Abstract: The invention relates to an overhead door for covering a door opening comprising a door blade (11) with a plurality of panels (17), said door blade (11) being movable between a vertical, closed position and a horizontal, opened or overhead position within a side frame (12) comprising double-sided a vertical track (13) and a horizontal track (14), connected by a connecting portion (15), respectively, and with a belt (20) or a chain associated with one side each of the said side frame (12) to lift the panels (17) from said vertical position to said horizontal position. To develop the stated overhead door in a way that the advantages of a high speed rollup door and an overhead door are combined, to offer an overhead door with a low space requirement, low maintenance requirements and a high speed closing possibility, the stated overhead door comprises driving means (27) for simultaneously driving a plurality of said panels (17).

Abstract: A retraction system for a tonneau cover system, the retraction system includes: an adjuster shaft; a bias member disposed around the adjuster shaft; a drive roller in communication with the bias member; an adjuster configured to permit rotation of the bias member to increase or decrease an amount of force or torque provided by the bias member; a line connected to the drive roller and to one or more tonneau sections of the tonneau cover system, and a clamp that extends around the adjuster.

Abstract: One example of a cowling assembly for a rotorcraft includes a stationary fairing affixed to an airframe of the rotorcraft, an articulated fairing hinged on the stationary fairing for articulation relative to the stationary fairing between a closed position, a first partially open maintenance position and a second fully open maintenance position. The articulated fairing is supported in the first maintenance position by a for example gas-charged strut and is releasably locked in the second maintenance position against the stationary fairing by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a latch blade disposed on the stationary fairing and a latch arranged on the articulated fairing, wherein a latch pin engages with a hole or recess in the latch blade when the latch blade extends through a slot in the articulated fairing.

Abstract: A door includes a panel assembly including a leading panel and a trailing panel. The leading panel is to be in substantially coplanar alignment with the trailing panel when the panel assembly is in a normal configuration. The leading panel is to be angularly displaced out of coplanar alignment with the trailing panel when the panel assembly is in a dislodged configuration. The door further includes a tension member to connect the leading panel to the trailing panel. The tension member is to resiliently urge the leading panel and the trailing panel toward each other in a horizontal direction. The tension member is to resiliently urge the panel assembly toward the normal configuration when the panel assembly is in the dislodged configuration.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly including a window frame and at least three panes disposed within the window frame in offset vertical planes. The panes are arranged for sliding movement together upwardly within the window frame or together downwardly within the window frame. One or more of the panes can be fixed. The panes have a fully open position and a fully closed position. In the closed position, respective edges of the panes overlap while in the open position, the entire panes overlap. The panes can be connected to a counterweight arrangement by a pulley arrangement, which includes a vertically movable balancing weight that is equal to the weight of the panes, or the panes can be connected together to counterbalance each other.

Abstract: A folding shutter arrangement having three or more rigid folding shutter elements having element edges that bend out and element edges that do not bend out in alternation. A first folding shutter element can be fastened to a building so as to be pivotable about a first axis near a element edge that does not bend out. A second folding shutter element is pivotably retained about a second axis near a second element edge that does not bend out. Adjacent folding shutter elements are pivotably connected to each other in pairs at the third element edges by a bend-out joint. A driving element is provided which drives at least one of the element edges in the opening or closing direction, and which forcibly pivots the folding shutter elements connected to at least one of the element edges that do not bend out.

Abstract: An improved roll-up door assembly (10) is configured to be coupled to a storage container, such as a truck trailer (11), and broadly comprises: a roll-up door including a plurality of door panels (12A-12G), of which adjacent panels are hingedly coupled to one another; a hinge (29) having an first hinge plate (30) coupled directly to a bottom panel (12A) of the door, having a second hinge plate (31), and having a hinge joint (32) pivotally coupling the first and second hinge plates to one another for enabling relative movement therebetween; a bottom roller (33) coupled to the second hinge plate for movement therewith about the joint; a counterbalance mechanism mounted on the storage container; a cable (22) connecting the counterbalance mechanism to the bottom door panel; and a snubber (26) surrounding the cable and adapted to engage the counterbalance mechanism when the bottom door panel is moved toward the counterbalance mechanism.

Abstract: A movable assembly having a counterbalance gear tensioner includes a covering, a rotatable storage roll with a hollow interior that carries the covering, and a counterbalance assembly that is received in the hollow interior to assist in movement of the covering. A gear tensioner is also received in the hollow interior, rotates with the rotatable storage roll, and is coupled to the counterbalance assembly to adjust a tension force of the counterbalance assembly.

Abstract: A sectional garage door has a roller track and a plurality of sections pivotally coupled together for movement along the roller track to and between open and closed positions relative to a door opening. A first one of the sections is heavier than other sections. The sectional garage also includes a counterbalance mechanism coupled to the sections to assist an operator in moving the sections along the roller tracks to and between the open and closed positions. The sectional garage door also has a weight assist mechanism coupled to the door and engaged with at least one of the sections to assist at least one of the sections to assist in the movement of the first one of the sections during movement along at least a portion of the roller track due to the weight of the first section relative to the other sections.

Abstract: A sectional door for controlling the access opening to a compartment, includes a fixed portion including two pairs of vertical guides extending in a direction substantially parallel to a respective shoulder of the opening; and a movable portion including a leaf having a lower panel and an upper surrounding panel, extending over the entire width of the leaf and having its lateral sides in sliding engagement along a respective side guide, a pair of side support arms each having one end thereof articulated in correspondence to the top of a respective pair of vertical guides and the other end thereof pivoted in correspondence to an intermediate zone of a respective lateral side of the upper panel, and articulated and slidable connection elements between the lower panel and the upper panel, whereby the lower and upper panels are movable between a closed, and an open position.

Abstract: A pulley assembly for an overhead counter weight door features a base plate and a support arrangement carried on and spaced from the base plate so that the base and support arrangements face toward one another. A shaft is carried on the base plate and the support arrangement to extend therebetween with a pulley supported on the shaft between the base plate and the support arrangement for rotation about an axis defined by the shaft. A plurality of wall sections extends between the base plate and the support arrangement to establish connection therebetween radially outward from the shaft beyond an outer periphery of the pulley on more than two sides thereof.

Abstract: A two-sided fire door system includes a horizontal head track having a first end and a second end; a first door including a plurality of interconnected panels suspended vertically from the head track by trolleys arranged for horizontal movement between the first end and a point remote from the first end; a second door including a plurality of interconnected panels suspended vertically from the head track by trolleys arranged for horizontal movement between the second end and a point remote from the second end; and an endless chain in an elongate loop having a first end looped around a drive sprocket and parallel first and second runs fixed to respective first and second lead trolleys. A drive motor rotates the drive sprocket in opposite rotational directions to open and close the doors, the motor being blocked against rotation when the motor is not operating. A suspended weight closes the doors automatically by means of a cable attached to one of the lead trolleys when the blocking is released.

Abstract: A counterbalance system for a rollup door system having a drum in which the counterbalance provides a counter force acting at a distance from the center of rotation of the drum. The counter force is variable in both direction and magnitude at various angular positions of the drum.

Abstract: The present invention provides for apparatus and methods for operating a garage door. An embodiment of an operating assembly for a door includes a shaft, a graduated drum, and an energy storing member. The shaft is coupled to the door such that the shaft rotates in a first direction as the door is opened and rotates in a second direction as the door is closed. The coupling of the shaft to the door is typically accomplished by a cable. The graduated drum is coupled to the shaft and the energy storing member is coupled to the graduated drum by another cable. The energy storing member is arranged such that the energy storing member stores energy as the door is closed and releases stored energy as the door is opened to assist in the raising and lowering of the door.

Abstract: An overhead door assembly configured to be coupled to a rear end of a storage container, such as a truck trailer, includes a guide track system and a door assembly. The guide track system is coupled to one of the sidewalls of the storage container and includes a first guide track and a second guide track. The door assembly includes a door and plurality of rollers coupled to the door and extending outwardly from a lateral edge of the door. Each of the plurality of rollers is configured to be received within one of the first and second guide tracks.

Abstract: An auto-reversible folding sliding door is constructed to include a horizontal top track, a vertical post fixedly provided at one end of the track, a hollow cylindrical casing movable, a folding collapsible door panel coupled to the track and movable along the track between an extended position and a received position, the folding collapsible door panel having a fixed end fastened to the post and a free end fixedly fastened to the casing, a plurality of cord members transversely fastened to the hinged vertical slats of the folding collapsible door panel at different elevations to guide the folding collapsible door panel between the extended position and the received position, the cord members each having a first end fixed to one vertical side of the folding collapsible door panel adjacent to the post and a second end inserted through each vertical slat into the inside of the casing and extended over a pulley inside the casing and then fixedly connected to a weight.

Abstract: A counter weight door has a plurality of counter weights each associated with a respective one of the panels and an interconnecting spring connecting each of the weights to the next. At least one of the counter weights has a cradle which is arranged to receive a plurality of weighted members. The spring arrangement connecting one counter to the next is housed within the cradle and includes a shaft on which the spring is mounted. The door has a pulley system which has a first pulley on one side of the door, a second double pulley on the other side of the door, a first cable fixed at a first end to the door extending through the first pulley and a second cable fixed at a first end to the door extending through the second pulley to the counter weight system.

Abstract: A counteraction system for a sectional door includes a counterweight system that helps counterbalance the weight of the door and helps hold the door in place when the door is fully open. The counterweight system comprises a suspended string of individual deadweights. As the door opens, the weights sequentially lower onto the floor, in a stacked arrangement, one atop the other. Thus, the hanging weight of the counterweight system decreases as the door opens. To avoid having the counterweight system slam the door open against a hard stop, the counteraction system also includes a brake system that helps bring the door to a smooth stop at the door's fully open position. In some embodiments, the brake system includes a cable that traverses the direction that the door travels. As the door approaches its open position, a protrusion on the door catches the cable, which deflects to decelerate the door.

Abstract: An improved counter weight door comprises a guide means arranged to be located on respective sides of an opening on a building, a door which is arranged to be supported on respective side thereon by the guide means, the door has a plurality of panels each connected to the next one of the panels for common movement vertically in the guide means, a counter weight system coupled to the door for providing counter weight for the weight of the door, the counter weight system has a plurality of counter weights each associated with a respective one of the panels and an interconnecting means connecting each of the weights to the next. The counter weight system has a weight adjustment arrangement on at least one of the counter weights and the counter weights have a support means which is arranged to receive a plurality of weighted members. The interconnecting means provides a spring arrangement connecting one counter to the next.

Abstract: An overhead door including a door panel vertically movable between a lowered position when the door is closed and a raised position when the door is open, and a motor drivingly connected to a lower end of the door panel to selectively drive the lower end of the door panel downwardly. The motor is drivingly connected to the lower end of the door panel to drive the door panel downwardly in response to actuation of the motor. Preferably, the connection includes a flexible drive element (e.g., an endless belt) driven by the motor and connected to the lower end of the door panel. A pivot member releasably connects the door panel to the guide member, and is pivotable relative to at least one of the door panel or the guide member in response to a force on the door panel. The pivot member includes a first pivot segment pivotally connected to the door panel and a second pivot segment pivotally connected to the guide member, the first and second pivot segments releasably engaging each other.

Abstract: A door counterweight assembly for positioning on a door shaft is disclosed. A pair of spaced disks are mounted on the door shaft and a tape drive member extends between the disks parallel to the door shaft. A continuous flexible tape has a portion surrounding the shaft. The flexible tape is positioned between the shaft and the drive member. The tape includes another portion which supports a counterweight. Rotation of the shaft folds the tape in a generally circular configuration to increase the counterweight torque applied to the shaft.

Abstract: A closure apparatus for closing an opening in a partition with a frame disposed around the opening includes a drum member rotatably mounted to the partition at the top end of the opening. It also includes a curtain member secured to the drum member. The curtain member winds around the drum member to move out of the opening in the partition; and it extends from the drum member to close the opening. A counterweight connected to the drum member offsets the weight of the curtain member; and a reducing weight reduces the weight of the counterweight to allow the curtain member to drop from a raised position. An activating assembly engages the reducing weight with the counterweight and allows the curtain member to unwind from the drum member and close the opening.

Abstract: A base end of the foldably stretchable accordion screen 10 is fixed to an inner portion of the receptacle box frame 13 which constitutes one of the side frame members of a screen support frame structure, and the movable frame is attached to the fore end of the screen slidably along the screen support frame for opening and closing the screen toward and away from the receptacle frame. Fixed to the movable frame 18 are the ends of a plural number of tension cords 20a to 20d which are folded around turn-guide members 21b to 21d and 22 on the side frame member. A pendant weight 24 is attached to the other ends of the tension cords which are hung down in the side frame member, thereby to apply to the movable frame a biasing force in the screen opening direction. The pendant weight 24 is associated width a resistant mechanism 26 which serves to buffer the descending motion of the pendant weight as it reaches its lower stop position.

Abstract: A balancing apparatus for a raisable-curtain goods-handling door includes a shaft on which a curtain is wound up or on which curtain-raising straps are wound up. The shaft supports two drums onto which are wound belts from which two counterweights are suspended. The "long" belt from which a "long" counterweight of "long" mass M.sub.6 is suspended has a length that corresponds to the full stroke of the curtain while the "short" belt of the "short" other counterweight of "short" mass M.sub.5 is shorter and is fastened on the corresponding drum in such a manner as to enable it to wind in either direction on the drum.

Abstract: An overhead door system employs counterweights which operate through cables connected to a drum which tapers from one end to the other so that the effective force acting on the door in the opening direction is reduced as the proportion of the weight of the door to be supported reduces. The system is adjustable readily to accommodate different types of doors having different opening characteristics in terms of the proportion of the doors weight that must be counterbalanced at different stages of the door opening movement. The drum has a pair of continuous grooves extending side-by-side throughout its length, the counterweight being independently supported by each of a pair of cables laid in these grooves.

Abstract: An industrial roll-up door, having a releasable beam and a tension bracket retention mechanism. The door includes a flexible door panel, which is wound in coiled form on a drum, and an elongated beam is attached to the lower end of the door panel. The ends of the beam are releasably connected to brackets that can be movable in vertical guide tracks mounted along the sides of the doorway. A biasing mechanism attached to each bracket exerts a downward tensioning force on the door panel when in the closed position. A pair of belts each having the same thickness as the door panel are wound on the drum adjacent the side edges of the door panel, and the free end of each belt is connected to the respective bracket.

Abstract: The invention provides a roll-up door for operation with a pre-tensioned balancer and having fastening apparatus comprising a cable with fasteners, one on each end, and which is coupled to the door at first and second positions spaced substantially equally from respective sides of the door. The balancer has a clip located centrally with respect to the first and second positions so that as the cable is positioned on the balancer during initial installation, the cable can adjust in the clip so that the lengths of the cable from the balancer to the door are equalized. The cable is wound onto the balancer as the door is opened. This winding creates sufficient friction between the cables and the balancer to lock the cables to the balancer so that the cables effectively retain their equal lengths during use.

Abstract: An overhead door system employs counterweights which operate through cables connected to a drum which tapers from one end to the other so that the effective force acting on the door in the opening direction is reduced as the proportion of the weight of the door to be supported reduces. The system is adjustable readily to accommodate different types of doors having different opening characteristics in terms of the proportion of the doors weight that must be counterbalanced at different stages of the door opening movement.

Abstract: A biological safety cabinet vertical lift assist system employing one or more pneumatic springs operatively connected to the cabinet and sliding window to counterbalance the window's weight to provide a substantially constant brake force spring resulting in smoother and easier operation of the window.

Abstract: The invention relates to a partition wall movable in an opening and consisting of double-walled panels coupled pivotally to each other at the standing edges, alternate panels being formed with a guide member attached fixedly to the panel and displaceable along a rail extending above the panels. An extension device in the form of a pin-like body which is slidable in an upper rail and which is continuously loaded by a force directed towards one of the standing hinged edges is provided. The partition wall is distinguished in that on the hinge edges two or more hinge assemblies are arranged, each provided with at least three parallel hinge pins and in each case with a pair of wings associated with each hinge portion. The partition wall further includes a panel wall whereby between the walls of each panel spacer elements are arranged.

Abstract: A counterweight system for an overhead door or like installation includes an elongate flexible belt having a series of pockets to receive weights, the belt being suspended at the side of the door from a cable that passes over a pulley and is attached to the lower end of the door, the lower end of the belt being connected to the door frame about halfway in the height of the door such that when the door moves in the opening direction the weights are successively suspended from the fixed attachment point so that the opening force applied to the door accurately counterbalances the effective weight of the door at all points in the opening movement.

Abstract: A device having a shutter windable around a spindle and especially adapted to close a bay or other opening by the unwinding of the shutter, the same having flexible side edges which project beyond the shutter plane and which are retained with reduced friction in substantially continuous guideways during the unwinding and winding up of the shutter, that shutter edges may disengage from their guideways when subjected to a predetermined pull transversely to guideway. Each guideway has near and upstream of the shutter spindle an access passage through which the projecting edge of any shutter which has disengaged from the guideway can re-engage, as the shutter winds around its spindle, in that part of the particular guideway concerned which is disposed beyond the passage.

Abstract: An articulating door is fixed to a torque tube through a plurality of structural tube elements and gussets. The torque tube is rotatably fixed to the building. A sprocket, which is engaged to the torque tube, is driven by an electric motor and gear reduction drive, and a chain reduction drive. An arm assembly and counterbalance element counterbalance the door as it moves between its open and closed positions. In its open position, the door remains folded exteriorly of the building.

Abstract: A door assembly suitable for relatively large openings such as greenhouse ends which comprises upper and lower door panels hinged together at the middle of the door with the upper panel hinged to the upper door frame. The door is counter-weighted and can readily be raised and lowered, even under windy conditions.

Abstract: A counterbalancing mechanism for an articulated rolling door mounted for movement horizontally away from the doorway when the door is opened, with the weight of the vertical portion of the door producing variable forces urging the door towards its closed position as the door is moved between its open and closed positions. A drum is connected to the door and mounted for rotation in response to movement of the door between its open and closed positions, the drum having a spiral groove formed in the outer surface for guiding a cable along the drum when the drum is rotated. A cable is connected to the drum and adapted to wrap around the drum in the spiral groove in response to rotation of the drum in one direction, and to unwrap from the drum in response to rotation in the opposite direction. A weight is suspended from the cable for applying a torque to the drum, and thus applying a force to the door, urging the door toward its open position.

Abstract: An overhead door for the vertical opening of a truck trailer comprises a plurality of panels connected together by hinges, which extend the width of the panels and are confined within the panel. The panels, which are preferably formed of plastic, are counterbalanced by a spring, which is movable with the panels. The spring is wound by gears, which are connected thereto, cooperating with racks on the horizontal portions of the tracks on which the panels are movably supported. The bottom panel is locked to the trailer body by a locking mechanism, which is carried by the lowermost panel and cooperates with locking pins on the mounting angles on which the vertical portions of the tracks are supported.