A foldable device may include a foldable layer and a hinge system that is positioned between a first body and a second body of the foldable device. The hinge device may include a first hinge section and a second hinge section. The first hinge section and the second hinge section may include a rigid, planar body. A third hinge section may be positioned in a space between the first hinge section and the second hinge section. The third hinge section may include a rigid, contoured body.

An improved bi-fold shutter that includes a more efficient coupling mechanism at a hinge point suited to facilitate opening and closing the bi-fold shutter with greater ease. In one embodiment, the shutter may be designed for a window such that the shutter, when closed, is relatively close to the face of the associated window, and when open, forms an awning or overhang. The shutter includes an improved coupling mechanism at a hinge point between a first shutter portion and a second shutter portion. The improved hinge point shifts a direction of force needed to maneuver the shutter when moving the shutter from one position to another. The shift in opening and closing force directions improves the efficiency by which the shutter can be operated. In some embodiments, the shutter may be hand-operated. In other embodiments, the shutter may be powered.

An improved bi-fold shutter that includes a more efficient coupling mechanism at a hinge point suited to facilitate opening and closing the bi-fold shutter with greater ease. In one embodiment, the shutter may be designed for a window such that the shutter, when closed, is relatively close to the face of the associated window, and when open, forms an awning or overhang. The shutter includes an improved coupling mechanism at a hinge point between a first shutter portion and a second shutter portion. The improved hinge point shifts a direction of force needed to maneuver the shutter when moving the shutter from one position to another. The shift in opening and closing force directions improves the efficiency by which the shutter can be operated. In some embodiments, the shutter may be hand-operated. In other embodiments, the shutter may be powered.

A hinge for connecting a first pivoting body to a second pivoting body in a relatively pivotable manner includes a sheet body configured to attach a first end of the sheet body to the first pivoting body, and to attach a second end of the sheet body to the second pivoting body. The sheet body includes a plurality of layered sheet members, and a pivot shaft between layered sheet members of the plurality of layered sheet members to allow the first end and the second end of the sheet body to pivot relative to each other. The pivot shaft includes a soft resin part between the layered sheet members.

A pedestrian door system includes a door frame comprising a frame strike side, a frame hinge side, and a frame sealing surface that extends up each of the frame strike and frame hinge sides. A threshold extends between the frame strike and frame hinge sides and includes a base secured to a floor surface and a threshold sealing surface. A door panel includes a panel bottom side, a panel strike side, a panel hinge side, and a continuous gasket extending continuously along the panel bottom side and up each of the panel strike and panel hinge sides. A door hinge couples the panel hinge side to the frame hinge side and facilitates hinged movement of the door panel between an open position and a closed position in which the gasket seals against the frame sealing surface and the threshold sealing surface in a liquid-tight manner.

A switch actuating device (1) for a vehicle door includes an actuating element (10) with an actuating surface (11), a mechanical switch (20) and a mechanism (30). The switch is secured on a first component/component group (31). A lever (32) is mounted for pivot in relation to the first component/component group (31). A first region (32.2) of the lever is connected to a first part of the actuating element (10) via a first articulation (10.1). A second part of the actuating element (10) is mounted on the first component/component group (31) via a second articulation (10.2). The actuating element (10) bends when the actuating surface (11) is subjected to manual pressure causing the distance between the first articulation (10.1) and the second articulation (10.2) to shorten, which causes the lever (32) to pivot toward the switch such that the switch is switched.

A composite-material and methods used to produce low profile close tolerance composite-hinges such as required for desks and cabinets, that can be molded and bonded into structures using specified resin systems in a simple layup and cure.

The reinforcement material of the hinge is PET fiber-fabric, that is plied with a thin film of a polymeric adhesive-tape. The tape will serve as the exterior face of a molded hinge. The reinforcement fiber material will be oriented at +/−45 degrees to hinge line for maximum shear stiffness. The hinge material will be infused with a laminating/adhesive resin in the lay-up process to produce a co-molded hinge bonded to the structural substrates. This composite material and described process will yield installed low-profile (10 mil) hinges that have a typical tensile strength of 74 lbs/inch of length.

A resin-septum coating template would be supplied with the raw material to facilitate the process. The template material is a screen that will act as a septum to hold a proscribed layer of the laminating-adhesive resin in position to facilitate the infusion of resin to the fiber-fabric face of coupon to produce the composite-hinge, co-bonded to the substrates. The composite material could be supplied as trimmed to size hinge-coupons, or in 5 foot lengths of standard width material to be trimmed as required by user.

A composite-material and methods used to produce low profile close tolerance composite-hinges such as required for desks and cabinets, that can be molded and bonded into structures using specified resin systems in a simple layup and cure.

The reinforcement material of the hinge is PET fiber-fabric, that is plied with a thin film of a polymeric adhesive-tape. The tape will serve as the exterior face of a molded hinge. The reinforcement fiber material will be oriented at +/−45 degrees to hinge line for maximum shear stiffness. The hinge material will be infused with a laminating/adhesive resin in the lay-up process to produce a co-molded hinge bonded to the structural substrates. This composite material and described process will yield installed low-profile (10 mil) hinges that have a typical tensile strength of 74 lbs/inch of length.

A resin-septum coating template would be supplied with the raw material to facilitate the process. The template material is a screen that will act as a septum to hold a proscribed layer of the laminating-adhesive resin in position to facilitate the infusion of resin to the fiber-fabric face of coupon to produce the composite-hinge, co-bonded to the substrates. The composite material could be supplied as trimmed to size hinge-coupons, or in 5 foot lengths of standard width material to be trimmed as required by user.

The present invention relates to inflatable bladder actuated water control gates for control of open channels such as rivers and canals and for control of dam spillways without the need for intermediate piers. The air bladder and hinge flap wedge clamping system includes hinged engagement of the upstream edge of the clamps to the foundation so as to prevent the application of bending and shear loads to the anchor bolts. The resulting configuration facilitates the use of high strength alloy steel anchor bolts in a corrosion protected environment and also prevents tensile loading of the concrete foundation and associated cracking of the concrete foundation.

The present invention relates to inflatable bladder actuated water control gates for control of open channels such as rivers and canals and for control of dam spillways without the need for intermediate piers. The air bladder and hinge flap wedge clamping system includes hinged engagement of the upstream edge of the clamps to the foundation so as to prevent the application of bending and shear loads to the anchor bolts. The resulting configuration facilitates the use of high strength alloy steel anchor bolts in a corrosion protected environment and also prevents tensile loading of the concrete foundation and associated cracking of the concrete foundation.