Talk:tambour

A vertically sliding door, divided into horizontal segments who's ends run in side channels. Typically the channels are parallel bent or curved to allow the door to coil above or below the opening, or to follow the roof of the enclosed space.
Often used to cover & secure the workspace of a small desktop with small drawers, called a Rolltop_desk or secretary (to 'secrete' personal papers & stationary supplies).
In rare a tambour desk the door of vertical slats slides horizontally, in top & bottom horizontal channels. As a room divider, the bottom channel is usually absent.
Sometimes a metal tambour door is used as a security door to a garage or inside parking area, or to the back of a box truck. Often automated, sometimes with a control button or motion sensor.
Ref.: http://www.onelook.com/?w=*&loc=revfp2&clue=segmented+sliding+door
I suppose the term comes from the appearance like the sides of a stick drum, or from the drum-like clattering that they sometimes make during use.
--Wikidity (talk) 02:15, 19 March 2014 (UTC)