Abstract: To enhance uneven wear resistance with achieving higher levels of dry grip performance and wet performance, a tread surface 2 is provided with one circumferential main groove 3 in an outer region 2o thereof directed outward of a vehicle and with first and second circumferential main grooves 4 and 5 in an inner region 2i thereof directed inward of the vehicle, a central region Rc between the circumferential main grooves 3 and 4 is formed into a rib 10 extending continuously in the circumferential direction, an outer shoulder region Ro between the circumferential main groove 3 and TEo is formed into a row of outer blocks 12 defined by inclined main grooves 6, and the outer blocks 12 are provided with inclined sub-grooves 13 having an inclination direction different from that of the inclined main grooves 6, thereby dividing each of the outer blocks 12 into a first block portion 12A on a tire equator side and a second block portion 12B on a ground contact edge side.

Abstract: A tread and tire for a multipurpose agricultural machine, that improves field traction while ensuring a satisfactory compromise with wear under engine torque and vibratory comfort on the road having a tread having a plurality of lugs distributed in a first row extending axially from a first axial end of the tread and in a second row extending axially from a second axial end of the tread, the second row differing from the first row by a symmetry relative to the equatorial plane of the tire followed by a rotation about the rotation axis of the tire, each row having an alternation of long lugs and of short lugs. The axially inner end face of a first long lug of a row of lugs is separated from the trailing lateral face of the second long lug of the symmetrical row of lugs, closest to the axially inner end face of the first long lug, by an end groove with a width at least equal to 10% and at most equal to 100% of the lug height.

Abstract: Noise-reducing device intended to be added to a groove of the tread of a tire comprising an elastic sole preferably extending in a given longitudinal direction, wherein the said sole on one of its faces comprises one or several flexible walls the planes of which run substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the sole.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with a radially outermost breaker ply and three main grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction. Crown axial grooves disposed between the main grooves are inclined oppositely to cords of the radially outermost breaker ply, at angles in a range of from 10 to 60 degrees with respect to the tire circumferential direction. The crown axial groove comprises a narrow portion and a resultant wide portion on the axially outside thereof. The crown axial groove is provided in its axially outer end portion with a tie bar provided with a sipe.

Abstract: A tire (10) with a hooping reinforcement (100) including a part extending axially beyond a crown reinforcement that has NC intersections with any radial plane. A part (41) of the sidewall applied radially between an outer strip (120) and tread (30) is made of a rubber compound that has an elastic modulus E, and a mean thickness EA. The hooping reinforcement (100) is made of a textile material that has a shrinkage force at 180° C. (FC) that is less than or equal to 12 N. Elastic modulus E, mean thickness EA, number of intersections NC and the shrinkage force at 180° C. (FC) are chosen such that for each sidewall of the tire, the following inequality is satisfied: K = ( E · EA 2 · P B · NC · FC ) < 0.

Abstract: Tire components including bead area components and sidewall supports for a run-flat pneumatic tire that are constructed of a material based upon a cross-linkable rubber composition. The cross-linkable rubber composition includes, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr)* between 10 phr—and 90 phr—of a polyisoprene rubber and between 10 phr—and 90 phr of a polybutadiene rubber. The rubber composition further includes between 60 phr and 100 phr of a thermal carbon black having a nitrogen surface area of between 5 m2/g and 15 m2/g and a DBP absorption of between 30 cm3/100 g and 55 cm3/100 g. The rubber composition is cured with a sulfur curing system.

Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire in which a display part of the tire is made less susceptible to dirt and damages and is also improved in appearance. The tire of the present invention includes, on a tire side portion (4), a display part (5) having at least one of an emblem and a decorative band, the emblem and the decorative band being formed by means of any one of printing, painting, a sticker, and exposure of a color rubber, in which the tire side portion (4) has, in a region adjacent to the display part (5), a projection (6) protruding from the surface of the display part (5) and extending along the display part (5).

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) is provided with turbulence generating projections (100) extending in a tire radial direction and arranged in the tire side portion (30) located between the tread (20) and beads. If the length of each turbulence generating projection (100) in the radial direction of the tire is L, the Young's modulus of the material which forms the turbulence generating projection (100) is E, and the second moment of area of a cross section of the turbulence generating projection (100) taken perpendicularly to the extending direction of the projection is I, the turbulence generating projections (100) satisfy the relationship of L2?3.5×E×I. The configuration assures the effect of heat dissipation of the tire side portion and minimizes deformation of the turbulence generating projections caused by oil flying from the outside.

Abstract: A tyre having two beads, with a toroidal body ply wound about the two beads to form two turn-ups, and two bead fillers, each contacting a bead and are partly enclosed inside a turn-up of the body ply. The bead filler includes a first elastomer ring, which is initially placed flat and between the body ply, and a bead, which is turned up about the bead when forming the corresponding turn-up of the body ply, to bring two opposite ends of the first elastomer ring into close proximity The bead filler is cured, after being turned up about the bead, to connect the two opposite ends of the first elastomer ring, while at the same time eliminating the air trapped inside the turn-up of the body ply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire having a radial carcass reinforcement, consisting of at least one layer of reinforcing elements anchored in each of the beads by an upturn around a bead wire, said carcass reinforcement upturn being reinforced by at least one layer of reinforcing elements or stiffener, the radially outer end of which is radially on the outside of the end of the upturn. According to the invention, the reinforcing elements of at least one stiffener are non-wrapped metal cords with saturated layers, having, in what is called the permeability test, a flow rate of less than 5 cm3/min and the distance between the radially outer end of the stiffener and the end of the carcass reinforcement upturn is less than 5 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire having a radial carcass reinforcement, consisting of at least one layer of reinforcing elements anchored in each of the beads by an upturn around a bead wire, said carcass reinforcement upturn being reinforced by at least one layer of reinforcing elements or stiffener. According to the invention, the reinforcing elements of at least one stiffener are non-wrapped metal cords with saturated layers, having, in what is called the permeability test, a flow rate of less than 5 cm3/min and the thickness of the polymer blends separating the stiffener from the end of the carcass reinforcement upturn is strictly less than 3.5 mm.

Abstract: Fibers may be intertwined to form cables for headsets and other structures. The cables may include wires, The wires may be surrounded by a jacket formed. from intertwined fibers, The intertwined fibers may include fibers with different melting temperatures. The jacket may be heated to a temperature that is sufficient to melt some of the fibers in the jacket without melting other fibers in the jacket. The melted fibers may flow into spaces between the unmelted fibers and may serve as a binder that holds together the unmelted fibers. The intertwining process may be used to form a bifurcation for a headset. A dipping process may be used to cover the jacket with a coating. The coating may be formed over the entire length of the cable or may be formed in a particular portion of the cable such as the portion of the cable that includes the bifurcation.

Abstract: A structural laminate having a selected resistance to a first stress applied in a selected first stress direction relative to the laminate is formed from first and second sheets. A selected volume of toner is deposited on the first sheet to form a deposited toner pattern, the deposited toner pattern being disposed over a selected first surface area of the first sheet and extending normal to the first sheet by a selected first height. The second sheet, or toner thereon, is brought into contact with the deposited toner pattern. The deposited toner pattern is fixed to produce a fixed toner pattern that adheres the second sheet to the first sheet, in that way forming the laminate. The fixed toner pattern includes one or more first contiguous regions of toner extending in a direction within about 45° of the stress direction, so that the contiguous regions resist the applied stress.

Abstract: A label material for use with water-based adhesives. The label material includes a synthetic paper having an upper surface and a lower surface. The synthetic paper includes a biaxially-oriented polymeric sheet having a voided layer. A printable coating is optionally provided on an upper surface of the polymeric sheet and an adhesive-receiving coating is provided on a lower surface of the polymeric sheet. The polymeric sheet has a density of not more than 0.55 g·cm?3. The adhesive-receiving coating includes a polymeric binder and an absorbent pigment and has a surface energy of at least 40 dyne·cm?1.

Abstract: A method for preventive maintenance of a boat hull to restore the integrity of a fiberglass boat hull and prevent new water infiltration damage to a boat hull. The wet area repair guidelines using a surface moisture meter. Any balsa cored area reading 15% or above is considered a wet area. Any wood cored area reading 20% or above is considered a wet area. The preventive maintenance steps involve removing all through-hull fittings or hardware. Wet core areas are then dried out using heat lamps, lights or heaters, hot-vac systems, or octopus vacuum with grid system. If necessary, any area not drying out is de-cored and repaired accordingly. After repairs are finished, all through-hull fillings or hardware is reinstalled using new sealant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of biosensors whose dose-response curves are maintained within a predetermined and desired range or tolerance during production by selecting a feature of the biosensors that can be varied during production. For example, in one exemplary embodiment the effective area of the working electrode of an electrochemical biosensor can be varied during production as needed to offset variations that occur, e.g., in the reagent of the biosensors as production proceeds. In another exemplary embodiment, the dose-response curve of biosensors not yet produced can be predicted and one or more features of these biosensors can be selected to maintain the dose-response curve within a predetermined range or tolerance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for fabricating a separator assembly. The method comprises: providing a central core element comprising at least one concentrate exhaust conduit and at least one permeate exhaust conduit; disposing a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising a permeate carrier layer, a membrane layer, and a feed carrier layer within the central core element such that the concentrate exhaust conduit and permeate exhaust conduit are separated by the first portion of the membrane stack assembly; radially winding a second portion of the membrane stack assembly around the central core element; and sealing the wound assembly comprising two opposing end surfaces made of the membrane stack assembly by applying an adhesive on both end surfaces of the wound assembly; and applying a negative pressure inside the central core element so that the adhesive penetrates into the membrane stack assembly.

Abstract: Methods for routing an optical fiber over a desired span on a structural surface at a given premises are provided. When the optical fiber is unwound from a container, the optical fiber attaches to the structural surface by an adhesive material. The adhesive material can be applied along the desired span before, during, or after the optical fiber is routed over the desired span.

Abstract: A reflective roadstud and manufacture of the same including steps of forming an upper and lower cover from mixture of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and basalt fiber with a mixing ratio of 1:0.05˜0.5 by injection molding. The upper cover and the reflective sheet are combined by ultrasonic welding, and the lower cover is arranged to the upper cover as a finish. The finish is further coated by a nanotech inorganic heat dissipating coating (Sio2, Cao).

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate has disposed thereon a first feature. The second substrate has disposed thereon a second feature. The first feature is configured to interlock with the second feature such that the first substrate and the second substrate are aligned by the first and the second features within a predefined accuracy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for vacuum acquisition during the manufacturing of a vacuum glass component, which specifically comprises the following steps: glass sheets (1, 3) constituting the vacuum glass component are placed in a vacuum environment having desired degree of vacuum, wherein all the glass sheets (1, 3) are in the vacuum environment independent of each other prior to assembling and ultimate sealing, thus a vacuum space inside the assembled vacuum glass component has exactly the same degree of vacuum as the vacuum environment. Therefore, the degree of vacuum of the processed vacuum glass component can be guaranteed by only controlling the degree of the vacuum environment, thereby avoiding problems existed-in the prior art, enhancing the processing efficiency of the vacuum glass component and also ensuring the quality of the vacuum glass component.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, an actuated fabricator deposits structural elements (e.g., tensile structural elements) in a 3D pattern over large displacements. The fabricator is supported by at least three elongated support members. It includes onboard actuators that translate the fabricator relative to the ends of the support members. The fabricator is configured, by actuating different translations along different support members, to translate itself throughout a 3D volume. In some implementations, each of the actuators use fusible material to fuse metal tapes together, edge-to-edge, to form a hollow structure that can be shortened or lengthened.

Abstract: An inflatable or gas-filled insulation panel comprises an envelope having two outer sheets sealed together along edges of the sheets and at least one of the sheets has an outer reflective surface. The envelope encases a plurality of internal films that include a polymeric film having a plurality of reflective stripes disposed thereon and spaced apart on the films. Seals are formed along the gaps or areas between the reflective stripes on the films by application of heat and pressure, which causes the films to seal to each other and the outer sheets at spaced apart intervals. A channel is formed between the outer edges of the films and the outer sheets, and a valve, disposed at an end of the panel, is in fluid communication with the channel for the injection of a fluid, such as an inert gas or air, to inflate panel.

Abstract: A forming apparatus includes a base material jig provided on a base, adhesion means for making a sheet having an adhesion layer and covered to a base material retained on the base material jig adhere to the base material, and trimming means for performing trimming on the sheet with respect to the base material with the sheet adhered thereto, in a state in which the base material is not removed from the base material jig.

Abstract: The present application describes an arrangement for applying a label to the periphery of a moving object. The arrangement may include an initial label dispensing an application station, a label tacking station, and a label wrapping station. Associated methods are also described.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.

Abstract: Wiping products, such as facial tissues, contain an interior temperature change composition and an exterior hydrophilic lotion composition that can provide a cooling sensation when contacted with the skin of a user. The temperature change composition, for instance, can contain one or more phase change agents that undergo a phase change at slightly elevated temperatures. The phase change agents, in one embodiment, can have a relatively high heat of fusion. When undergoing a phase change, the phase change agents absorb heat and thereby provide a cooling feeling to the skin of a user. The hydrophilic lotion composition may contain a carrier and a thermo-reversible gelling agent. The hydrophilic lotion composition maintains the temperature change composition within the tissue and helps to prevent skin irritation.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a binding file by using a binding element (1) includes providing a printed outer covering (8) and subsequently placing the flat element (1) on the covering (8) with the glue (6) facing down, and folding back the covering (8) at the edges (11) over the edges (7) of the element (1). The edges (11) are locally heated and cooled down to temporarily fix the covering (8), after which the whole is heated, pressed and cooled down again and to transform the strip (3) so as to form a U-shaped back.

Abstract: A method and product for distributing promotional materials while reducing reflected light glare into a human's eyes is provided. A non-toxic, non-reflective colored and finished material may be applied on a human's cheek where incident direct or indirect light is likely to be reflected into a human's eyes. The non-reflective material may comprise a decal, a shape, and a promotional item. The decal may comprise a non-reflective and non-toxic material of a dull or matte color having a wavelength falling outside of the range of wavelengths between 430 nm and 690 nm. The shape may be formed within the non-reflective material, comprising a color contrasting with the dull or matte color, wherein the shape is configured to provide communication. The promotional item may be for promoting a product or service affixed to the decal, wherein the shape formed within the non-reflective material is associated with the promotional item.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a top plate hermetically attached to an upper opening of a tubular shaped container body for forming a processing container of a plasma processing apparatus is provided. The manufacturing method includes the steps of; preparing a top plate body comprised of a dielectric body for transmitting an electromagnetic wave, and having a gas ejection hole for ejecting a gas into the processing container; forming a discharge prevention member having a discharge prevention member body comprised of a dielectric body having a permeability, and a dense member comprised of a dielectric body without a permeability covering at least a side face of the discharge prevention member body; and attaching the discharge prevention member in the gas ejection hole of the top plate body.

Abstract: A bonded assembly to reduce particle contamination in a semiconductor vacuum chamber such as a plasma processing apparatus is provided, including an elastomeric sheet adhesive bond between mating surfaces of a component and a support member to accommodate thermal stresses. The elastomeric sheet comprises a silicone adhesive to withstand a high shear strain of ?800% at a temperature range between room temperature and 300° C. such as heat curable high molecular weight dimethyl silicone with optional fillers. The sheet form has bond thickness control for parallelism of bonded surfaces. The sheet adhesive may be cut into pre-form shapes to conform to regularly or irregularly shaped features, maximize surface contact area with mating parts, and can be installed into cavities. Installation can be manually, manually with installation tooling, or with automated machinery. Composite layers of sheet adhesive having different physical properties can be laminated or coplanar.

Abstract: A structural element is formed. A 3D aim toner pattern is received. Using a processor, the 3D pattern is automatically sliced into a plurality of 2D aim toner patterns and corresponding thicknesses. A sheet is received. Toner corresponding to a selected one of the 2D aim toner patterns is deposited on the received sheet. The deposited toner is fixed to have substantially the thickness corresponding to the selected one of the 2D aim toner patterns. The receiving through fixing steps are repeated until each of the 2D aim toner patterns has been deposited onto a sheet. The sheets are fixed the together to form the structural element having toner corresponding to the 3D pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a combined circuit board includes the following steps. First, through portions (TPs) arranged in a predetermined format are formed in a rigid substrate (RS) such that the RS is divided into a predetermined removed region (PRR1) and a predetermined reserved region (PRR2) according to the arrangement of the TPs. Next, a conductive bonding layer (CRL) and a flexible circuit board (FCB) are respectively laminated on two opposite sides of the RS and part of a dielectric bonding layer of the CBL fills the TPs, Next, the RS, the FCB and the CBL are bent according to the TPs such that the PRR2 is bent at the TPs relative to the PRR1, Finally, part of the RS located at the PRR1 and part of the CBL corresponding to the PRR1 are removed to form an indentation to expose part of the FCB.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of shipping pallets from corrugated fiberboard or paperboard material. The sheets are fed into a die cutting assembly and scored, in pairs, on each alternating sheet of material, whereby a first score on a first sheet is scored facing upwardly, and another first score on a second sheet is scored facing downwardly, to provide a pattern. Adhesive is applied to the sheets at offset positions on Alternating sheets and the sheets are compressed to Facilitate bonding of the adhesive to the sheets.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a photoaligning integrated large area metallic stamp, which includes the following steps: making a unit device PLC mold pattern, and molding a unit PLC device pattern through a multistep imprinting method using the PLC mold pattern; heat treating the unit PLC device pattern to minimize scattering loss due to surface roughness; making a groove pattern for supporting an optical fiber; making an integrated PDMS mold for a unit device by aligning the unit PLC device pattern and the groove pattern; and repeatedly replicating the integrated PDMS mold for a unit device to make a large area PDMS pattern, and making a large area stamp through electroforming using the large area PDMS pattern.

Abstract: A structural laminate is formed of first and second sheets. A toner pattern with a thickness is deposited on the first sheet. The second sheet, or toner thereon, is brought into contact with the deposited toner. The deposited toner is fixed to hold the sheets together. The volume of toner after fixing is substantially equal to the selected volume. The fixed toner pattern covers more surface area of the sheet than the deposited toner pattern. The fixed toner pattern does not stand as far off the first sheet as the deposited toner pattern. The structural laminate has a bending moment in a structural area including at least some of the surface area covered by the fixed toner higher than the bending moment of either the first or the second sheet in the structural area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for a structural acrylic adhesive that comprises an adhesion promoter including a phosphate ester and a high molecular-weight polyamine as a polymerisation accelerator.

Abstract: An insulated dielectric window assembly comprising a dielectric window of an inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus; an upper polymeric ring, and a lower polymeric ring. The upper polymeric ring insulates the outer edge of the dielectric window from a cooler ambient atmosphere and the lower polymeric ring insulates the lower surface of the dielectric window from a chamber surface supporting the window.

Abstract: An edge ring assembly surrounds a substrate support surface in a plasma etching chamber. The edge ring assembly comprises an edge ring and a dielectric spacer ring. The dielectric spacer ring, which surrounds the substrate support surface and which is surrounded by the edge ring in the radial direction, is configured to insulate the edge ring from the baseplate. Incorporation of the edge ring assembly around the substrate support surface can decrease the buildup of polymer at the underside and along the edge of a substrate and increase plasma etching uniformity of the substrate.

Abstract: An overhead RF coupling chamber couples RF power to a ceiling electrode of a plasma reactor chamber, the RF coupling chamber having a resonant annular volume defined by coaxial cylindrical conductors, one of which is coupled to an RF power source, the chamber ceiling having an annular gap around the electrode, and the resonant annular volume being aligned with the annular gap so that the resonant annular volume opens into the interior of the main chamber, thereby enhancing the electrical length of the RF coupling chamber.

Abstract: It is provided that a method and a system for manufacturing an optical display device, which make it possible to bond an optical member and an optical display unit together with a certain degree of cleanliness maintained. The method for manufacturing an optical display device including an optical display unit(W) and an optical member(11, 12) bonded to the optical display unit(W), which includes a bonding step for bonding the optical member(11, 12) to the optical display unit(W) in an environment with an airflow.

Abstract: Positioning system of sectors of a device for producing an airplane fuselage in which a lamination mandrel comprises a plurality of sectors borne by a supporting structure and mobile along guides between: an expanded lamination position and a contracted disassembling position. Each guide comprises a fixed part borne by the supporting structure and a mobile part sliding along/with respect to the fixed part in a rectilinear direction H. Between a portion of each mobile part facing towards the respective sector and a stiffening structure of the sector a positioning device is provided which allows adjustment of the position of the sector with respect to the guide in two directions which lie in a plane RP perpendicular to the axis H of the guide.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses an adhesive tape cartridge comprising an adhesive tape roll around which is wound an adhesive tape, a peeling part, a separation material roll, and a support member. The adhesive tape comprises an adhesive layer and a separation material layer. The peeling part is configured to peel the separation material layer from the adhesive tape fed out from the adhesive tape roll and subsequently fed to one side in a predetermined direction. The separation material roll is configured to wind the separation material layer. The support member respectively rotatably supports the adhesive tape roll and the separation material roll. A position of the peeling part in the predetermined direction is disposed further on the one side than at least a position of a take-up position of the separation material roll when the separation material roll is in a minimum outer diameter state.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses an adhesive tape cartridge. The adhesive tape cartridge includes an adhesive tape roll around which an adhesive tape is wound about an axis line, a separation material roll configured to wind the separation material layer around an axis line, a connecting arm that freely rotatably supports the adhesive tape roll and freely rotatably supports the separation material roll, and a guide device configured to cause the adhesive tape to pass in a tape posture with a tape cross-section set to a substantially horizontal direction, substantially contact both tape width direction ends during the passing, and to guide the adhesive tape in the tape width direction, provided in a middle part of the connecting arm, between the adhesive tape roll and the separation material roll.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a substrate inverting device for inverting front and rear surfaces of a substrate is provided. The substrate includes a first holding unit configured to hold one surface of the substrate and a second holding unit disposed to face the first holding unit and configured to hold one surface of the substrate. Further, the substrate includes a moving mechanism configured to relatively move at least one of the first holding unit and the second holding unit to approach each other and stay spaced apart from each other, and a transfer mechanism configured to hold the one surface of the substrate. In this case, a support of the substrate in the first holding unit, the second holding unit and the transfer mechanism is performed by a Bernoulli chuck.

Abstract: A system and method for removing an outer layer of resilient material from an object to achieve a target outer dimension includes performing an initial cut at a cutting depth to remove an outer layer of the material. A parameter indicative of a work input to a cutter that performed the cut is acquired and used to determine the cutting depth that will be used for performing a subsequent cut to remove an additional layer. In this way, subsequent cuts are performed until the target outer dimension is achieved.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus or process for devolatilization of flowable materials (such as molten polymers with entrained or dissolved solvent or unreacted monomers or comonomers) using a plate heater having heating channels, the design or operation of which heating channels maintains the flowable material above its bubble point pressure during passage through a larger first zone and then induces flashing in, or downstream of, a smaller second zone of the heating channel. The apparatus enables a higher throughput per heating channel while achieving equivalent or better devolatilization, as compared to current devolatilization apparatus.

Abstract: A window shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord may be encased within a collapsible member attached to each cord guide. The collapsible member is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position. The cord is secured to and is wound about a spring-loaded roller. The roller provides tension on the cord that counterbalances the weight of the shade so that the shading material may be positioned at any desired level.

Abstract: A window covering system with selectively positionable slats and a plurality of strategically positioned pairs of cooperating magnets. At least one magnet is embedded in or otherwise attached to predetermined locations on both the frame and the slats of the window covering. By aligning the magnets in the slats with the magnets in the frame, the slats can be quickly, reliably, and uniformly set to one or more desired positions.

Abstract: In a folding shutter arrangement having three or more inherently rigid folding shutter elements (12) having element edges that bend out and element edges that do not bend out in alternation, a first folding shutter element (12A) is or can be fastened indirectly or directly to the building (1) so as to be pivotable about a first axis (12A?), which is stationary or nearly stationary with respect to a building (1), near a (first) element edge (13A) that does not bend out. A second folding shutter element (12B) is pivotably retained about a second axis (12B?), which can be moved perpendicularly to itself, near a second element edge (13B) that does not bend out, and can be moved along guides (16A, 16B) arranged perpendicular to the second element edge (13B) in pairs. Adjacent folding shutter elements (12A, 12B; 12C, 12D; . . .