Abstract: A drop-catch mechanism for preventing a door leaf of an overhead door from falling down upon breakage of a balancing spring thereof, the mechanism comprising an input member for coupling with a balancing spring of the overhead door, a ratchet wheel for coupling with a winding axle carrying the door leaf of the overhead door, a pawl, and means for moving the pawl from a free position that allows rotation of the ratchet wheel to a catching position that blocks rotation of the ratchet wheel, the means for moving the pawl being configured such that, in use, breakage of a balancing spring coupled to the input member causes the pawl to move from the free position to the catching position, characterized in that the means for moving the pawl from the free position into the catching position comprise a positive mechanical drive extending from the input member to the pawl.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive for doors, in particular garage doors, having door runners which are in each case arranged laterally at the moving part of the door and which are guided in fixed position rails, and having a drive unit consisting at least of a motor and a driving gear. In accordance with the invention, the drive unit has two rope pulleys arranged in counter rotating manner, with the two free ends of a respective rope being wound on each rope pulley. The rope ends cooperate with the door runners such that the door can be opened or closed via the rotational movement of the rope pulleys.

Abstract: A garage door opener apparatus (10) with a transfer mechanism (50) is described. The transfer mechanism includes motor sprocket (59), chain (52, 52A), drive sprocket (53, 53A), shaft (54, 54A), driven sprocket (64, 64A) and chain (65, 65A) connected to a carriage assembly (20). The transfer mechanism enables positioning of the apparatus in a building (100) with an obstruction such as a beam (102) and safely allows transfer of the rotation of the motor sprocket to the door (101).

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.

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: 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: An object sensor system is mounted on a garage door controlled by an electric garage door opener. The sensor system senses objects directly in the travel path of the door's leading edge. Each object sensor of the system comprises a mounting plate for permanent attachment to the garage door near a leading edge of the door, an upper hinge plate hingeably connected to the mounting plate, a lower hinge plate hingeably connected to the mounting plate and a connecting hinge plate connected to the upper and lower hinge plates. The plates are connected to move in concert. Each of the object sensors also includes a bracket having a first leg attached to the connecting hinge plate and a second leg extending horizontally towards the mounting plate and under the leading edge of the door. An electronic sensor is mounted on the bracket's second leg at a distal end to transmit or receive a light beam.

Abstract: A cable control device (10) for a sectional overhead door (11) having a motor-driven counterbalance system (30) including, a spring-loaded drive shaft (31), cable drums (33) carried by the drive shaft, cables (C) attached to and interconnecting the cable drums and the door and forming and releasing cable wraps on the cable drums upon raising and lowering of the door, and retainers (60) associated with the cable drums engaging a portion of at least one cable wrap to maintain engagement of the cable wrap with the cable drums in the event of the development of slack in the cables.

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.

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 counterbalance system for an upward-acting door includes spaced-apart wall brackets and cable drums supported on the brackets and connected to flexible cables which depend from the drums and connected to the lower side edges of an upward-acting sectional garage door. One or both of the cable drums may be connected to one end of a torsion coil spring and the opposite end of each spring is connected to a hub assembly. Elongated spring winding and protective cover tubes are sleeved over the springs and are connected to the brackets by worm-gear drive winding mechanisms, respectively, for rotating the tubes to effect winding of the torsion coil springs through the hub assemblies but preventing rotation of the tubes during normal operation of the counterbalance system. The cable drums and spring hub assemblies may be supported on an elongated synchronizing shaft or a torque transfer shaft extending between and supported on the wall brackets.

Abstract: An overhead garage door arrangement in which a door leaf is moveable between open and closed position, and is installable against a ceiling for sliding up and down or that can be tilted or swung up and down for compensating against the weight of the door, at least one helical spring module is provided with a least two parallel-loaded helical tension springs that are arranged coaxially one within the other, and that are wound in opposite directions. The inner spring has an outside diameter which is smaller than the inside diameter of the outer spring. The oppositely wound coils of the coaxial springs cross each other. The two springs are pushed over a holding element which has a narrower first section for receiving the inner spring, and having a wider second section spaced from the first section for receiving the outer spring. The first and second sections of the holding element have edges with hook-shaped portions for grasping coils of the coaxial springs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively securing and unsecuring a movable closure to a support frame is provided. The security device of the present invention comprises a locking assembly attached to the frame and a securing element attached to the closure. The locking assembly comprises a first rotating element having a detent, a second rotating element being engaged with the first rotating element, and a rotating latching element being selectively engageable with the second rotating element. When the movable closure is secured, the detent of the first rotating element is securely coupled with the securing element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively securing and unsecuring a movable closure to a support frame is provided. The security device of the present invention comprises a locking assembly attached to the frame and a securing element attached to the closure. The locking assembly comprises a first rotating element having a detent, a second rotating element being engaged with the first rotating element, and a rotating latching element being selectively engageable with the second rotating element. When the movable closure is secured, the detent of the first rotating element is securely coupled with the securing element.

Abstract: An extendable sunshade for attachment to a garage door comprising a plurality of canopy units and a support frame mounted to the inside face of the garage door for supporting the canopy units. A pair of support rails are disposed on the support frame for slidably engaging with a first canopy unit. Each of the canopy units includes a rectangular body structure having large openings, about which coverings are securely attached and telescopic legs pivotally connected to the corners of the body structure for maintaining the canopy unit in the extended position. Each of the canopy units further includes two external sides on which a plurality of rollers are disposed about for slidably engaging with support rails and two internal sides provided with support rails for slidably engaging with the rollers of an inner canopy unit. The canopy units can be slidably extended from the support frame while the garage door is opened to provide shade over the driveway.

Abstract: A pivotable safety gate having a pair of spaced apart parallel support frames which each have a distal end and a proximal end. The frames each have a support stanchion which is disposed adjacent the proximal end of the frame. The stanchions support a pivotable pair of gates. When one gate is down, the other gate is up. This gate assembly is utilizable at mezzanine floors where security and safety at edges of those floors are important. The gates prevent accidents and improper entry into areas which should be off limits to passage.

Abstract: An improved 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.

Abstract: The apparatus relates, according to a first aspect, to an edge guiding arrangement, for a door having a plurality of mutually rotatable panels (2) which are extended between and movable along two elongate guides (4) at opposite edge portions (8) of the panels (2). The edge guiding arrangement comprises such a guide (4), a guide device (16) engaging and being movable along the guide (4), and a joint between the guide device (16) and an edge portion of a panel (2). The edge guiding arrangement is characterised in that the guide device (16) is rotatable relative to the guide (4) in a plane (P) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide (4), and that the joint between the guide device (16) and the panel (2) is resiliently flexible in said plane (P).

Abstract: A door seal particularly suitable for garage doors disclosed has a rigid base portion made of a plastic material that is fastened to a support frame surrounding a door and a flexible combination cover and flap portion made of a plastic material that is integral with and preferably coextruded with the base portion. The cover and flap portion extend over outer front end and rear end faces of the base portion. The flap extends at an angle from a front corner along the outer face of the base portion. The flap extends forwardly and outwardly at an angle beyond the front end face of the base portion so as to be engaged and be flexed by the garage door in the closed position and in sealed engagement with the door when the door is closed.

Abstract: A counterbalancing mechanism for counterbalancing the weight of a door securing an opening in an enclosure. The mechanism has a pair of bearing plates mounted on the wall of the enclosure which rotatably supports a tubular shaft extending therebetween. A pair of spools, each having a cable wound thereon which is attached to the door, are mounted at the ends of the tubular shaft for rotation therewith. A pair of springs, each attached at one end to the tubular shaft and at the other end to a respective bearing plate, extend coaxially about the tubular shaft between the bearing plates to exert a counterbalancing force on the tubular shaft opposing the weight of the door which is transferred to the tubular shaft through the cables and spools. Since each of the springs generates approximately one-half of the necessary counterbalancing force, the door will remain partially counterbalanced even if one of the springs fails.

Abstract: For a vertical slide type front window of an operator's cab of construction machines, a windshield wiper assembly is mounted on a panel alongside the front window. Mounted on the part of the front window is a pin-latch unit for fixing the front window in a fully closed position. When a slide pin of the pin-latch unit is applied to lock the front window, this is detected by a detection means of a windshield control to render the wiper operative.

Abstract: A system for reinserting a dislodged roller of a movable overhead door and a bracket for accomplishing this result. A reinsertion bracket is positioned along both the vertical and horizontal portion of each side of a door track. The reinsertion bracket consists of a base plate and a pair of guide plates connected to the base plate at an acute angle. When a roller becomes dislodged from the wheel track, the forward or reverse movement of the overhead door will cause the roller and shaft to contact one of the guide plates of the reinsertion bracket. The guide plate contains a roller guide surface which directs the disengaged roller upward and inward until it is reinserted into the door track through a removed portion of the retaining ridge of the door track. The reinsertion bracket is resiliently mounted to the door track such that when a dislodged roller contacts the guide plate, the reinsertion bracket can flex to reinsert the roller within the door track.

Abstract: An extension spring overhead door system in which the spring may be quickly and easily placed in tension with the door in a closed position. A spring tensioning device is provided which eliminates the need for multiple installers to lift the full weight of the door and then clamp or otherwise prop the door in an open position. An extension spring containment tube is also provided which surrounds the entire periphery of the spring to fully contain the entire length of the extension spring.

Abstract: A power operated garage door of the type having a single section movable from a vertical closed position to a horizontal open position at the ceiling of the garage by cables which pull the door open and closed and are secured to the door by extensions of the journal bearings for pivotally supporting the lower edge of the door.

Abstract: A pivotable safety gate having a pair of spaced apart parallel support frames which each have a distal end and a proximal end. The frames each have a support stanchion which is disposed adjacent the proximal end of the frame. The stanchions support a pivotable pair of gates. When one gate is down, the other gate is up. This gate assembly is utilizable at mezzanine floors where security and safety at edges of those floors are important. The gates prevent accidents and improper entry into areas which should be off limits to passage.

Abstract: A gate for an electrified fence is designed to permit opening and closing by a vehicle operator who wishes to pass through the gate from either direction. Opening and closing the gate is effected without disconnecting the electrical wire on the gate.

Abstract: In conjunction with a conventional frame-enclosed overhead door system, a safety device for preventing the door from falling in the event that the upper rollers of the door break away from the door or become disengaged from their tracks, the invention comprises a pair of supports each having a first and second end. The first end of each support is pivotally secured to opposite side edges of the door substantially at the midpoint between the rollers on each side edge of the door. The second end of each support is pivotally secured, opposite each other, to an area of the garage adjacent to the intersection where the vertical and horizontal tracks meet. The supports are substantially equal in length and parallel to each other. In the event that the upper rollers of the door break away from the door, the supports will prevent further significant movement of the door.

Abstract: A new and improved overhead door safety apparatus is disclosed for a cable controlled door whose movement is guided by a stationary guide track. The new apparatus includes a brake assembly which is attached to the door and which is responsive to a decrease in a predetermined cable tension. When the decrease in the predetermined cable tension takes place, the overhead door safety apparatus is actuated causing the brake assembly to apply a braking action on movement of the overhead door. More specifically, in the brake assembly, a cable-tension-responsive track follower guides motion of the door by following the track. The cable-tension-responsive track follower has a first and a second operating state. The first operating state permits smooth movement of the cable-tension-responsive track follower along the track as the door moves when a control cable maintains a predetermined amount of cable tension.

Abstract: This invention generally provides an apparatus and a method for allowing the use of an existing handball court for playing both the game of handball and the game of squash. This invention includes an apparatus and method by which a rear squash wall is fixed at the appropriate location in an existing handball court for use during the play of squash. To then allow the play of handball, the rear squash wall is then detached, moved to the rear of the handball court, lifted to a position over the rear-end of the handball court and suspended behind and above the area of play used for handball. The reverse is performed to convert the handball court back for use for squash.

Abstract: An overhead tracked door selfsealing device suitable for easy retrofit of existing door installations which have no self sealing feature. It is comprised of a bracket and a spring driven cam system that is attached to the door track at the roller shaft points when the door is in the closed position. As a result, a lateral force imparted by the cam against the roller shaft via the pre-loaded spring forces the door against the jamb.

Abstract: An overhead tilt door assembly for use with a wide range in size of framed openings from small garage doors to very large aircraft hangar doors. The door is a one-piece unit. The door is suspended on cables which distribute its weight over the top of the framed door opening. There are only four rollers used in the system. Two are mounted halfway up the door, one on each end and are mounted in vertical tracks. There are two other rollers mounted one on each end of the door near the top which are installed in very short vertical tracks attached to short radius ninety degree curved tracks that are fastened to horizontal tracks. Locking pins are provided at the bottom of the door and when the door is closed, the pins engage holes in the floor of the doorway to give added stability. No counterweights or springs are necessary, although counterweights may be helpful in some applications.

Abstract: A safety device for use with an overhead garage door assembly which includes elongated coil springs on either side of the door counterbalancing the door weight for assisting in the opening and closing of the door. The safety device includes an elongated flexible member extending longitudinally through each of the coil springs and being secured at its ends to fixed supports. Each end of each spring is substantially surrounded by a substantially tubularly shaped member which includes an end cap. The ends of each spring are secured to their respective supports through holes in the end caps and additional holes allow the elongated flexible members to pass therethrough. Whereby broken portions of a spring will be retained either on the elongated flexible member or within the tubular members in the event of breakage of the coil spring.

Abstract: There is disclosed an overhead sectional door suitable for use with capped pickup trucks in which a multiplicity of sealing means are provided. Thus, there is provided compressible sealing means adapted to be compressed against the outer and inner faces of the door and auxiliary flexible sealing member adapted to span the compressible sealing member at the face of the door and from the side of the doorway to the door, a special sill plate having an upturned inner edge adapted to act as a dam and a transverse compressible sealing member adapted to seal between the door and the upturned member. A special fixed base support bracket is provided to hold a compressible sealing member in position to be compressed against the inner face of the door.

Abstract: A safety device for overhead garage and like door structures having a counterbalance spring structure including a coil spring which includes a safety cable extending through the open center of the coil spring and adjustably anchored at each end to the garage structure so as to be placed under sufficient tension to contain the spring against substantial horizontal or vertical movement in the event of breakage.

Abstract: A vehicle body having a roof, depending sidewalls, a rear opening and a door for closing the opening wherein the door is pivotally and slidably mounted to the vehicle body by a slide mounted door hinge assembly. The assembly includes an elongated guide track affixed to the vehicle body extending perpendicularly from the opening and a hinge with a sliding leaf slidably connected to the guide track and a door leaf affixed to the door adjacent the track.

Abstract: A cabinet of the type having an opening includes a panel which is pivotable between opening-blocking and opening-unblocking positions. The panel is slidable into the cabinet from its unblocking position along parallel spaced tracks, each of which includes a gear rack and a spur gear mounted thereon. An equalizer rod joins together the spur gears and is coupled to the panel to ensure free movement of the panel along the tracks. A tubing encloses the equalizer rod and is mounted for movement with that rod. The equalizer tube is coupled at opposite ends thereof to the tracks to prevent pivoting of the tube. Hinges are mounted to the tubing for supporting the panel for its pivotable movement.

Abstract: In order to prevent parked automobiles from being dented or scratched when they are parked in a regular parking space in a garage, carport or the like, a pad is suspended from overhead in a location near the car, or between two adjacent cars. The pad may be of substantial extent, such as two feet by five feet, for example, in order to protect all of the areas which might receive small dents from the doors of adjacent cars. The pad is preferably suspended from above the vehicles and is provided with supports such that the pad may be shifted to different stable positions where it is closer to one car or the other, or where it is raised up out of the way to provide additional clearance for other activities.

Abstract: A weather seal disclosed is particularly effective in providing a seal for uneven gaps of substantial width and length such as are found along the bottom of a garage door. The weather seal is a unitary extruded strip including a base section (21) mounted on the door, a resilient arm section (22) extending away from the base section and an end section (23) extending from the arm section opposite and in spaced relation to the base section. A lip section (24) extends away and down from the rear of the base section (21). In use, the arm section 22 flexes to resiliently urge the end section against a surface (14) so as to provide a substantially constant loading throughout the full extent of the door. For metal doors (31) a retainer (32) fastens to the door which in turn receives a portion of the seal and holds it in position for operation on the metal door.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support arrangement for a truck or trailer having a stationary side wall (2) and a maneuverable side member or wing (3). In order to avoid excessive stress on the side member (3) there is provided according to the invention a support arrangement which includes a substantially horizontal cantilever (12) which at one of its ends is secured to the stationary side wall (2) of the trailer and which at its other free end supports a bracket (15) in which two side member arms (9) and a side member support (10) positioned between the side member arms are rotatably mounted. The side member arms (9) are at their other ends rotatably mounted in the upper edge of the side member (3) and the side member support (10) is adapted to support the side member (3) with its free end when the side member is in its raised position.

Abstract: An adjustable windshield for a vehicle is disclosed. The windshield includes a first upright and a second upright disposed in spaced parallel relationship to the first upright. A first channel member is removably connected to the first upright and a second channel member removably secured to the second upright. A windshield is secured adjacent the channel members and extends between the same. A first side member is disposed coplanar with and adjacent to the first upright. A second side member is disposed coplanar with the second upright and parallel to the first side member. A first and a second pull loop are secured adjacent the first and second channel members respectively enabling the windshield to be moved from a first position in which the channel members are connected to the uprights to a second position in which the channel members are connected to the side members.

Abstract: An overhead tilting door assembly is provided, particularly for use in large buildings. The door assembly includes a door member having a quadrant member attached to each of its upper corners. Generally horizontal support members are provided on either side of the door member extending rearwardly therefrom. Each quadrant member is rolled along a support member to tilt the door between open and closed positions. A drive means is pivotally attached to a quadrant member for tilting the door member and for locking the door member against movement, unless being tilted by the drive means. The assembly also includes anti-skid means between the quadrant members and the support members to force the quadrant members to roll and not skid along the support members.

Abstract: An overhead door for use in selectively blocking large openings such as aircraft hangar doors, warehouse doors, etc. The door includes a primary or main door member pivotally mounted to the door opening and one or more secondary door members pivotally mounted within the main door member. A tracking mechanism causes the secondary door members to move to a substantially horizontal opened position when the main door member initially begins movement toward a substantially horizontal opened position and to maintain this horizontal position throughout the opening cycle of main door thus providing minimum wind resistance as the door is opened.

Abstract: A flipper door assembly for use on a cabinet or the like. A generally rectangular door sized to cover the desired cabinet opening is suspended by a rack and pinion suspension mechanism. The rack and pinion suspension mechanism includes a pair of gear racks mounted in the cabinet opening and a corresponding pair of pinion gears located above the gear racks and engageable therewith. The pinion gears are connected to each other by an axle shaft. Hinges are mounted to the upper inside surface of the door with the hinge pivots parallel to the top of the door. The ends of the hinges mounted to the door are flat and the other ends are L-shaped with the outermost end of each hinge being rotatably mounted on the axle shaft.

Abstract: There is disclosed a panel construction which is useful for overhead doors where the door is supported at side bearing points and is supported, when open, in an overhead, horizontal position. The door is formed of a core having a honeycomb structure which is defined by a plurality of parallel strips of sheet material, each formed into a sinuous path and bonded to immediately adjacent strips at its outwardly bowed extremities, the assembly of strips of sheet material thereby providing a honeycomb or reticulated core structure. The core is aligned in the door with the strips of material extending across the width of the door. The door is provided with covering sheets which extend over the opposite sides of the honeycomb core. The covering sheets are bonded securely to the edges of the strips of sheet material of the honeycomb core by adhesive material which, preferably, has some resiliency.

Abstract: A counterbalance spring for garage doors of the sectional type which slide upward and over a horizontal track is located above and parallel to the track. The spring is a coiled spring which, after a period of time may fracture under tension and broken parts consequently may be thrown about at some peril. To contain the broken parts a rod extends through the coiled spring, is fastened to the building structure at both ends, and the pulley connected to one end of the spring is mounted on a carrier which slides on and is guided by the rod. The initial impact resulting from fracture of the spring while under tension is absorbed by a deformation of the rod serving as a cushion.

Abstract: A greenhouse structure for growing vegetables, flowers, and like plants inside under good conditions particularly in the fall, winter, and early spring portions of the year includes a building structure having a rear wall and opposite end walls and a roof defining an enclosed space having an open front side and a closure member movable between an open position and a closed position with the closure member being adapted to close the open front side of the building structure. Power means are operatively connected to the closure member for moving same between the open position and the closed position in response to temperature measurement within the building structure for controlling some growing conditions of the plants.

Abstract: A window tracking mechanism including a window structure and a pair of tracks with rollers rotatable on the tracks and supporting the window structure thereon. The tracks have bends therein for securing the window structure in a lowered position and an upper stored position. One of the rollers is movable, for releasably holding the window structure in either of its two positions.

Abstract: A safety device for use in combination with elongated coil springs substantially balancing the door weight for ease of opening and adapted to urge said door toward an open position after partial opening movement. The safety device includes an elongated flexible member extending longitudinally substantially axially through the elongated spring with ends thereof beyond the spring ends as with one end fixedly mounted adjacent a fixed end of the spring and the other end thereof resiliently mounted adjacent the other end of the spring whereby separate portions of the spring will be retained on the elongated flexible member in the event of breakage of the coil spring.