CA2328814A1 - Security seal for anchoring bolt under tension in garage door system - Google Patents
Security seal for anchoring bolt under tension in garage door system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2328814A1 CA2328814A1 CA002328814A CA2328814A CA2328814A1 CA 2328814 A1 CA2328814 A1 CA 2328814A1 CA 002328814 A CA002328814 A CA 002328814A CA 2328814 A CA2328814 A CA 2328814A CA 2328814 A1 CA2328814 A1 CA 2328814A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- seal
- bolt
- door
- garage door
- security seal
- 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
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 title description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 10
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
- E05D13/00—Accessories for sliding or lifting wings, e.g. pulleys, safety catches
- E05D13/10—Counterbalance devices
- E05D13/12—Counterbalance devices with springs
- E05D13/1253—Counterbalance devices with springs with canted-coil torsion springs
- E05D13/1269—Spring safety devices
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/02—Shutters, movable grilles, or other safety closing devices, e.g. against burglary
- E06B9/08—Roll-type closures
- E06B9/11—Roller shutters
- E06B9/17—Parts or details of roller shutters, e.g. suspension devices, shutter boxes, wicket doors, ventilation openings
- E06B9/174—Bearings specially adapted therefor
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
- E05D13/00—Accessories for sliding or lifting wings, e.g. pulleys, safety catches
- E05D13/10—Counterbalance devices
- E05D13/12—Counterbalance devices with springs
- E05D13/1253—Counterbalance devices with springs with canted-coil torsion springs
- E05D13/1261—Counterbalance devices with springs with canted-coil torsion springs specially adapted for overhead wings
-
- 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
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B2200/00—Constructional details of connections not covered for in other groups of this subclass
- F16B2200/95—Constructional details of connections not covered for in other groups of this subclass with markings, colours, indicators or the like
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B39/00—Locking of screws, bolts or nuts
- F16B39/02—Locking of screws, bolts or nuts in which the locking takes place after screwing down
- F16B39/10—Locking of screws, bolts or nuts in which the locking takes place after screwing down by a plate, spring, wire or ring immovable with regard to the bolt or object and mainly perpendicular to the axis of the bolt
- F16B39/108—Locking of screws, bolts or nuts in which the locking takes place after screwing down by a plate, spring, wire or ring immovable with regard to the bolt or object and mainly perpendicular to the axis of the bolt with a locking washer under the nut or bolt head having at least one tongue or lug folded against the nut or bolt head, or against the object itself
Description
SECURITY SEAL FOR ANCHORING BOLT UNDER TENSION IN GARAGE
DOOR SYSTEM
Field of the invention The present invention relates to a security seal placed around a bolt head which is used to maintain a bracket in position in a counterbalance system in garage door assemblies.
Description of the prior art Large, vertical opening doors, such as commercial and residential sectional garage doors, usually require mechanisms to counterbalance the weight of the door in order to minimize door opening efforts and to control movement of the door from an open to a closed position. Large sectional garage doors for commercial and residential applications may be manually or power operated. In either case, but particularly for manual operation, counterbalance mechanisms have been used for many years to counterbalance the weight of the door and control its opening and closing movements so that one person can easily control operation of the door.
Counterbalance mechanisms are also advantageous for power operated vertical opening doors since they reduce motor power requirements and the strength of the door opening and closing mechanism. In other words, lighter weight, lower cost door control mechanisms may be used if a counterbalance mechanism is connected to the door to assist the opening and closing action. Still further, the provision of a counterbalance mechanism minimizes the chance of rapid and uncontrolled closing of the door in the event of failure of the door opening and closing mechanism, which can result in injury or damage.
A widely used type of counterbalance apparatus comprises, generally, a pair of spaced apart cable drums connected to flexible cables, which in turn are connected to lower opposed edges of the garage door. The cable drums are usually
DOOR SYSTEM
Field of the invention The present invention relates to a security seal placed around a bolt head which is used to maintain a bracket in position in a counterbalance system in garage door assemblies.
Description of the prior art Large, vertical opening doors, such as commercial and residential sectional garage doors, usually require mechanisms to counterbalance the weight of the door in order to minimize door opening efforts and to control movement of the door from an open to a closed position. Large sectional garage doors for commercial and residential applications may be manually or power operated. In either case, but particularly for manual operation, counterbalance mechanisms have been used for many years to counterbalance the weight of the door and control its opening and closing movements so that one person can easily control operation of the door.
Counterbalance mechanisms are also advantageous for power operated vertical opening doors since they reduce motor power requirements and the strength of the door opening and closing mechanism. In other words, lighter weight, lower cost door control mechanisms may be used if a counterbalance mechanism is connected to the door to assist the opening and closing action. Still further, the provision of a counterbalance mechanism minimizes the chance of rapid and uncontrolled closing of the door in the event of failure of the door opening and closing mechanism, which can result in injury or damage.
A widely used type of counterbalance apparatus comprises, generally, a pair of spaced apart cable drums connected to flexible cables, which in turn are connected to lower opposed edges of the garage door. The cable drums are usually
2 mounted on a shaft which is supported above the door opening and is connected to one or more torsion springs which are fixed at one end to the shaft and are secured to the wall at the opposite end so that the cable drums are biased to rotate in a direction which winds the cables onto the drum and counteracts the weight of the door connected to the cables. The torsion springs are adjusted to properly balance the weight of the door so that minimal opening and closing effort is required, either manually or motor controlled.
Conventional, low cost adjustment mechanism for the above mentioned type of counterbalance apparatus, and widely used in the door industry, is characterized by generally cylindrical collars commonly also referred to as "plugs" (or cones) which are connected to the so-called fixed ends of the torsion springs and are mounted on the aforementioned shaft for adjusting the deflection of the springs to preset the counterbalance effort. The aforementioned collars are usually mounted on one side on a bracket which is attached to the wall usually by a bolt.
One problem associated with this type of counterbalance apparatus, or any other type of counterbalancing mechanism which uses brackets and tensioning springs, is that to a casual observer, they appear harmless. Consequently, some people will attempt to unscrew the bolt holding the bracket in position, for any number of reasons. However, the combination of the collars and the tensioning springs maintains a considerable torque on the bracket. Once the bolts are loosened, the torque causes the bracket to rotate about the shaft with high velocity and high force, which often results in serious personal injury including death or serious property damage.
Summary of the invention It is an object of the invention to provide a security seal for such bolts used for maintaining in position a bracket against the wall in garage door assemblies.
Such a seal will help prevent people from being injured by any component under tension (or torque) by warning and blocking access to the bolt.
Conventional, low cost adjustment mechanism for the above mentioned type of counterbalance apparatus, and widely used in the door industry, is characterized by generally cylindrical collars commonly also referred to as "plugs" (or cones) which are connected to the so-called fixed ends of the torsion springs and are mounted on the aforementioned shaft for adjusting the deflection of the springs to preset the counterbalance effort. The aforementioned collars are usually mounted on one side on a bracket which is attached to the wall usually by a bolt.
One problem associated with this type of counterbalance apparatus, or any other type of counterbalancing mechanism which uses brackets and tensioning springs, is that to a casual observer, they appear harmless. Consequently, some people will attempt to unscrew the bolt holding the bracket in position, for any number of reasons. However, the combination of the collars and the tensioning springs maintains a considerable torque on the bracket. Once the bolts are loosened, the torque causes the bracket to rotate about the shaft with high velocity and high force, which often results in serious personal injury including death or serious property damage.
Summary of the invention It is an object of the invention to provide a security seal for such bolts used for maintaining in position a bracket against the wall in garage door assemblies.
Such a seal will help prevent people from being injured by any component under tension (or torque) by warning and blocking access to the bolt.
3 In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved with a seal comprising a generally longitudinal piece of material having two opposite ends, the opposite ends being provided with cooperating lock means for locking the opposite ends together.
A portion of the body is provided with a hole to permit the shaft of the bolt to pass therethrough, and another portion of the body is provided with means for preventing access to the bolt when the seal is placed around the bolt.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this object is achieved with a security seal for a bolt comprising:
- a generally longitudinal piece of material having two opposite ends, the opposite ends being provided with cooperating lock means for locking the opposite ends together;
at least one hole to allow users to screw the bolt into the wall; and - means for preventing access to the bolt once the seal is placed.
Once the seal is wrapped around the bolt and locked, a casual observer will not be tempted to break the seal and attempt to unscrew the bolt. Preferably, the seal is made of a color representing danger, and may further be inscribed with appropriate warnings.
Brief description of the drawings The present invention and its advantages will be more easily understood after reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 show a standard installation of a garage door counterbalancing system Figure 2 is a perspective view of the standard central bracket as usually mounted in the prior art;
Figure 3 shows seals according to a preferred embodiment of the invention installed on bolts; and
A portion of the body is provided with a hole to permit the shaft of the bolt to pass therethrough, and another portion of the body is provided with means for preventing access to the bolt when the seal is placed around the bolt.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this object is achieved with a security seal for a bolt comprising:
- a generally longitudinal piece of material having two opposite ends, the opposite ends being provided with cooperating lock means for locking the opposite ends together;
at least one hole to allow users to screw the bolt into the wall; and - means for preventing access to the bolt once the seal is placed.
Once the seal is wrapped around the bolt and locked, a casual observer will not be tempted to break the seal and attempt to unscrew the bolt. Preferably, the seal is made of a color representing danger, and may further be inscribed with appropriate warnings.
Brief description of the drawings The present invention and its advantages will be more easily understood after reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 show a standard installation of a garage door counterbalancing system Figure 2 is a perspective view of the standard central bracket as usually mounted in the prior art;
Figure 3 shows seals according to a preferred embodiment of the invention installed on bolts; and
4 Figure 4 is a perspective view of a seal according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention The following is a technical description of the security seal according to the invention. The numbers between parenthesis refer to the enclosed drawings.
The security seal 10 according to the present invention is used to tamper-proof bolts 11 used in a garage door assemblies. Such bolts 11 as the one shown in Fig.
2 are used for maintain a bracket 18 against the wall 1 and sustain torque created by the counterbalancing spring (12). The torque produced can be very dangerous for any unaware user that would like to modify the installation of the door. The present invention thus provides a security seal to prevent people from being injured by unscrewing a part under tension by warning and blocking the access to the bolts 11.
The people concerned will have to break the seal if they want to modify the installation.
As mentioned in the background of the invention, there is no such seal known to this day. Numerous seals exist on the market but none for this application and none with the structure of the present invention, as far as Applicant knows.
The seal according to the preferred embodiment of the invention and as illustrated in Fig. 4 , is a generally longitudinal piece of material having two opposite ends and a hole to permit the shaft of the bolt 11 to pass therethrough. The opposite ends of the seal are provided with cooperating lock means for one-time locking the opposite ends together. The seal also includes means for preventing access to the bolt head. The locking system is preferably of the permanent type in that once locked, it cannot be unlocked short of breaking the seal.
When installed properly, this seal prevents access to the bolt head.
Therefore, an unaware user (home owner) will not be able to touch the highly dangerous component or if he does, it will be after breaking the seal.
The locking system located at the two opposite ends of the strip can be any standard one-time locking system such as the one shown in Fig. 4, the important aspect of the locking system being that once it is locked, it is impossible to unlock without breaking the seal.
The two opposite ends are preferably strategically located so that when the security seal is wrapped around the head bolt it blocks access to it, with a part which can be cup-like (see Fig. 4b). The locking means can include ratchet teeth inserted through an opening which is smaller than the height of the teeth, so that the teeth permit one-way entry through the opening.
The strap, or longitudinal piece of material, is large enough to cover the bolt head. The color of the seal is preferably "warning orange"
Further preferably, the section over the bolt head bears a warning inscription.
Figure 3 shows two such seals 10 installed on two bolts, clearly preventing access thereto.
It should also be understood that although the invention has been described for use with bolts securing plates in counterbalancing systems for garage doors, the present invention is equally applicable to any other type of bolt in order to prevent easy access thereto.
Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to this preferred embodiment within the scope of the appended claims is not deemed to alter of change the nature and scope of the present invention.
Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention The following is a technical description of the security seal according to the invention. The numbers between parenthesis refer to the enclosed drawings.
The security seal 10 according to the present invention is used to tamper-proof bolts 11 used in a garage door assemblies. Such bolts 11 as the one shown in Fig.
2 are used for maintain a bracket 18 against the wall 1 and sustain torque created by the counterbalancing spring (12). The torque produced can be very dangerous for any unaware user that would like to modify the installation of the door. The present invention thus provides a security seal to prevent people from being injured by unscrewing a part under tension by warning and blocking the access to the bolts 11.
The people concerned will have to break the seal if they want to modify the installation.
As mentioned in the background of the invention, there is no such seal known to this day. Numerous seals exist on the market but none for this application and none with the structure of the present invention, as far as Applicant knows.
The seal according to the preferred embodiment of the invention and as illustrated in Fig. 4 , is a generally longitudinal piece of material having two opposite ends and a hole to permit the shaft of the bolt 11 to pass therethrough. The opposite ends of the seal are provided with cooperating lock means for one-time locking the opposite ends together. The seal also includes means for preventing access to the bolt head. The locking system is preferably of the permanent type in that once locked, it cannot be unlocked short of breaking the seal.
When installed properly, this seal prevents access to the bolt head.
Therefore, an unaware user (home owner) will not be able to touch the highly dangerous component or if he does, it will be after breaking the seal.
The locking system located at the two opposite ends of the strip can be any standard one-time locking system such as the one shown in Fig. 4, the important aspect of the locking system being that once it is locked, it is impossible to unlock without breaking the seal.
The two opposite ends are preferably strategically located so that when the security seal is wrapped around the head bolt it blocks access to it, with a part which can be cup-like (see Fig. 4b). The locking means can include ratchet teeth inserted through an opening which is smaller than the height of the teeth, so that the teeth permit one-way entry through the opening.
The strap, or longitudinal piece of material, is large enough to cover the bolt head. The color of the seal is preferably "warning orange"
Further preferably, the section over the bolt head bears a warning inscription.
Figure 3 shows two such seals 10 installed on two bolts, clearly preventing access thereto.
It should also be understood that although the invention has been described for use with bolts securing plates in counterbalancing systems for garage doors, the present invention is equally applicable to any other type of bolt in order to prevent easy access thereto.
Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to this preferred embodiment within the scope of the appended claims is not deemed to alter of change the nature and scope of the present invention.
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002328814A CA2328814A1 (en) | 2000-12-18 | 2000-12-18 | Security seal for anchoring bolt under tension in garage door system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002328814A CA2328814A1 (en) | 2000-12-18 | 2000-12-18 | Security seal for anchoring bolt under tension in garage door system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2328814A1 true CA2328814A1 (en) | 2002-06-18 |
Family
ID=4167949
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002328814A Abandoned CA2328814A1 (en) | 2000-12-18 | 2000-12-18 | Security seal for anchoring bolt under tension in garage door system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2328814A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20140196657A1 (en) * | 2011-08-17 | 2014-07-17 | Business Lines Limited | Rotation indicator |
-
2000
- 2000-12-18 CA CA002328814A patent/CA2328814A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20140196657A1 (en) * | 2011-08-17 | 2014-07-17 | Business Lines Limited | Rotation indicator |
| US9353776B2 (en) * | 2011-08-17 | 2016-05-31 | Business Lines Limited | Rotation indicator |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |