Patents by Inventor Brian Norbert Drifka

Brian Norbert Drifka has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20140069594
    Abstract: A door assembly having a flexible door panel wound and unwound on a drum or the like to selectively block or permit access through an opening, the flexible door panel having a stiffness, a width, and a length. The door assembly further includes vertically extending side columns disposed on opposite sides of the opening, the side columns being configured to engage a marginal edge of the flexible panel to vertically guide the panel while opening or closing. Attached to a leading edge of the door panel is a bottom bar having a greater stiffness than the door panel and a narrower width than a distance between the vertical panel guide assemblies. Bottom bar guides are disposed proximate a lower portion of the opening and are configured to engage a portion of the bottom bar only when the bottom bar is located in at least a partially closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Rytec Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8607842
    Abstract: A door assembly having a flexible door panel wound and unwound on a drum or the like to selectively block or permit access through an opening, the flexible door panel having a stiffness, a width, and a length. The door assembly further includes vertically extending side columns disposed on opposite sides of the opening, the side columns being configured to engage a marginal edge of the flexible panel to vertically guide the panel while opening or closing. Attached to a leading edge of the door panel is a bottom bar having a greater stiffness than the door panel and a narrower width than a distance between the vertical panel guide assemblies. Bottom bar guides are disposed proximate a lower portion of the opening and are configured to engage a portion of the bottom bar only when the bottom bar is located in at least a partially closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Rytec Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Publication number: 20130152471
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an industrial high-speed door assembly having a reduced door panel width and having guides for guiding the door which extend into a passageway but are resilient, tough, or resiliently collapsible, to either withstand impacts from vehicle collisions or moveable during opening of the door to avoid collisions while returning for guidance upon closing the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Arno Klein, John Sonn, Donald P. Grasso, Daniel J. Gregoriou, Walenty Kalempa
  • Publication number: 20130112357
    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 flexible door panel, a shaft capable of rotating to vertically move the flexible door panel, and at least two motors configured to rotate the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Rytec Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Gontarski, Brian Norbert Drifka
  • 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: 8360132
    Abstract: A high-speed door assembly has a shaft or drum having a longitudinal axis which is configured so that the longitudinal axis is parallel with a wall to which the door assembly is mounted. A flexible door panel is attached to the shaft or drum so as to be capable of being wound and unwound about the drum for selectively permitting and prohibiting access through an opening in the wall to which the door assembly is mounted, the door panel being wound on the shaft or drum in an orientation such that the door panel defines at least one vertical plane when unwound from the shaft or drum, the vertical plane being spaced further from the wall to which the door assembly is mounted than the longitudinal axis of the shaft or drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Rytec Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Patent number: 8316915
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an industrial high-speed door assembly having a reduced door panel width and having guides for guiding the door which extend into a passageway but are resilient, tough, or resiliently collapsible, to either withstand impacts from vehicle collisions or moveable during opening of the door to avoid collisions while returning for guidance upon closing the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Rytec Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Arno Klein, John Sonn, Donald P. Grasso, Daniel J. Gregoriou, Walenty Kalempa
  • Publication number: 20120241107
    Abstract: A door panel for an overhead roll-up door assembly having a first face, a second face, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The door panel is constructed by butt jointing at least two sub-panels together in a horizontal direction such that neither sub-panel overlaps the other and applying at least one strip of seaming material over each horizontal butt joint, the seaming material being adhered over each butt joint on at least the first face of the door panel. The door panel further includes at least one strip of seaming material adhered vertically along at least one face of the door panel extending from approximately the top edge of the door panel to approximately the bottom edge of the door panel, and being configured such that a top face of the vertical seaming material is substantially co-planar with a top face of the horizontal seaming material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: RYTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Gontarski, Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Publication number: 20120241109
    Abstract: A door assembly having a flexible door panel wound and unwound on a drum or the like to selectively block or permit access through an opening, the flexible door panel having a stiffness, a width, and a length. The door assembly further includes vertically extending side columns disposed on opposite sides of the opening, the side columns being configured to engage a marginal edge of the flexible panel to vertically guide the panel while opening or closing. Attached to a leading edge of the door panel is a bottom bar having a greater stiffness than the door panel and a narrower width than a distance between the vertical panel guide assemblies. Bottom bar guides are disposed proximate a lower portion of the opening and are configured to engage a portion of the bottom bar only when the bottom bar is located in at least a partially closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: RYTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Publication number: 20120241105
    Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening in a wall, the door assembly having a flexible door panel and side columns located proximate opposite sides of the opening. The side columns each include an arm configured to engage the door panel as the door panel moves vertically, the arms being configured to move in a first direction in response to a first threshold moment being applied to the arms by the door panel wherein movement of each arm in the first direction prevents the door panel from escaping the side columns. The arms may be further configured to move in a second direction in response to a second threshold moment being applied on the arms by the door panel in a substantially vertical direction perpendicular to and away from the door panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: RYTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Christopher Gontarski
  • Publication number: 20120241110
    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 door panel with two faces and opposing marginal and lateral edges, and at least two wind locks attached proximate each marginal edge. The at least two wind locks extend away from one face of the door panel in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, and are spaced apart vertically along each respective side edge of the door panel. The assembly further includes a drum for winding and unwinding the door panel to permit and prohibit access to the opening, and, a pair of opposing parallel side columns aligned and spaced apart such that each of the opposing side edges engage one of the side columns in a manner in which at least a portion of the side columns guide vertical movement of the door panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: RYTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Christopher Gontarski
  • Publication number: 20110283620
    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: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: RYTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Publication number: 20110005138
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an industrial high-speed door assembly having a reduced door panel width and having guides for guiding the door which extend into a passageway but are resilient, tough, or resiliently collapsible, to either withstand impacts from vehicle collisions or moveable during opening of the door to avoid collisions while returning for guidance upon closing the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: RYTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Arno Klein, John Sonn, Donald P. Grasso, Daniel J. Gregoriou, Walenty Kalempa
  • Publication number: 20100032105
    Abstract: A high-speed door assembly has a shaft or drum having a longitudinal axis which is configured so that the longitudinal axis is parallel with a wall to which the door assembly is mounted. A flexible door panel is attached to the shaft or drum so as to be capable of being wound and unwound about the drum for selectively permitting and prohibiting access through an opening in the wall to which the door assembly is mounted, the door panel being wound on the shaft or drum in an orientation such that the door panel defines at least one vertical plane when unwound from the shaft or drum, the vertical plane being spaced further from the wall to which the door assembly is mounted than the longitudinal axis of the shaft or drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Rytec Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Patent number: 6910301
    Abstract: A door seal for use with a bi-parting door in which the door panels of the door have supplementary angled leading edges. One leading edge has a triangular cross-section, while the other has a cross-section similar to a parallelogram. To further the reliability of the door seal, a plurality of magnets with corresponding magnet attracting plates may be attached along the leading edges. Alternatively, both leading edges may have at least one magnet aligned with a magnet on the other edge. With the double magnet configuration, the use of multi-pole magnets is necessary. The magnets also help reduce the bounce between the door panels, which may be closed roughly, and increase the force required to separate the door panels when closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Rytec Corporation
    Inventors: Walenty Kalempa, Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Publication number: 20040231244
    Abstract: A door seal for use with a bi-parting door in which the door panels of the door have supplementary angled leading edges. One leading edge has a triangular cross-section, while the other has a cross-section similar to a parallelogram. To further the reliability of the door seal, a plurality of magnets with corresponding magnet attracting plates may be attached along the leading edges. Alternatively, both leading edges may have at least one magnet aligned with a magnet on the other edge. With the double magnet configuration, the use of multi-pole magnets is necessary. The magnets also help reduce the bounce between the door panels, which may be closed roughly, and increase the force required to separate the door panels when closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Rytec Corporation
    Inventors: Walenty Kalempa, Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Publication number: 20040206004
    Abstract: A door for at least partially covering a doorway defined by a wall and a lower surface. The door comprises a first door panel adapted to laterally translate along a plane relative to the doorway between a doorway blocking position and an unblocking position. The door further comprises a first seal including a first sealing surface interposed between a first attachment end and a first distal end with the first attachment end being attached to the first door panel. The door also has a second seal disposed to allow relative movement between the first seal and the second seal, the second seal including a second sealing surface interposed between a second attachment end and a second distal end, such that the first door panel in the doorway blocking position causes the first sealing surface to face the second sealing surface and positions the second distal end between the first distal end and at least one of the first door panel and the first attachment end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Walenty Kalempa, Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Publication number: 20020056236
    Abstract: A door seal for use with a bi-parting door in which the door panels of the door have supplementary angled leading edges. One leading edge has a triangular cross-section, while the other has a cross-section similar to a parallelogram. To further the reliability of the door seal, a plurality of magnets with corresponding magnet attracting plates may be attached along the leading edges. Alternatively, both leading edges may have at least one magnet aligned with a magnet on the other edge. With the double magnet configuration, the use of multi-pole magnets is necessary. The magnets also help reduce the bounce between the door panels, which may be closed roughly, and increase the force required to separate the door panels when closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Walenty Kalempa, Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Patent number: D659262
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Rytec Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Norbert Drifka, Christopher Gontarski