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 rail system is provided having two profile rails, between which a lamellar configuration having multiple lamellar elements is provided. The lamellar element is implemented for a roller blind device, which can be guided in a rail system like a folding blind, having a lamellar body and having at least two guide elements, which are situated on diametrically opposing sides of the lamellar body and extend in the transverse direction of the lamellar element, for holding and/or guiding in at least one guide groove of the rail system, at least one first guide element having at least one extension differing in the transverse direction in relation to at least one second guide element.

Abstract: A method of moving panels from a stowed position to a deployed position includes supporting a first panel on a cam, rotating the cam in a first direction and lowering the first panel which separates the first panel from the cam and supports the first panel on a flexible lift member. Supporting a second panel on a support rack, biasing the second panel into engagement with the cam, rotating the cam in the first direction to transfer the second panel from the support rack to the cam. Further rotating the cam in the first direction, lowering the second panel to transfer the second panel from the cam to the first panel, so that the flexible lift member bears the weight of the first and second panels through the connection between the first panel and the flexible lift member. Fixing the first and second panels through a tongue and groove engagement.

Abstract: A vertical lift, self-storing door system includes a plurality of panels supported by a first and a second single track guide rail which engages guide rollers associated with the panels. The guide rail has a vertical segment which defines a closed position of the door and a horizontal segment which defines an open, storage position for the door. When the door is closed, the individual panels are stacked in an edge-to-edge relationship so that their front faces are coplanar. When the door is in an open position, the panels hang vertically from the guide rails in a spaced apart, generally plane parallel relationship with regard to their front and rear faces. Bevels in the top and bottom edges of the panels accommodate panel motion and ensure a tight seal when the door is in a closed position, and these bevels may include connecting features such as notches or tabs.

Abstract: There is provided a collecting container. An exemplary collecting container comprises an insertion opening on the front of the collecting container that is adapted to receive objects. The exemplary collecting container additionally comprises a receiving device arranged to receive the objects and to convey them to a storage space in the collecting container, the storage space containing a filling-level measuring means that is connected to a blocking device preventing the receiving device from being opened when a defined filling level has been reached in the storage space, the receiving device comprising a roller shutter box whose receiving area is formed by at least two side walls and a bottom. The exemplary collecting container further comprises a roller shutter that is adapted to be moved in rails on the side walls, the blocking device being configured so that it can block the movement of the roller shutter.

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 hamper/sorter (15) for storing and sorting laundry which loads from the front with one or more openings is described. The hamper/sorter (15) is comprised of the main body and two moveable doors, one upper flexible door (5) that slides vertically and a lower rigid door (4) that can be stowed horizontally under the hamper/sorter (15). During operation, the doors adjust the front openings to allow for small or large laundry items to be loaded and unloaded for storing or washing. The upper and lower door edges that meet together are formed at an angle opposite of each other so that the upper door (5) overlaps the lower door (4). A stop plate (14) is installed on the upper door (5) to keep the doors in the normally closed position. This invention is versatile enough to be used as a hamper or sorter in any location that permits its mounting. One or more of these hamper/sorters (15) can also be mounted together in a horizontal row to provide a sorting system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bellows folding blind for windows and doors, comprising a number of horizontal slats connected among to each other by means of adequate joints which, when the blind is raised enable the slats to automatically fold like an accordion inside the box. On each slat are applied three pins which are engaged by the teeth of the cams whose rotation allows the raising and lowering of the blind. The helicoidal screws synchronised with the cams engage the longer pin and allow the supporting, raising and lowering of the package of horizontal slats inside the box.

Abstract: A refrigerator shelf having a plate surrounded by a frame. A guide is connected to the frame for slidable guiding of a closure member. The closure member is formed from an assembly of hinged-together bar elements which are able to pass between an extended position in which the closure member closes a chamber formed between the shelf and an underlying shelf, and a retracted position into the guide.

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: 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: 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 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: Improved operating devices for reversible blinds, in such a way that the movement of the latter is caused when the projections (8) of the slats (101) mesh into the two driving pinions (60) and (62), which move simultaneously thanks to two couples of transmission pinions (59) and (61) and intermediate wheels (63) and (64), reverting the hand operating device on the first transmission pinion (59) through a bevel wheel (58) moved by a bevel pinion (57), which is operated by means of a handle (52) through four separating pinions (56), while the motorized operating device reverts on the first transmission pinion (59) through a two stage reducing device of the planetary type and a motorization gear (78); having the slat hook (104) been modified to adapt to the inward cranked flange (107) which, in turn, occupies more than half of the width of the slat (101).

Abstract: Motor-driven reversible shutter of the type composed of a plurality of slats coupled to one another by means of an end hook and channel and which moves along a channel of a labyrinthine trajectory formed on the inner face of respective side plates mounted in correspondence with the ends of the shutter box, each slat end including a part with lateral spaced-apart appendices for the purpose of inserting therebetween the teeth of pinions mounted in specific points along the labyrinthine trajectory channel and designed to draw the slats which, on moving along said labyrinthine trajectory reveal one face while moving in one direction and the opposite while moving in the other direction, thus providing the shutter with its reversible character.

Abstract: In general, A collapsible cascading overhead door assembly (10) for closing a vehicular access opening of a structure includes a flexible door panel member (12) made up of a plurality of rigid slat members (13) each having a pair of hinge tab members (25, 26). A pair of elongated track members (15) having a generally G-shaped cross-section are affixed to an opening jamb (11) of the building structure, the flexible door panel member (12) being slidably disposed in the track members (15). A pair of flag bracket members (17) are affixed to the elongated track members (15). A support enclosure (16) is mounted on the flag brackets (17) and is adapted to maintain the door panel (12) in the stored position. An elongated, polygonal-shaped drive wheel member (66) has a plurality of sides (76) of equal width approximating the width of the rigid slat members (13).

Abstract: A cover system for the truck box of a pickup truck includes upstanding sides and front portion which define inwardly thereof an open area to be covered by a series of parallel edge to edge cover panels. The cover panels slide forwardly and rearwardly on a guide track and the guide track is divided at the front so that the panels form accordion folds in a fold section stored at the front of the structure. Two rear side parts at the rear of the cover can be pivoted about a a horizontal axis across the top. These rear portions carry a part of the guide track and a whole number of panels fill the area from the hinge to the bottom edge of the rear portion. Thus the rear portion can be pivoted about the hinge while the panels flex. Thus only a rear portion can be opened or the cover panels can be moved forwardly to various set locations or folded fully.

Abstract: A shutter for a cabinet includes a plurality of juxtaposed slats with front and rear sides. Each of the slats has longitudinal first and second portions, a longitudinal intermediate portion between the first and second portions, and a pin-and-eye assembly provided on the rear side at the first and second portions for connecting pivotally adjacent ones of the slats. Each of the slats further has a transparent part. The intermediate portion of the transparent part has a convex surface.

Abstract: A shutter for a cabinet includes a plurality of juxtaposed slats. Each slat has a front side, a back side, a longitudinal upper portion, a longitudinal lower portion, a longitudinal intermediate portion between the longitudinal upper and lower portions, a longitudinal rib projecting from the back side at the intermediate portion, and a pin and eye assembly. The pin and eye assembly includes a pin member provided on the back side at the upper portion and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the rib and an eye member provided on the back side at the lower portion. The pin member of one of the slats engages the eye member of an adjacent one of the slats so as to hinge the one of the slats to the adjacent one of the slats.

Abstract: A panel shutter device constructed in such a way that in the process of continuously moving each panel by a lifting shift along guides rails and a lateral shift along a housing rail, a guide rotary member engages or disengages a guide shaft projecting from the side of the panel opposite the driven side. At the time of descending of the shutter curtain, in order to prevent finger pinching as each panel is placed on the succeeding panels sequentially, each panel can be lifted or descended without causing a gap between panels of the shutter curtain by providing the support member suspended by a pivotable connecting chain.

Abstract: In a panel shutter assembly including a plurality of shutter panels which are movable up and down along a pair of transversely spaced upstanding guide rails, a pair of chains to which the panels are fastened one after another, a set of sprockets engaging the chains for moving the chains in either direction to move the panels to open and close a shutter opening, and a pair of panel supporting rails from which the panels are suspended in a panel storage space when the shutter opening is opened, the sprockets consist of a pair of first sprockets for moving the panels up and down and a pair of sound sprockets spaced horizontally apart from the first sprockets and provided between the first sprockets and the panel storage space for moving the panels horizontally, and the panel supporting rails extend horizontally. The horizontal supporting rails enable a reduction in height of a box defining the panel storage space.

Abstract: A panel shutter assembly includes a plurality of shutter panels supported one after another between a pair of chains. Each panel is suspended from a pair of pins carried by the two chains, respectively, and each chain, therefore, carries a plurality of pins. Each chain includes a plurality of spaced apart link attachments each having a longitudinally extending pin guide slot through which one of the pins extends slidably along the slot. The chains engage a pair of sprockets, respectively. A pair of arms are supported respectively on the shafts on which the sprockets are rotatably supported. The arms are rotatable with the sprockets and extend radially of the sprockets to project beyond the outer peripheries thereof to engage each pair of pins that have approached the sprockets.

Abstract: A tambour door for box-type furniture, including at least one tambour door element comprised of a plurality of profiled members which are rods and which have hollow, trapezoidal cross-sections each including a base, a pair of arms, and a top, which top comprises a side of the tambour door elements to be viewed and which is wider than the base; and a plurality of hinge members each consisting essentially of a flexible polymeric film for articulately interconnecting the plurality of profiled members longitudinally along adjacent bases thereof.

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 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: In a shutter equipment having a shutter for opening and closing an opening portion such as a building entrance, window or the like the shutter being composed of plural slats positioned in a vertically adjacent relation when the shutter is closed, the slats being wound up and pulled down continuously to stow the slats and close the opening portion, respectively; a slat opening/closing mechanism substantially composed of vertical guide rails disposed vertically on both sides of the opening portion; a box positioned on top of the vertical guide rails to stow the slats transversely in parallel in a vertically suspended state; a pair of right and left endless chains which are movable from the vertical guide rails into the slat stowing box and to which are secured through shafts both end faces of the upper portion of each slat; a vertical slat drive mechanism for winding up and pulling down the chains to raise and lower the slats in a suspended state from the vertical guide rails toward the upper portion of the box

Abstract: A segmented shutter or gate with a plurality of gate segments which have dowels on both sides in the area of the upper edge and in the area of the lower edge of the gate segment. The upper dowels are connected in an articulated manner with transporting chains guided along vertical guide rails and driven by chain wheels which transfer the ends of the upper dowels onto storage rails. The lower dowels ride over control cams horizontally moving the lower portion of the gate segment toward the storage rails to allow the next lowermost gate segment to proceed upwardly with the transporting chain.

Abstract: A cover system for a pickup truck bed having an open top defined by vertical spaced apart side walls, and a front wall is disclosed. The cover system includes a rollable cover unit which has the capability of being either completely or partially extended or retracted to close or expose the truck bed. The cover portion consists of a multiplicity of adjacent transverse rigid panels which are continuously connected along their transverse length by flexible resilient connecting strip members of flexible and water resistant material. The cover unit is extended or retracted by a drive system located at the upper forward section of the truck bed. The drive system includes one or more pinion-type cylindrical drive roller members intermediate the side walls of the truck bed which are in driving contact with and have teeth to positively engage rack-type teeth on the underside of the cover panels. Controls and motor means are provided to control and activate the drive system.

Abstract: A cover system for a pick-up truck having an open top defined by vertical spaced apart side walls, and a front wall is disclosed. The cover system includes a rollable cover portion which has the capability of being either completely or partially extended or retracted to close or expose the truck bed. The cover portion will consist of a multiplicity of adjacent transverse panels which, in preferred embodiments, are continuously connected along their transverse length by hinges of flexible and water resistant material. The cover portion will be extended or retracted by a drive system located at the upper forward section of the truck bed. The drive system will include one or more drive roller intermediate the side walls of the truck bed. The drive rollers will be in driving contact with and have a surface structured to positively engage the underside of the cover panels. Controls and a motor will be provided to control and activate the drive system. A reeling system will be provided adjacent to the drive system.

Abstract: A shutter device for opening and closing an opening by ascending and descending motions of panels (2), in which the panels (2) are directly engaged with panel lift means such as a chain or the like to effect the ascending and descending motions of the panels surely and smoothly, and during storage of the panels (2), the panels (2) are folded and suspended from support rails (4).

Abstract: A shutter device for covering or screening a door or window of buildings is disclosed. The shutter device is composed of a plurality of slats adapted to be continuously arranged in a same plane when the slats are supported by guide rails arranged at both sides thereof. Each slat is connected through a link mechanism to adjacent slat such that, in the case of enclosing each slat in a slat enclosing region, when each slat reaches to a conversion region located at one end of a supporting surface formed by a guide rail, each slat is moved laterally in front of or in the rear of the supporting surface to provide a space which permits a succeeding slat to enter into the conversion region and that, in the case of delivering each slat from the slat enclosing region, when each slat is moved from the conversion region along the supporting surface of the guide rail, the succeeding slat is pulled into the conversion region.

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.

Abstract: A rolling shutter includes a plurality of elongated slats arranged vertically in a parallel and partially overlapping relationship, each of the slats having pivot pins at both lower side ends thereof which project outwardly so as to be slidably disposed within upstanding guide rails, either in unison with, or with respect to, each other. Individual actuating members extend between each of the pivot pins of the slats and predetermined points of successively disposed slats positioned relative to the pivot pins of the successive slats so as to define moment actuating arms with respect to the pivot pins axes of the successive slats. The actuating members are laterally movable, relative to the pivot axes of the slats, at the predetermined points, and in this manner, the slats may be sequentially pivotally opened or closed when the slats are moved along the guide rails relative to each other by the actuating members.