstract: An evacuation slide including a sliding face having a top end portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to an exit of a region to be evacuated, and a bottom end portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to an escape route leading away from the region to be evacuated and being arranged at a lower height than the region to be evacuated. A light signal generating device is adapted to generate a light signal which illuminates the bottom end portion of the sliding face.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a window shade includes an electric motor for driving a displacement of a movable rail, a motor controller electrically coupled to the electric motor and having a first and a second connector, a power supply, a wired control interface, and a removable wireless adapter operable to convert a wireless signal outputted by a wireless control interface to an electric signal. The actuating mechanism has a first configuration supporting wireless control, and a second configuration supporting wired-only control, the wireless adapter being respectively connected with the power supply, the wired control interface and the first and second connectors of the motor controller in the first configuration, and the wireless adapter being removed and the power supply and the wired control interface being respectively connected with the first and second connectors of the motor controller in the second configuration.

Abstract: A hem bar of a cable guided shade adapted to be removably attached to a pair of cables secured along opposite sides of a structural opening. The hem bar comprises a pair of cable engaging portions disposed at two opposite ends of the hem bar. Each cable engaging portion comprises a tubular body with a longitudinal channel extending therein and a slot traversing the tubular body from the top end to the bottom end of the tubular body. The hem bar may removably and slidably engage the pair of cables by twisting the hem bar in a first direction to align each slot in the cable engaging portions with a length of the respective cable, inserting the cables through the slots into the channels in the cable engaging portions of the hem bar, and twisting the hem bar in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to capture the cables within the channels in the cable engaging portions.

Abstract: Combination step bolt and fall protection anchorage assemblies are disclosed that may be mounted on structures such as communication towers, poles and antennas. The assemblies include a mounting plate that can be bolted to the structure, an integrated anchorage clip connected to the mounting plate having at least one safety hook hole extending therethrough, and a step bolt secured to the integrated anchorage clip.

Abstract: A resistance adjusting device for a non-pull cord window blind includes a base having a first positioning portion and a fixed shaft, a resistance adjusting seat sleeved onto the fixed shaft of the base by a transmission shaft, and a control pin sleeved onto the fixed shaft of the base by a driving shaft having a second positioning portion and a driving portion. When the second positioning portion is engaged with the first positioning portion, the control pin can't rotate, and the resistance of the lift transmission cord can't be adjusted. When the second positioning portion is separated from the first positioning portion and the driving portion of the driving shaft of the control pin is engaged with the transmission shaft of the resistance adjusting seat, the control pin can drive the resistance adjusting seat to adjust the resistance of the lift transmission cord.

Abstract: A twin louver bank window assembly for efficient thermal control, the assembly including an assembly surround frame including a head member, a sill member and at least a pair of opposed side channel members and a pair of louver banks mounted relative to the assembly surround frame, each louver bank including a number of louvers, one louver bank located towards an outer side of the assembly surround frame and one louver bank located toward an inner side of the assembly surround frame.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. The covering is formed from a plurality of assembled strips of fabric material joined together. Each assembled strip of fabric material may include a fabric material including inner and outer surfaces, and top and bottom ends. A first slat may be coupled to the inner surface of the fabric material adjacent the top end thereof, the first slat having a first contact surface. A second slat may be coupled to the outer surface of the fabric material adjacent the bottom end thereof, the second slat having a second contact surface. The first contact surface of the first slat of a first assembled strip is preferably nested with the second contact surface of the second slat of an adjoining second assembled strip. The second contact surface of the second slat may be partially covered by the piece of fabric material.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening is provided. The covering may include a roller rotatable about a longitudinal axis, a shade associated with the roller, and an operating system operably associated with the roller. The operating system may include a base, a drive mechanism, a transmission, an actuator arm, and an engagement arm. The drive mechanism may be associated with the base to provide an input torque. The transmission may be associated with the drive mechanism to selectively transmit the input torque to the roller. The actuator arm may be associated with the base to indirectly set a rotation direction of the roller. The engagement arm may be associated with the base and engageable with the transmission.

Abstract: The present invention provides a climbing gaff. The climbing gaff includes an elongated member having a horizontal member extending perpendicularly therefrom, and a spur affixed opposed to the horizontal member. A pair of brackets are angularly affixed to a central portion of the elongated member, wherein each bracket extends downwardly and includes an arm extending perpendicularly from a lower end thereof. A pair of adjustable foot plates are secured to the arms of the brackets, such that the foot plates are perpendicular disposed in relation to the elongated member. A belt is affixed to the horizontal member, wherein the belt includes a pair of distal ends that removably secure around a foot and ankle of a user. A strap is affixed to the upper end of the elongated member, wherein the strap removably secures to a leg of a user.

Abstract: The system includes a series of operable louvers mounted on a four-sided frame and connected on each side to the operating mechanism that allows for easy opening and closing of the louvers. Every part of the system that is exposing to the exterior of the building is separated from the interior part of the system by a low heat conductivity material as a thermal barrier. Each operable louver is composing of a four-sided main frame, two panes of glass (inner and outer) and a coupling mechanism on each side that connects to the operating mechanism. The main frame acts as the thermal break as well as a system that absorbs the energy created when an outside object impacts the window from the outside. The system incorporates sealing devices between all moving parts to eliminate water and air infiltration. The operating system allows for easy opening and closing of the window by rotating each louver with the crank mechanism assisted by springs.

Abstract: An elevator arrangement, in particular a construction time elevator arrangement, includes a hoistway; an elevator car mounted in the hoistway; and a vertically movable support structure in the hoistway for supporting the elevator car, the movable support structure being mounted above the elevator car in the hoistway. The vertically movable support structure includes a first working platform, having a planar working area, and a protective cover above the first working platform for protecting elevator components and/or people below it from falling objects. The protective cover covers most of the cross section of the hoistway.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an emergency escape tunnel in a multi-storey building, especially in a building with a centrally situated staircase and useable rooms surrounding it, used to evacuate people in case of a fire hazard. The emergency escape tunnel according to the invention is equipped with a load-bearing skeleton (6) with an outline similar in shape to an upturned letter U, its surface wall (7) and side walls (8) being covered with layers of a fire-resistant material. The tunnel has a self-activating drive system (13, 32, 36) and is horizontally shiftable in the space (14) between the staircase (1) and the external wall (2) of the building. In the resting position, the tunnel is situated within the staircase and in the operating position the outlet section (15) of the tunnel is situated within the exit door (16) of the building whereas its exit opening (17)| is situated beyond the building.

Abstract: An accessory device for attachment to a folding step ladder includes a square or rectangular receiver frame that hingedly attaches to the top end of the ladder and a tray that is removably supported within the receiver frame. In a preferred embodiment, the receiver frame is attached with two or more hinges to the ladder and includes collapsible pivoting support arms on opposite sides extending between and connecting to the sides of the receiver frame and the ladder. In use, the receiver frame is supported horizontally, extending out from the top of the ladder, and is held by the support arms that lock into an extended position. When not in use, the receiver frame is folded down and collapsed against the side of the ladder for transport and storage.

Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to a fall arrester (10) attached to a user's harness via a coupling arrangement (6). The fall arrester (10) is designed to be attached to a backup rope or safety line (12). The fall arrester 10 ( )comprises a body (14), and a lever (16) pivotally coupled to the body (14). The lever (16) includes a primary cam (18) which is arranged to co-operate with the coupling arrangement (6). In operation, descent of the user urges the coupling arrangement (6) into contact with the lever 16 which pivots to effect braking of the safety line (12) between the body (14) and the primary cam (18).

Abstract: A motorized window treatment system controls a plurality of motorized window treatments to maximize daylight autonomy, while minimizing cognitive dissonance. The system may include motorized window treatments, window sensors, and a system controller. Each motorized window treatment may be operable to adjust a respective covering material to control the amount of light entering a space. Each sensor may be mounted adjacent to at least one of the motorized window treatments, and may be configured to measure an amount of daylight shining on the sensor. The system controller may receive sensor readings from the sensors and may control the motorized window treatments in response to the sensors to keep the covering materials aligned when the sensor readings are within a predetermined amount. The system controller may dynamically group and re-group the sensors into subgroups based upon the sensor readings and may control the motorized window treatments based upon the subgroups.

Abstract: In a method for making roller shades a stack of pleated material is cut so that the length of the stack corresponds to the width of the roller shade being made. Then the edge of the material is attached to a roller so that the plurality of pleats are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller. Preferably the stack of pleated material has been made from strips bonded together to form tabs where the edges of adjacent fabric segments are joined together. Preferably the tabs in the panel of pleated material will be along one edge of the stack and the pleats will be along the opposite edge of the stack.