Track Guided Patents (Class 160/201)
  • Patent number: 8555949
    Abstract: An overhead door with spring-loaded roller hinges that push the door against its frame or weather stripping to provide an effective weather and thermal seal when the door is closed. The spring-loaded roller hinges are readily retrofit to overhead doors with conventional roller hinges. Each hinge spaces and pivotally secures a roller hub from the base of the hinge. The roller hub is pivotally secured to an inside flange and movably held by an elongated slot in an outer flange. The roller hub supportingly receives the axle of a wheel that rollingly engages a track fixed to the vertical sides of the door frame. Each roller hinge has a spring that biases its roller hub and wheel rearwardly against the fixed track, which pushes the door panels forward and into sealing engagement with the door frame or its weather stripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Lester L. Mortier
  • Patent number: 8555948
    Abstract: A multipurpose window having various functions including ventilation, lighting, and security is provided. The multipurpose window includes: a frame; a plurality of doors configured to be arranged in a row in the frame; and a pair of link assemblies configured to be installed on both sides of each of the doors, configured to link the doors and configured to open or shut the frame by being folded or unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Jeong-won Park
  • Publication number: 20130248126
    Abstract: A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including open channels that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower portions thereof. The panel may be trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members may be inserted into the elongated channels. The panels may be cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Fleet Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Roberts, Thomas Gerst
  • Patent number: 8505608
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure for a slide shutter deters unauthorized entry of an intruder into a building and allows easy opening and closing of the shutter. The reinforcing structure (1) for a slide shutter has a vertically movable shutter curtain (3) formed by interconnecting slats (3a), a left and right pair of guide rails (4a, 4b) for guiding the shutter curtain (3), and a shutter case (5) into which the shutter curtain (3) is wound and contained. The reinforcing structure (1) is also provided with a shutter reinforcing base member (6) having one end rotatably mounted to the upper end of one guide rail (4a) and the other end open, a length adjusting member (7) inserted in the shutter reinforcing base member (6), and a connecting member (8a) rotatably connected to the front end of the length adjusting member (7), vertically sliding while being guided by the other guide rail (4b), and capable of being removably mounted to the shutter curtain (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Katsuya Sawada
  • Patent number: 8498747
    Abstract: A drapery assembly extends and retracts a drape with a powered carrier. The carrier receives both a power signal and a command signal from a controller via an electrically powered surface of a drapery rod. The carrier supports a portion of the drape and moves linearly along the length of the drapery rod in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: George Feldstein
  • Patent number: 8490669
    Abstract: Insulated tracks for use with loading dock doors are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an insulated door track configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a first insulator, such as a plastic material, applied to a surface of the door track that extends adjacent to the loading dock door in the closed position. A second insulator, such as a radiant barrier comprised of a thin film of a reflective material, such as aluminum, can be applied to an opposing surface of the first insulator to prevent or at least reduce radiant energy losses through the track. A gap between the first insulator and the door jamb can be sealed with a third insulator, such as a suitable strip of foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Robson Fletcher, Milena Dancheva Vohla, Carlo G. Mascari
  • Patent number: 8468751
    Abstract: A method of moving panels from a stowed position to a deployed position includes supporting a first panel on a cam, rotating the cam in a first direction and lowering the first panel which separates the first panel from the cam and supports the first panel on a flexible lift member. Supporting a second panel on a support rack, biasing the second panel into engagement with the cam, rotating the cam in the first direction to transfer the second panel from the support rack to the cam. Further rotating the cam in the first direction, lowering the second panel to transfer the second panel from the cam to the first panel, so that the flexible lift member bears the weight of the first and second panels through the connection between the first panel and the flexible lift member. Fixing the first and second panels through a tongue and groove engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hufcor, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Williams
  • Patent number: 8453703
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas D. Talboys
  • Patent number: 8453706
    Abstract: An assembly for an automatic garage door including a slide bar, a motor, and a drive assembly connected to the slide bar, and a tie connected to the garage door; the assembly including a first “C” bracket having a lower web, the first “C” bracket receiving the slide bar and the motor and drive assembly being operatively connected to the first “C” bracket for longitudinally moving the first “C” bracket; a second “C” bracket having a lower web, the second “C” bracket nestingly receiving the first “C” bracket, and the tie being further connected to the second “C” bracket; a latching mechanism incorporated within the first and second “C” brackets' lower webs, the latching mechanism being adapted for resisting movements of the first and second “C” brackets away from each other; and a third “C” bracket having lower web, the third “C” bracket nestingly receiving the second “C” bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Elizabeth Ann Shepherd
  • Patent number: 8453705
    Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jason D. Miller, Donald P. Grant, Paul J. Maly, Joseph A. Manone, Daniel M. Anderson, Ronald W. Bennett, Mark G. Petri, Ronald P. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20130133844
    Abstract: Header assemblies for movable partitions comprise an overhead track. A header pan is configured to abut against and be secured to the overhead track and comprises at least two header pan members defining opposing lateral portions of the header pan. The header pan is configured to form at least a portion of a fire-resistant barrier. Methods of forming fire-resistant header assemblies comprise forming a first header pan member to define a first lateral portion of a header pan. A second header pan member is formed to define a second, opposing lateral portion of the header pan. The header pan is configured to extend laterally across a header space between a wall of an adjoining structure and an opposing wall of the adjoining structure and to at least substantially longitudinally occlude the header space when the first and second header pan members jointly form the header pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: R. Scott Smart, Ivan W. Stewart
  • Patent number: 8448689
    Abstract: A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including ribs that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower walls thereof. The panel is trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members are inserted into the elongated channels. The panels are cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Fleet Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Roberts, Tom Gerst
  • Patent number: 8403022
    Abstract: A security device and method for a garage door opening system mounted within the dwelling, for preventing an unauthorized access to the garage door opening system from outside of the garage and mechanically disconnecting the carriage assembly of the system from the remaining part of the system by pulling the release cord toward the garage door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: William Womacks
    Inventor: William Womacks
  • Patent number: 8387322
    Abstract: A header assembly for a movable partition includes an overhead track and a header pan. The header pan is configured to extend from the overhead track to an adjoining structure. The header pan, the overhead track, or a combination of both may form a fire-resistant barrier extending from a wall of the adjoining structure to an opposing wall of the adjoining structure. Movable partition systems may include header assemblies. Methods of forming header assemblies include positioning a header pan proximate to an overhead track and extending the header pan between a first wall and a second wall to at least substantially occlude a section of space therebetween. Methods of installing a movable partition include securing an overhead track to an overhead support structure, securing a retainer clip to an adjoining structure, extending a header pan from the overhead track to the retainer clip, and suspending a partition from the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Won-Door Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. George
  • Patent number: 8376021
    Abstract: A structural element for the fabrication of a panel of a sectional door, which is movable between a closed and an open position along a predetermined pathway. The sectional door possesses a shell, generally of metal, having two mutually parallel sides, bent back on themselves, thus essentially creating structural elements aligned somewhat perpendicularly to the predetermined pathway. When in the closed position, the shell is characterized by forming an outer door surface which is external to the space to be closed, and forming an internal door surface opposed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hormann KG Brockhagen
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hörmann, Michael Brinkmann
  • Patent number: 8371356
    Abstract: A garage door apparatus includes a frame for mounting above an opening, the frame comprising a pair of spaced transverse frame members, a shaft rotatably coupled to the transverse frame members and extending along a longitudinal axis of rotation between the transverse frame members, a pair of spaced winding frames rigidly coupled to the shaft between the spaced transverse frame members, each of the winding frames having a plurality of side edges, a driver couplable to the shaft for rotating the shaft with respect to the transverse frame members, and a plurality of door panels hingedly coupled together and linked to the winding frames, each of the door panels being of equal width and having a longitudinal panel length, the plurality of door panels including at least one inner door panel and at least one outer door panel, wherein the winding frames are spaced apart a predetermined distance that is less than the longitudinal panel length of the plurality of door panels, such that when the winding frames are rota
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Gary R. Manser
  • Publication number: 20130014907
    Abstract: Movable partition systems include a movable partition, a soffit positioned along an edge of a track, and a molding member engaged with the soffit opposite the track. The molding member is at least partially abutted against a wall and configured to be adjusted laterally relative to the soffit. Methods of installing a movable partition system include suspending a track from a support member, inserting an end of a soffit between first and second ends of a molding member, and coupling the soffit to an edge of the track or a wall of a header structure. Methods of forming a header structure for a movable partition include disposing a track for a movable partition at least partially in a header recess of a header structure, engaging a molding member with a soffit, and coupling the soffit with the track and between the track and a wall of the header structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: John G. Garrett, III, Tracy M. Knight
  • Patent number: 8347666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device adapted for locking a shutter element (13) adapted to slide along a railing (11), which locking device (3) comprises at least one locking bolt (5) movable between a first state, in which the locking bolt is adapted to engage with a locking member (9) in the shutter element to lock the shutter element against movement, and a second state, in which the locking bolt is adapted to avoid engagement with the locking member and to allow movement of the shutter element. The invention also relates to a locking arrangement adapted to be connected with and allow locking of a shutter element (13) arranged to slide along a railing (11), which locking arrangement (7) comprises at least one locking member (9) shaped to allow a locking bolt (5) to, in a first state, engage with and lock the locking member, and thus the shutter element, against movement. The invention also relates to a locking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Stendals el Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Jan Stendal
  • Patent number: 8327908
    Abstract: A sectional folding up garage door refers to constructions with moving sectional elements intended for closing apertures in buildings and edifices. The area of invention's application is its use as automatically operated door both for private and commercial use. A sectional folding up garage door provides the sectional panel lifting up in vertical plane, folding such panel in consecutive order by two sections inside a premise as the door is being lifting, and piling compactly inside in the top part of an aperture. The door includes a panel of sections joint one by one like an accordion, a frame and sections power mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Vladimir Godovalov
  • Patent number: 8327907
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a door, in particular a sectional door, having a door leaf comprising a plurality of panels which are connected to one another and are guided in guide rails via rollers, with at least the topmost roller pair extending in separate guide rails over a part of its travel path during the opening or closing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Marantec Antriebs-und Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Michael Hoermann
  • Patent number: 8322095
    Abstract: A header assembly for a movable partition includes an overhead track and a header pan. The header pan is configured to extend from the overhead track to an adjoining structure. The header pan, the overhead track, or a combination of both may form a fire-resistant barrier extending from a wall of the adjoining structure to an opposing wall of the adjoining structure. Movable partition systems may include header assemblies. Methods of forming header assemblies include positioning a header pan proximate to an overhead track and extending the header pan between a first wall and a second wall to at least substantially occlude a section of space therebetween. Methods of installing a movable partition include securing an overhead track to an overhead support structure, securing a retainer clip to an adjoining structure, extending a header pan from the overhead track to the retainer clip, and suspending a partition from the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Won-Door Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. George
  • Patent number: 8307876
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventors: Brian G. Hughes, Brian E. Jones
  • Patent number: 8303056
    Abstract: A cabinet door collapses and slides into a concealed position inside a door compartment of a cabinet. The door has a first wing which is pivotally connected to a second wing and to a vertical door-supporting bar which travel insides the door compartment. The second wing is guided by carriages running in upper and lower continuous guideways that extend inside the door compartment. A device for moving the door-supporting bar includes a stationary toothed belt inside the door compartment, a toothed wheel and guide pulleys carried by the door-supporting bar. The toothed wheel is operatively connected to a torsion spring inside the door-supporting bar. A locking device locks the toothed wheel, when the door wings are in a coplanar closed position, and releases the toothed wheel, when they are in a parallel open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Dada S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luca Giorgi
  • Patent number: 8297334
    Abstract: A sliding panel includes multiple connecting/adjacent carrier tracks such as two/three/four carrier tracks while connectors of each carrier track are disposed in opposite directions or at intervals. Thus the multiple connecting/adjacent carrier tracks slide in parallel under the same channel. Moreover, the positions of each connector on top surface of respective carrier track are in alternating arrangement so as to allow runners of multiple connecting/adjacent carrier tracks being mounted inside the same channel simultaneously. The runners of the connecting/adjacent carrier tracks move inside the channel of a rail at the same time and the connecting/adjacent carrier tracks slide in parallel under the same channel. Therefore, the number of channels of the rail is decreased and the amount of material used for producing the rail is reduced. Furthermore, the rail can be designed to have two-step inner and outer rails for adjusting length of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Chen-Ho Chu
  • Publication number: 20120267057
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a cargo vehicle. The cargo vehicle includes a cargo compartment, which in turn is defined by a floor, a plurality of adjoining walls extending upwardly from the floor, and a ceiling attached to an upper end of the plurality of adjoining walls, wherein the walls, floor and ceiling cooperate to form the cargo compartment and a first vertical opening having a width defined by first and second sides for accessing the interior of the cargo compartment. The vehicle further includes a first segmented retractable door proximate the first vertical opening of the cargo compartment. The first door is displaceable from a first vertically-oriented closed position in which the door covers the first vertical opening to a second open position in which the door is substantially disposed below the first vertical opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: James D. Rydberg
  • Patent number: 8281844
    Abstract: The disclosed door and method for manufacturing the same allows a door manufacturer to more easily fabricate custom sectional overhead doors. The disclosed door and method for manufacturing the same eliminates the expense of having a skilled craftsman hand mill and fit each trim hoard. The disclosed door and method for manufacturing the same enables fabricating infinite designs and infinite sizes without the constraint of being limited to preset, expensive platens/dies for fabrication. The disclosed door and method for manufacturing the same provides for routing typical depth panels into a door without having to penetrate various layers of the door. The disclosed door and method for manufacturing the same provides a solid core of insulation which is not subject to routing which decreases thermal resistively of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Gary R. Zacchia
  • Publication number: 20120234507
    Abstract: A safety bottom bracket for a sectional door is provided. The safety bottom bracket includes a frame, a cable attachment member coupled to the frame for attaching a cable to the bracket, and a slot in the frame for securing the bracket to the sectional door via a fastener passing through the slot. The slot has a tool-accessible portion, and a tool-inaccessible portion defined by one or more protrusions extending from or near the edges of the tool-inaccessible portion of the slot. When the bracket is connected to the cable under tension, the bracket is biased to a tensioned position where the fastener is located in the tool-inaccessible portion of the slot. When the bracket is not under tension or when the bracket is not connected to the cable, the bracket is movable to an untensioned position where the fastener is located in the tool-accessible portion of the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: HELTON INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Michael G. Rauch, James A. Letkemann
  • Publication number: 20120227914
    Abstract: Partition systems comprise a track and at least one partition configured to hang from and move along the track. A control box configured to contain at least a power supply for supplying power to a drive system, a floating jamb, and a trolley configured to attach to the floating jamb and rollingly engage with the track are also included. The trolley comprises at least one frame member comprising a jamb attachment portion configured to attach to the floating jamb, a distance from the jamb attachment portion to a rearmost surface of the at least one frame member opposite an end of the at least one frame member configured to face the at least one partition being less than or equal to a thickness of the control box in a direction at least substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the trolley. At least one support roller is attached to the at least one frame member and configured to engage with the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: W. Michael Coleman
  • Publication number: 20120211177
    Abstract: Insulated tracks for use with loading dock doors are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an insulated door track configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a first insulator, such as a plastic material, applied to a surface of the door track that extends adjacent to the loading dock door in the closed position. A second insulator, such as a radiant barrier comprised of a thin film of a reflective material, such as aluminum, can be applied to an opposing surface of the first insulator to prevent or at least reduce radiant energy losses through the track. A gap between the first insulator and the door jamb can be sealed with a third insulator, such as a suitable strip of foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Fletcher, Milena D. Vohla, Carlo G. Mascari
  • Patent number: 8226160
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicular roof structure, which can adjust the quantity of daylighting and which can be set to give a sense of spaciousness to a passenger in the rear seat by the wide field of view from the vehicular upper side while blocking the incident light upon the front seat side. Three louvers are enabled to change their angles of inclination with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. If the individual louvers arranged at the blocking positions are oriented to slope in a slightly downward direction of the vehicle toward the rear side thereof, a passenger in a rear seat can see, while an incident light to the front seat side is being blocked by the three louvers, the outside of the upper side of the vehicle through the three inclined louvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hirai, Hitoshi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8220519
    Abstract: A movable door panel having a front facer with opposed longitudinal edge profiles, rails secured to the longitudinal edge profiles, a rear facer secured to the rails, and foam disposed within an inner volume defined by the front facer, the rails and the rear facer is disclosed. Transverse stiffeners are disposed within the inner volume and the foam, and extend between the opposed rails. The door panel may be made by continuously providing the front facer with a rail secured thereto, continuously positioning transverse stiffeners on the front facer and extending between the metal rails, and continuously applying a foaming material on the front facer and the transverse stiffeners. The method concludes by bringing a rear facer into contact with the metal rails, and drawing the panel through a laminator. Hardware may then be attached to one or both of the facers and the stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Bennett, III, Willis J. Mullet, Dewayne J. Davidson, Michael D. Kridel
  • Patent number: 8201609
    Abstract: A panelless shutter is provided, the panelless shutter including a window frame and a plurality of louvers horizontally mounted within the window frame in a parallel configuration, each louver having a first end and a second end. The panelless shutter also includes a louver mechanism comprising a plurality of rotatable members slideably retained within a track and a gear shaft operably coupled to each rotatable member, wherein the rotatable members are coupled to the first end of each louver of the plurality of louvers and the gear shaft rotates each of the plurality of louvers substantially simultaneously. The shutter further includes a louver retainer rotatably securing the second end of each louver of the plurality of louvers, the louver retainer allowing the rotation and vertical sliding of each louver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Kitterman
  • Patent number: 8156992
    Abstract: A garage door is connected to a track extending from a front wall of the garage to a side wall within the garage. The garage door is horizontally moveable along the track, such as with a chain-driven mechanism, from a generally closed position within the garage vehicle entrance of the garage to a generally open position away from the garage vehicle entrance and disposed adjacent to a side wall of the garage. A second horizontally moving garage door may be used in conjunction with the first garage door to cooperatively close the garage vehicle entrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Carlos L. Diaz, Luis Manuel Casas Barrios, Gerardo Casas Barrios
  • Patent number: 8122933
    Abstract: A sectional door having a door frame, a door panel comprising sections coupled to another in articulated manner, a weight equalization device coupled to the door panel, and an electrical door drive for opening and closing movements of said door panel. The uppermost section in the closed position of the door panel, is guided on running rails as the header section, wherein said rails extend essentially horizontally up to the door frame, and have a vertical end segment on the frame side. The other sections that follow below the header section are guided in guide rails that have a vertical segment along the door frame, a horizontal segment parallel to the running rail that holds the header section, and an arc that joins the two segments. With this device, the door drive is attached to one of the sections connected below the header section, and has at least one power take-off shaft having an impeller at the end. The driven impeller engages in the guide rail and moves the door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Novoferm GmbH
    Inventors: Franz-Wilhelm Rieder, Marco Göckus, Stefan Höfling
  • Publication number: 20120037323
    Abstract: Movable partition systems include a vertical alignment structure including at least one roller element coupled to a portion of a movable partition and a ramp configured to abut against the at least one roller element to vertically align the portion of the movable partition to engage with a strike plate. Methods of vertically aligning the movable partition include coupling at least one vertical alignment structure to the movable partition including coupling at least one structural frame member to the movable partition and coupling the at least one roller element to the at least one structural frame member and installing at least one ramp to an overhead structure configured to abut the at least one roller element and vertically align a leading end of the movable partition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark B. Laraway, William Michael Coleman, Evan Easton, Mike Draper
  • Patent number: 8091607
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a garage door assembly. The garage door assembly includes a plurality of interconnected garage door panels, a track and a cable. A bracket assembly is attached to one of the panels. The bracket assembly includes a moveable member including a roller which is rotatably received in the track. A fixed member is attached to a panel and includes a portion to which the cable is attached. The moveable member selectively accommodates the fixed member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony George Aquilina
  • Patent number: 8079399
    Abstract: A high-speed industrial door includes a door leaf having a plurality of stiffening profiles and a flexible curtain. Each stiffening profile extends crosswise relative to a lateral passing over the door leaf and connects two hinge elements assigned to one another. A flexible curtain is fixed to each stiffening profile. This makes it possible to provide a high-speed industrial door that can be operated at speeds faster than 3 m/s while involving little engineering complexity and low costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: EFAFLEX Tor-und Sicherheitssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Petra Rejc
  • Patent number: 8051616
    Abstract: A header assembly for a movable partition includes an overhead track and a header pan. The header pan is configured to extend from the overhead track to an adjoining structure. The header pan, the overhead track, or a combination of both may form a fire-resistant barrier extending from a wall of the adjoining structure to an opposing wall of the adjoining structure. Movable partition systems may include header assemblies. Methods of forming header assemblies include positioning a header pan proximate to an overhead track and extending the header pan between a first wall and a second wall to at least substantially occlude a section of space therebetween. Methods of installing a movable partition include securing an overhead track to an overhead support structure, securing a retainer clip to an adjoining structure, extending a header pan from the overhead track to the retainer clip, and suspending a partition from the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Won-Door Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. George
  • Patent number: 8051890
    Abstract: An expandable gate is described which includes a top horizontal guide rod, a bottom horizontal guide rod and vertical bar members extending from the top guide rod to the bottom guide rod. Each of the bar members has a top guide rod slot and a bottom guide bar slot and the top guide rod extends through each of the top guide rod slots and the bottom guide rod extends through each of the bottom guide rod slots. The vertical bar members may slide horizontally on guide rod members between an open expanded position where the bars are spaced further apart from one another and a closed collapsed position where the bars are closer together. The bar members each have spring connection holes at spaced locations between said top guide rod slot and said bottom guide rod slot. Elongated flexible tension bar springs are provided which lie flat when no forces are applied to the springs. Each of the bar spring have a central opening and have an elongated upper end opening and an elongated lower end opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Frederick Kenneth Broyan
  • Patent number: 8016014
    Abstract: A combination garage door and roll-up curtain system that allows a flexible curtain to be lowered when the garage door is in a raised position. The system preferably comprises an automated garage door assembly wherein the drive mechanism is mounted to a bracket mounted in turn to the inside wall above the garage opening upper margin. The system preferably further comprises an automated roll-up curtain assembly having a rotatable rod mounted above the garage opening upper margin between the bracket and the inside wall. The rotatable rod has a flexible curtain wound thereabout wherein the first end of the curtain is affixed to the rod and the second end of the curtain is secured along its lateral margins within tracks mounted adjacent the garage opening lateral margins. The second end of the curtain preferably has a weighted member attached thereto to urge the curtain toward the garage opening lower margin and to keep the curtain taut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventors: Grant W. Crider, Shawn J. Crider, Lesley R. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8016015
    Abstract: An overhead opening door lock device for use with existing types of door systems having horizontally hinged panels carried on rollers confined within channeled roller tracks is attached on the interior side of the door and fixes the door in position relative to the roller track. One leg of a U-shaped device is inserted in the hollow interior of a tube that serves as an articulation axis for a pair of hinged panels. The other leg of the U-shaped device penetrates a suitably positioned aperture in the web of the adjacent channeled roller track. A shear pin or padlock shank may be inserted through an aperture in a tip portion of the other leg that projects past the outside plane of the roller track web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher Martin Chamberlain, Richard Barry Gorr
  • Patent number: 7997324
    Abstract: A support assembly for a barrier movable between open and closed positions over an opening comprises a track. The track is attached to the wall for guiding movement of the barrier between substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position. A jack shaft assembly is attached to the track and to the barrier for movement thereof. A mounting assembly is attached to the track for receiving a drive unit comprising a motor for supplying power to the jack shaft assembly to move the barrier and for limiting rotational movement of the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Olmsted
  • Patent number: 7967051
    Abstract: A torsion coil spring type counterbalance system for an upward acting door includes one or more sleeves disposed over or within the spring coils and engageable with a pre-determined number of spring coils during operation of the spring to modify the spring rate to more closely approximate the required counterbalance forces exertable on the door when the door moves between open and closed positions. The counterbalance system is particularly advantageous for upward acting sectional doors which have one or more sections which are heavier than the other sections, including an uppermost section which may be heavier due to the provision of windows or other structural features of the section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventor: Juan M. Diaz
  • Patent number: 7958925
    Abstract: A storage device for use with a garage door having at multiple panels wherein each panel has a given width and height, the panels connected together by hinges and fasteners at predetermined spacing across the panels, wherein the fasteners are generally disposed in vertical alignment at a top part and bottom part of at least one of the panels, and which includes a storage container having a peripheral support structure which is normally maintained adjacent the panel and includes a plurality of eyelets formed on a top part and bottom part thereof which are of a size to receive one of the fasteners therethrough and are spaced along the peripheral support structure in a manner such that when receiving the fasteners said storage device is maintained adjacent the panel generally within the width and height of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Matthew Murray
  • Patent number: 7950438
    Abstract: A screen closure for a garage doorway has a plurality of screened panels movable from an elevated, stored position in which such panels are side-by-side to an extended, operative position in which the panels extend vertically a distance sufficient to close the doorway. Those panels which are at eye level and below when the panels are in their extended position are substantially coplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Albert
  • Publication number: 20110108212
    Abstract: A movable door panel having a front facer with opposed longitudinal edge profiles, rails secured to the longitudinal edge profiles, a rear facer secured to the rails, and foam disposed within an inner volume defined by the front facer, the rails and the rear facer is disclosed. Transverse stiffeners are disposed within the inner volume and the foam, and extend between the opposed rails. The door panel may be made by continuously providing the front facer with a rail secured thereto, continuously positioning transverse stiffeners on the front facer and extending between the metal rails, and continuously applying a foaming material on the front facer and the transverse stiffeners. The method concludes by bringing a rear facer into contact with the metal rails, and drawing the panel through a laminator. Hardware may then be attached to one or both of the facers and the stiffener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas B. BENNETT, III, Willis J. Mullet, Dewayne J. Davidson, Michael D. Kridel
  • Patent number: 7905056
    Abstract: Brackets mounted to the corners of a garage door improve the strength of a garage structure in the event of an earthquake. As the garage sways during the earthquake, the door frame contacts the brackets mounted at the upper corners of the door. The brackets transfer shear forces from the frame to the door. Additional brackets mounted at the bottom corners of the door contact the lower portions of the frame and stop the horizontal movement of the garage door. By using the door to transfer the shear forces, the strength of the garage door frame is substantially improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: The City and County of San Francisco
    Inventor: Laurence M. Kornfield
  • Patent number: 7874342
    Abstract: A door system (20) having a door (21) movable between a closed position and an open position, a plurality of panels (40-43; 140-143; 240-243), a facer (45; 145; 245) generally defining the configuration of the panels, hinges (50; 150; 250) joining adjacent of the panels for articulation in moving between the closed position and the open position, a reinforcing member (65; 165; 265) associated with the facer extending substantially the longitudinal length of at least one of the panels, a roller assembly (80; 180; 280) mounted on the reinforcing member, and a track system (31, 32; 131, 132; 231, 232) operatively interrelated with the roller assembly, whereby forces imparted to the facer are transferred to the track system through the reinforcing member and the roller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Thomas B. Bennett, III, Albert W. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7871225
    Abstract: A machine tool has a work space (17) in which a device (15) for accommodating workpieces (16) to be machined is arranged. The machine tool further has a work spindle (18) for machining the workpieces (16) and a slide (34) which carries the work spindle (18) and is traversable in a longitudinal direction relative to the device (15), a respective cover (25), variable in length in the longitudinal direction (x), for the work space (17) being provided on the slide (34) on each of its sides, said cover (25) being connected with its respective first end to the slide (34) and with its respective second end to a side wall (21, 22; 51) of the work space (17). Each cover (25) variable in length has a respective rear wall (26) and a respective top (27), whereby the top (27) is connected to the rear wall (26) in a detachable, push-in, manner. A further flexible cover (31) is arranged in front of the slide (34) to protect the work space (17) at the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Prust, Hans-Henning Winkler
  • Patent number: 7866368
    Abstract: Adjacent panels of a folding door included opposed edges having a tongue and groove, pinch proof construction. The panels are formed of spaced sheet metal sections with an insulating form between the sections. The panels are hinged along their opposed side edges by hinges with attachable bracket and brace members for support of edge mounted rollers and reinforcing cross braces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Raynor Garage Doors
    Inventors: Leonard Ostrovsky, Raymond J. Friesen