Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to industrial doors, in particular segmented rigid-panel doors
which are accumulated overhead when in the open position.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Overhead doors have been used for many years to secure various enclosures including
manufacturing plants, warehouses, garages, and other industrial doorways that require
a heavy duty cycle. Such doors are generally comprised of articulated, joined panels
or slats. Generally, such overhead doors are guided by tracks along door jambs, facilitating
movement of the door between open and closed positions. The guide tracks used with
slat-type or segmented panels generally extend upwardly above the door opening for
storing the door when in an opened position. In places where overhead space is insufficient,
the track may guide the door at a backward angle above the door opening.
[0003] Recently, however, it has been proposed to accumulate the door panels above the door
by guiding the panels into an overlapping, coiled or spiraled configuration. Such
overhead doors have been guided for movement up and down by guide tracks consisting
of essentially three basic portions. Examples of such overhead doors are disclosed
in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,484,007 and 5,394,924. The first portion of the guide tracks
extend vertically along the sides of the door or jambs. The second portion of the
guide tracks extends above the opening, turns horizontally at the top of the doorway,
and extends away from the wall. The third portion of the guide tracks forms an inward
coiled configuration which encircles a door drive motor. Accordingly, as the door
is lifted, it is guided along the guide tracks and directed into the coiled configuration.
While these overhead doors have enjoyed a great deal of success, they have also presented
various problems as will be discussed herein.
[0004] In particular, problems exist in the ability of the door to withstand impact without
sustaining debilitating damage to the door and its associated guide structure. Because
overhead doors are generally used to secure industrial areas with high traffic, the
door is often not completely open before attempted transit through the doorway by
vehicles such as forklift trucks. Accordingly, at least the bottom-most panels are
subjected to impact by these vehicles. Therefore, at least one or more of the bottom-most
panels of the door must be able to withstand frontal impact without sustaining severe
damage to the entire door or its associated jambs. Replacement of the overhead door
or panels can be costly and can also result in increased down-time.
[0005] Additionally, doors, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,484,007 and 5,394,924,
employ a chain of interconnecting hinges to lift the door between opened and closed
positions. The hinges are strap-like and are mounted to only one face of a respective
panel. Problems exist with respect to the ability of hinge straps to adequately distribute
forces which are created during movement of the door. The straps overlap an end portion
of the slats and are bolted thereto. The hinge straps typically consist of thin formable
metal. Each hinge has a male end and a female end created by rolling the ends of the
metal into loops. The mated loops are rotatably secured by hinge pins. In overhead
doors using such hinges, the distribution of force created by movement of the door
can cause the hinges to wear prematurely or be damaged. In particular, the stresses
applied to the interconnected loops, created by repeated opening and closing of the
door can cause the ends to become "unrolled." Additionally, the male and female portions
cannot generally be centered to the middle of a door panel as centering the portions
requires that the metal be extended at an angle inwardly from a face of the panel,
where the main body of the strap-type hinge is secured. Bending the metal may result
in increased stresses at the angle of the metal. Thus, there is a need for a stronger
panel-hinge assembly that can accommodate doors having a large duty cycle.
[0006] Another problem with previous overhead doors is the configuration of the overhead
guide track. Typically, when the overhead door is being serviced for maintenance,
it is desirable to keep the door in an overhead position to allow continued use of
the doorway or opening. However, in previous overhead guide configurations, the motor
and much of the associated drive apparatus are surrounded by the door panels when
the door is in its overhead position. Such configurations make access to the motor
and associated drive difficult. These configurations also require that the door be
at least partially disassembled if repair or replacement of the motor or its parts
is necessary. Disassembly of the door can ultimately result in non-use and increased
down-time of the door. Consequently, there is a need for an overhead accumulation
configuration that does not impede access to the motor assembly and associated apparatus.
[0007] The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems and provide advantages
and aspects not provided by prior doors of this type.
Summary of the Invention
[0008] The present invention provides an overhead rigid-panel door which is selectively
movable up and down to open and close an opening and is accumulated overhead in a
coiled-type configuration.
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a door is provided which has a
pair of chains for movement of a plurality of rigid panels up and down. The chains
are disposed between the panels and door guides at opposed sides of the door. Each
chain comprises a plurality of interconnecting hinges. The panels each have a first
end and a second end and are of sufficient length to extend substantially across the
opening, but sufficiently limited in length to fit between the first and second chains
and not extend beyond them. The door also includes a means for connecting each door
panel to a separate pair of hinges at the first and second ends of each panel.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a door is provided which includes
a door body having a plurality of panels hingedly connected together. The door includes
a door guide having a first portion which guides the door panels vertically, a second
portion which guides the door panels at an angle to the vertical, and a third portion
which directs the door body into an overlapped or coiled configuration for storage
when the door is in an open position. The door in the present invention further includes
a motor which moves the door body along the door guide thereby opening and closing
the door. The door panels in an accumulated position are situated so that a space
exists between the first panels and the first door guide portions. The present invention
requires that the space be of sufficient size to accommodate locating at least the
motor therein so the door does not obstruct access to the motor from at least one
direction when the door body is accumulated overhead into the coiled configuration.
[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of making a hinge
is provided. The method includes defining a desired hinge thickness, height and profile
as viewed from a cross section through the thickness. The method also requires using
an extrusion mold, which will extrude elongated stock, having the desired thickness,
height and profile as viewed through the cross-section or the thickness. The method
further requires cutting or otherwise dividing the extruded length into the desired
width. Finally, the method requires removing unwanted material at one end of the height
of the hinge to define a male mating portion and two spaced extending portions at
the other end of the hinge to define a female mating portion.
[0012] Other advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading
the following description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred door embodiment according to the invention,
showing a door guide in phantom;
FIG. 2 is an exploded front view of a hinge and door panel assembly (in partial) in
connection with a second assembled hinged body and door panel assembly (in partial)
of a preferred door embodiment of FIG. I;
FIG. 3 is a side view of interconnected hinges according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of the interconnected hinges of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connecting insert according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a top view of the connecting insert of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a top view of the overhead door of FIG. 1 with motor including the coiled
door guide being shown in phantom;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the overhead door of FIG. 1 with motor and coiled door guide;
FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of an overhead door according to the invention, illustrating
a coiled door guide at varying angles.
Detailed Description
[0014] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there
is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments
of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered
as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit
the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
[0015] FIGS. 1-9 disclose an improvement on previous overhead rigid-panel door and hinge
assemblies. According to one aspect of the present invention, a door 1 which is selectively
moved up and down to open and close an opening (not shown) and which is guided along
side guide tracks 4 at the edge of the opening is disclosed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, the overhead door 1 generally includes a plurality of panels 6, a pair of chains
8 defined by interlinked hinges 10, and a means for connecting each panel 6 to a separate
pair of hinges 10.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of panels 6, each having a first end 12 and a second
end 14. Each panel 6 is of sufficient length to extend substantially across the opening,
but sufficiently limited in length so as to fit between and not extend across the
chains 8 on opposed sides of the opening. Each door panel 6 generally abuts the two
respective hinges 10 with which it is associated.
[0017] FIGS. 1-4 show the chains 8 which move the panels 6, and therefore the door 1, up
and down. The chains 8 are defined by interlinked hinges 10 and are disposed between
the panels 6 and the guide tracks 4. Each of the hinges 10 which comprise the chain
8 is pivotal about a hinge pin 18. Each of the hinges 10 has two ends 19a and 19b.
The first end 19a of each hinge 10 has an extending male portion 20 with a through-hole
22 for receiving the hinge pin 18. The second end 19b has a pair of spaced extending
portions 24a and 24b defining a female portion 24. Each of the extending portion 24a,
24b of the female portion 24 also has a through-hole 22 for receiving a hinge pin
18. The through-holes 22 of both the male 20 and female 24 hinge portions are aligned
so that they are generally centered between a front surface (see FIG. 2) and a back
surface (not shown) of the panels 6 for improved force distribution.
[0018] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate the means for connecting the panel 6 to its respective
two hinges 10. The means for connecting at least the bottom-most panel to its respective
two hinges 10 includes connecting inserts 9. The connecting inserts 9 permit separation
of the panel 6 from the hinges 10 upon an impact to the panel 6 in excess of a predetermined
force, as will be explained below.
[0019] As shown in FIG. I and FIG. 2, the door guide requires at least some of the hinge
pins 18 to extend to the door guides 4. Each of the hinge pins 18 that are extended
have a roller 26, rotationally engaged proximate the extended ends of the hinge pins
18. Each roller 26, in turn, engages the door guide 4 (FIGS. 8 and 9).
[0020] In the preferred embodiment, the hinges 10 are structurally biased to rotate in only
one direction and to resist rotation in the opposite direction. The hinges 10 rotate
between a straight in-line position when the door 1 is closed, to an angled position
when the door 1 is accumulated overhead. As may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the structural
bias is provided by terminating the male 20 and female 24 extending portions with
a rounded shoulder 30 toward a side to which rotation is desired, and providing a
squared shoulder 32 toward the opposite side where rotation is not desired.
[0021] In the preferred embodiment, the door panels 6 include receptacles 33 (now shown)
formed in each of the first and second ends, 12 14 of each panel 6, and each hinge
10 has a receptacle 34 being formed in its body. Also in the preferred embodiment,
the connecting inserts 9 have first end 13a, a second end 13b and a center portion
15. The first end 13a of the connecting insert 9 is secured by suitable means in the
receptacle 34 of the hinge 10. Likewise, the second end 13b is secured by suitable
means in the receptacle 34 of one of the ends 12, 14 of the panel 6. The means for
securing the insert, may be bolts, pins, or any device suitable for securing two members.
[0022] The connecting inserts 9 between at least the bottom-most panel 6 and its two respective
hinges 10 is sacrificially broken at the thinned portion 15a of the insert 9 when
the panel 6 is impacted by a force in excess of a predetermined force. This permits
the panel 6 to separate from the hinge 10, reducing damage to the hinges 10 or the
door 1. As shown in FIG. 5 and 6, a preferred method of weakening this area is simply
to cut slots 21a, 21b into the center portion 15 to a depth which will give the desired
predetermined force for separation. It is contemplated that the connecting insert
9 can be configured to cause the door to separate door panel 6 from hinges 10 in other
ways. For example, a connecting insert 9 made of a material, such as rubber, may be
used so that when impacted, the material flexes to dislodge from either the receptacles
34 or 33.
[0023] Another aspect of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7-9 in which the door 1
is guided by door guides 4 and accumulates overhead when in an open position. FIG.
8 shows the door guide 4 having a first portion 38, a second portion 40, and a third
portion 42. The first portion 38 of the door guide 4 guides the door 1 vertically
while the second portion 40 guides the door horizontally. The third portion 42 directs
the door 1 into a coiled configuration for storage when the door 1 is in an open position.
[0024] As can further be seen in FIG. 8, a motor 39 is operably connected to the door 1
to move the door I along the door guide 4. The accumulated panels 6 are situated so
that there exists a space 44 between the first guide portion 38 and the panels 6.
The space 44 is of sufficient size to accommodate access to the motor 39 from at least
one direction when the door 1 is accumulated into the coiled configuration.
[0025] In the preferred embodiment the coiled configuration extends horizontally away from
the door opening. However, it is contemplated that the coiled configuration may extend
away from the door opening at any angle in which the motor 39 may still be accessed
in space 44 when the panels 6 are accumulated into the coiled configuration. It is
further contemplated that "coiled" herein merely means that the door guide 36 coils
"back on itself" regardless of how many times, and is not meant to be constrained
to spirals, circles or any other particular geometric shape.
[0026] Conventional hinges are configured to attach to either faces or adjoining edge surfaces
of the two entities to be hinged together, for example see U.S. Patent Nos. 5,484,007
and 5,394,924. However the hinges 10 of the present invention are uniquely configured
to be located on the end surfaces of the two panels 6 which are to be hinged together.
While the door I is shown using inserts 9 for connection, other means for connecting
the ends of panels 6 to a hinge according to the invention could be used such as conventional
fasteners (bolts, screws, glue) used in connection with flanges, brackets or other
well known means to connect the side of the hinge to an end of a panel.
[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the hinges 10 can be advantageously
manufactured by defining a desired hinge thickness 46, height 48 and profile as viewed
from a cross section through the thickness 46. Secondly, using an extrusion mold which
will extrude elongated stock having the desired thickness 46, height 48 and profile
as viewed through a cross section of the thickness 46. Thirdly, cutting or otherwise
dividing the extruded length into the desired width 50 for the hinge. Finally, removing
unwanted material to form an extended portion at one end of the height 48 of the hinge
to define a male mating portion 20 and at the other end of the height 48 to define
a female mating portion 24. The removal of unwanted material may be done on the bar
stock prior to cutting the extrusion into separate hinges 10. One can also provide
an extrusion mold with means to extrude the through-holes 22 for hinge pin 18 connection
between hinges 10. Alternately the through-holes 22 may be formed by boring or drilling
either after defining the extended male 20 and female 24 portions, or before removing
the unwanted material to define those portions. Preferably, the mold may also be equipped
with means to provide a hollowed center in the profile of the hinge 10 and extrudate
as viewed in cross section through the thickness 46. The hinges 10 of the door 1 are
preferably made in the above manners from aluminum.
[0028] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications
come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and
the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.
[0029] While the specific embodiment has been illustrated and described, numerous modifications
come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, including
the following aspects and the appended claims.
Aspect 1. A door which is selectively moved up and down to open and close an opening
and which is guided generally along door guides on opposed vertical sides of the opening
comprising:
a first chain disposed along one of the door guides and a second chain disposed along
an opposed door guide;
a plurality of panels, each having a first end and a second end, the panels being
of sufficient length to extend substantially across the opening but sufficiently limited
in length so as to fit between the first and second chains and so that there is no
overlap of either the first or second end of the panels with any portion of the first
and second chains; and,
a plurality of connectors for joining the first and second chains respectively to
the first and second ends of each of the panels.
Aspect 2. The door of Aspect 1 further including a roller and door guide assembly
for guiding the chains, the roller and door guide assembly having hinge pins wherein
at least some of the hinge pins extend through a through-hole in the hinges and into
the door guide, each extended hinge pin having rollers being rotationally engaged
proximate the extended ends of the hinge pins, the rollers engaging a guide track
thereby carrying the panels between an open and a closed position.
Aspect 3. The door of Aspect 2 wherein the door guide includes:
a first portion which guides the door vertically, a second portion which guides the
door at any desired angle fro 0 to 90 degrees from the vertical, and a third portion
which directs the door into a coiled position for storage when the door is in an overhead
position;
the first and third portion of the guide track being spaced to permit location of
a motor operatively connected to the door, so that the door does not obstruct access
to the motor from at least one direction when the door body is accumulated into the
overhead position.
Aspect 4. The door of Aspect 1 wherein the hinges are structurally biased to rotate
in a first direction from a straight in-line position when the door is closed to an
angled position when the door panels are being accumulated overhead, but biased to
resist rotation from a straight in-line position in a second direction opposite the
first direction.
Aspect 5. The door of Aspect 4 wherein the structural bias is provided by terminating
a male extending portion and a female extending portion with a rounded shoulder toward
a side to which rotation is desired and a squared shoulder toward the opposed side
where rotation is not desired.
Aspect 6. The door of Aspect 1 wherein the connector joins each of the first and second
ends of each panel generally in abutting relationship with a respective hinge in the
first and second chain.
Aspect 7. The door of Aspect 1 wherein each panel has a thickness equal to a thickness
of the corresponding hinge that carries the panel.
Aspect 8. The door of Aspect 1 wherein the connector for joining at least the bottom-most
panel to its respective two hinges permits separation of the panel from the hinges
upon an impact to the panel in excess of a predetermined force.
Aspect 9. The door of Aspect 8 further comprising:
a panel receptacle in each end of at least the bottom-most panel;
a hinge receptacle in at least one side of each hinge to which the panel is joined
at its ends; and,
the connectors for joining at least the bottom-most panel to the chains has a first
end, a second end and a center portion, the first end being secured in the hinge receptacle
and the second end being secured in the panel receptacle.
Aspect 10. The door of Aspect 9 wherein, at least one of the connectors for at least
the bottom-most panel is sacrificially bent when the panel is impacted with a force
in excess of a predetermined force and one of either the first or second ends of the
connector withdraws from the panel or the hinge.
Aspect 11. The door of Aspect 9 wherein, the connectors for at least the bottom-most
panel is sacrificially broken when the panel is impacted with a force in excess of
a predetermined force.
Aspect 12. The door of Aspect 9 wherein the center portion of the connecting insert
between at least the bottom-most panel and its two respective hinges is structurally
weaker than the remaining portions of the connecting insert and thereby sacrificially
breaking when the panel is impacted with a force in excess of a predetermined force.
Aspect 13. A door which is selectively moved up and down to open and close an opening
and which is guided along door guides at the edge of the opening, comprising:
a plurality of panels, each panel having a first end and a second end, the panels
being arranged so as to align the top side of one panel with the bottom side of another
panel; and,
a pair of chains defined by interlinked hinges, the chains being disposed between
the panels and the door guides of the door, the hinges being attached to the panels
and carrying the panels for movement up and down, each interlinked hinge being pivotal
about a hinge pin, each hinge having first and second ends, the first end having an
extending male portion with a through-hole for receiving the hinge pin, the second
end having a pair of spaced extending portions defining a female portion each extending
portion having a through-hole for receiving the hinge pin, the through-holes of both
the male and female hinge portions being aligned such that they are generally centered
between planes defined by the front and back sides of the panels.
Aspect 14. The door of Aspect 13 further including a roller and door guide assembly
for guiding the chains wherein at least some of the hinge pins extend into the door
guide, each extended hinge pin having rollers being rotationally engaged proximate
the extended ends of the hinge pins, the rollers engaging a guide track thereby carrying
the panels between an open and a closed position.
Aspect 15. The door of Aspect 13 wherein the door guide includes a first portion which
guides the door vertically, a second portion which guides the door horizontally, and
a third portion which directs the door into a coiled position for storage when the
door is in an open position;
a motor operatively connected to the door to move the door along the door guide to
open and close the door, and being situated so that a space between the first and
third door guide portion is provided, the space being of sufficient size to accommodate
locating at least the motor in the space so that the door does not obstruct access
to the motor from at least one direction when the door is accumulated into the overhead
position.
Aspect 16. The door of Aspect 13 further including a connecting assembly for securing
each panel to a separate hinge at a first end and a second end of each panel, each
panel generally abutting the two respective hinges with which it is associated having
receptacles formed in at least one side of each hinge and a receptacle in the first
end and second ends of each panel.
Aspect 17. The door of Aspect 16 wherein the connecting assembly of at least the bottom-most
panel to its respective two hinges permits separation of the panel from the hinges
bodies upon an impact to the panel in excess of a predetermined force, without damage
to either the hinges or the guide assembly.
Aspect 18. The door of Aspect 17 wherein the connecting assembly between at least
the bottom-most panel and its two respective hinges is sacrificially broken when the
panel is impacted with a force in excess of a predetermined force.
Aspect 19. The door of Aspect 17 wherein the center portion of the connecting insert
between at least the bottom-most panel and its two respective hinges is structurally
weaker than the remaining portions of the connecting insert and thereby sacrificially
breaking when the panel is impacted with a force in excess of a predetermined force.
Aspect 20. A door which is selectively moved up and down to open and close an opening
and which is guided at the edges of the opening and accumulated overhead when in an
open position, comprising:
a door body having a plurality of panels hingedly connected together;
a door guide having a first portion which guides the door body vertically, a second
portion which guides the door body horizontally, and a third portion which directs
the door body into a coiled position for storage when the door is in an overhead position;
a motor operatively connected to the door to move the door body along the door guide
to open and close the door, and being situated so that a space between the first and
third door guide portion is provided, the space being of sufficient size to accommodate
locating at least the motor in the space so that the door body does not obstruct access
to the motor from at least one direction when the door body is accumulated into an
overhead position.
Aspect 21. A method of making a hinge for use in an interlinked hinge chain for guiding
and moving a door between an open and a closed position comprising the steps of:
defining a desired hinge thickness, height and profile as viewed from a cross section
through a thickness of the hinge;
providing an extrusion mold which will extrude elongated stock having the desired
thickness, height and profile; and,
cutting or otherwise dividing the extruded length into the desired width for the hinge.
Aspect 22. The method of Aspect 21 further including removing unwanted material to
form an extended portion at one end of the height of the hinge to define a male mating
portion and two spaced extending portions at the other end of the hinge to define
a female mating portion.
Aspect 23. The method of Aspect 22 further including the step of boring a through
hole either after defining the extended male and female portions or before removing
the unwanted material.
Aspect 24. The method of Aspect 21 wherein, the steps of providing an extrusion mold
and extruding further including the step of providing the mold with means to extrude
a through-hole for hinge pin connection between hinges.
Aspect 25. The method of Aspect 21 further including the step of boring a through
hole either after defining the extended male and female portions or before removing
the unwanted material.
Aspect 26. The method of Aspect 21 wherein the steps of providing an extrusion mold
and extruding further including the step of providing the mold with means to provide
a hollowed center in the profile of the hinge and extrudate as viewed in cross section
trough the thickness of either.