Abstract: A door is mounted within a doorway to be pivotal about a pivot axis disposed close to and along one of side surfaces of the doorway to selectively open and close the doorway. A guide roller protrudes toward the upper surface of the doorway from the upper edge of the door at a location remote from the location of the pivot axis when the door is closed. A guide rail extends along the length of the upper surface of the doorway for guiding the guide roller along the length of the upper surface of the doorway. The guide rail is pivotal about the pivot axis. Means is provided to disengageably engage the guide rail with the upper surface of the doorway.

Abstract: A fully protective multi-unit railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles on two or three levels with the lowest level being in a cargo well between a pair of deep side sills. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height and are counterbalanced against each other during adjustment of their locations. A roof structure is light in weight and constructed of corrugated sheet metal with a self-supporting central portion. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors, and a flexible diaphragm closes the space between articulated adjacent car units supported by a shared truck. A modular brake operating system is mounted on the car body.

Abstract: A clothes washer includes a lid formed by a first member hinged to a housing of the clothes washer, and a second member hinged to the first member. The first and second members are folded together when the lid is opened, and are unfolded when the lid is closed. A motor-driven lid opening/closing mechanism is provided for opening and closing the lid. That mechanism includes a motor-driven rotary cam member mounted on the housing, and a following member fixed to the first member of the lid. During rotation in one direction, the cam member engages the following member to open the lid, and during rotation in the opposite direction, the cam member engages the following member to close the lid. When the lid is in the closed and open states, the cam member is disengaged from the following member to enable the lid to be manually opened and closed.

Abstract: A cargo bay cover for a cargo bay of a pickup truck includes at least first and second cargo bay panels arranged generally parallel to each other, each configured to span the cargo bay of the pickup truck with opposite ends resting on opposite sidewalls of the cargo bay, a hinge interconnecting the first and second cargo bay panels in a manner such that the first and second cargo bay panels can be rotated about the hinge and folded onto the other of the first and second cargo bay panels, and a bracket assembly interconnecting the hinge to the opposite sidewalls of the cargo bay for retaining the first and second cargo bay panels above the cargo bay, the bracket assembly having at least one flange pivotally depending from the hinge proximate to and secured to at least one of the sidewalls.

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: The large overhead bi-fold doors of the present invention are hinged along a centerline and hung by hinges from the top of the door opening. A motor mounted inside and above the door opening is connected to one end of a cable, the other end of which passes around a pulley at the bottom of the door and then upwardly to a latching mechanism located beneath the horizontal hinge line of the doors. When the motor is activated, the cable pulls on a dog or arm connected to a shaft which also carries the hook of a latching device. The hook engages a strike attached to the frame of the building on which the door is mounted, and when the motor is activated, the cable pulls on the dog which disengages the hook from the strike and further tension on the cable by the motor raises the door to an elevated position.

Abstract: A guide rail has running surfaces separated by a longitudinal slit and a load bearing member carried by the same so that it may slide but not rotate and on it a closing element, preferably a door of a folding sliding door, is attached. In order to be able to secure the closing element carried by the load bearing member to the guide rail simply and quickly, the load bearing member has an elongated carriage part running in the guide rail and having a width corresponding to the longitudinal slit in the guide rail. In a hole, at a right angle to the guide rail, in the load bearing member a pin is mounted so that it may rotate but not move axially and adjacent to carriage part it has a T-head, whose width is less than the width of the longitudinal slit but whose length is greater than it. The pin is able to be locked to the load bearing member in a setting in which the head bears against the running surfaces.

Abstract: A rollable or foldable shutter device for protecting, closing off or partitioning of areas, such as window areas. The shutter is provided with panels (2) made from a transparent material, such as polycarbonate, and hinges (1) which are mounted so that it can be folded or rolled up. The hinges (1) and the panels (2) may be made in one piece. When the device is used, at least a part of the transparency remains.

Abstract: A pivotal and extendable bathing door unit is disclosed wherein a first panel is pivotally connected to a supporting wall, and a second panel is extendably connected to the first panel, so that the door can operate to enclose without an overhead track. There are roller tracks and rollers cross-linked to each other while permitting lateral relative movement therebetween. In one form, cam members are associated with the pivotal connection of the first panel to provide a lifting action between bistable positions, and a magnetic member is connected to a handle on the second panel for attraction to a similar second panel of a second similar door unit.

Abstract: A multiple panel closure for the bed of a pickup truck or for the front opening of a cabinet housing electrical equipment. The closure permits any one of four panels to be opened independently of the other panels and the panels can be moved to side positions in which the truck bed and the cabinet opening, respectively, can be exposed. A double hinge provides for the movement of closure panels from closed, coplanar positions to fully open, side positions. Access to the interior of the truck bed or cabinet can be had from the sides of the truck bed and at the sides of the front opening of the cabinet.

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 shower partition of the type which is attached to a wall and which can be swiveled as well as swung open and closed, between a rest position and an open position in which the shower partition forms an enclosed shower stall in conjunction with the wall to which it is attached. The shower partition includes a pair of separate subunits, each of which includes a plurality of segments which are hinged with one another. A first end of each subunit is attached to the wall in spaced apart relationship with respect to the first end of the other subunit, and opposite, second ends of the subunits abut one another, when opened, to form the shower stall. When the subunits are opened to form the shower stall, the inner segments are able to fold outward to the rest position while the outer segments are able to fold inward into the rest position but are blocked from folding further outward.

Abstract: Apparatus for deploying an articulated panel array comprises a spring motor between adjacent panels and a latch between adjacent panels. The latch between a given pair of panels is released by an abutment on the panel which is adjacent to the pair and toward the proximal end of the array only when the more proximally disposed panel of the pair moves to its fully deployed position. With this arrangement, only a single group of panels of the array moves at any given time providing an accurate deployment envelope.

Abstract: A universal window shutter system includes vertical frame member components and horizontal frame member components to be assembled to form shutter panel frames which are covered with shutter panel covers and which are hingeably interconnected to form shutter units to be installed in a window opening as a functional and attractive window covering. Vertical frame member components include a hinged single vertical component for hinged connection of a shutter panel to a window frame, a hinged double vertical component for hinged connection between two panels, and latching vertical components for selective latching of two shutter units together at their mating edges. Frame member components are available in various lengths and are easily adjustable in length for precise user dimensional control.

Abstract: A storage box for use on pickup trucks which is mainly composed of a lid 10 and flap 12 which when each are hinged and secured to the truck bed create a versatile unit capable of protected and secure storage or other positions of usage that permit easy utilization of the space or compact storage when not installed.

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 system for maintaining in a folded position a set of elements that are hinged to one another and to a structure (e.g. solar panels on a spacecraft), which elements are capable of occupying either said folded position in which said elements form a stack, or else a deployed position in which said elements are in end-to-end alignment, said system comprising:a retaining member passing through said elements in the folded positive and connected by a first one of its ends to said structure and bearing via a second one of its ends against the outermost element of said set;locking means for locking said retaining member in the folded position of said elements; andcontrol means for unlocking said locking means and releasing said retaining member, thereby enabling said set of elements to pass from the folded position to the deployed position.

Abstract: A multi-panel, folding closure for a closet or recess has one panel suppod on an upright by a mechanism which permits that panel to move horizontally with respect to the upright for practically its entire width, thus permitting the closure to be stowed entirely within the recess when the closure is open.

Abstract: An improved door and door control mechanism combinations for cargo carrying containers. In one embodiment a single door of one rigid panel closes the entire end of the container. In another embodiment the door is formed of two rigid panels hinged together. In both embodiments, the door is hinged to only one vertical side of the container frame structure and is latched to the frame at plural locations along upper and lower horizontal edges of the door and also along the vertical distal edge of the door.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated door for a large opening of a building comprises a door formed in two parts divided by a horizontal hinge line so that a lower part can fold up under the upper part in an open position of the door. The upper part carries two flanges one at each side which project outwardly from the front face of the door. A ram extends from the base of a door post upwardly to the flange so that an upward force from the ram pivots the door about a horizontal hinge line at the top of the door to an open position in which the door extends outwardly from the horizontal hinge line. A level mechanism including a push rod pushes the lower portion of the door in a folding action around the center hinge line of the door up under the upper portion of the door into the folded position.

Abstract: A cover for a truck box consists of three side by side panel sections hinged together to pivot between a closed position extending across the top of the truck box and an open position arranged face to face and generally vertically along the side of the box. Movement of the panel segments is controlled by a linkage mounted on the underside of the panel segments. The linkage may be driven by an actuator.

Abstract: A hanger door arrangement which comprises a door having two upper door panels adapted to be pivotally connected to the top of the hanger door opening in side-by-side relationship and two lower door panels pivotally connected to the lower edges of the upper panels, and an operating mechanism which raises the door to an open position in which the lower panels allow passage of the wings of an aircraft beneath them and the tailgate between them.

Abstract: A wall-mounted bathroom panel assembly in which the frame for each panel has two horizontal short sides and two vertical long sides which each have a longitudinally extending corner. As elongated vertical mounting member is fixed to the bathroom wall, and this mounting member also has a longitudinal corner. The corners of both the mounting member and each side of the frame define a recess of circular cross-section. A first pair of integrally connected pins are respectively disposed in the corner recess in the mounting member and in the corner recess in a long side of one of the frames to permit pivotal movement of the one frame relative to the mounting member about a vertical axis and also sliding movement along this axis. Similar pairs of integrally connected pins are disposed in the corner recesses in the short sides of adjacent frames to permit horizontal sliding movement between the frames.

Abstract: A trailer body for providing access to the trailer body interior for cargo loading and unloading. The trailer body comprises front, back and side walls, a roof and a platform enclosing the interior. The side walls are formed by side-opening doors each of which, when opened, exposes the interior along that entire side of the body for loading purposes. The roof is releasably secured to the tops of the walls. The roof may be raised, as required, from closed position on the tops of the walls to a position a predetermined distance above the tops of the walls. The trailer body, with the side doors open along one or both sides of the platform and the roof raised, permits easy cargo loading or unloading of the trailer body using a forklift vehicle.

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: Hardware for a bifold door includes stiles and rails fittable along the edges of a flat panel to form a door and four identical corner blocks for interconnecting the stiles and rails. Each corner block is generally rectangular and fits into a U-shaped channel in an adjacent stile and the U-shaped channel in an adjacent rail. A single hole extends through the block parallel to the stile and closer to one edge of the block than the opposite edge for receiving either a pivot or a guide, depending on the block's location on the assembled door. An orientation indicating marker on the exposed face of the block permits the four blocks to be identically oriented. When assembled to form a pair of doors, pivots are inserted into the holes in one of the pair of doors further from the edge of the door and guides are inserted into the holes nearer the edge of the other door to provide lead-off for smooth closing of the doors.

Abstract: A building including an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion and a bi-fold door assembly mounted within an opening therein. The wall portions have front surfaces facing outwardly of the building and the upper wall portion is disposed in a plane intersecting the plane defined by the lower wall portion. The upper wall portion is sloped downwardly and outwardly of the top thereof to a position overlying the lower wall portion and the plane defined by the lower wall portion is a generally vertical plane with the top of the upper wall portion being disposed in or near the generally vertical plane. The bi-fold door assembly is movable between raised and lowered positions within the opening in the wall portions and includes an upper door section and a lower door section. The upper door section is hinged to the lower door section with the door sections having front surfaces facing outwardly of the building and rear surfaces facing inwardly of the building.

Abstract: An air tight shutter is provided having a set of pre-made bifold doors in conjunction with a frame wherein the shutters are manufactured to have tight tongue-in-groove reception area not only with respect to the bifold doors but also with respect to the bifold doors and frame. A burglar proof latch mechanism is provided such that a ball crank is turned by means of a handle thereby withdrawing elongated rod-like members from the frame section which then permits the bifold doors to open, or in the alternative, the ball crank is turned in the opposite direction causing the elongated members to penetrate an aperture in the frame and thereby lock the shutters in place. An assembly method for producing the shutter is also disclosed, along with the machinery particularly adapted for said assembly method. The machinery disclosed achieves the close tolerance required in assemblying of the shutter.

Abstract: Apparatus for insulating a window or other opening in a building includes a plurality of rail means secured to the building adjacent at least one edge of the opening, and at least one insulated shutter panel slidably engaged with the rail means. Several panels may be assembled into a set of panels or opposing sets of panels installed on opposing sets of rail means, if desired. The shutter panel or panel assembly is capable of substantially exposing or completely covering the opening due at least in part to the sliding action of the shutter panel. The shutter panel or panel assembly may be filled with an energy storage medium, and thus function also to collect, store and release solar energy.

Abstract: An overhead door including an upper door panel which is hingedly mounted to a horizontal header of a doorway and to a lower door panel. The door is moveable between a first, closed position wherein the door panels are vertically aligned and cooperate to close the doorway and a second, open position wherein the door panels are in a folded, generally horizontal, and parallel relation. Brace members are provided pivotally mounted to the upper door panel and adapted to engage the vertical door jambs when the door is in its second, open position to provide an angular support therebetween. The brace members are held by cables extending from the lower door panel allowing rollers located at the bottom edge of the lower door panel to engage and roll upon the vertical door jambs when the door is moved between its open position and adjacent to its closed position.

Abstract: An adjustable storm garage door having a pair of foldable doors open at the center with each pair adjustably mounted to a jamb of the garage in spaced relationship with an existing overhead garage door for providing an insulating space between the doors.

Abstract: A folding roof for vehicles, especially passenger motor vehicles, is detachably secured at a windshield frame and at a roll bar bridging the passenger space and is essentially composed of laterally disposed longitudinally extending girders, of a plurality of struts arranged between the longitudinal girders extending generally parallel to the girders and a flexible roof covering, connected to and supported by the longitudinal girders and the struts.In order to create a folding roof which, with lowest possible weight, has a high form rigidity, i.e., strength, and which when folded-together requires as low as possible a structural height and which is also utilizable more individually, alternately form-rigid struts and elastic struts are arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in such a manner that nonreinforced sections of the covering between the struts are minimized.

Abstract: A closure for a load container such as an open bed of a truck having a rectangular opening formed by side walls. The closure comprises a plurality of elongated panels each configured to extend greater than the width of the rectangular opening to rest on two opposite side walls of the load container. The panels are hingedly connected together side-by-side at the longitudinal edges thereof for movement between an unfolded position wherein the panels lie in a single plane and completely close the opening and a fan-folded position wherein the panels lie in a single stack superposed on one end panel. The one end panel is fastened at a third side wall forming the rectangular opening of the load container. The ends of the panels have pins for limiting lateral movement when in the unfolded position. The other end panel can be releasably locked onto the fourth side wall when the panels are in the unfolded position.

Abstract: A self-propelled harvester or combine is provided with a bifolding panel structure at the lateral side thereof on which a bin unloader tube is swingable from an outwardly extending unloading position to a transport position alongside the panel structure. When the unloader tube is in its transport position, the lower part of the panel structure can be pivoted about its pivot connection with the upper part of the panel structure between closed and open positions, but the unloading tube in its transport position prevents opening the upper part of the panel structure. When the unloader tube is raised, the upper part can be moved from its closed to its open position.A linear air spring or actuator biasingly maintains the lower part of the panel structure in whichever of its open and closed positions it is placed, and when the upper part is swung to its open position, it is maintained in that position by the linear actuator.

Abstract: A locking device for center fold hangar doors having an upper leaf and a lower leaf arranged when closed in vertically superimposed relation for movement relative to one another on a fixed horizontal axis to an elevated open position. A device is affixed to the abutting edges of the upper and lower leaf portions of the door having right angularly disposed telescopically positioned tubular members, one of which is pivoted to the doors on said horizontal axis and the other of which is secured at its outermost end to a bracket forming a portion of the device positioned in horizontally spaced relation to the doors. Locking means alternately secures the telescopically positioned tubular members to one another or permits their free telescopic movement. The device serves to lock the upper and lower leaf portions of the hangar door in vertically superimposed relation when the door is closed.

Abstract: Apparatus for insulating a window or other opening in a building includes a plurality of rail means secured to the building adjacent at least one edge of the opening, and at least one insulated shutter panel slidably engaged with the rail means. Several panels may be assembled into a set of panels or opposing sets of panels installed on opposing sets of rail means, if desired. The shutter panel or panel assembly is capable of substantially exposing or completely covering the opening due at least in part to the sliding action of the shutter panel relative to the edge. The interior cover of the shutter panel or panel assembly is capable of carrying decorative matter.

Abstract: An adjustable thermal shield adapted for installation upon residences, office buildings, mobile homes, recreational vehicles and other structures or objects having areas such as glass walls, windows and the like, for which enhanced thermal efficiencies are either desired or required. Each shield comprises a panel formed of rigid plastic foam which is encased in a specially prepared fabric to provide a skin-tight cover having an extending flap to provide pivot means between the panel and a like panel or the installation assembly, as the case may be.

Abstract: A deployable panel structure for spacecraft solar cell arrays and other collapsible panel structures. The panel structure consists of a number of panel sections mounted edge to edge along parallel hinge lines by hinges which allow the panels to be collapsed accordian fashion toward a support. The panels are attached to and deployed by an extendable boom which is extended from and retractable to the support. In the deployed configuration, the panels are extended to form a planar surface in which the boom is essentially coplanar. The panel sections are formed from a plurality of layers of thin film insulative substrate which is stiffened with ribs formed into the substrate during the manufacturing process. The hinges are formed of the same material as the substrate and bonded to the edges of the panel. The bonding is accomplished while the panels are in the folded, face-to-face position such that maximum stored energy and out-of-plane stiffness is available in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A closure member for vehicle compartment openings is pivotally connected along its upper edge to the vehicle by a horizontal swivel axis and is horizontally divided into an upper and a lower closure member part, which parts are pivotally connected to each other along a horizontal connecting axis. A secondary pressure spring extends between the upper and lower closure member parts for effecting relative pivotal movement therebetween toward an intermediate position in which the closure member parts are substantially perpendicular. A lock secures the upper closure member part to the vehicle until the lower closure member part reaches the intermediate position. A main pressure spring extends between the vehicle and the upper closure member part for pivoting the closure member after release of the lock into an end position exposing the compartment opening.

Abstract: A shutter assembly is disclosed for the selective covering of a wall opening. The shutter assembly includes at least one set of shutter elements with each set having at least first and second shutter elements. Each shutter element includes a pair of spaced panel members and end elements interconnecting the panel members to form top and bottom ends members and oppositely disposed side members and to define an enclosed interior chamber therewithin. A member is interposed between the panel members within the interior chamber for providing thermal insulation and to define enclosed air spaces between the thermal insulating member and each of the panel members. Reflective elements are disposed on each side of the thermal insulating member for preventing thermal radiation energy loss. The shutter assembly also includes a jamb structure disposed adjacent the wall opening for mounting each set of shutter elements.

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: Segmented doors for closing a wide opening in an enclosure where the upper door is hinged to the top of the opening, the lower door is hinged to the bottom of the upper door and a wire bail is provided for the purpose of locking the lower door into a V-like or triangular relationship with the upper door. This V-like structure, composed of the locked-together upper and lower doors, can then be rotated upward to a stable triangular or inverted V-like position atop the roof or top panel of the cabinet.

Abstract: A screen door construction for selective attachment to a garage for placement in a garage door opening including an upper screen panel, a lower screen panel hingedly secured to said upper screen panel, a hinge pivotally mounting the upper edge of the upper screen panel to the upper edge of a garage door opening, first adjuster members for permitting the adjustment of the upper and lower panels within the garage door opening so as to fit them properly to occupy the entire height of the door opening and to extend horizontally therein, second adjuster members for adjusting the width of the panels to fit properly within the width of the garage door opening, and attachment structure for selectively attaching and detaching the upper screen panel relative to the garage door opening.

Abstract: A multi-deck rail car having an interior cavity and an end opening for loading and unloading lading is provided with a pair of door assemblies, each of which includes a plurality of panels. Each door assembly is pivotally movable for closing at least a portion of the end opening. Double vertical pivots mount each of the door assemblies and are provided such that they move the door assemblies between their respective open position, storage position and closed position. The double vertical pivot means are cranks pivoted at either end to permit pivoting of the door assemblies for storage within the rail car, when their panels are folded back upon one another. A lock for the doors includes a rigid projection extending from the edge of a first one of the panels behind and past an adjacent edge of the second of the two panels and in register with a cutout in the adjacent edge of the second panel.

Abstract: A mechanism for deploying and retracting an isogrid structure particularly suited for use in supporting low weight reflective or absorbtive surfaces, characterized by a plurality of hinged isogrid panels stowed in an accordion folded stack arranged for automatic deployment into a long continuous strip or array. Two deployment arms in contact with the stack of panels are rotated to a position perpendicular to the stack, carrying with them a perforated deployment tape that is attached to the first panel. The tape is engaged to sprocket drives which draw the first panel from the stack. Thereafter, the panels are extended by the powered sprockets which engage perforations in the panel edges. A shutter sequentially releases pairs of panels during deployment. For retraction, the sprockets drive the panels back toward the stack where a creaser arm hinges pairs of panels which are thereafter folded into a stack by means of the shutter capturing and stowing each folded pair of panels.

Abstract: An access panel for enclosures, operable to selectively close or open an access opening, such as in an engine compartment of an engine enclosure assembly, the panel including a pair of separate sections hingedly adjacently interconnected to form a composite unit, the composite unit being operatively hingedly mounted proximate the access opening, and the individual sections being so pivotally angularly movable with respect to one another as to permit an optimum access opening in restricted or obstructed locations of the access opening.

Abstract: A canopy door including a pivotally mounted leaf adapted to swing on a fixed horizontal axis between an open and a closed position, and an extensible strut having an intermediate pivot point disposed in an over-center position when the door is closed. Operating cables, driven by a common shaft, are attached to the leaf and strut; and are payed out and taken up to move the door between its open and closed positions. One of the operating cables exerts an upward force on the strut to move it from its over-center position, thereby exerting an initial outward opening force on the door.

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 mechanism for deploying and retracting an isogrid structure particularly suited for use in supporting low weight reflective or absorbtive surfaces, characterized by a plurality of hinged isogrid panels stowed in an accordian folded stack arranged for deployment into a long continuous strip or array. Two deployment frames in contact with the stack of panels are rotated to a position perpendicular to the stack. Attached at the outermost ends of each panel hinge are panel rollers. In the accordian folded position, these rollers are alternately located near the top and bottom of the folded stack. The deployment frames each contain an arced raceway for engagement of the upper panel rollers and a straight raceway for engagement of the lower rollers. An upper roller travels down the arced raceway thereby progressively unfolding a pair of hinged panels until they are flat and lie in the deployment plane where they are subsequently extended into the deployed position.

Abstract: A foldable, articulated inclined ramp or stair assembly actuation system is shown and described. The assembly comprises at least three elements connected by hinges to each other and foldable on each other under the control of a series of pulleys interconnected by a single drive cable. A method of operating the arrangement is described whereby an orderly folding sequence is automatically maintained by the actuating means. The assembly is suitable for installation within an aircraft and may be power driven to extend and retract through a loading door, thus obviating the need for any ground equipment for the purpose.