Flexible retractable door
First Claim
1. A flexible retractable closure assembly for an opening comprising:
- a flexible sheet having front and rear end edges and side edges extending laterally between the end edges,said sheet having a permanent memory set to gather itself automatically into a compact configuration proximate said rear edge,locating means retaining said compact configuration at one side of said opening,guide means guiding said sheet from the locating means across the opening,retaining means for holding the sheet in an extended position whereby the sheet extends at least partially over said opening,and wherein by the sheet moving from said locating means, the sheet is movable between;
(a) a retracted position with the front end edge near the locating means and the substantial entirety of the sheet in a compact state, and(b) said extended position with the front end edge spaced from the locating means and a substantial portion of the sheet extending across the openingsaid sheet includes stiffening means, wherein said stiffening means comprise vertically extending slats attached to said sheet in side-by-side fashion, said slats providing a tambour effect to said sheet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible, retractable assembly for use as a door, space divider, covering or the like which comprises a sheet such as Mylar polyester film having a permanent memory set to roll up on itself or otherwise retract automatically into a coil, accordion, or other compact configuration. The assembly is adapted to be stored on one side of an opening and then guided across the opening to fully or partially cover the opening. The permanent memory set of the sheet permits it to retract at least partially under its own force to eliminate or minimize the need for separate rewinding apparatus. The sheet may substitute for a variety of standard products including entryway doors, closet, cabinet and shower doors, screen doors and windows, room dividers, machinery guards and covers for various items such as florescent light fixtures. The sheet may be combined with decorative finishes including a tambour composite structure providing aesthetic and functional advantages.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A flexible retractable closure assembly for an opening comprising:
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a flexible sheet having front and rear end edges and side edges extending laterally between the end edges, said sheet having a permanent memory set to gather itself automatically into a compact configuration proximate said rear edge, locating means retaining said compact configuration at one side of said opening, guide means guiding said sheet from the locating means across the opening, retaining means for holding the sheet in an extended position whereby the sheet extends at least partially over said opening, and wherein by the sheet moving from said locating means, the sheet is movable between; (a) a retracted position with the front end edge near the locating means and the substantial entirety of the sheet in a compact state, and (b) said extended position with the front end edge spaced from the locating means and a substantial portion of the sheet extending across the opening said sheet includes stiffening means, wherein said stiffening means comprise vertically extending slats attached to said sheet in side-by-side fashion, said slats providing a tambour effect to said sheet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification