Abstract: Mounting apparatus for expandable honeycomb insulation panels includes a head rail for anchoring the panel to a window jamb or wall and a sill rail at the opposite end of the honeycomb panel for contracting and expanding the honeycomb panel to move it upwardly and downwardly over the window surface. Lift mechanisms for the sill rail include a vertical drop cord lift system, a parallel bar cord guided system, and a continuous loop cord system. Edge seals for closing and sealing the end of the honeycomb insulation panel include a biased, elongated seal element positioned in side tracks for slideably guiding the honeycomb panel along a prescribed track while sealing the ends thereof. In an alternate embodiment, notched bearing edges are provided to accommodate a web track protruding therein. Other features include adjustable panel mounting, bracket, and cord lock roller.

Abstract: Mounting apparatus for expandable honeycomb insulation panels includes a head rail for anchoring the panel to a window jamb or wall and a sill rail at the opposite end of the honeycomb panel for contracting and expanding the honeycomb panel to move it upwardly and downwardly over the window surface. Lift mechanisms for the sill rail include a vertical drop cord lift system, a parallel bar cord guided system, and a continuous loop cord system. Edge seals for closing and sealing the end of the honeycomb insulation panel include a biased, elongated seal element positioned in side tracks for slideably guiding the honeycomb panel along a prescribed track while sealing the ends thereof. In an alternate embodiment, notched bearing edges are provided to accommodate a web track protruding therein. Other features include adjustable panel mounting, bracket, and cord lock roller.

Abstract: Movable insulation is provided with sealing structural components to minimize or eliminate for practical purposes infiltration and convection currents in and around the movable insulation to enhance the thermal insulating quality of the assembly. Seal strips on the edges of the insulation pocket forming material layers are adapted to slidingly engage seal guides provided in the side frame channels of the assembly to seal the sides. Weight bars in the lower extremities of the insulation forming material sheets enhance the seal on the bottom as well as to keep the layers of material separated, and rotatable separating rollers on top also help to keep the layers separated and to form a seal on top. A smooth operating manual chain drive and anchor mechanism is provided, as well as a removable decorative fabric for the front of the assembly.

Abstract: A solar water tank for use in solar heating systems includes an insulated tank with flow systems comprised of a plurality of inlet and outlet tubes, heat exchangers, level switch and supplemental heating element, all assembled together with the manway cover for the tank in a unitary embodiment. The tank also includes a layer of polyurethane foam insulation on its interior surface. Forming apparatus for placing the insulation layer in the tank includes a flexible synthetic membrane in the form of an enclosed bag adapted for positioning in the interior of the tank.

Abstract: A gardening method and unit utilizes a unique liquid circulating system in combination with an adjustable, high intensity lighting system including a novel form of reflector panel assembly in which the feeding cycle and the lighting cycle can be closely regulated to control the environment for plant life within an enclosed area. The method and system of the present invention is particularly advantageous in relatively compact portable units so constructed that the seedlings or plants may be grown in upper and lower spaced trays, each having its own lighting system controlled by a common timer and a common liquid circulating system in which the liquid or nutrient solution may be pumped into the upper tray and drained by gravity into the lower tray to carry out combined top flooding and subirrigation. In the alternative the system is operative to carry out top-irrigation by spraying water in the form of a fine mist over natural or organic soils.