Abstract: A hembar may define a front portion and a rear portion configured to slidably engage each other. The front portion and the rear portion, when slidably engaged, may define a slot configured to receive a piece of fabric. The front portion and the rear portion may be configured to clamp the piece of fabric within the slot. The front portion and the rear portion may be configured such that a width of the slot is adjustable. The front portion may define a first attachment surface and the rear portion may define a second attachment surface. The first attachment surface may define a rib. The second attachment surface may define a groove configured to receive the rib when the front portion is slidably engaged with the rear portion such that the piece of fabric is clamped within the slot.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a roll-up wall. The roll-up wall and its components may be used to divide existing larger spaces into smaller spaces with a sound-attenuating barrier. In this invention a sound-attenuating panel is attached to a roller drum which, when turned on its axis by a winding mechanism, deploys or retracts the sound-attenuating panel. This invention discloses details of the sound-attenuating panel, the roller drum, a sound-attenuating guide system, a lower sound-attenuating seal, and an interlocking system. More particularly, this invention discloses an interlocking system which removably attaches a sound-attenuating panel to a roller drum. This invention discloses a plurality of embodiments of the interlocking system and provides detailed descriptions of each embodiment.

Abstract: A removable load bearing textile clamp including a locking clamp portion configured to accept an internally positioned rod such that a textile sheet can be led around the rod and positioned inside the clamp and secured by closing the clamp and engaging the locking mechanism.

Abstract: The object of providing a technical function edge and a styling edge is solved by the cloth for a soft top according to the invention which is designed to be stretchable over at least one solid element, wherein the solid element comprises at least one offsetting or indentation, and wherein the cloth overstretching the solid element is deformed by suitable clamping devices such that the cloth substantially follows the contour of the offsetting or indentation in the region of the offsetting or indentation.

Abstract: A secure connection (10) of a component to a sheet material including, an extent of thin sheet metal (20) having an attaching surface (36), a component (30) having a mating surface (37) abutting the attaching surface, an aperture (35) in the mating surface, and a tapping screw (40) threaded in the aperture and penetrating the attaching surface, the aperture sized relative to the size of the screw as a function of the thickness of the component, whereby the tapping screw has portions of the sheet metal clamped between the tapping screw and the component for establishing retentive forces between the component and the sheet-metal material.

Abstract: There is provided a framework for a construction enclosure system comprising a plurality of brackets, a plurality of rigid elongated frame members, and a plurality of reinforcement members. The brackets are adapted to be attached to a structure under construction. The frame members are adapted to be retained by the brackets in a desired spatial relationship with an outer face of the structure. The frame members are adapted to retain one or more sheet-like enclosure panels. The reinforcement members are adapted to be secured against respective frame members to increase the rigidity of such frame members. One embodiment of the invention provides a frame member comprising a pair of elongated bodies adapted to be retained in a mated configuration to cooperatively define first and second channels therebetween, wherein each channel is adapted to retain one edge portion of a sheet-like enclosure panel.

Abstract: A closure assembly for semi-permanent securement of an edge of the curtain to a wall of a shower enclosure. The closure assembly includes a clamping structure which comprises a mounting bar for permanent securement to a wall of a shower enclosure. The mounting bar includes a wall attachment surface for attachment to a wall of a shower enclosure and a first clamping surface. The mounting bar further including a plurality of first fastener receiving holes. Supported on the mounting bar is an adjustable clamp including a second clamping surface which is disposed adjacent to the first clamping surface. The adjustable clamp includes a plurality of second fastener receiving holes. The first fastener receiving holes of the mounting bar are aligned with the second fastener receiving holes of the adjustable clamp. A plurality of threaded fasteners are disposed such that a threaded fastener engages each of the aligned first and second holes for securing the adjustable clamp to the mounting bar.

Abstract: A roller for supporting and storing a flexible light control material. The roller is a substantially circular cylindrical tube defining an outer surface with circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending ribs integral therewith and extending radially outwardly therefrom. One of the ribs defines a radially outwardly extending surface, and a separate one of said ribs defines a radially extending blade-like rib having a tapered and rounded free edge. A clip secures a flexible light control material to the roller. An elongated, resilient, transversely arcuate clip secures the flexible material to the body. The clip defines V-shaped ribs and radially inwardly directed V-shaped channels.

Abstract: A visual panel comprising a flexible sheet having swollen portions at upper and lower edge portions thereof, respectively, a sheet stretching apparatus for slidably accommodating the swollen portions at the opposing edge portions of the sheet and for stretching the sheet over a frame, and a tension adjusting mechanism for adjusting a tension applied to the sheet.

Abstract: An assembly consisting of a covering including a pair of parallel fabric sheets interconnected by a series of spaced vanes forming joints with the sheets along their marginal edges. A roller is inserted into the space defined between a pair of adjacent vanes and a clip is resiliently mounted on and cooperates with the roller to capture a portion of at least one of the sheets and one of the pair of vanes, The roller and clip define collectively a roll-up surface for the covering that defines a base circle and has at least three projections projecting outwardly from the base circle to create a plurality of unobstructed recesses to receive portions of the covering when rolled up around the roller and clip.

Abstract: A sheet stretcher (7) comprises a base (7a), which has a hole (17) for slidably receiving an expanded portion (5) formed at an edge of a sheet (2), a slit (18) communicating with the hole (17) and through which the end portion (11) of the sheet (2) continuous to its expanded portion (5) is insertable, a hole (19) for slidably receiving a further expanded portion (5) formed at an edge of a further sheet (2), a slit (20) communicating with the hole (19) through which the end portion (11) of the further sheet (2) continuous to the further expanded portion (5) is insertable.

Abstract: One visual panel 1 is allotted to each of two lanes 3 in such a manner as to cover and conceal from a competitor a lifting device portion of an apparatus for automatically aligning and arranging bowling pins 4 at a distal end of the lane 3 in a bowling alley 2. The visual panels 1 are disposed in a series by being supported by columns 5 rotatably in the direction of A. Each visual panel 1 comprises a frame 6; a flexible sheet 11 having swollen portions 9 and 10 at opposite edge portions 7 and 8; sheet stretching device 12 for slidably accommodating the swollen portions 9 and 10 at the opposite edge portions 7 and 8; and tension adjusting device 13 for adjusting the tension applied to the sheet 11.

Abstract: Kits comprising a plurality of gripping bands are provided for attaching pieces of fabric and batting together without need for sewing, gluing or sealing. These kits are related to simulated quilting and, more generally, to the art of decorative wall hanging whether in sheet, patchwork or piece form. Also provided are auxiliary tools for use with the kit during attachement of the sheets. Each gripping band of the kit comprise a pair of elongated walls flexible along their length. The walls have surfaces, hereinafter called "inner surfaces", that face each other. The walls also have adjacent edges flexible connected to each other and free edges opposite the adjacent edges, the free edges facing each other. Serrations or teeth project from the inner surfaces of the walls to grip and retain the edges of pieces of fabric or batting when they are inserted between the walls from the free edges.

Abstract: A device which is externally fitted to a rod-like object has an inner tubular member and an external, rigid tubular member. Each tubular member has a longitudinally extending opening through which the rod-like object can be inserted. The internal tubular member has a conically narrowing outer peripheral surface and an inner surface whose shape approximately corresponds to the peripheral surface of the rod-like object. The external tubular member has a conically shaped inner surface corresponding to the outer surface of the internal tubular member. By axially displacing the inner and outer tubular members, the device will be firmly clamped onto the rod-like object. The device can be used to clamp cloth or fabric to a tubular stand or frame structure. Also suspension devices and connecting devices such as hooks and legs can be attached on the device.

Abstract: To avoid a flimsy arrangement of a roof or outside covering composed of individual plate elements on three-dimensional trussing, and also to produce a solid roof or outside covering, holding spaces are provided on the tops of elongated members of the three-dimensional trussing. The spaces have a smooth cup-shaped cross section, into which the outside edges of plate elements are inserted with their parts which are also in cup-shaped cross section, which serves to hold packing strips. First, plate elements are connected with the elongated members by cover rails with downwardly angled arms, which are fastened by screws to each member, and then packing strips are pressed into the cup-shaped outside edges of plate elements, so that plate elements are attached to members of the three-dimensional trussing with packing, which forms a tight roof or outside covering.

Abstract: A method for securing caulking driven in a groove for holding down a flexible sheet or filter screen under continually changing temperatures and high pressures comprises, a plurality of 90.degree. angle clips in axial alignment on the spline extending around the periphery of the filter screen with one leg of the clip pressing the spline down and the clip other leg pressing against one higher wall of the groove, and screw means inserted through the 90.degree. clip bisecting the 90.degree. angle between of the clip legs for securely fastening the spline and the filter screen under the spline securly to a filter screen holder for resisting the environmental conditions of continually changing temperatures between 200.degree. and 250.degree. F.

Abstract: A two-piece assembly is provided for attaching sheet material, such as polyethylene film, to greenhouses and the like. An elongated base member is secured to a support and includes a channel longitudinally therealong for receiving a portion of the sheet material therein and which also receives a material holding element having a transverse configuration corresponding to that of the channel, the member and the element cooperating to releasably clamp the portion of the material in the channel. The element is nested in the channel in a manner such that no further tension on the material or further clamping is necessary to insure a positive holding action. The element is further designed to facilitate easy removal or replacement of the sheet material without the use of special tools or screwdrivers.