US3176757A

US3176757A - Overhead door

Info

Publication number: US3176757A
Application number: US245890A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ralph D Lomaz
Original assignee: PACIFIC COAST CO
Current assignee: PACIFIC COAST CO
Priority date: 1962-12-19
Filing date: 1962-12-19
Publication date: 1965-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 1982-04-06

Description

R. D. LOMAZ OVERHEAD DOOR April 6, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 19, 1962 FEEJE INVENTOR QALPH D LOMAZ BY QZQJ LWWA ATTORNEY R. D. LOMAZ OVERHEAD DOOR April 6, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 19, 1962 m0 2 m m MD M 1 MM Y R. D. LOMAZ OVERHEAD DOOR April 6, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 19, 1962 mm .ww m m E/ T V 0. m0

United States Patent 3,176,757 OVERHEAD DOOR Ralph D. Lomaz, South Euclid, Ohio, assignor to The Pacific Coast Company, Redford, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 245,890 4 Claims. (Cl. 160-209) This invention relates to doors and particularly to overhead type garage doors.

Conducive to a better understanding of the invention, it may be well to point out that so-called rolling overhead garage doors comprise a plurality of articulated panel sections mounted across a door opening on rollers which travel in parallel channeled tracks positioned on either side of the door opening and terminating in an inwardly extending horizontal plane above the door opening.

In order to provide a weather-tight seal, the door must contact the door jamb when in its closed position.

To avoid the frictional drag that would result from continuous contact between the door panels and the jamb, as they are being slid toward or away from their closed positions, the tracks are inclined away from the door frame sill at an inwardly and upwardly extending angle.

The rollers which support each panel section, going from the bottom panel to the top panel, are mounted on progressively longer bracket arms, whose lengths are in exact proportion to the increasing distance between the door jamb and the inclined tracks, when the door is in its closed position.

Therefore, as the rollers travel upward along the inclined tracks, the panels will move away from the jamb, and as the rollers travel downward along the tracks the panels will not press against the jamb until the point of complete closure is reached.

Thus each pair of panel rollers must be mounted on brackets having progressively longer roller mounting arms;

With a conventional, four panel overhead door, four different sets of paired roller brackets having roller mounting arms of four difierent lengths are reequired.

This not only increases manufacturing costs but also means that the dealer must maintain an inventory of four different size brackets, without the convenience of interchangeability of parts.

The primary object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a four-panel, overhead rolling door having a single roller mounting bracket unit that may be used to provide all 4 different roller mounting positions required by such a door.

Another object is to provide a roller support bracket that may be made from a single length of extruded tubing.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims, together with the accompanying drawing, wherein like parts are referred to and indicated by like reference numerals and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the rolling overhead garage door, that is the subject of this invention, showing the inner side of the door as it appears in its closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of FIGURE 3 is a perspective support brackets;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the same taken the line and in the direction of the the same; view of one of the roller along arrows 4-4 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevation of the roller bracket and roller mounted thereon;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the roller and its shaft; and,

3,175,757 Iatented Apr. 6, 1965 FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 7-7 of FIG- URE 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 the rolling, overhead garage door that is the subject of this invention, broadly indicated by reference numeral 20, as it appears mounted in rolling engagement with a pair of tracks 21 and 22 positioned on the inner sides of the jambs 28 of a door opening frame 23.

The edges 26 of the tracks 21 and 22 are curved inwardly toward each other to form a retaining and guiding channel for the hereinafter described door rollers so, as seen most clearly in FIGURE 7.

The door 26 is connected in the usual manner to countor-balancing springs or weights not shown, through suspension cables 24 which travel over pulleys 25.

The tracks 21 and 22 have straight, vertical sections inclined at an angle away from the door jambs 28 and are curved rearwardly at their upper ends into a horizontal section 27, extending away from the door opening 23, whereon the door 20 rests when in its open position, not illustrated.

The door 20, comprising 4 articulated panel sections 30 which together define a closure which extends across the building opening 23, as seen in FIGURE 2.

It is to be understood that the length, width, and number of panels 30 is dependent upon the size of the door opening 23, but with the average size opening used in garages adapted to hold conventional passenger automobiles, the four-paneled door 20, illustrated, is adequate.

The so joined panels 3% are slidably mounted on the tracks 21 and 22 by means of roller bracket assemblies, broadly indicated by reference numeral 50, which are mounted on the hinges 44 adjacent each track as seen in FIGURE 1, and in enlarged detail in FIGURE 7.

As explained hereinabove, with overhead door installations of this type the vertical sections of the tracks, on which the door panels are mounted, are inclined at a slight angle away from their associated door jambs 28, as is illustrated in the case of track 21 in FIGURE 7, in order to avoid the excessive frictional drag which would be created by moving the door 24 vertically along the entire face of the door jambs 28 in weather-tight pressed engagement therewith.

It will be evident from a study of FIGURE 7 that in order to seat the four panel sections 30 in pressed engagement against the jamb 28 while mounted on the inwardly inclined track 21, each roller 63 must be slightly to the rear of the one below it.

In order to achieve with the use of a single roller bracket unit the structure broadly indicated by reference numeral Eli, in FIGURE 5, is used.

Reference numeral 66 indicates a bracket body made in the form of an extrusion having dependent first mounting flange 52 at its base, a laterally extending horizontal wall 51 at to the base, and an upstanding second mounting flange 53 positioned along the outer edge of the wall 51 spaced outwardly of the plane of the first mounting flange 52.

Reference numerals

54 and 55 indicate two spaced and parallel bores extending the length of the body 66.

Both bores 54 and 55 being in planes parallel to that of the

offset flanges

52 and 53.

The first mounting flange 52 has two mounting screw holes 65 and the second mounting flange .53 has similar mounting holes 64.

A solid shaft 61 is adapted to snugly interfit either of the

bracket bores

54 and 55. v

A guide wheel, or roller 60, is journaled at one end of the shaft 61 on ball bearings 62.

Reference numeral 63 indicates a locating stop on the shaft 61 which normally abuts the end of bracket body 66 when the shaft is properly seated in either of the bores, as seen in FIGURE 5.

The spacing between the centers of the shaft bores 54 and 55 and between the mounting faces of the

flanges

52 and 53 is calculated to provide four different inwardly spaced positions for the roller shaft 61 with reference to the panel section 30 on which it is mounted, as seen in FIGURE 7.

With the degree inclination of the track 21, illustrated in FIGURE 7, as an example, the distance between the mounting face of flange 52 and the center-line of bore 54 is 0.312". The distance between the mounting face of flange 53 and the center-line of bore 54 is 0.593", and the distance between the center-line of

bores

54 and 55 is 0.562".

Thus, when the shaft 61 is seated in the bracket bore 54 with bracket 66 mounted on the panel 30 through its first flange 52 the roller shaft 61 is positioned 0.312 from the panel 30.

If the bracket is mounted on its second flange 53, leav ing the shaft 61 in bore 54, the shaft will be in a second position spaced 0.593 from the panel 30, or 0.281" be yond its first or basic position.

By mounting the bracket on flange 52 with the shaft 61 in bore 55, the shaft will be in a third position spaced 0.874" from the panel, or 0.562" beyond its first position.

By mounting the bracket on its second flange 53 with the shaft 61 in bracket bore 55, the shaft will be in a fourth position spaced 1.155" from the panel 30, or 0.843" beyond its first position.

In order to facilitate the mounting of the roller unit 50, to secure these four different positions for the roller 60 and its shaft 61, a system of longitudinal grooves, identified by

reference numerals

56, 57, 58 and 59, are used on the block 66, as seen in FIGURES 3 and 4.

On the side of the bore 54 opposite the first flange 52, there is one groove 56, and on the side of the bore 55 opposite the flange 52, there are three grooves 58.

On the side of the bore 54 opposite the second flange 53, there are two grooves 57, while on the side of the bore opposite the flange 53, there are four grooves 59.

The four different positions desired are secured by having the shaft 61 mounted in the bore having the corresponding number of grooves that are opposite their associated mounting flange.

This will be more easily understood by referring to FIGURE 7 wherein the first, or basic position of the shaft is illustrated by the roller assembly unit identified by reference numeral 50 wherein the bracket is mounted on the panel through the first flange 52 by means of screws 67 and the roller shaft 61 is mounted in bracket bore 54, identitified by the single groove 56. i

The next higher roller unit is at the second position indicated by reference numeral 50 wherein the bracket is mounted on its second flange 53 with the roller shafit 61 mounted in bore identified by the two grooves 57.

The third position of the roller unit is identified by reference numeral 511 wherein the bracket is mounted on its first flange 52 with the shaft 61 mounted in the bore identified by the three grooves 58.

The fourth position of the roller unit is identified by reference numeral 50 wherein the bracket is mounted on its second flange 53 with the roller shaft 61 mounted in the bore identified by the four grooves 59.

Thus, a single roller bracket unit 50 can be adapted to provide four different positions for the rollers relative to the door panels 30, on the inclined tracks 21 and 22, in order to hold the outer faces of the door panels 30 in pressed engagement against the door jambs 28, when the door 20 is in its closed position.

It is of course to be understood that spacing of the various flanges and bores can be appropriately varied to adapt the roller units 50 for use with guide rails of different angular inclination. It is also possible to adapt the unit for use with doors having more than four panels 30 by adding an additional, properly spaced bore, for every two additional panels.

A fifth roller bracket assembly, identified by reference numeral 91 is used to support the upper edge of the door against the curved part of the tracks 21 and 22, as seen in FIGURE 1. This bracket 91, of necessity, must have its roller a substantially greater distance from the rear of the door face, and therefore must be specially constructed for this position.

Reference numeral 90 indicates a resilient rubber weather-strip which is mounted the length of the bottom edge of the door 20 by means of screws 89, as seen most clearly in FIGURE 7.

The weather-strip 90 is semi-rigid so that it normally supports the weight of the door about /2" above the door sill, when closed, but can be forcibly flattened by pushing down on the door handle $6 to permit the door to move downward about The closed door 20, as seen in FIGURE 1, is locked in place by means of latch, broadly indicated by reference numeral 7 0.

It will now be clear that there is provided a device which accomplishes the objectives heretofore set forth.

While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred form, it is to he understood that the specific embodiment thereof, as described and illustrated herein, is not to be considered in a limited sense as there may be other forms or modifications of the invention which should also be construed to come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with an overhead rolling door of the type including a guide track having horizontally disposed sections and upright sections inclined relative to the door opening frame and a plurality of articulated panel sections mounted on the track through rollers, a roller support for the panels, comprising, a bracket member having a body portion including first and second mounting flanges for securing the body to the panel sections, the mounting surface of the second flange being spaced outwardly of the mounting surface of the first flange, the bracket body also having two bores therethrough, spaced from and parallel to each other and to the mounting flanges, the distance between the axes of the bores being twice the distance between the mounting surfaces of the first and second bracket flanges, and, a

shaft having a roller journaled at one end thereof, adapted to be removably seated through either of the mounted bracket bores with its roller engaged with the door guide track, whereby said roller shaft may be located in four different predetermined positions relative to the door panel, depending upon whether the bracket body is mounted on its first or second flange, and whether the roller shaft is positioned through the first or second bore.

2. A device of the type defined in claim 1 and further characterized by the spacing between the mounting surfaces of the first and second bracket flanges being proportional to the angle of inclination of the upright section of the guide track.

3. A device of the type defined in claim 1 and further characterized by the bracket body having shaft bore identifying grooves cut therein aligned with the first mounting flange, there being one groove at the first bore and three grooves at the second bore; the body also having similar shaft bore identifying grooves aligned with the second mounting flange, there being two grooves at the first bore and four grooves at the second bore.

4. A device of the type defined in claim 1 and further characterized by the bracket body having shaft-bore identify-ing indicia thereon aligned with the first and second mounting flanges.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Ferris et a1. 160209 Buehner 160209 Rowe 160--229 Schlytern 160-229 Peterson 292-223 Stroup 160-209 Stroup 160-229 Clifton 292--223 Stroup 160-209 Pyka.

Stroup 160201 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. IN COMBINATION WITH AN OVERHEAD ROLLING DOOR OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A GUIDE TRACK HAVING HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SECTIONS AND UPRIGHT SECTIONS INCLINED RELATIVE TO THE DOOR OPENING FRAME AND A PLURALITY OF ARTICULATED PANEL SECTIONS MOUNTED ON THE TRACK THROUGH ROLLERS, A ROLLER SUPPORT FOR THE PANELS, COMPRISING, A BRACKET MEMBER HAVING A BODY PORTION INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND MOUNTING FLANGES FOR SECURING THE BODY TO THE PANEL SECTIONS, THE MOUNTING SURFACE OF THE SECOND FLANGE BEING SPACED OUTWARDLY OF THE MOUNTING SURFACE OF THE FIRST FLANGE, THE BRACKET BODY ALSO HAVING TWO BORES THERETHROUGH, SPACED FROM AND PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER AND TO THE MOUNTING FLANGES, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE AXES OF THE BORES BEING TWICE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE MOUNTING SURFACES OF THE FIRST AND SECOND BRACKET FLANGES, AND, A SHAFT HAVING A ROLLER JOURNALED AT ONE END THEREOF, ADAPTED TO BE REMOVABLE SEATED THROUGH EITHER OF THE MOUNTED BRACKET BORES WITH ITS ROLLER ENGAGED WITH THE DOOR GUIDE TRACK, WHEREBY SAID ROLLER SHAFT MAY BE LOCATED IN FOUR DIFFERENT PREDETERMINED POSITIONS RELATIVE TO THE DOOR PANEL, DEPENDING UPON WHETHER THE BRACKET BODY IS MOUNTED ON ITS FIRST OR SECOND FLANGE, AND WHETHER THE ROLLER SHAFT IS POSITIONED THROUGH THE FIRST OR SECOND BORE.