Abstract: An insulating window shade assembly includes a shade frame having a pair of vertical side channels open in a direction facing one another and designed to be mounted on the inside of the window to be insulated. A flexible insulating shade having inner and outer spaced apart parallel panels extends downwardly from the top of the channels, and the margins of the panels extend into the channels. Edge seals are provided in each channel made up of a pair of flexible polyester film strips with the adjacent sides of the strips being spring biased towards one another but being separable so that the margins of the shade panels may lie between them. The flexible character of the strips forms an effective insulating seal about the margins. A rerailer assembly is provided at the tops of the edge seals to guide the margins of the each panel between the strips of the edge seal should they become dislodged.

Abstract: A venetian blind hanger pivot member for a venetian blind assembly having a plurality of slats including an upper end slat and a lower end slat and tape cables forming part of a slat suspension means. The hanger pivot member has a slat engaging surface engaging an end slat and a bearing portion which is pivotally engaged by suspension means in turn connected to a frame opening. The tape cables are connected to the hanger pivot member so as to extend over the edges of an end slat whereby when a hanger pivot member is pivoted about the suspension means, all of said slats are tilted.

Abstract: A venetian blind hanger pivot member for a venetian blind assembly having a plurality of slats including an upper end slat and a lower end slat and tape cables forming part of a slat suspension means. The hanger pivot member has a slat engaging surface engaging an end slat and a bearing portion which is pivotally engaged by suspension means in turn connected to a frame opening. The tape cables are connected to the hanger pivot member so as to extend over the edges of an end slat whereby when a hanger pivot member is pivoted about the suspension means, all of said slats are tilted.

Abstract: An inside storm window or other window cover is mounted to a window frame by two magnetic tape strips, one which adheres to the frame and another which adheres to the window cover. Before the second tape strip is attached to the window cover, it is positioned with its magnetic side face to face with the first strip so that the strips are oriented to magnetically attract one another at all points around the window. Then, the window cover is attached to the second strip, and the magnetic attraction between the tape strips assures an effective seal around the entirety of the window.

Abstract: A sunshade fitting convertible into a veranda curtain fitting comprises a fixed grooved column on which a likewise grooved curtain supporting arm is pivotally mounted, the pivot means of these two elements being formed by a fixed member firmly secured to the column, projecting circumferentially therefrom and provided with a series of notches, and a jaw member firmly secured to the curtain supporting arm and rotatably fitting the fixed member, the relative position of the two members and thus of the arm and column being adjustable by means of a pin firmly secured to the arm. A pair of lateral grooves is provided on the pivot means to form two paths of movement, one along the column for the veranda position and the other along the arm for the sunshade position, for upward and downward movement of the curtain supporting roller. At the lower ends of the paths of movement of both the column and the movable arm there is provided a locking labyrinth for fixing the curtain.

Abstract: The chain gate has a pair of reversely inclined end posts which extend upwardly in a diverging relation and movably support the ends of a plurality of chain members extended therebetween. When the chain gate is in a gateway closing position the chain members are in a vertically spaced relation and in a gateway opening position the chain members form a mass on the ground surface between the end posts. The adjacent ends of the chain members are interconnected by a flexible actuating member so that on closing upward movement of the chain members from lowered ground positions the opposite ends of each chain member are concurrently moved upwardly so as to sequentially move the chain members to their horizontally extended vertically spaced relation defining the gate closing position. The chain members vary in length relative to the reversed inclination of the end posts so as to be drawn taut between the end posts in the gate closing position. The chain gate may be opened or closed either mechanically or manually.

Abstract: A window casement defining a window structured to be permanently installed in a wall opening within the wall studding defining a chamber closed except for narrow openings at the top and bottom which have communication with the interior of the building within which it is installed and containing heat absorbing and heat transmitting elements which may be positioned to on the one hand absorb heat and on the other hand to reflect heat and wherein said elements can be partially or wholly withdrawn from the chamber to permit an unobstructed view through the window opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insulating curtain consisting of an inflatable element (1) which in an inflated condition is intended to cover a surface area and in a deflated condition to be stored adjacent said area. The inflatable element comprises airtight portions (9,11) and means which are adapted for filling these portions, the inflatable element thereby being fed out from the store (3). The airtight portions comprise at least one central (9) and at least one peripheral (11) airtight portion and the central portion is substantially airtightly compressible between two compression members (2), along at least a portion of its width, whereby the compressed area will define an inflatable part and a substantially deflated part of the inflatable element. Air ducts (6,7) are disposed within the element and are not compressed by the compression means for enabling the air supply to the airtight portions. Feeding the inflatable element from the store (3) is done by supplying air to the central portion (9).

Abstract: A plurality of slats are selectively rotated or folded by a set of self-locking and self-releasing clutch mechanisms coupled to and responsive to the rotation of corresponding rotating threaded shafts.

Abstract: A heat insulating roller blind is made of two congruent sheets which are joined at their side and bottom edges by a soft elastic band. Valve means allow room air into the space between the sheets and permit the outflow of the air when the blind is rolled up. Tab means are connected to one of the sheets to add in separating them when the blind is unrolled.

Abstract: Slatted blind assembly having a mat of slats with a pivot means adapted to be fixed to a structure positioned adjacent opposite ends of the mat. A pair of cables supporting the slats extend between supporting points on the pivot means. The supporting points of each pivot means define with the center point of the pivot axis about which the pivot means rotates a triangle with the center point forming a vertex of the top angle of the triangle. The top angles of the pivot means on opposite sides of the mat face in opposite directions.

Abstract: A system for production of Roman type shades formed of multilayers of material is shown according to the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Generally, Roman type shades include pulling cords strung through rings attached to the shade such that the shade is generally flat when down and the shade falls into pleats when the pulling cords are pulled. The system of the present invention includes an array of linearly connected ring connectors for automatic distribution and insertion by an attachment tool. The ring connectors include a T-shaped member having a shank portion connected between the shade ring and a crossbar member. The crossbar may be aligned in the attachment tool with and for introduction into the hollow needle of the attachment tool.

Abstract: There is disclosed a window shade system which reduces heat transport through windows by providing an insulating seal between a shade and window sill. The insulating seal is effected by a resilient material attached to the bottom longitudinal edge section of the shade. When the bottom longitudinal edge section of the shade is positioned in engagement with the sill, the resilient material conforms to the contour of the sill, frictionally sealing the shade against the sill, thereby insulating and reducing heat transport through the window. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom longitudinal edge section includes a first depending longitudinal slat pocket for receiving a window shade slat, and a second depending longitudinal pocket configured to substantially enclose the slat pocket. A longitudinal void is provided between the pockets to permit the enclosing pocket to resiliently conform to the contour of the sill.

Abstract: A braking device for use in a spring-motor type roller blind comprising cam and brake means interposed between a rotatable tube and a fixed shaft in substitution for a centrifugal clutch. The means has a brake drum mounted on the fixed shaft, a coil spring brake mounted on the brake drum, a cam sleeve mounted on the brake drum and formed with a Y-shaped cam groove, the coil spring brake having one end fixed to the cam sleeve and the other end disposed under the bottom part of the Y-shaped cam groove, and a cam casing integrally mounted in the tube and provided with a cam pin for engagement with the cam groove. The cam pin relatively moves along the cam groove and pushes either of the opposite ends to loosen the coil spring brake when the screen is drawn and when it is released after drawn from a position except the uppermost position and fasten the same on the brake drum when it is released after drawn from the uppermost position.

Abstract: An upright member for supporting partitioning panels having means for retaining a panel, and means for pivotally connecting the member to and adjacent member.

Abstract: A folding closure assembly for closing an opening. The assembly includes a track installed along the top of the opening, and a folding closure unit made up of a plurality of folding closure sections. Each closure section comprises a plurality of closure panels pivotably connected together. Each section is separately mounted on the track to be movably suspended therefrom. Means are provided on each side edge of the sections for joining the mounted sections together to form the folding closure unit.The invention also covers the method of installing the folding closure assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable window grill comprises a first frame member comprising two arms and a base and a second frame member comprising a base and two hollow arms telescopically slidable over the arms of the first frame member. The first frame member has a mesh attached, which extends beyond it and which is received in slots in the inside walls of the arms and the inside and outside walls of the base of the second frame member. A plush fabric is attached to the outer surface of the arms of the first frame.

Abstract: A simplified and inexpensive book holder for use by readers without arm mobility is operable for both reclining and sitting readers. Reading visibility is not obscured by page holding clamps. Thus, a set of monofilament lines is horizontally disposed across the open pages of a book to hold them in reading posture. These lines also provide simple page turnability by means of a stick held in the mouth. The construction thus is basically a four walled framework with two or three monofilament lines across one open end. A set of clamps extending inwardly from the walls holds a book cover in place with the pages open. A pivoted set of clamps attached to the walls will mount the book holder on the edge of a table for reading in vertically oriented sitting position or horizontally oriented reclining position.

Abstract: An exterior wind-up awning having a high degree of thermal insulation to provide a cool shaded area comprises a flexible insulating sheet 3 of alveolate material such as plastic foam attached to a canvas sheet 1. A plastic film 2 is glued between the canvas and the foam sheet. Mating or nesting spacer bead strips 5, 6 are provided along the length of the awning on opposite sides of the canvas, flanking the foam sheets, to prevent their destructive compression during roll-up.

Abstract: A venetian blind assembly having rotatably mounted tilt drums which are adapted to permit properly aligned and indexed mounting of respective slat ladders without the necessity for time consuming measurements and without the need for auxiliary fasteners. Each ladder has an uppermost rung disposed about an underside of a respective tilt drum with portions of the ladder side cords adjacent said uppermost rung extending over the drum in crossing relationship and then downwardly along opposite sides of the drum with the slat supporting rungs suspended below the drum.