Patent ID: 6339905
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: E05D,E05F,E05Y,E06B

Abstract:
An aperture covering comprising:at least two interconnectable, but not fixedly connected panels, each panel having a surface that defines a plurality of notches and each panel having interlocking edges wherein the bottom edge of one panel releasably interlocks with the top edge of another panel in a way that, when interlocked, force exerted on one panel results in force being exerted on the proximate panels; a storage area for storing said panels when said covering is in an open position; at least one track positioned along a path within which edges of said panels move when said cover is moved from an open to a closed position; and a toothed belt which is positioned in said track and which mates with said panel notches; wherein said panels are stacked in said storage area and removed one at a time in such a manner that, upon removal of a first panel from said storage area and into said track, said first panel interlocks with a second panel, forcing said second panel from said storage area into said track, wherein interlocking and removal of said panels continues until all said panels are removed or said first panel reaches the end of said track, resulting in said aperture covering being in the aperture-covered position, and wherein the toothed belt extends substantially the full length of the track.