U.S. patent application number 10/421189 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for track assembly for an overhead door.
This patent application is currently assigned to Wayne-Dalton Corp.. Invention is credited to Cooke, Kenneth D., Mullet, Willis J., Paquette, Derek S., Rusnak, Gregory M..
Application Number | 20040211033 10/421189 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33298629 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040211033 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mullet, Willis J. ; et
al. |
October 28, 2004 |
Track assembly for an overhead door
Abstract
A track assembly for an overhead door (10) includes a generally
vertically positionable track segment (14) and a generally
horizontally positionable track segment (15). The track segment
(14) includes a curvilinear portion (17) at one end thereof which
is joined to a curvilinear portion (21) of the track segment (15)
by a bracket (30). The curvilinear portion (17) of the track
segment (14) has a smaller radius of curvature than the curvilinear
portion (21) of the track segment (15). The bracket (30) has tabs
(40) which are received in a slot aperture (42) in the curvilinear
portion (17) to attach it to the bracket (30), and the bracket (30)
has a lug (41) which is received in a slot (44) in the curvilinear
portion (21) to attach it to the bracket (30).
Inventors: |
Mullet, Willis J.; (Gulf
Breeze, FL) ; Paquette, Derek S.; (Robertsdale,
AL) ; Rusnak, Gregory M.; (Milton, FL) ;
Cooke, Kenneth D.; (Cantonment, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Phillip L. Kenner
RENNER, KENNER, GREIVE, BOBAK, TAYLOR & WEBER
Fourth Floor
First National Tower
Akron
OH
44308-1456
US
|
Assignee: |
Wayne-Dalton Corp.
|
Family ID: |
33298629 |
Appl. No.: |
10/421189 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
16/96R |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05D 15/24 20130101;
Y10T 16/379 20150115; E05Y 2201/684 20130101; E05Y 2600/626
20130101; E05Y 2900/106 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
016/096.00R |
International
Class: |
A47H 001/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A track assembly for an overhead door comprising a generally
vertically positionable first track segment including a generally
straight portion and a curvilinear portion having a first radius of
curvature, a generally horizontally positionable second track
segment including a generally straight portion and a curvilinear
portion having a second radius of curvature, said second radius of
curvature being larger than said first radius of curvature, and
means to attach said curvilinear portion of said first track
segment to said curvilinear portion of said second track
segment.
2. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein said means to attach
includes a bracket having a face to be secured to said curvilinear
portions.
3. The track assembly of claim 2 wherein the track assembly is
supported by a frame and said bracket has a flange adapted to be
attached to the frame.
4. The track assembly of claim 2 wherein said face includes opposed
tabs and said curvilinear portion of one of said track segments
includes a slot aperture, said tabs being received through a
portion of said slot aperture and then said bracket being rotatable
relative to said one track segment to attach said one track segment
to said bracket.
5. The track assembly of claim 2 wherein said face includes a lug
and said curvilinear portion of one of said track segments includes
a slot to receive said lug.
6. The track assembly of claim 5 wherein said face includes opposed
tabs and said curvilinear portion of the other of said first track
segments includes a slot aperture, said tabs being received through
a portion of said slot aperture and then said bracket is being
rotatable relative to said other track segment to attach said other
track segment to said bracket.
7. The track assembly of claim 5 wherein said slot is tapered from
a first end having a larger opening to a second end having a
smaller opening.
8. The track assembly of claim 7 wherein said lug is received
through said first end of said slot and said one track segment is
moved relative to said bracket to position said lug in said second
end of said slot.
9. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein said track segments are
U-shaped in end profile, the end of said curvilinear portion of one
of said track segments having an enlarged U-shaped end profile to
receive the end of said curvilinear portion of the other of said
track segments.
10. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein said first radius of
curvature is in the range of approximately four inches to
approximately eight inches.
11. The track assembly of claim 10 wherein said second radius of
curvature is in the range of approximately fifty inches to
approximately eighty inches.
12. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein said second radius of
curvature is in the range of approximately fifty inches to
approximately eighty inches.
13. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein said first radius of
curvature is approximately four inches and said curvilinear portion
of said first track segment extends for approximately sixty-eight
degrees.
14. The track assembly of claim 13 wherein said second radius of
curvature is approximately seventy-one inches and said curvilinear
portion of said second track segment extends for approximately
twenty-two degrees.
15. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein the ratio of said second
radius of curvature to said first radius of curvature is in the
range of approximately twenty-to-one to approximately
six-to-one.
16. A track assembly for the rollers of an overhead door comprising
a first track segment having a generally straight portion and a
curvilinear portion having a first radius of curvature, and a
second track segment having a generally straight portion and a
curvilinear portion having a second radius of curvature, said
curvilinear portions of said track segments being attached to each
other in such a way so as to form a continuous track for the
rollers, the ratio of said second radius of curvature to said first
radius of curvature being in the range of approximately
twenty-to-one to approximately six-to-one.
17. The track assembly of claim 16 wherein said first radius of
curvature is approximately four inches and said second radius of
curvature is approximately seventy-one inches.
18. The track assembly of claim 17 wherein said curvilinear portion
of said first track segment extends over approximately sixty-eight
degrees and said curvilinear portion of said second track segment
extends over approximately twenty-two degrees.
19. The track assembly of claim 16 wherein said track segments are
U-shaped in end profile, the end of said curvilinear portion of one
of said track segments having an enlarged U-shaped end profile to
receive the end of said curvilinear portion of the other of said
track segments to provide the continuous track for the rollers.
20. A track assembly for an overhead door comprising a first track
segment having a generally straight portion and a curvilinear
portion having a first radius of curvature, a second track segment
having a generally straight portion and a curvilinear portion
having a second radius of curvature, and a bracket being attachable
to said curvilinear portion of said first track segment and being
attachable to said curvilinear portion of said second track segment
so as to attach said first and second track segments to each
other.
21. The track assembly of claim 20 wherein said bracket includes
opposed tabs and said curvilinear portion of said first track
segment includes a slot aperture, said tabs being received through
a portion of said slot aperture and then said bracket being
rotatable relative to said first track segment to attach said first
track segment to said bracket.
22. The track assembly of claim 21 wherein said bracket includes a
lug and said curvilinear portion of said second track segment
includes a slot to receive said lug.
23. The track assembly of claim 22 wherein said slot is tapered
from a first end having a larger opening to a second end having a
smaller opening.
24. The track assembly of claim 23 wherein said lug is received
through said first end of said slot and said second track segment
is moved relative to said bracket to position said lug in said
second end of said slot.
25. The track assembly of claim 24 wherein said track segments are
U-shaped in end profile, the end of said curvilinear portion of
said first track segment having an enlarged U-shaped end profile to
receive the end of said curvilinear portion of said second track
segment when said second track segment is moved relative to said
bracket.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a track assembly for
sectional overhead doors such as garage doors and the like. More
specifically, this invention relates to such an assembly which is
particularly suited for low headroom environments.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Overhead sectional garage doors or the like are typically
provided with rollers that ride in a track system usually carried
by a horizontally oriented angle member extending inwardly from the
door frame. When the door is in the closed position, the rollers
reside in opposed vertically oriented tracks, and when moved to an
open position, the rollers travel up the vertical tracks, through
opposed transitional tracks, and into opposed generally
horizontally oriented tracks.
[0003] Traditionally, the transitional tracks are of a circular
radius of curvature to make the ninety degree transition from the
vertical tracks to the horizontal tracks. These transitional tracks
may be a separate piece, having their ends attached to the vertical
and horizontal tracks, or they may be incorporated into either the
vertical tracks or the horizontal tracks thereby creating a
two-piece system instead of a three piece system. In some
instances, the track system may be formed as one piece
incorporating the vertical tracks, the horizontal tracks and the
transitional tracks.
[0004] The radius of the typical prior art transitional tracks
generally varies between eight inches and thirty inches. Radiuses
toward the upper end of the range are desirable because such
provides for a smoother operation of the door. However, such
requires more headroom. In situations where there is minimal
headroom, transitional tracks with a short radius must be utilized
to the sacrifice of smooth operation.
[0005] As a compromise, attempts have been made at providing a one
piece track system which includes the vertical tracks, the
horizontal tracks, and a transitional track portion having two
radii of curvature. However, in order to accommodate for low
headroom environments and yet still satisfactorily operate, the
radii of curvature need to be quite different, that is, one of the
radii needs to be substantially smaller than the other radii, and
such cannot be readily accomplished in one piece.
[0006] Thus, the need exists for a track system which is not
plagued by these problems of the prior art.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
track assembly for an overhead door which has the benefits of
smooth operation while at the same time being usable in areas
having low headroom.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
track assembly, as above, which can easily be used with a
header-mounted, pivoting motorized door operator.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
track assembly, as above, which does not require the support of a
horizontally extending angle member.
[0010] It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide a track assembly, as above, which is easy to assemble and
install.
[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a track assembly, as above, which can be connected to a mounting
bracket without the need for fasteners.
[0012] These and other objects of the present invention, as well as
the advantages thereof over existing prior art forms, which will
become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by
the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.
[0013] In general, an overhead door track assembly made in
accordance with the present invention includes a generally
vertically positionable first track segment which has a straight
portion and a curvilinear portion having a first radius of
curvature. A generally horizontally positionable second track
segment includes a straight portion and a curvilinear portion
having a second radius of curvature. The second radius of curvature
is larger than the first radius of curvature. Means are provided to
connect the curvilinear portion of the first track segment to the
curvilinear portion of the second track segment.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
the track assembly which receives the rollers of an overhead door
includes a first track segment having a generally straight portion
and a curvilinear portion having a first radius of curvature. A
second track segment has a generally straight portion and a
curvilinear portion having a second radius of curvature. The
curvilinear portions are attached to each other in such a way so as
to form a continuous track for the rollers. The ratio of the second
radius of curvature to the first radius of curvature is in the
range of approximately twenty-to-one to approximately
six-to-one.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention, the track assembly
includes a first track segment having a generally straight portion
and a curvilinear portion having a first radius of curvature. A
second track segment has a generally straight portion and
curvilinear portion having a second radius of curvature. A bracket
is attachable to the curvilinear portion of the first track segment
and is attachable to the curvilinear portion of the second track
segment so as to attach the first and second track segments to each
other.
[0016] A preferred exemplary track assembly for an overhead door
made in accordance with the concepts of the present invention is
shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings without
attempting to show all the various forms and modifications in which
the invention might be embodied, the invention being measured by
the appended claims and not by the details of the
specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a sectional
overhead door having a track assembly made in accordance with the
concepts of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the portion of the
track assembly encircled in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the components of
the track assembly shown in FIG. 2.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0020] An overhead-type garage door is indicated generally by the
numeral 10 and includes a plurality of panels 11, each having guide
rollers 12 on the lateral edges thereof. Door 10 is formed within a
frame which includes vertically oriented jambs J spaced by a header
H, and is suspended by a conventional counterbalance system 13
which is schematically shown in FIG. 1. Rollers 12 ride in a track
assembly which includes opposed generally vertically positionable
track segments, generally indicated by the numeral 14, and opposed
generally horizontally positionable track segments generally
indicated by the numeral 15.
[0021] Each vertically positionable track segment 14 includes a
straight portion 16 which, when positioned for use with door 10, is
generally vertically oriented, and includes a curvilinear portion
17 at one end thereof. Both portions 16 and 17 are generally
U-shaped in end profile having opposed branches 18 interconnected
by a base portion 19. As such, rollers 12 are adapted to be
received between branches 18 and directed thereby as they move
along track segment 14.
[0022] Similarly, each horizontally positionable track segment 15
includes a straight portion 20 which, when positioned for use with
door 10, is generally horizontally oriented, and includes a
curvilinear portion 21 at one end thereof. Both portions 20 and 21
are generally U-shaped in end profile having opposed branches 22
interconnected by a base portion 23. As such, rollers 12 are
adapted to be received between branches 22 and directed thereby as
they move along track segment 15.
[0023] It has been found that the radius of curvature of
curvilinear portion 17 can be in the range of approximately four to
eight inches. A radius of curvature of about four inches extending
over approximately sixty-eight degrees is preferred. The radius of
curvature of curvilinear portion 21 can be in the range of fifty to
eighty inches depending on the height of the panels 11 which make
up door 10. A radius of curvature of about seventy-one inches
extending over approximately twenty-two degrees is preferred. Thus,
the ratios of the radius of portion 21 to the radius of portion 17
could be in the range of approximately twenty-to-one to
approximately six-to-one. The combination of these radii provide
for smooth operation while at the same time rendering the door 10
useable in areas of low headroom.
[0024] Curvilinear portion 17 is attached to curvilinear portion 21
by means of a flag angle or bracket generally indicated by the
numeral 30. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, bracket 30 is generally
L-shaped in configuration having a generally vertically oriented
structural mounting face 31 and a generally horizontally oriented
track engaging face 32. An offset rib 33 runs down mounting face 31
and extends into track engaging face 32, and a second offset rib 34
runs along the junction of faces 31 and 32. Together, ribs 33 and
34 add strength to bracket 30.
[0025] Mounting face 31 includes an aperture 35 to facilitate
attachment to a portion of counterbalance system 13, and the top of
face 31 is provided with a notch 36 to permit the passage of
counterbalance system 13 therethrough. As shown in FIG. 3, face 31
is also provided with a mounting flange 37 having a plurality (one
shown) of apertures 38 therein to facilitate attachment of bracket
30 to the header H or a jamb J of the frame around door 10. Flange
37 is integrally formed with a flange 39 on track engaging face 32
to further strengthen bracket 30.
[0026] Track engaging face 32 of bracket 30 is provided with a pair
of tabs 40 spaced from face 32 and oriented 180.degree. of each
other. Face 32 is also provided with a lock lug 41 which is also
spaced from face 32. The base portion 19 of track portion 17 is
provided with a slot aperture 42 which is generally circular in
shape with its circumference being interrupted by a pair of
diametrically opposed semicircles 43. The base portion 23 of track
portion 21 is provided with a tapered, generally tear drop-shaped,
slot 44 having an end 45 with a narrow opening and an end 46 with
an opening wider than the opening at end 45. The larger end 46 is
positioned to be adjacent to the end of track portion 21.
[0027] In order to attach curvilinear portion 17 of track segment
14 to curvilinear portion 21 of track segment 15, and thereby
install the track assembly for use with door 10, tabs 40 of bracket
30 are aligned with opposed semicircles 43 of slot aperture 42 and
then pushed therethrough. Then, bracket 30 and track segment 14 can
be rotated ninety degrees relative to each other so that bracket 30
is engaging track segment 14 as shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter, in
order to attach curvilinear portion 21 to bracket 30 and to
curvilinear portion 17 to track segment 14, the end of curvilinear
portion 21 can be slid into, or otherwise telescoped into, the end
of curvilinear portion 17. For this purpose, the U-shaped profile
of portion 17 is enlarged near the end of portion 17, as at 47, to
receive the end of portion 21. As such, there is a smooth roller
transition between portions 17 and 21 so that there is no undue
noise and so that there is otherwise no bumpy transition of rollers
12 as they pass between track segment 14 and track segment 15. At
the same time that track portion 21 is slid into track portion 17,
lug 41 of bracket 30 is received through the large end 46 of slot
44. When portion 21 is fully seated in portion 17, lug 41 will be
positioned in the smaller end 45 of slot 44 such that bracket 30 is
then holding track portion 21.
[0028] At this point, bracket 30 may be attached to the door frame
while carrying and attaching one end of track segments 14 and 15,
and the other ends of track segments 14 and 15 may be
conventionally attached to the frame and surrounding structure so
that track portion 21 cannot be slid out of track portion 17 and
otherwise released from bracket 30.
[0029] It should be appreciated that a track assembly constructed
and installed as described herein does not require the conventional
horizontally extending support angle at the area of the transition
of the track from vertical to horizontal because the long
curvilinear portion 21 effectively acts to provide such support. In
addition, this track assembly enables one to use a header mounted
pivotal door operator without requiring additional components to
account for the lack of headroom as was required in the prior art.
That is, when door 10 is moving through the track assembly of the
present invention, door 10 begins to move back almost immediately
on track segment 15 which allows one to use a pivotal door operator
which is desirable to lock the door in the down position.
[0030] As such, the track assembly described herein substantially
improves the art and otherwise accomplishes the objections of the
present invention.
* * * * *