US 5,752,557 A · Sealable curtain

Abstract

An improved roll-up closure utilizing a flexible cover or curtain selected from a material suitable to effect the type of closure sought. The cover is at least as wide as the portal to be covered and is typically longer than the portal. Each lateral margin of the cover has a strip of hook and loop fastener material affixed thereto, and a complementary strip is affixed to the lateral margins of the structure defining the portal. A first end of the cover is rigidly affixed across a first margin of the portal. The opposite end of the cover is upturned and connected to a driven take-up roller mounted to the first margin of the portal. An elongated transverse rod is supported within the upturned end of the cover. Activation of the driven roller lengthens or shortens the effective length of the cover and moves the rod therewith. As the driven roller is activated, the mating hook and loop fasteners are positioned to seal and unseal the cover to the lateral margins of the portal. The rod can either have sufficient weight to maintain tension on the cover such that the cover forms an adequate seal with the lateral margins of the portal, or in the alternative, a spring assembly or a second driven roller can be mounted to a second margin of the portal opposite the first margin to maintain tension on the cover.

Claims13

Dependent claims

Apparatus for sealably covering and uncovering a portal comprising:

a) a pair of spaced apart opposing members defining lateral margins of said portal:
b) a flexible curtain having elongated side portions, a first end and a second end each having a dimension commensurate with the separation of the opposing members, with said first end being fixedly attached across said portal at a first end thereof, said second end folded back on itself to define a pocket opening toward said first end;
c) an elongated rod captured within said pocket;
d) a driven roller for biasing said rod toward a second end of said portal to maintain said curtain taut between said first end and said second end of said curtain;
e) means operatively connected to said second end of said curtain for varying the length of said pocket;
and
f) means for releasably and repeatedly attaching said elongated side portions to said opposing members concomitantly with positioning said pocket at different lengths.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sealable curtain

Life of this patent

Sealable curtain

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13