ITBS20110182A1 - SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SECTIONAL DOORS - Google Patents

Description

â € œSupport structure for sectional doorsâ €

Field of Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to the sector of sectional doors and, in particular, to an innovative support structure which supports and guides the door between the opening and closing positions.

State of the art

Sectional doors are usually made up of a plurality of horizontal panels arranged in series and connected to each other by means of hinges which allow rotation between adjacent panels along respective horizontal axes. In addition, the horizontal panels are mounted laterally to two support structures, one for each side of the door, fixed to the walls and / or ceiling of the room in which the door is installed and each comprising a vertical upright and a pair of guide rails. The first track of this pair comprises a vertical segment, which extends from the floor towards the ceiling and joins at the top, through a curvilinear segment, with a horizontal segment; the first rail is then fixed with its vertical segment to the aforementioned vertical upright. Otherwise, the second track comprises an oblique segment that extends from the vertical upright, to which it is fixed, above the curvilinear segment of the first track, to join a horizontal segment parallel to the respective horizontal segment of the first track and superimposed on it. .

A sectional door is usually movable between a closed position, in which it is lowered in a vertical position with the panels arranged between the vertical segments of the first guide rails, and an opening position, in which it is in an elevated position with the panels arranged between the horizontal segments of the guide rails.

To allow the passage between the two aforementioned positions, each horizontal panel is equipped with sliding rollers, applied to its opposite lateral ends and inserted in the guide rails of the two support structures. The sliding of the rollers in the tracks determines a guided roto-translation of the panels and leads the door between the opening and closing positions. More in detail, the two rollers on the sides of the door top panel are inserted and slide each in the respective second track of one of the two support structures, while the rollers of the remaining door panels are coupled with and run along the respective first track between its vertical and horizontal segments.

The Applicant has found that the current support structures are not free from drawbacks and can be improved under various aspects, in particular as regards the simplicity of construction.

For example, the aforesaid known structures provide for the assembly to the vertical upright of the vertical and curvilinear segments (typically made in a single piece) of the first track and of the oblique segment of the second track, typically by means of rivets; the horizontal segments of the two tracks are then mounted respectively to the curvilinear segment and to the oblique segment and are first fixed to each other with the aid of screwed or welded plates and overall to the ceiling of the compartment to be closed with the door , by means of suspension plates and screws.

This conformation makes the assembly of known structures complex, as well as their disassembly difficult, for example for the replacement of track segments. Furthermore, due to the presence of numerous separate segments to be fixed to the vertical upright, it can be difficult to obtain a correct alignment between the segments that form the tracks; this is to be avoided as it can prevent the rollers from sliding inside the tracks and, consequently, the correct opening and closing of the door.

Aims and summary of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an innovative support structure for sectional doors which solves in a simple and effective way one or more of the drawbacks of traditional solutions.

The present invention therefore relates to a structure according to claim 1.

In particular, the invention relates to a support structure for sectional doors, the structure comprising:

- an upright intended to be vertically fixed to a wall on the side of the door;

- a first track constrained to the upright and comprising a first profile, extending vertically from a lower end of the upright and defining a vertical segment of the track, and a second profile defining a curvilinear segment and a horizontal segment of the track, so that the first track creates a continuous path, intended to guide the sliding rollers of the panels of the sectional door, composed of the succession of vertical, curvilinear and horizontal segments;

in which said first and second profiles are each in a single piece.

Preferably, the structure also comprises a second track constrained to the upright above the first track and comprising a third profile defining an oblique segment and a respective horizontal segment, so that the second track realizes a continuous path, intended to guide the sliding roller. of a first panel of the panels of the sectional door, composed of the succession of oblique and horizontal segments. More preferably, the third profile is also in a single piece; the upright comprises a second threaded hole and the second track comprises a second screw which can be inserted in the second threaded hole for fixing the second track to the upright.

In a preferred embodiment, the upright comprises a first threaded hole and a second threaded hole, and the first track comprises a first screw which can be inserted in said first threaded hole for fixing the first track to the upright and the second track comprises a second screw which can be inserted in said second threaded hole for fixing the second track to the upright.

Preferably, the first and second threaded holes each consist of a respective hole passing through the upright and a respective threaded insert housed in the hole.

Preferably the first, second and third profiles have the same substantially C-shaped cross section.

The Applicant believes that the combination of the aforesaid technical characteristics advantageously allows to obtain a support structure that is simple and quick to make and to disassemble, for example for maintenance or replacement of components. Furthermore, the structure described, for example thanks to the curvilinear and oblique portions of the piece with the respective horizontal portion and / or the presence of the threaded holes on the upright, allows to minimize the misalignments during assembly and to obtain tracks in which the rollers slide easily, minimizing impacts and friction. It should also be noted that the two tracks are made up of only three profiles; in particular, by simply bending the second and third profile it is possible to obtain respectively the curvilinear and oblique portions, reducing production and assembly costs and at the same time limiting the discontinuity points in the tracks.

Preferably the upright has an L-shaped cross section, preferably uniform, and comprises a first side intended to be fixed to a wall on the side of the door (for example by means of screws inserted in suitable through holes on the first side) and a second side, orthogonal to the first side, equipped with the aforementioned first and second threaded holes.

In an independent aspect, the present invention relates to a sectional door for opening / closing a passage passage, the door comprising a pair of the aforementioned support structures, each intended to be fixed to a side wall of said passage, and a set of door panels arranged in series and connected to each other by hinges that allow rotation between adjacent panels along respective horizontal axes, each horizontal panel being equipped with sliding rollers, applied to its opposite lateral ends and inserted in the guide rails of the two support structures, said door being movable between a closing position, in which it is lowered in a vertical position and intercepts said passage passage, and an opening position, in which it is in an elevated position and leaves said passage opening free ride.

Preferably the sectional door comprises a motor adapted to determine the passage of the door between the opening and closing positions. Brief description of the drawings

More details of the invention will become evident from the continuation of the description made with reference to the attached exemplary and non-limiting drawings, in which:

- figure 1 is a perspective view, with some parts removed, of a sectional door comprising a supporting structure of a known type;

Figure 2 is a side view of a support structure according to the present invention;

- figure 3 is a partial front view of the vertical upright of the support structure of figure 2;

- figure 4 is a partial side view of the upright of figure 3;

- figure 5 is a cross section of the upright of figures 3 and 4; - figure 6 is an enlargement of a portion of the structure of figure 2; - figure 7 is a cross section of a track of the structure according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows, by way of example, a sectional door 100 belonging to the known art, with some parts removed. This door allows the opening / closing of a passage passage and includes a pair of support structures each fixed to a respective side wall 2 of the passage (for clarity only one side structure is shown; it is evident that the opposite wall an identical support structure is associated with the gate). The door further comprises a set of panels 3 arranged in series and connected to each other by means of hinges which allow rotation between adjacent panels along respective horizontal axes. Each horizontal panel is equipped with 4 sliding rollers applied to its opposite lateral ends and inserted in the guide rails of the two support structures. The door can therefore be moved between a closing position, in which it is lowered into a vertical position and intercepts the passage passage, and an opening position, in which it is in an elevated position and leaves the passage passage free.

Figures 2-7 show a support structure 1 according to the present invention, structured to support a sectional door and to guide its opening and closing movements.

As can be seen in particular from Figures 2 and 6, the structure 1 comprises an upright 5 to be fixed vertically to the wall at the side of the door, a first track 10 and a second track 20 both fixed to the upright 5. The first track 10 comprises a first profile 11, which extends vertically from a lower end 5a of the upright and defines a vertical segment 10a of the track, and a second profile 12 which defines a curvilinear segment 10b and a horizontal segment 10c of the track 10. In this way the first track realizes a continuous path, which guides the sliding rollers of the panels 3 of the sectional door, composed of the succession of the vertical 10a, curvilinear 10b and horizontal 10c segments. The second track 20 is fixed to the upright 5 above the first track and comprises a third profile 21 which defines an oblique segment 20a and a respective horizontal segment 20b. in this way the second track realizes a continuous path, which guides the sliding roller of the first panel 3a of the sectional door, composed of the succession of oblique segments 20a and horizontal 20b. Furthermore, the first, second and third profiles are each in one piece.

In the preferred embodiment, shown in the figures, the upright 5 comprises a first threaded hole 6 and a second threaded hole 7, and the first track comprises a first screw 15 which can be inserted in the first threaded hole for fixing the first track to the upright and the second track comprises a second screw 25 which can be inserted in the second threaded hole for fixing the second track to the upright.

Equally, the first and second threaded holes can each be made by means of a respective simple hole passing through the upright and a respective threaded insert housed in the hole.

As can be seen in Figure 7, the first, second and third profiles have the same substantially C-shaped cross section. More in detail, the profiles that make up the tracks each have a lower channel-like side 40a, on which the rollers 4 of the panels, an upper side 40b and a vertical dorsal portion 40c connecting the lower and upper sides; the fixing of the rails to the upright is carried out on this dorsal portion.

As illustrated by way of example in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the upright 5 has an L-shaped cross section, preferably uniform, and comprises a first side 8 which, in use, is fixed to the wall 2 on the side of the door; for this purpose the first side is equipped with suitable through holes (the slots 8a in figure 3) in which screws can be inserted for fixing to the wall. Furthermore, the upright comprises a second side 9, orthogonal to the first side, equipped with the aforementioned first 6 and second threaded hole 7.

Preferably the first side 8 of the upright comprises holes 31 for the integral coupling of the upright 5 with a tubular, portal-like structure (not shown) pre-existing on the wall, for example a structure used to adapt the dimensions of the walls and ceiling to the € ™ installation of the support structure of the sectional door. More in detail, the holes 31 are vertically aligned to couple the upright 5 simultaneously to an upright and a horizontal rib of the tubular structure, in such a way as to stabilize the same tubular structure against oscillations.

The upright extends from the lower end 5a, destined to be close to the floor, to an upper end 5b, destined to be close to the ceiling.

Preferably, the second side 9 of the upright comprises, at the upper end 5b, holes 30 for mounting a support with bearing which serves to support the shaft on which the torsion springs are mounted. In Figure 7 these holes 30 allow the assembly of a support 31 with flanges and equipped with a bearing.

Preferably, the second side 9 also comprises, at the upper end 5b, a through hole 35 for the passage of electric cables through the second side itself. This advantageously allows, in use, to have a passage available through the support structure, useful in particular in the case in which the upright extends up to the ceiling.

Preferably the upright and the first, second and third profile are obtained by bending a sheet, preferably in steel or aluminum.

With reference to Figures 2 and 6, the horizontal segments of the second and third profiles are preferably made integral with each other by means of one or more brackets 45. Furthermore, the horizontal segments are preferably fixed to the ceiling by means of suspension plates (not shown).

Claims (11)

Claims 1. Support structure (1) for sectional doors comprising: - an upright (5) intended to be vertically fixed to a wall (2) at the side of the door; - a first track (10) constrained to the upright (5) and comprising a first profile (11), extending vertically from a lower end (5a) of the upright and defining a vertical segment (10a) of the track, and a second profile (12) defining a curvilinear segment (10b) and a horizontal segment (10c) of the first track, in such a way that the first track realizes a continuous path, intended to guide sliding rollers (4) of door panels (3) sectional, composed of the succession of vertical, curvilinear and horizontal segments; in which said first (11) and second (12) profile are each in a single piece, and in which the upright (5) comprises a first threaded hole (6), and the first rail (10) comprises a first screw (15) which can be inserted in said first threaded hole for fixing the first track to the upright (5). Structure (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: - a second track (20) constrained to the upright (5) above the first track and comprising a third profile (21) defining an oblique segment (20a) and a respective horizontal segment (20b), so that the second track realizes a continuous path, intended to guide the sliding roller (4) of a first panel (3a) of the panels of the sectional door, consisting of the succession of oblique and horizontal segments, and in which - said third profile (21) is in a single piece, e - the upright (5) comprises a second threaded hole (7), and the second track (20) comprises a second screw (25) which can be inserted in said second threaded hole (7) for fixing the second track to the upright (5). Structure (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first (6) and / or second threaded hole (7) each consist of a respective hole through the post (5) and a respective threaded insert housed in the hole. Structure (1) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first (11), the second (12) and the third profile (21) have the same substantially C-shaped cross section. 5. Structure (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the first (11), the second (12) and the third profile (21) each have a channel-shaped lower side (40a), on which the rollers (4) of the panels, an upper side (40b) and a vertical dorsal portion (40c) connecting the lower and upper sides. Structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upright (5) has an L-shaped cross section and comprises a first side (8) intended to be fixed to a wall (2) at the side of the door and a second side (9), orthogonal to the first side, equipped with the aforementioned first (6) and second threaded hole (7). Structure (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the second side (9) of the upright comprises, at an upper end (5b) of the upright, holes (30) for mounting a support (31) equipped with a support bearing of a torsion spring bearing shaft. 8. Structure (1) according to claim 6 or 7, in which the second side (9) comprises, at the upper end (5b) of the upright, a through hole (35) for the passage of electrical cables through the second side itself. Structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the upright (5) and the first (11), the second (12) or the third profile (21) are obtained by bending a metal sheet. Structure according to any one of claims 6-9, wherein the first side (8) of the upright comprises holes (31) for the integral coupling of the upright (5) with a tubular, portal-like structure, pre-existing on the wall, and in which said holes (31) are aligned to couple the upright (5) simultaneously with a vertical element and with a horizontal element of the tubular structure to prevent oscillations. 11. Sectional door (100) for opening / closing an opening, the door comprising a pair of support structures (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, each intended to be fixed to a side wall (2) of said opening, and a set of panels (3) of the door arranged in series and connected to each other by means of hinges that allow rotation between adjacent panels along respective horizontal axes, each panel being equipped with sliding rollers (4), applied to its opposite lateral ends and inserted in the guide rails (10, 20) of the corresponding support structures, said door being movable between a closing position, in which it is lowered in a vertical position and intercepts said passageway, and an opening position, in which it finds itself in an elevated position and leaves this passage free.