EP1316667A2

EP1316667A2 - Modular element for sectional doors

Info

Publication number: EP1316667A2
Application number: EP02027066A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Enrico Breda
Original assignee: Breda Sistemi Industriali SpA
Current assignee: Breda Sistemi Industriali SpA
Priority date: 2001-12-03
Filing date: 2002-12-03
Publication date: 2003-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-03
Also published as: SI1316667T1; EP1316667A3; DE60225405D1; ATE388296T1; ES2302781T3; EP1316667B1; PT1316667E; DE60225405T2

Abstract

Modular element (10) for sectional doors (11) such as garage doors, main doors, shutters, blinds or similar, comprising a front surface (12), a rear surface (13) parallel to the front surface (12), a first edge (15) and a second edge (16) which connect together the parallel surfaces (12, 13). The first edge (15) comprises a longitudinal recess (21) facing the rear surface (13) and having a substantially semi-cylindrical inner wall, a convex profile (27) coaxial to the inner wall of the recess (21), at least a terminal lip (31, 32) and an inclined and rectilinear profile (33) joining the longitudinal recess (21) to the terminal lip (31, 32). The second edge (16) comprises a longitudinal cavity (40) with a substantially trapezoid transverse section.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a modular element, or module, to make sectional doors, such as garage doors, main doors, shutters, blinds or similar, and also the relative doors. By sectional doors we mean those consisting of several sections, or strips, arranged parallel to each other and hinged longitudinally one to the other so as to form panels which are arranged on a vertical plane in the closed position and in the open position are arranged on a plane different from the first, usually orthogonal to the plane of the closed position. To pass from the open to the closed position and vice versa, each module is able to incline, locally and temporarily, in the zone where the two planes join. In this join zone, each strip inclines with respect to the adjacent one by an angle less than or equal to 90°. Each module according to the present invention has the longitudinal edges shaped so that each of them mates with the corresponding one of the adjacent module and offers a series of technical advantages as will be shown hereafter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the specific field of sectional doors, many solutions have been proposed so far, some of which are now in the public domain, since they were proposed several decades ago.
Document US-A-3,941,180, dated 1974, shows a shutter with pre-fabricated strips, with the outer surfaces made of rigid material and an inner space made of expanded material. Each strip is substantially rectangular in shape and is provided, in correspondence with the upper and lower edge, with a metal piece, shaped so that it couples, especially in the closed position, with the corresponding piece of the adjacent strip. Each "male" piece has a convex surface substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation of the relative hinge, and able to cooperate, during use, with a mating cavity made in the "female" piece, to reduce to a minimum the resulting space and to allow a continuous coupling even in the steps when each strip is inclined with respect to the adjacent one. Moreover, the male piece is provided with an abutment element which, in the closed position, mates with a corresponding part of the female piece, thus improving the mechanical connection and the hydraulic seal.
Document US-A-2,557,716, dated 1945, teaches to provide the hinged and butt-wise connection of two sectional elements, wherein the hinge, or rather the articulated part thereof, is positioned inside the bulk of the elements themselves. One of the two edges of each element is also provided with a concave tongue able to prevent the user from inserting his fingers between two adjacent elements when they are inclined with respect to each other. Each element is also provided, on one edge, with a tongue able to cooperate, in the closed position, with a corresponding contrasting element made on the opposite edge of the adjacent element.
Document DE-A-216.816, dated 1908, shows a coupling of hinged wooden elements of a shutter, wherein a terminal edge of each element is provided with a protruding ridge, with a convex surface, able to enter into a mating cavity made on the other terminal edge.
Document FR-A-1.310.605, dated 1961, shows a shutter with strips wherein the adjacent edges of two of them have concave, respectively convex, surfaces, having a cylindrical profile coaxial with the axis of rotation of the hinge. It also provides to use an optional seal, arranged on one side, which performs both the sealing function and also the function of an elastic contrast to possible lateral thrusts.
A sectional door is also known, from EP-B-0.304.642, dated 1987, which summarizes the known teachings of the previous documents. This last document illustrates, not very clearly, that: the convex and concave surface zones extend starting from the outer side of the panel in the direction of the inner side and do not occupy the entire thickness of the door; a first step zone is made in the remaining lateral front zone and is associated with the convex surface zone. This first step zone is formed so as to retract inside the body of the panel. A second step zone is made in proximity with the concave surface zone and is formed so that it protrudes from the body of the panel. When the door is closed, the two step zones couple one with the other so that their sides develop parallel or vertical with respect to the inner and outer walls of the panel. This document does not add any teaching to what was already known from the state of the prior art.
Despite the different solutions proposed, which today constitute the state of the art, not one of them has yet completely solved all the technical problems connected with making modular elements for sectional doors.
For example, a problem in conventional sectional doors of this type is due to the fact that, both during the assembly stage when the modular elements are progressively coupled to each other, and also during the operative step, particularly when the door is in the vertical closed position, the weight of the individual modular elements rests almost completely on the elastic sealing means interposed between one modular element and the other.
Consequently, the elastic means are crushed and compressed, and this crushing occurs, in alternation with a return of the elastic compression, with every opening and closing of the door.
This repeated crushing and elastic return causes premature wear and rapid ageing of the elastic means, which thus have to be frequently restored or replaced. Moreover, since the upper modular element rests substantially on the elastic means, there is no guarantee of a constant interspace on the outer side between two adjacent modular elements when they are in the vertical closed position.
The Applicant has devised and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain both a modular element and also sectional doors which have innovative characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the main claims, while the dependent claims describe other innovative characteristics of the invention.
One purpose of the present invention is to achieve a modular element for the production of sectional doors which is simple to make and to couple with other equal or analogous modular elements and which, at the same time, will solve the following technical problems which are particular to sectional doors:

to ensure in all operating conditions, both in the closed and also in the open position, and in intermediate positions, a substantial constant thickness also in correspondence with the hinges;
to obtain a perfect hydraulic seal, especially in the closed position, when the corresponding door is exposed to severe weather conditions, such as for example wind and driving rain;
to obtain a type of coupling of the different modular elements which will eliminate the noises caused by the impact between opposite parts of adjacent elements, especially during the movements to open and close the doors;
to prevent foreign bodies, such as leaves, chips of wood or other material, or small objects, from entering the coupling zones between the modular elements, even when the latter are inclined with respect to each other, during the step when the door passes from the open to the closed position or vice versa;
even in the unwanted case that some foreign body enters the above-mentioned coupling zones, to prevent said foreign body from impeding the correct functioning of the door and obstructing the opening and closing movements;
to define a coupling between the two terminal edges of adjacent modules which will efficiently contrast possible thrusts transverse to the plane on which the door lies, and will also constitute anti-forcing means.

In accordance with this purpose, the modular element according to the present invention comprises a front surface and a rear surface, parallel to each other, a first edge and a second edge which connect the parallel surfaces. The first edge comprises a longitudinal recess facing the rear surface and having a substantially semi-cylindrical inner wall, a convex profile arranged substantially as an extension to the front surface and substantially coaxial with the inner wall of the longitudinal recess, at least a terminal lip arranged at a first end of the aforesaid convex profile, in a position substantially equidistant from the front and rear surfaces, and an inclined and rectilinear profile which joins the longitudinal recess to the terminal lip. The second edge, on the contrary, comprises a longitudinal cavity with a substantially trapezoid transverse section formed by a first lateral side, inclined and substantially rectilinear, a second lateral side substantially parallel to the aforesaid inclined and rectilinear profile of the first edge, and a bottom wall lying on a transverse plane substantially orthogonal to the two parallel front and rear surfaces.
In correspondence with the bottom wall of the longitudinal cavity, elastic sealing means are advantageously provided, consisting for example of a strip of spongy material, which are able to cooperate, during use, with the terminal lip of an adjacent modular element.
The edges of each modular element are sized so that, when two adjacent modular elements are coupled together by means of at least a hinge and are co-planar, one of the zones of direct contact between the first edge of one modular element and the second edge of the adjacent modular element is that of the terminal lip of the first edge with the elastic sealing means of the second edge. Advantageously, in the closed position, the zones of contact between two adjacent modular elements are also those located at the lateral ends of the second edge, which touch respectively the lower end of said convex profile and a supporting surface of their connection hinge between said two adjacent modular elements.
To be more exact, when two adjacent modular elements are co-planar, between the inclined profile of one modular element and the corresponding second lateral side of the other modular element there is a gap with a substantially constant amplitude, whereas between the convex profile of one modular element and the corresponding first lateral side of the other modular element a compartment is created with an amplitude variable from a minimum value to a maximum value. This minimum value is advantageously equal to zero in the case where a lateral end of the second edge is in contact with the lower end of said convex profile of the first edge.
The outer surfaces and the edges of the modular element are made by means of two bent metal sheets, between which a layer of insulating material is arranged, for example expanded polyurethane.
The elastic sealing means are advantageously maintained in their seating by two ends of the aforesaid metal sheets, folded back towards the inside of the intermediate layer.
The other two ends of the metal sheets are each bent to form a terminal lip of the first edge. The two terminal lips are advantageously aligned with each other so as to both cooperate with the elastic sealing means of the second edge.
The longitudinal recess and the convex profile are coaxial with a longitudinal pivoting axis of the hinge which, during use, connects each modular element with another adjacent modular element.
One or more metallic reinforcing plates are advantageously arranged inside the intermediate layer, adjacent to the metal sheet which makes up the rear surface, and at least in the zone where the hinge is attached to the metal sheet.
With a plurality of modular elements according to the present invention, each one arranged coupled with the adjacent one, so that the first edge of one modular element is inserted into the corresponding second edge of an adjacent modular element, new and original doors are achieved, which are also the object of the present invention.
Another purpose which the present invention intends to achieve is to obviate the problem of compression and crushing of the elastic sealing means located between two adjacent modular elements, and also the problem of the lack of constancy of the compartment which is created between two modular elements in the co-planar position.
In accordance with this last purpose, the present invention provides that the hinge which connects two adjacent modular elements, and allows their reciprocal rotation, functions as a supporting element and spacer between two adjacent modular elements.
To be more exact, said hinge is able to define a reciprocal distance, fixed and pre-set, between the facing edges of two adjacent modular elements with a value such that the aforesaid elastic means, arranged between these facing edges, are only slightly compressed by a pre-set value.
In this way, the invention guarantees that these elastic means can in any case fulfill their specific function, but are not subjected to compression stresses such as to cause a rapid and premature ageing thereof.
In another solution, on the rear surface, each modular element has at least a resting portion, defined for example by the end of said second edge adjacent to said rear surface, or by a shoulder, advantageously orthogonal to the rear surface; the resting portion is able to cooperate with a corresponding supporting plane made on the hinge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of some preferential forms of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

fig. 1 is a transverse section of a modular element according to the present invention;
fig. 2 is a three-dimensional and schematic view of a sectional door made with a plurality of modular elements as shown in fig. 1;
fig. 3 is a lateral and sectioned view of some modular elements as shown in fig. 1, coupled together and arranged in a co-planar position;
fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of fig. 3 wherein the coupled parts of two modular elements as shown in fig. 1 can be seen, in a co-planar position;
fig. 5 shows the detail of fig. 4 with the two modular elements in an inclined position with respect to each other, during the step when the door as shown in fig. 2 is passing from the closed to the open plane;
fig. 6 shows a first variant of fig. 4;
fig. 7 shows a second variant of fig. 4;
fig. 8 shows a third variant of fig. 4;
fig. 9 shows a fourth variant of fig. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERENTIAL EMBODIMENTS

With reference to figs. 1 and 2, an individual modular element, or module 10, according to the present invention, which is able to be used together with other identical modules 10 in order to make a sectional door 11, comprises a front surface 12, a rear surface 13 parallel to the front surface 12, an upper edge 15 and a lower edge 16 which connect the surfaces 12 and 13 together.
The terms front, rear, upper and lower are purely indicative and are in no way intended to limit the application of the module 10. These terms are used here only for the purpose of making the present invention more comprehensible.
The module 10 therefore is substantially shaped like a strip, the size of which is chosen according to the type of door 11 to be made. For example, to make main doors or shutters, the thickness of each module 10 can be about 4 cm, the height can vary from between about 10 and 40 cm, and the length, which defines the width of the door 11, can be of several meters, even more than seven.
The module 10 can be made according to at least two different constructional techniques, both known in themselves: by means of a pair of bent metal sheets 17 and 19, about 1 mm thick (as shown in the drawings), which constitute both the surfaces 12 and 13 and also the edges 15 and 16, and are held together, in conventional manner, by an inner layer 20 of injected expanded material, such as polyurethane or similar; otherwise, by means of metal or plastic profiles, shaped by molding, extrusion, drawing or any other known technique (a variant considered as equivalent and not shown in the drawings).
The metal sheets 17 and 19 have the ends 17a, 17b and respectively 19a, 19b bent towards the inside of the layer 20 for a better attachment thereto.
The upper edge 15 is shaped so as to comprise a longitudinal recess 21, substantially semi-cylindrical, the inner wall of which is coaxial with a longitudinal axis 22 which constitutes the pivoting axis between two adjacent modules 10, as will be explained in more detail later. The radius of curvature R of the inner wall of the longitudinal recess 21 is about 8-10 mm.
To be more exact, the recess 21 is able to house a pin 23 and the corresponding semi-cylindrical part 25 of each hinge 26 able to connect two adjacent modules 10.
The hinge 26 (figs. from 6 to 9) comprises two elements, respectively lower 26a and upper 26b, attached respectively one to the lower module 10 and the other to the upper module 10. To be more exact, each element 26a and 26b consists, in a conventional manner, of a substantially rectilinear attachment wing, respectively upper 57 and lower 58, which allows it to be attached to the rear surface 13 of the relative module 10 by means such as screws 53, 54, rivets or similar, and a semi-cylindrical part 25 which allows the reciprocal rotation of the two wings 57 and 58. In this case, the wings 57 and 58 are of different lengths, with the wing 57 of the upper element 26b longer than the wing 58 of the lower element 26a.
The upper wing 57 is advantageously provided with two supporting planes 57a and 57b (fig. 6) on which the upper module 10 is able to rest. According to the variant shown in fig. 7, the function of the supporting plane 57a is performed by the same semi-cylindrical part 25 of the hinge 26.
The upper edge 15 of each module 10 (figs. 1 and 3) also comprises a convex profile 27 which extends for the entire length of the module 10 and which is also substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis 22.
In the lower part of the convex profile 27 there are two longitudinal hollows 29 and 30, an upper and a lower, which apart from giving greater strength to the front part of the upper edge 15, also have operative functions, which will be explained hereafter.
The upper end of the edge 15 is defined by the bend of the two metal sheets 17 and 19 and forms two substantially aligned lips 31 and 32, that is, lying on a same transverse plane, orthogonal to the parallel planes on which the surfaces 12 and 13 lie.
The upper edge 15 also comprises a substantially rectilinear profile 33, inclined by an angle of between about 20° and 30° with respect to the plane on which the surface 13 lies, and which joins the lip 32 to the longitudinal recess 21.
The lower edge 16 is shaped so as to comprise a longitudinal cavity 40 with a substantially trapezoid transverse section, which extends for the entire length of the module 10 and is formed by two inclined lateral sides 41 and 42, converging towards the inside of the cavity 40 itself, and by a bottom wall 43, lying on a transverse plane orthogonal to the parallel planes on which the surfaces 12 and 13 lie. Advantageously, the inclined side 42 is substantially parallel to the inclined profile 33.
Inside the cavity 40, along its whole length, there is a longitudinal strip 45 of elastic, rubber or plastic material, which is held in its seating by the bent ends 17b and 19b of the metal sheets 17 and 19. The strip 45 protrudes slightly outwards with respect to the bottom wall 43 of the cavity 40.
The inclined side 41 of the cavity 40 and the lower part of the front surface 12 define a front fin 46 which, during use, is able to be arranged in the upper longitudinal hollow 29 of an adjacent module 10.
The inclined side 42 of the cavity 40 and the lower part of the rear surface 13 define a rear fin 47 which, during use, is able to be arranged in the space outside the inclined profile 33 of an adjacent module 10.
The front fin 46 is longer than the rear fin 47 by a value substantially equal to the radius of curvature R of the longitudinal recess 21, so that the end of the front fin 46 is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis 22. Advantageously, as shown in the figures from 6 to 9, when two adjacent modules 10 are co-planar, the front fin 46 is in contact with the outer surface of the longitudinal hollow 29.
The module 10 also comprises two metal reinforcing plates 50 and 51, which are some millimeters thick, and are arranged inside the layer 20, one in correspondence with the upper edge 15 and the other in correspondence with the lower edge 16, and adjacent to the metal sheet 19.
As we have seen, in order to make any door 11, a plurality of modules 10 are used, which are arranged adjacent to each other along their edges 15 and 16, that is, so that the individual front surfaces 12 constitute the overall front surface of the door 11 (fig. 2).
The modules 10 are connected together by means of the hinges 26 attached to the rear surfaces 13. To be more exact, each hinge 26 is arranged with its pin 23 and the semi-cylindrical part 25 in the longitudinal recess 21 of a module 10 and attached with the screws 53 to the same module 10 and with the screws 54 to the lower part of the adjacent module 10. The screws 53 and 54 are advantageously long, so as to screw into the bent ends 17a and 19a of the metal sheets 17 and 19.
The interaxis between the screws 53 and 54 of each hinge 26 and the corresponding holes on the metal sheet 19 and on the reinforcing plates 50 and 51 is chosen so that, when the two adjacent modules 10 are co-planar (figs. 3 and 4), one of the zones of contact between them is that of the lips 31 and 32 of one with the strip 45 of the other.
The size of each module 10 is in fact such that, during use and in any operative position, neither the inclined profile 33 touches the corresponding lateral side 42, nor does the convex profile 27 of the edge 15 touch the lateral side 41 of the edge 16, except for the lower end of the front fin 46 which, in the closed position, is able to touch the corresponding longitudinal hollow 29.
The coupling of the lips 31, 32 with the strip 45 ensures an optimal alignment of adjacent modules 10, eliminates noises during the operations to open and close the door 11, and also achieves a perfect hydraulic seal, since the strip 45 functions as a seal.
The door 11 is guided, in conventional manner, both in the closed position, for example on a vertical plane, arid also in the open position, for example on a horizontal plane, by corresponding guides 55, of which one only is shown in fig. 3. Rollers 56 associated with the modules 10 are able to slide, in conventional manner, in the guides 55.
When the modules 10 are in a co-planar position (figs. 3, 4 and from 6 to 9), the amplitude of the gap between the inclined profile 33 and the corresponding lateral side 42 is substantially constant and is equal to about 1 mm, whereas the amplitude of the gap between the convex profile 27 and the corresponding lateral side 41 is variable from a minimum value, which can even advantageously be zero (figs. 6-9), to a maximum value of about 6-10 mm, in the inner corner 40a of the cavity 40, even though different values can equally be provided in the field of the same embodiment.
Moreover, in the co-planar position, each module 10 finds itself with its front fin 46 housed, with a certain play, in the upper longitudinal hollow 29. In this position the lower longitudinal hollow 30 defines a security compartment, some centimeters high, in which the fingers of the user can be rested without being crushed between the two adjacent modules 10.
The presence of the front fin 46, longer than the rear fin 47, prevents foreign bodies from entering the cavity 40 even when two adjacent modules 10 are inclined one with respect to the other (fig. 5), in the step when the door 11 is passing from the closed to the open position or vice versa.
Moreover, due to the shape of the cavity 40 with its wider part in correspondence with the corner 40a (figs. 4 and 5), a possible foreign body which has accidentally entered the cavity 40, or the dirt or grease accumulated therein, does not prevent the correct functioning of the door 11 and does not obstruct the movements of opening and closing.
According to other preferential embodiments of the present invention, shown in figs. from 6 to 9, the hinge 26 is also able to perform a resting and supporting function, and also to act as spacer between the two adjacent modules 10.
In the embodiment shown in figs. 6 and 7, the rear fin 47 of the upper module 10 rests directly on the semi-cylindrical part 25 of the hinge 26, and the semi-cylindrical part 25 rests directly on the longitudinal recess 21. In this way, the distance between the two adjacent modules 10 is defined by the size of the semi-cylindrical part 25 itself. Moreover, the weight of the upper module 10 does not rest on the longitudinal strip 45, except to a minimal extent which can be set in advance.
The reinforcing plates 50 and 51 extend, in this case, with a rounded end portion, until they cooperate with the supporting zone between respective modules 10 and hinge 26, making said support more rigid and more solid.
According to the variants shown in figs. 8 and 9, the lower module 10 and the upper module 10 have respective shapings 59 and 60 able to define relative supporting steps or shoulders 62, which cooperate with the end edges of the respective wings 57 and 58 of the hinge 26. To be more exact, the upper shoulder 62 rests on the supporting plane 57b of the upper wing 57.
The reinforcing plates 50 and 51 extend to cover the relative step 62 from inside too, so as to guarantee a greater hold and solidity also in the zone where the relative module 10 rests on the relative wings 57, 58 of the hinge 26.
Thus the upper module 10 rests advantageously and prevalently on the hinge 26 itself, even when the sectional door 11 is in the closed position, preventing the lips 31, 32 from compressing, more than a certain extent, the longitudinal strip 45.
It is clear however that modifications or additions of parts may be made to the module 10 and the door 11 as described heretofore, but these shall remain within the field and scope of the present invention.
It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to a specific example, a person of skill shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms, all of which shall come within the field of protection of the present invention.

Claims

Modular element for sectional doors (11) such as garage doors, main doors, shutters, blinds or similar, comprising a front surface (12), a rear surface (13) parallel to said front surface (12), a first edge (15) and a second edge (16) which connect together said parallel surfaces (12, 13), characterized in that said first edge (15) comprises a longitudinal recess (21) facing said rear surface (13) and having a substantially semi-cylindrical inner wall, a convex profile (27) arranged substantially as an extension to said front surface (12) and substantially coaxial to said inner wall of said longitudinal recess (21), at least a terminal lip (31, 32) formed by a first end of said convex profile (27) and an inclined and rectilinear profile (33) joining said longitudinal recess (21) to said terminal lip (31, 32), said second edge (16) comprising a longitudinal cavity (40) with a substantially trapezoid transverse section formed by a first lateral side (41), inclined and substantially rectilinear, by a second lateral side (42) substantially parallel to said inclined and rectilinear profile (33) of said first edge (15) and by a bottom wall (43), lying on a transverse plane substantially orthogonal to said parallel surfaces (12, 13).
Modular element as in claim 1, characterized in that in correspondence with said bottom wall (43) of said longitudinal cavity (40) there are elastic sealing means (45) able to cooperate, during use, with the terminal lip (31, 32) of an adjacent modular element (10).
Modular element as in claim 2, characterized in that said elastic sealing means (45) comprise a longitudinal strip of elastic, rubber or plastic material.
Modular element as in claim 3, characterized in that said longitudinal strip (45) protrudes slightly outwards with respect to said bottom wall (43) of said longitudinal cavity (40).
Modular element as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said two parallel surfaces (12, 13) comprise two corresponding bent metal sheets (17, 19) between which a layer (20) of insulating material is arranged.
Modular element as in claim 5 and in one of claims from 2 to 4 inclusive, characterized in that said elastic sealing means (45) are held in their seating by first ends (17b, 19b) of said bent metal sheets (17, 19).
Modular element as in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the end of said first edge (15) is defined by bends of said two metal sheets (17, 19) which form said at least one terminal lip (31) and a second terminal lip (32), said two terminal lips (31, 32) being substantially aligned with each other and lying on a same transverse plane, orthogonal to said parallel surfaces (12, 13).
Modular element as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said inner wall of said longitudinal recess (21) and said convex profile (27) are coaxial with a longitudinal pivoting axis (22) of a hinge (26) able to connect, during use, each modular element (10) with another adjacent modular element (10).
Modular element as in claim 8, characterized in that it also comprises at least a resting portion (47, 62) by means of which, during use, said modular element (10) is able to rest on a corresponding supporting plane (57a, 57b) of said hinge (26).
Modular element as in claim 9, characterized in that said resting portion comprises a shoulder (62) made in said rear surface (13).
Modular element as in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said longitudinal recess (21) is able to house a pin (23) and the corresponding semi-cylindrical part (25) of said hinge (26).
Modular element as in claims 5 and 8, characterized in that at least a metal reinforcing plate (50, 51) is arranged inside said layer (20), adjacent to the metal sheet (19) which constitutes said rear surface (13), and at least in the zone where said hinge (26) is screwed to said metal sheet (19).
Modular element as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that, in correspondence with a second end of said convex profile (27), said first edge (15) also comprises a first longitudinal hollow (29) which is able to house, during use, a front fin (46) of an adjacent modular element (10), said front fin (46) being formed by said front surface (12) and by said first inclined lateral side (41) .
Modular element as in claim 13, characterized in that said front fin (46) is able to contact, during use, the outer surface of said first longitudinal hollow (29) to define another supporting zone between two adjacent modular elements.
Modular element as in claim 13, characterized in that said first edge (15) also comprises a second longitudinal hollow (30) arranged between said first longitudinal hollow (29) and said front surface (12) and defining a security compartment.
Modular element as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said second inclined lateral side (42) and said rear surface (13) define a rear fin (47) and that said front fin (46) is longer than said rear fin (47) by a value substantially equal to the radius of curvature (R) of the inner wall of said longitudinal recess (21).
Modular element as in claims 9 and 16, characterized in that said resting portion is defined by said rear fin (47).
Modular element as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the inclination of said inclined profile (33) and said second inclined lateral side (42) is between about 20° and 30° with respect to the plane of said rear surface (13).
Sectional door, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of modular elements (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, wherein each one of said modular elements (10) is coupled with the adjacent one, so that the first edge (15) of one modular element (10) is inserted into the corresponding second edge (16) of an adjacent modular element (10).
Sectional door as in claims 2 and 19, characterized in that, when said modular elements (10) are co-planar, the convex profile (27) and the inclined profile (33) of one modular element (10) are inserted into said longitudinal cavity (40) of the second edge (16) of an adjacent modular element (10) and a contact coupling is achieved of said at least one terminal lip (31, 32) and said elastic sealing means (45).
Sectional door as in claims 8 and 19, characterized in that, when two modular elements (10) are co-planar, the upper modular element (10) rests on the mating lower modular element (10), at least prevalently, by means of said hinge (26).
Sectional door as in claim 8 and in any claim from 19 to 21 inclusive, characterized in that said adjacent modular elements (10) are connected together by means of said hinge (26) attached to the rear surfaces (13) of the two modular elements (10) by means of attachment elements (53, 54).
Sectional door as in claim 22, characterized in that said supporting plane (57a, 57b) of said hinge (26) is substantially orthogonal to said rear surface (13).
Sectional door as in claims 5 and 22, characterized in that said attachment elements (53, 54) comprise screws long enough to screw into two ends (17a, 19a) of said bent metal sheets (17, 19).
Sectional door as in claim 13 and in any claim from 19 to 24 inclusive, characterized in that, when two adjacent modular elements (10) are co-planar, the front fin of each modular element (10) is in contact with the outer surface of said first longitudinal hollow (29) of the adjacent and underlying modular element (10).
Sectional door as in claims 14 and 17 and in any claim from 19 to 24 inclusive, characterized in that, when two adjacent modular elements (10) are co-planar, the zones of contact between said adjacent modular elements (10) are that of said at least one terminal lip (31, 32) of one with said elastic sealing means (45) of the other, that of said front fin (46) of one with the outer surface of said first longitudinal hollow (29) of the other, and that of said rear fin (47) with said hinge (26).
Sectional door as in any claim from 19 to 26 inclusive, characterized in that, when two adjacent modular elements (10) are co-planar, between said inclined profile (33) of one modular element (10) and the corresponding second lateral side (42) of the other modular element (10) there is a gap with a substantially constant amplitude.
Sectional door as in any claim from 19 to 27 inclusive, characterized in that guide means (55) are provided to guide said modular elements (10) both in the closed position, with the front surfaces lying on a determinate plane, and also in the open position, on a plane advantageously inclined with respect to said determinate plane, and in that wheel means (56), able to slide in said guide means (55), are associated with said modular elements (10).
Sectional door as in claims 11 and 21, characterized in that each upper modular element (10) is substantially supported by said semi-cylindrical part (25) of said hinge (26) .
Sectional door as in claims 10 and 21, characterized in that said hinge (26) has respective attachment wings, an upper wing (57) and a lower wing (58), to attach it to two corresponding adjacent modular elements (10), and in that at least one of said attachment wings (57, 58) cooperates with a corresponding shoulder (62).
Sectional door as in claim 22, characterized in that each of said modular elements (10) also comprises inner reinforcing plates (50, 51) associated with said rear surface (13) and cooperating with said attachment means (53, 54) to attach said hinge (26).
Sectional door as in claims 29 and 31, characterized in that said reinforcing plates (50, 51) have an end which extends until it cooperates with said semi-cylindrical part (25) of said hinge (26) in correspondence with the zone where the respective modular element (10) rests.
Sectional door as in claims 30 and 31, characterized in that said reinforcing plates (50, 51) have an end which extends until it cooperates with the ends of said attachment wings (57, 58) of said hinge (26) in correspondence with the zone where the respective modular element (10) rests.
Sectional door such as a garage door, main door, shutter, blind or similar, comprising a plurality of modular elements (10) hinged longitudinally one adjacent to the other by means of respective hinges (26), wherein each of said modular elements (10) is provided with a first shaped longitudinal edge (15) able to cooperate with a mating second shaped longitudinal edge (16) of an adjacent modular element (10), characterized in that, when two modular elements (10) are co-planar, the upper modular element (10) rests on the mating lower modular element (10), at least prevalently, by means of said hinge (26).