Abstract: A movable area partition is disclosed herein. The movable area partition includes a bottom pivot point, a top pivot point, a first panel having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the first panel pivotably coupled to the bottom pivot point, and a second panel having a first end an opposing second end, the first end of the second panel rotatably coupled to the second end of the first panel and the second end of the second panel pivotably coupled to the top pivot point.

Abstract: An animal door unit comprising a front panel, a left rear panel, a left guide, a right rear panel, and a right guide, wherein the front panel comprises an entrance; and a door plate having a plurality of guide holes, the door plate configurable in a retracted state and an open state, wherein, in the retracted state, the door plate traverses the entrance, and wherein, in the open state, the door plate does not traverse the entrance. The animal door unit may include a motor disposed within a module case; and a sprocket in rotational communication with the motor, wherein the sprocket interfaces with the plurality of guide holes, such rotational movement of the sprocket inducing linear movement in the door plate.

Abstract: A vertical panel door stacking system for a door having panels with end caps coupled thereto. The end caps include a body portion, a cam lever to rotate around an axis to generate a lift force to lift and separate an adjacent pair of panels of the panels of the door, a first track wheel, a second track wheel, and a third track wheel. The track wheels interact with a track system to guide movement of the door panels between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: In example implementations, a track system of a vertically stacking door includes a vertical track, a track coupling coupled to the vertical track, a first curved track portion coupled to the track coupling, a second curved track portion coupled to the track coupling, and a ramp coupled to the vertical track. The ramp interacts with a cam lever to separate adjacent panels of the vertically stacking door.

Abstract: A latch assembly connected to the drive unit of a bi-fold door for retaining the bi-fold door secure to a building has elongated straps attached to rotatable latch drums mounted on the outer ends of the drive shaft of the drive unit. Lift drums powered by a motor driven gearbox raise and lower the bi-fold door. Latch assemblies having springs attached to the straps maintain tension on the straps during the opening and closing of the bi-fold door.

Abstract: Disclosed is a door assembly for enclosing a compartment, for instance a cabin attendant seat (CAS) compartment. The assembly generally includes spaced guides for guiding opening and closing movement of a bi-fold door including coupled upper and lower door sections. The door sections are coupled through an interface that allows vertical displacement of the lower door section relative to the upper door section when the door assembly is in the closed condition to engage or disengage latches from respective catches. In some embodiments, the assembly further includes cam latches and a biasing mechanism for driving bi-fold door movement toward the open condition, among other features.

Abstract: An animal door unit comprising a front panel, a left rear panel, a left guide, a right rear panel, and a right guide, wherein the front panel comprises an entrance; and a door plate having a plurality of guide holes, the door plate configurable in a retracted state and an open state, wherein, in the retracted state, the door plate traverses the entrance, and wherein, in the open state, the door plate does not traverse the entrance. The animal door unit may include a motor disposed within a module case; and a sprocket in rotational communication with the motor, wherein the sprocket interfaces with the plurality of guide holes, such rotational movement of the sprocket inducing linear movement in the door plate.

Abstract: A bi-fold door assembly has an upper door section and a lower door section connected by a hinge such that the upper and lower door sections are movable between a closed position spanning the door opening and an open position in which the upper door section is oriented transversely to the door opening and the lower door section is folded upwardly towards an inner side of the upper door section. A truss supported along the inner side of one of the upper and lower door sections is movable relative to the door sections between a first position in which the truss stiffens the door assembly against bending corresponding to the closed position of the door sections and a second position in which the truss member is reduced in overall width relative to said one of the upper and lower door sections in a normal direction to the door sections.

Abstract: A garage door apparatus includes at least one panel integral to a garage door structure. The panel is rotatable with respect to the surrounding garage door structure, such that, as the panel is rotated, the panel substantially uncovers an opening in the garage door structure. The panel is also selectively retractable into the surrounding garage door structure such that the opening is unobstructed.

Abstract: A sliding door assembly includes a landing platform located in a first plane, a sliding door mating with the landing platform and located in a second plane approximately parallel to the first plane, and a driving assembly configured to drive the sliding door to move translationally in the second plane to open or close the sliding door.

Abstract: An article of furniture, comprising a furniture carcass, includes a two-part furniture flap having a first flap part, and a second flap part, and at least one support device for the two-part furniture flap. The at least one support device is connected to the furniture carcass and the two-part furniture flap in an articulated manner. The at least one support device has a transmission portion, which is on an inside of the first flap part and defines a setting angle of the second flap part to the first flap part according to a setting angle of the first flap part.

Abstract: A rotating mechanism characterized by a drive arrangement which provides rotating, hoisting and dropping functions with just a single drive.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a semiconductor wafer includes a plasma processing chamber. The plasma processing chamber includes an exterior, an interior region with a wafer receiving mechanism and a viewport disposed on a sidewall of the plasma processing chamber providing visual access from the exterior to the wafer received on the wafer receiving mechanism. A camera is mounted to the viewport of the plasma processing chamber on the exterior and coupled to an image processor. The image processor includes pattern recognition logic to match images of emerging pattern captured and transmitted by the camera, to a reference pattern and to generate signal defining an endpoint when a match is detected. A system process controller coupled to the image processor and the plasma processing chamber receives the signal from the image processor and adjusts controls of one or more resources to stop the etching operation.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide retractable canopies, kits of parts for assembling retractable canopies, and methods for assembling and operating retractable canopies. The retractable canopies provide tracks extending in a longitudinal direction and transversely spaced apart. A support extends in a transverse direction between the tracks and is moveably coupled to the tracks via mounts to the tracks. The mounts include engagement members, such as wheels, to engage with the tracks. The engagement members may be biased transversely away from the support (e.g. toward the track), thereby permitting the engagement members to adjust their transverse positions relative to the support as the support moves along the track.

Abstract: The present invention is a door assembly including a rectangular door frame, a bi-fold door pivotally mounted at the top of the rectangular door frame and at least one hydraulic cylinder assembly. The hydraulic cylinder assembly is pivotally secured by a first end to a cylinder support mounted on a back side of the door frame, and by a second lower end to a cylinder support secured to a back surface of a top panel of the bi-fold door. In the door closed position, the longitudinal axis of the cylinder is oriented at an acute angle away from a plane defined by the door pivot axis and the lower pivot axis of the cylinder. A hydraulic control assembly controls movement of the door between an open and closed position.

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.

Abstract: A vertically collapsible weather resistant barrier for an opening, having a plurality of side frames secured along the height of side walls and/or an intermediate post defining the opening. Each side frame has a longitudinal channel along its length facing inward toward the opening. The channel accommodates sheaves extending from the barrier and by which a ceiling mounted pulley system may house and lower the barrier with the side frame. The barrier comprises a plurality of pantograph structures at opposite ends of a plurality of panels. The arms of the pantograph structure closest to the side walls house a locking mechanism thereon facing the side frame at either end of the arm that engages a latch in and a proximate arm to pull them into tight vertical alignment when substantially fully extended. The locking mechanisms are covered by an expandable bulb seal that bulges outwardly when the locking mechanism is engaged to create a seal between the pantograph and the channel in the side wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination of a door and door frame defining a door opening. The door frame comprises a horizontal header beam. The door opening has a horizontal top side and a horizontal bottom side, with the horizontal header beam defining the horizontal top side. The door comprises a top panel, a middle panel, a bottom panel, a first horizontal hinge member, a second horizontal hinge member and a third horizontal hinge member, each panel having a horizontal upper edge and a horizontal lower edge. The door is in the closed position when the top panel, the middle panel and the bottom panel are vertically aligned with one another and hanging downwardly from the horizontal header beam in a vertical plane of the door opening, with the horizontal upper edge of each panel above the horizontal lower edge of each respective panel, and the horizontal lower edge of the bottom panel is located in the lowermost position proximate to the horizontal bottom side of the door opening.

Abstract: A screen closure for a garage doorway has a plurality of screened panels movable from an elevated, stored position in which such panels are side-by-side to an extended, operative position in which the panels extend vertically a distance sufficient to close the doorway. Those panels which are at eye level and below when the panels are in their extended position are substantially coplanar.

Abstract: A door assembly having a multi-panel door connected to a casing that is inserted into a structure opening. The multi-panel door can be operated by a control assembly operatively coupled to the casing and the multi-panel door. The multi-panel door can be a bi-fold door having an upper panel and lower panel operatively coupled together. The upper panel can be pivotally coupled to the casing at one end and pivotally coupled to a portion of the lower panel at its other end. The control assembly can control movement of the door between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A shutter system, comprising a frame assembly including first and second track members, each having first and second ends, and first and second end spacer members rigidly mounted to said first and second ends, respectively, so that said frame assembly defines a rectangular opening cooperatively larger than the opening of a window or door to be protected. A predetermined number of articulated and stackable slats having each first and second longitudinal sides, and first and second end sides. The slats being hingedly mounted to abutting slats, and further including a corresponding number of hinge pins journaled by the curved longitudinal folds of the longitudinal sides of abutting slats. The hinge pins have a cooperative length that extends beyond the width of the slats. The ends are removably lodged within the slots in the track members when deployed for protection of the window or door.

Abstract: A stacking mechanism comprising: a rotatable screw with external thread of length L and pitch P1; a plurality of N traveling nuts mounted on the screw, having internal thread of pitch P1 and external thread of pitch P2, P1>P2; an arrester preventing rotation of the nuts within a length L1 of the screw, while allowing sliding; and a threaded member of pitch P2 adapted to engage the external thread of the nuts within a length L2 of the screw. In a first position of the mechanism, the nuts are arranged over the length L1. Upon rotation of the screw, the nuts slide along the screw at rate P1 per 1 turn, transit from L1 to L2, and then slide within the length L2 at a rate P2 per 1 turn, thereby achieving reversibly a second position of the mechanism where they are arranged over the length L2, L2<L1.

Abstract: An overhead door with improved biasing means and automatic locking means includes two panels which are substantially horizontal when the door is raised and vertically aligned when the door is closed. An expandable hinge at the interface of the door panels allows the lower panel to move vertically when the door is in the lowered position with the upper end of the lower door panel is spaced from the lower end of the upper door panel. Either the lower end of the upper panel is tapered downwardly toward its outer edge, or the upper end of the lower panel is tapered upwardly toward its outer edge so that the outer edges of the panel ends contact first, biasing the interface of the panels outwardly, when the door is raised. The door also includes a latch that is engaged upon lowering the lower panel relative to the upper panel.

Abstract: A stacking mechanism for shutter members of a shutter mechanism, comprising: a rotatable screw with external thread of length L and pitch P1; a plurality of N traveling nuts mounted on the screw, having internal thread of pitch P1 and external thread of pitch P2,P1>P2; an arrester preventing rotation of the nuts within a length L1 of the screw, while allowing sliding; and a threaded member of pitch P2 adapted to engage the external thread of the nuts within a length L2 of the screw. In a first position of the mechanism, the nuts are arranged over the length L1. Upon rotation of the screw, the nuts slide along the screw at rate P1 per 1 turn, transit from L1 to L2, and then slide within the length L2 at a rate P2 per 1 turn, thereby achieving reversibly a second position of the mechanism where they are arranged over the length L2,L2<L1.

Abstract: A shutter system is disclosed which is unitized in a single rectangular frame or bracket with a window or door for use in a building opening that includes a plurality of shutter plates that can be folded and unfolded, each of the shutter plates having a hinged joint with adjoining shutter plates. The rectangular bracket has guide members with tracks for guiding the shutter plates using extensions with rollers from each of the hinged joints to cooperate with the guide members. There are also further extensions at the ends of the shutter plates on no less than every other plate, each of these securing wheel carriers at the end of the shutter plate and within a track in the rectangular bracket. The wheel carriers are equipped with a spring to put the secured shutter plate in tension because this adds additional strength to the shutter plates to resist bending and impact of the shutter system when in a fully deployed configuration.

Abstract: A folding door apparatus for homes and other building structures that is formed of a plurality of panels hinged together in accordion fashion. The door panels are raised and lowered along parallel vertical rails by a pair of winding reels and cable. A stability pin and a plurality of guide pins extend from the outer side edge of selected panels. The rails are hinged to the structure's flooring, and define an inner and outer trackway. The inner trackway for receiving the stability pin, and the outer trackway for receiving the guide pins. The inner trackway further defines a release point at the approximate midway of the length of the rail. In application raising the door panels to an open position, the stability pin remains engaged within the inner railway until stability pin is raised to the release point. At release point the stability pin is disengaged from inner railway for proper folding of the panels.

Abstract: A door closing mechanism for pulling a door tight to a frame to which the door is mounted comprises a latch arm assembly having a latch arm pivotally secured to a panel of the door and pivotable between a first, open position and a second, latched position. An activating mechanism is operably connected to the latch arm assembly by a connecting apparatus and actuates the latch arm between its first and second positions. A latch member is secured to the jamb in which the door is mounted and is arranged and constructed so that when the latch arm is moved into its second, closed position, the latch arm engages the latch member and exerts force upon the latch member in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the door so as to cause the door to contact the door frame over substantially its entire height.

Abstract: A single generally rectangular frame, with extruded guides on the lateral sides, which guides contain tracks for a retractable pleated shutter system, and similarly contain channels for the mounting of a window or a door. The shutter system utilizes extracted pleated plates of uniform cross-section. At the ends of the shutter panels, provision is made for a guide assembly which is secured internally of the tracks on the lateral sides of the frame. In one embodiment, means are provided for removing and replacing the shutter system and shutter panels, which does not require the removal of any cement, stucco, or any other permanent securing materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bellows folding blind for windows and doors, comprising a number of horizontal slats connected among to each other by means of adequate joints which, when the blind is raised enable the slats to automatically fold like an accordion inside the box. On each slat are applied three pins which are engaged by the teeth of the cams whose rotation allows the raising and lowering of the blind. The helicoidal screws synchronised with the cams engage the longer pin and allow the supporting, raising and lowering of the package of horizontal slats inside the box.

Abstract: A storm shutter assembly for building openings where the several articulated contiguous blade assemblies are housed within a frame assembly and selectively moved between two extreme positions from approximately 4 degrees to 180 degrees. The frame includes a coextensive support surface. The contiguous blade assemblies are hingedly connected at their longitudinal complementary ends. One of the ends includes a longitudinal outer socket fold with two arched arms that journal a longitudinal inner fold at the other end of a contiguous blade assembly. One of the arms is smaller and is arched with a cooperative radius of curvature to receive the longitudinal inner fold. A stopper bay catches one of the arms when the contiguous blade assemblies extend out to a coplanar disposition. Reinforcement longitudinal folds are provided on the blade assemblies that coact with the support surface for transmitting the wind load to the frame assembly directly.

Abstract: A gate assembly for closing an open end of a storage compartment that is defined by a pair of side walls includes an upper member that is mounted on the side walls of the storage compartment so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position. The gate assembly also includes a lower member having a top side and a bottom side. The top side is pivotally attached to the upper member along a generally horizontal axis. The gate assembly also includes a cam that is attached to one of the side walls of the storage compartment and a follower that is adapted to interact with the cam. The cam and follower are mounted and arranged with respect to a side wall of the storage compartment and the lower member so that as the upper member is moved from the open position to the closed position, interaction between the cam and follower will cause the lower member to pivot about the generally horizontal axis so that its bottom side moves toward the open end of the storage compartment.

Abstract: A door closing mechanism for pulling a door tight to a frame to which the door is mounted comprises a latch arm assembly having a latch arm pivotally secured to a panel of the door and pivotable between a first, open position and a second, latched position. An activating mechanism is operably connected to the latch arm assembly by a connecting apparatus and actuates the latch arm between its first and second positions. A latch member is secured to the jamb in which the door is mounted and is arranged and constructed so that when the latch arm is moved into its second, closed position, the latch arm engages the latch member and exerts force upon the latch member in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the door so as to cause the door to contact the door frame over substantially its entire height.

Abstract: A piece of furniture with a body part closeable by a two-wing folding sliding door (2,6) is provided, the upper wing (2) of this body part being hinged around a horizontal swivel axis to the top panel (1) of the body part and the lower wing (6) being connected in an articulated manner to the upper wing (2) and guided in guide rails (7) of side panels (8) of the body part by support parts (15) mounted in the region of its outer corners, wherein the guide rails (7) are mounted to the narrow front sides of the side panels (8).

Abstract: A bi-fold door is equipped with door lifting devices operated with a reversible electric motor drive to selectively open and close the door. The door lifting devices have winches operable to wind and unwind elongated webs connected at one end to rotatable members of the winches and anchored at the opposite end of the door. Anchors mounted on the door have adjustable sleeves operable to take up slack of the webs. The door moves at an increasing rate of speed from its closed to open positions and a decreasing rate of speed from its open to closed positions.

Abstract: A bi-fold door is equipped with door lifting devices operated with an electric motor drive to selectively open and close the door. The door lifting devices have winches operable to wind and unwind elongated webs connected at one end to rotatable members of the winches and anchored at the opposite end to the door. Anchors mounted on the door have adjustable sleeves operable to adjust the working lengths of the webs.

Abstract: A storm panel for covering a building opening includes, in combination: a series of one-piece, substantially horizontal, substantially identical plate members each having two lateral edges and a main body portion, a first hinge member formed on one lateral edge of each plate member, and, a second hinge member on the opposite lateral edge of each plate member, the first and second hinge members being formed to matingly and pivotally engage the opposite hinge member on an adjacent plate member to form a hinge, the main body portion of each plate member is being joined to each of the lateral hinge edges, the main body portion of each plate member being essentially uninterrupted from the first hinge edge to the second hinge edge and substantially identical with adjacent plate members, the plate members being formed and proportioned along with the hinge members so that when the hinges are hinged to each other to form a panel, the panel is pleatable and the spacing between the plate members when the panel is pleate

Abstract: A folding curtain wall acts as a large door in an exterior wall of a building such as a garden centre greenhouse. The door includes upper and lower bi-fold panels which are hinged to one another about a horizontal axis. The upper panel is hinged to the wall of the building above the opening to be closed by the door. The door can be opened and closed by raising or lowering the lower panel from its bottom edge. In the open position, the panels are folded generally flat against one another in an overhead position above the opening and effectively provide an awning above the opening. In the closed position, the door panels adopt a flat configuration or an outwardly angled configuration. In the latter case, spaces at the sides of the door are closed by fixed panels that extend outwardly from the wall of the building.

Abstract: A foldable security bar assembly, is convenient, aesthetic and less costly than existing security systems, and is used primarily for security rather than a shutter assembly. The assembly is for placing over or in an opening and has a plurality of horizontal bars extending between two channels, the two channels positioned one on each side of the opening with the bars slidable vertically within the channels. A plurality of connector links join adjacent bars together with at least one of the bars having a connection at each end within the channels to a raising and lowering mechanism in each channel coordinated to raise and lower the at least one bar and hence the whole assembly. A drive system is provided for the raising and lowering mechanism, and guides above or below the channels guide and retain the horizontal bars in a folded configuration above or below the opening with alternate bars on opposite sides.

Abstract: A lifting folding door, having two primarily vertically extending rails, each arranged on one side of an opening to be closed by the door; a number of panels hinged together, each guided by both rails; and a guiding system connected at the top of each of the rails for guiding the panels such that, when moving upward, the panels are folded together in zigzag fashion by their hinge connections in primarily horizontal direction above the rails. An operating system is provided for driving at least one of the panels in vertical direction, and the guiding system gradually deflects the panels in horizontal direction, starting from the beginning of vertical movement. Consequently, a purely vertical movement is gradually converted into a movement of a horizontal component, so that the dynamic forces acting on the respective elements are minimized, and therefore the speed can be significantly increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retaining fastening for a flap pivotable around a horizontal swivel axis hinged to a top panel of a cupboard and having a lever pivotably connectable to a body part of the cupboard. A free end of the lever is guided in a rail which can be fixed to an inside of the flap at right angles to the swivel axis. The lever is acted upon by a spring-loaded device preferably having a rod which can be travelled into or out of a spring housing by pneumatic or elastic force.In accordance with the invention, the lever is a two-armed bent lever (8) whose swivel axis (7) is situated between the lever arms (9, 10), whose longer lever arm (10) is guided in the rail (17) and onto whose shorter lever arm (9) extending into the inside of the cupboard in the closed state of the flap (16, 32), one end of the spring-loaded device (5, 12) is hinged with other end being pivotably connected to the furniture body.

Abstract: A collapsible sign, including a fixed frame, a plurality of sections hingedly and movably attached to the frame, the sign being movable the sections between a viewing position and a collapsed position. Adjacent pairs of the plurality of sections are positioned to provide an offset distance between axes of rotation located at each end of each section when the plurality of sections are in the viewing position.

Abstract: An upwardly-opening door requiring limited space during opening and closing, the door being made of two panels with the second panel being hinged to the first panel and the first panel being hinged to side walls, the second panel also being guided in tracks mounted to the side walls, such that upon opening of the door the two panels form a canopy over the door opening. In a preferred embodiment, when the door is opened, the second panel is in a horizontal position.

Abstract: A frameless container of a predetermined length includes a floor having floor supports, a roof, a pair of opposing sidewalls and a pair of opposing end walls. One end wall includes an access door. The sidewalls are respectively connected to the floor supports and the roof. The upper portion of each of the opposing sidewalls has at least a first and second lap-jointed panels. Each panel has predetermined dimensions for the height, width and thickness. The lower portion of each sidewall includes a scuff plate. The bottom of the scuff plate is connected to the floor supports. The top of the scuff plate extends up from the floor by a predetermined distance defining a "scuff zone." The scuff zone has a projection-free surface exposed to the interior of the container. Fasteners attach the scuff plate to the lap-jointed upper wall portion and are arranged into a horizontal row located above the scuff zone. The fasteners have low profile heads which project only slightly from the inner surface of the scuff plate.

Abstract: A counterbalanced flex window wherein the sashes thereof, being joined together by a hinge, flex and fold toward each other when the window is released for opening and thereafter automatically maintain randomly adjusted open positions without the need for supplemental manually engaged incremental adjustment latch devices.

Abstract: A bottom fixture for overhead garage doors which can be selectively installed on the lower portion of either the right hand or left hand side of the garage door. The bottom fixture is an L-shaped bracket having a wide flat side and a narrow flat side at right angles to one another. A first pair of parallel laterally spaced ear members and a second pair of parallel laterally spaced ear members extend perpendicular to the same surface of the wide side and each pair is spaced a predetermined distance from the top and bottom ends of the bracket and each pair of laterally spaced ears has axially aligned apertures on a horizontal axis to receive the shaft of a roller device having a roller rotatably mounted at its outer end. A first and second sheave extend perpendicular to the same surface of the narrow side on a horizontal axis and are spaced from the top and bottom ends a predetermined distance and are configured to receive a cable.

Abstract: A latch assembly for overhead bifold doors. The latch assembly is operated by the same manual or powered winch mechanism that is used to open and close the overhead bifold door. A latch assembly may be mounted to one or both ends of the overhead bifold door, and includes a latch arm that is moved to a latching position at the end of the door closing cycle. A latch member is fixedly positioned to the door jamb adjacent the latch assembly, and when the latch arm is drawn down, the latch member is located between it and the overhead bifold door, causing the overhead bifold door to be securely latched in its closed position until the winch mechanism is activated to begin the overhead bifold door opening cycle.

Abstract: A latch assembly for overhead bifold doors. The latch assembly is operated by the same manual or powered winch mechanism that is used to open and close the overhead bifold door. A latch assembly may be mounted to one or both ends of the overhead bifold door, and includes a latch arm that is moved to a latching position at the end of the door closing cycle. A latch member is fixedly positioned to the door jamb adjacent the latch assembly, and when the latch arm is drawn down, the latch member is located between it and the overhead bifold door, causing the overhead bifold door to be securely latched in its closed position until the winch mechanism is activated to begin the overhead bifold door opening cycle.

Abstract: In a window attaching framework in a building, upper and lower windows are foldably connected together, and one or a plurality of dampers or arms are installed between at least either the upper window or the lower window and the window attaching framework. Such dampers or arms prevents the windows from rapidly moving downward when opened, making it possible to effect smooth opening and closing of the windows.

Abstract: A window shade assembly including a flexible window shade and a pair of guide tracks adapted to receive and support the window shade. The flexible window shade is sized to cover a window and formed to have a plurality of pleats therein. Each of the pleats is defined by a first fold portion and a second fold portion which together form a double fold. The flexible window shade is also formed to have the pleats substantially from one end to the other end thereof. The pair of guide tracks is adapted to be fixedly mounted to a frame of the window in spaced parallel relation. Each of the guide tracks is mounted to extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pleats. The guide tracks also are adapted to be spaced by a distance sufficient for positioning the pleats therebetween. By utilizing spring-biased rollers or non-rotational sliders and loose-fitting slide members, the flexible window shade can be moved in accordianlike fashion.

Abstract: An upper window and a lower window are bendably connected together within a window attaching framework of a building. The upper end of the upper frame is disconnectable from the lateral frames of the window attaching framework. When the upper window is disconnected from the lateral frames, the window openings increase. Thus, the window openings are suitable for use as emergency escape openings and improve ventilation efficiency.