Abstract: In example implementations, a horizontal door guide for a vertically stacking door is provided. The horizontal door guide includes a first track and a second track to vertically stack panels of a door along a horizontal line, a drive shaft coupled to a bottom most panel to lift the door vertically, a Geneva drive shaft coupled to the drive shaft, and a lifting cam coupled to the Geneva drive shaft, wherein the lifting cam comprises a rotating lever to separate and lift adjacent panels of the door as the door is opened in a vertical direction by the drive shaft and to push panels into the first track and the second track.

Abstract: In example implementations, a header seal for a vertical stacking panel door is provided. The header seal includes a header channel and a seal plate. The header channel includes a body portion comprising a plurality of openings to receive a mechanical fastener and a lip portion coupled to the body portion. The seal plate includes a bracket comprising a plurality of openings to receive a mechanical fastener to connect the bracket to the top most vertical panel and a flexible member to contact the lip portion to form a seal against the lip of the header channel when the vertically stacking panel door is in a closed position.

Abstract: An architectural covering and a method of manufacturing the covering is provided. The panel may include multiple strips of material extending lengthwise across a width dimension of the panel. The strips of material may be overlapped and coupled to one another to define cells between adjacent strips of material. The panel may be retracted and extended across an architectural opening, and the strips of material may include a resilient support member to expand the cells as the panel is extended across the architectural opening. The panel may be manufactured by helically winding a continuous, elongate strip of material about a drum in an overlapped manner.

Abstract: A lockdown barrier system and method includes a first mount that is secured to a wall surface and a sheet of shielding material formed of an anti-ballistic material that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The sheet of shielding material has a first end that is secured to the first mount and a second end opposite the first end that is freely moveable away from the first mount. The system includes a second mount that is secured to the wall surface at a location that is spaced from the first mount. The second end of the sheet of shielding material is releasably connectable to the second mount and is secured proximate to the first mount when in the retracted position. The second end is secured to the second mount when in the extended position.

Abstract: A window shutter for securing windows. The window shutter comprises at least one first shutter and at least one second shutter. The first shutter is coupled to the second shutter via hinges. The first shutter is affixed to a wall and adjacent to a window frame. The second shutter is operable to swing about a pivot axis of the hinges. The second shutter is used to secure windows provided in the window frame.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a windshield, a barrier, a barrier actuator drivably coupled to the barrier, and a computer in communication with the barrier actuator. The barrier is movable between a retracted position exposing the windshield and an expanded position extending along a portion of the windshield. The computer is programmed to, upon determining that a risk of objects striking the windshield exceeds a threshold while the vehicle is traveling, instruct the barrier actuator to move the barrier from the retracted position to the expanded position.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a portable modesty guard apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable modesty guard for creating a private space in a public, or other, area. The portable modesty guard provides a unique construction which allows the user to collapse, store and carry the device in a way that allows it to be set-up quickly and packed away in a lightweight, portable unit.

Abstract: A collapsible shield acts as a safety device for a stove when in a second, expanded, position by limiting access to (or interaction with) items on a stove top, thereby preventing possible burns or injuries around the stove. The collapsible shield may be stored and concealed in a first, collapsed position when not in use. The collapsible shield includes at least a first, proximal segment and a second, distal segment which is configured to move vertically and pivotally with respect to the first, proximal segment.

Abstract: A sectional folding up garage door refers to constructions with moving sectional elements intended for closing apertures in buildings and edifices. The area of invention's application is its use as automatically operated door both for private and commercial use. A sectional folding up garage door provides the sectional panel lifting up in vertical plane, folding such panel in consecutive order by two sections inside a premise as the door is being lifting, and piling compactly inside in the top part of an aperture. The door includes a panel of sections joint one by one like an accordion, a frame and sections power mechanism.

Abstract: An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes a plurality of closed cell structures aligned vertically one above another with juncture lines defined between adjacent structures. A lift system is configured for vertically drawing the closed cell structures from the fully expanded configuration into a fully contracted configuration, and includes a plurality of lift cords that are attached to back faces of the closed cell structures and lie along a vertical line of action rearward of the closed cell structures. In the fully contracted configuration of the shade assembly, the closed cell structures collapse into a flat profile and hang from the lift cords in a vertical and adjacently disposed orientation whereby upper edges of the collapsed closed cell structures are adjacent and oriented in an upward vertical direction, and bottom edges of the collapsed closed cell structures are adjacent and oriented in a downward vertical direction.

Abstract: A modular window blind assembly includes a blind-mounting frame adapted to be mounted on a window/door frame and including two vertical frame members and two horizontal frame members, a pleated blind having top and bottom ends connected detachably and respectively to the horizontal frame members, and a slide mounted detachably between and slidable relative to the horizontal frame members. First and second positioning plates are provided respectively at two opposite ends of the pleated blind between the top and bottom ends of the same. The first positioning plate is connected detachably to one of the vertical frame members. The slide is connected detachably to the second positioning plate, and has a receiving space to receive substantially entirely the pleated blind when the pleated blind is folded.

Abstract: A foldable display panel wherein a plurality of individual panels, each panel being small enough to be easily transportable and storable, are hingably connected in such a manner that in a folded state, the individual panels will fold into a single stack wherein the frontal surface area will be that of an individual panel and, in an unfolded state, the individual panels will unfold into a large flat panel wherein the frontal surface area will be substantially equal to the sum of the frontal surface areas of the individual panels. In the unfolded state, binders temporarily join the individual panels into a single, rigid panel.

Abstract: Known covers, for example for receptacles in automobiles, have drawbacks in that they require several components in addition to the depositing receptacle and/or require additional reception space clearly exceeding the dimensions of the deposition receptacle for opening, and/or cannot be installed if only limited installation space is available in the depth or width direction, and/or the cover does not present sufficient sturdiness during use. The cover (2) of the invention is to eliminate these drawbacks as a whole and moreover be characterized by low costs per unit, low components weight and an appealing exterior.

Abstract: A collapsable, child, safety gate for selectively forming a barrier across an opening inside a house such as a stairwell, including a storage housing capable of being fixed in position across the house opening, either permanently or temporarily, and a folding curtain-which can be stored in the storage housing when folded and which can be withdrawn therefrom along guide tracks to an extended position for forming a barrier across the opening.

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 mating mechanisms, 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 cover system that folds into a compact storage position which can also be easily removed from the pickup truck box. The inventive device includes a pair of opposing rails attachable to the upper portions of a box of a pickup truck, a front member extending between the pair of rails, a mounting bracket attached to each of the rails for securing the rails within the box, and a cover structure movably positioned between the rails. The cover structure is comprised of a plurality of panels pivotally attached to one another having a set of first rollers and a set of second rollers on opposing sides of the panels that rotatably travel within the rails. A pair of opposing ramp structures are attached to the opposing rails for allowing the set of first rollers to travel downwardly from the rails.

Abstract: According to the invention, the lateral edges of the screen are substantially incompressible or rendered incompressible in their lengthwise direction. A driving device is provided making it possible to apply a thrust force to these edges in the longitudinal direction of the edges in their guide channels in order to move the screen towards its closed position and towards its open position. The screen is provided, near or on the lateral edges mentioned above, with a series of members which are substantially rigid in the longitudinal direction of these edges. These members are able to bear against one another in the direction of the lateral edges, and are preferably able to be articulated with respect to each other such as to allow the rolling up or flexion of the screen in its open position.

Abstract: A foldable security bar assembly, is convenient, aesthetic and less costly than existing security systems, and is used primarily for security rather than a shutter assembly. The assembly is for placing over or in an opening and has a plurality of horizontal bars extending between two channels, the two channels positioned one on each side of the opening with the bars slidable vertically within the channels. A plurality of connector links join adjacent bars together with at least one of the bars having a connection at each end within the channels to a raising and lowering mechanism in each channel coordinated to raise and lower the at least one bar and hence the whole assembly. A drive system is provided for the raising and lowering mechanism, and guides above or below the channels guide and retain the horizontal bars in a folded configuration above or below the opening with alternate bars on opposite sides.

Abstract: A retractable window protection device is disclosed that can be extended to cover a window when needed, for example during a severe storm with high winds. The retractable window protection device incorporates at least one housing mounted to the building adjacent the window. A shutter assembly is housed in the housing and includes plural panel members that are extendable out of the housing to cover the window. An engagement device is also provided and is displaceable between disengaged and engaged positions. The engagement device includes an engagement surface that complements the configuration of the panel members when extended from the housing.

Abstract: A lifting folding door, having two primarily vertically extending rails, each arranged on one side of an opening to be closed by the door; a number of panels hinged together, each guided by both rails; and a guiding system connected at the top of each of the rails for guiding the panels such that, when moving upward, the panels are folded together in zigzag fashion by their hinge connections in primarily horizontal direction above the rails. An operating system is provided for driving at least one of the panels in vertical direction, and the guiding system gradually deflects the panels in horizontal direction, starting from the beginning of vertical movement. Consequently, a purely vertical movement is gradually converted into a movement of a horizontal component, so that the dynamic forces acting on the respective elements are minimized, and therefore the speed can be significantly increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to an upright partition for use in a modular office furniture system, the partition comprising: a frame comprising: two vertical posts each having outward opposing faces defining spaced apart parallel forward and rearward planes; a plurality of horizontal beams, at least one beam in each said plane, each beam having an inward face and an outward face, the inward face of each beam being connected to one said outward face of an associated post in an overlapping moment resisting connection; and a plurality of cladding panels each connected to one said beam; whereby an internal cavity is defined inward of the outward faces of said beams, and a raceway is defined outward of said outward post faces and inward of the outward faces of said beams.

Abstract: A security and hurricane shutter of greater strength and stability than available shutters using blades which are longitudinally pivoted to each other. The angle between adjacent blades is adjustable to provide for greater strength and stability at smaller angles, i.e., more blades per linear foot of the shutter, at smaller angles, and larger angles using fewer blades per linear foot for shutters, such as smaller width shutters which would require fewer blades per linear foot. The shutter can use either pulleys or direct mechanical drive mechanisms. The pulley systems or direct mechanical drive mechanisms can be powered by an installed electrical motor, a portable motor, or a hand crank for shutters of smaller size or to back up the installed electrical motor in case of power failure or motor failure.

Abstract: A filtering assembly for protecting an air intake of a structure. A flexible screen is mounted so as to cover an air intake opening of the structure. The screen may be selectively moved in either of opposite directions so as to be raised or lowered across the intake opening. The screen may further be stored at either or both ends of the structure.

Abstract: A curtain installation structure for a vehicle is comprised of a garnish which is installed to cover a pillar of the vehicle. The garnish defines a curtain receiving section at a side end portion of a window. A cover member is hingedly connected to the garnish to close the curtain receiving section. A curtain of the window is slidably connected to a curtain rail which is attached to an upper side of the window and whose end portion extends near the garnish. When the curtain is not in use, it is received in the curtain receiving section under a folded condition, and the curtain receiving section is closed by the cover member.

Abstract: A motor vehicle windshield curtain control comprising a casing transversely fastened behind the windshield of a motor vehicle at a top, two side tracks respectively obliquely extending downward from said casing and fastened behind said windshield at two opposite sides, a curtain received inside said casing, a revolving axle driven by a reversible motor to rotate two endless belts via rollers and pulleys, and a curtain having a rear end edge secured to a division plate inside said casing, a front end edge secured between said two endless belts, and two opposite side edges secured to two round rods inside said two side tracks by loops, wherein rotating said reversible motor in one direction causes said curtain to be let off and stretched between said two side tracks to shut off said curtain; rotating said reversible motor in an opposite direction causes said curtain to be taken up and received inside said casing.

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: A simplified attachment for a mailbox which alerts the mailbox addressee that mail has been delivered. The attachment includes a signal flag mounted on a spring activated spool rotatably secured within a housing affixed to the side of the mailbox. When the mailbox door is closed, the upper end of the signal flag is held under tension in a horizontal position by a keeper mounted on the door of the mailbox. When the mailbox door is opened, the signal flag is released from its horizontal position and, powered by the spring, rises to a vertical position above the mailbox to alert the addressee that the mail has arrived.

Abstract: A low bulk curtain is provided for the closure of passages, comprising a succession of high inertia elements each formed by a wide central web and a reinforcement flange, and hinged together by hinges. The curtain opens out under the effect of gravity for closing the passage and, in its raised position obtained by a chain and drum device, its interfitting elements only occupy a minimum space. Means are provided for ensuring sealing between the curtain elements as well as laterally and with the ceiling.

Abstract: A safety cover 10 for automotive service pits 1 is constructed of square cross section hollow support members 11 welded to alternate links of double pitched roller chain segments 15. Cover 10 is divided into two halves wherein each half has support members 11 perpendicularly welded to two lengths of chain 15 at each end of support members 11. Support members 11 are further disposed in parallel spaced relation one to the other. Roller chain segments 15 are longitudinally supported at the top edges of the pit side walls 5 by opposing segments of C-channel 12. U-shaped bends 18 are provided in the lower lip 17 of opposing C-channel segments 12 and are disposed at, at least, one end which is adjacent an end wall 6 of automotive service pit 1. U-shaped bends 18 provide a receiving pocket for receiving the double pitched roller chain 15 and connecting support members 11 when cover 10 is slid into the open position.

Abstract: A sunshade assembly for use with a sun roof construction of a motor vehicle is disclosed, which comprises two chain units each including first and second groups of guided pieces and a plurality of links pivotally connected to the first and second groups of guided pieces in a zig-zag manner, two guide rails each having at its inboard side upper and lower guide grooves for slidably receiving therein the first and second groups of guided pieces respectively, a plurality of supporting rods each extending between one guided piece of the first group associated with one guide rail and another guided piece of the first group associated with the other guide rail, and a shading cloth having thereon a plurality of supported portions which are supported by the supporting rods respectively.

Abstract: A window shade for a motor vehicle is made of a generally rectangular sheet of material and provided with substantially straight upper, lower and side edges. The sheet is provided with an axial fold line and a plurality of radial fold lines emanating from the approximate intersection of the axial fold line and the bottom edge and extending between the top and the side edges to form a plurality of triangular panels and to permit the sheet to fold in accordion fashion.

Abstract: The shutter is composed of a number of slats kept in parallel each other, and the slats are connected to each other with hinges so as to be folded in both forward and backward directions.The hinges comprise the pins provided at the inside and outside corners of the butt end of one of the adjacent slats and extending in longitudinal direction of the slats, and the stoppers provided at the inside and outside corners of the butt end of the other slat and having the hinge holes which hold the said pins respectively so as to turn to the folded direction. Gaps are hardly made between adjacent slats because the turning axis of each hinge is at the inside and outside corners of each slat.

Abstract: A shutter which has a number of wide slats connected to each other by a hinge mechanism with the slats remaining separate so that an opening for a side gate can be formed at a desired position on the shutter.The slats of the side gate are connected vertically to each other or horizontally with other slats and the connection can be released at any time desired.The side gate provided at a part of the shutter allows access even when the shutter is closed, yet the side gate can be folded as a part of the shutter.

Abstract: A garage door and opener which can be manufactured as separate units and shipped in pre-assembled units and which can be easily and quickly assembled and installed by one or more persons. The door and the operator are self-contained in the units and all of the wiring and apparatus including the door and rails are self-contained in the units.

Abstract: An improved sectional overhead garage door with an integral automatic opener and closer which comprises a plurality of horizontal sections which are hinged together on opposite sides in alternate fashion and wherein the panels are made strong and light by providing parallel sheets of plastic aluminum or steel which are held along the edges with aluminum extrusions and where the hollow insides of the panels are filled with foam to provide rigidity and strength. The door as it is opened folds up like an accordian with adjacent sections folding back upon themselves so that a very compact unit is provided.

Abstract: A folding overhead door assembly is provided having a guide means up of two superimposed oval channels on each side of a door opening, the channels having side-by-side vertical legs and spaced apart horizontal legs, a plurality of normally coplanar door sections mounted for movement at top and bottom of each side in one of said channels, and means pivotally attaching adjacent door sections together along like horizontal edge portions whereby the door sections remain in a substantially vertical plane from their coplanar position in a door opening to a side-by-side position on the spaced horizontal legs of the channels.

Abstract: A fireplace closure device having both safety and decorative features is provided for mounting on the front of various sized masonry fireplaces. Fundamentally, the device comprises a plurality of laterally hinged slats with tapered pins being provided to hold the slats against the frame when closed such that the fireplace opening is sealed. A storage box, integral with the closure device frame, is included to store the hinged slats in such a manner as to permit use of the fireplace when the device is stored without obstructing the view from the adjacent living space or interfering with the addition of combustible materials to the fire or the use of common fireplace tools.

Abstract: The shutter includes a curtain formed of elongated bars hinged to one another at longitudinal edges and guided at their ends in laterally spaced guide grooves extending along opposite sides of an opening to be controlled by the shutter. A rotatable member is mounted in an upper receiving zone, such as a lintel above the opening, and the rolling bar curtain is trained about this member for direction reversal during raising and lowering. The laterally spaced guide grooves extend along the peripheral portion of this rotary member and are then branched to form branch guide grooves extending downwardly from the rotatable element into a recess formed in the lintel or the like. Guide elements, such as pins or rollers on the ends of each bar, cooperate with the branch guide means to conjointly guide the bars to form at least one vertical pile of bars superposed in horizontal orientation in the recess, responsive to raising of the curtain.