US3703061A

US3703061A - Overhead door construction

Info

Publication number: US3703061A
Application number: US52952A
Authority: US
Inventors: John P Holland; Hein Aykens
Original assignee: Frantz Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Frantz Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1970-07-07
Filing date: 1970-07-07
Publication date: 1972-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 1989-11-21
Also published as: FR2100371A5; BE769601A

Abstract

A section of a sectional overhead garage door comprises a ribbed, plastic panel surrounded by a frame including two horizontal rails interconnected by two end rails, each horizontal rail having two spaced-apart holding flanges extending the length thereof toward the other horizontal rail and receiving the adjacent panel margin therebetween, the outer holding flange having a gripping member thereon extending toward the inner holding flange, each end rail having a tongue at each end thereof disposed in use between the adjacent panel margin and the adjacent outer holding flange and provided with an outwardly extending gripping member thereon, the holding flange gripping members being pressed into and embedded in the end rail tongues and the panel margins, with the tongue gripping members being embedded in the outer holding flanges all for securely clamping the frame to the panel and the end rails to the horizontal rails.

Description

United States Patent Holland et al.

[541 OVERHEAD DOOR CONSTRUCTION [72] Inventors: John P. Holland; Hein Aykens, both of Sterling, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Frantz Manufacturing Company,

Sterling, Ill.

22 Filed: July 7,1970

21 Appl.No.: 52,952

[52] U.S. Cl. ..52/475, 52/455, 52/627, 287/l89.36 A [51] Int. Cl ..E04b 5/52, E06b 3/54 [58] Field of Search ..52/656, 588, 475, 476, 669, 52/455, 457, 458; 160/232; 287/189.36 A,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,617,502 11/1952 Kessler ..287/l89.36 H 2,880,796 4/1959 Stroup ..160/232 3,452,501 7/1969 Zimmer ..52/627 3,169,612 2/1965 Wolf ..52/475 1,708,599 4/1929 Andersen ..52/475 3,104,699 9/1963 Wolf ..160/232 3,169,346 2/1965 Sklar ..52/475 [451 Nov. 21, 1972 Fox-Williams ..52/65 6 Kempel ..52/588 Primary Examinerl-lenry C. Sutherland AttorneyPrangley, Clayton, Mullin, Dithmar & Vogel [57] ABSTRACT A section of a sectional overhead garage door comprises a ribbed, plastic panel surrounded by a frame including two horizontal rails interconnected by two end rails, each horizontal rail having two spaced-apart holding flanges extending the length thereof toward the other horizontal rail and receiving the adjacent panel margin therebetween, the outer holding flange having a gripping member thereon extending toward the inner holding flange, each end rail having a tongue at each end thereof disposed in use between the adjacent panel margin and the adjacent outer holding flange and provided with an outwardly extending gripping member thereon, the holding flange gripping members being pressed into and embedded in the end rail tongues and the panel margins, with the tongue gripping members being embedded in the outer holding flanges all for securely clamping the frame to the panel and the end rails to the horizontal rails.

19 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmwzr m2 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG. 2

PATENTEDHIIVZI m2 3.703.061

SHEET 3 OF 3 FIG. 4 FIG. 5

ifii-T i OVERHEAD DOOR CONSTRUCTION This invention relates to overhead door constructions and parts thereof, and particularly to improved door sections and improved frame members for lightweight sectional overhead doors.

There is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,169,612, issued Feb. 16, 1965, to Cecil R. Wolf and John P. Holland, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, an improved door construction for use in home installations such as garages. This door is formed in sections disposed horizontally and arranged one above the other and mounted for movement upon a track forming a vertical door aperture closing position to a horizontal door aperture opening position. Each door section disclosed therein comprises a panel of plastic surrounded by frame members, the frame members being interconnected at the corners thereof and including flanges to receive the edges of the plastic panel around the entire periphery thereof, at least certain of the frame members being secured to the panel by means of a plurality of rivets.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved construction of the door sections in overhead doors of the type set forth. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved door section wherein the frame members are joined to each other and to the panel without the use of rivets, bolts or other fasteners.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a frame for a door section in an overhead sectional door construction, the frame comprising two substantially horizontal rails respectively disposed along the upper and lower edges of the associated door section, each of the horizontal rails including two holding flanges extending toward the other of the horizontal rails, a gripping member provided on one of the holding flanges on each of the horizontal rails and extending toward the other of the holding flanges, a pair of end rails respectively disposed along the opposite ends of the associated door section and interconnected with the adjacent ends of the horizontal rails to define a frame surrounding the associated door section, each of the end rails including a pair of tongues respectively formed adjacent to the opposite ends thereof and disposed adjacent to the horizontal rails, each of the tongues being disposed between the other holding flange and the gripping member on the one holding flange of the adjacent horizontal rail, the gripping members being pressed into the tongues for urging the tongues toward the other holding flanges to firmly grip the tongues between the holding flanges.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a door section in an overhead sectional door construction, the section comprising a panel surrounded by and secured to a frame of the type set forth.

It is another object of this invention to provide a door section of the type set forth wherein the upper and lower margins of the panel are respectivelyreceived between the holding flanges of the horizontal rails, the tongues being disposed adjacent to the upper and lower margins of the panel and'being disposed between the panel margins and the gripping members on the one holding flanges, the gripping members being pressed into the tongues for urging the panel and the tongues toward the other holding flanges to firmly grip the panel and the tongues between the holding flanges.

lock the first and second rails in engagement with each other.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a door section of the type set forth, wherein the frame includes two substantially horizontal rails respectively disposed along the upper and lower edges of the panel and each provided with the two holding flanges thereon of the type set forth, and a pair of end rails respectively disposed along the opposite ends of the panel and interconnected with the adjacent ends of the horizontal rails, and each having tongues thereon of the type set forth at the opposite ends thereof.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of this invention to provide a door section of the type set forth, wherein each of said tongues is also provided with a second gripping member thereon of the type set forth.

Further features of the invention pertain to the-particular arrangement of the parts of the door section, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will best be understood with reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an overhead door made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the door being shown installed in the door aperture of a garage and placed in the closed position thereof;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary exploded view in perspective of a door section in accordance with the present invention, with a portion of the end rail and the panel being broken away to more clearly show the internal construction of the door section;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2 and illustrating one of the retaining tabs for joining the end rail to the panel;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view in partial section of the door section illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view in partial section of the door section illustrated in FIG. 4 as viewed from the right-hand end thereof;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section of the upper joining rail taken along the line 66 in FIG. 4, with the joining rail being shown in the condition thereof before application to the associated panel;

FIG. 6A is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the upper joining rail after application to the associated panel and the associated end rails;

FIG. 6B is a view similar to FIG. 6A, with the upper joining rail being shown in the assembled condition thereof after theouter holding flange has been rolled into the associated panel and end rails;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in vertical section similar to'FIG. 6B of another portion of the upper joining rail taken along the line 7 7 in FIG. 4.

There is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings an overhead door, generally designated by the numeral 50, made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. The door 50 is shown mounted and disposed in a position to close the door opening or aperture in a garage 60, the aperture in the garage 60 being surrounded by the usual frame 70. It is to be understood that the door 50 is mounted on the usual tracks, (not shown) for movement from the vertical position illustrated to close the door opening to a horizontal overhead position away from the door opening in the garage 60. Further details of the mounting structure for the door 50 can be found by referring to U. S. Pat. No. 3,104,699, issued to Cecil R. Wolf and John P. Holland on Feb. 24, 1963, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

In the form of the invention illustrated herein, the door 50 is formed as four separate door sections arranged in horizontal positions one above another and interconnected by hinges (not shown), there being a top door section 80, a bottom door section 90 and two intermediate door sections 100. Each of the

door sections

80, 90 and 100 includes a panel, generally designated by the numeral 101, surrounded by a suitable frame. The panels 101 in each of the door sections are identical and only one will be described in detail,

with special reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and of the drawings. Each panel 101 extends the entire width of the door 50 and therefore has a length substantially greater than the vertical extend thereof and comprises a substantially flat body 102 provided with three horizontally disposed ribs 105 and complementary grooves or recesses formed thereon. Each of the ribs 105 is formed by a pair of side walls 103 disposed at an 4 3,104,699, identified above. The frame for the upper door section 80 includes a longitudinal top rail 106 along the upper edge thereof, a longitudinal upper jOil'P.

ing rail 1 10 along the bottom edge thereof, and two end rails 130'along the opposite side edges thereof. The lowermost door section 90 is framed by a lower joining rail 140, along the upper edge thereof, a bottom rail 108-along the bottom edge thereof and two end rails 130 along the opposite side edges thereof. The intermediate door sections 100 are substantially identical, each being framed by a lower joining rail 140 along the upper edge thereof, an upper joining rail 110 along the lower edge thereof and end rails 130.along the opposite side edges thereof. v

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6 to 7 of the drawings, there is illustrated the upper joining rail 110, which forms the bottom frame member foreach of the intermediate door sections 100 and the 'top section 80, and the connection between the rail 110 and one of the associated plastic panels 101. The upper joining rail 110 includes a horizontal'wall 112 having an upwardly extending rear flange 114 and a. downwardly extending rear flange 116 integral therewith. A first upwardly extending holding flange 118 is formed integral with the horizontal wall 112 adjacent to the front edge thereof the horizontal wall 112 also being provided with a second upwardly'extending holding flange 120 being substantially shorter than the holding flange 118 and disposed forwardly thereof, the

holding flanges

118 and 120 being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the flat body 102 of the panel 101 to receive the lower margin 107 of the panel 101 in the groove or channel therebetween. Another front flange 122 is formed on the horizontal wall 112 and extends downwardly therefrom substantially midway between the

holding flanges

118 and 120. The inner holding flange 1 18 is provided with a gripping member 126 proangle of approximately 75with respect to the flat body jecting forwardly from the outer surface 127 thereof 102, each pair of side walls 103 being interconnected at the rear ends thereof by a back wall 104'disposed substantially parallel to the flat body 102. In a typical installation, the flat body 102 may have a thickness of 0.045 inches, the back wall 104 of the rib 105 may have a vertical extent of 1 inch, the total horizontal thickness of the panel 101 from the front surface of the frame body 102 to the rear surface of the back wall 104 may be 1.1 inches and the panel 101 may be 20 inches high and 18 to 20 feet long, if necessary.

Preferably, the panels 101 are formed of a compressable material such as synthetic organic plastic, for example, a polyester plastic suitably reinforced with nylon fibers and glass fibers to provide a shatterproof, light-transmitting or translucent panel. Such a panel 101 is structurally strong, lightweight and flexible but provides a suitable door panel if provided with the proper frame. Such panels may be formed clear, translucent or opaque and may be colored, if desired. The ribs105 increase the strength of the panel 101 while enhancing the appearance thereof and the upper and .lower margins 107 form flanges which are adapted to be engaged between frame members.

Suitable framing is provided about the plastic panel 101 to provide the

door sections

80, 90 and 100, the;

frame for each of the three different door sections being also different as is set froth in the S. Pat. No.

toward the holding flange 120, the gripping member 126 being preferably disposed adjacent to the lower end of the holding flange 1 18. Similarly, the outer holding flange is provided with a gripping member 128 projecting rearwardly from the inner surface 129 thereof toward the inner holding flange 118, the gripping member 128 preferably being disposed adjacent to the free distal end of the holding flange 120. It will be noted that each of the

flanges

114, 116, 118, 120 and 122, as well as the gripping

members

126 and 128 extends longitudinally the entire length of the upper joining rail 110, as is best illustrated in FIG. 2.

The end rails 130 along one side edge of the door 50 are identical and are each mirror images of the end rails 130 along the opposite side edge of the door 50; accordingly, only one of the end rails 130 will be described in detail. Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings, the end rail 130 includes an outer wall 132 having a length substantially equal to the vertical extent of the panel 101, the outer wall 132 being provided with a front flange 134 and a rear flange 136 formed integral therewith and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto along'the front and rear edges thereof. The

flanges

134 and 136 extend the entire length of the wall 132 whereby the end rail 130 is of a square channel formation. As may best be seen from FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings, the flanges 134. and 136 of the end rail 130 are spaced apart a distance to receive therebetween the thickness of the plastic panel 101, the front flange 134 lying against and substantially parallel to the front surface of the flat body 102 of the panel 101 and the rear flange 136 lying against and substantially parallel to the rear surfaces of the back walls 104 of the panel ribs 105.

The front flange 134 of the end rail 130 is provided at each end thereof with a tongue 135, each of the tongues 135 comprising a rabbeted end portion being provided at the outer end thereof with a gripping member 138, the gripping members .138 extending forwardly of the front surfaces 137 of the tongues 135 substantially normal thereto. Also provided on the end rail 130, intermediate the ends thereof, are one or more retaining tabs 139, each of the tabs 139 being punched from the outer wall 132 of the end rail 130 and folded inwardly to a position substantially parallel to the front flange 134 and spaced therefrom a distance sufficient to accommodate therebetween the adjacent side margin of the flat body 102 of the plastic panel 101.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated the lower joining rail 140, which forms the top frame member for each of the

door sections

90 and 100, and the connection between the rail 140 and one of the associated plastic panels 101. The lower joining rail 140 includes a horizontal wall 142 having an upwardly extending rear flange 144 and a downwardly extending rear flange 146. A first front flange 148 is formed integral with the horizontal wall 142 and extends upwardly therefrom and has the upper end thereof curved rearwardly as at 150 to permit cooperation with a mating flange 122 on the upper joining rail 110. Similarly, the upwardly extending rear flange 144 has the upper end thereof curved forwardly as at 150 to permit cooperation with the mating flange 116 on the upper joining rail 110. The

flanges

144 and 148 are spaced apart a distance such that they will fit and lie between the cooperating

flanges

116 and 122 on the associated upper joining rail 110 of the overlying door section 100. A first downwardly extending holding flange 152 if formed on the horizontal wall 142 to the rear of the flange 148 and a second downwardly extending holding flange 154 is formed forwardly of the flange 148 and spaced from the holding flange 152 to receive in the channel therebetween the upper margin 107 of the plastic panel 101. The inner holding flange 152 has formed on the outer surface thereof, adjacent to the upper end thereof a gripping member 156 extending forwardly therefrom toward the outer holding flange 154. Similarly, the outer holding flange 154 has formed on the inner surface thereof adjacent to the free distal end thereof a gripping member 158 extending rearwardly therefrom toward the inner holding flange 152. The gripping

members

156 and 158 are so arranged that in use gripping member 158 on the outer holding flange 154 is disposed below the gripping member 156 on the inner holding flange l52..The holding

flanges

152 and 154 extend the entire length of the rail 140 as do the gripping

members

156 and 158 to facilitate the joinder of the joining rail 140 to the adjacent members of the door section 100 as will be described below.

In assembling the door section 100, the end rails 130 may first be assembled with the door panel 101 along the opposite ends thereof. Preferably, each of the end rails 130 has a length substantially equal to the vertical extent of the door panel 101 so that in the assembled condition thereof the gripping members 138 on the tongues 135 will be respectively disposed closely adjacent to the upper and lower edges of the door panel 101. As described above, each end rail 130 is fitted over the adjacent end of the door panel 101 so as to cover the panel 101 from the front to the rear thereof. More particularly, the front flange 134 is disposed forwardly of the frame body 102 of the door panel 101, while therear flange 136 is disposed rearwardly of the back walls 104 of the ribs 105. The retaining tabs 139 may then be bent forwardly into engagement with the rear or inner surface of the flat body 102 to securely position the panel 101 with respect to the end rails 130.

The door panel 101 and the end rails 130 may next be assembled with the upper and lower joining rails and 140. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the upper joining rail 110 is disposed along the lower edge of the panel 101, with the upwardly extending

flanges

114 and 118 thereof respectively disposed within the adjacent ends of the end rails 130 substantially parallel to the rear and

front flanges

136 and 134 thereof, and with the lower margin 107 of the door panel 101 and the lower tongues 135 of the end rails 130 being disposed in the channel between the inner and outer holding

flanges

118 and 120. Referring to FIGS. 6 to 7 of the drawings, there is a detailed illustration of the manner of securing the upper joining rail 110 to the adjacent elements in.

the door section 100. FIG. 6 shows the inner and outer holding flanges 118 and of the upper joining rail 110 in their condition before assembly with the other elements of the door section 100. FIG. 6A illustrates the relative positions of the holding

flanges

118 and 120 and the adjacent parts of the door section 100. It will be noted that, in this position, the gripping member 138 on the end rail is disposed downwardly of the gripping member 128 of the outer holding flange 120.

The outer holding flange 120 is then bent over or deformedsuch as by rolling, whereby to push the distal end of the holding flange 120 toward the holding flange 118 and thereby cause the gripping member 128 to be placed against and partially embedded in the outer surfaces 137 of the lower tongues of the end rails 130, as is best illustrated in FIG. 6B. This rolling of the outer holding flange 120 also causes the gripping member 138 on the tongue 135 to be partially embedded in the inner surface 129 of the outer holding flange 120 a distance less than the penetration of the gripping member 128 into the tongues 135. The penetration of the gripping member 128 into the tongue 135 is made possible by forming the upper joining rail of a material having a hardness slightly greater than the hardness of the end rails 130. More particularly, the upper joining rail 110 is preferably formed of an aluminum alloy having a temper of T6, while the end rails 130 are preferably formed of the same aluminum alloy having a temper of T5. Similarly, rolling of the outer holding flange 120 will cause the gripping member 128 to be pressed against andpartially embedded in the lower margin 107 of the plastic panel 101 between the end rails 130, since the gripping member 128 is harder than the plastic of the panel 101, this. gripping action best being illustrated in FIG. 7. It will also be noted that the rolling of the outer holding flange 120 serves to push the lower margin 107 of the panel 101 against the outer surface 127 of the inner holding flange 118, thereby causing the gripping member 126 thereof to be partially embedded in the rear surface of the door panel 101. There is thus formed a secure joint between the upper joining rail 110 and the panel 101 as a result of the gripping action of the gripping

members

126 and 128, a secure joint also being formed between the upper joining rail 110 and the lower tongues 135 of the end rails 130 as a result of the interlocking gripping action of the gripping

members

128 and 138. In this connection, it will be noted that the positioning of the gripping member 138 on the end rail 130 below the gripping member 128 on the holding flange 120 improves the reliability of the joint therebetween, since even if the gripping member 128 should become disengaged from the tongues 135, the interlocking arrangement of the gripping

members

128 and 138 will still serve to hold the upper joining rail 110 in position with respect to the end rails 130.

In like manner, the lower joining rail 140 is connected to the other elements of the door section 100. More particularly, the joining rail 140 is formed of the same material as the lower joining rail 110 and is positioned atop the door panel 101, with the downwardly extending

flanges

146 and 152 being received within the upper ends of the end rails 130, with the upper flange 107 of the door panel 101 and the upper tongues 135 of the end rails 130 being received in the channel between the holding

flanges

152 and 154. In the assembled condition, the gripping member 158 on the holding flange 154 will be disposed downwardly of the gripping members 138 on the tongues 135. The outer holding flange 154 is then bent or deformed by rolling in the same manner, as was described with respect to the upper joining rail 110, to push the outer end of the flange 154 toward the flange 152, thereby causing the gripping member 158 to be placed against and partially embedded in both the panel margin 107 and the end rail tongues 135. Similarly, as was described with respect to the upper joining rail 1 10, the gripping members 138 on the end rails 130 are partially embedded in the inner surface of the holding flange 154 a distance less than the penetration of the gripping member 158 into the tongues 135, whereby the gripping

members

128 and 138 cooperate to form an interlocking joint therebetween. Also, the rolling of the outer flange 154 causes the upper margin 107 of the door panel 101 to be moved into engagement with the inner holding flange 152, with the gripping member 156 being partially embedded in the inner surface of the panel flange 107 and cooperating with the gripping member 158 to securely hold the panel 101 therebetween.

It has been found that the joint formed as illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 7 is watertight and, furthermore, that the corresponding joint between the lower joining rail 140 and the upper edge of the door panel 101 is capable of preventing movement of moisture up the front surface of the plastic panel 101 an underneath the outer holding flange 154 and then down between the flange 152 and the upper panel margin 107. Furthermore, the plastic panel 101 is securely held along substantially the entire length thereof instead of only at several points therealong as would be the case were rivets to be used to join the plastic panel 101 to the upper and lower joining rails and 140. As a result, the stresses holding the plastic panel 101 are distributed throughout the entire length thereof instead of being concentrated at rivet holes at spaced points.

' Similarly, the end rails are joined to the plastic panel 101 and to the upper and lower joining rails 110 and completely without the use of any fasteners,

such as rivets or bolts or the like. Thus, the end rails 130 are held in position and are connected to the panel 101 and the joining

rails

110 and 140 solely by the action of the retaining tabs 139 and the interlocking of the holding

flanges

120 and 154 with the tongues 135. .It has been found that this method of forming the joint between the several members of the door section 100 is less expensive and considerably faster than the construction utilizing rivets or other fasteners. In particular, it has been found that a single worker operating a rolling machine to roll the

flanges

120 and 154, can assemble four times as many door sections in a given time period as he could utilizing the prior method of assembly with rivets. Also, it has been found that the joint resulting from the present invention is much smoother, neater and streamlined in appearance as well as providing a stronger, watertight assembly.

It will, of course, be understood that the joint illustrated and described with respect to the intermediate door sections 100 can also be applied to the upper and

lower door sections

80 and 90, whereby to provide inexpensive, strong, watertight and attractive joints with the associated plastic panels 101.

From the foregoing, it is seen that there has been provided an overhead door construction of simple, economical and lightweight construction characterized by extreme case of assembly. More particularly, there has been provided a door section for an overhead sectional door including a door panel surrounded by frame members, the panel and frame members all being interconnected without the use of rivets or fasteners.

There has also been provided a door section of lightweight, watertight. construction comprising a plastic, ribbed panel provided with aluminum frame members around the periphery thereof, the frame members being connected to each other and to the plastic panel solely by the gripping engagement of ad jacent flanges of the several members.

There has also been provided a door section of the type described, wherein the adjacent engaged flanges are provided with gripping members which are partially embedded in each other to provide a secure and watertightjoint therebetween.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A frame for a door section in an overhead sectional door construction, said frame comprising two substantially horizontal rails respectively disposed along the upper and lower edges of the associated door section, each of said horizontal rails including two holding flanges extending toward the other of said horizontal rails, a gripping member provided on one of said holding flanges on each of said horizontal rails and extending toward the other of said holding flanges, a pair of end rails respectively disposed along the opposite ends of the associated door section and interconnected with the adjacent ends of said horizontal rails to define a frame surrounding the associated door section, each of said end rails including a vertical end wall and a flange extending toward the other of said end rails said flange including a pair of tongues respectively formed adjacent to the opposite ends of said end rail and disposed adjacent to said horizontal rails, each of said tongues being disposed between said other holding flange and the gripping member on said one holding flange of the adjacent horizontal rail, said gripping members being pressed into said tongues for urging said tongues toward said other holding flanges to firmly grip said tongues between said holding flanges.

2. A door section in an overhead sectional door construction, said door section comprising a panel, two substantially horizontal rails respectively disposed along the upper and lower edges of said panel and secured thereto, each of said horizontal rails including two holding flanges extending toward the other of said horizontal rails, a gripping member provided on one of said holding flanges on each of said horizontal rails and extending toward the other of said holding flanges, a pair of end rails respectively disposed along the opposite ends of said panel and interconnected with the adjacent ends of said horizontal rails to define a frame surrounding said panel, each of said end rails including a vertical end wall and a flange extending toward the other of said end rails said flange including a pair of tongues respectively formed adjacent to the opposite ends of said end rail and disposed adjacent to said horizontal rails, each of said tongues beingdisposed between said other holding flange and the gripping member of said one holding flange of the adjacent horizontal rail, said gripping members being pressed into said tongues for urging said tongues toward said other holding flanges to firmly grip said tongues between said holding flanges.

3. A door section in an overhead sectional door construction, said door section comprising a panel, two substantially horizontal rails respectively disposed along the upper and lower edges of said panel, each of said horizontal rails including two holding flanges extending toward the other of said horizontal rails and receiving the adjacent margin of said panel therebetween, a gripping member provided on one of said holding flanges on each of said horizontal rails and extending toward the other of said holding flanges, a pair of end rails respectively disposed along the opposite ends of said panel and interconnected with the adjacent ends of said horizontal rails to define a frame surrounding said panel, each of said end rails including a vertical end wall and a flange extending toward the other of said end rails said flange including a pair of tongues respectively formed adjacent to the opposite ends of said end rail and disposed along the surface of said panel adjacent to the upper and lower margins thereof, each of said tongues being disposed between the adjacent margin of said panel and the gripping member of said one holding flange, said gripping members being pressed into said tongues for urging said panel and said tongues toward said other holding 6. The door section set forth in claim 3, wherein said other holding flanges extend substantially beyond the longitudinal free edges of said one holding flanges and provide flat surfaces extending the length thereof for supporting the adjacent margins of saidpanel.

7. The door section set forth in claim 3, and further including a retaining member carried by each of said end rails intermediate the ends thereof and engaging the adjacent end margin of said panel for positioning said panel with respect to said end rails.

8. The door section set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said holding flanges and said gripping members extends substantially the entire length of said panel with said gripping members being pressed into the adjacent margins of said panel. 7

9. The door section set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said holding flanges and said gripping members extends substantially theentire length of said panel with said gripping members being pressed into the adjacent margins of said panel, said gripping members being formed of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of said panel margins and greater than the hardness of said tongues, said gripping members being embedded in both said panel margins and said tongues for providing a strong and continuous watertight joint between said holding flange and said panel margins and between said holding flanges and said tongues.

10. A door section in an overhead sectional door construction, said door section comprising a panel, two substantially horizontal rails respectively disposed along'the upper and lower edges of said panel, each of said horizontal rails including two holding flanges extending toward the other of said horizontal rails and receiving the adjacent margin of said panel therebetween, a first gripping member provided on one of said holding flanges on each of said horizontal rails and extending toward the other of said holding flanges, a pair of end rails respectively disposed along the opposite ends of said panel and interconnected with the adjacent ends of said horizontal rails to define a frame surrounding said panel, each of said end rails including a vertical end wall and a flange extending toward the other of said end rails said flange including a pair of tongues respectively formed adjacent to the opposite ends of said end rail and disposed along the surface of said panel adjacent to the upper and lower margins thereof, each of said tongues being disposed between the adjacent margin of said panel and the gripping member on said one holding flange, a second gripping member provided on each of said tongues and extending toward said one holding flange, said first gripping members being pressed into said tongues for urging said panel and said tongues toward said other holding flanges and for pressing said second gripping members into said one holding flanges to firmly grip said panel and said tongues between said holding flanges.

11. The door section set forth in claim 10, wherein each of said first gripping members is disposed closer to the free edge of said one flange than is the adjacent second gripping member, whereby said first and second gripping members are arranged in interlocking relationship.

12. The door section set forth in claim 10, wherein said first gripping members are formed of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of said tongues, said first gripping members being embedded in said tongues for providing a strong and. continuous joint 7 therebetween.

13. The door section set forth in claim 12, wherein said second gripping members are embedded in said outer holding flanges for providing a more secure connection between said horizontal rails and said end rails.

14. The door section set forth in claim 10, wherein said other holding flanges extend substantially beyond the longitudinal free edges of said one holding flanges and provide flat surfaces extending the length thereof with said gripping members being pressed into the adjacent margins of said panel.

16. The door section set forth in claim 10, wherein each of said holding flanges and said first gripping members extends substantially the entire length of said panel with said first gripping members being pressed into the adjacent margins of said panel,v said first gripping members being formed of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of said panel margins and greater than the hardness of said tongues, said first gripping members being embedded in both said panel margins and said tongues for providing a strong and continuous and watertight joint between said holding flanges and said panel margins and between said holding flanges and said tongues.

17. The door section set forth in claim 10, and further including a third gripping member provided on each of said other holding flanges and extending toward said one holding flanges, said third gripping members being pressed into said panel margins for more securely connecting said panel to said frame.

18. The door section forth in claim 17, wherein each of said holding flanges and said first and third gripping members extends substantially the entire length of said panel, said first and third gripping members being formed of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of said panel margins and greater than the hardness of said tongues, said first gripping members being embedded in both said tongues and one surface of said panel margins and said third gripping members being embedded in the opposite surface of said panel margins for providing a strong and continuous watertight joint between said holding flanges and said panel margins and between said holding flanges and said tongues.

19. A door section for an overhead sectional door construction, said door section comprising a panel, two substantially horizontal rails respectively disposed alntheu radlowred f 'danl hf said orizo e rails incl ding fii's a n d s co d fi fdi g flanges extending substantially the length of said panel toward the other of said horizontal rails and receiving the adjacent margin of said panel therebetween, said second holding flanges extending substantially beyond the longitudinal free edges of said first holding flanges and providing flat surfaces extending the length thereof for supporting the adjacent panel flanges, a first gripping member provided on said first holding flange on each of said horizontal rails and extending the length thereof toward the Hat surface on the adjacent secondholdingflange, an auxiliary gripping member provided on said second. holding flange on each of said horizontal rails and extending the length vthereof toward the adjacent first holding flange, a pair of end rails respectively disposed along "the opposite ends of said panel and interconnected withthe adjacent ends of said horizontal rails to define a frame surrounding said panel, each of said end rails including avertical end wall and a flange extending toward the other of said end rails said flange including a pair of tongues respectively formed adjacent to the opposite ends of said end rail and disposed along the surface of said panel adjacent to the upper and lower margins thereof, each'of said tongues being disposed between the adjacent margin of said panel and the adjacent first gripping member, a second gripping member provided on each of said tongues and extending toward said first holding flange, said first gripping members and said auxiliary gripping members being formed of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of said panel margins and greater than the hardness of said tongues, said first gripping members being pressed into the adjacent flanges of saidpanei and into said tongues for urging said panel flanges and said tongues toward the flat surfaces of said second holding flanges to firmly grip said panel and said tongues between said first and second holding flanges, said first gripping members being embedded in both said tongues and one surface of said panel margins and said auxiliary gripping members being embedded in the opposite surface of said panel margins and said second gripping members being pressed into said first holding flanges for providing a strong and continuous and watertight joint between said holding flanges and said panel margins and between said holding flanges and said tongues.

* a a: :r r

Claims

1. A frame for a door section in an overhead sectional door construction, said frame comprising two substantially horizontal rails respectively disposed along the upper and lower edges of the associated door section, each of said horizontal rails including two holding flanges extending toward the other of said horizontal rails, a gripping member provided on one of said holding flanges on each of said horizontal rails and extending toward the other of said holding flanges, a pair of end rails respectively disposed along the opposite ends of the associated door section and interconnected with the adjacent ends of said horizontal rails to define a frame surrounding the associated door section, each of said end rails including a vertical end wall and a flange extending toward the other of said end rails , said flange including a pair of tongues respectively formed adjacent to the opposite ends of said end rail and disposed adjacent to said horizontal rails, each of said tongues being disposed between said other holding flange and the gripping member on said one holding flange of the adjacent horizontal rail, said gripping members being pressed into said tongues for urging said tongues toward said other holding flanges to firmly grip said tongues between said holding flanges.

2. A door section in an overhead sectional door construction, said door section comprising a panel, two substantially horizontal rails respectively disposed along the upper and lower edges of said panel and secured thereto, each of said horizontal rails including two holding flanges extending toward the other of said horizontal rails, a gripping member provided on one of said holding flanges on each of said horizontal rails and extending toward the other of said holding flanges, a pair of end rails respectively disposed along the opposite ends of said panel and interconnected with the adjacent ends of said horizontal rails to define a frame surrounding said panel, each of said end rails including a vertical end wall and a flange extending toward the other of said end rails , said flange including a pair of tongues respectively formed adjacent to the opposite ends of said end rail and disposed adjacent to said horizontal rails, each of said tongues being disposed between said other holding flange and the gripping member of said one holding flange of the adjacent horizontal rail, said gripping members being pressed into said tongues for urging said tongues toward said other holding flanges to firmly grip said tongues between said holding flanges.

3. A door section in an overhead sectional door construction, said door section comprising a panel, two substantially horizontal rails respectively disposed along the upper and lower edges of said panel, each of said horizontal rails including two holding flanges extending toward the other of said horizontal rails and receiving the adjacent margin of said panel therebetween, a gripping member provided on one of said holding flanges on each of said horizontal rails and extending toward the other of said holding flanges, a pair of end rails respectively disposed along the opposite ends of said panel and interconnected with the adjacent ends of said horizontal rails to define a frame surrounding said panel, each of said end rails including a vertical end wall and a flange extending toward the other of said end rails , said flange including a pair of tongues reSpectively formed adjacent to the opposite ends of said end rail and disposed along the surface of said panel adjacent to the upper and lower margins thereof, each of said tongues being disposed between the adjacent margin of said panel and the gripping member of said one holding flange, said gripping members being pressed into said tongues for urging said panel and said tongues toward said other holding flanges to firmly grip said panel and said tongues between said holding flanges.

4. The door section set forth in claim 3, wherein said horizontal rails and said end rails are formed of an aluminum alloy and said panel is formed of a synthetic organic plastic.

5. The door section set forth in claim 3, wherein said gripping members are formed of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of said tongues, said gripping members being embedded in said tongues for providing a strong and continuous joint therebetween.

6. The door section set forth in claim 3, wherein said other holding flanges extend substantially beyond the longitudinal free edges of said one holding flanges and provide flat surfaces extending the length thereof for supporting the adjacent margins of said panel.

8. The door section set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said holding flanges and said gripping members extends substantially the entire length of said panel with said gripping members being pressed into the adjacent margins of said panel.

9. The door section set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said holding flanges and said gripping members extends substantially the entire length of said panel with said gripping members being pressed into the adjacent margins of said panel, said gripping members being formed of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of said panel margins and greater than the hardness of said tongues, said gripping members being embedded in both said panel margins and said tongues for providing a strong and continuous watertight joint between said holding flange and said panel margins and between said holding flanges and said tongues.

10. A door section in an overhead sectional door construction, said door section comprising a panel, two substantially horizontal rails respectively disposed along the upper and lower edges of said panel, each of said horizontal rails including two holding flanges extending toward the other of said horizontal rails and receiving the adjacent margin of said panel therebetween, a first gripping member provided on one of said holding flanges on each of said horizontal rails and extending toward the other of said holding flanges, a pair of end rails respectively disposed along the opposite ends of said panel and interconnected with the adjacent ends of said horizontal rails to define a frame surrounding said panel, each of said end rails including a vertical end wall and a flange extending toward the other of said end rails , said flange including a pair of tongues respectively formed adjacent to the opposite ends of said end rail and disposed along the surface of said panel adjacent to the upper and lower margins thereof, each of said tongues being disposed between the adjacent margin of said panel and the gripping member on said one holding flange, a second gripping member provided on each of said tongues and extending toward said one holding flange, said first gripping members being pressed into said tongues for urging said panel and said tongues toward said other holding flanges and for pressing said second gripping members into said one holding flanges to firmly grip said panel and said tongues between said holding flanges.

12. The door section set forth in claim 10, wherein said first gripping members are formed of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of said tongues, said first gripping members being embedded in said tongues for providing a strong and continuous joint therebetween.

14. The door section set forth in claim 10, wherein said other holding flanges extend substantially beyond the longitudinal free edges of said one holding flanges and provide flat surfaces extending the length thereof for supporting the adjacent margins of said panel.

15. The door section set forth in claim 10, wherein each of said holding flanges and said gripping members extends substantially the entire length of said panel with said gripping members being pressed into the adjacent margins of said panel.

16. The door section set forth in claim 10, wherein each of said holding flanges and said first gripping members extends substantially the entire length of said panel with said first gripping members being pressed into the adjacent margins of said panel, said first gripping members being formed of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of said panel margins and greater than the hardness of said tongues, said first gripping members being embedded in both said panel margins and said tongues for providing a strong and continuous and watertight joint between said holding flanges and said panel margins and between said holding flanges and said tongues.