Up-and-over Type; E.g., Moves From Vertical To Withdrawn Horizontal Overhead Position Patents (Class 49/197)
  • Patent number: 11898389
    Abstract: A tilt-up door having vertical side members each having a pivot point, the pivot points move upward or downward when an actuator is activated to move the door between open and closed positions. First and second cams connected to the vertical side members at a lower end of the cams, each of said cams extend from the lower end thereof upwardly and arcuately toward an interior of a building to a distal terminal end thereof, each of the ends contacts a cam follower. The cam followers slide along the first and second cams and guide the first and second cams and the door as the door moves between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventors: Mark Macdonald, Ryan Bosco Dsouza, Morey Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 11898347
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for a modular wall system. The modular wall system may include a panel frame; a sliding door including a first vertical side, a second vertical side, an upper surface, and a lower surface; sliding door hardware coupled to the upper surface of the sliding door configured to translate the sliding door within the panel frame; and a sliding track seal arranged with the header including a substantially linear portion extending from the header and a curved portion configured to maintain contact with the sliding door in a closed configuration, an open configuration, and in transitioning between the open configuration and the closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: HNI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Brown, John Hoelzer, Kaelan Abernathey, Sean Oliver
  • Patent number: 10443281
    Abstract: A storage compartment with a front door that slides and rotates up and into the storage compartment with a structural divider between the side panels of the storage compartment that supports the shelves and door between the load bearing points at the side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Alexander Thomas Luedtke
  • Patent number: 9631418
    Abstract: The door system of the present invention includes a mounting frame assembly and a tilt-up door pivotally and slidably mounted within the mounting frame assembly. The door system is installed in a door rough opening as an integral unit, simplifying installation. At least one hydraulic cylinder is utilized to actuate the door between its open and closed positions. A stabilizer including a door component secured to the tilt-up door and a door component secured to the frame assembly are used to stabilize the door when it is in its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Phillip A. Crown
  • Patent number: 9567789
    Abstract: There present invention relates to a single panel, hydraulically driven door system. The door and hydraulic cylinder are mounted to the door frame so the door and door frame can be easily installed to a building rough opening. From the door closed position, the hydraulic cylinder raises the door slightly to release a locking mechanism, before the door is rotated to its open position. A control arm and guide track guide movement of the door between its open and closed positions. A variable frequency drive controls the speed of the hydraulic cylinder extension and retraction to provide a smooth transition of the door when moving between its open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Phillip A. Crown
  • Patent number: 9534438
    Abstract: A roto-translating system for opening and closing a wing which is configured to be mounted on a frame of the wing is provided with a first guide and a second guide arranged so as to define an angle greater than or equal to 90°; a first carriage and a second carriage which are configured to be coupled to an upper edge of the wing and to engage in a sliding manner the first guide and the second guide respectively; a spacer arm provided with a first end, which is configured to be fixed to a first structural element of the frame in a rotating manner about a first vertical axis, and a second end which is configured to be coupled to a lower edge of the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BELO & SCOTCH LTD.
    Inventor: Simon Roger Loda
  • Patent number: 9428951
    Abstract: A tilt-up door for a building having an opening including a door frame with vertical track members, cam surfaces extending laterally from the vertical tracks at the upper portion of the tracks and a door sized to span the opening. The door can be pivotally coupled with rollers disposed within the vertical tracks and cam followers extending laterally from the upper portion of the door to contact the cam surfaces. The cams can include a first steep inclined segment, a second inclined segment and a third segment. When an upwardly directed motive force acts on the door the cam followers come into engagement with the cam surface to lift the door generally vertically and then rotate the door inwardly as the door is raised into an open raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: HP Doors, LLC
    Inventor: Roland W. Betker
  • Patent number: 9428948
    Abstract: A fluid-based spring counterbalance mechanism comprising an elastic flexible fluid-based spring disposed between a first plate and a second plate, each plate having a surface in contact with an end of the fluid-based spring. The counterbalance mechanism supports some or all of the weight of a movable barrier. A mechanism is configured to compress the flexible fluid-based spring between the respective surfaces of the two plates in response to motion of the movable barrier. By compressing the fluid-based spring, the counterbalance mechanism provides a force opposed to movement of the movable barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Roy Skotty
  • Patent number: 9353538
    Abstract: A stiffening strut to be used in conjunction with a rear surface of a garage door panel having a given width-wise length, formed in a generally U-shaped body. First and second sidewalls each with a bottom side edge and a top side edge, a front edge and a rear edge, the bottom side edge extends to first lengthwise mounting sleeve having an interior edge aligned with said bottom side edge, the first mounting sleeve having an outer edge parallel to the inner edge, the first lengthwise mounting sleeve having a given width, the first lengthwise mounting sleeve having a multiplicity of spaced apart openings by which fastening means affix the stiffening strut to the top of a garage door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Unique Garage Door Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Kelley
  • Patent number: 9273507
    Abstract: A door assembly for providing access to an enclosed space such as an airplane hangar. The door assembly includes a door panel configured to open and close an opening is provided. The door assembly includes an actuator configured to drive a rod upwardly. A first pin is fixedly mounted to the rod and rotatably mounted to the door. A link limits the upward advancement of a top portion of the door. The door is carried upward by the first pin, and rotated about the first pin as the link limits the upward advancement of the top portion of the doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Carl S. Petrat
  • Patent number: 9109392
    Abstract: An overhead door frame apparatus having a plurality of elongated structural C-channel members. At least one of the members has a tube secured within and perpendicular to the first member and having a flat plate attached to an outside of the tube. At least an adjacent C-channel member of the plurality of members having a closed end. At least one fastener passes through the flat plate and through the tube of the first member and through the adjacent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: FLOATING DOOR, LLC
    Inventors: Pete Seitz, Jerry Hopper
  • Patent number: 9091107
    Abstract: A tilt-up door for a building having an opening, a pair of substantially vertically juxtaposed members, cam surfaces extending laterally from the vertical members at the upper portion and a door sized to span the opening. The door can be pivotally coupled to carriages arranged for vertical movement along the vertical members and can have cam followers extending laterally from the upper portion of the door to contact the cam surfaces. Hydraulic actuators can be connected to the carriages to move the carriages along the vertical members. When the actuator or actuators are operated to move the carriages vertically along the members the cam followers can move along the cam surfaces to tilt the door to a horizontal position as the door is moved vertically upward into an open raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: HP DOORS, LLC
    Inventor: Roland W. Betker
  • Patent number: 9027281
    Abstract: A novel electric door opener for a garage, or equivalent structure, which uses a rail fixed at one end to a drive assembly and the other end to a mounting support, in which the drive assembly is mounted on the wall over the garage doorway with a pivotable mount, rather than the uniform practice wherein the drive assembly is suspended from the garage ceiling, thus significantly enhancing safety during installation and over the lifetime of the unit. In addition, the means whereby prior art rail type garage door openers, including their drive assemblies and overall mounting methods, are redesigned to reduce the invention to practice. The simplification of mounting hardware and process with this design makes it much easier and safer to install, remove, and replace an assembled rail type garage door opener, using only three removable pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Eddy Shalom
  • Patent number: 9021740
    Abstract: A movable barrier system wherein the trolley system comprises at least two guiding rail portions. At least one of the guiding rail portions is supported by a support member secured to the headroom area of the building support structure. The trolley traverses the at least two guiding rail portions by a hinged coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Roy Skotty
  • Patent number: 8935883
    Abstract: A barrier operator system including, method and kit described herein contemplate the use a rack and pinion drive mechanism which is mounted on tracks of the operator system such that the pinion is positioned to engage the rack which is coupled to the barrier to move the barrier along the tracks in both the upstream and downstream direction. Pre-positioning the pinion relative to the rack and using the rack and pinion drive permits coupling the rack and motor at any variety of points along the barrier to move it. Further when the barrier is an over head door, such as a garage door, the door is connected to the rack through a coupling assembly which connects the door to the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Arthur Coubray, Alan Keith Coubray
  • Patent number: 8910421
    Abstract: For sealing a door, a jamb interface with a specified width connects to a jamb interior face of a jamb along a longitudinal axis of the jamb interior face. The jamb interface includes a plurality of fingers with a proximal edge of each of the fingers in the range of 4 to 6.5 centimeters (cm) from an intersection of the jamb interface and a flap. Each finger has a specified finger height in the range of 1 to 1.5 cm. Each finger is separated from adjacent fingers by a specified spacing height in the range of 1 to 1.5 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: David Potter
  • Patent number: 8887442
    Abstract: A system for allowing a loading dock door to release from guide tracks. The dock door includes wheel-and-axle assemblies which are mounted to the door and which include wheels biased towards a position in the tracks. At least one of the tracks has a cross sectional profile which enables the wheels disposed in the one of the tracks to move out of the one of the tracks when the door is struck with sufficient force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cold Chain, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel M. Aragon, Peter James Wachtell, Todd J. Lindsey, John J. Prehn
  • Patent number: 8881464
    Abstract: A weatherguard door sealing device comprising a single piece of metal with an outer leg, receiving leg, center section, first and second planar surfaces, first and second diagonal surfaces, and two inner reinforcing legs. The first planar surface connects the outer leg to the first diagonal surface, the first diagonal surface connects the center section to the first planar surface, the second planar surface connects the receiver leg to the second diagonal surface, and the second diagonal surface connects the center section to the second planar surface. The receiver leg comprises a receiver channel for receiving a sealing element. The two inner reinforcing legs are parallel to each other and extend perpendicularly from the center section. The thickness of the center section is greater than the thickness of the first and second planar surfaces and the first and second diagonal surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Melken L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ken Huckeba
  • Patent number: 8863438
    Abstract: An overhead door frame apparatus having a plurality of elongated structural C-channel members. At least one of the members has a tube secured within and perpendicular to the first member and having a flat plate attached to an outside of the tube. At least an adjacent C-channel member of the plurality of members having a closed end. At least one fastener passes through the flat plate and through the tube of the first member and through the adjacent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Floating Door, LLC
    Inventors: Pete Seitz, Jerry Hopper
  • Patent number: 8720112
    Abstract: Door leveling apparatuses are disclosed herein. A door leveling apparatus configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a bracket mounted to a door, such as a vertically-opening sectional door. The apparatus further includes a cable assembly having a first end portion coupled to the bracket and a second end portion coupled to a door lifting system, such as a counterbalance assembly. The first end portion includes an adjuster that enables an operator to adjust the operational length of the cable assembly extending between the lifting system and the bracket, thereby enabling the operator to individually adjust the lengths of two such cable assemblies on opposite sides of the door to align the door with a corresponding opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Patent number: 8651165
    Abstract: The present invention is generally concerned with a breakaway door panel system comprising an impact resistant panel pivotally assembled to a pair of connecting members mountable to a door adjacent a first end and a second end of the panel respectively, and at least one impact releasable panel locking device comprising a first compliant holding element mounted at an end of the panel, a second complementary compliant holding element mounted to one of the connecting member adjacent the panel end, and a connecting bar releasably connecting the first holding element to the second holding element, whereby, when an impact force of at least a predetermined strength in applied to the panel, the bars are extracted from at least one of their respective holding elements, leaving the panel break away from the door, pivoting in the direction of the impact force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Gia Loc Huynh, Viet Pham, Marco Foster
  • Patent number: 8627606
    Abstract: A combined sealing system comprises a frame, a panel, a first sealing system, a second sealing system, and a third sealing system. The panel is within and movable, relative to the frame, between at least an open position and a completely closed position, and the panel includes a plurality of subpanels hinged relative to one another. The first sealing system is configured to engage a sill rail of the panel with a sill of the frame. The second sealing system is configured to engage a stile rail of the panel with a jamb of the frame. The third sealing system is configured to engage a meeting rail of the first panel with a header of the frame. In the closed position, the first and second sealing systems movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Tyto Life LLC
    Inventors: Don S. Salerno, W. Kip Speyer
  • Patent number: 8627605
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Rytec Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Publication number: 20130340345
    Abstract: A tilt-up door for a building having an opening, a pair of substantially vertically juxtaposed members, cam surfaces extending laterally from the vertical members at the upper portion and a door sized to span the opening. The door can be pivotally coupled to carriages arranged for vertical movement along the vertical members and can have cam followers extending laterally from the upper portion of the door to contact the cam surfaces. An actuator or actuators can be connected to the carriages to move the carriages along the vertical members. When the actuator or actuators are operated to move the carriages vertically along the members the cam followers can move along the cam surfaces to tilt the door to a horizontal position as the door is moved vertically upward into an open raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: HP DOORS, LLC
    Inventor: Roland W. Betker
  • Patent number: 8590209
    Abstract: A fluid-based spring counterbalance mechanism comprising an elastic flexible fluid-based spring disposed between two surfaces is used to support some or all of the weight of a movable barrier. A linkage mechanism comprising at least one rotating rotatable shaft is configured to receive rotational motion from a jackshaft associated with the movable barrier. A translational mechanism coupled to the at least one rotating shaft and coupled to at least one of the two surfaces is configured to compress the flexible fluid-based spring between the two surfaces in response to rotation of the rotatable shaft. By compressing the fluid-based spring, the counterbalance mechanism provides a force that partially or fully supports the weight of the movable barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Roy Skotty
  • Patent number: 8578653
    Abstract: Drive assembly for a door, gate or barrier, having a rail or track, a trolley for connection to the door, gate or barrier, mountable to run along the rail or track, and a longitudinal drive having a chain or belt connectable in a closed loop arrangement around or within the rail or track. The trolley is provided with an engagement mechanism for selective engagement between the trolley and the longitudinal drive mechanism, whereby the engagement mechanism includes an engagement member arranged for selective movement in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal drive and in a direction less than 45° from the plane of the loop of the longitudinal drive. The engagement member includes or cooperates with a cam part arranged for selective rotation about the engagement member, and a camming cooperation occurs between the cam part and the trolley body for converting rotation of the cam part about the engagement member into the required movement of the engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Automatic Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Ray Hawkins, Toan Dang
  • Patent number: 8567475
    Abstract: Overhead gate systems include a gate assembly having a barrier and that defines a passage. When in a deployed configuration, the barrier is adjacent to the ground and restricts ingress to and egress from the installation site, and the passage is distal the ground surface relative to the barrier, permitting access to and from the installation site via the passage. When in a stowed configuration, the barrier is not adjacent to the ground surface and does not restrict ingress to and egress from the installation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth Eugene Boone
  • Patent number: 8468745
    Abstract: A lifting and storage mechanism for storing a component in a garage using the energy of a powered garage door opening and closing system is disclosed. The lifting and storage mechanism includes a pulley system for raising and lowering the stored components and a latching mechanism having a spring latch for securing the components in a stored condition. In order to lower the stored components from a storage position, an operator initiates manual release of the spring latch or activation of an electromechanical release combined with activation of the motor of the powered garage door opening and closing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Blane A. Krause
  • Patent number: 8464468
    Abstract: A drive unit for a door includes a guiding device comprising guide rail and a guide element extending in a movement direction of the door. A drive device arranged inside a carriage moves back and forth along the guide rail and is engaged in the guide element. The drive unit is supplied with power via the guide rail and the guide element. Electrical plug connectors are provided on an external power source for the electrical connection of the guide element and the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Sommer Antriebs-und Funktechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Sommer, Ralf Weissinger
  • Publication number: 20130061525
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RYTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Patent number: 8387309
    Abstract: A waterproof gate includes a door frame, two side rails mounted on two opposite sides of the door frame, a waterproof door movably mounted between the two side rails, at least one sealing gasket mounted on the waterproof door, and at least one waterproof strip mounted between the waterproof door and the door frame. Thus, when the water level exceeds a preset value, the waterproof door is moved down to press the ground tightly so that the waterproof door blocks the door frame so as to provide a waterproof effect to the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Lung-Yuan Tseng
  • Patent number: 8375635
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing an overhead door, having a door assembly for mounting to the overhead door, and an operator for securely engaging the door assembly. The operator has a chassis, and a cable reel rotatably mounted to the chassis and coupled to a main cable. When the main cable is coupled to the door assembly, as the cable reel is rotated in a first direction, the door assembly is drawn towards the operator so as to close the door. The apparatus may include a latch assembly for securing the door assembly to the operator when the door is closed, and a latch release mechanism for selectively disengaging the latch assembly so as to disengage the door assembly from the operator. The overhead door may be biased so that when the latch assembly is disengaged, the overhead door automatically opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventors: Richard Hellinga, Michael Johnson
  • Patent number: 8371146
    Abstract: A track fitting garage door locking apparatus includes a male block with an internal housing and a key hole. A locking mechanism may be coupled to the internal housing and detachably coupled to the male block. A worm screw is coupled to the internal housing and passes through an opening of the guide track. A female block may be affixed to the guide track. The female block may include an axial bore aligned with the worm screw. A key may be removably interfitted within the key hole and thereby lock and unlock the lock mechanism such that rotational articulation of the male block causes simultaneous rotation of the male block, the internal housing and the worm screw. In this manner, the male block may be linearly reciprocated towards and away from the female block as the worm screw and the internal housing are simultaneously rotated in a corresponding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth McCarthy
  • Patent number: 8327583
    Abstract: A pulley assembly for an overhead counter weight door features a base plate and a support arrangement carried on and spaced from the base plate so that the base and support arrangements face toward one another. A shaft is carried on the base plate and the support arrangement to extend therebetween with a pulley supported on the shaft between the base plate and the support arrangement for rotation about an axis defined by the shaft. A plurality of wall sections extends between the base plate and the support arrangement to establish connection therebetween radially outward from the shaft beyond an outer periphery of the pulley on more than two sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hanover Door Systems (1996) Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Reimer, Dennis Braun, Richard Klassen, Walter Toews
  • Publication number: 20120279129
    Abstract: Overhead gate systems include a gate assembly having a barrier and that defines a passage. When in a deployed configuration, the barrier is adjacent to the ground and restricts ingress to and egress from the installation site, and the passage is distal the ground surface relative to the barrier, permitting access to and from the installation site via the passage. When in a stowed configuration, the barrier is not adjacent to the ground surface and does not restrict ingress to and egress from the installation site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth Eugene Boone
  • Patent number: 8245446
    Abstract: A tilt-up door for a building having a relatively wide door opening having a door frame including top and bottom horizontal members and vertical side members connected to the top and bottom horizontal members. The vertical side members can have a horizontally extending pivot shaft tube positioned between the top and bottom horizontal members, and outwardly extending cam followers adjacent to the top horizontal member. U-shaped channels can extend vertically along opposite sides of the door opening with the U-shaped channels facing each other and the door opening. The U-shaped channels can have generally horizontal track members extending from the top edge of the door opening and the horizontal tracks can have a curved cam surface. Carriages each including a horizontal pivot shaft journal can be positioned in the U-shaped channels for vertical movement in the U-shaped channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: HP Doors, LLC
    Inventor: Roland W. Betker
  • Publication number: 20120198772
    Abstract: A garage door and faux window façade assembly includes a door panel adapted to be mounted in a garage door opening partially defined by an overhead door structure, a triangularly-shaped clearance area defined by a first line segment substantially coplanar with a forwardly-facing surface of the door panel, and second and third line segments defined by a path of the overhead door structure relative to the door panel as the door panel moves between a closed position and an open position, wherein the second line segment is proximate the upper edge of the door panel and the third line segment is proximate the lower edge of the door panel, the clearance area is adapted to be free from abutment with the overhead door structure as the door panel moves between a closed position and an open position, and wherein the clearance area includes a forward portion area defined by the first and second line segments and a ? inch line that extends perpendicularly from the first line segment and intersecting the second line segme
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Trevor Richardson, Lee A. Chase
  • Publication number: 20120137585
    Abstract: A movable barrier apparatus, a kit configured to be assembled and mounted adjacent to a barrier opening, and a method of monitoring for ballooning of a movable barrier are described herein. A sensing device is positioned outwardly from a drum configured to receive a movable barrier therearound. A ballooning movable barrier engages or disturbs the sensing device, which, in response to the disturbance, sends a signal, such as a signal to sound an alarm, stop movement of the door, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Brown, Samir M. Chitnis
  • Patent number: 8179275
    Abstract: A movable barrier that is at least partially counterbalanced by a spring is moved from a first position to a second position while substantially simultaneously monitoring at least one characteristic associated with moving the movable barrier to provide at least one monitored characteristic. The at least one monitored characteristic is compared to a predetermined criterion. When the at least one monitored characteristic does not meet the predetermined criterion, an alarm condition is set to indicate a failure of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Jason Jankovsky
  • Patent number: 8151858
    Abstract: Each of two tracks are in an inverted L-shaped configuration and have a vertical section and a horizontal section. A single panel garage door is mounted for movement in the tracks between a closed orientation between the vertical sections and an open orientation between the horizontal sections. A rectangular portal is positioned within the garage door. Major screening in the garage door is at locations remote from the portal. A screen door within the portal is moveable between a closed orientation over the portal and an open orientation remote from the portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventors: Brian G. Hughes, Brian E. Jones
  • Publication number: 20120073206
    Abstract: A track for a roll-up industrial door. The track may include realigners adapted to divert the path of the industrial door as it is opened or shut. For example, a realigner may include a tapered portion to maintain a portion of the door within the track as the door is shut. Another realigner may have a tapered portion arranged to direct a portion of the door onto the track after it has been removed from the track. The tracks may be utilized in conjunction with a break-away industrial door having a flexible frame that is adapted to come out of the guide track upon application of a predetermined force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Rytec Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Terrance Kimener
  • Patent number: 8127494
    Abstract: A self adjusting chain adjustment trolley comprising a stabilizer bar trolley assembly affixed to a chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging a track, the stabilizer bar trolley assembly having a chain second end attachment point for engaging a chain second end; a sliding door attachment point affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for engaging a sliding door; and a track engagement assembly affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging the track. The chain tensioner assembly comprises a movable chain first end attachment point for engaging a chain first end and a force applicator attached thereto, such that the force applicator applies a predetermined amount of force to the movable chain first end attachment point to create a predetermined tension on the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Cornell Iron Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Kondash, Joseph L. Balay
  • Publication number: 20120047804
    Abstract: A vertical lift, self-storing door system includes a plurality of panels supported by a first and a second single track guide rail which engages guide rollers associated with the panels. The guide rail has a vertical segment which defines a closed position of the door and a horizontal segment which defines an open, storage position for the door. When the door is closed, the individual panels are stacked in an edge-to-edge relationship so that their front faces are coplanar. When the door is in an open position, the panels hang vertically from the guide rails in a spaced apart, generally plane parallel relationship with regard to their front and rear faces. Bevels in the top and bottom edges of the panels accommodate panel motion and ensure a tight seal when the door is in a closed position, and these bevels may include connecting features such as notches or tabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas D. Talboys
  • Publication number: 20110289849
    Abstract: A rectangular one-piece garage door has rigid horizontal upper and lower rails and rigid vertical first and second side rails. A small door is mounted in the garage door. A track assembly has horizontal first and second upper tracks. The track assembly has vertical first and second lower tracks. An arcuate first intermediate track couples the first upper track and the first lower track. An arcuate second intermediate track couples the second upper track and the second lower track. First and second upper hinged brackets are secured to the garage door adjacent to the upper rail. First and second lower brackets are secured to the garage door adjacent to the lower rail. Rollers are each coupled to one of the brackets and rotatably received within one of the tracks for guiding the movement of the garage door between a closed lower orientation and an open raised orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Brian G. Hughes, Brian E. Jones
  • Publication number: 20110214351
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a rope member, provided with a rope of a bundle of synthetic fibers and a clamping member fixed to the rope and forming a portion with which the rope is to be connected or fastened to an external member, wherein a filler having permeability to the rope and containing a liquid and particles of an inorganic material dispersed in the liquid is made to permeate into a part of the rope, and the clamping member is fixed to the rope by installing the clamping member to cover the part of the rope permeated with the filler and by tightening the clamping member. The liquid is evaporated and only the inorganic material particles remain between the fibers of the rope. The clamping member is prevented from slippage even when a high load is applied to the synthetic fiber rope having high tensile force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: KONGO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Okitsugu FURUYA, Akira MATSUZAKA, Kazuya NOGUCHI, Masanori FUNAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20110214352
    Abstract: A closing device for an aperture in a building includes a guide structure provided with a vertical pair of guide rails and/or an apron in the form of a flexible curtain, movable in the guide structure between an opening position of the aperture and a closing position under the effect of the action of a motorized drive unit including traction cables. The lower part of the apron is formed by a rigid blocking wall to which the traction cables are attached. The upper part of the apron is formed by a flexible blocking wall and is attached by its horizontal lower edge to the rigid blocking wall and by its horizontal upper edge to the lintel of the aperture. In the opening position, the apron is folded onto itself in the upper part of the guide rails, whereby this upper part is horizontal or inclined relative to the horizontal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: A.S.A. FERMETURES
    Inventor: Ignace Bellota
  • Publication number: 20110088327
    Abstract: Overhead door assemblies having both interlocking and releasable guide assemblies, and guide track assemblies for use with same are disclosed herein. An overhead door track configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a first side portion spaced apart from a second side portion to define a channel or gap region therebetween. The first side portion has a first guide surface and a first retention surface. Similarly, the second side portion has a second guide surface and a second retention surface. In this embodiment, the first and second guide surfaces diverge outwardly from the gap region in a first direction, and the first and second retention surfaces diverge inwardly from the gap region in a second direction, opposite the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Meichtry
  • Publication number: 20110083369
    Abstract: Each of two tracks are in an inverted L-shaped configuration and have a vertical section and a horizontal section. A single panel garage door is mounted for movement in the tracks between a closed orientation between the vertical sections and an open orientation between the horizontal sections. A rectangular portal is positioned within the garage door. Major screening in the garage door is at locations remote from the portal. A screen door within the portal is moveable between a closed orientation over the portal and an open orientation remote from the portal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Brian G. Hughes, Brian E. Jones
  • Patent number: 7913898
    Abstract: There is provided a collecting container. An exemplary collecting container comprises an insertion opening on the front of the collecting container that is adapted to receive objects. The exemplary collecting container additionally comprises a receiving device arranged to receive the objects and to convey them to a storage space in the collecting container, the storage space containing a filling-level measuring means that is connected to a blocking device preventing the receiving device from being opened when a defined filling level has been reached in the storage space, the receiving device comprising a roller shutter box whose receiving area is formed by at least two side walls and a bottom. The exemplary collecting container further comprises a roller shutter that is adapted to be moved in rails on the side walls, the blocking device being configured so that it can block the movement of the roller shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Steffen Frankenberg, Martin Räss, Ramin Benz, Sven Hein, Boris Paul
  • Publication number: 20110061303
    Abstract: An overhead door assembly includes a horizontal track, a transition track and a vertical track. The horizontal track has a first axial end and an oppositely disposed second axial end. The transition track has a first end and a second end and is curved. The first end is engaged to the second axial end of the horizontal track. The vertical track includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is rigidly mounted to the second end of the transition track. The vertical track includes a plurality of guide portions and a plurality of jog portions that are alternately disposed along the vertical track. The plurality of guide portions and the plurality of jog portions cooperatively define a channel. The plurality of jog portions is offset from the plurality of guide portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Carl John Peterson