Abstract: A retractable dual screen system provides auxiliary environmental protection for garage door openings. An upper housing is mounted on an exterior of a garage door, including two rollers and is accessible for maintenance or repair by a removable cover. A first roller is a vinyl insect screening, and a second roller contains polyolefin material to provide an additional layer of insulation to help reduce heat loss and gain through the garage door. The second roller also provides a vapor barrier to help protect the garage door against high winds. A dual track system selectively allows both rollers to be independently deployed over the garage door opening.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method to permit emergency egress through an access opening covered by an overhead coiling fire door. Upon receiving an alarm notification from a first detector located on one side of the access opening the door is power closed to a predetermined height and held there for the predetermined time, then power closed to a fully closed position. Upon receiving a second alarm notification from a second detector located on the opposite side of the access opening the door enters into a secondary alarm condition. The door is power closed and awaits notification to initiate a secondary emergency egress sequence. The secondary emergency egress sequence comprises receiving a door opening notification, opening the door, holding the door open for a predetermined time, and reclosing the door. Upon primary power restoration or a return to a non-alarm condition the door returns to its preset open position.

Abstract: A door release mechanism includes a drop wheel coupled to a holding brake sprocket; a brake drive sprocket fixed to a drop wheel coupled with a governor; and a drop arm having a tooth to mesh with the drop wheel. The drop arm has an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the drop arm prevents rotation of the brake drive sprocket; in the disengaged position, the drop arm allows rotation of the brake drive sprocket. The door release mechanism includes a second brake having a brake sprocket rotationally coupled to the brake drive sprocket. The second brake is configured to provide resistance to rotation of the brake sprocket in response to rotation of the brake sprocket exceeding a predetermined braking speed.

Abstract: A temperature-driven mechanical system includes a first effector, made of temperature-induced shape-changing material, having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis running through the ends, as well as a suspension system that mounts an assembly including the effector, to support rotation of the assembly about the longitudinal axis. The suspension system has a first rotational limit stop associated with a first angular position of the assembly at or below a first temperature limit and a second limit stop associated with a second angular position of the assembly at or above a second temperature limit. An array of such systems is similarly provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for at least partially environmentally isolating a volume, such as by environmentally isolating the cargo compartment from the passenger compartment of an aircraft. In the context of an apparatus, a barrier curtain is provided that partially defines the volume. The apparatus also includes a cable extending along one or more walls that partially define the volume. The barrier curtain is supported by the cable. The apparatus may also include a cable release mechanism attached to a respective wall. The cable is carried by the cable release mechanism and the cable release mechanism is configured to fail at a predetermined load, thereby permitting the barrier curtain to drop in response to a decompression event.

Abstract: A brake release device attached to a door machine comprises a ring plate provided with a plurality of openings and fixed on a pull chain disc, a base plate located at the outside of the door machine, a passive plate provided with a plurality of plug pins that correspond to the openings of the ring plate and slides together with the sliding pin, a guiding member fixed together with the base plate, a sliding pin corresponding to a brake release bar for releasing brake of the door machine and slidably guided by the guiding member, a spring element and a fusible link device that curbs the sliding pin from leaving the brake release bar. By the spring element, the guiding member stores potential energy for sliding.

Abstract: A door hoist includes a bracket, drive sprocket, ring gear, hub assembly, set of planetary gears, and governor shaft. The drive sprocket has a drive sprocket axis. The ring gear is fastened to the drive sprocket. The ring gear has a ring gear axis that is in alignment with the drive sprocket axis. The hub assembly includes a connector to receive a door drive shaft and secure the door drive shaft in a fixed rotational alignment with the hub assembly. The set of planetary gears is rotationally mounted to the hub assembly. The set of planetary gears is configured to mate with the ring gear. The governor shaft includes a sun gear, brake assembly, and link. The sun gear is configured to mate with the set of planetary gears. The brake assembly has an engaged position and a disengaged position. The sun gear is rotationally fixed relative to the bracket in response to the brake assembly being in the engaged position.

Abstract: The present invention presents a novel alternative to side-hinged swinging doors that offers access to a broad egress opening width needed to meet higher occupancy egress requirements while simultaneously qualifying as a fire/smoke barrier. In a preferred embodiment, a single overhead coiling fire door shaft assembly is counter-balanced to allow a fire door curtain to automatically close at a governed controlled descent upon reaching an established critical low battery condition. An operator is provided that will run the door under both normal condition and during a power failure or fire/smoke condition at an established average door speed, and also provide established levels of low battery warning signals/actions while also providing the ability to open as required for emergency egress until the temperature at the opening is not conducive for human life.

Abstract: A door operator of a fireproof door comprises a force applying end through which a driving force is transmitted by an input shaft; an output end for sustaining the weight of the door curtain which is transmitted to a central shaft through an output shaft; a clutch mechanism connecting the central shaft to the input shaft; a brake mechanism including a torsion spring disposed on the input shaft which bears the loading force transferred through the central shaft to vary the inner diameter of the torsion spring so as to restrain the input shaft from rotating; when an external force is applied to the input end, the inner diameter of the torsion spring is extended so that the input shaft is rotatable.

Abstract: A door mechanism includes a door shaft, a drive sprocket fixed to the door shaft, a holding brake to counter a closing bias of the door, and a holding brake sprocket that is rotationally coupled to the drive sprocket. A freewheel is coupled to the holding brake sprocket to facilitate free rotation of the holding brake sprocket in a first direction. A first brake is coupled to the holding brake sprocket via the freewheel to provide resistance to rotation of the door shaft in a second direction. A door release includes a drop wheel coupled to the holding brake sprocket, a brake drive sprocket, a drop arm and a second brake to provide resistance to the brake sprocket when the brake sprocket exceeds a predetermined braking speed.

Abstract: A door operator of the fireproof door comprises a force applying end for releasing the reel of a door curtain, and a loading end for sustaining the weight of the door curtain. The rotary shaft comprises an internal (central) shaft and a plurality of external shaft coupled to each other via a clutch mechanism. The force applying end and the loading end act on the internal shaft and the external shaft respectively. A torsion spring brake mechanism is provided to resist the potential energy of the loading end by varying the inner diameter of the torsion spring so as to constantly restrain the rotary shaft from rotating, or to release the rotary shaft when the brake mechanism is subjected to an external force from the force applying end.

Abstract: A door mechanism includes a bracket and a door shaft, rotationally mounted to the bracket, to operate a door. The door mechanism includes a gear assembly having a ring gear, set of planetary gears, sun gear, and drive sprocket. The ring gear fixed to the door shaft. The door mechanism includes a holding brake to counter the closing bias of the door. The door release has an engaged position in which rotation of the door shaft in the second direction is impeded by a first brake; and a disengaged position in which rotation of the door shaft in the second direction is unimpeded by the first brake. The door mechanism includes a link and a second brake. The link is configured to melt in response to a predetermined temperature. The second brake is configured to provide resistance in response to component rotation exceeding a predetermined speed.

Abstract: The present invention is a device that provides protection for a window from exterior fires which might ignite combustibles by radiation through the glass and/or break the glass and allow direct flame impingement, and also operates as a non-solid shutter or shade allowing privacy and shade. The shutter consists of metal or other noncombustible screen, mesh or slats spaced or pierced so that they allow some light to penetrate for shade control but protect the window glass from heat radiation and flying debris created by an external firestorm. The shutter can be raised and lowered manually, or with mechanical assistance, as by means of a chain lift or other roll-up/down mechanism for shade and privacy control, but will drop (close) automatically when released by a fusible link of the appropriate temperature setting to provide the fire protection.

Abstract: An integrated brake and chain disk device for a door operator includes an electrical motor with a main shaft coupled to a gear box for rolling a rolling door through an output shaft of the gear box; a brake device for braking the main shaft; a chain disk device for manually rotating the main shaft upon power failure; a clutch device which disengages the intermediate shaft from the chain disk device or engages the intermediate shaft with the chain disk device. The brake device includes at least one torsion spring fitting on a fixed hub. The torsion spring tightly fits on the hub and becomes immovable when a force in a spiral direction of the torsion spring is exerted on either end of the torsion spring, and can be released from the hub when a force in a direction opposite to the spiral direction of the torsion spring is exerted on either end of the torsion spring. In this way, the brake device and the chain disk device are integrated.

Abstract: A door hoist includes a bracket, drive sprocket, ring gear, hub assembly, set of planetary gears, and governor shaft. The drive sprocket has a drive sprocket axis. The ring gear is fastened to the drive sprocket. The ring gear has a ring gear axis that is in alignment with the drive sprocket axis. The hub assembly includes a connector to receive a door drive shaft and secure the door drive shaft in a fixed rotational alignment with the hub assembly. The set of planetary gears is rotationally mounted to the hub assembly. The set of planetary gears is configured to mate with the ring gear. The governor shaft includes a sun gear, brake assembly, and link. The sun gear is configured to mate with the set of planetary gears. The brake assembly has an engaged position and a disengaged position. The sun gear is rotationally fixed relative to the bracket in response to the brake assembly being in the engaged position.

Abstract: A pet door unit allowing entry to and egress from a dwelling of an animal includes a pet door provided with a latch. The pet door is mounted for movement to allow passage of an animal when the latch is disabled. The pet door unit includes an animal detector for detecting an animal seeking passage past the pet door. A controller allows selection of a permitted passage condition. A disabler selectively disables the latch. Other arrangements described include systems for controlling entry and exit for different animals in different time frames, systems that detect an animal by a tag carried by the animal, systems that detect a door, systems that detect whether an animal has actually passed through the door and in which direction, and systems that record time and direction of passage, a preferred coil geometry for tag detection, and a preferred latch.

Abstract: An active break release device externally attached to a door controller. The door controller includes a housing for receiving a first motor which rotates a rotary shaft to reel the door; a braking device installed around the periphery of the rotary shaft. The active break release device comprises: at least a brake releasing rod, one end of which is to activate the braking device while the other end of which extends to the outside of the door controller; at least a second motor, for moving the other end of the brake releasing rod; a circuit having a backup power source used to temperately supply electricity to the second motor if electricity fails, so that the one end releases the braking.

Abstract: There is provided an active brake release device attached to the exterior of a door controller having a first electromagnet, in which a sliding portion can slide to activate a sliding bar when the first electromagnet is energized; a first and a second actuator, in which the first actuator is located to abut against the break release bar of the door controller, and a sliding pin of the first actuator is yieldingly biased in the anti-activation direction of the bar; and, the second actuator is limited by a limit means at a fixed position; a second electromagnet, which is used to release the second actuator when the second electromagnet is energized; and a circuit, which includes a limit-switch for switching on the first electromagnet upon resetting of the device and a capacitor which is used to temporarily supply power to the second electromagnet in an event of unexpected electricity failure.

Abstract: A release control mechanism installed in a rolling door-controlled emergency exit, which includes a driving mechanism, a release control lever provided outside the driving mechanism for releasing a brake of the driving mechanism from a torsion spring member, and a releasing cable, which has a first end connected to said release control lever and a second end coupled to the release control mechanism. The release control mechanism uses a spring member to preserve pressure for moving the releasing cable, and a button for pressing by a person in case of an emergency to release the preserved pressure and to further pull the releasing cable to move the release control lever to open the rolling door of the emergency exit.

Abstract: A device is provided for use in covering a danger area on a roll changer that can carry at least one roll of material to be directed to a rotary, web-fed printing press. A cover is provided with a drive that can move the cover. A control unit is provided to control the drive for the cover. The cover is closed in a first operational state and is open in a second operational state. The roll of material, that is supported by the roll changer, has a first rotational speed or web speed when the cover is in the first, closed operational state. In the second, cover opened, operational state, the roll of material also has a second rotational or web speed which is greater than zero. A method for controlling a device on a roll changer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rolling door assembly for selectively covering an opening in a building includes a shutter roller rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and a flexible panel windable on and off the roller for movement into retracted and extended positions, respectively. The flexible panel defines an upper portion having a first width and a lower portion having a second width less than the first width. At least one pass door frame is hingedly securable proximate a lateral side of the opening for movement between a first position, in which the pass door frame extends in a substantially transverse direction relative to the opening and a second position, in which the pass door frame is substantially aligned with the at least one sidewall.

Abstract: A power-off door closing device of fire proof rolling door in which the rolling door slides down to close by its own weight under abnormal power-off condition by brake-releasing action or by brake-applied action of a braking pin actuated by a energized solenoid, through successive movement of the first end of a sliding lever of a solenoid with a bent arm, a clamp member and a brake actuating rod. This device can be easily changed into non-failsafe door closing fire proof type with original configurations wherein the solenoid is reverse located so that the brake-released action caused by an energized solenoid or the brake-applied action under abnormal power-off condition applies. A reserved power supply temporarily energizes the solenoid to maintain a temporary brake-releasing under abnormal power-off condition, to enable the rolling door sliding down to close by its own weight.

Abstract: An assembly for covering a building opening that provides a shaft positioned at one end of the building opening, a curtain carried by the shaft, and a locking mechanism at the opposed end of the building opening from the shaft that selectively holds the curtain in a locked position to cover the building opening. The assembly also includes an input for selectively rotating the shaft, and a linking assembly adapted to transfer the input to the shaft to selectively rotate the shaft, wherein the linking assembly includes a failsafe portion designed to fail upon a predetermined impact force on the curtain. An operator is also provided to allow controllable movement of the curtain between the various positions.

Abstract: Closure member control systems, including door control systems for barrier housings, and associated methods are disclosed. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a closure member control system that includes a closure member positioned to cover a portion of an opening in a structure (e.g., a barrier housing). The closure member has a closed position where the closure member covers the portion of the opening and an open position where the closure member does not cover the portion of the opening. The system further includes a control device operatively coupled to the closure member that urges the closure member to remain in the closed position when the closure member is in the closed position and urges the closure member to remain in the open position when the closure member is in the open position. In certain embodiments, the control device can include at least one forcing mechanism.

Abstract: A fire door control system permits user input during regular use and during alarm conditions. The system utilizes primary and secondary power sources and incorporates a variety of preventive safeguards assuring that functionality of the fire door control system will not be lost. The system utilizes primary power when possible in all alarm conditions. However, during alarm conditions when primary power is lost or when a hand crank hoist remains dangerously engaged, the system is bumplessly connected to a secondary power source and a fire door of the system is closed with the aid of a clutch that directly connects the drive input with an axle that supports the fire door. The clutch pulses on and off to control the descent of the door. The system includes an electronic controller for coordinating the operation of elements of the system and for implementing a method of controlling a fire door system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a type of safety door central release device which can be used to close the safety door automatically when electric power is disrupted. It comprises a cord that is tied to a mechanism having potential energy on one end, and extended to a far distance on the other end; a pair of crank arms of which one end molded as a grip and gripping the cord, and the other end is connected to a sliding bar, having potential energy which assists the grip in release the cord. When electric power is supplied, the sliding bar will be attracted to an electromagnet. As a result, while electric power is disrupted, the release device can immediately release the cord. Due to release of the cord, a brake for a door operator is released by means of the mechanism such that the safety door slides down and then it is closed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an engaging/disengaging fail-safe door closing device for a rolling fire door, provided between a power device and a speed reducing device of a door machine, including an electromagnet fixed inside a housing of the door machine and disposed around the outside of a shaft of the power device; a brake device including a shaft sleeve, loosely embracing around the outside of the shaft of the power device and being capable of sliding between the shaft and the electromagnet, on one end of which, there is provided an attracted plate facing the magnet and coming off the magnet by way of the biasing force of an elastic element, while on the other end there is radially formed a brake disk; a driving plate fixed on the shaft of the power device and facing a position where the brake disk is allowed to contact; and a circuit used to control the electromagnet to be electrified to excite in order for actuating the brake when the door reaches a predetermined position, or to release the brake when the power

Abstract: Movement of a movable barrier (10) such as, for example, a vertically-dropping fire door, can be controlled in an informed manner and with greater flexibility regarding the manner of movement via, in one embodiment, use of a motor (20) as a generator to resist the downward movement of the barrier. One or more dummy electrical loads (22) can be used in combination with the generator mode of operation to influence the degree of braking proffered by the motor. In various embodiments, one or more sensors (25, 26, 27) can be used to detect local and remote conditions of interest to thereby at least partially inform the barrier movement decision process. A display (90) (or displays) can serve to provide various kinds of information to authorized personnel and an operator control (120) can serve, at least under some operating circumstances, to permit a person to locally cause a closed barrier to move to at least a partially opened position.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly and reliably sealing off a selected opening from the passage of smoke, noxious fumes, or contaminated air includes a powered clutch and viscous governor that provides a fail-safe mode of operation. A curtain is positioned in a housing adjacent to an upper limit of an opening such as a hoist access-way. The curtain is wrapped around a spindle that is connected to a spool via two cords. The curtain is held in the housing in a stored configuration by a powered clutch so that upon removal of power, either via a controller or by power loss, the clutch releases the spool allowing the cord to unwind lowering and thus deploying the curtain. A capacitor can be included to prevent inadvertent deployments due to momentary power loss. The speed at which the spool rotates, and correspondingly the curtain deploys, is limited by a viscous governor coupled to the spool.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly and reliably sealing off a selected opening from the passage of smoke, noxious fumes, or contaminated air includes a powered clutch and viscous governor that provides a fail-safe mode of operation. A curtain is positioned in a housing adjacent to an upper limit of an opening such as a hoist access-way. The curtain is wrapped around a spindle that is connected to a spool via two cords. The curtain is held in the housing in a stored configuration by a powered clutch so that upon removal of power, either via a controller or by power loss, the clutch releases the spool allowing the cord to unwind lowering and thus deploying the curtain. A capacitor can be included to prevent inadvertent deployments due to momentary power loss. The speed at which the spool rotates, and correspondingly the curtain deploys, is limited by a viscous governor coupled to the spool.

Abstract: A positional control device is provided to prevent accidental drifting of an overhead sectional door upward or downward from a fully opened, partly opened or fully closed position. The device allows the door to be manually moved to a different elevation without requiring a separate operation to release the door from its original position. This is achieved by a mechanism which couples the upward and downward motion of the door to the rotation of a sprocket wheel engaged with a spring loaded ratchet arm with a bifurcated head specially shaped for ratcheting engagement with the teeth of the sprocket wheel. Suitable adjustment of the spring allows the ratchet mechanism to hold the door in its given position by exerting a force which can readily be overcome by manual raising or lowering the door to a different position.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator (10) has a first disconnect mechanism (20) and a second disconnect mechanism (35) wherein either mechanism can be used to cause the output drive of the operator to be disengaged from the movable barrier to allow the movable barrier to be manually moved. In one embodiment, the second disconnect mechanism (35) is located distal to the operator itself such that the disengagement mechanism can be operated from an area external to the operator.

Abstract: A door, such as a fire door or a security gate, for blocking a throughway or opening in an exterior or interior wall of a building, such as a doorway or countertop window, has an open position and a closed position. A force, such as gravity, a counter weight or a spring, tends to move the door toward its closed position. In the case of the fire door, a disengageable stop holds the door in its open position. The disengageable stop includes a brake actuator for releasing a brake. An expandable linkage, having a normal length and having an elongate length when an external force is applied thereto, has a first end connected to the brake actuator. A second end of the expandable linkage is connected to a fire condition sensitive device, which releases the second end upon a fire indicative condition. With the fire door, or any other type of door, a DC generator is connected to the door and produces power as the door moves from its open position to its closed position.

Abstract: An emergency opening device for a swinging folding door or a swinging folding gate, using an electric motor drive with a switchable electromagnetic coupling for closing and opening the door panels. The door has an emergency opening device, whereby the emergency opening device consists of an elastic tension or compression device to which a pre-load can be applied during the closing of the door. The tension or compression device can be engaged in the drive shaft of the outer panel or in the vicinity of the main closing edge of the inner panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to automatically reset a rollable fire door curtain in the raised position. In one embodiment, a brake is coupled to a rolling fire door axle by an electromechanical clutch. The fire door is pre-disposed to unroll and close the opening, however, the brake prevents the door from unrolling. When a switch, a signal, or a fusible link indicates that the fire door should close, an electromechanical circuit board sends an electrical signal to an electromechanical clutch which opens the clutch. With the clutch open, the brake is no longer coupled to the fire door and the door closes. When the switch or signal is reversed, the clutch closes, re-coupling the fire door axle to the brake. The brake allows input rotation in both directions, but prevents the rolling door from closing under its own weight. Therefore, upon raising the curtain, the fire door is automatically reset and ready to close in the event of a fire.

Abstract: A rolling fire door includes a door hold-open/release system that includes an electromagnet which is energized by a controller when the door is in the open position. The energized electromagnet magnetically attracts a bottom bar of the rolling door to secure the door in the open position. A key control station connected to the controller enables the electromagnet to be energized when the door is in the open position and enables the controller to deenergize the electromagnet so that the weight of the door causes the door to close. The key control station also includes a test switch which enables the controller to deenergize the electromagnet after a delay interval. The controller also deenergizes the electromagnet after a delay interval in response to activation of an alarm or in response to a thermal switch sensing a temperature in excess of a set point temperature.

Abstract: A delayed closing mechanism for a rolling fire door is provided wherein an AC solenoid having its sliding rod pivoted to one end of a connecting rod which is also pivoted at a central portion while the other end of the connecting rod is pivoted to the lower end of a spring biased actuation rod, a recess is provided on a side of the actuation rod to form a shoulder, the upper end of a latch rod pivoted at its central portion swings into the recess of the actuation rod and its lower end is acted on through a DC solenoid which can be controlled by an operator or activated through the discharge from a capacitor in the event power is cut off, the DC solenoid sliding rod is activated to swing the latch rod to move away from its position blocking the actuation rod, and cutting off power to the AC solenoid. The spring biased actuation rod pushes the braking rod in the braking device to pivot and thereby release the brake so as to permit the door to open or close.

Abstract: In a position detector, a ring gear rotates with a motor output shaft and a specified rotation position is detected by a move contact and fixed contacts. When the output shaft rotates thereafter, holding a carrier by a wave washer is released and the transmission of rotation of the output shaft to the ring gear is dropped. Therefore, by rotating the output shaft sufficiently at the time of assembling, an initial state, in which a protrusion section abuts a protrusion and the move contact contacts the fixed contact, is set automatically.

Abstract: A rolling door assembly for selectively covering an opening in a building includes a shutter roller rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and a flexible panel windable on and off the roller for movement into retracted and extended conditions, respectively. The flexible panel defines an upper portion having a first width and a lower portion having a second width less than the first width. At least one pass door frame is hingedly securable proximate a lateral side of the opening for movement between a first position, in which the pass door frame extends in a substantially transverse direction relative to the opening and a second position, in which the pass door frame is substantially aligned with the at least one sidewall, the pass door frame defining a passage therethrough and a substantially vertical channel for guiding an edge region of the flexible panel lower portion as it is extended.

Abstract: A closure apparatus for closing an opening in a partition with a frame disposed around the opening includes a drum member rotatably mounted to the partition at the top end of the opening. It also includes a curtain member secured to the drum member. The curtain member winds around the drum member to move out of the opening in the partition; and it extends from the drum member to close the opening. A counterweight connected to the drum member offsets the weight of the curtain member; and a reducing weight reduces the weight of the counterweight to allow the curtain member to drop from a raised position. An activating assembly engages the reducing weight with the counterweight and allows the curtain member to unwind from the drum member and close the opening.

Abstract: The present invention is provided with a mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of a door comprising a speed reduction means for reducing a rotational speed. A high speed shaft is connected to the speed reduction means and is connectable to a means for rotating the input shaft, and a low speed output shaft is connected to the speed reduction means. A governor is mounted on the input shaft for limiting the rotational speed thereof, to also regulate the rotational speed of the output shaft. A brake is provided for preventing rotation of the output shaft, and a self-closing mechanism is operatively connected to the door. The self-closing mechanism is adapted for storing energy when the door is opened to an open position, and a connecting means operatively connects the output shaft to the self-closing mechanism.

Abstract: A hold and release mechanism for a fire door spring tension adjusting wheel includes a finger which is retractable when the adjusting wheel is rotated in a direction to increase the tension of the door spring but remains in engagement with a notch on the periphery of the adjusting wheel to prevent rotation of the adjusting wheel in the other direction as urged by the spring tension. The finger is held within a bore in a block which is pivotably mounted to the plate supporting the adjusting wheel. A toggle arrangement coupled to the holding chain and the block keeps the finger engaged in the notch. When tension on the holding chain is released, the block is allowed to pivot so that the finger disengages from the adjusting wheel, which is then allowed to rotate under the urging of the fire door spring. This arrangement permits an operator to adjust the spring tension without requiring that the tension applied by the holding chain be relieved.

Abstract: A resettable fail-safe fire door release mechanism which allows normal powered operation of a fire door is disclosed. A solenoid having a first open state in the absence of an applied electric current and a second closed state in the presence of an applied electric current is incorporated into the motor-operator unit of an overhead door. Brake actuator utilizes the spring force of a normally disengaged brake to keep the brake actuator in a first position. The plunger of the solenoid acts through the brake actuator in opposition to the spring so that energizing the solenoid overcomes the force of the spring, moving the brake actuator, and engaging the brake; deenergizing the solenoid causes the spring to again disengage the brake. A normally closed switch having a mechanical actuator is wired in series with the solenoid. The melting of a fusible link releases a spring loaded plunger which depresses the actuator opening the switch.

Abstract: A signalling system utilized in a firedoor control system. For warning and alerting personnel of the immanate (seconds) closing of a firedoor, to avoid injury of such personnel in the vicinity of the closing firedoor. The system is actuated by being responsive to either a smoke detector signal or to an electrical failure to the smoke detector. Means responsive to the smoke detector generates a first control signal, a first timer means generates a second control signal at the end of a first delay interval, and a second timer means generates a series of reoccurring control pulses transmitted to audible and visual signalling elements. A test means is provided to determined operational (functional) status of a rechargable battery utilized in the system in the event of an electrical failure to the smoke detector.

Abstract: A counterweight (12) provided at the end of a shaft (8) for winding up the door-raising belts (3) of a concertina type door. The counterweight (12) is designed to open the door to a fraction of its height. It co-operates with the motor (7) when the door is being opened and closed under normal circumstances. A motor and brake unit (14) is provided including both the motor (7) and a brake for locking the shaft (8) when the motor is not in operation. Catch means may also be provided on the bottom of the door. Manual means are provided for releasing the shaft-locking brake means in the event of a power failure. The device is essentially a safety device and in the event of a motor breakdown or a power failure it enables the concertina-type door to be rapidly opened, at least partially. Similarly, in the event of the coupling between the drive shaft and the motor being broken, the device prevents the door from falling to its closed position in a catastrophic manner.

Abstract: A rolling firedoor having a closure drum on which a closure is wound, and a chaindrive for rotating the drum to raise or lower the closure. The chaindrive is disconnected from the drum during a fire. Means are provided for reconnecting the chaindrive to the drum from the ground so that the door can be raised in an emergency.

Abstract: An apparatus responsive to electric power failure for opening curtains or doors normally covering ventilation openings in a confinement house of the type used for raising poultry and livestock is disclosed. An electromagnet (59) is provided which is energized by the electric power supply (41) to the house (10) and is de-energized upon failure of the electric power supply (41). A pivoted metal strip (61) is normally in contact with the magnet (59) and is interconnected by means of a cord (66) with the winch (25) which is used to raise and lower the curtains (16). When the electric power (41) fails and the electromagnet (59) is de-energized, the cord (66) releases, and allows the curtains (16) to fall under their own weight. A capacitor (78) prevents de-energization of the magnet (59) when momentary power failures occur.

Abstract: A novel telescoping heat responsive releasing device is described wherein a mounting member on which heat responsive and locking means are mounted slidingly enages a pawl member which is movable between a first position in which the pawl member is capable of being restrained by the aforementioned latching means, and an activated position wherein associated apparatus connected to said releasing device may assume the desired heat responsive posture. In the preferred embodiment, a biasing means is provided for biasing said mounting member and said pawl member from said activated position towards said first or normal position. Various alternate embodiments are illustrated showing various attachment sliding and mounting configurations.

Abstract: A time delayed releasing device serves to hold fire closures from being actuated during periodic testing and momentary power failure while still permitting the closure to respond to power outage of more than a momentary nature or to the presence of heat.

Abstract: A plurality of sections of fireproof material are movably mounted on the ceiling of a room in the area of a window in the room. The sections are shaped to enclose a predetermined area around the window. One of the sections is affixed to the ceiling and the remaining sections are movably mounted in coupled and cooperative relation with the one of the sections and with each other. In stored condition, the sections are in a minimum area in abutment with the ceiling and spaced from the floor. In extended condition, the sections form a continuous partition from ceiling to floor at a predetermined distance from and around the window and abut the wall at a predetermined distance from both sides of the window thereby isolating a predetermined area around the window from fire. A latch device releasably maintains the sections in stored condition and permits the sections to extend to the extended position when the latch device is released.