An improved method and an improved apparatus for operating an automatic door system are distinguished by the following features, inter alia: — a sensor device (9) is used, which implements a monitoring region (19) assigned to and/or disposed upstream of the leaves (1; 1a, 1b) for the detection of objects (P, G) which are situated and/or moving in said monitoring region (19), — by means of the sensor device (9) and/or by means of the control and/or evaluation device (11), an object (P, G) situated in the monitoring region (19) is detected with regard to the position and direction of movement of said object and also with regard to the width, size and/or contour (K) or overall contour (23) of said object, and — depending on the movement-dependent position and direction of movement (21) and also the width, size and/or contour (K) or overall contour (23) of the detected object (P, G), the at least one leaf (1; 1a; 1b) is moved, in particular opened, readjusted and/or closed, in an object-related manner.

An improved method and an improved apparatus for operating an automatic door system are distinguished by the following features, inter alia: — a sensor device (9) is used, which implements a monitoring region (19) assigned to and/or disposed upstream of the leaves (1; 1a, 1b) for the detection of objects (P, G) which are situated and/or moving in said monitoring region (19), — by means of the sensor device (9) and/or by means of the control and/or evaluation device (11), an object (P, G) situated in the monitoring region (19) is detected with regard to the position and direction of movement of said object and also with regard to the width, size and/or contour (K) or overall contour (23) of said object, and — depending on the movement-dependent position and direction of movement (21) and also the width, size and/or contour (K) or overall contour (23) of the detected object (P, G), the at least one leaf (1; 1a; 1b) is moved, in particular opened, readjusted and/or closed, in an object-related manner.

A new door system and related technology for a passenger carrying rail vehicle, such as a President's Conference Committee (PCC) streetcar rail vehicle, and a method for retrofitting a rail vehicle door system with the new door system. In some embodiments, the new door system includes an electro-mechanical angle drive motor, a solid door control pivot rod, a door leaf panel clamp that is permanently connected to the solid door control pivot rod, a lever arm that includes a positive locking device and that is coupled to the solid door control pivot rod, and a connecting rod that is attached to the electro-mechanical angle drive motor and to the lever arm to enable the connecting rod to impart motion generated by the electro-mechanical angle drive motor to the lever arm.

A new door system and related technology for a passenger carrying rail vehicle, such as a President's Conference Committee (PCC) streetcar rail vehicle, and a method for retrofitting a rail vehicle door system with the new door system. In some embodiments, the new door system includes an electro-mechanical angle drive motor, a solid door control pivot rod, a door leaf panel clamp that is permanently connected to the solid door control pivot rod, a lever arm that includes a positive locking device and that is coupled to the solid door control pivot rod, and a connecting rod that is attached to the electro-mechanical angle drive motor and to the lever arm to enable the connecting rod to impart motion generated by the electro-mechanical angle drive motor to the lever arm.

A latch assembly connected to the drive unit of a bi-fold door for retaining the bi-fold door secure to a building has elongated straps attached to rotatable latch drums mounted on the outer ends of the drive shaft of the drive unit. Lift drums powered by a motor driven gearbox raise and lower the bi-fold door. Latch assemblies having springs attached to the straps maintain tension on the straps during the opening and closing of the bi-fold door.

A latch assembly connected to the drive unit of a bi-fold door for retaining the bi-fold door secure to a building has elongated straps attached to rotatable latch drums mounted on the outer ends of the drive shaft of the drive unit. Lift drums powered by a motor driven gearbox raise and lower the bi-fold door. Latch assemblies having springs attached to the straps maintain tension on the straps during the opening and closing of the bi-fold door.

To keep the same size motor when panel numbers are varied, the invention includes a torsion spring counter balancing mechanism for a stacking panel shutter door, wherein one end of the or each torsion spring is fixable to a drive transmission shaft of the stacking panel shutter door, the drive transmission shaft being adapted to raise and lower the or each shutter of the stacking panel shutter door; and the other end of the or each torsion spring is fixable to a separate rotatable member of the stacking panel shutter door; and whereby the mechanism is provided with means adapted to enable both the drive transmission shaft and the rotatable member to rotate, during opening and closing of the stacking panel shutter door, in such a manner as to cause respective ends of the or each torsion spring to travel at different speeds during the opening and closing sequence.

To keep the same size motor when panel numbers are varied, the invention includes a torsion spring counter balancing mechanism for a stacking panel shutter door, wherein one end of the or each torsion spring is fixable to a drive transmission shaft of the stacking panel shutter door, the drive transmission shaft being adapted to raise and lower the or each shutter of the stacking panel shutter door; and the other end of the or each torsion spring is fixable to a separate rotatable member of the stacking panel shutter door; and whereby the mechanism is provided with means adapted to enable both the drive transmission shaft and the rotatable member to rotate, during opening and closing of the stacking panel shutter door, in such a manner as to cause respective ends of the or each torsion spring to travel at different speeds during the opening and closing sequence.

A movable wall panel system is disclosed. The movable wall panel system may include at least one monitoring system to monitor at least one area adjacent the movable wall panel system. The movable wall panel system may include a touch screen as part of an operator interface.

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative telescoping tailgate systems for an automotive vehicle and illustrative automotive vehicles with a telescoping tailgate system for carrying cargo or passengers. In an illustrative embodiment, a telescoping tailgate system for an automotive vehicle includes: a primary tailgate configured to be movably attached to a body of an automotive vehicle, the primary tailgate defining an opening therethrough; a secondary tailgate movably attached to the primary tailgate; and a telescoping mechanism configured to move the secondary tailgate between a retracted position and an extended position, the secondary tailgate being configured to close the opening in the primary tailgate when the secondary tailgate is in an extended position.