Abstract: A hood assembly for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a top panel comprising a first panel portion and a second panel portion adjustably coupled to one another, wherein the top panel is configured to rotatably couple to a housing of the HVAC unit. The hood assembly further includes a filter frame rotatably coupled to the top panel, wherein the filter frame is configured to support at least one filter. The hood assembly is adjustable between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration, the first panel portion and the second panel portion are configured to translate relative to one another during transition of the hood assembly between the collapsed configuration and the deployed configuration, and the top panel is configured to contain the filter frame within the housing in the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A ratcheted “Pipe and Strap Operating Drive System” (PSODS) is disclosed which efficiently and accurately positions a blocker, or door mechanism, over an opening which is of similar profile and dimensions as the door mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, PSODS is used to vary the position of a poultry house ventilation blocker or door mechanism from a tightly-closed position against the opening, or when required, within a certain range of door mechanism open positions, as dictated by weather conditions or internal air quality. At least two ratcheted reels are co-axially connected to the exterior of a tubular “pipe drive.” Each reel is connected, at its core, to the first end of a strap, with the second end of the strap being connected to the door mechanism. Upon axial rotation of the pipe drive in either direction, the reels simultaneously rotate, straps move correspondingly so as to position the entire door mechanism within a desired range relative to the opening.

Abstract: A “Pipe and Strap Operating Drive System” (PSODS) is disclosed which efficiently and accurately positions a blocker, or door mechanism, over an opening that is of exact or similar profile and dimensions as the door mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, PSODS is used to vary the position of a poultry house ventilation blocker or door mechanism from a tightly-closed position against the opening, or when required, within a certain range of door mechanism open positions, as dictated by weather conditions or internal air quality. Essentially, the inventive concept featuring PSODS utilizes at least one strap, wherein a first end of each strap is wound about a length of pipe, termed a “pipe drive.” The second end of the strap is attached proximate an upper edge of the door mechanism. As the pipe drive is rotated, the attached strap(s) control movement of the door mechanism toward a closed or open position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a door system for a temporary, movable structure having a plurality of spaced apart frame members and a membrane stretched between adjacent frame members. The door system has multiple modules movable between open and closed positions. Each module has its own membrane, separate from the membranes of the structure, which is stretched taught over the surface of the module. In the open position, the modules do not obstruct the opening in the structure, and the membranes of the modules and the structure do not go slack. The membranes of both the structure and the modules are always under tension, thus being less susceptible to damage.

Abstract: A privacy accessory includes a base having a body portion; a retention portion defining a retention edge for releasably securing the base to a work surface; a plurality of frame members secured to the base, each frame member having a first side portion pivotably secured to the base and a second side portion pivotably secured to the base, each of the plurality of frame members telescopically received with an adjacent one of the plurality of frame members in a series that graduate from a smallest one to a largest one, the frame members being sequentially deployable to a first, expanded state by pulling on the largest one and sequentially folded to a second, collapsed state by pushing on the largest one of the plurality of frame members.

Abstract: A spherical hauling device for moving foliage and waste. The device includes an operably expandable and collapsible frame generally spherical in shape when in an expanded position, and nearly flat when collapsed. The frame includes a pair of directly opposing hubs having coaxial hub axes of rotation, and a plurality of ribs exiting each hub radially and arching towards the opposing hub. Each hub has at least one track within which the ribs rotate between the expanded and collapsed positions. The device further includes an outer shell spanning the frame for containing the foliage and waste when the device is expanded. The outer shell can include a plurality of panels operably coupled to and extending between adjacent ribs. A yoke is operably coupled to each hub and includes at least one of a shaft and a retractible cord for rolling the device over variable terrain.

Abstract: The pivotally collapsible greenhouse is a portable greenhouse that comprising a collapsible frame and a cover. The collapsible frame comprises five nested struts that are nested that pivot around a center shaft. Once expanded, the collapsible frame is covered in a transparent material.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening including a support tube and a panel operably connected to the support tube and configured to be wound around the support tube. The panel includes a support sheet and at least one vane or slat connected to the support sheet. The at least one vane includes a vane material operably connected to a first side of the support sheet and a support member operably connected to the vane material and configured to support the vane material at a distance away from the support sheet when the panel is in an extended position with respect to the support tube.

Abstract: A retractable rigid window awning includes a number of U-shaped panels pivotally attached to a building on the sides of a window. In the retracted position, the panels are disposed above the window, in tiers. Each panel has a pair of actuators that enable its extension and retraction. Each actuator is attached to the panel at one end and to a movable nut at the other end via articulated joints. The nuts are installed on a driving screw attached to the building. The awning is extended by rotating the screw, which causes the nuts to travel along the screw. The actuators push their respective panels out and tilt them down. Depending on the length of actuators, panels travel different distances from the building creating a continuous shade over the window. The awning is retracted by rotating the screw in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A folding, retractable dome for protecting a feature, such as a docking mechanism, a hatch or other equipment at an exterior surface of a space vehicle, includes a plurality of arcuate ribs, each having opposite ends respectively pinioned at opposite sides of the feature at the surface of the vehicle for rotational movement about an axis of rotation extending through the opposite ends and through an arcuate path of revolution extending over the feature, and a flexible cover attached to each of the ribs such that, in a deployed configuration of the dome, in which adjacent ribs are rotated apart from each other at a maximum relative angle therebetween, the cover is stretched generally tangentially between the adjacent ribs to form a generally arcuate shield over the feature, and in a retracted position of the dome, in which adjacent ribs are rotated together at a minimum relative angle therebetween, the cover is collapsed to define folded pleats between the adjacent ribs.

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: A storage enclosure with cascading and nested lid segments and a base, each lid segment including closing ridges for holding the lid segments in a shingled manner, when the enclosure is closed, thereby making the enclosure resistant to environmental debris, precipitation, and unauthorized access to the enclosure's stored contents. The enclosure may be collapsed to the size of the base and the outer lid segment. The enclosure may be secured to prevent pilferage. A bottom lid segment may include a protruding lip extending over a portion of the base. The base mates with the protruding lip. Lifting the protruding lip lifts the lid segments. Alternatively, the lid segments could have opening ridges that cooperate to lift the lid segments as the enclosure is opened. Supports located on the inside of the enclosure are displaceable from a position generally entirely within the outer lid segment to a position within both the outer lid segment and the base.

Abstract: A pressure vessel closing system for conducting industrial processes has a pressure vessel with an underside door opening having a major and a minor axis, a cover that is proportionally larger than the door opening, and an external door operating mechanism. The door operating mechanism has door manipulation capabilities for inward movement, rotation, lateral movement, tilting movement, and outward movement of the cover into and out of the pressure vessel through the door opening, for internally closing the door against the inner face of the door opening; the door being then self sealing from the pressure applied within the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A collapsible cover apparatus for mounting to a wheel chair to protect the occupant of the wheel chair from the weather. The collapsible cover apparatus includes a pair of frame support bars. Each of the frame support bars is elongate and each of the frame support bars is releasably couplable to a wheel chair. A plurality of brackets are slidably mounted in the frame support bars. A plurality of covering support bars support the covering. Each of the covering support bars generally has a U-shape which includes a base portion, a first leg portion and a second leg portion. Each of the leg portions has a free end that is fixedly coupled to one of the brackets. A fastener fastens the cover member to the frame. The fastener is fixedly coupled to an inside surface of the panels and fixedly coupled to each of the covering support bars.

Abstract: The improved ruffling tape includes a heat fusible, flexible, resilient, elongated strip of thermoplastic or the like, to one side of which is a pull string loosely secured thereto, as by spaced stitches along the length of the strip, which stitches run over the string and into the strip. The strip can include the heat fusible material, if desired, only on the side opposite that bearing the string. The string has one end thereof anchored thereto, as by a knot which does not pass through the stitches. The The string may have a slip covering of silicone or the like. In accordance with the method, the strip is heat fused to one side of a fabric, with the string and stitches exposed. The fabric is then ruffled by pulling the free end of the string, with or without simultaneously pushing said fabric toward the tied end of the string. When the desired ruffling is obtained, the free end of the string is tied off against the adjacent end of the tape to hold the ruffling in place.

Abstract: A device which can be fitted on the chair of a chairlift cable transport system used in tourist resorts and which provides passengers with a protection against cold and adverse weather conditions. Properly shaped plate elements are so arranged that in a deployed position they form a continuous protecting shield extending from above the seat to downward and frontward of the seat and that when in an upward folded position they are superposed so that the device has a very reduced area subject to wind action on empty chairs thus permitting the keeping of all chairs permanently on the cable without jeopardizing the whole line during adverse weather conditions. Springs bias the safe-guard rail towards the folded position. The device adds little weight, is easy to operate by the passengers and does not affect the usual embarcation or disembarcation procedures.

Abstract: This folding hood for protecting the passengers of chair-lifts against weather conditions comprises a plurality of bows pivoted to one another, with the rearmost box pivoted to the chair, the front portion of the hood being transparent and the rear portion thereof being provided with a backlight, the hood when unfolded converting the chair into a substantially closed compartment leaving only a front, lower aperture for the passage of the passengers' legs, the arrangement being such that the conventional guard-rail equipping the chair cannot be raised unless the hood is opened.