AU2008217698A1

AU2008217698A1 - Hinge system for a sectional door, sectional door and method for mounting the same

Info

Publication number: AU2008217698A1
Application number: AU2008217698A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul Esnault
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-14
Filing date: 2008-02-14
Publication date: 2008-08-28
Also published as: ATE506514T1; WO2008101856A1; EP2118418B1; MA31248B1; FR2912453A1; FR2912453B1; TN2009000333A1; DE602008006363D1; EP2118418A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a continuous hinge system for the panels (P) of a sectional door, that comprises first (1) and second (2) profiles for the horizontal edges of the panel. The profile (1) comprises two side wings (10, 11) connected together by a transverse wing (12) and an arched wing (14) connected to the second side wing (11). A bearing edge (15) in the form of a lug is formed between the arched wing (14) and the wing (11). The profile (2) comprises two side wings (20, 21) connected together by a transverse wing (22). The wing (21) has an edge (18) in the form of a groove. When the profiles are in an aligned position, the edge (18) of the wing (21) fits onto the shape of the lug of the bearing edge (15) so as to form a baffle. The arched wing (14) extends into the volume of the profiles and divides it into two decompression chambers (C2, C3). The invention also relates to a sectional door.

Description

WO 20081101856 PCTIEP20081051794 WO 2008/101856 PCT/EP2008/051794 HINGE SYSTEM FOR A SECTIONAL DOOR, SECTIONAL DOOR AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING THE SAME Technical field The present invention relates to the field of materials used for closing a space inside a factory or some other building. Specifically, the invention relates to a sectional door which opens and closes vertically in a parallel manner to the opening. Prior art Typically, sectional doors are made of a series of panels assembled one after the other through a system of hinges defining the geometrical axes of horizontal articulation. These panels come with lateral guide roller bearings inside the lateral guide rails of the edge of the vertical lateral sides of the opening. Usually, these rails each have, successively, a vertical segment substantially occupying the full height of the opening; a segment curved into an arc forming the circumference of a circle connected to the upper end of the vertical segment and a horizontal segment connected to the segment curve. These rails are mounted by all known means to the structure of the building. The hinge arrangement is either connected to the panels or built into them. The hinge arrangement connected to the panels is, for example, described in patent application FR 2504 587. These hinge arrangements are essentially made up of two blades each with knuckles at regular intervals. The knuckles of each of the leaves are aligned with the knuckles in the other. A hinge pin is placed inside the different knuckles. Usually, this kind of hinge arrangement is attached to the inner side of the building on the panels of the sectional door. As these hinges are not impermeable, the water and airtightness where the panels join is usually ensured by weather seals and/or by a particular configuration of the joining planes of the panels. However, it sometimes occurs that such arrangements do not sufficiently ensure a good seal. Furthermore, no particular arrangement is provided that avoids accidentally pinching one's fingers between consecutive panels. Hinge arrangements formed in the panels are seen in documents FR 2 618 842 and FR 2 633 005. According to these documents, each panel has a male hinge component on one horizontal edge and a female hinge component on the other. The male and female hinge components are designed to work together in an interlocking manner with the female and male hinge components of the adjacent panels. The male hinge component has a longitudinal flat part and the female hinge component forms a continuous groove and has a longitudinal opening through which the male hinge component is radially engaged in the said groove. The engagement of the male component into the female component is allowed only when the two panels involved occupy an angular position in relation to each other, corresponding approximately to the perpendicular position of the flat part in relation to the opening plane.

WO 2008/101856 PCTIEP2008/051794 But despite the continuity of the hinge formed, the imperviousness between the panels when the door is in a closed position is not satisfactory. Furthermore, these panels do not have any particular arrangement that would limit the risk of pinching one's fingers. It should also be pointed out that the imperviousness of the opening at the doorway, when the door is closed, often creates problems. This can result from unevenness at the doorway or from uneven levels. These two defects are simultaneously present in most cases. The seals on the lower panel of the door can only compensate for these defects in so far as the defects are not too pronounced. Very often, however, that is not the case. Typically, the panels are supported and guided in the guide rails by two lateral pairs of roller. Usually, the axes supporting the guide rollers are engaged in the hinge components. In order to avoid the panels jolting along the rails -- jolting that is produced when the rollers are in the curved part of the rail -- the centre-to-centre distance between the rollers is reduced and becomes less than the value of the maximum chord of the curved part. By the very nature of the case, this reduction of the distance between the centre lines brings a reduction of the width of each panel. The value of the maximum chord of the curved part depends on the value of the radius of the curved part. However, the curved part is often limited by the available roof height. Usually the height is relatively low. For these different reasons, sectional doors have a large number of panels, and a major part of the cost of these doors is due to the number of panels in them. In fact, each panel has specifically two profiles -- upper and lower -- of relatively considerable length. The multiplication of these profiles has a considerable impact on the cost of the door. The jambs of the door bay usually come with vertical profiles and sealing lip gaskets. This sealing lip gasket is designed to be placed against the large surface on the outside of the sectional door. However, such a sealing arrangement presents a drawback because the door curtain of the sectional door is movable from front to rear perpendicular to its plane. This, in turn, modifies the degree of compression of the two sealing gaskets against the large outer surface of the door curtain. When the door curtain is in a rear position, the two sealing gaskets are compressed less firmly than when the door curtain is in a front position. Under the effect of wind pressure on the large outer surface, the door curtain is brought to the rear position. In other words, it is brought into a position of less seal compression and, consequently, less imperviousness. In this position, openings can form between the seals and the door curtain leading to a loss of imperviousness. The assembly of the door curtain on each sectional door is done in situ by assembly of the panels between them. In order to do this, the lower panel is placed in the rails and then the panel immediately above it is assembled onto the lower panel. The other panels are placed successively one over the other. If the placement of the lower panels does not create any problems as such -- this placement being done at eye level -- it is another case when it comes to placement of any upper panels. In order to succeed here, at best, two persons inside man-baskets are needed to handle the panel. Usually, it turns out that for reasons of cost or expediency the two persons doing the positioning use two ladders, which is contrary to the rules of safety.

WO 2008/101856 PCTIEP2008/051794 Explanation of the invention The purpose of the present invention is to resolve the problems mentioned above. In one of its first aspects, this invention involves a continuous hinge system for the panels of a sectional door. This system comprises a first and second profile for the horizontal edges of the panel profile that work in articulation with each other. The first profile for the horizontal edge of the panel presents a male hinge component and the second profile for the horizontal edge presents the female component in articulation with the male component. The said female hinge component presents a circular cross section groove and a longitudinal opening which opens radially into the circular groove through the opening of which said male hinge component is placed into the groove of the female hinge component. Said male hinge component presents in tubular form with these key features: - the first profile for the horizontal panel edge has two parallel side wings joined on the lower part by a transverse wing; the male hinge component is formed at the upper end of the first side wing; - the first profile for the horizontal panel edge, opposite the male hinge component, has an arched wing curved into an arc forming the circumference of a circle centred on the hinge pin; - the arched wing is rooted in the second side wing of the first profile of the horizontal edge of the panel; a horizontal bearing edge is used between the arched wing and said side wing; - the bearing edge is arranged in the form of a lug, as the first baffle component; - the second profile of the horizontal edge of the panel has two parallel side wings joined on the upper side by a transverse wing; - the first vertical wing has the female hinge component on the lower part; - the second vertical wing has a lower horizontal bearing edge in the form of a groove; as the second baffle component, the groove shape complements the lug form of the edge. And so: - when the side wings of one the profiles are in an aligned position with the side wings of the other, the lower horizontal edge of the second wing of the second profile -- in the form of a groove -- fits onto the shape of the lug of the bearing edge of the first profile in order to form a baffle; the arched wing extends into the volume of the first and second profiles and divides this volume into two decompression chambers (C2, C3). Through these arrangements, the hinge formed by the male and female hinge components are at a distance from the outer surfaces -- the surfaces exposed to bad weather -- and are separated from these surfaces by a succession of baffles and decompression chambers that ensure the imperviousness of the hinge system. The arched wing efficiently constitutes a device that prevents pinching of the fingers. This arched wing, in a first form of embodiment, in an aligned position with the profiles, is isolated from the internal side wing of the second profile. This ensures linkage between the two internal chambers formed in the first and second profiles of horizontal edges of the panel. In this configuration, the arched wing forms a baffle. In another form of embodiment, intended to further reinforce imperviousness, the arched wing in a position of alignment with the two profiles of horizontal panel edge bears upon the internal side wing of the second profile. This arrangement thus creates a line of imperviousness between the two internal chambers which are thus isolated from each other. Furthermore, the arched wing acting in support of the second profile increases rigidity overall.

WO 20081101856 PCT1EP2008/051794 It should be noted that the arched wing is elastically flexible so that, acting in support of the internal side wing of the first profile; it can flex elastically and enable alignment of the two hinge profiles. One advantageous feature of the invention is that the first side wing of each first and second profile of the horizontal panel edge presents a longitudinal form of coupling of a reinforcement profile. Such an arrangement allows for the improvement of the rigidity of the hinge system and the reduction of deformation due to bending, especially under strong winds. In a second aspect, the invention has the object of creating a sectional door with a door curtain comprised of panels attached two by two, and one to the other, through systems of hinges according to the first aspect of the said invention. This sectional door conforms to the invention; it includes a door curtain formed from an upper panel, from a lower panel and from at least one intermediary panel. Each rectangular panel comprises a profile of upper horizontal edge, a profile of lower horizontal edge and two profiles of vertical side edges. The said panels comprise lateral rollers designed to fit in the lateral rails in the opening of the building. Each of these rails includes successively a rectilinear vertical part, an arched part and a substantially horizontal part. The lateral edges have the particular characteristic of preventing lateral displacement of the two profiles of horizontal panel edges in relation to one another. Moreover, the sectional door comprises two vertical side seals that compress against the door curtain. In another feature of the invention, each door curtain panel has two prominent side wings that are perpendicular to the profiles of the horizontal edge forming an overhang on the main outer surface of the panel. Each of them working a vertical seal borne by a profile attached to the door jamb corresponding to the opening. Each overhanging wing has a flat surface facing a flat surface of the other overhanging wing. The seals support the two main flat surfaces. Due to this arrangement, the degree of compression of the seals no longer depends on the position in front of or behind the door curtain. Another advantageous feature of the invention is the hole of the male hinge component of each first panel edge profile. It receives at each end a support pin at which, outside of the said hole, is articulated an arm equipped with two guide rollers placed at equal distance from the support pin. Another feature of the invention is that the value of the centre-to-centre distance between the two rollers borne by the same arm is less than or equal to the value of the maximum chord of the curved part of each guide rail. Another feature of the invention is that the width of each panel is equal to or greater than the maximum chord of the curved part of each guide rail. This arrangement is likely to reduce the number of panels comprising the sectional door. A fourth aspect is that the invention creates a device for installing the panels of the sectional door. This device, another feature of the invention, includes a means of lifting the panels into the guide rails and a docking table for docking of a panel to the lower extremity of the line of panels formed in the guide rails. An additional feature of the invention is that the docking table is made up of a structure equipped with rolling gear and a plate, which can be inclined to a horizontal position, and on which the panel to be placed can be laid flat.

WO 2008/101856 PCTIEP2008/051794 The installation device as described here enables installation of the different constituent panels of the door not in an overhead position, but on the ground in complete safety. General description of Figures and Drawings Other advantages and characteristics of the invention become apparent on reading the description of the preferred form of embodiment given by way of open-ended illustration and referring to the drawings annexed to them: - Figure 1 is a cross section view of a hinge system according to the invention and according to a preferred form of embodiment, - Figure 2 is a cross section view of a hinge system according to a variant of production, - Figures 3 to 6 show the stages of assembly of the profiles of the horizontal edges of the panel one by one for the implementation of the hinge system, - Figure 7 is a cross section view of a hinge system according to one variant of production, - Figure 8 is a cross section view of the profiles of the lower horizontal edges of the lower panel of the door curtain of the sectional door, - Figure 9 is a schematic cross section view of a sectional door according to the invention, - Figure 10 is a detailed view of the door showing the assembly of the guide rollers, - Figure 11 is a cross section view of the sectional door showing the side impermeability of the said door, - Figure 12 is a front view of a means of lifting the door curtain the sectional door - Figure 13 is a view showing the gripping device of the panel in docking position, - Figure 13a is a view showing the gripping device of the panel in cooperation with the door curtain of the sectional door - Figures 14 and 15 show hook and locking devices blocking downwards movement in the door curtain during assembly of the panels, - Figures 16 and 17 show an assembly table. Best method of implementing the invention As represented, the hinge system continues according to the invention for panel P of the sectional door S forming the first profile 1 of the horizontal edge of the panel and a second profile 2 of horizontal edge of the panel. These two profiles 1 and 2 are preferably made of metal, such as aluminium for example, but can be of any other appropriate material, metallic or non-metallic is possible. These two profiles 1 and 2 are designed to cooperate in articulation with each other to form a hinge with two adjacent panels of the door curtain of sectional door S. Such a sectional door S is designed to provide an opening for the building that can be, but is not limited to, a garage, a local factory or something else. The first and second profiles of the horizontal edge of the panel 1, 2 each comprise two parallel side wings 10, 11, 29, 21 joined together by a transverse wing 12, 22 developed in a perpendicular manner to the two side wings. The side wings 10 and 20 are internal to the building; wings 11 and 21 are external to the building. In the course of the present description these wings will be respectively designated as internal side wing and external side wing. It can be observed that the two side wings shown in profile 1, 2 are of uneven height, the external wings 11, 21 are of the height hi greater than h2 of the internal wing 10, 20. It can equally be observed that the external side wing 11, 21 of each profile 1, 2 on either side of the transverse wing 12, 22 while the internal wing is only developed on one side of this transverse wing. The first profile 1 of the horizontal edge of the panel comprises a male hinge component 13 while the second profile 2 of horizontal panel edge comprises a female hinge component 23; these two elements 13 and 23 are designed to cooperate with each other by interlocking in order to create an articulation. It can be observed that the male hinge component13 is formed at the end of the internal side wing 10 of the WO 20081101856 PCTIEP20081051794 first profile of the horizontal edge of the panel while the female hinge component 23 is formed at the end of the side wing 20 of the second profile of the horizontal edge of the panel. The male hinge component 13, in a tubular shape, in circular cross section, presents a cross-wise central cylindrical longitudinal hole 130 across with a longitudinal opening 131 emerging radially in said longitudinal hole 130. The tubular female hinge component 23, presents a cross-wise central longitudinal hole 230, of circular cross-section and a longitudinal opening 231, emerging radially in the hole 230. Through this opening 231 the male hinge component 13 is introduced into the hole 230 of the female hinge component 23. It can be said that the external diameter of the male hinge component 13 corresponds to the functional operation closely, at the diameter of the longitudinal hole 230 of the female hinge component. The opening 231 that is presented by the female hinge component 23 is delimited by two longitudinal lips 231a and 231b, extended in an angular way from each other by a value lower than 180 degrees. The first 231a of the two lips is formed by a corresponding edge of the side wing 20. The opening 231 that is formed by the female hinge component 23 is oriented towards the exterior of the internal volume defined by the side and transverse wings of the second profile 2. The opening 131 formed by the male hinge component 13 is oriented towards the internal volume of the first profile. Figures 3 to 6 represent the way in which the two profiles 1, 2 of the horizontal edge of the panel are assembled one to the other. In view of this assembly the first profile 1 is arranged sideways in relation to the second one 2, the side walls 10 and 20 forming in this configuration an acute angle a. Still in this configuration, the opening 131 of the male hinge component 13 is arranged in relation to the second lip 231b of the female hinge component 13. In this position, the male hinge component 13 can be introduced into the hole 230 of the female hinge component 23 (fig 3). By pivoting the two profiles 1, 2, one in relation to the other, the opening 131 that is presented by the male hinge component 13 is extended in an angular way from the second longitudinal lip 231b of the opening 231 of the female hinge component 23. In this position, the two profiles are assembly one to the other. It can be observed (fig. 4) that the assembly of the two profiles 1, 2 to one another is already obtained with an angular value of the angle a inferior to 90 degrees. The first profile 1 of horizontal edge of the panel, opposite the male hinge component 13, presents a flexible arched wing 14 in an arc of circumference centred on the hinge pin. This arched wing 14 is rooted in the second side wing 11 of the first profile of horizontal edge 1. A horizontal bearing edge 15 is found between the arched wing 14 and the side wing 11. As can be noticed, this arched wing 14 extends towards the top from the side wall 11. When the profiles are in an aligned position, (such that the side wings of one area aligned with the side wings of the other), the side wall 21, via its lower horizontal edge 18 acts as support on the bearing edge 15. This support arrangement and the hinge created, together constitute two linear zones of support for the second profile 2 over the first profile 1, at a distance, one from the other. It can also be noted that in this position of alignment, the second longitudinal lip 231b of the female hinge component is positioned beyond the vertical geometrical axis intersecting the longitudinal geometrical hinge pin of the hinge. Another beneficial feature is that the bearing edge 15 is arranged to repel water and thus presents a horizontal face 150 followed by a face 151 inclined towards the top, followed by an approximately horizontal face 152. The lower horizontal edge 18 of the second profile, presents a complementary shape to that of the bearing edge 15. Thus a first horizontal face 180 is presented, followed by an inclining face 181 following by a third face 182 which can be rounded. Such an arrangement, when the two edges are in contact with one another, ensures relative impermeability against bad weather at this point. The arched wing 14, at a distance from the bearing edge 15, presents a horizontal groove bearing joint 16 open on its upper back side. In this horizontal groove 16 a known weather seal 17 is introduced. The second vertical wing 21 of the second profile of the horizontal edge 2, on its internal side on the profile, WO 20081101856 PCTIEP2008/051794 bears a horizontal weather stripping 24 which, when the profiles of horizontal edge are in an aligned position, comes to as support against the weather seal 17. When the profiles are in an aligned position, the hinge formed by the male and female hinged components are separated from the external sides of the wings 11 and 21 by a series of decompression chambers C1, C2, C3 of which the first Cl is delimited by the wings 14 and 21, the weather seal 17 and the weather stripping with the edges 15 and 18 bearing one against the other. The arched wing 14 divides the internal volume formed by the profiles 1 and 2 into two decompression chambers C2, C3. It can also be pointed out that the hinge in itself creates a fourth decompression chamber C4. This fourth decompression chamber, when the sectional door is in closed position becomes isolated from the interior of the building by an upper weatherproof barrier B1 formed by the bearing tangential to the internal cylindrical side of the female hinge component 23 on the external cylindrical side of the male hinge component 13. According to an early form of embodiment, as represented in figure 1, the two chambers C2, C3 are isolated from one another by an arched wing 14, said wing 14 by its extremity edge, acting in this case as support against the internal lower side of the wing 20 of the second profile 2. Above the hinge, a second continuous weatherproof barrier is thus created. It is understood that at the joining point of each panel with the others, when the sectional door is in the closed state, between the external and internal sides of this door, fourth successive decompression chambers C1, C2, C3, C4 are formed, isolated from one another and ensured perfect impermeability against water as well as air. It is worth noting that the arched wing 14 is elastically flexible. According to a second form of embodiment as shown in figure 2, the two decompression chambers C2, C3 communicate with one another, the arched wing 14 forming in this case a baffle. It should also be highlighted that the support arrangement of the arched wing 14 against the side wing 20 also allows the hinge system to be reinforced and its resistance to deformation by bending to be increased, all while keeping relatively weak materials thickness. Such an arrangement is notably interesting for the hinge systems which need to equip the panels of sectional doors of a large opening width for which the pressure caused by wind can cause problems of deformation. To further increase resistance to deformation by bending of the hinge system in particular, at least one of the profiles 1, 2 of the horizontal edge of the panel receives a static section 3, preferably in metal, which is presented in the form of a rectangular blade. As can be seen in figure 1 and 2, each static section is arranged in a coplanar manner in relation to the transverse wing of the profile which receives it and forms an overhang over the external side of the internal side wing of this profile. It can also be noticed that it develops in a perpendicular manner in relation to this side wing. To receive the static section, the internal side wing 10, 20 of each profile 1, 2 presents a longitudinal coupling 4 shape in which is engaged or fixed by glue or another means, a longitudinal coupling head 30 that profile 3 presents. The longitudinal coupling shape 4 presents an open semicircular housing 40, extending over the entire length of the profile, in which the head 30 is engaged. The longitudinal coupling shape of each profile is formed by a longitudinal arch rooted at the internal side wing and at the transverse wing. Opposite the semicircular house that this arching forms, the transverse wing is equipped with an end flange 41 formed according to the entire length of the edge corresponding to this wing. This head 30 is formed by arching in an arc of circumference one of the two longitudinal edges of the profile of the inertia reinforcement 3. By its convex side, the coupling head bears against the internal side of the semicircular housing while, by its concave side, the head 30 bears against the longitudinal flange 41.

WO 20081101856 PCT/EP2008/051794 Opposite head 30, the static section presents a recurvature. Such an arrangement is aimed at increasing the moment of inertia of the profile. It is worth noting that the arched wing 14 of the first profile 1 extends into the internal volume of the second profile while the female hinge component 23 of the second profile 2 extends in part into the internal volume of the first profile 1. Also, each hinge profile 1, 2 receives at its two extremities two covering components 5 in the form of a screen or cover for example. These covering components 5 constitute an abutment and limit sideways the linear displacement of the two profiles 1, 2 in relation to one another according to a parallel direction at the hinge pin of the hinge formed. To receive and affix the covering components 5, the edge profiles 1 and 2 each present longitudinal dimples designed to receive self-threading screws. The covering components 5 have holes drilled through them for installation alignment of the longitudinal dimples. The threaded rods of the screws for fixing the covering components 5 engage the drill holes crossing into the dimples, and the screw heads hold the covering components tightly against the edges of the corresponding profiles 1 and 2. Figure 7 shows one variation of implementing the hinge system according to the invention. One can see in this illustration that the edge 15of the second vertical wing 11 of the first profile 1 is arranged in the form of a lug and forms the first baffle component and that the second vertical wing 21 presents a lower horizontal bearing edge 18 arranged in the form of a groove, as a second baffle element, the shape of a groove complementing the lug shape presented by edge 18. It can also be noted on this figure that when the side wings 10, 11 of one of the profiles are in alignment with the side wings 20, 21 of the other, the lower horizontal edge 18 of the second wing 2 of the second profile 2 in the form of a groove fits the lug shape of the bearing edge 15 of the first profile 1 so as to form a baffle. The purpose of this baffle is to prevent or at least greatly reduce the passage of air through the hinging system, creating a significant pressure drop. Furthermore, this lug and groove arrangement achieves a keying of the two edges, reinforcing their union at this level. It can also be noted on figure 7 that the first profile 1 presents a reinforcing plate 140 of the arched wing 14, this reinforcing plate 140 being rooted on one side to the arched wing 14 and on the other side to the side wing 10. Obviously, such an arrangement can also be applied to the first profile 1 according to figures 1 to 6. In the form of embodiment shown in figure 7, the second profile does not have the weather stripping 24 so that the chamber C1 is not formed. However, a variation of this profile could be equipped with the weather stripping 24 to form this chamber. One may note on figures 1 to 7 that at least one of the profiles 1, 2 presents a longitudinal shape 120, 220 of an anchoring catch, attached to its transverse wing 12, 22, said shape being designed to receive and hold by clicking, a glazing strip 8 described below, so that the static section 3 can be attached to the glazing strip profile 8 as shown in figure 7. As said previously, the hinge system as described can appropriately be applied in the articulating of the curtain panels P of sectional door S. Typically the sectional door curtains consist of an upper panel, a lower panel and possibly at least one intermediate panel, these panels being articulated two by two one to the other. Each panel P is rectangular and consists of an upper horizontal edge profile 1, as described previously, a lower horizontal edge profile 2, as described previously, and two vertical side edge profiles 5 assembled with the two edge profiles 1 and 2.

WO 20081101856 PCT/EP2008/051794 The lateral edge profiles 5 appropriately consist of the covering components 5 previously described and prevent the lateral displacement of the panels vis-a-vis one another in a direction parallel to the axis of articulation. Together, these four profiles define a panel structure in the form of a rectangular frame, designed to receive an appropriate trim 7, for example, in the form of an opaque or translucent flat partition. Each panel P presents two large parallel faces, one of which is external to the building and the other is internal. The trim 7 is introduced through its upper and lower horizontal edges through two opposite horizontal grooves in the structure of the panel. Each groove is bounded laterally by the outside wing of the corresponding edge profile and by a glazing bead profile 8, which is brought up and clicked in place to a longitudinal anchoring catch 120, 220 attached to the transverse wing 12, 22 of the corresponding edge profile 1, 2. Each curtain panel P of the sectional door S includes lateral rollers 6 designed to be engaged into lateral rails around an opening in the building. Each rail R incorporates successively a rectilinear vertical part R1, an arched part R2 and an essentially horizontal part R3. The lower horizontal edge profile 2 of the lower panel preferably receives a terminal profile 9 capable of compensating for geometric faults in the threshold of the building opening. This profile 9 presents two parallel side wings 90, connected to each other by a transverse wing 91. The two side wings 90 are each equipped with a hold-back hook 92, capable of working as a latch with the complementary hooks 25 on the underside of the wings 20 and 21 of profile 2. The transverse wing 91 of this profile 9 is equipped with two longitudinal grooves 93, designed to receive a weather seal, which comes into position upon closing the door, pressing against the threshold of the opening. Appropriately, the lateral rollers 6 associated with each panel P are carried by support axles 60, which are engaged into the holes 130 in the male hinge component 13 of each first profile 1 of the horizontal edge profile of panel P. In particular, this arrangement makes it possible to reinforce the male hinge component 13, opposing its contraction. Preferably, each support axle 60 carries an articulated arm 61 equipped with two guide rollers 6 deployed at equal distances from the support axle 60. The distance centre-to-centre between two rollers 6 carried by the same arm is less than or equal to the maximum chord value of the arched part R2 of each guide rail R. Furthermore, the width of each panel P is greater than the maximum value of the chord of the arched part R2 of each guide rail R. Thus, the door curtain of the sectional door may consist of very wide panels, which reduces the number of panels without changing the opening and closing function of the door. This arrangement makes it possible to use relatively high speeds for opening and closing the sectional door. During the movement of the door between its open and closed positions, this option minimizes the loss of heat by convection through the opening. Merely by way of example, for an arched rail part with a radius of 400 mm, the width of the panel measured between the geometric axes of articulation of the two associated hinges would be 800 mm and the distance on centres between the rollers carried by each articulated arm 61 would be equal to 330 mm.

WO 2008/101856 PCT1EP20081051794 Two vertical lateral seals 300 work with the door curtain of the sectional door. They are carried by suitable profiles 301 affixed to the jambs of the building opening. In the preferred form of embodiment, the two seals 300 are supported respectively against the two projecting wings 50 of each panel P of the door curtain. These two projecting wings project from the external large face of the panel and are perpendicular to the upper and lower horizontal edge profiles 1, 2 of the panel. These two wings are also perpendicular to the large face of the panel. Each projecting wing 50 presents a flat face 52 with respect to a flat face 52 of the other projecting wing. As one can see, these flat faces 52 are perpendicular to the external large face of the panel and perpendicular to the edge profiles 1 and 2. The seals 300 are supported against these two flat faces 52. One can understand that the degree of compression of the seals no longer depends on the forward or backward position of the door curtain on the guide rails R guaranteeing a consistent degree of water tightness. Appropriately, the face 52 of each projection 50 is provided with a vertical longitudinal boss 51 along its free vertical edge. The boss 51 supports the seal 300. Each seal 300 is also equipped with a longitudinal vertical boss 302 along its free vertical edge, through which the corresponding side wing 50 is supported against the face 52. Through this arrangement, each seal 300 is supported on the wing 50 along parallel lines, which minimizes friction between the seals and the door curtain when the door is opening or closing. In the preferred form of the invention, each projecting wing 50 is a wing that presents each profile of the lateral panel edge 5. The invention also applies to a device for installing the sectional doors S. This device includes a device 500 for lifting the panels P into the guide rails R and an installation table 600 for installing a panel P at the lower end of the line of panels P formed in the guide rails R. To prevent downward movement of the line of panels in the rails during installation of the door, each panel P receives at least one lateral hold-back hook 550 and at least one of the guide rails R is equipped with a hook lock 560 deployed along the trajectory of the hold-back hook, able to be pushed into a position facing the hold-back hook 550 when the panel is ascending (fig. 14) and able, after passing the hook 550, to move into a stop position to prevent downward movement of the panels by forming an obstacle to the hold-back hook (fig. 15). Appropriately, the hook lock 560 consists of a plate designed to be attached to the rail and an articulated arm, which is brought by a spring to its projecting position. To balance the forces, each panel will be equipped with two lateral hold-back hooks 550 and each rail R will be equipped with a hook lock 560. Each hold-back hook 550 will be affixed by screws to a tubular dimple in the lower edge profile of the panel. The lifting device 500 will consist of a frame 501 on which will be installed an irreversible-type lifting mechanism 502, including at least one gripping device 503, designed to receive the lower panel P of the line of panels P, this gripping device being carried by a towbar 504 that is part of the lifting mechanism. The frame 501 will be equipped with a nonslip base.

WO 20081101856 PCTIEP2008/051794 The lifting mechanism of 502 can move the line of panels in the rails R more than the width of each panel P. The gripping device 503 appropriately consists of an upper edge panel profile fixed to a first plate 509 which is joined by a joint 510 to a second plate 511 mounted so as to slide on a horizontal support 512, so that the assembly consisting of the first plate 509, the joint 510, the second plate 511 and the gripping device 503 can move between the free position of the joint 510 in which the horizontal support is displaced by the first plate (fig. 13) and the locked position of the joint 510, in which the horizontal support 512 is arranged below and in contact with the first plate (fig. 13a), the horizontal support 512 being solidly part of the lifting mechanism 502. In the first position, the gripping device 503 can be arranged in a docking position and through the male hinge component 13 can be introduced into the female hinge component of the lower edge profile 2 of the last panel in the line of panels. With the joint 510 in a locked position, the gripping device 503 can be brought alongside panel P and the line of panels can be lifted by the lifting mechanism. Appropriately, support 512 presents an oblong opening 513 and plate 511 is attached to support 512 by a bolt 514, the screw of which engages a hole drilled through plate 511 and into the oblong opening 513. The presence of the opening 513 allows moving support 512 with respect to plate 511. Preferably, this support 512 is equipped with a vertical wing affixing it to the lifting mechanism 502 and in particular to a horizontal towbar 504 belonging to said mechanism 502. Appropriately, the lifting mechanism 502 can be activated by portable electrical equipment. This portable electrical equipment can consist of an electric drill or other portable motor. In another form of the invention, the lifting mechanism 502 includes, on one hand, a hoist cylinder 505 arranged vertically and attached to a horizontal reeving bar 506, guided in translation by the vertical jambs of the frame 501, and on the other hand, two reeving devices 507 kinetically inserted between a lower crossbar bar of the frame and the reeving bar 506, which devices consist each of a first set of pulleys fixed to the reeving bar 506, a second set of pulleys fixed to the lower crossbar of the frame and a cable 508 reeved through the different pulleys and fixed on one end to the lower crossbar of the frame and on the other end to the towbar 504. This arrangement constitutes a system for amplifying the movement of the hoist cylinder 505. Thus, movement of the hoist cylinder will correspond to a greater movement of the towbar 504. The installation table 600 will consist of a frame equipped with rollers and a plate 601 which can be inclined with respect to the horizontal and on which the panel P to be mounted will be installed flat. To set up the panel, the plate 601 will be inclined with respect to the horizontal (fig. 17) so that said panel P is inclined with respect to the line formed, by an angle that allows the introduction of the male hinge component into the female hinge component. Then the plate 601 is brought to the horizontal so that the panel can be made part of the line of panels. Finally, the panel is brought up to the vertical into the guide rails. Claims 1) Continuous hinge system for panels (P) of a sectional door (5), that comprises a first profile (1) for the horizontal edges of the panel and a second profile (2) for the horizontal edges of the panel, designed to work in articulation with one another, the first profile (1) for the horizontal edge of the panel presenting a male hinge component (13) and the second profile (2) for the horizontal edge presenting a female hinge component (23) receiving in articulation the male hinge component (13), said female hinge component (23) presenting a central hole (230) of a circular cross section and a longitudinal opening (231) which opens radially in the central hold (230). The said male hinge component (13) is introduced into the hold (230) of the female hinge component (23), said male hinge component (13) presenting as a tubular shape with the following features: