Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to circuitry for controlling dynamic shades and/or associated methods. An insulating glass (IG) unit includes a spacer system helping to maintain first and second substrates in substantially parallel spaced apart relation to one another and to define a gap therebetween. The shade is interposed between the first and second substrates. It includes a first conductive layer provided on the interior major surface of the first substrate; and a shutter including at least one polymer substrate, first and second conductive coatings, and first and second dielectric layers. The at least one polymer substrate is extendible to a shutter closed position and retractable to a shutter open position. A control circuit includes a boosting transformer (e.g., a flyback transformer) coupled to a power source and the shade, with the boosting transformer being controllable to produce a voltage for charging the shade and to discharge accumulated shade capacitance.

Abstract: A retractable screen system for a fenestration assembly includes a catch assembly, a pair of edge rails, and a screen assembly. The catch assembly is configured to couple to an outer surface of a sash. The catch assembly includes a catch element. The screen assembly includes a roller housing, a roller assembly, a control bar, and screen material. The roller housing is configured to couple to an outer surface of the frame. The control bar includes a hook element extending along at least a portion of the control bar. The hook element is configured to selectively engage the catch element. The roller assembly is configured to apply tension to the screen material to permit the screen material to unwind from the roller assembly under a tension applied by moving the catch assembly away from the roller assembly when the hook element engages the catch element.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. Holes, invisible to the naked eye, may be formed in the polymer. Those holes may be sized, shaped, and arranged to promote summertime solar energy reflection and wintertime solar energy transmission. The conductor may be transparent or opaque. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for vertically closing an opening, the apparatus comprising a fixed element attached to a surface and placed above an opening such as a window, doorway, or the like. The apparatus further comprising a roller connected to said fixed element, a shielding element attached to the roller, the shielding element being adapted to be wound on and unwound from the roller. The apparatus further comprising a number of sensor arrangements and a condition monitoring device configured to receive data from at least one of the number of sensor arrangements and to directly or indirectly compare the data with reference data such that a service need and/or a safety issue can be identified.

Abstract: An air conditioner of present invention comprises a housing having an outer panel forming the exterior and an opening formed on the outer panel, a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with air flowing into the housing, and a door unit configured to open or close the opening by moving forward or backward from the opening through which the heat exchanged air is discharged. Wherein the door unit comprises a door blade configured to open or close the opening, a door operating part configured to move the door blade forward or backward, and a controller configured to control the air discharged from the opening to be moved forward from the opening in a straight line or to be discharged radially from the opening by controlling a distance between the door blade and the opening.

Abstract: A portable wind screen assembly includes a pair of hollow support tubes and a flexible wind barrier that is attached to both support tubes at either end thereof. The first support tube includes a spring-loaded retracting mechanism positioned therein, and the flexible wind barrier is attached to the retracting mechanism so that it may be wound around the retracting mechanism and stored within the first support tube when not in use. The second support tube may be insulated to serve as a drink cooler and/or storage space for canned or bottled drinks may be stacked vertically within the second tube, and includes an access door on a bottom portion thereof for extracting drinks therefrom. The portable wind screen assembly may also include pivoting supports for stability, a rechargeable battery for recharging mobile electronic devices, a wireless speaker, and means for attachment to a beach chair or other additional windscreen assemblies.

Abstract: A wall system for forming a weather enclosure across a building opening in the frame of a building includes a flexible sheet of flexible material, a first rigid frame member secured across a first end of the flexible sheet, and a second rigid frame member secured across the flexible sheet in proximity to an opposing second end of the sheet. The first rigid frame remember is fixedly mounted on the building frame. A tensioning assembly is operatively connected between the second rigid frame member and the building frame so as to apply tension in the longitudinal direction to a portion of the flexible sheet. The tensioning between rigid frame members spanning across opposing ends of the sheet ensures that the sheet can be supported under significant tension throughout the sheet to enable the sheet to withstand considerable wind and precipitation loads.

Abstract: A Roman blind includes a panel having a plurality of battens attached thereto. Each of the battens includes a rear slot, with at least one control band extending along a rear surface of the panel. Raising a lower end of the at least one control band causes the blind to be raised and lowering a lower end of the at least one control band causes the blind to be lowered. One or more band guides are mounted in the rear slot of one or more of the battens. The one or more band guides mounted in the rear slot of a batten that is not a lowermost batten is/are mounted for slidable movement within the rear slot so that the one or more band guides float in the rear slot. The position of the band guides is self-adjusting. Manufacturing of the blind is consequently less complex.

Abstract: A device (10) for regulating cooling air on a motor vehicle has a roller blind (12) that can be moved across an air inlet opening of the motor vehicle. The device (10) has a horizontally aligned sealing frame (18) for guiding the roller blind (12) across the air inlet opening. The device (10) comprises a supporting frame arranged within the sealing frame (18) for supporting the roller blind (12) against the cooling air.

Abstract: In one aspect, a shade assembly may generally include a shade fabric having a front side and a back side. The shade assembly may also include two or more batten spacers, with each batten spacer being coupled to the shade fabric at spaced apart locations along a vertical length of the fabric. Moreover, the batten spacers may be substantially aligned with one another horizontally along the back side of the shade fabric. When the shade fabric is moved to an opened position, the batten spacers may be configured to vertically engage one another to form a vertical spacer stack along the back side of the shade fabric.

Abstract: A covering device to be fastened opposite an opening of a motor vehicle and comprises at least one element which is fastened on the circumference of the opening, wherein a covering unit is displaced in an expansion direction between a storage position, in which the covering unit is released from the opening, and a covering position, in which the covering unit is extended opposite the opening, wherein the covering unit comprises a network of optical fibers having lateral light scattering. The network of optical fibers is supplied with light by at least one light source which is fastened on the element and, in order to supply the network of optical fibers with light, can illuminate ends of the optical fibers of the network in at least one illuminating position of the covering unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller shutter (10, 32, 42, 51) for opening and closing a doorway having a door leaf (11) and side rails (17) for guiding the door leaf (11), and having a coiling device (14) for selectively rolling up the door leaf (11) for opening the doorway and unrolling the door leaf (11) for closing the doorway. For reducing or avoiding the risk of creating a polygon effect and for providing a roller shutter (10, 32, 42, 51) comprising a door leaf having rigid shutter elements with an increased height and/or with the possibility of applying an increased speed for opening and/or closing the door leaf the roller shutter (10, 32, 42, 51) is characterized in that a separate guiding device (21, 33, 43) is provided for guiding the door leaf (11) in the area between the side rail (17) and the coiling device (14), wherein the guiding device (21, 33, 43) is arranged to adjust to an increasing diameter and to a decreasing diameter of the coiling device (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides a shade assembly which comprises a shade fabric and a plurality of battens arranged vertically with respect to one another, each batten aligned horizontally along the fabric and forming a pleat therewith. A plurality of spacers are also provided which are coupled to and positioned adjacently to one of the plurality of battens in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the shade fabric. The plurality of spacers maintains the plurality of battens in a substantially vertical arrangement when the shade fabric is drawn into an open position.

Abstract: A guide block has a guide projection wall and a guide upper wall. The guide projection wall deviates from an end of a side-held portion in the folded-back state toward the start point of folding-back while moving toward a winding shaft along the longitudinal direction of a guide rail. The guide upper wall deviates in the direction orthogonal to a plane in which a shading sheet is unrolled and toward the shading sheet and abuts on the side-held portion being unfolded while moving toward the winding shaft along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail.

Abstract: A panel assembly including a panel that can be positioned in an opening, the panel including a plurality of locking members spaced apart along at least part of a length of and proximate to opposing longitudinal edges of the panel and a guide extending along either side of the opening, each guide including at least one locking flange extending along at least part of a length of the guide, wherein in use the panel is received in the guides so that the locking members selectively engage the flanges to limit lateral movement of the panel edges.

Abstract: A spring-loaded covering apparatus. The covering apparatus can include a drive screw and a carriage threadably engaged with the drive screw. Rotation of the drive screw can affect translation of the carriage, such that the position of the carriage is adjustable along the length of the drive screw. Moreover, the carriage can include a spring, which can be attached to the extendable cover via a pivot arm. The cover can be wound onto a roller and, when a length of the cover is unwound from the roller, the spring can pivot the arm to pull the cover into an extended configuration.

Abstract: A fire door assembly is provided for covering a structure opening in a sidewall of a structure. The fire door assembly has a roller assembly to be mounted to a portion of the structure defining a portion of the structure opening and a curtain panel disposed on the roller assembly. The curtain panel is operable between a retracted position where the curtain panel is wound onto the roller assembly and an extended position where the curtain panel is unwound from the roller assembly to cover the structure opening. The curtain panel includes first and second panel portions with mutually opposing edge portions in a closed position. A fastener is provided to releasably attach the first and second panel portions to each other. The first and second panel portions are separable from each other in response to an egress force exerted thereon to form an egress through the curtain panel. Upon relaxation or removal of the egress force, the panel portions return to the closed position to close the egress.

Abstract: A rollo assembly for a vehicle comprises a winding shaft and a cloth which can be wound onto or off said winding shaft, which cloth is provided with at least one stiffener extending in a widthwise direction of the cloth and is molded thereto. The cloth comprises at least two cloth parts meeting each other at said stiffener, wherein each cloth part, as seen in a longitudinal cross section of the cloth, extends into the stiffener not in line with the remainder of the cloth. The stiffener is made of plastic material and is injection molded to at least said cloth parts.

Abstract: A self-contained system for protecting building penetrations is disclosed. The system can include a housing containing a take-up roll and a screen made from a flexible, strong fabric-like material suitable for resisting high winds, driving rain, and wind-driven missiles. The system can further comprise a deflector or roller to maintain the angle of deployment of the screen. The system can further include a weight bar attached to the end of the screen to assist in deploying the screen. The system can further comprise a dual pulley system to assist in deploying the screen and to hold the screen in the deployed position. The system can include wipers to clean the screen as it is retracted into the enclosure. The system can further comprise an integrated or separate light control, or “black-out” screen. The system enclosures can comprise various hinged covers to facilitate service, repair, and storage.

Abstract: A vertically operating door and its drive system can be configured to push a door panel along a track to various overhead storage configurations including vertical, horizontal, inclined and coiled. Semi-flexible drive strips extend continuously along lateral edges of the curtain. The system includes a drive gear that engages a series of projections on at least one drive strip so that the gear can push the door between its open and closed positions. To protect the door from being damaged by collisions, the track can include a breakaway feature that allows at least a portion of the panel with its drive strip to separate from the track without permanent distortion. The drive strip and panel remain together as they break away from the track. The threshold of the breakaway force can be changed by selecting a retention strip from a plurality of interchangeable strips having different degrees of flexibility.

Abstract: A vertically operating door and its drive system can be configured to push a door panel along a track to various overhead storage configurations including vertical, horizontal, inclined and coiled. Semi-flexible drive strips extend continuously along lateral edges of the curtain. The system includes a drive gear that engages a series of projections on at least one drive strip so that the gear can push the door between its open and closed positions. To protect the door from being damaged by collisions, the track can include a breakaway feature that allows at least a portion of the panel with its drive strip to separate from the track without permanent distortion. The drive strip and panel remain together as they break away from the track. The threshold of the breakaway force can be changed by selecting a retention strip from a plurality of interchangeable strips having different degrees of flexibility.

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a curtain assembly including a curtain and a plurality of rails. The curtain can be used to cover a variety of openings. The plurality of rails can be attached to and disposed horizontally on the curtain to provide rigidity to the curtain when in an open position (covering the opening). The plurality of rails can be made of two main sections, a first and a second coupled to opposite sides of the curtain. The second section can be configured to provide the lateral stability to the curtain, permitting the first section to be made of almost any material. Typically both sections are metal. The first section can also include folded over portions which wrap around the edges of the curtain. The folded over portions provide for attachment and also insure no sharp edges exist on the exterior sides of the curtain. The plurality of rails can be bonded to the curtain using an adhesive. The curtain can include prepared bonding surface to receive the rails.

Abstract: The inventive flexible curtain rapid door comprises a structure consisting of two posts and a transverse element for guiding a flexible curtain and electromechanical means supported by said structure for displacing the curtain between open and closed positions, wherein the flexible curtain (2) comprises a weight and sealing element (13). According to the invention, the door comprises obstacle detecting means which are carried at least partially by an reinforcing element, are adjacent to the weight and sealing element (13) and are disposed upstream thereof on the curtain closing path between the reinforcing element and the weight and sealing element (13) and said obstacle detecting means are integrated inside the lower part of the curtain (2).

Abstract: An improved tarp and ballast system that includes a plurality of panels attached to one another along the lengths thereof, wherein the lengths of the panels correspond to the length of the tarp. The tarp also includes chain pockets located at the sides of the tarp which run the length of the tarp and have chains secured therein. The tarp further includes a plurality of cable pockets and associated ballast anchors oriented across the width of the tarp which are adapted to secure a plurality of ballast cables to the tarp.

Abstract: A fabric security barrier, a system and/or a method impede entry into a space. The fabric security barrier, the system and/or the method are installed adjacent to an entry point of the space. A tarp having a reinforced webbing on one side obscured from view is extended and/or retracted by a deployment system within the space. A steel cable is laminated between the reinforced webbing and the tarp. To enter the space through the entry point, an intruder must compromise a door or a window, the tarp, the reinforced webbing and/or the cable which may reduce an amount of time that the intruder may have to perpetrate a crime in the space and/or to flee before being noticed and/or apprehended.

Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening including a support tube and a panel operably connected to the support tube and configured to be wound around the support tube. The panel includes a support sheet and at least one cell operably connected to the support sheet. The at least one cell includes a vane material operably connected to a first side of the support sheet and a cell support member operably connected to the vane material and configured to support the vane material at a distance away from the support sheet when the panel is in an extended position with respect to the support tube.

Abstract: A system for protecting building penetrations is disclosed. The system can include a screen comprising flexible, strong fabric-like material suitable for resisting high winds, driving rain, and wind-driven missiles. The screen can further include loops sewn, or otherwise manufactured, into the span sides of the screen. The system can further include one or more retention channels having an internal hem rod. The loops in the screens can slide over the hem rod to guide and retain the screen in the retention channels. The hem rod can include a tapered end and a loop opener to facilitate the loops sliding over the end of the hem rod. The system can further include an enclosure for housing a take-up roll and a powered or manual rotating system. The system can include a deflection device to enable the screen to unroll off the take-up roll smoothly and vertically.

Abstract: A roller shade apparatus for a vehicle includes a shade sheet placed selectively in wound-up and extended states, the wound-up state being established to uncover a light transmitting member mounted to the vehicle when the shade sheet is moved in an opening direction, the extended state being established to shield the light transmitting member when the shade sheet is moved in a closing direction, a pair of guide rails extending in the opening and closing directions, and guide belts slidably supported by respective guide portions of the guide rails along the opening and closing directions and connected to respective side end portions of the shade sheet, wherein each guide belt curved in the width direction includes a convex surface, a central portion of the convex surface is connected to each side end portion, and each guide portion includes a pair of lock portions locking side portions of the guide belt.

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a curtain assembly including a curtain and a plurality of rails. The curtain can be used to cover a variety of openings. The plurality of rails can be attached to and disposed horizontally on the curtain to provide rigidity to the curtain when in an open position (covering the opening). The plurality of rails can be made of two main sections, a first and a second coupled to opposite sides of the curtain. The second section can be configured to provide the lateral stability to the curtain, permitting the first section to be made of almost any material. Typically both sections are metal. The first section can also include folded over portions which wrap around the edges of the curtain. The folded over portions provide for attachment and also insure no sharp edges exist on the exterior sides of the curtain. The plurality of rails can be bonded to the curtain using an adhesive. The curtain can include prepared bonding surface to receive the rails.

Abstract: A shade assembly includes a shade having one end mounted to a roll and a hem bar assembly coupled to an end of the shade opposite the roll. The hem bar assembly includes a reinforcement assembly attached to the shade and a retainer that receives the reinforcement assembly so that the reinforcement assembly is self-centering with the retainer.

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a curtain assembly including a curtain and a plurality of rails. The curtain can be used to cover a variety of openings. The plurality of rails can be attached to and disposed horizontally on the curtain to provide rigidity to the curtain when in an open position (covering the opening). The plurality of rails can be made of two main sections, a first and a second coupled to opposite sides of the curtain. The second section can be configured to provide the lateral stability to the curtain, permitting the first section to be made of almost any material. Typically both sections are metal. The first section can also include folded over portions which wrap around the edges of the curtain. The folded over portions provide for attachment and also insure no sharp edges exist on the exterior sides of the curtain. The plurality of rails can be bonded to the curtain using an adhesive. The curtain can include prepared bonding surface to receive the rails.

Abstract: The invention proposes a roller blind arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a roller blind web by means of which a transparent portion of the motor vehicle can be at least partially shaded, and comprising at least one winding device for winding up the roller blind web. The roller blind web is formed from a knitted spacer fabric which comprises a support layer formed from a knitted fabric and a decorative layer formed from a knitted fabric and connected to the support layer via connecting threads which maintain a spacing.

Abstract: A door assembly having a flexible door panel wound and unwound on a drum or the like to selectively block or permit access through an opening, the flexible door panel having a stiffness, a width, and a length. The door assembly further includes vertically extending side columns disposed on opposite sides of the opening, the side columns being configured to engage a marginal edge of the flexible panel to vertically guide the panel while opening or closing. Attached to a leading edge of the door panel is a bottom bar having a greater stiffness than the door panel and a narrower width than a distance between the vertical panel guide assemblies. Bottom bar guides are disposed proximate a lower portion of the opening and are configured to engage a portion of the bottom bar only when the bottom bar is located in at least a partially closed position.

Abstract: A fabric security barrier, a system and/or a method impede entry into a space. The fabric security barrier, the system and/or the method are installed adjacent to an entry point of the space. A tarp having a reinforced webbing on one side obscured from view is extended and/or retracted by a deployment system within the space. A steel cable is laminated between the reinforced webbing and the tarp. To enter the space through the entry point, an intruder must compromise a door or a window, the tarp, the reinforced webbing and/or the cable which may reduce an amount of time that the intruder may have to perpetrate a crime in the space and/or to flee before being noticed and/or apprehended.

Abstract: Present invention teaches to build a Roman shade window curtain where a roller shade is used in the back side of said window curtain, to provide for the release/retraction control, resulting in a “cord-less” control for the actuation of a Roman shade, which hangs down from a special head rail on top, with the roller shade fabrics slideably travel down the gaps between each horizontal fold created by the rib, clip and rib rod.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bottom bar for attachment to a lower edge of a window blind. The bottom bar includes an elongated tube having a length equal to the width of the window blind. The elongated tube has first and second side walls separated by a space and an elongated slit extending along the entire elongated tube. The elongated slit communicates with the space. The elongated slit has a width. The bottom bar further includes an elongated flat member having an axis and a length equal to the width of the blind. The flat member has opposite first and second side edges, a width between the first and second side edges, and a thickness, the thickness of the elongated flat member being less than the width of the elongated slit. The width of the elongated flat member is dimensioned to be greater than the width of the slit while permitting the elongated flat member to fit entirely within the space.

Abstract: A high-speed industrial door includes a door leaf having a plurality of stiffening profiles and a flexible curtain. Each stiffening profile extends crosswise relative to a lateral passing over the door leaf and connects two hinge elements assigned to one another. A flexible curtain is fixed to each stiffening profile. This makes it possible to provide a high-speed industrial door that can be operated at speeds faster than 3 m/s while involving little engineering complexity and low costs.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fast door comprising: a structure having in particular two posts (3) in each of which is provided a slide rail (16) and a transverse lintel-forming element (4), and a flexible curtain (12) connected to the structure at the lintel-forming element (4) via electromechanical means controlling the lowering and lifting of the curtain (12), the curtain (12) incorporating at least one flexible reinforcing bar (13, 29) inserted in receiving means provided in the curtain (12), the flexible reinforcing bar (13, 29) capable of being engaged at its ends in each of the slide rails (16) and capable of bending to be released at least from one rail (16) without being subjected to permanent deformation which would impair the operation of the door once reinstalled in its rails.

Abstract: A vertically operating door and its drive system can be configured to push a door panel along a track to various overhead storage configurations including vertical, horizontal, inclined and coiled. Semi-flexible drive strips extend continuously along lateral edges of the curtain. The system includes a drive gear that engages a series of projections on at least one drive strip so that the gear can push the door between its open and closed positions. To protect the door from being damaged by collisions, the track can include a breakaway feature that allows at least a portion of the panel with its drive strip to separate from the track without permanent distortion. The drive strip and panel remain together as they break away from the track. The threshold of the breakaway force can be changed by selecting a retention strip from a plurality of interchangeable strips having different degrees of flexibility.

Abstract: A protective device for a vehicle interior having a flexible sheetlike structure provided on opposite sides with side edge regions, a winding shaft rotatably mounted and on which the sheetlike structure is held such that it can be wound up and unwound, and dimensionally rigid pull-out profile fixedly connected to a front face end region of the sheetlike structure in the unwinding direction. Each side edge region of the sheetlike structure cooperates with at least one deflecting guide means which, in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner, transmits to the side edge region a tensile force component which acts outward transversely with respect to the winding-up or unwinding direction of the sheetlike structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding door and a shutter guide device. The inventive door comprises two vertical slides (2) and at least one flexible shutter (4) which can be folded in the upper part of the slides and which comprises at least one transverse stiffening bar (12). According to the invention, a guide device (14) is inserted into the extension of at least one stiffening bar (12), thereby forming a guide for the shutter (4) in at least one of the slides (2) in a plane that is offset in relation to the plane of the shutter (4), said shutter (4) being applied against a surface of the slide (2).

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a curtain assembly including a curtain and a plurality of rails. The curtain can be used to cover a variety of openings. The plurality of rails can be attached to and disposed horizontally on the curtain to provide rigidity to the curtain when in an open position (covering the opening). The plurality of rails can be made of two main sections, a first and a second coupled to opposite sides of the curtain. The second section can be configured to provide the lateral stability to the curtain, permitting the first section to be made of almost any material. Typically both sections are metal. The first section can also include folded over portions which wrap around the edges of the curtain. The folded over to portions provide for attachment and also insure no sharp edges exist on the exterior sides of the curtain. The plurality of rails can be bonded to the curtain using an adhesive. The curtain can include prepared bonding surface to receive the rails.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques for bracing roll down doors of a building against severe winds and against burglary use a vertical bar mounted in a quick release fashion to a plate mounted to the floor by the door and a mounting bracket, mounted to the building, which receives a bracket mounted to the vertical bar which slides into the bracket. The equipment can be provided in a kit form for easy installation by a homeowner, authorized dealer or contractor. The apparatus can be quickly and easily installed for security or when a threat of severe wind is anticipated and easily removed when the threat has passed.

Abstract: Equipment and techniques for bracing roll down doors of a building having a plurality of horizontal door panels against severe winds and security against burglary use a horizontal cross bar mounted to the building at connector locations on either side of the door panels. At least one vertical support bar connects to the horizontal cross bar at locations intermediate to the ends of the horizontal cross bar and is secured to the floor using a floor mount. The vertical support bar is connected to door panels using a rotatable hook. The equipment can be provided in a kit form for easy installation.

Abstract: A fabric gate has a ratchet assembly, a delaying assembly and a driving device. The ratchet assembly has a ratchet, a positioning ring and a driven pad. The ratchet has a wheel provide with multiple upper ratchet teeth and multiple lower ratchet teeth. The upper ratchet teeth extend toward a direction opposite to that of the lower ratchet teeth extending. The positioning ring is expandable and has engaging teeth engaging respectively with the ratchet teeth on the ratchet. The driven pad is attached to the top of the positioning ring to expand the positioning ring when the driven pad is rotated by the driving device. The delaying assembly is mounted in the top cap and connected to the ratchet assembly to reduce to the rotating speed of the driven pad.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising a screen (2) presenting flexible side edges (4) having an overthickness (4?), this screen (2) being equipped with one cable or with several juxtaposed cables (21), incompressible in their lengthwise direction, extending parallel to the side edges (4) of the screen so as to enable the application of a thrust force on these side edges (4) in their longitudinal direction to move the screen to its closed position, this cable or cables (21) being located in the neutral surface (24) of said edges (4) formed on bending of the latter and being fixed with respect to the screen (2) in an unremovable way; the overthickness comprises a flexible strip (8) made of an elastic material, wherein the cable or cables (21) are incorporated, as well as two notched belts (9, 10) being located the one with respect to the other on each of both sides of the curtain (2).

Abstract: A vertically operating door and its drive system can be configured to push a door panel along a track to various overhead storage configurations including vertical, horizontal, inclined and coiled. Semi-flexible drive strips extend continuously along lateral edges of the curtain. The system includes a drive gear that engages a series of projections on at least one drive strip so that the gear can push the door between its open and closed positions. To protect the door from being damaged by collisions, the track can include a breakaway feature that allows at least a portion of the panel with its drive strip to separate from the track without permanent distortion. The drive strip and panel remain together as they break away from the track. The threshold of the breakaway force can be changed by selecting a retention strip from a plurality of interchangeable strips having different degrees of flexibility.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for closing off at least one tunnel (2) extending across the width of a folding curtain, after a strengthening rod (3) has been inserted into this tunnel on the one hand, and a folding curtain comprising at least one tunnel (2) extending across the width of the curtain, which has been provided with a strengthening rod (3) on the other hand. To that effect, a strengthening rod (3) is provided in the tunnel (2) at least one extremity of which is comprising a number of pointed projections (4) and that the tunnel (2) is closed off by pricking the said projections (4) through the wall of the tunnel.

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 rolling shutter assembly is formed of a plurality of shutter slats which are designed to fit snuggly against each other when in a rolled up state so as to substantially reduce the diameter of the rolled up shutter assembly. This reduction of the diameter of the shutter assembly permits the use of a smaller housing for the shutter assembly. The smaller housing increases the aesthetic appeal of the assembly and decreases the material required for the assembly housing and thus the cost of the shutter assembly. The rolling shutter assembly includes a shutter support member, a shutter coupled to the support member and a plurality of tracks the guide the shutter while it is being raised or lowered. The shutter slats include a hinge connection along each edge portion of the slats.