US2586792A

US2586792A - Door closure

Info

Publication number: US2586792A
Application number: US780442A
Authority: US
Inventors: Davidson Louis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-10-17
Filing date: 1947-10-17
Publication date: 1952-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 1969-02-26

Description

L. DAVIDSON Feb. 26, 1952 DOORA cLosuRE 2 SHEETS--SHEET l Filed Octf l?, 1947 INVENTOR 0a/s @awk/50 ATTORN EY5 L. DAVIDSON DOOR CLOSUR 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 Filed Oct. 17, 1947 llallll Il Illllllll INVENTQR 0a/s Dov/Urol? ATTORNEY Patented el). 26,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved building construction for closing an opening such as a doorway in a building that normally has great width and height and has two or more different heights of the large opening.

This invention further pertains to an improved door construction that will close a large opening of at least two heights in a building and also provides for the ecient storage of the door construction when the doorway is open.

It is well recognized that there are many and difficult problems in providing proper door constructions for large openings in buildings such as aeroplane hangers, dirigible hangers, power houses, and the like.

In various types of doors employed for closing the large openings in buildings such as aeroplane hangers, and the like, it has heretofore been the custom to provide doors having a series of leaves all of the same height and which leaves are joined together and folded back on themselves to open the door. When such a doorway is part of a hangar, one of the controlling factors is the height of the fuselage and the tail of the aeroplane.

Inasmuch as the width of the fuselages and of the tails of the aeroplane are relatively small, there is no need of making all of the door sections or leaves of a height that is desirable to accomodate the heights of the fuselage and the tail. However, in most all instances heretofore, the doors made have been of a uniform height based upon the greatest height of the hangar opening. In other instances, the doors were built with a separate tail gate at the center, and operated independently of the main door. In some instances, the leaves have been connected together and the operating mechanism employed to move them has been large and complicated and cumbersome as the doors have been heavy and of very large size. The movements of such doors have caused injuries to some of the operating personnel and often the doors become stuck before they have been moved to give the full opening of the building. Also aeroplanes have been damaged by being nicked and otherwise injuredv when the doors are not fully opened. Another great disadvantage is the cost of construction and maintenance of the door parts or leaves when they all are built to be of the height of the highest part of the hangar opening, or built with a conventional tail gate.

r Big single piece doors for openings of large buildings of this type, are heavy and are very expensive to build and maintain as they must be designed to properly resist external and in ternal wind pressures.

It is a novel feature of this invention to provid a building construction of relatively .long span with a door opening havingat least two different.

heights for the purpose of accommodating an aeroplane or another product of manufacture that has at least two differentv heights in its silhouette, and to provide efficient and satisfactory door construction for closing or opening these different heights of the opening.

It is a further feature to provide an improved door construction of a plurality of separate units, sections or leaves, some of them being of different heights, and having them cooperate with each other vto properly close the opening of the building, and then to be moved to a storage space to open or clear the opening of the building, but at all times to support the leaves properly against wind, storm and weather stresses and strains.

Another` of the advantages of this invention is the provision of improved structure at the main opening so that a higher level of the opening may be further raised to another height to permit the tail of the aeroplane to be readily moved into the hangar. The necessary guiding structure for the top of the leaves ofthe door which closes the complete opening may be raised so as to engage the top of the door leaves provided for the higher heights of the opening.

One of the particular objects of this invention is to provide a series of movable leaves of a door of different heights and construction and to provide at all times at least a two-point support for each of the leaves, preferably at the top and at the base.

It is also a desire of this invention tc provide a seriesV of floor bearing horizontal sliding door leaves of different heights to close an opening of different heights in an aeroplane hangar, or the like, and to have the door leaves properly and efficiently supported and movable from closing position to storage position and vice versa.

It is recognized in an aeroplane hangar or other large long span building construction that there is to be a high part or portion, usually at the middle of the building opening. It is further recognized that this opening does not need to be of great width and then the building opening is reduced in height to at least one lower height or level. Other lower heights may be provided as desired. It is also recognized that the door construction must provide for the proper closing of these diierent heights, and for the storing of the leaves of the door, and to provide for proper storm and weather resistance by the door construction.

In the preferred form of the invention herein, there is provided an improved series of floor bearing horizontal sliding door leaves for closing the hangar opening, and for storing these door leaves so they take up only a small amount of space and so that they are protected at least to some extent from snow blockades and wind, by the building itself or by a prepared cover or pocket, or by U cooperating points of contacts with their supports and with themselves when their storage space is or is not under cover.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of improved supporting and guiding means at the top and bottom of each door leaf so that when it is in closure position, it will readily withstand the weather and wind stresses and strains.

By reason of the improved construction herein, the door closure structure may be provided at much less cost than heretofore. Mld with the lower height leaves there is better efficiency in handling, and at least one of the lower height door leaves successfully cooperates With the higher leaf or leaves to support and maintain them during opening movement and during storage, thus always providing at least a twopoint support of each leaf of the door construction. The two-point support just mentioned, is considered as the two points that support the leaves of the door to maintain them vertically. This two-point support is constituted by one support at the base of the leaves and the other support is at the top of the leaves. Each of these point supports is constituted by two or more engaging elements provided across the leaf horizontally. When the higher doors are being moved from engagement with the guide frame or canopy at the top, they move into engagement with the guiding means on one of the lower leaves of the door. These guiding means are located at points below the top of the higher door leaf, but there is always a two-point support horizontally of the higher door leaves.

Other features and advantages of the preferred construction of the invention herein will be noted when referring to the drawings attached hereto and to the detailed description following. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front view of a building having a large continuous opening of different heights.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1 of a series of leaves forming a door for closing the continuous opening of the building, and illustrates a door pocket for receiving the leaves (shown in dotted formation) Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig l in varying scale of one of the doors constructed to cover the greater height of the door opening and illustrates the door leaves which close the lower heights of the door opening;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. l and illustrates the cooperating means between the door leaves which close the lower and higher heights of the door opening of the building;

Fig. 5 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 illustrating a portion of the construction in Fig. 4 where the cooperating elements between the high and low leaves of the door for closing the continuous opening engage each other to give support and guidance;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. l showing the lower heightr of the various leaves of the door construction and showing the means of maintaining the lower height door` leaves in their vertical positions and showing the cooperating means between one of the lower door leaves and one of the higher door leaves shown in dotted lines;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken on line 'I-T of Fig. 1 through the door pocket and shows top portions. of several leaves of the door closure asi A they are compacted into the door pocket for storage purposes, and

Fig. 8 is a modified front view of part of the structure shown in Fig. 1 wherein the main opening in the building may be modified in the future to give different .aeroplane tail gate heights. This figure also shows a single height door for closing the future higher portions of the opening.

Referring now to these drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates the front of a building, preferably a hanger for aeroplanes, dirigibles, or for power houses and the like. The building is shown with a continuous door opening of at least two different heights. In addition, storage pockets are shown adjacent the edges of the sides of the building for receiving the various sections, elements or leaves of a door construction for closing the continuous opening.

It has been found that it is advisable and efcient to include a series of leaves constituting a door for closing the opening and to have these leaves preferably positioned vertically and supported at points at or near the bases and at or near the tops thereofso as to withstand wind and storm pressures.

In the preferred construction herein disclosed, it is desired to provide guides, or guide frames or guide apparatus or canopy I, of suitable structure and design at the tops of the varying heights of the continuous openingin the building. In the illustration in Fig. 1, the guide frames l are provided for engaging the tops of the leaves of the door construction of the lower of the two heights of the opening shown in this disclosure of the invention. It will be understood that the opening of the building may be of several heights. Guide frames or canopy 2 are provided for engaging the top, or tops, of the leaves which close a higher level of the opening. This higher opening may be closed by one or more of the leaves of the door construction. In this instance, however, two door leaves are shown. When desired, one leaf may be provided to cover the higher level opening. 'I'he number of leaves decided upon for this purpose is usually determined by the width and height of opening. It is preferred that the sizes of the leaves shall be suchY that they are easily handled and are of relatively small cost.

In this description, the door leaves for closing the higher and lower openings are 'noted as A, B, C, and D, respectively, extending from the center of the opening to the left. A complementary set of door leaves extend from the center of the opening to the right.

It will be noticed in this preferred construction that the continuous door opening has only two height levels, and preferably the higher one of these is located in the center of the opening, but for special purposes it could be located in other positions. When this long spanned building is used as a hanger for aeroplanes, or dirigibles, the higher opening permits the aeroplanes or dirigibles to be moved into the building without being nicked, scraped or damaged. The narrow width of the opening is provided to accommodate the narrower fuselage and tail rudder of an aeroplane, but the greater height of opening is necessary. The wings will pass through the lower height opening of the building.

The preferred form of supporting the higher leaf at two p oints or at two levels to maintain it in vertical position, is to provide a guide 3 on one of the leaves of lower height, especially a. leaf that is adjacent, as leaf B, and to provide wheels engaging the sides of the tracks Ill.

an engaging member on leaf A taking the form of bracket 4 and roller 5 for cooperating with the guide 3. It is preferred that there shall always be across the tops of the leaves of the door, a two-point support horizontally so that any one of the leaves of the door is always supported against any twisting about its vertical axis. In respect to the one or more higher leaves, it is desirable to have at least two of the supports at its top, and when the leaf is moved from engagement with its guide frame or canopy 2, there will be an engagement of the lower roller 5 with guides 3 on leaf B so that the higher leaf will always have two points across its width that are in engagement with proper guiding and supporting means, thereby eliminating any possibility of the higher leaf twisting about its vertical axis. When the leaf A has been moved so that it registers or corresponds with the ad jacent leaf B, its guide rollers 5 located between its base and the top will engage the guide 3 carried by the adjacent leaf B.

The lower leaves are provided near their tops with rollers. It is preferred that these rollers be located at the top of the leaves B, C and D where they engage drop guides 6 Figs. 3 and 4 which usually are of metal carried by the guide frames I and 2.

In moving the leaves of the door construction to storage position, it has been found helpful in snow country to provide a storage pocket 'I into which the leaves may be moved or pushed. It is desirable to have at least one of these storage pockets adjacent each end of the continuous opening, as illustrated in Fig. l. In Fig. 2 there is ilustrated in dotted line how these leaves are readily stored in therpockets 1. It is preferred in this construction to employ a member 8 attached to the leaf D at right angles to the rear edge thereof so that when the leaves of the door construction are pulled out of pocket 1 for closing the continuous opening in the building, the member 8 will close the front of the storage pocket, thus preventing the pocket from becoming filled with snow and preventing other material from moving therein. It is preferred that in any of these formed storage pockets that a suitable support, such as frame 9 Fig. 7, be provided for supporting the drop guides 6 so that the leaves of the door will be maintained in their upright positions. A partial view of the construction of the preferred storage pocket is shown in Fig. 7.

In preparing a 4proper type of opening closure, it is desired to provide each one of the leaves of the door construction so that the leaves will be slidable horizontally and be licor bearing on rails or tracks I mounted on concrete base I I, thereby providing ready means for moving the leaves of the door back and forth from closing position. When the higher leaves A are in closure positions and engage the drop guides 6, carried by guide frame 2 at the higher level opening, the guide frame 2 is supported by a suitable construction including an I-beam I2, as indicated in Figs. 1, 3 and 8. It will be understood that any other type of satisfactory substantial construction and design may be employed. Also noted in Fig, 3 is the preferred type of means of maintaining these leaves in position on tracks I0 by including the anged wheels I3 with the depending sides of the It will be seen from the reference to Fig. 3 that each of the leaves of the door is supported at its base and at its top so that it is resistant to wind and weather pressure. lThe rollers I3` and the drop guides 6 cooperate to maintain the leaves in upright positions against wind and storm pressures. Other types of building structures for the long spanned building are illustrated in Fig. 6 for supporting the guide frames I and providing suficient strength to maintain the leaves against the wind and storm pressures. The top part of Figs. 3 and 4 also show additional building structural elements for giving added strength and stability.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 4 and 6, it will be understood that any suitable engaging members may be carried by the leaf A and engage suitable guides on one of the other leaves, preferably a lower leaf and preferably adjacent to the leaf A, vbut it Will be understood that the cooperating and engaging portions of the leaves A and B will be such that as leaf A is moved out of its guide frame 2 that the lower roller 5 willl engage guide 3 on the adjacent leaf B and thereby be supported and maintained Substantially vertical during the movement of all of the door leaves into the storage pocket 1. In Fig. 6 the support 4 is shown `as being wellattached to leaf A, as indicated in dotted lines in this gure.

The guide 3 carried on door leaf B may be of any desired construction so long as it will receive vlower rollers 5 carried below the top of leaf A and cooperate with those rollers to maintain the leaf A in its substantial vertical position. The preferred construction of guide 3 is that of a channel iron properly fastened to leaf B. The lower rollers 5 on leaf A will roll between the edges of such a channel and maintain leaf A in its substantially vertical position after leaving its top guide 2. When desired, guide 3 may be made of two angle irons as noted in Figs. 4 and '7, or an angle iron fastened in a manner shown in Fig. 3.

When the leaves `are moved to storage position and no storage pocket is provided, the guide frame I may be extended so as to receive and hold a type of supporting frame equivalent to frame 9 that will provide drop guides -6 so that the leaves may be properly supported adjacent each other and will cooperate with each other as a unit to prevent the wind and storm pressures from moving the leaves sidewise.

It is preferred that the leaves of the door shall have a two-point engagement for maintaining the leaves substantially vertical. The twopoint engagement may have one point at the base and the other point of support above the first point of support, and preferably the second point of support will be somewhere near the top. It will also be understood that there may be two points of engagement across a horizontal of any one leaf so as to prevent that leaf from twisting. Such a two-point horizontal engagement may be provided -by supporting rollers at the base, or by two types of rollers somewhere' between the top of a door leaf and its base. However, from practical consideration, it is preferable to have two points of engagement both vertically and horizontally.

In the preferred structure here shown, one point is at the base of a door leaf and the other point is at a different level, usually at the top of the particular door leaf. In addition to this twopoint support, there may be two other points of supports on a horizontal level with each of the vertical or different level supports. These two different level supports may be, as already noted, at the top and bottom of any door leaf or the upper or second level may be somewhere below the topV of a door leaf, and somewhere down to ward the base of the door leaf. 'I'his type of twolevel support would apply to door leaves of the same heights, or to a series of door leaves, some of which are of different heights than others.

In Fig. 8, there is illustrated a type of construction where it is possible to lower the top guide frame or canopy 2 to a position where it will engage the top of the door leaf A, which door leaf will be of a height somewhere between that of the lower door leaves and a height less than shown by the position of canopy 2 of Fig. '7. A desired height for future use is shown in dotted lines. However, provision is made so that the tail gate opening covered -by guide frame 2 may be raised to positions of different heights to accommodate the height of the tail of one of the larger aeroplanes. These additional heights are considered as the tail gate openings, so as to accommodate dierent heights of tails on an aeroplane. It is understood that the higher` door leaves may be employed for the proper heights to accommodate the products to be moved into the building.

It will be noted, generally, that each of the leaves is supported, at least, at two different level points at all times, preferably at top and bottom, and thus are readily maintained in substantially vertical positions. The higher leaves are supported at two points, top and bottom, each when in positions of closing the opening of the building, and these two points are the most efficient places to resist wind and storm pressures. These higher leaves when moved to storage positions are still supported at two different level points but the upper support is not as high as the next lower height of the opening in the building. When in storage position higher leaves are protected or cooperate with the other leaves closely positioned to give a compact assembly.

It will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in the preferred form of the invention herein and such modifications and changes are to be understood as part of this invention, as outlined in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In combination, a building having a continuous opening of different heights, and a plurality of leaves formingv a door for closing said opening, said leaves being of different heights and when in position of closing said opening being supported at different height levels to maintain them in substantially vertical positions and as so supported to have them resistant to wind and storm pressures, a support near the base of each leaf, and supports carried by said building at different height levels for engaging the several leaves at point levels above said first point of support for assisting and maintaining said leaves in their substantially vertical positions.

2. In combination, a building having a continuous opening o varying heights, a plurality of leaves forming a door for closing said opening, at least one of said leaves being of a height to close a higher part of said opening, the other leaves being of lesser heights, rails for supporting said leaves at the bases thereof and allowing said leaves to be moved along said rails to storage positions, guide structure carried by said building for engaging each of said leaves at a point above said rails for supporting the tops of said leaves, an engaging member mounted on said higher leaf at a height less than the heights of said lower leaves, a guide mounted on the leaf adjacent said higher leaf for receiving said engaging member of said higher leaf for supporting said higher leaf in substantially vertical position when it is moved out of its position of closing the higher part of said opening.

3. In combination, a building having a continuous opening of diiferent heights, a plurality of leaves forming a door for closing said opening, two of said leaves constructed to close the higher parts of said opening, supports at the bases of said leaves, guide structure carried by said building and being positioned relatively near to the tops of said leaves and engaging said leaves, said supports and said guide structure maintaining said leaves substantially vertical when in yposition of closing said opening and causing said leaves to resist wind and storm pressure, a series of said leaves being of lower height and cooperating with said higher leaves for closing the remainder of said opening, engaging members mounted on said higher leaves at points below the tops thereof, guides mounted on the leaves adjacent the higher leaves at points slightly below the tops of the lower leaves, said engaging members on each of the higher leaves engaging said guides on the adjacent leaves when said leaves are moved to storage positions thereby freeing said opening in said building.

4. In combination, a relatively long span building having a continuous opening of a relatively low height and of a relatively high height, the latter height being substantially at the middle of the long span of said building, a series of leaves comprising a door for closing said open-- ing, at least one of said leaves constructed to close said higher part of said opening, supports at the bases of said leaves, guides carried by said building and engaging the tops of said leaves to cooperate with said base 'supports to maintain said leaves in substantially vertical positions and thereby to have said leaves resist wind and storm pressures, said leaves being movable to storage positions to free said opening, an engaging member mounted on said higher leaf at a point below its top, a guide mounted on a lower leaf in position to cooperate with said engaging member on said higher leaf when the same had been moved out of its closing position thereby to support said higher leaf at two points when in storage and thereby maintaining the same in substantially vertical position.

. 5. In combination, a building having a continuous opening of different heights, a plurality of leaves forming a door for closing said opening, two of said leaves constructed to close the higher parts of said opening, supports at the bases of said leaves for holding said leaves and for having the same move over said supports, guide structure carried by said building at positions near said leaves and engaging the tops of said leaves, said supports and said structure maintaining said leaves substantially vertical when in position of closing said opening and causing said leaves to resist wind and storm pressures, a series of said leaves being of lower height and cooperating withsaid higher leaves for closing the remainder of said opening, engaging members mounted on said higher leaves at points below the tops thereof, guides mounted on the leaves adjacent the higher leaves at points slightly below the tops of said lower leaves, said engaging members on each of said higher leaves engaging said guides on the adjacent leaves when said higher leaves are moved to storage positions thereby freeing said opening in said building, a door pocket for receiving said leaves in storage,

9 and drop guides for maintaining the same in substantially vertical position therein.

6. In combination, a relatively long span building having a continuous opening, said opening being of at least two different heights, a series of leaves forming a door for closing both heights of said opening, tracks for supporting each of the leaves at their bases, said tracks extending from the positions of closing said opening for each leaf to a storage position adjacent the sides of said opening, track engaging means carried by the bases of each leaf and cooperating with said tracks in overhanging manner to prevent side movement of said leaves, guide members carried by the building and positioned at the tops of said leaves for engaging said leaves to maintain them in substantially vertical position and for making said leaves resistant to wind and storm forces, guide frames for said higher leaves extending only over the top of said higher opening, guide frame for said lower leaves, engaging members on said higher leaves, guides on the lower leaves for engaging said engaging members to maintain said higher leaves in substantially upright position when said leaves have been moved to storage position and away from said guide frames at the top of said higher opening.

7. In combination, a building of long span having a continuous opening of varying heights, two series of leaves forming doors for closing said opening, engaging means for supporting each series of said leaves at different height levels, storage pockets positioned adjacent the ends of said continuous opening for receiving said leaves when moved to clear said opening, and a member carried by the rear edge of the leaf having the shortest travel into said pocket from the position of closing said storage pocket opening, said member being held at right angles to said leaf at the rear edge thereof said member attached to the last leaf having a width for substantially closing an opening in said storage pocket when said leaves are in position of closing the opening in said building.

8. In combination, a hangar of wide span and having a continuous opening for the admission of an aeroplane into said hangar, said opening bein-g of two heights, one height being slightly greater than the height of the wings and the other height being slightly greater than the height of the fuselage and tail rudder, a series of leaves forming a door for closing said continuous opening, at least one of said leaves being of a height to close the higher opening, other of said leaves being of heights to close the remaining portion of said opening, rails for supporting the bases of said leaves, pulley type rollers mounted in the bases of said leaves and engaging the top and sides of said rails to allow said leaves to move horizontally along said rails and to prevent said leaves from moving sidewise of said rails, guide frames carried by the building structure at the top heights of said opening, rollers mounted on the tops of said higher leaves and positioned to engage said guide frames to maintain said leaves in substantially vertical position, second guide frames carried by the building structure at the top heights of said lower height leaves and for engaging said lower height leaves, a guide mounted on the side of the lower leaf adjacent said higher leaf, an engaging member mounted on the side of said higher leaf for engaging the said guide on the adjacent leaf and for supporting said higher leaf when the top thereof has been moved from said rst guide frame positioned at the top 10 of the higher portion of the opening of said buildmg.

9. A horizontally slidable floor bearing door construction for closing an opening of varying heights in a building, said door construction con sisting of a plurality of leaves cooperating to close said opening, one of said leaves being higher than another leaf and in its position of closing a portion of said opening is supported at its top and base to resist movement out of its substantially vertical position, iioor tracks for slidably supporting said leaves at their bases, guide structure carried by said building and engaging the top of said higher leaf, a roller supporting frame mounted on the side of said higher leaf at a point lower than the lower height of said opening, a guide member mounted on said lower height adjacent leaf for receiving said roller attached to said higher leaf when said higher leaf has been moved out of its closure position and toward a storage position, said roller and said guide member cooperating to maintain said higher leaf in substantially vertical position While said leaves are being moved to the storage position.

10. A horizontally slidable floor bearing door construction for closing an opening of varying heights in a building, said door construction consisting of a plurality of leaves positioned upright and slidable to door closing position or to storage position, tracks for supporting each of said leaves and extending to a storage position, flanged wheels carried by said leaves at their bases for engaging the tops and sides of said tracks to resist side movement of said leaves, guide frames mounted on the structure of said building at the top of the various heights of said opening for engaging the tops of said leaves to maintain them in substantially upright position and to thereby assist in resisting wind and storm pressures, the length of said guide frame over the higher portion of said opening being substantially of the width of said higher opening, cooperating roller bearing engaging member mounted on the higher leaf at a point below the top thereof, guides on one of the lower adjacent leaves for cooperating with said roller of said engaging member for supporting said higher leaf substantially upright when said leaf has been moved from position of engaging said guide frames at their tops.

11. A horizontally slidable floor bearing door construction for closing an opening of Varying heights in a building, said door construction consisting of a plurality of leaves, floor tracks for supporting said leaves, overhead guides attached to said building at the tops of said openings to engage the tops of said leaves and for supporting said leaves substantially upright, one of said leaves being of greater height than another of said leaves, and a guide on the leaf adjacent said higher leaf for engaging said higher leaf and supporting the same after it has been moved from the higher part of said opening of said building.

LOUIS DAVIDSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are-of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Bassett Apr. 21, 1942