Patents by Inventor Brian Norbert Drifka
Brian Norbert Drifka has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240141726Abstract: A drive system for an overhead roll-up door assembly having a motor, a drive drum coupled to the motor, a first drive gear coupled to the drive drum proximate a first end of the drive drum, a second drive gear couple to the drive drum proximate a second end of the drive drum, a first column of drive teeth comprising a plurality of individual drive teeth fixed to a first side of a door panel, the first column of drive teeth engaging the first drive gear, and a second column of drive teeth comprising a second plurality of individual drive teeth fixed to a second side of the door panel, the second column of drive teeth engaging the second drive gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2024Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Gabriel John Biertzer
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Publication number: 20240141727Abstract: A door assembly comprising having a first side column positioned proximate a first side of a doorway and a second side column positioned proximate a second side of the doorway. Each side column includes a pair of guide tracks forming a guide channel accessible from the doorway through a gap and a pair of guide track holders comprising a first guide track holder coupled to an exterior portion of a first guide track and a second guide track holder coupled to an exterior portion of a second guide track. Each guide track is made from a material more flexible than each guide track holder, and each guide track extends laterally a greater distance towards an interior of the doorway than each guide track holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2024Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Seth Edward Kampa
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Publication number: 20240133240Abstract: A door assembly having a motor, a first drum coupled to the motor, a second drum, and a door panel coupled to the second drum, the door panel extending over the first drum, the door panel winding onto and unwinding from the second drum when engaged and moved by the first drum. Activation of the motor in a first direction causes the first drum to rotate in a first direction, causing the door panel to unwind from the second drum, and activation of the motor in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, causing the door panel to wind onto the second drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2024Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Gabriel John Biertzer
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Publication number: 20240133241Abstract: A door panel for an overhead roll-up door assembly, the door panel having a first face, a second face, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first vertical edge, and a second vertical edge. A first keder is aligned along the first vertical edge, the first keder having a first elongated body surrounded by a first material, wherein a first portion of the first material is coupled to the first face of the door panel and a second portion of the first material is coupled to the second face of the door panel. A second keder is aligned along the second vertical edge, the second keder comprising a second elongated body surrounded by a second material, wherein a first portion of the second material is coupled to the first face of the door panel and a second portion of the second material is coupled to the second face of the door panel. A first column of drive teeth fixed to the first keder and a second column of drive teeth fixed to the second keder.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2024Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Gabriel John Biertzer
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Publication number: 20240133239Abstract: A drive tooth for use in an overhead roll-up door assembly, the drive tooth having a cylindrically shaped outer surface having a toothed portion and a non-toothed portion, with the toothed portion having an engagement tooth extending laterally across the cylindrically shaped outer surface transverse to the height of the cylindrically shaped outer surface and a first recess located adjacent the engagement tooth, the first recess being positioned between the engagement tooth and a top surface of the cylindrically shaped outer surface. The toothed portion further includes a second recess located adjacent the engagement tooth, the second recess being positioned between the engagement tooth and a bottom surface of the cylindrically shaped outer surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2024Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
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Publication number: 20220018187Abstract: A door assembly having a first side column and a second side column, wherein the first side column is positioned proximate a first side of the doorway and the second side column is positioned proximate a second side of the doorway, the first side column and the second side column each comprising a guide track and each guide track comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of each guide track defines a first guide channel having a first depth extending from a rear portion of each guide track to a first engagement portion of each guide track, and the second portion of each guide track defines a second guide channel having a second depth extending from the rear portion of the guide track to a second engagement portion of each guide track, with the second depth being less than the first depth.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Daniel J. Gregoriou, Brian Norbert Drifka, Gabriel John Biertzer
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Publication number: 20200173231Abstract: A door assembly having a door panel fixed proximate a top edge of the door panel to a drum, the drum being rotatable in a first direction and a second direction to wind or open and unwind or close the door panel. The door assembly includes a first side column and a second side column, each positioned proximate a doorway which is opened and closed by the door panel. Each side column includes a guide track positioned to guide one of the first vertical edge or the second vertical edge of the door panel as the door panel is moved. A first column of drive teeth is positioned along the first vertical edge and a second column of drive teeth positioned along the second vertical edge, wherein each of the first column of drive teeth and the second column of drive teeth are formed by a plurality of adjacent drive teeth, each drive tooth in each plurality of drive teeth abutting an adjacent drive tooth as the door panel is wound and unwound from the drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Seth Edward Kampa, Gabriel John Biertzer
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Patent number: 9765567Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening, the door assembly having a door panel with two faces and opposing marginal and lateral edges, and at least two wind locks attached proximate each marginal edge. The at least two wind locks extend away from one face of the door panel in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, and are spaced apart vertically along each respective side edge of the door panel. The assembly further includes a drum for winding and unwinding the door panel to permit and prohibit access to the opening, and, a pair of opposing parallel side columns aligned and spaced apart such that each of the opposing side edges engage one of the side columns in a manner in which at least a portion of the side columns guide vertical movement of the door panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: RYTEC CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Christopher Gontarski
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Publication number: 20160237736Abstract: A door panel for an overhead roll-up door assembly having a first face, a second face, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The door panel is constructed by butt jointing at least two sub-panels together in a horizontal direction such that neither sub-panel overlaps the other and applying at least one strip of seaming material over each horizontal butt joint, the seaming material being adhered over each butt joint on at least the first face of the door panel. The door panel further includes at least one strip of seaming material adhered vertically along at least one face of the door panel extending from approximately the top edge of the door panel to approximately the bottom edge of the door panel, and being configured such that a top face of the vertical seaming material is substantially co-planar with a top face of the horizontal seaming material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Christopher Gontarski, Brian Norbert Drifka
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Patent number: 9410368Abstract: A door assembly having a flexible door panel wound and unwound on a drum or the like to selectively block or permit access through an opening, the flexible door panel having a stiffness, a width, and a length. The door assembly further includes vertically extending side columns disposed on opposite sides of the opening, the side columns being configured to engage a marginal edge of the flexible panel to vertically guide the panel while opening or closing. Attached to a leading edge of the door panel is a bottom bar having a greater stiffness than the door panel and a narrower width than a distance between the vertical panel guide assemblies. Bottom bar guides are disposed proximate a lower portion of the opening and are configured to engage a portion of the bottom bar only when the bottom bar is located in at least a partially closed position.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: RYTEC CORPORATIONInventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
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Patent number: 9322212Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening, the door assembly having a pair of spaced apart, parallel side columns for vertically guiding a door panel, the door panel having at least one wind lock attached proximate each marginal edge of the door panel, each of the wind locks having an angled portion facing the interior of the opening having a first durometer and a substantially rectangular portion having a second durometer different from the first durometer, the wind locks engaging the side column to prevent disengagement of the door panel from the side columns when a wind load is applied to the door panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: RYTEC CORPORATIONInventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
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Patent number: 9260911Abstract: A door panel for an overhead roll-up door assembly having a first face, a second face, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The door panel is constructed by butt jointing at least two sub-panels together in a horizontal direction such that neither sub-panel overlaps the other and applying at least one strip of seaming material over each horizontal butt joint, the seaming material being adhered over each butt joint on at least the first face of the door panel. The door panel further includes at least one strip of seaming material adhered vertically along at least one face of the door panel extending from approximately the top edge of the door panel to approximately the bottom edge of the door panel, and being configured such that a top face of the vertical seaming material is substantially co-planar with a top face of the horizontal seaming material.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: RYTEC CORPORATIONInventors: Christopher Gontarski, Brian Norbert Drifka
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Patent number: 9187953Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening in a wall, the door assembly having a flexible door panel and side columns located proximate opposite sides of the opening. The side columns each include an arm configured to engage the door panel as the door panel moves vertically, the arms being configured to move in a first direction in response to a first threshold moment being applied to the arms by the door panel wherein movement of each arm in the first direction prevents the door panel from escaping the side columns. The arms may be further configured to move in a second direction in response to a second threshold moment being applied on the arms by the door panel in a substantially vertical direction perpendicular to and away from the door panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: RYTEC CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Christopher Gontarski
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Patent number: 9186427Abstract: A door assembly including a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access through an opening which has a top, a bottom defined by a floor, and at least two sides, the door assembly. The assembly having a door body having upper and lower portions, and being mounted proximate the opening such that the lower end portion being proximate the floor when the door is in the closed position. A protective body is configured in connection with the door so as to be moveable between a first position under at least a portion of the door body lower portion when the door is in at least a partially open position and a second storage position. The protective body having at least one debris collecting surface, and opposing ends, the protective body being configured such that debris collected on the debris collecting surface will be urged toward one of the opposed ends.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: RYTEC CORPORATIONInventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
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Patent number: 9097053Abstract: A high-speed door assembly for selectively permitting and prohibiting access through an opening in a wall, or other blocking structure, the door assembly having a shaft or drum located proximate the wall or other blocking structure and outside of the opening, and the shaft or drum having a longitudinal axis, and, a flexible door panel attached to the shaft or drum so as to be capable of being wound and unwound about the drum for selectively permitting and prohibiting access through the opening, the door panel being wound on the shaft or drum in an orientation such that the door panel defines at least one vertical plane when unwound from the shaft or drum, the vertical plane being spaced farther from the wall than the longitudinal axis of the shaft or drum is spaced from the wall or other blocking structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: RYTEC CORPORATIONInventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
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Publication number: 20150101765Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening, the door assembly having a pair of spaced apart, parallel side columns for vertically guiding a door panel, the door panel having at least one wind lock attached proximate each marginal edge of the door panel, each of the wind locks having an angled portion facing the interior of the opening having a first durometer and a substantially rectangular portion having a second durometer different from the first durometer, the wind locks engaging the side column to prevent disengagement of the door panel from the side columns when a wind load is applied to the door panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
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Publication number: 20140374035Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening, the door assembly having a door panel with two faces and opposing marginal and lateral edges, and at least two wind locks attached proximate each marginal edge. The at least two wind locks extend away from one face of the door panel in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, and are spaced apart vertically along each respective side edge of the door panel. The assembly further includes a drum for winding and unwinding the door panel to permit and prohibit access to the opening, and, a pair of opposing parallel side columns aligned and spaced apart such that each of the opposing side edges engage one of the side columns in a manner in which at least a portion of the side columns guide vertical movement of the door panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Christopher Gontarski
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Patent number: 8887790Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening, the door assembly having a pair of spaced apart, parallel side columns for vertically guiding a door panel, the door panel having at least one wind lock attached proximate each marginal edge of the door panel, each of the wind locks having an angled portion facing the interior of the opening having a first durometer and a substantially rectangular portion having a second durometer different from the first durometer, the wind locks engaging the side column to prevent disengagement of the door panel from the side columns when a wind load is applied to the door panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Rytec CorporationInventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
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Patent number: 8851147Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening, the door assembly having a door panel with two faces and opposing marginal and lateral edges, and at least two wind locks attached proximate each marginal edge. The at least two wind locks extend away from one face of the door panel in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, and are spaced apart vertically along each respective side edge of the door panel. The assembly further includes a drum for winding and unwinding the door panel to permit and prohibit access to the opening, and, a pair of opposing parallel side columns aligned and spaced apart such that each of the opposing side edges engage one of the side columns in a manner in which at least a portion of the side columns guide vertical movement of the door panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Rytec CorporationInventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Christopher Gontarski
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Publication number: 20140102004Abstract: A door assembly including a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access through an opening which has a top, a bottom defined by a floor, and at least two sides, the door assembly. The assembly having a door body having upper and lower portions, and being mounted proximate the opening such that the lower end portion being proximate the floor when the door is in the closed position. A protective body is configured in connection with the door so as to be moveable between a first position under at least a portion of the door body lower portion when the door is in at least a partially open position and a second storage position. The protective body having at least one debris collecting surface, and opposing ends, the protective body being configured such that debris collected on the debris collecting surface will be urged toward one of the opposed ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Rytec CorporationInventor: Brian Norbert Drifka