Abstract: Door elements are disclosed herein. An example door element includes a first flexible door movably coupled relative to a wall between at least a first closed position to cover a first portion of a doorway, a first open position to enable a vehicle to access to the doorway, and an intermediate position to engage a first surface of the vehicle when the vehicle is adjacent the doorway. The door element also includes a second flexible door movably coupled relative to the wall between at least a second closed position to cover a second portion of the doorway, a second open position to enable the vehicle to access the second portion of the doorway, and a second intermediate position to engage a second surface of the vehicle when the vehicle is positioned adjacent the door opening, where the first and second flexible doors each deform to pivot relative to the wall.

Abstract: A slat or vane for use in a covering for an architectural opening is suitable for use in either a horizontal or vertical orientation and in a horizontal orientation will not sag or droop, and in a vertical orientation will rotate uniformly along its length when rotated from end thereof. The slat is formed in a tubular configuration and has a base material of glass fibers bonded together in a thermoformable resin so as to maintain the arcuate curvature desired for the tubular slat or vane. The slat can be repeatedly deformed and will always return to its original configuration.

Abstract: A curtain panel is provided for use in retrofitting vertical blinds. The curtain panel is configured to hang in place of vertical blind slats as a retrofit application that provides a greatly improved appearance as compared to traditional vertical blinds. In general the curtain panel employs a system of buttonholes along a top edge of the panel to affix it in place on the same hook system where the vertical slat deteriorating blinds were formerly held in place. In this manner a retrofit is offered as a fashionable option to ugly blinds. The user also has the ability to coordinate a patio door (sliding glass door, etc.) panel to his/her interior decor.

Abstract: A door panel for an overhead roll-up door assembly having a first face, a second face, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The door panel is constructed by butt jointing at least two sub-panels together in a horizontal direction such that neither sub-panel overlaps the other and applying at least one strip of seaming material over each horizontal butt joint, the seaming material being adhered over each butt joint on at least the first face of the door panel. The door panel further includes at least one strip of seaming material adhered vertically along at least one face of the door panel extending from approximately the top edge of the door panel to approximately the bottom edge of the door panel, and being configured such that a top face of the vertical seaming material is substantially co-planar with a top face of the horizontal seaming material.

Abstract: Multistable shape-shifting surfaces that retain their effectiveness as physical barriers while undergoing changes in shape and that can remain stable in the various shapes. The shape changes include any motion that makes the surface more effective at performing its function, such as expansion, shrinkage, twisting, encircling, wiggling, swallowing or constricting. The shape-shifting surfaces include tiled arrays of polygonal cells, each cell including specifically-designed compliant flexures attached to specifically-shaped overlapping thin plates or shells. The surfaces remain stable by leveraging them during deformation to an extent that they cannot spontaneously return to the unstressed shape. Applications for such surfaces include micro-scale cellular engineering and macro-scale biomedical applications, recreational uses, national security, and environmental protection.

Abstract: A hollow slat includes an elongate body having a space defined therein and two ends of the elongate body are two closed ends. At least two through holes are defined through top and bottom surfaces of the elongate body and each through hole has a peripheral wall which is connected between the top and bottom surfaces of the elongate body such that the through holes are not in communication with the space in the elongate body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing carriage house style sectional doors. A plurality of fabricated door sections, each section having a length that spans the garage opening. Each section includes an upper molding, a lower molding, and a paneled skin interposed between the upper and lower moldings. Each section is separately fabricated and then hingedly attached to an adjacent section via a plurality of hinges. The paneled skin is fabricated by bending a piece of sheet metal to provide a plurality of alternating raised and recessed surfaces. The paneled skin further includes features for coupling an upper and lower end of the paneled skin to the upper and lower moldings. Once completed, the hinged door sections are installed to selectively cover the garage opening. In yet another embodiment, a raised surface of the paneled skin creates a cavity into which a finger guard is inserted.

Abstract: A reflector system for a window blind has a plurality of adjustable slats. The window blind is mounted on the inside of a window in a building. The reflector system comprises a plurality of reflective sheets. A mechanism is for affixing each reflective sheet onto one surface of a slat. When the slats are adjusted to a proper 30-60 degrees angle with the reflective sheets facing the window, the reflective sheets will reflect solar rays having radiant heat back out through the window to help cool the building in a 20 degrees differential temperature.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a window shade comprising a plurality of slats carried by a retracting member; a reflective layer included in each slat wherein the reflective layer reflects natural light away from a structure when the slats are in a first position and reflects light into the interior of a structure when the slat are in a second positions; and, an image segmented onto each of the slats so that when the slats reflect light into the interior of a structure, the image is integrated and reflected on the ceiling of the interior of the structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a panel section intended for assembly with other equivalent panel sections as a section door. The panel section includes two sheets thermoformed together to define a panel, an attachment tab, a living hinge unitarily formed between the panel and the attachment tab, a receiver portion configured to receive the attachment tab of an equivalent panel section when assembled as a sectional door, a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface, where the second bearing surface is configured to bear against the first bearing surface on the equivalent panel section when assembled as a sectional door. Also disclosed are a method of thermoforming the disclosed panel section and a method of assembling the disclosed sectional door.

Abstract: An improved sandwiched garage door panel. The first improvement is that the rear covering skin is made of 25 point embossed wood grain polyboard which is much less expensive than steel so that the cost of manufacture of the panel is significantly reduced. The second improvement is the creation of a channel within the central foam core of the panel with at least one and preferably two steel plates retained within the channel. As a result, a mounting plate of the hinge assembly which interconnects two adjacent panels can be affixed to the steel plate and thereafter the rear covering plate is affixed to the foam core to thereby conceal the mounting plate resulting in a more attractive garage door panel.

Abstract: A shutter blade and blade assembly in an accordion shutter assembly used to protect a building opening from flying object damage caused by storm or hurricane. The blade assembly includes one or a plurality of preferably transparent or translucent plastic, preferably polycarbonate blades each having one molded edge defining a male hinge half and a slide-on metal female hinge half slidably engaged into the other edge of the shutter blade which is formed as a rail. The molded plastic male and slide-on metal female hinge halves have pivotally interacting features which matably engage with the corresponding edge of the next adjacent blade assembly to form the shutter assembly. Each blade assembly is preferably formed of a plurality of blades connectable together in an end-to-end arrangement and strengthened into a blade assembly by the preferably one-piece metal female hinge half.

Abstract: A shade structure includes a plurality of blades and a plurality of pairing units arranged in pairs such that paired ones of said pairing units are disposed at two ends of a corresponding one of the blades, respectively. The pairing units enable the shade structure to be put together or taken apart as needed, so as to enhance variability and practicability of the shade structure.

Abstract: Door elements having FinRay structures are described herein. An example door element described herein is movable between a closed position in which the element extends across a doorway to at least partially block the doorway, and an open position where at least a portion of the element moves to a non-blocking position relative to the doorway. The door element includes a first flexible side element to transmit tensile forces and has a proximal end and a distal end. The door element includes a second flexible side element to resist compressive forces and has a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second side elements are coupled to each other at their distal ends. The element includes a plurality of connecting ribs flexibly coupled to the first and second side elements to transmit tensile forces between the first and second side elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a textile blind united by weaving, which is formed as a single body by weaving slat textiles along a width between a front textile and a back textile in parallel with each other, wherein the slat textiles are arranged along the height of the front and back textiles to make the textile blind easily block lights.

Abstract: A window covering louvered blind system for horizontal and vertical orientations has a plurality of structurally sound and aesthetically appealing louvers within the body of the window-covering unit. A primary main body or middle segment of the louver is substantially planar with opposed fins that extend integrally in the same downward direction from the elongated edges of the main body at an obtuse angle. The preferred embodiments have a matching head-rail and bottom rail. Both symmetrical and asymmetrical versions of fins are disclosed. The louvers hereof are shown being used in blinds and shutters.

Abstract: A window covering louvered blind system for horizontal and vertical orientations has a plurality of structurally sound and aesthetically appealing louvers within the body of the window-covering unit, creating the look of soft fabric roman shades. A primary main body or middle segment of the louver is substantially planar, radiused or curvilinear with at least one fin which may be tapered and that extends from the elongated edge of the main body at a continuous obtuse angle. In some versions two opposed fins extend integrally in the same downward direction from the elongated edges of the main body at an obtuse angle. The preferred embodiments have a matching head-rail and bottom rail designed to neatly nest the louvers above it. Both symmetrical and asymmetrical versions of fins are disclosed. The louvers hereof are shown being used in blinds and shutters.

Abstract: Shape-shifting surfaces that retain their effectiveness as physical barriers while undergoing changes in shape. The shape changes include any motion that makes the surface more effective at performing its function, such as expansion, shrinkage, twisting, encircling, wiggling, swallowing or constricting. The shape-shifting surfaces include tiled arrays of polygonal cells, each cell including specifically-designed compliant flexures attached to specifically-shaped overlapping thin plates or shells. Applications for such surfaces include micro-scale cellular engineering and macro-scale biomedical applications, recreational uses, national security, and environmental protection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-contained protection device (1, 1a-1b) for provisionally blocking a passage (10) such as a corridor, a door, or a window, characterized in that it includes at least one longitudinally-extendable bar (2, 2a-2b), preferably a telescopic bar, the extension thereof being actuatable by an actuator (3), said bar being capable of being removably locked in an extended configuration between two wall surfaces (10a, 10b) defining said passage, referred to as locking surfaces, said extendable bar supporting one or preferably a plurality of blocking member(s) (4) to form a protection screen (5, 5a, 5b) blocking said passage, in which said blocking member(s) is or are preferably removably fixed.

Abstract: A fireproof, heat-insulating slat consists of a pair of slat members having the same structure and disposed in the opposite directions. An enclosed space is formed between the pair of slat members. A first upper shoulder and a first lower shoulder are formed on the top end of the slat from the left to the right, and a second lower shoulder and a second upper shoulder are formed on the bottom end of the slat from the left to the right. An upper hinge and a lower hinge part are formed on the first lower shoulder and the second lower shoulder, respectively, and the upper hinge part and the lower hinge part are bent toward the first upper shoulder and the second upper shoulder, respectively. The enclosed space is filled with a fireproof, heat-insulating material.

Abstract: A Venetian blind slat includes a retaining plate and a core plate attached to the retaining plate in such a way that two opposite sides of the core plate are respectively inserted into notches of the retaining plate. Thus, different core plates with different patterns can be selected to match the interior design for providing high practicability and durability.

Abstract: A storage component 20 for a vehicle includes a flexible component 22, such as a tambour door, formed of a plurality of slats 26 supported by and chemically bonded to a substrate 24. The flexible component 22 is translucent or transparent, allowing light to pass therethrough. The slats 26 are formed of a slat polymer, such as polypropylene (PP), and the substrate 24 is formed of a substrate polymer, such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The slats 26 also have a tensile strength of at least 5 MPa so that the flexible component 22 can support objects disposed on the flexible component 22, such as an arm of a passenger or a purse.

Abstract: A modular panel assembly that allows for rapid and relatively simple installation, while also providing flexibility for easy adaptation to any of a variety of constructions types. In some embodiments, the modular panel assembly involves panels which are prefabricated with panel connectors. Additionally, in some embodiments, the assembly involves two panel types that are substantially similar in their outward appearance, but differ internally so as to enable each of straight and non-straight surfaces for a structure being built.

Abstract: A window blind assembly adapted so that, when covering a window to a room, a person inside the room can see out, but a person outside the room cannot see in. The assembly includes alternating first and second slats. The first slats are semi-mirrored and semi-transparent. A source of illumination is provided to illuminate first major surfaces of the second slats. The first and second slats are arranged so that light reflected by the first major surfaces of the second slats is at least partially reflected, in a first direction, by the first slats.

Abstract: A method of making a window blind component comprises: (a) preparing a plurality of paper fiber sheets; (b) applying an adhesive to each of the paper fiber sheets; (c) stacking the paper fiber sheets together with the adhesive to form a stack, followed by press forming the stack to produce a paper fiber composite material; (d) heating and drying the paper fiber composite material and cutting the same into a blank; and (e) forming the blank into the window blind component.

Abstract: A garage door or garage door segment is provided, and includes a base structure and a cementitious layer on the exterior face of the base structure.

Abstract: A composite blind slat is made by impregnating a pulp fiber web with an aqueous dispersion that contains styrene-octylacrylate copolymer, and water, followed by thermal forming the impregnated pulp fiber web. The aqueous dispersion has a high penetrating ability to penetrate the pulp fiber web. The composite blind slat is environmentally friendly and can be made from waste paper pulp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional curtain sheet fabric having front and rear bands in the integrated-weaving type, and the invention provides three-dimensional curtain sheets 2 and 200 in the integrated triple-woven type on which front and rear bands 114 and 110 isolated at certain intervals right and left are arranged on the front and the back of a plurality of awning sheets 112 which are arranged up and down, wherein rear connecting portions 116 for connecting the central awning sheets 112 and the rear bands 110 in the warp and weft integrated-weaving type are formed on upper side edges of the central awning sheets 112 while front connecting portions 118 for connecting the front bands 114 and the central awning sheets 112 in the warp and weft integrated-weaving type are formed on lower side edges of the central awning sheets 112, thereby configuring the three-dimensional curtain sheet fabric 200.

Abstract: A window covering for convenient cutting includes an upper rail, a lower rail, a shade assembly, a lift cord means, an edging block and a removable coupling set installed on an outer side of the upper rail. The lift cord means has two lift cords laid outside the upper rail and passed through an engaging means located in the coupling set. The coupling set and the upper rail are latched through a latch portion and a channel. The width of the window covering can be cut at a desired length. Then the coupling set and the edging block can be installed on one side of the upper rail so that the widths of the upper rail and lower rail can fit the width of a targeted window or door. Cutting and installation of the window covering are easier.

Abstract: A fireproof, heat-insulating slat consists of a pair of slat members having the same structure and disposed in the opposite directions. An enclosed space is formed between the pair of slat members. A first upper shoulder and a first lower shoulder are formed on the top end of the slat from the left to the right, and a second lower shoulder and a second upper shoulder are formed on the bottom end of the slat from the left to the right. An upper hinge and a lower hinge part are formed on the first lower shoulder and the second lower shoulder, respectively, and the upper hinge part and the lower hinge part are bent toward the first upper shoulder and the second upper shoulder, respectively. The enclosed space is filled with a fireproof, heat-insulating material.

Abstract: A slat for Venetian blind with a stiffer support includes at least a pliable blade and two bracing bars. The pliable blade has two sides formed respectively a first threading zone and a second threading zone that are parallel with each other. On each of the threading zones there are a plurality of threading slots spaced from one another at a selected interval to allow the bracing bars to thread through alternately up and down from one end to other end of the pliable blade. The pliable blade has two ends folding inverse to form respectively a holding portion which has holding pockets to be wedged in by the tail ends of the bracing bars to form secured holding. The blind thus formed can provide more versatile profiles and colors, and has more aesthetic appeal and added-value.

Abstract: Exterior solar shading comprises at least one elongate rigid light-transmissible louver. The louver has an infra-red filter element which prevents or limits the transmission of infra-red energy, and a light redirection element which reflect visible light passing through the louver. The light redirecting element is integrally formed in a major surface of an outer louver element of the louver. Preferably, the light redirecting element is a plurality of formations such as recesses, for example, grooves, or projections, which may preferably have at least one mirrored surface.

Abstract: A three dimensional shade to provide a three dimensional layer structure and profile includes a movable frame and a shade. The movable frame is installed on any two sliding docks movable on a track of a upper beam. The movable frame includes at least two coupling plates that are hinged together to hang the shade. A drawing element is provided to draw and perform retraction and extension operations so that the shade can be retracted and extended to form a profile same as the movable frame to achieve the three dimensional effect.

Abstract: A sectional door insulation system has one or more insulation blocks attached to a protective sheet. Small grooves between the insulation blocks and the protective sheet accommodate brackets on the lower and upper walls of the section of a door, such as a garage door. The secure engagement of the brackets of the door and grooves of the panel holds the panel firmly attached to the door section. The protective panel may have a textured surface. The insulating block may optionally include a barrier foil and tabs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-locking slat for shutter, which has been specially designed to lock the shutter before attempts to open it from the exterior. The ends of the self-locking slat can be inserted into a coupling element, while the sides of the slat and of the coupling element between slats can be positioned inside side shutter guides, such that, the ends of the slat can rotate in relation to the ends of the coupling element. The slat object of the invention is characterized in that it at least includes a locking projection which becomes locked in the guide and at least one of its ends matches a cavity for engaging the end of the coupling element.

Abstract: A roller shutter curtain sectional slat is provided with thermal insulation between an inside and an outside. For this purpose, the sectional slat preferably has two panel elements only connected with each other by an intermediate element of poorer thermal conductance than the material of the panel elements. Hinge profile areas are only present on one of the two panel elements. Moreover, a roller shutter curtain is made of such sectional slats and a roller shutter equipped therewith.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an opening in a sliding vehicle door system including a linkage arm operably associated with the vehicle door and a vehicle body. Also included is a tambour door panel associated with the linkage arm. Further included is a channel located proximate a door trim panel having at least one slot, the channel including an opening capable of allowing the linkage arm to pass through at least a portion of the channel, where at least a portion of the tambour door panel slidably travels within the channel, wherein a sliding motion of the vehicle door imparts movement on the linkage arm, the linkage arm sliding within the at least one slot and the channel, and wherein the linkage arm simultaneously imparts movement on the tambour door panel.

Abstract: A panel (14) for an overhead sectional door (10) offers increased performance and economy by optimizing the panel skin (38, 42, 50, 52). The upper and lower structural rail areas (46, 48) which typically mate with corresponding lower and upper rails (48, 46) of an adjacent panel (14) have thicker skin (38, 42, 50, 52). The non-structural areas or the front face of the panel (14) in one embodiment has a thinner skin (38, 42) which is typically embossed with a wood grain or other pattern. The structural rail areas (46, 48) which have the thicker skin (50, 52) add rigidity and resistance to deflection from wind loads and similar dynamic forces. The overhead door panel (14) with differing performance characteristics for specific portions of the skin (38, 42, 50, 52) may be utilized with a variety of rail configurations (46, 48) such as a lap joint, tongue and groove joint, and convex/concave joint between adjacent panels (14).

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to light shelves for daylighting, and more particularly to light shelves that include both a diffuser and a reflector. According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a light shelf that includes at least one anchor bracket suitable for attachment to a building structure; at least one support beam attached to the anchor bracket; and a plurality of light transmitting airfoil-shaped louvers each supported and positioned by the support beam at a preselected fixed profile angle, wherein each of the louvers includes a diffuser and a reflective surface.

Abstract: A vertical blind panel including a plurality of substantially opaque louvers and a plurality of sheer transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of louvers. At least one of the plurality of louvers includes a first vertically oriented louver portion connected to a second vertically oriented louver portion.

Abstract: The vented shower curtain is a shower curtain having a plurality of air flow vents formed therethrough, allowing environmental air from outside a shower stall to pass into the shower stall, thus replacing heated air that has escaped overhead from the shower stall, and preventing the shower curtain from curling into the shower stall when a user is showering. The vented shower curtain includes at least two panels, with each panel having opposed first and second edges. The second edge of a first panel overlaps the first edge of a second panel, with a plurality of spaced apart seals securing the second edge of the first panel to the first edge of the second panel. Adjacent ones of the plurality of seals define air vents therebetween, thus allowing environmental to pass through the air vents when the bather is showering.

Abstract: A cut-resistant strip door is provided. The strip includes one or more strips that include a component that makes the strip resistant to accidental or intentional tearing or cutting. In one embodiment, the strips include a metal cable that is attached to the surface or longitudinal edge of the strips.

Abstract: A slat for Venetian blind with a stiffer support includes at least a pliable blade and two bracing bars. The pliable blade has two sides formed respectively a first threading zone and a second threading zone that are parallel with each other. On each of the threading zones there are a plurality of threading slots spaced from one another at a selected interval to allow the bracing bars to thread through alternately up and down from one end to other end of the pliable blade. The pliable blade has two ends folding inverse to form respectively a holding portion which has holding pockets to be wedged in by the tail ends of the bracing bars to form secured holding. The blind thus formed can provide more versatile profiles and colors, and has more aesthetic appeal and added-value.

Abstract: A vertical drapery panel including a plurality of louvers and a plurality of transparent or translucent spacers. Each of the plurality of spacers is disposed between a respective pair of the plurality of louvers. At least one of the plurality of louvers includes a first vertically oriented louver portion connected to a second vertically oriented louver portion. Each of the first and second louver portions includes a first portion that is substantially opaque and a second portion that is substantially transparent or translucent.

Abstract: A protective shutter assembly is provided for a door and/or a window. The shutter assembly includes a plurality of interfitted shutter slats, where each slat has an intermediate portion and a first and second end. The first and second ends take a curvilinear shape, where the first end of a first shutter slat is rotatably coupled to the second end of a second shutter slat. The first end of the first shutter slat is secured to the second end of the second shutter slat and an angle between the first and second shutter slat is adjustable between a minimum angle at an open position and a maximum angle at a closed position.

Abstract: A solar battery is partially attached to each blade of a blind. The position of each blade is adjusted based on position information such that each blade tracks sunlight. Electric energy obtained by the generation of electricity using an indoor illumination source is used to charge a battery. In addition to the generation of electricity, some of the blades are folded to let in light.

Abstract: A louver includes an integral core having first and second opposed surfaces. There is a layer provided on at least a portion of at least the first surface of the core. The layer has a design pattern with a plurality of projections extending away from the core. The louver is also provided with an array of light-traversable perforations extending through the core and the layer. An assembly that has a support mountable to a frame of an opening and a plurality of louvers. The louvers are mountable relative to the support so that the louvers cover the opening. The assembly also has rotation members for rotating the louvers between a closed position and a partially open position and a fully open position. The projections combined with the perforations allow the louvers to present improved light transmission-reflection effects particularly when rotated.

Abstract: A frangible connection for connecting parts of a knitted textile into a single panel is disclosed. The frangible connection is formed of a yarn having a lower tensile strength than that used to knit the parts of the panel so that the parts can be readily disconnected by tearing the frangible connection without damaging the structure of the parts themselves. Thus, a plurality of vertical blind louvers may be knitted into a single panel on a single knitting machine and separated later, preferably prior to installation. Knitted patterns which extend across multiple louvers may thus be practically manufactured without the difficulties in alignment which might be present if each louver were manufactured separately. The frangible connection also functions as a hinge for pivotably connecting the louvers of a combination blind together.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a light-transmitting sheet material capable of transmitting sufficient amount of light and providing high blinding effect. A sheet material (1) includes a front fabric (2), a back fabric (3), and light-shielding layers (4), and is shaped such that the front fabric (2) and the back fabric (3) are held with a predetermined distance therebetween by fixing entire constituent yarns by resin treatment. The front fabric (2) and the back fabric (3) are formed into a planar shape by arranging stitch rows of chain stitches, knitted in a warp direction, in a weft direction at a predetermined interval and by knitting an insertion yarn alternately in adjoining stitch rows by a predetermined length.

Abstract: An improved hunting blind having a mirrored outwardly facing surface and a camouflaged inwardly facing surface. The blind includes four panels that are hingedly connected together with invisible hinges for allowing the blind to be foldably compacted in the manner of an accordion for conveniently storing and transporting the blind. The top edge of the blind is formed with an irregular, zig-zag shaped contour for allowing the blind to blend in with a natural surrounding environment. When the blind is expanded and erected for use, the mirrored front surface of the blind is tilted forward. A game animal looking onto the front of the blind from a distance therefore sees only a reflection of the terrain surrounding the blind, thereby making the blind substantially indiscernible from the surrounding terrain and effectively obscuring a hunter positioned behind the blind.