Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a covering attaching importance to design, including a flexible support structure and a plurality of strip pieces, i.e., slats mounted to the support structure so that the movement of the plurality of strip pieces, i.e., slats is dependent upon the movement of the support structure. SOLUTION: The support structure formed of a cellular structural material supports the plurality of strip pieces, i.e., slats 42, and the movement of the strip pieces, i.e., slats is completely dependent upon the movement of the support structure. A fabric 36 of such configuration is usable incorporated into the covering of an architectural opening, and the covering in that case includes, for instance, a headrail 32 and a means for gathering the fabric within the headrail. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cover of an opening of a building, which has an excellent practical function, for example, of reducing heat lost through the opening, by properly screening the opening of the building, and which is original and excellent in beauty.SOLUTION: A support structure 38 made of a cell-type structural material supports a plurality of strip-shaped pieces, that is, slats 42, and motions of the strip-shaped pieces, that is, the slats 42 completely follow a motion of the support structure 38. A fabric 36 configured in this way can be used by being incorporated into a cover of an opening of the building. The cover in that case includes, for example, a head rail 32 and means for extracting the fabric 36 into the head rail 32.
Abstract:
A solar energy collector and thermal storage device for placement in a building's exterior architectural opening is provided, having an insulating cavity including a first lite on the device exterior side and a second lite spaced inwardly therefrom, defining a depth of the insulating cavity, and being substantially filled with an insulating gas. A provided thermal storage cavity includes the second lite and a third lite spaced inwardly therefrom, defining a depth of the thermal storage cavity which is at least the same size as the insulating cavity depth, and is substantially filled with a thermal storage medium, which is a hydrogel adhering to the second lite and the third lite and having cohesion characteristics such that it is self supporting and maintains its shape within the thermal storage cavity. A low-emissivity coating disposed on the insulating cavity side of the second lite inhibits exterior thermal radiation transfer.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus to control an architectural opening covering assembly are disclosed herein. An example method disclosed herein includes determining a position of a covering of an architectural opening covering assembly. The example method further includes determining a speed at which the covering is to move via a motor based on the position and a period of time. The example method also includes operating a motor to move the covering at the speed.
Abstract:
A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.
Abstract:
A unitary assembly for an architectural fenestration, providing dynamic solar heat gain control, which (1) provides a track-based frame structure/blind combination in which the blind is self-correcting should the blind material fall outside of the track; (2) provides directional shading, where the assembly provides for dynamically controlling the amount of light allowed to reach the heat storage unit; (3) provides a blind motor without limiter switches and with a quick-release slip-ring; and (4) provides a heat storage unit which is a thermally efficient, transparent and translucent structure, with which gain from sunny winter days is greater than nighttime loss, so as to provide supplemental heat.
Abstract:
A covering for architectural surfaces as well as a method of forming and applying the covering is described in various embodiments and arrangements wherein fabric can be utilized and folded to provide a three-dimensional appearance with hollow or padded cells and wherein folds in the material used to make the covering or reveal strips conceal otherwise distractive seams between adjacent strips of the covering material.