Abstract: An electrically operated drop seal assembly for a pass door in an operable wall. The drop seal assembly includes an actuator which is selectively movable by a motor between a first position and a second position. The assembly also includes a retractable drop seal which is movable between a retracted position spaced from the floor over which the pass door is suspended and a sealed position in sealing engagement with the floor. A coupling of the drop seal assembly converts movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position into movement of the retractable drop seal from the retracted position to the sealed position. The assembly also includes a pass door opening activated retractor for raising the retractable drop seal from the sealed position when the pass door is moved relative to the operable wall from a closed position to an opened position.

Abstract: A roll-up door for a truck or the like is provided with a sealing member in order to seal the lower edge of a door against a lower sill when the door is in the closed position. The sealing member comprises three sealing strips consisting of two end strips made of a rigid rubber material and a center strip having a hollow cavity to provide pliancy thereto. The three sealing strips lay adjacent and abut one another along the lowermost portion of the door to provide a seal. The inner surfaces of each end strip that abut the center strip have exposed pins that are received in the hollow cavity of the center strip.

Abstract: A door jamb finger guard is described which comprises four elongate strips (10, 12, 14, 16) that are hinged to one another along their edges. The free edges of the first (10) and fourth (16) strips are pivotably connected to two further strips (18, 20) which in use are secured to the door (26) and to the door jamb (24) respectively. The first strip (10) is wider than the fourth strip (16) so as to force the strips (10, 12, 14, 16) to lie against one another when the door (26) is closed.

Abstract: The closure of the invention for an aperture has strips interlinked articulatedly via hinges in such a way that the distance between adjacent strips defines a space in which the hinge pins engage. Rubber sealing strips are fitted to interconnect adjacent strips; they are arranged coaxially with the hinge pins and engage with the strips virtually without any clearance.

Abstract: An electrically actuated, expandable wall jamb for an operable wall system. The expandable jamb includes a first wall section having an inward edge for connection to a stationary wall and an outward edge opposite the inward edge. The jamb also includes a second wall section slidably movable with respect to the first wall section. The second wall section includes a sealing edge for sealing engagement with a vertical structure and is movable between a retracted position in which the sealing edge is proximate the outward edge of the first wall section and a sealed position in which the sealing edge extends outward from the outward edge of the first section.

Abstract: A drop seal assembly for a movable wall panel, the wall panel being situated in a room having a ceiling and a floor such that the wall panel is supported from the ceiling and is suspended above the floor. The drop seal includes a motor and an actuator operatively connected to the motor and movable between a first actuator position and a second actuator position in response to the operation of the motor. The drop seal also includes a mechanism, such as a compression spring, connected to the actuator and a retractable seal connected to the spring such that when the actuator is in its first position, the seal does not engage the floor, and when the actuator is in its second position, the seal engages the floor, the spring biasing the seal toward the floor to effectively seal the panel against the floor.

Abstract: Air-tightening devices for folding doors and windows which are consisted of a plurality of panels connected by joint members to swivel about shafts received by bearing flanges of the joint members so that they are stretched or folded. The shafts and their bearing flanges are located outside of the plane of panels. Filler wedges air-tightly embracing said shafts and bearing flanges have smoothly resilient extensions which are coplanar with said plane and are able to make air-tight abutment with sealing liners fitted to lintel rails, independently from another sealing liners provided to lateral sides of the joint members and/or of the panels and being able to make air-tight abutment with the other sides when the panels are stretched.

Abstract: An expandable barrier for isolating a mine entry or similar open area is disclosed wherein the expandable barrier includes an expandable hollow curtain or bag housed within a horizontal brace member connected to the roof of an entry, the expandable hollow curtain being connected to vertical brace members adjacent to the walls of the mine entry. The expandable bag fills with a material capable of expanding the bag, such as a foam-like material, and expansion of the bag causes the bag to descend downwardly from the first horizontal brace member. The bag fills with distensible material in response to a stimulus detected by a monitor associated with the containers which contain the distensible material. A closeable opening or flap is disposed in the bag to allow passage of people or equipment therethrough. The expandable barrier may also be oriented in a horizontal position for use in vertical shafts.

Abstract: An animal confinement system includes a building structure comprising a foundation, a floor supported by the foundation, an arched roof and side walls supported by the foundation and having a plurality of segmented, assemblable rib beam members. The structure also has a plurality of purlin members fixedly attached to the beam members, insulating material between the purlin members, and a polymeric covering fixedly attached to an exterior surface of the arched roof. An inflatable curtain system includes a curtain box supported by the side walls of the animal confinement system. The curtain box contains an inflatable curtain wherein the curtain is comprised of integrally molded, individual air chambers capable of being independently inflated. An air blower inflates the curtain through flexible tubing connecting the blower to the curtain. A wind-powered ventilator is also supported within the arched roof.

Abstract: A safety device for equipping the vertical edge of a door and the adjacent jamb, on the hinge side, is formed of a rigid or semi-rigid elongate piece having longitudinal subdivision lines defining two marginal strips and a central zone of variable geometry. The marginal strips are adapted to be fixed respectively on the jamb and on the vertical edge of the door whereas the variable geometry zone projects freely outwards. The variable geometry zone is able to pass from a configuration which is at least relatively flattened, in the closed position of the door, to an opened out configuration in the open position of the door. The device is characterized in that, before fitting, it has a flat configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is a weather seal for a garage door having a base member secured to a support surface. A block is pivotally connected to the base member for pivotal movement relative to the base member. A sealing lip is connected to the block and has a first position in the plane of the base member. The block includes a first triangular for engaging the support surface for pivotally moving the block and sealing lip at an angle to the base member when installed so that the sealing lip engages a door to effect a seal between the door and the sealing lip.

Abstract: A floor supported movable wall panel system comprises a movable wall panel having opposing sides, an aperture in at least one of the opposing sides, a floor support assembly engagable with a floor, the assembly comprising a floor engaging mechanism, a support mechanism upwardly extending from the floor engaging mechanism and intermediate the opposing sides, the support mechanism supporting the wall panel, the support mechanism including an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the vertical distance between the floor and the wall panel, and the adjustment mechanism being located so as to be accessible through the aperture. A resilient, flexible, retractable seal substantailly covers at least one aperture, so that the adjustment mechanism may be accessed through the aperture by retracting the seal to expose the aperture. A wall panel may be hingedly connected on each side of a wall panel, and the center panel may be supported by an overhead support system, such as a dolly.

Abstract: A seal member (11) is adapted to seal the gap or space between a door panel (12) and frame (13) of a roll-up door assembly (10). The improved seal member includes a first portion (34) and a second portion (35). The first portion is mounted on the frame, and the second portion is biased to flexibly engage the outer surface of the door panel. The first portion is formed of a relatively-rigid vinyl, while the second portion is formed of a relatively-flexible vinyl, or may be in the form of a brush. The first portion has a raised abutment surface (42) arranged to engage the door panel, should the door panel move toward the frame, to prevent the second portion from becoming crushed between the first portion and the door. Thus, the second portion is protected from damage, and does not substantially impede vertical movement of the door. The first and second portions may be formed integrally or separately, as desired. In one form, the seal member first portion is adapted to be snapped into engagement with the frame.

Abstract: An improved joint construction (10) for a roll-up door includes specially-configured upper and lower panel sections (12, 11), a specially-configured hinge member (13) adapted to be longitudinally inserted into operative engagement wiht lower panel section, and a seal member (14) protectively concealed within a recess (73) in the upper panel section. The hinge member is coated with a low friction material to facilitate its longitudinal insertion into operative engagement with the lower panel section, and to facilitate relative movement of the adjacent panel sections. The lower panel section has an upwardly-extending lug (42) which is arranged to enter the recess in the upper panel section and compress the seal member when the adjacent panels are in vertically-aligned relation to one another.

Abstract: Partition structure has a rigid rectangular frame and rigid rectangular panels received in openings on opposite sides of the frame, with a small clearance between the edges of the panel and the frame. One panel edge is pivotally connected to the frame. The opposite edge of the panel is held securely on the frame by a resilient U-shaped catch received in a slot in a lip on the frame extending rearwardly of the panel. The tongue can be deflected inwardly to free the shoulder from the lip by introducing a thin-bladed tool through the clearance between the panel edge and the frame, so that the panel can then be rocked outwardly about the pivotal connection to an open position. A secure engagement of the panels on the frame is obtained, so that cables or other electrical equipment are securely housed within the partition. By using a small clearance between the panel at the frame, the tongues holding the panels in place are practically indiscernible and the panel securing arrangement is rendered tamper proof.

Abstract: A sealing device for sealing a side of a slideable door. The sealing device includes a seal member, a striker plate attached to the sealing member, an outer wall, and a plurality of links in the form of resilient ribs positioned between the seal member and the outer wall. The resilient ribs force the seal member downwardly and laterally against the side of the door when the door engages the striker plate. A web may be attached to the resilient ribs, the seal member and the outer wall. The web prevents the passage of air between the ribs, and retracts the seal member from the door when the door ceases to exert a force against the striker plate.

Abstract: Articulated overhead gate consisting of a series of adjacent and interarticulated panels with their sides facing one another, characterized in that the side of each panel that is uppermost in gate-closed state and faces a preceding panel has a curved surface that is convex in vertical section and the side that is lowermost and faces a subsequent panel has a curved surface that is concave in vertical section, with the result that the mutually facing convex and concave curved surfaces in each pair of adjacent panels demarcate a space that is dictated by the hinge between the panels and accordingly has curved edges, and in that the facing sides shift in relation to each other as they articulate around their associated axis of articulation during the transition from the gate-closed state into the gate-open state in such a way that the space remains but decreases along the direction of articulation during at least part of the transition into the state of maximum articulation.

Abstract: The present invention sets forth a garage door sealing apparatus wherein a plurality of electric motors are integrally secured to each door track of a typical garage reciprocating door. Upon closing of the door, the plurality of electric motors each pull the associated track into engagement with the framework of the garage and wherein movement is halted upon the associated door contacting at least one limit switch. This arrangement pulls the garage door into sealing engagement with the associated framework to minimize heat loss through a garage.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a sectional type door formed of a plurality of adjacent hingedly connected sections; each section comprises a core of insulating material and, a pair of spaced elongated metal panel members adhesively bonded to the opposite main surfaces of the core. The top and bottom edges of the panel members define respective tongue and recessed areas with the tongue area being insertable in the recessed area of an adjacent section. One or more U-shaped retaining members are mounted to the top and bottom edges of the core and serve as retaining members for the top and bottom edges of the panel members. The configuration of the top and bottom edges of the panel members is such as to provide minimum air infiltration while allowing relative movement between two adjacent sections. The metal panel members are somewhat larger than the core member thereby defining opposite end cavities in which are received wood stiles.

Abstract: A hard plastic tambour slat commonly used in roll-up doors is made silent when contact is made with neighboring slats by the addition of some soft plastic at one or more of the contact points of the slat with adjacent slats.

Abstract: A pivotally mounted secondary door, such as a screen door, for sliding doors, such as sliding glass "patio" doors. The secondary door swings inwardly and outwardly and preferably is provided with an automatic return. A system of seals is provided for preventing insects and such from entering around the edges of the secondary door and along the sides of the assembly. The assembly can be adjusted to accommodate sliding door frames of different internal vertical dimensions.

Abstract: Overhead door construction for a truck van or the like including metal door sections pivotally connected by the rigid part of a dual durometer plastic hinge member having a flexible part for sealing the joint between adjacent door sections when the door is closed.

Abstract: An adjustable storm garage door having a pair of foldable doors open at the center with each pair adjustably mounted to a jamb of the garage in spaced relationship with an existing overhead garage door for providing an insulating space between the doors.

Abstract: A wall member is formed of a covered frame having upper and lower profiles and connecting lateral profiles. A seal is set in the edges of each of upper and lower profiles and is provided with means for raising and lowering the seal relative to the profile. The lateral profiles are provided with covers which extend beyond the upper and lower profiles. The covers are provided with recesses at the ends to enable seals to extend therethrough beyond the lateral profiles. A winch and cable system within the frame is provided to displace the seals.

Abstract: A universal latch means for a drop seal assembly which is adapted for mounting to the lower end of a movable wall assembly, is disclosed. The drop seal assembly includes a universal latch means mounted on each end thereof for releasibly coupling each adjacent drop seal assembly in longitudinal alignment and in which each panel is locked from transverse relative movement. The latch means includes an alternating tongue and groove so that the tongue of one latch means nests into the complimentary groove of the adjacent latch means to releasibly lock each adjacent drop seal in longitudinal alignment and each panel is locked against vertical, horizontal and transverse movement.

Abstract: An improved folding closure consisting of a plurality of panels joined at adjacent vertical sides by hinges. Means are provided on each panel for carrying a sweeper strip across the bottom of the closure. The carrying means include means for strengthening the bottom of each panel.

Abstract: The screen or shade for the window is of flexible material so that when in open position it can be pleated. Opposite sides of the screen have tapes sewed on near the edges and male snap fasteners are spaced from each other on the tapes. These fasteners snap into holes in plastic glides which travel along plastic tracks. Either converted by screws or integral with the tracks are angle sealing strips, one flange being on the outside and arranged to prevent air movement from the inside of the screen to the outside, or vice versa, when the screen is closed. Either attached by screws to the track and sealing strip assembly or integral therewith is a mounting rail which is attached by screws to the building or support. A slanting roof is shown having several windows equipped with independently glided screens.