Abstract: Damper blade actuator assembly for use in association with a damper having damper frame means adapted to be associated with an air duct system, and defining an air flow opening, and movable damper blade means operable for partially or completely obstructing such air flow, said actuator assembly comprising, a drive shaft adapted to be operatively coupled to suitable motor means for rotating said drive shaft in either direction, an operating arm swingably mounted adjacent said drive shaft and being rotatably movable relative to said drive shaft and connectible with said damper blade means, a coupling arm attached to said drive shaft for rotation therewith adjacent said operating arm, spring means connected between said operating arm and said coupling arm, said spring means urging said operating arm to move independently of said coupling arm in a direction tending to close said damper for emergency operation thereof while said coupling arm remains stationary, condition-sensitive retaining means connected between

Abstract: A flexible thermal barrier material for use in the fabrication of thermal shields or fire barriers for disposition over fixtures such as a lighting fixture or an air diffuser in a suspended ceiling comprises a flexible pad of non-flammable and frangible fibrous felt-like ceramic material movably disposed between two flexible, non-flammable and structurally durable panels of a sleeve usefully of a woven glass fibre cloth which in turn is usefully impregnated with aluminum powder in a thermoplastic base. Such thermal barrier material is easily cut and stapled together to provide such a thermal shield or fire barrier of a desired configuration.

Abstract: A latch plate for an automatic fire damper intended to be used in ductwork to close such ductwork in the event of fire is formed as a unitary structure. Such a latch plate comprises mutually perpendicular end and side flanges and is integrally formed on its side flange with a transversely projecting, arcuate-sectioned tongue about which there can be wound a spool type tension spring which is operative to move a closure or shutter of such a damper into its closed position on fusion of a mechanical catch mechanism normally holding such a closure in its open position. The side flange of the latch plate is formed with a lateral cam surface along which a terminal blade member of the closure rides as it moves into its closed position and such surface is formed with a pair of ribs on the shutter when that shutter reaches its fully closed position so then releasably to hold the shutter in such closed position, and a novel blade for use in such a fire damper having one symmetrical and one assymetrical hinge part.