Abstract: A housing assembly for a window operating assembly having a drive shaft and drive shaft boss having recesses on opposite sides thereof. The housing assembly includes a cover having a top side with an opening therethrough and sides depending from the top side to define an interior and an exterior. The cover is open on the interior for receiving a portion of the window operating assembly including a drive shaft boss portion with a portion of the drive shaft extending through the top side opening to the exterior. The depending sides having outer edges mateable with a window operating assembly to maintain alignment of the cover with a substantial portion of the operating assembly housed by the cover. A discrete connecting member is secured to the cover interior and includes an oblong opening with a narrow portion having a radial dimension less than that of the drive shaft boss.

Abstract: An actuating device for a pivoting closure member of the type comprising at least one rod (10, 11) articulated at one end on the closure member (14) connected at its other end to motor members. According to the invention, the motor members mounted fixedly on a support are constituted by a pair of pneumatic linear actuators or a pneumatic linear actuator/return device which act on the respective ends of a member which interconnects them to opposite tractive forces that are non-simultaneous, so as to impart to the connecting member a linear reciprocating movement adapted to be transformed into rotational movement, this rotational movement being transmitted by a suitable transmission member (9) to the rod (10, 11).

Abstract: A quarter window opening/closing apparatus in which a torsion coil spring is provided at a link-connecting portion where a second link is rotatably connected to a first link is provided. When the quarter window is in a state other than a fully closed or fully open state, the torsion coil spring urges the quarter window in its opening direction by means of the second link. Accordingly, the occurrence of rattling of the quarter window is prevented even when the quarter window is in a state other than fully closed or fully open.

Abstract: A compact counterbalanced window operator includes a housing in which operating arms pivotally connected in the housing and slidingly and pivotally connected to a sash of the window are counterbalanced by a torsion spring. In one embodiment, connections between the torsion spring and the operating arms are adjustable in order to vary the counterbalancing force applied to the operating arms.

Abstract: A direct drive power window actuator for remote opening and closing of a pivotable quarter window of an automotive vehicle comprising a reversible motor, power transmitting gear train operatively connected with said motor at one end and with a rotary shaft at the other end for rotating said rotary shaft, and window mounted linkage assembly for converting the rotational torque of the rotary shaft into an opening-and-closing force for the window.

Abstract: Awning window assemblies for use in recreational vehicles, mobile homes and the like include an improved operator having twin pivoting operator arms with flexible extensions carrying free rolling balls at the distal ends thereof which move in a track on the awning window to effect pivoting of the latter. The window assembly includes a clamp ring integral with the skin of the vehicle body within which a fixed window frame is secured. The window frame is provided with improved window pane securements readily removable storm windows and screens.

Abstract: Actuator device for a pivotable closure member such as a window or a pivoting vehicle roof, comprises a crank articulated at one end on the closure member and whose other end is connected to a rotatable member secured to one end of a cable arranged to roll up on and unroll from at least a portion of said rotatable member. The other end of the cable is fixed to a motor, for example a linear actuator. The connection between the articulated crank and the rotatable member (3) is effected by a conical pinion (4) in mesh with a toothed sector (5) on the rotatable member (3). The axis of the conical pinion is orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member (3). The motor means is mounted on a support (12) secured to the rotatable member (3).

Abstract: A motorized operator drive is used with a window having a fixed frame and a movable sash, and a manually driven window operator mounted to the frame. The window operator includes an operator shaft rotatable to drive a linkage mechanism fastened to the sash to selectively move the sash relative to the frame to open or close the window. The drive comprises a housing having a motor end and an opposite nose end. A motor is mounted in the housing at the motor end and has an output shaft. A gear set is mounted in the housing including an input gear driven by the motor shaft and an output gear at the nose end. An adaptor is operatively engaged with both the output gear and the operator shaft to rotate the operator shaft in response to energization of the motor. A bracket is fixedly mounted to the window frame. A rubber grommet resiliently mounts a stud at the housing motor end to the bracket to provide isolation between the drive and the window.

Abstract: A door system for a stressed fabric structure comprising a stationary arched anchor beam, the ends of which are supported on the base at one end of the structure, a plurality of movable arched beams of similar size and shape on the side of the anchor beam away from the structure and having supporting ends pivotally secured at the ends of the anchor beam, the movable beams to pivot along the same radial path about common pivot points at the ends, between raised, open position adjacent to the anchor beam and closed position in which the beams are spaced progressively from the anchor beam to the structure base. Fabric panels are secured to and extend between each of the anchor beam and its adjacent movable beam and adjacent pairs of movable beams so as to be under similar tension when the beams are in closed position.

Abstract: An operator for an awning type window having a sash pivotable about its top side relative to a window frame, with the operator controlling opening and closing movement of the sash relative to the frame. The operator includes a drive gear secured to a base on the frame, a sun gear pivotable about the axis on the base and drivably engaging the drive gear, a primary arm with a planetary gear rotationally attached thereon and drivably engaging the sun gear, a secondary arm pivotally mounted about a second axis on the base, and a pair of drive links pivotally interconnected between the planetary gear and the secondary arm.

Abstract: A cable gate is arranged to include a plurality of spaced housings, with the first housing including a lift arm, the lift arm providing guidance for a gate cable directed therethrough, with the gate cable including a second distal end mounted to the second housing, with the first distal end fixedly secured interiorly of the first housing, with a slide member mounted upon a track to effect displacement of the cable within the first housing effecting lifting of the lift arm and the gate cable from a first lower position within a storage channel to a second horizontal position adjacent an upper distal end of each housing.

Abstract: A counterbalanced window operator includes a rotatable drive member operatively connected to the pivoting end of the window by means of an arm member (29). A spring (40) occupying a fixed orientation is operatively connected to the arm member (29) to counterbalance the torque transmitted from the window to the arm member (29). In a preferred embodiment, double scissors arm members (250a and 250b) include a pair of first arm members (251a and 251b) that define a first plane and a pair of second arm members (252a and 252b) that define a second plane at an oblique angle relative to the first plane when the window is in an open position.

Abstract: A window opener composed of a motor retained in a casing, a damper for vibration isolation suitable interposed between the motor and the casing, a worm and a worm wheel which are concentrically connected to an output shaft of the motor, and pinion which is concentrically projected from the worm wheel, an output gear engaged with the pinion, a shaft projected from an upper surface of the output gear and a link mechanism for transforming a rotational force in one direction of the shaft into an opening force and transforming the rotational force in another direction of the shaft into a closing force of the window; being characterized in that the worm and worm wheel and the output gear are arranged in such a manner as to be superposed.

Abstract: The sash of a roof window is swung between closed and open positions in response to the extension and retraction of a pair of pivotally supported crossed arms which are adapted to be swung by an operating mechanism whose mechanical advantage increases as the sash moves from its closed position to its open position. The increasing mechanical advantage of the operating mechanism offsets the decreasing opening force exerted by counterbalance springs during opening of the sash and enables the sash to be opened through its entire range with relatively constant manual effort. The initial preload in the counterbalance springs may be selectively adjusted to compensate for the weight of a particular sash and the pitch of a particular roof.

Abstract: A pivotal handle for an actuator of a window includes a triangular shaped cap member with a recess along one side of the triangle shape into which the splined shaft end of the actuator is inserted and clamped. A handle member is pivotal relative to the cap member about a transverse pin positioned directly at the end of the recess. The position of the handle relative to the cap member is controlled by a spring ball mounted within the cap member which cooperates with a straight sided slot on the inner face of the handle member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an openable roof plate especially for vehicles which is joined in an articulated manner by one of its longitudinal edges to a roof frame which can be secured to the vehicle roof, and which is equipped with an opening and closing device engaging on its other longitudinal edge, a helical spring being used which is connected to a drive nut which can be set into rotation by an operating device in such a way that opening or closing of the roof plate can thereby be achieved.

Abstract: A direct drive power window actuator for remote opening and closing of a pivotable quarter window of an automotive vehicle comprising a reversible motor, a power transmitting gear device operatively connected with the motor at one end and with a rotary shaft at the other end for rotating the rotary shaft, and a window mounted linkage for converting the rotational torque of the rotary shaft into an opening-and-closing force for the window.

Abstract: A ventilation system for a building wherein first and second opposing doors are mounted adjacent an opening into the building. Each of the first and second doors include an axis of rotation parallel to each other and parallel to a major surface of each door. A bracket member is pivotally attached to the building for rotation about a first axis which is transverse to each axis of rotation of the first and second doors. Linkage structure is provided for connecting the bracket member to each of the first and second doors such that rotation of the bracket member about the first axis opens and closes the first and second doors. The linkage structure includes link rods connecting the bracket to the first and second doors. A three dimensional ball and socket joint is provided at each end of the first and second link rods to connect the link rods to the bracket and to the respective doors.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a body with a passenger compartment, a pair of passenger access doors each having a window and a pair of rear quarter windows, all mounted on the body for movement between raised and lowered positions. A folding top is mounted on the body for movement between a raised position covering the passenger compartment and a lowered position opening the passenger compartment. A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic pump, two hydraulic top actuators for raising and lowering the top, and a pair of hydraulic window actuators operatively connected to the quarter windows for raising and lowering the windows with less pressure than required to raise and lower the top. A hydraulic circuit connects all of the cylinders in parallel which enables sequential operation of the windows and then the top. A three-position control switch enables the windows to be lowered and raised when the top is in raised or lowered position by moving the control to respective "down" and "up" positions.

Abstract: A window operator for awning windows includes rigid operating arms having balls mounted on the distal ends of the arms. These balls engage in and travel along a guide track which extends along the bottom edge of the awning window. The operator includes a housing which is hinged to a fixed portion of a window frame, the arms being mounted to the housing and a mechanism being provided to effect pivotal motion of the arms thereby to open or close the awning window.

Abstract: A counterbalanced operator for a pivoting unit includes a housing 17 and a rotatable drive member mounted in the housing. A first end 29a of arm member 29 is operatively connected to the drive member. A second end of the arm member is operatively connected to the pivoting end of the unit and a torque from the unit is transmitted to the arm member. A crank 33 rotates the drive member. A spring 40 provides for a means for counterbalancing the torque on the arm member. The spring 40 creates a force, the spring operatively connected to the arm member and the spring positioned in the housing. The force is transmitted from the spring to the arm member.

Abstract: A device for opening and closing the rear window of a motor vehicle which includes supports, connectors, a worm gear, a two-way motor, and an on/off switch, whereby upon operating the two-way motor, the rear window is opened and closed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a door control device that automatically repositions the driving shaft of the door closer toward and away from the door pivot, as the door opens and closes, as a means of modifying and improving the force required to open and close the door. Movement is accomplished by a double ended driving shaft having a sprocket gear on one end which drivingly engages a track which in turn repositions the slide mounted door closer to more favorable positions as the door opens and closes.

Abstract: A roof vent, sun roof or like system has a tiltable panel which is hingedly mounted in a frame around a roof opening of an automotive vehicle. The assmebly includes a rectilinear guide along which a slider is displaceable to straighten a bent spring bar connected to the panel and thereby allow the panel to be drawn into sealing closure with the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to an opening and closing device for a vehicle roof hatch (1). The device according to the invention comprises a stationary bar (4) and a toggle lever system connected to both ends of the bar. One end of the long lever arm (5) of the lever system is connected movably to the bar (4) and its other end of the roof hatch (1). One end of the shorter lever arm (6), which is half the length of the longer lever, is connected stationarily to the bar and its other end to the middle (7) of the long lever arm. The bar is threaded so that one half is threaded in one direction and the other half in the opposite direction. The bar is driven by an electric motor, whereupon the toggle lever system "opens" or "closes", depending on the direction of rotation, and raises or respectively lowers the roof hatch side in question, maintaining the side horizontal at all times.

Abstract: A window opening mechanism is disclosed which moves the entire window sash outwardly from the window frame in a plane parallel to the plane of the frame. The mechanism for accomplishing this includes a pair of pivoted L-shaped lever arms on each side of the window. The short legs of these lever arms are substantially shorter than the long legs, and the ends of the short legs are pivotally attached to the window frame relatively close together. An operating mechanism is provided for moving the elbows of the lever arms toward and away from one another, and the ends of the long legs of the arms are pivotally connected at spaced apart points on the window sash. As the elbows of the levers on both sides are moved toward one another, the window sash is pulled toward the frame. When the elbows are moved away from one another, the pivoting action of the lever arms causes the window sash to be moved outwardly from the frame to provide a "stand-out" opening of the window.

Abstract: A door control device is disclosed, which comprises a full closing lock device mounted to the door and latchingly restraining the door to the vehicle body when the door is pivoted to its fully closed position; a lock cancelling operation switch mounted on the door at a position to be manipulatable from the outside of the vehicle body; a full closing lock cancelling device mounted on the door and cancelling a locked condition of the full closing lock device upon operation of the lock cancelling operation switch; a door driving device arranged between the door and the vehicle body, the door driving device driving the door to a predetermined half-open position upon cancellation of the locked condition of the full closing lock device; a half opening lock device mounted on the door and latchingly restraining the door to the vehicle body when the door is pivoted to the half-open position; and a half opening lock cancelling device mounted on the door for cancelling a locked condition of the half opening lock device.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling operation of a motor operated door is provided with doppler radar sensors facing the approach to the door from both sides. The doppler signals from the sensors are analyzed to determine the presence of motion toward or away from the door and the door is controlled to open upon motion toward the door and close upon motion away from the door.

Abstract: An improved straight line motion gate mechanism which translates gate position to an open/closed position without any perceptible vertical motion and without any moving contact with either the ground or the use of a track. The gate may assume a wide range of widths and the mechanism may be self locking in the closed and open positions. A very small vertical motion of the mechanism provides for minimal input energy requirements and is relatively insensitive to gate weight.

Abstract: A structure that provides a substantially unrestricted view of the surrounding environment to its occupants. The structure includes a lower portion defined by upstanding transparent walls, and an upper transparent portion having the general appearance of an inverted funnel. The inverted funnel shape of the structure directs rising hot air currents to the inlet of a chimney positioned at the apex of the inverted funnel. The vertical position of a closure member which forms a part of the chimney is adjustable by the occupants of the structure to control air flow within the structure.

Abstract: A self-locking window operator having one or more arms transmitting a force from a drive mechanism to a window sash for positioning thereof and with the arms mounted and driven for rotational movement in positioning of the window sash and also mounted and driven for linear movement when the window sash is closed to achieve a locking action between the window sash and the window frame by engaging a locking mechanism which locks the window against high window-opening loads.

Abstract: A device for operating a swiveling or mobile body element intended particularly to seal an access opening to a control or observation post by a cover that can be moved angularly around a pivot pin fastened to the body by means of an operating and locking handle. The operating handle includes a gripping element and a control element. A hinge and connecting pin are provided between these elements and an interlocking mechanism between the control element and the pivot pin.

Abstract: The self-locking threaded bearing is an externally threaded tubular member having a discontinuous thread to form thread sections which are spaced-apart axially on the bearing. In the bearing assembly, the thread sections engage portions of an internal thread in a bore of a housing for the bearing and, with the internal thread being more ductile than the thread sections of the bearing, portions of the internal thread are stripped to pack into the space between the thread sections and assist in locking the bearing into the housing.In the method of making the self-locking threaded bearing assembly, a tubular bearing is provided with a discontinuous external thread and a housing is formed with a bore having an internal thread of the same pitch as the external thread of the bearing and of material more ductile than that of the external thread.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a motor vehicle top having an outwardly movable sliding cover driven by an electric motor through a transmission and at least one threaded cable engaging a pinion of the transmission, a manually-actuated switch and a limit switch with a contact arm being provided in a circuit of the electric motor, the contact arm cooperating with a cam of a trip gear to interrupt the current supply to the electric motor in a closed position of the sliding cover, is improved by a construction of the indexing gear transmission for changing the operation of the drive arrangement in a manner increasing the time available for actuation of the limit switch independently of the degree of mobility of the top and ambient temperature conditions when the top reaches a position near the fully closed position.

Abstract: An operator for a casement-type window having a frame and a sash mounted by a slider adjacent an edge of the sash for rotational opening and closing movement about a slider pivot axis with linear movement of the slider. The operator has a first sector gear fixed to the sash with the gear center offset relative to said slider pivot axis and a second gear meshing with the sector gear and functioning as a drive gear with a first link functioning to hold said gears in meshed relation and a constraining link connectable between the sash and the window frame with the constraining link and said first link acting to guide the opening and closing movements of the sash.

Abstract: A manually operated actuator arrangement includes a pair of actuators mounted forwardly and rearwardly of a swingably mounted vehicle window and connected by a translatable flexible member movable within a flexible conduit for concurrent operation. One actuator is mounted forwardly of the window in a position to be operated by front seat occupants and the other is mounted adjacent the rearward free swinging edge portion of the window and connected thereto by an overcenter type toggle linkage.

Abstract: A vehicle power window actuator for pivoting a glass view panel about an axis by means of back-and-forth linear movement of a wire cable. The wire cable has a jack screw portion swaged to one end engaging a gear which is rotated by an electric motor to produce linear movement of the cable. The other end of the wire cable is swage-attached to a rigid curved rod terminating in a ball-shaped end portion. The curved rod is housed in an arcuate hollow support assembly which is attached to the vehicle body adjacent the movable edge portion of the window panel so as to direct the end portion of the curved rod against the panel. A connector assembly between the end portion of the curved rod and the window accommodates linear movement of the ball-shaped portion in a direction parallel with the plane of the glass as the window pivots outward. In addition, the end portion moves with and rotates with respect to the glass.

Abstract: An improved vent operator for controlling the position of an edge opening vent in the roof of a recreational vehicle or the like is disclosed. The vent operator is coupled to an electric motor, manual jamb or crank or the like, and comprises a set of reduction gears and drives two sector arms which raise or lower the vent cover. The gear reduction is accomplished by spur gears which have good mechanical properties. The cost of the entire apparatus is minimized by making the gears from pressed metal, the sector arms from stampings and the housing from castings. The result is a reliable vent operator that can be produced economically in commercial quantities.

Abstract: A passenger body roof opening and detachable tiltable cover is provided. To accommodate tilting movement of the cover, a telescoping device is provided at the rear end thereof which is detachable attachable to the cover. The telescopic device includes a first threaded portion fixed to a body frame at the opening, a second threaded portion detachable connected directly to the cover, and at least one further threaded portion threadably engaging with the first and second threaded portions. To accommodate retraction of the telescopic jack when the cover member is detached from the second threaded portion, the second threaded portion is non-rotatably connected to the frame by way of a rectangular sleeve arrangement which permits telescoping axial movement of the threaded member, while preventing rotative movement.

Abstract: A fixed frame mounted on a housing and a vent frame hinged to the fixed frame. The vent frame is moved between closed and open positions by a single-handle double operator actuated from the interior of the housing. The hinge and operator apply forces to create a continuous water seal in the closed position. The seal and hinge prevent rattle of the vent frame.

Abstract: A top hinged swinging sash assembly includes a hinge bar adapted for securement to a building girt, said hinge bar including a substantially J-shaped hinge rail. A frame assembly comprising a head member, a sill member, two or more vertical mullions and two side flashing members is joined to the hinge bar through a curved, beaded head rail extending from the head member. The spaced, vertical mullions connect between the head and sill members with flat or corrugated panels being retained between the mullions and mullion caps mounted thereto. Operators connect to the frame and preferably to the mullions or sills to cause the frame to swing out from the hinge bar. In a preferred embodiment the mullions include a planar forward surface having a hub extending outward therefrom to define oppositely extending channels. These channels accommodate flat panels or in the case of the end mullions accommodate the side flashing members in interlocking relationship.

Abstract: An improved linkage assembly is provided for opening and closing a panel, such as a window or the like, and for locking said panel in an infinite number of positions between a fully opened and a fully closed position. The linkage assembly has a plurality of symetrically arranged and pivotally interconnected links with a lock for securing two overlapping links together to set the ends of the linkage assembly in a fixed position relative to each other.

Abstract: A vent operator assembly employing a pair of operator arms which simultaneously control the position of an edge opening vent for recreational vehicles and the like. An operator body is secured to the inner side of the recreational vehicle adjacent to the vent opening therein. The body mounts a worm gear extending between a wall of the body and a cup recess in a bridge extending across a sector shaped recess in the body. A pair of operator arms, each including integral gears are journaled in the body from within the sector recess for simultaneous rotation in opposite arcs. The operator arms are relatively rigid except for the outer 16% which is a flexure spring element. Each spring element mounts a roller which engages a track in the edge of the vent cover opposite its hinged side. Upon rotation of a knob connected to the worm gear, the operator arms move simultaneously in the opposite direction to either open or close the vent cover.

Abstract: An automatic ventilation regulating device for windows, doors and the like, which have a movable portion and a fixed portion, including a spindle; a slide displaceable on the spindle; driving means for displacing the slide on the spindle, the spindle and the slide being connectable with the movable and fixed portions, respectively; and a settable thermostat arranged for controlling the operation of the driving means in response to the temperature in the room to be ventilated.

Abstract: A projection screen apparatus includes a modular screen unit and a separate modular drive motor unit generally forming an extension of the screen unit. The screen unit has an elongate roller and a flexible screen which is wound on the roller when it is in a closed position and unwound from the roller when it is in an exposed position. The drive unit is detachably secured adjacent the screen unit and has an electric motor releasably coupled to the roller to rotate the roller to move the screen between exposed and closed positions.

Abstract: This invention relates to means for imparting angular movement to a first member connected to a second member by a hinge in one sense about said hinge pivot axis. The actuator is formed from a flexible substantially inelastic retaining means connected between two anchorage positions on the members and subtending that angle between the two members which is reduced on the first member moving relative to the second member and includes an elongated inflatable conduit of substantially constant surface area which is mounted between the members and the retaining means. The conduit is inflated to press outwards against the retaining means to cause the retaining means to exert a pulling force between the members to impart angular movement to one of said members relative to the other member in this one sense.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid pressure powered actuator for imparting relative angular movement between two members, connected together by a hinge, comprising an elongated inflatable flexible conduit of substantial constant surface area, connected between the two members with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the hinge pivot axis and with the two members substantially equispaced around the conduit whereby on inflation, the conduit exerts a pulling force between the two members to impart relative angular movement therebetween.