The present disclosure describes various embodiments of a concealed or hidden door closer that is installed in a rail of a door assembly. In some embodiments, the door frame and door closer components are configured to allow the door assembly to be readily installed as either a left or a right hand hinged door.

The present disclosure describes various embodiments of a concealed or hidden door closer that is installed in a rail of a door assembly. In some embodiments, the door frame and door closer components are configured to allow the door assembly to be readily installed as either a left or a right hand hinged door.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses and related methods involving a screening apparatus and assembly. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a plurality of panels, a frame and, for each panel, a locking mechanism coupled to the frame and a mechanical actuator connected to the panel and the frame. The locking mechanism locks the panel in place when engaged with the panel, and may do so at a different angle of rotation, relative to the other panels. The mechanical actuator positions the panel relative to the frame and offset from the other panels, and facilitates rotation of the panel about an axis of rotation that is fixed relative to the frame, in response to the panel being disengaged from the locking mechanism.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses and related methods involving a screening apparatus and assembly. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a plurality of panels, a frame and, for each panel, a locking mechanism coupled to the frame and a mechanical actuator connected to the panel and the frame. The locking mechanism locks the panel in place when engaged with the panel, and may do so at a different angle of rotation, relative to the other panels. The mechanical actuator positions the panel relative to the frame and offset from the other panels, and facilitates rotation of the panel about an axis of rotation that is fixed relative to the frame, in response to the panel being disengaged from the locking mechanism.

The invention relates to a window 20 comprising a steady frame 22, a movable frame 24, and an actuator 26 for moving the movable frame 24. The steady frame mainly extends in a plane , comprises at least one plate 220 which mainly extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane , the plate 220 comprises a main track 222 and an auxiliary track 224. The movable frame extends predominantly in a plane perpendicular to the plane and comprises: at least one pivot 242 defining a rotation axis X, perpendicular to the plane and parallel to the planes and , the pivot 242 being conformed so as to be able to be slidingly held in the main track; at least one pin 244 which is rigidly mounted on the movable frame, which extends in a direction parallel to axis X, which is spaced from axis X, and which is conformed so as to be slidingly held in the auxiliary track. Furthermore, the actuator is suitable for imposing to the pivot a slide movement along the main track; the slide movement of the pivot along the main track imposes to the pin a slide movement along the auxiliary track; the auxiliary track is shaped so as to impose to the pin a rotation around axis X during the slide movement of the pin along the auxiliary track; and the pin is supported by a crank 246 rigidly mounted on the pivot 242.

Provided is a retroreflective window which can block a direct light ray and reflect it to a sun side while maintaining a viewability and enhance a usability of the direct light ray. The retroreflective window (1 to 3) includes first and second transparent plate materials, a transparent first prism which is disposed between the first and second transparent plate materials, and a switching member which is installed facing a second side of the first prism and can be switched between a reflective state in which a reflectance of visible light rays and infrared rays is 70% or more and a non-reflective state in which the reflectance of visible light rays and infrared rays is 30% or less. When the switching member is in the reflective state, in the first prism, a light ray incident at a predetermined angle or more is emitted from the first transparent plate material at approximately the same angle as when entering, after being reflected by the switching member and a third side, and among light rays which enter at an angle less than the predetermined angle, the light ray reaching the third side is transmitted and emitted from the second transparent plate material.

Provided is a retroreflective window which can block a direct light ray and reflect it to a sun side while maintaining a viewability and enhance a usability of the direct light ray. The retroreflective window (1 to 3) includes first and second transparent plate materials, a transparent first prism which is disposed between the first and second transparent plate materials, and a switching member which is installed facing a second side of the first prism and can be switched between a reflective state in which a reflectance of visible light rays and infrared rays is 70% or more and a non-reflective state in which the reflectance of visible light rays and infrared rays is 30% or less. When the switching member is in the reflective state, in the first prism, a light ray incident at a predetermined angle or more is emitted from the first transparent plate material at approximately the same angle as when entering, after being reflected by the switching member and a third side, and among light rays which enter at an angle less than the predetermined angle, the light ray reaching the third side is transmitted and emitted from the second transparent plate material.

Rotating door systems and methods for rotating a plurality of rotatable doors between a closed position and an open position are provided. Each of the rotatable doors may have a height measured in a vertical direction between opposing horizontal edges, a width measured in a horizontal direction between opposing vertical edges, and an axis of rotation centrally located between the opposing vertical edges. The rotatable doors may be rotatably coupled to an upper support at the axis of rotation via an upper pivot shaft and rotatably coupled to a lower support at the axis of rotation via a lower pivot shaft. The rotatable doors may be at least partially transparent. The rotation of one or more of the rotatable doors may be controlled by a controller.

Rotating door systems and methods for rotating a plurality of rotatable doors between a closed position and an open position are provided. Each of the rotatable doors may have a height measured in a vertical direction between opposing horizontal edges, a width measured in a horizontal direction between opposing vertical edges, and an axis of rotation centrally located between the opposing vertical edges. The rotatable doors may be rotatably coupled to an upper support at the axis of rotation via an upper pivot shaft and rotatably coupled to a lower support at the axis of rotation via a lower pivot shaft. The rotatable doors may be at least partially transparent. The rotation of one or more of the rotatable doors may be controlled by a controller.

A pivot window includes a laminated body. The laminated body includes two sheets of a plate material; a peripheral end member provided at a peripheral end parts of the two sheets of the plate material; and a cell array plate material which is interposed between the two sheets of the plate material and which has a plurality of cells respectively having a gas phase and encapsulating a latent heat storage material having a melting point and a freezing point in a specific temperature range. The pivot window further includes a rotation mechanism for causing the laminated body to perform at least half rotation in a vertical direction.