Abstract: An overhead door system featuring independent, unconnected panels is described. Each panel end is operatively carried within a pair of parallel tracks. The weight of the door decreases as the door is lifted and each panel completely disengages from its adjacent panel as it reaches the stacked position. This allows for a linear spring torque to door weight relationship requiring a very small motor compared to existing designs to provide the lifting torque necessary to operate the door.

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.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A system includes a first structural element and a second structural element spaced apart from first structural element to define a space between the first and second structural elements. The system also includes a plurality of partitions moveable into the space between the first and second structural elements and a controller arranged to control movement of the plurality of partitions.

Abstract: A drive for doors, in particular garage doors, having door runners which are in each case arranged laterally and which are guided in fixed position rails, and having a drive unit having at least a motor and a driving gear. The drive unit has two rope pulleys arranged to oppositely rotate, 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 drive system for closing devices, for example gates or shutters, with a variable speed output drive and a device for detecting a given characteristic of the drive, and is varied to maintain a substantially constant speed of the closing device as it moves between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a frame having a movement obstruction arm movable into a track on which rollers of an overhead door will move. When any roller on the door abuts against the arm, it will obstruct any further opening movement of the overhead door. A camming means is associated with the movement obstruction arm to automatically shift the same to a position out of the trackway when the door is moving back to the closed position. A control module is operable with the locking mechanism and receives a signal from a locking mechanism indicative of whether or not the locking mechanism is opened or closed. The control module will thereupon provide an opening signal to an opener for the overhead door.

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

Abstract: An upwardly retracting vehicle door is disclosed, such as for use on the rear of a mini-van. The door includes a lower primary door panel and an upper secondary door panel, such as a glass window, that is retractable into the primary door panel. The primary door panel includes rollers on both side edges for slidably mounting the primary door panel on channels located on the vehicle body. When the primary door panel is opened, the window retracts into the primary door panel while the primary door panel travels upward toward the window and along an arcuate path preferably into a pocket within the vehicle roof. In a first embodiment of the invention, a single weather seal is used for both the primary door panel and window on each side with the primary door panel sliding over the seal when opening and closing. In a second embodiment, separate seals for the primary door panel and window are used on each side.

Abstract: Trailer doorposts are provided with removable tracks for rollers of vertically sliding doors. The tracks are provided with removable plastic inserts upon which the rollers travel. Weather stripping on the inside faces of the outer end wall of the tracks provide a seal between the doors slidable in the tracks.