Abstract: The light-exclusion covering is composed of two planar structures (1) located one behind the other, each of which consists of side by side webs (B) with regions (2; 3) of differing light transmissivity, that are connected to each other by connecting pieces (Z) with similarly selectable light transmissivity.The planar structures (1) consist preferably of a woven textile fabric produced on a knitting machine with programmed data for sizing and for the light transmissivity of the individual regions. (FIGS.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a bioassay incubator for use with a robotic arm, the incubator including: a housing; a first plurality of linearly spaced apart shelves disposed within the housing, the shelves dimensioned to support thereon bioassay trays; a robotic access opening defined in the housing and extending along the first plurality of shelves, through which robotic access opening the first plurality of shelves may be accessed by a robotic arm to place on, or to remove from, the bioassay trays; sealing apparatus disposed over and substantially sealing the robotic access opening; and the sealing apparatus having defined therethrough a robotic access window, the robotic access window being positionable adjacent a selected one of the first plurality of shelves and being minimally dimensioned to permit the robotic arm to assess the selected one of the shelves therethrough, while the sealing apparatus otherwise substantially seals the robotic access opening to minimize disturbance of the interior environment o

Abstract: A device in combination with a driving station of a vehicle for displaying and storing a flexible web containing information wound in two cylinder members that provide sufficient slag in the web to form a loop that holds a weighting member. The weighting member is pulled away from the first two cylinders either by gravity or spring action and the web is exposed by turning at least one of the two cylinder members. The two cylinder members an be manually or electrically actuated. A user thereby views a specific area of the map or information contained in the web. An electric bulb is provided to illuminate the web from inside the loop.

Abstract: A rolling gate of the invention has two gate parts movable toward or away from each other from opposite sides of a gate opening; carriage tracks mounted above the gate opening; a running carriage connected to each gate part and movably mounted on carriage tracks above the gate opening to carry each gate part as the gate parts are moved toward or away from each other; a guide member provided on each gate part extending along a front edge of each gate part; an L-shaped force transmitting element for each gate part, a first end of which is pivotally connected to and slidable along the guide member of that gate part and a second end of which is pivotally connected to a stationary member, advantageously the frame of the gate, and a linear drive for each gate part, which can be a hydraulic or pneumatic drive, including an extendible driven member connected to one of the force transmitting elements to pivot the force transmitting element and thus move the movable gate parts to or from each other to open and close th

Abstract: An automobile window shade system comprising a frame (20) formed of horizontal tubular elements (20a through 20c) and vertical tubular elements (22e through 22f) interconnected by T-shaped connectors (24a through 24f). The frame is installed inside the automobile body and contains a cord (42) guided through a plurality of guiding means (64, 66, and 68). Two adjacent shades (94 and 96) which are made of a light-impermeable flexible material are attached to a yoke (84). One end of the yoke is located inside the vertical tubular element (22e through 22f) between two stops (88 and 90) which are rigidly attached the cord. The cord is also connected to a handle (110). When the handle (110) is moved in the window shading direction, it moves the cord (42) and hence the stops (88 and 90). When the upper stop (88) comes into contact with the yoke (84) it moves the yoke and the shields (94 and 96) down, thus shading the windows.

Abstract: A shutter assembly for a bay window to close an opening by moving a shutter curtain upward from a containing space in the bottom of the bay window and to open it by way of a downward movement of the curtain under the influence of a coil spring. The basic driving system for the shutter is located either in the roof or in the lower containing space of the bay window. Various devices are disclosed including a seal for sealing the space between the leading member of the curtain and the roof of the bay window, a structure for installing the driving motor, a structure for detachable connection of the driving shaft, hainging members used to raise and lower the curtain, a structure for supporting the winding drum on the driving shaft, as well as features to allow maintenance of the shutter assembly.

Abstract: A window shade conveyor system for use with a window assembly having parallel frame members supporting a window pane therebetween, the frame members being non-vertically oriented, includes a shade roller rotatably disposed between the frame members at an upper portion of the frame members, the roller carrying a window shade wound thereon and adapted to be unwound to cover the window pane between frame members. A continuous drive shaft is supported between frame members adjacent the shade roller. Gearing is connected between the drive shaft and the roller to provide rotary motion to the roller to wind or unwind the window shade. A conveyor assembly is supported by each of the frame members, which conveyor assembly includes a rotatable driving member engaged to the drive shaft. An idler is supported at a portion of the frame member distal the driving member.

Abstract: A produce rack for the display and storage of produce having a display surface and an opening allowing the produce to be viewed. Refrigerated air is provided to the produce through the display surface. Water is periodically sprayed onto the produce by an automatic watering system. A flexible cover selectively closes the opening to optimize the condition of the air inside the display area. The cover includes a plurality of transparent curtains that roll up on rollers for storage and roll down for use. Strip connectors close the gaps between adjacent curtains. Hook and loop fasteners on the edges of the curtains and connectors allow the connectors to be secured to the curtains across the gaps simply by placing the connectors across the gaps.

Abstract: A structural arrangement is provided which is particularly useful in connection with solar greenhouses. The structural member is suitable for use in a parallel arrangement of the same particularly for the purpose of providing controlled shading. The structural member is provided as a hollow bar of elongated form provided with at least one longitudinally extending track channel having a relatively narrow longitudinally extended slot-mouth. The bar may be provided with two such channels and these channels are substantially circular in cross-section with the mouths defining reentrant angles therewith. In a solar greenhouse, members of the above type support a glazing with a curved-eave section, the bars being curved to shape and the channels therein accommodating the bulbous lateral edges of shades which are retained therein. The shades are transferred from one roller in the direction of a second roller.

Abstract: A flexible cover for closing the opening of a refrigerated produce rack when the produce does not need to be viewed thereby optimizing the refrigerated and moisturized air conditions inside the display area. The cover includes a plurality of transparent curtains that roll up on rollers for storage and roll down for use. Strip connectors provide connections across the gaps between adjacent curtains. Fasteners of the hook and loop type allow the strip connectors to be secured to the curtains across the gaps simply by placing the connectors across the gaps.

Abstract: A deployment and retraction arrangement for a slot cover which is adapted to cover or seal a longitudinally extending slot or space present between at least two adjacent located membranes or panels. More particularly, the arrangement is a rollable deployment and retraction arrangement for selectively deploying and retracting a slot cover employed for covering a slot or space present intermediate two adjacent membranes or panels so as to, preferably, prevent any FR leakage through the slot during radar operation of the panels.

Abstract: An electrically powered window shade with selectively variable shading characteristics is installable within a window opening for selectively blocking (by absorption or reflection), filtering and/or transmitting light through the window shade into a room for purposes of energy control and/or decoration, etc. This window shade comprises an upper roller assembly, a lower roller assembly, and an elongate flexible web wound on the upper and lower roller assemblies, with the web being longer than the spacing between the upper and lower roller assemblies. Each of the roller assemblies comprises an elongate tubular roller, bearings engageable with the end of the roller for rotatably journaling the ends of the roller with respect to the window. The web is scrolled onto and from the rollers as the latter are rotated about their respective longitudinal axes.

Abstract: An awning including an awning box having an outlet slot and, on its end sides, bearings for a winding shaft supported in the box, the awning box being non-rotatably mounted in wall fixtures. The canvas for the awning is connected at one end to the winding shaft and at its other end to the extension bar and is guided through the outlet slot. In order to reduce installation tolerance alignment errors between adjacent awnings, and to simplify the installation, the awning box contains, at least on one side, an attachment extending in the longitudinal direction of the winding shaft. The associated wall fixture, for receiving the attachment, contains at least one bifurcated extension extending at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the winding shaft, so that the attachment is inserted in the jaw of the extension, with the jaw being open in the radial direction with respect to the winding shaft.

Abstract: A window cornice assembly including two spaced cornice terminals, two shade retaining brackets, and a tapestry cover assembly including a replaceable spring-loaded cartridge and a tapestry cover. The tapestry cover is an elongated sheet of material having two ends. The first end is attached to the spring-loaded cartridge and can be rolled up around the cartridge. The second, or free, end includes a fastening member. One of the cornice terminals includes brackets for rotatably receiving the spring-loaded cartridge. The other cornice terminal includes a receiving member to which the fastening member can be attached. The cartridge is inserted in the brackets and the tapestry cover pulled around the terminals until the fastening member is attached to the receiving member. The cartridge is easily removable from the brackets so that different cartridges containing different designs can be substituted as desired. The shade retaining brackets are attached to each terminal.

Abstract: An insulating window shade assembly includes a first roller carrying an insulating shade and a second roller carrying a cover fabric. The shade and cover fabric are supported in essentially face to face relationship, and their bottoms are secured together by a Velcro-type fastener. The cover fabric conceals the insulating shade, it may be removed from the shade for cleaning or may be changed and it may be adjusted for smoothness and to compensate for any stretching which occurs in the materials.

Abstract: A structural arrangement which is particularly useful in connection with solar greenhouses is provided. Therein is provided a structural member in the form of a hollow bar of elongated form provided with longitudinally extending and parallel track channels having relatively narrow longitudinally extended slot mouths. A shade with a bulbous periphery is engaged in each of the track channels and a guide member is provided which changes the direction of movement of the shade as it exits from the ends of the corresponding track channels. The guide includes tubular extensions which extend into the track channels. The guide furthermore includes arcuate guide channels which are funnel shaped and operate in extension of the tubular extensions. A member operates in conjunction with the tubular extensions to a wall of the afore-mentioned bars for the mounting of the guide.

Abstract: A structural arrangement is provided which is particularly useful in connection with solar greenhouses. The structural member is suitable for use in a parallel arrangement of the same particularly for the purpose of providing controlled shading. The structural member is provided as a hollow bar of elongated form provided with at least one longitudinally extending track channel having a relatively narrow longitudinally extended slot-mouth. The bar may be provided with two such channels and these channels are substantially circular in cross-section with the mouths defining reentrant angles therewith. In a solar greenhouse, members of the above type support a glazing with a curved-eave section, the bars being curved to shape and the channels therein accommodating the bulbous lateral edges of shades which are retained therein. The shades are transferred from one roller in the direction of a second roller.

Abstract: The fireplace screen comprises a frame defining a central opening and including first and second pairs of vertical guide tracks along opposite lateral sides of the opening. A housing is mounted above the frame and a first flexible covering element is mounted for movement in the first pair of guide tracks. The first flexible covering element comprises a perforate mesh formed of heat resistant material. A second flexible covering element is mounted for movement in the second pair of guide tracks. The second covering element comprises an imperforate heat resistant material. A mechanism is mounted in the housing for individually raising and lowering the first and second covering elements in the guide tracks thereby covering and uncovering the central opening.

Abstract: A curtain for the window or skylight, etc., comprising a plurality of coiling sheets connected to each other in series is disclosed. One end of first coiling sheet is spliced to an adjacent end of the second coiling sheet in such a way that the said first and the said second coiling sheets coil together about the common axis which is the line of splicing of said two coiling sheets. The other end of the first coiling sheet is similarly spliced to the adjacent end of the third coiling sheet. A fourth and a fifth coiling sheets can be spliced to said second and third coiling sheets in the same manner and so forth. In the "coiled up state" which is the retracted state of the coil curtain, the coil curtain is of the configuration of a series of rolls of the coiling sheets adjoining each other.

Abstract: The solar gain through a window assembly is maximized in cold weather, and minimized in warm weather. The window includes first and second transparent sheets with an open volume between the sheets. A selective light reflecting device is disposed in the open volume, allowing passage of light from one sheet to the other in cold weather, but preventing passage in warm weather. A vent in a first frame, mounting the first sheet, selectively allows the passage of air from the exterior of a building containing the window assembly to the volume between the reflecting device and the first sheet, the air being circulated and then passed back to the exterior of the building. Another vent, in a second frame mounting the second sheet, allows circulation of air from the interior of the building, between the transparent sheets, and back to the building interior.

Abstract: Window unit (2) includes a window casing (4) having a plurality of flexible plastic sheets (6) mounted on spring rollers (30). Sheets (6) can be unrolled into an operative position where they are spaced in front of a transparent window panel to act as storm windows. Rectangular sealing frames (8) are movable in casing (4) between a first position in which the frames (8) are spaced apart to receive the plastic sheets (6) therebetween and a second position in which the frames (8) are pressed together to trap and seal the plastic sheets (6) therebetween. Frames (8) are movable manually by elongated shafts (50) which pass through key hole slot (56) in window casing (4).

Abstract: A device for controlling light transmission through an opening in which a pair of spaced planar parallel films are placed adjacent an opening. The films are selected to have uniformly and linearly varying light transmitting characteristics and are designed to be moved relative to each other, generally in opposite directions, so that a substantially uniform degree of light transmission is achieved over the entire opening area. The films may be either absorptive or reflective and the films may be moved manually or electrically and automatically in response to a sensing and control device.

Abstract: Solar heat is utilized for heating a door structure whereby to minimize the escape of heat from within the building or other structure upon which such door is used. The door comprises at least two flexible sheets, one thereof constituting the principal door structure and the other constituting the heat generating means. The second sheet is spaced outwardly of the first sheet and parallel therewith. Both of the sheets are supported in any convenient manner such as on rollers either or both of which are preferably spring loaded for counterbalancing purposes. The inner sheet is normally opaque to normal light and heat radiation, such as by being made of steel, and constitutes the principal door. The other sheet is in one embodiment transparent to shortwave electromagnetic radiation but opaque to longwave electromagnetic radiation and may preferably constitute a piece of transparent flexible plastics material.

Abstract: A roller-blind assembly comprises a plurality of roller blinds each windable about a respective shaft having a pair of ends. A plurality of mounting assemblies are provided some of which enclose mechanism for operating the blinds and some of which merely act as support bearings for the ends of the shaft. In addition these housings which are all identical are formed at their front and rear sides with slots in which are engageable flanges of adapters that can secure a continuous cover plate over a plurality of such housings to mask the roller blinds supported thereon. A plurality of axially aligned such housings may be secured via adjustable clamps to a ceiling-mounted rail that in turn is formed with a flange carrying the cover plate.

Abstract: An improved curtain assembly which comprises a cellophane sheet including small grains of a material which are absorptive to light and sun energy and reflective to heat provided in the building.

Abstract: A door comprises two flexible door panels or sections wound on tubes on opposite sides of a door frame. Uprights at the free edges of the door sections are supported and driven in opposite directions by toothed belts driven by a driving shaft extending through one of the winding tubes, the other tube having a similar shaft driven in the opposite direction by a reversing mechanism, the tube of each flexible door section being connected to its shaft by a spring barrel maintaining the door section under tension.

Abstract: A backdrop display apparatus is disclosed for selectively displaying one of plurality of flexible backdrop sheets wound on backdrop supply rollers, respectively, including a stationary bracket device to which the backdrop supply rollers are rotatably connected in parallel, generally horizontally arranged relation, in combination with at least one first guide roller arranged parallel with, adjacent and at a lower elevation than one end roller of the supply rollers, whereby the backdrops unwound from the remaining ones of the supply rollers are guided by the first guide roller for suspension adjacent the position at which a backdrop sheet is suspended from the said one end roller. Second guide rollers are associated with the said remaining supply rollers to guide the backdrop sheets during transport toward the first guide roller in spaced relation to the other backdrop supply rollers. Transverse rods are secured as weights to the free ends of the backdrop sheets to tension the same.