AU2012286595B2

AU2012286595B2 - Roller support

Info

Publication number: AU2012286595B2
Application number: AU2012286595A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Steven Ronald CANNING
Original assignee: CENTURION GARAGE DOORS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: CENTURION GARAGE DOORS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-07-27
Filing date: 2012-07-27
Publication date: 2017-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-27
Also published as: WO2013013274A1

Abstract

A roller support (31) for a door (74) comprises an axle support (33), and an axle retainer (40). The axle support (33) includes a recess (34) for laterally receiving an axle (35) of a roller (32). The axle support (33) is securable relative to a panel (72) of the door (74) such that, after securing the axle support (33) relative to the panel (72) and installing the roller (32) in a track (75) of the door (74), the axle (35) of the roller (32) is able to be laterally inserted into the recess (34) so that the axle (35) of the roller (32) is internally positioned with respect to the panel (72). The axle retainer (40) being securable relative to the axle support (33) such that the internally positioned axle (35) of the roller (32) is able to be laterally retained in the recess (34) in that position by a projection (41) of the axle retainer (40).

Description

ROLLER SUPPORT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to doors and, in particular to a roller support, and a roller apparatus for doors, and to a door, and a method of assembling a door.

[0002] Although the present invention wil! be described with particular reference to a sectional door panel hinge to which is secured a roller that is received by a track so that the roller is able to guide movement of a sectional door panel between an opened condition and a closed condition, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not necessarily limited to this particular application. For example, the present invention could be employed with a door panel roller support which is not configured as a door panel hinge and to which is secured a roller that is received by a track so that the roller is able to guide movement of a door panel between an opened condition and a closed condition.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Sectional doors are used in various commercial, industrial, and residential applications to open and close doorways or access openings. In particular, sectional doors are commonly used as garage doors.

[0004] A sectional door comprises a series of adjacent panels hingedly connected to one another for movement between a closed condition in which the door closes an opening and an open condition which is overhead and clear of the opening. The sectional door commonly moves along a track assembly which includes a main track comprising a generally vertical track section, a generally horizontal track section and a curved transition track section interconnecting the horizontal and vertical track sections. The vertical track section is typically defined by a track rail and the horizontal track section is defined by a track rail, with the two track rails commonly being of the same cross-sectional profile.

[0005] The panels are typically mounted on rollers that fit in the track assembly, and the rollers and track assembly interact to guide movement of the panels between the closed and open conditions.

[0006] WO 2006/047824 A1 (Jastela Pty Ltd et al.) discloses a hinge for a sectional overhead door, and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The hinge comprises a first part and a second part. The first part comprises a curved finger defining a pin receiving zone on an inside of the curve of the finger. The pin receiving zone has an opening with a width smaller than a diameter of the pin receiving zone. The second part comprises a tab and a pin portion extending substantially orthogonally from the tab. The pin portion has an eccentrically shaped cross section such that, in a first orientation of the second part relative to the first part, the pin portion is narrow enough to pass through the opening into the pin receiving zone and such that, in a range of orientations of the second part relative to the first part, distinct from the first orientation, the pin is sufficiently wide to be captured by the finger so as to not be able to pass through the opening. The first and second parts are able to be positioned in the first relative orientation during assembly and the first part and second part are able to be oriented in the range of relative orientation during normal operation of the hinge.

[0007] Typically the first part of the hinge is installed on a first panel of a sectional door at a manufacturing facility. Likewise, the second part of the hinge is typically installed on a second panel of the sectional door at the manufacturing facility. This allows for more efficient production of panels by manufacturing the hinge parts as a part of the panels. This in turn allows the hinge to be constructed in-situ when the sectional overhead door is assembled on-site.

[0008] When the sectional overhead door which includes hinges of the type described above is assembled on-site, the first panel is placed in a vertical position in the doorway or access opening on-site, and is secured by rollers to guide or track rails of the sectional door. The second panel is oriented at an angle to allow the pin of the second part to pass through the aperture of the first part and into the pin receiving void or zone of the first part. This is typically at an angle of about 60°between the parts or 120°from t he parts (and panels) being in line. The second panel is then lifted so that its orientation moves to an angle of about 95°from alignment of the panels. At this angle the pin of the second part is captured within the pin receiving zone of the first part. The second panel is further lifted through the angles of 65eand 15° so that it is typically at an angle of about 0°. The pin remains captured within the p in receiving zone.

[0009] The second panel is then secured by rollers to guide rails of the sectional overhead door.

[0010] The typical angle of operation of the panels to each other once the rollers are inserted in the guide rails is between 0°and 65°. Thus during its normal operation the pin will always remain captured within the pin receiving void.

[0011] It can be difficult to install the rollers in the guide rails of the sectional door because the rollers are secured relative to the panels of the sectional door. To allow the rollers to be installed in the guide rails, it is usually necessary to detach the rollers from the panels so that the rollers can then be installed in the guide rails. However, after detaching the rollers from the panels and installing them in the guide rails, it can be difficult to re-secure the rollers to the panels. This is because the rollers are usually secured to the panels by inserting the axles on which the rollers are mounted longitudinally into axle bores of the panels.

[0012] US 3,416,589 A (Lambein), FR ,1,146,884 A (Morrison Steel Products), and US 2003/0127198 A1 (Court et al.) disclose various arrangements which involve Fitting rollers to a face of a door panel. Such “face-fitting" arrangements do not permit the roller axles to be internally positioned with respect to the door panel. Typically, when a roller is internally positioned with respect to a door panel, the roller, or at least its axle, is substantially centrally located, close to the centreline of the door panel.

[0013] For various reasons, it is advantageous to internally position the rollers of a sectional door relative to the panels of the door.

[0014] Although it is known to position guide rollers internally relative to the panels of a sectional door, it requires fitting the rollers from an end of the door panels, which can make installation of the rollers in the guide track of the sectional door somewhat difficult.

[0015] It is against this background that the present invention has been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art mentioned above, or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0017] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0018] According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roller support for a door, the roller support comprising an axle support, and an axle retainer, the axle support including a recess for laterally receiving an axle of a roller, the axle support being securable relative to a panel of the door such that, after securing the axle support relative to the panel and installing the roller in a track of the door, the axle of the roller is able to be laterally inserted into the recess so that the axle of the roller is internally positioned with respect to the panel, and the axle retainer being securable relative to the axle support such that the internally positioned axle of the roller is able to be laterally retained in the recess in that position by the axle retainer, wherein the roller support is configured as a hinge for hinging the panel of the door to an adjacent panel of the door, wherein the axle support is configured as a first hinge part of the hinge, and the hinge further comprises a second hinge part that is securable to the adjacent panel and that is able to pivot relative to the first hinge part.

[0019] The roller support allows the axle of the roller to be centrally positioned relative to the door panel, and also allows the axle of the roller to be readily secured relative to the axle support after the roller is installed in the track of the door.

[0020] Preferably, the axle retainer includes a projection adapted to be inserted into the recess of the axle support so that the internally positioned axle of the roller is able to be laterally retained in the recess in that position by the projection.

[0021] Preferably, the axle support and the axle retainer include profiled faces for substantially enveloping the axle of the roller. It is preferred that the profiled faces comprise arcuate profiled faces.

[0022] Preferably, the axle retainer includes a flange for securing the axle retainer relative to the axle support.

[0023] Preferably, the axle support and the axle retainer include openings for receiving a fastener so that the axle support and the axle retainer are able to be secured relative to each other by the fastener. It is preferred that the fastener includes a screw or a bolt.

[0024] It is preferred that the first hinge part is configured as a female hinge part, and that the second hinge part is configured as a male hinge part which is receivable by the female hinge part.

[0025] According to a second broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roller apparatus for a sectional door, the roller apparatus comprising a roller support according to the first broad aspect of the present invention, and a roller, wherein an axle of the roller is configured so as to be laterally insertable into the axle support recess of the roller support.

[0026] According to a third broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door comprising a track, a first panel, a second panel, a roller installed In the track, and a roller support according to the first broad aspect of the present invention, wherein the first hinge part of the roller support is secured relative to the first panel, and the second hinge part of the roller support is secured relative to the second panel such that the first panel and the second panel are thereby hinged to each other, an axle of the roller is received in the recess of the first hinge part such that the axle of the roller is internally positioned with respect to the first panel, and wherein the axle retainer of the roller support is secured relative to the first hinge part such that the internally positioned axle of the roller is laterally retained in the recess in that position by the axle retainer.

[0027] According to a fourth broad aspect fo the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a door, the method comprising the steps of: securing the first hinge part of a roller support according to the first broad aspect of the present invention relative to a first panel of the door, and securing the second hinge part of the roller support relative to a second panel of the door such that the first panel and the second panel are thereby hinged to each other; installing a roller in a track of the door; inserting an axle of the installed roller laterally into a recess of the secured first hinge part such that the axle of the installed roller is internally positioned with respect to the first panel; and securing an axle retainer relative to the secured first hinge part such that the internally positioned axle of the installed roller is laterally retained in the recess in that position by the axle retainer.

[0028] According to a fifth broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roller support for a door, the roller support comprising an axle support, and an axle retainer, the axle support including a recess for laterally receiving an axle of a roller, the axle retainer including a projection adapted to be inserted into the recess, and the axle retainer being securable relative to the axle support such that an axle of a roller inserted into the recess is able to be laterally retained in the recess by the projection, wherein the roller support is configured as a hinge for hinging a panel of the door to an adjacent panel of the door, wherein the axle support is configured as a first hinge part of the hinge, and the hinge further comprises a second hinge part that is securable to the adjacent panel and that is able to pivot relative to the first hinge part.

[0029] According to a sixth broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge for hinging a first panel of a door to a second panel of the door, the hinge apparatus comprising a first hinge part, and a second hinge part, the first hinge part including a recess for laterally receiving an axle of a roller, the first hinge part being seciirable relative to the first panel such that, after securing the first hinge part relative to the first panel and installing the roller in a track of the door, the axle of the roller is able to be laterally inserted into the recess so that the axle of the roller is internally positioned with respect to the first panel, the axle retainer being securable relative to the first hinge part such that the internally positioned axle of the roller is able to be laterally retained in the recess in that position by the axle retainer, and the second hinge part being securable to the second panel and being able to pivot relative to the first hinge part.

[0030] According to a seventh broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door comprising a track, a first panel, a second panel, a roller installed in the track, and a hinge according to the sixth broad aspect of the .present invention, wherein the first hinge part of the hinge is secured relative to the first panel, and the second hinge part of the hinge is secured relative to the second panel such that the first panel and the second panel are hinged to each other, an axle of the roller is received in the recess of the first hinge part such that the axle of the roller is internally positioned with respect to the first panel, and wherein the axle retainer of the hinge is secured relative to the first hinge part such that the internally positioned axle of the roller is laterally retained in the recess in that position by the axle retainer.

[0031] According to an eighth broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge for hinging a first panel of a door to a second panel of the door, the hinge comprising a first hinge part, a second hinge part, and an axle retainer, the first hinge part including a recess for laterally receiving an axle of a roller, the axle retainer including a projection adapted to be inserted into the recess, and the axle retainer being securable relative to the first hinge part such that an axle of the roller inserted into the recess is able to be laterally retained in the recess by the projection, and the second hinge part being securable to the second panel and being able to pivot relative to the first hinge part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS t [0032] In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an axle support, axle retainer, and a roller of a roller support which is configured as a hinge;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the axle support and axle retainer;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the axle bore which is defined by the axle support and the axle retainer of the roller support;

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the axle support;

Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the axle support;

Figure 6 is a front elevation of the axle support;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the axle support;

Figure 8 is a front perspective view of the axle retainer;

Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of the axle retainer;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of the axle retainer;

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the axle retainer;

Figure 12 is a front perspective view of the male hinge part of the hinge;

Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of the male hinge part;

Figure 14 is a front elevation of the male hinge part;

Figure 15 is a side elevation of the male hinge part;

Figure 16 is an enlarged view of a portion of the hinge which shows the male hinge part received by the female hinge part;

Figure 17 is a side elevation of a radius bracket which cooperates with two track rails to provide a track of a door which also includes a door panel, the hinge, and a roller;

Figure 18 is a front perspective view of the hinge and the roller when the roller is retained in the recess of the female hinge part by the axle retainer;

Figure 19 is a side elevation of the hinge depicted in figure 18;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a portion of a sectional door which comprises the hinge, the roller, a profiled edge of a lower sectional door panel, and a track rail into which is inserted the roller; and

Figure 21 is a side elevation of the door which shows how the axle of the roller is internally positioned relative to the door panel.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring to figure 1 there is depicted part of a roller apparatus 30 for a sectional door of the type which is used to open and close an access opening of a garage or other building structure. The roller apparatus 30 includes a roller support 31 and a roller 32 which is supported by the roller support 31.

[0034] The roller support 31 includes an axle support 33 which is securable relative to the panel of the sectional door. Referring also to figures 4 to 7, the axle support 33 includes a recess 34 into which an axle 35 of the roller 32 is able to be inserted laterally such that an end portion 36 of the axle 35 on which a roller wheel 37 of the roller 32 is mounted extends longitudinally from the axle support 33.

[0035] With reference also to figures 8 to 11, the roller support 31 also includes an axle retainer 40 which is securable relative to the axle support 33 such that the inserted axle 35 of the roller 32 is able to be laterally retained in the recess 34 by the axle retainer 40.

[0036] The recess 34 of the axle support 33 includes a first surface 50, and the axle retainer 40 includes a second surface 51. The second surface 51 has an arcuate profiled face 55, and the first surface 50 has an arcuate profiled face 56. The arcuate profiled face 55 cooperates with the arcuate profiled face 56 such that the profiled faces 55, 56 define an axle bore 42 of the roller support 31 in which the axle 35 of the roller 32 is able to be laterally retained.

[0037] The arcuate profiled face 55 is located on the end of a projection 41 of the axle retainer 40 which is adapted to be inserted into the recess 34 of the axle support 33. When the projection 41 is fully inserted into the recess 34, a surface 53 of the projection 41 abuts against a surface 54 of the axle support 33 and prevents the projection 41 from being inserted further into the recess 34. Therefore, the abutting surfaces 53, 54 cooperate to limit the amount by which the projection 41 is able to be inserted into the recess 34 so that the fit between the axle 35 and the axle bore 42 is a clearance fit in which the axle 35 is free to move longitudinally relative to the roller support 31.

[0038] The axle retainer 40 also includes a pair of laterally spaced first flanges 60 and a second flange 61. The flanges 60, 61 overlie the axle support 33 when the projection 41 is inserted into the recess 34. Each of the first flanges 60 includes a circular hole 62, and the second flange 61 includes an elongate or slotted hole 63. The axle support 33 includes a pair of circular holes 64 on one side of the recess 34, and a circular hole 65 on the opposite side of the recess 34. Each of the holes 62 aligns with a respective one of the holes 64, and the hole 63 aligns with the hole 65. The axle retainer 40 is secured relative to the axle support 33 by a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners include screws or bolts which are inserted through the aligned holes 62,64 and the aligned holes 63, 65.

[0039] ' The end portion 36 of the axle 35 which protrudes from the roller support 31 and on which the roller 37 is mounted includes a cylindrical stop 70. The stop 70 has a diameter which is greater than the internal diameter of the axle bore 42 so that the stop 70 cannot fit in to the axle bore 42. The stop 70 therefore limits the amount by which the axle 35 is able to be inserted into the axle bore 42.

[0040] Referring to figures 18 and 19, the roller apparatus 30 and therefore the roller support 31 which is part of the roller apparatus 30 are configured as a hinge 80 for hinging the panel of the sectional door to an adjacent panel of the door.

[0041] The axle support 33 is configured as a first hinge part 81 of the hinge 80. The hinge 80 also includes a second hinge part 82. The first hinge part 81 is a female hinge part 83, while the second hinge part 82 is a male hinge part 84. Both the first hinge part 81 and the second hinge part 82 are made from a suitable plastic.

[0042] As can be seen in figures 20 and 21, the first hinge part 81 is profiled so as to snuggly fit within the inside of a profiled edge 71 of a sectional door panel 72 to which it is securable relative to. Likewise, an end of the second hinge part 82 is profiled so as to snuggly fit within the inside of a profiled edge (not depicted) of an adjacent sectional door panel (not depicted). The profiled edge 71 of the panel 72 has a hole 73 through which an end portion of the hinge part 82 can project through so that the end portion of the hinge part 82 can be received by the hinge part 81. Likewise, the profiled edge of the panel that the second hinge part 82 fits within has a hole through which the end portion of the hinge part 82 can project through.

[0043] The second hinge part 82 has a projecting tab 85 which projects from the rest of the part 82. Extending orthogonally in both directions from the tab 85 is a pin 86. The pin 86 and the tab 85 form a T-shape. The pin 86 has an eccentric cross section formed by virtue of a flat section 87 which forms a chord of the circle of the cross section.

[0044] The first hinge part 81 has two curved fingers 88, with the inside of the curve defining a pin receiving zone 89. The fingers 88 are spaced apart to form a slot 90 therebetween. The pin receiving zone 89 is substantially circular in cross section and has a gap 91 narrower than the diameter of the pin receiving zone 89 thereby forming a restricted opening to the pin receiving zone 89.

[0045] The restricted opening or gap 91 in combination with the eccentric shaped pin 86 only allows the pin 86 to enter the pin receiving void or zone 89 when it is positioned in a certain orientation. In this orientation the width of the pin 86 presented for travel through the gap 91 is smaller than the width of the gap 91 because the flat section 87 produces a smaller diameter of the pin 86 in this orientation, which from the point of view of the fingers 88, is sufficient for the pin 86 to fit through the aperture or gap 91. When the pin 86 is at a different orientation its width is larger than the width of the aperture or gap 91 because the diameter of the pin 86, from the point of view of the fingers 88, is larger than the aperture or gap 91 within the pin receiving void or zone 89. The two parts 81, 82 thus become pivotally locked together as can be seen in figure 16, and can thereby operate as a hinge apparatus 80 between the adjacent panels of the sectional door.

[0046] The first hinge part 81 includes a pair of holes 100 for receiving screws and/or bolts which is/are used to secure the first hinge part 81 to the first panel 72 of a sectional door 74. The second hinge part 82 includes a plurality of holes 101 for receiving screws and/or bolts which is/are used to secure the second hinge part 82 to a second panel (not depicted) of the sectional door 74.

[0047] The first hinge part 81/axle support 33 is typically installed on/secured to the first panel 72 of the sectional door 74 at a manufacturing facility. Likewise, the second hinge part 82 is installed on/secured to a second panel of the sectional door 74 at the manufacturing facility. This allows for more efficient production of panels by manufacturing the hinge parts 81,82 as part of the panels. This in turn allows the hinge to be constructed in-situ when the sectional door 74 is assembled on-site.

[0048] When the sectional door 74 is being assembled on-site, the axle retainer 40 is removed from the first hinge part 81 if it is secured to it. This is accomplished by firstly undoing the screws and/or bolts which secure the axle retainer 40 to the first hinge part 81 and which are received by the aligned holes 62, 64 and 63, 65, and then by withdrawing the projection 41 of the axle retainer 40 from the recess 34. Also, if the axle 35 of the roller 32 is located in the recess 34 of the first hinge part 81, the roller 32 is removed from the first hinge part 81 by removing the axle 35 from the recess 34.

[0049] The first panel 72 is placed in a vertical position in the access opening or doorway on-site. The roller wheel 37 of the roller 32 is inserted into a track 75 of the door 74 so that the roller wheel 37 is received in the track 75 and so that the roller 32 is thereby installed in the track 75.

[0050] Once the roller wheel 37 is received in the track 75 of the door 74, the axle 35 of the roller 32 and the first hinge part 81 are positioned relative to each other such that the axle 35 is laterally adjacent to the recess 34 of the first hinge part 81. The axle 35 is then inserted laterally into the recess 34 of the first hinge part 81/axle support 33. In other words, the axle 35 is inserted sideways into the recess 34 instead of being inserted into the recess 34 endways.

[0051] The axle 35 is inserted into the recess 34 so that the axle 35 is internally positioned with respect to the door panel 72. The axle 35 is internally positioned with respect to the door panel 72 when the axle 35 is located between opposing side walls 76 of the door panel 72 and is substantially centrally located, close to a centerline 77 of the door panel 72 as can be seen in figure 21. This is different to the “face-fitting” arrangements disclosed by the prior art where the axle of the roller is offset to the side of the door panel.

[0052] After the axle 35 has been laterally inserted into the recess 34 so that the axle 35 is internally positioned with respect to the door panel 72, the axle retainer 40 is then secured relative to the first hinge part 81/axle support 33 such that the internally positioned axle 35 is laterally retained in the recess 34 in that position by the projection 41 of the axle retainer 40. The axle retainer 40 is secured relative to the first hinge part 81/axle support 33 by firstly inserting the projection 41 of the axle retainer 40 into the recess 34 of the first hinge part 81. The projection 41 is inserted into the recess 34 so that the surfaces 53 and 54 of the first hinge part 81 and the axle retainer 40 abut against each other and so that the arcuate profiled faces 55, 56 envelope the axle 35. The internally positioned axle 35 is laterally retained in the recess 34 in that position by the projection 41. The holes 62, 64, and the holes 63, 65 of the first hinge part 81 and the axle retainer 40 are aligned with each other. Screws and/or bolts are inserted into the aligned holes 62, 64 and 63, 65 and are then tightened to secure the axle retainer 40 to the first hinge part 81/axle support 33.

[0053] The second panel is oriented at an angle to allow the pin 86 to pass through the aperture or gap 91 into the pin receiving void or zone 89. This is typically at an angle of about 60°between the firs t and second hinge parts 81,82 or 120°from the parts 81, 82 (and panels) being in line with each other. The second panel is then lifted so that its orientation moves to an angle of about 95° from alignment of the panels. At this angle the pin 86 is captured within the pin receiving void or zone 89. The second panel is further lifted through the angles of 65°and 15°so that it is typically at an angle of about 0°as shown in figure 16. The pin 86 remains captured within the pin receiving zone 89.

[0054] The second panel may then be secured by rollers 32 to the track 75 of the door 74 in a similar manner to the way in which the first panel 72 is secured by rollers 32 to the track 75 of the door 74.

[0055] The typical angle of operation of the panels to each other once the rollers 32 are inserted in the guide rails/track 75 is between 0°and 65°. Thus during its normal operation the pin 86 will always remain captured within the pin receiving void or zone 89.

[0056] The track 75 of the door 74 is secured relative to the building structure which includes the doorway or access opening such that the track 75 is positioned adjacent to the access opening. Typically there will be a respective track 75 located on each side of the access opening.

[0057] The track 75 may for example be of the type which includes a vertical track section, a generally horizontal track section, and a curved track section interconnecting the horizontal and vertical track sections. With reference to figure 17, the curved track section of the track may be provided by a radius bracket 110. Each radius bracket 110 of the track is installed above a respective vertical track section. In particular, each radius bracket 110 is configured to define the respective curved transition track section 111 interconnecting the horizontal and vertical track sections of the track 75.

[0058] In addition to forming parts of the track 75, each radius bracket 110 also provides bracing for the track 75.

[0059] Each radius bracket 110 is also configured to provide a support bracket 112 for the respective end of a torsion pole of the door 74.

[0060] Each radius bracket 110 comprises a body 113 formed of plastics material which may include internal reinforcement. The body 113 comprises a body portion 114 configured as a plate 115 having an upper edge 116, an inner edge 117, and a curved lower edge 118. The body portion 114 defines an outer end section 119 and a bottom end section 120, with the upper edge 116 extending to the outer end section 119, the inner edge 117 extending to the bottom end section 120, and the curved lower edge 118 extending between the outer end section 119 and the bottom end section 120.

[0061] The plate 115 provides a mounting flange 121. .

[0062] The upper edge 116 incorporates a formation 123 which provides a saddle 124 to receive and support the respective end of the torsion pole.

[0063] The outer end section 119 of the radius bracket 110 is adapted to be coupled to the adjacent end of the track rail defining the horizontal track section of the track 75. The outer end section 119 comprises a web portion incorporating fastener holes for receiving fasteners for securing the coupled parts together.

[0064] Similarly, the bottom end section 120 of the radius bracket 110 is adapted to be coupled to the upper end of the track rail defining the vertical track section of the track 75. The bottom end section 120 comprises a web portion 127 incorporating fastener holes 128 for receiving fasteners for securing the coupled parts together.

[0065] The curved transition track section 111 interconnecting the horizontal and vertical track sections of the main track 75 is defined by an arcuate rib formation 129 located along the curved lower edge 118. The rib formation 129 defines a groove 130 which is of a cross-sectional profile corresponding to a groove in the track rails which define the horizontal and vertical track sections. Thus, the grooves of the track rails and the intervening groove 130 cooperate to provide a continuous track 75 for the rollers 37 moving there along as the sectional door 74 moves between opened and closed conditions. The outer end section 119 and the bottom end section 120 incorporate recesses 131 to accommodate the adjacent ends of the respective track rails to provide smooth transitions between the grooves in the track rails and the groove 130 and thereby establish the continuous track 75 for the rollers 37.

[0066] The radius bracket 110 also includes an integral arcuate rib formation 132 defining a guide wall 133 which cooperates with the groove formation 130 to provide the curved transition track section 111. The guide wall 133 assists in guiding the rollers 37 around the turn and retaining the rollers 37 in the groove formation 130 as the sectional door 74 moves between the opened and closed conditions.

[0067] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications to the invention described herein will be apparent without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The variations and modifications as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

[0068] Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0069] Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

[0070] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, that reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. '

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A roller support for a door, the roller support comprising an axle support, and an axle retainer, the axle support including a recess for laterally receiving an axle of a roller, the axle support being securable relative to a panel of the door such that, after securing the axle support relative to the panel and installing the roller in a track of the door, the axle of the roller is able to be laterally inserted λ into the recess so that the axle of the roller is internally positioned with respect to the panel, and the axle retainer being securable relative to the axle support such that the internally positioned axle of the roller is able to be laterally retained in the recess in that position by the axle retainer, wherein the roller support is configured as a hinge for hinging the panel of the door to an adjacent panel of the door, wherein the axle support is configured as a first hinge part of the hinge, and the hinge further comprises a second hinge part that is securable to the adjacent panel and that is able to pivot relative to the first hinge part.
2. The roller support of claim 1, wherein the axle retainer includes a projection adapted to be inserted into the recess of the axle support so that the internally positioned axle of the roller is able to be laterally retained in the recess in that position by the projection.
3. The roller support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axle support and the axle retainer include profiled faces for substantially enveloping the axle of the roller.
4. The roller support of claim 3, wherein the profiled faces comprise arcuate profiled faces.
5. The roller support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axle retainer includes a flange for securing the axle retainer to the axle support.
6. The roller support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axle support and the axle retainer include openings for receiving a fastener so that the axle support and the axle retainer are able to be secured together by the fastener. /
7. The roller support of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first hinge part is configured as a female hinge part, and the second hinge part is configured as a male hinge part which is receivable by the female hinge part.
8. A roller apparatus for a sectional door, the apparatus comprising a roller support according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a roller, wherein an axle of the roller is configured so as to be laterally insertable into the axle support recess of the roller support. i
9. A door comprising a track, a first panel, a second panel, a roller installed in the track, and a roller support according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first hinge part of the roller support is secured relative to the first panel, and the second hinge part of the roller support is secured relative to the second panel such that the first panel and the second panel are thereby hinged to each other, an axle of the roller is received in the recess of the first hinge part such that the axle of the roller is internally positioned with respect to the first panel, and wherein the axle retainer of the roller support is secured relative to the first hinge part such that the internally positioned axle of the roller is laterally retained in the recess in that position by the axle retainer.
10. A method of assembling a door, the method comprising the steps of: securing the first hinge part of a roller support defined by any one of claims 1 to 7 relative to a first panel of the door, and securing the second hinge part of the roller support relative to a second panel of the door such that the first panel and the second panel are thereby hinged to each other; installing a roller in a track of the door; inserting an axle of the installed roller laterally into a recess of the secured first hinge part such that the axle of the installed roller is internally positioned with respect to the first panel; and securing an axle retainer relative to the secured first hinge part such that the internally positioned axle of the installed roller is laterally retained in the recess in that position by the axle retainer.
11. A roller support for a door, the roller support comprising an axle support, and an axle retainer, the axle support including a recess for laterally receiving an axle of a roller, the axle retainer including a projection adapted to be inserted into the recess, and the axle retainer being securable relative to the axle support such that an axle of a roller inserted into the recess is able to be laterally retained in the recess by the projection, wherein the roller support is configured as a hinge for hinging a panel of the door to an adjacent panel of the door, wherein the axle support is configured as a first hinge part of the hinge, and the hinge further comprises a second hinge part that is securable to the adjacent panel and that is able to pivot relative to the first hinge part.
12. A hinge for hinging a first panel of a door to a second panel of the door, the hinge apparatus comprising a first hinge part, and a second hinge part, the first hinge part including a recess for laterally receiving an axle of a roller, the first hinge part being securable relative to the first panel such that, after securing the first hinge part relative to the first panel and installing the roller in a track of the door, the axle of the roller is able to be laterally inserted into the recess so that the axle of the roller is internally positioned with respect to the first panel, the axle retainer being securable relative to the first hinge part such that the internally positioned axle of the roller is able to be laterally retained in the recess in that position by the axle retainer, and the second hinge part being securable to the second panel and being able to pivot relative to the first hinge part.
13. A door comprising a track, a first panel, a second panel, a roller installed in the track, and a hinge according to claim 12, wherein the first hinge part of the hinge is secured relative to the first panel, and the second hinge part of the hinge is secured relative to the second panel such that the first panel and the second panel are hinged to each other, an axle of the roller is received in the recess of the first hinge part such that the axle of the roller is internally positioned with respect to the first panel, and wherein the axle retainer of the hinge is secured relative to the first hinge part such that the internally positioned axle of the roller is laterally retained in the recess in that position by the axle retainer.
14. A hinge for hinging a first panel of a door to a second panel of the door, the hinge comprising a first hinge part, a second hinge part, and an axle retainer, the first hinge part including a recess for laterally receiving an axle of a roller, the axle retainer including a projection adapted to be inserted into the recess, and the axle retainer being securable relative to the first hinge part such that an axle of the roller inserted into the recess is able to be laterally retained in the recess by the projection, and the second hinge part being securable to the second panel and being able to pivot relative to the first hinge part.