An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a lateral edge of a door curtain within a guide of a door, and a controller to identify when the door curtain transitions from an operational state to a breakaway state based on a signal from the sensor, the operational state corresponding to when the lateral edge of the door curtain is enclosed by the guide as the door curtain moves between open and closed positions, and the breakaway state corresponding to when a portion of the lateral edge of the door curtain below an upper end of the guide breaks away from the guide.

Methods and apparatus to operate powered doors are disclosed. A door system includes a panel, and a track including a first track wall and a second track wall opposite the first track wall. The first and second track walls define a channel therebetween. A lateral edge of the panel is to move along the channel as the panel moves between a closed position and an open position. The door system further includes a first refeed block to be aligned with the first track wall. The first refeed block is to extend a first distance above the first track wall. The door system also includes a second refeed block to be aligned with the second track wall. The second refeed block is to extend a second distance above the second track wall. The first distance greater than the second distance.

An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening, the door assembly having a door panel with two faces and opposing marginal and lateral edges, and at least two wind locks attached proximate each marginal edge. The at least two wind locks extend away from one face of the door panel in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, and are spaced apart vertically along each respective side edge of the door panel. The assembly further includes a drum for winding and unwinding the door panel to permit and prohibit access to the opening, and, a pair of opposing parallel side columns aligned and spaced apart such that each of the opposing side edges engage one of the side columns in a manner in which at least a portion of the side columns guide vertical movement of the door panel.

A closure apparatus for covering a portal is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the closure apparatus includes a curtain assembly having one or more curtains and a spindle assembly mounted superjacent a portal on an exterior of the portal. The spindle assembly is operably engaged with the curtain assembly to extend the curtain assembly to cover the portal and retract the curtain assembly to uncover the portal. Channels disposed on lateral sides of the portal engage the curtain assembly when the curtain assembly is extended to cover the portal. Front channel members, which are pivotably connected to corresponding adjacent supports, pivot to release the curtain assembly from engagement with the channels upon application of sufficient force to the curtain assembly to allow egress or ingress through the portal when the closure apparatus is not operational, for example, during loss of power. Related methods of operation of the closure apparatus are also disclosed.

Embodiments of an end tip configured to travel in a track of a shade system are disclosed. The end tip includes a body portion having a diameter and including a first section and a second section. The first section has a head portion and is made of a first material having a first hardness, and the second section is made of a second material having a second hardness. The head portion has a width that is wider than the diameter of the body portion, and the first hardness is higher than the second hardness. Also disclosed is a shade system including first and second tracks, a shade, and end tips. The first and second sections of the end tips are configured to separate when a threshold load is applied to the end tips.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for door curtain breakaway detection. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a sensor to detect a lateral edge of a door curtain within a guide of a door, and a controller to identify when the door curtain transitions from an operational state to a breakaway state based on a signal from the sensor, the operational state corresponding to when the lateral edge of the door curtain is enclosed by the guide as the door curtain moves between open and closed positions, and the breakaway state corresponding to when a portion of the lateral edge of the door curtain below an upper end of the guide breaks away from the guide.

Embodiments of an end tip configured to travel in a track of a shade system are disclosed. The end tip includes a body portion having a diameter and including a first section and a second section. The first section has a head portion and is made of a first material having a first hardness, and the second section is made of a second material having a second hardness. The head portion has a width that is wider than the diameter of the body portion, and the first hardness is higher than the second hardness. Also disclosed is a shade system including first and second tracks, a shade, and end tips. The first and second sections of the end tips are configured to separate when a threshold load is applied to the end tips.

The invention is a track system for a retractable wall. The track system includes rigid outer guide tracks and flexible inner track inserts that are connected to the guide tracks by means of flanges located on both. The flexible inserts include a channel that engages with a side edge of a retractable wall, holding the wall in place. The flexible nature of the track inserts allows the inserts to bend, which in turn allows the retractable wall to flex when force is exerted on the retractable wall without breaking the tracks or tearing the wall. When excessive force is applied, the channel of the flexible insert, the walls of which are thicker than the rest of the flexible insert, bend open, so that the side edge of the retractable wall disengages from the channel by means of an opening in the channel.

An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a lateral edge of a door curtain within a guide of a door, and a controller to identify when the door curtain transitions from an operational state to a breakaway state based on a signal from the sensor, the operational state corresponding to when the lateral edge of the door curtain is enclosed by the guide as the door curtain moves between open and closed positions, and the breakaway state corresponding to when a portion of the lateral edge of the door curtain below an upper end of the guide breaks away from the guide.

An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a lateral edge of a door curtain within a guide of a door, and a controller to identify when the door curtain transitions from an operational state to a breakaway state based on a signal from the sensor, the operational state corresponding to when the lateral edge of the door curtain is enclosed by the guide as the door curtain moves between open and closed positions, and the breakaway state corresponding to when a portion of the lateral edge of the door curtain below an upper end of the guide breaks away from the guide.