Abstract: A modular self-contained gate for selectively blocking an entryway comprising an ISO standard shipping container modified such that an existing closed end wall of the shipping container comprises an elongate slot-like opening arranged vertically and adjacent an edge of the closed end wall, a substantially flat and rectangular gate comprising a long edge having a length substantially the same as a length of the shipping container and a height less than a height of the opening, the gate aligned with and linearly displaceable through the opening between a first position wherein the gate is stored inside the shipping container and the entryway is open and a second position wherein the gate is extended outside of the shipping container and passage via the entryway is barred, and a support mechanism inside the shipping container suspending the gate such that the gate remains suspended above the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first retail display unit for supporting one or more retail products and a pocket mounted to a side of the first retail display unit. The pocket has a hollow interior and an open end. A gate has a fixed end coupled to the hollow interior of the pocket and a lockable end. The fixed and lockable ends of the gate are located within the hollow interior of the pocket when the gate is in storage and the lockable end of the gate is extended through the at least one open end of the pocket and away from the first retail display unit when the gate is moved into use.

Abstract: An overhead door system featuring independent, unconnected panels is described. Each panel end is operatively carried within a pair of parallel tracks. The weight of the door decreases as the door is lifted and each panel completely disengages from its adjacent panel as it reaches the stacked position. This allows for a linear spring torque to door weight relationship requiring a very small motor compared to existing designs to provide the lifting torque necessary to operate the door.

Abstract: A rolling door assembly for selectively covering an opening in a building includes a shutter roller rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and a flexible panel windable on and off the roller for movement into retracted and extended positions, respectively. The flexible panel defines an upper portion having a first width and a lower portion having a second width less than the first width. At least one pass door frame is hingedly securable proximate a lateral side of the opening for movement between a first position, in which the pass door frame extends in a substantially transverse direction relative to the opening and a second position, in which the pass door frame is substantially aligned with the at least one sidewall.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful garage door (12) opening/closing system (10) comprising a garage door (12) having top (32), bottom (34), and first and second sides (54, 56) and having a series of rollers (58) associated with the first and second sides (54, 56); a pair of door rails (14, 16) at the first and second sides (54, 56) of the door (12) for receiving the rollers (58) for movement of the door along the rails (14, 16), in a door opening path; at least one hinge part mounted on the door intermediate the first and second ends (54, 56); a central guide rail (18) extending outwardly from the plane of a closed position of the door (12) from a position above the top (32) of the door (12); a trolley (20) mounted on the central guide rail (18) for movement along the guide rail, the trolley (20) for operative connection to at least one hinge part; at least one cable drum (22) having a pair of cables (26, 28) thereon operatively associated with the trolley for moving the trolley (20) along the central guide r

Abstract: A cover construction (10) for windows, including a generally rectangular housing member (20) which is affixed to, and projects outwardly from, a window frame (101) via a mounting flange (26) and further includes an angled roof panel (21), a floor panel (25), a pair of opposed side panels (22), (23) and a generally open front panel (24).

Abstract: An aperture covering including track-guided interconnectable panels that are compactly stored in a storage area containing weight counterbalancing mechanisms, such as a compressed spring, is described. When the panels are stacked in the storage area and removed one at a time, the first panel is removed from the storage area and enters the track. As the first panel moves through the track, it interlocks with the second panel and forces the second panel out of the storage area and into the track. Interlocking and removal of the panels continues until all of the panels are removed or the first panel reaches the end of the track. Weight counterbalancing can be assisted by track-contained toothed belts, cable and ball drive mechanisms, or other counterbalancing methods. The resulting aperture covering requires minimal storage space for the open aperture position, minimizes exposure to potentially hazardous counterbalancing mechanisms, and allows for heavy-weight panel construction.

Abstract: A retractable gate assembly that can be mounted either on or recessed within a wall. The assembly preferably having an alarm system to notify others that the gate is being touched. The gate assembly is most commonly used as a baby-gate at the top and bottom of stairwells or at kitchen entrances to avoid injury. The gate assembly is also used as a pet-gate.

Abstract: A shutter including a casing, two chain transmission mechanisms bilaterally and vertically mounted inside said casing, two linkages suspended from the top rail of the casing on the inside, a set of louvers pivotably connected between the linkages, a power drive controlled to turn the chain transmission mechanisms, and two hook members fastened to the chain transmission mechanisms and moved to carry the linkages and the louvers between the active position and the inactive position, louvers being carried turned between the horizontal position and the vertical position when the linkages are moved to the active position and the chain transmission mechanisms are continuously turned to a certain extent.

Abstract: A burglar and storm-resistant cover for windows or doors and the like comprising a frame including an upper frame member and a pair of vertical U-shaped channels connected to the ends of the upper frame member and spaced to receive for vertical movement respectively of the opposite end portions of metallic louvers respectively having a relatively narrow and normally uppermost panel integral with a depending relatively wide vertical panel, a pair of first cables respectively adjacent opposite end portions of the louvers and having associated devices arranged to maintain the louvers in spaced relationship when extended vertically to close the window or door to view, coiling arrangements operable to contract the louvers into complete or partial compact manner, a pair of second cables respectively associated with the opposite end portions of the louvers and connected at their lower ends to end portions of the lowermost louver for elevation of the same when coiled in the upper portion of tile frame, and a pair of

Abstract: A shutter assembly which requires minimal storing space substantially comprises a) a plurality of transparent or glass slats which form a shutter by being vertically suspended one after another, b) a storage case storing the slats in a stacked condition, the storage case being mounted on an upper part of an entrance of a building, c) a plurality of slat connecting devices each of which perpendicularly connects the bottom end of any succeeding slat to the upper end of any preceding slat, and d) brake means for applying braking force onto any one of the slats for enabling the shutter to stop at any desired height from the floor of the building. Accordingly, the shutter can be automatically stopped at any desired position from the ground or floor level thus assuring the safety of the user.

Abstract: In a tambour door opening/closing apparatus, a tambour door is moved along a longitudinal axis between open and closed positions under restraint of a frame guiding opposed sides of the door. A constant spring is mounted to the tambour door and has a section thereof extending generally along the longitudinal axis to assist in moving the tambour door between the opened and closed positions. A fixed rod is mounted between the frames guiding both sides of the door and a spool is rotatably mounted on the rod with the spring being coiled around the spool and the exposed end of the constant spring is attached to the tambour door. A track assembly is mounted on each side of the frame for guiding the movement of the tambour door and includes a substantially straight portion extending substantially the length of the opening and a loop portion with a coiled track for forming coils of the tambour door.

Abstract: A laterally sliding pocket door is disclosed for use in curved walled enclosures such as airplanes, submarines, space shuttles, railroad cars, buses and the like, having a laterally extending divider comprising first and second hollow walls positioned on opposite sides with an open doorway tapered to be substantially wider at the top than at the bottom, and a pair of sliding door member assemblies, each positioned in one of the hollow walls, movable between a closed position meeting each other in said doorway and an open position retracted into the hollow walls. Each hollow wall has a curving guide track for pivotal movement of its sliding door assembly.

Abstract: A retractable truck bed cover comprising a plurality of relatively narrow slats (12--12) which are rotatably interfitted together along their longitudinal edges by means of mating elements (26,28) so that the cover is flexible in its longitudinal direction. The slats include wheels (64) which extend from the opposite end edges thereof and which are mounted for rotation. The wheels are received into opposing side rails (36,38) which are mounted along the top edges of the truck bed. A cover retracting mechanism (18) is positioned adjacent the cab of the truck, and includes two vertical end pieces (100,102), on facing surfaces of which is located a shallow spiral track (108), which receives the wheels (64) of the succession of slats comprising the cover, permitting the cover to be conveniently rolled up upon itself.

Abstract: A shutter for application over a window comprises a plurality of horizontal slats mounted in vertically-spaced relation, a tilting device for simultaneously tilting all the slats about their horizontal axes from horizontal positions to vertical positions, and a raising device for raising the slats from lowered positions to raised positions with respect to the window. The plurality of slats are mounted on shafts received within channels located at opposite sides of the window and guiding the movement of the shafts of the slats when the slats are tilted, raised and lowered.

Abstract: A roller shutter is described which has a roller (13) arranged with its axis vertical, so that the shutter curtain (10) is extended laterally in use. The weight of the curtain (10) is supported in the extended condition from a top track (14) having internal running surfaces (35) co-operating with roller wheels (34) of a top chain (29), to which the articulated laths (11) of the curtain are, in turn, attached. Constant tensioning means (18-25) are provided for the curtain, which can follow a straight, angled or curving path. The bottom chain (9) of the curtain may have depending skirts (42), interfitting (at 43, 45) to reduce fire penetration. A lead-in guide (50) of the roller housing (12) has a lifting ramp (53) co-operating with ball glides (38) of the bottom chain to lift the curtain (10) gently onto, and off, the top track (14) running surfaces (35) on leaving and re-entering the housing (12).

Abstract: Closure of the opening for a fireplace or the like is effected by a plurality of plates or panels which are stored in stacked relation in a housing above the fireplace opening when not in use. The housing includes a biasing arrangement for maintaining pressure against the top of the panel stack so as to urge the panels towards a downwardly opening slot in the rear of the housing. A pair of channel members communicate with the housing slot and are affixed on either side of the opening. The bottom panel of the stack includes an externally accessible handle or the like for sliding this panel into the channels. A series of edge hooks cooperate to serially withdraw the panels from the housing and likewise cooperate to urge the panels serially back into the housing.