Abstract: A garage door has pivotally connected door panels, with each of the door panels including an outer skin having an outer surface. The outer skin has a metal, such as steel, having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. An overlay element, such as a decorative element, is coupled to the outer surface of at least one of the outer skins. The overlay element includes a fiber-reinforced thermoset material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. In one specific embodiment, the first and second coefficients of thermal expansion are substantially equal. In one embodiment, the overlay element includes a pultruded fiber-reinforced thermoset material. In yet another aspect, the overlay element is adhesively coupled to said outer surface. Adhesive coupling may, for example, include a hot-melt adhesive, a two-part glue, or double-sided adhesive tape.

Abstract: A sectional overhead door includes a window and associated grille and clip for mounting on the panel of the door. The window is mounted by a frame on both the front face and back face of the sectional door panel. The window grille is mounted to the front of the door panel and couples to the frame members on the front face of the panel. The underside of the grille is juxtaposed to the window or glazing element in the frame. The rear face of the grille includes a groove and the lateral sides of each grille member include a pair of rails or channels. A uniquely designed clip fits within the groove and channels. A forwardly projecting tang extends from the central body portion of the clip and is adapted to project into a hole or opening in the window frame when the clip slides relative to the grille member. Another aspect of this invention is that selected terminal ends of the grille members are similarly configured to include tabs that seat within notches in the window frame.

Abstract: A hinge assembly pivotally couples adjacent panels together in an overhead sectional door. The panels include stiles between each lateral end of the panel to which the hinge assemblies are attached. The hinge assembly includes an upper hinge leaf on an upper panel with a pair of spaced generally parallel flanges which span the juncture between the upper and lower panels. The hinge assembly also includes a lower hinge leaf with a pair of flanges projecting generally parallel to each other. The lower hinge leaf is mounted to one of the stiles of the lower panel and each flange includes a pivot axis hole near a terminal end thereof for alignment with a pivot axis hole in one of the flanges of the upper leaf. The stile includes a pair of spaced, parallel sidewalls and a notch, depression or recess is on each sidewall. The recesses provide a seat for the respective flanges of the hinge leaves and clearance between the sidewall of the stile and any adjacent components.

Abstract: An overhead door and associated mating panels includes a number of hinges to pivotally couple adjacent overhead door panels. Each door panel includes a back metal skin presenting a back face. Each hinge includes a lower hinge leaf a pair of hinge legs projecting generally parallel to each other. The lower hinge leaf is mounted to the lower panel and a backer plate is mounted to the interior face of the back skin of the lower panel and screws or bolts project through the lower hinge leaf, the skin and into the backer plate. Each hinge leg on the lower hinge leaf includes a hinge pin hole near a terminal end thereof for alignment with the hinge pin holes in an upper hinge leaf. The lower hinge leaf has a tongue projecting from an upper edge of the mounting base. The tongue is formed into a hook-shaped arcuate projection and aids in the alignment, support and positioning of a hinge pin inserted through the aligned hinge pin holes in the upper and lower hinge leaves.

Abstract: A universal overhead door system includes a pair of horizontal track members, a pair of vertical track members and a pair of track radius members interconnecting the horizontal and vertical track members. A pair of adjustable short radius members extend from the track radius members to guide uppermost rollers of an overhead sectional door. The overhead door system includes a pair of stationary sheaves positioned outboard of a pair of horizontal support rails which support the horizontal track members. A detent is provided at one end of the adjustable radius members to prevent undesirable travel the garage door. A spacer is provided for use in extension spring configurations when a long horizontal support rail is required. The spacer prevents metal-to-metal contact of moveable sheaves with the horizontal support rails.

Abstract: A panel for an overhead sectional door offers increased performance and economy by optimizing the panel skin. The upper and lower structural rail areas which typically mate with corresponding lower and upper rails of an adjacent panel have thicker skin. The non-structural areas or the front face of the panel in one embodiment has a thinner skin which is typically embossed with a wood grain or other pattern. The structural rail areas which have the thicker skin add rigidity and resistance to deflection from wind loads and similar dynamic forces. The overhead door panel with differing performance characteristics for specific portions of the skin may be utilized with a variety of rail configurations such as a lap joint, tongue and groove joint, and convex/concave joint between adjacent panels. In another aspect, a specific bottom rail section using the variable thickness concept avoids the need for an astragal retainer thereby providing a cost savings while offering structural and strength benefits.

Abstract: An overhead door and associated mating panels includes a number of hinges to pivotally couple adjacent overhead door panels. Each door panel includes a back metal skin presenting a back face. Each hinge includes a lower hinge leaf a pair of hinge legs projecting generally parallel to each other. The lower hinge leaf is mounted to the lower panel and a backer plate is mounted to the interior face of the back skin of the lower panel and screws or bolts project through the lower hinge leaf, the skin and into the backer plate. Each hinge leg on the lower hinge leaf includes a hinge pin hole near a terminal end thereof for alignment with the hinge pin holes in an upper hinge leaf. The lower hinge leaf has a tongue projecting from an upper edge of the mounting base. The tongue is formed into a hook-shaped arcuate projection and aids in the alignment, support and positioning of a hinge pin inserted through the aligned hinge pin holes in the upper and lower hinge leaves.

Abstract: A track guard for a sectional overhead door assembly comprises an elongate member which may be positioned between the vertical track sections of the door assembly and a wall jamb to which the vertical track sections are mounted to cover the space therebetween. The track guard has a generally C-shaped cross-section and has a width which tapers from a first end to a second end to accommodate variations in spacing between the vertical track sections and the wall jamb.

Abstract: An overhead door and associated mating panels include enhanced wear surfaces and protection against the intrusion of climatic elements or the like in the form of a combined weather seal, light block and wear insert on the upper and/or lower edges of the mating adjacent door panels. The wear surfaces are utilized during the opening and closing of the door so that frictional interaction or rubbing between the mating edges is minimized to reduce wear and damage to the panels over the service life of the door. Additionally, the wear insert portion reduces a gap between the mating edges of the adjacent panels to provide enhanced protection without requiring increased roll forming tolerances on the panel manufacturing process. Moreover, the invention includes upright projecting weather seal and light blocking portions that are positioned in a gap formed at the juncture of the mating panels. When the door is closed, the weather seal and light blocking portions are deflected.

Abstract: An overhead door and associated mating panels include a hinge guard which is used in conjunction with each of the hinges of a multi-panel or sectional door. The hinge guard includes a base that is screwed, bolted or otherwise secured to a lower one of the door panels or a stile on the lower panel. The base is designed and configured to fit between the spaced hinge arms of an upper hinge leaf of the door. The hinge guard also includes a pair of protective side flanges that are connected by a bridge to a common edge of the base. Each flange extends generally parallel to a respective side of the base and is spaced from the side to provide a gap through which one of the hinge arms of the upper hinge leaf pivots. The protective flanges are positioned on the outboard or external side of the hinge arms to thereby block or inhibit foreign objects from interfering with the movement of the hinge arms during articulation of the hinge.

Abstract: An overhead door and associated mating panels include a hinge guard which is used in conjunction with each of the hinges of a multi-panel or sectional door. The hinge guard includes a base that is screwed, bolted or otherwise secured to a lower one of the door panels or a stile on the lower panel. The base is designed and configured to fit between the spaced hinge arms of an upper hinge leaf of the door. The hinge guard also includes a pair of protective side flanges that are connected by a bridge to a common edge of the base. Each flange extends generally parallel to a respective side of the base and is spaced from the side to provide a gap through which one of the hinge arms of the upper hinge leaf pivots. The protective flanges are positioned on the outboard or external side of the hinge arms to thereby block or inhibit foreign objects from interfering with the movement of the hinge arms during articulation of the hinge.

Abstract: A track guard for a sectional overhead door assembly comprises an elongate member which may be positioned between the vertical track sections of the door assembly and a wall jamb to which the vertical track sections are mounted to cover the space therebetween. The track guard has a generally C-shaped cross-section and has a width which tapers from a first end to a second end to accommodate variations in spacing between the vertical track sections and the wall jamb.

Abstract: A universal overhead door system includes a pair of horizontal track members, a pair of vertical track members and a pair of track radius members interconnecting the horizontal and vertical track members. A pair of adjustable short radius members extend from the track radius members to guide uppermost rollers of an overhead sectional door. The overhead door system includes a pair of stationary sheaves positioned outboard of a pair of horizontal support rails which support the horizontal track members. A detent is provided at one end of the adjustable radius members to prevent undesirable travel the garage door. A spacer is provided for use in extension spring configurations when a long horizontal support rail is required. The spacer prevents metal-to-metal contact of moveable sheaves with the horizontal support rails.

Abstract: An overhead door and associated mating panels include enhanced wear surfaces and protection against the intrusion of climatic elements or the like in the form of a combined weather seal and wear insert on the upper and/or lower edges of the mating adjacent door panels. The wear surfaces are utilized during the opening and closing of the door so that frictional interaction or rubbing between the mating edges is minimized to reduce wear and damage to the panels over the service life of the door. Additionally, the wear insert portion reduces a gap between the mating edges of the adjacent panels to provide enhanced pinch-resistant or pinch-proof protection without requiring increased roll forming tolerances on the panel manufacturing process. Moreover, the invention includes an upright projecting weather seal portion that is positioned in a gap formed at the juncture of the mating panels.

Abstract: An overhead door and associated mating panels include enhanced wear surfaces and protection against the intrusion of climatic elements or the like in the form of a combined weather seal, light block and wear insert on the upper and/or lower edges of the mating adjacent door panels. The wear surfaces are utilized during the opening and closing of the door so that frictional interaction or rubbing between the mating edges is minimized to reduce wear and damage to the panels over the service life of the door. Additionally, the wear insert portion reduces a gap between the mating edges of the adjacent panels to provide enhanced protection without requiring increased roll forming tolerances on the panel manufacturing process. Moreover, the invention includes upright projecting weather seal and light blocking portions that are positioned in a gap formed at the juncture of the mating panels. When the door is closed, the weather seal and light blocking portions are deflected.

Abstract: A coiling door particularly useful for high wind load conditions includes roller assemblies which are captured in guides along lateral side edges of the door to minimize the drag and friction of the door during operation. As such, the coiling door is operable even under high wind load conditions for movement to and between closed positions because of the roller arrangement coupling the lateral side edges of the door to guides mounted along the sides of the door opening.