US2315953A - Doorway closure - Google Patents

Description

April 6,. 1943. c, R, GQUDIE 2,315,953

DOORWAY CLOSURE Filed Feb. 11., 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i '1 /5 l QUINN" U U I fin n v1]! Ll l u April 6, 1943. c. R. GOUDIE DOORWAY CLOSURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 11, 1942 Patented Apr. 6, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOORWAY CLOSURE Charles R. Goudie, Kansas City, Mo. Application February 11, 1942, Serial No. 430,375

Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in closures for doorways. It is particularly well adapted for use in closing the doorways of aeroplane hangers, and relates to the type in which the closure comprises two cooperating curtains of flexible sheet material.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of novel means for suspending both of the curtains, so that they may be moved edgewise, folded without crumpling and disposed at the inner sidepf and clear of the doorway.

Another object of my invention is to provide novel means for anchoring the curtains in the stretched out closed position, mits quick releasing, so that the curtains may be quickly withdrawn to the open positions to permit rapid egress through the doorway of a plane in the hangar.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of novel means for easily and quickly foldwhich means pering the curtains and storing them in the hangar clear of the doorway.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a novel closure for a doorway, which is simple, relatively inexpensive to make and erect in operative condition, which is durable, not likely to get out of order, and which is efficient in its operation.

The novel features of my invention are hereina'fter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention:

Fig. l is a front elevation, partly broken away, showing the doorway of a hangar closed by my improved closure mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, also partly broken away, showing the curtains of my improved closure i'olded and withdrawn into the hangar and clear of the doorway, some parts being omitted.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the hangar, showing the curtains closed and anchored, the withdrawing means being omitted, for clearness.

Fig. 4 is an inside vertical cross sectional view, showing the curtains closed, parts being omitted.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view 01 a front portion of a hangar, showing one curtain in the closed anchored position, and parts broken away.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged inner elevation of a portion of the doorway, showing a curtain folded and adjacent to a the doorway, parts being omitted and parts being broken away.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatical view oi the two jamb and still partly closing mechanisms for returning the two curtains to their initial closed positions, the two inner pulleys adjacent to the adjacent meeting edges of the curtains being shown separated, for clearness.

Similar characters of reference designate similar parts in the different views.

I designates the arcuate roof of a hangar, opposite edges of which touch the ground. 2 is the front doorway, which, preferably, converges upwardly at its upper edge from the lambs 3 and 4.

5- and 6 designate respectively two curtains, which cooperate to form a closure for the doorway 2 and have their upper edges upwardly converging and disposed above and at the inner side of the doorway. The curtains are alike in struc-- ture and mode of operation, and are composed of pliable material, such a canvas impregnated or treated with fireprooflng and weather proofing material.

In order to conserve space in the width and height of the hangar, means are provided by which the curtains 5 and 6 maybe supported so as to, be moved in opposite directions edgewise from the closed stretched out conditions, in which their adjacent vertical edges meet, to a folded condition in which they are respectively disposed in the hangar at opposite sides of the doorway 2, as shown in Fig. 2. v

For supporting the curtains 5 and 6, there is provided a supporting means consisting of a transverse horizontal track, comprising, as shown in Fig. 5, an inverted U shaped channel I, supported in the hangar above the-doorway 2 by any suitable means, as brackets 8 attached to the under side of the roof structure I, Figs. 4 and 5.

The side walls 01 the channel I have respectively inwardly extending spaced apart flanges 9 at their lower edges, on which flanges are adapted to I travel pairs of'rollers In, each pair of which carries an axle I I having a stem I2 depending between the flanges 9 and having at its lower end an eye I3. The pairs of rollers I0 and the stems I2 comprise carrying means adapted for travel on the channel track I.

For supporting the curtains 5 and 8, there are provided two sets of flexible strands I4, which are spaced apart and are attached to the inner sides respectively of the curtains from which they extend upwardly and have their upper end portions fastened to and depending from one set of the eyes I 3 of one set of stems'll'. Thestrands It or each set successively increase in their 7 lengths in those portions between the curtain to which they are attached and the eyes I], from the meeting edge of the curtain toward the doorway rows of eyes anisms are provided. The curtains 5 and Bare provided with two alined transverse respectively l5, which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, are at the outer sides of the curtains.

Two flexible strands l6 have one set of ends fastened respectively to the curtains 5 and 6 adjacent to their meeting edges, and respectively slidably extend through the two rows of eyes l5 into the hangar at opposite sides of the doorway 2, and thence upwardly and laterally to two pulleys H with which they respectively have running engagement. Two brackets I8 form supporting means respectively for the pulleys l1, said brackets being fastened to opposite inner sides of the roof I, at points in a horizontal plane higher than the rows of eyes l5.

Anchoring means are provided for holding the lower end portions of the curtains 5 and 6 in the closed positions, for preventing them being swung inwardly or outwardly by the wind. Such anchoring means, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, comprise the following described parts.

Extending into the ground in front of and spaced from the doorway 2 are anchoring members, consisting of stakes l9 disposed in an arc having its convex side out. The stakes l9 are stationed in the ground and have eyes respectively at their upper ends, which, when the curtains are closed alternate between the eyes 2| of two alined rows fastened to the outer sides respectively of the curtains 5 and 6 below the two rows of eyes l5. For holding the eyes 2| releasably to the eyes 20, two flexible strands 22 extend respectively loosely through the eyes H of the two curtains and through the adjacent eyes 20, when the curtains are in the closed positions,

Fig. 1.

The strands 22 extend at their distant end portions behind the doorway Jiambs respectively, and thence upwardly and laterally to and have running engagement with two pulleys 23 respectively mounted on thesame axes as the pulleys I! On the brackets l8, Figs. 1, 4 and 5.

When the strands [6 are pulled within the hangar over the pulleys H, the strands 22 are simultaneously pulled over the pulleys 23, thus for the curtains. This arrangement permits the curtains to be gathered in their elevated positions in the'hangar, clear of the doorway, and with a minimum of height and width of the hangar.

The lower ends of the curtains are anchored in the arc spaced from the doorway to minimize the casting by them of shadows visible from above. For the same reason the roof I is arcuate throughout its width.

It is of especial importance, where a war plane is housed in the hangar, that the curtains 5 and 6 be opened as quickly as possible. For this reason, the strands 22 have their adjacent ends left free, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, so that they may instantly be withdrawn from the eyes 20 of the anchoring stakes 19.

The end portions of the strands 22 which are within the hangar are, as shown in Fig. 5, closely adjacent to the adjacent end portions of the strands I6, so that the adjacent pair of strands I6 and 22 may be grasped together and pulled, so that the strands 22 release from the stake eyes 20 simultaneously with the withdrawal of the curtains into folds for storing in the hangar, as has been described.

The term strands as used herein as applied to the supporting members l4. and line like members I6 and 22, is intended to include cords, ropes, wires, cables or linear flexible members as chains.

, .Suitable means may be provided for restoring the curtains 5 and 6 to the stretched out closed releasing the curtains 5 and 6 from the anchoring stakes is at the same time the curtains are gathered in folds, which extend upwardly and downwardly, until the curtains are adjacent to the doorway jambs, as illustrated in Fig. 6.- Continued pulling on the strands l6 and 22 will release the curtains from the strands 22, and the strands l5 will gather the lower folded end portions of the curtains and draw the curtains laterally and upwardly to the elevated positions, shown in Fig. 2, in which positions the curtains will clear the doorway 2, thus permitting the egress of anaeroplane in the hangar.

By ha ing the pulleys I1 elevated and close to the doorway 2, space is conserved as to the width and height of the hangar.

While the curtains 5 and 6 are composed of material having sufficient pllability for folding, they are hard to closely gather into small space, and for. this reason, the strands l4 increase in their lengths from the meeting edges of the curtains in those portions between the upper edges of the curtains and the carrying means positions. For effecting this function, the following described mechanism is provided.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and '7, 24 and 25 designate two pulleys mounted side by side on a stud 26 extending rearwardly from the rear side and central portion of the channel track I.

Fastened to the inner side of the roof I, at opposite sides of the doorway 2 and respectively adjacent to the ends of the track I are two brackets 21 and 28 which respectively support two pairs of pulleys 29 and 30, each pair of which is rotatable on the same axis pin 3|. For clearness, in the diagrammatical view Fig. '7, the pulleys 24 and 25 are shown with different axes, as are the pairs of pulleys 29 and 30.

Two loop-like endless strands 32 are respectively mounted on the central pulleys 24 and 25 and extend in opposite directions transversely at the rear side of the track to and respectively have running engagement withthe pulleys 2! and 30. One of the loop strands 32 is fastened to the stem [2 which is next adjacent to the inner or meeting edge of one of the curtains, and the other loop strand 32 is fastened to the stem II which is attached to the other curtain at its meeting edge.

By drawing either loop strand 32 in the proper direction, the curtain to which it is attached is drawn from the stored folded position to its stretched out closed position.

The strands 22, after the curtains have been restored to their closed stretched out positions, may then be threaded through the eyes 2| and the eyes 20 of the stakes l9, and the curtains thus reanchored in their closed positions.

Many modifications of my invention may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, githout departing from the spirit of my inven- What I claim is:

1. In a closure for a doorway, a curtain adapted to extend across the doorway, transverse supporting means at the inner side of and above the doorway, carrying means supported by and adapted for travel along said supporting means, spaced apart flexible strands depending from said carrying means and attached to the upper edge of and supporting said curtain, and means by which said curtain, when stretched out and closed, may be moved edgewise from one vertical edge and gathered in upwardly and downwardly extending folds and then swung at its lower folded end portion upwardly and laterally to a position at the inner side and clear of the doorway.

2. In a closure for a doorway, a curtain adapted to extend across the doorway, transverse supporting means at the inner side of and above the doorway, carrying means supported by and adapted for travel along said supporting means, spaced apart flexible strands depending from said carrying means and attached to the upper edge of and supporting said curtain, and successively increasing in their lengths in those portions between said curtain and said carrying means from adjacent to one vertical edge of said curtain toward one jamb of the doorway, and means by which said curtain, when stretched out and closed, may be moved edgewise from said vertical edge and gathered in upwardly and downwardly extending folds and then swung at its lower folded end portion upwardly and laterally to a position at the inner side and clear of the doorway.

3. In a closure for a doorway, a curtain adapted to extend across the doorway, transverse supporting means at the inner side of and above the doorway, carrying means supported by and adapted for travel along said supporting means, spaced apart flexible strands depending from said carrying means and attached to the upper edge of and supporting said curtain, means by which said curtain, when stretched out and closed may be drawn edgewise, gathered into folds extending upwardly and downwardly and disposed at one and the inner side of the doorway, and means for anchoring releasably the lower end of the curtain in its closed position.

4. In a closure for a doorway, a curtain adapted to extend across the doorway, transverse supporting means at the inner side of and above the doorway, carrying means supported by and adapted for travel along said supporting means, spaced apart flexible strands depending from said carrying means and attached to the upper edge of and supporting said curtain, means by which said curtain, when stretched out and closed, may be moved edgewise, gathered into upwardly and downwardly extending folds and disposed at one end and the inner side of the doorway, said curtain having a transverse row of spaced apart eyes, a transverse row of anchoring members spaced apart and having eyes respectively stationed adjacent to the lower end of said curtain when said curtain is stretched out in its closing position, and a flexible strand re- I to the upper edge of and supporting said ourtain, a flexible strand attached at one end to said curtain adjacent to one vertical edge thereof and extending through and having slidable engagement with the eyes of one of said rows and having its other end portion at one end of and at the inner side of the doorway, a transverse row of anchoring members, each having an eye, and spaced apart and stationed adjacent to the lower end of said curtain, and a flexible strand removably slidable in the eyes of the other row on said curtain and in the eyes of said anchoring members.

6. In a closure for a doorway, a curtain adapted to be extended across the doorway, transverse supporting means above the doorway, carrying means supported by and adapted for travel along said supporting means, spaced apart flexible strands depending from said carryingmeans and attached to the upper edge of and supporting said curtain, means by which said curtain may be moved edgewise from a stretched out closed position, gathered into folds, and in folded position positioned at one end of and clear of the doorway, and means for anchoring the lowerend of said curtain in a stretched out arcuate form extending outwardly from one jamb of the doorway with the convex side at the outer side.

7. In a closure for a doorway, a curtain adapted to be extended from one jamb across the doorway, and having a transverse row of spaced apart eyes, means for slidably supporting the ported by and adapted for travel along said supupper edge of said curtain, so that it may be moved edgewise into upwardly and downwardly extending folds from a stretched out closed position to a position beyond the lamb and clear of the doorway, a transverse row of anchoring members having respectively eyes and disposed adjacent to the lower end of said curtain when the latteris in its stretched out position, and a flexible strand removably slidable in the eyes of said row on the curtain and in the eyes of said row of anchoring members, said eyes of said two rows arranged alternately.

8. In a closure for a doorway, a curtain having a transverse row of spaced apart eye's, means for supporting said curtain by which it can .be moved edgewise from a stretched out closed position across the doorway to a folded position at one side of and clear of the doorway, an arcuate row of anchoring members spaced apart and respectively having eyes alternating with said eyes of said curtain when said curtain is stretched out, and a flexible strand removably slidable through said two rows of eyes for anchoring said curtain in the stretched out closed position, the convex side of said row of anchoring members being at the outer side of the row.

9. In a closure for a doorway, a curtain having a transverse row of spaced apart eyes, means for supporting said curtain by whlch'lt may be moved edgewise from a stretched out closed position across said doorway to a folded position at one side of and clear of the doorway, a flexible strand fastened at one end to said curtain adjacent to one vertical edge thereof and extending through and having running engagement with said eyes, and supporting means at the inner side of said doorway and beyond one' end thereof with which the free end portion of said flexible member has running engagement, and by which, when said flexible member is drawn to pull the curtain into the folded position, the folded lower end portion of the curtain will be drawn upwardly and laterally at one end of and clear or the doorway.

10. In a closure for a doorway, a curtain having a transverse row 01' spaced apart eyes, transverse supporting means above and at the inner side of the doorway, carrying means adapted for travel on and supported by said supporting means, spaced apart flexible strands depending from said carrying means and attached to and supporting said curtain and successively increasing in lengths in those portions between said curtain and said carrying means from one vertical edge of said curtain toward one Jamb of the doorway, supporting means beyond said jamb at the inner side of the doorway, and a flexible strand attached at one end to said curtain ad- Jacent to said vertical edge thereof and extending through and having running engagement with said eyes and extending upwardly thereior to and having running engagement with said last 10 named supporting means.

CHARLES R. GOUDIE.

Images