An extendable arm structure includes: an upper extendable arm and a lower extendable arm which extend parallel in a same direction; and a vertical coupling member that couples the upper and lower extendable arms. Each of the extendable arms includes a plurality of X-shaped cross units each formed by pivotally coupling two rigid members via a middle coupling shaft, and two end coupling shafts that pivotally couple ends of adjacent ones of the cross units. The extendable arm structure further includes: a planar member that closes, in a planar fashion, a space between the rigid member of the upper extendable arm and the rigid member of the lower extendable arm which extends parallel to the rigid member of the upper extendable arm in a same direction.

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 assembly for a folding closure includes a plurality of elongated, planar panels, each of which has a pair of parallel sides, and flanges on each side with the flanges on one side extending in one direction perpendicular to a plane of the panel and the flanges on the other side extending in a second direction opposite to the one direction; and a hinge for pivotally connecting panels in side by side relationship to each other, the hinge including an elongated body having a generally triangular cross section, generally C-shaped grooves extending the length of the body proximate two adjacent corners of the body, the grooves opening in opposite directions for receiving the flanges of adjacent panels and permitting rotation of the panels about a longitudinal axis of the hinge between closure open and closed position, and opposed stops at the open outer ends of the grooves for limiting rotation of the panels between the open and closed position.

A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.

A sectional folding overhead door assembly comprising a pair of opposite, vertically disposed side support and guide means defining a door opening between them, each guide means including a first channel and a second channel disposed side-by-side, a door component comprising a first, second, third and fourth rectangular panel adapted for folding vertical movement along said support and guide means, the door component further comprises at each side of the first and second panel a folding movement controlling member, each folding movement controlling member having an folding movement controlling member upper end hingeably connected to a respective side edge of the first and third panel, respectively, and a folding movement controlling member lower end hingeably connected to the respective guide plate lower end around a folding movement controlling member hinge axis, each folding movement controlling member further including a folding movement guiding channel into which folding movement guiding channel a respective side plate guiding pin of a side plate attached to the second panel extends.

An extendable arm structure includes: an upper extendable arm and a lower extendable arm which extend parallel in a same direction; and a vertical coupling member that couples the upper and lower extendable arms. Each of the extendable arms includes a plurality of X-shaped cross units each formed by pivotally coupling two rigid members via a middle coupling shaft, and two end coupling shafts that pivotally couple ends of adjacent ones of the cross units. The extendable arm structure further includes: a planar member that closes, in a planar fashion, a space between the rigid member of the upper extendable arm and the rigid member of the lower extendable arm which extends parallel to the rigid member of the upper extendable arm in a same direction.

A folding shutter system is provided including a first leaf to be hingedly connected to a building structure, the first leaf being hingedly connected to a second leaf; a driving hinge mechanism having a tubular body longitudinally arranged between the two leaves, the two leaves being rotatably displaceable relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the tubular body, defining at least a folded position and an expanded position of the leaves; the leaves having a cross-sectional outline having a beveled edge, the beveled edges being arranged to define a cavity for housing at least partially the cross-sectional outline of the tubular body.

A multi-panel door or window apparatus is provided. The apparatus has at least first and second panels that are foldable relative to one another. An automatic latch arrangement is provided that automatically actuates a shootbolt to engage a track of the apparatus as the first and second panels transition towards a co-planar relationship. Methods of latching the apparatus are provided as well. The automatic latch arrangement independent of the door or window apparatus is also provided.

The invention relates to a child safety gate which occupies as little space as possible when the gate is open. The child safety gate comprises two or more panels (1, 2, 3, 4) interconnected by at least one hinge (5). The panels are mounted in the opening via at least one fitting (10) connected with an end panel (3) at one side. At least one closure device (12, 13) is connected with an end panel (4) at the other side. The hinges (5) may be connected with the panels (1, 2, 3, 4), so that the panels may be folded inwardly over each other when the gate is opened. A panel top (8) and/or a panel base (9) may be connected with the panels. The panels (1, 2, 3, 4) may comprise two panel parts which may be telescoped. An extension panel may be disposed between the panel parts.

A curtain of a flexible fabric is provided that is deployable to create a physical and visual barrier between an employee and a person perpetuating a crime such as a robbery or assault. The barrier can be in the form of a curtain that is electrified with an extreme high voltage, similar to a stun gun, and which prevents the assailant from approaching an employee or a restricted area. The curtain can be mounted in any area where it is beneficial to limit site and access of a trespasser or an assailant, such as between a cashier at a convenience store and the store's open retail area. The curtain can also be used to create temporary safe rooms or deployed within hallways of a restricted area to limit movement of an intruder.