BARRIER SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS, INCLUDING VAPOR AND/OR FIRE BARRIER SYSTEMS WITH MANUAL EGRESS

• Main Authors: ZIEGERT WILLIAM L, WALTERS, JR. PAUL R, TOLMAN BEN, GONZALES CURTIS P
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 30.09.2010
• Subjects: ALARM SYSTEMS; CHECKS FOR WINGS; DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; FIRE-FIGHTING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES,FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS,BLINDS, GATES; HUMAN NECESSITIES; INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO HINGES OR OTHER SUSPENSION DEVICESFOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS AND DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTOOPEN OR CLOSED POSITION, CHECKS FOR WINGS AND WING FITTINGS NOTOTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THEWING; KEYS; LADDERS; LIFE-SAVING; LOCKS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; PHYSICS; SAFES; SIGNALLING; SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THEFUNCTIONING OF THE WING

Barrier systems and associated methods, including vapor and/or fire barrier systems, are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a barrier system that includes a barrier coupled to a spool, and a drive system. The barrier is positioned to be wound onto and off of the spool as the barrier moves between a deployed position and a retracted position by the drive assembly. The system further includes a clutch configured to resist movement of the barrier system unless directed by the drive system, and to release the barrier to allow manual egress when power to the drive system fails. The system further includes a latch configured to retain the barrier in a retracted position and to prevent the barrier from deploying when power fails and the clutch releases.