With Slide Guides Patents (Class 160/84.06)
  • Patent number: 6805187
    Abstract: A cover can be moved easily for access behind where the cover had been, and easily restored to its original position, without having to unattach and reattach the cover. In one example, cable guides and an edge of a coupled net can be moved in a vertical direction to allow access to shelving without disconnecting them from the shelving structure, and can be moved in the opposite direction to the original position. The cable guides can direct two cables between opposing sides of the shelving structure in that example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Cormark, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Padiak, Thomas M. Conway, Christopher Dominic
  • Patent number: 6796357
    Abstract: A shade system includes a plurality of panels that are supported by opposite first and second tracks for translation of the panels between retracted and extended positions. The shade system further includes an extension panel supported for translation with a terminal shade panel. An extension panel support assembly includes mount members translatably secured to the tracks and deployment members that position at least a portion of the extension panel beyond an end of the tracks when the shade system is in the extended position. A drive system engages the deployment members to translate the extension panel with respect to the tracks and to deploy the extension panel beyond the end of the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Kirby
  • Patent number: 6796356
    Abstract: A folding shade system includes a shade having a plurality of panels secured in an end-to-end fashion and cables suspended from opposite tracks to define a first curved profile. The folding shade system further includes at least one receiver for each of the cables secured to the shade to define a cable-receiving pathway extending across the width of one of the panels. The pathway defined by the at least one receiver has a second curved profile substantially matching the first curved profile of the cable. The at least one receiver for each cable may be a continuous sleeve defined by lines of stitching in joined end portions of adjacent panels or, alternatively, may include separate receivers each secured to the shade by a connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Kirby
  • Patent number: 6796360
    Abstract: A tensioner for securing a tension cord of a tension shade attached to a structure. The tensioner includes a lock component having an inner surface, an outer surface and an aperture extending therethrough. A casing includes an inner surface, an outer surface and an aperture extending therethrough, and an outer periphery defining a cavity for receiving the lock therein. The lock and the casing form a first and second opening and a path there between for receiving a portion of the tension cord. The opening forms an axis substantially perpendicular to an axis defined by the apertures of the lock and casing. A fastener extends through the apertures of the lock and casing to secure the lock and casing to the structure and to fix the location of the tension cord relative to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Specialty Window Coverings
    Inventors: Randy Ferrie, Kermit Parsons
  • Publication number: 20040159410
    Abstract: A cord tensioner for a guide cord of a cord-guided blind which has an upper rail, a lower rail and a blind material extending between the upper and lower rails and in which the upper rail, the lower rail or both is movable; the cord tensioner being attached to the upper or lower rail; and wherein the cord tensioner includes a compression spring and the guide cord engages the spring so that a pulling force on the guide cord compresses the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
    Inventor: Konrad Welfonder
  • Patent number: 6766847
    Abstract: An auto-reversible folding sliding door is constructed to include a horizontal top track, a vertical post fixedly provided at one end of the track, a hollow cylindrical casing movable, a folding collapsible door panel coupled to the track and movable along the track between an extended position and a received position, the folding collapsible door panel having a fixed end fastened to the post and a free end fixedly fastened to the casing, a plurality of cord members transversely fastened to the hinged vertical slats of the folding collapsible door panel at different elevations to guide the folding collapsible door panel between the extended position and the received position, the cord members each having a first end fixed to one vertical side of the folding collapsible door panel adjacent to the post and a second end inserted through each vertical slat into the inside of the casing and extended over a pulley inside the casing and then fixedly connected to a weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Wen-Tsan Wang
  • Patent number: 6758517
    Abstract: A sunshade for a sunroof assembly includes two opposed halves which accordion fold to a collapsed position. The collapsed position of the sunshade is within a projected area of the sunroof panel. Thus, room within the roof, in addition to the room taken by the sunroof panel, is not require for the sunshade when in its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: John Raasakka
  • Patent number: 6758255
    Abstract: A vehicle window having a curved inner lens, a rectangular frame with frame members and a shade. The shade is a dual shade having a first fabric member and a second fabric member with a removable shade rail between the first and second fabric member. There also is a movable shade rail at the end of the second shade material. Cables attach to each end of the removable shade rails and through to separate handles. Moving the first handle will move the first moveable shade rail and the first fabric member up and down and moving the second handle will move the second moveable shade rail and the second fabric up and down. The fabric members have different light transmissive characteristics, one being more opaque then the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventors: Eduardo Sanz, Gilbert Moreno
  • Patent number: 6729378
    Abstract: A handling door that includes vertical opposed uprights. Each upright has vertical guide slideways. Each vertical guide slideway is at least one of a semirigid member and a flexible member and includes one of a woven material, a deformable plastic material, and a shape-memory material. Ribs project from an outer face of each upright. The vertical guide slideways of each upright are arranged between the ribs. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Maviflex S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Simon, Antonella LaMarca
  • Patent number: 6715531
    Abstract: The invention also provides for a guide mechanism for guiding a flexible curtain in a door opening, wherein the guide mechanism includes first and second guide members arranged on at least one vertical side of the door opening. An extension is arranged at an upper end of each of the first and second guide members. A vertical track for guiding an edge of the flexible curtain is defined between the first and second guide members. A tapered expanded portion of the track is defined between the extensions of the first and second guide members. At least one of the first and second guide members includes a semirigid frame plate. The semirigid frame plate includes at least one wall which is capable of undergoing an elastic deformation under pressure of an external force and is capable of returning to an original position without damage. At least one of the extensions being elastically flexible and capable of deflecting out of an initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Bernard Simon
  • Publication number: 20040060668
    Abstract: A shade system includes a plurality of panels that are supported by opposite first and second tracks for translation of the panels between retracted and extended positions. The shade system further includes an extension panel supported for translation with a terminal shade panel. An extension panel support assembly includes mount members translatably secured to the tracks and deployment members that position at least a portion of the extension panel beyond an end of the tracks when the shade system is in the extended position. A drive system engages the deployment members to translate the extension panel with respect to the tracks and to deploy the extension panel beyond the end of the tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: David A. Kirby
  • Publication number: 20040060667
    Abstract: A folding shade system includes a shade having a plurality of panels secured in an end-to-end fashion and cables suspended from opposite tracks to define a first curved profile. The folding shade system further includes at least one receiver for each of the cables secured to the shade to define a cable-receiving pathway extending across the width of one of the panels. The pathway defined by the at least one receiver has a second curved profile substantially matching the first curved profile of the cable. The at least one receiver for each cable may be a continuous sleeve defined by lines of stitching in joined end portions of adjacent panels or, alternatively, may include separate receivers each secured to the shade by a connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: David A. Kirby
  • Publication number: 20040020605
    Abstract: A vertical retractable blind is constructed to include a fixed headrail, a lifting rail vertically movable in horizontal below the headrail, two positioning cords adapted to support the lifting rail at the desired elevation. The positioning cords each have a first end connected to the headrail and a second end respectively extended across the lifting rail and fixedly secured to a respective fixed point outside the lifting rail to provide a tension force to the lifting rail. A retractable blind body is connected between the headrail and the lifting rail and vertically extended out/received subject to vertical movement of the lifting rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: NIEN MADE ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ming Nien
  • Publication number: 20040016513
    Abstract: An improved structure of a Venetian blind allows easy operation by having a lift cord to take a turn at where it enters and leaves the head rail and the buttermilk to form a certain support force to hold both of the head rail and the buttermilk in position so that one may forthwith press down or push up either of the head rail and the buttermilk to adjust the height of the blind for admitting or shading the sunlight as desired without leaving the lift cord to drop on the floor area to prevent it from tangling a child.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Chien Hua Hung
  • Patent number: 6681831
    Abstract: A method of controlling the vertical height of a window shade having a top and bottom, which includes providing shade upper support structure at or proximate the shade top; providing at least one substantially vertically elongated shade support line extending downwardly from the upper support structure, and providing shade lower support structure at or proximate the shade bottom; elevating or lowering the shade lower support structure relative to one or more support lines; and securing the shade lower support structure to the line or lines at a selected height position relative to the line length above the lower support structure, whereby the height of the shade bottom can be quickly manually adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Zipshade Industrial (B.V.I.) Corp.
    Inventors: Li-Ming Cheng, Lawrence S. Wu
  • Patent number: 6672360
    Abstract: An upright for a goods-handling door, said upright including a slideway (1) and being formed in one piece by extrusion or in two mutually snap-fastenable pieces. The upright includes a plane surface (14F) serving to be placed against a wall, so as to position the door and the slideway appropriately, so that space is left on either side of the door for receiving the curtain if it comes out of the slideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Nergeco
    Inventor: Bernard Kraeutler
  • Publication number: 20030230388
    Abstract: A cover can be moved easily for access behind where the cover had been, and easily restored to its original position, without having to unattach and reattach the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: CORMARK, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Padiak, Thomas M. Conway, Christopher Dominic
  • Patent number: 6640867
    Abstract: A shade for covering and uncovering an opening. The shade is attachable to drawstrings which raise and lower or otherwise move the end of the shade to obscure/reveal more or less of the opening, as desired. The shade is attachable to the drawstrings through attachments which comprise slots, etc. The attachments do not require threading of the drawstrings through holes in the shade. The shades are conveniently removable from the drawstrings and optionally disposable so that different shades may be coordinated with room colors, seasonal events, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Shawn Christopher Pallotta, Von Adoniram Kinsey
  • Publication number: 20030155082
    Abstract: A handling door that includes vertical opposed uprights. Each upright has vertical guide slideways. Each vertical guide slideway is at least one of a semirigid member and a flexible member and includes one of a woven material, a deformable plastic material, and a shape-memory material. Ribs project from an outer face of each upright. The vertical guide slideways of each upright are arranged between the ribs. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: MAVIFLEX S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Simon, Antonello Lamarca
  • Patent number: 6607020
    Abstract: A screening arrangement for installation in a curb for a skylight in a roof structure comprises four rails for mounting on an internal surface of the curb to form a frame in the curb. The rails comprise at least one supporting rail associated with a collapsible screen of which a first end is fixed in relation to said rail and a second end is free. Four corner brackets are provided for mounting at respective corners of the curb, each said bracket having an abutment surface for abutment on the top edge of the curb and a support member for supporting two of said rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventor: Jimmy Skjold Jensen
  • Patent number: 6571851
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an architectural covering insert primarily adapted for use in simulated divided light openings is disclosed. The insert includes an outer framework with horizontal and vertical dividers, a plurality of horizontally or vertically disposed shade components associated with one or more dividers and control means for moving the shade components between extended and retracted positions across simulated openings defined by the vertical and horizontal dividers. The shade components can be of the roller shade type or collapsible cellular type with the net result being that, from a visual standpoint, there are shade components associated with each individual simulated opening defined by the horizontal and vertical dividers, as opposed to a single shade that covers the entire architectural opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Jelic, Paul F. Josephson, Barbara A. Forst Randle, Jason T. Throne, Ronald L. Bowman
  • Publication number: 20030089461
    Abstract: A barrier includes a curtain vertically movable between a closed and open position. The curtain is interposed between right and left vertical tracks, which guide the curtain's movement. A drive unit raises and lowers a right edge of the curtain, while a clever strap system supports the curtain's left edge. The strap system includes a strap having one end fixed to an upper end of the left track and an opposite end fixed to a lower end of the right track. The strap runs across a leading edge of the curtain while passing across a left side roller and a right side roller mounted to opposite ends of the curtain's leading edge. The strap runs underneath the left roller to support the left side of the curtain. The strap runs across the top of the right roller to keep the strap from simply dropping out from underneath the left roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Jason T. Dondlinger
  • Publication number: 20030019589
    Abstract: A window covering is described wherein at least one translucent or transparent sheet is suspended vertically and has a plurality of parallel vanes projecting rearwardly therefrom. The vanes are formed from fabric material which has either been rigidified with a rigidifying compound or rigidified by the formation of a pocket into which a rigid slat is inserted. Variations are provided for varying the flexibility of a hinge defined along a juncture line between the vanes and the fabric sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Richard N. Anderson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jason T. Throne
  • Patent number: 6481486
    Abstract: A vehicle window having a curved inner lens, a rectangular frame with frame members and a shade. The shade is a dual shade having a first fabric member and a second fabric member with a removable shade rail between the first and second fabric member. There also is a movable shade rail at the end of the second shade material. Cables attach to each end of the removable shade rails and through to separate handles. Moving the first handle will move the first moveable shade rail and the first fabric member up and down and moving the second handle will move the second moveable shade rail and the second fabric up and down. The fabric members have different light transmissive characteristics, one being more opaque then the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: MSA Aircraft Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eduardo Sanz, Gilbert Moreno
  • Patent number: 6481487
    Abstract: Guidance device for guiding a flexible curtain in an opening, the guidance device including a first guideway for mounting to a jam of the opening. The first guideway includes at least two straps defining a space therebetween, at least one of the two straps being stretched between at least two points on the jam. A second guideway is mounted to another jam of the opening, the second guideway comprising at least two straps defining a space therebetween. At least one of the two straps being stretched between at least two points on the jam, wherein the first and second guideways are adapted to flexibly guide the flexible curtain within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Bernard Simon
  • Patent number: 6478071
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide window coverings for nonrectangular windows and openings. The present invention utilizes a sliding headrail which allows a shade to be fitted exactly to a myriad of nonrectangular window shapes and to be opened or closed without placing undue stress upon the shade material or causing unsightly bunching of the shade material. A single headrail may also be used in appropriate circumstances. The sliding headrail keeps shade material neat and flat within the window frame, and if pleated or honeycombed, maintains the pleats in their natural horizontal arrangement. The window shade is not limited to the use of any particular shade materials, and can use virtually any window covering material depending on the appropriateness of the application. Shade material is attached to the sliding headrail segments at various points via shade leveling rods and support rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventors: Brian G. Workman, Paul T. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6470948
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Yates, Pauline Diane Yates
  • Publication number: 20020124972
    Abstract: Guidance device for guiding a flexible curtain in an opening, the guidance device including a first guideway for mounting to a jam of the opening. The first guideway includes at least two straps defining a space therebetween, at least one of the two straps being stretched between at least two points on the jam. A second guideway is mounted to another jam of the opening, the second guideway comprising at least two straps defining a space therebetween. At least one of the two straps being stretched between at least two points on the jam, wherein the first and second guideways are adapted to flexibly guide the flexible curtain within the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Bernard Simon
  • Patent number: 6401789
    Abstract: A blind 10 which is particularly suitable for mounting at an angle to the vertical includes two rails, one fixed 12 and the other 14 moveable relative to it, and arranged therebetween a flexible sheet element 16 folded concertina fashion such that it can be folded between the rails when they are displaced towards one another. The blind includes a plurality of support members 22 attached to the sheet element which are slideably engageable with a fixed guide element 24. In a preferred embodiment each support member comprises an annular engagement portion 34 for receiving therethrough a guide element a T-shaped connecting portion 30, 32 extending from the annular engagement portion for attaching the support member to the sheet element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Louver-Lite Limited
    Inventor: Reginald Charles Allsopp
  • Patent number: 6397916
    Abstract: The invention relates to a folding door with a door leaf (4) which is movable between a closed position and an open, folded position, in which the door leaf (4) is folded about folding lines between opposite side edges (5) of the door leaf. A plurality of guide members (110-118) are connected to the side edges (5) in a spaced-apart relationship along the same, and two side frames (1) are extended adjacent to a respective side edge (5). Each side frame (1) defines at least a first and a second guide groove (68, 69), which are juxtaposed transversely of the side frame. The guide members comprise, at each side frame (1), a first set of guide members running in the first guide groove (68) only, as well as a second set of guide members running in the second guide groove only (69).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Nomafa AB
    Inventors: Mikael Bengtsson, Håkan Larsson, Pär Fridolfsson, Nils Strandh, Kent Pålsson
  • Patent number: 6338377
    Abstract: A skylight assembly with head rail-mounted actuator includes a head rail having a shaft rotatably disposed therein. A battery-powered actuator is also disposed within the head rail and coupled to the shaft. The actuator is remotely operable to cause the shaft to rotate. As the shaft rotates, a collapsible shade connected to the shaft moves between an open configuration, wherein the shade is collapsed to allow sunlight to propagated through the skylight, and a closed configuration, wherein the shade is extended to cover the skylight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Harmonic Design, Incorporated
    Inventor: Douglas R. Domel
  • Patent number: 6338378
    Abstract: A braking device for a window screening arrangement includes at least one braking member (11, 12) mounted on the cords (4, 5) of the parallel guidance system. The braking members (11, 12) may be designed as hollow symmetrical bodies having a cylindrical outer shape and engage with the bar (3) at the free end of the free end of the screening body (2) of the screening arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: VKR Holdings A/S
    Inventor: Ove Kold
  • Patent number: 6318438
    Abstract: A net guide 12 is guided along the lower end of an expandable net 4 folding in alternate directions counter to each other, made capable of opening/closing sideways is formed as a long member having a U-shaped cross-section including a shaking preventive section 12a and a bottom 12b. Concave notches 12c arranged at certain intervals are out in the shaking preventive section 12a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Seiki Hanbai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Uno, Mitsuhiko Chino
  • Patent number: 6283191
    Abstract: A motorized window blind includes a mounting frame stretched in a longitudinal direction, a blind screen including a mounted end mounted on the mounting frame, a liftable end opposite to the mounted end in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction, and a flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. A motor has an output shaft and is mounted in the vicinity of the mounting frame so as to drive a drive transmitting member to move a distal end of the drive transmitting member in the transverse direction between retracted and extended positions where the distal end is proximate and distal to the mounting frame, respectively. A plurality of tubes are telescopically fitted to each other, and extend in the transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: May-Chang Lo
  • Publication number: 20010015266
    Abstract: A collapsable, child, safety gate for selectively forming a barrier across an opening inside a house such as a stairwell, comprising a storage housing (4, 6) capable of being fixed in position across he house opening, either permanently or temporarily; and a folding curtain (8) which can be stored in the storage housing (4, 6) when folded and which can be withdrawn therefrom along guide tracks (18) to an extended position for forming a barrier across the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Robert Yates, Pauline Diane Yates
  • Patent number: 6273173
    Abstract: The mounting and parallel guidance arrangement comprises a mounting bar (1) designed for releasable interconnection with the bottom bar of the screening device and having a through-going hollowness, two parallel guidance cords (2, 3), each being led through said mounting bar and comprising end parts which protrude from each end of the mounting bar, and installation brackets (4-7) for the free end of each of the end parts. The two installation brackets (4, 6; 5, 7) for a cord are meant to be fastened at the top of a first main frame or sash side member and at the bottom of the other main frame or sash side member opposite in relation to the first one, respectively. The releasable inter-connection of the mounting bar (1) with the bottom bar can be effected by means of clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Velux Industri A/S
    Inventor: Gert Godvig Lassen
  • Patent number: 6192960
    Abstract: Guidance device for guiding a flexible curtain in an opening, the guidance device including a first guideway for mounting to a jam of the opening. The first guideway includes at least two straps defining a space therebetween at least one of the two straps being stretched between at least two points on the jam. A second guideway is mounted to another jam of the opening, the second guideway comprising at least two straps defining a space therebetween. At least one of the two straps being stretched between at least two points on the jam, wherein the first and second guideways are adapted to flexibly guide the flexible curtain within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Bernard Simon
  • Patent number: 6186212
    Abstract: A screen is mounted between a pair of screen mounting frames, at least one of which is slidable. One or more sliding guide frames are disposed near an end of the screen which is not mounted to the screen mounting frames. Each sliding guide frame is formed by connecting rigid units, each of which has a pair of sidewalls and a bridging portion, and thereby each sliding guide frame has rigidity and a bending ability. The sliding guide frame also has at least a free end at one end and is capable of being received in and withdrawn from inside one of the screen mounting frames. A stopper mechanism provided for the rigid units preserves straightness of a withdrawn portion of each sliding guide frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Metaco Inc.
    Inventor: Osamu Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 6182737
    Abstract: A sheet opening/closing apparatus capable of being utilized as any of a sheet spreading mechanism, a ventilating mechanism, and a heat retaining and light shielding mechanism, superior in all of working efficiency, assembling performance and economy, capable of minimizing stain and damage of the sheet used, and exerting no bad influence on the growth of plants. The sheet opening/closing apparatus includes a pair of support rods opposed to each other, a track 8 laid between the two support rods, and a movable member 9 attached to the track 8 movably. By utilizing the movement of the movable member along the track, the sheet is spread or opened between the two support rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Toto Kogyo Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 6170551
    Abstract: An apparatus for screening off large surfaces, for instance glass surfaces, growing surfaces or the like and a method of assembling such apparatus for screening off is described. The apparatus includes at least one curtain (14), for example a greenhouse curtain, which is held up by a number of support lines (12) along which the curtain is mobile for opening or closing it. The curtain includes a number of suspension lines (26) integrated in the curtain across the support lines (12), which suspension lines (26) are freely mobile along the length of the curtain. The support lines (12) can be coupled together by one or several of the suspension lines (26) via connectors. At least some of the suspension lines (26) integrated in the curtain (14) are stretched between at least some of the support lines (12). When stretched the suspension lines (26) are freely mobile in the curtain and in the said connectors (15) and at least some of the connectors (15) are attachable to the suspension lines (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Ludvig Svensson International BV
    Inventors: Göran Henningsson, Hans Andersson