Abstract: A multi-curtain assembly includes: first and second curtain segments, each having a leading edge and side edge; an edge fastener having first and second fastener portions proximate the side edge of the first and second curtain segments, respectively, the first fastener portion of the first curtain segment being connectable to the second fastener portion of the second curtain segment to produce a seam as the curtain segments are moved to their closed positions; a motor driving one or more of the barrel assemblies; a synchronizing mechanism synchronizing the barrel assemblies. An overlap fastener, arranged proximate edges of the curtain segments in an overlap region, has aligning portions that align as the side edges are brought into alignment by the edge fastener, to mask at least one side of the fastener seam as the fastener portions are connected to each other.

Abstract: A slatted door includes a plurality of interengaged slats, and end members arranged at ends of respective slats. The end members and the slats are configured and arranged so that, when the slats are engaged with one another and with respective end members, at least one lateral reinforcement impact distribution structure is formed. The impact distribution structure is configured to absorb, distribute and/or redirect impact force in a direction along the length of the slats.

Abstract: A multi-curtain assembly includes: first and second curtain segments, each having a leading edge and side edge; an edge fastener having first and second fastener portions proximate the side edge of the first and second curtain segments, respectively, the first fastener portion of the first curtain segment being connectable to the second fastener portion of the second curtain segment to produce a seam as the curtain segments are moved to their closed positions; a motor driving one or more of the barrel assemblies; a synchronizing mechanism synchronizing the barrel assemblies. An overlap fastener, arranged proximate edges of the curtain segments in an overlap region, has aligning portions that align as the side edges are brought into alignment by the edge fastener, to mask at least one side of the fastener seam as the fastener portions are connected to each other.

Abstract: A multi-curtain assembly has curtain segments of a retractable curtain, the curtain segments having leading edges affixed to a bottom bar and extending between opened and closed positions by winding on and unwinding from a barrel assembly, each curtain segment being optionally connectable to the other curtain segment adjacent thereto by a fastener at respective adjacent edges of each curtain segment during unwinding. The multi-curtain assembly includes: a motor driving the barrel assembly of a first curtain segment, adjacent and further curtain segments meeting one another at an interface angle; and at least one curtain driving interface that passes along a rotational barrel driving force from the barrel assembly of the first one of the plurality of curtain segments. The driving interface being an interface for angle of 90 degrees, of less than 90 degrees, or greater than 90 degrees, or an interface for barrel assemblies at different heights.

Abstract: A fastener overlay assembly at an interface between first and second curtain segments of a rolling smoke/fire curtain positioned at an opening in a structure, the curtain segments having leading edges affixed to a bottom bar and extend between opened and closed positions by winding on a barrel assembly, each curtain segment connectable to the other curtain segment by a fastener during unwinding. The overlay assembly has an overlay strip with a leading edge proximate a leading edge of the curtain segment(s); and a retractable overlay collector roller attached to a first end of the overlay strip and configured to allow the overlay strip to unwind from a collector roller synchronously with the winding and unwinding of the curtain segments, wherein the retractable fastener overlay strip is arranged, in its extended position, in front of or behind the fastener that connects the first and second curtain segments.

Abstract: A door assembly includes: a rotatable curtain deployment member positionable about a structure opening; a curtain panel fixed to the curtain deployment member, the curtain being movable, upon rotation of the curtain deployment member, between a retracted position and an extended position, the curtain panel having at least one portion of increased thickness; a rotatable balancing strip member configured to substantially parallel with the curtain deployment member, and configured to rotate synchronously therewith in a common rotational direction, and a balancing strip having a first end attached to the balancing strip member, and a second end attached to the curtain deployment member and axially spaced from the portion of increased thickness. When the curtain panel deploys to the retracted position, the balancing strip deploys to the curtain deployment member, and when the curtain panel deploys to the extended position, the balancing strip deploys to the balancing strip member.

Abstract: A slatted door includes a plurality of interengaged slats, and end members arranged at ends of respective slats. The end members and the slats are configured and arranged so that, when the slats are engaged with one another and with respective end members, at least one lateral reinforcement impact distribution structure is formed. The impact distribution structure is configured to absorb, distribute and/or redirect impact force in a direction along the length of the slats.

Abstract: A slatted door includes a plurality of interengaged slats, and end members arranged at ends of respective slats. The end members and the slats are configured and arranged so that, when the slats are engaged with one another and with respective end members, at least one lateral reinforcement impact distribution structure is formed. The impact distribution structure is configured to absorb, distribute and/or redirect impact force in a direction along the length of the slats.

Abstract: A door assembly with a flexible door movable between a retracted position and an extended position and having interconnected elongate slats having two lateral ends to form respective lateral edges of the flexible door. An automatically-locking bottom bar connects to a bottom-most slat of the flexible door. The bottom bar has anchors extending from the lateral ends thereof, the anchors extending beyond the respective lateral edges of the flexible door. A pair of guide channels receives the respective lateral edges of the flexible door, each guide channel having a reduced width portion in a bottom portion thereof to receive a respective one of the anchors when the bottom bar passes into the bottom portion of the pair of guide channels, the reduced width portion being laterally spaced from a lateral end of each said guide channel so that the respective anchor is locked in each said guide channel.

Abstract: A seatbelt buckle with cutter includes a latch element having a tongue-like protrusion with an aperture configured to be received by a belt buckle receiver, a middle element having a pull handle and a serrated cutting blade, a top cover configured for coupling to a top of the latch element a bottom cover configured for coupling to the bottom of the middle element, wherein when the top and bottom covers are coupled to the latch element and middle element, respectively, and the belt extends through the apertures of the patch element, middle element, and top and bottom covers, the blade is configured to cut the belt when the pull handle of the middle element is pulled.

Abstract: A slatted door includes a plurality of interengaged slats, and end members arranged at ends of respective slats. The end members and the slats are configured and arranged so that, when the slats are engaged with one another and with respective end members, at least one lateral reinforcement impact distribution structure is formed. The impact distribution structure is configured to absorb, distribute and/or redirect impact force in a direction along the length of the slats.

Abstract: A seatbelt buckle with cutter comprises a latch element having a tongue-like protrusion with an aperture configured to be received by a belt buckle receiver, a middle element having a pull handle and a serrated cutting blade, a top cover configured for coupling to a top of the latch element a bottom cover configured for coupling to the bottom of the middle element, wherein when the top and bottom covers are coupled to the latch element and middle element, respectively, and the belt extends through the apertures of the patch element, middle element, and top and bottom covers, the blade is configured to cut the belt when the pull handle of the middle element is pulled.

Abstract: A seat-belt buckle with built-in belt cutter is disclosed. The invention being comprised of four parts. A first part being a conventional locking latch assembly, a second part being a serrated blade slidably configured inside a third part comprised of a two-piece, buckle case. A fourth part being an easy-to-reach handle allowing the user to pull and sever a belt thereon. An object of the invention is to allow a user to escape a seat belt quickly during an emergency.

Abstract: A master/slave shaft arrangement includes: a motor having an output shaft; a master drive barrel, the first end of which being rotationally driven by the output shaft of the motor, the master drive barrel having, at a second end thereof, a master drive sprocket; a synchronizing shaft that is rotationally driven at its second end by a first coupling assembly, the rotational driving of the synchronizing shaft being synchronous with the rotational driving of the master drive barrel by the motor; and a slave barrel, the slave barrel being rotationally driven at its first end by a second coupling assembly that rotationally couples the synchronizing shaft with the slave barrel to rotationally drive the slave barrel, the rotational driving of the slave barrel being synchronous with the rotational driving of the synchronizing shaft and the rotational driving of the master drive barrel by the motor.

Abstract: A curtain assembly includes: a pair of support brackets; a curtain; members arranged at each lateral side edge portion of the curtain and vertically spaced from one another; a pair of guides defining a space to be traversed by the curtain, the pair of guides having a narrower portion that prevents the edge portions of the curtain with the locking members from disengaging from the guides; a roller barrel assembly configured as a take up roller upon which the curtain is wound; and a respective reduced diameter shaft arranged between each end of the roller barrel assembly and a respective support bracket, each respective reduced diameter shaft configured as a take up roller that stores the lateral side edge portions of the curtain having the plurality of locking members.

Abstract: A master/slave shaft arrangement includes: a motor having an output shaft; a master drive barrel, the first end of which being rotationally driven by the output shaft of the motor, the master drive barrel having, at a second end thereof, a master drive sprocket; a synchronizing shaft that is rotationally driven at its second end by a first coupling assembly, the rotational driving of the synchronizing shaft being synchronous with the rotational driving of the master drive barrel by the motor; and a slave barrel, the slave barrel being rotationally driven at its first end by a second coupling assembly that rotationally couples the synchronizing shaft with the slave barrel to rotationally drive the slave barrel, the rotational driving of the slave barrel being synchronous with the rotational driving of the synchronizing shaft and the rotational driving of the master drive barrel by the motor.

Abstract: A door assembly includes: a rotatable curtain deployment member positionable about a structure opening; a curtain panel fixed to the curtain deployment member, the curtain being movable, upon rotation of the curtain deployment member, between a retracted position and an extended position, the curtain panel having at least one portion of increased thickness; a rotatable balancing strip member configured to substantially parallel with the curtain deployment member, and configured to rotate synchronously therewith in a common rotational direction, and a balancing strip having a first end attached to the balancing strip member, and a second end attached to the curtain deployment member and axially spaced from the portion of increased thickness. When the curtain panel deploys to the retracted position, the balancing strip deploys to the curtain deployment member, and when the curtain panel deploys to the extended position, the balancing strip deploys to the balancing strip member.

Abstract: A coupling for a door/curtain includes a plurality of coupling mechanisms affixed to ends of slats of the door/curtain. Each coupling mechanism includes a roller mounting bracket having a first roller arranged at an upper portion of the roller mounting bracket, and an extending portion, oriented at approximately 90 degrees with respect to the upper portion of the roller mounting bracket; and at least one second roller. Each second roller is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first roller. The first roller and the at least one second roller are arranged so as to cooperate with an outer track, inner track, roller support guide and first and second roller guides of a guide rail assembly to ensure that the door/curtain moves rollingly within the guide rail assembly even when the door/curtain is subjected to a deflecting force.

Abstract: A coupling for a door/curtain includes a plurality of coupling mechanisms affixed to ends of slats of the door/curtain. Each coupling mechanism includes a roller mounting bracket having a first roller arranged at an upper portion of the roller mounting bracket, and an extending portion, oriented at approximately 90 degrees with respect to the upper portion of the roller mounting bracket; and at least one second roller. Each second roller is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first roller. The first roller and the at least one second roller are arranged so as to cooperate with an outer track, inner track, roller support guide and first and second roller guides of a guide rail assembly to ensure that the door/curtain moves rollingly within the guide rail assembly even when the door/curtain is subjected to a deflecting force.

Abstract: A two-sided fire door system includes a horizontal head track having a first end and a second end; a first door including a plurality of interconnected panels suspended vertically from the head track by trolleys arranged for horizontal movement between the first end and a point remote from the first end; a second door including a plurality of interconnected panels suspended vertically from the head track by trolleys arranged for horizontal movement between the second end and a point remote from the second end; and an endless chain in an elongate loop having a first end looped around a drive sprocket and parallel first and second runs fixed to respective first and second lead trolleys. A drive motor rotates the drive sprocket in opposite rotational directions to open and close the doors, the motor being blocked against rotation when the motor is not operating. A suspended weight closes the doors automatically by means of a cable attached to one of the lead trolleys when the blocking is released.