Roll Type Patents (Class 160/133)
  • Patent number: 8662140
    Abstract: A composite pull-chain disc mechanism with brake function for a door operator comprises a torsional spring having de-twisting and twisting sides. The weight of a door curtain always acts on the de-twisting sides, so that the inner diameter of the torsional spring is induced to shrink to brake the rotation of the central shaft of the door operator. If twisting sides bears an external force, the inner diameter of the torsional spring is induced to enlarge to release braking of the central shaft. Furthermore, the composite pull-chain disc mechanism can be adapted to an electric door operator. In the case of detaching an electric motor mechanism during maintenance, the door operator can still be operated to open/close a door in a manual mode through the composite pull-chain disc mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Chung-Hsien Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20140053990
    Abstract: A slat for use in a rolling shutter is provided. The slat comprises a hooking track located at a first edge of a body and a receiving track located at a second edge of the body. Illustratively, the hooking track has a hook-shaped profile, and the receiving track comprises a lip member and a guard member defining a space adapted to receive therein an engaging track of an adjacent slat. The hooking track and the receiving track are designed to minimize the space required for the rolling shutter to be retracted around a spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Qualitas Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventor: James V. Miller
  • Publication number: 20140053991
    Abstract: A slat for use in a rolling shutter is provided. The slat comprises a engaging track located at a first edge of a body and a receiving track located at a second edge of the body. Illustratively, the engaging track has a hook-shaped profile, and the receiving track comprises a lip member and a guard member defining a space adapted to receive therein an engaging track of an adjacent slat. The engaging track and the receiving track are designed to minimize the space required for the rolling shutter to be retracted around a spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: James V. Miller, Michael Heissenberg
  • Patent number: 8659246
    Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Richard Scott Hand, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Publication number: 20140034251
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz
  • Publication number: 20140000817
    Abstract: A shutter for protecting an opening. The shutter comprising a plurality of horizontal curtain slats for covering the opening, wherein horizontal refers to a direction when viewing slats from a front surface, and wherein the curtain slats hang freely from a upper region of the opening; an upper transition slat movably affixed to a lower end of a first curtain slat; a lower transition slat movably affixed to an upper end of a second curtain slat; and a horizontal reinforcing member comprising at least an upper and a lower reinforcing slat, wherein the upper reinforcing slat is rotatably affixed to a lower end of the first transition slat and the lower reinforcing slat is rotatably affixed to an upper end of the second transition slat, and wherein the upper and lower reinforcing slats are rotatably joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher J. Hall
  • Patent number: 8616261
    Abstract: An end retention system for a rolling shutter system is provided. The end retention system comprises a fastener that has a head and a shaft, and a washer that has an outer diameter and an aperture having an inner diameter. The inner diameter of the aperture of the washer is at least twice the diameter of the shaft of the fastener. The shaft is configured for insertion into a screw boss receptacle of a shutter slat. The end retention system may also comprise a guide track that has retention fins spaced apart a distance that is less than the outer diameter of the washer. The guide may include a channel that partially bounded by the retention fins. The channel may have a width that is greater than the outer diameter of the washer. The washer is located in the channel, and is retained near the slat by the head of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Qualitas Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: James V. Miller
  • Patent number: 8607840
    Abstract: A roller shutter comprises a series of links (2), each of which has a link plate (7) which determines two main surfaces (10, 11), two opposite longitudinal edges (8, 9) and two opposite transverse edges (12, 13), as well as eccentric hinge parts (4-6) which are situated near the longitudinal edges (8, 9), in each case two links (7) being hingedly connected to one another by means of the hinge parts (4-6), which series of links (2) can be brought into a rolled-up state, in which the links (2) are rotated with respect to one another, and an unrolled state in which the links (2) determine a substantially flat plane. Closure means (18) are provided on the longitudinal edges (8, 9), by means of which the link plates (7) are closed off with respect to one another in the unrolled, flat state of the series of link plates (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Stayl GmbH
    Inventor: Allegonda Petronella Gerarda Beulen
  • Publication number: 20130306252
    Abstract: A guide member for a coiling door or curtain assembly, including a rigid, hollow elongate member having a first wall, a second wall opposing the first wall, and a third wall which is perpendicular to the first and second walls. The first, second, and third walls are arranged to form an internal cavity of the elongate member. The internal cavity has an opening running in a direction of a length of the elongate member, along a side of the elongate member opposing the third wall. A seal is positioned in the internal cavity and attached to the second wall. The first and/or second walls have a stepped portion at the opening of the internal cavity which decreases a width of the opening by decreasing a distance between the first and second walls near the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: McKeon Rolling Steel Door Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew LAMBRIDIS, Ashraf GOMAA
  • Patent number: 8584731
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a shutter slat for a rolling shutter system that has a one piece integral construction with a first end and a second end that pivotally interlock with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Rollac Shutter of Texas, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter M. Konrad, Stefan A. Poetsch, Ricardo Gomez, Crista Renouard
  • Patent number: 8579151
    Abstract: A roller shutter storage container includes a container body, a roller shutter accommodating portion, a pair of guide grooves, and a roller shutter. Each of the guide grooves extends linearly in an opening formed in the container body and is curved in the roller shutter accommodating portion. The roller shutter is configured by connecting a plurality of slats each having shafts formed at two ends of the slat with respect to the widthwise direction in a bendable manner. As the two shafts of each of the slats slide in the corresponding guide grooves, the roller shutter slides between an open position for opening the opening and a close position for closing the opening. Each one of the shafts is spaced from a vertical wall surface of the corresponding one of the guide grooves. A projection formed of soft material projects outward from each shaft of each slat in the widthwise direction and contacts the corresponding vertical wall surface in an elastically deformed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kodama, Masataka Inoue
  • Patent number: 8575872
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Yan Rodriguez, Ben L. Garcia, Victoria Baynes Mullet, Matthew Warren Kirkland
  • Patent number: 8516728
    Abstract: Provided is a flexible display apparatus that includes: a flexible display apparatus including: a flexible display panel; a housing including an opening through which the flexible display panel enters and exits the housing; a cylinder disposed within the housing to coil and uncoil the flexible display panel; and a stretcher that selectively extends from the opening to support the flexible display panel, such that the flexible display panel is substantially planar when the flexible display panel is extended outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youn Hwan Jung
  • Patent number: 8505608
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure for a slide shutter deters unauthorized entry of an intruder into a building and allows easy opening and closing of the shutter. The reinforcing structure (1) for a slide shutter has a vertically movable shutter curtain (3) formed by interconnecting slats (3a), a left and right pair of guide rails (4a, 4b) for guiding the shutter curtain (3), and a shutter case (5) into which the shutter curtain (3) is wound and contained. The reinforcing structure (1) is also provided with a shutter reinforcing base member (6) having one end rotatably mounted to the upper end of one guide rail (4a) and the other end open, a length adjusting member (7) inserted in the shutter reinforcing base member (6), and a connecting member (8a) rotatably connected to the front end of the length adjusting member (7), vertically sliding while being guided by the other guide rail (4b), and capable of being removably mounted to the shutter curtain (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Katsuya Sawada
  • Patent number: 8496768
    Abstract: A base structure and associated method for converting the base structure into an operable vane on a shade for an architectural opening. The base structure includes a back sheet and a front sheet attached together in engagement regions spaced along the length of the back sheet and front sheet. The front sheet is separated into front strip sections having a free end. Operating elements are positioned along the back sheet and situated so as to move relative thereto. The operating elements are attached adjacent to a free end of the front strip. Movement of the operating elements actuates the free end of the front strip to move from a closed position to an open position as desired by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Holt, Marcus Long, Kelly Q. Rahn, Jason T. Throne, Stephen T. Wisecup
  • Patent number: 8490670
    Abstract: An improvement in a rolling shutter assembly for covering an opening of a structure having an external protective surface, an underlying support structure and a subsurface disposed therebetween. The rolling shutter assembly includes a shutter housing, a shutter support member rotatably disposed within the shutter housing, a shutter coupled to the shutter support member, and a pair of side tracks. The improvement includes a plurality of dowels and corresponding openings through the external protective surface configured to receive the dowels. The dowels are disposed between the subsurface of the wall and the side tracks when the rolling shutter assembly is installed to minimize the portion of the external protective surface that is removed to accommodate the installation of the shutter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Qualitas Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James V. Miller
  • Publication number: 20130147223
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a roller blind and a roller blind is provided for opening and closing a tray, a storage compartment, a control panel or the like, particularly for use in motor vehicles. The roller blind includes a plurality of ribs manufactured from a hard component. A soft component joins the ribs to each other on a connecting side of the soft component. The soft component is manufactured with at least one underside opposite the connecting side that is flat along the direction of extension of the ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Britta Zoehrens, Andreas Polland, Yustinus Teguh Hendrata
  • Publication number: 20130139977
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly, an operating element handling assembly, and a vane handling assembly. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station to attach one portion of a vane to the operating elements, and another portion of the vane to the support structure, allowing movement of one portion of the vane relative to other portion of the vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: Hunter Douglas Inc.
  • Patent number: 8443909
    Abstract: A fire shutter adapted to close off an area comprises a shutter curtain movable from an up position to a closed position, wherein the shutter curtain closes off the area when in the closed position, and at least one retractable guide, movable from a retracted position to an extended position and having a camber. The shutter curtain engages the at least one retractable guide as the shutter curtain moves from the up position toward the closed position, biasing the at least one retractable guide to the retracted position, and in the closed position the shutter curtain engages the camber and allows the at least one retractable guide to move to the extended position. The shutter curtain can also comprise front slats and rear slats, and an insulation package can be deployable from a non-deployed position to a deployed position within a space between the front slats and the rear slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Gliderol Doors (S) Pte Ltd
    Inventor: Lok Yung Wong
  • Publication number: 20130105094
    Abstract: A process and system for manufacturing roller blinds is provided which includes structure for performing plural steps including a first step of helically winding slat fabric about a drum, thereby forming a slat product. A second step includes moving the slat product from the drum to a platform. A third step includes winding the slat product about a roller tube to form a roller blind. A fourth step includes moving the blind from the platform to a heat treating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS, INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Paul G. Swiszcz, David P. Hartman, Michael Robert Stanczyk
  • Publication number: 20130098565
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a unitary assembly for an architectural fenestration, providing dynamic solar heat gain control, which (1) provides a track-based frame structure/blind combination in which the blind is self-correcting should the blind material fall outside of the track; (2) provides directional shading, where the assembly provides for dynamically controlling the amount of light allowed to reach the heat storage unit; (3) provides a blind motor without limiter switches and with a quick-release slip-ring; and (4) provides a heat storage unit which is a thermally efficient, transparent and translucent structure, with which gain from sunny winter days is greater than nighttime loss, so as to provide supplemental heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventor: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
  • Publication number: 20130068401
    Abstract: A vertical blind assembly module includes a head rail unit with opposite sides and a unit axis extending between the sides, a housing and an axle pivotally connecting the housing to the head rail unit so that the housing can pivot about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the unit axis. A slat is coiled in the housing so enabling the slat to be extended from the housing a selected distance and retracted into the housing. A foot rail unit is pivotally connected to the projecting end of the slat, the pivotal connection being collinear to the pivot axis. By turning the axle relative to the head rail unit about the pivot axis when the slat is extended, the slat can be turned between a closed position wherein the slat is parallel to the unit axis and an open position wherein the slat is perpendicular to the unit axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Jason T. Birkestrand
  • Publication number: 20130048232
    Abstract: A cable lift mechanism for a multi panel, overhead garage door includes a drum having a spiral groove comprised of two adjacent sections that are generally coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the cable drum. The groove or grooves in a first section adjacent the attachment end of the cable to the drum have a lesser radius than the remaining grooves of the second section of the drum which have substantially equal radii of greater diameter than the first section radii. As a consequence, initial torque associated with lifting of a garage door is increased to lift a heavier upper or top panel or panels of a multi-panel garage door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Raynor MFG. Co.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Friesen, Surinder Sambhi
  • Publication number: 20130048231
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rolling protective shutter having an improved stopping mechanism that prevents the shutter from completely rolling up onto the shutter support member, and that is hidden within the shutter housing or the side tracks. The stopping mechanism may include a limit switch operatively connected to a drive motor to detect a disposition of the base slat of the shutter curtain proximate the shutter housing. The limit switch may actuate to turn off the drive motor at an appropriate position to retain the base slat within the side tracks and to prevent damage to the shutter housing due to engagement by the base slat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Qualitas Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James V. Miller
  • Patent number: 8371356
    Abstract: A garage door apparatus includes a frame for mounting above an opening, the frame comprising a pair of spaced transverse frame members, a shaft rotatably coupled to the transverse frame members and extending along a longitudinal axis of rotation between the transverse frame members, a pair of spaced winding frames rigidly coupled to the shaft between the spaced transverse frame members, each of the winding frames having a plurality of side edges, a driver couplable to the shaft for rotating the shaft with respect to the transverse frame members, and a plurality of door panels hingedly coupled together and linked to the winding frames, each of the door panels being of equal width and having a longitudinal panel length, the plurality of door panels including at least one inner door panel and at least one outer door panel, wherein the winding frames are spaced apart a predetermined distance that is less than the longitudinal panel length of the plurality of door panels, such that when the winding frames are rota
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Gary R. Manser
  • Patent number: 8371357
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing damage to an industrial door during an impact, the apparatus including a roller door having a plurality of lamellae, and a plurality of end pieces connectable to the lamellae. The industrial door also includes a drive system, connectable to the plurality of end pieces for raising and lowering the door. The lamellae include a plurality of openings formed therein and, arranged on at least one distal end thereof. The end pieces include a plurality of friction fit security devices for engaging the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Assa Abloy Entrance Systems AB
    Inventor: Friedhelm Frede
  • Patent number: 8365801
    Abstract: A roll type storm shutter including a plurality of elongated horizontally extending preferably corrugated shutter slats held together in an edge-to-edge arrangement. Each of the storm slats has complimentary first and second edges configured to slidably and interlockingly engage with a next adjacent slat for limited pivotal movement therebetween to facilitate rolled vertical deployment and retraction of the storm shutter. A central portion between the edges of each slat preferably has lengthwise extending corrugations for greater impact resistance to better withstand the impact of airborne flying objects produced during storms and hurricanes. Elongated solid panels may be provided each having enlarged parallel edge portions configured and spaced apart for dependent lengthwise slidable engagement between either inwardly or outwardly positioned grooves formed proximate to the edges of each of the slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen J. Motosko, Stephen Motosko, III
  • Patent number: 8368328
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides methods for manually and/or remotely controlling a motorized roller shade that includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a DC gear motor disposed within the shade tube and a microcontroller. One method includes detecting a manual movement of the shade using a sensor, determining a displacement associated with the manual movement, and, if the displacement is less than a maximum displacement, moving the shade to a different position by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube. Another method includes receiving a command from a remote control, and moving the shade to a position associated with the command by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Harry Edward Asbury, Richard Scott Hand, Yan Rodriguez, Benjamin Anthony Bruckner
  • Publication number: 20130025800
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roller shutter system for a motor vehicle body, in particular for a fire brigade vehicle, with a roller shutter armor (26) formed by slats (25) connected in an articulated manner to one another. Guide arrangements (27) extend on both sides of the roller shutter armor (26) between a floor virtually as far as a ceiling of a machine body. The roller shutter armor (26) is provided with an opening and locking device on an end slat facing the floor. The guide arrangement (27) is formed by a first guide profile (34) which is connected to the machine body and forms at least one guide track (51). A further guide profile (52) is detachably connected to the first guide profile (34). An end profile (65) which, by means of at least one elastic sealing lip (68), covers an end region of the slats (25), is arranged on the further guide profile (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: ROSENBAUER INTERNATIONAL AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Florian Kiesenhofer, Alexander Ronacher, Bernhard Stadler
  • Publication number: 20120312483
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting door comprising a movable door leaf formed by slats pivotally connected to each other and building-mounted frames. On the latter lateral guides for the door leaf having a vertical section and a lintel section, as well as frame sealing elements of a sealing means are arranged, which in the closed condition of the lifting door close a gap between the door leaf and a section of the frames facing the door opening. The vertical sections of the guides are mounted on the frames so as to be displaceable perpendicularly to the plane of the door leaf and fixed in the direction of movement of the door leaf, whereby in the closed condition of the lifting door the door leaf may be urged against the sealing means in a direction toward the outer side of the door. The invention further relates to a frame and a guide as well as a corresponding method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Jure Letonje, Andrej Mazej, Janez Küzmic
  • Publication number: 20120305202
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shutter for closing openings in motor vehicle interiors, having a decorative layer and a support arrangement; the invention also relates to a roller shutter box, to a centre console, and to a method for producing a shutter. Because the support arrangement comprises at least one one-piece support forming a plurality of roller shutter rods, additional expense for connecting the roller shutter rods is unnecessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: FAURECIA INNENRAUM SYSTEME GMBH
    Inventor: Marco Ganz
  • Publication number: 20120291966
    Abstract: The invention relates to a quick-operating door designed for opening and closing an aperture in a partition including: a support structure including in particular two vertical jambs (2) above which is a shaft driven by electromechanical means, each of the two vertical jambs (2) having an outer planar bearing surface (6) and a slideway (5), and a flexible curtain (4) designed to occupy a closed position in which the curtain (4) blocks the aperture and an open position in which the curtain (4) clears access to the aperture, the curtain (4) incorporating at least two transverse reinforcing bars (19) provided, at each of the ends thereof, with a tip in the form of a crank which engages with the guiding slideway in each jamb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: NERGECO
    Inventor: Bernard Kraeutler
  • Patent number: 8299734
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Harry Edward Asbury, Richard Scott Hand, Yan Rodriguez, Benjamin Anthony Bruckner
  • Publication number: 20120261081
    Abstract: An electronic locking apparatus for a rollup door, including a striker plate and a locking apparatus having a housing; a U-shaped trigger latch pivotably mounted to the housing having a notch and a spring; and a release catch pivotably mounted to the housing, a tab which can engage the notch and a spring. A solenoid is associated with a piston, which is connected to the release catch and can cause the release catch to pivot positions. Also included is a control assembly including a processor, user interface and memory storage device. A user can enter access information into the user interface, which causes the processor to actuate the solenoid, which moves the piston and causes the release catch to pivot. The release catch tab engages or disengages from the trigger latch tab to pivot and release or retain the striker plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Janus International Corporation
    Inventors: David Bryan Curtis, Adam David Nyman
  • Publication number: 20120255684
    Abstract: A fire or smoke protection device (12) with a flexible partition device (16) which can be put in a protection arrangement in which the partition element (16) can work to its full protective effect, and a storage arrangement, and a winding shaft (18) upon which the partition element (16) is wound up in the storage arrangement, and a mounting device (20) for fixing the fire or smoke protection device (10) on a building section (14), wherein at least one anchoring device (22) positively interacts with the winding shaft (18) if and only if the partition element (16) is in the protection arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Frank Krueger, Christian Meier, Frank Ottmers, Stefan Siller, Stefan Tappe
  • Publication number: 20120241105
    Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening in a wall, the door assembly having a flexible door panel and side columns located proximate opposite sides of the opening. The side columns each include an arm configured to engage the door panel as the door panel moves vertically, the arms being configured to move in a first direction in response to a first threshold moment being applied to the arms by the door panel wherein movement of each arm in the first direction prevents the door panel from escaping the side columns. The arms may be further configured to move in a second direction in response to a second threshold moment being applied on the arms by the door panel in a substantially vertical direction perpendicular to and away from the door panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: RYTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Christopher Gontarski
  • Patent number: 8272425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible shutter device, designed for closing a bay or other opening which cooperates with drive means which permit a displacement of the flexible shutter between an open position and a closed position. The device comprises a drum which may turn about the axis thereof and about which the flexible shutter is wound in the open position thereof, forming a roll comprising turns made up of successive layers attaching one to the other and from which the flexible shutter can be unwound and pushed into the closed position thereof. Slides mounted on a fixed support provide guidance along the bay for the unwound part of the flexible shutter. Pressure or restriction elements (33, 50, 66) avoid buckling of the lateral edges (2,3) in the supported part thereof, extending between a first end (30) of the slides (4,5), nearest the roll and the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Dynaco Europe
    Inventor: Benoit Coenraets
  • Patent number: 8251118
    Abstract: The present invention is a device that provides protection for a window from exterior fires which might ignite combustibles by radiation through the glass and/or break the glass and allow direct flame impingement, and also operates as a non-solid shutter or shade allowing privacy and shade. The shutter consists of metal or other noncombustible screen, mesh or slats spaced or pierced so that they allow some light to penetrate for shade control but protect the window glass from heat radiation and flying debris created by an external firestorm. The shutter can be raised and lowered manually, or with mechanical assistance, as by means of a chain lift or other roll-up/down mechanism for shade and privacy control, but will drop (close) automatically when released by a fusible link of the appropriate temperature setting to provide the fire protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald J. Loar
  • Publication number: 20120199296
    Abstract: A roll-up door having a smaller service door therein is provided. The smaller service door pivots about a vertical hinged edge and enables an operator to move through the roll-up door more efficiently via the smaller and more convenient service door. According to one embodiment of the invention, a self-locking assembly is provided on the free end of the service door for holding together the free end of the service door so that it moves together as a single unit when the service door is in use. A method of manufacturing a roll-up door having a service door therein is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Brunette, Barry J. Brunette
  • Patent number: 8235087
    Abstract: A drum for a roll-up closure, the closure having a door of hinged together slats, one end of the door adapted to be mounted on the drum, the door adapted to be wound on the drum as the drum is rotated. The drum has a wall defining its shape with a depression in the wall extending both inwardly and across the width of the drum. The cross-section of the wall defines an increasing spiral from one side of the depression to the other side of the depression. An extension of the wall extends from the one side of the depression towards the other side to partially close the depression. The partially closed depression is shaped to receive the one end of the door to mount the door on the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Mike Svenson
  • Publication number: 20120193040
    Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Marjorie G. Harper, Daniel M. Fogarty, David P. Hartman, Ralph G. Jelic, Kristi K. Kopecky
  • Publication number: 20120167474
    Abstract: A weight compensation system is provided for a motor driven door having a door leaf that is driven by a mechanism inside guide rails on a side of the door leaf to move the door between an opened position and a closed position. The weight compensation system includes a weight-compensation device comprising a cable unit and a spring unit arranged at least on one side of the door leaf, wherein the cable unit comprises a single cable. A cable-tension compensation device at which the single cable is deflected creates two cable strands that are secured against breakage within the cable-tension compensation device. The cable-tension compensation device is positioned locally fixed or secured to the door leaf so that two cable strands move at a distance to each other, and the exposed ends of the cable are guided together and attached to the door leaf or are positioned locally fixed, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SOMMER ANTRIEBS-UND FUNKTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Gerd Schaaf
  • Patent number: 8193742
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Skinner, Richard Langille, Philip Chermak
  • Publication number: 20120132373
    Abstract: A window covering includes a first sheet of material connected to a mounting device adjacent to the front side of the window covering. A second sheet of material may be connected to a roller attached to the mounting device so that the second sheet is windable and unwindable from the roller. A third sheet of material is connected to the mounting device or the first sheet such that the second sheet is positioned between the first and third sheets. The first side of the first sheet is connected to a first side of the third sheet at first positions and the opposite sides of the first and third sheets are connected together at second positions. The second positions may be parallel to the first positions. The second sheet extends from the roller between the first and second positions and between the first sheet and the third sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: WHOLE SPACE INDUSTRIES LTD
    Inventor: Tzong -Fu Lin
  • Publication number: 20120132376
    Abstract: The present application pertains to a system for adjusting the height of a covering, such as window or a wall covering formed of two or more covering segments that are axially aligned. The system includes a link that selectively transmits rotation between two adjacent coverage thereby allowing the two coverings to be controlled, e.g., raised or lowered, simultaneously. The link includes a clutch that allows one of the segments to be rotated with respect to the other so that the bottom end of one of the coverings can be adjusted and aligned horizontally independently of the other. Optionally, the clutch includes an internal member that provides a mechanical advantage while the one covering is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Cannaverde
  • Publication number: 20120118514
    Abstract: A device for fitting to a window or other glazing panel comprises first and second parallel rollers disposed at spaced apart positions on opposite sides of the device and an elongate substrate sheet extending between the rollers, the substrate sheet being provided at its upper end with a series of spatially separated optical elements arranged to reflect incident sunlight upwardly. The lower end of the substrate is free of elements and is preferably formed of a material which controls the amount of long wave infra-red radiation leaving the room in which the window is provided. The position of the ends of the substrate can be varied by turning the rollers to variably control the solar energy entering a building and to control the amount heat exiting the room. The device may also provide a sealed air gap across the window to act as a thermal barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Brian John Howard Hughes
  • Patent number: 8176963
    Abstract: An accordion-style storm shutter panel and system for use in covering an opening in a building structure including an outer frame assembly and a plurality of vertically mounted elongated panels foldably connected together in accordion style fashion. The panels are joined by slip fitted lateral knuckle joints and a track engaging a guide which extends from ends of the knuckle joints. A plurality of spaced apertures are formed through and extend over the substantial length of each of the panels, each of said apertures preferably having a notch-and-tab arrangement extending around a periphery thereof. A plurality of transparent, translucent or opaque locking plugs are sized and have a spaced locking tab arrangement around a periphery thereof, which matably and releasably lockingly engages within each aperture. Alternately, the plugs may be fixed in place and be light-transmitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen J. Motosko
  • Patent number: 8162028
    Abstract: A high load operation industrial roll door, including a flexible door curtain windable about a top roll positioned above a door opening and provided with a drive system. The roll door includes a bottom beam fastened to the door curtain, and a biasing spring, for resisting movement of the door upon application of a load thereon, and a positive stop preventing movement of the biasing means beyond a predetermined point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Assa Abloy Entrance Systems AB
    Inventors: Mikael Bengtsson, Hakan Larsson, Raymond Sauve, Holger Siewert, Jan Victor, Kent Palsson
  • Publication number: 20120090793
    Abstract: A roller shutter comprises a series of links (2), each of which has a link plate (7) which determines two main surfaces (10, 11), two opposite longitudinal edges (8, 9) and two opposite transverse edges (12, 13), as well as eccentric hinge parts (4-6) which are situated near the longitudinal edges (8, 9), in each case two links (7) being hingedly connected to one another by means of the hinge parts (4-6), which series of links (2) can be brought into a rolled-up state, in which the links (2) are rotated with respect to one another, and an unrolled state in which the links (2) determine a substantially flat plane. Closure means (18) are provided on the longitudinal edges (8, 9), by means of which the link plates (7) are closed off with respect to one another in the unrolled, flat state of the series of link plates (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Allegonda Petronella Gerarda Beulen
  • Publication number: 20120055637
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transparent security shutter, of the type that can be wound about a drum arranged at the top thereof, said shutter being made up of a plurality of transparent slats (3), arranged horizontally on top of one another, and each connected to the immediately higher slat by means of two profiles (4, 5) with engaged matching sections, the shutter furthermore being of the type in which the slats are inserted between the profiles (4, 5) and in which the profiles and/or the slats slide, at either end thereof, in a vertical lateral slide (6) attached to the opening (??) which delimits the window to be protected, characterized in that each one of the slats thereof is made up of a plurality of I-section modules (7, 12) assembled two-by-two in a laterally overlapping fashion, the top (20) and bottom (21) flanges of said modules being inserted by sliding between two opposing rails (22, 23), provided on the surfaces of the profiles opposite the locking surfaces thereof, respectively the top
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: PROFILMAR
    Inventors: Jean Louis Marinetti, Stephan Sciapapietra