Abstract: A cover device for at least partially closing off a cavity includes at least one cover element for closing off the opening of the cavity, and a support structure in the form of an elongate body for supporting and positioning the cover element in or close to the cavity. The cover element is in the form of a pneumatic mattress equipped with return elements for urging it back into a most compact configuration in which it is rolled up about a free one of its sides and forms a spirally wound roll, the free side being formed by the side of the mattress that is opposite from the connecting side of the mattress via which side the mattress is connected to the support structure. This device includes at least one support arm for supporting the mattress while going from its rolled-up most compact configuration to its rolled-out least compact configuration.

Abstract: A draft arrester for an overhead door. An exemplary embodiment may include a flexible draft curtain extending between a ceiling structure and a wound-up portion of the overhead door. The draft arrester may include a follower assembly, which may include one or more rollers arranged to roll against the overhead door. An exemplary embodiment may include a repositionable arm arranged to press the rollers against the wound-up portion of the door.

Abstract: A roller shade assembly for a shade made from a relatively heavy and/or stiff material is described. The roller shade assembly includes a cylindrical member that is attached to the shade. A control mechanism rotates the cylindrical member for winding the shade upon the cylindrical member. Thus, winding the cylindrical member in one direction causes the shade to retract, while unwinding the cylindrical member in an opposite direction causes the shade to extend. In order to maintain the shade in alignment as the shade is retracted and extended, the roller shade assembly includes a pair of opposing retaining members that may have a disc-like shape. The retaining members may be positioned adjacent to the vertical edges of the shade and have an effective diameter larger than the diameter of the shade when fully wound and retracted. In one embodiment, the roller shade assembly can further include fixed edge guides for further maintaining the shade in alignment.

Abstract: A screening arrangement (1) has a top element (4) including a cover and two side rails (8, 9). The top element (4) is provided with a top rail (440) forming the front side of the top element and being connected to the cover of the top element (4). Side rails (8, 9) are adapted to be joined to the mitred ends of the top rail (440) by means a set of angular brackets cooperating with reception means in the back side of the top rail (440) and in the back side of the respective side rail (8, 9).

Abstract: Example safety barrier systems for vehicle loading docks comprise a retractable flexible barrier with a special powered latching mechanism that locks the barrier in place and prevents it from being retracted under certain hazardous dock conditions. In some examples, the barrier cannot be retracted when there is no vehicle at the dock while the dock's door is open. In some examples, an alarm is energized when concurrently the door is open, the barrier is retracted and there is no vehicle at the dock.

Abstract: An end cap for enclosing or covering the end of a cassette of a roller blind or a roller shade. The cassette includes a roller having wound thereon a fabric having a bottom bar attached or otherwise secured thereto or thereover. The end cap comprises a wall portion and a bottom bar stop. The wall portion is releasably securable to an end of the cassette. The bottom bar stop is fixed to and extends outwardly from the wall portion and inhibits upward movement of the bottom bar beyond the elevation of the bottom bar stop when the end cap is secured to an end of the cassette.

Abstract: A fire or smoke protection device (12) with a flexible partition device (16) which can be put in a protection arrangement in which the partition element (16) can work to its full protective effect, and a storage arrangement, and a winding shaft (18) upon which the partition element (16) is wound up in the storage arrangement, and a mounting device (20) for fixing the fire or smoke protection device (10) on a building section (14), wherein at least one anchoring device (22) positively interacts with the winding shaft (18) if and only if the partition element (16) is in the protection arrangement.

Abstract: A security shade for use in an automotive vehicle. The security shade includes a cassette having a roll tube arranged therein. The roll tube has a shade panel fixed to the roll tube at one end thereof. The security shade also includes a bearing arranged in an end of the roll tube and a spring housing arranged in an end of the cassette. A motor spring is arranged within the spring housing and is axially fixed with relation to the roll tube and the cassette. The security shade also includes an end cap arranged over an end of a cassette. The security shade has the compressible end cap over each end of the roll tube and cassette.

Abstract: A shared space divider provides privacy on surfaces. The shared space divider comprises a hub that is placed on a portion of a surface, and at least one partitioning structure coupled to a portion of the hub. The at least one partitioning structure comprises a separator configured to partition the surface into two or more sections. The separator has a ribbon structure, an accordion structure, or a fan structure. The at least one partitioning structure is configured to extend from and retract into or, alternatively, fold out from and fold into the hub. In some embodiments, the shared space divider comprises at least one container for holding items commonly found on the surface. In other embodiments, the shared space divider comprises a clip for attaching to documents. Yet, in other embodiments, images such as advertisements are displayed on at least one of the separator and the hub.

Abstract: Here is disclosed a stopper for stopping the upward movement of a bottom bar attached to a fabric blind wound on a roller tube mounted within an elongated chamber of an elongated housing having a vertical wall. The stopper includes an elongated member having a head portion, a toe portion and a neck portion between the head and toe portion. The head portion is mountable within a mounting cavity positioned on the elongated housing adjacent the vertical wall. The mounting cavity, head portion and neck portion are dimensioned and configured to position the toe portion between the vertical wall and the roller tube when the stopper is mounted to the housing. The toe portion has a multi-position spacer element for selectively positioning the toe portion between proximate and distal positions relative to the vertical wall.

Abstract: A closure assembly to be installed in an opening for a building, said closure assembly comprising a frame for supporting a moveable closure member therewithin, said frame including top, bottom and side members, one of the members including a hollow pocket within the interior of said member and for receiving a spring biased roller assembly upon which a flexible material is accumulated, said flexible material being selected from a blind, a bug screen, a solar screen, or the like, the flexible material being movable between a fully retracted first position whereat the material is contained within the pocket to a fully extended second position whereat the material covers some or all of the opening of the building.

Abstract: A device for fire extinguishing is described, comprising a fire retardant cloth, which is arranged to cover objects upon a fire or the beginnings of a fire, to put out or prevent the fire from developing, wherein the fire retardant cloth is mounted in a release mechanism arranged to release the fire retardant cloth, in such a way that the cloth covers said objects, upon detection of the fire or development of the fire. A method for same is also disclosed.

Abstract: A side bar device is adapted to be connected to a retractable shade member of a sunshade assembly. The sunshade assembly includes a housing unit that is formed with a slot. The shade member has a free end portion disposed in the housing unit when the shade member is retracted and adapted to extend outwardly of the housing unit through the slot when the shade member is expanded. The side bar device includes a side bar member adapted to be connected to the free end portion of the shade member, and a cover member having a coupling segment that is coupled removably to the side bar member, and a cover segment that is adapted to be disposed outside the housing unit to cover separably the slot of the housing unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a frame on the vehicle, the frame operable to accept the window. The frame having a first edge and an opposed spaced apart second edge. A shade having a fixed end and a free end. The fixed end mounted to the first edge of the frame. The assembly further including at least one magnet wherein the at least one magnet is connected to the free end of the shade. The shade is operable to extend away from the first edge of the frame and connect to the second edge of the frame. The magnet attached to the free end of the shade connects to a ferrous material provided on the second edge of the frame. The magnet attachment allows for a user to blindly extend the shade assembly to an extended position.

Abstract: A flat screen television dust protector device featuring an elongated base configured to surround a top area of a flat screen television; at least one mounting bracket disposed on the top dust panel, the first side panel, or on the second side panel of the base, the mounting bracket functions to mount the base to a wall; and a support bar disposed on the top dust panel, the support bar extends downwardly and generally perpendicular to the top dust panel and generally parallel to the front panel, wherein at least on aperture is disposed in the support bar adapted to receive a screw, bolt, or nail, wherein the support bar functions to provide support for the base when the base is attached to the wall.

Abstract: A profile for a bottom rail of a roller blind, which profile has a tubular shape with an inner surface and an outer surface. The wall of the profile is provided with a longitudinal groove at its outer surface for attaching a skirt of the roller blind in order to support the profile. The groove has a cross-section narrowing from its base towards the outer surface and the inner surface of the profile defines a space for a further roller blind, whereby the wall of the profile is provided with a longitudinal blind opening substantially opposite the groove.

Abstract: A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.

Abstract: A roller shade is provided. In some embodiments, the roller shade may include: a roller assembly; an inner portion of the roller assembly having an attaching structure for attaching to a mount; an outer portion of the roller assembly located on the roller assembly radially outward from the inner portion; a slot in the outer portion; and an insert dimensioned to be slidably received into the slot along with a portion of a shade to thereby attach the shade to the roller assembly. A method of attaching a shade to a roller assembly may also be provided.

Abstract: A fascia mounting system for a window covering includes a bracket having a front flange with a removable spring clip at the bottom of the front flange. A fascia member of the system includes structure engaging the upper end of the flange and the spring clip at the bottom of the flange.

Abstract: A portal extends through a vertical surface. The portal is bounded laterally by a vertical closing rail and a parallel opening rail. A flexible door has a size essentially equal to that of the portal. The door has an interior edge and an exterior edge. The interior edge is secured within the closing rail. Guide mechanisms include fixed upper and lower tracks. The upper and lower tracks are adapted to receive and guide the movement of the door when moving to and from an open orientations. A closure assembly includes upper and lower cables and pulleys adapted to move the door to the closed orientation.

Abstract: A roller blind device, in particular for a sliding roof system, having a roller blind web that, at least one end, can be wound by a winding device to form a roller blind winding, with the winding device comprising self-winding spiral springs that are connected to the roller blind web, with a winding shaping device being provided for shaping and/or guiding the roller blind winding, with the winding shaping device interacting with the roller blind web only in web regions of the roller blind web between the spiral springs.

Abstract: A window shade device including a shade, a pair of rails disposed so as to have a gradually decreasing spacing therebetween from proximal ends to distal ends thereof, a housing device disposed on the proximal end side, a drawing member supporting a drawing-side edge of the shade, and a pair of runners connected to both ends of the drawing member and configured to respectively move along the pair of rails. Upon the pair of runners being guided by the pair of rails to move, the drawing member deforms to have a dimension varying in the width direction of the shade, and causes the drawing-side edge of the shade to advance and retract in the drawing/housing direction such that the drawing-side edge is disposed on the drawing side exceeding the pair of runners in a state in which the shade is drawn.

Abstract: Included are: a shade; a pair of rails disposed so as to have a gradually increasing spacing therebetween from a proximal end to a distal end thereof; a housing device disposed on the proximal end side, to which the shade is mounted so as to be drawn therefrom and housed therein; a drawing member that includes a plurality of shade support parts supporting a drawing-side edge of the shade at a plurality of positions in a width direction and is configured to become larger and smaller such that intervals of the plurality of shade support parts become larger and smaller in the width direction; and a pair of runners connected to the drawing member and configured to move along the pair of rails. The drawing member deforms to become larger and smaller as the pair of runners are guided by the pair of rails to move.

Abstract: A draft arrester for an overhead door. An exemplary embodiment may include a flexible draft curtain extending between a ceiling structure and a wound-up portion of the overhead door. The draft arrester may include a follower assembly, which may include one or more rollers arranged to roll against the overhead door. An exemplary embodiment may include a repositionable arm arranged to press the rollers against the wound-up portion of the door.

Abstract: In a screening arrangement comprising a top element, a bottom element, and a screening body, the top element includes two end pieces (410) and a spring-biased roller bar mounted on a roller shaft (461). The roller shaft (461) and one of the end pieces (410) constitute an integral one-piece unit formed by molding.

Abstract: A protection or shading system for a motor vehicle, in particular a wind deflector system for a convertible, with a base, a sheet-like structure entendable between an inoperative position and a functional position in an extension direction away from the base, a rigid end element fastened to the sheet-like structure, and an extension device fastened on one side to the base and on the other side to the end element. The extension device is designed so as to transfer the system from an inoperative state in which the sheet-like structure, the end element and the extension device are each in an inoperative position, into a functional state, in which the sheet-like structure, the end element and the extension device are each in a functional position.

Abstract: A roller blind cassette for receiving a roller blind shaft and a roller blind which in the stowed state is wound onto the roller blind shaft and in a functional state is drawn in a longitudinal direction through an exit slot of the roller blind cassette. The cassette has a housing with a hollow section slotted along its length and extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and forming the exit slot of the roller blind cassette. Two opposite edge regions extend on both sides of the slot of the hollow section and are connected to one another in the region of two opposite ends of the hollow section by a connecting bridge, the connecting bridge being connected to one of the edge regions by a connecting arrangement that counters in a positive manner the freedom of the connecting bridge to rotate at the edge region.

Abstract: A sunshading apparatus includes a sunshade cloth having top and bottom ends respectively connected to a cross bar and a winding shaft. The cross bar has two opposite end pieces connected respectively to two track rails. The sunshade cloth passes through the passage opening. Two cover units close openably two opposite end portions of a passage opening formed in a rear window shelf of the vehicle. Each cover unit has two cover plates disposed pivotally at two transversely opposed sides of the passage opening and movable toward each other to a closing position that covers the corresponding end piece, or away from each other to an opening position that permits passage of the corresponding end piece.

Abstract: A fabric gate has a ratchet assembly, a delaying assembly and a driving device. The ratchet assembly has a ratchet, a positioning ring and a driven pad. The ratchet has a wheel provide with multiple upper ratchet teeth and multiple lower ratchet teeth. The upper ratchet teeth extend toward a direction opposite to that of the lower ratchet teeth extending. The positioning ring is expandable and has engaging teeth engaging respectively with the ratchet teeth on the ratchet. The driven pad is attached to the top of the positioning ring to expand the positioning ring when the driven pad is rotated by the driving device. The delaying assembly is mounted in the top cap and connected to the ratchet assembly to reduce to the rotating speed of the driven pad.

Abstract: A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.

Abstract: In a curtain assembly with a bracket, a guide apparatus includes a guide with a surface alignment tab and a bracket connector, for removable connection with a bracket, connected with the surface alignment tab. A first exit guide and a second exit guide locate a curtain within an opening front to back while the guide locates the curtain assembly within an opening side to side and front to back.

Abstract: A device for managing a retractable sheet that is wound on a roller by the action of a spring that may be extended by pulling on the exposed edge of the sheet wherein the device is used for printing messages thereon or for obscuring the view of nearby items. The device is easily changeable for multiple uses as the roller containing the sheet is separable from the main unit, allowing reuse of the more complex and expensive components of the device. A brake on the device prevents the spring from unwinding when the roller is removed. A damping mechanism limits the retraction speed of the sheet, which the damping mechanism being disengaged when the sheet is being pulled out. A cover is provided to obscure the main part of the unit and to prevent tampering. A unique slot configuration allows for easy, tamper-resistant installation of a header card. A pull tab is made of inexpensive components and is designed to allow for easy placement of a graphic label.

Abstract: A pull bar screen apparatus and system in which screen is mechanically attached directly to a pull bar. Weld-less friction-lock cold-joining of screen and pull bar provides an improved pull-bar screen apparatus used in retractable pull screens. The pull bar screen apparatus and system remove the need for attaching a vinyl strip to the screen. Instead, the screen is flattened to retain its form and structural integrity. On one elongated end of the screen, an upper and lower lock bar are placed on either side of the screen. Corrugated ridges in the lock bars pinch the screen and hold it in place. A lock bar casing is placed under pressure around the upper and lower lock bars which hold the lock bars in position and thereby retain the screen.

Abstract: A horizontally extending screen door system having balancing cords that pull in a direction that opposes the force on a handle by the screen exerted by the wind up mechanism of the screen.

Abstract: A protective device for a vehicle interior having a flexible sheetlike structure provided on opposite sides with side edge regions, a winding shaft rotatably mounted and on which the sheetlike structure is held such that it can be wound up and unwound, and dimensionally rigid pull-out profile fixedly connected to a front face end region of the sheetlike structure in the unwinding direction. Each side edge region of the sheetlike structure cooperates with at least one deflecting guide means which, in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner, transmits to the side edge region a tensile force component which acts outward transversely with respect to the winding-up or unwinding direction of the sheetlike structure.

Abstract: This high-speed door is provided for closing a bay made in a wall (4) delimited by a lintel and by two vertical sides. The door comprises: two lateral parts placed in an essentially vertical manner against each of the vertical sides of the bay; a shaft (12) positioned at the level of the lintel of the bay and rotationally driven by electromechanical means, and; a curtain (7) made of a flexible material having a first side (7a) and a second side (7b), joined to the shaft (12), the rotation of the shaft (12) being able to move the curtain (7) between a closed position in which the curtain (7) closes the bay and an open position in which the curtain (7) opens the bay.

Abstract: A head rail or head rail assembly for an architectural closure, the head rail including an elongate front wall having left hand and right hand longitudinal ends and an elongate bottom wall having left hand and right hand longitudinal ends. A left hand end structure is positioned adjacent to the left hand longitudinal end of the bottom wall and a right hand end structure is positioned adjacent to the right hand longitudinal end of the bottom wall. A first slot is defined between the left hand end structure and the left hand longitudinal end of the bottom wall and a second slot is defined between the right hand end structure and the right hand longitudinal end of the bottom wall. At least one of the first and second slots is closed by a removable closure.

Abstract: Awning of the type that is to be mounted on or in a facade or a wall of a building or on a vehicle, comprising a frame and sunshade means in the form of a screen which, in mounted condition, is movable with respect to the facade or wall. With the frame a spraying installation is integrated for dispersing a spray from the frame. The spraying installation comprises at least one nozzle mounted in the frame for dispersing the spray mainly under the screen. Furthermore, impeller means may be provided for effecting an improved dispersion of the spray.

Abstract: A retractable banner display includes an easily replaceable banner core. Housing for the banner core includes an end cap with a reentrant opening on its top edge that receives and retains an end peg of the banner core. The end peg has a height greater than its width so that its movement is restricted within the reentrant opening. A retention member, such as a notch, may be included to hold the core within the reentrant opening when the banner is pulled to its extended position. A plurality of replacement banner cores may be included with a display assembly. The banner core may be configured to lock in a first orientation and unlock in a second orientation to assist in loading the core into the housing and assist in maintaining tension in the core. An adapter may be used to adjust the display angle of the banner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a curtain system for a side of a shelter for domestic animals, wherein the side is open except for an animal restraining grid and the curtain system. The system includes an elongated tube horizontally mounted outside the grid. The tube carries a shaft about which an elongated curtain is wound. A horizontally extending end of the curtain protrudes through a slot of the tube. A drive raises and lowers the tube relative to the grid and winds and unwinds the curtain to raise and lower the curtain relative to the grid. The raising and lowering of the tube are independent of the winding and unwinding of the curtain. A fixed cable keeps the tube and curtain proximate the grid.

Abstract: A portable roll up window blind has an adjustable length and is removably mountable within the frame of a window. The blind has shell housing of an adjustable length and a telescopic winding core mounted between two end plates of the shell housing. One of the end plate is slidable and adjustable by a wedging means for pressing against the adjacent side wall of the window frame so that the two end plates cooperate with one another to secure the blind at a selected position in the window frame. The window blind panels are wound on the winding core in an overlapping manner. The winding core has one end engage with a round support pin located on the inner surface of the one end plate, and the other end engaged with a rotary shaft having a multi-sided cross sectional shape. The rotary shaft is rotatable by a pull chain for raising or lowering the window blind panels.

Abstract: A device for correcting skew in roll-up retractable coverings for architectural openings includes a friction device positioned within the head rail for movement between releasably fixed positions and disposed for engagement with the fabric of the covering to regulate the rate at which the fabric is wrapped about a roller in the covering at selected locations along the length of the roller to correct for any inherent skew in the covering.

Abstract: Barrier systems and associated methods, including vapor and/or fire barrier systems, are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a barrier system that includes a barrier coupled to a spool. The barrier is positioned to be wound onto and off of the spool as the barrier moves between a deployed position and a retracted position by a drive assembly. The system further includes a seal assembly positioned in a housing and contacting the spool to create a barrier to smoke and vapor migration through the housing. The system still further includes a sensor operably coupled to a control system and positioned to sense barrier position as the barrier moves between the deployed and the retracted positions.

Abstract: A portal barrier movement alarm includes an apparatus having (a) a first assembly adapted for attachment to the moveable portal barrier; (b) a second assembly adapted for attachment spaced apart from but proximate to the moveable portal barrier; (c) and a vibration inducing ridge and a vibratable prong, the vibratable prong having a vibratable free end, one of the vibration inducing ridge and the vibratable prong being attached to the first assembly and the other of the vibration inducing ridge and the vibratable prong being attached to the second assembly such that the movement of the first assembly with respect to the second assembly causes the vibratable prong to contact the vibration inducing ridge and to thereby cause the vibratable prong to vibrate.

Abstract: A system is provided to adjust the orientation of the axis of a roll which carries a fabric storm curtain used to protect an opening in a structure. The system includes a bracket positioned at each end of the roll and a plate which is received in a recess in each bracket. The plate includes a hub which carries the roll and which has an axis aligned with the axis of rotation of the roll. The hub is positioned off center of the plate so that dependent on the orientation of plate relative to the recess, different orientations of the axis of the roll are provided.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a covering for architectural openings such as windows, doors, archways, and the like, includes complementary components on the headrail and the mounting bracket to permit the mounting bracket to be inserted into the headrail and a lock lever is provided with access forwardly of the headrail to lock the headrail in position on the mounting bracket or condition the mounting bracket for release of the headrail from a temporarily secured relationship.

Abstract: A retractable screen device including a screen frame formed by upper and lower frame members and right and left side frames, each having a fixed cross section along its entire axis, and corner linking members linking the ends of the frame members and side frames together at four corners of the screen frame. One of a pair of corner linking members situated at the ends of the side frame carrying a screen winding shaft includes a winding mechanism that is movable into and out of the winding shaft to cause the winding shaft to wind a screen thereon with aid of an adjustable spring force, while the other corner linking member includes a stopper mechanism that is movable into and out of the winding shaft to define an adjustable limit to a degree of unwinding of the screen from the winding shaft.

Abstract: A retractable boat top device is disclosed having an arched canopy assembly operatively deployed in mounted attachment upon a conventional radar arch or like elevated structure on the deck of a boat. The arched canopy assembly includes a stationery roof section formed having a curved planar surface transversely mounted within the radar arch, a pair of telescoping extension arms mounted on opposite sides of the roof section, and an arched roller assembled to hold a flexible canopy material thereon and operatively connected between the outer ends of the extension arms so that the flexible canopy material may be extended and retracted relative to the stationery roof section in an arched configuration substantially in the same plane as the roof section.

Abstract: A retractable display apparatus (10) comprises a housing (12), a drum (14) journalled for rotation in the housing, a display sheet (16) wound on to the drum, and a slot (22) in the housing through which the display sheet can be unwound from the drum against the action of a return spring, wherein a flexible leader strip (28) extendable through the slot is provided for releasably attaching the display sheet to the drum (14) in an easy and convenient manner outside the housing (12). The leader strip (28) has ribs (28.2) along both longitudinal edges, one rib being engageable with the drum and the other with an undercut formation (30) secured to the display sheet (16).

Abstract: A roller tube housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion configured to lockingly engage with the first housing portion defining an interior and an exterior. A support cradle can be formed integral with the first housing portion. The support cradle can be configured to support the roller tube along a length of the roller tube. A dispensing passage for dispensing material from said roller tube.