Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving a screen and securing the screen relative to a frame are described. A device embodiment includes, but is not limited to, an adapter body defining a channel configured to receive a rigid screen support supporting a screen, and an extension offset from the channel, the extension configured to be inserted into a groove of a frame for an opening to hold the screen relative to the opening when the channel receives the rigid screen support.

Abstract: Optical apparatus includes an electrically-tunable lens, including an electro-optical layer, having, for a given polarization of light incident on the layer, an effective local index of refraction at any given location within an active area of the electro-optical layer that is determined by a voltage waveform applied across the electro-optical layer at the location. Conductive electrodes extend over opposing first and second sides of the electro-optical layer and include an array of excitation electrodes. Control circuitry applies control voltage waveforms to the excitation electrodes. A polarization rotator is positioned and configured to intercept incoming light that is directed toward the lens and to rotate a polarization of the intercepted light so as to ensure that the light incident on the electro-optical layer has a component of the given polarization regardless of an initial linear polarization of the intercepted light.

Abstract: The present lift lock includes a slide having feet and a slot between the feet, where such slide further includes an interior generally full length wall for acting as a stop, and where such slide further includes gripping ribs that increase in width from the front end of the slide to the rear end of the slide.

Abstract: A collapsible light modifier includes a plurality of rods mutually interconnectable one after the other between a first terminal portion and an opposite second terminal portion to form a frame of the light modifier and which can be mutually disconnected to disassemble the frame, and a fabric connected to the frame. Each rod is bound to at least one adjacent rod by a binding element provided between each pair of adjacent rods so as to keep the rods bound to each other when the frame is assembled and when the frame is disassembled, and, both the said first and second terminal portion includes a first end, connected to a respective rod, and an opposite second free end. When the plurality of rods is mutually interconnected, the respective second ends of the first and the second terminal portion can be connected to each other in order to form a closed frame.

Abstract: A gate apparatus having an automatically returning gate, an upper latch operated by an upper button, and a lower latch operated by an upper finger handle. Each of the latches must be opened to open the gate. The gate returns without the aid of a spring to a position close to the closed position or to the closed position by the structure of a pivot or hinge connection between the gate and the frame of the gate. Gate tubes are rectangular in section for their entire length. Wood panels are included in the gate and excluded from other portions of the gate apparatus to make the gate stand out to the user seeking to open the gate.

Abstract: A gate unit includes a gate mount that is adapted to mate with a frame bordering a passageway and formed to include a latch receiver and a gate mounted on the gate mount for pivotable movement about a gate-pivot axis between an opened position opening a walkway passage formed in the gate mount and a closed position closing the walkway passage formed in the gate mount. The gate unit further includes a gate lock configured to lock the gate in the closed position closing the walkway passage formed in the gate mount.

Abstract: Barrier element for connection to a water barrier covered with a membrane, in particular for water barriers, and comprising inclined supports and inclined barrier panels (5) supported thereon. The barrier panels (5) are a distance down from the top edge bent so that the top part when mounted on the inclined support become more upright or even vertical and that the support and the lower part of the panel are inclined less than 45 degrees relative the round.

Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.

Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal lens image forming device and an image forming method. The image forming device includes: at least one liquid crystal lens; a drive circuit, which is connected to the liquid crystal lens to set, at a first moment, the liquid crystal lens in a non-lens state and to set, at a second moment, the liquid crystal lens in a lens state; at least one image pick-up unit generating a first image signal and a second image signal; and an image processing unit, which processes the first image signal and the second image signal to form a target image signal. The liquid crystal lens image forming device and image forming method do not involve the use of a polarization device, allows a single liquid crystal lens to clearly form an image, and reduces the thickness of the entire image forming device.

Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.

Abstract: Variable liquid crystal devices for controlling the propagation of light through a liquid crystal layer use a frequency dependent material to dynamically reconfigure effective electrode structures in the device. The drive signal source uses pulse-width modulation to set a frequency and an amplitude of the drive signal.

Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.

Abstract: Variable liquid crystal devices for controlling the propagation of light through a liquid crystal layer use a frequency dependent material to dynamically reconfigure effective electrode structures in the device. The frequency of a drive signal that generates an electric field in the device can be varied, and the frequency dependent material has different charge mobilities for the different frequencies. At a low charge mobility, the frequency dependent material has little effect on the existing electrode structures. However, at a high charge mobility, the frequency dependent material appears as an extension of the fixed electrodes, and can be used to change the effective electrode structure and, thereby, the spatial profile of the electric field. This, in turn, changes the optical properties of the liquid crystal, thus allowing the optical device to be frequency controllable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety window for hurricane protection and crime prevention. According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the safety window for hurricane protection and crime prevention includes: an external frame which has a window shape and is installed in a window frame of a wall of a building; an internal frame which is coupled to the external frame; and a protection screen which comprises a plurality of holes to prevent an outsider from trespassing but allow air to pass therethrough, couples with the external and internal frames, and protects a window.

Abstract: A safety guard or gate for placement in a frame of an opening to prevent a child or pet from passing though the opening. The present invention includes an adjustable means for adjusting the guard to fit the width of the frame, wherein the adjustable means has a first end and a second end to form an axis along which the means can be adjusted. The invention further includes an attachment means for securing the guard to the frame; and a securing means for securing the adjustable means to the attachment means. The securing means prevents the adjustable means from disengaging from the attachment means along the axis when in a locked position, and allows disengagement and reengagement of the adjustable means in direction that transects the axis when the securing means is in an unlocked position. The present invention further includes methods for using the safety guard, and systems that include elements of the safety guard.

Abstract: An intruder barrier is provided that includes multiple generally parallel transparent slats acting as burglar bars with at least some, and preferably all, of the transparent slats having associated therewith a conductive path extending at least from a first end region of a slat to a second end region thereof. The conductive path is capable of conducting electricity or electromagnetic radiation along the length of the slat and is associated with an output to an alarm system that may be configured to trigger an alarm when the conductive characteristic of a slat is terminated by virtue of the slat being at least partially severed, broken, or removed from its operative position. Typically the transparent slats are secured to a fixed surrounding frame of an opening window. The invention in a further embodiment includes transparent slats for use in such an intruder barrier.

Abstract: A window covering assembly, including a generally convex panel defining a perimeter. The panel further includes structural outer and inner layers and an impact absorbing layer disposed between the structural outer layer and the structural inner layer. A flange portion is connected to the generally convex panel and has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. A plurality of fasteners are extendable through the apertures for engaging a structure.

Abstract: A safety window grid assembly includes a hollow housing, a rotating shaft rotatably disposed in the housing, a cord and a locking mechanism. The cord is retractable and extendable relative to the rotating shaft to convert between a retracted state and an extended state. The locking mechanism is disposed on the housing, and includes an operating member rotatable relative to the housing, a driving member connected co-rotatably to the operating member, and a locking member. The locking member is movable between a locking position where a portion of the cord is clamped between the rotating shaft and the locking member such that the cord is not movable, and an unlocking position where the locking member is spaced apart from the cord such that the cord is movable.

Abstract: A holding jig (1, 2, 3) for a thin cylindrical work (W) includes a holding member (10, 10A, 10B) which holds the work (W) from an inner peripheral side and a diameter changing unit (25, 27) which changes a diameter of the holding member (10, 10A, 10B). The holding member (10, 10A, 10B) is made of metal and has a cylindrical shape and an elastically expandable or contractible diameter. The holding member (10, 10A, 10B) is configured with an outside diameter of the holding member (10, 10A, 10B) being held smaller than an inside diameter of the work (W) at the time of insertion into an inner periphery of the work (W) and being expanded after inserted into the inner periphery of the work (W) to hold the work (W) from an inner peripheral side of the work (W) with an outer peripheral surface in close contact with an entire inner peripheral surface of the work (W).

Abstract: A safety gate is provided including a frame having two generally vertically extending pillars, each pillar having a substantially perpendicularly cross bar attached to it and extending horizontally at the bottom, and a hollow bar surrounding at least part of each cross bar. At least one of the cross bars is formed with an array of catches that cooperate with a uni-directional locking mechanism within the catched cross bar to permit linear motion of the catched cross bar within the surround bar in a single direction. The safety gate includes a cantilever foot pedal connected to the uncatched cross bar that pivots between an upward and open position and a downward and closed position to move the surround bare in relation to the uncatched cross bar and engage the locking mechanism to lock and unlock the frame.

Abstract: A safety guard or gate for placement in a frame of an opening to prevent a child or pet from passing though the opening. The present invention includes an adjustable means for adjusting the guard to fit the width of the frame, wherein the adjustable means has a first end and a second end to form an axis along which the means can be adjusted. The invention further includes an attachment means for securing the guard to the frame; and a securing means for securing the adjustable means to the attachment means. The securing means prevents the adjustable means from disengaging from the attachment means along the axis when in a locked position, and allows disengagement and reengagement of the adjustable means in direction that transects the axis when the securing means is in an unlocked position. The present invention further includes methods for using the safety guard, and systems that include elements of the safety guard.

Abstract: A storm trim for holding a panel over a window for protection against impact of objects carried by wind during a storm. The storm trim includes a lineal cap and a lineal base. The base may be used with a window frame, incorporated into a window frame or be used in glazing surrounds or shutters. The base carries a stacked screw boss to receive and securely hold the anchoring screws that are needed to hold the panel over the window. The anchoring screws do not extend through the lineal base but remain within it. When the storm trim is not in use, the cap covers the lineal base.

Abstract: An assembly and method for securely enclosing a door opening defined by a building structure comprising: a frame disposed about the opening engaging one side of the structure; a door or other panel substantially covering the opening, the panel being pivotally secured to the frame and pivotable between an open position and a closed position; an installation bar engageable with the frame to secure the frame to the structure such that the frame and the panel are disposed substantially on one side of the structure and the frame engages the one side of the structure, and the installation bar is disposed substantially on an other side of the structure and engages the other side of the structure, the length of the installation bar exceeding a dimension of the opening; and locking means for selectively locking the panel to the frame in the closed position and for unlocking the door.

Abstract: A removable security structure interposed between two window configurations includes interconnecting horizontal and vertical members. One of the vertical members engages a gear junction of one of the horizontal members such that upon rotation of the vertical member, the horizontal member telescopically collapses. The reduction of length of the horizontal member disengages the horizontal member from a frame outlining an opening of the window. The rotation of the vertical member also frees an upper portion of the vertical member of the security structure. With the upper and side portions of the security structure disengaged from the frame, the security structure can be rotated and removed from the opening allowing egress.

Abstract: A gate apparatus that includes a gate, an elongate member or gate base for the ends of the gate, and a stairway post adapter such that a wooden stairway post can serve as a base for a gate without harming the wood of the stairway post. The stairway post adapter includes a vertical or longitudinally running channel for receiving the gate base, a horizontally or laterally extending channel for receiving a strap, and a recess or receptor or face for confronting a section of a stairway post. The gate base includes an upper and lower eyelet. Each of the ends of the gate includes upper and lower pins for engaging the upper and lower eyelets of the gate bases. On the hinge side of the gate, the pins are relatively long and remain in the eyelets as the gate is lifted and swung. On the latch side of the gate, the pins are relatively short such that that latch side of the gate can be lifted and disengaged from the eyelets and then swung open. The gate is extendable and retractable in length, and is reversible.

Abstract: A window assembly (30) comprising a frame (36) in which are received sliding and security members. The security member has ventilating and non-ventilating parts (40, 32), with the sliding member (34) being slidably moveable over the security member between a first position in which air may pass through the ventilating part (40) so as to ventilate the room in which the window assembly (30) is located, and a second position in which no such ventilation can occur. The ventilating part 40 may comprise a grille, perforated sheet, lattice arrangement or the like.

Abstract: An assembly for securely enclosing a window, door or other opening defined by a structure of a house or other building comprising: a panel sized to substantially cover the opening and engage the structure, the panel having a face having a front and a back and a pair of lateral sides; one or more mounting bars for securing to the panel; one or more installation bars; means for engaging the panel and the structure to securely enclose the opening. The engaging means configured to secure together one of the mounting bars and one of the installation bars and to move the one or more installation bar towards the back of the panel engage and secure the structure between the panel and the first installation bar. A method for installing the panel to the structure of the building to securely enclose the opening.

Abstract: A gate assembly is provided for positioning in an opening through which selective access is required in use. The gate assembly includes two or more gate panels movably mounted to each other via movement means to allow adjustment of the overall width of the gate assembly to allow fitting of said gate assembly in the opening in use. The movement means including protruding means provided on at least one of said gate panels which are slidably mounted in a slot or channel provided on the other of said gate panels. At least two spaced apart location means are associated with the slot or channel for receiving the protruding means, thereby providing at least two pre-defined width positions for said gate panels.

Abstract: A barrier employed to keep children and/or pets in or out of certain areas in the house. The barrier includes four panels. Two main panels slide parallel to each other to lengthen or shorten the barrier as a whole. Two side panels stabilize the main panels and extend to the front and rear faces of the main panels to provide a self-supporting in-house barrier. Each of the panels includes a wooden frame. The wood lends less weight, less sharp edges, and more pleasing aesthetics than, for example, a metal gate.

Abstract: A safety gate has a doorframe, a fence door and a repositioning unit. The doorframe has a base frame, a first side frame, and a second side frame. The repositioning unit is mounted on a bottom of the fence door and has a repositioning recess. The repositioning recess selectively engages a top of the base frame and has two opposite guiding surfaces. When the fence door is open at an angle under 5 degrees relative to the doorframe, one of the guiding surfaces abuts a side of the top of the base frame. Because the guiding surface is curved and inclined relative to the fence door and because a distance between the guiding surfaces is decreased gradually, the guiding surface gradually rotates the fence door to close. As a result, the repositioning unit can close the fence door that is open slightly at a small angle.

Abstract: A gate apparatus having an automatically returning gate, an upper latch operated by an upper button, and a lower latch operated by an upper finger handle. Each of the latches must be opened to open the gate. The gate returns without the aid of a spring to a position close to the closed position or to the closed position by the structure of a pivot or hinge connection between the gate and the frame of the gate. Gate tubes are rectangular in section for their entire length. Wood panels are included in the gate and excluded from other portions of the gate apparatus to make the gate stand out to the user seeking to open the gate.

Abstract: Passive solar wire screens mount vertically on an edifice. The screens have rods vertically arranged parallel to one another and have wires horizontally arranged parallel to one another. The wires attach to the rods and have first surfaces facing away from the edifice in an upward direction from vertical. The wires also have second surfaces facing toward the edifice in a downward direction from vertical. When the sun has a summer elevation on the horizon, the first surfaces passively reflect solar energy incident thereto away from the wire screens. When the sun has a winter elevation on the horizon, however, the first surfaces passively reflect solar energy incident thereto toward the second surfaces, which in turn passively reflect the solar energy toward the edifice. A concave surface on the wires can also reflect thermal energy back to the edifice.

Abstract: A barrier for the inside of a home. The barrier includes two partitions that slide relative to each other to increase and decrease a distance between ends of the barrier. The partitions slide into and out of confronting relationships with each other. The partitions engage each other at upper and lower locations and further at a medial location where an elongate member of one partition is received in a tube engaged to the other partition. A threaded piece upon being turned brings pressure to bear upon an end of the tube such that the partitions can be incrementally expanded apart and thereby pressurized between two locations within the home so as to block off one portion of the home. The threaded piece is slideable along the elongate member.

Abstract: An internal anchor board-up system for windows is disclosed. The internal anchor board-up system may include an exterior window cover, one or more interior clamping beams, and bolts or fasteners connecting the cover to the beam. The exterior cover is preferably transparent, such as a plexiglass cover, so that the internal anchor board-up system is substantially more aesthetically pleasing than traditional board-up systems relying upon plywood. Further, a transparent plexiglass or acrylic cover is stronger and harder to cut through than plywood.

Abstract: A window insulation having a frame with a track fixedly attached thereto and flexible impermeable sheeting having a rail member peripherally positioned and releasably mountable to said track member therein forming a window thermally insulative device that can be mounted to the wall over the window opening or mounted to the window jamb.

Abstract: A baby gate assembly which opens automatically only when detecting a designated person, by IR detection, RFID tagging or voice recognition. One or more IR detectors are mounted on a telescopic mast, enabling designation by height selection and the sensed signal compared with a datum or another IR facing in an opposite direct to provide signal operating reversible stepping motor to unlatch the gate. The control circuitry maintains the gate unlatched for sufficient time for the designated person to push open and walk through the gate in a hands free operation. A pedal release mechanism is also enabling unlatching during a power cut. The automatic and pedal unlatching mechanisms are linked for lost motion permitting independent operation.

Abstract: A gate within a gate within a barrier. A first, relatively small gate is engaged within a second, relatively large gate, which is engaged in the barrier for extending across a passageway of a residence. The relatively large gate can be closed to, for example, minimize access of toddlers to the passageway, while the relatively small gate can be opened to, for example, maximize access of small dogs to the passageway. One example of a passageway is the head or bottom of a stairway. The relatively large gate, when closed, minimizes toddlers from falling down or climbing up stairs. The relatively small gate, when open, permits small dogs to walk down or climb up the stairs.

Abstract: According to the invention, a window guard having telescoping horizontal bars that have a predetermined minimum overlap of the telescoping bars which cannot be easily overridden by the window guard installer is provided. Such a device can reliably withstand a predetermined pressure when the window guard is extended to its maximum width.

Abstract: A window system for installation in a structure is provided. The window system includes a front side that faces away from the structure and a back side that faces into the structure when the window system is installed in a structure. The window system further includes at least one window pane having a front side that faces away from the structure and a back side that faces into the structure when the window system is installed in a structure; at least one sash that surrounds the at least one window pane, wherein the sash has a front side that faces away from the structure and a back side that faces into the structure when the window system is installed in a structure; at least one window frame comprising at least one head, sill, and jamb; and at least one mounting base integral to the window.

Abstract: A safety gate has two frame assemblies, a shaft fixing assembly and a stretcher assembly. A relative distance between the two frame assemblies is fixed by the shaft fixing assembly first. The stretcher assembly further pushes the two frame assemblies outwardly so that the two frame assemblies tightly abut against two walls of a mounting premise and can be held on the walls securely. When the safety gate is not in use, the stretcher assembly is released to loosen the safety gate from the walls and the stretcher assembly can be moved to elsewhere. As the safety gate can be repeatedly mounted without having to readjust the relative distance between the two frame assemblies with the shaft fixing assembly, the operation of the safety gate is easy and convenient.

Abstract: A safety fence includes a door unit, a locking unit mounted on the door unit, a switching mechanism mounted on the door unit and connected with the locking unit, and a positioning and restoring unit mounted on the door unit. The door unit includes a first rail, a second rail and a door. Thus, when the door unit is not opened to reach the predetermined angle, the door is driven by the positioning and restoring unit and is returned and moved backward relative to the first rail to abut the second rail so that the door is locked onto the second rail by the locking unit so as to close the door unit automatically.

Abstract: A gate assembly is provided including frame means for positioning in an opening through which selective entry is required. Barrier means are mountable on the frame means via hinge means and the barrier means are movable relative to the frame means between a closed position, wherein the opening is closed, to an open position, wherein the opening is open. An automatic closure mechanism is provided for moving the barrier means from the open position to the closed position without user intervention. The automatic closure mechanism is associated with the hinge means and includes at least one ramp or inclined surface on which at least part of the gate travels when moving between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A safety gate, in particular for children or pets, is provided that includes a frame which can be stationarily positioned, the frame having a lower base and two side parts protruding upwards from the base, a door member being hinged to the frame, the door member being swivable about a pivot axis, and a lock, the door member and the frame being realeasably interconnectable with each other by means of the lock, wherein the lock comprises an actuation member for an at least partial releasing of the lock, wherein the actuation member is arranged stationarily at one of the side parts of the frame.

Abstract: Barrier means are provided having a frame including a plurality of frame members, movable between a first substantially erect condition and a second substantially folded condition. At least one of the frame members including two or more telescopically mounted portions capable of relative movement to allow expansion and/or contraction of the length of the frame member. Locking means are associated with one or more of said frame portions to allow the portion or portions to be locked at a required length. The locking means are movable between the locked and/or unlocked position by relative movement of the frame portion or portions with which the locking means are associated.

Abstract: A barrier for the inside of a home. The barrier includes two partitions that slide relative to each other to increase and decrease a distance between ends of the barrier. The partitions slide into and out of confronting relationships with each other. The partitions engage each other at upper and lower locations and further at a medial location where an elongate member of one partition is received in a tube engaged to the other partition. A threaded piece upon being turned brings pressure to bear upon an end of the tube such that the partitions can be incrementally expanded apart and thereby pressurized between two locations within the home so as to block off one portion of the home. The threaded piece is slideable along the elongate member.

Abstract: A latch and latch handle recessed into the computer cover is provided, with the latch handle preferably presently a cam surface internally that interacts with a compatible cam surface associated with a lock bar. Preferably, a key lock is functionally integrated with the latch in such a way that when the key lock is unlocked the latch handle and latch are free to displace and to then urge the retention bar to disengage detents or hooks from slots or receptacles, by way of releasing the cover from a chassis or body of the desktop or workstation. Accordingly, in essentially one efficient movement via engaging the latch handle, a user will be able to quickly remove the cover.

Abstract: A removable security structure interposed between two window configurations is comprised of interconnecting horizontal and vertical members. One or more vertical members engages a gear junction of each horizontal member such that upon rotation of the vertical member, the horizontal member telescopically collapses. The reduction of length of each horizontal member disengages each horizontal member from a frame outlining the opening. The rotation of the vertical members also frees the upper portion of the vertical members of the security structure. With the upper and side portions of the security structure disengaged from the frame, the security structure can be rotated and removed from the opening allowing egress.

Abstract: A protection assembly for covering a window/door, said protection assembly comprising at least one rigid protective panel dimensioned to fit against a frame of said window/door; at least one protecting member for supporting said at least one rigid protective panel against said frame of said window/door; and at least one coupling member for coupling said at least one rigid protective panel against said frame of said window/door, and for further securing said at least one protecting member against said at least one rigid protective panel.

Abstract: A gate assembly is provided including barrier means locatable in an opening defined by one or more wall and/or frame surfaces in use and movable between open and closed positions with respect to the opening. Handle means are provided to allow movement of the barrier means between the open and closed positions. At least part of the handle means is slidably mounted on the barrier means to allow sliding movement of the handle means from a raised position to a lowered position in use to allow said barrier means to be moved from the closed position to the open position.