Abstract: A door opener for a roll-type door in a cargo van includes a shaft that is mounted for rotation within the cargo van body and is coupled with the door such that shaft rotation causes the door to move between opened and closed positions. The shaft is rotated by a motor that is mounted outside of the cargo van body and is coupled to the rotatable shaft by a drive system that extends through the cargo van body. This arrangement allows a relatively large conventional motor to be used without extending into the door opening or compromising the height of the door opening.

Abstract: A garage door opener security system, for preventing the unauthorized opening of a garage door, mounted within a dwelling. The garage door opener has a track mounted to the dwelling, and a truck slidably mounted on the track which is operatively engaged with the door. A release lever extends downward from the truck to allow manual release and opening of the garage door. The security system prevents unauthorized operation of the release lever by providing a pair of security plates which extend downward from the truck on either side of the release lever. The security plates thereby prevent an unauthorized person from extending an object into the garage from outside in an attempt at operating the release lever.

Abstract: An overhead door for occluding an opening in a structure. The door includes a pair of tracks having inwardly facing surfaces which define a channel. A door panel is located intermediate the pair of tracks and moveable along a predetermined path of travel which is defined by the tracks. A release assembly is borne by the door panel and is operable to releasably engage at least one of the tracks. The release assembly includes a moveable plunger which is received in the channel of one of the tracks and which guides the door panel along the path of travel. The plunger disengages from the channel when force of a predetermined magnitude is applied to the door panel.

Abstract: Bottom edge brackets for an upward acting door each include a base part including fastener receiving bores for securing the brackets to the bottom edge of the door, a flange projecting substantially normal to the base part including a connecting lug mounted for connection to a becket or loop of a door lifting cable and an integral rolled tubular guide roller support portion for supporting the shaft of a door guide roller. Each of the brackets also includes a hook portion projecting from the base part and adapted to be received in an opening formed in the bottom edge of the door for retaining the brackets connected to the door when door lifting forces are being applied thereto if one or more fasteners is loose or removed from the bracket.

Abstract: A drive for a tracked door which utilises a drive pinion which engages a tracked rack that in turn moves the door as it is moved track-wise under the action of the pinion. A flexible rack able to travel on a curved locus is preferred.

Abstract: An operator (10) for moving in upward and downward directions a sectional door (D) having a counterbalancing system (30) including a drive tube (31) interconnected with the door including, a reversible motor (40), a drive shaft (50) selectively driven in two directions by the motor, a drive gear (61) freely rotatably mounted on the drive shaft, a driven gear (65) mounted on the drive tube and operatively engaging the drive gear, a disconnect assembly (70) having a spool (71) rotatable with the drive shaft and movable into and out of engagement with the drive gear for selectively connecting and disconnecting the motor and the drive tube, and an actuating mechanism (80) normally maintaining said spool in engagement with the drive gear and biasing the spool out of engagement with the drive gear when released to permit independent movement of the door.

Abstract: A device in door arrangements includes a plurality of door panels hingedly interconnected to pivot about respective pivot axes. The pivot axes are positioned Between the side walls of contacting door panels. The hinge includes a convex member and a concave member, the concave member forming part of the other door panel. These two members extend along the edges of the corresponding door panels, coinciding with the pivot axis, with each member collectively forming a bearing face. Each door panel has a main profile extending uninterrupted over the entire cross section, and the edge of the door panel exhibits a curved section extending in the thickness direction. Further, each door panel has rigidifying portions arranged in the edge area.

Abstract: An overhead sectional garage door (10) has a plurality of hinged sections or panels (14) having rollers (16) mounted thereon for movement of the door (10) between open and closed positions. A stiffener (39) is secured to each door section (14) and extends horizontally between opposed sides of the associated door section (14). Each stiffener (39) has a horizontal body (38), an inner vertical mounting flange (41), and an outer bowed flange (42). Vertical mounting flange (41) and bowed flange (42) have free edges and respective beads or curls (44, 46) are formed thereon for stiffening of flanges (41) and (42).

Abstract: A track support structure (30) for a sectional overhead garage door (10) having rollers (16) for guiding the door (10) between open and closed positions. The track support structure (30) has a track (38) and a track support beam (40). Track (38) has an upper horizontal flange (38) and a lower trough (72). The free edge of the trough (72) has an inturned tubular bead (74) and the free edge of upper flange (38) has an inturned tubular bead (74). An angle-shaped track support beam (40) has legs (88) and (90). The free edges of legs (88) and (90) have respective tubular beads (92) and (94). Tubular beads (92), (94) have a diameter between 1½ and 2½ times the diameter of beads (74), (76) on track (38). Embodiments shown in FIGS. 8-10 include an automatic door operator (104) having a channel-shaped support beam (110, 110A) with tubular beads (116, 116A) on laterally extending flanges (112, 112A, 114, 114A).

Abstract: A combined swing door and roll-up door having upright front frame members projected outwardly from sheet members to provide a front facade of a plurality of swing doors. The sheet members have vertical grooves in their exterior surfaces extend generally parallel to the upright frame members.

Abstract: A sectional door is disclosed that includes a safety system. The safety system includes a shield apparatus, an improved support track, reverse angle track shields, and hemmed roller track edges to prevent injury or harm to body parts errantly placed within or around the support track during the opening or closing of the sectional door. The sectional door includes a plurality of door sections hingedly joined in an edge-to-edge relationship to form the completed sectional door. The sectional door further include support rollers attached to the door sections, and a pair of support tracks, in which the support rollers are confined. Each support roller further includes a circular or rectangular roller shield that is mounted to the axle of the support roller outside of the support track where it is proximate the support track in such a manner as to limit or prevent any fingers from engaging within the support track with the support rollers.

Abstract: A moveable structural reinforcement system is described including a moveable panel, a metal frame structure connectable to the frame structure of a building opening, the frame structure including a top support member and lateral supports connected on a first end to the top support member, upper load members disposed on the top support member proximate the lateral supports, bottom load members disposed on the second ends of the lateral supports, and load transfer members disposed substantially diagonally on said panel and adapted to releasably engage the upper and lower load members. The load transfer members providing a substantially continuous load path when the panel is in a closed position and the building or structure is subjected to a lateral force.

Abstract: The mechanism comprises a bracket, to which are mounted a fixed roller shaft and a rotatable brake shaft. The roller shaft has a roller which runs in the door track. A cylindrical torsion spring is positioned on the brake shaft. One end of the spring is anchored to the brake shaft. The other end of the spring is connected to a tensioning ring, so that the tension of the spring can be adjusted. The tensioning ring is disengagably secured to the bracket. An arm protrudes from the brake shaft. The lift cable for the door extends through an eye carried by the arm. As long as the cable is taut, the brake shaft is prevented from turning. At its outer end, the brake shaft carries a cam member with braking teeth. The teeth are positioned to bite into the exterior surface of the track if the cable breaks and the spring rotates the brake shaft.

Abstract: A garage door roller assembly includes a one-piece, unitary shaft and a one-piece, unitary roller, each composed of a polymeric material and a washer and a pin, each composed of case-hardened steel. The roller includes a sleeve portion having an axial bore, a wheel portion, and a web extending radially from the wheel portion to the sleeve portion. The shaft includes an axial bore, a mounting portion, and a race portion. The race portion is rotatably mounted within the bore of the sleeve portion of the roller. The pin includes a head and a stem which extends axially from the head through the opening of the washer into the bore of the shaft. A knurled segment of the stem frictionally engages the bore of the shaft.

Abstract: A screen is mounted between a pair of screen mounting frames, at least one of which is slidable. One or more sliding guide frames are disposed near an end of the screen which is not mounted to the screen mounting frames. Each sliding guide frame is formed by connecting rigid units, each of which has a pair of sidewalls and a bridging portion, and thereby each sliding guide frame has rigidity and a bending ability. The sliding guide frame also has at least a free end at one end and is capable of being received in and withdrawn from inside one of the screen mounting frames. A stopper mechanism provided for the rigid units preserves straightness of a withdrawn portion of each sliding guide frame.

Abstract: Motor-driven reversible shutter of the type composed of a plurality of slats coupled to one another by means of an end hook and channel and which moves along a channel of a labyrinthine trajectory formed on the inner face of respective side plates mounted in correspondence with the ends of the shutter box, each slat end including a part with lateral spaced-apart appendices for the purpose of inserting therebetween the teeth of pinions mounted in specific points along the labyrinthine trajectory channel and designed to draw the slats which, on moving along said labyrinthine trajectory reveal one face while moving in one direction and the opposite while moving in the other direction, thus providing the shutter with its reversible character.

Abstract: An overhead garage door having a plurality of pivotally interconnected panel structures and a reinforcing strut to allow use of the door in hurricane prone environments. The reinforcing strut extends the full width of the door across the inside rear face of the door and includes widely spaced straight upper and lower horizontal legs extending rearwardly from the rear faces of the stiles of the panel structure joined by a semi-circular top section extending in a continuous convex curvilinear sweep between the two legs. The radius of curvature of the semi-circular section is relatively large compared to the length of the upper and lower leg sections, giving the beam a wide stance. For example, the radius of curvature of the top section may be approximately 1.25" and the leg section length may be between about 2.5" and 5". The strut may be roll-formed or shaped by bending flat stock on, for example, a press brake.

Abstract: An overlay for a sectional garage door extends between adjacent panel sections of the door. The overlay has a plurality of members made of extruded polystyrene. The overlay members extending from one section of the door to an adjacent section are cut along the centerline between door sections to allow the door to open and close and provide an aesthetically pleasing and professional appearance without gapping.

Abstract: A locking system (10, 110, 210) for a sectional overhead door (11) powered through a counterbalance system (30) including, a flexible member (C) interconnecting the counterbalance system and the door and providing tensioning during opening and closing of the door, a movable stop (50, 150, 250) selectively actuatable to a locked position precluding movement of the door, and a biasing member (65, 165, 255) urging the movable stop toward the locked position, whereby in the event of slack in the flexible member the biasing member displaces the movable stop to the locked position.

Abstract: A roller shield apparatus and method for shielding a support roller of a sectional door against a finger being inserted between the support roller and the support track. The roller shield is configured as a disc that is mounted to the axle of the support roller so as to be supported in a plane parallel to the support roller and outside of the support track. The support track includes a single hem to eliminate a sharp edge from the support track.

Abstract: A rigid-panel overhead door which is selectively moved up and down to open and close an opening and which is guided generally along door guides on opposed vertical sides of the opening is disclosed. The door includes a first chain disposed along one of the door guides and a second chain disposed along an opposed door guide. The door further includes a plurality of panels, each having a first end and a second end, the panels being of sufficient length to extend substantially across the opening but sufficiently limited in length so as to fit between the first and second chains and not extend beyond them. The door further includes a plurality of connectors for joining the first and second chains respectively to the first and second ends of each of the panels.

Abstract: An overhead door having two tracks each of which is designed to be mounted on the side of an opening in a building. Each track has a script-v shape in cross-section, and a groove or channel that runs along its longitudinal axis. One or more panels are positioned between the tracks and coupled to each other. Each panel has a multiple-layer design that provides superior insulation. At least two plungers are positioned on each panel and each plunger has a first end which is biased in a first position. In the first position, the first end of the plunger rides within the channel of the track. The plungers are designed with a low-friction tip that wears away after repeatedly traveling in the channel of the track. The plungers may be designed to release from the track when the panel on which they are mounted is impacted, to rotate in whole or in part as they travel in a channel of a track, or both.

Abstract: A wind-resistant sectional overhead door (21) selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position relative to a door opening defined by spaced vertical jambs (23, 24) and a horizontal header (25) extending therebetween including, a plurality of elongate horizontal panels (40-43) pivotally connected at the top and bottom edges (48, 49) of adjacent of the panels, roller tracks (31, 32) mounted on the vertical jambs to either side of the door, roller shafts (65) mounted at the ends of the panels, guide rollers (66) carried by the roller shafts and engaging the roller tracks, and restraining members (70, 170) for limiting axial movement of the roller shafts, whereby the roller shafts and the panels are tension-loaded when the door is in the closed position to prevent buckling of the panels under applied wind forces. The restraining members may be replaced by or supplemented with tension rod assemblies (225, 325).

Abstract: A sectional upward-acting door, particularly adapted for use with mobile cargo containers and the like includes extruded door panels or sections which are hingedly connected to each other by hook-like hinge members integrally formed along a top edge of one section and an arcuate channel defined by a bottom wall and an integral pintle on an adjacent section. An elastomer seal and bearing member fits within the channel formed along the bottom edge of a section for engaging the hinge member and for aiding in forming a weather and light seal at the hinge joint between sections. The sections are laterally assembled by engagement of the hook-like hinge member in the channel of an adjacent section and are retained in assembly by a releasable retainer and seal member which may be formed as a co-extruded dual durometer part. Door side edge seals are insertable in a space formed between door side edge guide tracks and an inner surface of a rear wall of the cargo container.

Abstract: A roller bracket apparatus includes a roller assembly which includes a carriage portion and a link portion projecting from the carriage portion. A push/pull assembly is provided, and a pivot assembly is connected between the link portion of the roller assembly and the push/pull assembly. The carriage portion includes a wheel-support portion and a plurality of axle/wheel assemblies supported by the wheel-support portion. Each of the axle/wheel assemblies includes an axle and a roller wheel connected to the axle. The link portion extends from the carriage portion at an acute angle with respect to a plane common to the top surface of the carriage portion. In an alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention, the push/pull assembly includes a first side portion connected to the article being moved (e.g. an overhead door panel) and an integrated gusset plate portion orthogonally connected between the first side portion and the pivot assembly.

Abstract: An overhead door for occluding an opening in a structure. The door includes a pair of tracks having inwardly facing surfaces which define a channel. A door panel is located intermediate the pair of tracks and moveable along a predetermined path of travel which is defined by the tracks. A release assembly is borne by the door panel and is operable to releasably engage at least one of the tracks. The release assembly includes a moveable plunger which is received in the channel of one of the tracks and which guides the door panel along the path of travel. The plunger disengages from the channel when force of a predetermined magnitude is applied to the door panel.

Abstract: An auxiliary screened gate which is approximately the same size as a door panel in a garage door for attachment to the lower edge of the garage door. The auxiliary screened gate will allow light and air to pass therethrough. The upper edge of the screened gate is attached to the lower edge of the garage door. Hinges are employed to attach the screened gate to the garage door. A hook and eye latch is provided for securing the screened gate in its non-operative folded position on the lower interior of the garage door. A hinged mechanism is used to allow the screened door to be pivotally operated on the lower edge of the garage door.

Abstract: A power-driven shutter door includes a curtain supported in a pair of tracks for bi-directional sliding movement open and closed positions, and a power drive assembly for driving movement of the curtain. The power drive assembly includes a pair of sprockets that engage shoes of the curtain, a motor for driving bi-directional rotation of the sprockets, and a control circuit including a switch movable between "open" and "close" positions for supplying power to the motor to move the shutter curtain between positions. A power-driven lock is also provided, and includes a rod supported on the curtain for movement between extended and retracted positions, a manually-operated actuator for shifting the rod between the extended and retracted positions, and a power-driven lock supported on one of the tracks and presenting a locking arm shiftable between an extended position in which the arm protrudes into the track and a relatively retracted position.

Abstract: A hinge and roller assembly for use in a roll-up door including a pair of leaves each forming a portion of a bearing socket, a bushing mounted in the bearing socket, a shaft slidably mounted in the bushing. The shaft mounts a roller on one end and the roller is adapted to roll in a track. A spring is mounted between the shaft and the bushing to bias the shaft axially toward the track. A releasable retainer on the bushing removably retains the bushing in the socket. Preferably, each of the leaves includes a plate through which the hinge is mounted to the door and an integral strap which is bent into a circular shape to define a portion of the socket and is attached at a distal end to the plate.

Abstract: An overhead sectional garage door (10) has a plurality of hinged sections or panels (14) having rollers (16) mounted thereon for movement of the door (10) between open and closed positions. A stiffener (39) is secured to each door section (14) and extends horizontally between opposed sides of the associated door section (14). Each stiffener (39) has a horizontal body (38), an inner vertical mounting flange (41), and an outer bowed flange (42). Vertical mounting flange (41) and bowed flange (42) have free edges and respective inturned beads or curls (44, 46) are formed thereon for stiffening of flanges (41) and (42).

Abstract: A garage door safety bracket (26) utilizes a fixed member (42) and a sliding member (44) to inhibit removal of the bracket (26) while there is tension in a cable (40) which is attached to the sliding member (44). The sliding member includes three access apertures (68) and moves between tensioned and untensioned positions. Tension in the cable (40) forces the sliding member into the tensioned position in which the access apertures (68) are offset from panel fasteners (48) which attach the bracket (26) to a lower panel (30L) of a garage door (22). When the tension on the cable (40) is released, the sliding member (44) slides into the untensioned position in which the access apertures (68) are aligned with the panel fasteners (48) permitting access to the panel fasteners (48). A roller mount (46) is separately attached to the sliding member (44) by roller mount fasteners (74) which permit a lower roller (32L) to be serviced without releasing the tension on the cable (40).

Abstract: An articulated overhead gate for gate openings with particularly small drop heights between the upper edge of the gate opening that is to be closed and an adjoining overhead area or similar with a gate leaf consisting of several panels (3, 5) articulated successively in the direction of movement, which are driven by laterally arranged rollers (2) in first lateral roller rails (6), connected in an approximately vertical and thereby curved horizontal direction, excepting the upper panel (5) in closed position, which engages with its rollers (4) which, in this position, are arranged in the upper edge area (30), in second roller rails (7). Said roller rails are parallel to and located above the facing horizontal segments of the first roller rails (6), each segment having an end part (8) facing the gate frame, a first section (10) of which part is lowered only slightly in relation to the horizontal, and a second section (11) correspondingly inclining only slightly over 90.degree.

Abstract: A sectioial overhead door is disclosed with a door leaf comprising several consecutive hinging panels (10, 10', 10") which are guided in the known way by rollers (11) in horizontal tracks and in tracks (12, 12', 12") joined to them to form a bow and are provided with a balancing device (15) in the form of approximately horizontal helical tension springs. The latter are designed to be space-saving, in particular with low drop heights, underneath the horizontal track sections extending into the building, such that on each of the outer side regions (27) of the horizontal track sections (12, 14) facing away from one another one or more helical tension spring units (16) are arranged approximately parallel to one another and one below the other. At least some of the helical tension spring units (16) consist of at least two coaxial helical springs (17, 18), the turns of which are mutually opposing and intersecting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door of the type having two parallel guide rails, a plurality of guide means (10, 50), which are adapted, when the door moves, to be guided by and run along the guide rails, a plurality of neighboring door leaf panels (2), which at opposite ends are connected to the associated guide means (10) of said plurality of guide means, and a bottom panel (4) which is pivotally connected to an adjoining panel (2) of said door leaf panels and, via releasable joints, connected to two associated bottom guide means (50) among said guide means.

Abstract: A universal overhead door system includes a pair of horizontal track members, a pair of vertical track members and a pair of track radius members interconnecting the horizontal and vertical track members. A pair of short radius members extend from the track radius members to guide uppermost rollers of an overhead sectional door. The short radius members terminate close to the top of the door opening and thereby eliminate the need to guide the uppermost rollers below the level at which the curved portion of the track radius members begin. The ability to install the short radius members when needed for smaller door opening sizes and low head room environments provides a universal track system for most overhead door installations.

Abstract: A roll-up sectional door for trucks, trailers, or garages, comprising a series of panels connected by hinges allowing pivoting between the panels, wherein both the hinges and panels are suitable for injection molding. Each hinge includes a male hinge member having an integral pintle connected to its hinge leaf by a web member having a series of slots, and a female hinge member having a series of spaced knuckles dimensioned to partially embrace the pintle and to slide within the slots as the pintle rotates within the knuckles. The hinge members can be assembled when unattached to the panels, but are prevented from separation after attachment. One panel edge also has a cylindrically curved knuckle which embraces a side of the pintle opposite the spaced hinge knuckles when the parts are assembled, so that the pintle is positively held between the knuckles.

Abstract: In general, A collapsible cascading overhead door assembly (10) for closing a vehicular access opening of a structure includes a flexible door panel member (12) made up of a plurality of rigid slat members (13) each having a pair of hinge tab members (25, 26). A pair of elongated track members (15) having a generally G-shaped cross-section are affixed to an opening jamb (11) of the building structure, the flexible door panel member (12) being slidably disposed in the track members (15). A pair of flag bracket members (17) are affixed to the elongated track members (15). A support enclosure (16) is mounted on the flag brackets (17) and is adapted to maintain the door panel (12) in the stored position. An elongated, polygonal-shaped drive wheel member (66) has a plurality of sides (76) of equal width approximating the width of the rigid slat members (13).

Abstract: An overhead door for occluding an opening in a structure. The door includes a pair of tracks having inwardly facing surfaces which define a channel. A door panel is located intermediate the pair of tracks and moveable along a predetermined path of travel which is defined by the tracks. A release assembly is borne by the door panel and is operable to releasably engage at least one of the tracks. The release assembly includes a moveable plunger which is received in the channel of one of the tracks and which guides the door panel along the path of travel. The plunger disengages from the channel when force of a predetermined magnitude is applied to the door panel.

Abstract: A new and improved garage door opening and closing system comprising a lower bar pivotably connected to the upper extent of a garage door. An associated intermediate bar is coupled with respect to the lower bar. An upper bar has an upper end pivotably connected to a door actuator. A piston is mounted to the lower end of the upper bar. A cylindrical housing encompasses the piston. An apertured upper cap at the top end of the housing slidably receives the upper bar. An apertured lower cap is releasably secured to the upper end of the intermediate rod. An upper coil spring is mounted between the piston and the upper cap. A lower coil spring is located between the piston and the lower cap.

Abstract: A drop-catch mechanism for a vertically movable door is provided for preventing the free-fall of the door in doorway guides when a counterbalancing mechanism for the door malfunctions and a tensioning member for the counterbalancing mechanism becomes slack or loses tension. The drop-catch mechanism includes a plunger element, disposed within the door adjacent one of the lateral edges thereof. The plunger element is movable between a retracted position and an extended position where the outboard end extends from within the door and engages a guide. The drop-catch mechanism also includes an actuator crank having a portion rotatably mounted within the door, and operably coupled through a camming element to the plunger element, and having a portion extending through an aperture in the door face with a rotatable external leg coupled to the tensioning member for maintaining the plunger element in the retracted position. When the tensioning member is taut, it biases the plunger element to the retracted position.

Abstract: The device is an articulated cam with an at least partially rotatable cam arm for mounting a vertical traveling industrial door, constructed from a series of hinged solid panels, to a guide track. The cam arm has a threshold force required for rotation as the cam arm includes a dimple which is engaged by a spring-biased nipple. When this threshold force occurs due to impact on the door, the cam arm rotates and the articulated cam and the door break away from the guide track.

Abstract: A garage door decorative cover assembly for use on an exterior surface of a garage door made of a plurality of door panels permitted to rotate relative to each other when the garage door moves from a closed position to an open position includes at least one flexible panel and, for each flexible panel, a first fixing element and at least one resilient second fixing element. Each flexible panel has a first end, a second end, a front surface and a back surface. With respect to each flexible panel, the first fixing element attaches the first end of the flexible panel to the exterior surface of the garage door, and the resilient second fixing element couples the second end of the flexible panel to the exterior surface of the garage door such that the flexible panel is held taut when the garage door is in both open and closed positions. The flexible panels are provided with fanciful holiday, seasonal, or other celebratory indicia.

Abstract: A window covering for mounting to the interior of a garage door window which will give the effect of a stylized window. The window covering comprises a central panel of desired material with a border of contrasting material attached thereto, wherein the border replicates a predetermined geometrical shape to give the effect of a stylized window and the border has attached thereto attachment tabs for attaching the window covering to the garage door. The attachment tabs are comprised of a front portion and a rear portion to define a loop therebetween so that the tab may be affixed to the garage door by fasteners placed through the tabs or by a rigid frame member placed through the loop and then the rigid frame member is attached to the door.

Abstract: A truck trailer door safety door stop is provided for preventing a truck trailer door from accidentally falling closed. The door stop may be retrofitted onto a conventional truck trailer door of the roll up type including a plurality of hinged panels which ride along rails by means of roller wheels. The door stop includes a glide member for guiding a bottom panel of the roll up door along the rail without engagement therewith. When the door is in a fully opened position, the disengaged bottom panel is pulled out of alignment with the rail and separated therefrom by means of a spring. In response to a sudden forward movement of the truck, which would normally cause such a door to accidentally close, the door will be forced directly rearward and be prevented from falling down the rail. A guide bar may be provided for supporting the bottom panel in a positive lock open position.

Abstract: A sectional overhead door construction utilizing articulated panels with a unique pinch-free interlocking system for connecting the lower edge of the panel with the upper edge of the panel therebelow utilizing a slotted configuration for greatly facilitating and expediting assembly. In preferred embodiments the panels will define an engagement finger positionable within an insertion slot or enlarged keyhole section of an adjacent panel. Movement of the engagement finger along the insertion slot will achieve placement thereof within an engagement slot which allows pivotal articulated relative movement between vertically adjacent sectional door panels within the articulated door panel apparatus.

Abstract: A louver arrangement for a vehicle sun roof designed to limit sun into the vehicle and to limit the vibration of the louvers. The louver arrangement has two or more louvers that are guided between parallel guide profiles. At least one louver has a deviating longitudinal radius of curvature such that when the louver is in the closed position at least one portion of the louver is fastened to a component perpendicular to the plane of the sun roof opening.

Abstract: An overhead door includes a plurality of panels pivotally connected to one another with the mating upper and lower edges of the adjacent panels providing a pinch-resistant configuration during articulation of the overhead door. Additionally, the installation and assembly of the door is more easily and efficiently accomplished because of first and second contact locations between the mating upper and lower edges of the panels and the configuration of those contact locations provides registration or alignment of the panels relative to one another during installation. Additionally, the hinge assembly includes a pivot axis which is positioned between the front and back faces of the panel to enhance the pinch-resistant operation of the door and the installation of the hinge is easily accomplished with a reduced number of parts because of cooperating keyhole slots and key on the pivot pin of the hinge.

Abstract: A method and a structure for dividing a door opening such as a conventional garage door opening and allowing for easy installation of both a side mounted swinging door and an overhead type door. A main post is used for both supporting one of the tracks of the overhead door and acting as part of the frame of the swinging door. The post as a specific cross-sectional configuration allowing it to serve its dual purpose. A threshold component is provided for acting both as a threshold for the swinging door and as an anchor for the lower end of the main post. Similarly, a header component is provided for acting both as a header for the swinging door and as an anchor for the upper end of the main post.

Abstract: A connection system for interconnecting various components, such as components of an overhead garage door system, is provided which includes, in one aspect, a first component having a pair of spaced apart hook members, an intermediate guide member and a detent extending from a planar body of the first component. A second component includes a pair of spaced apart apertures which are shaped and aligned to receive the hook members, and an intermediate aperture which is shaped and aligned to receive the guide member upon registration of the first and second components in face-abutting relationship. As the first and second components are translated relative to each other, the detent of the first component engages the intermediate aperture of the second component to thereby establish a connection between the first and second components. Connection of a roller bracket to a door stile of an overhead garage door system is provided by the novel connection system, as well as connection of a door stile to a door panel.

Abstract: An overhead door apparatus utilizing a torsion spring counterbalancing mechanism. The counterbalancing mechanism includes a worm drive ring-shaped gear winding mechanism for setting the appropriate torque or number of winds in the spring. A counting mechanism is provided to indicate to the installer the number of winds being given to the spring. Means are also provided for accommodating spring growth and contraction during winding and unwinding using the winding mechanism and during normal raising and lowering of the door. A spring clip gear retainer is disclosed for preventing rotation or creep of the worm drive gear and spur gear during normal raising and lowering of the door. A second embodiment is disclosed allowing more universal interchangeability of components between the left and right sides of the door system, easy snap-in assembly, and including a telescoping spring cover. Each embodiment includes a spring winding counter.