Abstract: A hinge mechanism particularly suitable for hinging releasable rectangular panels of overhead sectional doors. The hinge mechanism includes first and second hinge plates hinged to each other wherein one of the hinge plates is slidably mounted within a base plate affixed to a rectangular panel to enable the entire hinge mechanism to move longitudinally with respect to the base plate, and thus enable the rectangular panels to move longitudinally with respect to each other, to enable pivoting or rotation of the releasable panel in a direction opposite to the face where the hinge and face plate are mounted.

Abstract: A damage minimizing closure door moveable vertically between open and closed positions wherein the closure door is a continuous flexible curtain having a rigid bottom bar that is releasably connected to guide structures adjacent a door opening. The side edges of the curtain may separate from the guide structures upon being impacted by an externally applied force. During relatively high wind pressure or differential pressure conditions across the door, causing the flexible curtain to tend to billow or move transversely in directions into and away from the door opening, frictional contact develops between the faces of the curtain and the guide structures as well as between a wind bar and windstrip associated with the door and guide structures. The rigidity of the bottom bar tied into the guide channel structures reduces this effect of friction, thus easing the upward and downward movement of the door within the guide structures.

Abstract: A vertically-movable overhead door comprising at least one non-releasable rectangular panel and at least one releasable or breakaway panel pivotable or rollable with respect to said non-releasable panel. The releasable panel may include a pair of rectangular sub-panels having rigid frame portions or may be formed as one rigid frame. Retainer members are connected to one of the rectangular sub-panels to retain the releasable panel with respect to channels positioned adjacent the overhead door. When a sufficient impact force is applied to the releasable panel, the retainer member releases the releasable panel to enable free swinging movement of the panel with respect to the channels.

Abstract: A damage minimizing closure door that is moved vertically between open and closed positions in which the door is a flexible curtain and a guide assembly is mounted on the side edges of the doorway for receiving and guiding the side edges of the flexible door during vertical movement. A counterbalancing power spring is associated with the door to assist in raising and lowering the curtain. The flexible door or curtain and the guide assembly include unique features which enable the side edges of the curtain to move vertically in the guide assembly, resist wind forces and air pressure differentials when the door is closed or moving vertically and to separate from the guide assembly upon being impacted by an externally applied force, such as by a vehicle, with little if any damage occurring to the curtain or guide assembly.

Abstract: A damage minimizing closure door that is moved vertically between open and closed positions in which the door is a flexible curtain and a guide assembly is mounted on the side edges of the doorway for receiving and guiding the side edges of the flexible door during vertical movement. A counterbalancing power spring is associated with the door to assist in raising and lowering the curtain. The flexible door or curtain and the guide assembly include unique features which enable the side edges of the curtain to separate from the guide assembly upon being impacted by an externally applied force, such as by a vehicle, with little if any damage occurring to the curtain or guide assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to closures for doorways or other similar access openings and more specifically to side coiling doors in which the closure curtain forming the door is a flexible, fabric like material that is wrapped onto or coiled onto and unwrapped from or uncoiled from a vertically disposed, rotatably supported, relatively short barrel with only the upper edge portion of the door being engaged by and supported by the barrel. The upper edge of the flexible curtain forming the door is maintained on the barrel by the use of a unique spring tensioning assembly engaged with the barrel and an interlocking tracking member between the barrel and convolutions of the flexible curtain. The upper edge of the flexible curtain forming the door is supported, guided and moved along the upper edge of the opening by a track and cable system that is associated with the door opening and vertical barrel to enable effective opening and closing movement of the side coiling doors.