Abstract: An apparatus and method for stretching and installing a flexible face sign panel is disclosed. A frame-like trolley structure is provided which is positioned on a frame structure, preferably on a service station canopy fascia. A roll of sign panel material is positioned on a spindle which is held in place on the trolley frame structure by collar members. A roller member is provided to assist in applying the material onto the face of the frame structure. One of the collar members can be adapted to firmly hold the spindle from rotating under certain conditions. A handle member is provided to allow rotation of the spindle and thus tightening and stretching of the flexible face sign panel. Releasable securing members are provided on the frame structure to secure the trolley in position as desired along the frame structure while a portion of the sign panel is being stretched and installed.

Abstract: A retractable cover for a vehicle cargo area includes a roller containing a bungee cord, operative as a retraction mechanism. The covers are fabricated of an opaque cloth or vinyl material, or a transparent or screen material. The covers may be deployed longitudinally across the cargo area, or vertically towards the top of the vehicle. A housing may enclose multiple rollers and provide openings to deploy the covers. The retractable cover is simple and inexpensive, and provides multiple capabilities for varying users' needs.

Abstract: An arrangement for anchoring a partition or guard net to a rear side of seat back of foldable-type automotive seat in which the seat back is foldable onto the seat cushion. The arrangement comprises a reversible anchor engagement member and a storage tray member embedded in the rear side of seat back. The reversible anchor engagement member is rotatably provided for permitting its reversal in the storage tray member so as to select either a working engagement side with which an anchor member of the guard net is to be engaged and anchored, or a non-working flat side generally flush with the rear side of seat back. Thus, when in no use, the anchor engagement member may be reversed to expose such flat side in the storage tray member, which avoids contact with a baggage or article loaded on the rear side of seat back and prevents damage for both of the baggage and anchor engagement member.

Abstract: An automobile shade assembly is provided of the type attachable to the interior of a window of an automobile for protecting the interior of the automobile from solar radiation is provided. The automobile assembly includes: a mounting plate adapted for mounting to the interior of a window of an automobile, a triangular housing detachably connectable to the mounting plate, an axle rotatively mounted within the housing, a sun shade having a rear edge connected to the axle and a forward edge extending from the housing, a first fastener connected to the sun shade adjacent the forward edge thereof, and a second fastener adhered to the window of the vehicle a distance from the housing such that a portion of the window is covered by the sun shade when the first fastener and second fastener are interconnected.

Abstract: A collapsible screening device such as an insect screen for an opening in a wall, particularly for a window or door, comprises a frame structure composed of an elongate base member accommodating a screening in a first retracted position, two side members pivotally connected with opposite ends of the base member, so as to be collapsible from an erected position at substantially right angles from the base member into a collapsed position parallel and close to the base member, and a separate bar member of a length substantially equal to the length of said base member. A free end of each side member and opposite ends of the separate bar member are formed with releasably interlocking assembling means to provide a stable connection in an assembled condition of the frame structure.

Abstract: An automobile front and rear windshield sunshade device includes a base, a housing for containing a sunshade unit, two support arm units able to be folded in the housing and to be swung up to lift a shade curtain of the sunshade unit by rotation of a motor. When the shade curtain is lifted to shade the front or the rear windshield of an automobile, the motor is cut off by an actuating extension of the lower arm of one of the support arm unit pressing a contact block of a first contact switch. The first contact switch can be adjusted in its position to change the height the the shade curtain is lifted. The housing can be adjusted in its angle relative to the base to adapt to various angles of different front or rear windshields of automobiles.

Abstract: A device for blocking stairs which is attached to the vertically-extending side panels of a stairway. A pair of expanding support elements is wedged between the side panels and separated from each other by a few steps. A material sheet is attached to, and extends between, the pair of expanding support elements. The material sheet covers the few steps so that access to the steps and the stairway is blocked. The support elements include outwardly-biased end plates equipped with rubber pads. One of the support rods has a rotationally-biased spool for retracting the material sheet during transport or storage.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for protecting clothes hanging on a hanger bar in a closet from dust. The apparatus employs an elongated roller assembly that is provided with an extensible and retractable preferably transparent sheet member and also at least one elongated rod-like member. The roller assembly and the rod-like member(s) are in spaced, parallel relationship to the hanger bar. The relationship is such that the sheet member is extendible first transversely over the hanger bar to the rod-like member and then downwardly. Preferably the apparatus is width adjustable and can include a pair of adjustably transversely extending, and transversely elongated bracket structures that function to hold adjoining ends of the roller assembly and the rod-like member(s) and also to facilitate the apparatus installation in any one of various closets. The roller asembly may have a protective housing enclosing the sheet member.

Abstract: The vehicular windshield cover of the invention includes a first tubular housing arranged to have extensible or retracted therefrom a fluid impermeable flexible web that extends to a second housing having a cylindrical concave surface arranged to accommodate the first cylindrical housing during a nested configuration when the web is wound within the first cylindrical housing. The web securedg about an axle within the first cylindrical housing is arranged such that the axle is fixedly secured to a cap member that iS rotatably mounted to the cylindrical housing, such that rotation of the cap relative to the housing permits fueling of the web within that housing. Various structure to secure the housings to the Windshield is arranged to include suction cups, straps, and the like.

Abstract: A solar shield device includes a cylinder secured to a housing. A sheet material is wound on a reef of the housing and unwound for covering the vehicle. Two bars are slidably engaged in the housing and include a number of holes for engaging with fastening member which may secure the bars together. Two hooks are secured to the bars and oppositely extended outward of the housing. The bars may move toward or away from each other for adjusting relative position between the hooks such that the hooks may hook to the trunk of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention features a document holder for attachment to a computer monitor where opposing panels are arranged on an adjustable width frame which is attached to the monitor, the panels being pivotal to adjustable open positions where they are configured to hold documents and to a closed position wherein they secure the monitor screen and the documents from unauthorized viewing while shielding same from dust. Provision is also made for retractable flexible dust covers which can be extended to shield the top of the monitor and a keyboard from dust.

Abstract: A protective cover for covering a vehicle includes two bases secured on top of the vehicle. A reel includes two tracks formed on the end portions. Two studs slidably engage with the tracks of the reel. Two connectors are pivotally coupled to the studs and each includes a room for engaging with the bases. One of the connectors has an upper member pivotally coupled to the stud and has a lower member rotatably coupled to the upper member. The protective cover can be easily secured on top of the vehicle and can be easily disengaged from the vehicle.

Abstract: A sign body has light transmitting side panels for displaying information. The panels are arranged adjacent each other in a relationship that provides a top opening for entry between the panels of light emitted from fluorescent tubes in a light fixture mounted in the ceiling of a room. A reel having a spindle on which a web similar to a household window shade is wound. The sign body is supported on the free end of the web. The sign body can be raised manually sufficiently for the top opening to be near the light source for illuminating the panels from inside of the body and the body can be held there by tension in the web. The body can be pulled down manually in which case the web unwinds and holds the sign body at a level above the floor of the room so the sign can be accessed for maintenance or exchange of information bearing media.

Abstract: An automobile covering device includes a hollow cylindrical member having two closed ends, an axial slot and a water outlet. A U-shaped handle has two ends connected pivotally to the two closed ends of the cylindrical member. A cylinder with an axial shaft is received coaxially and rotatably in the cylindrical member. The axial shaft has two free ends which pass through the two closed ends of the cylindrical member, respectively. Two spiral torsional springs are respectively mounted on the two closed ends of the cylindrical member. Each of the spiral torsional springs has a first end connected to one of the free ends of the axial shaft and a second end connected to one of the closed ends of the cylindrical member. A roll of cover cloth is wound on the cylinder and has a pull end passing through the axial slot of the cylindrical member. Two rollers are rotatably mounted on the two closed ends of the cylindrical member, respectively.

Abstract: A system for providing temporary visual privacy across an interval in a modular open plan furniture arrangement. A horizontally retractable panel is situated at one side of the interval. The retractable panel is provided with means for drawing the panel closed across the interval, and is also provided with means for securing the panel in the closed position. In the preferred form of the invention, the panel comprises a flexible material coiled about a vertically oriented, spring loaded roller lodged within a housing.

Abstract: A combination screen and carrying case having a pair of tubular legs each of rectangular section and held in an operative upright position by a friction lock. End segments of a case partition are each movable in response to a threaded pivot pin urging the end segments into leg engagement. A screen cross member is provided with grooved fittings at its ends for slipped, locking engagement with slots in the upper end of each leg.

Abstract: A retractable crowd control barrier is provided and consists of a housing carried on any type of post member in which an elongated tape is conveniently stored within the housing on a forward wound spring-actuated spool assembly and can be extended therefrom into a position to guide pedestrian traffic and maintain an orderly assembly of people.

Abstract: A projection screen arrangement has a housing mounting a rotary roller for winding in and unwinding a projection screen. A rotary knob which is actuable from the outside of the housing is non-rotatably connected to the roller for tensioning the projection screen in the extended position, while a terminal bar member is provided at the end of the projection screen remote from the roller. A push member is mounted for radial movement in the housing and is adapted to be actuated against a spring loading by the terminal bar member when the projection screen is fully wound into the housing. The push member displaces a detent member which co-operates with a further detent means which is non-rotatable with respect to the rotary knob, for locking the roller in the winding-in direction, whereby the winding of the projection screen on the roller in the fully wound-in condition can be slackened, without the spring loading the roller in the winding-in direction re-tightening the projection screen wound on the roller.

Abstract: This invention relates to electric projection screens to effect the coordinated shifting of the screen surface into and out of picture-projecting position of the type mounted in or to the ceiling or to the wall of a room and more particularly to a means to quiet the operation of the screen roller tube and its appendages during rotation of the roller tube.

Abstract: In a device for rapidly screening off a traffic accident site from view a non-transparent elongate sheet of a thin flexible material has one of its short ends secured to a spring-activated rod in the nature of a curtain rod on which the sheet is windable, said rod being mounted lengthwise within a portable cylindrical container having a longitudinal slot through which the sheet is movable for winding and unwinding purposes while being prevented from passing entirely into said container through said slot. The container is provided at one end thereof with means for readily and releasably connecting the same in an upright position with a stationary object, while a supporting post is connectible to said sheet at the free end thereof and adapted to be secured to a stationary object at a distance from said firstmentioned stationary object to thus support the unwound sheet in a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A portable movie screen device includes a flexible screen, a pair of stiffening members one secured at each of the opposite edges of the screen, a pair of tension elements secured together so as to be movable from collapsed relation to extended aligned relation, means for anchoring the extended tension elements to the stiffening members so as to place the screen in a taut viewing position, and means for supporting the screen in upright position. The support means may include a leg element secured to the tension elements. The stiffening members are hollow so that the collapsed elements may be stored therein. Various means are provided to connect the elements together and to fix them in operative position.

Abstract: A tripod stand, providing a portable support for a projection screen, having a handle which is slidably movable on the standard of the stand and to which the case, which houses the viewing screen and its spring loaded roller, is swivelly connected. The handle is equipped with two latches both of which must be released for movement of the handle on the standard. The index finger of the hand gripping the handle, is positioned to release one of the latches and the other latch is released by the thumb of the same hand, leaving the other hand free for other functions, such as, manipulating the screen case. A bracket to which the legs of the stand are pivotally connected is slidably movable on the standard and cooperates with leg braces which are pivotally connected to the legs and standard for moving the legs between extended and folded positions. Detent members carried by the legs engage under the flared lower end of a collar which is secured around the standard for latching the legs in their folded positions.

Abstract: A screen assembly for projecting an optical image thereon has a screen unit of a type including a screen casing, a winding spindle housed within the screen casing, a screen sheet having one end secured to the winding spindle and the other end situated outside the screen casing, and a screen winder for automatically retracting the screen sheet, once drawn out of the screen casing, into the screen casing, and a screen suspending and tilting mechanism. The screen suspending and tilting mechanism has a suspending column by which the screen casing is supported from an overhead supporting structure, and a tilt angle adjusting mechanism for tilting the screen sheet substantially about the longitudinal axis of the screen casing for the purpose of correcting a linear distortion which may otherwise occur in the projected image if the relative position of the projector and the screen is incorrect.

Abstract: An awning type sunshade particularly for beaches, gardens and the like, comprising a supporting frame associated with a support member. At an intermediate point of the supporting frame the ends of a pair of telescoping arms are articulated. At their other ends, the arms are connected with the ends of a front member which is movable with respect to the supporting frame. The arms are pivotable at an intermediate point about a substantially perpendicular axis with respect to the front member direction of movement. The end of an awning is connected with the front member. The awning is connected at the other end thereof, with a take-up roller rotatably supported by the supporting frame. A means is provided for blocking or locking the rotation of the arms and/or the telescoping movement thereof.