Abstract: A side rail for a cargo bed of a vehicle enables the fitting or mounting of a broad range of automotive accessories to a roll top cover. The side rail comprises: an elongate body that defines a longitudinal axis; an axially extending drive channel disposed at a medial side of the body and defining an opening therein for receiving a drive chain, the drive channel having a recessed inner portion and a stepped outer portion adjacent the opening; an axially extending first support channel recessed in an upper side of the body and opening upwardly therefrom; and an axially extending second support channel recessed in the upper side of the body and opening upwardly therefrom, the second support channel disposed laterally adjacent to the first support channel.

Abstract: The present invention is a breath deflector apparatus and method of use. The apparatus comprises a breadth deflector preferably connected to a goggle frame, with the goggle frame being connected to an adjustable securement device that is adjustably connected to a preferably cold weather helmet. The breath deflector apparatus is preferably adjustable by twisting a knob mounted to the front of the helmet and is preferably adapted such that once adjusted, the breath deflector moves in synchronization or unison with the movement of a user's head within the helmet and thus prevents loss of securement and maladjustment of the breath deflector while using the breath deflector and during movement of the user's head.

Abstract: A lid arrangement for a canister for a rollup truck bed cover comprises a lid and a canister. The canister has a main housing part and opposite housing end parts. The lid spans between said housing end parts across the main housing part, and the lid is pivotally connected to at least one of the housing end parts. The pivotal lid need not be taken fully off the canister when access is needed to the main housing part, e.g. to inspect the drain(s) or wipe up water inside the canister.

Abstract: A truck bed cover includes rails attached along truck bed side tops, slats residing laterally between the rails, end caps attached to opposite ends of each slat sliding forward and rearward in the rails, and flexible joiner hinges attaching consecutive ones of the slats. A cover holder resided between truck sides against a truck cab. The cover slides into the holder for storage, and rolls into a spiral inside the holder. Each slat includes two end walls and a center wall. The center wall includes a center “C” shaped portion and vertical portions reaching up from the center “C” shaped portion to a slat top surface and down from the center “C” shaped portion to a slat bottom surface. The slat top is cambered to reduce or eliminate water pooling on the cover.

Abstract: A retractable truck bed cover having an array of parallel aluminum slats joined together by connective hinges including leading and trailing edge configuration for improving the security of the cover by covering and concealing the seam between adjacent slats while improving the connective hinge's resistance to the effects of aging and/or exposure to temperature fluctuations. The truck bed cover connective hinge slat is designed to be in an array of discrete slats, which are joined to one another by means of joiner members secured at each end to slat end caps. The distal ends of the joiner members are attached to slat end caps at the distal ends of the slats, thereby preventing the joiner members from shrinking in relationship to the slats due to aging and/or exposure to temperature fluctuations.

Abstract: The embodiment provides a tonneau cover device. The tonneau cover device includes a tonneau cover and a fixing device to engage with a lock portion to thereby hold the tonneau cover in a pulled-out-and-held state. The fixing device includes: a slider provided in a slidable manner and a hook provided in a swingable manner. When a force is exerted on an engagement protruding portion of the hook as a result of pushing in the tonneau cover toward the winding direction from the pulled-out-and-held state, and the exerted force acting on the engagement protruding portion is larger than the normally-given urging force acting on the engagement protruding portion, the hook swings such that the engagement protruding portion retracts into the case while causing the slider to be pushed in away from the sidewall, thereby being disengaged from the locking portion.

Abstract: A light-diffusing structure may include a plurality of light-diffusing cell units. Each light-diffusing cell unit is polygonal with a plurality of edges and corners respectively, and the light-diffusing cell units connect with others by the edges to form a light-diffusing panel. When the sunlight passes through the light-diffusing panel, the sunlight is diffused and converted to a uniformly balanced light source. The light-diffusing structure may further include a restricting unit to restrict the movement of the light-diffusing panel.

Abstract: A ballistic shield may include multiple ballistic plates. The first plate may be permanently connected to a second plate and drop vertically downward from the first plate. After dropping down, the second plate would overlap the first plate such that no gap exists between the two plates. A third plate may similarly drop with respect to the second plate. Side folding ballistic plates may be attached to the first and second plates to lock them in position and provide ballistic protection to the sides of the user. These side ballistic plates may overlap the first and second plates. The side plates can have another ballistic plate mounted on their unconnected ends such that another assembly of first, second and side ballistic plates identical as above may also be connected. After connecting this second assembly, the user(s) would have full 360 degree ballistic coverage.

Abstract: A two-piece track assembly may be used in an office environment for mounting accessory components, such as work surfaces, cabinets, shelves, filing units, etc., to either a permanent building wall or to the framework of a movable office wall or office partition system. The track assembly includes a base mountable to the wall or framework via a plurality of fasteners. A track mounts to the base to cover the fasteners used to mount the base. The track also includes a relatively thinly-profiled slot into which a corresponding, relatively thinly-profiled mounting flange of an accessory component is received to mount and support the accessory component upon the track assembly. Optionally, a decorative or functional tile may be mounted to a wall or partition between a pair of track assemblies spaced vertically from one another.

Abstract: There is disclosed a viewing panel unit, comprising: a first panel and a second panel; a drive mechanism for moving the first panel relative to the second panel; and an abutment member mounted so as to have a fixed spatial relationship relative to the second panel, wherein: the first panel comprises a coupling member; the drive mechanism comprises a drive member configured to engage with the coupling member such that rotation of the drive member imparts a linear motion to the first panel via the coupling member; and the drive mechanism is configured such that a first impact surface of the drive member is brought into contact with a surface of the abutment member to stop the drive member when the drive member is rotated through a maximum angle in a first sense.

Abstract: Water barrier for a passage for persons or vehicles, which water barrier is movable between a storage position in which the passage can be passed through and a water-retaining position in which water passing through the passage is prevented, wherein the water barrier includes a flexible, watertight cloth and a series of rigid segments, such as planks, wherein the segments are individually attached to the cloth and in the water-retaining position of the water barrier at least substantially connect to each other.

Abstract: A shared space divider provides privacy on surfaces. The shared space divider comprises a hub that is placed on a portion of a surface, and at least one partitioning structure coupled to a portion of the hub. The at least one partitioning structure comprises a separator configured to partition the surface into two or more sections. The separator has a ribbon structure, an accordion structure, or a fan structure. The at least one partitioning structure is configured to extend from and retract into or, alternatively, fold out from and fold into the hub. In some embodiments, the shared space divider comprises at least one container for holding items commonly found on the surface. In other embodiments, the shared space divider comprises a clip for attaching to documents. Yet, in other embodiments, images such as advertisements are displayed on at least one of the separator and the hub.

Abstract: An article of flexible furniture having a core formed from a plurality of laminar panels of a flaccid material and each panel having a pair of oppositely directed major faces, adjacent faces of said panels being inter-connected to provide a cellular structure upon movement of abutting faces away from each other, a pair of supports at opposite ends of said core and connected to respective ones of said faces, said supports being self-supporting to provide rigidity to said core whereby said supports may be moved apart to expand said cellular and extend the length of said partition.

Abstract: A privacy curtain assembly includes a main curtain portion. The main curtain portion includes a first side, a second side, and oppositely disposed leading edges located between the first and second sides. The privacy curtain assembly also includes at least one cleanable, wipable panel that is permanently affixed to one of the leading edges of the main curtain portion. The at least one panel is configured to be cleaned while permanently affixed to the main curtain portion.

Abstract: An adjustable flap, designed for the production of a covering device, includes a section (12) that is made of translucent material with length L1 and longitudinal axis A1 around which the flap (10) is articulated to rotate, and at least one slat (14) that is made of opaque material with length L2, L2 that is at most equal to L1, and longitudinal axis A2, A2 that is parallel to A1, around which the slat (14) is articulated to rotate relative to the flap.

Abstract: A method and a system for producing a window shade having a real natural material printed image coated thereon. A real natural material is scanned and the data of the image is stored in a computer which generates an image of the scanned real natural material. That image is duplicated a plurality of times by the use of the computer and the images are assembled in a predetermined arrangement to produce a composite image which is then enhanced using photo-enhancing software. The enhanced composite image is then printed by the use of a colored ink printing machine on material to form the window shade. Preferably, but not exclusively, the material is constituted by slats of a louvered blind or a fabric of a roller blind.

Abstract: A folding church truck surround having a center panel, a pair of front panels, a pair of corner panels and a pair of side panels, wherein the front panels are hingedly attached to the center panel, and wherein the side panels are hingedly attached to the pair of corner panels extending from the front panels, to allow the surround to maintain both an open and closed position through the folding and unfolding of the various panels.

Abstract: An architectural window covering having a programmable electric motor is disclosed. The architectural window covering includes a head rail comprising at least one cavity, a shade coupled to the head rail, a bottom rail coupled to the shade, and at least two tandem stacked motors coupled to the shade via a drive rail such that the at least two motors fit within the at least one cavity of the head rail.

Abstract: An adjustable flap, designed for the production of a covering device, includes a section (12) that is made of translucent material with length L1 and longitudinal axis A1 around which the flap (10) is articulated to rotate, and at least one slat (14) that is made of opaque material with length L2, L2 that is at most equal to L1, and longitudinal axis A2, A2 that is parallel to A1, around which the slat (14) is articulated to rotate relative to the flap.

Abstract: Graphic design panels of the present invention include flexible material with “life-like” images printed thereon that decorate a sectional overhead garage door with a plurality of graphic design panels. The graphic design panels are affixed to the garage door so that a complete image of an object or of scenery is provided. The image selected for displaying on a sectional overhead garage door is divided into a plurality of sections and printed accordingly onto the flexible laminar substrate panels. The flexible laminar substrate panel is a polymeric material, for example, vinyl, and is impregnated with an adhesive on at least one face of the panel. “Life like” images are produced on the graphic design substrate panel by screen printing methods and the printed surface is protected by a graphic protection film.

Abstract: A security shutter having two units. Each unit has two panels hingedly connected to one another with one panel permanently affixed to a structure near one side of an opening. When closed, the panels of each unit cover the opening, and a securing mechanism is used to secure their positions. Further, each panel includes a plurality of spaced apart slats aligned in an alternating pattern relative to the plurality of slats on the adjacent panel such that, when the shutter is not in use and one panel overlays the other against the structure, the shutter unit appears as a traditional panel without spacing between slats.

Abstract: An expandable modular screen system with a plurality of modules, each such module having at least three sides. Each of the sides is substantially equal in length and has a loop extending away from its module. Each of the loops can link to a loop on an adjacent module by receiving the other loop or being received by the other loop.

Abstract: A reinforced door for an aircraft includes a frame and a network of harnesses. The frame includes components. The network of harnesses links a majority of the components and reinforces the frame. The harnesses are laid out onto the frame and linked to one another to form a webbing.

Abstract: A curtain having integrated pockets therein for housing water sensitive items, principally photographs, in a substantially water impenetrable manner is provided. The curtain panel is constructed with an exterior surface having at least one substantially water tight pocket constructed therein that can readily be utilized to house and display the photograph in a dry environment. The panel may be composed of a cloth or may be a polymeric material. Water tight construction of the pocket is facilitated due to a bottom or lower entry slit or bottom slit-opening provided on a lower edge of the pocket along with the utilization of a fastener mechanism assembly located on the lower edge or bottom slit-opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blind of a set of parts for providing a window blind, comprising a plurality of blinds (1) each having a respective different indicia (2) and each having means (3) for supporting the blind at a surround (4) of a window (5). Suitably the support means (3) may be in the form of releasable engagement means such as hooks or hook-like elements at the head of the blind (1), for example held in a head tape. The hooks (3) are releasably engageable with hooks or hook-like elements (6) at a top rail (7) of a surround (4) of the window (5), which hooks 6 may be laterally slidably mounted in a guide for lateral sliding/folding of the blind. However, the blind may also be rollable on itself, or be of a Venetian blind-like construction, or comprised of vertical elements which are rotatable about their longitudinal axes to provide an open or closed blind.

Abstract: A cargo bed management system for dividing or extending a bed of a motor vehicle. The cargo bed management system includes a main panel having a length approximately equal to a width of the bed, and a pair of side panels hingedly connected to the main panel so that the side panels may rotate relative to the main panel from a stowed position where the side panels are directed toward the main panel to an extended position where the side panels extend outward from the main panel. At least one bumper is affixed to an end of each of the side panels that are hingedly connected to the main panel such that the bumper increases a length of the main panel when said the panels are in the stowed position. The bumpers compress to secure the main panel and the side panels to the bed.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing cellular laminate structural panels includes one or more supply stations of a flexible strip material including folding rollers for sequentially folding the strip material into cellular structures and feeding the cellular structures into a conveyor where the cellular structures are held in compression. The apparatus further includes a laminating station where the folded cellular structures are laminated to an upper and/or lower sheet material to which lines of a bonding medium have been applied prior to engagement with the cellular structures. The folded cellular structures are heated before engaging the sheet material so as to enhance the bonding of the sheet material to the cellular structures and subsequent to bonding, the laminate is passed through a cooling station to set the bonding medium.

Abstract: Composite bi-fold doors and other composite closures having improved assemblies are described, wherein the assemblies provide enhanced strength and durability of the doors and their construction while simultaneously maintaining their aesthetics. Additional improved bi-fold door and semi-solid door assemblies are also provided, which allow for the dimensional adjustment of the height of the doors by the installer as necessary, while simultaneously maintaining the structural integrity of the doors following the height adjustment.

Abstract: A fabric blind slat for a window blind includes a base fabric made from an opaque knitted fabric, two coil units respectively coupled to and extended along two opposite edges of the base fabric, and two supporting sleeves respectively enclosed inside the two coil units. The coil unit is knitted from a thread looped on a thread at the edge of the basic fabric. The supporting sleeve is a tubular member having two open ends for insertion of a rigid supporting member therein. The supporting sleeve is enclosed inside the coil unit at the time while the coil unit is formed by knitting.

Abstract: A partition system for office spaces generally includes a framework and a plurality of different types of decorative and/or functional tiles mountable to the framework. The framework includes I- and C-shaped vertical frame members which are adjustably joined by upper and lower horizontal spanners such that the distance between the vertical frame members is adjustable. Also, the framework may include other types of vertical frame members for forming L-, T-, or X-junctions within the partition system framework. A variety of decorative and functional tiles are mountable to the framework, including retractable workspace tiles, several types of storage tiles, display tiles, window tiles, and electrical and data services tiles.

Abstract: A continuous web of flexible plastic strips, for use in a flexible strip door system, the continuous web of flexible plastic strips having uninterrupted cuts, of a depth less than the thickness of the web, arranged along lines which are perpendicular to the longitudinal edges of the web. Remaining material of the web, which is located below each cut, provides sufficient strength along the length of the web to prevent severing during routine handling, but allows for manual tearing of the web along the cuts when the web is subjected to opposing forces perpendicular to upper and lower faces of the web on either side of the cut.

Abstract: A prefabricated system for outfitting a building space includes an architectural product (such as a full-height permanent building wall, a post-and-beam product with overhead frame, and a drywall-covered wall), a furniture product (such as a partial-height wall, a partition, and a desking system), and a plurality of accessories. The architectural product includes a structural member with horizontal and vertical accessory-mounting T-slots, and the furniture product includes structural trim pieces with identical vertical and horizontal accessory-mounting T-slots. The plurality of accessories are constructed to stably engage any of the accessory-mounting slots at a selected location along the slots. Some accessories can be attached to and extend between the two products, such as an accessory screen that extends between a post of a post-and-beam system and an end of a partition system.

Abstract: A method is provided for making carbon-steel blind slats and products thereof by slitting the carbon-steel sheet into pieces of desired width, trimming the edges, quenching, speedy cooling, tempering, and painting and baking. The blind product made by this method is merited in resilience, lifetime, easy maintenance, heat-resistance, fad-resistance, and is retrievable and reusable to conform to the environment protection conditions.

Abstract: At least three stacked panels are articulated by means of adjacent members so that they can pivot toward a deployed configuration. A mechanism includes an immobilizer mounted on a first member, cooperating with a second member to lock the two panels in the deployed configuration and constrained to rotate with a lug which can rotate on the first member and is abutted against a surface of a member constrained to rotate with the second member and configured so that, when the deployed configuration is reached, the lug escapes from it and brings the immobilizer into contact with the second member to bring about locking. A first finger of the mechanism, which is constrained to rotate with the lug, cooperates with a second finger of the third panel to hold it stacked until the two panels reach the deployed configuration, at which time rotation of the lug releases the second finger.

Abstract: Device for controlling a drive motor of a roller blind having stackable slats, the device identifying the type of end travel for the roller blind and operating by analyzing the variation in the drive torque. The automatic control adapts the control of the stopping of the motor to the type of end travel identified. The automatic control preferably includes a logical processing unit (3) containing a program for analyzing the variation in the torque.

Abstract: This invention comprises a parked vehicle shade device called an auto sun buffer zone, which provides a buffer zone to keep the vehicle cool when parked outdoors under the sun. The shade device covers the top, front windshield, rear window, side windows, trunk and hood (all the upper surfaces) of the vehicle. A space (buffer zone) is provided between the top of the vehicle and the shade device, which provides a zone through which air can pass, which is more effective in cooling. The shade device provides protection to occupants in a parked vehicle sitting in the sun, and to the interior and exterior of an unoccupied vehicle.

Abstract: A covering device is disclosed for substantially blocking solar rays and heat coming inwardly through an architectural opening while allowing substantial visibility outwardly through the covering and opening. The covering includes a plurality of sun blocking cells having inner perimeter walls with a depth which is effective for blocking the sun rays entering at various vertical and horizontal angles. In particular, the sides of the perimeter wall are effective for blocking sun entering at side or horizontal angles. Preferably the cells are made from thin strip material so that the covering has a total open area greater than 80% or more from a front view looking outward. Open areas as high as 95% may be achieved with the invention, while blocking substantial amounts of solar rays and heat.

Abstract: A knockdown and reassemble office partition (14) which comprises a pair of side frame members (16), a top frame member (18), a bottom frame member (20) and an intermediate frame member (22). A facility (24) is for securing in a removable manner each of the side frame members (16) vertically to one end of the top frame member (18), the bottom frame member (20) and the intermediate frame member (22) which are positioned horizontally, so as to form a rigid structural framework (26).

Abstract: A water resistant, retractable slatted rolling truck utility bed cover for jam-free and noise-free operation. A slat end block is permanently attached to each slat end, the slats being hinged in a side-by-side array forming the cover body. The blocks reduce vibration, eliminate thumping noise and improve the sliding action of the cover body by acting as an end bearing surface. The bottom surface of each slat block includes an arcuate curvature along the length thereof that, when used in conjunction with sloping passageway entrance of the guide tracks, provides a simplified non-jam closure. Each slat block includes grooves to divert water to the guide tracks away from the truck bed interior.

Abstract: A sunshade consisting of one or more panels for all type windows and particularly side and rear vehicle windows. The sunshades made of a tear resistant corrugated base material with die cuts that provide a plurality of louver apertures. Die cut notches may be provided for joining and interlocking one panel to another permitting the sunshade to be made wider or narrower. The panels may also include integral stiffening members that double as mounting support legs so that the panels stiffly traverse large areas. The aperture flaps may be individually moved to any desirable angle that prevents sun glare and blaze from penetrating the windows of a moving vehicle, but without obstructing the ambient daylight or overall vision of the occupant. When parked, the flaps may be pressed back into the die cut aperture cavities so as to provide opaque panels for full sun blockage.

Abstract: A sunshade consisting of one or more panels for all type windows and particularly side and rear vehicle windows. The sunshade is made of a tear resistant corrugated board material with die cuts that provide a plurality of louver apertures. Die cut notches may be provided for joining and interlocking one panel to the another permitting the sunshade to be made wider or narrower. The panels may also include integral stiffening members that double as mounting support legs so that the panels stiffly traverse large areas. The aperture flaps may be individually moved to any desirable angle that prevents sun glare and blaze from penetrating the windows of a moving vehicle, but without obstructing the ambient daylight or overall vision of the occupant. When parked, the flaps may be pressed back into the die cut aperture cavities so as to provide opaque panels for full sun blockage.

Abstract: Multi-sectional garage doors tend to bow downwardly in the middle because of the weight of the door. A simple solution to this problem is to provide a reinforcing device on the lowermost horizontal panel, the device including a pair of elongated bars for extending between the bottom center of the panel and the upper outer corners thereof, so that the load on the center of the door is transferred to the sides thereof to prevent sagging. The elongated bar is formed in sections interconnected end-to-end, one of the sections being a turnbuckle for adjusting the upward pull on the bottom of the door.

Abstract: An ossature comprising a truss constituted by a plurality of mutually parallel vertical elements, and a lower rail and an upper rail on which the ends of the vertical elements engage when the truss is deployed, is characterized by the fact that these vertical elements are connected together by at least one strap which is perpendicular to them when the truss is deployed.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible radiation shielding device is provided for the protection of personnel and equipment from ionizing radiation. The shield has a plurality of horizontally elongated slats of radiation shielding material, such as lead wool, hung from a plurality of horizontally spaced apart chains at spaced intervals along the length of the chains. The slats are connected to the chains near their top edges so that when they are in their raised state the slats are suspended from the chains and arranged in an overlapping manner, like shingles, and when collapsed arrange themselves neatly side by side in a stack. The device also has a container adapted to receive the shield in its collapsed state, and a hoist and mast for raising and lowering the shield into and out of the container. The container further has wheels for facilitating moving the device to the desired location, and an outrigger for providing stability to the shield when raised.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful building component comprising a first series of elongated members arranged in parallel spaced apart relationship, at least two sets of aligned openings extending transversely through the first series of members, a second series of at least two elongated members extending substantially through respective ones of the sets of openings, and means for securing the first set of members to the second set of members in said parallel spaced apart relationship.

Abstract: An external venetian blind is disclosed having a plurality of slats (10) which in the closed position overlap each other and at least two flexible lifting elements (14) extend through openings (20) in the slats (10). One edge (12) of each slat is offset along a bend line (15) to help in guiding the slats during opening and closing of the blind. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the offset edge portion (12) lies substantially parallel to the lifting elements (14) while in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 the offset edge (12) lies at an angle of up to 10.degree. with respect to the lifting elements (14). This angle is preferably 3.degree. to 6.degree. with 5.degree. being the most preferred. The lower edge (17) of the slats (10) is rolled inwardly and has secured thereto a resilient sealing strip (18) to bear against the next lower slat in the closed position to insure quietness of operation and the secure elimination of light penetration through the blind.

Abstract: A breath deflector comprised of a surface sheet having end edges and side edges divided into four areas by three folding lines connecting the side edges of the surface sheet wherein the four areas are foldably connected to each other.

Abstract: A long jump marking board that discloses the point of take-off of a long jump in athletic competition or practice comprising an array of elongate marking elements pivotally mounted to a base. The elements are closely spaced, parallel to each other, and transverse to the direction of the jump. Prior to use, the elements are situated in a first position extending substantially upward from the base. When a jump is made, using the marking board as a take-off point, an athlete's foot will contact a number of the elements and cause them to be pivoted to a second position angularly disposed to the base. The pivoted elements remain in the second position illustrating the point of foot contact and the take-off point of the jump. An accurate measurement may then be taken from the take-off point to the landing point. A reset mechanism is provided to reset all pivoted members to their original upright position.