US2754901A

US2754901A - Folding door construction

Info

Publication number: US2754901A
Application number: US465787A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mads P Madsen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-11-01
Filing date: 1954-11-01
Publication date: 1956-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 1973-07-17

Description

July 17, 1956 M. P. MADSEN FOLDING DOOR CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1. 1954 39 5 INVENTOR. ps P. Mnpssrv July 17, 1956 M. P. MADSEN FOLDING DOOR CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 1, 1954 IN V EN TOR. MAPS R MADSEIV XY'ZE/VFF July 17, 1956 M. P. MADSEN 2,754,901

FOLDING DOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 1. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 CONTINUED ON P is. 3

-iLL Q INVENTOR. "mas P MHDSEN July 17, 1956 M. P. MADSEN 2,754,901

FOLDING DOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 1, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

M9 08 F. MQP EN United States Patent FOLDING DOOR CONSTRUCTION Mads P. Madsen, New York, N. Y. Application November 1, 1954, Serial No. 465,787 8 Claims. (Cl. 160-84) This invention relates to folding doors.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved folding door which may be easily and readily rolled to an open, collapsed position and as readily rolled to a closed position to close otf a room or the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved folding door construction including a plurality of separable, pivotally connected rigid elements which form the framework for the door and which insure the rigidity of the door when in a closed position but which permit the easy and ready moving of the same to a collapsed, open position.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved folding door construction of the above type wherein the shell or covering is mounted upon the frame in a novel manner so as to cooperate therewith and to provide improved operating characteristics.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a folding door bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, has a minimum number of parts, is easy to use and efiicient in operation.

For other objects and a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in a closed position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view thereof shown in an open position;

Figure 3a is an enlarged perspective view shown partly broken away of the upper portion of the door;

Figure 3b is an enlarged perspective view shown partly broken away of the lower portion of the door;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3a;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 55 of Figure 3a;

Figure 6 is a perspective view shown along one of the frame elements forming a part of the invention;

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Figure 3b;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the frame elements in a collapsed, open position;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the strap means for limiting the expansion of the door;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of the door shell or covering;

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Figure 3a;

Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the clamp elements forming a part of the invention;

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 1313 of Figure 3a; and

Figure 14 is a transverse sectional view line 14-14 of Figure 13.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, 10 repretaken along the sents a wall or the like having a door frame or opening 11, substantially as illustrated.

In the practice of my invention, a track formed from a channel-shaped member 12 of substantially U-shaped cross section is secured along its central portion to the top of the door frame 11 by means of wood screws 13 or the like, the lower longitudinal edges of the member 12 being integrally formed with the inwardly extending flanges 14 (Figure 5).

A pair of rollers 15 pivotally connected to a yokeshaped member 16 are rotatably supported on the upper surface of the flanges 14, a depending rod or link 17 being suitably secured at its upper end to the central portion of the yoke-shaped member 16 and being formed at its lower end with an eye or loop 18 (Figure 13).

As shown in Figure 3a, a plurality of such pairs of rollers 15, yoke-shaped members 16 and links 17 are supported on the flanges 14, the eyes 18 of the endmost links 17 supporting the channel-shaped members 19 provided at their upper ends along their central portions with the openings 20. The outer longitudinal edges of the members 19 are integrally formed with the inwardly-extending flanges 21.

Laterally spaced bearing bracket members 23 are secured to the inner faces of the channel-shaped members 19 below the openings 20, for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear. Similarly laterally spaced bearing members 22 (Figure 3b) are secured to the inner faces of the channel-shaped members 19 near their lower ends.

The extreme displacement of the pairs of rollers relative to each other is limited by a strap 24 having a plurality of longitudinally spaced grommets 25 or the like which receive downwardly therethrough the links 17. When the door is in the closed configuration of Figures 3a and 3b, the strap 24 will be relatively taut to limit their displacement whereas when the rollers are moved closer together, the straps will be collapsed (Figure 9).

The links 17 intermediate the endmost links extend downwardly within the hollow members 26 of substantially square cross section (Figure 14), being secured therewithin by means of rivets 27 or the like which pass through the loops 18.

A plurality of rigid elements indicated generally at'28 (Figure 6) are provided and include the elongated vertical portions 29 integrally formed at opposite ends at right angles thereto with the horizontal portions 30 which terminate in the inwardly extending portions 31 disposed substantially parallel to the portion 29.

As shown in Figures 3a and 3b, four such rigid members 28 are disposed intermediate each pair of rollers 15, with four of the uppermost inwardly extending portions 31 rotatably received within each of the hollow members 26 (Figure 14) intermediate the inner walls of the latter and the links 17. Aligned vertically with and spaced below each of the hollow members 26 is a corresponding hollow member 32 of square cross section which receives upwardly therethrough four of the lower inwardly bent portions 31 in pivotal engagement, the upper ends of these lower portions 31 being outwardly bent, as at 33, whereby to prevent displacement of the portions downwardly through the members 32 (Figure 3b).

Adjacent vertical portions 29 are pivotally connected at their upper and lower ends by means of the cylindrical clamps 34 (Figure 12), each of the clamps 34 being split and integrally formed at one end with a tongue 35 which is received within a corresponding slot 36 formed in the other end when the clamps are bent around the vertical portions 29. Intermediate clamps 34a (Figure 5) identical in construction are provided intermediate the clamps 34.

As shown in Figures 3a and 3b, the upper and lower vertical portions 31 of the endmost members 28 are pivotally mounted within the bearing members 22, 23 with their ends being inwardly bent, as at 37, to limit their longitudinal displacement through the bearing members.

A flexible covering or shell 3% of plastic, fabric or other suitable material is provided for the frame members 28, the upper and lower edges thereof being inwardly bent and secured by stitching 39 for reinforcing and ornamental purposes.

Upper flexible rectangular supporting strips 49 of plastic, fabric or other suitable material are secured along their lower edges to the inner faces of the coverings 33 by means of the stitching 41, the strips 49 being disposed below the stitching 39 and adapted to extend upwardly and around the horizontal portions 34 Similar supporting strips 42 secured in place by stitching 43 are provided at the lower ends of the coverings 38 (Figure 3b) and for the same purpose as the portions 4%. The strips 49, 42 are maintained in engagement with the horizontal portions 30 by means of the clamps 44 similar in construction to the clamps 34 previously referred to (Figure 11).

The ends of the coverings 38 extend around the channel-shaped members 19 (Figure 4) across the flanges 2i. and are bent inwardly therebetween, as at 45. A length of rubber hose 46 or the like is forced inwardly between the adjacent edges of the flanges 21 to resiliently retain the ends 45 therewithin, the covering 38 being secured across the outer faces of the channel-shaped members 19 by means of glue 4-7 or the like.

Thus, when the door is closed (Figure l), the members 28 will be arranged relative to each other, as shown in Figure 7. When the door is rolled to the open position (Figure 2), the elements 28 will be disposed relative to each other as shown in Figure 8, with the covering 38 collapsing therebetween. This construction permits the easy and ready opening and closing of the door while at the same time insuring sufficient rigidity of the door when in a closed position. This is accomplished by means of the pivotally mounted rigid members 28 and the rollers 15.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding door comprising a plurality of separable rigid frame members, overhead track means, a plurality of longitudinally spaced roller means adapted to ride said track means, first bearing means suspended from each of said roller means, adjacent upper vertical edges of four of said separable rigid frame members being pivotally mounted within each of said first bearing means, means pivotally connecting the other adjacent vertical edges of said separable rigid frame members to each other on opposite sides of said track means, second bearing means pivotally connecting the adjacent lower vertical edges of said separable rigid frame members, said second bearing means being aligned vertically with said first bearing means, third bearing means pivotally connecting together the upper and lower vertical edges of the endmost pairs of said separable rigid frame elements, and flexible cover means for said rigid frame members.

2. A folding door according to claim 1, each of said separable rigid frame members comprising an elongated, substantially vertical rod, horizontal rods at opposite ends of said vertical rod, said horizontal portions being aligned vertically with each other to provide a substantially U- 6 shaped frame member, and inwardly extending portions at the ends of said horizontal portions remote from said vertical rod, said first bearing means comprising a hollow member, a centrally disposed link extending upwardly within said hollow member, and means for securing the lower end of said link within said hollow member, said inwardly bent upper portions being received downwardly within said hollow member intermediate the inner faces thereof and said link.

3. A folding door according to claim 2, said means securing the lower end of said link within said hollow member comprising an eye integrally formed at the lower end of said link and a transverse pin piercing opposite sides of said hollow member, said pin passing through said eye.

4. A folding door according to claim 2, said means pivotally connecting the other adjacent edges of said rigid frame members together comprising a plurality of vertically spaced sleeves surrounding said vertical portions.

5. A folding door according to claim 2, said second bearing means comprising a hollow member open at both ends, the lowermost of said inwardly bent portions being received upwardly through said hollow member in sets of four, the upper ends of said inwardly bent portions being bent away from the center of said hollow member whereby to limit downward displacement therethrough.

6. A folding door according to claim 1, said third bearing means comprising a pair of channel-shaped members of substantially U-shaped cross section, the central portions of said channel-shaped members at their upper ends having openings receiving said eyes therethrough, and laterally spaced bearing members secured to the inner faces of said central portions below said openings, each of said laterally spaced bearing members rotatably mounting therewithin one of said upper inwardly bent portions of the endmost of said rigid frame members, and second laterally spaced bearing members on the inner faces of said central portions at the lower ends thereof, each of said second laterally spaced bearing members rotatably mounting therewithin one of said lower inwardly bent portions of the endmost of the said rigid frame members.

7. A folding door according to claim 6, including inwardly extending flanges at the outer edges of said channel-shaped members, said inwardly extending flanges being freely spaced from each other, said cover means comprising a pair of flexible coverings adapted to extend across said rigid frame members on the opposite longitudinal faces thereof, means for supporting said cover on the horizontal portions of said frame members, the vertical ends of said covers extending around the sides of said channel-shaped members and inwardly intermediate said inwardly extending flanges, and a hollow cylindrical length of resilient material positioned intermediate said flanges in resilient engagement therewith whereby to retain said ends therewithin.

8. A folding door according to claim 7, said means for securing said covers to the horizontal portions of said rigid frame members comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced rectangular strips of flexible material secured along one longitudinal to the inner faces of said covers at the tops and bottoms thereof, said strips extending around said horizontal portions, and clips sleeving said horizontal portions with said strips therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,373,146 Shearer Apr. 10, 1943 2,460,157 Watkins Jan. 25, 1949 2,512,736 Brenner et al. June 27, 1950