Movement of a movable barrier ( 10 ) such as, for example, a vertically-dropping fire door, can be controlled in an informed manner and with greater flexibility regarding the manner of movement via, in one embodiment, use of a motor ( 20 ) as a generator to resist the downward movement of the barrier. One or more dummy electrical loads ( 22 ) can be used in combination with the generator mode of operation to influence the degree of braking proffered by the motor. In various embodiments, one or more sensors ( 25, 26, 27 ) can be used to detect local and remote conditions of interest to thereby at least partially inform the barrier movement decision process. A display ( 90 ) (or displays) can serve to provide various kinds of information to authorized personnel and an operator control ( 120 ) can serve, at least under some operating circumstances, to permit a person to locally cause a closed barrier to move to at least a partially opened position.

Movable barrier operations method and apparatus

Fire control systems and release mechanisms. The release mechanisms of the present invention comprise a digital logic circuit for processing signals which are indicative of a condition in an outside environment, and for providing a trigger that will actuate the mechanical release mechanism in response to the condition, a power circuit for providing regulated power to the electronic circuit in response to the input power, the regulated power being used to operate the digital logic circuit, and a power backup circuit interfaced to the power circuit for providing the regulated power for a predetermined time in the event of an input power failure so that the digital logic circuit can be operated for the predetermined time during the input power failure.

Door control system and release mechanism

The present invention is directed to a rolling protective shutter having slats with integrated screw bosses formed in their hinges. Each slat includes a first elongated socket along one edge of the slat, and a second elongated socket along the opposite edge of the slat. The hinges of the shutter curtain are formed by pivotally disposing the second elongated socket of one slat within the first elongated socket of an adjacent slat. After the shutter curtain is assembled, alignment/retention members are attached to either end of the second elongated socket to keep the slats substantially vertically aligned and retained within the side tracks. The alignment/retention members engage the adjoining slats to prevent substantial relative movement of the interconnected slats, and are dimensioned so that the alignment/retention members do not extend beyond the surfaces of the slats. Consequently, the shutter curtain may be tightly rolled onto the shutter support member without interference from the alignment/retention members.

Shutter slat with integrated screw boss

An apparatus, a wildfire protection method for houses and other structures from the destructive forces of a wildland fire. The current form of the preferred embodiment consists of a highly fireproof material, which is pre-fitted to cover each area of structure including gables or dormers one section at a time. The material is contained on a fireproof deployment apparatus such as a roller means having a retractable mechanism. The deployment apparatus is contained and secured within a housing, this housing being supported by firmly mounting it to strategic areas of the architectural structure. Once installed, deployment of the fireproof covering material is accomplished by unrolling the material from one side of the fireproof deployment apparatus. Each pre-fitted section of fireproof material contains reinforced edges, which are fitted with multiple fasteners by which to attach one section of said fireproof material to another as each is deployed from a series of apparatus. Each section of material is deployed in sequence and fastened to other nearby sections. The fireproof material once deployed by sections and fastened over the entire structure will provide protection from the high heat and burning embers associated with wildfires. Total structure coverage is accomplished very quickly by using several of these apparatus in series, each of which are strategically attached to the structure architecture.

Fire protection cover apparatus for structures

A system and method for rapidly and reliably sealing off a selected opening from the passage of smoke, noxious fumes, or contaminated air includes a powered clutch and viscous governor that provides a fail-safe mode of operation. A curtain is positioned in a housing adjacent to an upper limit of an opening such as a hoist access-way. The curtain is wrapped around a spindle that is connected to a spool via two cords. The curtain is held in the housing in a stored configuration by a powered clutch so that upon removal of power, either via a controller or by power loss, the clutch releases the spool allowing the cord to unwind lowering and thus deploying the curtain. A capacitor can be included to prevent inadvertent deployments due to momentary power loss. The speed at which the spool rotates, and correspondingly the curtain deploys, is limited by a viscous governor coupled to the spool. The curtain includes flexible magnets that attach to ferrous side rails forming a nearly air tight seal preventing the passage of smoke, noxious fumes or contaminated air through the opening.

System and method for sealing openings in response to smoke, noxious fumes, or contaminated air using a roll-down barrier

A closure includes a plurality of vertical panels suspended from an overhead support and successively joined to one another by interlocking, alternate outer and inner pivot elements attached to the panel lateral edges. When the closure is collapsed the panels are folded about the pivot elements into a stacked, parallel diposition. Improved articulation between the panels is achieved by means of unique outer and inner pivot element components including respectively, a curved groove and a curved arm, both describing an arc of approximately 270°. Female elements on the base of each pivot element cooperate with mating male elements joined to each panel lateral edge to allow ready assembly therebetween, with the panels themselves comprising either metal and/or a plastic composition.

Side folding closure

A rolling fire door includes a door hold-open/release system that includes an electromagnet which is energized by a controller when the door is in the open position. The energized electromagnet magnetically attracts a bottom bar of the rolling door to secure the door in the open position. A key control station connected to the controller enables the electromagnet to be energized when the door is in the open position and enables the controller to deenergize the electromagnet so that the weight of the door causes the door to close. The key control station also includes a test switch which enables the controller to deenergize the electromagnet after a delay interval. The controller also deenergizes the electromagnet after a delay interval in response to activation of an alarm or in response to a thermal switch sensing a temperature in excess of a set point temperature.

A rolling fire door including a door hold-open/release system

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Side folding closure

A rolling fire door including a door hold-open/release system