Abstract: The invention is a rack and chain lifting device. The purpose is to convert rotational motion to linear motion in a way that is superior to a rack and pinion device because, first, it allows for more points of contact with the rack through the use of a silent chain in place of a pinion, and, second, because it can be used in corners since the motor can be distanced from the rack by means of the silent chain. The invention comprises a silent chain with link plates that are shaped such that the teeth of the link plates are offset when the chain is straightened, allowing the profile of the silent chain to correspond with the profiles of both gears and racks. The invention also comprises a rack that can be placed in corners. Some embodiments include a system of gears, a motor, and a mounting platform.

Abstract: The invention is a track system for a retractable wall. The track system includes rigid outer guide tracks and flexible inner track inserts that are connected to the guide tracks by means of flanges located on both. The flexible inserts include a channel that engages with a side edge of a retractable wall, holding the wall in place. The flexible nature of the track inserts allows the inserts to bend, which in turn allows the retractable wall to flex when force is exerted on the retractable wall without breaking the tracks or tearing the wall. When excessive force is applied, the channel of the flexible insert, the walls of which are thicker than the rest of the flexible insert, bend open, so that the side edge of the retractable wall disengages from the channel by means of an opening in the channel.

Abstract: The invention is a silent chain with a profile capable of corresponding with the profiles of both sprockets and racks. The purpose of the invention is to convert rotational motion to linear motion in a way that is superior to the traditional rack and pinion device by allowing for more surface area contact with the rack through the use of, rather than a pinion, a silent chain that is capable of engaging with a rack. The invented silent chain comprises link plates of a particular shape stacked in alternating rows and joined together by connecting pins in such a way as to be bendable. The link plates are shaped such that the teeth of the link plates are offset when the chain is straightened, which allows the profile of the silent chain to correspond with the profiles of both sprockets and racks.

Abstract: The invention is a corner rack with one front face that has teeth. A corner rack is a linear gear interface that can be placed in corners, such that the teeth face out from the corner at an angle, rather than running parallel with the walls. The teeth of the corner rack have a profile that can engage with the profile of a silent chain. The combination of the corner rack and silent chain allows an attached motor to be distanced from the corner rack, so that a lifting device driven by the corner rack and silent chain can be placed in and utilized in corners. This leads to increased versatility and efficiency.

Abstract: The invention is an elevator car, with a door system, for with a bottom-driven elevator, where it does not play a structural role in lifting, but provides aesthetics and safety to the passengers. The elevator car comprises lightweight materials. The car comprises a frame and a door system. The door system comprises at least one elevator door and at least one pulley system. The pulley system is attached to the frame and the elevator door is attached to the pulley system, such that the elevator door rotates horizontally around the frame when the pulley system is engaged. The elevator door comprises a pliable material, such as ballistic nylon. The elevator car can have one, two, three, or four door openings, including two adjacent door openings. Finally, the system may also include at least one light curtain that transmits signals to an elevator control system.

Abstract: The invention is an elevator. The elevator is driven by a rack and a chain. The elevator also comprises a transportable frame, a floor, and an elevator shaft. The purpose of the invention is, by using a rack and chain lifting device to drive the elevator, to allow the elevator to be driven from the bottom. Driving the elevator from the bottom makes the structural integrity of the elevator box unnecessary, so that the elevator box can be replaced with an elevator box façade and a fabric door, making the elevator lighter and more economical. In addition, the design of the elevator allows for adjacent doors, battery power, and voice control.

Abstract: Embodiments of a two-way output reverse-torque clutch described herein may include a torque input having a segmented race, a pin removably disposed adjacent to, and between, at least two segmented race segments, a torque output rotatably disposed within the segmented race, and an outer race encircling the segmented race. The torque output may include a cam surface with an interference point corresponding to at least one of the one or more pins. The cam surface may have an interference point. The outer race may be in slideable contact with the segmented race. A torque exerted directly on the output may force the interference point against the pin, wedging the pin between the interference point and the outer race and preventing torque from being transmitted to the input from the output. The clutch may prevent torque from being transmitted to the torque input from the torque output with one pin.

Abstract: Potential for remote interaction with various architectural features has increased dramatically with recent technological developments. For example, modular spaces may allow an occupant to quickly and effortlessly modify an existing space to the occupant's needs. One of the challenges of remotely operating devices is energy efficiency. An apparatus is described herein that addresses this issue. The apparatus may include a flexible panel, a roller tube, one or more mounting brackets, a braking mechanism, and a torsion spring. The torsion spring may be pre-torsioned with a number of rotations. The number of rotations may be determined by various formulas, and/or the apparatus may have a trough-shaped torque profile. This may minimize external energy requirements of the apparatus, such as by a motor.

Abstract: The invention is a track system for a retractable wall. The track system includes rigid outer guide tracks and flexible inner track inserts that are connected to the guide tracks by means of flanges located on both. The flexible inserts include a channel that engages with a side edge of a retractable wall, holding the wall in place. The flexible nature of the track inserts allows the inserts to bend, which in turn allows the retractable wall to flex when force is exerted on the retractable wall without breaking the tracks or tearing the wall. When excessive force is applied, the channel of the flexible insert, the walls of which are thicker than the rest of the flexible insert, bend open, so that the side edge of the retractable wall disengages from the channel by means of an opening in the channel.

Abstract: The invention is an elevator car, with a door system, for with a bottom-driven elevator, where it does not play a structural role in lifting, but provides aesthetics and safety to the passengers. The elevator car comprises lightweight materials. The car comprises a frame and a door system. The door system comprises at least one elevator door and at least one pulley system. The pulley system is attached to the frame and the elevator door is attached to the pulley system, such that the elevator door rotates horizontally around the frame when the pulley system is engaged. The elevator door comprises a pliable material, such as ballistic nylon. The elevator car can have one, two, three, or four door openings, including two adjacent door openings. Finally, the system may also include at least one light curtain that transmits signals to an elevator control system.

Abstract: The invention is an elevator. The elevator is driven by a rack and a chain. The elevator also comprises a transportable frame, a floor, and an elevator shaft. The purpose of the invention is, by using a rack and chain lifting device to drive the elevator, to allow the elevator to be driven from the bottom. Driving the elevator from the bottom makes the structural integrity of the elevator box unnecessary, so that the elevator box can be replaced with an elevator box façade and a fabric door, making the elevator lighter and more economical. In addition, the design of the elevator allows for adjacent doors, battery power, and voice control.

Abstract: The invention is a corner rack with one front face that has teeth. A corner rack is a linear gear interface that can be placed in corners, such that the teeth face out from the corner at an angle, rather than running parallel with the walls. The teeth of the corner rack have a profile that can engage with the profile of a silent chain. The combination of the corner rack and silent chain allows an attached motor to be distanced from the corner rack, so that a lifting device driven by the corner rack and silent chain can be placed in and utilized in corners. This leads to increased versatility and efficiency.

Abstract: The invention is a rack and chain lifting device. The purpose is to convert rotational motion to linear motion in a way that is superior to a rack and pinion device because, first, it allows for more points of contact with the rack through the use of a silent chain in place of a pinion, and, second, because it can be used in corners since the motor can be distanced from the rack by means of the silent chain. The invention comprises a silent chain with link plates that are shaped such that the teeth of the link plates are offset when the chain is straightened, allowing the profile of the silent chain to correspond with the profiles of both gears and racks. The invention also comprises a rack that can be placed in corners. Some embodiments include a system of gears, a motor, and a mounting platform.

Abstract: The invention is a silent chain with a profile capable of corresponding with the profiles of both sprockets and racks. The purpose of the invention is to convert rotational motion to linear motion in a way that is superior to the traditional rack and pinion device by allowing for more surface area contact with the rack through the use of, rather than a pinion, a silent chain that is capable of engaging with a rack. The invented silent chain comprises link plates of a particular shape stacked in alternating rows and joined together by connecting pins in such a way as to be bendable. The link plates are shaped such that the teeth of the link plates are offset when the chain is straightened, which allows the profile of the silent chain to correspond with the profiles of both sprockets and racks.