Abstract: A fire or smoke curtain comprising ng a plurality of panels (41, 42, 43) of fire curtain material. The panels are arranged to overlap at their edges (7) when the curtain is deployed. Each over-lapping edge has a metallic reinforcing strip (12) that are incorporated with the panels having the said edge along the latter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the modification of loading dock environments are provided that allow trailers and shipping containers on chassis' to park at a loading dock with closed doors and have these doors opened into the loading dock environment and resealed while the trailer remains at the loading dock. A resilient, semi-rigid protective panel can also be removably attached to cover part of the inside face of an opened trailer door, so as to protect it from impact by equipment or goods as they pass into and out of the trailer.

Abstract: A window cover may include a cover body, a mounting feature, a first roll-up-securing feature, a second roll-up-securing feature, a pull-strap, and a weight. The cover body can be moved between a rolled-up position and a deployed position. The mounting feature may be secured to a first side of the cover body and can attach the cover body above a window. The first roll-up-securing feature is secured to a second side of the cover body. The second roll-up-securing feature is secured to the first side of the cover body and is configured to engage the first roll-up-securing feature to retain the cover body in the rolled-up position. The pull-strap may be attached to the first side of the cover body and is accessible when the cover body is in the rolled-up position.

Abstract: An expandable shelter includes a ceiling panel that unfolds from a top, a floor panel that unfolds from a bottom, a flexible sidewall having a first end coupled to the ceiling panel and a second end coupled to the floor panel. The flexible sidewall further includes a window disposed in the sidewall, and a shade to cover the window. The shade is configured to transition between a closed state and an open state. A first line and a second line couple to the shade, extend between an interior of the expandable shelter and an exterior of the expandable shelter, and are usable to transition the shade between the closed state and the open state.

Abstract: An idler end for a roller tube of a roller blind. The idler end includes a housing having a bore therethrough, an internal partition and a generally cylindrical passageway extending through said partition. The passageway has an internal first should for engagement with a fastener. The idler end includes a shaft having (i) a pin portion for engagement with the roller blind, (ii) a receiver configured to pass through the passageway and for engagement with said fastener, and (iii) a second shoulder between the pin portion and the receiver end, and a biasing member configured to longitudinally bias said pin portion away from said housing. The idler end further includes a ring member surrounding said shaft positioned between said second shoulder and said biasing member, the ring member reducing the generation of noise created through rotational movement of said biasing member relative to said second shoulder.

Abstract: A flexible display device includes a plurality of back bars coupled to the rear surface of a display panel, and a spacing member disposed up to a boundary between a non-display area and a display area such that the display panel can be prevented from being scratched and damaged by friction during the rolling of the display panel. According to the aspects disclosed herein, in a flexible display device capable of implementing a rollable display or a foldable display, when rolling a display panel, it is possible to prevent the display panel from being scratched or damaged.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling architectural opening coverings are described herein. An example apparatus includes a roller tube, a motor including a motor drive shaft and a motor casing, the motor casing to rotate with the roller tube, and a manual control including a manual control drive shaft coupled to the motor drive shaft, the motor to apply torque to the roller tube through rotation of the motor casing.

Abstract: A display screen system is disclosed. The display screen system includes: a flexible display part; a winding and receiving part for winding and receiving the display part from a first end of the display part; and a control module for controlling the display part and the winding and receiving part. The control module includes a current detection circuit, which comprises a front-side electrode provided on a front side of the display part and a back-side electrode provided on a back side of the display part, and the front-side electrode and the back-side electrode are configured such that the front-side electrode is brought into contact with the back-side electrode to bring the current detection circuit into a switch-on state when the display part is wound. A control method for a display screen system is further disclosed.

Abstract: An audio packet error concealment system includes an encoding unit for encoding an audio signal consisting of a plurality of frames, and an auxiliary information encoding unit for estimating and encoding auxiliary information about a temporal change of power of the audio signal. The auxiliary information is used in packet loss concealment in decoding of the audio signal. The auxiliary information about the temporal change of power may contain a parameter that functionally approximates a plurality of powers of subframes shorter than one frame, or may contain information about a vector obtained by vector quantization of a plurality of powers of subframes shorter than one frame.

Abstract: A retractable curtain system including a first curtain region, a motor assembly and a mounting arm assembly. The first curtain region is capable of substantially covering the at least one opening when in an unrolled configuration. The motor assembly operably is attached to the first curtain region for moving the first curtain region between the unrolled configuration and a rolled configuration. The mounting arm assembly includes at least one mounting arm for pivotally mounting the motor assembly with respect to the building.

Abstract: A coupling module of a covering includes an elongated main member, a coupling device, and an adjusting unit. The elongated main member has an axial direction and a radial direction, and has a stop wall at one end thereof. The coupling device is movably connected to the main member, and the adjusting unit is connected to the coupling device to move the coupling device between a first position and a second position, wherein the coupling device is moved in a direction parallel to the radial direction, and a distance between the coupling device and the stop wall when the coupling device is at the first position is shorter than that between coupling device and the stop wall when the coupling device is at the second position.

Abstract: A window shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord may be encased within a collapsible member attached to each cord guide. The collapsible member is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position. The cord is secured to and is wound about a spring-loaded roller. The roller provides tension on the cord that counterbalances the weight of the shade so that the shading material may be positioned at any desired level.

Abstract: A shield system adapted for use in an air cooler structure (100). The shield system includes at least one flexible sheet (304) and at least one arrangement (106) for fixing, in use, the at least one flexible sheet to an air cooler structure.

Abstract: A window shade that reduces the risk of an individual becoming entangled in cords used to operate the shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through split ring cord guides toward the headrail. The cord is encased within a collapsible shroud attached to each cord guide. The shroud is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position.

Abstract: A window shade that reduces the risk of an individual becoming entangled in cords used to operate the shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord is encased within a collapsible shroud attached to each cord guide. The shroud is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position. The cord is secured to and is wound about a spring-loaded roller. The roller provides tension on the cord that counterbalances the weight of the shade so that the shading material may be positioned at any desired level.

Abstract: Provided is a roll blind apparatus using a roller bar, in which only one roll blind is applied to a rear seat so that in roll blind opening, a roll blind for a front seat can be opened, but the roll blind for the rear seat can maintain a closed state, and thus light introduced to the rear seat can be blocked, and by applying a roller function to an existing bar, the roll blind can be wound around the roller bar (mobile roller assembly), thereby solving the headroom shortage problem.

Abstract: A roller shade may be retracted and extended. In various implementations, when a roller shade is extended it may be laterally repositioned. The roller shade may include a track and a travelling member.

Abstract: A window shade that reduces the risk of an individual becoming entangled in cords used to operate the shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord is encased within a collapsible shroud attached to each cord guide. The shroud is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position. The cord is secured to and is wound about a spool fixed to a spring-loaded roller. The roller provides tension on the cord that counterbalances the weight of the shade so that the shading material may be positioned at any desired level. The shade does not require a graspable cord or cords for operation.

Abstract: A mobile taping system has a framework with a base section and a height adjustable main section connected to a cradle support. A rolled up tarp within the cradle support, can be unrolled and retracted by a spring-loaded roll-out and retraction assembly or a manual crank for covering the open container. The system is separate and independent from the container. Wheels extending from the base section permit the mobile tuning system to be transported between various containers, when a given container is filled with loose debris and must be covered.

Abstract: A system positioning a flexible partition at a desired vertical position includes an elongated cylinder extending across the entire partition, connected to the partition to divide the partition into upper and lower portions. An outer bearing is fixed to an outside surface of a first end of the elongated cylinder. A proximal end of an arm is coupled to the outer bearing outer surface, the outer bearing permitting rotation of the elongated cylinder with respect to the arm. A counterweight is fixed to a distal end of the arm, to inhibit movement of the arm during any rotation of the elongated cylinder. A rotor portion of a motor is coupled to the elongated cylinder for rotating the cylinder, and a bracket is fixed to stator portion of the motor and to the arm proximal end to inhibit rotation of the stator during any rotation of the elongated cylinder.

Abstract: A window shade that reduces the risk of an individual becoming entangled in cords used to operate the shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through split ring cord guides toward the headrail. The cord is encased within a collapsible shroud attached to each cord guide. The shroud is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position.

Abstract: A window shade that reduces the risk of an individual becoming entangled in cords used to operate the shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord is encased within a collapsible shroud attached to each cord guide. The shroud is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position.

Abstract: A window covering includes a first rail, window covering material, lift cords that extend from adjacent the first rail to the window covering material, and at least one pulley and at least one pulley release device. At least one pulley is positioned so that at least one lift cord passes along that pulley. Each pulley release device is attached to at least one respective pulley to releasably connect the one or more pulleys to the first rail. Each pulley release device is configured to permit the one or more pulleys to which it is attached to release from the first rail when a release force acts on a component of the pulley release device. Preferably, the one or more pulleys are positioned on the outside of the first rail adjacent to the window covering material. The one or more pulleys may also be positioned adjacent to a valance.

Abstract: A window covering includes a plurality of lift cords extending from an upper rail and window covering material connected to the upper rail or the lift cords. A plurality of safety devices are attached to the window covering. Each safety device includes a male member and a female member. One of the members is attached to a respective lift cord and the other of the members is attached to an upper rail, a portion of the window covering material or a lower rail. The male and female members are configured to be attached together such that the male and female members separate from each other when a release force acts on at least one of the male member and female member.

Abstract: A deployable heat and smoke obstacle is disclosed. A screen is wound around a shaft over a passageway in a building or a vehicle. The shaft can rotate in response to an alarm signal to deploy the screen over the passageway to prevent smoke and heat from passing through the passageway. The screen includes magnetic sheets that engage a corresponding magnetic surface near the passageway to hold the screen in place over the passageway. The screen also includes heat-sensitive fasteners that deform when heated to engage corresponding holes in the passageway to hold the screen in place over the passageway.

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 wire winding device includes a case, a reel received in the case for winding a wire thereon, a restricting member for restricting/releasing the reel, and a resilient member for interconnecting the case and the reel and rotating the reel and being movable with reel in an axis direction of the reel when the reel starts to rotate.

Abstract: A screen device including a screen guide that has a simple structure, stably operates, and, in a guided-out state, can be formed in a straight rail-like shape. A screen guide of the screen device includes a large number of guide pieces, each formed in an approximately U-shape by a bottom and standing walls respectively extending along the end of a screen and the external side surfaces of the screen, and having a structure in which passage holes are formed along the tops of the standing walls, two strings of wire members are exerted through the respective passage holes, and, when the screen guide is guided out along the end of the screen, the serial contact surfaces of the adjacent guide pieces abut against each other.

Abstract: A guide system for a roller blind of a sliding roof system has a guide rail and a slider that is fixed on the roller blind. The slider is accommodated in the guide rail such that the slider is displaceable in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and carries the roller blind. A pretensioning device is arranged between the guide rail and the slider. The pretensioning device presses the slider outwards transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in order to tension the roller blind.

Abstract: A winding-up screen device in which, when a screen is wound around a winding axis, a screen guide for guiding the edge portion of the screen unwound from the winding axis is not left on the opening frame of a building. A joining groove is provided in the screen guide provided so as to go in and out between an opening frame and a fixed frame or a movable frame of the building, a joining part is attached to the edge portion, to be guided by the screen guide, of a screen, the screen guide goes in and out when the screen is wound and unwound by operation of the movable frame, and the joining part of the unwound screen is joined to the joining groove of the screen guide so as to freely slide.

Abstract: A roller blind mounting system including at least one roller, at least one telescopic end plug and at least two brackets. The telescopic end plug is engageable within an end-opening of one of said rollers. The end plug includes a hollow body and a telescopically movable member or plunger co-axially positionable with respect to the hollow body such that a first axial extending length portion of the plunger projects from the hollow body and a second axial extending length portion is held within the hollow body. The plunger is telescopically movable between a first end position in which the first portion of the plunger projects from the cylindrical body and a second end position in which at least part of the first portion is inserted into the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A cord safety system comprises a window covering panel, a headrail, a cord, and a connective member. The cord is adapted to lift the window covering panel and the cord is directly gripped by the connective member. When a predetermined load is applied to the cord, the connective member releases the cord. The cord can be reinserted into the connective member.

Abstract: A role-up pole assembly includes telescoping tubular members (20, 26) that are extended to a predetermined position where the open ends (22, 28) thereof are aligned with the edges of a canvas panel (32). A clamp mechanism (38) is retained in each open end (22, 28) by a bungee cord (48) whereby the clamp mechanism (38) may be pulled out of the associated open end (22, 28) to clamp the edge of the panel (32) to the open end (22, 28) of the tubular member (20, 26). The tubular members (20, 26) are be locked so that the pole may be rotated to coil the panel (32) about the pole.

Abstract: A safety buckle of a curtain comprises a curtain body and an upper beam; an auto slide-stop installed within the upper beam for controlling the curtain body to a predetermined position; and a control rope set having a first end and a second end which are at opposite sides. The first end is a rope and the second end. The safety buckle comprises a male pin having a body portion and a guide end. The body portion is positioned at a bottom of the guide end and is connected to a distal end of the rope. A female pin is firmly secured to the upper beam and has a pin seat. The pin seat is formed with a hollow guide hole. When the ropes are pulled, the male pin is separated from the female pin so that the upper beam and the ropes are in a safe state.

Abstract: The window treatment has a flexible panel adapted to be situated over a window. The panel has a front surface and a back surface. A set of substantially vertically arranged buttons are affixed at spaced intervals on the front panel surface. A strap extends along the back panel surface. The strap has at least one button hole adapted to receive a selected one of the buttons from the button set on the front of the panel to retain a rolled portion of the panel in a raised position determined by the button selected.

Abstract: Closure member control systems, including door control systems for barrier housings, and associated methods are disclosed. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a closure member control system that includes a closure member positioned to cover a portion of an opening in a structure (e.g., a barrier housing). The closure member has a closed position where the closure member covers the portion of the opening and an open position where the closure member does not cover the portion of the opening. The system further includes a control device operatively coupled to the closure member that urges the closure member to remain in the closed position when the closure member is in the closed position and urges the closure member to remain in the open position when the closure member is in the open position. In certain embodiments, the control device can include at least one forcing mechanism.

Abstract: A collapsing and securing device of a lateral blind includes a lateral blind such as a winding blind, a Roman blind, or a cloth blind, and a number of positioning members fixed at least on one surface of the window curtain, and the positioning members can temporarily adhere, stick or attract each other to secure the lateral blind at one of many collapsed position in case the lateral blind is manually wound up, without using pull ropes with a pool as used in a conventional lateral blind for preventing potential dangers involved in conventional lateral blinds. The collapsed lateral blind can be expanded down manually with easiness and quickness, with the temporarily adhered, stuck or attracted together positioning members separated from one another with easiness.

Abstract: A multi-section roll-up curtain is raised and lowered by plural support/rotational drive mechanisms disposed in a spaced manner along the length of the curtain. Each drive mechanism is symmetrically loaded with a curtain section attached to opposed sides of each drive mechanism. Each curtain section includes plural vertically spaced curtains which are simultaneously rolled-up and unrolled. Each drive mechanism includes plural vertically spaced drive motors each connected to first and second curtain-bearing roll-up tubes disposed on opposite sides of a drive motor. A generally vertical guide member is coupled to each drive motor by a respective carriage assembly allowing the drive motors to travel up in rolling up the curtains and down in unrolling the curtains. This arrangement accommodates the large torques encountered in operating long curtain sections permitting multi-section curtains 600? and longer in length to be reliably and safely operated without using large, powerful motors.

Abstract: A cord connection device for roll-up shades has a coupling member that fits over a receptive member. The body of the receptive member has a section configured to receive the coupling member in a manner to provide a connection such that when a selected force acts on a cord attached to the coupling member or the receptive member the coupling member will separate from the receptive member. The body of the receptive member can have a second section configured to receive the coupling member in a manner to provide a connection such that the coupling member will not separate from the receptive member or can have a third section configured such that the coupling member will separate when a second selected force acts on the cord or can have all three sections.

Abstract: Waste materials are composted in an elongate pit which is maintained covered to retain odors. The pit includes two rails each arranged along a respective side of the opening for receiving operating machines and a carriage for supplying a covering sheet. Each side edge of the sheet has attached thereto a channel shaped support member arranged for engaging over the respective rail so as to attach the side edge to the rail. A reel is mounted on the carriage and is arranged to roll the sheet and the two support members onto the reel and to un-roll the sheet and the two support members therefrom for deployment. An arch support bridges the support members and can flex to a flat condition from rolling on the reel. The carriage includes guides for moving the support members apart to a wider spacing for rolling on to the reel with the sheet flat and for guiding the support members onto the rails and for bowing the arch upwardly in the deployed position.

Abstract: A cover for the opening of a process tube of a furnace used in semiconductor manufacturing is comprised of a substantially continuous sheet of metal so that it may be rolled opened and closed while being against the opening of the process tube by a guide frame. The roller on which the cover is rolled is driven by a bidirectional DC motor. The process tube cover can be operated by a computer or controller that operates the furnace.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly and reliably sealing off a selected opening from the passage of smoke, noxious fumes, or contaminated air includes a powered clutch and viscous governor that provides a fail-safe mode of operation. A curtain is positioned in a housing adjacent to an upper limit of an opening such as a hoist access-way. The curtain is wrapped around a spindle that is connected to a spool via two cords. The curtain is held in the housing in a stored configuration by a powered clutch so that upon removal of power, either via a controller or by power loss, the clutch releases the spool allowing the cord to unwind lowering and thus deploying the curtain. A capacitor can be included to prevent inadvertent deployments due to momentary power loss. The speed at which the spool rotates, and correspondingly the curtain deploys, is limited by a viscous governor coupled to the spool.

Abstract: A safety buckle of a curtain comprises a curtain body and an upper beam; an auto slide-stop installed within the upper beam for controlling the curtain body to a predetermined position; and a control rope set having a first end and a second end which are at opposite sides. The first end is a rope and the second end. The safety buckle comprises a male pin having a body portion and a guide end. The body portion is positioned at a bottom of the guide end and is connected to a distal end of the rope. A female pin is firmly secured to the upper beam and has a pin seat. The pin seat is formed with a hollow guide hole. When the ropes are pulled, the male pin is separated from the female pin so that the upper beam and the ropes are in a safe state.

Abstract: Assembly composed of a number of devices for rolling up/rolling down shading. On a side higher up, the said shading is immovably fastened to a frame and is wound onto or unwound from a tube from the bottom. Rotation of the tube is achieved by via a transmission device that can be slid along a vertical shaft. The vertical shaft is also the drive shaft. The transmission device is provided with clutches, so that on reaching the end positions when the drive shaft slips the transmission device can be brought to a standstill.

Abstract: A tarpaulin can be connected by clamp devices to a beam assembly for transfer of the beam through a tarpaulin handling machine. The beam assembly has a number of parallel, through beam rods and on each beam rod a number of beam tubes, which are alternatingly rigidly connected to a corresponding beam tube on a neighboring beam rod and are rotatable on the beam rod.

Abstract: A roll-up shade with cord capture has a headrail, a bottomrail, a panel of window covering material between the headrail and the bottomrail and a plurality of looped cords extending from the headrail down one side of the panel of window covering material, around the bottom edge, up an opposite side of the panel of window covering material and into the headrail such that movement of the looped cords into the headrail will cause the panel of window covering material to roll up and movement of the cords out of the headrail will cause the window covering material to unroll. A rod extends across one side of the panel of window covering material and captures the looped cords between the rod and the surface of the window covering material or in apertures through the rod or in apertures formed by clips or eyelets attached to the rod.

Abstract: A roll-up curtain assembly includes plural, vertically spaced, horizontal roll-up rods extending across an opening. Each roll-up rod is coupled to a respective flexible curtain section and an electric motor. Actuation of the electric motor in a first direction of rotation causes rotation of the roll-up rod in a first direction for rolling the flexible curtain section onto the rod and moving the curtain assembly to the retracted, or open, position. Actuation of the electric motor in a second, opposed direction of rotation lowers the roll-up rod resulting in an unwinding of the curtain section from the rod allowing the curtain assembly to assume the extended, or closed, position. Plural vertically spaced curtain sections each having a respective motor/roll-up rod combination are coupled together and move upward or downward in unison.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a cord member of a window blind includes a supporting member and a coupling member detachably coupled to the supporting member. The supporting member has a receiving space and an escape opening that is communicated with the receiving space and has a diameter smaller than that of the receiving space. The coupling member has a compressible retaining portion received in the receiving space and stopped above the escape opening, and a cord member tie portion for connection of the cord member. When the cord member is pulled by an external force over a predetermined level, the retaining portion is allowed to pass through the escape opening.

Abstract: A roll-up shade with cord capture has a headrail, a bottomrail, a panel of window covering material between the headrail and the bottomrail and a plurality of looped cords extending from the headrail down one side of the panel of window covering material, around the bottom edge, up an opposite side of the panel of window covering material and into the headrail such that movement of the looped cords into the headrail will cause the panel of window covering material to roll up and movement of the cords out of the headrail will cause the window covering material to unroll. A rod extends across one side of the panel of window covering material and captures the looped cords between the rod and the surface of the window covering material or in apertures through the rod or in apertures formed by clips or eyelets attached to the rod.

Abstract: A bracket can be attached to a vertical wall so that it extends out from said wall. The bracket can hold a fixed rod to which is attached a shade. A second rod can be attached to the bottom of the shade. Cords pass over the bottom of the shade and through the brackets. Pulling on the cords raises the shade and releasing the cords lowers the shade.