U.S. patent application number 12/054080 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for bottom seals for a horizontal side-rolling door curtain.
Invention is credited to RYAN P. BEGGS, James C. BOERGER, Bill HOERNER.
Application Number | 20090236051 12/054080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40751241 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090236051 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BEGGS; RYAN P. ; et
al. |
September 24, 2009 |
BOTTOM SEALS FOR A HORIZONTAL SIDE-ROLLING DOOR CURTAIN
Abstract
A sideways rollup door with a horizontal side-rolling curtain
includes a replaceable bottom seal that is zippered or otherwise
removably connected to the curtain at an inclined joint. The
inclination of the joint ensures that the joint wraps upon the
curtain's take-up roller in an approximate helical pattern so as to
prevent the joint from creating a concentrated bulge on the roller.
In some cases, there is extra space underneath the roller to
provide roll-up room for the bottom seal, which can be relatively
thick. Such extra space could be further used to accommodate a seal
joint and/or other curtain seams that are not necessarily
inclined.
Inventors: |
BEGGS; RYAN P.; (Dubuque,
IA) ; BOERGER; James C.; (Franksville, WI) ;
HOERNER; Bill; (Dubuque, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HANLEY, FLIGHT & ZIMMERMAN, LLC
150 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 2100
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
40751241 |
Appl. No.: |
12/054080 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/262 ;
160/266 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05F 15/643 20150115;
E05F 1/16 20130101; E06B 9/17076 20130101; E06B 3/9682
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/262 ;
160/266 |
International
Class: |
A47G 5/02 20060101
A47G005/02 |
Claims
1. A door for a doorway with a lateral edge, the door comprising: a
roller extending vertically and mountable in proximity with the
lateral edge of the doorway; a curtain wrapped about the roller
such that the roller selectively takes in and pays out the curtain
substantially horizontally to respectively open and close the door;
and a bottom seal connected to a lower edge of the curtain, wherein
the lower edge is inclined.
2. The door of claim 1, wherein the roller has a major outer
periphery upon which the curtain is wrapped when the door is open;
however, the bottom seal extends below the major outer periphery of
the roller.
3. The door of claim 1, wherein the bottom seal is thicker than the
curtain.
4. The door of claim 1, wherein the bottom seal assumes an
approximate helical shape when the door is open.
5. The door of claim 1, wherein the bottom seal is connected to the
lower edge of the curtain by way of a joint that can be selectively
connected and disconnected.
6. The door of claim 5, wherein the joint includes a zipper.
7. The door of claim 1, wherein the bottom seal includes a loop
containing an elongate stiffening element.
8. The door of claim 1, wherein the bottom seal is part of a seal
assembly comprising an upper piece and the bottom seal, the upper
piece is connected to a lower portion of the curtain along a seam,
the bottom seal is connected to the upper piece via a separable
joint, and the seam and the separable joint are displaced out of
co-parallel alignment with each other.
9. The door of claim 8, wherein the seam provides a more permanent
connection than does the separable joint.
10. The door of claim 1, further comprising an overhead track and
drive unit from which the curtain is suspended, wherein the
overhead track and drive unit powers the door open and closed.
11. The door of claim 10, wherein the roller is spring loaded to
urge the curtain to wrap about the roller.
12. A door for a doorway with a lateral edge, the door comprising:
a roller extending vertically and mountable in proximity with the
lateral edge of the doorway; a curtain connected to the roller such
that the roller upon rotating selectively takes in and pays out the
curtain substantially horizontally to respectively open and close
the door; a bottom seal; and a joint connecting the bottom seal to
the curtain, wherein the joint is disposed at an incline.
13. The door of claim 12, wherein the roller has a major outer
periphery upon which the curtain is wrapped when the door is open;
however, the bottom seal extends below the major outer periphery of
the roller.
14. The door of claim 12, wherein the bottom seal assumes an
approximate helical shape when the door is open.
15. The door of claim 12, wherein the joint includes a zipper.
16. The door of claim 12, wherein the bottom seal is part of a seal
assembly comprising an upper piece and the bottom seal, the upper
piece is connected to a lower portion of the curtain along a seam,
the bottom seal is connected to the upper piece via the joint, and
the seam and the joint are displaced out of co-parallel alignment
with each other.
17. The door of claim 16, wherein the seam provides a more
permanent connection than does the joint.
18. A door for a doorway with a lateral edge, the door comprising:
a roller extending vertically and mountable in proximity with the
lateral edge of the doorway; a curtain connected to the roller such
that the roller upon rotating selectively takes in and pays out the
curtain substantially horizontally to respectively open and close
the door; and a seal assembly comprising an upper piece and a
bottom seal, the upper piece is connected to a lower portion of the
curtain along a seam, the bottom seal is connected to the upper
piece via a separable joint, and the seam and the separable joint
are displaced out of co-parallel alignment with each other.
19. The door of claim 18, wherein the roller has a major outer
periphery upon which the curtain is wrapped when the door is open;
however, the bottom seal extends below the major outer periphery of
the roller.
20. The door of claim 18, wherein the separable joint includes a
zipper.
21. The door of claim 18, wherein the seam provides a more
permanent connection than does the separable joint.
22. The door of claim 18, further comprising an overhead track and
drive unit from which the curtain is suspended, wherein the
overhead track and drive unit powers the door open and closed.
23. The door of claim 18, wherein the roller is spring loaded to
urge the curtain to wrap about the roller.
24. A door for a doorway with a lateral edge, the door comprising:
a roller extending vertically and mountable in proximity with the
lateral edge of the doorway, the roller includes a major outer
periphery; a curtain wrapped about the roller such that the roller
selectively takes in and pays out the curtain substantially
horizontally to respectively open and close the door; and a bottom
seal connected to a lower portion of the curtain such that the
bottom seal extends below the major outer periphery of the roller.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The subject disclosure relates generally to a horizontal
side-rolling fabric door and more specifically to a bottom seal for
such a door.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Basically, there are two types of fabric rollup doors, those
that have a curtain that rolls up vertically and those that roll up
sideways. For vertically operating rollup doors, a horizontal drum
or roller above the doorway takes up or pays out a fabric curtain
to respectively open or close the door. An example of a vertically
operating rollup door is shown in U. S. Pat. No. 7,151,450.
[0003] Side-rolling or horizontal side-rolling fabric doors, such
as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,902; includes one or
two vertical rollers at either one or both lateral edges of the
doorway. Some side-rolling doors have a single roller at one side
of the doorway with a single curtain that extends and retracts
across the full width of the doorway.
[0004] In some cases, the "single curtain" is actually comprised of
two layers, each having its own vertical take-up roller. In such
cases, the two rollers are right next to each other at one lateral
edge of the doorway. As the door opens, the two layers of the
curtain separate at the edge of the doorway and wrap upon their
respective rollers.
[0005] Other side-rolling doors include two individual curtains,
each supported by their own roller at opposite lateral edges of the
doorway. For such doors, the two separate curtains meet at the
center of the doorway as the door closes. To open the door, the two
curtains move apart from each other and wrap upon their own roller
(or set of rollers if each curtain has two layers).
[0006] Side-rolling doors, particularly those with two curtains,
provide an almost instant field of view through the doorway as the
door begins to open, whereas vertically operating doors generally
need to open much farther in order for a person on one side of the
doorway to see what is at the other side of the door. An instant
field of view can provide an early warning of a potential collision
at the doorway.
[0007] With side-rolling doors, however, it can be difficult to
seal the lower edge of the curtain adjacent the floor. Since the
lower edge of the curtain itself tends to wear prematurely due to
repeated rubbing against the floor and, thus, eventually the entire
curtain might need replacing to maintain an adequate seal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view a horizontal side-rolling door shown
in a closed position.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of the door of FIG. 1 but showing the
door open.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a closer view of the lower right corner of the
door shown in FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of another horizontal side-rolling
door shown in a closed position.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a front view of the door of FIG. 4 but showing the
door open.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures
and described in detail below. In describing these examples, like
or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or
similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and
certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown
exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity and/or
conciseness. Additionally, several examples have been described
throughout this specification. Any features from any example may be
included with, a replacement for, or otherwise combined with other
features from other examples.
[0014] FIGS. 1-3 show a horizontal side-rolling door 10 with at
least one curtain 12 that moves horizontally across a doorway 14 to
open and close the door 10. In this particular example, door 10
includes two curtains 12 supported by spring-loaded rollers 16
installed in proximity with lateral edges 18 of doorway 14. A
preloaded torsion spring 20 urges each roller 16 to rotate in a
direction that tends to draw in and wrap the respective curtain 12
onto itself. An overhead track 22 and drive unit 24 coupled to the
leading edges of curtains 16 are used for opening and closing the
door 10. FIG. 1 shows door 10 closed with leading edges of curtains
12 abutting each other near the center of doorway 14, and FIGS. 2
and 3 show door 10 open with most of the curtains 12 wrapped around
rollers 16.
[0015] To provide a means for replacing a worn bottom edge of
curtain 12 and/or to seal a gap that might exist between curtain 12
and floor 26, each curtain 12 includes a replaceable bottom seal
28. Seal 28 is replaceable by virtue of a separable joint 30, such
as, for example, a zipper, hook-and-loop connector, snaps, lace, or
some other reconnectable means. As bottom seal 28 becomes worn,
joint 30 allows seal 28 to be readily replaced without having to
replace the entire curtain.
[0016] If a replaceable seal were simply added to the lower edge of
an ordinary horizontal side-rolling door, the seal and/or the joint
that connects the seal to the curtain would likely be thicker than
the curtain material itself, and that could cause some problems. As
the door opens and the curtain wraps around the roller, a
relatively thick seal and joint could build up on the roller, which
could create a substantial bulge at the lower end of the roller.
The bulging area might press against the floor or other adjacent
surfaces and interfere with the roller being able to smoothly take
up the curtain. The bulging section might also twist and strain
adjacent areas of the curtain.
[0017] To avoid such problems, even though joint 30 might be
thicker than curtain 12, joint 30 preferably lies at an incline so
that as curtain 12 wraps around roller 16, joint 30 is broadly
distributed in an approximate helical pattern 32 as shown in FIG.
3. The terms, "incline" and "inclined" mean being angularly
displaced relative to a horizontal plane. The incline or slope of
joint 30 can be positive or negative, thus joint 30 could wrap
helically upward or downward as the door opens.
[0018] The various components of door 10 may vary. Curtain 12, for
instance, can be comprised of a pliable sheet, fabric, or any
continuous or segmented panel with sufficient flexibility to wrap
around roller 16. Referring to FIG. 3, each roller 16 can be
comprised of a rotatable outer drum 34 journaled about a stationary
central shaft 36. Opposite ends of spring 20 (FIG. 1) are connected
to drum 34 and shaft 36 so that preloaded spring 20 urges drum 34
to rotate about shaft 36, thereby pulling curtain 12 taut and
providing impetus for curtain 12 to wrap around roller 16.
[0019] Drive unit 24 can be comprised of a chain 38 or cogged belt
driven between a motor-driven sprocket 40 and an idler sprocket 42
or may comprise any other suitable components. Track followers 44
and 46, rolling or sliding along track 22, couple the leading edges
of curtains 12 to chain 38. Track follower 44 connects one curtain
12 to an upper part of chain 38, and track follower 46 connects the
other curtain 12 to the lower section of chain 38 so that drive
unit 24 can move track followers 44 and 46 and their respective
curtains 12 in opposite directions to selectively open or close the
door.
[0020] To simplify manufacturing, seal 28 can be made as part of a
generally rectangular seal assembly 48, wherein the assembly
comprises an upper piece 50 and bottom seal 28. Assembly 48 can be
sewn, bonded, welded or otherwise attached to create a generally
horizontal seam 52 that connects assembly 48 to a lower portion of
curtain 12. Once connected by seam 52, upper piece 50 of seal
assembly 48 now becomes an extension of curtain 12 itself, in which
case an inclined lower edge 54 of curtain 12 is where bottom seal
28 is removably connected via separable joint 30. Since seam 52 is
generally horizontal and joint 30 is inclined, seam 52 and joint 30
are displaced out of co-parallel alignment with each other. Lower
edge 54 can be any edge near the bottom of curtain 12 and is not
necessarily the lowermost edge of the curtain. Seam 52 preferably,
but not necessarily, provides a more permanent connection than does
separable joint 30.
[0021] Although bottom seal 28 can be any lower piece or segment in
proximity with floor 26, seal 28 does not necessarily have to be
touching floor 26 in order to be considered a bottom seal.
Nonetheless, bottom seal 28 preferably engages floor 26. To ensure
such engagement, bottom seal 28 can be comprised of a loop 56 (FIG.
3) of flexible material with a flexible but somewhat stiffer or
heavier elongate insert 58. The weight and/or relative stiffness of
insert 58 helps hold loop 56 of seal 28 down against floor 26.
[0022] Loop 56 and insert 58 can add bulk and thickness to bottom
seal 28. To prevent such thickness from creating a bulge at the
lower end of roller 16 as door 10 opens, seal 28 preferably extends
below a major outer periphery 60 of drum 34, as shown in FIG. 3.
This allows loop 56 and insert 58, if the curtain includes such a
loop and insert, to coil about itself in a more open area 62 that
is underneath the larger diameter part of drum 34. The bottom end
of drum 34 could be even higher to allow additional room for the
coiling of a horizontal or inclined joint 30 in the same way, or
the drum could have multiple stepped diameters to accommodate a
curtain having multiple areas of different thickness. The
expression, "major outer periphery" of a roller refers to the
maximum outer surface about which the curtain is wrapped. In the
case of a cylindrical roller (as opposed to an octagonal or
multifaceted one), the major outer periphery is the roller's
maximum outer diameter.
[0023] Although seal assembly 48 might simplify manufacturing,
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a horizontal side-rolling door 10' where bottom
seal 28 is attached directly to a curtain 12' without using upper
piece 50 and seam 30. Other than the omission of upper piece 50 and
seam 30, door 10' is structurally and functionally the same as door
10, with FIGS. 4 and 5 corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively.
Reference numbers in FIGS. 4 and 5 that are the same as those used
in FIGS. 1 and 2 correspond to structures that are similar or
identical to those described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0024] At least some of the aforementioned examples include one or
more features and/or benefits including, but not limited to, the
following:
[0025] In some examples, a horizontal side-rolling door includes a
replaceable bottom seal.
[0026] In some examples, a horizontal side-rolling door includes an
inclined disconnectable joint that connects a bottom seal to the
door's curtain.
[0027] In some examples, a horizontal side-rolling door includes an
inclined zipperjoint that connects a bottom seal to the door's
curtain.
[0028] In some examples, a horizontal side-rolling door includes a
roller with extra space below the roller to provide roll-up room
for a relatively thick bottom seal.
[0029] In some examples, a horizontal side-rolling door includes a
roller with extra space below the roller to provide roll-up room
for a bottom seal that comprises a loop of material containing a
weighted and/or stiffening element.
[0030] In some examples, a horizontal side-rolling door includes a
disconnectable joint that connects a bottom seal to the door's
curtain, wherein the joint wraps upon a roller in an approximate
helical pattern.
[0031] In some examples curtains 12 could be comprised of a series
of rigid vertical slats that are pivotally interconnected
side-by-side, thereby providing a flexible curtain assembly. Such
an assembled curtain could coil about relatively short upper and
lower rollers rather than wrapping around one long continuous
roller.
[0032] Furthermore, although certain example methods, apparatus and
articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of
coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary,
this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of
manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims
either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *