US3232333A

US3232333A - Foldable door with hollow double hinge

Info

Publication number: US3232333A
Application number: US268785A
Authority: US
Inventors: Guy E Dixon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-03-28
Filing date: 1963-03-28
Publication date: 1966-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 1983-02-01

Description

Feb. 1, 1966 G. E. DIXON FOLDABLE DOOR WITH HOLLOW DOUBLE HINGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28, 1963 Guy E Dixon INVENTOR.

Feb. 1, 1966 e. E. DIXON FOLDABLE DOOR WITH HOLLOW DOUBLE HINGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 28, 1963 Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Guy E Dixon INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,232,333 FQLDABLE DUQR WB'TH HGLLGW BUBBLE HENGE Guy E. Dixon, 1096 17th St, Hialeah, Fla. Filed Mar. 28, 193, Ser. No. 263,785 6 Uaims. (Cl. 160-183) The present invention generally relates to a folding door construction and more particularly a door with a hollow double hinge. The structure disclosed in this application represents certain novel improvements and modifications of that disclosed in co-pending application Serial No. 44,437, filed July 21, 1960, for Folding Door With Flexible loint, now Patent No. 3,131,753, issued May 5, 19-64.

The folda'ble door with the hollow double hinge relates particularly to that type of folding door constructed of a plurality of vertically elongated rigid panels having flexible hinge means interconnecting the adjacent edges of the panels so that the panels may be folded into what is termed a shallow accordion fold when the door is in extended or closed position. The flexible hinge also enables the panels to be disposed in side-by-side engaging or stacked relation when the door is in collapsed or opened condition. The flexible hinge structure forms a continuous joint between the panels and also specifically provides a complete seal between adjacent panels for eliminating the passage of air, light and sound through the door panel. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable door with an improved flexible hinge which not only accomplishes all of the necessary functions mentioned above but in addition provides a joint which is quite attractive in appearance and also serves to protect the edges of the panels when they are in stacked side-byside face-to-face relation inasmuch as the flexible hinge of the present invention will completely cover the edges of the panels when they are in their folded or collapsed position.

It is another very import-ant object of the present inveition to provide a flexible hinge which includes a hollow area with the inner wall of the hollow area forming one hinge and the outer wall of the hollow area, in effect, forming a second hinge thereby forming a double hollow hinge. The hinge is preferably constructed of a plastic material having memory characteristics such that when the hinge is formed, it has a natural tendency to return to the position and condition in which it was formed.

.Thus, by forming the hinge so that it normally tends to unfold or extend the door to the shallow accordion orientation of the panels, the closing movement of the door will be facilitated and aided by the memory characteristics of the plastic. However, such memory characteristics will not in and of itself overcome the friction of the supporting mechanism for the door, such as an overhead track or the like, thereby enabling the door to be orientated in either the closed or open position and have the door retain the position in which it was set but yet enable the memory characteristics of the plastic to aid in the closing movement of the door from the folded relationship of the panels to the shallow accordion relationship of the panels.

.as adhesive or the like may be employed for securely retaining the flanges in position. I This is a decided improvement over prior constructions which employed a 3,232,333 Patented Feb. 1, 1966 flange having an enlarged bead on the free end thereof thus requiring that the groove be enlarged at the bottom or inner edge thereof. Further, the flexible hinge serves to limit the unfolding movement of the door both due to the fact that the memory characteristics of the plastic material from which the hinge is formed serves to limit the opening movement or at least resist the opening movement of the panels and also, the opposed wall structures of the double hinge would ultimately come into contact with each other for further forming limit means for the panels so that the panels could not possibly fold to a position beyond an angular relationship which approaches 189 degrees insofar as the included angle between the attaching flanges is concerned.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a folding door construction which is simple in construction, easy to assemble, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and long lasting while still being relatively easy to maintain in operative condition.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top sectional view illustrating a portion of a fold-able door having the double hollow hinge of the present invention incorporated therein;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the orientation of the hinge and the panels when in the fol-ding position;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 but illustrating the panels in their unfolded or shallow accordion relationship;

FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective view of the flexible hinge employed between adjacent panels;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a modified form of hinge;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of the hinge of FIG- URE 5 in extended position;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the hinge structure of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of another form of hinge structure;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of the construction of FIGURE 8 in extended position; and

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the hinge of FIGURE 8.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the flexible hinge strip of the present invention incorporated into a folding panel door in which the panels are designated by reference numeral 12 and are of rigid wood construction. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, a multiple of panels are interconnected by a plurality of hinge strips 10 with the number of panels 12 being dependent upon the width of the opening to be closed by the folding door. As illustrated, one edge of the folding door assembly is connected to a door jamb 14 by virtue of a flexible strip 16 secured in place by wooden strips 18 and a screw threaded fastener 20. The particular manner of connection with the door jarnb 14 forms no part of the present invention. The panels 12 are preferably constructed of wood or other suitable rigid material having substantially flat planar surfaces and also flat vertical side edges 22. Extending into each edge 22; of each panel 12 is a continuous longitudinal groove or slot 24 which is of constant width throughout the depth thereof with the side walls of the groove or slot 24 being in parallel spaced relation to each other and spaced an equal distance from the inner and outer surfaces of the panel 12.

The double hollow hinge is also preferably constructed of a flexible material such as vinyl plastic material having memory characteristics. The hingle 10 is in the form of a continuous strip which extends from the top to the bottom edges of the panel 12 and which forms a; effective seal for the juncture between adjacent panels 1 The double hollow hinge includes a normally flat inner wall 26 having a dimensional Width substantially equal to the combined thickness of two panels 12 when they are disposed in face-to-face folded relationship as illustrated in FIGURE 2. An outer flexible wall 28 is disposed normally in spaced parallel relation to the inner wall 26 with the outer wall 28 being shorter in width than the inner wall 26 as ilustratcd in FIGURE 2. interconnecting the edges of the

walls

26 and 28 is a pair of side walls 30 which include an inner portion 32 perpendicular to the wall 26 and extending a minor portion of the distance between the wall 26 and the wall 28. Extending integrally from the perpendicular portion 32 is an arcuately curved portion 34 having a concave external surface and a convex internal surface which joins the edge of the wall 28 with the outer edge of the perpendicular portion 32 of the side wall 30. The arcuately curved portion 34 forms an attractive finish to the hinge and also serves as a rigidifying area for defining the areas in which the hinge will flex or bend when the panels 12 are unfolded into their accordion relationship illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Integral with the inner wall 26 is a pair of spaced and normally parallel attaching flanges, wings or tabs 36 which have a thickness slightly less than the width of the grooves 24 and which are normally spaced apart a distance so that the flanges 36 are parallel to each other when the grooves or slots 24 are parallel to each other with the panels 12 in face-to-face folded condition. The flanges 36 are longitudinally continuous and each surface of each flange 36 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally continuous ribs or flutes 38 which are inclined towards the wall 26. Thus, the flutes or ribs 38 will serve to retain the flanges 36 in the slots or grooves 24 but due to their inclination, the flanges may be readily pushed into the grooves or slots 24. While the ribs or flutes 38 are suflicient to hold the flanges in the grooves, a suitable adhesive or other bonding agent may be employed for permanently securing the flanges in the slots.

When the door panels 12 are moved from their folded position illustrated in FIGURE 2 to their accordion shaped unfolded position illustrated in FIGURE 3, there is a double hinge action in that the wall 26 hinges or bends adjacent the center thereof into substantially a convex inner surface and a concave central outer surface. The outer wall 28 bows or flexes outwardly into an arcuate configuration with a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface. Also, the arcuate curved portions of the side walls 39 bend to form a more exaggerated curvature and the portions 32 of the side walls 30 are inclined outwardly slightly in relation to the wall 26. Thus, in this configuration, the panels 12 are normally disposed and retained in their side-by-side folded relation by the double hollow hinge 10 but when the door is moved to unfolded condition, the double hollow hinge will be deformed in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 3 so that the memory characteristics of the plastic material from which the hinge is constructed will urge the panels 12 back to their folded condition for retaining the door in the open or stacked position alongside of the door jamb 14.

As clearly illustrated in FIGURE 2, the hinge completely covers the edges of the panels 12 thus protecting such edges from any damage due to contact with other devices such as furniture and the like. Also, when the door is folded, a very attractive side edge effect is provided for the door and also when the door is unfolded, the joint between the panels will be a neat curved surface and the hinge will form an effective seal throughout the length thereof.

FIGURES 5-7 of the drawings disclose a modified form of hinge strip generally designated by numeral 40 for interconnecting adjacent rigid panels 42 having grooves 44 extending inwardly from the edge thereof and terminating in an enlarged channel or passage 46 at the inner edge thereof.

The hinge strip 4%) includes a hollow tubular member 48 of generally oval shaped configuration with the major axis thereof extending parallel to the adjacent edges of the panels 42 when the panels are disposed alongside of each other as illustrated in FIGURE 5. Thus, the hollow member 48 may be considered to have an outer wall 50 and an inner wall 52 interconnected by arcuate edge portions 54. The outer wall 50 is slightly thicker than the inner Wall 52 and is provided with laterally outwardly projecting wings 56 at the two upper corners thereof at the juncture of the upper wall 50 and the end portions 54. The wings 56 are of unitary construction with the tubular member 45 and extend laterally outwardly and also generally in an inclined manner as illustrated in FIGURE 5. The inner wall 52 is provided with a pair of Wings or flanges 58 integral therewith with the inner end of each flange 58 having a V-shaped bead or enlargement 60 thereon for reception in the passageway 46 thereby enabling the flanges 58 to be inserted through the slot 44 during which the diverging edges of the V-shaped bead 60 fold against the flange 58 so that the head 69 may enter the enlarged passage 46 whereby the V-shaped flanges then will be permitted to move outwardly into diverging relation for locking the wings or flanges 58 to the panels 42 without necessitating the use of glue or any other suitable bonding means.

Also, the tubular member 48 is provided with a pair of outwardly extending tapered flaps or wings 62 outwardly of the wings 58 with the flaps or wings 62 being continuous and tapered outwardly into a point which engages the outer corner edges of the panels 42 as illustrated in FIGURE 5 when the panels 42 are in their stored sideby-side condition. When the panels 42 are moved outwardly into shaliow accordion configuration, the flaps or wings 62 flex and slide over the outer corner of the panels 42 as illustrated in FIGURE 6 thereby forming a highly effective seal for the space between the panels.

FIGURES S-10 disclose another modified form of hollow double hinge for connecting panels 72 together in the same manner as the panels 42 are connected together. The double hinge '79 includes a hollow member 74 including an outer wall 76 and an inner wall 78 spaced from each other and connected together with curved end walls 80. The outer wall 76 is slightly thicker than the inner wall and is provided with projecting edge portions or wings 82 and the outer surface of the wall 76 is slightly concave in normal orientation with the panels 72 disposed alongside of each other. Each panel 72 is provided with a groove or slot 84 extending thereinto and terminating in an enlarged groove or passage 86 which receives V- shaped beads 88 on the inner edges of a pair of Wings 9%) which are forced into the grooves 84 whereupon the beads 86 then expand and are locked in the passageways 86. The inner surface of the outer wall 76 is generally parallel to the inner surface of the inner wall '78 when the panels 72 are in their stacked condition thereby forming an open space with the inner and outer walls forming hinge axes when the panels 72 are folded apart which will tend to curve the

walls

76 and 78 thereby forming two pivot axes for the panels 72. The tubular member 74 is provided with a pair of projecting flaps 92 extending throughout the length thereof and being tapered in configuration for slidingly engaging the outer corners of the panels '72 thereby forming an effective sealing strip.

As illustrated, various shapes may be employed as long as the double hinge assembly is employed with the hinge strip being hollow in construction and preferably constructed of plastic material as described in connection with FIGURES 1-4. Also, various manners of insertion of the flanges or wings into the edge of the wood may be employed for rendering the device less expensive to manufacture and less damage to the panels due to complete covering thereof. Inasmuch as the edges of the panels are completely covered during all positions of the panels, there is no necessity of finishing the edges of the panels In fact, wood of a less costly character may now be employed in the edges of the panels since the edges are not finished and are not exposed. The flaps serve an effective seal which operates at all times and the thickened outer wall illustrated in FIGURES 5-10 serves to more forcibly resist pivotal movement of the outer wall into a concave configuration or into a more convex configuration depending upon the type of double hinge used.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A folding door assembly comprising a plurality of elongated panels disposed in edge-to-edge relation, each side edge of each panel having a longitudinal groove therein, a hinge strip extending between adjacent side edges of the panels, said hinge strip extending throughout the length of the panels, said hinge strip including a flexible wall engaging the edges of the panels, and a pair of flanges projecting from the fall in substantially perpendicular relation thereto and telescopically received in said grooves, said hinge strip also including edge walls formed integral with the flexible wall and spaced from each other, an outer Wall interconnecting the outer ends of the side edge walls With the outer wall being disposed generally in parallel spaced relation to the flexible wall thereby cooperating with the edge walls to define a hollow hinge strip whereby the outer wall will bow outwardy when the portions of the flexible wall engaging the edges of the panels are disposed in acute angular relation to each other.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said side Walls of the hinge strip include a portion perpendicular to the flexible wall and an arcuate portion connected to the outer wall thereby defining side limits for the hinge strip when being deformed for assuring that the outer wall will flex outwardly in relation to the edges of the panels.

3. A folding door assembly comprising a plurality of elongated panels disposed in edge-to-edge relation, each side edge of each panel having a longitudinal groove therein, a hinge strip extending between adjacent side edges of the panels, said hinge strip extending throughout the length of the panels, said hinge strip including spaced inner and outer walls, the inner wall having a pair of flanges received in said grooves, end wall portions interconnecting the edges of the inner and outer wall, said outer wall extending laterally outwardly beyond the end 6 wall portions for rigidifying the strip, said strip including a pair of projecting flaps disposed exteriorly of the flanges and in diverging relation thereto, said flaps being in contacting engagement with the outer corner edges of the panels in all positions of the panels whereby the edges of the panels are continuously concealed.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein each flap is tapered outwardly to facilitate flexing thereof when the panels are extended into shallow accordion relation.

5. A folding door assembly comprising a plurality of elongated panels disposed in edge to edge relation, each side edge of each panel having a longitudinal groove therein, a hinge strip extending between adjacent side edges of the panels, said hinge strip including a body having spaced inner and outer surfaces, a pair of projecting flanges extending laterally from the inner surface, said flanges being received in said grooves, end surfaces on said body interconnecting the inner and outer surfaces, and an outwardly projecting tapered flap extending outwardly form each side extremity of said strip in acute angular relation to said flanges and engaging the outer corner edges of the panels in all positions of the panels during movement between a folded face-to-face position and an extended accordion position, said flaps riding over the outer corner edges of adjacent panels when they are moved to their extended position.

6. A folding door assembly comprising a plurality of elongated panels disposed in edge-to-edge relation, each side edge of each panel having a longitudinal groove therein, a hinge strip extending between adjacent side edges of the panels, said hinge strip including a body having an inner surface, a pair of projecting flanges extending laterally from the inner surface, said flanges being received in said grooves, and an outwardly projecting flap extending outwardly from each side extremity of said strip in acute angular relation to said flanges and engaging the outer corner edges of the panels in all positions of the panels during movement between a folded face-to-face position and an extended accordion position, said flaps being flexible and riding over the outer corner edges of adjacent panels when they are moved to their extended position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,585,645 2/1952 Freitag -206 2,912,049 11/1959 Kuyper 160199 3,004,308 10/1961 Young 2069 3,032,808 5/1962 Fleming. 3,061,896 11/1962 Wahlfeld 2069 3,079,653 3/1963 Cornell 2069 3,137,900 6/1964 Carbary 2069 X 3,148,419 9/1964 Straus et al 2069 X FOREIGN PATENTS 612,049 1/1961 Canada.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A FOLDING DOOR ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED PANELS DISPOSED IN EDGE-TO-EDGE RELATION, EACH SIDE EDGE OF EACH PANEL HAVING A LONGITUDINAL GROOVE THEREIN, A HINGE STRIP EXTENDING BETWEEN ADJACENT SIDE EDGES OF THE PANELS, SAID HINGE STRIP EXTENDING THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH OF THE PANELS, SAID HINGE STRIP INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE WALL ENGAGING THE EDGES OF THE PANELS, AND A PAIR OF FLANGES PROJECTING FROM THE FALL IN SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR RELATION THERETO AND TELESCOPICALLY RECEIVED IN SAID GROOVES, SAID HINGE STRIP ALSO INCLUDING EDGE WALLS FORMED INTEGRAL WITH THE FLEXIBLE WALL AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER, AN OUTER WALL INTERCONNECTING THE OUTER ENDS OF THE SIDE EDGE WALLS WITH THE OUTER WALL BEING DISPOSED GENERALLY IN PARALLEL SPACED RELATION TO THE FLEXIBLE WALL THEREBY COOPERATING WITH THE EDGE FALLS TO DEFINE A HOLLOW HINGE STRIP WHEREBY THE OUTER WALL WILL BOW OUTWARDLY WHEN THE PORTIONS OF THE FLEXIBLE WALL ENGAGING THE EDGES OF THE PANELS ARE DISPOSED IN ACUTE ANGULAR RELATION TO EACH OTHER.