Fabric Receiving Patents (Class 160/271)
  • Publication number: 20080093037
    Abstract: The inventive door comprises two lateral posts each of which is provided with a slide (9) bounded by two wings (8), a transversal element connecting the top ends of the lateral posts, a flexible curtain (5) whose lateral edges are inserted into the slides (9) and means for winding said curtain (5) in the open door position. According to said invention, each slide (9) is provided with a sealing profile (7) comprising a bottom wall (10) and two lateral walls (11) which substentially form an U-shape. Each lateral wall (11) rests against the wing (8) adjacent thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Bernard Kraeutler
  • Publication number: 20080041537
    Abstract: A storm curtain assembly (10) includes a header (11) and side rails (13) extending downwardly from each end of the header (11). A roll (15) is positioned in the header (11) and carries a fabric curtain (14) which has one end attached to the roll (15). A bar (16) is attached to the other end of the fabric curtain (14). A track (20) is formed on each side rail (13), and the edges of the fabric curtain (14) are normally received in the tracks (20). One of the walls (18) which forms the track (20) terminates at an upper edge (21) which is spaced from the header (11) so that if an edge of the fabric curtain (14) is displaced from the track (20), the displaced edge will be allowed to be received in the track (20) as the fabric curtain (14) is being received on the roll (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Richard S. Hand, Derek S. Paquette
  • Publication number: 20070277941
    Abstract: A vertically operating door and its drive system can be configured to push a door panel along a track to various overhead storage configurations including vertical, horizontal, inclined and coiled. Semi-flexible drive strips extend continuously along lateral edges of the curtain. The system includes a drive gear that engages a series of projections on at least one drive strip so that the gear can push the door between its open and closed positions. To protect the door from being damaged by collisions, the track can include a breakaway feature that allows at least a portion of the panel with its drive strip to separate from the track without permanent distortion. The drive strip and panel remain together as they break away from the track. The threshold of the breakaway force can be changed by selecting a retention strip from a plurality of interchangeable strips having different degrees of flexibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Tom Jansen, Peter S. Schulte, Carl Hardison, Jason Dondlinger
  • Publication number: 20070277942
    Abstract: A vertically operating door and its drive system can be configured to push a door panel along a track to various overhead storage configurations including vertical, horizontal. inclined and coiled. Semi-flexible drive strips extend continuously along lateral edges of the curtain. The system includes a drive gear that engages a series of projections on at least one drive strip so that the gear can push the door between its open and closed positions. To protect the door from being damaged by collisions, the track can include a breakaway feature that allows at least a portion of the panel with its drive strip to separate from the track without permanent distortion. The drive strip and panel remain together as they break away from the track. The threshold of the breakaway force can be changed by selecting a retention strip from a plurality of interchangeable strips having different degrees of flexibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Jason Dondlinger, Carl Hardison, Tom Jansen, Peter S. Schulte
  • Patent number: 7231953
    Abstract: A flexible curtain rollup door includes a drum mounted on a door frame and drivenly connected to an electric right angle gear motor unit. The frame includes opposed channel shaped guide tracks for receiving opposed side edges of a door curtain. Spaced apart elastically deflectable combination curtain stiffening struts and windlock members are secured to the curtain and include opposed windlock parts receivable in the guide tracks and configured, respectively, to provide for releasing only one side edge of the curtain from its guide track. A flexible transverse bottom bar includes plural side by side flexible bags filled with particulate material, secured to the curtain bottom edge and enclosed by a flexible envelope member. The curtain bottom edge includes a stiffener formed of interconnected links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Varley, Richard D. Aiken, Raymond A. Clark, George Lair
  • Patent number: 7131481
    Abstract: A flexible curtain rollup door includes a drum mounted on a door frame and drivenly connected to an electric right angle gear motor unit. The frame includes opposed channel shaped guide tracks for receiving opposed side edges of a door curtain. Spaced apart elastically deflectable combination curtain stiffening struts and windlock members are secured to the curtain and include opposed windlock parts receivable in the guide tracks and configured, respectively, to provide for releasing only one side edge of the curtain from its guide track. A flexible transverse bottom bar includes plural side by side flexible bags filled with particulate material, secured to the curtain bottom edge and enclosed by a flexible envelope member. The curtain bottom edge includes a stiffener formed of interconnected links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Varley, Richard D. Aiken, Raymond A. Clark, George Lair
  • Patent number: 7093643
    Abstract: An energy saving shade system for residential dwelling windows having dimensions that vary within a range of frame widths and a range of frame heights, and including a pair of end caps, each being insertable in sealing relation against the top surface and one of the side surfaces of the frame. A pair of side rails, each having a cross-section to define channel openings of a depth equal to at least one half the range of frame widths are securable in sealing relation to respective side surfaces of the frame. A pair of shade supporting plates are receivable in the respective end caps, each of the shade supporting plates being laterally adjustable throughout approximately one half the range of frame widths. An impermeable, transparent shade and a thermal insulating shade of widths within the range of frame widths are wound on rollers mountable between the shade supporting plates, and extendible for the range of frame heights from the roller to the sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventor: Doris M. Ikle
  • Patent number: 7036549
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shutter device intended to close a bay (11) or other opening and able to experience a downwards and upwards movement, the shutter (1) having flexible lateral edges (5, 6) projecting with respect to the plane of the shutter (1) and roughly continuous running in guideways (7, 8) mounted on a fixed support (9), means being provided, at least in the region of the lower part of the bay (11) or the said other opening, for allowing the projecting lateral edges (5, 6) to disengage from their guideways (7, 8) as soon as a certain tensile force transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guideways (7, 8) is exerted on these edges (5, 6), reintroduction means being provided so as to allow the lateral edges (5, 6) to engage once again in the upper part of the guideways (7, 8) during the upwards movement of the shutter (1), this device being characterized in that the said reintroduction means comprise guide members (20) provided facing the guideways (7, 8) so as to divert the edges (5, 6) of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Dynaco International S.A.
    Inventor: Benoit Coenraets
  • Patent number: 7028741
    Abstract: The invention concerns a shutter device (1) in particular for closing an aperture (3) or the like, by displacement of the shutter (1) relative to one or several guide paths (7, 8), wherein the transmission means (5, 6) co-operating with the guide paths (7, 8), are provided between the lateral edges (9, 10) of the shutter (1) and the guide paths (7, 8) such that when a certain tractive force transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guide paths (7, 8) is exerted on the lateral edges (9, 10) of the shutter (1), said edges (9, 10) are separated at least partly from said transmission means (5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Benoit Coenraets
  • Patent number: 7017644
    Abstract: In a goods-handling door, there is a bracket on either side of its top portion. The brackets serve to support the shaft for rolling up the door. The invention relates to a one-piece (molded) bracket offering various functions: guiding the curtain, fixing various accessories, thereby ensuring structural precision and easy maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Nergeco
    Inventor: Bernard Kraeutler
  • Patent number: 6942003
    Abstract: A roll up door assembly for covering a door space comprising a rubber sheet having vertical side edge portions with a front lock strip secured to the front surface and a rear lock strip secured to the rear surface of each vertical side edge. The front and rear locking strips are staggered with respect to each other in the transverse direction of these strips. The sheet is coilable on a barrel mounted above the door. The staggered orientation of the lock strips assists in the tracking of the sheet during coiling on the barrel. A pair of vertically extending door guides each define a vertical slot oriented and sized to accept a respective vertical side edge portion for guided vertical movement therein. Each door guide assembly has a windbar attached thereto, positioned to narrow the opening of the slot such the narrowed opening has a smaller width than the total thickness of each side edge portion of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Service Door Industries Limited
    Inventor: David S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6729378
    Abstract: A handling door that includes vertical opposed uprights. Each upright has vertical guide slideways. Each vertical guide slideway is at least one of a semirigid member and a flexible member and includes one of a woven material, a deformable plastic material, and a shape-memory material. Ribs project from an outer face of each upright. The vertical guide slideways of each upright are arranged between the ribs. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Maviflex S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Simon, Antonella LaMarca
  • Patent number: 6722416
    Abstract: A flexible curtain rollup door includes a drum mounted on a door frame and drivenly connected to an electric right angle gear motor unit. The frame includes opposed channel shaped guide tracks for receiving opposed side edges of a door curtain. Spaced apart elastically deflectable combination curtain stiffening struts and windlock members are secured to the curtain and include opposed windlock parts receivable in the guide tracks and configured, respectively, to provide for releasing only one side edge of the curtain from its guide track. A flexible transverse bottom bar includes plural side by side flexible bags filled with particulate material, secured to the curtain bottom edge and enclosed by a flexible envelope member. The curtain bottom edge includes a stiffener formed of interconnected links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Varley, Richard D. Aiken, Raymond A. Clark, George Lair
  • Patent number: 6715531
    Abstract: The invention also provides for a guide mechanism for guiding a flexible curtain in a door opening, wherein the guide mechanism includes first and second guide members arranged on at least one vertical side of the door opening. An extension is arranged at an upper end of each of the first and second guide members. A vertical track for guiding an edge of the flexible curtain is defined between the first and second guide members. A tapered expanded portion of the track is defined between the extensions of the first and second guide members. At least one of the first and second guide members includes a semirigid frame plate. The semirigid frame plate includes at least one wall which is capable of undergoing an elastic deformation under pressure of an external force and is capable of returning to an original position without damage. At least one of the extensions being elastically flexible and capable of deflecting out of an initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Bernard Simon
  • Publication number: 20030136527
    Abstract: A roller blind for covering openings to refrigeration units, windows, and sliding for vehicles is provided in which the roller blind web defines a tubular pocket along respective longitudinal sides of the web. Opposing guide members are positioned on opposite sides of the roller blind web and retain therein the respective tubular pockets. Optionally, the tubular pockets may extend in both the warp and weft direction and additional interior pockets may be provided along the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Albert Weiss
  • Patent number: 6574832
    Abstract: A flexible guide for a door includes straps that are mounted in pairs along either side of a doorway. The straps for each pair are generally parallel, facing each other, and spaced apart to create a gap or channel between the two. As the door opens and closes, the straps guide the vertical movement of a door panel that travels within the channel. The straps are pulled in tension between upper and lower anchors to provide the straps with enough stiffness to effectively hold the door panel within the channel under normal operation. In some embodiments, springs are used to maintain the tension in the straps. The straps are also sufficiently pliable and resilient to allow an impact to dislodge the door panel out from within the channel without damage. The upper or lower anchor is moveable between a normally extended position and a yielded position to prevent an impact from breaking the anchor and may further be biased to the normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Boerger, Mark G. Petri, Robert J. Harter, John K. Olthafer
  • Publication number: 20030034135
    Abstract: The invention concerns a materials handling door (1) for industrial premises comprising opposite vertical posts (2,3), a flexible curtain (5), horizontal stiffening crossbeams (7), driving means (4) for rapidly displacing the flexible curtain (5) between a closing position and an opening position, while each opposite post (2,3) comprises semirigid frame plates (9, 10) which are mounted facing each other to constitute on each post a guide track (11), said plates comprising at least a vertical wall (12) which is designed to be elastically deformed and return to its original position without being damaged, under the pressure of an external force, said vertical wall (12) of each plate (9, 10) comprising an extension (22) inclined towards the outside of said plates (9, 10) so that the guide track (11) has in its upper part a flared conical portion profile, said extension (22) of each vertical wall (12) having a certain elastic flexibility to be able to move laterally relative to said wall (12) and the post (2, 3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Bernard Simon
  • Patent number: 6499527
    Abstract: A vertical guide for a roll-up type screen as used on windows and doors can be used either inside or outside as desired. The guide is placed in opposing relation on the left and right sides of the window or door and includes a first U-shaped retainer which is frictionally attached to a base. The guides allow the user to purchase screens for windows having various width openings since the guides can be adjusted horizontally to seal the edges of the screen and prevent insect and debris infiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Hoffman Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Jack R. Lindley, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020124974
    Abstract: A mechanism for quick hooking and unhooking of a handle, used particularly for fly screens and fly screen assemblies with a chain-operated movement. The invention includes a casing containing a rewind roll, a screen fastened to the rewind roll and a handle, and runners. The handle was a tubular profile with a hooking mechanism on one end. The hooking mechanism of the handle operates in conjunction with a reciprocal holder attached to a lower end of a runner.—.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: BETTIO GROUP SRL
    Inventors: Denis Bettio, Loris Bettio
  • Patent number: 6412538
    Abstract: A side guide for an architectural roller covering includes a base (18) and a cover (20). The base has a longitudinally-extending base web (22) with an outer flange (24) and an inner flange (34) extending laterally from a lateral surface of the base web. A free lateral end of the outer flange (24) has a first hinge formation (32) that is longitudinally directed towards the inner flange (34). The cover has a longitudinally-extending cover web (42) with a second hinge formation (48) and a bent arm (50) extending laterally from a lateral surface of the cover web (42) towards the base (18). The lateral surface of the base web (22) faces the lateral surface of the cover web (42), the second hinge formation (48) being located longitudinally between the base inner and outer flanges (34,24) and extending longitudinally towards the first hinge formation (32) and away from the bent arm (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Konrad Welfonder
  • Patent number: 6405781
    Abstract: A roll screen cassette is provided for installation in a closure assembly which has a frame for moveably retaining a closure member. The frame includes a header, sill, and vertical jamb sections. At least one of the sections includes a pocket formed within its interior. The pocket having a first predetermined configuration defined by the interior of the section and for receipt of the roll screen. The roll screen including a pair of brackets from which said roll screen is pivotally supported. The pair of brackets having a second predetermined configuration compatible with the pocket of the frame section having the first predetermined configuration. The pair of brackets utilized for removeably retaining the roll screen within the pocket in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: 420820 Ontario Limited
    Inventors: John Robert Davies, Sean Davies, Sinnathamby Kupenthirarajan
  • Patent number: 6390171
    Abstract: A roll-up overhead door assembly which is selectively moved up and down to open and close an opening and which is guided along sides of the opening by columns, the door having an open position, a closed position and a cleaning position. The door includes a drum positioned proximate the top of the opening, a flexible door panel connected to the drum and a drip guard. The door panel is attached to the drum such that when the door assembly is in an open position the door panel is wound around the drum. The drip guard partially surrounds the drum and is positioned and sized to catch residue falling from the drum or door panel overhead. The door panel is sized such that in the closed position the door panel is connected to a point on the drum so that the panel does not significantly overlap the drum. The door further includes columns on opposed sides of the opening and surrounding the guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Rytec Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Drifka, Walenty Kalempa
  • Publication number: 20020020508
    Abstract: A side guide for an architectural roller covering includes a base (18) and a cover (20). The base has a longitudinally-extending base web (22) with an outer flange (24) and an inner flange (34) extending laterally from a lateral surface of the base web. A free lateral end of the outer flange (24) has a first hinge formation (32) that is longitudinally directed towards the inner flange (34). The cover has a longitudinally-extending cover web (42) with a second hinge formation (48) and a bent arm (50) extending laterally from a lateral surface of the cover web (42) towards the base (18). The lateral surface of the base web (22) faces the lateral surface of the cover web (42), the second hinge formation (48) being located longitudinally between the base inner and outer flanges (34,24) and extending longitudinally towards the first hinge formation (32) and away from the bent arm (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Konrad Welfonder
  • Publication number: 20010052399
    Abstract: A hanging for a roller blind, which is provided at its lateral edges with guide elements for positive cooperation with lateral guide devices, characterized in that the guide elements are formed by guide strips made from a flexible material, each guide strip being fixed at facing end portions on the hanging and the mutual spacing of the end portions of the guide strip in the fixed state is smaller than in a stretched state of the guide strip, so that a guide area of the guide strip located between the end portions and not joined to the hanging projects from said hanging and can be positively received in a guide device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Holm Enssle
  • Patent number: 6318438
    Abstract: A net guide 12 is guided along the lower end of an expandable net 4 folding in alternate directions counter to each other, made capable of opening/closing sideways is formed as a long member having a U-shaped cross-section including a shaking preventive section 12a and a bottom 12b. Concave notches 12c arranged at certain intervals are out in the shaking preventive section 12a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Seiki Hanbai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Uno, Mitsuhiko Chino
  • Publication number: 20010027848
    Abstract: A track system for use in a windlocking apparatus is disclosed and claimed. One embodiment includes a housing piece and an interfitting piece. The housing piece includes a channel and the interfitting piece includes a key which slidingly mates with the channel. The housing piece and the interfitting piece each have flanges having smooth contours thereon. Another embodiment employs a track having a first piece and a second piece with the first piece having at least one groove therein and the second piece having at least one protrusion thereon. The protrusion of the second piece interfits with groove of the first piece interlocking the first and second pieces together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Mark S. Hudoba
  • Patent number: 6247517
    Abstract: A roll-up overhead door assembly which is selectively moved up and down to open and close an opening and which is guided along sides of the opening by columns, the door having an open position, a closed position and a cleaning position. The door includes a drum positioned proximate the top of the opening. The door panel is attached to the drum such that when the door assembly is in an open position the door panel is wound around the drum. The drip guard partially surrounds the drum and is positioned and sized to catch residue falling from the drum or door panel overhead. The door panel is sized such that in the closed position the door panel is connected to a point on the drum so that the panel does not significantly overlap the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Rytec Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Drifka, Walenty Kalempa
  • Patent number: 6240997
    Abstract: A rolling steel door, which includes a plurality of transverse rod members, a plurality of sleeves respectively sleeved onto the transverse rod members, a plurality of links respectively coupled to the transverse rod members to hold the transverse rod members in parallel, and a plurality of locating pins respectively fastened to the transverse rod members to stop the sleeves against the links, wherein the transverse rod members are hollow tubes; the links each comprise two coupling ends, two coupling holes respectively formed on the coupling ends and coupled to a respective transverse rod member, a reinforcing peripheral flange perpendicularly raised around the periphery thereof and the border of each coupling hole, and a neck on the middle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Ming-Kun Lee
  • Patent number: 6186212
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Metaco Inc.
    Inventor: Osamu Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 6152207
    Abstract: A tandem windbar system for a flexible curtain rollup door includes a first windbar adapted to be guided in opposed guide channels of a door assembly and supported by flexible strap members which are secured at one end to a rotatable drum for rolling a flexible curtain closure member onto and off of the drum to open and close the door. Opposite ends of the strap members are secured to stationary structure, such as the upper ends of opposed guide channels for the door curtain and the first windbar. A second windbar is supported below the first windbar by opposed flexible straps which are operably connected at one end to the first windbar by a bearing tube member which may rotate relative to and is supported on the first windbar. The straps of the second set are trained around and support the second windbar and are connected at their opposite ends to the curtain drum for rolling onto and off of the drum. The second windbar ascends and descends at 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Varley
  • Patent number: 6148897
    Abstract: A release mechanism for use in combination with an industrial door, which includes an extension member extending across the doorway opening when the door is in its doorway-blocking positions, the releasing mechanism including a roller mounted for movement with the extension member, and a track including a guideway for receiving the roller and guiding it during normal door operation, the roller and track being movable relative to each other upon application of a breakaway force to the extension member, thereby allowing the roller to escape from the track when a breakaway force is applied to the extension member, the breakaway force being defined as a force that has a component perpendicular to the plane of the door above a certain magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Bill Horner, Tom Jansen, Perry Knutson, Steve Lester
  • Patent number: 6095224
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rolling protective shutter having improved shutter tracks. The improved shutter tracks according to the present invention include an improved stopping mechanism that prevents the shutter from completely rolling up onto the shutter support member, and is hidden within the shutter tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: James V. Miller
  • Patent number: 6089305
    Abstract: A curtain guiding assembly for an industrial door is disclosed. The curtain guiding assembly is provided with a resilient member disposed adjacent the leading edge of a door curtain. The resilient member is substantially untensioned when no external force is applied to the door curtain and is adapted to at least partially conform to or at least partially deflect about encountered obstacles. The resilient member becomes tensioned upon application of an external force less than a first predetermined threshold and returns to its substantially untensioned state upon removal of the external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne E. Gruben, Peter S. Schulte, James P. Schwingle
  • Patent number: 6021837
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rolling protective shutter having improved shutter tracks. The improved shutter tracks according to the present invention include an improved stopping mechanism that prevents the shutter from completely rolling up onto the shutter support member, provides for adjustment of the position where the shutter will stop as the shutter is rolled up onto the shutter support member, and is hidden within the shutter tracks. The improved shutter tracks according to the present invention further include an improved cover assembly for use in concealing angle brackets and the associated attachment hardware when a shutter track is angle mounted to a wall or jamb. The cover assembly completely encloses the angle bracket to give the shutter track and, consequently, the rolling protective shutter a finished appearance after installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: James V. Miller
  • Patent number: 5964271
    Abstract: A storable screen assembly wherein a first and second vertical post have a screen extending therebetween, each of the posts having a vertically extending channel therein and a slot in facing side walls to receive the screen, the flexible screen having a guiding element secured to each of the side marginal edges which fit through the slots and remain within the vertically extending channels, the guiding element having a C-shaped portion which remains within the channel, the guide element being of a flexible resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Serge Lapointe
  • Patent number: 5957187
    Abstract: An omni-directional breakaway guide assembly for use in conjunction with an edge member in an industrial door. The guide assembly comprises a guide extension for engaging guide members to guide the door in a plane, and an edge member portion coupled to the edge member. The breakaway guide assembly includes a releasable coupling between the guide extension and the edge member portion. Upon application of a sufficient force on the edge member at least one of the edge member portion and the guide extension portion deforms to allow the edge member portion to breakaway from the guide extension portion. Such breakaway may occur for forces applied in a variety of directions to the edge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne E. Gruben, Peter S. Schulte, James P. Schwingle
  • Patent number: 5915448
    Abstract: A curtain bottom tensioning assembly comprised primarily of a resilient member extending across the bottom of the door. The resilient member is directly or indirectly coupled to a guide extension extending beyond the leading edge of the door and engaging vertical guide members to guide the door in a vertical plane. The guide extensions also engage the vertical guide members to restrict the guide extensions from moving horizontally toward the curtain. The coupling between these horizontally restricted guide extensions and the resilient member places a tension on the resilient member. The resilient member is thus stretched across the bottom of the door or curtain, and serves as a bottom bar that also substantially conforms to or deflects around an obstruction, thus preventing or minimizing damage to the door, the bottom bar and the obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Peter S. Schulte
  • Patent number: 5887637
    Abstract: A covering system for apertures, such as windows, has a cross bar that is slidably mounted between a pair of tracks. Each end of the cross bar is connected to a belt that circulates in its respective track. The belts positively engage respective pulleys which are connected by a shaft. The cross bar is thereby prevented from becoming skewed as it is slid along the tracks. A locking device locks the cross bar at a desired position along the tracks. The free end of a roller blind may be connected to the cross bar. Preferably the roller blind turns with the pulleys and the belts are tapered so that the roller blind rolls and unrolls at the same rate that the cross bar is moved. This makes it unnecessary for the roller blind to be spring loaded. The cross bar may also be used to support horizontal or vertical slatted blinds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: Duncan Phyper
  • Patent number: 5878803
    Abstract: A goods-handling door for closing or opening a bay formed in a wall, said door comprising: a raisable curtain (3) capable of being collected together at the top of the door; a vertical slideway (5) on either side of the curtain, each slideway being suitable for receiving a respective side edge of the curtain and having a face placed against the wall at the edge of the bay, the side edges of the curtain being adapted to slide in said side vertical slideways to hold the curtain substantially in the plane of the door; and mechanical means for operating the door, the mechanical means comprising a shaft (4) disposed at the top of the door for winding up the curtain or curtain-raising straps, a motor (104) for driving said shaft, an end-of-stroke device (105), and control means (106), said door being characterized in that each slideway is fixed in position by disengageable means (9) to hold the slideway in the plane of the door during normal operation thereof while allowing the slideway to leave its location when s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Bernard Kraeutler
  • Patent number: 5794678
    Abstract: A roller door sealing system including at least one sealing member carried on the curtain, and disposed adjacent the end of the curtain attached to the roller, and a seal engaging member supported adjacent the curtain. The sealing member and the seal engaging member are disposed such that the sealing member engages the seal engaging member and seals the space between the curtain and the seal engaging member as the curtain approaches the doorway-blocking position. The sealing function provided by the sealing member or members only occurs as the door approaches the door blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Beringer, David P. Leppert
  • Patent number: 5638883
    Abstract: An omni-directional breakaway guide assembly for use in conjunction with a bottom member in a roll-up door. The guide assembly comprises a guide extension for engaging vertical guide members to guide the door in a vertical plane, and a bottom member portion coupled to the bottom member. The breakaway guide assembly includes a magnetic coupling between the guide extension and the bottom member portion. Upon application of a sufficient force on the bottom member the magnetic coupling is overcome and the bottom member and attached bottom member portion breakaway from the guide extension. Such breakaway may occur for forces applied in a variety of directions to the bottom member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Corporation
    Inventor: Peter S. Schulte
  • Patent number: 5620039
    Abstract: Apparatus for separably connecting a movable barrier to a means for guiding the barrier is disclosed. The connection separates upon a transbarrier impact in excess of a predetermined magnitude. To this end a lateral connecting member (22) extends between the barrier (12) and the guide means (18) and includes opposed first and second ends (22a and 22b). The first end (22a) being attached to the guide 18 and the second end 22b has opposed upper and lower surfaces 46, 48 arcuate portions 46a, 46b, 48a and 48b. A receptacle 24 is attached to the movable barrier 12 and is adapted to receive the second end 22b of the lateral connecting member 22. The receptacle 24 has facing upper and lower inner surfaces 42, 44.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Rytec Corporation
    Inventors: Joe M. Delgado, Walenty Kalempa
  • Patent number: 5609196
    Abstract: A roller blind system with two lateral guide members for a draw-up mechanism or a mounting or the like of a roller blind, wherein the carrier members can each be connected to the respective lateral guide rails for the roller blind shuttering and are designed for carrying the draw-up mechanism or the mounting or the like. The roller blind system includes for each carrier member at least one cover means which can be fixed at the end on the outside to the respective carrier member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Franz Kraler
  • Patent number: 5601133
    Abstract: A flexible roll-up door assembly includes opposed, elongated frame members supporting guides for longitudinal side edges of the door and for slide members connectable to a bottom beam of the door closure member by a latch mechanism which includes opposed latch members which engage the slide members, respectively. The slide members rotate to permit the latch members to separate in response to a predetermined force acting on the door closure or the bottom beam. The latch members are spring biased to retract out of or extend into cooperating slots in the slide members and may be reinserted in the slide members to reconnect the door to the guides. The latch members may include retaining projections cooperable with reentrant edges or other surfaces in the slots to retain the latch members engaged with the slide members. Alternate embodiments include latch members formed on the slide members and engaged in slots formed in a transverse bottom beam for the door closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: LeRoy G. Krupke, Douglas R. Fuller, Dennis A. Kalgren, Anthony J. Shelton
  • Patent number: 5601134
    Abstract: A vertical retainer assembly for a roll-up door that selectively blocks and unblocks a doorway, the door including a curtain attached to a roller, and vertical members disposed on either side of the doorway, which include vertically-disposed guide tracks for receiving and guiding the curtain in a vertical plane, the vertical retainer assembly compromising: a horizontally disposed member attached to the curtain, the member being movable out of the vertical plane of the door; and a retaining surface in one of the vertical members at a location external to the guide track, the horizontally disposed member being selectively engageable with this retaining surface which vertically retains the member against upward movement, and prevents the roller from being actuated to roll up the curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Corporation
    Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Garrett L. Goins
  • Patent number: 5579820
    Abstract: A roll-up closure device for typically collapsible vehicle shelters of the type having a structure made of assembled tubular members and cross-members and a complementary covering therefor made of a flexible plastics material and defining at the front end thereof a door opening. The side walls of the shelter are inclined in such a way as to diverge from top to bottom, whereby the door opening has generally a isosceles trapezoidal shape. The device includes a pair of opposed side guide rails mounted at laterally opposite sides of the door opening so as to follow the angled sides thereof, an overhead motor driven roll-up boom extending above the door opening, and a flexible closure shaped like the door opening and having its lateral side edges slidably engaged in the guide rails, whereby the closure device does not substantially reduce the lateral dimensions of the door opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventors: Robert LePage, Michel Paradis
  • Patent number: 5544690
    Abstract: A roll-up door including thermal protection devices provided in the mounting arrangement thereof to prevent the transfer of cold outside air, snow, ice and the like through the doorway covered by the roll-up door, the thermal protection devices including a plastic member in the mounting arrangement to provide a thermal break therein, heating members also disposed in the mounting arrangement, and a heated hood disposed over the support roller on which the door is rolled up into in the opened position thereof. The plastic member can have a snap-on construction to facilitate the assembling thereof, and also for the removal thereof in the event replacement is necessary. The roll-up door is provided with a direct drive gearing arrangement disposed between the motor gear of the roll-up and roll-down mechanism and the support roller gear to avoid the building up of forces therethrough usually caused when the support roller becomes fixed in place or difficult to rotate due to cold weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventors: Sebastian Magro, Vincent Magro
  • Patent number: 5379823
    Abstract: A raisable-curtain door for closing a door-bay through a wall between two volumes of air maintained at different temperatures includes two vertical side uprights, each of which forms a slideway delimited by two vertical edges and a raisable curtain having side portions that slide in the slideways. Each of the side uprights includes two vertical metal bars forming respective edges of the slideway, which bars are separated from each other so as to define the associated slideway over substantially the entire height of the upright. A first of the vertical bars is located closer to the wall than the second of the vertical bars. The first bar is in draft-proof contact with the wall and in substantially draft-proof contact with the curtain over the entire height of the curtain when the curtain is down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Nergeco
    Inventor: Bernard Kraeutler
  • Patent number: 5368084
    Abstract: A roll-up door has a bottom bar attached to the flexible curtain of the door. The bottom bar has transverse openings at each end adjacent to the jambs of the door frame. A breakaway shaft travels in a track in each jamb and has one end normally seated in a respective transverse opening by the interaction of spring loaded ball detents and detent recesses in the shaft and bar. The opposite ends of the shafts are connected to a counterforce mechanism that urges the shaft downwardly and are also connected to a strap wound with the curtain drum to urge the shafts upwardly against the counterforce. The breakaway shafts will separate from the bar upon impact to free the bar from engagement with the jamb and prevent damage to the door. The breakaway shafts may then be reconnected with the bottom bar and reset by unwinding the curtain to an overtravel position that is beyond the normal closed position of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: ASI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clement F. Hying, Randy R. Schickert, Gregory Hahn
  • Patent number: 5344206
    Abstract: The present invention relates to automobile shades for the interior windshield of an automobile. The shade includes a rectangular frame in which a sheet of material rides. The frame is adapted for securement to the interior windshield of an automobile. One side of the frame is a supply housing while the other side is a take-up housing. An electric power source and a two way switch are employed to deploy and retract the sheet of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: Roy J. Middleton