EP3931420A1

EP3931420A1 - Sectional door with two dynamic sections

Info

Publication number: EP3931420A1
Application number: EP20705370.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Josep Maria Guilera Viladomiu
Original assignee: Sectional Two Components Sl
Current assignee: Sectional Two Components Sl
Priority date: 2019-02-27
Filing date: 2020-02-20
Publication date: 2022-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-20
Also published as: EP3702568A1; EP3702568B1; ES2914748T3; EP3931420B1; WO2020173796A1

Abstract

A sectional door comprising: a frame (1 ), a door (2) divided into an upper and a lower section (2a, 2b), each section (2a, 2b) having one or more panels, at least one coupling unit (3) used to couple or uncouple both sections (2a, 2b) of the door (2) and an actuator (4) used to move the door (2). The one or more coupling units (3) installed in the door (2) each include at least one coupling mechanism (7) which can be in a coupling configuration, with both sections (2a, 2b) of the door (2) coupled together, moving as a single unit, or in an uncoupling configuration, in which the upper section (2a) is moved independently from the lower section (2b) of the door (2).

Description

SECTIONAL DOOR WITH TWO DYNAMIC SECTIONS

Technical field

The present invention relates to a sectional door, suitable for installation in garage doors, industrial warehouses or docking bays, amongst others.

The sectional door described herein includes a coupling mechanism which allows said door to be completely or partially lowered, wherein when it is partially lowered, a lower section of the door is grounded on the floor whereas an upper section of the door is in a raised position, leaving an opening between said sections of the door for ventilation, safety and/or illumination reasons.

State of the Art

The use of sectional doors is widespread in industrial warehouses, docking or loading bay areas and garage openings of private households, amongst other similar locations. Furthermore, there are have been certain improvements of sectional doors which allow independent sections of the door, basically an upper section and a lower section (each section comprising one or more panels), to be moved independently from one another, usually when the door has already been grounded and disconnecting the upper section from the lower section, raising it to a preferred position. This improves lighting, temperature and air circulation inside the property where it is installed, whilst still providing certain safety measures as the lower section is still grounded in a closed position.

These type of sectional doors usually include manually operated, electronically operated or electromechanically operated fastening or coupling mechanisms in order to separate or attach the upper section to the lower section of the door, as seen in the following documents.

For instance, patent EP 1825093 B1 discloses a vertically movable door, made up of an upper and a lower section, which is movable between an open and a closed position. When the door is in a closed position, the lower section can be released from the upper section by means of a disconnectable joint, enabling the upper section to be lifted whilst leaving the lower section in a barrier position, providing an opening between the upper and lower sections of the door. The different disconnectable joints described herein are either manually operated or use an electromechanical actuator Patent US 7726378 B1 discloses a similar door configuration, wherein upper door panels of the door may be partially raised with regards to lower panels of the door, when said lower panels of the door are resting on the ground, leaving a space between the upper and lower panels. The includes split hinges arranged on both the left and right-hand door edge as well as a central location of the door, so that said split hinges may connect or disconnect adjacent panels of the door, through the use of quick-release pins.

Finally, US patent application 2016/265582 A1 discloses an automatic or manually operated sectional door hinge system which enables a sectional door to change between a single door section rollable as a single unit, to a separated configuration having a plurality of rollable door sections. In said separated configuration, the sectional door has an upper section which may be moved to an elevated or raised position independently from a lower door section adjacent to the ground.

The invention disclosed herein aims to improve existing coupling mechanisms used in sectional doors, by using a mechanical solution which doesn’t require the use of either a person to manually operate a component of said mechanism or the use of electronic or electromechanical control systems, in order to couple or uncouple the upper and lower sections of a door.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention discloses a door which can be used for industrial applications (warehouse doors, cargo or loading bay areas, etc.) as well as household applications (garage doors of private households) which is capable of being completely opened, completely closed or partially opened. These doors are commonly made up of:

- a door, preferably a sectional door comprising a plurality of panels divided into an upper section and a lower section, each section made up of one or more panels joined together, although other types of doors can be used such as roller or sheet doors or single panel doors with slight adjustments obvious to a person skilled in the art;

- a frame installed in a building opening made up of at least two lateral structural elements, which can also serve as guiding tracks or rails for the door,

- one or more coupling units, configured to couple or uncouple the upper section of the door from said lower section of the door, and optionally,

- an actuator, such as an electric motor, which is configured to move the door. Preferably, said one or more panels that make up each section of the door are joined or fastened together in an articulated configuration in order to allow both sections of the door to be guided adequately along different possible frame designs.

The present invention differs from other similar doors in that the one or more coupling units it has installed on the door make use of a coupling mechanism which is purely mechanical, and doesn’t require the use of additional electronic control systems or manual labour in order to couple or uncouple the upper section of the door from the lower section of the door.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first housing is attached to an inner side of the upper section of the door adjacent to the lower end thereof, and the second housing is attached to an inner side of the lower section of the door adjacent to the upper end thereof.

Alternatively, the coupling unit disclosed herein can be made up of a first housing attached to a lower end of the upper section of the door, a second housing attached to an upper end of the lower section of the door and at least one coupling mechanism.

In a particular embodiment, both the first housing and the second housing are each made up of two lateral walls and a transversal wall, perpendicular to and in a central position of both lateral walls, thus having a shape resembling an“H”, with both housings having an upper cavity and a lower cavity. Furthermore, for this particular embodiment, the upper cavity of the first housing is attached to a lower end of the upper section of the door, and the lower cavity of the second housing is attached to an upper end of the lower section of the door.

In a second particular embodiment, the first housing and the second housing are each made up of two lateral walls and a transversal wall, perpendicular to and in contact with a distal end of both lateral walls, thus having a shape resembling a“U”, with both housings defining a cavity. Furthermore, for this particular embodiment, the transversal wall of each housing is attached to a lower end of the upper section of the door, and to an upper end of the lower section of the door.

The coupling mechanism is made up of an elongated appendix, having a base portion, an intermediate portion and a thickened end portion, distal and opposite its base portion, designed so that its thickened end portion is wider than said intermediate portion, and a clamping connector with an adjustable opening and an interior chamber suitable for receiving, inserted, the cited elongated appendix, with at least one retaining device which is movable between an initial standby position, a final standby position and one or more intermediate positions. According to a first embodiment, the base portion of the elongated appendix is fastened to the transversal wall and located in the upper cavity of the second housing, and the clamping connector is fastened to the transversal wall and located in the lower cavity of the first housing, whereas according to the second embodiment the base portion of the elongated appendix is fastened to the transversal wall and located in the cavity defined by the second housing, and the clamping connector is fastened to the transversal wall and located in the cavity defined by the first housing.

Both the elongated appendix and the clamping connector are fastened to their respective housings by means of mechanical fasteners such as screws or bolts and nuts.

The coupling mechanism included in the one or more coupling units is configured to transition between a coupling configuration and an uncoupling configuration.

In the coupling configuration, the thickened end portion elongated appendix is partially inside the interior chamber of the clamping connector, inserted through its adjustable opening, with at least one retaining device transitioning from its initial standby position to a first intermediate position and then back to its initial standby position, following a wall surface of the thickened end portion of the elongated appendix until the retaining device is adjacent to a wall of the intermediate portion clamping the thickened end portion.

On the other hand, in the uncoupling configuration, the elongated appendix is arranged inside the interior chamber of the clamping connector, up to at least the beginning of its base portion and the at least one retaining device transitions from said initial standby position to its final standby position allowing the elongated appendix to be removed from inside the clamping connector, as the adjustable opening of the clamping connector is at least as wide as the base portion of the elongated appendix.

Optionally, the base portion of the elongated appendix is wider than the thickened end portion, so that when in the uncoupling configuration, said base portion interferes with the retaining device pushing the retaining device to the final standby position.

The at least one retaining device is preferably a horizontal cylindrical rod arranged inside a guiding groove, wherein the guiding groove is configured to guide and limit the cylindrical rod from its first standby position to its final standby position and one or more intermediate positions.

The elongated appendix is designed so that it is either symmetrical or asymmetrical. If it is symmetrical, the clamping connector comprises two cylindrical rods, opposite one another, arranged inside respective symmetrical guiding grooves, whereas if it is asymmetrical, then the clamping connector would suffice with one cylindrical rod arranged inside a respective guiding groove.

The procedure of both configurations will be explained in detail in the description of FIGs. 1a to 1d for a first embodiment of the coupling mechanism, which has a symmetrical design, and in FIGs. 2a to 2d for a second embodiment of the coupling mechanism, which has an asymmetrical design, and the differences between both embodiments.

For different embodiments of the present invention, the number of coupling units used and their positioning on either section of the door changes according to a width of the door onto which they are installed, as well as a weight they must be capable of withstanding, in order to operate in optimum working conditions. For example, if the width of the door is equal to or lower than 4600mm the number of coupling units used in comparison to doors with a width larger than 4600mm, is smaller, wherein each coupling unit can include one or more coupling mechanisms each.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the elongated appendix further comprises a latch movable between an active position and a passive position. In the active position the latch covers at least a portion of the intermediate portion adjacent to the thickened end portion, the latch and the intermediate portion producing an aggregate thickness at least equal to the thickness of the thickened end portion preventing the retaining device to reach the initial standby position. In the passive position the latch does not cover said portion of the intermediate portion adjacent to the thickened end portion allowing the retaining device to reach the initial standby position. Preferably the latch is moved in a direction parallel to the intermediate portion of the elongated appendix.

The movement of said latch is controlled by a manual or automatic actuator device, for example a manual lever or button, or an electric motor. When the latch is moved from the passive position to the active position, any retaining device placed in the initial standby position adjacent to the intermediate portion of the elongated appendix is pushed away from the intermediate portion by said latch, from the initial standby position to the final standby position, releasing the elongated appendix from the clamping connector.

The sectional door can comprise two coupling units, each arranged on a lateral portion of the door. In this case the respective latches are coordinated to produce a simultaneous movement, for example through a Bowden cable or a tensioned cable. It will be understood that a Bowden cable is a type of flexible cable used to transmit mechanical force or energy by the movement of an inner flexible cable relative to a hollow flexible outer cable housing.

The actuator can be configured to move either the upper section of the door, the lower section of the door or both sections of the door independently.

In a particular embodiment, a brake device is installed on either the lower section of the door, the upper section of the door or both, and configured to stop either the lower, upper or both sections of the door from falling in the event of the coupling unit and/or the actuator failing.

Preferably, the lower section of the door has a first standard brake device installed on either side, positioned on the guiding tracks or rails of the frame, said first brake device being a standard device readily available in the market. Furthermore, the upper section of the door has a second brake device installed on either side of, preferably, the lower panel of the upper section of the sectional door, said second brake device being designed so that it includes an adjusting mechanism allowing it to be installed adequately onto both the frame and the upper section of the door.

In a preferred embodiment, the elongated appendix is movable in a vertical direction between a hanging position, reached when the elongated appendix is connected to the clamping connector and when the lower section of the door is hanging from the upper section of the door through the elongated appendix, and an unhanging position reached when the lower section of the door is not hanging from the upper section, and wherein the first brake device is coordinated with said elongated appendix to brake the lower section of the door when the elongated appendix is on the unhanging position and to stop braking the lower section of the door when the elongated appendix is on the hanging position. For example the elongated appendix can include a spring which urges said elongated appendix to the unhanging position, said spring being set to allow the elongated appendix to reach the hanging position when the weight of the lower segment of the door is hanging on said elongated appendix.

The coordination between the first brake device and the elongated appendix can be produced through a Bowden cable or a tensioned cable.

The frame can further comprise a regulable positioner configured to position the lower section of the door without play in relation to the frame when in the lower section is in the lowermost position within said frame, assuring that the elongated appendix are positioned in with precision. It will be understood that references to geometric position, such as parallel, perpendicular, tangent, etc. allow deviations up to ± 5° from the theoretical position defined by this nomenclature.

It will also be understood that any range of values given may not be optimal in extreme values and may require adaptations of the invention to these extreme values are applicable, such adaptations being within reach of a skilled person.

Other features of the invention appear from the following detailed description of an embodiment.

Brief description of the Figures

The foregoing and other advantages and features will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, to be taken in an illustrative and not limitative, in which:

FIGs. 1a to 1d illustrate a first embodiment of a coupling mechanism with a symmetrical design in which:

- FIG. 1a shows the coupling mechanism in a coupling configuration, in which the upper and lower sections of the door are coupled together, mechanically fastened, so that the door moves as a single unit;

- FIG. 1 b illustrates the coupling mechanism as seen in FIG. 1a, but with the sections of the door in an articulated position, when the door is being opened or else rolled up;

- FIG. 1 c illustrates the coupling mechanism in an uncoupling configuration (see arrow A), so that the upper section of the door can be released and moved independently from the lower section of the door; and

- FIG. 1d illustrates the coupling mechanism, included in the coupling units, in an uncoupled configuration, wherein the upper section of the door has been separated from the lower section of the door;

FIGs. 2a to 2d illustrate a second embodiment of a coupling mechanism with an asymmetrical design in which:

- FIG. 2a shows the coupling mechanism in a coupling configuration, in which the upper and lower sections of the door are coupled together, mechanically fastened, so that the door moves as a single unit;

- FIG. 2b illustrates the coupling mechanism as seen in FIG. 2a, but with the sections of the door in an articulated position, when the door is being opened or else rolled up; - FIG. 2c illustrates the coupling mechanism in an uncoupling configuration (see arrow A), so that the upper section of the door can be released and moved independently from the lower section of the door; and

- FIG. 2d illustrates the coupling mechanism, included in the coupling units, in an uncoupled configuration, wherein the upper section of the door has been separated from the lower section of the door;

FIGs. 3a illustrates an embodiment of a door in which the upper section of the door has been elevated by uncoupling the coupling units installed therein from the lower section of the door, having two detail views of:

- a first standard brake device, as seen in FIG. 3b; and

- a second adjustable brake device, as seen in FIG. 3c;

FIGs. 4a to 4c illustrate the design of the second adjustable brake device 15, shown in FIG. 3c, in which:

- FIG. 4a shows a perspective representation of the second brake device and its main components;

- FIG. 4b shows the second brake device in a predetermined initial position; and

- FIG. 4c shows the second brake device in an adjusted position through the use of an adjusting mechanism; and finally

FIGs. 5a and 5b illustrate the safety device, wherein:

- FIG. 5a shows the safety device in a first position in which the upper section and lower section of the door are uncoupled; and

- FIG. 5b shows the safety device in a second position in which the upper section and lower section of the door are coupled.

Figs. 6a and 6c illustrate a second embodiment of a coupling mechanism with an asymmetrical design, each figure showing a perspective view and a respective vertical section of a portion of the sectional door including the coupling mechanism, in which:

FIG. 6a shows the coupling mechanism in a coupling configuration with the latch in the inactive position, in which the upper and lower sections of the door are coupled together, mechanically fastened, so that the door moves as a single unit;

- FIG. 6b illustrates the coupling mechanism as seen in FIG. 6a, but with the latch in the active position; - FIG. 6c illustrates the coupling mechanism in an uncoupling configuration, so that the upper section of the door can be released and moved independently from the lower section of the door.

Figs. 7a to 7c illustrate a third embodiment of a coupling mechanism with an asymmetrical design in which:

- FIG. 7a illustrates the coupling mechanism in an uncoupling configuration, so that the upper section of the door can be released and moved independently from the lower section of the door;

- FIG. 7b shows the coupling mechanism in a coupling configuration with the latch in the inactive position, in which the upper and lower sections of the door are coupled together, mechanically fastened, but in which the elongated appendix is in the unhanging position;

- FIG. 7c shows the coupling mechanism in a coupling configuration with the latch in the inactive position, in which the upper and lower sections of the door are coupled together, mechanically fastened, and in which the elongated appendix is in the hanging position, so that the door moves as a single unit.

Detailed description of an embodiment

The foregoing and other advantages and features will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, to be taken in an illustrative and non-limitative manner.

FIG. 1a to FIG. 1d show a section of one of the coupling units 3 installed on a sectional door 2, showing the different elements which together form one of its coupling mechanisms 7 and how they cooperate with one another in order to couple or uncouple an upper section 2a and a lower section 2b of the door 2, according to a first embodiment of the present invention in which the coupling mechanism 7 is symmetrical.

For each one of these figures, FIG. 1a to FIG. 1d, the coupling unit 3 is made up of a first housing 5 and a second housing 6, opposite one another, which together form a hollow box- type casing or enclosure. Both the first housing 5 and the second housing 6 are made up of two lateral opposite walls, 5a, 6a, and a central transversal wall 5b, 6b, which joins both lateral walls 5a, 6a, of each respective housing 5, 6, defining for each one an upper cavity 50a, 60a and a lower cavity 50b, 60b. The upper cavity 50a of the first housing 5 is attached or fixed to a lower end of the upper section 2a of the door 2, whereas the lower cavity 60b of the second housing 6 is attached or fixed to an upper end of the lower section 2b of the door 2.

The coupling mechanism 7 is primarily made up of a clamping connector 9, arranged inside the lower cavity 50b of the first housing 5, fixed to its central wall 5b, and an elongated appendix 8 arranged inside the upper cavity 60a of the second housing 6, fixed to its central wall 6b.

For this particular embodiment, shown in FIG.Ia to FIG. 1d, the elongated appendix 8 is symmetrical, and the clamping connector 9 has two retaining devices 10, preferably cylindrical rods, located inside respective guiding grooves 100, which allow their respective retaining device 10 to transition from an initial standby position 11 to a final standby position 13, when the elongated appendix 8 is inserted or removed from inside the clamping connector 9. The final standby position 13 is at a different height with reference to that of the initial standby position 11 .

FIG. 1a shows the coupling mechanism 7 in a coupled configuration, in which the upper section 2a and the lower section 2b of the door 2 are coupled/fastened together as the door 2 is being lowered due to a thickened end portion 8c of the elongated appendix 8 being arranged inside the clamping connector 9 through its adjustable opening 9a. This configuration allows the door 2 to move as a single unit when the actuator (not shown) is powered, guided by a frame 1 (not shown).

In order to retain the elongated appendix 8 inside the clamping connector 9, the two retaining devices 10 (in this example cylindrical rods), in their initial standby position 11 of their respective guiding grooves 100, are located below the thickened end portion 8c and adjacent to an intermediate portion 8b of the elongated appendix 8.

This creates a synergistic effect in which the retaining devices 10 of the clamping connector 9 cannot shift their position due to a downwards force exerted by the thickened end portion 8c due to the weight of the lower section 2b of the door 2, whilst simultaneously the elongated appendix 8 cannot be released from the clamping connector 9 because the width of its adjustable opening 9a is smaller than the width of the thickened end portion 8c due to the position of the retaining devices 10 adjacent to the intermediate portion 8b of the elongated appendix 8. FIG. 1 b also illustrates the coupling mechanism 7 shown and described in FIG. 1a, however this particular figure is a representation of how the coupling mechanism 7 acts when the sections of the door 2 are in an articulated position, when the door 2 is either being lowered or rolled up.

FIG. 1 c shows the coupling mechanism 7 in an uncoupling configuration (in fact in a first step indicated by the arrow A), in which the lower section 2b of the door 2 is on the ground, but the actuator is still operative which allows the upper section 2a of the door 2 to be mechanically uncoupled from the lower section 2b of the door 2, so it can be moved independently.

Starting from the position of the coupling mechanism 7 seen in FIG. 1a, once the door 2 has been grounded, and if the actuator 4 is still operative, the upper section 2a is forced to be lowered (see arrow A) towards the lower section 2b of the door 2.

By forcing the upper section 2a of the door 2 to move towards the grounded lower section 2b of the door 2, the clamping connector 9 proceeds to engulf the elongated appendix 8, until it has reached its base portion 8a, of a substantial larger width than that of the thickened end portion 8c or the central portion 8c. As the clamping connector 9 is lowered onto the elongated appendix 8, the two retaining devices 10, in their respective guiding grooves 100, transition from their initial standby position 11 towards a final standby position 13, in which the retaining devices 10 are adjacent respective walls of the base portion 8a of the elongated appendix 8, and the adjustable opening 9a has a width at least as wide as the width of the base portion 8a. The second housing 6 is also partially inserted in the lower cavity 50b of the first housing 5.

Once the retaining devices 10 are in this position, the actuator 4 proceeds to raise the upper section 2a of the door 2 up to a prearranged position (see Fig. 4), such as completely or partially raised, whilst the lower section 2b of the door 2 remains grounded.

As the width of the adjustable opening 9a of the clamping connector 9 is at least as wide as that of the base portion 8a, it can be removed easily as both the thickened end portion 8c and the intermediate portion 8b of the elongated appendix 8 are both narrower than its base portion 8a, and the retaining devices 10 are also at a sufficient distance when in their final standby positions 13 in order to avoid collisions with the elongated appendix 8 whilst the upper section 2a of the door 2 is being raised. FIG. 1d shows the coupling mechanism 7 of the coupling unit in an uncoupled configuration in which the upper section 2a of the door 2 has been separated from the lower section 2b of the door 2, following its extraction (see arrow A) as seen in FIG. 1c.

When the coupling mechanism 7 is in this uncoupled configuration, and the elongated appendix 8 is extracted from the interior chamber, the two retaining devices 10 have returned to their initial standby position 11 of their respective guiding grooves 100, due to protruding ends 6c of the lateral walls 6a of the second housing, wherein said protruding ends 6c are facing towards the inside of the upper cavity 60a of the second housing 6, in the shape of an arc.

When the actuator 4 is raising the upper section 2a of the door 2, these protruding ends 6c collide, respectively, with one of the retaining devices 10, which are currently in the final standby position 13, forcing the retaining devices 10 to return back to their initial standby position 11 , so that the upper section 2a of the door 2 can be mechanically coupled back with the lower section 2b of the door 2 when deemed necessary, by approaching the upper section 2A to the lower section 2B of the door 2.

FIG. 2a to FIG. 2d show a section of one of the coupling units 3 installed on a sectional door 2, showing the different elements which together form one of its coupling mechanisms 7 and how they cooperate with one another in order to couple or uncouple an upper section 2a and a lower section 2b of the door 2, according to a second embodiment of the present invention in which the coupling mechanism 7 is asymmetrical.

For each one of these figures, FIG. 2a to FIG. 2d, the coupling unit 3 is made up of a first housing 5 and a second housing 6, opposite one another, which together form a hollow box- type casing or enclosure. Both the first housing 5 and the second housing 6 are made up of two lateral opposite walls, 5a, 6a, and a transversal wall 5b, 6b, which joins both lateral walls 5a, 6a, of each respective housing 5, 6, defining for each one a cavity 50, 60, resembling the shape of a“U”.

The transversal wall 5b of the first housing 5 is attached or fixed to a lower end of the upper section 2a of the door 2, whereas the transversal wall 6b of the second housing 6 is attached or fixed to an upper end of the lower section 2b of the door 2.

The coupling mechanism 7 is primarily made up of a clamping connector 9, arranged inside cavity 50 of the first housing 5, fixed to its wall 5b, and an elongated appendix 8 arranged inside cavity 60 of the second housing 6, also fixed to its wall 6b. For this particular embodiment, as seen in FIG.2a to FIG. 2d, the elongated appendix 8 is asymmetrical having a wall or side which is substantially flat whilst the other wall or side varies in width throughout its extension.

The explanation used in FIGs. 1a to 1d is also valid for FIGs. 2a to 2d, with the only difference that the elongated appendix 8 is asymmetrical, as stated previously, and therefore it only uses one of its two retaining devices 10 in its respective groove 100 to block the different positions of the coupling mechanism 7, using the remaining retaining device 10’ and groove 100’ as a guiding element, granting the coupling mechanism 7 more stability.

Therefore, even though the clamping connector 9 has two retaining devices 10, 10’, preferably cylindrical rods, located inside respective guiding grooves 100, 100’, one of the retaining devices 10’ is only used as guiding element as it has a groove 100’ which only allows the cylindrical rod to move longitudinally against the flat side of the elongated appendix 8. The remaining retaining device 10 has a guiding groove 100 which allows it to transition from an initial standby position 11 to a final standby position 13, when the elongated appendix 8 is inserted or removed from inside the clamping connector 9, in a similar fashion as described previously in FIGs. 1 a to 1 d. The final standby position 13 is at a different height with reference to that of the initial standby position 11.

FIG. 3a illustrates a sectional door 2, according to the present invention, in a specific position in which the upper section 2a of the door 2 has been uncoupled and elevated from the lower section 2b of the door 2 which is grounded. This is possible through the use of one or more coupling units 7, installed in the door 2 and which are currently in an uncoupled configuration so that the upper section 2a of the door 2 can be uncoupled and elevated independently from the lower section 2b of the door 2, which remains grounded acting as a barrier. This allows the inside of a building, where the door 2 has been installed, to be ventilated adequately as well as improving lighting of the areas near the door 2, whilst simultaneously using the lower section 2b of the door as a safety measure. An actuator or motor (not shown in this figure) is connected to the upper section 2a of the door 2. It should be noted that even though no figure illustrates it, both sections 2a, 2b of the door 2 can also be moved as a single unit when the coupling unit 3 is in a coupling configuration.

FIG. 3a also shows the first housing 5 and the second housing 6 attached, respectively, to a lower end of the upper section 2a of the door 2 and to an upper end of the lower section 2b of the door, which together form the coupling unit 3.

Additionally, FIG. 3a also shows: - an arrangement of a first brake device 14, preferably a standard model readily available in the market, with a detailed view seen in FIG. 3b, arranged on either side of a bottom end of the lower section 2b of the door 2, and being guided by the frame 1 , which has guiding tracks or rails;

- an arrangement of a second brake device 15, with a detailed view seen in FIG. 3c, arranged on either side of a bottom end of the upper section 2a of the door 2, and being guided by guiding tracks or rails of the frame 1 , said second brake device 15 being adjustable with regards to the position and inclination of the guiding rails/tracks of the frame 1 , shown in detail and discussed further in FIGs. 4a to 4c; and

- a safety device 16, which will be discussed further and shown in detail in FIGs. 5a and 5b.

The second brake device 15 is shown in great detail in FIGs. 4a to 4c, wherein its main components are: a mounting or support plate 151 which is fastened or attached to a panel of the upper section 2a of the door 2, in a position adjacent to the guiding rail or track of the frame 1 , so that a first guiding wheel 153a, fastened to said mounting or support plate 151 , can be positioned in said guiding rail or track of the frame 1. The first guiding wheel 153a is designed to include a recess or cavity into which a transmission cable (not shown) is arranged, with one of its distal ends fastened to a hook 157 of the second brake device 15 and the remaining distal end connected to an actuator or motor of the sectional door 2.

A main plate 156 is fastened to the support plate 151 through the use of a first cylindrical dowel pin 152a, which defines a rotation axis or pivoting point for the main plate 156 to shift position with regards to the support plate 151. The main plate 156 has a clamping device 155 fastened to it through the use of a second cylindrical dowel pin 152b which allows said clamping device 155 to vary its position between an active and a passive arrangement, wherein the hook 157 is fastened to a lower portion of the clamping device 155. A distal end of the second cylindrical dowel pin 152b has a second guiding wheel 153b which is positioned or inserted inside the guiding track or rail of frame 1 of the door 2.

In order to adequately position the second guiding wheel 153b inside the guiding rail of frame 1 , the second brake device 15 includes an adjusting mechanism 154 made up of a bolt and a nut, whereby the position of the nut along the thread of the bolt defines an angle, a, between the main plate 156 and the mounting plate 151 , rotating or pivoting around a rotation axis defined by the first cylindrical dowel pin 152a, as seen in FIG. 4c. This is necessary due to a gradual increase in an inclination of the frame 1 for these types of doors, from the ground upwards, and therefore the adjusting mechanism 154 allows a user to regulate a distance between the second brake device 15 and the guiding rail of frame 1 , so that the second guiding wheel 153b is in an optimum position.

Even though it isn’t shown in FIGs. 4a to 4c, the clamping device 155 shifts from a passive arrangement, as seen in these figures, to an active arrangement upon failure of the transmission cable connected to the actuator of door 2, whereupon the clamping device 155 automatically rotates around an axis of rotation defined by the second cylindrical dowel pin 152b, as a result of a slackening of the transmission cable fastened to the hook 157, resulting in the clamping device 155 exerting a force or pressure against frame 1 , which stops the upper section 2a of the door 2 from falling.

FIGs. 5a and 5b shows two positions of a safety device 16 installed on either side of the coupling unit 3, adjacent to the guiding rails or tracks of frame 1. This safety device 16 is necessary mainly for two reasons:

1 ) controlling the first brake device 14, and

2) ensuring that the uppermost panel of the lower section 2b of the door 2 is firmly secured to the frame 1 when the upper section 2a is uncoupled from the lower section 2b of the door, due to the fact that it doesn’t have retention means which stop it from falling down as the panels are preferably fastened together in an articulated configuration.

The safety device 16 (see Figs. 5a and 5b) is made up of a static protruding element 161 , facing downwards, mechanically fastened to the upper housing 5 of the coupling unit 3, and a mobile protruding element 163 fastened to the lower housing 6 of the coupling unit 3.

The mobile protruding element 163 has a cable connecting it to a far end of a piston 164, said piston being mounted on a support 167 comprising to parallel walls with orifices through which the piston 164 is guided. The piston 164 has a coaxial spring 165 mounted on a shaft and set between both walls of the support 167. Furthermore, the mobile protruding element 163 has a transmission cable 166 connected to a first brake device 14, using a guiding wheel 168, arranged on the lowermost panel or portion of the lower section 2b of the door 2, adjacent to the guiding rail of frame 1. The first brake device 14 is used to stop the lower section of the door from falling or collapsing in the event of transmission cable 166 failing.

The static protruding element 161 has a wheel 162, or other equivalent rotating device, fastened to it, so that when it is lowered, the wheel 162 moves along a surface of mobile protruding element 163, and forcing it to move laterally (see arrow C of FIG. 5b), counteracting a force exerted by the spring 165, which also causes a head of the piston 164 (seen in FIG. 5b) to exit the guiding rail of frame 1 , as well as changing the configuration of the first break device 14 to a passive or inactive arrangement, thus allowing the lower section 2b of the door 2 to be raised, together with the upper section 2a of the door 2, as a single unit.

The safety device 16 operates synergistically with the coupling mechanism 7 included in the coupling unit 3, which allows both sections 2a, 2b of the door 2 to be either coupled or uncoupled.

In FIG. 5a it can be observed that a portion of the piston 164, specifically the head of the piston 164, is located inside the guiding rail or track of frame 1 of the door 2, so that the lower section 2b is kept in a fixed position. Furthermore, even though it isn’t seen in these figures, when the upper section 2a of the door 2 is uncoupled from the lower section 2b, the first brake device 14 is in an active position, meaning that its clamp or retention element is exerting a force against frame 1 , even when in a grounded position.

If it is assumed that in FIG. 5a the upper section 2a is being lowered towards the lower section 2b of the door (see arrow B), once both sections 2a, 2b have been coupled together by means of the coupling mechanism 7 (not shown), we can see in FIG. 5b how the static protruding element 161 has caused the mobile protruding element 163 to shift position laterally (see arrow C), and as a result, the head of the piston 164 has exited the guiding rail or track of frame 1 , compressing spring 165, and by pulling the transmission cable 166 configuration of the first brake device 14 has changed from an active arrangement to a passive or inactive arrangement, which will allow the lower section 2b of the door 2 to be elevated together with the upper section 2a.

In Figs. 6a to 6c and 7a to 7c an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown.

According to that alternative embodiment, the elongated appendix 8 further comprises a latch 8d which can be moved parallel and adjacent to the intermediate portion 8b, said latch 8d having a thickness equal or bigger than the thickness difference between the intermediate portion 8b and the thickened end portion 8c of the elongated appendix 8.

When the latch 8d reaches the active position its upper end is adjacent to the lower end of the thickened end portion 8c, filling the space where the retaining device 10 of the clamping connector 9 is placed when in the initial standby position 11 , said latch 8d pushing the retaining device 10 out from said initial standby position 11 , releasing the lower section 2b of the door 2 from the upper section 2a of the door 2, and/or preventing the coupling thereof. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 7a to 7c the door includes one first housing 5 and one second housing 6 on each lateral side of the door 2 adjacent to the frame 1 , each first housing 5 containing two clamping connectors 9 and each second housing containing two elongated appendix 8. In this embodiment the second housing further comprises a manual actuator which is connected to the latches 8d of both elongated appendix 8 to produce its movement to the active position manually. The movement of the latches 8d is also cinematically connected to a Bowden cable or a tensioned cable 70 which transmits the movement of the latches 8d housed in the second housing 6 of one side of the door 2 to the latches 8d contained in the second housing 6 placed on the opposed lateral side of the door 2, producing the simultaneous movement of all the latches 8d of the door 2 to produce the simultaneously releasing of the lower portion 2b. This solution also permits the used to indistinctly activate the manual actuator integrated in any of the second housings 6 integrated in the door 2.

In this example, the coordination between the latches 8d is achieved through a first wheel integrated on each second housing 6 and cinematically connected to the latches 8d integrated in said second housing 6 to produce the rotation of said wheel in coordination with the movement of the latches 8d from the passive position to the active position or vice-versa. The first wheels of both second housings 6 are connected to each other through a Bowden cable or a tensioned cable 70 which transmits the rotational movement of one first wheel to the other first wheel, mirroring the latch 8d movement from one second housing 6 to the latches 8d of the other second housing 6.

According to this embodiment, the elongated appendix 8 is movable in a vertical direction between a hanging position shown in Fig. 7c in which the lower portion 2b is hanging from the upper portion 2a through the elongated appendix 8, and an unhanging position in which the lower portion 2b is not hanging from the upper portion 2a. This movement of the elongated appendix 8 is also in coordination with the first braking device 14 through a Bowden cable or a tensioned cable 71 , to activate the braking of the first braking device 14 when the elongated appendix 8 are in the unhanging position, and to release the braking of the first braking device 14 when the elongated appendix 8 are in the hanging position.

In the present embodiment said coordination is produced through a second wheel integrated on each second housing 6 and cinematically connected to the elongated appendix 8 integrated on said second housing 6 to produce the rotation of said second wheel in coordination with the movement of the elongated appendix 8 from the hanging position to the unhanging position or vice-versa. The Bowden cable or tensioned cable 71 is connected to the periphery of said second wheel and to the first braking device 14, producing a coordination between said two connected elements, determining the activation or deactivation of the first braking device depending on the position of the elongated appendix 8.

It will be understood that various parts of one embodiment of the invention can be freely combined with parts described in other embodiments, even being said combination not explicitly described, provided there is no harm in such combination.

Claims

1 . A sectional door, comprising:

- a frame (1 ),

- a door (2) which is divided into an upper section (2a) and a lower section (2b), wherein each section (2a, 2b) comprises one or more panels,

- one or more coupling units (3) configured to couple or uncouple said upper section (2a) of the door (2) from said lower section (2b) of the door (2), and

- an actuator (4) configured to move the door (2),

characterised in that said one or more coupling units (3) comprise:

- a first housing (5) attached to a lower end of the upper section (2a) of the door (2),

- a second housing (6) attached to an upper end of the lower section (2b) of the door (2) and

- at least one coupling mechanism (7) comprising:

o an elongated appendix (8) having a base portion (8a) fastened to the second housing (6), an intermediate portion (8b) and a thickened end portion (8c), distal and opposite said base portion (8a), wherein said thickened end portion (8c) is wider than said intermediate portion (8b), and o a clamping connector (9) fastened to the first housing (5) including an adjustable opening (9a) with an interior chamber (9b) suitable for receiving, inserted, said elongated appendix (8) and at least one retaining device (10) movable between an initial standby position (11 ), a final standby position (13) and one or more intermediate positions (12),

wherein in a coupling configuration, the elongated appendix (8) is partially inside said interior chamber (9b) of the clamping connector (9) and said at least one retaining device (10) transitions from said initial standby position (11 ) to a first intermediate position (12) and then back to said initial standby position (11 ), adjacent to a wall of the intermediate portion (8b) of the elongated appendix (8), clamping the thickened end portion (8c),

wherein in an uncoupling configuration, the elongated appendix (8) is inside said interior chamber (9b) of the clamping connector (9) and said at least one retaining device (10) transitions from said initial standby position (11 ) to said final standby position (13) allowing the elongated appendix (8) to be removed from inside the clamping connector (9), and wherein said at least one retaining device (10) returns to said initial standby position (11 ) when the elongated appendix (8) is removed.

2. The sectional door according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one retaining device (10) is a horizontal cylindrical rod arranged inside a guiding groove (100), wherein said guiding groove (100) is configured to guide said cylindrical rod from the first standby position (11 ) to the final standby position (13) and one or more intermediate positions (12).

3. The sectional door according to claim 1 or 2 wherein

• the first housing (5) is attached to an inner side of the upper section (2a) of the door (2) adjacent to the lower end thereof, and wherein the second housing (6) is attached to an inner side of the lower section (2b) of the door (2) adjacent to the upper end thereof; or

• the first housing (5) is attached to the lower end of the upper section (2a) of the door (2) and wherein the second housing (6) is attached to the upper end of the lower section (2b) of the door (2).

4. The sectional door according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first housing (5) and said second housing (6) each comprise two lateral walls (5a, 6a) and a transversal wall (5b, 6b), perpendicular to said two lateral walls (5a, 6a), wherein both housings (5, 6) have an upper cavity (50a, 60a) and a lower cavity (50b, 60b), wherein said upper cavity (50a) of the first housing (5) is attached to said lower end of the upper section (2a) of the door (2), and wherein said lower cavity (60b) of the second housing (6) is attached to said upper end of the lower section (2b) of the door (2), and wherein the elongated appendix (8) is fastened to said transversal wall (6b) and located in the upper cavity (60a) of the second housing (6), and wherein the clamping connector (9) is fastened to said transversal wall (5b) and located in the lower cavity (50b) of the first housing (5).

5. The sectional door according to any preceding claim wherein the base portion (8a) of the elongated appendix (8) is wider than the thickened end portion (8c) and, when in an uncoupling configuration, said base portion (8a) interferes with the retaining device (10) pushing the retaining device (10) to the final standby position (13).

6. The sectional door according to claim 5, wherein the at least one retaining device (10) returns to the initial standby position (11 ) when the elongated appendix (8) is extracted from the interior chamber (9b) by means of a protruding end (6c) of the lateral walls (6a) of the second housing (6) against which the at least one retaining device (10) abuts during the removal of the elongated appendix (8).

7. The sectional door according to any preceding claim, wherein if a width of the door (2) is equal to or lower than 4600mm, the sectional door comprises two coupling units (3), each one arranged on a lateral portion of the door (2).

8. The sectional door according to any preceding claim, wherein if a width of the door (2) is bigger than 4600mm, the sectional door comprises three coupling units (3), with two of said three coupling units (3) being arranged on a lateral portion of the door (2), and a third coupling unit (3) arranged in a central portion of the door (2).

9. The sectional door according to any preceding claim 1 to 4 wherein the elongated appendix (8) further comprises a latch (8d) movable between an active position and a passive position, wherein in the active position the latch (8d) covers at least a portion of the intermediate portion (8b) adjacent to the thickened end portion (8c), the latch (8d) and the intermediate portion (8b) producing an aggregate thickness at least equal to the thickness of the thickened end portion (8c) preventing the retaining device (10) to reach the initial standby position (11 ), and wherein in the passive position the latch (8d) does not cover said portion of the intermediate portion (8b) adjacent to the thickened end portion (8c) allowing the retaining device (10) to reach the initial standby position (11 ), and wherein the movement of said latch (8d) is controlled by a manual or automatic actuator device.

10. The sectional door according to claim 9 wherein the sectional door comprises two coupling units (3), each arranged on a lateral portion of the door (2) and wherein the respective latches (8d) are coordinated to produce a simultaneous movement thereof.

11. The sectional door according to claim 10 wherein the latches (8d) of the two coupling units (3) are coordinated through a Bowden cable or a tensioned cable (70).

12. The sectional door according to any preceding claim, wherein each coupling unit (3) includes multiple coupling mechanisms (7).

13. The sectional door according to any preceding claim, wherein said actuator (4) is configured to move the upper section (2a) of the door (2).

14. The sectional door according to any preceding claim, further comprising a first brake device (14) installed on the lower section (2b) of the door (2), and/or a second brake device (15) installed on the upper section (2a) of the door (2), said braking devices (14, 15) configured to prevent the sections (2a, 2b) of the door (2) from falling in the event of the one or more coupling units (3) or the actuator (4) or both failing.

15. The sectional door according to claim 14, wherein the elongated appendix (8) is movable in a vertical direction between a hanging position, reached when the elongated appendix (8) is connected to the clamping connector (9) and when the lower section (2b) of the door (2) is hanging from the upper section (2a) of the door (2) through the elongated appendix (8), and an unhanging position reached when the lower section (2b) of the door (2) is not hanging from the upper section (2a), and wherein the first brake device (14) is coordinated with said elongated appendix (8) to brake the lower section (2b) of the door (2) when the elongated appendix (8) is on the unhanging position and to stop braking the lower section (2b) of the door (2) when the elongated appendix (8) is on the hanging position.

16. The sectional door according to claim 15 wherein the coordination between the first brake device (14) and the elongated appendix (8) is produced through a Bowden cable or a tensioned cable (71 ).

17. The sectional door according to claim 15, wherein said second brake device (15) installed on the upper section (2a) of the door (2) is adjustable with regards to the frame (1 ).

18. The sectional door according to claim 2, wherein

• the elongated appendix (8) is symmetrical, and the clamping connector (9) comprises two cylindrical rods, opposite one another, arranged inside respective guiding grooves (100), wherein said guiding grooves (100) are symmetrical; or

• the elongated appendix (8) is asymmetrical, and the clamping connector (9) comprises at least one cylindrical rod arranged inside a respective guiding groove (100).

19. The sectional door according to any preceding claim wherein the frame (1 ) further comprises a regulable positioner configured to position the lower section (2b) of the door (2) without play in relation to the frame (1 ) when in the lower section (2b) is in the lowermost position within said frame (1 ).