Abstract: An awning assembly and method is provided that includes an awning connection system coupling an awning canopy to a support structure. The awning connection system comprises a rolling assembly operably connected to the awning canopy, a lock bearing coupled to the rolling assembly, and an end cap, comprising a lock, coupled to the rolling assembly. Wherein, the rolling assembly comprises an unlocked mode, wherein the lock bearing is free from contact with the lock, and a locked mode, wherein the lock bearing is in contact with the lock.

Abstract: A display device is disclosed. The display device includes a flexible display panel, a panel roller, wherein the flexible display panel is wound around or unwound from the panel roller, a main frame extending in a longitudinal direction of the panel roller, wherein the panel roller is coupled to the main frame, a rod extending in the longitudinal direction of the panel roller, wherein the rod is spaced apart from the panel roller and the main frame, a sub frame coupling the rod with the main frame, wherein the sub frame is coupled to the main frame, and a bracket coupled to the sub frame.

Abstract: A check valve (10) for controlling a flow of fluid by fluid pressure, comprising a housing (11) and a resilient flexible valve element (12) inside the housing (11), wherein the valve element (12) is formed as a hollow and longitudinally tapered body (16) with an open wide end (18) and a closed narrow end (19), and wherein the wide end (18) of the valve element (12), in a default configuration, engages an inner surface of the housing (11) to close the check valve (10) and is deformable by a predetermined fluid pressure from the inlet (13) to open the check valve (10). The tapered body (16) comprises a radially outwardly projecting flange (17) at the wide end (18), which flange comprises a curved outer surface portion (20) having a degree of curvature of 85 to 95 degrees, wherein the housing (11) is formed with a protrusion (29) having a curved surface (30) for engaging the curved outer surface portion (20) of the flange (17).

Abstract: A curtain controller structure includes a fixing seat, an assembling seat having an accommodation space formed between the fixing seat and the assembling seat. The assembling seat includes a first chamber. A bead chain disc is disposed in the accommodation space. A first driving assembly is disposed in the first chamber of the assembling seat and has a first driving unit and a second driving unit. A traction string is connected to the first driving unit or the second driving unit of the first driving assembly and the bead chain disc.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening is provided. The covering may include a roller rotatable about a longitudinal axis, a shade associated with the roller, and an operating system operably associated with the roller. The operating system may include a base, a drive mechanism, a transmission, an actuator arm, and an engagement arm. The drive mechanism may be associated with the base to provide an input torque. The transmission may be associated with the drive mechanism to selectively transmit the input torque to the roller. The actuator arm may be associated with the base to indirectly set a rotation direction of the roller. The engagement arm may be associated with the base and engageable with the transmission.

Abstract: An information handling system hinge provides friction against rotational motion to generate torque that regulates housing portion relative position. Friction is generated by compression of friction elements with a super elastic wire under tension. For example, a nickel titanium alloy wire under two to eight percent strain provides a relatively low spring rate having consistent compression even as wear reduces the size of the friction elements.

Abstract: An information handling system hinge provides friction against rotational motion to generate torque that regulates housing portion relative position. Friction is generated by compression of friction elements with a super elastic wire under tension. For example, a nickel titanium alloy wire under two to eight percent strain provides a relatively low spring rate having consistent compression even as wear reduces the size of the friction elements.

Abstract: A zone-control unit for use in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the zone-control unit includes a heat exchanger, an inlet piping assembly coupled with the heat exchanger for supplying fluid to the heat exchanger, an outlet piping assembly coupled with the heat exchanger for receiving fluid from the heat exchanger, a bracket that maintains the inlet piping assembly and the outlet piping assembly in positional relationship, and an ancillary component coupled with the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A cover assembly for covering an open-top, railroad freight car is presented that may include opposing sideboards projecting above the top edges of the rail car and a cover moveable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, a containment volume may be accessible from above for the loading of a bulk commodity into the containment volume. In the closed position, the cover may substantially cover at least a majority of the containment volume from above. The cover may be elevated above a top edge of the rail car.

Abstract: A device having a self-winding element is described. The self-winding element is built on a flexible membrane; it has an extended form and a retracted form. Stiffness in the extended form may be provided using membrane curvature, or a retractable support member may be used, or both. Transitions between the extended form and the retracted form are preferably accomplished using sequential activation of tensile members that are configured in segments of the membrane. Activation of the tensile elements is preferably implemented using a processor or controller that activates tri-state drivers in a predetermined sequence in order to pass a current through each element when heating is desired. A preferred material used for the tensile elements is thin film NITINOL.

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: 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: A roller shutter for an opening leaf of a building, includes a retractable shut-off panel that moves between retracted and deployed positions, and a guide to selectively guide the panel a path between the retracted position and a deployed position in a first plane, and another path is a path between the retracted position and a deployed position in a second plane parallel to said first plane. The guide selectively switches movement of between said first path and said second path. A deployment-switching stop guides the shut-off panel along the second path when the shut-off panel is in contact with the deployment switching stop and the shaft is driven in a direction of rotation for deployment.

Abstract: A twin roller smoke or fire barrier having: two parallel rollers and a curtain comprised of narrow curtain portions rolled on the rollers and arranged along the length of the rollers of alternate rollers with end margins overlapping opposite each other; the barrier including: a mechanism for varying separation of the rollers by at least the change in the overall diameter of one roller and its curtain portions between wound-up and unwound states, the mechanism including: movable supported roller or rollers; whereby in the unwound state of the curtain, the overlapping margins abut or at least are separated by a negligible amount at the rollers.

Abstract: A roller blind system for a motor vehicle for screening a vehicle window including a flexible sheet element, a roller blind shaft on which the flexible sheet element is wound in a stored state of the roller blind system and from which the flexible sheet element can be unwound in order to achieve a functional state of the roller blind system, a pull-out rod attached to an end of the sheet element oriented away from the roller blind shaft and two guide rails for guiding the pull-out rod on each side between a first position associated with the stored state and a second position associated with the functional state.

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: This invention relates to a portable, self-contained tarping system for on site containers comprising a tarp, support bows, and a rack. This tarping system provides coverage for a stationary container to prevent contents from failing out of the container and also to prevent rainwater from gathering and causing run-off into surrounding land.

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 trough shade system and method of use provide improved support for a roller tube and shade material. The roller tube and wound shade material are located within a support cradle to minimize unwanted deflection by the roller tube and associated wrinkling and deformation of the shade material. Various mechanisms allow the roller tube a limited range of movement within the support cradle. The system is suitable for shading larger areas than other shading systems which rely on roller tubes with fixed supports at the ends.

Abstract: A support assembly is provided for a roller tube that holds sheet material. The support assembly has opposed first and second mounts adapted to support the roller tube when rotatably coupled to the mounts. The mounts can include slides having a slide member that slides within a slide bracket. A support cradle is disposed between the first and second mounts. The support cradle is configured to support the roller tube along a length thereof. Various spring elements can be arranged to apply a force to the roller tube in an upward direction when the roller tube is positioned to dispense material therefrom in a downward direction, thereby preventing the sheet material from telescoping and/or from dragging or binding against the support cradle as it winds and/or unwinds, while also keeping the material from being wound tighter at the ends than across the rest of the roller tube.

Abstract: An animal barrier device comprising one or more rotating bodies and fixture structures, in which in use the fixture structures, rotatably support the one or more rotating bodies on a construction with which the animal barrier is used, in which each rotating body is an elongate body which rotates in use about a longitudinal axis, and in which the longitudinal axis is located at any point on a line between a center of the rotating body and a point below the rotating body.

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 trough shade system and method of use provide improved support for a roller tube and shade material. The roller tube and wound shade material are located within a support cradle to minimize unwanted deflection by the roller tube and associated wrinkling and deformation of the shade material. Various mechanisms allow the roller tube a limited range of movement within the support cradle. The system is suitable for shading larger areas than other shading systems which rely on roller tubes with fixed supports at the ends.

Abstract: A dual roll blind system is able to adjust a light shading rate or extent and comprises a winding roll which includes a roll casing rotatably supported between both side plates of a ceiling bracket; a driving winding roll which includes a moving member disposed between both side plates in parallel with the winding roll and is thread-engaged with a screw shaft rotating by means of a blind winding device of one side, a straight moving member which is provided for left and right straight movements by restricting the rotation of the moving member, and a roll casing engaged with the moving member and the straight moving member; a first blind material of which upper end is fixed at the winding roll and in which a light transmission part and a light non-transmission part having constant widths are alternately formed in a width wise direction; a second blind material of which upper end is fixed at the driving winding roll and which has a light transmission part and a light non-transmission part corresponding to the f

Abstract: A trough shade system and method of use provide improved support for a roller tube and shade material. The roller tube and wound shade material are located within a support cradle to minimize unwanted deflection by the roller tube and associated wrinkling and deformation of the shade material. Various mechanisms allow the roller tube a limited range of movement within the support cradle. The system is suitable for shading larger areas than other shading systems which rely on roller tubes with fixed supports at the ends.

Abstract: A roll-up bicycle fender is mounted on a frame pipe of a bicycle. A fender main body of the roll-up bicycle fender can be pulled out into an operative position to act as a fender to protect rider from dust, mud and road debris when in use, and can also be rolled up into a cylinder member when not in use.

Abstract: A shade for architectural opening incorporating a single cord drive featuring automatic braking of the shade when the user releases the drive cord. In a preferred embodiment, an automatic tilt-open mechanism is provided to tilt the shade open when the shade is in the fully extended down position.

Abstract: A movable office screen system. A main screen unit has a first end and a second end opposite thereto. A first roller blind screen is disposed in the main screen unit and selectively extends to the exterior thereof. At least one roller is connected to the first end of the main screen unit. The main screen unit is supported by the roller and is moved by rolling of the roller.

Abstract: A door system has an axis, a door attached at a first end to the axis for winding and unwinding upon the axis, and a tensioned member surrounding and partially engaging an outer layer of the door wound upon the axis. The tensioned member exerts a radial force to the outer layer of the door wound upon the axis, thereby ensuring that the door is consistently wound tightly upon the axis and permitting the fast unrolling of the door from the axis. Although the tensioned member exerts a radial force upon the door, it imparts no significant lateral forces to the door. Accordingly, the door can have a simple construction with material, cost and space savings.

Abstract: A support assembly is provided for a roller tube having a sheet material wound therearound. The support assembly has opposed first and second mounts adapted to support the roller tube, which is rotatably coupled to the mounts. At least one support cradle is disposed between the first and second mounts. The support cradle is configured to support the roller tube along a length thereof A biasing member is arranged to reduce a force of the roller tube in a direction toward the support cradle, thereby preventing the sheet material from binding against the support cradle as it winds and/or unwinds.

Abstract: A retractable shade system is disclosed which includes a continuous shade panel adapted for removable attachment to the flexible shade panel of the shade system. The continuous shade panel can be replaced with another continuous shade panel without having to remove or disconnect shade system hardware.

Abstract: A trough shade system and method of use provide improved support for a roller tube and shade material. The roller tube and wound shade material are located within a support cradle to minimize unwanted deflection by the roller tube and associated wrinkling and deformation of the shade material. Various mechanisms allow the roller tube a limited range of movement within the support cradle. The system is suitable for shading larger areas than other shading systems which rely on roller tubes with fixed supports at the ends.

Abstract: A horizontal-pulling roll screen door for which the right/left hand can be set or changed easily and safely even by a layman and in a screen door in which a net wound up by a winding shaft of a movable stile is made capable of opening/closing by horizontal pulling. First and second caps rotatably supporting the winding shaft are mounted at the both ends of the movable stile capable of replacement by each other. A lock mechanism which can hold a locked state as necessary is provided between a connecting cylindrical shaft connected to the winding shaft and an intermediate support member connected to the first or the second cap unrotatably and removably. Rotation of the winding shaft by an urging force of a winding spring is prevented by this lock mechanism even when the both caps are removed for assembling or change of the right/left hand.

Abstract: This arrangement relates to an operating and control means for a shade arrangement, especially for a vehicle roof with a transparent roof surface, the shade arrangement comprising at least one shade with a shade roller and a shade fabric which can be unrolled therefrom by means of an electric actuator against the forms of a return spring assigned to the shade roller, and the shade roller with entrainment of the shade fabric being movable in side guide rails in order to move the shade surface formed by the unrolled shade fabric. As claimed in the invention, the operating means for this shade arrangement comprises a first switch arrangement (56) for setting the size of the shading surface formed by the shade fabric by taking up and unrolling the shade fabric, and a second switch arrangement (58) for moving the shading surface as a whole without changing its size.

Abstract: A warning sign that is attached to a spring-loaded roller contained in a housing, which is then secured to the truck or trailer. When the sign must be displayed, the driver simply pulls the sign from the housing and extends it across the vehicle's bumper. When it is fully extended, the free end is secured to mounting fasteners located on the vehicle. In this way, the sign is ready for use, clean and in good condition. After the load has been hauled and the sign is no longer needed, it can be released and rolled back inside the housing, ready for the next use. The housing can be installed on trucks, pilot vehicles, heavy equipment, and trailers and can be deployed whenever needed simply be pulling the sign out and securing it to the vehicle.

Abstract: A support assembly is provided for a roller tube that holds sheet material. The support assembly has opposed first and second mounts adapted to support the roller tube when rotatably coupled to the mounts. The mounts can include slides having a slide member that slides within a slide bracket. A support cradle is disposed between the first and second mounts. The support cradle is configured to support the roller tube along a length thereof. Various spring elements can be arranged to apply a force to the roller tube in an upward direction when the roller tube is positioned to dispense material therefrom in a downward direction, thereby preventing the sheet material from telescoping and/or from dragging or binding against the support cradle as it winds and/or unwinds, while also keeping the material from being wound tighter at the ends than across the rest of the roller tube.

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.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple, unobtrusive method of essentially sealing a window to control environmental elements. The method is easily installed, adjusted or removed and can be used behind existing window coverings. The method consists of at least two adjustable tension rods of equal length and a supple application specific fabric. The fabric has a width equal to that of the tension rods when fully extended. The length of the fabric is equal to or greater than the length of the window to be covered. An open-ended hem large enough to encase the tension rods is sewn along the width ends of the fabric. A tension rod is inserted into each of the open-ended hems. The tension rods are adjusted to fit snuggly in the window casing. The upper rod is abutted to the top of the window casing and the lower rod is abutted to the bottom.

Abstract: A shutter device co-operating with driving means for enabling the shutter (1) to be displaced between an open position and a closed position, this shutter (1) being guided by a guide track (4, 5) and being designed to close off a bay (6) or other opening. The device having a drum (8) about which the shutter (1) is wound when the latter is in the open position such that the shutter forms a roll (31) made up of turns formed by successive layers of the shutter (1). The shutter (1) can be unwound from this roll towards its closed position. The device further has confining means for preventing the turns from forming wrinkles as the shutter (1) is being displaced into the closed position and/or for preventing these turns from slipping relative to one another.

Abstract: A roller tube support mechanism includes a roller tube including a roller tube body. The roller tube is configured to support a sheet material wound around the roller tube body along a length of the roller tube body between a first end and a second end of the roller tube body. An assembly includes a first mount and a second mount opposite the first mount. The assembly is configured to support the roller tube rotatably coupled to the first mount and the second mount. A support cradle is coupled to the assembly between the first mount and the second mount. The support cradle is configured to support the roller tube along the length of the roller tube.

Abstract: An awning slide system for a recessed cavity is provided which includes a tray for supporting an awning mechanism with the tray being sized for containment within the cavity which includes an open side for enabling an awning to be retractably extended therefrom. A slide is provided for interconnecting the tray and a cavity surface in order to temporarily expose the awning mechanism outside the recess cavity for providing maintenance access thereto without inhibiting the mechanism from extending from the awing.

Abstract: An awning slide system for a recessed cavity is provided which includes a tray for supporting an awning mechanism with the tray being sized for containment within the cavity which includes an open side for enabling an awning to be retractably extended therefrom. Hardware is provided for interconnecting the tray and a cavity surface in order to temporarily expose the awning mechanism outside the recess cavity for providing maintenance access thereto without inhibiting the mechanism from extending from the awing.

Abstract: A cubicle door is comprised of first and second brackets for wrapping over the top edges of a cubicle panel on opposite sides of the entry way. A roller blind has a proxiinal end hinged to the first bracket, and a distal end which is removably supported on a support attached to the second bracket. The end of the roller blind is received in either one of perpendicular grooves on top of the support. The grooves allow the roller blind to meet the second support at different fixed angles to fit the shape of the entry way. Alternatively, a rotatable turret with a notch is arranged on the second bracket. The roller blind is received in the notch, and the second bracket may be oriented at different angles relative to the roller blind by rotating the turret.

Abstract: A gate having a main gate post and an outer gate post spaced from the main gate post. A support arm is mounted on the main gate post and extends from it to the outer gate post. The support arm is on the post above the ground a sufficient distance to allow some access under it. A flexible gate panel extends down from a roller carried by the support arm to normally close the gate. Winding means are provided for winding up the gate panel on the roller to partly open the gate. The support arm, carrying the wound up gate panel, can be rotated from the outer gate post to fully open the gate.

Abstract: In a blind device, comprising a fixed frame 1, at least a pair of arms 5 each having an end pivotally attached to the fixed frame, a moveable frame 4 which is adapted to move toward and away from the fixed frame in a parallel relationship by rotational movements of the two arms, and a light-shielding screen 3 having one end fixedly attached to and wound around a roll 2 which is pivotally supported by the fixed frame, and another end fixedly attached to the moveable frame, characterized by that; a pivot shaft for pivotally supporting each arm on the fixed frame is incorporated with spring means 16 which resiliently urges the corresponding arm toward its upright position, and the blind device further comprises an electric actuator 17 having reverse drive preventing means for applying a rotative force to the roll so as to wind the screen thereon against a spring force of the spring means.

Abstract: A flexible partition includes a curtain secured to a support structure at its topped edge and a shaft secured to the curtain displaced from the top edge and extending across the curtain. A driver is coupled to the shaft to rotate the shaft, thereby rolling and unrolling the curtain. A carriage connected to one end of the driver cooperates with a guide to restrict the rotation of the first end of the driver. The guide is pivotally coupled at one end to the support structure to move between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: A rolling screen comprises a screen case, a take-up shaft arranged rotatably about a central axis thereof within the screen case, and a screen wound on said take-up shaft so that the screen can be wound out of said screen case. The take-up shaft is normally biased in a screen-winding direction by a torsion spring. An outer peripheral surface of the screen wound on the take-up shaft is always maintained in contact with an inner wall of the screen case, said inner wall being located in a direction of winding-out of the screen, by pulling force applied to the screen upon extension of the screen or resilient force of a pressing spring when the screen is wound out or wound in.

Abstract: A roller blind drive comprising a roller blind member running along an oblique area to be shaded and a motor-driven and rotatably mounted winding shaft onto and from which the roller blind member may be wound and unwound. The winding shaft is mounted in a sliding manner at each end in respective guide tracks, which in the assembled state extend obliquely downward. The displacement of the winding shaft due to gravity in a downward direction is limited by a guide shoe element arrangement, the roller blind member unwound from the winding shaft being guided along such guide shoe element arrangement toward the oblique area.

Abstract: A pair of links hangingly support a bearing plate that secures a winding shaft of a shutter curtain. The links are arranged so that the dimension of the space accommodating the links can be minimized. A first link pivots at one end to an end of the bearing plate, adjacent to a shutter guide, and swings at the base end to a side wall of the shutter case so as to project upward away from the shutter guide. A second link pivots at one end to the other end of the bearing plate, away from the shutter guide, and swings at the base end to a portion of the side wall of the shutter case so that the second link extends under the winding shaft toward the shutter guide to bypass the winding shaft. Thus, both the first and second links can be accommodated within the diameter of the winding wheel.

Abstract: A cover system for preventing loss of loose material such as sand, gravel or plant clippings from open topped compartments such as dump truck bodies or trailers, storage bins or the like. The cover system includes a roller system for moving a cover sheet from a first, stowed, position away from the open compartment top to a second, deployed, position in which material in the compartment is closely confined by the cover sheet.