CA2099510A1 - Roller-hinge assembly for retractable overhead door - Google Patents
Roller-hinge assembly for retractable overhead doorInfo
- Publication number
- CA2099510A1 CA2099510A1 CA 2099510 CA2099510A CA2099510A1 CA 2099510 A1 CA2099510 A1 CA 2099510A1 CA 2099510 CA2099510 CA 2099510 CA 2099510 A CA2099510 A CA 2099510A CA 2099510 A1 CA2099510 A1 CA 2099510A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hinge
- panel
- roller
- door
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
- E05D15/00—Suspension arrangements for wings
- E05D15/16—Suspension arrangements for wings for wings sliding vertically more or less in their own plane
- E05D15/24—Suspension arrangements for wings for wings sliding vertically more or less in their own plane consisting of parts connected at their edges
- E05D15/242—Hinge connections between the parts
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
- E05D5/00—Construction of single parts, e.g. the parts for attachment
- E05D5/02—Parts for attachment, e.g. flaps
- E05D5/06—Bent flaps
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO HINGES OR OTHER SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS AND DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION, CHECKS FOR WINGS AND WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
- E05Y2900/10—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for buildings or parts thereof
- E05Y2900/106—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for buildings or parts thereof for garages
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO HINGES OR OTHER SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS AND DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION, CHECKS FOR WINGS AND WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
- E05Y2900/50—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles
- E05Y2900/516—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles for trucks or trailers
Abstract
ROLLER-HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR
RETRACTABLE OVERHEAD DOOR
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention pertains to a retractable roller-hinge assembly for use with retractable overhead doors.
More particularly, this invention relates to a novel roller-hinge assembly which when installed on conventional retractable overhead doors, such as garage doors warehouse doors or truck doors, enables the door panels to pull away more quickly from the door frame as the overhead door is raised, or lowered. A hinge assembly for connecting upper and lower panels of a retractable overhead door comprising:
(a) upper means for securing to the upper panel; (b) lower means adapted for securing to the lower panel, the lower means being hingedly connected by a pivotal axis to the upper means; (c) roller and roller axle means rotatably connected to the upper means, said roller and axle means being adapted to move towards the lower means as the upper means is pivoted about the pivotal axis.
RETRACTABLE OVERHEAD DOOR
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention pertains to a retractable roller-hinge assembly for use with retractable overhead doors.
More particularly, this invention relates to a novel roller-hinge assembly which when installed on conventional retractable overhead doors, such as garage doors warehouse doors or truck doors, enables the door panels to pull away more quickly from the door frame as the overhead door is raised, or lowered. A hinge assembly for connecting upper and lower panels of a retractable overhead door comprising:
(a) upper means for securing to the upper panel; (b) lower means adapted for securing to the lower panel, the lower means being hingedly connected by a pivotal axis to the upper means; (c) roller and roller axle means rotatably connected to the upper means, said roller and axle means being adapted to move towards the lower means as the upper means is pivoted about the pivotal axis.
Description
o ROL~ER-~INGE ASSEMB~Y FOR
RETRA~TABLE OVERHE~D DOOR
FIELD OF THE INVEN~ION ~ -This invention pertains to a retractable roller-hinge assembly for use with retractable overhead doors.
More particularly, this invention relates to various novel roller-hinge assemblies which when installed on conven-tional retractable overhead doors, such as garage doorswarehouse doors or truck doors, enable the top door panels to pull away from the top area of the door frame as the overhead door is raised.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .
: :, There are numerous designs of overhead or re-tractable door assemblies which are commonly used for garage doors, truck doors, and warehouse doors. Such retractable overhead garage doors are conventionally constructed of a number of vertically arranged horizontal panels which can fold along the horizontal divisions between the panels, thereby enabling the doors to assume a rolled or folded configuration as they pass along a curved path before being retracted into the ceiling of the build-ing in which they are installed. The panels assume a vertically juxtaposed planar configuration when lowered into a bottom position to thereby present a solid face and close the door opening.
Such retractable overhead doors typically are constructed of a number of stacked horizontal panels, with two or more hinge assemblies between each of the adjacent horizontal panels. The hinge assemblies at each side of the door run in parallel tracks which are installed verti-cally on each side of the door, and curve at the top before becoming horizontal parallel tracks, suspended from the ceiling of the building. Such doors can be manually operated, or can be automatically operated by using infra red or radio operated motors, which pull the panels of the door upwardly along the tracks, when the door is being opened, or push the door downwardly to a closed position, when reversed.
The following four patents disclose alternative types of overhead door assemblies:
U.S. Patent No. Inventor Issue Date 1,897,391 Kelly February 14, 1933 2,827,115 Stroup March 18, 1958 2,869,637 Schacht, Jr. January 20, 1959 4,115,900 Mihalcheon September 26, 1978 Kelly shows a roller spindle 68 attached to a flange 69 connected to the upper half of the hinge assembly of a standard overhead door mechanism. Kelly does not show both the hinge and the roller axle being set in the flange connected to the upper half of the hinge assembly. Kelly also does not show a double tube assembly, or an adapter plate for door hinge assembly or a unitary hinge assembly wherein the hinge and the roller axle are set apart several inches in order to accelerate the rate of retraction of the moving door panel as the door panel passes around the curved portion of a trackway.
Stroup discloses an upwardly acting door assembly including a plurality of door sections comprising outer and inner panels of sheet metal. The outer panel has inward-30 ! ly offset upwardly facing angled flanges on its upper andlower edges. The inner panel has outwardly offset down-wardly facing angled flanges on its upper and lower edges.
The flanges of the panels are in interlocking engagement and coact to provide an outwardly facing rabbet on the lower edges. The rabbets of adjacent sections coact to provide a stepped joint. Two separate reinforcing rails of a length corresponding approximately to the length of the 2 ~
panels and of a thickness corresponding to the spacing of the panels is disposed horizontally between the panels adjacent their upper and lower edges. The rails are of double channels section with reversely facing channels.
One rail is inverted with respect to the other to provide outwardly facing channels at the top and bottom of the door section with the webs of the channels lapped against and secured to the interior surfaces of the inner and outer panels. Vertically extending flanges on the edges of the rails are lapped against the interior surface of the adjacent panels of the sections. The rails and panels are fixedly secured together. Coacting hinge members are disposed on the inner sides of adjacent sections and are provided with pintles disposed in the plane of the upper step of the joint. The hinge members are formed of sheet metal and are secured to the ends of the rails disposed between the panels. The hinge members are secured to the sections by fasteners disposed therethrough and through the rails.
Schacht, Jr. discloses in an upwardly acting door assembly including a track comprising an upright section, a horizontal section and a curved intermediate section merging into the upright and horizontal sections. The door comprises a plurality of panels. A first hinge member is mounted on the inner side of the lower edge of the upper panel of a pair of adjacent panels considered from the relative position of the panels when the door is closed.
The member has a pair of spaced inwardly projecting 30 'flanges,lthe lower ends of which project beyond the lower edge of the upper panel. A pintle is disposed through the flanges with its axis in the central plane of the joint between the panels. A second hinge member is mounted on the inner side of the lower panel of the pair and is provided with an inwardly offset knuckle engaging the pintle on the first hinge member. The track roller is pro-vided with a spindle journaled in the inwardly projecting 3 ~ ~
flanges of the first hinge member and positioned substan-tially above the pintle so that the upper edge of the lower panel of the pair is not substantially elevated above the track as the track roller traverses from the curved inter-mediate track section onto the horizontal section, or viceversa.
Certain retractable door designs have the side rails installed at an angle so that the door panels ap-proach the door frame as the door panels are lowered intoposition. This design ensures that the door panels are moved against the door frame when the retractable door is in a lowermost closed position. This design, however, requires hinges of different design at various panel elevations on the door in order to accommodate the differ~
ent distances from the side rails to the door frame. These hinges are typically numbered from #l to #lo to accommodate most designs of retractable door. A conventional garage door typically uses hinges numbering from #2 to #4, or sometimes #5.
Mihalcheon provides a single hinge which can be modified and locked into position to act as any one of a conventional #l hinge, through to a conventional #lO hinge.
Mihalcheon's hinge design can be adjusted to mimic a hinge having any number of hinged plates. A pair of upstanding bearing support ears extend outwardly from one of the plates. A bearing member is provided comprising a tubular support portion, for receiving the shaft of a roller, and 30 ~ an arm portion. Means are provided for disengageably connecting and locking the end of the arm portion, remote from the support portion, to the support ears. Thus, the arm can be rotated about its connection with the ears, to vary the distance of the support portion relative to the plates. The hinge can then be locked in place to fix the position of the roller relative to the sectional door.
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Mihalcheon specifically discloses a hinge and roller support device for a sectional door. The hinge comprises a pair of plates hinged together end to end and adapted to be attached to the door. One of the plates has a pair of spaced bearing support ears upstanding therefrom.
Each ear forms a transverse bolt-receiving aperture spaced above the plate. A bearing member comprises a tubular support portion, for receiving the shaft of a roller, and an arm portion of generally right-angled configuration extends from the support portion. The arm portion com-prises a tongue portion, extending from the tubular support portion, and a pair of spaced apertured lugs projecting from the side edges of the tongue portion at its end remote from the tubular support portion. The lugs form the right angles with the tongue portion, whereby, when the elements are assembled, the apertures of the lugs are located adjacent to and in alignment with the ear apertures.
Threaded bolt means are used for connecting the support ears and the lugs by extension through the adjacent pairs of apertures. Nut means threadable on the bolt means permit disengageable locking of the bearing member to the support ears, whereby the arm portion can be rotated about the bolt means to vary the distance of the tubular support from the plates and then be fixed in place by tightening only the bolt and nut means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a hinge assembly for connecting upper and lower panels of a retractable mul-tiple-panel overhead door comprising: (a) upper hinge means for securing to a side of the upper panel, the upper hinge means having at an outer edge an extension which protrudes from a lower end of the upper hinge means, parallel to an outside edge of the lower panel; (b) lower hinge means adapted for securing to the lower panel, the lower hinge means being hingedly connected by a horizontal - 6 - ~9~0 :~:
pivotal axis to the upper hinge means, the pivotal axis being adjacent a line of division between the upper panel and the lower panel; (c) roller and roller axle means -rotatably connected to an outside surface of the extension 5 protruding from the upper hinge means, said roller axle - -means being horizontal and below the horizontal pivotal axis, the roller and axle means being adapted to move towards the lower hinge means as the upper hinge means is pivoted about the horizontal pivotal axis. ;
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The upper hinge means can have a pair of protrud-ing flanges which extend in the same direction away from an interior surface of the upper panel, the flanges being adapted to hold the horizontal pivotal axis. The lower 15 hinge means can have a pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction away from an interior surface of the lower panel, the flanges being adapted to hold the horizontal pivotal axis.
The pivotal axis and the roller axle means can be spaced from one another. The upper hinge means can be pivotally connected to the lower hinge means by a horizon-tal rod which extends between the two pairs of flanges.
The invention is also directed to an attachment for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels, and rollers adapted to roll in a guideway, and a hinge assembly having upper and lower hinge means for respectively connecting to the upper and lower 30 ~ panels together comprising: (a) connector means for releasable attachment to a side of the ùpper panel, said connector means having openings thereon for receiving members which secure the connector means to the upper panel; and (b) flange means connected to an end of the connector means extending adjacent an outside edge of the lower panel, said flange means including rotatable bearing -.:~.:, .':'' ~9~5~
means adapted to receive an axle and the roller adapted to roll in the guideway.
The connector means can have a right angle shape adapted to fit on an interior edge and side of the upper panel of the overhead door. The openings in the connector means can be adapted to receive screws for securing the attachment to the exterior side of the upper panel.
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A hinge assembly for hingedly connecting an upper panel and a lower panel of a retractable multiple panel overhead door when in a vertical position having rollers on each side travelling on respective tracks on each side of the door, comprising: (a) upper hinge means for securing to the upper panel, the upper hinge means having on an interior side thereof a pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction on an inside of the door, the flanges being adapted to hold between them axle means, the upper hinge means having a protrusion extending therefrom adjacent to an exterior edge of the lower panel; (b) lower hinge means for securing to the lower panel, the lower hinge means being hingedly connected to the upper hinge means by the axle means connected to and extending between the flanges, said axle means comprising a first tube secured to the lower hinge means, and extending between the flanges, which first tube pivots inside a concentric lar~er diameter second tube attached to the upper hinge means and extending between the flanges; and (c) roller axle means spaced from the roller axle means rotatably connected to an .l 30 ~ exterioriside of the protrusion of the upper hinge means, and extending parallel to the axle means, said roller axle means having at an end exterior of the protrusion, a roller which is adaptéd to roll on the respective track, the roller and axle means being adapted to move towards the lower hinge means as the upper hinge means is pivoted towards the lower hinge means about the pivotal axis.
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An attachment for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels with sides when in a vertical position, and rollers adapted to roll in a guideway, and a hinge assembly having upper and lower hinge means for respectively connecting to the upper and lower panels comprising: (a) planar panel connector means having at least two holes therein for enabling attachment of the connector means to a roller side of the upper panel, said connector means terminating at a lower edge of the upper panel and being adapted to have secured in association therewith the upper hinge means of the hinge assembly, a hinge line of the upper and lower hinge means coinciding with a lower edge of the connector means; and (b) planar flange means connected with a lower edge of the connector means and extending to a point adjacent the side of the lower panel but separate from the lower panel, said planar flange means having rotatable bearing and roller means secured to a side of the flange means opposite the side adjacent said side adjacent the lower panel and below the hinge line of the upper and lower hinge means and a lower edge of the connector means, said roller being adapted to roll in the guideway.
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A hinge assembly for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels when in a vertical position, and rollers adapted to roll in a guideway, and a hinge assembly having upper and lower hinge means for respectively connecting to the upper and lower panels for converting and mounting said guideway rollers on ! ~ ' 30 Isaid upper hinge means comprising: (a) lower hinge means with holes therein for attachment to an interior surface of a lower panel; (b) upper plate means with holes therein adapted to receive screws for attachment to an interior surface of the upper panel, the upper plate means being pivotally connected to the lower hinge means; and (c) flange means connected to the upper plate means at the end adjacent the lower hinge means and protruding from said end ~ ~ . : . . . . .
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on the same side as and adjacent to the lower hinge means, and below a pivot hinge point of the upper and lower hinge means, said flange means including rotatable bearing means positioned parallel to and spaced from and below the lower hinge means and adapted to receive an axle and a roller adapted to roll in the guideway. ~-The rotatable bearing means can be a hollow tube adapted to rotatably receive an axle.
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A hinge assembly for hingedly connecting an upper and a lower panel of a retractable overhead door having rollers on each side travelling on respective tracks on each side comprising: (a) an upper hinge means for secur-ing to the upper panel, the upper hinge means having afirst pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction on an inside of the door, the flanges being adapted to hold between them hinge axle means; the hinge means having connected thereto and extending therefrom, in 20 the same direction as the pair of protruding flanges, and `-adjacent thereto, a flange which has fitted therein a roller axle means with a roller rotatably affixed to the end of the roller axle means; (b) lower hinge means for securing to the lower panel, the lower hinge means having a second pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction on`an inside of the door, the second pair of flanges being hingedly connected to the upper hinge means by the hinge axle means connected to and extending between the protruding flanges. i 30 1 ~
The distance between the hinge axle means and the roller axle means can be proportional to the rate of retraction of the overhead door panel as it passes around ~ `
a curved portion of the track. -The upper hinge means can be formed so that it wraps around an exterior side edge of the upper panel.
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An attachment for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels, and rollers adapted to roll in a guideway, and a hinge assembly having upper and lower hinge means for respectively connecting to the upper and lower panels comprising: (a) planar con-nector means having formed therein at least two holes for enabling attachment of the means to an edge of the upper panel, said planar connector means being adapted to be used in association with an upper hinge means assembly for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels; and planar flange means connected with the planar connector means and extending in the same direction as the planar connector means, and having formed in an exterior side thereof rotatable bearing and roller means extending perpendicular and adjacent to the lower panel of the overhead garage door assembly and below the hinge line of the upper and lower hinga means, said roller means being adapted to roll in the guideway, the planar flange means being disposed adjacent to a lower hinge means of the hinge assembly, the lower hinge assembly being secured to the lower door panel, the position of the roller means being lower than a pivot point between the lower hinge assembly and the upper door panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention, but which should not be construed as .~ 30 I restricting the spirit or scope of the invention in any way:
Figure l illustrates an isometric view of a conventional overhead garage door hinge in extended posi-tion.
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Figure 2 illustrates an ~sometric view of a conventional garage door hinge in folded 90 position. -Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a conven-tional overhead garage door assembly including roller guidetracks and hinges with rollers between door panels.
Figure 4 illustrates a side view of a conven- -tional overhead garage door hinge in vertical extended position.
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Figure 5 illustrates a side view of a conven-tional overhead garage door hinge as the hinge first starts to fold to about a 30 position.
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of a conven-tional overhead garage door hinge folded about 45.
Figure 7 illustrates a side view of a conven-tional overhead garage door hinge folded about 75.
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Figure 8, which appears on the same sheet as Figures 1 and 2, illustrates an isometric view of a re-tractable overhead garage door hinge according to the invention, in extended position.
Figure 9, which appears on the same sheet as Figures 1 and 2, illustrates an isometric view of a re-tractable overhead garage door hinge according to the ! ' 30 1 invention folded in a 90 position.
:' Figure 10 illustrates a side view of an overhead garage door hinge according to the invention, in extended upright position. -~
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~3~10 Figure 11 illustrates a side view of an overhead garage door hinge according to the invention, folded about 5Figure 12 illustrates a side view of an overhead garage door hinge according to the invention, folded about Figure 13 illustrates a side view of an overhead garage door hinge according to the invention, folded about 60.
Figure 14 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative overhead garage door assembly according to the ;~
invention, suitable for use in association with conven-tional retractable door hinges, installed on the left interior side of the door.
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Figure 15 illustrates an isometric view of the alternative hinge assembly illustrated in Figure 14, installed on an overhead door and roller guide rail assem-bly.
Figure 16 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative overhead garage door assembly, similar to that illustrated in Figure 14, but installed on the right interior side of the door.
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Figure 17 illustrates a side view of the garage 30 i door assembly illustrated in Figure 14. -Figure 18 illustrates an end view of the garage door assembly illustrated in Figure 17.
35Figure 19 illustrates an isometric view of an adapter and a standard garage door hinge, the combination implementing the principle of the invention.
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~,` f~ 9 'l'ff'f ~ f Figure 20 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative unitary hinge assembly installed on an overhead door and roller guide rail assembly.
Figure 21 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative hinge plate assembly, similar to Figure 14.
Figure 22 illustrates a side view of the hinge plate assembly illustrated in Figure 21.
Figure 23 illustrates an end view of the hinge plate assembly illustrated in Figure 21.
15Figure 24 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative hinge plate assembly, which is a variation on the assembly illustrated in Figure 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC
In the assembly of a sectional retractable, overhead door, the horizontal door sections or panels are connected together by vertically positioned hinge plates spaced along the side edge portions thereof. Since the door slides vertically and horizontally along parallel spaced roller guide tracks mounted on the interior of the building, it is conventional to mount a roller on the side of each hinge plate to connect the track and door panels.
f 30 In most modern retractable overhead door con~
structions, it is customary to have the rising leg of each track inclined slightly away from the door jamb or frame.
To accommodate this, it is necessary that the rollers of successively hinge assemblies are spaced further and further away from the attached hinge plates, so that the door sections adopt a vertical position when closing the ;
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door opening. Figure 3 illustrates this configuration in a side view of a conventional overhead garage door assem-bly. As illustrated in Figure 3, the lower portion of the trackway 42 is angled somewhat (to the left as shown in Figure 3) in order to assist in pulling the door panels away from the upper region of the door frame as the door is raised, or alternatively, move the panels against the door frame as the door is lowered. It will be noted that the distance of the top roller 30 from the hinge base 33 is greater than for lower roller 34 from the hinge base 37.
In turn, the distance of roller 34 from the base of hinge body 37 is greater than the distance of lowest roller 38 from base 39.
Heretofore the hinge and roller support devices used in the retractable overhead door industry have tended to be of two types. One type can be said to have a fixed bearing for receiving the roller and the other has a bearing whose position relative to the hinge plates can be adjusted. Both types comprise a pair of plates hinged together end to end.
In the case of the first type, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate isometric views of such a hinge design. Figure 1 shows the hinge in extended position, while Figure 2 shows the hinge in folded position. A pair of spaced, upstanding, apertured ears 14 and 16 extend outwardly (upwardly) from the side edges of one of the hinge plates 12. A horizontal tube 18 extends through the apertures and 30 ! is fixed to the ears to provide a stationary bearing for the roller shaft 20. A shortcoming of this type of device is that to accommodate the inwardly angled roller guide rails, each of the required hinge units at the section junctures are different. Each must have its tube 18 spaced outwardly from the plates 10 and 12 a different distance when compared to its neighbours. Therefore it is necessary to keep in stock a different hinge unit for each section .. : : . ~-.: , :, ~ ~ ...
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junction of the door to be installed. These are typically numbered from #l through to #10.
To overcome this difficulty, an adjustable hinge has been marketed which involves forming one of the verti-cal hinge plates to provide an outwardly extending bracket having a transverse, horizontal wall. Outwardly directed parallel slots are provided in this horizontal wall. A
separate bearing member is then slidably mounted on the bracket. Bolts are inserted through the slots and aper-tures and nuts are threaded thereon to clamp the tongue portion of the bearing member to the bracket wall at the desired location.
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This type of hinge unit also has shortcomings.
Particularly, it is expensive to construct and is difficult to install, because the nuts and bolts have to be tightened from above and below under cramped conditions.
Specifically, Figures l and 2 illustrate lSO-metric views of a conventional overhead garage door hinge and roller assembly. Figure l illustrates the conventional hinge assembly in extended position~. Figure 2 illustrates the conventional hinge in folded position. The roller 22 25 and pin 20 are rotatably secured to ears 14 and 16 while hinge 18 and pin 17 connect the upper base 10 to the lower base 12. When installed, this hinge must have the roller 22 positioned at a slightly lower elevation and interior of the hinge 18 and pin 17. If the hinge is installed upside 30 I down, then the door binds as it is raised or lowered through the curved portion of the track, and hence is virtually inoperable.
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As mentioned previously, residential overhead retractable garage doors are usually divided into four to six horizontal sections or panels which bend along horizon-tal fold lines between the panels. Figure 3 illustrates a ','' ':'., -,, - 16-''2~9~tO
side view of a portion of a typical overhead garage door.
At each fold line, between panels 24, 26, 28 and 29, there is a hinge (30, 36, 40) near either side edge of the door (in closed position) and sometimes in between, if the door is wide enough to require middle hinges. These middle hinges do not have rollers which run in jacks. The hinges at the outer vertical edges of the door support bearings and axles (42, 44 and 46) for the rollers 30, 34 and 38 that guide the sides of the dcors in a roller guideway 42 that in its lower section is generally vertical (although vertically tilted slightly to the right as seen in Figure 3) and then curves upwardly and inwardly along the garage ceiling to become inwardly horizontal so that the door may be moved upwardly out of the way overhead, or alternatively lowered from its overhead position downwardly into closed position. The hinges 32, 36 and 40 conveniently support the rollers 30, 34 and 38 which have to be located in the vicinity of the hinge to keep the horizontal door panels 24, 26, 28 and 29 properly in alignment as the door is moved upwardly or downwardly. These hinges vary slightly in appearance, depending upon the vertical position of the hinge relative to the door.
In each case, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, the conventional hinge has an upper base portion 10 and a lower base portion 12. The upper portion 10 is screwed to the upper panel while the lower portion 12 is secured to the lower panel. The lower hinge base portion 12 is provided with trunnion brackets 18 in which a hinge pin 17 and a 30 I roller bearing support 20 for a roller 22 are mounted. The upper hinge element 10 pivots relative to lower hinge element 12 about hinge pin 17. It is necessary for proper operation of the garage door that when the hinge elements are flat against the door, as shown in Figure 1, roller bearing mount 20 must be located downwardly and spaced outwardly from the plane of the garage door relative to the hinge pin 17. In other words, bearing 20 must be located - 17 ~3~10 above and to the right of pin 17, as seen in Figure 1.
However, when installed, with the door closed, the hinge shown in Figure 1 would be turned 90 to assume a vertical posltlon. . ~ ' Figure 2 hows the configuration of the conven-tional hinge arrangement of Figure 1 when the garage door is in angled or folded position about the hinge pin 17.
This folded position is assumed as the hinge and roller 22 are passing through the curved portion of guideway 42 as shown in Figure 3. i-' ' The particular hinge shown in Figures 1 and 2 is the one between the two uppermost panels comprising the 15 residential overhead garage door. This is known in the ~;
trade as a #3, 4 or 5 hinge. It is found that often there . ~"
is tendency for the roller 22 mounted on this particular -~
hinge, to bind in the curved part of the track or guideway 42. The problem is particularly acute where the top of the garage door frame, and therefore the surrounding doorway, is not cleanly rectangular but is angled or curved around the top edges, for cosmetic purposes. This presents the possibility of a minor obstruction which causes binding between the door and the frame, or a propensity to increase the amount of friction presented as the door moves around the curved part of the track 42 at the top part of the door, just prior to the fully closed position of the door as the door is closing (or just after the door begins to open, when the door is opening). The problem is aggravated ,~ 30 I when there are ma~or changes in humidity or temperature ;~
which cause distortions in the panels and door frames.
Figures 4 through 7 ïnclusive illustrate in sequence, the respective positions of a conventional 35 overhead garage door hinge, and roller, as the hinge and -door are raised (or lowered) through the curved part of track 42. In Figure 4, the door is at its lowermost . .
- 18 _ ~ 0 position, and accordingly the panels are in vertical alignment. In Figure 5, as the door panels begin to reach the curved portion of the track 42 illustrated in Figure 3, the hinge begins to fold. However, it is important to note that the distance "d" between the axle of the roller and the lowermost door panel remains the same in Figures 4 and 5.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate subsequent more folded positions for the conventional door hinge, as the upper portions of the curved trackway 42 are reached. Again, it is significant to note that the horizontal distance "d"
from the axle of the roller to the lower door panel remains constant.
In summary, Figures 4 through 7 inclusive, which depict a conventional overhead door hinge in extended position, and in successive folded positions of 30, 45 and 60, demonstrate that the distance (d) from the roller 22 to the lower plate 12 remains the same regardless of the fold position. Thus, the door panel 28 remains a fixed distance from the roller 22 (and hence the roller guideway 42, which is not shown in Figures 4 through 7) since the lower door panel 28 is secured directly to the lower plate 12.
This constant distance "d" feature of conven-tional overhead door hinges is a serious handicap because the lower door panel tends to bind with the door frame at 30 ! the mostl critical location, namely, at the upper curved track region, where forces are the greatest, and binding can occur due to warpage of the door panel, or variations in moisture content of the door panels, or door frames due to climatic changes. The problem is particularly acute in 3 5 doorway constructions where the upper regions of the door frame are curved or angled, for cosmetic effect.
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Figure 8, which appears on the same sheet as Figures 1 and 2, illustrates an isometric view of a re~
tractable overhead garage door hinge according to the invention, in extended position. Figure 9, which appears 5 on the same sheet as Figures 1 and 2, illustrates an -isometric view of a retractable overhead garage door hinge according to the invention folded in a 60 position. ;
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According to the invention, the bearing for the roller 44 is provided in a trunnion bracket mounting 48 (roller bearing) that is affixed to the upper hinge base 50 instead of to the lower hinge base 52, as is the case with a conventional hinge. The hinge 54 is constructed of an outer tube 53 connected to the lower hinge base 52 and an inner concentric tube 51 connected to the two bracket mountings 48. The requirement that the roller bearing 48 be mounted downwardly and away from the plane of the garage door relative to hinge point 54 is preserved in the inven- ~-tion. This enables the new hinge design to fit with existing hardware. It can therefore be installed in new door systems, or retrofitted into existing systems, without -requiring major changes. The geometrical configuration of the hinge of the invention as shown in Figures 8 and 9, as a static configuration, is identical to the geometric -configuration of the conventional hinge shown in Figures 1 and 2, as a static configuration. It is only when the dynamics of the folding operation occur, that a difference comes into play between the conventional hinges shown in -~
Figures 1 and 2 and the hinge of the invention shown in 30 I Figures 8 and 9. The location of pin 54 relative to the two hinge portions 50 and 52 in Figure 8 is identical to the conventional hinge shown in Figure 1. The difference is that the bearing for rotatably mounting the axle 46 for roller 44 is now in a portion of the hinge structure that is fixed to and supported by upper hinge base 50, rather than lower hinge element 52.
: '' ', "' This significant difference between a conven-tional hinge and the hinge of the invention becomes appar-ent the garage door panels fold about the respective hinge axis. Referring to Figure 9, which shows the 60 folded or angled position of the hinge structure according to the invention, it can be seen that as the upper hinge base 50 pivots about pivot axis 54 relative to the lower hinge base 52, the roller bearing 46 for roller 44 pivots with the upper hinge base 52 about hinge axis 54 and, consequently, the roller 44 moves closer to the lower hinge base 52.
Hence the plane of the garage door panel (not shown) to which lower hinge base 52 is attached is closer to roller 44 than was the case when the two hinge bases 50 and 52 were flat (in extended position) as appears in Figure 8.
By contrast, in the conventional roller hinge arrangement in Figures 1 and 2, the roller 22 always remains at the same distance ("d") above the flat of the door panel to which the lower hinge base is attached, as can be perceived by the fact that in the conventional hinge arrangement, there is no change in position of roller bearing 20 rela-tive to the door panel to which lower hinge base 12 is attached, as appears in Figures 1 and 2.
This movement of the roller bearing 46 toward the door panel to which the lower hinge base 52 is attached as the hinge breaks or folds (which occurs when the roller reaches the curved part of the track 42 as shown in Figure 3), draws the panel inwardly away from the door frame and affords a much smoother passage of the door 23 about the .~30 ~curved portion of the guideway 42 for the rollers 44 and tends to avoid any binding of the rollers 44 within the track 42, or binding of the door 23 against the door frame.
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Figures 10 through 13 inclusive show in sequence, in side view, the manner in which the overhead door hinge of the invention breaks or folds as the door 23 is raised through the curved portion of the roller track 42 (see :~
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Figure 3). In Figure lO, the upper panel 24 and lower panel 26 are in vertical alignment, as are the upper hinge base 50 and lower hinge base 52, and the roller 44 is at a certain distance "d1" from the lower hinge base 52 and the 5 lower door panel 26. The door frame 56 is indicated by the broken line. In Figure ll, as the hinge begins to travel through the curved portion of the guideway track 42, and begins to fold, the distance "d1" between the roller 44 and the lower hinge base 52 and door panel 26 decreases a lO certain extent, while a distance represented by "d2" begins to appear between the lower panel 26 and the door frame 56.
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In Figure 12, which shows the overhead door hinge folded to a greater extent (45) at a more upwardly posi-15 tion in the track 42 curvature, the distance "d1" from theroller 44 to the lower door panel 26 is even less than shown in Figure ll. Likewise, the distance "d2" between the panel 26 and the door frame 56 has increased proportion-ately. Figure 13 illustrates further the manner in which 20 the distance "d1" between the roller 44 and the lower door panel 26 decreases, as the hinge is folded further (60) while passing further through the curved portion of the roller guideway 42. Now, the distance "d2" between the door frame 56 and the panel 26 has increased substantially.
The net effect of this decrease in distance "d1", and increase in "d2", is that the door panel 26 is drawn away from the door frame 56 and closer to the roller 44 and the roller trackway 42. Because of this drawing action, ! I ' 30 ~ the likelihood of the door ~panels binding against the door frame, as the overhead door passes through the upper curved portions of the roller guideway 42, is substantially de-creased or even eliminated.
The retracted path of panel travel created by the hinge of the invention is shown by dotted line B in Figure 3. Dotted line A in Figure 3 illustrates the path of panel ~ 3 travel with a conventional hinge. It is apparent that the retracted path B means there is less likelihood that the door panel edges will rub or impinge on the door frame, thereby eliminating a longstanding problem.
Figure 14 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of upper hinge plate, which applies the theory of the invention, but which can be used in association with conventional overhead garage door hinges (Figures 1 and 2), in order to enable the conventional overhead door hinges to pull the door panels away from the door frame, as the respective hinges pass through the curved portion of the roller guideways 42. The advantage of the construction illustrated in Figure 14 is that the adapter plate can be installed on existing overhead garage door systems, while maintaining conventional retractable overhead door hinges.
Figure 14 illustrates an adapter plate 58 which can be used on the left-interior side of an upper door panel. The adapter plate 58 comprises a flat base plate 60 which has screw or bolt holes 62 punched therein. A side of the plate 60 is bent to form a right angle flange 64.
The flange extends into a bear.ing support 66, which is adapted to support roller pin 68 and roller 70, to the exterior of the plate 58, as seen in Figure 14.
Figure 15 illustrates an isometric view of an adapter plate 58 installed on the upper panel 24 of a 30 ~ conventional overhead garage door, with a conventional overhead door hinge assembly comprising upper hinge base 10 and lower hinge base 12, bolted or screwed to the lower door panel 26. The conventional upper hinge plate 10 is bolted by bolts 72 to hold base plate 60 on the edge of upper panel 10. The lower hinge base 12 is bolted to the lower door panel 12 in the conventional way. The adapter plate 58 enables the roller (not visible) to be separated - 23 - ~ ~`9~
from the roller shaft 20 or the door hinge, and moved a certain distance away, thereby enabling the lower door panel 26 to pull away more rapidly from the door frame (not shown) according to the same mechanism illustrated and discussed above in association with Figures 10 through 13 inclusive.
Figure 16 illustrates an isometric view of an adapter plate 58 for attaching to the upper panel on the right interior side of the retractable door. Figure 17 illustrates a side view of the adapter plate 58 shown in Figure 16 while Figure 18 illustrates an end view of the adapter plate shown in Figure 16. These drawings illus-trate in detail the construction of the flange 64, bearing support 66, roller pin 68 and roller 70.
Figure 19 illustrates an isometric view of an adapter 74 which is fitted onto the upper base plate 76 of a standard single axle #l garage door hinge 78 in order to adapt the standard hinge 78 to carry out the principle of the invention. As seen in Figure 19, adapter 74 is con-structed to have a base plate 80 which has screw or bolt holes therein which match the screw or bolt holes in the base plate 76 of the hinge 78. The adapter 74 also has formed therein a flange extension 82 which rises at an angle from the base plate and has formed in the upper end thereof a curled sleeve 84 which is adapted to receive the axle of a standard door roller 86 (shown in dotted lines).
The combination of the adapter 74 and the hinge 78 dupli-! ' 30 ~ cates in effect the hinge of the invention as illustrated in Figures 8 through 13. No. 1 hinges 78 are manufactured by automated techniques in large quantities and adapter 74 (which can also be manufactured by automated techniques) permits the principle of the invention to be carried out cheaply.
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Figure 20 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative unitary hinge assembly installed on an overhead door and roller guide rail assembly. Specifically, Figure 20 illustrates an isometric view of a unitary hinge-plate assembly wherein the adapter plate is combined with a conventional overhead door hinge assembly and is installed on the upper panel 24 of a conventional overhead garage door. The lower hinge base 12 is bolted or screwed to the lower door panel 26. The upper hinge plate 90, which in effect comprises a combination of a conventional upper hinge plate and the adapter plate 58 illustrated in Figure 14, is bolted by bolts 72 to hold the plate 90 on the edge of upper panel 24. The lower hinge base 12 is bolted to the edge of the lower door panel 26. The unitary adapter plate 90 coupled with lower hinge base 12 enables the roller 70 (shown in dashed lines) to be separated from the roller shaft 18 of the door hinge, and moved a specific distance away, thereby enabling the lower door panel 26 to pull away more rapidly from the door frame (not shown) according to the same mechanism illustrated and discussed above in association with Figures 10 through 13 inclusive.
The distance of the separation between the roller 70 and the pivot point 18 of the hinge can be varied as required to obtain the required degree of lower panel retraction, as the hinge mechanism passes through the curved portion of the trackway.
Figure 21 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of adapter, which applies the theory 30 ~ of the invention, but which can be used in association with conventional overhead garage door hinges (Figures 1 and 2) to enable the conventional overhead door hinges to pull the panels away from the door frame, as the respective hinges pass through the curved portion of the roller guideways 42.
The advantage of the adapter construction illustrated in Figure 21 is that the adapter plane can be installed on existing overhead garage door systems, while maintaining L~
conventional retractable overhead door hinges. The adapter 98 illustrated in Figure 21 is a variation on the adapter illustrated in Figure 14.
5Figure 21 illustrates an adapter plate 98 which can be used on the left-interior side of an upper door panel. The adapter plate 98 varies from the adapter plate illustrated in Figure 14 in that the flat base plate 60, which has screw or bolt holes punched therein, is omitted in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 21. Instead, the flange 100 has three holes 102 therein which enable the flange 100 to be screwed to the side of the door panel.
The flange 100 extends into a bearing support 66, which is adapted to support roller pin 68 and roller 70, to the ~ ;
15 exterior of the plate 98, as seen in Figure 21. :
Figure 22 illustrates a side view of the alterna-tive embodiment of adapter plate 98 illustrated in Figure 21. Figure 23 illustrates an end view of the adapter plate 98, as illustrated in Figure 21. The screw holes 102 are shown in dotted lines. ~ ~
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Figure 24 illustrates an isometric view of an ;
alternative embodiment of an adapter plate 108 for attach-ing to the upper panel of a right interior side of a retractable door. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 24 is similar to that shown in Figure 21, except the top of the plate 100 has a lip 104 which is bent over slightly, and acts as a guide for installing the plate 108 on the 30 I side of the door. This lip 104 ensures that the plate 100 will be correctly installed and aligned with the edge of the door.
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As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
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RETRA~TABLE OVERHE~D DOOR
FIELD OF THE INVEN~ION ~ -This invention pertains to a retractable roller-hinge assembly for use with retractable overhead doors.
More particularly, this invention relates to various novel roller-hinge assemblies which when installed on conven-tional retractable overhead doors, such as garage doorswarehouse doors or truck doors, enable the top door panels to pull away from the top area of the door frame as the overhead door is raised.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .
: :, There are numerous designs of overhead or re-tractable door assemblies which are commonly used for garage doors, truck doors, and warehouse doors. Such retractable overhead garage doors are conventionally constructed of a number of vertically arranged horizontal panels which can fold along the horizontal divisions between the panels, thereby enabling the doors to assume a rolled or folded configuration as they pass along a curved path before being retracted into the ceiling of the build-ing in which they are installed. The panels assume a vertically juxtaposed planar configuration when lowered into a bottom position to thereby present a solid face and close the door opening.
Such retractable overhead doors typically are constructed of a number of stacked horizontal panels, with two or more hinge assemblies between each of the adjacent horizontal panels. The hinge assemblies at each side of the door run in parallel tracks which are installed verti-cally on each side of the door, and curve at the top before becoming horizontal parallel tracks, suspended from the ceiling of the building. Such doors can be manually operated, or can be automatically operated by using infra red or radio operated motors, which pull the panels of the door upwardly along the tracks, when the door is being opened, or push the door downwardly to a closed position, when reversed.
The following four patents disclose alternative types of overhead door assemblies:
U.S. Patent No. Inventor Issue Date 1,897,391 Kelly February 14, 1933 2,827,115 Stroup March 18, 1958 2,869,637 Schacht, Jr. January 20, 1959 4,115,900 Mihalcheon September 26, 1978 Kelly shows a roller spindle 68 attached to a flange 69 connected to the upper half of the hinge assembly of a standard overhead door mechanism. Kelly does not show both the hinge and the roller axle being set in the flange connected to the upper half of the hinge assembly. Kelly also does not show a double tube assembly, or an adapter plate for door hinge assembly or a unitary hinge assembly wherein the hinge and the roller axle are set apart several inches in order to accelerate the rate of retraction of the moving door panel as the door panel passes around the curved portion of a trackway.
Stroup discloses an upwardly acting door assembly including a plurality of door sections comprising outer and inner panels of sheet metal. The outer panel has inward-30 ! ly offset upwardly facing angled flanges on its upper andlower edges. The inner panel has outwardly offset down-wardly facing angled flanges on its upper and lower edges.
The flanges of the panels are in interlocking engagement and coact to provide an outwardly facing rabbet on the lower edges. The rabbets of adjacent sections coact to provide a stepped joint. Two separate reinforcing rails of a length corresponding approximately to the length of the 2 ~
panels and of a thickness corresponding to the spacing of the panels is disposed horizontally between the panels adjacent their upper and lower edges. The rails are of double channels section with reversely facing channels.
One rail is inverted with respect to the other to provide outwardly facing channels at the top and bottom of the door section with the webs of the channels lapped against and secured to the interior surfaces of the inner and outer panels. Vertically extending flanges on the edges of the rails are lapped against the interior surface of the adjacent panels of the sections. The rails and panels are fixedly secured together. Coacting hinge members are disposed on the inner sides of adjacent sections and are provided with pintles disposed in the plane of the upper step of the joint. The hinge members are formed of sheet metal and are secured to the ends of the rails disposed between the panels. The hinge members are secured to the sections by fasteners disposed therethrough and through the rails.
Schacht, Jr. discloses in an upwardly acting door assembly including a track comprising an upright section, a horizontal section and a curved intermediate section merging into the upright and horizontal sections. The door comprises a plurality of panels. A first hinge member is mounted on the inner side of the lower edge of the upper panel of a pair of adjacent panels considered from the relative position of the panels when the door is closed.
The member has a pair of spaced inwardly projecting 30 'flanges,lthe lower ends of which project beyond the lower edge of the upper panel. A pintle is disposed through the flanges with its axis in the central plane of the joint between the panels. A second hinge member is mounted on the inner side of the lower panel of the pair and is provided with an inwardly offset knuckle engaging the pintle on the first hinge member. The track roller is pro-vided with a spindle journaled in the inwardly projecting 3 ~ ~
flanges of the first hinge member and positioned substan-tially above the pintle so that the upper edge of the lower panel of the pair is not substantially elevated above the track as the track roller traverses from the curved inter-mediate track section onto the horizontal section, or viceversa.
Certain retractable door designs have the side rails installed at an angle so that the door panels ap-proach the door frame as the door panels are lowered intoposition. This design ensures that the door panels are moved against the door frame when the retractable door is in a lowermost closed position. This design, however, requires hinges of different design at various panel elevations on the door in order to accommodate the differ~
ent distances from the side rails to the door frame. These hinges are typically numbered from #l to #lo to accommodate most designs of retractable door. A conventional garage door typically uses hinges numbering from #2 to #4, or sometimes #5.
Mihalcheon provides a single hinge which can be modified and locked into position to act as any one of a conventional #l hinge, through to a conventional #lO hinge.
Mihalcheon's hinge design can be adjusted to mimic a hinge having any number of hinged plates. A pair of upstanding bearing support ears extend outwardly from one of the plates. A bearing member is provided comprising a tubular support portion, for receiving the shaft of a roller, and 30 ~ an arm portion. Means are provided for disengageably connecting and locking the end of the arm portion, remote from the support portion, to the support ears. Thus, the arm can be rotated about its connection with the ears, to vary the distance of the support portion relative to the plates. The hinge can then be locked in place to fix the position of the roller relative to the sectional door.
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Mihalcheon specifically discloses a hinge and roller support device for a sectional door. The hinge comprises a pair of plates hinged together end to end and adapted to be attached to the door. One of the plates has a pair of spaced bearing support ears upstanding therefrom.
Each ear forms a transverse bolt-receiving aperture spaced above the plate. A bearing member comprises a tubular support portion, for receiving the shaft of a roller, and an arm portion of generally right-angled configuration extends from the support portion. The arm portion com-prises a tongue portion, extending from the tubular support portion, and a pair of spaced apertured lugs projecting from the side edges of the tongue portion at its end remote from the tubular support portion. The lugs form the right angles with the tongue portion, whereby, when the elements are assembled, the apertures of the lugs are located adjacent to and in alignment with the ear apertures.
Threaded bolt means are used for connecting the support ears and the lugs by extension through the adjacent pairs of apertures. Nut means threadable on the bolt means permit disengageable locking of the bearing member to the support ears, whereby the arm portion can be rotated about the bolt means to vary the distance of the tubular support from the plates and then be fixed in place by tightening only the bolt and nut means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a hinge assembly for connecting upper and lower panels of a retractable mul-tiple-panel overhead door comprising: (a) upper hinge means for securing to a side of the upper panel, the upper hinge means having at an outer edge an extension which protrudes from a lower end of the upper hinge means, parallel to an outside edge of the lower panel; (b) lower hinge means adapted for securing to the lower panel, the lower hinge means being hingedly connected by a horizontal - 6 - ~9~0 :~:
pivotal axis to the upper hinge means, the pivotal axis being adjacent a line of division between the upper panel and the lower panel; (c) roller and roller axle means -rotatably connected to an outside surface of the extension 5 protruding from the upper hinge means, said roller axle - -means being horizontal and below the horizontal pivotal axis, the roller and axle means being adapted to move towards the lower hinge means as the upper hinge means is pivoted about the horizontal pivotal axis. ;
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The upper hinge means can have a pair of protrud-ing flanges which extend in the same direction away from an interior surface of the upper panel, the flanges being adapted to hold the horizontal pivotal axis. The lower 15 hinge means can have a pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction away from an interior surface of the lower panel, the flanges being adapted to hold the horizontal pivotal axis.
The pivotal axis and the roller axle means can be spaced from one another. The upper hinge means can be pivotally connected to the lower hinge means by a horizon-tal rod which extends between the two pairs of flanges.
The invention is also directed to an attachment for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels, and rollers adapted to roll in a guideway, and a hinge assembly having upper and lower hinge means for respectively connecting to the upper and lower 30 ~ panels together comprising: (a) connector means for releasable attachment to a side of the ùpper panel, said connector means having openings thereon for receiving members which secure the connector means to the upper panel; and (b) flange means connected to an end of the connector means extending adjacent an outside edge of the lower panel, said flange means including rotatable bearing -.:~.:, .':'' ~9~5~
means adapted to receive an axle and the roller adapted to roll in the guideway.
The connector means can have a right angle shape adapted to fit on an interior edge and side of the upper panel of the overhead door. The openings in the connector means can be adapted to receive screws for securing the attachment to the exterior side of the upper panel.
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A hinge assembly for hingedly connecting an upper panel and a lower panel of a retractable multiple panel overhead door when in a vertical position having rollers on each side travelling on respective tracks on each side of the door, comprising: (a) upper hinge means for securing to the upper panel, the upper hinge means having on an interior side thereof a pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction on an inside of the door, the flanges being adapted to hold between them axle means, the upper hinge means having a protrusion extending therefrom adjacent to an exterior edge of the lower panel; (b) lower hinge means for securing to the lower panel, the lower hinge means being hingedly connected to the upper hinge means by the axle means connected to and extending between the flanges, said axle means comprising a first tube secured to the lower hinge means, and extending between the flanges, which first tube pivots inside a concentric lar~er diameter second tube attached to the upper hinge means and extending between the flanges; and (c) roller axle means spaced from the roller axle means rotatably connected to an .l 30 ~ exterioriside of the protrusion of the upper hinge means, and extending parallel to the axle means, said roller axle means having at an end exterior of the protrusion, a roller which is adaptéd to roll on the respective track, the roller and axle means being adapted to move towards the lower hinge means as the upper hinge means is pivoted towards the lower hinge means about the pivotal axis.
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An attachment for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels with sides when in a vertical position, and rollers adapted to roll in a guideway, and a hinge assembly having upper and lower hinge means for respectively connecting to the upper and lower panels comprising: (a) planar panel connector means having at least two holes therein for enabling attachment of the connector means to a roller side of the upper panel, said connector means terminating at a lower edge of the upper panel and being adapted to have secured in association therewith the upper hinge means of the hinge assembly, a hinge line of the upper and lower hinge means coinciding with a lower edge of the connector means; and (b) planar flange means connected with a lower edge of the connector means and extending to a point adjacent the side of the lower panel but separate from the lower panel, said planar flange means having rotatable bearing and roller means secured to a side of the flange means opposite the side adjacent said side adjacent the lower panel and below the hinge line of the upper and lower hinge means and a lower edge of the connector means, said roller being adapted to roll in the guideway.
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A hinge assembly for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels when in a vertical position, and rollers adapted to roll in a guideway, and a hinge assembly having upper and lower hinge means for respectively connecting to the upper and lower panels for converting and mounting said guideway rollers on ! ~ ' 30 Isaid upper hinge means comprising: (a) lower hinge means with holes therein for attachment to an interior surface of a lower panel; (b) upper plate means with holes therein adapted to receive screws for attachment to an interior surface of the upper panel, the upper plate means being pivotally connected to the lower hinge means; and (c) flange means connected to the upper plate means at the end adjacent the lower hinge means and protruding from said end ~ ~ . : . . . . .
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on the same side as and adjacent to the lower hinge means, and below a pivot hinge point of the upper and lower hinge means, said flange means including rotatable bearing means positioned parallel to and spaced from and below the lower hinge means and adapted to receive an axle and a roller adapted to roll in the guideway. ~-The rotatable bearing means can be a hollow tube adapted to rotatably receive an axle.
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A hinge assembly for hingedly connecting an upper and a lower panel of a retractable overhead door having rollers on each side travelling on respective tracks on each side comprising: (a) an upper hinge means for secur-ing to the upper panel, the upper hinge means having afirst pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction on an inside of the door, the flanges being adapted to hold between them hinge axle means; the hinge means having connected thereto and extending therefrom, in 20 the same direction as the pair of protruding flanges, and `-adjacent thereto, a flange which has fitted therein a roller axle means with a roller rotatably affixed to the end of the roller axle means; (b) lower hinge means for securing to the lower panel, the lower hinge means having a second pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction on`an inside of the door, the second pair of flanges being hingedly connected to the upper hinge means by the hinge axle means connected to and extending between the protruding flanges. i 30 1 ~
The distance between the hinge axle means and the roller axle means can be proportional to the rate of retraction of the overhead door panel as it passes around ~ `
a curved portion of the track. -The upper hinge means can be formed so that it wraps around an exterior side edge of the upper panel.
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An attachment for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels, and rollers adapted to roll in a guideway, and a hinge assembly having upper and lower hinge means for respectively connecting to the upper and lower panels comprising: (a) planar con-nector means having formed therein at least two holes for enabling attachment of the means to an edge of the upper panel, said planar connector means being adapted to be used in association with an upper hinge means assembly for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels; and planar flange means connected with the planar connector means and extending in the same direction as the planar connector means, and having formed in an exterior side thereof rotatable bearing and roller means extending perpendicular and adjacent to the lower panel of the overhead garage door assembly and below the hinge line of the upper and lower hinga means, said roller means being adapted to roll in the guideway, the planar flange means being disposed adjacent to a lower hinge means of the hinge assembly, the lower hinge assembly being secured to the lower door panel, the position of the roller means being lower than a pivot point between the lower hinge assembly and the upper door panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention, but which should not be construed as .~ 30 I restricting the spirit or scope of the invention in any way:
Figure l illustrates an isometric view of a conventional overhead garage door hinge in extended posi-tion.
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Figure 2 illustrates an ~sometric view of a conventional garage door hinge in folded 90 position. -Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a conven-tional overhead garage door assembly including roller guidetracks and hinges with rollers between door panels.
Figure 4 illustrates a side view of a conven- -tional overhead garage door hinge in vertical extended position.
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Figure 5 illustrates a side view of a conven-tional overhead garage door hinge as the hinge first starts to fold to about a 30 position.
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of a conven-tional overhead garage door hinge folded about 45.
Figure 7 illustrates a side view of a conven-tional overhead garage door hinge folded about 75.
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Figure 8, which appears on the same sheet as Figures 1 and 2, illustrates an isometric view of a re-tractable overhead garage door hinge according to the invention, in extended position.
Figure 9, which appears on the same sheet as Figures 1 and 2, illustrates an isometric view of a re-tractable overhead garage door hinge according to the ! ' 30 1 invention folded in a 90 position.
:' Figure 10 illustrates a side view of an overhead garage door hinge according to the invention, in extended upright position. -~
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~3~10 Figure 11 illustrates a side view of an overhead garage door hinge according to the invention, folded about 5Figure 12 illustrates a side view of an overhead garage door hinge according to the invention, folded about Figure 13 illustrates a side view of an overhead garage door hinge according to the invention, folded about 60.
Figure 14 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative overhead garage door assembly according to the ;~
invention, suitable for use in association with conven-tional retractable door hinges, installed on the left interior side of the door.
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Figure 15 illustrates an isometric view of the alternative hinge assembly illustrated in Figure 14, installed on an overhead door and roller guide rail assem-bly.
Figure 16 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative overhead garage door assembly, similar to that illustrated in Figure 14, but installed on the right interior side of the door.
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Figure 17 illustrates a side view of the garage 30 i door assembly illustrated in Figure 14. -Figure 18 illustrates an end view of the garage door assembly illustrated in Figure 17.
35Figure 19 illustrates an isometric view of an adapter and a standard garage door hinge, the combination implementing the principle of the invention.
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~,` f~ 9 'l'ff'f ~ f Figure 20 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative unitary hinge assembly installed on an overhead door and roller guide rail assembly.
Figure 21 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative hinge plate assembly, similar to Figure 14.
Figure 22 illustrates a side view of the hinge plate assembly illustrated in Figure 21.
Figure 23 illustrates an end view of the hinge plate assembly illustrated in Figure 21.
15Figure 24 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative hinge plate assembly, which is a variation on the assembly illustrated in Figure 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC
In the assembly of a sectional retractable, overhead door, the horizontal door sections or panels are connected together by vertically positioned hinge plates spaced along the side edge portions thereof. Since the door slides vertically and horizontally along parallel spaced roller guide tracks mounted on the interior of the building, it is conventional to mount a roller on the side of each hinge plate to connect the track and door panels.
f 30 In most modern retractable overhead door con~
structions, it is customary to have the rising leg of each track inclined slightly away from the door jamb or frame.
To accommodate this, it is necessary that the rollers of successively hinge assemblies are spaced further and further away from the attached hinge plates, so that the door sections adopt a vertical position when closing the ;
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door opening. Figure 3 illustrates this configuration in a side view of a conventional overhead garage door assem-bly. As illustrated in Figure 3, the lower portion of the trackway 42 is angled somewhat (to the left as shown in Figure 3) in order to assist in pulling the door panels away from the upper region of the door frame as the door is raised, or alternatively, move the panels against the door frame as the door is lowered. It will be noted that the distance of the top roller 30 from the hinge base 33 is greater than for lower roller 34 from the hinge base 37.
In turn, the distance of roller 34 from the base of hinge body 37 is greater than the distance of lowest roller 38 from base 39.
Heretofore the hinge and roller support devices used in the retractable overhead door industry have tended to be of two types. One type can be said to have a fixed bearing for receiving the roller and the other has a bearing whose position relative to the hinge plates can be adjusted. Both types comprise a pair of plates hinged together end to end.
In the case of the first type, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate isometric views of such a hinge design. Figure 1 shows the hinge in extended position, while Figure 2 shows the hinge in folded position. A pair of spaced, upstanding, apertured ears 14 and 16 extend outwardly (upwardly) from the side edges of one of the hinge plates 12. A horizontal tube 18 extends through the apertures and 30 ! is fixed to the ears to provide a stationary bearing for the roller shaft 20. A shortcoming of this type of device is that to accommodate the inwardly angled roller guide rails, each of the required hinge units at the section junctures are different. Each must have its tube 18 spaced outwardly from the plates 10 and 12 a different distance when compared to its neighbours. Therefore it is necessary to keep in stock a different hinge unit for each section .. : : . ~-.: , :, ~ ~ ...
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junction of the door to be installed. These are typically numbered from #l through to #10.
To overcome this difficulty, an adjustable hinge has been marketed which involves forming one of the verti-cal hinge plates to provide an outwardly extending bracket having a transverse, horizontal wall. Outwardly directed parallel slots are provided in this horizontal wall. A
separate bearing member is then slidably mounted on the bracket. Bolts are inserted through the slots and aper-tures and nuts are threaded thereon to clamp the tongue portion of the bearing member to the bracket wall at the desired location.
'.'. :
This type of hinge unit also has shortcomings.
Particularly, it is expensive to construct and is difficult to install, because the nuts and bolts have to be tightened from above and below under cramped conditions.
Specifically, Figures l and 2 illustrate lSO-metric views of a conventional overhead garage door hinge and roller assembly. Figure l illustrates the conventional hinge assembly in extended position~. Figure 2 illustrates the conventional hinge in folded position. The roller 22 25 and pin 20 are rotatably secured to ears 14 and 16 while hinge 18 and pin 17 connect the upper base 10 to the lower base 12. When installed, this hinge must have the roller 22 positioned at a slightly lower elevation and interior of the hinge 18 and pin 17. If the hinge is installed upside 30 I down, then the door binds as it is raised or lowered through the curved portion of the track, and hence is virtually inoperable.
~. .
As mentioned previously, residential overhead retractable garage doors are usually divided into four to six horizontal sections or panels which bend along horizon-tal fold lines between the panels. Figure 3 illustrates a ','' ':'., -,, - 16-''2~9~tO
side view of a portion of a typical overhead garage door.
At each fold line, between panels 24, 26, 28 and 29, there is a hinge (30, 36, 40) near either side edge of the door (in closed position) and sometimes in between, if the door is wide enough to require middle hinges. These middle hinges do not have rollers which run in jacks. The hinges at the outer vertical edges of the door support bearings and axles (42, 44 and 46) for the rollers 30, 34 and 38 that guide the sides of the dcors in a roller guideway 42 that in its lower section is generally vertical (although vertically tilted slightly to the right as seen in Figure 3) and then curves upwardly and inwardly along the garage ceiling to become inwardly horizontal so that the door may be moved upwardly out of the way overhead, or alternatively lowered from its overhead position downwardly into closed position. The hinges 32, 36 and 40 conveniently support the rollers 30, 34 and 38 which have to be located in the vicinity of the hinge to keep the horizontal door panels 24, 26, 28 and 29 properly in alignment as the door is moved upwardly or downwardly. These hinges vary slightly in appearance, depending upon the vertical position of the hinge relative to the door.
In each case, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, the conventional hinge has an upper base portion 10 and a lower base portion 12. The upper portion 10 is screwed to the upper panel while the lower portion 12 is secured to the lower panel. The lower hinge base portion 12 is provided with trunnion brackets 18 in which a hinge pin 17 and a 30 I roller bearing support 20 for a roller 22 are mounted. The upper hinge element 10 pivots relative to lower hinge element 12 about hinge pin 17. It is necessary for proper operation of the garage door that when the hinge elements are flat against the door, as shown in Figure 1, roller bearing mount 20 must be located downwardly and spaced outwardly from the plane of the garage door relative to the hinge pin 17. In other words, bearing 20 must be located - 17 ~3~10 above and to the right of pin 17, as seen in Figure 1.
However, when installed, with the door closed, the hinge shown in Figure 1 would be turned 90 to assume a vertical posltlon. . ~ ' Figure 2 hows the configuration of the conven-tional hinge arrangement of Figure 1 when the garage door is in angled or folded position about the hinge pin 17.
This folded position is assumed as the hinge and roller 22 are passing through the curved portion of guideway 42 as shown in Figure 3. i-' ' The particular hinge shown in Figures 1 and 2 is the one between the two uppermost panels comprising the 15 residential overhead garage door. This is known in the ~;
trade as a #3, 4 or 5 hinge. It is found that often there . ~"
is tendency for the roller 22 mounted on this particular -~
hinge, to bind in the curved part of the track or guideway 42. The problem is particularly acute where the top of the garage door frame, and therefore the surrounding doorway, is not cleanly rectangular but is angled or curved around the top edges, for cosmetic purposes. This presents the possibility of a minor obstruction which causes binding between the door and the frame, or a propensity to increase the amount of friction presented as the door moves around the curved part of the track 42 at the top part of the door, just prior to the fully closed position of the door as the door is closing (or just after the door begins to open, when the door is opening). The problem is aggravated ,~ 30 I when there are ma~or changes in humidity or temperature ;~
which cause distortions in the panels and door frames.
Figures 4 through 7 ïnclusive illustrate in sequence, the respective positions of a conventional 35 overhead garage door hinge, and roller, as the hinge and -door are raised (or lowered) through the curved part of track 42. In Figure 4, the door is at its lowermost . .
- 18 _ ~ 0 position, and accordingly the panels are in vertical alignment. In Figure 5, as the door panels begin to reach the curved portion of the track 42 illustrated in Figure 3, the hinge begins to fold. However, it is important to note that the distance "d" between the axle of the roller and the lowermost door panel remains the same in Figures 4 and 5.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate subsequent more folded positions for the conventional door hinge, as the upper portions of the curved trackway 42 are reached. Again, it is significant to note that the horizontal distance "d"
from the axle of the roller to the lower door panel remains constant.
In summary, Figures 4 through 7 inclusive, which depict a conventional overhead door hinge in extended position, and in successive folded positions of 30, 45 and 60, demonstrate that the distance (d) from the roller 22 to the lower plate 12 remains the same regardless of the fold position. Thus, the door panel 28 remains a fixed distance from the roller 22 (and hence the roller guideway 42, which is not shown in Figures 4 through 7) since the lower door panel 28 is secured directly to the lower plate 12.
This constant distance "d" feature of conven-tional overhead door hinges is a serious handicap because the lower door panel tends to bind with the door frame at 30 ! the mostl critical location, namely, at the upper curved track region, where forces are the greatest, and binding can occur due to warpage of the door panel, or variations in moisture content of the door panels, or door frames due to climatic changes. The problem is particularly acute in 3 5 doorway constructions where the upper regions of the door frame are curved or angled, for cosmetic effect.
'' ' :
~ ~ 9 ~
-- 1 9 -- :
Figure 8, which appears on the same sheet as Figures 1 and 2, illustrates an isometric view of a re~
tractable overhead garage door hinge according to the invention, in extended position. Figure 9, which appears 5 on the same sheet as Figures 1 and 2, illustrates an -isometric view of a retractable overhead garage door hinge according to the invention folded in a 60 position. ;
. .. ' :
According to the invention, the bearing for the roller 44 is provided in a trunnion bracket mounting 48 (roller bearing) that is affixed to the upper hinge base 50 instead of to the lower hinge base 52, as is the case with a conventional hinge. The hinge 54 is constructed of an outer tube 53 connected to the lower hinge base 52 and an inner concentric tube 51 connected to the two bracket mountings 48. The requirement that the roller bearing 48 be mounted downwardly and away from the plane of the garage door relative to hinge point 54 is preserved in the inven- ~-tion. This enables the new hinge design to fit with existing hardware. It can therefore be installed in new door systems, or retrofitted into existing systems, without -requiring major changes. The geometrical configuration of the hinge of the invention as shown in Figures 8 and 9, as a static configuration, is identical to the geometric -configuration of the conventional hinge shown in Figures 1 and 2, as a static configuration. It is only when the dynamics of the folding operation occur, that a difference comes into play between the conventional hinges shown in -~
Figures 1 and 2 and the hinge of the invention shown in 30 I Figures 8 and 9. The location of pin 54 relative to the two hinge portions 50 and 52 in Figure 8 is identical to the conventional hinge shown in Figure 1. The difference is that the bearing for rotatably mounting the axle 46 for roller 44 is now in a portion of the hinge structure that is fixed to and supported by upper hinge base 50, rather than lower hinge element 52.
: '' ', "' This significant difference between a conven-tional hinge and the hinge of the invention becomes appar-ent the garage door panels fold about the respective hinge axis. Referring to Figure 9, which shows the 60 folded or angled position of the hinge structure according to the invention, it can be seen that as the upper hinge base 50 pivots about pivot axis 54 relative to the lower hinge base 52, the roller bearing 46 for roller 44 pivots with the upper hinge base 52 about hinge axis 54 and, consequently, the roller 44 moves closer to the lower hinge base 52.
Hence the plane of the garage door panel (not shown) to which lower hinge base 52 is attached is closer to roller 44 than was the case when the two hinge bases 50 and 52 were flat (in extended position) as appears in Figure 8.
By contrast, in the conventional roller hinge arrangement in Figures 1 and 2, the roller 22 always remains at the same distance ("d") above the flat of the door panel to which the lower hinge base is attached, as can be perceived by the fact that in the conventional hinge arrangement, there is no change in position of roller bearing 20 rela-tive to the door panel to which lower hinge base 12 is attached, as appears in Figures 1 and 2.
This movement of the roller bearing 46 toward the door panel to which the lower hinge base 52 is attached as the hinge breaks or folds (which occurs when the roller reaches the curved part of the track 42 as shown in Figure 3), draws the panel inwardly away from the door frame and affords a much smoother passage of the door 23 about the .~30 ~curved portion of the guideway 42 for the rollers 44 and tends to avoid any binding of the rollers 44 within the track 42, or binding of the door 23 against the door frame.
.:
Figures 10 through 13 inclusive show in sequence, in side view, the manner in which the overhead door hinge of the invention breaks or folds as the door 23 is raised through the curved portion of the roller track 42 (see :~
:
:: ~: . . .
1 0 ,,, "
Figure 3). In Figure lO, the upper panel 24 and lower panel 26 are in vertical alignment, as are the upper hinge base 50 and lower hinge base 52, and the roller 44 is at a certain distance "d1" from the lower hinge base 52 and the 5 lower door panel 26. The door frame 56 is indicated by the broken line. In Figure ll, as the hinge begins to travel through the curved portion of the guideway track 42, and begins to fold, the distance "d1" between the roller 44 and the lower hinge base 52 and door panel 26 decreases a lO certain extent, while a distance represented by "d2" begins to appear between the lower panel 26 and the door frame 56.
:- ~ ' .
In Figure 12, which shows the overhead door hinge folded to a greater extent (45) at a more upwardly posi-15 tion in the track 42 curvature, the distance "d1" from theroller 44 to the lower door panel 26 is even less than shown in Figure ll. Likewise, the distance "d2" between the panel 26 and the door frame 56 has increased proportion-ately. Figure 13 illustrates further the manner in which 20 the distance "d1" between the roller 44 and the lower door panel 26 decreases, as the hinge is folded further (60) while passing further through the curved portion of the roller guideway 42. Now, the distance "d2" between the door frame 56 and the panel 26 has increased substantially.
The net effect of this decrease in distance "d1", and increase in "d2", is that the door panel 26 is drawn away from the door frame 56 and closer to the roller 44 and the roller trackway 42. Because of this drawing action, ! I ' 30 ~ the likelihood of the door ~panels binding against the door frame, as the overhead door passes through the upper curved portions of the roller guideway 42, is substantially de-creased or even eliminated.
The retracted path of panel travel created by the hinge of the invention is shown by dotted line B in Figure 3. Dotted line A in Figure 3 illustrates the path of panel ~ 3 travel with a conventional hinge. It is apparent that the retracted path B means there is less likelihood that the door panel edges will rub or impinge on the door frame, thereby eliminating a longstanding problem.
Figure 14 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of upper hinge plate, which applies the theory of the invention, but which can be used in association with conventional overhead garage door hinges (Figures 1 and 2), in order to enable the conventional overhead door hinges to pull the door panels away from the door frame, as the respective hinges pass through the curved portion of the roller guideways 42. The advantage of the construction illustrated in Figure 14 is that the adapter plate can be installed on existing overhead garage door systems, while maintaining conventional retractable overhead door hinges.
Figure 14 illustrates an adapter plate 58 which can be used on the left-interior side of an upper door panel. The adapter plate 58 comprises a flat base plate 60 which has screw or bolt holes 62 punched therein. A side of the plate 60 is bent to form a right angle flange 64.
The flange extends into a bear.ing support 66, which is adapted to support roller pin 68 and roller 70, to the exterior of the plate 58, as seen in Figure 14.
Figure 15 illustrates an isometric view of an adapter plate 58 installed on the upper panel 24 of a 30 ~ conventional overhead garage door, with a conventional overhead door hinge assembly comprising upper hinge base 10 and lower hinge base 12, bolted or screwed to the lower door panel 26. The conventional upper hinge plate 10 is bolted by bolts 72 to hold base plate 60 on the edge of upper panel 10. The lower hinge base 12 is bolted to the lower door panel 12 in the conventional way. The adapter plate 58 enables the roller (not visible) to be separated - 23 - ~ ~`9~
from the roller shaft 20 or the door hinge, and moved a certain distance away, thereby enabling the lower door panel 26 to pull away more rapidly from the door frame (not shown) according to the same mechanism illustrated and discussed above in association with Figures 10 through 13 inclusive.
Figure 16 illustrates an isometric view of an adapter plate 58 for attaching to the upper panel on the right interior side of the retractable door. Figure 17 illustrates a side view of the adapter plate 58 shown in Figure 16 while Figure 18 illustrates an end view of the adapter plate shown in Figure 16. These drawings illus-trate in detail the construction of the flange 64, bearing support 66, roller pin 68 and roller 70.
Figure 19 illustrates an isometric view of an adapter 74 which is fitted onto the upper base plate 76 of a standard single axle #l garage door hinge 78 in order to adapt the standard hinge 78 to carry out the principle of the invention. As seen in Figure 19, adapter 74 is con-structed to have a base plate 80 which has screw or bolt holes therein which match the screw or bolt holes in the base plate 76 of the hinge 78. The adapter 74 also has formed therein a flange extension 82 which rises at an angle from the base plate and has formed in the upper end thereof a curled sleeve 84 which is adapted to receive the axle of a standard door roller 86 (shown in dotted lines).
The combination of the adapter 74 and the hinge 78 dupli-! ' 30 ~ cates in effect the hinge of the invention as illustrated in Figures 8 through 13. No. 1 hinges 78 are manufactured by automated techniques in large quantities and adapter 74 (which can also be manufactured by automated techniques) permits the principle of the invention to be carried out cheaply.
- 24 ~ 2~9~
Figure 20 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative unitary hinge assembly installed on an overhead door and roller guide rail assembly. Specifically, Figure 20 illustrates an isometric view of a unitary hinge-plate assembly wherein the adapter plate is combined with a conventional overhead door hinge assembly and is installed on the upper panel 24 of a conventional overhead garage door. The lower hinge base 12 is bolted or screwed to the lower door panel 26. The upper hinge plate 90, which in effect comprises a combination of a conventional upper hinge plate and the adapter plate 58 illustrated in Figure 14, is bolted by bolts 72 to hold the plate 90 on the edge of upper panel 24. The lower hinge base 12 is bolted to the edge of the lower door panel 26. The unitary adapter plate 90 coupled with lower hinge base 12 enables the roller 70 (shown in dashed lines) to be separated from the roller shaft 18 of the door hinge, and moved a specific distance away, thereby enabling the lower door panel 26 to pull away more rapidly from the door frame (not shown) according to the same mechanism illustrated and discussed above in association with Figures 10 through 13 inclusive.
The distance of the separation between the roller 70 and the pivot point 18 of the hinge can be varied as required to obtain the required degree of lower panel retraction, as the hinge mechanism passes through the curved portion of the trackway.
Figure 21 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of adapter, which applies the theory 30 ~ of the invention, but which can be used in association with conventional overhead garage door hinges (Figures 1 and 2) to enable the conventional overhead door hinges to pull the panels away from the door frame, as the respective hinges pass through the curved portion of the roller guideways 42.
The advantage of the adapter construction illustrated in Figure 21 is that the adapter plane can be installed on existing overhead garage door systems, while maintaining L~
conventional retractable overhead door hinges. The adapter 98 illustrated in Figure 21 is a variation on the adapter illustrated in Figure 14.
5Figure 21 illustrates an adapter plate 98 which can be used on the left-interior side of an upper door panel. The adapter plate 98 varies from the adapter plate illustrated in Figure 14 in that the flat base plate 60, which has screw or bolt holes punched therein, is omitted in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 21. Instead, the flange 100 has three holes 102 therein which enable the flange 100 to be screwed to the side of the door panel.
The flange 100 extends into a bearing support 66, which is adapted to support roller pin 68 and roller 70, to the ~ ;
15 exterior of the plate 98, as seen in Figure 21. :
Figure 22 illustrates a side view of the alterna-tive embodiment of adapter plate 98 illustrated in Figure 21. Figure 23 illustrates an end view of the adapter plate 98, as illustrated in Figure 21. The screw holes 102 are shown in dotted lines. ~ ~
.. , :
Figure 24 illustrates an isometric view of an ;
alternative embodiment of an adapter plate 108 for attach-ing to the upper panel of a right interior side of a retractable door. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 24 is similar to that shown in Figure 21, except the top of the plate 100 has a lip 104 which is bent over slightly, and acts as a guide for installing the plate 108 on the 30 I side of the door. This lip 104 ensures that the plate 100 will be correctly installed and aligned with the edge of the door.
.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
'.,.. --, :,.':~:
~ ; ~
, .:
....
' .~-'.~ "" '::
Claims (16)
1. A hinge assembly for connecting upper and lower panels of a retractable multiple-panel overhead door comprising:
(a) upper hinge means for securing to a side of the upper panel, the upper hinge means having at an outer edge an extension which protrudes from a lower end of the upper hinge means, parallel to an outside edge of the lower panel;
(b) lower hinge means adapted for securing to the lower panel, the lower hinge means being hingedly connected by a horizontal pivotal axis to the upper hinge means, the pivotal axis being adjacent a line of division between the upper panel and the lower panel;
(c) roller and roller axle means rotatably connected to an outside surface of the extension protruding from the upper hinge means, said roller axle means being horizontal and below the horizontal pivotal axis, the roller and axle means being adapted to move towards the lower hinge means as the upper hinge means is pivoted about the horizontal pivotal axis.
(a) upper hinge means for securing to a side of the upper panel, the upper hinge means having at an outer edge an extension which protrudes from a lower end of the upper hinge means, parallel to an outside edge of the lower panel;
(b) lower hinge means adapted for securing to the lower panel, the lower hinge means being hingedly connected by a horizontal pivotal axis to the upper hinge means, the pivotal axis being adjacent a line of division between the upper panel and the lower panel;
(c) roller and roller axle means rotatably connected to an outside surface of the extension protruding from the upper hinge means, said roller axle means being horizontal and below the horizontal pivotal axis, the roller and axle means being adapted to move towards the lower hinge means as the upper hinge means is pivoted about the horizontal pivotal axis.
2. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper hinge means has a pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction away from an interior surface of the upper panel, the flanges being adapted to hold the horizontal pivotal axis.
3. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lower hinge means has a pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction away from an interior surface of the lower panel, the flanges being adapted to hold the horizontal pivotal axis.
4. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pivotal axis and the roller axle means are spaced from one another.
5. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the upper hinge means is pivotally connected to the lower hinge means by a horizontal rod which extends between the two pairs of flanges.
6. An attachment for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels, and rollers adapted to roll in a guideway, and a hinge assembly having upper and lower hinge means for respectively connecting to the upper and lower panels together comprising:
(a) connector means for releasable attachment to a side of the upper panel, said connector means having openings thereon for receiving members which secure the connector means to the upper panel; and (b) flange means connected to an end of the connector means extending adjacent an outside edge of the lower panel, said flange means including rotatable bearing means adapted to receive an axle and the roller adapted to roll in the guideway.
(a) connector means for releasable attachment to a side of the upper panel, said connector means having openings thereon for receiving members which secure the connector means to the upper panel; and (b) flange means connected to an end of the connector means extending adjacent an outside edge of the lower panel, said flange means including rotatable bearing means adapted to receive an axle and the roller adapted to roll in the guideway.
7. An attachment as claimed in claim 6 wherein the connector means has a right angle shape adapted to fit on an interior edge and side of the upper panel of the over-head door.
8. An attachment as claimed in claim 6 wherein the openings in the connector means are adapted to receive screws for securing the attachment to the exterior side of the upper panel.
9. A hinge assembly for hingedly connecting an upper panel and a lower panel of a retractable multiple panel overhead door when in a vertical position having rollers on each side travelling on respective tracks on each side of the door, comprising:
(a) upper hinge means for securing to the upper panel, the upper hinge means having on an interior side thereof a pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction on an inside of the door, the flanges being adapted to hold between them axle means, the upper hinge means having a protrusion extending therefrom adjacent to an exterior edge of the lower panel;
(b) lower hinge means for securing to the lower panel, the lower hinge means being hingedly connected to the upper hinge means by the axle means connected to and extending between the flanges, said axle means comprising a first tube secured to the lower hinge means, and extend-ing between the flanges, which first tube pivots inside a concentric larger diameter second tube attached to the upper hinge means and extending between the flanges; and (c) roller axle means spaced from the roller axle means rotatably connected to an exterior side of the protrusion of the upper hinge means, and extending parallel to the axis means, said roller axle means having at an end exterior of the protrusion, a roller which is adapted to roll on the respective track, the roller and axle means being adapted to move towards the lower hinge means as the upper hinge means is pivoted towards the lower hinge means about the pivotal axis.
(a) upper hinge means for securing to the upper panel, the upper hinge means having on an interior side thereof a pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction on an inside of the door, the flanges being adapted to hold between them axle means, the upper hinge means having a protrusion extending therefrom adjacent to an exterior edge of the lower panel;
(b) lower hinge means for securing to the lower panel, the lower hinge means being hingedly connected to the upper hinge means by the axle means connected to and extending between the flanges, said axle means comprising a first tube secured to the lower hinge means, and extend-ing between the flanges, which first tube pivots inside a concentric larger diameter second tube attached to the upper hinge means and extending between the flanges; and (c) roller axle means spaced from the roller axle means rotatably connected to an exterior side of the protrusion of the upper hinge means, and extending parallel to the axis means, said roller axle means having at an end exterior of the protrusion, a roller which is adapted to roll on the respective track, the roller and axle means being adapted to move towards the lower hinge means as the upper hinge means is pivoted towards the lower hinge means about the pivotal axis.
10. An attachment for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels with sides when in a vertical position, and rollers adapted to roll in a guideway, and a hinge assembly having upper and lower hinge means for respectively connecting to the upper and lower panels comprising:
(a) planar panel connector means having at least two holes therein for enabling attachment of the connector means to a roller side of the upper panel, said connector means terminating at a lower edge of the upper panel and being adapted to have secured in association therewith the upper hinge means of the hinge assembly, a hinge line of the upper and lower hinge means coinciding with a lower edge of the connector means; and (b) planar flange means connected with a lower edge of the connector means and extending to a point adjacent the side of the lower panel but separate from the lower panel, said planar flange means having rotatable bearing and roller means secured to a side of the flange means opposite the side adjacent said side adjacent the lower panel and below the hinge line of the upper and lower hinge means and a lower edge of the connector means, said roller being adapted to roll in the guideway.
(a) planar panel connector means having at least two holes therein for enabling attachment of the connector means to a roller side of the upper panel, said connector means terminating at a lower edge of the upper panel and being adapted to have secured in association therewith the upper hinge means of the hinge assembly, a hinge line of the upper and lower hinge means coinciding with a lower edge of the connector means; and (b) planar flange means connected with a lower edge of the connector means and extending to a point adjacent the side of the lower panel but separate from the lower panel, said planar flange means having rotatable bearing and roller means secured to a side of the flange means opposite the side adjacent said side adjacent the lower panel and below the hinge line of the upper and lower hinge means and a lower edge of the connector means, said roller being adapted to roll in the guideway.
11. A hinge assembly for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels when in a vertical position, and rollers adapted to roll in a guideway, and a hinge assembly having upper and lower hinge means for respectively connecting to the upper and lower panels for converting and mounting said guideway rollers on said upper hinge means comprising:
(a) lower hinge means with holes therein for attachment to an interior surface of a lower panel;
(b) upper plate means with holes therein adapted to receive screws for attachment to an interior surface of the upper panel, the upper plate means being pivotally connected to the lower hinge means; and (c) flange means connected to the upper plate means at the end adjacent the lower hinge means and pro-truding from said end on the same side as and adjacent to the lower hinge means, and below a pivot hinge point of the upper and lower hinge means, said flange means including rotatable bearing means positioned parallel to and spaced from and below the lower hinge means and adapted to receive an axle and a roller adapted to roll in the guideway.
(a) lower hinge means with holes therein for attachment to an interior surface of a lower panel;
(b) upper plate means with holes therein adapted to receive screws for attachment to an interior surface of the upper panel, the upper plate means being pivotally connected to the lower hinge means; and (c) flange means connected to the upper plate means at the end adjacent the lower hinge means and pro-truding from said end on the same side as and adjacent to the lower hinge means, and below a pivot hinge point of the upper and lower hinge means, said flange means including rotatable bearing means positioned parallel to and spaced from and below the lower hinge means and adapted to receive an axle and a roller adapted to roll in the guideway.
12. An attachment as claimed in claim 11 wherein the rotatable bearing means is a hollow tube adapted to rotat-ably receive an axle.
13. A hinge assembly for hingedly connecting an upper and a lower panel of a retractable overhead door having rollers on each side travelling on respective tracks on each side comprising:
(a) an upper hinge means for securing to the upper panel, the upper hinge means having a first pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction on an inside of the door, the flanges being adapted to hold between them hinge axle means; the hinge means having connected thereto and extending therefrom, in the same direction as the pair of protruding flanges, and adjacent thereto, a flange which has fitted therein a roller axle means with a roller rotatably affixed to the end of the roller axle means;
(b) lower hinge means for securing to the lower panel, the lower hinge means having a second pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction on an inside of the door, the second pair of flanges being hingedly connected to the upper hinge means by the hinge axle means connected to and extending between the protrud-ing flanges.
(a) an upper hinge means for securing to the upper panel, the upper hinge means having a first pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction on an inside of the door, the flanges being adapted to hold between them hinge axle means; the hinge means having connected thereto and extending therefrom, in the same direction as the pair of protruding flanges, and adjacent thereto, a flange which has fitted therein a roller axle means with a roller rotatably affixed to the end of the roller axle means;
(b) lower hinge means for securing to the lower panel, the lower hinge means having a second pair of protruding flanges which extend in the same direction on an inside of the door, the second pair of flanges being hingedly connected to the upper hinge means by the hinge axle means connected to and extending between the protrud-ing flanges.
14. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the distance between the hinge axle means and the roller axle means is proportional to the rate of retraction of the overhead door panel as it passes around a curved portion of the track.
15. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the upper hinge means is formed so that it wraps around an exterior side edge of the upper panel.
16. An attachment for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels, and rollers adapted to roll in a guideway, and a hinge assembly having upper and lower hinge means for respectively connecting to the upper and lower panels comprising:
(a) planar connector means having formed therein at least two holes for enabling attachment of the means to an edge of the upper panel, said planar connector means being adapted to be used in association with an upper hinge means assembly for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels; and planar flange means connected with the planar connector means and extend-ing in the same direction as the planar connector means, and having formed in an exterior side thereof rotatable bearing and roller means extending perpendicular and adjacent to the lower panel of the overhead garage door assembly and below the hinge line of the upper and lower hinge means, said roller means being adapted to roll in the guideway, the planar flange means being disposed adjacent to a lower hinge means of the hinge assembly, the lower hinge assembly being secured to the lower door panel, the position of the roller means being lower than a pivot point between the lower hinge assembly and the upper door panel.
(a) planar connector means having formed therein at least two holes for enabling attachment of the means to an edge of the upper panel, said planar connector means being adapted to be used in association with an upper hinge means assembly for a retractable overhead garage door assembly having upper and lower panels; and planar flange means connected with the planar connector means and extend-ing in the same direction as the planar connector means, and having formed in an exterior side thereof rotatable bearing and roller means extending perpendicular and adjacent to the lower panel of the overhead garage door assembly and below the hinge line of the upper and lower hinge means, said roller means being adapted to roll in the guideway, the planar flange means being disposed adjacent to a lower hinge means of the hinge assembly, the lower hinge assembly being secured to the lower door panel, the position of the roller means being lower than a pivot point between the lower hinge assembly and the upper door panel.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2099510 CA2099510A1 (en) | 1993-07-02 | 1993-07-02 | Roller-hinge assembly for retractable overhead door |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2099510 CA2099510A1 (en) | 1993-07-02 | 1993-07-02 | Roller-hinge assembly for retractable overhead door |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2099510A1 true CA2099510A1 (en) | 1995-01-03 |
Family
ID=4151867
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2099510 Abandoned CA2099510A1 (en) | 1993-07-02 | 1993-07-02 | Roller-hinge assembly for retractable overhead door |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2099510A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2005100730A1 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2005-10-27 | B & D Australia Pty Ltd | Fascia assembly |
| AU2008202495B2 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2009-05-28 | B & D Australia | Fascia assembly |
-
1993
- 1993-07-02 CA CA 2099510 patent/CA2099510A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2005100730A1 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2005-10-27 | B & D Australia Pty Ltd | Fascia assembly |
| AU2008202495B2 (en) * | 2004-04-15 | 2009-05-28 | B & D Australia | Fascia assembly |
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