Retractable closure system

A retractable closure hung substantially vertically from a substantially horizontally extending support structure located near an upper area of a wall opening, and for providing a closure portion that is extensible to cover and retractable to uncover at least a portion of said opening, wherein the closure comprises:

• a) flexible sheet means for defining a rollable structure 1) that extends from an upper end region of the flexible sheet means across a central region thereof to a lower end region thereof, 2) that can be retracted by causing its central region and the lower end region to be rolled-up to a retracted position wherein the closure uncovers said opening, and 3) that can be extended by causing its central region and its lower end region to be unrolled into an extended position wherein the closure covers said portion of said opening;
• b) mounting means 1) for connecting the upper end region of the flexible sheet means to said support structure such that the central region and the lower end region of the flexible sheet means define an extensible portion of the flexible sheet means that unrolls during extension and rolls-up during retraction movements of the flexible sheet means;
• c) retraction means for an upper part of said extensible portion of the flexible sheet means;
• d) extension means for extending said upper part of said extensible portion of the flexible sheet means;
• and,
• e) wherein a lower part of said extensible portion of the flexible sheet means rolls-up into a "double roll" together with said upper part of the extensible section during retraction of said flexible sheet means.

A vertically-hung retractable closure for covering and uncovering a selected area by unrolling from a retracted roll form configuration, and by rolling up into the retracted roll form configuration, wherein the closure comprises:

• a) a flexible sheet;
• b) means for mounting a top end region of the flexible sheet atop the selected area;
• c) retraction means including a plurality of elongate spring members connected to the flexible sheet for retracting the flexible sheet upwardly into a roll form configuration to uncover the selected area;
• d) extension means including a plurality of elongate inflatable members connected to the flexible sheet that cause the flexible sheet to unroll from said roll form configuration to cover the selected area;
• and,
• e) wherein at least one of the retraction and extension means does not extend the full length of the sheet so that the roll-up retraction initiates along the length of the sheet.

A retractable closure for an opening of a freight hauling vehicle, comprising:

• a sheet of flexible material having a first longitudinally extending section terminating in a first end of said sheet and a second longitudinally extending section terminating in a second end of said sheet;
• a securing means for fastening said first end of said sheet to the freight hauling vehicle adjacent the opening thereof, wherein said sheet is configured, when in an extended position, to cover the opening of the vehicle and, when in a retracted position, to uncover the opening of the vehicle;
• a retraction spring for applying a retraction force to said sheet to cause said sheet to roll upon itself and uncover the opening of the vehicle, said retraction spring being secured to said sheet first longitudinal section and extending from adjacent said sheet first end toward said sheet second end;
• and,
• an extension member for applying an extension force to said sheet, in opposition to said retraction force, to cause said sheet to unroll and cover the opening of the vehicle, said extension member comprising a first fluid pressure expansible tube secured to at least said first longitudinal section of said sheet.

A retractable closure for an opening of a freight hauling vehicle, comprising:

• a first curtain section of flexible material having a first end and a second end;
• a first housing in which said first curtain section first end is secured, said first housing being secured to the freight hauling vehicle adjacent the opening thereof;
• a second curtain section of flexible material having a first end and a second end, said second curtain section being located adjacent said first curtain section and being operatively secured thereto;
• a second housing in which said second curtain section second end is secured, said second housing being selectively secured to the freight hauling vehicle adjacent the opening thereof in a spaced manner from said first housing, wherein said first and second curtain sections are configured, when in an extended position, to cover the opening of the vehicle and, when in a retracted position, to uncover the opening of the vehicle;
• a first retraction spring for applying a retraction force to said first curtain section to cause said first curtain section to roll upon itself and uncover the opening of the vehicle, said first retraction spring being secured to said first curtain section;
• and,
• an extension member for applying an extension force to said first curtain section, in opposition to said retraction force, to cause said first curtain section to unroll and cover at least a portion of the opening of the vehicle, said extension member comprising a first fluid pressure expansible tube secured to at least said first curtain section.

A retractable closure for an opening of a freight hauling vehicle, comprising:

• a first sheet of flexible material having first and second ends;
• a second sheet of flexible material, spaced from said first sheet, and having first and second ends;
• an upper housing member, in which said first end of said first sheet is secured, said upper housing being fastened to the freight hauling vehicle adjacent the opening thereof;
• a central housing member in which said second end of said first sheet and said first end of said second sheet are secured, wherein said first and second sheets are configured, when in an extended position, to cover the opening of the vehicle and, when in a retracted position, to uncover the opening of the vehicle;
• a retraction member secured to said first sheet for applying a retraction force to said first sheet to cause said first sheet second end to roll said central housing member up into said first sheet and thereby also roll said second sheet up into said first sheet along with said central housing member and uncover the opening of the vehicle, said retraction member being secured to said first sheet;
• and,
• an extension member secured to said first sheet for applying an extension force to said first sheet in opposition to said retraction force, to cause said first sheet, said central housing member and said second sheet to unroll and cover the opening of the vehicle.