CA1312273C - High speed folding door - Google Patents
High speed folding doorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1312273C CA1312273C CA000608222A CA608222A CA1312273C CA 1312273 C CA1312273 C CA 1312273C CA 000608222 A CA000608222 A CA 000608222A CA 608222 A CA608222 A CA 608222A CA 1312273 C CA1312273 C CA 1312273C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- panels
- folding door
- coupled
- panel
- flexible
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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- Extensible Doors And Revolving Doors (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A multi-section folding door includes first and second sets of vertically aligned panels with the panels in each set coupled together in an edge overlapping manner. Each of the panels is suspended from a support bracket attached to the panel's upper edge, with each of the brackets coupled to and suspended from a track by means of a respective trolley. A drive arrangement displaces the trolleys permitting the first and second sets of panels to be displaced toward or away from each other in closing or opening the folding door relative to an opening in a wall. Attached to an upper edge of each panel is an elongated flexible loop which is inserted in a lower slot of a respective support bracket along the length thereof. An elongated cord comprised of a hard material is inserted in the loop and positioned along the length thereof to maintain the loop securely coupled to and suspended from the support bracket. Breakaway coupling is provided along the full length of the overlapping edges of adjacent panels while the outer edges of the two end panels are each coupled in a sealed manner to a respective side frame. A sweeper strip extends from the lower edge of the panel and engages the floor to form a seal therewith. Each panel preferably includes an intermediate insulating layer, with the folding door particularly adapted for low temperature applications such as in freezers.
Description
~ 3 1 2~73 IMPROVEMENTS IN HIGH SPE~D FOLDING DOOR
Backaround of the Invention Thi~ invention relates generally to folding door~
and p~rtltions and is part~cularly dlrected to a multi section, high speed, motor driven, impact-resistant: foldin~
door.
Electrlcally oper~ted folding partitions, or door~, haYing a plur~tity of Yertically oriented panels are commonly used in doorway~ to provide ~solation between two room~ or between the outside and i~side of a buildln~. Such folding partitlon~ are also frequently u3ed to divide off two or more areas of a given room. The vertically oriented panels are typically suspended from a longitudinal, horizontal track along which the panel~ are movable. The panels may be coupled together in an accordion-like manner or they may be detached from one another such as in a ~trip door. Where the panels are coupled together, they are automatlcally positiorled in a straight llne, flat arrangement when in the fully closed po8ition and are automatically moved to a folded, ~tacked configuration whe in the fully open position. Such structures are often referred to as operable walls in that they provide a moYable wall sect~on for ~pace isolation purposes.
Although not:intended to afford high impact resi~tance, the individual pan~l~ of these fol~ing door, or moving walll arrangemenfs are sometimes struck by a vehicle when in the cloRed position or when moving between the clo~ed and the open positions. Such panel impact frequently causes the panel suppnrt mechanism, i.e., a movable trolley to com~ off its support track preventiTIg furt~ler displacement of the panels. ~igh winds resulting in excessive displacemen~ of the panels may al~o gi~e rl~e to trolley binding on the support track. Misalignment betwaen the trolleys and the support track must be corrected by proper repvsitioning of the trolleys before the panels can again be moved to either the open or closed positi.on.
~mpact with a panel also frequentl~ results in panel damage requiring it~ replacement. Panel replacement Ls expensive and time con~u~ing, typically requiring removal of a mounting a~sembly which includes several brackets and nut and bolt combinations. In addition, adjacent su~pended panel3 are coupled together in a flexible manner by xopes or straps which prevent separatian of adjacent panels.
However, impact of the panels with a vehicle generally results in severance of the rope, which must then be replaced, as well as damage to the ad~acent panels which also frequently must be replaced. Moreover, such nonseparable coupling arrangements prevent manual pivoting displacement of the individual door panels ~o a~ to allow for transit through an aperture spanned by the door when power is 109t. Finally, in order to prevent trolley misalignment and panel separa~ion from its trolley~coupled mountinq arrangement, particularly where the panels are subject to vehicular impact as welL as to a wide range of environmental conditions, existing trolley and panel support installations are overly complex, expensive and difficult to install an~ maintain.
The present invention is intended to overcome the af~rementioned limitations of the prior art by providln~ a multi-panel, high speed folding door having an inexp~nsive panel suspension arrangement which facilitates individual panel i.nstallation, removal and replacement; hreakaway coupling between adjacent panels to reduce the possibility of impact damage to the panels; and insulated panels provided with top, bottom and side seals which are particularly adapted for use in low temperature environments such as in free~ers.
Ob~ects and SummarY o~ the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved multi-section folding door.
It is another object of the present invention to increase ther~r,eliability and reduce the cost of multi-section, ~e~ like folding doors.
Still another object of the present invention is to facilitate the mounting as well as to reduce the cost of installing individual panels in a multi-section folding door.
A further object of the present invention is to increase the impact resistance of a high speed, motor driven, multi-panel folding door.
- A still further object of the present invention is to provide secure coupling between adjacent panels in a multi-panel folding door while allowing adjacent panels to be easily disconnected, if desired.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-section folding door p~rticularly adapted for use in low tamperature environments such as encountered in freezers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulated panel having seals on its top, bottom and side edges for use in an impact resistant high speed ~olding door operating in a low temperature environment.
This invention contemplates a folding door comprising: first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall; a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending ;~
, .
.
' acros~ the aperture and coupled to respective upper portlons of the first and second side frames; a ~upport structure coupled to and disposed adjacent ko the header a~sembly; a plurality of trolleys coupled to and su~pended from the support structure; a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respec~ive trolley, wherein each of the support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of the support arm along a lower portion thereof; a plurality of flexible panels each having an attachment lip extending the length o~ an upper edge thsreof, wherein the att~chment lip i9 adapted for insertion in and engagement by the ~lot of a respec~ive ~upport arm in couplin~ and suspending each of the flexible panels from a respecti.ve support arm; flexible coupling means for coupling ad~acent panels to one another; and drive means coupled to -the trolleys for linearly displacing the trolleys along the support structure in opening and closing the olding door.
Brief Descript on of the Drawinqs The appended claims set forth those no~e} features which characterize the invention. However, the invention itself, as well as further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference characters identify like elements thxoughout the various figures, in which: .
FIG. 1 is an upper, front perspective view of a folding door in accordance wi~h the principles of the p~esent invention;
FIG. 2 is an upper per~pective, exploded view of a folding door in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the header and support portion of the folding door illustrated in FIGS; 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the olding doo.r of the present invention showing the right hand section of the door in the closed position and its left hand section in the open position;
FIG. 5 is a front view o the dri~ and ~upport arrangement located within the he~der portion of the folding door of the present in~ention;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the troll~y and curtain support portions of the folding door of ~.he present invention;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating details of the manner in which the individual panels, or curtains, are positioned within and supported by a support bar, or arm;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a trolley which allows for horizontal movement of the individual panels of the folding door of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken trans~erse to a folding door support beam as used in the present invention illustrating additional details of a trolley mounted to the support beam;
FIG. 10 is a lateral view of the trolley arrangemerlt illustrated in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 illustrates the manner in which an upper po~tion of the folding door is pivotally mounted to a stile;
FIG. 12 illustrates the details of the manner in .
which a lower portion of the folding door is pivotally mounted to a stile;
FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a breakaway retaining strap usPd for coupling ad~acent panels in the folding door of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is an upper, front perspective view of a preferred embodiment o the hi~h speed ~olding door of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a ~ront plan v~ew shown partially in phantom of one of the panels used in the high sp~ed ~olding door of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the door panel ~hown in FIG. lS taken along sight line 16-16 therein;
FIG. 17 is a per~pective view shown partially in phantom of a lower portion of a continuous, sealed hinge for attaching a side panel o~ the high speed folding door to an adiacent side frame;
FIG. 18 is a partial sectional view of the h.i~h speed folding door panel of FIG. 15 taken along s~ght line 18-18 therein; and FIG. 19 is a sectional view of an upper edge portion of the high folding door of the pre~ent invention illustratin~ details of the manner in which each of the panels is coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley mounted support arm.
Detailed DescrLption of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an upper, front perspective view of a high speed folding door 20 in accordance with the present invention. The ~olding door 20 inCludes right and left side frames 22, 24 as well as a header assembly 26. The header assembly 26 extends between and is coupled to respective upper end portions of the right and left side frames 22, 24. The header assembly 26 and side frames 22, 24 are typically disposed about or adjacen~ to an opening in a wall through which vehicles and workers pa8s.
131~2/3 The header assembly 26 and ~ide frames 22, 24 are pre~arably comprised of a high strength metal, but may also be fabricated from wood or plastic or other conventional construction materials which provide sufficient strength and rigidity to ~upport the folding door and various components associated therewith. Suspended from the header assembly 26 are a plural~ty of vertically oriented panels 30 which are shown in the closed posi~ion in FIG. 1. When closed, the panels 30 are dispose~ in a qenerally planar array in an edge overlapping manner. As 5hown in FIG. 1, there are six panels 30 although the present invention is not limited to this specific number. In order to open the folding door 20, the panels 30 are first linearly displaced outwardly toward one of the side panels. Thus, three of the panelR are drawn toward the right side frame 22, while the remaining t,hree panels are drawn toward the left side frame 24 in opening the folding door. Each of the panels 30 is pivotally coupled to and suspended from a trolley mechanism (not shown in the figure) which is described in detail below. As the panels are drawn outwardly, they undergo rotational displacement so as to assume a stacked array of generally parallel panels.
Adjacent panels 30 are coupled together by one ox more breakaway retaining straps 32. A right stile 28 i5 coupled to the right side frame 22, while a left stile (which is not shown in FIG. 1) is coupled to and supported by tha let si.de frame 24. Each of the stile~ provides support for a panel support and displacement arrangement positioned ~ithin the header assembly 26 and described in detail in the following paragraphs.
Referring to FIG 2, there is shown a part.ially exploded, upper perspective view of a ~olding door 20 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3 i5 a 1 31 2~73 perspective view of an upper por~ion of the foldlny door illustrating details of the header assembly 26 and panel support and transport arrangement. The header asembl~ 26 includes right and left front sections 26a and 26b as well as right and left end sections 26c and 26d. The right and left end sections 26c, 26d are typically disposed within or ad~acen~ to upper corners of an opening within a wall across whlch the folding door 20 span~. The right and le~t s1de frame~ 22, 24 are adapted for ~ecure coupllng at respectl~e upper ends thereof to the right and left end sections 26c, 26d of the header assembly 26. Similarly, the right and left front sect.Lons 26a, 26b are adapted for secure attachment to forward edge portions of the right and left end sections 26c, 26d of the header assembly 26 as well as to the center bracket 52.
Disposed between and coupled to each of the righ-t and left end sections 26c, 26d of the header assemhly 26 are an upper support beam 39 and a lower I-beam 38. The uppar support beam and the I-beam 38 may be coupled together by conventional means s1lch as bolts, coupling brackets, or weldment~. In addition, the st1pport beam 39 and the I beam 38 are securely coupled at respective ends thereof to the right and left end sections 26c, 26d of the header assembly 26.
Positioned aft of and ad~acen~ to the support beam 39 is an electric drive motor 40. Coupled to the drive motor 40 is a gear box 42 which, in turn, is coupled by means of a drive shaft to a drive sprocket 44 which is positioned adjacent to and!forward of the support beam 39. The shaft upon which the drive sprocket 44 i5 mounted extends through the support beam 39. Mounted to the other end of the support beam 3g in a freely rotatable mann~r by means of an idl~
13~2273 shaft i8 an idle sprocket 46. Disposed about the drive~ and idle sprockets 44, 46 is the combination of a first chain 48, a second chain 50, a first drawbar 54, and a second drawbar 56. The first chain 48 is disposed about the idle sprocket 46 and is coupled at respective ends thereof to the first and second drawbars 54, 56. Similarly, the second chaln 50 i~
dispo~ed about the drive sprocket 44 and securely coupled at respective ends thereof to the fir~t and second drawbars 54, 56. The combination of the aforementioned pairs of chains and drawbars forms an endle~s member which may be rotationally displaced by means of the drive motor 40 via the gear box 42 and drive sprocket 44. The first and second drawbar3 54, 56 are inserted through and maintained in mutual alignment by a guide block 53. Guide block 53 includes a paix of apertures therein through each of which is inserted a respective one of the drawbars. Guide block 53 is securely maintained in a fixed position and is mounted to the ~upport bar 39.
Coupled to the second drawbar 56 and dispo~ed to the right of the center bracket 52 is a right moving bracket 64. Coupled to the first drawbar 54 and disposed to the left of the center ~racket 52 is a left moving bracket 62. An upper end of the right moving bracket 54 i5 coupled to the second drawbar 56 while a lower end thereof is coupled to a trolley which engages a lower portion of the I-beam 38. Similarly, an upper end of the left moving bracket 62 is affixed to the first drawbar 54, while a trolley is at-tached to a lower end of the left moving bracket 62, with the trolley slidably engaging a lower portion of the I-beam 38. Each of the left and right moving brackets 62, 64 may be disconnected from its associated drawbar to permit the folding door to be op~ned manually without the aid of the drive motor 40. This is shown for the case of the left moving bracket 62 in FIG. 2, where ~he left moving bracket 62 has been disconnected from the first drawbar 54 and moved to the left adjacent to the second chain 50 where the threa lef-tmost panels of the folding door have been manually moved to the open, or retracted, positlon. In order to manually open the left hand section of the door, a force must be applied as shown by the arrow designated by the letter ~P~ in FIG. 3. Altarnatively, a trolley may be disconnected rom its associated moving bracket to allow the folding door to be manually opened or closed.
Also mounted to the support beam 39 on a forward surface thereof and disposed between the drive and ldle sprockets 44, 46 are open and close limit switches 58 and 60.
Each of the limit switches 58, 60 is provided with a pivoting arm which is adapted for engagement by the left moving bracket 62 as the folding door 20 is closed and opened. The open limit switch 58 detects full leftward displacement of the left moving bracket 62 indicating that the folding door 2~ is in the full open po~ition. Similarly, the close li.mit switch 60 detects full rightward displacement of the left movin~ bracket 62 indicating that the folding door 20 is in the fully closed position. Upon detection by the open limit switch 58 that the folding door is in the full open position and upon detection by-the close limit switch 60 that the folding door is in the fully closed position, an appropriate signal i~ provided~to the drive motor 40 to terminate further displacement of the folding door.
As stated above, attached to a lower portion of the left moving bracket 62 is a first trolley 63, while attached to a lower portion of the right moving bracket 64 is a second trolley 65. The first trolley 63 is coupled to and provides 1~12~73 support for a left lead, or cen~er, a.rm 36a. Similarly, the second trolley 65 is coupled to and provides support for a right lead, or center, arm 34a. Additional txolleys 66, 68 are also coupled to and suspended from the I-beam 38. In addition, the trolleys 66, 68 are coupled to and pxovlde support for right and left interm~diate arms 34b and 36b, respectiveiy. 2ach of the aforementioned trolleys is adapted for sliding displacement along a lower portion of the I-beam 38 to allow the center and intermediate ar~s to be displaced toward and away from the center of the I-beam 38. A riyht end arm 34c i~ pivotally coupled to the right end Rect~on 26c of the header assembly 26, while a left end arm 36c is pivotally coupled to and supported by the left end section 26d. The right and left end arms 34c, 36c are pivokally coupled respectively to the right and left intermediate arms 34b and 36b by respective hinge means. Similarly, the okher ends of each of ~he right and left intermediate arms 34b, 36b ars respectively coupled to the right and left lead arms 34a, 36a by hinge means. Each of the aPorementioned lntermediat2 and lead arms is free to pivot about the trolley to which it is coupled and from which it is suspended. Thus, displacement of the various trolleys along the length of the I-beam 38 permits the two sets of lead, intermediate, and end arms to be drawn toward or away from the center of an aperture across which the I-beam 38 extends. As shown in FIG. 2, a panel 30 extends from and is supported by a respective one of the lead, intermediate, and end arm~ and is~
either displaced ~cross the opening or withdrawn from the opening depending upon the dlsplacement and positioning of each of the aforementioned arms. As shown in the igures, the right and left lead arms 34a and 36a ~re angled along the length thereof to provide an off-center arranyement to 131~27~
f~cili~ate initial opening of the eolding door ancl dLsplacement of two lead panels along the I~beam 38.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a top plan vlew in simplified schematic diagram form of the ~oldinq door 20 of the present invention. While this figure as well a~ the pxeviou~ly discu~sed figure~ ~how the folding door posltioned with1n the aperture, the present invention al~o contemplate~ mounting ~he side fxame~ of the door to an outor sur~ac~ of tha wall. A~
shown in FIG. 4, each adjacent pair of arm3 are pi~otally coupled together by mean~ of a re~p~ct~ve hlnge 76. Al~o as shown in FIG. 4, each of the panels 30 ~u~pended ~rom a re.spective one of the aforementioned ~upport arms extend~ beyond the length of it~ associated arm. Thus, the width of each of the panels 30 is greater than the length of its associated arm from which it i~ su~pended in order to provide an overlapping panel arrangement when the folding door 20 is in the closed position. FIG. 4 shows the rightmost three panels 34a, 34b and 34c in the closed position across an open.ing wlthin the wall 33.
On the other hand, the three leftmost panel~ 34a, 34b and 3~c are shown in the figure in the fully retracted, or open, position. During normal operat$on, displacemen~ o~ the three right-hand panels and the three left-hand panel0 is coordinated such that both are either in the open or closed pos.itions at the same time. The arran~ement of FIG. 4 may be achieved ~y disconnecting one set of three panels from the drive chain and sprocket arrangement and man~ally displacing the thus disconnected panels or by providlng independent drive arrangement~ for the right-hand panels and the left-harld panels.
~eerrlng to FIG. 5, there are ~hown ~ddition~l de~ails o~ the drive chain arrangement used to open and clo~e the foldLng door. Full leftward dLsplacement o the left 1 ~ 1 2273 movlny bracket 62 re~ults in its engagem0nt w1th ~ trip arm 59 of the open limit swLtch 58. Pivoting dl~placement of the trip arm 59 cause~ the open limit switch 58 to send a full open signal to the drive motor (not shown ~n FIG. 5) for termlnatin~
further outward di~placement of the left mo~ing bracket 62. The open llmit switch 58 i~ mounted to ~ ~lotted ad~ustmen~ plate 74 which, in turn, i8 8ecurely attached to the support beam 39 via a pair of threaded mounting pins 61. The 810t8 within the ad~u~tment plate 74 allow its pos1tion along the length of the support beam 39 to be ad~usted as de~ired. This permits the full open position of the folding door to be ad~usted as de~lred along the lenqth of the I-beam 38. A ~imilar mounting arrangement is provided for a close limit switch 60 as shown in FIGS. 2 and.3 to permit the extent of overlap o the two center panels to be fixed as desired when the olding door is clossd and the left moving bracket 62 engages the close limit switch.
The other end of the support beam 39 i9 also providsd witll an elongated 810t 43 through which i~ inserted an idle ~haft 47 upon which the idle sprocket 46 is xotatlonally mount~d. Irhe idle ~haft ~7 i9 securely maintained in po~ition within the 510t 43 by conventional mean~ ~uch as an ad~u~tment bloc~ 72. The position of the i~le shaft 47 may be fixed along the lenqth of the slot 43 in order to provide a de~ired tension in the drive chain arr~ngement illustrated in FIG. 5.
Referring to FIGS. 6 through lO, there ~re shown various view~ of an arrangement for supporting and allowing the Iinear displacement of the variou~ panel~ 30 of the folding ~oor along the I-beam 38. A~ ~hown in ~IG. 6, the generally "C~-shaped ~upport beam 39 is dispo~ed immediately above and in contact with the I-beam 3B. The~e two members are dispo~ed within the he~der as~embly 26 and are preferably coupled together along the respective lengths thereof. ~he header assembly further includes a bottom panel 29, with a 1 31 ~273 slot disposed ketween the forward edye of the bottom panel and a forward portion of the header assembly 26. 'rhe combination of the drive motor 40 and gear box 42 is coupled to an aft portion of the suppork beam 39 by means of a mounting bracket 33 and mounting bolts. An upper clamp 80 is used to couple the right moving bracket 64 to the upper section of the ch~in drive arrangement. Similarly/ a lower clamp 82 is used to affix the left moving bracket 62 to a lower portion of the drive chain arrangement. A lower end portion of the left moving bracket 62 is coupled to a lateral portion of a trolley 70 disposed upon and suppor~ed by the I-beam 38. A similar arrangement for attaching a lower portion of the right moving bracket 64 to the I~beam by means of a trolley is provided for, although the details of this arrangement are not shown in FIG. 6 for simplicity.
The details of the structure and opera-tion of the trolley ~0 as shown in the various views of FIG. 6, 8, 9 and 10 will now be described. The trolley includes a generally U-shaped base 84 having facing end~ thereof kurned inward.
The trolley base 84 includes a generally flat center portion from which extend upward in an inclined manner the forward and aft flanges 104 and 106. The term~ "forward'l and ~'aft~
are used relative to the front and rear of the foldiny door 20 and its associated header assembly 26. A front main wheel 90 is rotationally mounted to the forward flange 104, while a rear main wheel 92 is rotationally mounted to the aft flange 106 by means of a respective mounting/pivot pln inserted through the flange. Similarly, a firsk pair of forward s1de rollers 86 and a second paix of aft side rollers 88 are rotationally mounted to respective front and aft po.rtions of the trolley's ba~e 84. Each of khe aforementioned forward and aft side rollers 86, 88 is maintained in po~ition ~y and rotates about a respective mounting/pivo-t pin inserted through the trolley's base 84. A reta.ining pin 108 is inserted through each mounting/pivot pin. Each of the forward and aft main wheels 90 and 92 is adapted to engage and ride upon a lower portion of the I-beam 38. Similarly, each pair of the forward and aft side rollers 86, 88 is adapted to engage a lower, lateral portion of the I-beam 38.
The front and rear main wheels 9O, 92 thus provide rolling support for the trolley 70 upon the I-beam 38, while the ~orward and aft pairs of side roller~ 86, 88 prevent l~taral displacement of the trolley relative to the l-beam. In this manner, the trolley 70 is prevented from becoming mi~aligned with respect to the I-beam 38 regardless of the direction or magnitude of force imposed upon the trolley. A mountin~
plate 94 attached to the forward lateral face of the trolley's base 84 includes a pair of mounting bolts 95 to facilitate secure coupling of the trolley to a lower end portion of the left moving bracket 62 as shown in FIG. 6.
The variou~ pa.irs of facing rollers described above provide the trolley with a self aligning feature by means of wh.ich the trolley is more securely and stably mounted to khe I-~eam 38.
Coupled to a lower portion of the trolley by means of the combination of a nylon bushing 96 and retaining pin 98 is a coupling bracket 100. The retaininy pin 98 permits rotational displacement of the coupling bracket 100 about the longitudinal axis of the retainin~ pin. Similarly, with the nylon bushing 96 inserted from below through an aperture within ~he coupling bracket 100, the coupling bracket is free to rotate about the nylon bushing as well a~ about the trolley 70. These two rotational degrees of freedom of the coupling bracket 100 facilitate its rotational displacement as well as that oE a folding doox panel suspended thererom about the trolley 70 and support I-beam 38. ~his fr~edom ~o rotate upon lateral displacement of the coupling brackek 10~
and support arm to which it is coupled such as in response to displacement of a panel suspended ~rom the support arm due to vehicular impact or wind pressure reduces the possibility of the trolley 70 coming off the I-beam 38 under adverse c~nditions. Inserted through the coupling bracket 100 and adapted to securely engage a support arm from which a door panel is ~u~pended are a pair of coupling pin8 102. As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling pins 102 securely attach the center arm 136 to the coupling bracket 100.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a lower portion of the center arm 36a is provided with a slot extending the length thereof. Similarly, the upper edge of each of the panels 30 is provided with a pair of retaining strips 30a on facing surfaces thereof. Each of the panels is attached to its associated support arm by insertin~ the upper ed~e of the panel in the support arm's 510t and drawin~ the panel within and along the length of the support arm. With the panel 30 extending through the slot within the support arm 36a, the pair of facing retaining strips 30a engage an lnner poxtion of the support bar and maintain the panel securely in position therein. A self-tapping screw 78 is inserted through the center arm 36a so as to engage an upper edge of the panel 30 and prevent the panel from sliding out one end of the center arm. Other means may be us0d to maintain the panel 30 securely within its associated support arm.
Each of the panels 30 is comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC~ sheeting which may be transparent, although other conventional materials may be used ~or the panels. The retaining ~ripe 30a may also be comprised of PVC and 1~
attached to ~he main panel by heat welding, or 3ealing, in combination with the application of pressurQ. Another approach for affixing the retaining strips 30a to the PVC
panel 30 may be by means of a PVC weld bead disposed between the panel and each of the retaining strips and heated to the required temperature to effect adherence. Finally, hiyh strength adhesives may bs used to affix the pair of retaining stripR 30a to the facing'~urfaces of the panel 30 ad~acent the upper edge thereof.
Re~erring to FIG. 11, there i~ shown the manner ~n which an end support arm 34c is attached to a stile 2~ which, in turn, is securely mounted to the side frame 22. As shown in FIG. 11, a mounting bracket 114 is attached tv a low~r, end portion of the I-beam 38. Coupled to and extending downward from the mounting bracket 114 is an arm pivo~ shaft 110 which i9 inserted through an aperture within and ad~acent to the end of the support arm 34c. A lower end of the arm pivot shaft 110 is coupled to the end panel 26c by means of an upper pivot bracket 112. The lower end of the arm pivot shaft 110 is ~urther inserted in an aperture in the upper end of the ~tile 28. The right end panel 26c of the header assembly is positioned upon and securely attached to the side frame 2Z. This mounting arrangement permits the end ~upport ar~ 34c to be freely rotated relative to the side frame 22 about a generally vertical axis through the stile 28. In a preferred embodiment t mounting bracket 114 is provided with a plurality of spaced slots or apertures (not shown) along i~s length to allow its position along the length of the I-beam 38 to be ad~usted as desired by inserting mounting pins 144a through a selected pair of slots or apertures. Similarly, the upper pivot bracket 112 is also provided with a plurality of spaced slots or apertures lalso not shown) 13122~
along its length to allow its position along the depth of the end panel 26c to be ad~usted as desired by inserting moun-ting pins 112a through a selected pair of slots or apertures. By adj~sting the position of the mountin~ bracket 11~ along the length of the I-beam 38 and the position of the uppex pivot bracket 112 along the depth of the end panel 26c, with the lower end of the pivot shaf~ 110 inserted in the upper end of the stil~ 28, the support arms from which the trolleys aro suspended may be allgned in a plane parallel with the I-beam with the folding door in both the open and closed positions.
Referring to FIG. 12, there i5 shown the manner in which a lower end of the s~ile 28 is pivotally coupled to an ad~acent lower end of the side fr~me 22 by means of a lower pivot bracket 116. The lower pivot bracket 116 is securely mounted to an lnner surface of the stile 22 by means of a pair of threaded mounting pins 118. An upper, cylindrically shaped portion of the lower pivot bracket 116 is adapted ~or insertion within the lower end of the stile 28. A ~lat washer 12~ dispo ed between the lower end o the stile 28 and the lower pivot bracket 116 facilitates rotational displacement of the stile with respect to the mounting bracket as well as with respect to the side frame 22. The stile 28 is provided with a slot 28a along the length thereof which is adapted to receive an edge of the outermost panel along the length thereof. A plurality of spaced, aligned apertures 28b on each side of the ~lot 28a within the stile 28 are each adapted to receive a respective mounting pin for securely attaching a door panel to the stile along the length thereof. This arrangement permits both of the outermost folding door panels as well as their associated end support arms ko be rotationally di~placed about a generally vertical axis defined by a stile.
Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown the details of a breakaway retaining strap 32 for coupling adjacent panels. The breakaway retaining strap 32 includes first and second end buttons 124 and 126 in combination with a ~lexible, elongated strap member 122 preferably comprised of a high strength material such as nylon. A first end of the strap member 122 is provided with a loop 122a, while a second end 122b of the strap member is tapered. Adjacent to the tapered end 122b of the strap member 122 is the combination of a VelcroR hook portion 132 and a VelcroR loop portion 134. The second end button 126 is provided with first and second flanges 126a and 126b having tapered distal ends to facilitate insertion of the end button through -a circular aperture within a flexible panel of the folding door. The loop end 122a of the strap member 122 is positioned between the flanges 126a and 126b. A roll pin 130 is then inserted through the flanges 126a and 126b as well as through the loop end 122a of the strap member 122. The roll pin 130 may be of the expansion or split pin type to ensure that the pin is securely retained within the flanges of the end button 126. It is in this manner that the loop end 122a of the strap member 122 may be securely coupled to a door panel by means of the second end button 126.
The first end button 124 is similarly provided with a pair of spaced flanges 124a and 124b, each of which has a beveled distal end to facilitate insertion of the end button through a circular aperture in a door panel. The flanges 124a, 124b are each provided with a respective aperture 125a, 125b through which a roll pin 128 may be inserted and securely maintained in position therein. With the roll pin 128 inserted through the apertures 125a, 125b within the flanges 124a, 124b, the tapered end 122b of the strap member "~ .
~ l 1 9 13122~
122 is inserted between the roll pin and the flat portion of the end button 124. The tapered end 122b of the strap member 122 is then wrapped around the roll pin 128 permitting the VelcroR hook portion 132 and the VelcroR loop portion 134 to be positioned in mutual engagement. The first end button 124 is thus coupled to a second end of the strap member 122. The VelcroR coupling arrangement at one end of the strap member 122 provides breakaway coupling between adjacent door panels.
Thus, upon impact of one or more door panels with a msving vehicle, the breakaway retaining strap 132 separates allowing a pair of adjacent panels to be freely displaced relative to one another and preventing either a severing of the coupling member between -the adjacent panels or damage to either of the panels.
In addition, prior art panel coupling arrangements of the nonbreakaway type have resulted in large forces being applied not only to the panels, but also to the panel support and displacement structure requiring repair and replacement of the various components in the door's header assembly. The breakaway retaining straps 32 avoid this problem by allowing adjacent, coupled door panels to be easily separated upon impact with a moving ~ehicle and to be subsequently joined in restoring the integrity of the door without expensive repair~
or the replacement of any components.
Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown an upper, front perspective view of a high speed folding door 200 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presant invention. As in the earlier described embodiment, the high speed folding door 200 of FIG. 14 includes a right side frame 202, a left side frame 204 and a header assembly 206. Disposed within the header assembly 206 are a plurality of spaced trolley and support arm combinativns (not shown) to which an upper edge of each of the panels of the high speed folding door 200 is securely attached as described below. As shown, the folding door 200 includes left inner, intermediate and end, or outer, panels 229a, 231a and 232a as well as right inner, intermediate and end panels 229b, 231b and 232b. The three panels on the right are coupled together as are the three panels on the left as shown in FIG. 14. The three right hand and three left hand sets of panels are laterally displaced toward or away from the riyht and left side frames 202, 204 by a drive arrangement (not shown) such as previously described for opening and closing the aperture defined by the aforementioned side frames and header assembly 206.
The high speed folding door 200 shown in FIG~ 14 which is described in the following paragraphs and illustrated in greater details in FIGS. 15 through 19 is particularly adapted for use where there is an extreme temperature differential between its two surfaces. Such an environment is typically encountered in covering the doorway of a freezer or in very cold climates. Seals are provided for sealing each edge of the door panels either with another adjacent panel or with an adjacent structure for environmentally isolating those areas on the opposite side of the doorway.
Referring to FIG. 15, there is shown partially in phantom a plan view of one of the door panels 229a. The door panel 229a is generally planar and rectangular in shape and is preferably comprised of a multi-layer structure as described below. While the panel herein described in detail is the le~t inner panel 229a, this description is similarly applicable to all of the panels as they differ only in their general shape.
Panel 229a may include a transparent vision panel 218 positioned therein. The vision panel 218 may be 1 3 1 227;~
comprised of a low temperature PVC material or a Lexan thermal pane. The latter construction i5 preferred for the visio~
panel 218 in that it does not have to be heated to prevent condensation at very low temperatures because of the presence of a vacuum gap disposed between facing Lexan thermal panes in the panel 229a. An elongated, semi-rigid reinforcing member 216 which may be comprised of a conventional material such as a glass fiber may be positioned within an upper portion of the panel 229a for reinforcement. The reinforcing member 216 may be sewn in place between the two facing layers forming the outer skin of the panel 229a as described below.
One or more pockets 220, 222 may be attached to an outer surface of the panel 229a. Disposed within each of the pockets 220, 222 is a respective weight 224, 226 for main-taining the panel 229a in a stretched condition so that it extends from the top to the bottom of the aperture across which the high speed folding door is positioned. Each of the pockets 220, 222 is preferably comprised of a high strength, flexible, impact resistant material such as HypalonR, while virtually any relatively heavy material, or body, may be positioned within the pockets for maintaining the panels in position with a pressure differential across the high speed Eolding door 200 such as when wind is incident upon the high speed folding door.
Attached to the lower edge of each of khe panels is a sweeper strip 228. Each sweeper strip 228 is preferably on the order of two inches wide and is comprised of 35 ounce Neoprene.
The sweeper strips 228 seal the bottom of the high speed folding door 2Q0 with the lower surface defining the lower edge of the aperture across which the folding door extends.
Attached to the inner edge of each of 2 ~ 3 the outer panels 232a and 232b as well as to the outer edge of the two inner panels 229a and 229b is a respective VelcroR
strip 230. Similarly, both edges of each of the intermediate panels 231a and 231b are each provided with a respective VelcroR strip 230. Thus, with each of the panels arranged in an overlapping manner with an immediately adjacent panel, or panels, each of the panels is coupled along its entire length to an immediately adjacent panel, or panels. Each pair of im-mediatelly adjacent VelcroR strips 230 attached such as by sewing to adjacent panels is comprised of a hook and a loop arrangement for mutual coupling between adjacent edges of the panels. Coupled VelcroR strips 230 provide a seal between immediately adjacent panels extending the full length of the panels and allow for separation of adjacent panels upon panel impact such as by a fork lift or other vehicle transiting the aperture across which the high speed folding door extends.
Portion 208a of the panel 208 to which the VelcroR strip 230 is attached such as by sewing is a single layer to facilitate assembly of the panel. The small uninsulated edge portion of the panel 208 does not appreciably affect the high insulating characteristics of the high speed folding door 200 of the present invention. It should be noted that the two inner panels 229a and 229b overlap when the door is closed but are not coupled together.
Referring to FIG. 17, there is shown the manner in which one of the outer panels 232b is attached in a sealed manner to the right side frame 202. A hinge 238 comprised of a flexible fabric is attached to the outer edge of the end panel 232a by conventional means such as heat sealing. The outer edge of the hinge 238, which extends the full length of the end panel 232b, is positioned in contact with the right .. . .
1 31 2~73 ~ide frame 202 and i~ maintained attached to the 3ide ~rame by mean~ o~ a pres~ure plate 236 which extends ~ubstantially the entire length of the hinge 238. The pressure plate 236 is preferably comprised of a high strerlgth, rigld material ~uch a~ metal and i9 securely attached to th~ outer frame 202 by conventlonal mean~ such a~ mounting screws ~not ~hown for 9$mplicity~. With one edge of the hinge 23B securely attac~ed to the outer rame 202 and it~ other edge at~ached to the end panel 232b, a~ wall as to the ~weeper 3trip 228, a continuous leak proo~ ~eal is provided at the pivot point of -the outer panel. The flaxible fabric hinge 23B elLminate~
the need to fabrlcate and in~tall a stile with it~ associated pivoting hardware and ~ubstantially simpli~ie~ installation and reduces the cost of the high speed folding door of the pre~ent invention.
Referring to FIG. 18, there is shown a ~ectional view of a portion of the panel 229a shown in FIG. 15 taken along sight line lB-18 therein. The outer layer~ 242 and 244 of the panel 229a are preferably comprised of a rugged, weather resistant, heavy fabrlc such a~ Hypalon. ~he Lnner layer 240 may be compri~ed o~ virtually any lnsulating material, with polyethylene bubble pack having a ~oil laminated to both sides wLth a minimum thicknes~ of 0.25 inch u~ed in a preferred embodiment. The outer and inner layer~ ~hould al~o preferably be compr~ed of a water vapor-resistant material which doe~ not becoms excessively rigid at low temperature~. Reflectix in~ulation i8 u~ed for the flexible insulating core layer 240 in a preferred embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 19, there i~ ~hown a ~ectional view illustrating the detail% in which each of the pan01s of - the hlgh ~peed folding door of the present inven~ion is ~u~pended and maintained in po~lt~on within the header as8embly. As previously described and as shown in variou~
figures including FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7, each of the trolley assemblies has in its lower portion a respective ~upport arm from which one of the panels of the folding door is suspended. As shown in FIG. 19, a support arm 250 is comprised o~ a generally closed structure having an inner channel 252 therein and a lower slot 254 on a lower surface thereof. Each of the support arms 250 is generally linear and elongated and engages a re~pective one of the panels ad~acent to it~ upper edge along ~ubstantially the entire width thereof. The support arms 250 are preferably comprised of a high strength material ~uch as metal.
Referring back to FI~. 15, each of the panel~ is provided with a flexible han~er 214 in the form of a loop coupled to its upper edge along the width of the panel as shown in FIG. 19. The flexible hanger 214 may be coupled to its associated panel by conventional means such as by an epoxy cement or by heat sealing. The flexible hanger 214 is preferably comprised of a high strength, flexible fabric and is inserted into the lower slot 254 in the suppork arm 250 a~
shown in FIG. 19. An insert preferably in the ~orm of ~
rubber cord 256 is then positioned within the flexible hanger 214 in a sliding manner ln order to maintain the flexible hanger positioned within and coupled to the support arm 250.
The flexible hanger 214 and the insert 256 extend over a substantial portion of tile width of the panel 229a. The combination of the flexible hanger 214 and the rubber cord insert 256 provide the panel 229a with a pivoting mounting arrangement to the support arm 250 for reducing the flexing strain on the upper portion of the panel upon impact with a moving vehicle such as a fork lift. By thus reducing the flexing strain exerted on the upper portion of each of the ~ 31 ~273 panels, panel usable lifetime i.s substantially extended and the reliability of the high ~peed folding door ie substantially increased. The flexing advantage of the panel mounting arrangQment compri~ed of the flexible hanger 214 and the rubber cord insert 256 is particularly important in low temperature applications where most conventionally used material~, even low temper~ture PVC, become extremely brittle and sub~ect to tearing and breakage.
There has thus been shown a high ~peed folding door comprised of a plura~ity of coupled, generally vertically ori~nted flexible panels. Each of the panels is pi~o~ally coupled to and supported by an overhead trolley or pivoting stile-mounted support bar. The trol~eys are displaced along the length of an overhead I-beam by means of a motor driven, endless drive chain arrangement which produces rokational a well as linear ~isplacement of each of the door panels in extending and retracting the folding door in an accordi.on-like manner. The door panel supporting trolleys are ~elf-aligning so as to prevent disengagement of the I-beam by a trolley upon displacement of a door panel by the wind or impact with a moving vehicle. Each flexible door panel is pivotally supende~ from a trolley to eliminate flexing strain on the panel when impacted which is likely to damage the panel particularly in the case of PVC panels at low temperatures. Adjacent pairs of door pane~s are coupled in a sealed mannar along the lengths thereof by breakaway means which also prevent~ damage to the door panels wh~n the door is impacted such as by a moving vehicle. Seals are attached to the bottom edges of the panels and to outer edges o~ the end panels to isolate the area~ on resp~ctive sides of the doorO An in~ulating intermediate layer may be incorporated 2~
in each panel to particularly adapt the door to low tempera~ure applications such as in a freezer.
While particular embodiments of the pre~ent invention have been ~hown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modificatlons may be made without departing fro~ t~e invention in its broader a~pects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims i 3 to co~er all such change~ and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter ~et forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawin~s i3 offered by way oP illu~tration only and not a3 a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
Backaround of the Invention Thi~ invention relates generally to folding door~
and p~rtltions and is part~cularly dlrected to a multi section, high speed, motor driven, impact-resistant: foldin~
door.
Electrlcally oper~ted folding partitions, or door~, haYing a plur~tity of Yertically oriented panels are commonly used in doorway~ to provide ~solation between two room~ or between the outside and i~side of a buildln~. Such folding partitlon~ are also frequently u3ed to divide off two or more areas of a given room. The vertically oriented panels are typically suspended from a longitudinal, horizontal track along which the panel~ are movable. The panels may be coupled together in an accordion-like manner or they may be detached from one another such as in a ~trip door. Where the panels are coupled together, they are automatlcally positiorled in a straight llne, flat arrangement when in the fully closed po8ition and are automatically moved to a folded, ~tacked configuration whe in the fully open position. Such structures are often referred to as operable walls in that they provide a moYable wall sect~on for ~pace isolation purposes.
Although not:intended to afford high impact resi~tance, the individual pan~l~ of these fol~ing door, or moving walll arrangemenfs are sometimes struck by a vehicle when in the cloRed position or when moving between the clo~ed and the open positions. Such panel impact frequently causes the panel suppnrt mechanism, i.e., a movable trolley to com~ off its support track preventiTIg furt~ler displacement of the panels. ~igh winds resulting in excessive displacemen~ of the panels may al~o gi~e rl~e to trolley binding on the support track. Misalignment betwaen the trolleys and the support track must be corrected by proper repvsitioning of the trolleys before the panels can again be moved to either the open or closed positi.on.
~mpact with a panel also frequentl~ results in panel damage requiring it~ replacement. Panel replacement Ls expensive and time con~u~ing, typically requiring removal of a mounting a~sembly which includes several brackets and nut and bolt combinations. In addition, adjacent su~pended panel3 are coupled together in a flexible manner by xopes or straps which prevent separatian of adjacent panels.
However, impact of the panels with a vehicle generally results in severance of the rope, which must then be replaced, as well as damage to the ad~acent panels which also frequently must be replaced. Moreover, such nonseparable coupling arrangements prevent manual pivoting displacement of the individual door panels ~o a~ to allow for transit through an aperture spanned by the door when power is 109t. Finally, in order to prevent trolley misalignment and panel separa~ion from its trolley~coupled mountinq arrangement, particularly where the panels are subject to vehicular impact as welL as to a wide range of environmental conditions, existing trolley and panel support installations are overly complex, expensive and difficult to install an~ maintain.
The present invention is intended to overcome the af~rementioned limitations of the prior art by providln~ a multi-panel, high speed folding door having an inexp~nsive panel suspension arrangement which facilitates individual panel i.nstallation, removal and replacement; hreakaway coupling between adjacent panels to reduce the possibility of impact damage to the panels; and insulated panels provided with top, bottom and side seals which are particularly adapted for use in low temperature environments such as in free~ers.
Ob~ects and SummarY o~ the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved multi-section folding door.
It is another object of the present invention to increase ther~r,eliability and reduce the cost of multi-section, ~e~ like folding doors.
Still another object of the present invention is to facilitate the mounting as well as to reduce the cost of installing individual panels in a multi-section folding door.
A further object of the present invention is to increase the impact resistance of a high speed, motor driven, multi-panel folding door.
- A still further object of the present invention is to provide secure coupling between adjacent panels in a multi-panel folding door while allowing adjacent panels to be easily disconnected, if desired.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-section folding door p~rticularly adapted for use in low tamperature environments such as encountered in freezers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulated panel having seals on its top, bottom and side edges for use in an impact resistant high speed ~olding door operating in a low temperature environment.
This invention contemplates a folding door comprising: first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall; a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending ;~
, .
.
' acros~ the aperture and coupled to respective upper portlons of the first and second side frames; a ~upport structure coupled to and disposed adjacent ko the header a~sembly; a plurality of trolleys coupled to and su~pended from the support structure; a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respec~ive trolley, wherein each of the support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of the support arm along a lower portion thereof; a plurality of flexible panels each having an attachment lip extending the length o~ an upper edge thsreof, wherein the att~chment lip i9 adapted for insertion in and engagement by the ~lot of a respec~ive ~upport arm in couplin~ and suspending each of the flexible panels from a respecti.ve support arm; flexible coupling means for coupling ad~acent panels to one another; and drive means coupled to -the trolleys for linearly displacing the trolleys along the support structure in opening and closing the olding door.
Brief Descript on of the Drawinqs The appended claims set forth those no~e} features which characterize the invention. However, the invention itself, as well as further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference characters identify like elements thxoughout the various figures, in which: .
FIG. 1 is an upper, front perspective view of a folding door in accordance wi~h the principles of the p~esent invention;
FIG. 2 is an upper per~pective, exploded view of a folding door in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the header and support portion of the folding door illustrated in FIGS; 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the olding doo.r of the present invention showing the right hand section of the door in the closed position and its left hand section in the open position;
FIG. 5 is a front view o the dri~ and ~upport arrangement located within the he~der portion of the folding door of the present in~ention;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the troll~y and curtain support portions of the folding door of ~.he present invention;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating details of the manner in which the individual panels, or curtains, are positioned within and supported by a support bar, or arm;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a trolley which allows for horizontal movement of the individual panels of the folding door of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken trans~erse to a folding door support beam as used in the present invention illustrating additional details of a trolley mounted to the support beam;
FIG. 10 is a lateral view of the trolley arrangemerlt illustrated in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 illustrates the manner in which an upper po~tion of the folding door is pivotally mounted to a stile;
FIG. 12 illustrates the details of the manner in .
which a lower portion of the folding door is pivotally mounted to a stile;
FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a breakaway retaining strap usPd for coupling ad~acent panels in the folding door of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is an upper, front perspective view of a preferred embodiment o the hi~h speed ~olding door of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a ~ront plan v~ew shown partially in phantom of one of the panels used in the high sp~ed ~olding door of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the door panel ~hown in FIG. lS taken along sight line 16-16 therein;
FIG. 17 is a per~pective view shown partially in phantom of a lower portion of a continuous, sealed hinge for attaching a side panel o~ the high speed folding door to an adiacent side frame;
FIG. 18 is a partial sectional view of the h.i~h speed folding door panel of FIG. 15 taken along s~ght line 18-18 therein; and FIG. 19 is a sectional view of an upper edge portion of the high folding door of the pre~ent invention illustratin~ details of the manner in which each of the panels is coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley mounted support arm.
Detailed DescrLption of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an upper, front perspective view of a high speed folding door 20 in accordance with the present invention. The ~olding door 20 inCludes right and left side frames 22, 24 as well as a header assembly 26. The header assembly 26 extends between and is coupled to respective upper end portions of the right and left side frames 22, 24. The header assembly 26 and side frames 22, 24 are typically disposed about or adjacen~ to an opening in a wall through which vehicles and workers pa8s.
131~2/3 The header assembly 26 and ~ide frames 22, 24 are pre~arably comprised of a high strength metal, but may also be fabricated from wood or plastic or other conventional construction materials which provide sufficient strength and rigidity to ~upport the folding door and various components associated therewith. Suspended from the header assembly 26 are a plural~ty of vertically oriented panels 30 which are shown in the closed posi~ion in FIG. 1. When closed, the panels 30 are dispose~ in a qenerally planar array in an edge overlapping manner. As 5hown in FIG. 1, there are six panels 30 although the present invention is not limited to this specific number. In order to open the folding door 20, the panels 30 are first linearly displaced outwardly toward one of the side panels. Thus, three of the panelR are drawn toward the right side frame 22, while the remaining t,hree panels are drawn toward the left side frame 24 in opening the folding door. Each of the panels 30 is pivotally coupled to and suspended from a trolley mechanism (not shown in the figure) which is described in detail below. As the panels are drawn outwardly, they undergo rotational displacement so as to assume a stacked array of generally parallel panels.
Adjacent panels 30 are coupled together by one ox more breakaway retaining straps 32. A right stile 28 i5 coupled to the right side frame 22, while a left stile (which is not shown in FIG. 1) is coupled to and supported by tha let si.de frame 24. Each of the stile~ provides support for a panel support and displacement arrangement positioned ~ithin the header assembly 26 and described in detail in the following paragraphs.
Referring to FIG 2, there is shown a part.ially exploded, upper perspective view of a ~olding door 20 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3 i5 a 1 31 2~73 perspective view of an upper por~ion of the foldlny door illustrating details of the header assembly 26 and panel support and transport arrangement. The header asembl~ 26 includes right and left front sections 26a and 26b as well as right and left end sections 26c and 26d. The right and left end sections 26c, 26d are typically disposed within or ad~acen~ to upper corners of an opening within a wall across whlch the folding door 20 span~. The right and le~t s1de frame~ 22, 24 are adapted for ~ecure coupllng at respectl~e upper ends thereof to the right and left end sections 26c, 26d of the header assembly 26. Similarly, the right and left front sect.Lons 26a, 26b are adapted for secure attachment to forward edge portions of the right and left end sections 26c, 26d of the header assembly 26 as well as to the center bracket 52.
Disposed between and coupled to each of the righ-t and left end sections 26c, 26d of the header assemhly 26 are an upper support beam 39 and a lower I-beam 38. The uppar support beam and the I-beam 38 may be coupled together by conventional means s1lch as bolts, coupling brackets, or weldment~. In addition, the st1pport beam 39 and the I beam 38 are securely coupled at respective ends thereof to the right and left end sections 26c, 26d of the header assembly 26.
Positioned aft of and ad~acen~ to the support beam 39 is an electric drive motor 40. Coupled to the drive motor 40 is a gear box 42 which, in turn, is coupled by means of a drive shaft to a drive sprocket 44 which is positioned adjacent to and!forward of the support beam 39. The shaft upon which the drive sprocket 44 i5 mounted extends through the support beam 39. Mounted to the other end of the support beam 3g in a freely rotatable mann~r by means of an idl~
13~2273 shaft i8 an idle sprocket 46. Disposed about the drive~ and idle sprockets 44, 46 is the combination of a first chain 48, a second chain 50, a first drawbar 54, and a second drawbar 56. The first chain 48 is disposed about the idle sprocket 46 and is coupled at respective ends thereof to the first and second drawbars 54, 56. Similarly, the second chaln 50 i~
dispo~ed about the drive sprocket 44 and securely coupled at respective ends thereof to the fir~t and second drawbars 54, 56. The combination of the aforementioned pairs of chains and drawbars forms an endle~s member which may be rotationally displaced by means of the drive motor 40 via the gear box 42 and drive sprocket 44. The first and second drawbar3 54, 56 are inserted through and maintained in mutual alignment by a guide block 53. Guide block 53 includes a paix of apertures therein through each of which is inserted a respective one of the drawbars. Guide block 53 is securely maintained in a fixed position and is mounted to the ~upport bar 39.
Coupled to the second drawbar 56 and dispo~ed to the right of the center bracket 52 is a right moving bracket 64. Coupled to the first drawbar 54 and disposed to the left of the center ~racket 52 is a left moving bracket 62. An upper end of the right moving bracket 54 i5 coupled to the second drawbar 56 while a lower end thereof is coupled to a trolley which engages a lower portion of the I-beam 38. Similarly, an upper end of the left moving bracket 62 is affixed to the first drawbar 54, while a trolley is at-tached to a lower end of the left moving bracket 62, with the trolley slidably engaging a lower portion of the I-beam 38. Each of the left and right moving brackets 62, 64 may be disconnected from its associated drawbar to permit the folding door to be op~ned manually without the aid of the drive motor 40. This is shown for the case of the left moving bracket 62 in FIG. 2, where ~he left moving bracket 62 has been disconnected from the first drawbar 54 and moved to the left adjacent to the second chain 50 where the threa lef-tmost panels of the folding door have been manually moved to the open, or retracted, positlon. In order to manually open the left hand section of the door, a force must be applied as shown by the arrow designated by the letter ~P~ in FIG. 3. Altarnatively, a trolley may be disconnected rom its associated moving bracket to allow the folding door to be manually opened or closed.
Also mounted to the support beam 39 on a forward surface thereof and disposed between the drive and ldle sprockets 44, 46 are open and close limit switches 58 and 60.
Each of the limit switches 58, 60 is provided with a pivoting arm which is adapted for engagement by the left moving bracket 62 as the folding door 20 is closed and opened. The open limit switch 58 detects full leftward displacement of the left moving bracket 62 indicating that the folding door 2~ is in the full open po~ition. Similarly, the close li.mit switch 60 detects full rightward displacement of the left movin~ bracket 62 indicating that the folding door 20 is in the fully closed position. Upon detection by the open limit switch 58 that the folding door is in the full open position and upon detection by-the close limit switch 60 that the folding door is in the fully closed position, an appropriate signal i~ provided~to the drive motor 40 to terminate further displacement of the folding door.
As stated above, attached to a lower portion of the left moving bracket 62 is a first trolley 63, while attached to a lower portion of the right moving bracket 64 is a second trolley 65. The first trolley 63 is coupled to and provides 1~12~73 support for a left lead, or cen~er, a.rm 36a. Similarly, the second trolley 65 is coupled to and provides support for a right lead, or center, arm 34a. Additional txolleys 66, 68 are also coupled to and suspended from the I-beam 38. In addition, the trolleys 66, 68 are coupled to and pxovlde support for right and left interm~diate arms 34b and 36b, respectiveiy. 2ach of the aforementioned trolleys is adapted for sliding displacement along a lower portion of the I-beam 38 to allow the center and intermediate ar~s to be displaced toward and away from the center of the I-beam 38. A riyht end arm 34c i~ pivotally coupled to the right end Rect~on 26c of the header assembly 26, while a left end arm 36c is pivotally coupled to and supported by the left end section 26d. The right and left end arms 34c, 36c are pivokally coupled respectively to the right and left intermediate arms 34b and 36b by respective hinge means. Similarly, the okher ends of each of ~he right and left intermediate arms 34b, 36b ars respectively coupled to the right and left lead arms 34a, 36a by hinge means. Each of the aPorementioned lntermediat2 and lead arms is free to pivot about the trolley to which it is coupled and from which it is suspended. Thus, displacement of the various trolleys along the length of the I-beam 38 permits the two sets of lead, intermediate, and end arms to be drawn toward or away from the center of an aperture across which the I-beam 38 extends. As shown in FIG. 2, a panel 30 extends from and is supported by a respective one of the lead, intermediate, and end arm~ and is~
either displaced ~cross the opening or withdrawn from the opening depending upon the dlsplacement and positioning of each of the aforementioned arms. As shown in the igures, the right and left lead arms 34a and 36a ~re angled along the length thereof to provide an off-center arranyement to 131~27~
f~cili~ate initial opening of the eolding door ancl dLsplacement of two lead panels along the I~beam 38.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a top plan vlew in simplified schematic diagram form of the ~oldinq door 20 of the present invention. While this figure as well a~ the pxeviou~ly discu~sed figure~ ~how the folding door posltioned with1n the aperture, the present invention al~o contemplate~ mounting ~he side fxame~ of the door to an outor sur~ac~ of tha wall. A~
shown in FIG. 4, each adjacent pair of arm3 are pi~otally coupled together by mean~ of a re~p~ct~ve hlnge 76. Al~o as shown in FIG. 4, each of the panels 30 ~u~pended ~rom a re.spective one of the aforementioned ~upport arms extend~ beyond the length of it~ associated arm. Thus, the width of each of the panels 30 is greater than the length of its associated arm from which it i~ su~pended in order to provide an overlapping panel arrangement when the folding door 20 is in the closed position. FIG. 4 shows the rightmost three panels 34a, 34b and 34c in the closed position across an open.ing wlthin the wall 33.
On the other hand, the three leftmost panel~ 34a, 34b and 3~c are shown in the figure in the fully retracted, or open, position. During normal operat$on, displacemen~ o~ the three right-hand panels and the three left-hand panel0 is coordinated such that both are either in the open or closed pos.itions at the same time. The arran~ement of FIG. 4 may be achieved ~y disconnecting one set of three panels from the drive chain and sprocket arrangement and man~ally displacing the thus disconnected panels or by providlng independent drive arrangement~ for the right-hand panels and the left-harld panels.
~eerrlng to FIG. 5, there are ~hown ~ddition~l de~ails o~ the drive chain arrangement used to open and clo~e the foldLng door. Full leftward dLsplacement o the left 1 ~ 1 2273 movlny bracket 62 re~ults in its engagem0nt w1th ~ trip arm 59 of the open limit swLtch 58. Pivoting dl~placement of the trip arm 59 cause~ the open limit switch 58 to send a full open signal to the drive motor (not shown ~n FIG. 5) for termlnatin~
further outward di~placement of the left mo~ing bracket 62. The open llmit switch 58 i~ mounted to ~ ~lotted ad~ustmen~ plate 74 which, in turn, i8 8ecurely attached to the support beam 39 via a pair of threaded mounting pins 61. The 810t8 within the ad~u~tment plate 74 allow its pos1tion along the length of the support beam 39 to be ad~usted as de~ired. This permits the full open position of the folding door to be ad~usted as de~lred along the lenqth of the I-beam 38. A ~imilar mounting arrangement is provided for a close limit switch 60 as shown in FIGS. 2 and.3 to permit the extent of overlap o the two center panels to be fixed as desired when the olding door is clossd and the left moving bracket 62 engages the close limit switch.
The other end of the support beam 39 i9 also providsd witll an elongated 810t 43 through which i~ inserted an idle ~haft 47 upon which the idle sprocket 46 is xotatlonally mount~d. Irhe idle ~haft ~7 i9 securely maintained in po~ition within the 510t 43 by conventional mean~ ~uch as an ad~u~tment bloc~ 72. The position of the i~le shaft 47 may be fixed along the lenqth of the slot 43 in order to provide a de~ired tension in the drive chain arr~ngement illustrated in FIG. 5.
Referring to FIGS. 6 through lO, there ~re shown various view~ of an arrangement for supporting and allowing the Iinear displacement of the variou~ panel~ 30 of the folding ~oor along the I-beam 38. A~ ~hown in ~IG. 6, the generally "C~-shaped ~upport beam 39 is dispo~ed immediately above and in contact with the I-beam 3B. The~e two members are dispo~ed within the he~der as~embly 26 and are preferably coupled together along the respective lengths thereof. ~he header assembly further includes a bottom panel 29, with a 1 31 ~273 slot disposed ketween the forward edye of the bottom panel and a forward portion of the header assembly 26. 'rhe combination of the drive motor 40 and gear box 42 is coupled to an aft portion of the suppork beam 39 by means of a mounting bracket 33 and mounting bolts. An upper clamp 80 is used to couple the right moving bracket 64 to the upper section of the ch~in drive arrangement. Similarly/ a lower clamp 82 is used to affix the left moving bracket 62 to a lower portion of the drive chain arrangement. A lower end portion of the left moving bracket 62 is coupled to a lateral portion of a trolley 70 disposed upon and suppor~ed by the I-beam 38. A similar arrangement for attaching a lower portion of the right moving bracket 64 to the I~beam by means of a trolley is provided for, although the details of this arrangement are not shown in FIG. 6 for simplicity.
The details of the structure and opera-tion of the trolley ~0 as shown in the various views of FIG. 6, 8, 9 and 10 will now be described. The trolley includes a generally U-shaped base 84 having facing end~ thereof kurned inward.
The trolley base 84 includes a generally flat center portion from which extend upward in an inclined manner the forward and aft flanges 104 and 106. The term~ "forward'l and ~'aft~
are used relative to the front and rear of the foldiny door 20 and its associated header assembly 26. A front main wheel 90 is rotationally mounted to the forward flange 104, while a rear main wheel 92 is rotationally mounted to the aft flange 106 by means of a respective mounting/pivot pln inserted through the flange. Similarly, a firsk pair of forward s1de rollers 86 and a second paix of aft side rollers 88 are rotationally mounted to respective front and aft po.rtions of the trolley's ba~e 84. Each of khe aforementioned forward and aft side rollers 86, 88 is maintained in po~ition ~y and rotates about a respective mounting/pivo-t pin inserted through the trolley's base 84. A reta.ining pin 108 is inserted through each mounting/pivot pin. Each of the forward and aft main wheels 90 and 92 is adapted to engage and ride upon a lower portion of the I-beam 38. Similarly, each pair of the forward and aft side rollers 86, 88 is adapted to engage a lower, lateral portion of the I-beam 38.
The front and rear main wheels 9O, 92 thus provide rolling support for the trolley 70 upon the I-beam 38, while the ~orward and aft pairs of side roller~ 86, 88 prevent l~taral displacement of the trolley relative to the l-beam. In this manner, the trolley 70 is prevented from becoming mi~aligned with respect to the I-beam 38 regardless of the direction or magnitude of force imposed upon the trolley. A mountin~
plate 94 attached to the forward lateral face of the trolley's base 84 includes a pair of mounting bolts 95 to facilitate secure coupling of the trolley to a lower end portion of the left moving bracket 62 as shown in FIG. 6.
The variou~ pa.irs of facing rollers described above provide the trolley with a self aligning feature by means of wh.ich the trolley is more securely and stably mounted to khe I-~eam 38.
Coupled to a lower portion of the trolley by means of the combination of a nylon bushing 96 and retaining pin 98 is a coupling bracket 100. The retaininy pin 98 permits rotational displacement of the coupling bracket 100 about the longitudinal axis of the retainin~ pin. Similarly, with the nylon bushing 96 inserted from below through an aperture within ~he coupling bracket 100, the coupling bracket is free to rotate about the nylon bushing as well a~ about the trolley 70. These two rotational degrees of freedom of the coupling bracket 100 facilitate its rotational displacement as well as that oE a folding doox panel suspended thererom about the trolley 70 and support I-beam 38. ~his fr~edom ~o rotate upon lateral displacement of the coupling brackek 10~
and support arm to which it is coupled such as in response to displacement of a panel suspended ~rom the support arm due to vehicular impact or wind pressure reduces the possibility of the trolley 70 coming off the I-beam 38 under adverse c~nditions. Inserted through the coupling bracket 100 and adapted to securely engage a support arm from which a door panel is ~u~pended are a pair of coupling pin8 102. As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling pins 102 securely attach the center arm 136 to the coupling bracket 100.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a lower portion of the center arm 36a is provided with a slot extending the length thereof. Similarly, the upper edge of each of the panels 30 is provided with a pair of retaining strips 30a on facing surfaces thereof. Each of the panels is attached to its associated support arm by insertin~ the upper ed~e of the panel in the support arm's 510t and drawin~ the panel within and along the length of the support arm. With the panel 30 extending through the slot within the support arm 36a, the pair of facing retaining strips 30a engage an lnner poxtion of the support bar and maintain the panel securely in position therein. A self-tapping screw 78 is inserted through the center arm 36a so as to engage an upper edge of the panel 30 and prevent the panel from sliding out one end of the center arm. Other means may be us0d to maintain the panel 30 securely within its associated support arm.
Each of the panels 30 is comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC~ sheeting which may be transparent, although other conventional materials may be used ~or the panels. The retaining ~ripe 30a may also be comprised of PVC and 1~
attached to ~he main panel by heat welding, or 3ealing, in combination with the application of pressurQ. Another approach for affixing the retaining strips 30a to the PVC
panel 30 may be by means of a PVC weld bead disposed between the panel and each of the retaining strips and heated to the required temperature to effect adherence. Finally, hiyh strength adhesives may bs used to affix the pair of retaining stripR 30a to the facing'~urfaces of the panel 30 ad~acent the upper edge thereof.
Re~erring to FIG. 11, there i~ shown the manner ~n which an end support arm 34c is attached to a stile 2~ which, in turn, is securely mounted to the side frame 22. As shown in FIG. 11, a mounting bracket 114 is attached tv a low~r, end portion of the I-beam 38. Coupled to and extending downward from the mounting bracket 114 is an arm pivo~ shaft 110 which i9 inserted through an aperture within and ad~acent to the end of the support arm 34c. A lower end of the arm pivot shaft 110 is coupled to the end panel 26c by means of an upper pivot bracket 112. The lower end of the arm pivot shaft 110 is ~urther inserted in an aperture in the upper end of the ~tile 28. The right end panel 26c of the header assembly is positioned upon and securely attached to the side frame 2Z. This mounting arrangement permits the end ~upport ar~ 34c to be freely rotated relative to the side frame 22 about a generally vertical axis through the stile 28. In a preferred embodiment t mounting bracket 114 is provided with a plurality of spaced slots or apertures (not shown) along i~s length to allow its position along the length of the I-beam 38 to be ad~usted as desired by inserting mounting pins 144a through a selected pair of slots or apertures. Similarly, the upper pivot bracket 112 is also provided with a plurality of spaced slots or apertures lalso not shown) 13122~
along its length to allow its position along the depth of the end panel 26c to be ad~usted as desired by inserting moun-ting pins 112a through a selected pair of slots or apertures. By adj~sting the position of the mountin~ bracket 11~ along the length of the I-beam 38 and the position of the uppex pivot bracket 112 along the depth of the end panel 26c, with the lower end of the pivot shaf~ 110 inserted in the upper end of the stil~ 28, the support arms from which the trolleys aro suspended may be allgned in a plane parallel with the I-beam with the folding door in both the open and closed positions.
Referring to FIG. 12, there i5 shown the manner in which a lower end of the s~ile 28 is pivotally coupled to an ad~acent lower end of the side fr~me 22 by means of a lower pivot bracket 116. The lower pivot bracket 116 is securely mounted to an lnner surface of the stile 22 by means of a pair of threaded mounting pins 118. An upper, cylindrically shaped portion of the lower pivot bracket 116 is adapted ~or insertion within the lower end of the stile 28. A ~lat washer 12~ dispo ed between the lower end o the stile 28 and the lower pivot bracket 116 facilitates rotational displacement of the stile with respect to the mounting bracket as well as with respect to the side frame 22. The stile 28 is provided with a slot 28a along the length thereof which is adapted to receive an edge of the outermost panel along the length thereof. A plurality of spaced, aligned apertures 28b on each side of the ~lot 28a within the stile 28 are each adapted to receive a respective mounting pin for securely attaching a door panel to the stile along the length thereof. This arrangement permits both of the outermost folding door panels as well as their associated end support arms ko be rotationally di~placed about a generally vertical axis defined by a stile.
Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown the details of a breakaway retaining strap 32 for coupling adjacent panels. The breakaway retaining strap 32 includes first and second end buttons 124 and 126 in combination with a ~lexible, elongated strap member 122 preferably comprised of a high strength material such as nylon. A first end of the strap member 122 is provided with a loop 122a, while a second end 122b of the strap member is tapered. Adjacent to the tapered end 122b of the strap member 122 is the combination of a VelcroR hook portion 132 and a VelcroR loop portion 134. The second end button 126 is provided with first and second flanges 126a and 126b having tapered distal ends to facilitate insertion of the end button through -a circular aperture within a flexible panel of the folding door. The loop end 122a of the strap member 122 is positioned between the flanges 126a and 126b. A roll pin 130 is then inserted through the flanges 126a and 126b as well as through the loop end 122a of the strap member 122. The roll pin 130 may be of the expansion or split pin type to ensure that the pin is securely retained within the flanges of the end button 126. It is in this manner that the loop end 122a of the strap member 122 may be securely coupled to a door panel by means of the second end button 126.
The first end button 124 is similarly provided with a pair of spaced flanges 124a and 124b, each of which has a beveled distal end to facilitate insertion of the end button through a circular aperture in a door panel. The flanges 124a, 124b are each provided with a respective aperture 125a, 125b through which a roll pin 128 may be inserted and securely maintained in position therein. With the roll pin 128 inserted through the apertures 125a, 125b within the flanges 124a, 124b, the tapered end 122b of the strap member "~ .
~ l 1 9 13122~
122 is inserted between the roll pin and the flat portion of the end button 124. The tapered end 122b of the strap member 122 is then wrapped around the roll pin 128 permitting the VelcroR hook portion 132 and the VelcroR loop portion 134 to be positioned in mutual engagement. The first end button 124 is thus coupled to a second end of the strap member 122. The VelcroR coupling arrangement at one end of the strap member 122 provides breakaway coupling between adjacent door panels.
Thus, upon impact of one or more door panels with a msving vehicle, the breakaway retaining strap 132 separates allowing a pair of adjacent panels to be freely displaced relative to one another and preventing either a severing of the coupling member between -the adjacent panels or damage to either of the panels.
In addition, prior art panel coupling arrangements of the nonbreakaway type have resulted in large forces being applied not only to the panels, but also to the panel support and displacement structure requiring repair and replacement of the various components in the door's header assembly. The breakaway retaining straps 32 avoid this problem by allowing adjacent, coupled door panels to be easily separated upon impact with a moving ~ehicle and to be subsequently joined in restoring the integrity of the door without expensive repair~
or the replacement of any components.
Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown an upper, front perspective view of a high speed folding door 200 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presant invention. As in the earlier described embodiment, the high speed folding door 200 of FIG. 14 includes a right side frame 202, a left side frame 204 and a header assembly 206. Disposed within the header assembly 206 are a plurality of spaced trolley and support arm combinativns (not shown) to which an upper edge of each of the panels of the high speed folding door 200 is securely attached as described below. As shown, the folding door 200 includes left inner, intermediate and end, or outer, panels 229a, 231a and 232a as well as right inner, intermediate and end panels 229b, 231b and 232b. The three panels on the right are coupled together as are the three panels on the left as shown in FIG. 14. The three right hand and three left hand sets of panels are laterally displaced toward or away from the riyht and left side frames 202, 204 by a drive arrangement (not shown) such as previously described for opening and closing the aperture defined by the aforementioned side frames and header assembly 206.
The high speed folding door 200 shown in FIG~ 14 which is described in the following paragraphs and illustrated in greater details in FIGS. 15 through 19 is particularly adapted for use where there is an extreme temperature differential between its two surfaces. Such an environment is typically encountered in covering the doorway of a freezer or in very cold climates. Seals are provided for sealing each edge of the door panels either with another adjacent panel or with an adjacent structure for environmentally isolating those areas on the opposite side of the doorway.
Referring to FIG. 15, there is shown partially in phantom a plan view of one of the door panels 229a. The door panel 229a is generally planar and rectangular in shape and is preferably comprised of a multi-layer structure as described below. While the panel herein described in detail is the le~t inner panel 229a, this description is similarly applicable to all of the panels as they differ only in their general shape.
Panel 229a may include a transparent vision panel 218 positioned therein. The vision panel 218 may be 1 3 1 227;~
comprised of a low temperature PVC material or a Lexan thermal pane. The latter construction i5 preferred for the visio~
panel 218 in that it does not have to be heated to prevent condensation at very low temperatures because of the presence of a vacuum gap disposed between facing Lexan thermal panes in the panel 229a. An elongated, semi-rigid reinforcing member 216 which may be comprised of a conventional material such as a glass fiber may be positioned within an upper portion of the panel 229a for reinforcement. The reinforcing member 216 may be sewn in place between the two facing layers forming the outer skin of the panel 229a as described below.
One or more pockets 220, 222 may be attached to an outer surface of the panel 229a. Disposed within each of the pockets 220, 222 is a respective weight 224, 226 for main-taining the panel 229a in a stretched condition so that it extends from the top to the bottom of the aperture across which the high speed folding door is positioned. Each of the pockets 220, 222 is preferably comprised of a high strength, flexible, impact resistant material such as HypalonR, while virtually any relatively heavy material, or body, may be positioned within the pockets for maintaining the panels in position with a pressure differential across the high speed Eolding door 200 such as when wind is incident upon the high speed folding door.
Attached to the lower edge of each of khe panels is a sweeper strip 228. Each sweeper strip 228 is preferably on the order of two inches wide and is comprised of 35 ounce Neoprene.
The sweeper strips 228 seal the bottom of the high speed folding door 2Q0 with the lower surface defining the lower edge of the aperture across which the folding door extends.
Attached to the inner edge of each of 2 ~ 3 the outer panels 232a and 232b as well as to the outer edge of the two inner panels 229a and 229b is a respective VelcroR
strip 230. Similarly, both edges of each of the intermediate panels 231a and 231b are each provided with a respective VelcroR strip 230. Thus, with each of the panels arranged in an overlapping manner with an immediately adjacent panel, or panels, each of the panels is coupled along its entire length to an immediately adjacent panel, or panels. Each pair of im-mediatelly adjacent VelcroR strips 230 attached such as by sewing to adjacent panels is comprised of a hook and a loop arrangement for mutual coupling between adjacent edges of the panels. Coupled VelcroR strips 230 provide a seal between immediately adjacent panels extending the full length of the panels and allow for separation of adjacent panels upon panel impact such as by a fork lift or other vehicle transiting the aperture across which the high speed folding door extends.
Portion 208a of the panel 208 to which the VelcroR strip 230 is attached such as by sewing is a single layer to facilitate assembly of the panel. The small uninsulated edge portion of the panel 208 does not appreciably affect the high insulating characteristics of the high speed folding door 200 of the present invention. It should be noted that the two inner panels 229a and 229b overlap when the door is closed but are not coupled together.
Referring to FIG. 17, there is shown the manner in which one of the outer panels 232b is attached in a sealed manner to the right side frame 202. A hinge 238 comprised of a flexible fabric is attached to the outer edge of the end panel 232a by conventional means such as heat sealing. The outer edge of the hinge 238, which extends the full length of the end panel 232b, is positioned in contact with the right .. . .
1 31 2~73 ~ide frame 202 and i~ maintained attached to the 3ide ~rame by mean~ o~ a pres~ure plate 236 which extends ~ubstantially the entire length of the hinge 238. The pressure plate 236 is preferably comprised of a high strerlgth, rigld material ~uch a~ metal and i9 securely attached to th~ outer frame 202 by conventlonal mean~ such a~ mounting screws ~not ~hown for 9$mplicity~. With one edge of the hinge 23B securely attac~ed to the outer rame 202 and it~ other edge at~ached to the end panel 232b, a~ wall as to the ~weeper 3trip 228, a continuous leak proo~ ~eal is provided at the pivot point of -the outer panel. The flaxible fabric hinge 23B elLminate~
the need to fabrlcate and in~tall a stile with it~ associated pivoting hardware and ~ubstantially simpli~ie~ installation and reduces the cost of the high speed folding door of the pre~ent invention.
Referring to FIG. 18, there is shown a ~ectional view of a portion of the panel 229a shown in FIG. 15 taken along sight line lB-18 therein. The outer layer~ 242 and 244 of the panel 229a are preferably comprised of a rugged, weather resistant, heavy fabrlc such a~ Hypalon. ~he Lnner layer 240 may be compri~ed o~ virtually any lnsulating material, with polyethylene bubble pack having a ~oil laminated to both sides wLth a minimum thicknes~ of 0.25 inch u~ed in a preferred embodiment. The outer and inner layer~ ~hould al~o preferably be compr~ed of a water vapor-resistant material which doe~ not becoms excessively rigid at low temperature~. Reflectix in~ulation i8 u~ed for the flexible insulating core layer 240 in a preferred embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 19, there i~ ~hown a ~ectional view illustrating the detail% in which each of the pan01s of - the hlgh ~peed folding door of the present inven~ion is ~u~pended and maintained in po~lt~on within the header as8embly. As previously described and as shown in variou~
figures including FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7, each of the trolley assemblies has in its lower portion a respective ~upport arm from which one of the panels of the folding door is suspended. As shown in FIG. 19, a support arm 250 is comprised o~ a generally closed structure having an inner channel 252 therein and a lower slot 254 on a lower surface thereof. Each of the support arms 250 is generally linear and elongated and engages a re~pective one of the panels ad~acent to it~ upper edge along ~ubstantially the entire width thereof. The support arms 250 are preferably comprised of a high strength material ~uch as metal.
Referring back to FI~. 15, each of the panel~ is provided with a flexible han~er 214 in the form of a loop coupled to its upper edge along the width of the panel as shown in FIG. 19. The flexible hanger 214 may be coupled to its associated panel by conventional means such as by an epoxy cement or by heat sealing. The flexible hanger 214 is preferably comprised of a high strength, flexible fabric and is inserted into the lower slot 254 in the suppork arm 250 a~
shown in FIG. 19. An insert preferably in the ~orm of ~
rubber cord 256 is then positioned within the flexible hanger 214 in a sliding manner ln order to maintain the flexible hanger positioned within and coupled to the support arm 250.
The flexible hanger 214 and the insert 256 extend over a substantial portion of tile width of the panel 229a. The combination of the flexible hanger 214 and the rubber cord insert 256 provide the panel 229a with a pivoting mounting arrangement to the support arm 250 for reducing the flexing strain on the upper portion of the panel upon impact with a moving vehicle such as a fork lift. By thus reducing the flexing strain exerted on the upper portion of each of the ~ 31 ~273 panels, panel usable lifetime i.s substantially extended and the reliability of the high ~peed folding door ie substantially increased. The flexing advantage of the panel mounting arrangQment compri~ed of the flexible hanger 214 and the rubber cord insert 256 is particularly important in low temperature applications where most conventionally used material~, even low temper~ture PVC, become extremely brittle and sub~ect to tearing and breakage.
There has thus been shown a high ~peed folding door comprised of a plura~ity of coupled, generally vertically ori~nted flexible panels. Each of the panels is pi~o~ally coupled to and supported by an overhead trolley or pivoting stile-mounted support bar. The trol~eys are displaced along the length of an overhead I-beam by means of a motor driven, endless drive chain arrangement which produces rokational a well as linear ~isplacement of each of the door panels in extending and retracting the folding door in an accordi.on-like manner. The door panel supporting trolleys are ~elf-aligning so as to prevent disengagement of the I-beam by a trolley upon displacement of a door panel by the wind or impact with a moving vehicle. Each flexible door panel is pivotally supende~ from a trolley to eliminate flexing strain on the panel when impacted which is likely to damage the panel particularly in the case of PVC panels at low temperatures. Adjacent pairs of door pane~s are coupled in a sealed mannar along the lengths thereof by breakaway means which also prevent~ damage to the door panels wh~n the door is impacted such as by a moving vehicle. Seals are attached to the bottom edges of the panels and to outer edges o~ the end panels to isolate the area~ on resp~ctive sides of the doorO An in~ulating intermediate layer may be incorporated 2~
in each panel to particularly adapt the door to low tempera~ure applications such as in a freezer.
While particular embodiments of the pre~ent invention have been ~hown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modificatlons may be made without departing fro~ t~e invention in its broader a~pects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims i 3 to co~er all such change~ and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter ~et forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawin~s i3 offered by way oP illu~tration only and not a3 a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
Claims (21)
1. A folding door comprising:
first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall;
a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames;
a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly;
a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure;
a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley, wherein each of said support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of said support arm along a lower portion thereof;
a plurality of flexible panels;
a plurality of flexible hanger means for attaching each of said flexible panels to a respective one of said support arms, wherein each of said flexible hanger means is disposed within a support arm and extends through the elongated slot therein and is securely coupled to an upper edge of a flexible panel, and wherein each of said hanger means includes a flexible loop coupled to opposed surfaces of a panel adjacent an upper edge thereof and extending into a support arm through the slot therein, said hanger means further including an elongated member disposed within said support arm and inserted through said flexible loop;
breakaway coupling means for coupling two panels in a sealed, continuous manner along adjacent edges thereof while allowing two coupled panels to be detached from one another when subjected to large forces incident thereon; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.
first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall;
a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames;
a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly;
a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure;
a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley, wherein each of said support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of said support arm along a lower portion thereof;
a plurality of flexible panels;
a plurality of flexible hanger means for attaching each of said flexible panels to a respective one of said support arms, wherein each of said flexible hanger means is disposed within a support arm and extends through the elongated slot therein and is securely coupled to an upper edge of a flexible panel, and wherein each of said hanger means includes a flexible loop coupled to opposed surfaces of a panel adjacent an upper edge thereof and extending into a support arm through the slot therein, said hanger means further including an elongated member disposed within said support arm and inserted through said flexible loop;
breakaway coupling means for coupling two panels in a sealed, continuous manner along adjacent edges thereof while allowing two coupled panels to be detached from one another when subjected to large forces incident thereon; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.
2. The folding door of claim 1 wherein said flexible loop is comprised of fabric.
3. The folding door of claim 2 wherein each of said panels is comprised of PVC with each of said flexible fabric loops coupled to its associated panel by heat sealing means.
4. The folding door of claim 3 wherein said elongated member is comprised of a hard material having a cylindrical shaped.
5. The folding door of claim 4 wherein said elongated member is comprised of a hard rubber cord.
6. The folding door of claim 1 wherein adjacent panels are arranged in an edge overlapping manner and wherein said breakaway coupling means includes a pair of complementary, mutually engaging strips each disposed on a respective overlapping edge of adjacent panels.
7. The folding door of claim 6 wherein said strips include a quick release Velcro coupler.
8. The folding door of claim 7 wherein said Velcro coupler strips extend substantially the entire length of a panel.
9. A folding door for use in a high-temperature or low-temperature environment in environmentally isolating areas disposed on respective opposed sides of the folding door, said door comprising:
first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall;
a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of an extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames;
a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly;
a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure;
a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley, wherein each of said support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of said support arm along a lower portion thereof;
a plurality of flexible panels each having an insulating layer for use in a high or low temperature environment;
flexible mounting means disposed within each of said support arms and extending through a respective slot therein for attaching a panel to a support arm;
quick release coupling means for coupling adjacent panels to one another in a continuous, sealed manner substantially along the entire lengths of said panels; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.
first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall;
a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of an extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames;
a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly;
a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure;
a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley, wherein each of said support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of said support arm along a lower portion thereof;
a plurality of flexible panels each having an insulating layer for use in a high or low temperature environment;
flexible mounting means disposed within each of said support arms and extending through a respective slot therein for attaching a panel to a support arm;
quick release coupling means for coupling adjacent panels to one another in a continuous, sealed manner substantially along the entire lengths of said panels; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.
10. The folding door of claim 9 wherein each of said panels includes a pair of facing outer fabric layers and an insulating layer disposed therebetween.
11. The folding door of claim 10 wherein each of said fabric layers is comprised of hypalon.
12. The folding door of claim 10 wherein said insulating layer is comprised of a bubble pack having a reflective foil skin disposed on opposed surfaces thereof.
13. The folding door of claim 12 wherein said bubble pack is comprised of polyethylene and said foil skin is comprised of aluminum.
14. The folding door of claim 9 further comprising a bottom sweep disposed on a bottom edge of each of said panels for sealing a panel bottom edge with a lower portion of the opening in the wall.
15. The folding door of claim 14 wherein each of said bottom sweeps is comprised of a wear resistant material which is sewn to a bottom edge of a panel.
16. A folding door comprising:
first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall;
a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames;
a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly;
a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure;
a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from respective trolley;
a plurality of flexible panels each coupled to and suspended from a respective one of said support arms by said mounting portion of its associated mounting means, said panels including first and second counter panels respectively disposed adjacent to said first and second side frames;
first and second hinge means respectively disposed between and coupling said first and outer panel to said first side frame and said second outer panel to said first side frame and said second outer panel to said second side frame and for providing a continuous, flexible seal between each outer panel and its associated side frame; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.
first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall;
a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames;
a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly;
a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure;
a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from respective trolley;
a plurality of flexible panels each coupled to and suspended from a respective one of said support arms by said mounting portion of its associated mounting means, said panels including first and second counter panels respectively disposed adjacent to said first and second side frames;
first and second hinge means respectively disposed between and coupling said first and outer panel to said first side frame and said second outer panel to said first side frame and said second outer panel to said second side frame and for providing a continuous, flexible seal between each outer panel and its associated side frame; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.
17. The folding door of claim 16 further comprising a coupling means for coupling adjacent panels to one another in a continuous, sealed manner along adjacent edges thereof.
18. The folding door of claim 17 wherein each of said support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of said support arm along a lower portion thereof and further comprising flexible mounting means disposed within each of said support arms and having a mounting portion extending through a respective slot therein.
19. The folding door of claim 16 wherein each of said first and second hinge means is comprised of a flexible, solid fabric attached to an outer edge of an outer panel an to an adjacent portion of a side frame, said fabric extending substantially the entire length of said panel, providing a continuous, flexible seal between its associated outer panel and its associated side frame.
20. The folding door of claim 19 further comprising first heat sealed coupling means and second coupling means for coupling said fabric to an edge of an outer panel and to an adjacent side frame, respectively.
21. The folding door of claim 20 wherein said second coupling means includes a pressure plate for attaching said fabric to said side frame in a sealed manner substantially along the entire length thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/351,166 US5025846A (en) | 1988-07-07 | 1989-05-12 | High speed folding door |
| US07/351,166 | 1989-05-12 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1312273C true CA1312273C (en) | 1993-01-05 |
Family
ID=23379846
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000608222A Expired - Fee Related CA1312273C (en) | 1989-05-12 | 1989-08-14 | High speed folding door |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1312273C (en) |
-
1989
- 1989-08-14 CA CA000608222A patent/CA1312273C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20060105 |