Abstract: A movable assembly having a counterbalance gear tensioner includes a covering, a rotatable storage roll with a hollow interior that carries the covering, and a counterbalance assembly that is received in the hollow interior to assist in movement of the covering. A gear tensioner is also received in the hollow interior, rotates with the rotatable storage roll, and is coupled to the counterbalance assembly to adjust a tension force of the counterbalance assembly.

Abstract: A movable assembly having a counterbalance gear tensioner includes a covering, a rotatable storage roll with a hollow interior that carries the covering, and a counterbalance assembly that is received in the hollow interior to assist in movement of the covering. A gear tensioner is also received in the hollow interior, rotates with the rotatable storage roll, and is coupled to the counterbalance assembly to adjust a tension force of the counterbalance assembly.

Abstract: A shade assembly includes a shade having one end mounted to a roll and a hem bar assembly coupled to an end of the shade opposite the roll. The hem bar assembly includes a reinforcement assembly attached to the shade and a retainer that receives the reinforcement assembly so that the reinforcement assembly is self-centering with the retainer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a flexible curtain is disclosed and claimed. The flexible curtain is used in a windlocking apparatus to prevent the unwanted intrusion of wind, water and debris into a building opening. Strips are attached to the edges of the curtain. The strips may be attached to the curtain by first heating them followed by compressing them to form a welded or bonded construction. The heating may be accomplished by direct heat transfer, electromagnetic excitation, or ultrasonic excitation. Compressing the materials together is accomplished with rollers having cylindrical laminating surfaces to join the excited materials and form a welded or bonded construction. Alternatively, the materials may be glued or stitched together. Preferably the curtain and strips are thermoplastic materials. Semi-crystalline polymer strips may be joined to a thermoplastic curtain to add rigidity.

Abstract: An operator (10) for moving in upward and downward directions a sectional door (D) having a counterbalancing system (30) including a drive tube (31) interconnected with the door including, a reversible motor (40), a drive shaft (50) selectively driven in two directions by the motor, a drive gear (61) freely rotatably mounted on the drive shaft, a driven gear (65) mounted on the drive tube and operatively engaging the drive gear, a disconnect assembly (70) having a spool (71) rotatable with the drive shaft and movable into and out of engagement with the drive gear for selectively connecting and disconnecting the motor and the drive tube, and an actuating mechanism (80) normally maintaining said spool in engagement with the drive gear and biasing the spool out of engagement with the drive gear when released to permit independent movement of the door.

Abstract: A locking system (10, 110, 210) for a sectional overhead door (11) powered through a counterbalance system (30) including, a flexible member (C) interconnecting the counterbalance system and the door and providing tensioning during opening and closing of the door, a movable stop (50, 150, 250) selectively actuatable to a locked position precluding movement of the door, and a biasing member (65, 165, 255) urging the movable stop toward the locked position, whereby in the event of slack in the flexible member the biasing member displaces the movable stop to the locked position.