Abstract: A folding partition having two rows of spaced, pivotally associated rigid panels supported by a trackway or the like with a control mechanism providing movement of the panels from a flat aligned condition when the partition is in closed position to an open position in which the panels are oriented in opposed surface-to-surface stacked relation generally in perpendicular relation to the position of the panels when in closed position. More specifically, a control mechanism interconnects the panels and biases the panels toward both a closed and open position for assisting in the opening and closing movement of the flat folding partition and holds the panels in both a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A suspension system for a heavy duty industrial door has a double guide track system which provides smoother operation and resistance to jamming due to the effects of wind or negative air pressure. Respective guide tracks can be disposed at 90.degree. angles, and a similarly designed support carriage having a pair of traveling support devices disposed at right angles engage each of the guide tracks for supporting associated sections of a flexible door. The suspension system according to the invention is particularly adapted for use with folding industrial doors which comprise a series of overlapping flexible plastic strips which depend from hinged rack sections.

Abstract: A foldable closure assembly which includes a number of panels vertically hinged together supported from rollers in a top support track, is provided with a full height folding access door. Two vertical posts provide center posts for the access door, each post vertically hinged to an adjacent access door panel which has no top support roller; a guiding device retains the two posts in a closed adjacent position, allowing the two posts to separate when they are pushed from inside the assembly, and a latch joins the two posts together.

Abstract: In order to reduce heat transfer from one side of a folding fire door lead post assembly to the other side, the lead post assembly includes a central lead post which forms the leading edge of the assembly. In one embodiment of the invention, wing panels extend from the sides of the central lead post and the receiving recess for the door when in closed condition is adapted to receive the central lead post and adjacent portions of the wing panels so that no portion of the central lead post is open to a room on either side of the door when the door is in closed condition. Heat transfer is from one wing panel to the central lead post to the other wing panel rather than directly from the fire to the central lead post. In a second embodiment of the invention, lead post side extensions are secured to the central lead post with heat insulating material therebetween.

Abstract: A closure device comprising at least one set of panels movable between an extended and retracted position to selectively secure a portal such as a door or window when the panels are in the extended position, the set of panels comprises at least two panel members hingedly attached to each other to permit selective extension and retraction of the set of panels on an upper and lower track, each panel member comprising a pair of elongated panel elements held in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to each by an upper and lower plate coupled to opposite ends thereof, an upper and lower attachment device is coupled to the mid-portion of upper and lower plate respectively to operatively mount the set of panels between the upper and lower track and a lock device movable between a first and second position disposed to engage the panels when in the first position to secure the panels in the extended position to prevent entry through the portal and to disengage the panels when in the second position to permit

Abstract: A sliding door that has at least one sliding panel fixable in a locked position, and a folding panel connected by hinges to the sliding panel or to the outermost of several sliding panels. Each sliding panel is supported on a floor track by rolling supports and is guided in a ceiling track by lateral guiding rollers. In this ceiling track is provided at least one downwardly projecting abutment section disposed above the upper end plane of a lateral guiding roller or the mounting for this roller projecting beyond same. This mounting can have a ball-shaped head or a freely rotatably supported ball.

Abstract: A dual wall partition comprising, in combination, first and second generally planar panels, and hinge apparatus supporting the panels in generally parallel, generally opposed relationship, the hinge apparatus extending between the panels for permitting a range of movement of the panels relative to each other to vary the spacing therebetween from a maximum determined by the hinge apparatus to selected spacings which are less than the maximum and so that the panels remain substantially parallel throughout the range of movement.

Abstract: A container assembly has two door sections of a folding door which are coupled together by means of hinges provided at upper and lower positions on the rear surfaces of the mutually adjacent inner vertical edge portions of the doors so that the doors can be folded, by pivotal motion, with the thus hinge-coupled inner-edge portions thereof protruding outwardly from the body, thus exposing the front opening of the body. Upper and lower movement enabling means mounted to each door section are movable on upper and lower rails of the body opening closed by the folding door.

Abstract: A wardrobe or other container has a body and at least one pair of doors arranged to move outwardly away from an access opening to the container. This motion is permitted by mounting means which include support rollers to carry the weight of the doors and guide rollers rotatable about vertical axes and engaged in channels mounted adjacent the upper and lower edges of the container.

Abstract: Electromechanically actuated bifolding closure apparatus including a vertical support post; a pair of generally C-shaped frame members disposed in facing relationship and pivotally joined together at their distal extremities such that in a closed disposition the two C-shaped members lie in a single plane and form a rectangularly configured super-structure, and in an opened disposition lie in different, spaced apart parallel planes rotated either 90 degrees relative to or parallel to the closed plane; hinge apparatus pivotally connecting one of said C-shaped units to the vertical post; a motive power source carried by one of the C-shaped members at a position proximate the support post; a gear drive mechanism associated with the hinging apparatus at the post and at the pivotal connection of at least one set of the distal ends of the C-shaped members; and a mechanical drive linkage coupling the motive power source to each of the gear mechanisms, such that when the motor caused the associated drive linkage to be

Abstract: A folding closure assembly has fewer components than existing designs and provides hinges which do not have to extend for the full height of the assembly and thus require less opening and closing force.

Abstract: A folding gate comprises two rectangular segments connected for articulation by hinges, said first segment being supported directly by a gate wing bearing. Said second segment includes a panel and a carrier structure to support the weight of the panel, said carrier structure comprises a pivot arm which is disposed at the upper edge of the second segment and from which the panel is suspended, wherein the pivot arm is connected by its one end to a carrier structure of the first segment in articulated fashion such that the pivot arm is movable not only about a vertical axis but to a limited extent also about a horizontal axis with respect to the first segment, and wherein the other end of the pivot arm is guided horizontally and supported vertically at a glide track arrangement by means of a guide roller. By this structure any impact hitting the panel of the second segment practically is not transmitted to the first segment.

Abstract: A power actuated folding door having two panels hinged to each other, one panel being hinged to a door jamb. The panels are movable by a linearly movable element, acting on the outermost door panel from the door jamb, from a closed position at which the panels are generally coplanar to an open position at which they are folded back upon each other.

Abstract: Multi-sections vertically acting doors of the prior art comprise a plurality of horizontally longitudinally extending sections that are pivotably connected and including rollable engagement with longitudinally separated trackways. Such prior art doors are herein shown to be installed into vertical trackway lengths by a novel hoisting method that permits the installer to remain standing at ground level as all door sections are being sequentially pivotably connected and rollably engaged into the trackways; this novel hoisting method differs from the prior art ladder-method in that the installer is spared having to tediously and repetitively position, climb, descend, and re-position a ladder.

Abstract: A folding closure assembly for closing an opening. The assembly includes a track installed along the top of the opening, and a folding closure unit made up of a plurality of folding closure sections. Each closure section comprises a plurality of closure panels pivotably connected together. Each section is separately mounted on the track to be movably suspended therefrom. Means are provided on each side edge of the sections for joining the mounted sections together to form the folding closure unit.The invention also covers the method of installing the folding closure assembly.

Abstract: The power operated bi-fold strip curtain door assembly is well-suited for doorways and openings to conserve energy and has applications, as an example, in the car wash industry and in industrial plants. A pair of strip curtain supporting inboard and outboard sections are hinged together at next adjacent side edges in side-by-side relation. The inboard section of each pair is suspended from an overhead track by a carriage guidingly engaged with the track. A fluid power actuator is provided for each pair of sections and, when energized, operates to fold and extend the door sections to respectively open and close the door assembly. One of the door sections of each pair has a side edge strip curtain upper horizontal hem portion reinforced such that its vertical border portion extends laterally in the plane of the strip door section a predetermined distance therebeyond.

Abstract: The power operated bi-fold strip curtain door assembly is well-suited for doorways and openings to conserve energy and has applications, as an example, in the car wash industry and in industrial plants. Strip curtain supporting inboard and outboard sections are hinged together at next adjacent side edges in side-by-side relation. The inboard section is suspended from an overhead track by a carriage guidingly engaged with the track. A fluid power actuator, when energized, operates to fold and extend the door sections to respectively open and close the strip curtain door. One of the door sections has a side edge strip curtain upper horizontal hem portion reinforced such that its vertical border portion extends laterally in the plane of the strip door section a predetermined distance therebeyond. With the bi-fold door extended, the border portion is moved into overlapping flush relation to the neighboring strip curtain section providing a seal therebetween.

Abstract: A sliding folding door of double-walled construction with the sliding door including a plurality of leaves interconnected by shaped connecting rails. The doors are adapted to be foldable or pivotable about vertically extending pivots disposed inside the connecting rails. Each of the connecting rails includes two cylindrical walls that have a quarter-circle cross section and extend along the connecting rail, with center points of their radius of curvature being arranged in the pivots. Each cylindrical wall has opposed thereto a crosspiece that extends along a long side of the respective door leaves.

Abstract: An improved folding closure consisting of a plurality of panels joined at adjacent vertical sides by hinges. Means are provided on each panel for carrying a sweeper strip across the bottom of the closure. The carrying means include means for strengthening the bottom of each panel.

Abstract: A hanger is provided for suspending a slat of a multi-slat folding partition from an overhead track. The hanger has a shaft with a head at its upper end and a tang at its lower end. The tang is for engaging a hole through the top of the slat. A clip is on the shaft for holding the tang in the hole in the slat when the clip is in its lower position. A bogie is mounted on the shaft between the clip and the head of the shaft. The bogie engages an overhead track for suspending the slat for movement along the length of the track.

Abstract: A bifold door assembly for an access port in a vehicle having a non-linear side wall. The assembly includes a pair of bifold doors, each having a planar outer panel disposed in a plane between an upper overhang and lower stepwell which extend outwardly of the vehicle side wall. The proximate edges of the outer panels seal to each other at the center of the access port and the distal edge of each is pivoted to a coplanar outer portion of a side panel. Each side panel has an inner planar portion pivotally attached to the vehicle interior and an intermediate portion of arcuate cross-section which runs from the outer portion to the inner portion closely past a respective side wall of the access port and in engagement with a seal. The outer panel is guided by a guide track on the overhang and a door operator pivots each side panel to fold the outer panel toward the side panel and inwardly of the access port.

Abstract: An enclosure for a tub or shower comprising a pair of sliding doors which can fold relative to each other along a vertical junction. Each door is supported by an offset hanger and is pivotal about its hanger. The hangers include rollers which slide within an overhead track. The doors can be functioned to slide along the track, to pivot about the hangers and to fold together to fully expose the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: A drapery and support combination is provided for a slat type ("woven wood") curtain wherein spacers between the slats are connected to the support elements in such a way that, in the fully closed position of the curtain, the spacers hold the slats at the correct angle independently of the looseness of the curtain material which hinges the slats to each other. The spacers are flat and arranged in a vertical plane so as to present an attractive appearance and not to interfere with opening or closing the curtain. The end slats are adapted to pivot on a fixed axis which may be either on the centerline of the slat, or, on the outer margin of the end slat in which latter case, the end slat is supported at a second point which slides relative to the curtain rod along an arcuate path the center of which is on the pivot axis of the end slat. One or more additional slats may be added to the fixed outer margin in order to extend the curtain coverage back to a wall.

Abstract: A folding door or other closure comprising a plurality of panels of extruded material each having a male hinge element along one edge thereof and a female hinge element along the other edge thereof with each panel being of unitary, one-piece construction. The hinge elements are so constructed that interconnection and separation of the panels is attained by longitudinal sliding movement of the male and female hinge elements in relation to each other. A locking means is provided in the form of a projecting means associated with one of the hinge elements which engages with recess means associated with the other hinge element to preclude relative longitudinal movement between adjacent panels while permitting relative pivotal movement between adjacent panels.

Abstract: An electrically operated folding partition including a plurality of pivotally interconnected panels movable from a straight line, flat, closed and locked position to an accordion folded stacked open position in which the control system will automatically move the partition panels from their closed position to their open position or from their open position to their closed position upon actuation of a suitable control switch or the like.

Abstract: A suspension system for operable partitions providing for several degrees of lost motion freedom, wherein the suspension system comprises an overhead track, a series of discrete panels, and a pair of carriers for each panel to suspend the respective panels individually from the track for movement of the panels between the point of use and a storage area that is remote from the space being subdivided, with each panel having a trackway along its upper end mounting a pair of trolleys that are connected one each to the respective carriers for the panel, for movement of the panel in its plane relative to the carrier supporting it.

Abstract: A plurality of vertical panels have edge slip hinge joint members adapted to unite mirror oriented similar adjacent panels. Each panel has a top clip and a bottom clip. Alternate top clips have swivelled roller pairs which ride on horizontal beams of the door frame header. Bottom panel clips have a guide pin depending into a channel in the bottom track of the door frame. Each panel clip has a platform extending across the top or bottom terminal end of the hinge joint of the joined panel edges. The platforms cooperate to preclude vertical displacement of the panels with respect to one another. Retainers at each of two vertical end rails extend transversely to cooperate with a bottom horizontal restraint rib to limit vertical displacement of the folding door bottom with respect to the door frame. Shaped prongs within each panel clip cooperate with aperture walls at the top and the bottom of each panel to secure the clips thereto and to prevent displacement of the apertured panel from the prongs.

Abstract: A two-sheet or double sided folding wall or door includes panel elements which are hinged in pairs along their inner edges to one another. To permit the door to be opened into a configuration wherein the panel elements are longitudinally aligned, and to permit the door to be closed into a fully folded position, horizontal brackets are mounted on at least one of each wall panel element pair. Bracket arms extend at an obtuse angle opposite the element in the closed position. A spring set between the free ends of the two opposing brackets exerts torsional forces around the panel element hinge axes. These forces act in a closing direction in a closed folding wall and in an opening direction in an open folding wall.

Abstract: An alignment device for bi-fold doors is provided which consists of wedge-shaped members fastened to the bottom of the door. The complimentary wedge-shaped members engage each other and pull the bottom edge of the door into alignment and are substantially invisible from either side of the door.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guidance arrangement for opening and closing panels which are articulated relative to each other and relative to a stationary frame. The arrangement is characterized by an articulated joint between a guide channel and the panel to be guided, this joint comprising a support plate holding two rollers, one guided by the inside of an omega-shaped channel, the other forming a rolling bearing for the panel.

Abstract: A foldable closure structure comprising a foldable curtain having a plurality of panel members hingeably interconnected along opposed vertical edges. Detachable hinge means are secured in spaced apart relationship to each of the vertical edges of the panel members. A connecting rod interconnects the hinge means of adjacent vertical edges along a common axis. Suspension means are provided for suspending the curtain in a frame opening. The hinge means are each provided with attachment means for detachable connection to a portion of a respective vertical edge of adjacent panel members.